as of September 11, 2013

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

July 27, 2015 – Tough Week

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Boy, this week has been a little tough! It seems that life is trying to slow me down! A lot of our plans fell through for other things and errands we had to do. Now granted, I don't regret doing those errands/things because they helped other people. Perhaps that's why things kept coming up. But allow me to explain in full.

So this week, Elder Walters and I planned to do some hardcore contacting, looking for more people to teach. There is a certain time of day we do this because during mornings almost no one is available, and nighttime is too dangerous to contact so we usually take a chunk of our afternoon to contact. Well, almost every day this week when we had gone to contact, an errand would come up and we would have to drop our plan and run that errand. It happened so consistently that I was suspicious of the universe being aware of our efforts to do missionary work. Then, when we thought we were clear to work again, my poor companion drops a super hot pan on his leg and gets an almost third degree burn on his thigh, so then we couldn't leave often because his leg hurts so bad he couldn’t walk.

After some reflection, I came to realize that my desire to work had been a little selfish. That perhaps I wanted to work hard just so I could say I worked hard my last few weeks here in the mission and not that I was working and doing the things the Lord needed me to do.

Other than that, Elder Walters and I are still best buds and trying our best! Hopefully, this coming week will be a better week for us. Sorry, I don’t' have much to share, nothing much else happened, haha! Oh by the way, it was my birthday this week! It was a nice and quiet celebration. My comp and I worked like normal, but we came back to a cake and a mini-celebration with the other two elders we live with. It was nice. I purposely didn't tell anyone it was my birthday. If I did the branch would have thrown me a giant party and you know how I am. I get uncomfortable when I have a lot of attention on me. Haha!

Oh, and I got my birthday package! Thank you so much! It was awesome!!So good! I haven't tried the Teriyaki Spam before though but it was so good! ^-^

I can’t believe I only have 4 weeks left on my mission and I’ll be home! But until then, I'll continue going at it till the last day of being a missionary! Thanks for all the support, guys! Love you all!


-Elder Froude



Can't believe I'm 20!!!
My favorite soda here in the DR

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

July 20, 2015 – Last Transfer But Not Done Yet

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

So it was the first week of transfers and it was a little nuts. My companion and I were only able to work like 2 days in our own area. Even though we didn't do a whole lot in our area, we still did a whole lot! XD

There were two elders coming into the area. Oh by the way, I'm staying with Elder Walters this transfer! Yay! Anyway, they were supposed to come on Tuesday, but they didn't show up until Thursday due to a strike that wouldn't let them leave their areas until it settled down. But we didn't know that so we basically waited in the house for two days until they came. XD Then after, we had to do an emergency intercambio (exchange) with the Zone Leaders for a certain meeting, and then we had more meetings. Bleh. But now we're in the normal flow of things!!

Something cool that happened this week was at a birthday party we got invited to. It was for this little girl in the branch turning 5. It was Doc McStuffin themed, and the little girl was dressed up and looked JUST LIKE Doc McStuffin!! It was so adorable!! I wish I had gotten a picture! DX

Also, I'm getting better about Vlogging! Since it's my last 6 weeks, I'm gonna get at least one in every week until I go home, highlighting the week's activities and adventures and such!

About the work here, it's speeding up again! We're working mostly on completing families in the branch. There were a few that we didn't know about. So we'll be working closely with them. One of them is Manuel's father-in-law who apparently is a tough brick. But we shall see! They want us to teach him and teach him we shall! We have an appointment with him on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens!!

I saw all the pictures you sent from Tita Nora’s funeral. It was nice that you all could see each other again. Though no lie, the pics were sad. But I'm glad that you were all there to support each other. ^_^

Thanks for the birthday greetings! I actually haven't gotten the package yet, but I will soon! ^_^ We're so far from the capital, they only bring stuff from the office like twice a transfer :P Hopefully, they bring them  this week.

I hope you all are doing ok. Even though I have little time left, I'm still not done! Here's to my final sprint to the end!! Talk to you all next week! Love you guys! Thanks for all your support! :D

-Elder Froude

Crazy rain in the DR

Me and my companion, Elder Walters



Yummy fish! 
Happy birthday, Elder Froude! From your nieces Laney and Hannah.

July 13, 2015 – Till We Meet Again, Tita Nora

Dearest Family,

I send all of my love and regards to you. The passing of Tita Nora is not easy for any of us, especially because of the kind of person she was. She had been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. She was as loving and caring as a grand aunt as anybody could ever ask for and more. I remember her always being there for our family’s special or grand occasion as she was able.

Tita Nora was the third person who has had a place in my life that has passed away during my mission, and second family member. The first was Tito Chuck, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away last October. The second was an old high school friend of mine, who about 7 months ago, took his own life. If I’m being honest, I don't know how I would still be out here had I not known what I know now. My mom sent me the news of Tita Nora's passing written by Tita Lulu, and in it she wrote that Tita Nora was describing what she was seeing in her final moments.

Death isn't the end for anybody. It's just another path in our journey; one that we all must take. Our life here on earth, as well as our death, is all part of our Heavenly Father’s plan. That being said, we should all take comfort that Tita Nora really is with her loved ones, waiting for us to join them when it's our time as well.
As sad as it is that she isn't with us now, she isn't gone, nor will she ever be. She's in a much more beautiful place, a paradise where her diseased body no longer has a hold on her. And when it's our turn to pass on, she'll be there with arms wide open and a beautiful smile on her face. I, personally, cannot wait for that day!
You all are in my prayers and I love you all so much. I miss you and I'm sorry that I cannot be there with you at this time. I'd like to share with you all a favorite scripture of mine, and I hope that it brings you comfort as it does me. Isaiah 41:10 reads: 

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Love,
Elder Ryan Froude


At my graduation. Tita (Aunt) Nora on the left and my grandma on the right.
Tita Nora and my dad

July 6, 2015 – 4th of July and Happy Birthday, Richard!

 Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

It's pretty interesting how just one day makes an entire week of struggle seem like it didn't even happen!  I say that because this week was tough! Nobody was around to be taught! Appointment after appointment would fall through, even with members! We dealt with that all week. Usually, it would be pretty discouraging, but with what was coming up that Saturday, I told myself that Saturday would make it all worth it. And it did.

On Saturday, Elder Walters and I traveled to the temple to be at Felix and Santa’s sealing and arrived at about 8 am. We were told that the session would start at nine but it turned out that it was moved to 11. I hadn't seen them at this point because I wanted to surprise them. So we hid in the MTC and ended up helping a teacher teach a class of 3-day old missionaries! Boy, it brought back memories :) Anyway, 11 came around and Elder Walters and I changed into white clothes for the session. We waited in the sealing room and in came Felix and Santa, happier than I’ve ever seen them! It was such a sacred and happy feeling, one that I have never felt before. And that moment they were sealed together forever.

To finish off the day, we baptized Manuel!! A spiritual feast, Saturday was. It's also such a special feeling to complete a family. That day was a very good day :) We couldn't celebrate with food or soda because we were fasting, so we're doing that today.  ;)

Next week is transfers! Let's see where the Lord will take me for this last transfer for me. I hope I stay honestly. But we shall see! Thanks for being on and for everything! Love you guys so much!

-Elder Froude

Felix and Santa's sealing
 
Manuel with his wife on his baptism day


June 29, 2015 – Awesome Week

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Whew! This has been an awesome week of work and good stuff! A lot has happened and we did a lot!

So last Monday, a member asked us to visit her house to meet her husband who wasn't a member and we said sure! Well, we got there the next day and met Manuel, a Dominican Thor, with awesome tattoos and the nicest guy ever! He's actually lived in the States longer than the DR so he knows perfect English. Anyway, we were getting to know him and he told us that he wanted to marry his wife in the temple. We were shocked at how prepared he was!! We spent almost every day of last week teaching this man and preparing him for baptism this Saturday. We originally put it for the next week but he wouldn't be in the country by then. It was nuts how prepared this guy is. Literally no problems with anything! No Word of Wisdom or Chastity problems and is so willing to pay tithing! I haven't met somebody so prepared in a very long time. He's been coming to church without fail and we will baptize him this Saturday! They're very happy ^_^ and we are too!

Also about this Saturday, I'll be going to a sealing session. :DDD Remember Felix and Santa? They are over a year of being members and this Saturday is their sealing session!! Waaaahhhhh!!! I'm so happy for them! From what I hear, they are stronger than ever. It will be such a pleasure to see them again! I'll be sure to take lots of pics!

This past Saturday was Elder Walter's birthday! He turned 20. It's funny; I'm the youngest missionary in my house, but at the same time, the missionary with the most time in the mission. Oh, the irony!! Lol! But it was a good day! We didn't have a huge celebration, of course, but I was able to buy a little cake for us 4 missionaries. Birthdays aren't really a big thing for a missionary. XD


The Pew family came to church again this Sunday! They took us out again, but also asked us for help for a shoe donation they wanted to do in a Haitian village close to where they were staying. So after church, we went to their place and we all went over to the Haitian village. We didn't have many shoes to give out, only two suit cases full, and they were gone in less than 5 minutes. It was interesting to do that kind of work around here, mostly because we ourselves have nothing to give to them, except the gospel. I'll send pictures along with the email so you can see what I mean.






Other than all of that, Elder Walters and I are doing fantastic! He has become one of my best friends out here. We work well together and we're both just super happy to be here! It's nice having that as a companion so far into my mission. Other missionaries don't get so lucky, KNOCK ON WOOD!!

Well family, that was my week ^_^ We've got lots more for next week! I'll write all about it and send it with pics! I'm glad to hear that everything on your end is going well! I'm praying for Tita Nora as well. Write you all next week guys! Love you tons!! Until Next time!

-Elder Froude





June 22, 2015 – The Little Things

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Welp! We had a big week planned out, but I got sick. DX I was sick from Monday to about Thursday evening. I got the flu but a weaker version of it because apparently my body did well fighting it off. Sister Corbitt said that the others that got it got it pretty bad. So we only went out to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Not enough time to put our plans into effect, or do much, for that matter. Everything we tried to do fell through, mostly because it consisted of apologizing for not coming on the day we planned and scheduling another day to come back. So that was basically our week. XP But! There were some cool things that made the week pretty cool!

Elder Walters and I were walking on the street, when this guy said “hi” to us in English. Usually, we just kinda say hi back and keep walking because they usually don't speak English well, but he called us Mormon Elders which caught our attention and we turned around to talk to this guy. He asked us in English, “Are you angels?” That made us feel so fuzzy inside. Haha! He said that he had read some of the Book of Mormon before but never finished it because it was his brother's copy. Well then, we went back to the house to get him his own copy of the Book of Mormon. When we came back with it, this guy was, literally, as happy as a kid on Christmas! I do believe that that moment was the happiest I have seen anybody receive a Book of Mormon. I hope he reads it. ^_^ Unfortunately, he doesn't live in our area, so we have to pass his address to the sister missionaries -__- but that's ok! They're awesome missionaries! ^_^

Also, as I'm sure you already know, we met a lovely family, the Pews from Kaysville, Utah on Sunday! They were nice enough to send a picture and video to you guys for Father's Day! It was such a blessing! ^_^ They also treated us to a lovely dinner in their resort and in return, we shared a nice Father's Day message. Though we can't remember their names, it was a delight to have met them!



Hopefully, the sick dealio won't happen this week. We have a lot to make up for! Wish us luck guys! Love you all!

-Elder Froude

June 15, 2015 – A Very Long Letter

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Buckle up; this might be my longest letter to date!

Where do I start? I suppose I'll start with my super awesome new companion! His name is Elder Walters, from Utah. So far, he and I are pretty much being awesome together. I actually met him before in another zone, and we hit it off ever since! And now we're companions. This is either president's best idea ever or worst idea ever. ;D Best Idea ever because Elder Walters is a super solid missionary of great faith and enthusiasm. Or worst Idea ever because we're both complete goof balls! XD No, I'm kidding! I'm glad he's my comp now. He's an impressionist as well and we like all the same music and TV shows! Very often we're quoting movies and jokes to each other, surprising ourselves more and more how in common we two knuckleheads are. It's getting to the point where we say the same thing at the same time. Strange, but true! As for impressions, you know that I have a few. But recently, I have unlocked a rather decent President Monson impression. Imitation is the highest form of flattery ;) But that's us so far. It should be a good transfer. ^_^ What else to put?

So all last transfer we've only ever had 1 investigator at church, if at all. And members are always too ``busy`` to go out with us. Well, Elder Walters and I fasted (because we forgot to last week XD) to change some of that a bit. That same Saturday after lunch we started.  Other missionaries were going to have a baptism. Whenever we invited people before, they never came. Well, that night 3 investigators came and they loved it. AND they had questions they wanted answered. My companion and I like questions! So we put a date with them this week and I'll tell you about it later.

Then, we get a call also that night from a woman member from Canada visiting the country, saying she wants to come to church and bring a friend with her as well. Awesome, we say. They next day, they come and the friend turned out to be an old investigator we stopped visiting because he never came to church. Funny how that works, isn't it? Anyway, this member from Canada will be staying here for the next month or two and wants us to teach him and maybe even baptize him, depending on his progress. Other investigators came to church, and members all of a sudden were ''available'' to go with us. We ended up having  at least 2 appointments every day for this week with a member. Awesome!

Oh, so big news. Apparently for the past six months, a group of missionaries and I have been illegally here for the past 6 months. O.O When I got the call, I was told to just come to the office. When I got there, I saw a big group of missionaries, all of whom I knew, and we all went for a drive. Turns out they were taking us to the National Migration Department. I asked why we're here and they told us that we have been illegal aliens and we're going to get a green card. Well that's interesting! I've also decided that I don't like the process. XD Not because of anything bad, but because I was bored out of my mind waiting there! Elder Walters and I had an awesome day planned out too! Nope! Chuck Testa! But it's all good. I'm not breaking any laws anymore. ^_^

You know, 21 months I've been writing these emails, and I don't think once have I ever addressed the people that are possibly reading this other than my own family. Well, this part of the email is addressed to you, reader. Hello! My name is Ryan Froude. As a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we're referred to as Elders. You've probably read a few of my experiences here in the DR, some of them quite miraculous. Whether or not you are a member of our faith, I'd like for you to know that being out here is a gigantic confirmation to me that God is real and that He loves us even though life tries to convince us otherwise. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me personally on my missionary email address. I'd be more than happy to do what little I can to help. My personal email should be on the blog, but if you can't find it, it is ryan.froude@myldsmail.net.

Well family, that's about all I can write for now. My hands hurt! XD I hope that it made up for when I didn't write last week. Also, good luck on the move, Mom, Dad, Lauren and Richard! And good luck on your huge tests brody!! I'll write you all next week. Peace be unto thine souls! Love you all!


-Elder Froude