August 10, 2015 – Second to last letter home

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Great, you all have me counting now too! X) Anyways, it's weird but I'll only do this long letter one more time and then I'm home... Waaahhhhh! But fortunately, I have quite a bit to write about! I can go about it day by day because we had quite an eventful week. Even though it was eventful, again, we didn't get to go out to teach much :( I'll start from Tuesday since I already wrote about last Monday.

Tuesday was getting ready for moving day which meant spend the day cleaning and packing not only our house but the house we were going to move into as well. So that’s exactly what we did. And since the new house was just down the street, we figured we'd just carry all the little stuff on over so that the people coming to help could just focus on the big stuff. We spent all day doing that, so we didn't have much time for teaching. In fact, we didn't teach at all that day :( Same with the next day, but different story! O:

So Wednesday was our moving day but I didn't get to help move. I was asked to go to a leader's meeting to share my last testimony for all the leaders. President Corbitt does that for any missionary that has been a ZL before in their last transfer. I went with 18 other missionaries. It was awesome! I felt like I was at a high school reunion. I took lots of pics and even some videos! It's always nice to see other missionaries! ^_^ But it took us a while to get back to our apartment though. We arrived at the meeting about 8:30am and we got back to my area about 8:30pm. Again, not able to go out and visit some people.

But not only that, the district of San Pedro asked if I could play the piano for the choir for the District Conference that same weekend. I said sure, and then they picked 4 songs that I didn't know how to play. Great, I thought, I have to take the time to learn these songs. They were “Come Come Ye Saints,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Peace Be Still,” and another one that Elder Walters ended up learning. I'll get to how I did later.

Thursday was our District meeting, so no teaching that morning. And then we went home and took a little power nap before we went out, but I woke up with a cold! I had felt it the day before, but I didn't think anything of it. Well, it got a little worse and it gave me a bad sore throat and I lost my voice! So, we didn't go out that afternoon but used the down time to continue learning. The process repeated for Friday and Saturday.

Friday though, we were able to go visit a progressing investigator to get at least something. And I was able to talk a little, so we toughed it out for the appointment and then went back home. Well, the investigator wasn't there, but his wife was, who, till that point, had been a little quiet during the lessons. Well, we got to know her and it turns out that she is incredibly smart and so cool! AND she wants an eternal family! We went there planning to talk about the Proclamation and she told us that she said that she had a feeling that when we came over that the family would be discussed. It was INCREDIBLE!! The Spirit was very strong and we could tell that she really did want it. She said that she'd keep the copy and give her husband a stern talking to so that they could get baptized and sealed. Yay!!!! We're going to visit them more often :D

Now comes Sunday, the day we have to play for the choir. I played “Come, Come Ye Saints” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” just fine. Then I had to play “Peace Be Still.” The first verse went off without a hitch. The second verse, my right arm started to hurt. The third verse, not only does my right arm completely cramp, my fingers lock in place! So, not only am I in a metric ton of pain, I can't play correctly! I just moved my arm up and down trying to hit the right notes and it didn't work too well. XD The fourth verse my arm relaxed and I tried to play something that resembled the hymn. It was so embarrassing! DX But I tried X)

Then today for P-Day, we took a much needed break and just stayed home and played some dominos ^_^ I'm enjoying what I have left of the mission. And at the same time, working hard! It may not be in the missionary work, but it's stuff people needed us to do. And that's what Jesus Christ's ministry was all about, wasn't it? Serving others? I hope that we can keep serving people as much as we can. Hopefully, this week we can balance them both. We'll see what happens! I love you guys! Thanks for being on!!

-Elder Froude

My previous companion, Elder Tillman!

August 3, 2015 – The Not So Long Letter

Dear Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Ian,

Well, this might be a little short seeing as how there won't be much to report on this week, but I have a piece of good news though!

Well, the reason why there isn't much to report is because we haven't gone out a single day this past week. Elder Walters was still recovering from the burn on his leg and when he made some progress, he got sick with a bad cold. So, we were kept in all week last week. We talked a lot about stuff though, being best friends and all.

But on the bright side of things, we had a fruitful fast yesterday!! We knew we were a little low on investigators and had been meaning to look for more but we just haven't been able to. Well, there's this guy in our branch that runs a radio show and he's been inviting people to come to our English class, which has been a little short on students. Well, he's been finding people all week and on Sunday he comes to us with like 31 referrals for us to meet on Saturday when we can get their info!! With that, we'll be busy for the next while. Thanks miracles!!

Well, that's about it unfortunately. But this next week should be much longer! Promise!! Love you guys!!

-Elder Froude

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

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