Foundation

Dear Emmia and Kirk,

Horses are so beautiful! They are able to run really fast. . .

pull and carry heavy loads. . .

And come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

But the thing that is common with all horses and is the most important is their feet. The hoof is the thing that makes or breaks a horse.

 It may be a pretty small thing compared to the rest of the horse but if the feet aren't taken care of properly the horse isn't able to function at its full capacity. In fact if a horse has really bad hooves or if they break their leg in most cases they have to be put down.

But when they are taken care of, trimmed, and shod the horse has a firm foundation to stand on.

The horse is mighty but its simple foundation is why its so great.

Like horses we can do many mighty things, even miracles! (Alma 26:12)

Unlike horses though we can have many foundations. Our foundation is what we focus on.

So what's your foundation? Is it a good one?

is it your phone? Computer? TV? Facebook?

 Food? Worries? 

 Money? Things?

The different foundations we have are endless. Its like the definition of etc.
What's the best foundation though, that will never EVER fail you no matter what happens? And that will last FOREVER?

Jesus Christ is the very foundation that will last us in this life and the next and beyond!

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

(Helaman 5:12)

So if you want to have this kind of foundation and if you strengthen it you can become a disciple of Jesus Christ!

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

(Alma 5:14)

So the next question is are you strengthening your foundation?

Studying

Praying

 Serving

Becoming like Him

If you desire to be a disciple of Jesus Christ your foundation has to, has to be Him. 

I know that as we study, pray and act like Christ we will get to know Him, really know Him. He is my friend and Savior.

I ask you to seek for the everlasting and strongest foundation. That search will lead you to Jesus Christ, every time, no alternative links.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

(John 8:12)

He is my light. He guides me all the time. He is my foundation

Love, Ryn.

here's to you Mom

Dear Emmia and Kirk,

Remember when you would get super frustrated with your mom because of all her random rules?

 How about the time she would drag you around to all these activities and you just didn't wanna?

Or the time you broke curfew?

 or when you had a really bad day and your mom would basically carry you through it?

How about those times when you annoyed her to pieces (gave her gray hairs) AND she still loved you?

Mothers do a lot for us kids. 

Moms teach us to run as fast as we can!

love us despite our differences or how weird we are.

pick us up and clean us off when we fall down.

Moms love us unconditionally. 

Motherhood: Highest, holiest calling

 Thanks for raising me, mom, a weird strange kid and helping me reach my potential. Hey guess what? you're still doing it!! Your example guides me every single day.

Here's to you, mom.

Love, Ryn.

The Key.

Dear Emmia and Kirk,
 

bruised past, confused beginning

battles abroad and battles inside

How do I cope?

Anger, hate, shut people out.

Stay inside, do not shout.

In the corner of my mind,

locked in chains, no fight left.

waiting for anyone to bring me from

the agonizing past inside my head.

The key

A small little whisper. . . you are you are . . .

I am what?

The chains chatter angrily on the cold cement

as I turn to Him.

He beckons and I reach.

"Stop!" the chains say as I'm jerked back by their length.

I struggle, fight, and scream as frustration tears my mouth.

I lie here in the middle of my prison

the chains still here

my wrists and ankles throbbing in rhythm

to my painted out cry

"why, why, why?"

Light slowly penetrates my once lonely prison.

He comes to me and gets me on my knees

He holds my clinched fists and asks me to "let go."

I shake my head and whimper an I can't

He lifts my chin to look at his face.

His eyes know my pain, the agony I'm in.

"You are. . . ." he replies

I am what? 

"It's up to you" He says as He looks down at my hands

I follow His gaze as my fists slowly unfold

My cheeks are wet as He lifts up the key that's there.

"You always had it." 

"You are always free."

Returning the key to my palm, He raises and says

"Come when you are ready."

as he departs. . . waiting.

The is key is in my hand 

the chains squeal as I turn the lock.

A soft click and loud complaints as the links hit the floor.

I run from that place

I run to find Him.

Love, Ryn.

Why He was sent.

Dear Emmia and Kirk,
  I'm going to tell you about a little truth that's actually a BIG truth.

Truth: God is our Loving Heavenly Father.

Simple breakdown:
1. We all lived up in heaven together with God.
2. God had a plan for us to come to earth and get experience and grow and learn
3. He knew we couldn't do this earthly life all alone.
4. Hence (my sister's favorite word) He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to earth.
5. Jesus Christ was the only one that could suffer all our sins, die and rise again
6. AND HE DID!!

The who of it all: God our Father and Jesus Christ and, of course, us.
The what: The Atonement had to happen or we wouldn't be able to make it back to God's presence
The how:
1.Faith in Jesus Christ
2.Repentance
3.Baptism
4.Receiving the Holy Ghost
5.Enduring to the End.
The Why: is us. God sent His Son and Christ came for us!!

This Easter I have thought a lot about what Easter actually is. Its not the bunnies, chicks and sugar peeps. Not about the hollow chocolate rabbits(although they are super yummy) or how many eggs you find on the scavenger hunt.

Its about Him.

 Make everyday a day that you think about Him.

Love, 

   Ryn.

Who He rose for.

Dear Emmia and Kirk,

The leather and bones strip his flesh. 

flesh that just moments before 

cried tears of blood for the sins of the world. 

Thorns drip red on His fair face 

as he bares a cross for the human race. 

the nails, the bark on His raw back. 

the cry of a left alone Son. 

How does that cry effect your heart?

He was born in Bethlehem,

Crucified on Calvary.

He walked a lonely road in the end

He traveled a land that's now called Holy

He visited a grove now called Sacred.

But what did He live for?

The answer is in the lives you live.

He has seen every trial,

wiped every tear,

and conquered the world

for the life you have.

Is what you're living for, worth Him dying for?

Find joy in His journey

 and when you cry your lonely cry

remember

He cried too

don't let Him walk alone.

Live for Him

He lived for you. . . .

    

Love, Ryn.

Plot Twist!!

Dear Emmia and Kirk,
    I remember one time when I was in elementary school we had a skate day. I was so excited!! I borrowed my sister's black and purple skates and I got there, strapped them on, made sure they were nice and tight and started skating my heart out. At first I just roamed around exploring but it got really serious when someone challenged me for a race.
Oh its on. I rolled up my sleeves. Ready, set, go!! I start flying down the track. I'm leaving my opponent in the dust. Weeeee. I smile with glee as I think "I'm totally going to win" and then guess what happened?

   That is right. I totally biffed it. ca-splat!! on the blacktop. I had been going so fast that when I tried to "hug the ground" I actually slid a couple feet. hee hee lucky me! as I was dusted my pants and my pride off I discovered a big red hole a little bit bigger than a quarter on my right knee. In my elementary mind I swear the fall had peeled/burned all of the skin off and the red I was looking at was muscle. I know, soo dramatic. (It's my way of finding humor in the situation.)

   Has this ever happened to you? Where you thing you are all set and you're going to accomplish all the things! but then you stub you toe or something glitches in your life and you're holding whats left and wondering what just happened?

When I look back on my skating memory I think of when I was just skating around randomly; no purpose, just skating to skate.

But what happened when someone challenged me? Boy did I have a purpose then!! I skated faster then I ever had before. Yeah, I ate dirt but that also taught me to get back up and keep going. What would have happened if I had never been challenged? had never been pushed to my limits that day?

I would have never had learned:
1. I can go really fast,
2. but don't skate faster than you have strength.
3. When you fall get back up,
4. and keep doing it all my life.
5. Always use neo and bandages,
6. unless you want a scar out of the experience
etc.
  
   This whole process of trial and learning is what happened to me this week.  I realized, afterwards, that the trials made me see what I needed to learn so that I can become who I need to be. Let me share this journey of discovery with you.
   It started with an uneasy feeling. You know that feeling like you're just not doing your best or you feel like your head is always tilted to the side and everything you see is skewed because of it? That's how I felt; just slightly off balance but it was so subtle that I didn't even realize it was there. Then the trials happened. . . ALL IN ONE WEEK. Here is a condensed list!

1.

My left leg decided to rebel against me and start hurting without telling me the reason.

2.

Everyone we were trying to help ignoring us.

3. 

Doubt, discouragement, diminished self worth, disappointment and despair (a lot of D words) hit me all at once! It was a disaster!

4.

Outside forces converging upon us to keep us from sleep and rest.

5.

One of the missionaries we live with going to the hospital.

(don't worry there was more. I didn't want to overwhelm you. (especially you, mom)

   You can be sure all of these trials one on top of another really sent me for a spin and asking my absolute favorite question of all time; Why?

   One night during all this, as I was asking this question of mine after all of my emotions basically broke in one moment leaving me reeling (lots of tears and prayers involved) I remembered a side of God that I didn't see before. (Wow I hope that sentence made sense to you)

   Spending 4+ hours in bed alone with just me and my trials and questions in one arm and prayers and God's grace in the other like cherished stuffed animals, was just the right thing for me to learn more about myself and the reason for my personal madness than anything else before.

 The major thing I learned that night?

That trials are all part of God's plan! He wants us to grow and learn and the best and greatest way to do that is through trials. I know kind of a bummer but its worked so far right?

There are sooo many plot twists in my life but I know all of them have been directed by God and guided by His grace.

Each trial is a rung on a ladder to our potential.

Let's face it, trials will always be there with all the paperwork included. Take Rafiki's advice and learn and grow. Reach the potential you have within you.

"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." (Isaiah 41:10)

God is with you!! Its ok to have trials and be human and fall. Just get up, dust off, and keep going.

When you fall God will lift you up, if you let Him.

Love,
  Ryn

The Power of Women

Dear Emmia and Kirk,
  The strength of a woman is powerful. The lives they live and the power they have are unique and full of promise. There are many examples of mighty women from the beginning to the present.

like:

Eve

Deborah

Sarah

Ruth

Naomi

Lydia

Rebekah

Rachel

Esther

Anna

Leah

Sariah

Abish

Mary

And all those unnamed women that are EVERYWHERE in the scriptures. Woman at the well, King Lamoni's wife, everybody else's wife (Nephi's, Sam's, Peter's, etc.) 

Ruth was the ancestor of David and Jesus Christ. She was loyal to those around her and her hard work ethic determined her destiny. She is a great example.



The courage of Esther was so powerful that it saved her people. It was her inner beauty that won the battle.

I love all these examples of amazing and powerful women. They overcame floods, trials, opposition, sorrow and many years of difficulty. . . . but they were faithful and diligent and they relied on God.

Now there is one more example I would like to share.

Her name is Kathy Ann Dimick. . . but I call her mom. She has been through so much and traveled through many storms and fought many battles in her life.

She was abused for 13 years.
Her father passed away.
All of her saddles were stolen.
Her trials have been endless.

But those things have happened to her. They are not her. She has risen above all those hardships and raised 4 kids all at the same time.

My mom's faith unified her little family through a divorce and redefined what kids from a "broken" family do and accomplish.

My mom's strength withstood judgement, discouragement and overwhelming sorrow to get through years of raising children and teaching others. She found joy in the journey. She played with us despite her worries for the future and her humor has been her best ally.

My mom's faith is mightier than a pride of lions!!

"Yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it . . . But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength;" (Alma56:47-48;56)

The mothers of these warriors taught them well. I know that my mom's teachings has taught me to fight the good fight.

I know I am a daughter of God because my mother taught me so. She taught me how to know that truth; that fact. . . and that fact gives me miraculous strength.

Without my mom's faith I would have been robbed of this fact before I even had it.

When I want to give up. When tough times come like a tsunami crashing on my soul; when Satan comes whispering telling me I can't do it, I remember.

I remember my mom's strength; her courage; her faith.

I remember what she taught me.

I remember her smile and her humor. . . and that she can teach a rock to read.

I smash the chains of Satan that are wrapping themselves around me and get up in his face and tell him. "I am daughter of God. I am a daughter of the mom who protected her kids and fights you every single day valiantly!! I know who I am. Back off Lucifer, I have work to do."

And I go to work. I go and act like a my mom's daughter, act like God's daughter.

Women have power that they don't even see. Women have the privilege of shaping human hearts.

Do we need any more power than that?

I don't think so. When we remember the strength we have; the courage and faith that we possess, we give others strength, we unite armies, leave legacies and stand tall with God.

Love,
  Ryn.

My and Self.

dear emmia and kirk,
   I'm being dramatic today. My emotions are up, down, upside down, sideways, diagonal and everything in between which just makes me frustrated which is NOT good people.
   Life as a missionary isn't always lollipops and rainbows. Its sometimes really hard just like life. And sometimes I feel like this:

A.K.A : "A missionary's emotions are as real as yours. Just because they might get sad over people's rejections, does not make their feelings any less real."

Some people think that missionaries are perfect. We are called for 18 to 24 months to be representatives of Jesus Christ and teach the world Jesus Christ's Gospel. But just because we are representing the only perfect man that walked on this earth does not mean we are perfect.

No matter how much I want to be perfect and follow Christ with exactness I have to fess up: I'm human. I am simply me. And at times I laugh at myself and say: "self you are far from perfect"

And this is where the emotions kick in. Right now I feel like a yo-yo. Have you ever had those days? One minute your smiling and laughing with your friends and the next you want to slink away and be a hermit? One moment I am totally OK at the fact that I'm not perfect. I'm human and me. But in a flash I'm  beating myself up for not being a perfect person or missionary or friend or sister. And then I start apologizing to myself and I have a conversation with myself that goes something like this. . . 
(Warning: yes this is a conversation amongst me, myself and I. I hope this happens to you sometimes because I talk to myself a lot and this is usually the blow by blow. If you get nervous with crazy or nutty tendencies you have been warned :)

My: "Self, I'm sorry I don't write everyone an individual email every week. I only have an hour to email everybody and honestly a blanket email telling everyone about my week is all my nerves can allow
I'm sorry for making up excuses about emailing people.
I'm sorry I sometimes get grumpy and I don't have a smile on my face. 
I'm sorry for . . . "
Self: "OK STOP!!!!!!! My, your not doing so good today. Let me help you out. Remember this?

My: "Yeah we saw it on Facebook this morning. We liked it so we shared it."
Self: "did you really read it?"
My: "Well yeah I did. Its saying that all the things I'm going through today is helping me and preparing me for tomorrow."
Self: "Good. Now how about this next one?"

My: "That one means that we aren't here just for ourselves.  Our purpose is to help people."
Self: "Put them together and what do you get?"
My: "It means that I can use what I'm going through now to help other people?"
Self: EXACTLY!!

And that my friends is how I get out of slumps that I'm in. I may slip into another one or several today because today is just one of those days but I know myself will pull me through. 

At times I fight with myself and beat myself up (just picture comic book status fighting with a play by play. I'm very detailed:) 
But I get nowhere and I'm left with a battered self who can't help me when I start hurting. 

My emotions are sometimes just crazy and I need to learn to be gentle with myself.

I'm learning to remember my Savior when I'm going through rough days. . . or weeks. . . our months. I'm learning my potential to become like Him.


Remember this when you are shredding your soul into iddy-biddy little pieces because you didn't get up when you were suppose to or you went to put you elbow on the table, missed and almost face planted into said table (yep just happened to me) or any of of the human, you things you do. 

Remember to be gentle with yourself. 

Remember that you can help people with what your going through. That moment for you to help might be 5 minutes from now for a stranger or might be years from now for your own kids. 

Just remember you are loved and you are YOU!!! You are a child of God and you've GOT THIS!!!

And even when you beat and abandon yourself, remember Jesus Christ never will.

 He is always there

Love,
     Ryn.