Thoughts

Yesterday was a busy day and as the day was ending I thought of several things:

I woke up still tired trying to pick out something to wear to work (and sadly found a hole in one of my favorite shirts.)

Does Ryan have something to pick out to wear today...or is he still wearing the clothes on his back?

I complained about scurrying around doing my grocery shopping in the pouring down rain.

Can Ryan go grocery shopping or are the stores empty?

I told Eric he may not want to eat the meal I prepared for him...I didn't think it turned out all that great.

Does Ryan have a home cooked meal to eat today?

I am so happy that today I learned my Mother-in-law received a phone call, yes actual vocal conversation with Ryan. He and all the other missionaries in the Sendai mission have been transferred to Sapporo, Japan. Ryan also said that he was eating lunch in his apartment when the earthquake first hit, so hopefully he was able to get a few of his belongings (clothes so food!) Ryan is very sad to leave the Sendai area, he will be leaving loved members, new converts, and investigators so I hope that he can keep his spirits as high as they have been. He is an amazing example and I am sure he will love serving in Sapporo as well. I pray for the Japanese people, I know that if they are moving missionaries then the conditions must be very bad. I am also thankful for the updates the church has given and that they allow Ryan to contact us at this time. I think about him all day, just wondering what he is doing at this moment or where he is, or how he is, etc.

Ryan

Since early Friday morning (early as in 2 am) until late Friday night (about 12 pm) worry, fear, heartache, and horrible scenarios crossed my mind multiple times. I have been taught to have faith, and that when troubled times come to exercise my faith in the Lord, but whenever I am faced with a test of my faith I find myself failing. As may of you may know my little brother-in-law Ryan is currently serving in the Sendai Japan mission and the devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred there on Friday is what has been testing my faith this weekend. After praying for Ryan and his safety, I did feel peaceful and there was part of me that actually knew that he was okay, but for some reason that wasn't enough for me. I needed to hear it from an actually human telling me that they had talked to Ryan and they knew he was okay. That peaceful feeling inside of me was the Lord telling me that Ryan was safe and that I had no need to fear He knew this was going to be very difficult for the families of our loved missionaries and so He gave us comfort and I overlooked it. I am so happy and joyous that Ryan is safe! I am aware of my Savior and his love for his servants, he takes care of them and protects them the best way that he can. I hope that I can learn from this and recognize the spirit and Lord telling me what I so desperately need to hear. I know that Ryan is actively helping the Japanese people, his heart is truly too big for his body and his is the strongest young man I know. He is smart, sensitive, faithful, and brave. This disaster will not stand in his way or discourage him. Ryan is so very optimistic and I look up to him so very much. I love him. I am so happy, my joy greatly exceeds all my pain I felt! Thanks for all the prayer and hope you gave to me and my family.