02/01/2012

Whats up America?!? (And Slovakia)

 

Im writing this..still in Omaha Nebraska. But, its time to let you all know that I have recieved my Visa and will be on my way to Brasil on Monday the 6th!!! YAY! And some more awesome news, we have a baptism this Saturday!!! So, the Lord kept me here for Tyrone's baptism! Sweeeet! Today is transfer day. There are a lot of changes going on, mainly because 8 new missionaries came in and 0 left. That means at least 4 new areas are opening! So, this past week we did a lot of moving. I left Omaha and drove out to Oneill, which is about 3 hours away, and all I saw was flat land and corn fields! There is real Nebraska! There wasnt a ton that happened this past week. Meeka came to church! (I love this girl!) So happy for her! Scott is still set for baptism! and, we hit the standards 2 weeks in a row and well on our way to it this week as well!! Yeah, lots of work going on right now! Story: We have been teaching Dave and Kathy. All along, Ive thought Dave was using us for money to buy drugs and booze and that was confirmed. Yesterday, we went to see them and he didnt want to talk to us. Kathy was sitting on the porch with a knife. She was crying and told us that he beats her. Burned the Book of Mormon. He makes her "whore herself" and then beats her and steals the money for drugs. She showed us all the scars and said she would get beat up once we left. As we were leaving, she pleaded with us to call Domestic Violence...well, we got our branch president to do it so we didnt have to be involved. We wont be going back there. Scary stuff though! We met these two awesome evangelists and LOVE talking with us! Cant wait to see them again. Ive been getting pictures with a few people!

 

The following is a story that uses some risky language. If you dont want to read, Skip down!!!

The other day, we were tracting. We met this guy and he told us how he didnt want to change. Well, we got talking and he started to tell us some of his past problems that he changed through Gods love. He said, and I quote him... "I used to get 3 or 4 women and would sex them. And sometimes, men would come and I would bang them too"........ Enough said. I got nervous. The end.

 

Conestoga, you have to love it! The church is true whereever you are. God helps you no matter what stage of life you are in. True happiness comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Theres no other way! I love what Im doing. I love my Lord and Savior. I love you all. Thank you for everything!

 

My next email will be coming from the southern hemisphere. BRAZIL, HERE I COME!!!!!!

 

Love you all,

~Elder Lakey

01/23/2012

Hello my dear readers!

 

Its week...12? or 13? I dont even know. It feels like maybe week 5. But Im still here in Omaha!! I was thinking the other day...I turned my mission papers in almost a year ago!! (And still not in my assigned place) But hey, I have faith I will be there soon! And plus, Im really enjoying it here in Omaha! This past week, there has been a lot of really weird things take place, but more spiritual this week. Here we go:

Story 1: Right after emailing last week, we had an appointment with a random referral named Tyron. We recieved it from the mission office. Well, we headed over at 12 (the time it said to come by) and nobody answered. Is this is a surprise in my area? No, not at all. But as we turned around, a sketchy man was walking up behind us. It was his house! We thought it was Tyron so we asked and found out his name was Dave Perry. Dave Perry was an investigator about a month ago that was set for baptism and one day, his house was empty. Nothing there. He moved into Tyron's house!!! Well, the first thing he said was "Now that you know where I live, you can come teach me and pick me up for church" uhhhh, woah! Gods hand? Referral from God? Yes. It truly was.

Story 2: Its been about -1000 degrees this past week. I wear two pairs of socks and sweats underneath my suit pants and I still freeze!! But we went tracting and not much success. We went up to this one house and it had a sign posted on the door "Missionaries will be EATEN"...well, we had to see how he was going to eat us!!! So we knocked. He answered and was terrified of us! He gave a little scream and said "No....NO!!!!" And shut the door. I couldnt stop laughing for a while!

Story 3: Plain and simple...A 50 year old drug woman said I was really attractive and hit on me. Good thing she was drunk or I would have called the police!!

Story 4: I got really sick on Wednesday. Not good at all. I almost stayed home that night but I had team-ups with the Branch President. I endured and found much success. Meeka Mays!! She is SO COOL! We had a powerful lesson and we just read 3rd Nephi 11 and I testified and she was just bawling. I set her for baptism! Hopefully she keeps progresing. We took her to the trail Center and had a great time there!

Story 5: Scott Kemp. He is set for baptism. We took him to the Trail center and on a Church Tour and he loved it! He knows its true. I probably will leave before his baptism which is a bummer, but I love him and his family! He son Larry copies everything I do! And his daughter Talia colored me a picture! They are amazing!

Story 6: I met Ron Artest's cousin, Shayla Cribbs.

Story 7: I met the funniest pimp ever! He bought his suit from Goodwill and it was ripped. His bling had to have been from the quarter machine things and the grocery stores. And he thought he was the coolest man on Earth! He was hammered, but it was so funny! I love the people out here!!

Story 8: Last story. The mission president sets goals/standards for the mission. They are really tough to get all of them but we got them this week!!! Yesterday, we needed one more lesson with a member present and had 3 appointments! They all fell through. But I knew we were to get one. So I was directed to go to Anna James house and she is a less active member and her husband just so happened to be home who isnt a member. We got our last lesson with a member present. Truly directed by the Spirit of the Lord.

Thats my past week. Lots of ups and downs but more than rewarding!! Hopefully next week my email will be coming from Brazil! I love you all. You keep me going! Thanks for everything!

 

Until Next Week,

~Elder Lakey Love Shack (My companion calls me that now..I guess...)

Update

Ryken's P-Days are now on Monday and his new address is:

Elder Lakey

Nebraska Omaha Mission
11027 Martha Street
Omaha, Nebraska
68144-3107

01/09/2012

 

Hello everyone!!!

 

Well, im here! Alive and well. Woke up at 3:00am on Wednesday and headed out. Cool experience on the airplane. But I dont have time for that story. Well, I thought I was going to Brazil, but im now in Nebraska. Who thought I was going to a hick town where all they do is farm? I would be considered one of those but boy oh boy was I wrong!!! I am serving in the Conestoga Area. My ward consists of about 30 members! The Bishop isnt even from this area, but they need strong people to keep the branch alive. So, want to here all about it here? I am in the most thug/gangster/hood part of the world!! I swear this is like compton. I went to highschool with maybe 10 black people..max!! Here, I dont even think Ive seen 10 white people! Everyone is either black or asian. They are all refugees. Its gets a little scary.. but anyway; right when I got here, we went to go teach a lesson to a man named Dal and his family. They are from Bhutan and dont speak English. Dal speaks a little bit so we taught in the most simple form ever and he translated. Pretty weird. Then they said the closing prayer...it was different. In Nepali! Super crazy. Another Story!! So we were going to see this lady and we walked up tp the house and there was a man sitting on her porch. We walked up and he had a huge beer in his hands chugging the thing. He was cussing at us and such, but we got talking to him and he had JUST got out of jail. He said "If the cops see me, Im going to go back!!" Uhhhh...did he escape? Pretty weird. He said there is no wasy possible he could change because he wants to be a "(explicit) gangster" his whole life! haha, it was so funny! There are a lot of crips walking around. TONS of gangs. Im pretty sure we have the biggest drug house right down the road. Pretty crazy, huh? oh, we stopped this guy on the street and we asked if we could go to his house and teach a quick lesson. He took us to this super dark alley and then said "could you hold on, i need to take care of some business" well he ran off with a huge hand full of cash, ran around to the front, and watched a drug deal go down like...50 feet from us. It was too sketchy so we left. I see them all the time. So yeah, I thought I was coming to Nebraska but Ive been to more cultures than i could ever imagine! Another Story..and this one is the best...So we were going to teach a man named Ahchrist. He is a refugee from Burma. We walked up to his house and he invited us in. There were like 30 people stuffed in this room all sitting on the floor singing super loudly. Supposedly it was someones birthday as well as a church service. Well, I had no clue what was going on. I was saying a prayer that hopefully we could somehow get a message across. And the end, the pastor guy stood up and spoke English to us and thanked us for coming over. He wanted us to share a message about Jesus Christ and he would translate!! How awesome is that?! Such a cool experience. Then..they asked us to stay for dinner. They eat Japanese style..without the chopsticks. We all sat in a circle on these mat things and they brought out a bunch of bowls of..stuff. Not really sure what it was. Then we ate. They brought us forks but the others..they ate with their hands. Oh, I forgot to say that it was a soup like substance. Very. Very. INTERESTING! So there you have it, Ive been to Bhutan, Burma, and lots of African countries. There are so many people from Sudan and West Africa/Ghana! I love them!!! The darkest Ive ever seen in my life, but so friendly. Everyone is so friendly here! I love it! It is so stinking hard. But well worth it!!! Ive been fed well thanks to some awesome members of the church. I have soo many other stories but I dont have time to write them all. I wish I could but I have a time limit. That just means you will have to wait a couple years!

 

Out here, its a whole new world. Not just the culture, but the mission itself. WAY different than the MTC. Its real people this time! We have 3 people set up for baptism, we'll see if we can get them there though. Its so tough! Where im at, we have the most first lessons than anyone because people are so friendly. But they just cant give up their lifestyle. I went on exchanges and I taught a man from Poland. Shaky English, but he knew what I was saying. I invited him for baptism for the 21st of this month and he has been having doubts, but he accept and I really think he will! I love this work. Its hard, but worth it. I never thought I would be talking to the people Im talking to now. I never thought God had this in store for me. I didnt think God trusted me enough and knew I had enough faith. I still feel so inadequate when it comes to faith but its growing. It will come over time, but I know its coming!! I dont know my address because we just moved mission office like...yesterday. Sooo...I dont really know. I will either send it to you once I find out or...Maybe wait until next week. I dont know how much longer I will be here. Im guessing no more than 3 weeks. But probably within the next 10ish days I will leave. I dont know though because it is The Lords will, not my own. He has something planned greater than I could imagine.

 

Well, thats that for the week. I wish I could tell more awesome stories. But Im doing great everyone. Thanks for the prayers. I need them! Im praying for you all. I love you all..a lot!!! I just keep growing and I give all my thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ. This work is awesome! I love it! Its hard, sometimes I dont like my area at all but Ive learned so many wonderful lessons.

 

Until Next Week,

~Elder Ryken Lakey

(all the way from Omaha Nebraska...and no, not everyone are hicks!!)

1/3/2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!!!!!

How are you? How was the new year? Did you all party with me there in Spirit? Let's talk about my...exciting?...week. Last Thursday, I was called to the travel office. I am temporarily being reassigned to serve in the Omaha Nebraska Mission!! You are probably thinking, "That sucks Elder Lakey" YOURE WRONG!!! I am SO excited to get out of here! Dont get me wrong, I love the MTC and the people here, but Im ready to get it started! Im also very nervous but I know anything is possible with the Lord on my side! I will let you know my address when I get there. I never thought I was going to be a hick, but..here goes nothing! :) On Wednesday, I have the opportunity to do traffic control for the new missionaries coming in. I had the priveledge of working the walkie-talkies. Is the closest thing to a cell phone. Is that even allowed? I dont know but I do know that I sure had lots of fun on it! There hasnt been a ton happen. Just class and study. All day every day! We had a erally good lesson and got another investigator baptized. Cool? Yes! What else? we made a gigantic rubber band ball and these two elders were playing with it when it hit the "Maitence Request" nox and broke it... Coincidence? haha! Also, one day, the police came into our residence hall and knocked on our good friends room. They asked for Elder Toyn (this crazy elder) and well, I listened in...this is what the police officer said "Elder Toyn, we have two reports of you running naked through the sisters residence with nothing but a shaving cream thong on..." Everyone started busted up laughing!! His response "Sir, I never left the bathroom!!" And we laughed again. Why? Well, he was in the shower one day and thought it would be funny to waste a TON of shaving cream. He covered his body completely in shaving cream and said "ELDERS! I forgot my razer" Thats all. It was really funny how the whole story played out!!! Also, I took a bite of this super nasty popcorn ball from Thanksgiving because, in return, I was given a bottle of Sparkling Cider! Good trade? Absolutely! This week Ive been extremely sick. Im slowly getting better but it was really bad. Is that I surprise to people that know me? No. I always get sick! Not good! Oh well. I saw Sora Sam a lot this week! She gave me some pictures. That was really good to get. It was actually kind of hard saying bye to my teachers and friends. I grew to love a lot of people here. And now, we are off! YIKES! Brother Duerden showed us a bunch of pictures; that made me super stoked!! I cant wait for this new step! This week will be probably the hardest yet but I know I can do hard things through Jesus Christ!!

 

I love you all! If you have questions, let me know!!! I will let you know how Nebraska is and my new address. My leg is bouncing a million miles per hour and it seems like I have to pee my pants 24/7!!!! Here goes nothing!

 

Until Next Week,

Um Abraço,

~Elder Ryken Lakey

 

12/27/2011

Hello world!

 

This week? Nothing new. Its been 2 days since I last wrote! So you know all about Christmas. But I wanted to write you all and say that this is most likely my last week in the MTC. I testify that the Spirit resides here. Its incredible. I want to thank everyone for the letters, love, support, and prayers over the past 9 weeks! Now, to the field to find those seeking the gospel! Do I feel ready? No. Not really at all. Am I scared out of my mind? Absolutely! Am I excited? Com certeza!!!! With God, I can do anything. I know that I was called by God to do this work. With Him, Im ready for anything!

There isnt a lot to say except that I ask for you all to return to Jesus Christ is one way or another. I guarantee there is one thing in your life that YOU can fix that will bring more happiness. Find it. And DO it. This is a short little email this time but hopefully next one will be coming from somewhere else in the world! (most likely 60 minutes north in Salt Lake) But I want to testify that I know without a doubt that God lives. He really does. He loves you personally. He knows you personally. He placed you in my life to help me and I know it. You have done something special for me in one way or another. He sent Jesus Christ to the Earth to establish the church and a way in which we could return to live with Him again. If you were the only one on Earth..Jesus Christ would suffer for you! And I know that He didnt suffer just for your sins. He suffered for every last sickness, trial, tribulation, unhappiness, and pain you go through. HE KNOWS HOW IT FEELS!!! Turn to Him when you need help. It is my promise that you will feel happier and something you havent really felt before. That is His love. I know Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ and they told him that no churches were true. I know that he restored the EXACT same gospel that Jesus Christ established. I know he was given the authority of God and that it has been passed down and I am SO lucky to be able to hold that. I know the Book of Mormon answers any questions in life. I know the Book of Mormon contains everything you need to know in life. I know it. I have seen it in my life. This Church is true. More true that anything else on Earth. I have No doubt about it. These things I KNOW to be true through the Holy Spirit. This is my testimony!

 

I love you all!

Loves,

Elder Lakey

12/25/2011

Helo my family and friends!!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

 

Surprise! Its a gift to you all! Hopefully you like it! ;) My Christmas has been really good actually. We woke up early this morning and opened gifts and stuff. Then we went and stood in line for sacrament meeting. In line, everyone just sang a bunch of Christmas songs. I LOVED it! Then we went in and watched "Music and the Spoken Word" which was really good! Then, guess who walked in?!? Yes, an apostle! DAVID A. BEDNAR!!! Not only was it cool to see him walk in, we partook of the sacrament with him! All 2,120 of us! Yeah, it was awesome!! His talk was absolutely incredible. One of the best talks I have EVER heard. Remember Elder Hollands Book of Mormon talk? The super powerful one? Yeah. It was like that. So, it was all about how we need to put off the natural man, learn OF Jesus Christ, not ABOUT Jesus Christ...And to turn out when you want to turn in (Selfish turning in/the natural man) I took so many notes. It truly was incredible!!! He challenged us to buy a book of Mormon and read it with ONE question in mind and mark up everything about that question. Also, every member, active or not, has a testimony. BUT, that isnt enough. We cant just have a testimony. We MUST be truly be converted to Christ. He said we are like cookie monster "I want cookie. I want it now" That is us and we CANT! When we have trials and life sucks, we need to turn out, not in and look for help. Look for people to help. That is Christ. He said 60% of the missionaries listening to him would fall away from the church if we didnt become converted. Even if we all had a solid testimony. Isnt that crazy? Look into your life. Seriously, right now.... are you converted? If you have a testimony of Joseph Smith and the pioneers, thats awesome,...but who cares if you arent doing anything. They did their part. They put off the natural man and turned out! Think about it...testimony only gets you so far. Now its time to turn your testimony into conversion!

 

Oh, last night, the MTC did the Christmas nativity for us and we all sang. Then afterwards, we watched The Christmas Carol. Such a relief! I watched a movie! :)

 

Thats all for Christmas letter. I dont have much time. I miss you all. I love you all. SO incredibly much and thank you all for the prayers, thoughts, letters, and love. It is definitely felt. I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas and hopefully spent some time remembering our Savior. That is Christmas and that is why this is one of the best, if not the best, Christmas' Ive ever had. I love you all. Try turning out and get rid of your cookie monster self. Turn your testimony and knowledge into conversion. This is what brings happiness in life and I testify of it. I will write again on Tuesday!

 

Loves from The Gingerbread Man,

~Elder Ryken Lakey!