April 20th, 2015

5925 E 12th St Apartment C2

Indianapolis, IN 46219 ‎

 

So that is my official address sorry I forgot to mention that.

 

So this will be short and to the point, this week while busy did not have anything to amazing that stood out. We have been working a lot on trying to find other people to teach, checking former investigators, and working a lot with less actives. Its weird to think this is week number three for me. But we also had exchanges with the Zone Leaders, I taught six lessons with ZL Markward on the day we went out together. Boy it was a busy day. I am meeting a lot more of the members and people here in the area and learning that the city is very different from the other places you will serve.

 

There are the ghettos, which most of the houses that would have the hispanics are abandoned, and probably have crazy hobos living in them. The people themselfs are lower income classes which I did experience a lot working trailer parks, but I suppose its different when the entire area is almost like a trailer park. hahaha I love it we get to meet many strange, interesting, and funny people.

 

During this week while we were grabbing dinner for the night, a man named Ricky or "Wolf" came up to me and asked me how I was doing. Which proceeded into a convesation and we talked about his job, tearing up houses, and how he would always find old yo yo's in the walls. He then asked if I could count his money and help him order from the fast food joint we were at. Then we had to get going so I shook his hand, and before I left he said he had a present for me, and gave me a yo yo from the 70's telling me thankyou for being such a nice friend.

 

But its a example of the people you will meet and how they can be a completely standup person.

 

Lets see what else to talk about. Honestly nothing much, this week went super quick, and we didnt have anything real significant.

 

Someone else I could mention is Johnathan who is a less active who wants to recieve the priesthood. I have been really pushing him to attend church, and continue to learn more about the gospel. He used to be a bit of a thug in his previous life, and had several issues of anger management. But marriage to his girlfriend through the church and later being baptized changed his whole life around. So ya we are working with him.

 

Well thats all folks not much else left to say except I miss ya, and love ya, la obra continuar.

 

Some Pictures April 6th, 2015

Ryan with Santiago

 

Ryan, President Horton, Franklyn, Elder Paxman, and Santiago

 

 

Ryan and Elder Paxman

April 6th, 2015

Okay okay before anything else happens if you are wanting to send me a package or anything such as letters, STOP. Because my time in Lafayette is done. I found out last night that I am being transferred. I dont know where (probably city), I dont know who will be my companion (no idea) and I dont know when(thats a lie its this wednesday). But please dont send anything for the next week or so till I can give you my new address. Thank you.

 

Now I have uploaded a lot more pictures of the baptism, and some other random pictures of stuff. Also there is a video for all of you to see where I talk about the week and what's been going on.

 

Now this week has nothing of major significance except we found two new investigators who are actually looking very good to becoming legitimate investees. But other than that only really conference and Easter was the big events. We watched conference at the church Saturday and ate some subway with a member from English bishopric. Other than that that Saturday we hung out at the church with members and stuff the entire day watching conference and priesthood session. Sunday we went to the church early to print the agendas for the Baptism for the day, watched the morning session there at the building than went to the stake center to watch afternoon session, and fill up the font. Right after that we had the baptisms. I baptized Santiago Jose Rodriguez Nunez first, followed by Pres Horton and Franklin Pichardo. I wont lie I did not cry but did get a little emotional during the baptism because it reminded me a lot of my little Hannah Brown, who I had the privilege of baptizing last year.

 

Then at the end with all the hugs and tears taken care of, we finally received the call that I would be leaving. It was actually to be expected because president Cleveland had already told us that we would be making a trip down to Indy, and we both feel very confident that Elder Paxman will end his mission here. So it just left me.

It is very hard to leave, but I have sort of prepared myself to it. I know my time here was going to end eventually. But worst of all is saying goodbye to all the friends, members, and family i have now here in Lafayette. But that's okay, everything comes to a end.

 

I am truly grateful for the blessings of having a wonderful first area, a fun first companion, and a excellent man/missionary for a second companion. In this Easter season the time for gratitude is something we must focus on and cherish. As this season purpose is not to remind of us his sacrifice and pain, but rather the love he has for us. For by love was the world created, and by his love for us was he able to drink of the bitter cup, and by love we may someday return unto him. I bear this testimony to my friends, and my family that he lives.

 

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

There is a video that is being shared world wide called "Because He Lives", please watch it and continue to remember that despite the end of the season of his resurrection, his love is continuous for us.

I love all the others families and friends who read this.

Sincerely, Elder Ryan James Trapp

March 30, 2015

Well its the week of Easter, thats exciting. I will be brief in my message because ldsmail is having some issues today.

 

So Franklin Pichardo (guy who wanted to be baptized in river) and Santiago Rodriguez (young kid) will be both baptized this Sunday in the West Lafayette font at 6:30... unless the world explodes.

 

As for the rest of the week we met with a lot of members specifically the Rodriguezs(ones that came from cancun) we have a joke with them that we are their american sons and usually spend a lot of time with them. They have been having difficulties in their family.

 

The other person we met was a less active Yali who is a mother of 2 and husband (never met but appears to be tool) who has been in jail for breaking the law and being in the country illegally is finally being deported. She has filed for divorce with him now and so she has been having a really rough time.

 

The rest of the week we didnt have much else of importance or significance. Just some lessons, and hanging out with members, stuff like that.

 

But the work continues here in Lafayette, Elder Paxman is fine. I am doing alright. And ya, not much else happening here. Though there seems to be a lot of exciting news from what I have been told from the sisters, mom, dad, and grandparents. Things are going crazy in Oregon.

Well not much else left to say, only that I love you guys and miss you. Keep your hearts open to the spirit and always never forget to pray.

Well I love ya and miss you.

 

Sincerely, Elder Ryan James Trapp

March 23, 2015

Well well well, were back for another week of quick news from Elder Trapp.

 

Well I shall give you the highlights.

 

This Saturday I was a little sick, but kept working and played basketball/frisbee with the Rodriguez family. They are the ones from Cancun, Mexico that appeared one day in church and decided to move to the Estados Unidos. They are also the ones with the 8 year old named Santiago, who we have helped prepare for baptism. Well today we were talking about his baptism (this Saturday or maybe Sunday) and I was talking with Sister Rodriguez in the other room when he said "I want missionary there, what's his name Trip, ohhh Trapp yes him." I wont lie it touched me a little, and a little softer and quieter tone I told him "si yo peudo". From the beginning I encouraged him to have his father do it, but now he has asked me.

 

Well after Saturday of just playing and not really recovering I was really sick on Sunday. Made it to church, went to a couple less actives, but then near evening I was done and crashed at home, I chugged down some medicine and slept for a couple hours. I felt really bad about calling it quits a little bit early but we didn't have any appointments and I really was down for the count. I feel tired today, but a little better. My cough is gone, though I have a lovely headache. Don't worry I eat and drink plenty to get over it, probably by tomorrow I will be fully operational.

 

We also visited Franklin this week and worked more with him. He is pretty much ready for his interviews and is ready to be baptized.

 

We had to change to tire because we had a nail in it. That was a fun little wait as we used the spare to go down to Indy for Paxman's doctors appointment on Wednesday. But we survived.

 

Today we were going to go fishing with Brother Torres but its snowing, so probably not. He is a great guy, who even from a early age tried to be active in the church despite his family's inactivity. He really is the man to help us out with rides occasionally, and feeding us. They, he and his wife, well especially him want to move to Utah in maybe a year and a half or two years.

 

What else, what else. I believe that is all that has really happened that is significant. There is not much else to say.

 

I hope things are well in Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, and Rhode Island for all of you. And that you are enjoying your warm weather, I am enjoying our cold weather here.

 

I love you all and miss you all. Sorry I am cutting short my name is running up.

 

I love you other families

Sinceramente, Elder Ryan James Trapp

March 16th, 2015

Well another week has gone by. This week we have continued to focus are intentions on the less actives and part member families as per the usual. We have had a lot of success with meeting with people and at the very least getting return appointments if not over all commitments to church. I am writing quickly because I dont have much time today (I never seem to). But here are the highlights of the week super fast. Wednesday we had to go down to Indianapolis for a doctor appointment for Paxman that lasted most of the day though we did meet with some of his less actives and convert while there. After that we had zone meeting on friday which was very good. Then we went down to Crawfordsville (30 mins away) to talk to Franklin. Now this is the good news. Franklin is married to a member and has come to church for awhile. He was a bit of a mule about certain things but we now have a baptism date, and he wants to be baptized in a river. He is set to be pretty much ready this week, but wants president Horton to baptize him. So we set him up for Saturday March 28th, and he looks to be a for sure deal.

 

And after that we have Sunday which was good, Elder Latu use to run the electric organ that can play songs by itself along with a sister in the ward. But Latu was gone and the sister not there so I got the pleasure of figuring out how to work it. Dont worry it all ended well.

 

Pues despues este, no mucho.

 

So now a new week begins. All very exciting. But I dont have much else left to say. I hope things are going well back home in oregon, utah, rhode island, new mexico, and I think that is all.

 

 

As a quick spiritual thought I was reading in 2 nephi 31, the chapter entails basically the gospel of jesus christ. It is part of the discussions we teach to investigators. I recommend it only because we taught it today to Franklin.

Sincerely, Elder Ryan James Trapp

March 9th, 2015

Well it has been a interesting week. All sorts of fun and exciting things have been happening here in Lafayette. We are focusing heavily on less actives, and part member families. One of them which I have refered to before Franklin we manage to meet this week and will meet again this following week. He is progressing and getting ready for baptism.

Sorry this email is going to be short.

My new companion is Elder Paxman, he goes home in June so we suspect he will die here in Lafayette. Whether or not I am around it up in the air but I am thinking this will be my last transfer here in Lafayette. Paxman is from Reddington Utah, he is the middle child of his family, in the past he has had many surgery's involving his intestines, and was even sent home for a time on his mission due to health issues which he continues to have.

 

But he is a good missionary and I look forward to working with him, and he really is a good guy. Very opinionated about many things and has the tendency to have a bit of pride which can be contentious. But he knows how to work hard, he has extraordinary patience, and he is trying to do his best which is all we can ask for. I know I will learn a lot from him and continue to develop my spanish.

 

I miss you all and hope all is going well with you. You are all in my prayers.

I love you and miss you.

Sincerely, Elder Ryan James Trapp