Google Earth

We zoomed in on his address and panned around his neighborhood. Their duplex is on the right and that park across the street is where he plays soccer on p-days.
A picture of his apartment - lower right window
A view from the other side of his apartment looking back down the street
This was the original picture he sent of the view from his room. We love Google Earth!

Monday May 30, 2011

The Calgary Spanish Zone! back row left: Elders Walker (Ryan's 3rd comp), Brandon (Ryan's current comp), Rudd (first comp in Calgary), Nielson, Chunn, Draper, Soliz and Davies (Ryan's MTC companion) front row left: Elders Dunlap, Galloway (last comp), Walker and Harker
I asked him to send me a picture of where he lives now...LOL

Nice, another church is quoting President Kimball!

Hello!! Mom I think our address is 2418 16A St. SW. Wow I can't believe Trevor's generation is heading out for their missions...that means I am old! He emailed me and gave me the update on everybody, so that was good. Yeah I play ball almost every p-day, at least shoot free throws to keep my form good ha. I also have 35 lb dumbbells and perfect pushup and a medicine ball...I am all set to go as far as that stuff goes. Elder Brandon and I also run every other day so that is good.

I am glad that Blake will have a few buddies up there rooming with him, although you really hang out with people you meet up there, at least that is what happened to me. I am excited for him to start his adventure! Once you graduate from high school, it's over (sorry mom!) Life starts so quickly and you start doing your thing.

Saturday we are going to the Cardston Temple. We get to go to the temple every 6 months, so I have 2 more trips here. Plus if you have converts going to through for endowments, you get to go with them. Rocky just got his Visa extended, so he should be around here next Feb. so I can go through with him! This past week was just insane, and this week is only going to be that much busier. The training was good. SUPER long but I learned a lot of course. We taught Alberto on Monday and he said he is getting baptized...he would not commit to a date because of his situation...he is still looking for a home. We have been praying hard that the Lord makes it happen so he can accept a date tonight at 8 PM. He will be dunked veryyy soon ;) Then we had 2 sweet miracles yesterday. There is this potential gator named Luz Marina from Colombia. She slipped on ice in the winter and hurt her leg really bad. She knows a member and the member sent the elders over to give her a blessing, and she improved dramatically! So this member (who goes to an English ward) had a spiritual prompting to invite Luz to church, and she came! She was participating a ton in gospel principles and is anxious to talk to us on Wednesday at 5...she is totally getting baptized! Then the other miracle: There is a man in the ward from the Dominican Republic, but has been attending an English ward. Yesterday he showed up to our branch with his mom Roxanne, a nonmember. She is visiting from Toronto. Her son told me that she is ready to accept the gospel after years of hearing it! We have an appointment with her today at 3. The craziest part about this that she is leaving to go back to Toronto on the 11th of June! That means today we are going to extend to her the 10th to be baptized, which gives us like 12 days!!! We are stoked and believe that there has to be a reason she is here...uh to gain entrance into the celestial kingdom? Yeah I think so! Plus we have 5 other investigator lessons set up because a bunch fell through last week. It's crazy I really have no time to think! Plus there is a companionship in the district with low numbers we are trying to figure out how to help them.

Life is so busy right now, but I am loving it. Teaching the gospel is so sweet and gratifying! Wish us luck! I love you all and hope you have a stellar week!

Thanks Dad! I'm already loving the new area, downtown is crazy! Already have some pretty interesting stories. I will update you on all our investigators (in the family email)...I have never had this many at one time I don't know how to balance the time! I'm sure this is what a Mexican mission feels like seriously. I am stoked that Blake will be ordained an Elder soon and is doing so awesome. He will be great. I am so happy that all the boys in our family are so tight, that's the way it should be. You are our example and I appreciate everything you have said to me the last 20 years. Everything you taught are all the correct principles and it is what I want to do with my boys one day. Enjoy the day at Disneyland for me :)

Love you all,
Elder Draper

So much to be grateful for this past year...

May 26, 2010

Today marks Ryan's one year of missionary service. As I've reflected over this past year I am humbled at all the blessings we have received. I know this next year will fly by and I'm so happy to think that we are one year away from reuniting our family. Sunday we will attend his friend's farewell who reports to the MTC next week. My heart goes out his mother, also my dear friend, as she sends her son off to serve his mission and to each and every Missionary Mom who has had to do the same. I now know how these mothers feel, for I have felt that tremendous hole in my heart. Its ache so profound right after his departure, but truly, it does heal somewhat as the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months. There are the weekly emails, the encouraging words from friends and family, and the knowledge that your child is worthy and willing to sacrifice two years of his young life to “go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.”

Today I read another Missionary Mom's blog with this entry and it was especially meaningful and impact-full to me as a reminder that the sacrifice and temporary pain is all so worth it:

Exodus 2: 3-5 “And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off to wit what would be done with him.”

Imagine Jochabed’s anxiety as she placed her infant son in a basket and placed him in the Nile. Knowing that her son Moses was meant to be murdered left her no recourse but to trust in God’s protection and care, and yet she couldn’t (or didn’t) watch as he drifted away among crocodiles with his sister Miriam watching. How hard it must have been to leave her son adrift in the river! God kept Moses safe in his basket until he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, an act that would allow him to receive an education and upbringing that would make him more effective as a prophet and leader of a nation. While mothers aren’t customarily required to send their sons away down the Nile to save their lives, at some time children drift down the rivers of life to live among crocodiles, sharks, and other dangerous creatures. As I pondered this scripture, I remembered the words of a brother in our ward during a Sacrament meeting as he told of his prayer when his son left on his mission: “God, I’m giving you the best thing I have: my son. Please comfort him, lead him, protect him, and bring him back home safely to us.” Not only will our Heavenly Father protect our missionaries, but He will also allow them to get the sort of education that will prove invaluable in their future lives. The virtues of faith, responsibility, and service will forever be a part of their character.

Over The Hump! Tuesday May 24, 2011

Rachel made a banner to send in his "Over the Hump" care package
We sent him the traditional stuffed animal "missionary camel" to commemorate his half way point!
A view from his new neighborhood and pictures of his new apartment...
The cozy kitchen...
The office...
The Master Bedroom...
The laundry room...
The scary bathroom...? :)

Wow one year out!! I always heard missions went by fast, but I think mine is the fastest of all time! I have been out of the world for one whole year, and this one year has completely changed my life. There is nothing more important than serving the Lord for 2 years. I have enjoyed every minute of it and I really could not have done it without your love and support, so thank you all so much! This next year is going to be amazing because I have all the tools I need to be more effective and baptize more, if it's God's will. I am super excited to share all the fun miracles with you!!

Well the Central Area is know as the most fun area, because you see so many crazy people and have the scariest/strangest experiences, which equals great memories! Our apartment is very sketchy and in a very sketchy part of town haha. Like washing my clothes is the strangest process ever, I will have to shoot a video of it ha. Elder Brandon is from Fresno and is great. I am now in the Elbow River Spanish Branch. Sunday was the weirdest day for me, with tons of people I don't know. The branch is wayyy smaller than the ward. Like way smaller. There was maybe 100 people there, if that. It was just a pleasant welcome for me as they asked me to speak for 12 minutes - ugh nerves out of my mind! At least everybody knows who I am now right ;)

We have a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, it's fine. I have not been too busy with the DL position. Our District has the Zone Leaders in it, so really I only have to worry about our companionship and the other, Elders Harker and Davies. So every Sunday I call them and follow up with them about their week, I get their numbers, help them set goals and see how they can improve. Then I report that all to the ZL's. My other main responsibility is teaching district meetings, and our first one is next Tuesday. So it's not really being more busy but having to think about other elders and trying to help them. It's fun, leadership is just a chance to serve others. But I do have to go to all this extra meetings that the mission has for leaders, like tomorrow we have one from 9-6! I honestly would rather knock doors all day, cuz at least you get sweet experiences and meet people.

This first week here brought so many sweet miracles I can't even share them all! On Thur. night we had a contact at 8:45 pm, the last thing planned, but we knocked it and nobody answered. We were right by our pad, so we still had 15 minutes left to work, but with no idea what to do. I suggested we pray and ask the Lord to tell us what we could do. As I ended it, we both had the thought at the same time that we should go through the stake directory and go by a random English member in the area. So we picked a random one (Dale Draper haha relative??) and his address either did not exist or we could not find it. So now we are standing in the street again with nothing to do, so we start walking down the street and both feel prompted to knock this house on the corner. There was hard music blasting so I was doubtful haha, but a man answers and we do our door approach, and he says come again. Sweet! So we talk to Michael, a native Canadian, and he says he loves the Mormon church and lived with a Mormon family growing up (his own family was pretty dysfunctional). He accepted to be taught by the English elders! So I will let you know if anything happens there. Just a testimony to me that the Lord is willing to guide us in every aspect of our lives, we just have to ask and then start walking and make decisions. I have never been guided by the Spirit like this during my whole mission. Then last night we taught a man named Alberto Garcia from the Dominican Republic (yes he is straight up Dominican with dreads...so legit!) You will definitely get to see him because he is getting baptized! He did not accept a specific date, but he said he has made the decision and wants to do it. He has a family matter going on right now (going through divorce) and is waiting for that to get through so he can shift his attention to baptism. He is one of the coolest people I have met and has so much faith. He is shooting for the 5th or 12th of June, depending on the situation. Today we have 2 more gator lessons, and one more the next day.

So many things happening I can't even describe. Last few weeks have been super tough, but we are getting around the corner and seeing the fruits. I love you all, thanks for everything, and I hope you have a great week!!

Love Elder Draper

Tuesday May 17, 2011

A Canadian for 2 years but always an American at heart

What?! Who could not love those handsome boys in suits and ties?!

The future's so bright he's gotta wear shadesAlma and her daughters are moving back to Mexico this month while her husband stays in Canada to work. They have been so good to Elder Draper and I'll always be so grateful for them.

One of the tee's from his birthday package - the mania is still spreading

Elder Draper's favorite Mexican meal tacos al pastor

He'll stand on his head for more tacos:)

Hello!! Thanks for liking my videos and for not judging my Spanish haha. I really have been blessed with the gift of tongues and have seen the promise from my patriarchal blessing about that be fulfilled.

So yes transfers today and I am leaving the West Area and heading to what is called the Central Area. It covers downtown, and basically everything south of the Bow River down to a street called Anderson...so another huge area! The Lord has asked that I serve as the District Leader of the District south of the river, and that is a great blessing. I look forward to serving the other elders and helping them become better. I know that I will grow the most as I serve in this assignment. My comp is Elder Brandon from Northern California, I think around Clovis, I forget the city name. So yeah I am super nervous and ask that you pray that I can feel relaxed and and calm haha. I know the Lord will make it so that I can take care of business, but of course I have a million things going on in my head.

Alma moves back to Mexico on the 28th of May. Nely is doing great! She has come to church just twice since her baptism (the cold weather and her husband Gilberto have kept her home) but now she should be coming more often. She still has a testimony and is slowlyyyyy learning more about the gospel. That's what happens after so much time in the baptist church.

I have never seen more opposition in my life! This transfer with Elder Galloway has been amazing though. We have seen soooooo many miracles and have picked up soooo many new people to teach, but no fruits. Satan is working so hard on the investigators. Natalio's baptism date dropped because he has been acting sketchy lately (moved back in with his girlfriend and has a wife in Mexico). Lourdes won't accept a date because her husband won't let her even read the scriptures or pray. There are so many people who should have accepted baptismal dates, but Satan has a hold on their hearts, it is pretty sad. But we are working harder than ever, and that is why we are seeing the opposition. Satan won't work on people who aren't doing the right things because he already has them. But I know that the blessings and good things are right around the corner, I can feel it. I have learned a lot about opposition this transfer. The key is to go harder and trust that the Lord has everything under control, which is exactly what I am going to do. The 5th principle of the gospel, enduring, is definitely the hardest. That is one of the biggest lessons I have learned over the last year, and I feel like I'm almost there!

But that is all I can think of for now. Thank you all for your love and support! Have a great week!!!!

Love, Elder Draper

Hey Blake! Yeah the phone call was fun! You sound so much more mature which is awesome, you are totally ready for the next year of your life! Yeah I am bummed about the Lakers but we'll see what happens this summer I guess. Congrats on the DTG award! I'd say that is a perfect prep to serve a mission and receive the priesthood and go through the temple, nice work! Yes yes yes I want to hear about your experience (Patriarchal Blessing) next Sunday! It will be one of the most spiritual days of your life so be ready! Yeah fasting is a great idea, and I would just suggest pray a lot this week specifically about it. Ask that your mind can be opened and that you can understand what is being said. I think the coolest part about the experience, at least for me, was the power I felt as I was receiving it. Like I could really feel the blessing coming directly from Heavenly Father through Patriarch Evans, it is hard to explain. I will be praying that you will be spiritually prepared for it. That is about all I got haha. You are already ready, so just enjoy the experience. I love you Blake and I miss ya, keep up all the great things. The more time you put into preparing for your mission and all these other things, the more power and authority you will have as you go out and preach repentance to the people of Chile! (Yes that is my guess of where you will go :)) Have a great week and good luck!!

Elder Draper

Transfers tomorrow!

No email today from Elder Draper but we should hear where transfers send him tomorrow. We received an SD card with new pictures and videos! The first one is of the experience when Elder D. Todd Christofferson visited their mission. It's amazing to hear him speak fluent Spanish...

and to see that he's become quite an accomplished piano player! This is his best Stevie Wonder impression ;)

Day after Mother's Day phone call - May 9, 2011

This was his reaction after the Mother's Day phone call to the family!

Blowing out the candles from yet another cake! Believe me he is treated better on his mission than at home when it comes to having the party last all week long :)

Finishing off the last bite of his third birthday celebration

Hello again!

I had a great time talking to you all last night! The time in between the 1st 2 calls went by so fast! Haha I love grandma no worries, she still doesn't have Alexa's name down after a few years ;) It was sweet to hear everyones voices. Maddie sounds a bit older, Nick as well but Rachel's voice changed the most since Christmas. Like I said I can't even tell her apart from Mom! So crazy, but I am so grateful the Lord is watching over you and that you are loving life, that makes me happy :) Being on a mission has to be the best way to grow our family relationships, because the Spirit is so much more abundant in our lives, more than ever. Only bad news was the Lakers I guess. But I'll be around to cheer them on for the next playoff run!

So yeah I will explain the Natalio miracle! We had an appointment with Rocky he called right before and said he wouldn't be able to make it. But, he told us his friend Natalio was in his house and that we could go by to visit him. I taught him once about 6 weeks ago but he was not that interested. So we ended up teaching an investigator lesson that we hadn't planned for...we had to rely completely on the Spirit to guide our words and the lesson. (Juan Carlos ended up coming miraculously to make it a member present). Over the last 6 weeks, Natalio has completely changed thanks to the Lord: he has a desire to stop drinking, grow closer to God, and the coolest part was that he told us that he wanted to be baptized, and to have his family in Mexico come up to be baptized! We really didn't have to do anything! I recognize the Lord's hand completely in that miracle and preparation of one of His children. Seriously his mentality has completely changed in 6 weeks...it wasn't his time then, but it definitely is now. It is such a perfect situation because he is living with Rocky, who not only just went through the baptismal process, but had to stop drinking and smoking as well, so he is living with a great example. Rocky is so stoked to help someone come unto Christ, we will get him to perform the baptism. That is going to be such a neat experience for me to see! We have a cita with Lourdes tonight at 6, so pray that goes well! She called us and set up the appointment, so we are thinking she is finally ready for baptism as well. I love missionary work!! I can feel some BIG things happening this next year, because I know how to do this now haha. Spanish is no longer a barrier, so now it is just going to be me being diligent and relying on the Lord. 1 Nephi 3:7 all the way!

Life is so amazing seriously. My perspective and priorities have completely changed (God and family first). I feel like that is what my priorities were before, but I didn't fully realize its impact on me. I have nothing to teach really, I am just learning so much. Definitely the best 2 years! :)

Mom you are amazing and you have set the example for me, whether you know it or not. It is just insane that I am already 20. I am so grateful that we have such a great relationship and are like best friends! We are totally going to hang out all the time, I am looking foward to that :) You are so awesome, and I really could not ask for a better mom. That's what I want for my future kids too.

Thanks for everything, and I will have to start sending you Mexican food recipes so you can start learning! Happy Mother's Day again! I love you all and hope you have an awesome week! Next pday is tuesday because of transfers! I am a little nervous for it, but we will see where the Lord wants me! I love you!

Elder Draper

P.S. David Sorenson emailed me and I don't have time to respond gotta email president...he asked me to write some advice for the priests, just tell him I will send it either in your letter with my sd card or when I send Alexa's next letter out. Thanks!

Monday May 2, 2011

Juan Carlos made me a cake too!

Me and my boy Rocky!

Hugo watching me cut the cake...after giving me a face plant in it!

Too full to have my cake and eat it too!

Ok here are some pictures today as promised! We ate tacos al pastor, which is my favorite mexican dish. They made me do "la mordida" which is smashing your face into the cake (the after effects are here, but there is a video of it too!) It was a great party and I really felt loved, which made me happy :)

I don't feel any different about being 20! I feel mature enough to have my own life and everything, but at the same time I feel like a kid still. Yeah the party was awesome! Great food mostly, tacos al pastor. Please look that up and learn how to make them :) The rest of the day was pretty usual, just studied in the morning then we had a specialized training from 1-4. It was about focusing on baptism and authority while teaching the first lesson, because in this mission we have a rule that we have to invite them to be baptized in every lesson, or it isn't a lesson. President sees that people are freaking out about the baptismal invitation because we aren't talking about it enough during the lesson, makes perfect sense. He made Elder Galloway and I get up in front of 3 zones and teach lesson 1, yes in English so that was tough for me believe it or not. I forget a lot of the of gospel words in English. Then we had dinner at the Fraires, then Rocky had made food and cake for us, so I gained about 10 pounds that night. It was a great birthday and your package made it that much better so thank you!!!

Alright so we will be doing the calls at night. Elder Galloway's family is calling at 7:00 PM mountain so you will call me at 8:00 PM mountain, which would be 7 PM in Cali. Same thing, 40 minutes, etc. Should be great! I am really looking forward to it! Thanks for going to my favorite place on my birthday, without me! Haha I was with you in spirit. Thank you all for your prayers I feel 100% back to normal, I am healthy (but out of shape...ouch). I am so excited for this summer and getting out in the sun while talking to people about Jesus Christ of course :)

Teaching, not so good this week. Didn't have any investigator lessons, so that is why we won't have anybody ready for baptism on Mother's Day. We did have one sweet miracle: On Saturday we went by Rocky's neighbor, the Cisnero's in our ward, to drop off some plates from dinner a couple nights before. I had the strongest prompting that we need to knock on the house that Rocky lives in (he lives in the basement, above him is a family from Sri Lanka who I have met once). But I didn't say anything, and we continued working. Well, it haunted me all day long so finally on the way home for the night I told Elder Galloway we had to knock this door or I will be condemned haha. So we knocked on it, and the Sri Lanka woman answers, and accepts a return appointment for the next day to hear our message! We went back the next day before church and teach them the restoration. It was great practice for me because their English is really poor, so we taught as if we were teaching a 10 year old. They didn't accept a baptismal date, but we got another appt and will pass them off to the sisters who cover that area, since this family isn't Spanish. But it was just the miracle I had been praying for my whole mission. You hear the stories and people feeling prompted to knock a certain door, well I had my first experience like that this week. With 2 tough weeks behind us, something amazing is due to happen, and we are gonna just do work and make things happen!

I love you all so much! Have a great week! Call me Sunday at 7 your time!

Love Elder Draper