Week of July 22nd update

Email received early this morning:

Mom,

I got a chance to come to the laundry center early today and mix up my P-Day a bit. What an awesome week this has been! We are starting to SYL (Speak Your Language) in Mongolian a lot more and it's really helping our ability to speak improve, I'm still working on being 100% in all that, it's a very weird experience not being able to express yourself because you don't know the words! We've had a couple amazing devotionals, most recently Gene R. Cook, an Emeritus of the quorum of the seventy came and taught us. Then on Tuesday, Elder Wilson and I come in from studying and there is a Mongolian sister in our classroom! Her name is Chookaa ("choke-aa" it's hard to do her name justice without Mongolian characters) and she arrived straight from Ulaanbaatar earlier that day. She is going to be here for 12 weeks to learn Korean, doesn't know very much of that language right now and also doesn't speak any English! I decided then to never whine about any tough time I was having here - I can only imagine how difficult it must be. We were able to speak with her for a while and it gave me a glimpse of the situation I would be in when I get to Mongolia! With our limited vocab. we were able to talk with her but it was slow and concentrated. Margetts Ax came in shortly after and hearing them speak was incredibly humbling!!! But nonetheless it again refocused the district and I on what all this language study was for and our excitement to get to Mongolia!

This week I've really been focusing on always having a positive outlook on this work and my progress here. It's very easy to focus on where we want to be: spiritually, mentally and if we are focusing wholly on the progress we haven't made it can quickly lead us to doubt and then discouragement rather than seeing the progress we are making and being content with that! It has really helped me to continue to grow and love this time of change in myself as I try to bring myself closer to Christ. I hope you all see your improvement too, I know I do from your letters and emails and it's exciting! And if not and our growth seems very pointless, those feelings aren't God given and it's definitely not what He wants for us.

Also, this next week I begin my EIL training! We now have to be certified through BYU to teach English and our 3 week course begins next week- the countdown begins! I love you all and am praying for you.

Elder Jolley

July 15th

Got a short email and letter this week. Ryan and his companion, Elder Wilson, were called to be the new zone leaders by President Ralph W. Smith this past Sunday. He says his "free" time has gone from slim to none.... "We are grateful for the opportunity and it definitely brings some humbling responsibilities. We have had two zone leaders previous and have seen their effect on the attitude and actions of our zone and if anything we hope to make a good impact." He continues.... "There are a ton of exciting opportunities going on right now, have you noticed that too or is it just me? We all live incredibly blessed lives!"

July 10th Update

A few words from his email dated July 8th:

Hey Family!!

Sorry I missed out on a letter last week! I didn't have an email from you guys and so I thought I'd just write, then we ended up cleaning the temple which took all of our letter writing time! But still a bad excuse, so I am writing a pluthera of letters today to make up for it! This week has been full of cool opportunities! My assignment at our temple cleaning session was temple security! I was given a badge and told to guard the front entrance to the temple with my life, checking all the renovation workers passes and making sure no treachary was afoot. I was so stoked! Turns out I just sat in a comfy chair, ate jelly beans, and had a huge Book of Mormon reading fest. Not what I imagined, but definitely rewarding. I'm starting Alma 46 today- I saw in you last letters your still keeping up on the reading assignment... am I beating you guys? Remember the goal was to have all the reading done by the 24th of August- keep me posted on you guys' progress! For the 4th of July we had the opportunity to sit in on a special devotional on the events leading to the Restoration of the Gospel. We truly don't appreciate the men who did so much for us today and I was grateful to have that reminder. (Brayden and Skyler.... Elder Wilson and I happened to be studying in the northwest corner for any unusual sounds before the devotional started.... but nothing!) After that we were allowed to stay out on the lawn and watch the fireworks. They were incredible and it felt so late staying up past 10:30 (til 10:45 ha ha)! The Mongolian continues to humble my district and I- there is so much to do and I feel like the time is slipping through our fingers. We teach the 1st Lesson tomorrow in Mongolian and I will let you guys know what happens.... I continue to marvel at missionary life and all the blessings that come with it! I lack the perspective to truly recognize them all and it shows the Lord's infinite love for all of us, my goal continues to be more humble and aware of the Lord's hand so that I may be an effective instrument to Him. There is always room to improve and I still am not anywhere near the point I need to be at- which makes me grateful for the 2 months I have to grow in here!

A special shout out to Kendyl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEIGHA!! I love you and hope you had a great time on Monday!

I'll include the rest of the details in my letters, I'll send them out today and expect some new pictures! Tell Brayden I'm sorry I couldn't run into him at the TRC, I've got laundry time while he's here... I love you guys and your in my prayers continually. I'm so grateful to our Heavenly Father as I read of all the rich blessings in your lives.... I hope more than anything you recognize this- we are incredibly blessed!!

Love, Elder Jolley

Few highlights from his letter on July 10th:

Ryan says he has been learning a lot about the Mongolian culture this past week. Couple things he shared (that he thought were ironic in relating to him):

•Mongolians generally hate waking up on time. One of his instructors, Bro Cannon (Cannon Ax in Mongolian) told them about companions (who were Mongolian) that he had that he practically had to jump on to get them up in the morning and that they would be angry for a while! (Not sure if Ryan was referring to his attempt in getting his brother Brayden up in the mornings, which can be next to impossible or if we was referring to himself—he tends to be a bit cranky if he's fallen asleep and you try to wake him.... maybe a bit of both!)

•All your belongings are free game. Cannon Ax said not to be surprised when your companion is wearing your stuff. (Ryan and Brayden often "borrowed" each other's stuff without asking the other)

Ryan continues to say... "I continue to see how the Lord prepares us for missions!!"

He says there is still no word on the visa, but knows the process takes a while so "no news is good news" for now.

He also received this Mongolian mission tag this week. Here is what his name looks like in Mongolian: Aхлагч Paняa AрБэн жолий (Elder Ryan Arben Jolley)

Elder Kolby Larsen and Elder Jolley • 6/27/10

Elder Wilson, Elder Jolley with Elder Oldroyd and Elder Tyler Haws • 6/20/10

Pictures!

We received these pictures from Ryan last week. They were taken during New Mission President's week. It was nice to put faces with names. He continues to love his experience with "everything" at the MTC. He says the language is coming. A lot of interesting sounds, but he says it's a bit easier than most because there is no conjugation in the Mongolian language. It's been hard work, but very satisfying and he feels he is being strengthened by the Lord all the time. In his letter to Brayden he says "think of the happiest place on earth.... that's where I am".

Aхлагч Jolley and Aхлагч Wilson (6/13/2010)

Elder Jolley, Elder Wilson, Elder Reeve and Elder Huff

President and Sister Mecham with the MTC Mongolian District

New Mission Presidents Week

The last full week of June (20th-27th) is New Mission President's week at the MTC. On Ryan's P-day (which is Thursdays) I got on to check in on his email account and discovered he was on too! It was awesome to converse with him for a few minutes. He was working on his laundry, checking emails and such. I can tell he is doing great and is so happy. He was looking forward to a special fireside that was going to be held on Friday night. He said he had been able to meet President and Sister Mecham before they head out to Mongolia the next week. He also said that there had been a number of the Quorum of the Twelve visiting throughout the week as well as the First Presidency. We'll have to see what he reports in his next letter.

MTC Schedule

Ryan's Schedule
(for the next 8 weeks or so)

Up at 6:15
MDT (Missionary Directed Time) until 7:45
Breakfast 7:45
Personal study at 8:15
Class (gospel and language) 9:15-12:30
Lunch 12:30
Companion study 1:15
Classroom instruction 2:15-4:00
Gym 4:10-5:00
Get ready/prep time
Dinner at 5:30
Language study 6:15
Classroom instruction 7:15-9:00
Daily Planning 9:00-9:30
Get ready for bed 9:30
Quiet time 10:15
Lights out 10:30

Our First Letter

We received our first letter the Monday after Ryan went in. We were all very anxious to get it to hear how he was doing (and a million other questions). Ryan's friend, Kevin Olsen, had actually seen Ryan the day after he went into the MTC (he was doing some volunteer work at the TRC) and said that Ryan had had a great first night and was doing awesome. That was great news for us right off the bat, but getting the physical letter was awesome!

He says time is flying for him (not so much for us :) ). His companion, Elder Wilson, is from Portland, Oregon. He says he's a stud and couldn't have asked for a better companion. There are only 4 Elders in his District. The other two are Elder Huff and Elder Reeve (who is from Cedar Hills (small world!). They have three Mongolian teachers who all served in Mongolia and have a great love for the people, language and culture.

*A little side note. We have become aware of some amazing news and recognize the tender mercies from the Lord, continuously. We received word from a couple of friends—one closely associated with the mission office and the other is actually one of Ryan's mission teachers in the MTC! All foreign (American) missionaries in Mongolia had been sent out of Mongolia around the end of May, being either reassigned or were at the close of their mission. Also, no Mongolian mission calls are being issued at this time. Most who were called to serve there have been reassigned elsewhere. Word is that Mongolia is (keeping praying) going to allow 4 visas to be issued. Amazingly, Ryan and his District will hopefully be those 4! Truly a tender mercy!!

To the MTC

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 — Waking up today seemed easier than yesterday. I had a pit in my stomach waking up on Tuesday. Today, there was a peace and a calm that seemed to reside in our home. I have been so thankful for it and hope it will continue to be with us. :)

We didn't get to sleep until quite late (or early as the case may be), so getting up this morning was a little difficult for all. Skyler had to be up and over to the church this morning at 6:30 a.m. for his scout camp. He and Ryan had to give their good-byes early. That was a little hard for them both. Skyler was pretty sad.


Ryan requested eggs and toast for breakfast. He was finishing up loading his suitcases and weighing them. Somehow he will still needs to lose about 10 lbs. out of one of them before he heads to Mongolia!

His report time was 1 p.m. (the morning went by way too quickly). We got on our way and arrived at the MTC about ten minutes to one. We parked and took some pictures then back to the car to head for the "drop off".

There were helpers, workers and missionaries everywhere welcoming and helping to unload all the new missionaries. We all gave big hugs and good-byes and he was whisked away.

Wow! And he's off.

Being Set Apart

Ryan was set apart on Tuesday night, June 8, 2010. Our immediate family along with a few Aunt and Uncles, Bishop Nielson and his wife, a couple of Ryan's close friends and Stake President Bangerter gathered to share in this special evening. President Bangerter gave each of us the opportunity to share and express our love, testimonies and feelings to Ryan. The spirit was very strong and the room was filled with lots of love and emotion.

Ryan then had an opportunity to share his feelings and testimony. President Bangerter then set Ryan apart as a missionary and offered him a beautiful blessing. He is now a missionary... and you could feel it!

Tyler Mickelson, Ryan, Kevin Olsen

Claudia Nielsen and Ryan

(Uncle & Aunt) Jeff and Cherie Campbell with Ryan

We visited briefly with everyone. As everyone departed, Andraya was able to announce (she had been trying so hard to keep the secret!) to Ryan that we were planning on having a family "camp out" in the family room. We had been planning this for a couple of weeks. The idea had been given to us by a dear friend who had done this with her family when her sons left on their missions. It was awesome! Being all gathered together as a family laughing, sharing and most of all, "being together" before Ryan was to leave the next day!
It will be a cherished evening forever!

Brothers!

My cute kids!

Wrapping things up and more good-byes

Couple of days to go!! It's down to the wire. Ryan finishes up the packing details and his good-byes...

Ryan finishing packing up his room

Ryan with friends McKell and Heather

Ryan and Sydney Powell

Aunt Linda, Ryan and cousin Cami

Aunt Jill, cousins Calvin and Clare Christensen with Ryan

Ryan with cousins Allie, Tanner, Haley, Kylee and Ty Campbell

10 days and counting....

After Ryan's farewell and wrapping up the school year, we headed out of town as a family to enjoy some final one-on-one time together, to relax and have fun! We spent the week in Arizona soaking up some warmth and sunshine.

Family time in Arizona

On our way back home from Arizona we stopped in Las Vegas and Saint George to see family and give good-byes... for now :)

Left to right: Brayden, Aunt Jayne, Grandma Campbell, Aunt Kelly, Natalia, Bentley, Uncle Anthony, Ryan, Andraya, Skyler, Mom, Trey, Kendyl and Dad in Las Vegas

Ryan with cousin McKenzie, Uncle Todd, little cousin Cooper and Aunt Kara in Saint George

Family shoot with Aunt Jayne, Grandma and Paka in Saint George.

Mission Pics

~Photos taken May 29th, 2010. Brooke Lamont Photography

Ryan's Farewell

Sunday, May 23rd — Ryan's mission farewell. Family and friends from near and far came to share in this special day and to hear him speak. He was asked to speak on "The Power of Righteous Desires". It was a beautiful sacrament meeting and amazing to see the chapel filled with so many people that have played so many parts in both our lives and Ryan's. After the meeting family and friends stopped by throughout the afternoon to visit and to have a little bite.

Ryan and his Grandma Jolley

Aunt Kara with little Cooper, Aunt Linda and Grandma Campbell (in front) with other friends in the background grabbing some yummy food!

Lots of friends and family

Ryan, cousin Michael, Uncle John with little Nixon, cousin Courtney and cousin Whitney

Ryan with Aunt Linda and Uncle Don Campbell

Friends Sophia, Kolby, sister Andraya and friend Kevin

Ryan and Paka (Grandpa Campbell) before the farewell

Thanks to ALL for your time and for coming, sharing, helping and visiting!