I Didn't Get a Letter This Week...

But I did get this letter

Hi, Sister Tilley,

I'm so glad it's you! Elder Tilley wasn't sure he had your email address correct when he was over last night. He and Elder Larsen were expressing their concern at not having emailed home yesterday so I said I'd let you know what was up.

The entire mission went to the Jersey shore yesterday with President and Sister Bahr, so they left early and returned late with no computer time to write. I'm sure Elder Tilley will write and tell you all about the 'field trip'. He and Elder Larsen then came to our house for dinner as it was Elder Larsen's birthday and Marcella, whom I'm sure he's told you about, was able to drop by too, along with other ward members to hang out and eat etc.

You have such a wonderful boy! We love him here in Ledgewood and he's added so much to the missionary work here. He couldn't have a better trainer than Elder Larsen and we hope we keep both of them here for quite a while. The Ledgewood is a terrific ward. My family has only lived in New Jersey for almost four years, and my husband has been Bishop for three of those years. He works closely with the missionaries and loves them dearly. The people in the ward are very good at fellowshiping, members and non-members alike. Most of us are transplants and so our families are far away and we rely on each other for support. It's a great place for a brand new Elder to get started on his mission because he will receive all the mothering and attention he needs as well as getting some awesome priesthood guidance and leadership to prepare him for when he moves on.

Thanks again for raising such a fine you man, we love him a lot!

Sister Nielsen

It was so wonderful to hear from someone who has spent time with Ryan recently. It meant so much to me to know that there are wonderful people looking out for him (and feeding him). I admit it, I bawled like baby while reading this letter.

I just want to send a big thank you to the members of the Ledgewood Ward for all they do for the missionaries there. And a big thank you to Sister Nielsen for taking her time to let me know what was going on. I was trying not to freak out, but not very successfully!