President and Sister Swinton

Today I must tell you about one of the BEST things that happened at Women's Conference. I got to meet Ryan's Mission President and Mom that were released last summer. Ryan LOVED the Swintons and they LOVED Elder Lee. It was so wonderful to finally meet them and I can see why Ryan was in love with them. When I walked up and said that I was Karen Lee and could hardly say the words, "Elder Lee's mom," they grabbed me and hugged me and were so happy to see me. Some of the things that they said about Ryan that made our family proud:
*They could put Elder Lee ANYWHERE and they knew that he would clean up the area and get it rolling again.
*Everyone wanted to be Elder Lee's companion because he has such a great personality! (Lucky him, he gets it from his Dad!)
*He was able to learn the spanish language just by studying the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel in spanish.
*Sister Swinton was so proud of him when she visited his area in Peckham and he was teaching the Sunday School lesson in spanish in such a short amount of time. She specifically remember how proud his mother would be!
*They made a triangle with their fingers and said that most missionaries never rise to far from the bottom, but Elder Lee was at the tip of the top. Thats why he was called as a zone leader so early and continues to train missionaries until the day he will come home.

I shared a story showing the tender mercies from our Heavenly Father for Ryan. They both cried tears of gratitude for following the spirit.

When Ryan was waiting to receive his mission call, he didn't care where he would be assigned, the most important thing was that he wanted to learn Spanish. His Dad and older brothers had this opportunity. The mission call came and it said England London South! He was so excited and so were we as his family. Through the following weeks I couldn't help but wonder if he was a little discouraged because he wouldn't get to learn Spanish! Nothing was said, but lots of excitement took place in his preparations. He left for England and during his first interview with President Swinton, he was assigned to the Peckham Branch. What made this assignment so meaningful was that Peckham is a "Spanish" branch. Pres. Swinton promised Ryan that he would learn the language in the field and as he read the B of M and P my G in spanish, the Spirit would strengthen him. Sure enough He did and Ryan's righteous desire was granted. What a great blessing.

President Swinton said that Peckham was one of the mission "favorites" but was grateful he listened to the Spirit and assigned Ryan there!

Sister Swinton taught the class "Follow the Prophet". My testimony increased that day of prophets, past and present.

Thank you President and Sister Swinton for taking such good care of my son, Elder Lee.

YIPPEEEE!!! Only 5 more days til that Mother's Day phone call!