Elder Ryan Skalla: Mom tears and McDonalds (he is his mother's child)

Hello! First of all, thanks for the package! I feel like a new man! I didn't realize how dirty and yellow my old shirts were until I put them next to my new ones haha. Crazy! and gross! haha. No don't worry about sending treats... although it does hurt a little thinking that I was that close to eating some of grama's cookies haha. Darn Customs! My Gs aren't too bad... but I also didn't think my shirts were that bad haha so I will probably order some new ones. I am way close to the distribution center here but they don't have the ones I like :(

Actually I hardly ever see Sister Ramirez so I don't know if that would be the best way to get information to me. Honestly just send it to me and I will wait til Saturday. The time goes by so fast I wont even notice. Don't worry! Its going to be a little weird but I think it was probably weirder for Brad. At least I know now how it is to have nieces and nephews, Brad didn't have a clue haha. It ll still be weird though.

Yay for switching to Verizon haha. Do you really like it better? Man I cant imagine not having unlimited data... for the same reason as Brad haha my music! I don't want to leave sprint! Haha and its weird seeing iPhone 6... Didn't even know that existed. Its weird how much I don't know.

Haha I´m glad you liked the pictures. We had a pretty good time. I also really liked Elder Holland's talk. I actually did get to watch that session in English because Elder Tipton and I stayed in the offices waiting for our food haha. It made me think "I am positive that my mom is in tears right now, and also my two pregnant sisters" haha. I liked the part when he said "You are doing better than you think you are!". You are and you did! I wouldn't have asked for any other mom. (insert mom tears here )

I also noted the theme of encouragement and hope. I really really loved Pres. Uchtdorf's first talk. I couldnt really get into it a whole lot because I had to watch in Spanish and even though I understand everything, its harder and not the same. So I wrote down talks that called my attention most and am studying them.

-Pres. Uchtdorf

-Larry R. Lawrence

-James B. Martino

-Allen D. Haynie

-Kim B. Clark

-Quentin L. Cook

-Devin G. Durrant

And lots more! I already downloaded the audio of the first session and have started listening in moments of free time in the offices haha.

This week has been kinda crazy because we have been trying to find a house because the one we thought we had fell through and on top of all that all the missionaries who are leaving had to come to the temple and several other things and we always had people in our house and in the office and it was all a crazy mess haha. But it was fun too. Elder Flores goes home this transfer, which is going to be a sad goodbye. And its not like Ecuador is very close to go visit. I will get to take him to the airport Monday morning. That's gonna be weird...

Apart from that everything is normal... I ate McDonald's breakfast this morning! First time in a year and a half! Its the same, which is awesome haha. The only thing they don't have is diet coke, but that's okay because I am trying to not drink soda. Elder Tipton, the assistant, is gonna help me start lifting weights and eating right and get in better shape. I'm excited haha I have never really worked out or cared a whole lot about that kinda stuff but now I don't wanna be the tall skinny gumby kid anymore haha so we will see how that all goes. I´ve got Brad beat on the height side of things, now I just have to work on the other part haha and finally my childhood dreams of being bigger than my brother will be fulfilled. haha just kidding I don't think that will happen, but I'd at least like to get rid of my belly and not be THAT skinny haha.

Love you lots and I appreciate all the love and support you give me :) It helps a lot. I know you are praying for me and I am very grateful for that :) Love you!

Elder Skalla