Canada, Eh?

Cody has arrived safe and sound in Montreal(letter below). He was able to call home and talk with us for about 40 minutes while he was at the airport. It was so good to hear his voice. They were a group of 29 missionaries(more than has ever went there together) that headed to Montreal. It sounds like he is settling in & doing well. He spoke a few sentences in french. He is sounding like quite the french-man in just a few weeks. I can't wait to skype with him in December! We are posting his weekly letters @ www.elderritz@blogspot.com

Elder Lloyd & Elder Ritz standing on Mount Royal in Montreal.

Bonjour ma famille!

First off, I am writing on a French keyboard, so pardon my grammatical errors. Second, I already love it here! It's sooooooo nice to be out of the MTC! It's good to be back in the eastern time zone, as well. Also, I loved seeing the pictures from that BYU game! I can't believe Riley got on ESPN! Better be careful though, I don't think BYU would have a football team anymore if they played an SEC team, let alone Bama.

The trip here went pretty well, aside from the fact that I didn't get my check-in bags until a day later! They came on a later flight, but that had me and a few other missionaries pretty stressed out. The city here is so beautiful, lots of cathedrals almost everywhere you look and almost everything is in French! It's crazy how many languages are spoken here! And so many different types of people live here from all of the world. It definitely is like the French New York! The drivers and roads here are pretty crazy though--don't worry mom, we are being careful. The weather here is pretty nice right now...there were a few cold days, though. They felt like a Georgia day in January, so I'm definitely in for a beating this winter. We are going to get winter clothes after this email actually.

My new companion is Elder Norman, a California boy who has been here for 15 months. I really hope I can speak French like he can by that point in my mission because right now I am pretty limited as far as conversations go. We have been working with a Haitian family...the mom's name is Geraldine, and they are pretty close to baptism. She has 4 kids and a sweet little grand-daughter, as well. We are actually having Family Home Evening with them at the bishop's house tonight. The members here are soooooo nice, and we have already been to see a few families! We are definitely trying to get used to our new area because my companion and I are re-opening this area up after it was closed down for a transfer, so the members are eager to see elders again. We are in a place called Longueil, right off the island of Montrèal. We can see the entire city from the roads we drive down, and it is beautiful. Our ward is called the Lemoyne East ward. The members here are so diverse. It's definitely a testimony builder just to see all the diversity.

We are staying in a member's grandma's basement right now. We call her grandma. She has been housing missionaries for almost 20 years, and she is not even a member herself. But she says she loves to have the missionaries staying in the basement. I think it's incredible that she has been doing it for so long, and she is sooooo nice and tells some pretty great stories.

The people here say I sound like I'm from France. They say I have a French accent when I speak because I articulate my words really well. Sorry Kaitlyn, but it looks like I speak the better French...TELL RYAN I SAID HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO!

I am still trying to adjust to life here, but I am enjoying being immersed in the diverse culture. Our area is heavily French, but most people here are bilingual. It's weird driving on the street and seeing everything in French, but I love it. Hopefully the language learning comes quick for me. Going to church was such a testimony builder to meet people from all over the world and to attend a church entirely in another language. It just reminds me how unified people all over the world can be through the gospel--it really is just incredible.

Also, the milk here comes in plastic bags...wut

I am loving the experience so far and am working as hard as I can! I just gave my second blessing to someone while out here on my mission as well! So many growing experiences! I wish I had time to fully explain them all! Rest assured, I am working hard and loving every minute of it! I will email y'all next week and send a few pictures)!

Love, Elder Cody Warren Ritz

Happy Birthday to our Ry Guy!

Ryan had his 12th birthday this past weekend. He is now a pre-teen. He is also our caboose, so it is all pretty bittersweet. I love being a mom, and I have enjoyed every single minute of these last 12 years with our Ry. He is sweet, sensitive, caring, and reminds us often that we(Casey & I) will always have a place in his house when we are too old to take care of ourselves - Thank you Ryan!

12 fun facts about our pre-teen:

1. Everything is awkward

2. Everything is embarrassing

3. School is not cool or fun

4. Still loves imaginary play

5. Loves playing the x-box

6. Starting to care what he wears

7. Loves ice cream cakes

8. Looking forward to participating in school sports

9. Loves to be involved in adult conversation

10. PB&J's are still the last thing he eats at night

11. Still doesn't like to be upstairs alone

12. Has always been a peacemaker

And he hates having his picture taken(can you tell)?

Happy Birthday Ry! We love you forever!!

September 11, 2001

Ryan came home last night with a homework assignment asking for his mom and dad to describe where they were 13 years ago when 9/11 occurred. It had me reflecting a lot about that day. My life was different in so many ways. Ryan wasn't part of our family yet, we were living in another town, family members that have since passed were still with us, and a security in living was being taken with each moment that ensued. To those that weren't born yet, it is a feeling that is hard to describe. I remember sitting in the living room that morning, having just taken the kids to school and watching Good Morning America as it was happening. My first thoughts were, "What is going on?" "Are there people in those buildings?" Nobody really knew yet the "whys?" and "whats" to what was unfolding on national television. I felt a vulnerability I had never experienced before in my lifetime. I wanted to go and pick up my children from school and hug each of them. I will never forget how it made me feel and continues to make me feel for those that lost their lives that day and for their families who also lost mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives, etc.... As story after story unfolded I was astounded at the bravery of those who were called upon to help and those who just felt a need to offer assistance in any way they could provide. Our lives are what they are today because of those who are willing to sacrifice their time serving our country and the citizens who live in it. It made me proud to be an American, where we saw the best of mankind in the worst possible of circumstances. I am thankful each day for the service and sacrifice they, and their families make for each and every one of us to live in the land of the free.

Scholarship Recipient

We could not be more proud, and it could not have come at a better time! Kaitlyn spent her summer interning in New York. It was an unpaid internship, so when she announced that she had been nominated and given a scholarship from a few of the professors in the Art department we were very excited. It couldn't have come at a better time. She is a working girl, but over the summer her account was funded by us(mom & dad), so upon coming home and starting school it was pretty much near empty. Thankfully, just a week before school started the scholarship arrived(just in time) into her bank account. She has worked so hard over the last 3 years, so we are very excited for her to receive this honor.

This past Friday we attended her scholarship ceremony. It was a fun Friday night!

Great Job, Kaitlyn!!