20th Birthday

Happy Birthday Elder Pickering!!!

This birthday was unlike any other.  Ryan was able to enjoy a nice day with a beautiful bike ride, an institute class, an english lesson, birthday wishes online from local friends, and emails from family.

Then to top it off, a kind and generous man dropped of birthday supplies and treats to help celebreate.  He contacted us here and face timed several missionaries at once so that we could sing happy birthday and have an online fiesta together.  It was so sweet.

As time is drawing nearer for Ryan to return home, I have reflected a lot about his mission.  But more than anything, I have thought about the many many wonderful and amazing people he has met over the last 2 years.  And there are definitely some choice spirits that will forever be a part of Ryan's life.  I am so grateful to these people and the love and care they have shown my son.  As a mother, I will be eternally grateful.

I will include a message that was sent to Ryan's dad from Melvin, this man who made the birthday happen.  He is such a great example of Christlike service and love and we have learned from him.

"Ohhh, thank you so much for coming forward and letting me know how you feel about the little things I do. That means a lot to me. Many times in my life, people don’t appreciate me, no matter how hard I tried.

Elder Pickering is a good boy. He likes fitness and fitness is my passion. He is respectful and he understands a wonderful, caring person when he sees them. He is polite and appreciative. I am glad to have met him. He’s one of the missionaries that will be in my life forever.

Yes, he wants to get bigger and I will make sure he gets bigger. I used to be skinny like him.

If I can do it, he can too. After his mission, I want to take him to the gym and train him about proper form and technique and leave him with tons of programs.


I love all the missionaries. When I put myself in their shoes, It’s tough for them leaving their family for two amazing years trying to spread the Gospel.

Since this crazy virus thing started, I couldn’t invite missionaries over for dinner anymore. I felt really bad that they can’t have home meals anymore till this thing is over with.

So from week one of the government here stay home order, I’ve been cooking home meal each week and drop it off. By the time I get home from dropping off home meal, it’s already 5 hours of driving. I feel so much better seeing them all happy to get a home meal.
It put years in my eye to hear that some of them where planing eat nacho to break their fast on April 10th. I said heck no.

I made enough foods and dropped of off for everyone to have home meal for fasting day.

The missionaries do great work being away from their parents. I try my best to keep them closer and if anything they need, they must let me know.

I’m here for them as a brother and family. I always tell them to reach out to me for anything. It’s nice when you know someone is there for you.

About his BDay, Don’t worried! I’ve got it! And you don’t need to pay me anything. What I do is for Christ. I want them not only to know but to see what it’s like when someone cares as a true Christian and how to be nice to people in the eye of God.
The ones who are watching and listening, will learn from me and pass it on to another person.

I will try to make his BDay a wonderful day. Please feel free to reach out to me about anytime you want me do for him and his companion. I can do the run around for them.

As a personal trainer, I am very financial about my health. I take extra-precaution. It’s bad out there at the moment.

Thank you again for teaching our to me."
Coach-Melvin
Enjoy Being Fit

Melvin and the crew

The Vegas