I am writing this letter from Ryan's home in Jerome, Idaho. It's been an amazing vacation so far (our Christmas and wedding trip combined). It is twice as sweet having Sarah here and spending our time together with this awesome couple. They really are perfect for each other and we are so excited for their wedding in a week!
Well, here goes Ryan!
HOW MY SON RYAN HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE:
I remember the feelings I had when I became a mother. There are no words to describe it. I felt the greatest joy and happiness I had ever known. I felt humble and excited, grateful and overwhelmed, determined and clueless. I have always maintained that I didn't understand what true joy was until I had a baby. Everything in life changed for the better and my life immediately had intense meaning and purpose. As I have pondered about it, I feel it's probably because as I embraced motherhood I began fulfilling my God given and most important role EVER! It felt so good, so right and so true! Being a mother has taught me more about life, about me (and my weaknesses), about God, about families, and about love than any other role (being a wife also compares).
A firstborn child does not have it easy. Parents need to "experiment" on them. Ryan - thank you for letting us figure things out on you. We are much wiser now, we really didn't know what we were doing. We did our best and I guess that has to be enough. We love you beyond measure and feel so much JOY as you have found your sweetheart and the love of your life! Like we keep telling you "SHE was worth the wait!!"
THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR ABOUT RYAN
I am grateful for the FOCUS and DETERMINATION Ryan has! When he had his mind set on something, he goes after it with all his heart. He has an undistracted focus! He sticks with his idea and goals and has a drive and direction to reach them that is admirable. He is VERY SUCCESSFUL in what he seeks to do because of this. I love this about him. Ryan sets goals about his financial, his physical, his spiritual, his social life and works hard to achieve them. There is no stopping Ryan when he is FOCUSED!
I am grateful for Ryan's HARD WORK ETHIC! Ryan is a hard worker. He started at McDonalds at age 14 and really has been working ever since. Ryan is not afraid of hard work. He wakes up very early right now to go to work. When his father recently asked him why he was at work at 4:30 AM he replied (and I am paraphrasing) "My job is not guaranteed. I need to do the job they are paying me to do. I want to be valuable and an asset to the company I work for".
Ryan GOES THE EXTRA MILE! The other night, he spent hours preparing his gospel essential lesson. He and Sarah spent days decorating their Christmas tree. It is 9 feet tall and the lights are incredibly beautiful! They spent the extra time on it, and it shows! In his Arizona home, Ryan spent so much time on home improvements. He painted most of the rooms, ran rope lights around the kitchen floor - (so it was outlined in the dark - a very cool effect) put theater lights in his family room, (that dimmed as a movie started or vice versa), etc., Ryan prepares, does his job and then some more, and reaps the benefits. This has brought him much credit and success thus far in life.
Ryan is AN ORGANIZER! His home (even when he was single) was (is) neat, orderly, tidy, and everything is in it's place! It's such a great feeling to walk into your child's home and see such beauty and order. Being organized is such a GREAT trait to have!
Ryan SEEKS FOR BEAUTY! From the artwork and decor in his home, to building beautiful architectural buildings (mostly hospitals -but they are AMAZING) he has beauty surrounding him (this is especially true with Sarah in his life now!) Ryan has a TRULY ARTISTIC SIDE and it's fun to watch it develop!
Ryan LOVES AND SEEKS FOR TRUTH and is VERY FAITHFUL in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ryan is just one of those young men who understands and lives by truth. He recognizes truth and then lives by it. He then seeks for more truth and abides by it. He reminds me of the sons of Helaman in the Book of Mormon who strove with all their hearts to live all the truths they were taught (by their mothers). Ryan STAYS ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH! Ryan has been such a blessing as he has been obedient to his parents and to his God. He naturally wants to stay on the straight path and follows it intently!
Ryan LOVES HIS FAMILY! Ryan often calls us to keep in touch with us. His phone calls mean so much. He has a deep love for his family and he keeps in touch with all of his siblings on a weekly basis. Ryan gives of himself to his family.
Ryan has great LEADERSHIP SKILLS! During college he served in many leadership positions where he earned full tuition scholarships, including being Student body president. We, his parents, were very impressed with his "get up and go", his sincere desire to serve, and his humility in those positions. On Ryan's mission, Ryan was very humble about where ever he served. He does not serve for recognition or power. He truly desires to serve others with a quietness and a consistency that true leaders have.
Ryan UNDERSTANDS PRIORITIES! Ryan has always recognized what's important in life. He worked hard to get a good job, to serve in his Church, to buy a home and car, etc., He was successful in many areas. However, he was not satisfied because he knew the most important thing he needed to do was to find a wife. He continued to be patient (although it was very hard) and to date and to be more patient and date, and to be more patient, and to date some more until finally that goal will be met a week from his birthday! It makes the wedding all the sweeter and more special now!
Ryan KNOWS HOW TO MAKE SACRIFICES! He has worked hard to get out of debt, to not over consume or over buy, to say no even when he wants to say yes to getting something he wants, etc., That self control and self -denial will pay off in the long run. I am proud of his ability to do this.
Ryan DREAMS BIG! In High School the home he "designed" was 17,000 square feet. His High School teacher was impressed with his lack of intimidation for big ideas and dreams.
If I were to describe Ryan in several words, one word would have to be that he is INTERNALLY GOOD and is naturally a kind and caring man. When someone is good inside they bless others by doing good for them and by setting an example of goodness. Ryan is that kind of man.
Other words to describe Ryan would be STEADY, FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He stays on course, he faithfully keeps moving towards his goal, and he is not distracted by others and the directions they are headed. What wonderful qualities to have in life!
Another word I would use to describe Ryan is SUCCESSFUL. He pays the price to be successful, he works hard and he stays determined to reach his goals.
Ryan is also CARING and AWARE OF OTHERS FEELINGS! Because of some of the trials he has had in his life, he is sensitive to others situations and desires to lessen their burdens and make them feel comfortable in their environment.
Oh, how our family loves Ryan! We are deeply grateful God sent him to our home to be part of our family. We love you immensely and are eternally grateful for a loving and merciful God who brought you to us and now has brought you and Sarah together!
3 comments:
Happy Birthday, Ryan!!! Hope you have a GREAT day! How could you not?
The Sellmer Fam
I couldn't agree with you more! It is fun for me to learn more about Ryan and that the man i see is the same he has always been! What a blessing he is to me! I am so grateful he has such a wonderful and caring family, he has learned so many of the good characteristics from his family! That is for sure!
It has been SO much fun spending time together as a family! I only wish it could have been longer!!
Loves!
Happy birthday Ryan!!! THis was so fun to read. Especially the beginning when it talks about becoming a mother, all I can say is DIDO!!
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