April 17, 2012
Hey!
Thanks for your emails, I grabbed some time this morning to write so that I can use Wednesday to get some stuff done. I don't really know how I'm going to write this email, there's so much to write and it's been an interesting week. But first of all... I FINALLY heard from Austin! Bummer I can't be at that wedding. Same with John's! How's Troy doing?
I'm so sorry to hear about Aubrey's job! But I'm sure that will make the whole school thing a bit easier. And it sounds like Brock is doing awesome!!! So good to hear. Mom, I'm excited for Provo. I don't have time to get trunky, but I look forward to everything in the near future. Haley, sounds like you're doing great! Keep up the eating healthy thing. If you do, I will too. Although it's been kind of hard since Tuesday when Little Caesar's opened hahaha! I've eaten pizza 5 out of the last seven days. Oh gosh. It's so cheap and so good. I think Coatepeque just turned into the best zone in the mission. Mom, hang in there with those 4 1/2 hours of sleep. I feel for you today! I dunno how you do it.
Dad, was that really your first time doing nine holes of golf in 8 years?? That's kind of sad, but that's great you could go with the guys! You and that lawn mower have something special. You just can't get rid of it haha. I feel like the house is going to sell soon, especially with all these showings. Ojala! And your new calling sounds awesome! That's a lot of young men, that will be way cool.
And the election will be interesting. I look forward to missing out on the majority of the mudslinging and show up in time to see the epic clash at the end.
So last week was the opening of Little Caesars. Then we spent a lot of time buying medicine for a lot of missionaries in the zone who are suddenly sick. The health exams will continue today with Elder Carnahan and Elder Uasike. Haha parasites are persistent. We also were all caught up with preparations for Elder Gavarret of the Seventy. I'll come back to that.
There's a lady in our ward named Edna. She's from Honduras and she was baptized two years ago. Her son was baptized four years ago and is serving a mission. A couple months ago she brought her oldest daughter, Karen, to church. Karen is 28 years old and has a 7 year old daughter named Karlita. We started teaching Karen with Elder Cortez. She's very intelligent and always had an attitude/desire to do what God wants her to do. That's such a key indication that somebody will progress. She always prayed every day, but when we started teaching her she started reading the scriptures and attending church every Sunday. We challenged her to be baptized, and she said she would get baptized when she felt it was right. We said that was fine, and kept focusing on that goal of baptism. I felt like with Elder Cortez we were pressuring her too much and it got a little out of hand, she sensed an unrighteous desire in us. The first time we visited her with Elder Villatoro we asked how she was doing. She started talking about her baptism! She said she was ready! So we set a date for this past Saturday. As we taught her about keeping the Sabbath Day holy last week she asked what the punishment is for not attending church. We explained that she would miss out on the blessings and that faithful attendance and participation of the sacrament is necessary to enter the temple, which is the next goal for her to reach. She explained that a bank had offered her work, but said that she would have to work on Sundays. I asked her what she thought about that. She responded that her commitment to the Lord was much more important and the she would be rejecting the offer. Elder Munns interviewed her and said she was the most prepared investigator he'd ever interviewed. The baptism was so wonderful. I think it was the best baptismal service I've had in the mission, thanks to the members and the Spirit that was present. It was great!
During the baptism a sister in the ward informed me that one of our former investigators passed away on Thursday. Her name is Lydia and she was battling cancer, but thought it was gone. She went to the doctor after feeling an intense pain in her stomache and they found a lot more cancer in her pancreas. When we were teaching her, we had some very spiritual moments and we could see a change in her. We invited her to be baptized, but she didn't accept the invitation. I thought we should have tried a different approach in how we taught her, but we kept going with the same principle of the Restoration. Her last day she was in bed and a member of our ward, a good friend of hers, was by her side. She whispered to him to tell us thank you for all we did for her.
I feel so thankful that we were able to help her through a rough time and help her feel God's love for her, but at the same time I can't help but think that there was something else we could have done for her spiritually. Jacob 1:19 comes to mind every time I think about her. When I think about the immense responsibility the Lord places upon us as 19-21 year old men, I remember what Elder Holland said, something like ´we know it's hard, but we don't apologize for what we ask of you young men. It's what the Lord expects of you.´ I know that's true and I hope I can learn from this experience and use it to make sure I do everything I can for everyone I come in contact with. Elder Gavarret told us yesterday to make sure we teach and testify to everyone clearly so that they can't say we didn't try. We did teach and testify, and I know everyone has their freedom to choose, but there's still that doubt of whether we could have done more.
Yesterday was just crazy. The conference was wonderful. It was like putting on a stuco event with the pressure of a general authority coming to inspect it. I did forget to get the keys to open the stake president's office so that Elder Gavarret could do interviews. We were running all over town and finally got the keys after he had finished two interviews in a hallway. President wasn't too happy with me. But it all worked out ok. I did my best. I feel like it was nearly perfect aside from that one key detail haha!
I would share what I learned in the conference, but it's so much. He talked a lot about the law of chastity and being a consecrated missionary.
After the conference and the interviews we were his guides around town as he and his wife inspected the houses of the missionaries. We were stressing to find a family he could visit with us to teach. None of our investigators were home though. But the houses were clean. I got to contact with Elder Gavarret. That was pretty powerful. He taught a teenage couple about the plan of salvation and the law of chastity and put an appointment. Haha it was sooo cool!
Then we got some terrible news. There's an elder in the zone, Elder Oxom, who is from a little village near Peten. He's an awesome guy, always smiling. I was standing next to President when we got the news that Elder Oxom's dad had been killed. We immediately left the houses we were visiting and headed to Elder Oxom's house (forty minutes away). So Elder Villatoro and I went with the assistants and President and Sister Maravilla and Elder and Sister Gavarret followed close behind. We got to the house and it was so terrible. President and Elder Gavarret gave Elder Oxom a blessing and we made some plans to get him to his house to see his family. So Elder Villatoro is on his way to Coban (a sixteen hour bus ride) with Elder Oxom and Elder Lopez. I am with Elder Oxom's companion, Elder Yat. Elder Yat is also from a small village and he's been kind of traumatized by this experience. He doesn't speak much Spanish and I speak no Kekt Chi, but we're hanging in there. He's such a nice guy, seems like a little boy. But it's been a little crazy around here. Didn't sleep much last night and we've got a leadership conference this afternoon. Right now I've gotta go take some sick elders to a clinic and share the news with the zone. It's going to be a good week, but we've had some intense ups and downs and a lot of stress. These are the times to show our quality.
This is the Lord's work.
I love you guys so much! Gotta run, but I'll write next week. Thank you all for everything!
Much love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Fulfilling our duty to God
April 9, 2012
Hey family!
So I'm still alive after that Book of Mormon marathon. Our zone ended up finishing first out of the whole mission and we will supposedly win a prize!
It was so dang hard, we didn't sleep at all and finished in 24 hours and 25 minutes. It was pretty tough to make it a spiritual experience as we were all in zombie mode. It was pretty hilarious, heads bobbing up and down. To stay awake we armed ourselves with plastic balls and threw them at everyone who fell asleep. We also stood up and switched seats every time we read 'And it came to pass'. It was quite a challenge.
As we read I focused on finding examples of people fulfilling their 'duty' and I realized that that's all the Book of Mormon really is, a history of men and women fulfilling their duty to God and being blessed for it. As we fulfill our duty we grow closer to the Savior and receive power and blessings, which naturally result in happiness and joy. I spent some time afterwards (after a good night sleep) meditating on my personal duty. I came to the conclusion that I sincerely want to be obedient. What I need is divine asistance in turning that desire into action. My plan of action is improve my habits of prayer in order to enhance my relationship with Heavenly Father so that I can more fully rely on His power to help me be more obedient and diligent with my time. That's my focus right now. I mention it because when I tell people my goals it motivates me even more to reach them.
Mom!
The dentist appointment sounds good to me! Regarding the backpacking trip...I would love to go backpacking when I get back. Whether it's Rawah, Wind Rivers, the Neversummers, or RMNP, I would love to go backpacking and camping. I miss the mountains even more than I miss apple juice and warm chocolate chip cookies.
Easter was great! Very spiritual, David, a recent convert (three months of being a member) gave a talk on the Atonement yesterday and wow! So cool! I celebrated Easter by making a steak and egg sandwich with a can of cold root beer. I'm good on supplies for right now. I may have to buy a couple shirts here, but I'm doing alright. Thank you for all you do!
I've been thinking... since I've been on my mission each of us has been through some of the toughest trials of our lives (at least that's what it seems like to me. I mean the whole selling the house, moving, crazy work schedules and changes, really tough callings, crazy school schedules, Brock having a rough time, my challenges in the mission, etc.). And I was thinking about the messages in General Conference. Looking back I feel like we've all grown so much and in so many ways. It's hard, but cool how the Lord has tried us all at the same time and we've progressed so much as a result. It makes me happy to think of it all that way.
Dad!
Speaking of crazy work schedules, sounds like things are pretty intense. Thanks for all you do to provide for our family. I'm sure sometimes it feels like an obligation, but I really am thankful for what you've done to provide such a secure lifestyle for us. My companion is still great. Being around him without sleep was kinda hard haha, but that was the case with everybody during the reading marathon. Haha it was so crazy. How goes the election?
Brock, I'm going to bring my mini-chess set when we go backpacking.
Oh, yesterday I saw a preview for the new Avengers movie. It's amazing how such a little thing can become such a huge distraction.
Aubrey! Thanks for your note! Good luck with school! You'll do great!
Haley,
thank you for Mike's address and WHAAA!??? After this concert vacation sounds so epic that you probably won't have anything to pass that up until you get married... And CONGRATULATIONS on your ACT score! Keep that up! What would be the female equivalent of 'stud'? Studnisha.
I think I'm still tired from this past weekend.
I don't know if I mentioned this, but Saul got baptized! He is doing great! His wife is still in recovery after the new baby and all, but she also wants to get baptized! So wonderful!
So this week we will be preparing for Elder Eduardo Gavarret from the Seventy. He's coming here to Coatepeque to share a message, inspect our houses, accompany us to appointments to evaluate how we teach, interview some of the missionaries, and there's a lot of pressure on me to make it perfect! That will happen on Monday, so you might not hear from me until Wednesday. On Tuesday he's going to meet with the zone leaders in Retalhuleu. That should be cool, but intense. After that we have a stake conference and then the temple trip!
So it should be a tough, but rewarding few weeks. I look forward to it, but it's a lot of stress.
I absolutely love Elder Bednar's message in the Liahona/Ensign. I read that yesterday and I think I'll read it a couple more times this week to really study and meditate about it. Way cool. I gotta get off now, but I love you guys so much! Have an awesome week.
Haley, I love that scripture you shared.
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hey family!
So I'm still alive after that Book of Mormon marathon. Our zone ended up finishing first out of the whole mission and we will supposedly win a prize!
It was so dang hard, we didn't sleep at all and finished in 24 hours and 25 minutes. It was pretty tough to make it a spiritual experience as we were all in zombie mode. It was pretty hilarious, heads bobbing up and down. To stay awake we armed ourselves with plastic balls and threw them at everyone who fell asleep. We also stood up and switched seats every time we read 'And it came to pass'. It was quite a challenge.
As we read I focused on finding examples of people fulfilling their 'duty' and I realized that that's all the Book of Mormon really is, a history of men and women fulfilling their duty to God and being blessed for it. As we fulfill our duty we grow closer to the Savior and receive power and blessings, which naturally result in happiness and joy. I spent some time afterwards (after a good night sleep) meditating on my personal duty. I came to the conclusion that I sincerely want to be obedient. What I need is divine asistance in turning that desire into action. My plan of action is improve my habits of prayer in order to enhance my relationship with Heavenly Father so that I can more fully rely on His power to help me be more obedient and diligent with my time. That's my focus right now. I mention it because when I tell people my goals it motivates me even more to reach them.
Mom!
The dentist appointment sounds good to me! Regarding the backpacking trip...I would love to go backpacking when I get back. Whether it's Rawah, Wind Rivers, the Neversummers, or RMNP, I would love to go backpacking and camping. I miss the mountains even more than I miss apple juice and warm chocolate chip cookies.
Easter was great! Very spiritual, David, a recent convert (three months of being a member) gave a talk on the Atonement yesterday and wow! So cool! I celebrated Easter by making a steak and egg sandwich with a can of cold root beer. I'm good on supplies for right now. I may have to buy a couple shirts here, but I'm doing alright. Thank you for all you do!
I've been thinking... since I've been on my mission each of us has been through some of the toughest trials of our lives (at least that's what it seems like to me. I mean the whole selling the house, moving, crazy work schedules and changes, really tough callings, crazy school schedules, Brock having a rough time, my challenges in the mission, etc.). And I was thinking about the messages in General Conference. Looking back I feel like we've all grown so much and in so many ways. It's hard, but cool how the Lord has tried us all at the same time and we've progressed so much as a result. It makes me happy to think of it all that way.
Dad!
Speaking of crazy work schedules, sounds like things are pretty intense. Thanks for all you do to provide for our family. I'm sure sometimes it feels like an obligation, but I really am thankful for what you've done to provide such a secure lifestyle for us. My companion is still great. Being around him without sleep was kinda hard haha, but that was the case with everybody during the reading marathon. Haha it was so crazy. How goes the election?
Brock, I'm going to bring my mini-chess set when we go backpacking.
Oh, yesterday I saw a preview for the new Avengers movie. It's amazing how such a little thing can become such a huge distraction.
Aubrey! Thanks for your note! Good luck with school! You'll do great!
Haley,
thank you for Mike's address and WHAAA!??? After this concert vacation sounds so epic that you probably won't have anything to pass that up until you get married... And CONGRATULATIONS on your ACT score! Keep that up! What would be the female equivalent of 'stud'? Studnisha.
I think I'm still tired from this past weekend.
I don't know if I mentioned this, but Saul got baptized! He is doing great! His wife is still in recovery after the new baby and all, but she also wants to get baptized! So wonderful!
So this week we will be preparing for Elder Eduardo Gavarret from the Seventy. He's coming here to Coatepeque to share a message, inspect our houses, accompany us to appointments to evaluate how we teach, interview some of the missionaries, and there's a lot of pressure on me to make it perfect! That will happen on Monday, so you might not hear from me until Wednesday. On Tuesday he's going to meet with the zone leaders in Retalhuleu. That should be cool, but intense. After that we have a stake conference and then the temple trip!
So it should be a tough, but rewarding few weeks. I look forward to it, but it's a lot of stress.
I absolutely love Elder Bednar's message in the Liahona/Ensign. I read that yesterday and I think I'll read it a couple more times this week to really study and meditate about it. Way cool. I gotta get off now, but I love you guys so much! Have an awesome week.
Haley, I love that scripture you shared.
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Monday, April 2, 2012
The future is so bright....
April 2, 2012
Hey everybody!!!
April is going to be nuts. I simply can't believe how fast time is going. I can't keep track of things. It's really weird, but not in a bad way.
Thanks for all of the awesome emails. I need to thank you guys for writing me every week. I have never gone a week without an email and that is such a blessing. I love you guys.
Aubrey!
That's awful you all got sick... and twice!!! Terrible. I will totally let you cut my hair, I won't have any money to pay anywhere!! Paragliding sounds like the most epic anniversary celebration ever.. You guys are such an awesome couple. I don't like expressing that to a computer who will then relay the message to you, but I'm so excited to hang out with you guys. The holi festival! That thing is way fun and the pictures are awesome. Haha Brock is a stud. He looks skinny!
Brock!
Haha thanks for the heads up about the hahas! Haha! You were so right about the missionary hype. I would have been disappointed had it not been such an epic conference. I learned so much.
And what the heck, you all have seen Austin and I still haven't heard from him. Haley, thanks for his email address, ha I'll see what's up.
And your experience about fishing, that's kinda why I don't like fishing so much. About wind rivers... When I get back I'm going to be so exhausted, but I can't rest. I want some guy time in the mountains, so yes I would love to go to Wind Rivers. But I also want some time with Mom and Haley. I felt weird about the Wind Rivers AND flaming gorge thing cause I'm only gonna have three weeks and there's a lot I need to do at home, but I would love to go backpacking. But I also want some Mommy time and some sistah time.
Speaking of chess... Elder Munns beats me every time we play and it is sooo frustrating. I also want to get better. I accept your offer of apprenticeship.
Mom!! I got the box!!! Thank you so much, the pants are perfect, they fit great!
I, too, got really sad when conference ended. All of us were so depressed when it was over!
Easter here is different, it's an entire Holy Week. On Thursday and Friday the city will be emptied, everyone goes to the beach. It's as big as Christmas. So President has planned a Book of Mormon reading marathon with each zone. We have to try to do it 36 hours straight. The first zone to finish gets a prize. It's going to be so hard. No sleep and little time to eat. And President said we can't catch up on sleep afterwards... a little intense. I'm so tired already!!! We're probably gonna buy rubber balls to throw at each other when someone falls asleep. It'll be a lock-in in the chapel. Should be fun!
Ginger's allergies sound pretty epic! Kind of funny!
Good to hear that eggs are not so unhealthy! I was worried about that, I eat lots of eggs, but was worried about all the cholesterol, but I also wondered why God would make such a convenient so unhealthy. Haha I like your random thoughts!
Haley!
Thank you so much for the addresses. I haven't gotten any letters from Jonathan... which is awful, I've wanted to hear from him for forever!
Miracle doctor! Sounds awesome, but I must say I laughed when I read, 'she can fix my breathing problem, I forget how, but she can!' Hahahaha! I liked that line.
Yes, I saw Elder Archuletta. Where's he going? Hopefully Africa to prove he isn't a pretty boy with special privileges.
You are in my prayers.
Dad!
John and Erin caught me by surprise too!
And I loved Elder Nelson's quote about the big bang. That was soo good!
Working at the MTC would be so great, I'll look into that. I don't know where else I would work and I won't have much time to look before classes start. I could use help, Brock if you have any connections...
It would be incredible to get Friday's off of classes. I don't know if it's possible, but I would like as few classes as possible on Fridays.
You are superman for traveling so much and staying caught up.
So my new companion's name is Elder Villatoro. He's from Huehuetenango, Guatemala! He used to be evangelical, but the Book of Mormon had a huge impact on him. He has 10 months in the mission and is a very dedicated and fun missionary. I have been blessed with a stud companion from what it looks like so far and I am soooo thankful.
The zone had a lot of changes, 10 left! And 10 of the 23 current missionaries have less than 4 months in the mission! Kinda crazy.
Conference! We watched it in English in the High Council room. We had some technical problems, but got it all worked out pretty well. I absolutely loved it! I learned so much. President Eyring's first talk really hit me hard. It's been a hard six months, and that talk really spoke to me. I think one of my favorite parts was when Elder Holland finished his talk and said, 'Don't delay, it's getting late.' It was a powerful indication to me that time is ticking and we have so much to do before the end. So many people needed to hear that. The prophet's talks were also very inspiring. And I always love Elder Scott. He has such a personal way of speaking. I learned a lot from him.
What I thought coming away from General Conference...
Diligence to a daily routine is vital in our spiritual well being and progress. We can't give up on the little everyday things.
Trials are necessary. One time I asked the Lord to try me and help me learn humility. It was awful haha. I don't want to do it again, but after Elder Eyring's talk I feel like I shouldn't shy away from challenges. And fear is the opposite of faith.
I need to share the Gospel with people when I get home. Everyone does.
As I reflect on the past several months and the companions I've had, I realize just how important it is for me to look for an eternal companion who won't burn out. It gets so hard to keep things going when the other doesn't make an effort. On the other hand, when both are dedicated to working hard, they lift each other. Marriage and the family are way more important and profound than I currently understand and I need to remember that going into this next year of my life... weird to think about that. But cool.
Miracles come with faith and understanding. As we better understand the Priesthood, and the more righteous we are, the more miracles we will find. I need to study the Priesthood. I have so much to study still!
I also need to be more grateful.
Those are my unorganized spiritual thoughts and goals coming out of conference. I still need to review my notes.
Also, the Carabantes family, the way awesome one that got baptized in January and March, was in all sessions of Conference. We had a FHE with them last night and discussed what we learned. Helping a family like that to find the Gospel just helps me better understand my calling and the potential of a family. This is a marvelous work.
I love you guys so much. The future is so bright, even though it will be full of challenges. I'm excited for everything! Thank you for your love, faith, support, and examples. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hey everybody!!!
April is going to be nuts. I simply can't believe how fast time is going. I can't keep track of things. It's really weird, but not in a bad way.
Thanks for all of the awesome emails. I need to thank you guys for writing me every week. I have never gone a week without an email and that is such a blessing. I love you guys.
Aubrey!
That's awful you all got sick... and twice!!! Terrible. I will totally let you cut my hair, I won't have any money to pay anywhere!! Paragliding sounds like the most epic anniversary celebration ever.. You guys are such an awesome couple. I don't like expressing that to a computer who will then relay the message to you, but I'm so excited to hang out with you guys. The holi festival! That thing is way fun and the pictures are awesome. Haha Brock is a stud. He looks skinny!
Brock!
Haha thanks for the heads up about the hahas! Haha! You were so right about the missionary hype. I would have been disappointed had it not been such an epic conference. I learned so much.
And what the heck, you all have seen Austin and I still haven't heard from him. Haley, thanks for his email address, ha I'll see what's up.
And your experience about fishing, that's kinda why I don't like fishing so much. About wind rivers... When I get back I'm going to be so exhausted, but I can't rest. I want some guy time in the mountains, so yes I would love to go to Wind Rivers. But I also want some time with Mom and Haley. I felt weird about the Wind Rivers AND flaming gorge thing cause I'm only gonna have three weeks and there's a lot I need to do at home, but I would love to go backpacking. But I also want some Mommy time and some sistah time.
Speaking of chess... Elder Munns beats me every time we play and it is sooo frustrating. I also want to get better. I accept your offer of apprenticeship.
Mom!! I got the box!!! Thank you so much, the pants are perfect, they fit great!
I, too, got really sad when conference ended. All of us were so depressed when it was over!
Easter here is different, it's an entire Holy Week. On Thursday and Friday the city will be emptied, everyone goes to the beach. It's as big as Christmas. So President has planned a Book of Mormon reading marathon with each zone. We have to try to do it 36 hours straight. The first zone to finish gets a prize. It's going to be so hard. No sleep and little time to eat. And President said we can't catch up on sleep afterwards... a little intense. I'm so tired already!!! We're probably gonna buy rubber balls to throw at each other when someone falls asleep. It'll be a lock-in in the chapel. Should be fun!
Ginger's allergies sound pretty epic! Kind of funny!
Good to hear that eggs are not so unhealthy! I was worried about that, I eat lots of eggs, but was worried about all the cholesterol, but I also wondered why God would make such a convenient so unhealthy. Haha I like your random thoughts!
Haley!
Thank you so much for the addresses. I haven't gotten any letters from Jonathan... which is awful, I've wanted to hear from him for forever!
Miracle doctor! Sounds awesome, but I must say I laughed when I read, 'she can fix my breathing problem, I forget how, but she can!' Hahahaha! I liked that line.
Yes, I saw Elder Archuletta. Where's he going? Hopefully Africa to prove he isn't a pretty boy with special privileges.
You are in my prayers.
Dad!
John and Erin caught me by surprise too!
And I loved Elder Nelson's quote about the big bang. That was soo good!
Working at the MTC would be so great, I'll look into that. I don't know where else I would work and I won't have much time to look before classes start. I could use help, Brock if you have any connections...
It would be incredible to get Friday's off of classes. I don't know if it's possible, but I would like as few classes as possible on Fridays.
You are superman for traveling so much and staying caught up.
So my new companion's name is Elder Villatoro. He's from Huehuetenango, Guatemala! He used to be evangelical, but the Book of Mormon had a huge impact on him. He has 10 months in the mission and is a very dedicated and fun missionary. I have been blessed with a stud companion from what it looks like so far and I am soooo thankful.
The zone had a lot of changes, 10 left! And 10 of the 23 current missionaries have less than 4 months in the mission! Kinda crazy.
Conference! We watched it in English in the High Council room. We had some technical problems, but got it all worked out pretty well. I absolutely loved it! I learned so much. President Eyring's first talk really hit me hard. It's been a hard six months, and that talk really spoke to me. I think one of my favorite parts was when Elder Holland finished his talk and said, 'Don't delay, it's getting late.' It was a powerful indication to me that time is ticking and we have so much to do before the end. So many people needed to hear that. The prophet's talks were also very inspiring. And I always love Elder Scott. He has such a personal way of speaking. I learned a lot from him.
What I thought coming away from General Conference...
Diligence to a daily routine is vital in our spiritual well being and progress. We can't give up on the little everyday things.
Trials are necessary. One time I asked the Lord to try me and help me learn humility. It was awful haha. I don't want to do it again, but after Elder Eyring's talk I feel like I shouldn't shy away from challenges. And fear is the opposite of faith.
I need to share the Gospel with people when I get home. Everyone does.
As I reflect on the past several months and the companions I've had, I realize just how important it is for me to look for an eternal companion who won't burn out. It gets so hard to keep things going when the other doesn't make an effort. On the other hand, when both are dedicated to working hard, they lift each other. Marriage and the family are way more important and profound than I currently understand and I need to remember that going into this next year of my life... weird to think about that. But cool.
Miracles come with faith and understanding. As we better understand the Priesthood, and the more righteous we are, the more miracles we will find. I need to study the Priesthood. I have so much to study still!
I also need to be more grateful.
Those are my unorganized spiritual thoughts and goals coming out of conference. I still need to review my notes.
Also, the Carabantes family, the way awesome one that got baptized in January and March, was in all sessions of Conference. We had a FHE with them last night and discussed what we learned. Helping a family like that to find the Gospel just helps me better understand my calling and the potential of a family. This is a marvelous work.
I love you guys so much. The future is so bright, even though it will be full of challenges. I'm excited for everything! Thank you for your love, faith, support, and examples. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Monday, March 26, 2012
A spiritual battleground
March 26, 2012
Everyone in the mission is in a very good mood, March was an incredible month. Our former record as a mission was 181 baptisms with 30 families or something like that. The mission goal since President came two years ago has been 250 baptisms with 40 families. We closed this month with 242 baptisms and 39 families! It has been amazing. Our zone set a new record and I honestly don't know why the Lord blessed so much. 26 people got baptized here in Coatepeque. I'm not sure that we deserve such huge blessings, but nevertheless, I am very thankful.
The mission is interesting as far as how much my eyes have been opened. My testimony has grown so so much. But at the same time I see and hear and find so many things that I just don't understand. Being in a place like the Guatemalan coast, where just about everybody attends a church, brings with it such a clash of ideologies and such confusion among the people. This week we contacted a kid that goes to an evangelical church. We explained a bit about the Restoration and testified of Jesus Christ as our Savior and then testified that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He said, 'well if you've received an answer from the Holy Ghost saying that he's a prophet, then he must have been a prophet.' He then went on to testify of the prophets he's seen and of their many miracles. 'I've seen them heal people on the verge of death, I've seen them cast out devils and preach with such power and holiness that I can't deny their holy callings as prophets of God.' I just wanted to transfer my understanding to this young man's mind so that he could understand the importance and reality of the Priesthood, of the order and perfection of the Kingdom of God, of the purity of Christ's doctrine, of the confusion that exists in the Christian world today. How can a man be a prophet of God if he prophecies that Christ was going to come on May 12th of last year? How can prophets have differences of doctrine? If there is one true and living God, how can there exists so many doctrines that supposedly lead to the same salvation when Christ Himself taught of the straight and narrow path?
'But what about the miracles?' thought the young man. 'What about the feeling I get as this pastor controls the Spirit in such a way as to keep at bay the demons that try to enter the church and disrupt the meeting? What about all that? The healings?'
The adversary has become a master of stimulation and pleasing the carnal mind. Sometimes this place can be such a frustrating environment to teach in. This part of the world is a spiritual battleground and people see so many things that confirm their belief in God. But the hard part is directing that belief into a faith in Jesus Christ, not a faith in their pastor, their church, or the traditions of their family.
So this week was kind of tough. My companion hit a brick wall of exhaustion and trunkiness and it took it's toll on us both. I realized that I only have four months left and it weirded me out. I'm pretty tired and I look forward to changes, but it will be weird to see Elder Cortez go. He's taught me a lot and it's been a good three months.
I am posting some sweet pictures. Last week we went to a waterfall in Colomba and today we went to the beach again. Some good solid P-days.
Mom! I love the idea of a picture in my room. I'll look for one I like. Also, that's crazy about ward boundary changes! Sounds kind of fun actually. The note you sent me after your main email... sounds like a good idea to pray about it.
Haley!
Haha John told me about his engagement!! WHOOOOAAAAA! I'm so excited for them. And Alyssa too! Wow! And how's Micah doing? Your email cracked me up haha dreaming about Chris Brown...
Dad!
I dunno how you do it with all that traveling. Sounds like a really exhausting schedule. The shopping and driving in China sound a lot like here. I could get a tailored suit for about 1000 Quetzales (120 dollars) and all kinds of cool stuff haha. I've seen some missionaries get suits tailored with a Guatemalan flag as the inside material. Pretty fly.
Mom, I love this picture of the Quetzaltenango temple. I dunno if it's official or not. But if you could get a print of it, I would absolutely love it. It's on this page: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/public-invited-quetzaltenango-guatemala-temple-open-house
Well this week should have some new changes. Thank you guys for writing me every week. I really am grateful for that. It's so good to hear from you.
I love you guys so much. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Everyone in the mission is in a very good mood, March was an incredible month. Our former record as a mission was 181 baptisms with 30 families or something like that. The mission goal since President came two years ago has been 250 baptisms with 40 families. We closed this month with 242 baptisms and 39 families! It has been amazing. Our zone set a new record and I honestly don't know why the Lord blessed so much. 26 people got baptized here in Coatepeque. I'm not sure that we deserve such huge blessings, but nevertheless, I am very thankful.
The mission is interesting as far as how much my eyes have been opened. My testimony has grown so so much. But at the same time I see and hear and find so many things that I just don't understand. Being in a place like the Guatemalan coast, where just about everybody attends a church, brings with it such a clash of ideologies and such confusion among the people. This week we contacted a kid that goes to an evangelical church. We explained a bit about the Restoration and testified of Jesus Christ as our Savior and then testified that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He said, 'well if you've received an answer from the Holy Ghost saying that he's a prophet, then he must have been a prophet.' He then went on to testify of the prophets he's seen and of their many miracles. 'I've seen them heal people on the verge of death, I've seen them cast out devils and preach with such power and holiness that I can't deny their holy callings as prophets of God.' I just wanted to transfer my understanding to this young man's mind so that he could understand the importance and reality of the Priesthood, of the order and perfection of the Kingdom of God, of the purity of Christ's doctrine, of the confusion that exists in the Christian world today. How can a man be a prophet of God if he prophecies that Christ was going to come on May 12th of last year? How can prophets have differences of doctrine? If there is one true and living God, how can there exists so many doctrines that supposedly lead to the same salvation when Christ Himself taught of the straight and narrow path?
'But what about the miracles?' thought the young man. 'What about the feeling I get as this pastor controls the Spirit in such a way as to keep at bay the demons that try to enter the church and disrupt the meeting? What about all that? The healings?'
The adversary has become a master of stimulation and pleasing the carnal mind. Sometimes this place can be such a frustrating environment to teach in. This part of the world is a spiritual battleground and people see so many things that confirm their belief in God. But the hard part is directing that belief into a faith in Jesus Christ, not a faith in their pastor, their church, or the traditions of their family.
So this week was kind of tough. My companion hit a brick wall of exhaustion and trunkiness and it took it's toll on us both. I realized that I only have four months left and it weirded me out. I'm pretty tired and I look forward to changes, but it will be weird to see Elder Cortez go. He's taught me a lot and it's been a good three months.
I am posting some sweet pictures. Last week we went to a waterfall in Colomba and today we went to the beach again. Some good solid P-days.
Mom! I love the idea of a picture in my room. I'll look for one I like. Also, that's crazy about ward boundary changes! Sounds kind of fun actually. The note you sent me after your main email... sounds like a good idea to pray about it.
Haley!
Haha John told me about his engagement!! WHOOOOAAAAA! I'm so excited for them. And Alyssa too! Wow! And how's Micah doing? Your email cracked me up haha dreaming about Chris Brown...
Dad!
I dunno how you do it with all that traveling. Sounds like a really exhausting schedule. The shopping and driving in China sound a lot like here. I could get a tailored suit for about 1000 Quetzales (120 dollars) and all kinds of cool stuff haha. I've seen some missionaries get suits tailored with a Guatemalan flag as the inside material. Pretty fly.
Mom, I love this picture of the Quetzaltenango temple. I dunno if it's official or not. But if you could get a print of it, I would absolutely love it. It's on this page: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/public-invited-quetzaltenango-guatemala-temple-open-house
Well this week should have some new changes. Thank you guys for writing me every week. I really am grateful for that. It's so good to hear from you.
I love you guys so much. Have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
I love these people so much!
March 17, 2012
Mom, it's ironic you asked about my health haha! I got hit with the flu or a cold or I dunno what this week. I'm better now, but it was a good one! Now Elder Munns and Elder Cortez are getting it. I think half the world down here is sick.
Today we were coming back to Coatepeque from Colomba after hiking to a waterfall (awesome P-day activity) and the bus driver was listening to an evangelical pastor on the radio. Out of nowhere the pastor bashed the mormons. We were in shorts and t-shirts because of the hike, so nobody recognized us as the mormon missionaries haha. I waited for one of the other missionaries to open there mouth and correct the pastor. After five minutes, I opened my mouth and testified to everyone in the little bus about our beliefs and explained that the pastor was dead wrong. I felt better after that, but it still makes me cringe to think that if I hadn't said anything, would any of those other missionaries said anything? ???
Ahh hahaha sorry I'm frustrated.
Anyways, boundary changes in the ward!! That's interesting, Mom, let me know how that goes! And good luck with starting up the busy routine this week! Speaking of being alone, I wonder what it will be like not having a companion 24/7. Kind of weirds me out. I can't relate to being home alone, but that does not sound fun at all. At least you've got the beastly watch dog to protect you!
Dad, your experience with the electronics adapter was pretty funny. Reminds me of some experiences we've had here. My Spanish is sufficient to carry on a conversation with just about any Guatemalteco, but sometimes I meet people who look at me and can't understand me at all. They see my white skin and green eyes and assume I can't speak a lick of Spanish. When I speak, their mouth just hangs open and they nod. They don't understand me! hahaha it cracks me up, but I feel weird when that happens. I ask them a question and they just nod. What's your name? Head nod..
I love the idea of not telling anyone that I'm leaving till the last night. I try doing that, I just tell people I have a little over a year in the mission when they ask me. But whatever missionary I'm with somehow knows that I have 19 months and laughs and says, 'no, tell em the truth!' Haha I can't keep a secret that isn't a secret i guess.
Brock, that's sad what you mentioned. Really sad.
Sounds like Aubrey's gonna be way busy soon! She'll do great though. That will be tough, but way cool. Glad to hear you guys are doing so well.
Haha your little baggy comments about backpacking and what not are awesome.
HALEY!
Sounds like you had a mix between my first and second times to DisneyWorld. Write down all the cool stuff that happened. Sorry you got sick!
Yes, the animals on Splash Mountain are the funniest. And yeah the night parade was way cool with all the lighted floats and stuff. Did you ride Space Mountain? Good to hear you loved rockin rollercoaster and tower of terror.
Sounds like Invisible Children is just exploding. That's awesome! Oh, and tips as far as sharing the Gospel with friends... Just do it. Pray about who you should talk to and set goals. For example: this week I am going to present a Book of Mormon to so and so. Or for the rest of the school year I am going to invite one new person every week to church. Do it! Just invite. If they say no, who cares. It won't be that awkward. And if it is, then who cares. There's a quote by Elder Eyring that says this about our nonmember friends and neighbors....
One day they will know what you know now. They will also know that you knew it now and will ask why you didn't share it with them when you were together.
It's something like that. But in the grand scheme of things it's so worth the effort to open our mouths and share the good news of the Gospel. Just invite. Invite and invite. There are so many activities in the church that are so good for that. 'Have you ever wondered what a Mormon baptism is like? No? Oh, well would you like to go to one? There's gonna be food and it'll be a really cool experience that you won't find anywhere else!' Haha! Perfect. Not perfect, but good enough. Gosh, why didn't I do that in high school?
So I've had a few testimony builders lately. A recent convert, who I've mentioned before, David, was talking to us the other night. We were teaching his son. He said that he had been unemployed for about a year when we started teaching him. He said a couple weeks after his baptism, a company came to him to offer him a job. This is after he had diligently searched for a year! This is a company that has it's future clients go to the capital to interview, but they did an interview here in Coatepeque just for him! And they hired him a week later! That doesn't happen in Guatemala, especially in the current economic crisis. That just doesn't happen he said. That is a blessing from God that came in response to my faith and obedience. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ. So cool.
There's another lady who I've also mentioned, Maria Elena. She is a member, but was inactive. Her husband took off for the States a few months ago. She lives pretty far away from the church and made the effort to go to church one Sunday. We started to visit her, her kids got baptized and she kept coming. She used to sell tamales and tacos every night (door to door on foot and carrying her baby on her back). She would get home at 10 oclock at night, wake up at 6 to go to the market to buy supplies for the next day's sale, make the food, clean the house, make food for the kids, and go sell again. The same thing every day. But she gave up the sale on Sundays so she could go to church. One day an acquaintance of hers told her she had a bunch of boxes of good quality women's shoes from Mexico and she wanted to give them to Maria Elena to sell them. Then with the profit she could buy more shoes and start that as a business. The other night we saw her selling her shoes, wearing her own shoes, but also wearing nice pants with a fancy blouse and vest. She now has time to care for her family and get things done around the house. That also never happens here. People here kill for such opportunities. She got it 'for free and out of nowhere', but she knows that they are all blessings of obedience.
I love these people so much. They have so much faith amid such a filthy environment. This place is a dump of wickedness and trash. But here and there we find people of such faith and love for the Lord. It really is remarkable. The Lord prepares them and sends us to find them and help them find the truth. So cool.
Well I gotta go. I love you guys so much. Thanks for writing so diligently. Have an awesome week.
Lots of love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Mom, it's ironic you asked about my health haha! I got hit with the flu or a cold or I dunno what this week. I'm better now, but it was a good one! Now Elder Munns and Elder Cortez are getting it. I think half the world down here is sick.
Today we were coming back to Coatepeque from Colomba after hiking to a waterfall (awesome P-day activity) and the bus driver was listening to an evangelical pastor on the radio. Out of nowhere the pastor bashed the mormons. We were in shorts and t-shirts because of the hike, so nobody recognized us as the mormon missionaries haha. I waited for one of the other missionaries to open there mouth and correct the pastor. After five minutes, I opened my mouth and testified to everyone in the little bus about our beliefs and explained that the pastor was dead wrong. I felt better after that, but it still makes me cringe to think that if I hadn't said anything, would any of those other missionaries said anything? ???
Ahh hahaha sorry I'm frustrated.
Anyways, boundary changes in the ward!! That's interesting, Mom, let me know how that goes! And good luck with starting up the busy routine this week! Speaking of being alone, I wonder what it will be like not having a companion 24/7. Kind of weirds me out. I can't relate to being home alone, but that does not sound fun at all. At least you've got the beastly watch dog to protect you!
Dad, your experience with the electronics adapter was pretty funny. Reminds me of some experiences we've had here. My Spanish is sufficient to carry on a conversation with just about any Guatemalteco, but sometimes I meet people who look at me and can't understand me at all. They see my white skin and green eyes and assume I can't speak a lick of Spanish. When I speak, their mouth just hangs open and they nod. They don't understand me! hahaha it cracks me up, but I feel weird when that happens. I ask them a question and they just nod. What's your name? Head nod..
I love the idea of not telling anyone that I'm leaving till the last night. I try doing that, I just tell people I have a little over a year in the mission when they ask me. But whatever missionary I'm with somehow knows that I have 19 months and laughs and says, 'no, tell em the truth!' Haha I can't keep a secret that isn't a secret i guess.
Brock, that's sad what you mentioned. Really sad.
Sounds like Aubrey's gonna be way busy soon! She'll do great though. That will be tough, but way cool. Glad to hear you guys are doing so well.
Haha your little baggy comments about backpacking and what not are awesome.
HALEY!
Sounds like you had a mix between my first and second times to DisneyWorld. Write down all the cool stuff that happened. Sorry you got sick!
Yes, the animals on Splash Mountain are the funniest. And yeah the night parade was way cool with all the lighted floats and stuff. Did you ride Space Mountain? Good to hear you loved rockin rollercoaster and tower of terror.
Sounds like Invisible Children is just exploding. That's awesome! Oh, and tips as far as sharing the Gospel with friends... Just do it. Pray about who you should talk to and set goals. For example: this week I am going to present a Book of Mormon to so and so. Or for the rest of the school year I am going to invite one new person every week to church. Do it! Just invite. If they say no, who cares. It won't be that awkward. And if it is, then who cares. There's a quote by Elder Eyring that says this about our nonmember friends and neighbors....
One day they will know what you know now. They will also know that you knew it now and will ask why you didn't share it with them when you were together.
It's something like that. But in the grand scheme of things it's so worth the effort to open our mouths and share the good news of the Gospel. Just invite. Invite and invite. There are so many activities in the church that are so good for that. 'Have you ever wondered what a Mormon baptism is like? No? Oh, well would you like to go to one? There's gonna be food and it'll be a really cool experience that you won't find anywhere else!' Haha! Perfect. Not perfect, but good enough. Gosh, why didn't I do that in high school?
So I've had a few testimony builders lately. A recent convert, who I've mentioned before, David, was talking to us the other night. We were teaching his son. He said that he had been unemployed for about a year when we started teaching him. He said a couple weeks after his baptism, a company came to him to offer him a job. This is after he had diligently searched for a year! This is a company that has it's future clients go to the capital to interview, but they did an interview here in Coatepeque just for him! And they hired him a week later! That doesn't happen in Guatemala, especially in the current economic crisis. That just doesn't happen he said. That is a blessing from God that came in response to my faith and obedience. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ. So cool.
There's another lady who I've also mentioned, Maria Elena. She is a member, but was inactive. Her husband took off for the States a few months ago. She lives pretty far away from the church and made the effort to go to church one Sunday. We started to visit her, her kids got baptized and she kept coming. She used to sell tamales and tacos every night (door to door on foot and carrying her baby on her back). She would get home at 10 oclock at night, wake up at 6 to go to the market to buy supplies for the next day's sale, make the food, clean the house, make food for the kids, and go sell again. The same thing every day. But she gave up the sale on Sundays so she could go to church. One day an acquaintance of hers told her she had a bunch of boxes of good quality women's shoes from Mexico and she wanted to give them to Maria Elena to sell them. Then with the profit she could buy more shoes and start that as a business. The other night we saw her selling her shoes, wearing her own shoes, but also wearing nice pants with a fancy blouse and vest. She now has time to care for her family and get things done around the house. That also never happens here. People here kill for such opportunities. She got it 'for free and out of nowhere', but she knows that they are all blessings of obedience.
I love these people so much. They have so much faith amid such a filthy environment. This place is a dump of wickedness and trash. But here and there we find people of such faith and love for the Lord. It really is remarkable. The Lord prepares them and sends us to find them and help them find the truth. So cool.
Well I gotta go. I love you guys so much. Thanks for writing so diligently. Have an awesome week.
Lots of love,
Elder Austin Tyler
"I love the Savior, but......". The importance of missionary work
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hello everyone,
Haha I barely got to read your emails! Sounds like some fun stuff happening with spring break! Haley in Disney World! Wooooooo! Ah I hope she just loves it. Dad, good luck in Korea. Are there many similarities between Japanese and Korean culture? That's good the Ishmael are doing well.
Mom, I got the package you sent me with the cookies!!! Thank you sooo much! They were sooo good. I received it after a meeting we had in Reu. After the conference we were getting things at the mission office and it started to rain really hard. So we hunkered down in the office with the APs and secretaries and ate cookies. It was awesome.
The picture you sent me of Ginger made me laugh. What a pork haha! To answer your questiong, I'm doing well! I need to get back into the routine of working out every day, that's kind of killing me right now. But things are good. We fasted as a zone and things are really picking up. Elder Cortez is tired, but hanging in there! He cracks me up haha it'll be weird to see him go. We do have a conference coming up soon, that should be good.
On Tuesday we had a leadership conference with President and it was great. He sets it up like a business meeting, he kind of runs the mission like a business in a way. He's really good at it. But we met in a conference room that he was in four years ago with an organization he's involved with. He shared some very special experiences that happened there.
The conference was kind of tough because we didn't do too well last month. My companion took most of the heat because he's senior zone leader haha. But my eyebrows got singed a little haha. Thankfully we are being blessed this month and we're working hard.
Last night there was a leadership training meeting for the stake and we had planned something special. President came down and showed a video of Elder Holland in the MTC. Afterwards President spoke about missionary work. All of the stake and ward leaders were present. In the video, Elder Holland tells the story of Peter after Christ's resurrection, how he didn't really know what to do. He went back to doing what he had done before, fishing. Then one morning they recognize the Savior on the shore. Peter jumps off the boat to get to him. The Savior was waiting for them with a meal prepared. He asks Peter if he loves Him. Peter replies yes. Christ repeats the question and Peter a little bothered and uncomfortable, responds yes. But the third time Christ asks sternly, reminding Peter that he denied Him three times. And that is when Peter became the great apostle. I can't imagine the anguish that Peter felt as the Lord gave him that opportunity to repent for his denial. But then He tells Peter to feed His sheep.
After the video President got up and spoke about how he knows how everyone in the congregation loves the Savior. But He said, 'This is something I just don't understand! I love the Savior, but I didn't invite anyone to His church this morning. I love the Savior, but I haven't shared that love with anyone lately. I love the Savior, but I refuse to share His Gospel with my neighbor. I love the Savior, but I don't reach out to that less active member because I don't like him/her. How are we to love the Savior if we are unwilling to feed His sheep?'.
After that he asked everyone to give referrals. We received 100 referrals for the zone!
It was pretty powerful.
Well, I gotta go. I got my release plan today, that's a little weird. Oh and I ttalked to Elder Smith about the email he sent you guys regarding my release date haha. I told him my mom cried and he felt bad. Haha but then I told him not to worry about it and he was fine. Hahaha it was really funny.
How are Brock and Aubrey?
Love you guys a ton! Have an awesome spring break! And tell everyone I say hey!
lots of love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hello everyone,
Haha I barely got to read your emails! Sounds like some fun stuff happening with spring break! Haley in Disney World! Wooooooo! Ah I hope she just loves it. Dad, good luck in Korea. Are there many similarities between Japanese and Korean culture? That's good the Ishmael are doing well.
Mom, I got the package you sent me with the cookies!!! Thank you sooo much! They were sooo good. I received it after a meeting we had in Reu. After the conference we were getting things at the mission office and it started to rain really hard. So we hunkered down in the office with the APs and secretaries and ate cookies. It was awesome.
The picture you sent me of Ginger made me laugh. What a pork haha! To answer your questiong, I'm doing well! I need to get back into the routine of working out every day, that's kind of killing me right now. But things are good. We fasted as a zone and things are really picking up. Elder Cortez is tired, but hanging in there! He cracks me up haha it'll be weird to see him go. We do have a conference coming up soon, that should be good.
On Tuesday we had a leadership conference with President and it was great. He sets it up like a business meeting, he kind of runs the mission like a business in a way. He's really good at it. But we met in a conference room that he was in four years ago with an organization he's involved with. He shared some very special experiences that happened there.
The conference was kind of tough because we didn't do too well last month. My companion took most of the heat because he's senior zone leader haha. But my eyebrows got singed a little haha. Thankfully we are being blessed this month and we're working hard.
Last night there was a leadership training meeting for the stake and we had planned something special. President came down and showed a video of Elder Holland in the MTC. Afterwards President spoke about missionary work. All of the stake and ward leaders were present. In the video, Elder Holland tells the story of Peter after Christ's resurrection, how he didn't really know what to do. He went back to doing what he had done before, fishing. Then one morning they recognize the Savior on the shore. Peter jumps off the boat to get to him. The Savior was waiting for them with a meal prepared. He asks Peter if he loves Him. Peter replies yes. Christ repeats the question and Peter a little bothered and uncomfortable, responds yes. But the third time Christ asks sternly, reminding Peter that he denied Him three times. And that is when Peter became the great apostle. I can't imagine the anguish that Peter felt as the Lord gave him that opportunity to repent for his denial. But then He tells Peter to feed His sheep.
After the video President got up and spoke about how he knows how everyone in the congregation loves the Savior. But He said, 'This is something I just don't understand! I love the Savior, but I didn't invite anyone to His church this morning. I love the Savior, but I haven't shared that love with anyone lately. I love the Savior, but I refuse to share His Gospel with my neighbor. I love the Savior, but I don't reach out to that less active member because I don't like him/her. How are we to love the Savior if we are unwilling to feed His sheep?'.
After that he asked everyone to give referrals. We received 100 referrals for the zone!
It was pretty powerful.
Well, I gotta go. I got my release plan today, that's a little weird. Oh and I ttalked to Elder Smith about the email he sent you guys regarding my release date haha. I told him my mom cried and he felt bad. Haha but then I told him not to worry about it and he was fine. Hahaha it was really funny.
How are Brock and Aubrey?
Love you guys a ton! Have an awesome spring break! And tell everyone I say hey!
lots of love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Service...a fundamental part of spirituality
March 5, 2012
Hi everyone,
Spring break! Have fun on the few days off that yalls get. That will be nice to have a quick break. Haley, have an awesome time at Disney World.
Mom! Getting time with President is kind of hard, but he does it to the zone leaders on purpose. He's wayyyyy cool with all the missionaries, but really hard on the zone leaders. I think it's his method of urging us to rely more on the Savior than on him. I think things with housing are squared away. I know the apartment is officially ours, so no worries there. Still haven’t heard from Austin
Pants would probably be good. I’m like a 33 waste and a 33/34 length. Black, blue, and/or gray are fine. I have two pairs that are fine and my suit pants are fine. So maybe three pairs would be perfect. Thank you! Also, I’m going to try to find some shirts here, they sell good brands like Arrow in some places, but my collars are wearing out. Also, my scripture case broke. So frustrating! Coatepeque is ruining all my things and the rainy season hasn't even started yet haha ahhhh. No, it's more like have 19 months in the mission. Hahaha whoa.
Thank you for your prayers, I can honestly feel them.
Dad, that is such a bumber (haha bummer) that nobody could go skiing with you! I totally would have.
This morning in the newspaper we saw an article from Warren Jeffs, the perverted criminal leader of the fundamentalist church. He sent an article from jail to all of Mexico declaring that the Lord has commanded them to repent. He's been doing this all over the place apparently because he claims that the Second Coming is almost here. Unfortunately 90 percent of Guatemalans (the other 10 percent are Mormons haha) are going to mistake the 'Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' with the true 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'. But the truth with continue to roll forth boldly, nobly, and independent.
The soccer ball idea- sounds good to me, but I am not allowed to contact him to ask him to do it. If he could send me an email or something we'll see how to work that out.
Speaking of scripture study and prayers and service, President Maravilla was asked awhile back to do a study on the things that make an RM go cold. He said that almost all returned missionaries continue to read the scriptures and pray every day. But they do it out of habit. Many stop reading with the Spirit, they stop looking for revelation. But that isn't the real cause of their inactivity. He said it's a lack of service. They may have a calling at church, but it's nothing like the mission. They stop visiting the people who are in need. They lose that and oftentimes don't know how to keep it going after the mission (or they forget that they should). That kind of scared me because I realized that although I have plans to study the scriptures intensely and have a schedule so that I can keep my spiritual routine going, I forgot that service is a fundamental part of spirituality. I'm glad I heard him talk about it because I wouldn't have remembered otherwise. That goes in line with what you mentioned.
So the zone still hasn't crawled out of the hole we fell in. We're struggling with reaching our goals, really struggling. I think we just weren't prepared spiritually for Lucifer's latest attack. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Munns, he's a district leader in the zone. He's one of the most down to earth guys I've met in the mission and it was so great to be with somebody who I can work hard with and also relate to. We are pretty sure we're related somehow. But that was cool to have some bro time and have the same goals and desires to work hard. My companion is hanging in there, he's on his last three weeks, but it's hard for him to care much. I'm trying to motivate him, he already knows. But we'll see if a few kicks in the pants with help this week.
Well my time is running out. I love you guys a ton, sorry this email isn't as long, I had to send some stuff to the stake president and that ate up some of my time. I love you guys so much! Have an awesome Spring Break. Dad stay safe overseas. Mom, I love you! Brock and Aubrey you guys rock. Haley have a blast.
Love you all,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hi everyone,
Spring break! Have fun on the few days off that yalls get. That will be nice to have a quick break. Haley, have an awesome time at Disney World.
Mom! Getting time with President is kind of hard, but he does it to the zone leaders on purpose. He's wayyyyy cool with all the missionaries, but really hard on the zone leaders. I think it's his method of urging us to rely more on the Savior than on him. I think things with housing are squared away. I know the apartment is officially ours, so no worries there. Still haven’t heard from Austin
Pants would probably be good. I’m like a 33 waste and a 33/34 length. Black, blue, and/or gray are fine. I have two pairs that are fine and my suit pants are fine. So maybe three pairs would be perfect. Thank you! Also, I’m going to try to find some shirts here, they sell good brands like Arrow in some places, but my collars are wearing out. Also, my scripture case broke. So frustrating! Coatepeque is ruining all my things and the rainy season hasn't even started yet haha ahhhh. No, it's more like have 19 months in the mission. Hahaha whoa.
Thank you for your prayers, I can honestly feel them.
Dad, that is such a bumber (haha bummer) that nobody could go skiing with you! I totally would have.
This morning in the newspaper we saw an article from Warren Jeffs, the perverted criminal leader of the fundamentalist church. He sent an article from jail to all of Mexico declaring that the Lord has commanded them to repent. He's been doing this all over the place apparently because he claims that the Second Coming is almost here. Unfortunately 90 percent of Guatemalans (the other 10 percent are Mormons haha) are going to mistake the 'Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' with the true 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'. But the truth with continue to roll forth boldly, nobly, and independent.
The soccer ball idea- sounds good to me, but I am not allowed to contact him to ask him to do it. If he could send me an email or something we'll see how to work that out.
Speaking of scripture study and prayers and service, President Maravilla was asked awhile back to do a study on the things that make an RM go cold. He said that almost all returned missionaries continue to read the scriptures and pray every day. But they do it out of habit. Many stop reading with the Spirit, they stop looking for revelation. But that isn't the real cause of their inactivity. He said it's a lack of service. They may have a calling at church, but it's nothing like the mission. They stop visiting the people who are in need. They lose that and oftentimes don't know how to keep it going after the mission (or they forget that they should). That kind of scared me because I realized that although I have plans to study the scriptures intensely and have a schedule so that I can keep my spiritual routine going, I forgot that service is a fundamental part of spirituality. I'm glad I heard him talk about it because I wouldn't have remembered otherwise. That goes in line with what you mentioned.
So the zone still hasn't crawled out of the hole we fell in. We're struggling with reaching our goals, really struggling. I think we just weren't prepared spiritually for Lucifer's latest attack. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Munns, he's a district leader in the zone. He's one of the most down to earth guys I've met in the mission and it was so great to be with somebody who I can work hard with and also relate to. We are pretty sure we're related somehow. But that was cool to have some bro time and have the same goals and desires to work hard. My companion is hanging in there, he's on his last three weeks, but it's hard for him to care much. I'm trying to motivate him, he already knows. But we'll see if a few kicks in the pants with help this week.
Well my time is running out. I love you guys a ton, sorry this email isn't as long, I had to send some stuff to the stake president and that ate up some of my time. I love you guys so much! Have an awesome Spring Break. Dad stay safe overseas. Mom, I love you! Brock and Aubrey you guys rock. Haley have a blast.
Love you all,
Elder Austin Tyler
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