A lesson learned

Sent: Monday, August 08, 2011 12:32 PM


Hey err'body!
Sounds like Utah was fast, but fun! Summer is almost over! I feel
like your guys' lives go faster than mine does. That's weird.
So Alex Leonard told me that Troy is an AP. I totally called that.
Is it true? How in the world is he doing?? I haven't heard from him
in forever! Haha I miss him and I can't wait to see him.
Sounds like a lot of big stuff is coming up. Haley with school and
your half marathon (make sure you definitely change your schedule.
SpeightHausse might be a good one to keep. She's easy and that would
be a nice break during the tough schedule you've got. Just a
suggestion). Brock with the new semester. Mom with seminary. Dad
with strap plan. And then me coming home haha! Yes, time is flying
that fast.
Sounds like fishing was fun! In which canyon did you guys go fishing?
Haley, good luck with your half marathon!
Mom, it sounds like you're studying up a storm. Don't you love it the
more you do it? At least that's how I am sometimes. Good luck with
all of that, it'll be great! YOU will be great! I know it!
Well this week was kinda crazy. I got to see all my buddies from the
MTC group. They're in our neighbor zone. It was so great to see
them. We had a conference on Wednesday. President got everyone
really fired up about using the temple open house and dedication as a
way to get the work moving along. Just some statistical information:
when President Maravilla came, the mission baptized 60 in the month of
August. When he came in he put a goal to baptize 250 every month.
Everyone thought he was nuts. In May and June of this year we
baptized about 150. July: 171. Haha it truly is phenomenal what he's
done to help this place. I feel so blessed to be working with him.
During the conference, we got a quick break and I went to talk to the
APs about the stuff that happened last week. They told me to talk to
President. So I went and explained everything that happened. I
explained that the kids that got baptized were not ready, and I knew
that. But then I explained that my zone leaders told me that we
should baptize them to reach the goal because that's what he
(President) wanted us to do. They then told me that he (President)
told them specifically that we should baptize the kids. He looked at
me and said, 'even if I had said that, you knew they weren't ready and
should have held your character in doing what you knew was right. I
didn't give them permission. You are a leader. You've learned a
powerful lesson.' Then he smiled and clapped me on the shoulder haha.
I felt relieved to know that what I had been feeling was right, but
then I felt foolish for not being more steadfast in what I knew was
right. I'm not happy with my zone leaders.
Luckily, the kids are still excited about the gospel, and we're still
working with the parents.
This week was incredibly difficult. I kept thinking, all of this is
just opposition, something good is on the way! But it just kept
getting more difficult. I was trying to coordinate a blood donation
for an investigator's dying mother and nothing was working out. I
kept making phone calls while trying to take care of district
responsibilities. It was all going downhill and the district wasn't
doing well. After all the phonecalls stopped, I just sat there dazed.
My comp had long gone to bed. It was all just too much. I'm treated
like a zone leader, but I have to take care of my fledgling companion
and look out for the other elders in my district, some of which aren't
too motivated right now. It was just too much. After sitting there
for a bit I went to my bed to pray. I went one by one with each
problem and just prayed it all out. I closed the prayer and waited to
listen. That moment of listening made it all better. Heavenly Father
listens to our prayers and I love Him. He knows everything.
Everything.
The day after that was better, I think it was just my attitude and
realizing that I can't change the world. I can't obligate people to
work. I can't force a baptism. But there is a lot I can be doing to
guide people and help motivate them.
Speaking of which, how do you motivate someone who knows what they
should be doing, knows the blessings involved (as well as
consequences), and simply lacks desire? How can that desire be
sparked or ignited? I need some help there.
We got the confidence of our bishop back! Haha we bought a watermelon
and I carried it a mile or so to their house (that thing weighed more
than my backpack). We showed up at their house and I told them I
brought our fast offering for the month haha! The bishop's wife
looked confused. I set the watermelon on their table and explained it
was a gift. They started laughing and said thank you so much elders!
And then we shared a message with them. It was cool and it's a relief
to have their confidence again.
Well, I gotta write President. It was a tough week, but things are
getting better! The Lord is with me and I've learned so much in such
a short amount of time. I love you guys so much!
Oh, I came up with birthday ideas haha. My watch is starting to fall
apart, I can buy one here, but I feel like I don't have any money. I
hate asking for money, but I guess it's my birthday. I just feel bad
because Mom already sent a package.
Mom, I love you and I want to write you a letter. I'm going to start
that soon. Dad, Brock, Aubrey, and Haley, I love you too. So much!
Have an awesome week and good luck with everything!
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler