Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 11:32 AM
Hey guys!
So there's a beauty salon on the street we walk down every day that
just installed a giant poster on their front door of Taylor Swift.
Haha Tecun Uman hates me. Nah, but I'm still loving it.
Snow!! Holy cow! That's so weird that summer went so quickly! I
mean here it's just an endless summer and it's weird to think that the
seasons are passing away over there. I hit fifteen months this week?
Weird. So weird.
Mom, sounds like it was a good trip to Provo, I hope Brock's doing
alright. Sounds like they're doing okay. How's Aubrey these days?
She wrote me a couple weeks ago, but how are they doing? Any nephews
(or nieces) in the making yet?
Mom, what you said regarding the highs and lows of the mission and all
that is always so relevant in the mission. There's something Alma
says about it. 'And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to
labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason
of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and
destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto
life.' I love to remind myself of that. Whenever I get down I think
a little more about the Atonement. I used to have leaders that would
really get on my back for little things. And then there's always such
an intense pressure in this mission to baptize, for example, that
Assistant a few months ago. But President always assures me that
numbers don't entail success. There's a new missionary in the
district, straight out of the MTC. His name is Elder McMasters. His
MTC district got a personal note from President Monson (after they
sent him a video of something cool they did) and he told them that
numbers do not entail success, but rather the dedication and desire of
the missionary. Something like that.
Dad, sounds like Korea is an interesting place, and that firework show
sounds pretty amazing! You ate a grub! That's probably as gnarly as
pig nerves bahaha! What you said about humor was interesting. I try
to be funny, but it doesn't really work in Spanish. I'm still getting
the hang of it, but it's just different. I can be kinda funny with
the gringo elders, but with investigators and members it's kind of
hard. But I'm always happy around them. Don't worry, I don't think
I'm losing who I am. I mean, I'm certainly different than I used to
be (how could one not change during such an experience?), but I think
I'm doin alright. I will be determined to stay away from certain
things that I was into before, but I won't be a weirdo. Haley and
Brock and Aubrey, you guys may need to teach me to have fun again
haha!
Haley! How's Elizabeth doing? And how are the Clark's doing!?
Sounds like you've already had your fare share of challenges this
year, but it seems like you're dealing very well with all of it. Keep
that up. Brock and Aubrey, you guys are awesome... even though you dont write
me alll the time ;)
So this week was good, we ended the month reaching our goals! What a
blessing! Here in Ayutla (that's the name of my area) we had the
privilege of baptizing Marta Chumil Tuj, a lady that came from the
mountains to work for a member family. She speaks Quet-Chiquel, a
native dialect (she also speaks Spanish), and she dresses like the
natives with vibrant colored skirts and stuff. She's such a nice lady
and she loves the church and the missionaries! She can't read or
write, but she's going to try and learn. Yesterday at church she
wanted to pay her tithing, so I went and grabbed a tithing envelope
and slip for her. I started to fill it out for her and she had to go,
so she just gave me this wad of money and left haha. I gave it to the
ward secretary and he finished filling out the slip. She loves how in
the church the leaders don't receive any money and how it's all
private donations and stuff. It was cool to see her so excited to
contribute.
I've been trying lately to improve my study time. I decided that I
don't study the Atonement enough, so now I'm studying it three times a
week. What a difference it has made! I sometimes feel like I'm not
going to get a lot out of studying the basics of the Gospel, but au
contrare. Meditating on the role of the Savior is always such an
enriching experience and I learned so much this week. Thinking about
how the elements of the earth revolted (is that the word) at the sight
of seeing the Christ, the most loved intelligence in existence,
suffering so heavily and thinking about the eternal consequences of
that sacrifice just leave me in awe. Thinking about how the Savior
was completely obedient, perfectly humble. Thinking about the climax
of His suffering on the cross, quoting Psalms 22, He cried out as the
Father left Him. And then it was finished. What relief and triumph
He must have felt entering the spirit world. But there he kept
working! I feel like He didn't rest, even though He had every right
to do so. Instead, He continued organizing the Father's work beyond
the veil. So many things to think about and meditate on.
Well I ran out of time, but I hope you're all doing great. I love you
guys a ton! Thank you so much for writing me. Tell everyone I say
hi!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Ha I forgot! And Happy Day of the Dead tomorrow
haha should be an interesting day.
Love you all so much,
Elder Austin Tyler
P.S. It's still hot ;)
