Monday, February 06, 2012 4:16 PM
Hey!
I can't believe it's already P-day again! And it's almost over! Today we went to the beach and it was way fun! I'll post pictures sometime. And guess what!!! The area presidency gave us permission to go to the temple in Quetzaltenango! Our zone is going tomorrow! I can't tell you how excited I am. What a blessing!
Sounds like the wedding was awesome!
Mom, I love you! Alex did write me, sounds like he's doing well. I wrote him a letter and I'll probably send that today. It's weird to think I won't be rooming with Austin Eckel, I'm kind of jealous he already has all that lined up haha, but I look forward to post mission single life. How's his health?
We decided on changing our decision, we're going to live in King Henry. I filled out the application, but there are a few things I need help with. I think I need a guarantor's signature (from a parent I believe). Could you guys download the application form and look at that. I'm planning on faxing my part tomorrow. I looks like a really cool place, a bit far from campus and a bit expensive. A bus pass is 150 or so, but a season pass to Sundance comes with a free bus pass (could be a really convenient deal). And I'd be able to use it for things that don't have anything to do with going to court! That's exciting
We might just go for a four person apartment, depends on what we hear from Elder Molina's friend. But it should be a chill group. All three of the guys are studly missionaries and clean and tidy.
Wow I just looked at the pictures of the apartments... I haven't seen a place that nice in a long time. Granted it's a picture, but it looks so clean! Carpet and stuff.
Haley, it sounds like you're loving dance! And I loved the song you wrote! And what you said about the little kid's comment regarding why God is real... so true. A lot of times we are so focused on logic. If we try to logically understand everything in this life we get lost. There are too many things that simply don't make sense. If God is real, why does this and this and this happen? Why doesn't He do this and this? If God isn't real, how did everything happen? Why does this happen if there is no high power? But once we feel His love, once we understand with our heart, it's so real and so simple. Haha everyone here believes in God. I can still count on my hands the number people I've talked to that don't believe in God. Pretty amazing.
Brock, thanks for your help and advice this week with the apartment situation.
Mom and Dad, it was good talking to you briefly!
Dad, as far as class choices, I'd like to continue with the GE stuff. I would like to block my classes together as well as possible. The Spanish test-out class would be good. How tough are those usually? I heard the Spanish one is just ridiculous.
It was cool reading the comments from everyone. Haha Jared, 'remember me?' Yes of course I remember.
Before I forget... Elder Molina told me that the fees and all for King Henry are really high at first because it includes the first month's rent (September). I hope that's okay, it would mean not having to pay right off the bat when I get there. I'll have more info next week I think.
When Elder Amado came he talked to President and put some new rules for our mission. He increased the minimum requirement for how many times investigators need to attend church before they can get baptized, and said we need to double the amount of baptisms of families, etc. It was unexpected and it's going to be a huge challenge. But in our leaders conference, we studied D&C 88:50-67 and applied it to our situation. We're raising the bar and we know we can do it. Our zone continues to do well. There are so many people out there that are ready for the Gospel, we just need to be diligent and responsible enough to find them and help them. I continue to feel like I'm not doing enough. It's frustrating how sometimes I feel like I'm doing really well in one aspect, but in a different aspect I'm slacking. Why can't I just boldly and diligently apply all the things I want to do? I guess I'm looking for perfection, but I feel like I'm falling behind where I ought to be. It's a discomforting feeling. At the same time however, there are those moments where I triumph and it's so satisfying.
Every morning I ask Heavenly Father for three things before I start my day. 1. An opportunity to serve a brother or sister in need. 2. An opportunity to bless someone's life with the Priesthood. 3. A spiritual experience. Asking for these things, and seeking them has been so incredible, resulting in miracles and so much joy. There are so many people here that suffer on a daily basis... single mothers, old widows fighting to make a living, enemployed fathers, etc. A recent convert, David, received his first Priesthood blessing this week and we could see such a change in him afterwards. He's been unemployed for a few months, before he was working in administration of sales at Wal Mart in Quetzaltenango, so he's a smart, educated guy. His kids are studying and rely on him for help. He didn't know what to do, he's been knocking on doors to try to find employment. We introduced him to the employment resources of the church and the members are helping him look. He and his family are so hopeful and grateful. His family hasn't received the missionaries yet.
Maria Elena, a former less active (She's been coming to church lately) with five kids, her husband recently left her to move to the United States, sells tamales every night. I think I mentioned her. On Friday we went to visit her. That morning she woke up with an intense pain in her neck and face and couldn't get out of bed. The pain was so intense that she thought she was going to die. It went away, but she got out of bed to find that her stove had collapsed and some of her firewood was stolen. On top of that the well bucket fell into the well. When we got there she asked us to help her. We said of course. She hopped down the well, suspended by a rope and brought the bucket up. What a superwoman, just hopping down a well (18 meters deep). It was scary. And then we gave her a blessing before leaving. She was in tears afterwards and just kept thanking us. Moments like that make me feel so humble, so small. Just being able to help others find relief. Knowing that she was happy after our visit, and no longer in despair and stress, that's just such a good feeling.
Well I need to go, but it's been a good week and I look forward to the temple tomorrow. I had hoped for a long time that I would be able to visit the temple during my mission.
Thank you guys for everything. If the apartments thing isn't good, just let me know. I feel like it's an expensive place and I don't want to be a burden. Seriously, let me know if it's too much and we'll find something else.
I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything.
Elder Austin Tyler
