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
Monday, March 26, 2012
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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