Sent: Monday, May 30, 2011 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: Memorial Day
Thank you all for your emails! Sounds like lots of stuff is still
going on! Haha the schedule never ends.
Mom, I'm doing great. I got the package you sent. I cannot thank you
enough. I feel a little bit guilty when I think about how spoiled I
am. But that guilt never comes without feeling an overwhelming sense
of love. Thank you so much. And thank you for the pictures and your
note. Those were some great pictures. Everyone looks so happy!
Doggy looks fat haha.
Regarding Hermano Menchu... we found him! He's still sober! He
talked to us for about an hour regarding everything that he's been
through. He went a week without eating anything. On top of that, he
was dry heaving day and night. He didn't sleep at all. But he stuck
through it, and he's eating and sleeping regularly now. Can you
imagine that? What desire! What self-control and mastery! He is a
completely different person now. He's living alone in a concrete
building with no light. He has a bed, some dishes, and clothing,
nothing else. And he's working hard. Such an inspiring story. Now
we just gotta get him to church ;)
Brock, sounds like work is kind of tough, but that job you have sounds
like it's such a blessing. Sounds like a really insightful blessing
you received. I hope things get better on that front.
Aubrey, sounds like that child is a beast. Sounds a little bit like
the kids in our branch (maybe not quite so bad, but there are four of
them). Oh it's so awful sometimes. I try to think of them as if they
were my own brother and sisters or even my own kids. Sometimes I
still want to pick them up and just drop them out the window (not
really), but it helps to change perspectives.
Haley, go see Jack's Mannequin. I'm tempted to tell Elder Eckel, but
I don't want to trunk him out haha. Sounds like you finished strong
with everything at school. Rest up (but stay busy) for the coming
year. It's gonna be a lot of fun (and by fun I mean craziness). Work
on prioritizing!
Dad, thanks for all the updates on my friends and stuff. And that's
some advice I need to apply about being smart in the rain. I guess
they've predicted this season to be a pretty stormy one, so we're
going to be careful. Even though we're protected, there's no sense in
unnecessarily putting myself in danger. Appointments can always be
rescheduled.
Oh and if you want to give me the iTouch i would totally be okay with that :D
This week was great! I had a really good interview with President.
He interviewed Elder Lillywhite first. When I walked in he expressed
his surprise and disappointment that we hadn't eaten fish yet. Haha I
explained that we had, however, eaten cow stomach. He was pleased.
He then told me that we're going to eat cow liver, intestines, and
other gross things that I won't mention. I said no thank you and gave
him a weird look as he explained how he loves those things. He said
'What!? I'm a Lamanite!!' Haha I couldn't stop laughing for awhile.
He asked me about some things I've been studying and told me he was
pleased with my work. I expressed a bit of frustration regarding our
lack of progress with the branch and all that. He said simply not to
worry about it. I told him I simply don't know what more to do that
we aren't already doing. He said to simply not worry about it. He
said it is obvious that we're working hard. He told me to keep doing
what we're doing. We can't change the world, all we can do is love
the people, keep improving ourselves, and let the Lord give us the
opportunities that He wants us to have. I asked him why I'm in
Champerico. He told me that Champe needs pure-minded, obedient
missionaries. He said he trusts me. That made me feel really happy.
Now I just can't let him down. I can't let the Lord down. There's a
lot to do. President also said that Champe needs time to recover. I
don't know if that means that I'll be here a long time or what, but
we'll see. I would be completely okay with that. I have a lot to
learn here. This is the second time I've been on clean up crew,
opening an area to fix some things. Elder Tacam is baptizing a lot in
Cuyo now. And we'll see what happens this coming change in Champe. I
feel like a lot of good things are in store. I'm excited about it.
This change has been very humbling and I've grown a lot. But there's
always so much to improve. I need to study more, be more punctual,
more loving toward my comp and all the members, more willing to offer
a helping hand in the hot sun, quicker in responding to the Spirit,
more faithful, more patient, more focused, more thankful, more
prayerful. Ah there's so much to do. And although it can get
overwhelming to think about, there is a lot of excitment in realizing
that I have everything I need to be the best I can be. And as I
strive to keep being the person I want to become, I can slowly see
myself becoming that person. But it requires a lot of patience,
diligence, and humility. When I mess up in teaching or in speaking
Spanish or when I fail to follow the Spirit like I should, it's so
easy to get caught up in that. But I've learned to strive for
perfection without getting down on myself. I don't really know how to
explain it (in english or spanish). But life is good. God lives and
loves me. He's aware of everything! Everything! I love Him and I
glory in His goodness. How blessed we are to have this gospel. We
ought to make these things known unto everyone.
Thank you for everything. I love you guys so much. Everyone keeps
getting cooler and cooler. Love you all!
Elder Tyler
Monday, July 25, 2011
I hit a year this week!
Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 12:30 PM
Haha you guys I loved your emails,
I dont have much time to write, but here goes...
Haley, I got your letter along with the package and I loved it! Thank you for writing me! Okay, so being a people pleaser isn't so bad all the time. Sometimes it's good to have the desire to do the positive things that certain people desire of you. If my mission president wants me to do something, I'm going to do it (for one, because I love him and want him to be happy because he deals with a lot, and two, because he's a man in a position of authority). I loved your state camp cheer! And the pics! You should put those on Shutterfly. Sounds like you and Faith are hanging out a lot, that's awesome! She's a cool girl. Haha you're growing up so stinkin much, it's weird, but so cool. I'm stoked to hang out.
Mom, you're right, it's a bit of a shock being in this new area. I'm still fighitng to get the hang of things. It's weird coming to a be a senior comp of a new missionary when he knows the area better than me. He has a lot of habits that I don't like, and I'm trying to play the art of helping him change while keeping unity in the companionship. That one on one aspect of leadership can be the hardest. I'm setting the best example I can and being bold when I need to be. I don't like being bold. The science portion of the ACT is mostly graphs and data. You don't really need any science knowledge, but it helps. It changes every test. You can have biology, anatomy, math, physics, chemistry, it's impossible to predict. But reading graphs and reading instructions is the most important thing. It's tough. Having previously studied each of the subjects that were presented in the graphs in that section helped me a lot. It's a weird section.
Im really excited for you guys to be in a new neighborhood. I got a letter from Cozette and she's so excited for it too. That will be so cool!
Things I like to eat: Fried plantains, beans, and eggs. Such a good combo. Also, white beans and beef. Such good stuff. People here love to eat boiling hot soup when it's 158 degrees outside. Don't understand that still.
Sister Maravilla is doing great. What happened with the whole surgery thing was kinda crazy. She fell from a height of six feet and landed on her stomach. I don't know how or why. But it shifted some organs in her abdomen. She had to have her abdomen opened so that the doctors could move the organs back into place. She had a miraculous recovery. Sounds like it was painful, but when I talked to her last she looked great. She's awesome.
Elder Eckel is a branch president! He's the only one from BYU that I hear from. I love that kid. John Chorak and I communicate regularly. Sounds like he's doing well.
Andrew Massy did write me a couple months ago! It was a great letter, he's growing up a lot. I wish I had more time to write him, but it's such a challenge to find time!
I got the package you sent! Thank you so much, the shirts are perfect and so is everything else! That green stress ball thingy is awesome. Thank you! I also got one of the shoes haha. The other elders got a kick out of that.
I don't know what I want for my birthday. Maybe just money to buy stuff to send you guy for Christmas. Haha that seems like a weird idea. But there's some cool stuff here in Tecun. Aside from that, I don't really know. I don't need anything. And I don't think I'll need much until a year from now haha.
What you said about Heavenly Father being completely aware... I wonder about that too. Since time is only measured unto man, I feel like He can be with us our entire lives and then go back in time and be with another person all the time. And when he needs or wants to do something else, he goes and does that. I don't really know. So crazy!
Dad, I love what you shared about Brother Hunt's talk. PBJ's are my favorite food in the mission! Haha but peanut butter is so expensive! But it's soo good and so American! Haha but the analogy is perfect. Sometimes I want a big spiritual feast and it doesn't come. I get a lot of PBJ's, but then boom, something big comes. I wonder if anyone reading this has no idea what you explained about PBJ's. Hahaha
And what you said about the Resurrection. I absolutely love to study the Resurrection. I loved what President Monson said about it in the April Ensign. It's such a joyful event, filled with light and power. And the contrast between the Resurrection and all of the suffering and darkness that preceded it makes it so much more powerful and happy to me.
Sounds like the world is a really interesting place these days. Weird weather, dumb politics (nothing new there I suppose), violence in Norway, etc. That's why I love the gospel. All of this stuff has been predicted and we've been shown the stuff we have to do when it all hits. I get so excited for the future. I feel like it will be sad to see the world continue to fall apart, but it will be so cool to continue to find joy and direction in the gospel while everything else goes down. I love that thought. And I want everyone else to know it. But they ignore me when I try to tell them!
We are teaching so many families right now. There are all kinds of members here in the ward. Some (especially the Bishop) are just amazing. They love to help with the work. Others are new members just hanging in there. Others are returned missionaries that didn't really work hard in the mission and make fun of me for being obedient (sad that your own comerades can be a temptation and obstacle in this great work). But overall, this area is awesome. Elder Gawrys (he and Elder Molina were my zone leaders in Champe) came here last week. He's just dying from the heat and now he's sick (thinks he's got dange?) Ugly stuff. But we're hanging in there.
I hit a year this week! Whoa! Thoughts have come to mind like, Ha! You're only halfway, you've got another year still! And then I realize how quickly this year has gone, how I won't want it to end when the time comes, and how much I have to do and learn still. I'm loving life here.
Brock and Aubrey I love you guys! Hope all is well in Provolone!
Thank you guys so much for everything. I love you all so much. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for your prayers, I can feel them. And thank you for your advice and examples. Please keep it up. Have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Tyler
Haha you guys I loved your emails,
I dont have much time to write, but here goes...
Haley, I got your letter along with the package and I loved it! Thank you for writing me! Okay, so being a people pleaser isn't so bad all the time. Sometimes it's good to have the desire to do the positive things that certain people desire of you. If my mission president wants me to do something, I'm going to do it (for one, because I love him and want him to be happy because he deals with a lot, and two, because he's a man in a position of authority). I loved your state camp cheer! And the pics! You should put those on Shutterfly. Sounds like you and Faith are hanging out a lot, that's awesome! She's a cool girl. Haha you're growing up so stinkin much, it's weird, but so cool. I'm stoked to hang out.
Mom, you're right, it's a bit of a shock being in this new area. I'm still fighitng to get the hang of things. It's weird coming to a be a senior comp of a new missionary when he knows the area better than me. He has a lot of habits that I don't like, and I'm trying to play the art of helping him change while keeping unity in the companionship. That one on one aspect of leadership can be the hardest. I'm setting the best example I can and being bold when I need to be. I don't like being bold. The science portion of the ACT is mostly graphs and data. You don't really need any science knowledge, but it helps. It changes every test. You can have biology, anatomy, math, physics, chemistry, it's impossible to predict. But reading graphs and reading instructions is the most important thing. It's tough. Having previously studied each of the subjects that were presented in the graphs in that section helped me a lot. It's a weird section.
Im really excited for you guys to be in a new neighborhood. I got a letter from Cozette and she's so excited for it too. That will be so cool!
Things I like to eat: Fried plantains, beans, and eggs. Such a good combo. Also, white beans and beef. Such good stuff. People here love to eat boiling hot soup when it's 158 degrees outside. Don't understand that still.
Sister Maravilla is doing great. What happened with the whole surgery thing was kinda crazy. She fell from a height of six feet and landed on her stomach. I don't know how or why. But it shifted some organs in her abdomen. She had to have her abdomen opened so that the doctors could move the organs back into place. She had a miraculous recovery. Sounds like it was painful, but when I talked to her last she looked great. She's awesome.
Elder Eckel is a branch president! He's the only one from BYU that I hear from. I love that kid. John Chorak and I communicate regularly. Sounds like he's doing well.
Andrew Massy did write me a couple months ago! It was a great letter, he's growing up a lot. I wish I had more time to write him, but it's such a challenge to find time!
I got the package you sent! Thank you so much, the shirts are perfect and so is everything else! That green stress ball thingy is awesome. Thank you! I also got one of the shoes haha. The other elders got a kick out of that.
I don't know what I want for my birthday. Maybe just money to buy stuff to send you guy for Christmas. Haha that seems like a weird idea. But there's some cool stuff here in Tecun. Aside from that, I don't really know. I don't need anything. And I don't think I'll need much until a year from now haha.
What you said about Heavenly Father being completely aware... I wonder about that too. Since time is only measured unto man, I feel like He can be with us our entire lives and then go back in time and be with another person all the time. And when he needs or wants to do something else, he goes and does that. I don't really know. So crazy!
Dad, I love what you shared about Brother Hunt's talk. PBJ's are my favorite food in the mission! Haha but peanut butter is so expensive! But it's soo good and so American! Haha but the analogy is perfect. Sometimes I want a big spiritual feast and it doesn't come. I get a lot of PBJ's, but then boom, something big comes. I wonder if anyone reading this has no idea what you explained about PBJ's. Hahaha
And what you said about the Resurrection. I absolutely love to study the Resurrection. I loved what President Monson said about it in the April Ensign. It's such a joyful event, filled with light and power. And the contrast between the Resurrection and all of the suffering and darkness that preceded it makes it so much more powerful and happy to me.
Sounds like the world is a really interesting place these days. Weird weather, dumb politics (nothing new there I suppose), violence in Norway, etc. That's why I love the gospel. All of this stuff has been predicted and we've been shown the stuff we have to do when it all hits. I get so excited for the future. I feel like it will be sad to see the world continue to fall apart, but it will be so cool to continue to find joy and direction in the gospel while everything else goes down. I love that thought. And I want everyone else to know it. But they ignore me when I try to tell them!
We are teaching so many families right now. There are all kinds of members here in the ward. Some (especially the Bishop) are just amazing. They love to help with the work. Others are new members just hanging in there. Others are returned missionaries that didn't really work hard in the mission and make fun of me for being obedient (sad that your own comerades can be a temptation and obstacle in this great work). But overall, this area is awesome. Elder Gawrys (he and Elder Molina were my zone leaders in Champe) came here last week. He's just dying from the heat and now he's sick (thinks he's got dange?) Ugly stuff. But we're hanging in there.
I hit a year this week! Whoa! Thoughts have come to mind like, Ha! You're only halfway, you've got another year still! And then I realize how quickly this year has gone, how I won't want it to end when the time comes, and how much I have to do and learn still. I'm loving life here.
Brock and Aubrey I love you guys! Hope all is well in Provolone!
Thank you guys so much for everything. I love you all so much. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for your prayers, I can feel them. And thank you for your advice and examples. Please keep it up. Have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Tyler
Transferred to Tecum Uman/on the Mexican border
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 1:04 PM
Hi family!
Haley, Brock, and Aubrey. I miss your faces. write me. :D
Harry Potter already came out?? Crazy. It better be legendary.
It sounds like life never slows down for you guys. I guess that's a
good thing, but I hope you're all enjoying all the stuff going on.
Mom, how is the ipad? How much do those things cost? Thanks for the
updates on the family. You're going to be great as a seminary
teacher. I'm excited for you! I love you!
Dad, thank you for all the news and updates. You sound really busy.
Are you going to get a break from travelling for awhile? That just
doesn't sound too fun. Despite being so busy at work, it still sounds
like you're getting lots of stuff done at home. I dunno how you guys
do it. Thanks for everything you do, especially your advice.
So I was emergency changed! An elder was called as AP, and I was
called to replace him as district leader in a place called Tecun Uman.
´Teh-coon Oomahn´. It's on the border of Mexico. I saw Mexico this
week, kinda cool. A lot of people were crossing the river haha.
Weird stuff to see.
So the area I'm in is called Ayutla, it's one of two areas in Tecun
Uman. I feel like I'm in another country. It's wealthy. There's a
ward with about 10 returned missionaries. They all want to help the
missionaries and teach with us. It's so foreign to me! It's amazing!
My house is a mansion (three stories) and we have an AC in our
bedroom? What is this? But hey thank goodness. When I went to the
office for changes I told Elder Maurer that they had run out of hot
areas to send me to, so I was looking forward to going to the
mountains. He just laughed. This has happened almost every time.
They tell me the area I'm in is the hottest in the mission. Then I
hear that there's one more area that's hotter. I end up going there.
Then I hear there's a hotter one. I go there. Tecun is hotter than
Champe haha! Some people here say it's the hottest place on earth!
What luck. Haha but I love it.
Our cook is amazing too. :D
So yeah, the area is very wealthy. But there's a catch. I'll put it
this way, it's on the border of Mexico. Secret combinations. Lot's
of weird stuff. But I know what you're all thinking, dangerous. It's
not that way. Everyone here respects the Mormons and especially the
missionaries. We are protected. I would say that this is really the
safest area I've been in. I have seen no crime. So yeah, don't
worry, there are a lot of gringos and foreignors that visit here
because it's wealthy and safe. It's kind of funny, but weird. I've
met a lot of people passing through on their way to the states....
weird. Don't know what to think of that.
Yesterday at church was so different. In Champe I was always busy at
church, teaching, speaking, etc. Yesterday I had nothing to do but
pay attention. I got sleepy! Haha
I've met about 150 people this week and it's hard to keep track of
names and faces. We have a new investigator who I saw and didn't
recognize on Saturday (after teaching her on Wednesday). I didn't go
up to her to say hi. She yelled at me in front of a lot of people.
That didn't feel good. I felt so bad, but there was nothing I could
do. I'm doing pretty well with memorizing names and stuff, but it's
still a big challenge with such a big ward. It'll come haha.
We had two interesting lessons yesterday. The first one was
frustrating. We taught about the restoration to a 25 year old lady
and her younger brother. We presented the Book of Mormon. After
explaining it, we challenged her to read it and pray about it. It was
one of the clearest presentations I feel like I've ever done. She
said no. I asked her why. She replied that she already had a bible.
She doesn't need any more Bible. Can anyone quote the scripture
there?
I asked her if Jesus Christ Himself told her the Book of Mormon is
true, would she read it. She replied that she already has a pastor
who tells her what she needs to do. Can anyone sympathize with my
frustration and sadness in that moment? I felt so weird. Here these
people are, professing to be followers of Christ. Yet they do not
know Him, their hearts are so far from Him.
We had another lesson with a man named Tito. He is the only nonmember
in his family. We taught him about the importance of families. We
presented ´The Family: A Proclamation to the World´. We asked him a
lot of deep questions and got him thinking. He began to explain how
he's always tried to be a good example for his family, but he needs to
do better. I asked him what he though he could do to improve that.
He replied, go to church with them. We then testified of the power
behind a good example. His wife was really happy, there were tears in
her eyes. It was a powerful lesson.
There's so much opposition against the church, but the Lord's chosen
are out there. We just gotta keep looking for them. And the Lord
always helps us find them.
Oh! My companion's name is Elder Cartagena. He's a gangsta. Haha
he's from Honduras and he's a funny guy, and really good at soccer.
He likes to spend a lot of time with the members, so we're working on
using our time more wisely. The district has some challenges, but
we're working on those.
I'm happy and excited to be in this area. Thanks for everything. I
love you guys so much! Have an awesome week.
So much love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hi family!
Haley, Brock, and Aubrey. I miss your faces. write me. :D
Harry Potter already came out?? Crazy. It better be legendary.
It sounds like life never slows down for you guys. I guess that's a
good thing, but I hope you're all enjoying all the stuff going on.
Mom, how is the ipad? How much do those things cost? Thanks for the
updates on the family. You're going to be great as a seminary
teacher. I'm excited for you! I love you!
Dad, thank you for all the news and updates. You sound really busy.
Are you going to get a break from travelling for awhile? That just
doesn't sound too fun. Despite being so busy at work, it still sounds
like you're getting lots of stuff done at home. I dunno how you guys
do it. Thanks for everything you do, especially your advice.
So I was emergency changed! An elder was called as AP, and I was
called to replace him as district leader in a place called Tecun Uman.
´Teh-coon Oomahn´. It's on the border of Mexico. I saw Mexico this
week, kinda cool. A lot of people were crossing the river haha.
Weird stuff to see.
So the area I'm in is called Ayutla, it's one of two areas in Tecun
Uman. I feel like I'm in another country. It's wealthy. There's a
ward with about 10 returned missionaries. They all want to help the
missionaries and teach with us. It's so foreign to me! It's amazing!
My house is a mansion (three stories) and we have an AC in our
bedroom? What is this? But hey thank goodness. When I went to the
office for changes I told Elder Maurer that they had run out of hot
areas to send me to, so I was looking forward to going to the
mountains. He just laughed. This has happened almost every time.
They tell me the area I'm in is the hottest in the mission. Then I
hear that there's one more area that's hotter. I end up going there.
Then I hear there's a hotter one. I go there. Tecun is hotter than
Champe haha! Some people here say it's the hottest place on earth!
What luck. Haha but I love it.
Our cook is amazing too. :D
So yeah, the area is very wealthy. But there's a catch. I'll put it
this way, it's on the border of Mexico. Secret combinations. Lot's
of weird stuff. But I know what you're all thinking, dangerous. It's
not that way. Everyone here respects the Mormons and especially the
missionaries. We are protected. I would say that this is really the
safest area I've been in. I have seen no crime. So yeah, don't
worry, there are a lot of gringos and foreignors that visit here
because it's wealthy and safe. It's kind of funny, but weird. I've
met a lot of people passing through on their way to the states....
weird. Don't know what to think of that.
Yesterday at church was so different. In Champe I was always busy at
church, teaching, speaking, etc. Yesterday I had nothing to do but
pay attention. I got sleepy! Haha
I've met about 150 people this week and it's hard to keep track of
names and faces. We have a new investigator who I saw and didn't
recognize on Saturday (after teaching her on Wednesday). I didn't go
up to her to say hi. She yelled at me in front of a lot of people.
That didn't feel good. I felt so bad, but there was nothing I could
do. I'm doing pretty well with memorizing names and stuff, but it's
still a big challenge with such a big ward. It'll come haha.
We had two interesting lessons yesterday. The first one was
frustrating. We taught about the restoration to a 25 year old lady
and her younger brother. We presented the Book of Mormon. After
explaining it, we challenged her to read it and pray about it. It was
one of the clearest presentations I feel like I've ever done. She
said no. I asked her why. She replied that she already had a bible.
She doesn't need any more Bible. Can anyone quote the scripture
there?
I asked her if Jesus Christ Himself told her the Book of Mormon is
true, would she read it. She replied that she already has a pastor
who tells her what she needs to do. Can anyone sympathize with my
frustration and sadness in that moment? I felt so weird. Here these
people are, professing to be followers of Christ. Yet they do not
know Him, their hearts are so far from Him.
We had another lesson with a man named Tito. He is the only nonmember
in his family. We taught him about the importance of families. We
presented ´The Family: A Proclamation to the World´. We asked him a
lot of deep questions and got him thinking. He began to explain how
he's always tried to be a good example for his family, but he needs to
do better. I asked him what he though he could do to improve that.
He replied, go to church with them. We then testified of the power
behind a good example. His wife was really happy, there were tears in
her eyes. It was a powerful lesson.
There's so much opposition against the church, but the Lord's chosen
are out there. We just gotta keep looking for them. And the Lord
always helps us find them.
Oh! My companion's name is Elder Cartagena. He's a gangsta. Haha
he's from Honduras and he's a funny guy, and really good at soccer.
He likes to spend a lot of time with the members, so we're working on
using our time more wisely. The district has some challenges, but
we're working on those.
I'm happy and excited to be in this area. Thanks for everything. I
love you guys so much! Have an awesome week.
So much love,
Elder Austin Tyler
A mission is like running the 400
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 1:38 PM
Hey!
I can't tell you how excited I am for the temple! I want to go so
bad. I think we'll be able to go to the Quetzaltenango open house and
then to the weddings of some of our converts. How cool would that
be!? In February Luis' family can get sealed and then in June Pedro
and Maria are planning to be sealed! A few local monsters and witches
have been trying to convince them to leave the church before that
because they heard that the sealing involves having the number of the
beast sealed on the forehead. Thankfully they understand that all
that isn't true. They're going strong. It would be so cool to be
there when they go to the temple!
So thank you for writing! Mom, thank you for sending the package.
And isn't going to bed sweaty the worst?? Gotta love it ha. And yes
I did go to state camp at CSU. It was a good time. It was right
after EFY, however, and seemed pretty insignificant compared to EFY,
but it was a great camp. How are things with the house?? I love you!
Dad, you sound as busy as I am sweaty. And that's just crazy.
Regarding weather, it's rained a few times. We're in somewhat of a
drought and we had a couple of really hot days this week. But that
just makes the rainstorms that much more appreciated. No problems
with fungus. Just the stubborn rash on my legs. It's not too bad,
just adds some variety to the daily routine. Thanks for the news
updates. It's interesting to compare politics between here and the
states. The elections here are coming up (September?) Politics here
are sad. By that I mean worse than American politics. Yes it's
possible. It's good to hear that your trip to California went well.
I think of Granddad often. I hope he's happy. Has he received a
blessing?
Yes, transfers are next week. I'm out of here. President told me
last week. He asked me if I'm ready for a leadership position. I
looked at him for a second and was kind of surprised. I said yes and
he said good. So I dunno exactly what that means, but it for sure
means some sort of change. I've been a junior companion for a year.
Having that change is kind of a weird thought. Knowing that you're
going to leave an area two weeks before you actually do is hard. I'm
still motivated to work hard, but it's just kind of sad knowing that I
won't be able to see the results of our current efforts. At the same
time, however, I love starting fresh in a new area and situation. It
makes it so easy to change things I've been learning. A new companion
and all that makes it easy to be whoever I need or want to be. And I
have a lot of stuff I want to change and do.
I've always been warned to kick it in gear at the year mark. There's
a lot of temptation to get lazy. I could never betray myself or the
Lord by slacking off at this point, but I need to pick it up. Dad, I
love how you compared the mission awhile back to the 400. It's so
true. This was my least favorite part of the race (the 200 mark), but
it was almost as important as the start and the finish. I love the
400! Same with the mission.
Pedro and Maria are so amazing! Every night they kneel down, one of
them starts with a prayer. They read the scriptures and then the
other says a closing prayer. I shared that in the branch council
meeting yesterday and the room went silent. Unfortunately, that
silence was a result of guilt. Nobody reads the scriptures! It's so
hard for me to see. We teach them and pray for them and teach them.
We get the members excited for ten minutes about scripture study and
then it just dies off when we leave. How can I motivate people in a
way that they stay motivated?? Is it just that Pedro and Maria are
that special? They are setting the example for the 'seasoned' members
haha! They make me happy. Pedro is already visiting investigators
with us.
Being in a trio, just like you said, Dad, has its ups and downs. I
get so frustrated sometimes, but I've learned a lot about patience.
It does add a lot of spontaneous fun and good conversation. And we
can easily go on splits with members.
Since Elder Haws is new, we got to go to the New Missionaries and
Trainers conference with President. I learned so much. We spent some
time practicing teaching and watched President participate. We were
all in awe as he taught the most powerful lesson we'd ever witnessed
(in a practice situation!). Then Elder Maurer asked me to teach about
the Book of Mormon in front of everyone. I started. President cut me
off 30 seconds in and just tore me apart. Then he smiled and said,
'again.' Haha I was so flustered, but I started again. He waited to
after I was finished and then he looked at everyone and said,
'Absolutamente perfecto.' Haha that really appealed to my pride.
Actually I really felt like a child for realizing how much I have to
improve. It was such a good conference.
Setting goals in the mission is really hard. The agency of other
people comes into play so often that it's hard to set the right goals.
I feel like a lot of our goals are blind. We need to do better to
follow the Spirit in everything we do. So much to do and so much to
learn. It's as hard as it is fulfilling. I guess that's how it
should be.
Well I hope everyone's doing great! If she hasn't already, Haley
should read 'Jesus: The Perfect Leader' by Spencer W. Kimball. It's
amazing. Sounds like she is doing so well. So I gotta go. Have an
awesome week! Share the gospel!
Love you all SO much,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hey!
I can't tell you how excited I am for the temple! I want to go so
bad. I think we'll be able to go to the Quetzaltenango open house and
then to the weddings of some of our converts. How cool would that
be!? In February Luis' family can get sealed and then in June Pedro
and Maria are planning to be sealed! A few local monsters and witches
have been trying to convince them to leave the church before that
because they heard that the sealing involves having the number of the
beast sealed on the forehead. Thankfully they understand that all
that isn't true. They're going strong. It would be so cool to be
there when they go to the temple!
So thank you for writing! Mom, thank you for sending the package.
And isn't going to bed sweaty the worst?? Gotta love it ha. And yes
I did go to state camp at CSU. It was a good time. It was right
after EFY, however, and seemed pretty insignificant compared to EFY,
but it was a great camp. How are things with the house?? I love you!
Dad, you sound as busy as I am sweaty. And that's just crazy.
Regarding weather, it's rained a few times. We're in somewhat of a
drought and we had a couple of really hot days this week. But that
just makes the rainstorms that much more appreciated. No problems
with fungus. Just the stubborn rash on my legs. It's not too bad,
just adds some variety to the daily routine. Thanks for the news
updates. It's interesting to compare politics between here and the
states. The elections here are coming up (September?) Politics here
are sad. By that I mean worse than American politics. Yes it's
possible. It's good to hear that your trip to California went well.
I think of Granddad often. I hope he's happy. Has he received a
blessing?
Yes, transfers are next week. I'm out of here. President told me
last week. He asked me if I'm ready for a leadership position. I
looked at him for a second and was kind of surprised. I said yes and
he said good. So I dunno exactly what that means, but it for sure
means some sort of change. I've been a junior companion for a year.
Having that change is kind of a weird thought. Knowing that you're
going to leave an area two weeks before you actually do is hard. I'm
still motivated to work hard, but it's just kind of sad knowing that I
won't be able to see the results of our current efforts. At the same
time, however, I love starting fresh in a new area and situation. It
makes it so easy to change things I've been learning. A new companion
and all that makes it easy to be whoever I need or want to be. And I
have a lot of stuff I want to change and do.
I've always been warned to kick it in gear at the year mark. There's
a lot of temptation to get lazy. I could never betray myself or the
Lord by slacking off at this point, but I need to pick it up. Dad, I
love how you compared the mission awhile back to the 400. It's so
true. This was my least favorite part of the race (the 200 mark), but
it was almost as important as the start and the finish. I love the
400! Same with the mission.
Pedro and Maria are so amazing! Every night they kneel down, one of
them starts with a prayer. They read the scriptures and then the
other says a closing prayer. I shared that in the branch council
meeting yesterday and the room went silent. Unfortunately, that
silence was a result of guilt. Nobody reads the scriptures! It's so
hard for me to see. We teach them and pray for them and teach them.
We get the members excited for ten minutes about scripture study and
then it just dies off when we leave. How can I motivate people in a
way that they stay motivated?? Is it just that Pedro and Maria are
that special? They are setting the example for the 'seasoned' members
haha! They make me happy. Pedro is already visiting investigators
with us.
Being in a trio, just like you said, Dad, has its ups and downs. I
get so frustrated sometimes, but I've learned a lot about patience.
It does add a lot of spontaneous fun and good conversation. And we
can easily go on splits with members.
Since Elder Haws is new, we got to go to the New Missionaries and
Trainers conference with President. I learned so much. We spent some
time practicing teaching and watched President participate. We were
all in awe as he taught the most powerful lesson we'd ever witnessed
(in a practice situation!). Then Elder Maurer asked me to teach about
the Book of Mormon in front of everyone. I started. President cut me
off 30 seconds in and just tore me apart. Then he smiled and said,
'again.' Haha I was so flustered, but I started again. He waited to
after I was finished and then he looked at everyone and said,
'Absolutamente perfecto.' Haha that really appealed to my pride.
Actually I really felt like a child for realizing how much I have to
improve. It was such a good conference.
Setting goals in the mission is really hard. The agency of other
people comes into play so often that it's hard to set the right goals.
I feel like a lot of our goals are blind. We need to do better to
follow the Spirit in everything we do. So much to do and so much to
learn. It's as hard as it is fulfilling. I guess that's how it
should be.
Well I hope everyone's doing great! If she hasn't already, Haley
should read 'Jesus: The Perfect Leader' by Spencer W. Kimball. It's
amazing. Sounds like she is doing so well. So I gotta go. Have an
awesome week! Share the gospel!
Love you all SO much,
Elder Austin Tyler
A family is baptized
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 2:42 PM
NOOOOO!
I just had half my email typed and the internet window closed. I lost
it all!!! Here goes again...
Okay, so I love Mondays! The weeks are flying by so fast and I'm
always so focused on all the stuff we need to do. Then Monday shows
up, we get on the bus to meet up with the zone in Reu and I
remember... I get to hear from my family today! And then I think
about how you guys are all hanging out together and living the good
life and having life changing experiences and all that and its just
soo cool! You guys all seem to have gotten way cooler in the past
year. Not that you weren't cool before, but everyone is just happier
and doing all sorts of fun stuff. I dunno. Right now I'm very happy.
We had an amazing week and we just ate a monstrous lunch. I feel
like I could sleep for a week and not eat until I wake up.
So the mission obviously has it's ups and downs. I've learned to not
let the downs pull me down, even though I may talk about them a lot in
my emails. The thing is that when I get talking about the week and
all that happened I get focused on that and kind of vent about it.
But in reality I'm never really depressed. I'm frustrated sometimes,
but I'm typically able to rise above it.
This week was nuts. We have two investigators named Pedro and Maria.
They are a family. They progressed very quickly and they were doing
great for awhile. Pedro quit smoking. They both read the Book of
Mormon and found out for themselves that it's true! Then they hit
some family problems. They're both very young. Pedro is 21. Maria
is 17. They have a 1 year old named Gilson. On Tuesday we put a
baptism date with them for yesterday. Everything was going great.
Elder Cortes, our District Leader interviewed them on Friday.
Saturday afternoon we showed up and found Maria with Gilson at home.
She informed us that she would unfortunately not be able to be
baptized because she was planning on moving out and leaving town early
the next morning. This was after we had started a fast to help things
go well with the baptism and everything. She didn't know where Pedro
was. We went to go look for him. As soon as we walked out of the
house he showed up and came inside with us. We sat down, sang a hymn,
prayed, shared some scriptures, talked about the importance of family
and the potential of marriage and then told some personal experiences,
bore testimony and talked with them. All the while we were praying in
our hearts. We left with a prayer. It was pouring when we left. We
got soaked. Just completely soaked.
We went back yesterday morning to accompany them to church. They live
about 20 minutes away on foot and the whole way there I had
butterflies in my stomache. I was so anxious. We didn't know if
Maria would be there. But we were praying and fasting. We showed up
and they were already ready for church. They got baptized! We
baptized a family! I can't even tell you how wonderful it was!
Champerico for a long time has been a punishment area where the elders
don't baptize and the members don't help out with much. But all of
that is starting to change. We completed our goal for the month!
That's a first for me! And I don't even know why. I felt spiritually
weak the past couple weeks and my faith was kind of up and down. But
the Lord blessed us tremendously. The mission was very successful
this month with 159 baptisms. 159! That's a record. And it's such a
small mission!
Pedro and Maria are still going to need help to remain faithful. This
area doesn't have a lot of baptisms, and when it does, the converts
quickly go inactive because of opposition. Please pray for them. The
work isn't done. But the biggest step of faith has been taken. I
know the Lord will bless them!
Mom, all you said last week about my patriarchal blessing got me
thinking a bit. I often feel like I'm not living up to my own
potential. I feel like I may be failing to reach the Lord's
expectations. I hear about missionaries who just work these areas
like crazy! They contact so much and teach so much! I don't know how
they do it. I understand that it has to do with both the elders in
the companionship being really motivated and focused (I can only
control half the companionship), but I feel like we can do more. I
feel so weak sometimes. Sometimes lazy, or distracted, discouraged,
uncreative, prideful, I dunno. But I think I'm improving. When I
think about the progress I've made in the mission, I feel like all
that I am now, I already was. But all that I'm finding in myself now
just sat unapplied and unused before. It was all supressed by other
things and I'm just now starting to use those things. It doesn't feel
new to me, but it certainly is a new me. I feel like I already had
the charisma, leadership, ability to comprehend the gospel, desire,
all that. But I never used any of it before like I do now. I don't
know how to describe it. What would I be like had I applied all that
before? Thank goodness for the mission.
Haley, it sounds like EFY was phenomenal and life-changing. I hope
you wrote all of it down in your journal. You'll want that during the
tough times that will come with the coming school year. Hang on to
what you learned! Apply it all and make habits out of it that you can
continue to apply! Make a plan to focus on those spiritual things!
Don't let the same thing happen where everyone lets go of EFY a month
after it happens. I was praying for you this week that you would have
an awesome experience. I hope you hang on to it!
Mom, sounds like it was a fun and kinda crazy trip. Thank you for
your advice. And thank you for sending all the stuffs. I love you!
Dad, sounds like it was a rough, lonely week. But at least you and
Ginger had some quality bonding time? I think about you a lot. I
wonder what you were like as a missionary. I want to know you and Mom
more, like what you guys were like before life with us wingnuts.
Aubrey! Thanks for your email. I loved the story you shared about
giving the primary boy the plant haha! The kids here probably
would've eaten it or thrown it at the wall! Haha such is life in the
Champerico branch.
Brock, how's life? I want to go on splits with you and teach some
people. How cool would that BE???
I love you guys so much!
I gotta write President. I loved the news and hope you guys have an
awesome week!
It's raining a lot :D Less heat.
Elder Austin Tyler
NOOOOO!
I just had half my email typed and the internet window closed. I lost
it all!!! Here goes again...
Okay, so I love Mondays! The weeks are flying by so fast and I'm
always so focused on all the stuff we need to do. Then Monday shows
up, we get on the bus to meet up with the zone in Reu and I
remember... I get to hear from my family today! And then I think
about how you guys are all hanging out together and living the good
life and having life changing experiences and all that and its just
soo cool! You guys all seem to have gotten way cooler in the past
year. Not that you weren't cool before, but everyone is just happier
and doing all sorts of fun stuff. I dunno. Right now I'm very happy.
We had an amazing week and we just ate a monstrous lunch. I feel
like I could sleep for a week and not eat until I wake up.
So the mission obviously has it's ups and downs. I've learned to not
let the downs pull me down, even though I may talk about them a lot in
my emails. The thing is that when I get talking about the week and
all that happened I get focused on that and kind of vent about it.
But in reality I'm never really depressed. I'm frustrated sometimes,
but I'm typically able to rise above it.
This week was nuts. We have two investigators named Pedro and Maria.
They are a family. They progressed very quickly and they were doing
great for awhile. Pedro quit smoking. They both read the Book of
Mormon and found out for themselves that it's true! Then they hit
some family problems. They're both very young. Pedro is 21. Maria
is 17. They have a 1 year old named Gilson. On Tuesday we put a
baptism date with them for yesterday. Everything was going great.
Elder Cortes, our District Leader interviewed them on Friday.
Saturday afternoon we showed up and found Maria with Gilson at home.
She informed us that she would unfortunately not be able to be
baptized because she was planning on moving out and leaving town early
the next morning. This was after we had started a fast to help things
go well with the baptism and everything. She didn't know where Pedro
was. We went to go look for him. As soon as we walked out of the
house he showed up and came inside with us. We sat down, sang a hymn,
prayed, shared some scriptures, talked about the importance of family
and the potential of marriage and then told some personal experiences,
bore testimony and talked with them. All the while we were praying in
our hearts. We left with a prayer. It was pouring when we left. We
got soaked. Just completely soaked.
We went back yesterday morning to accompany them to church. They live
about 20 minutes away on foot and the whole way there I had
butterflies in my stomache. I was so anxious. We didn't know if
Maria would be there. But we were praying and fasting. We showed up
and they were already ready for church. They got baptized! We
baptized a family! I can't even tell you how wonderful it was!
Champerico for a long time has been a punishment area where the elders
don't baptize and the members don't help out with much. But all of
that is starting to change. We completed our goal for the month!
That's a first for me! And I don't even know why. I felt spiritually
weak the past couple weeks and my faith was kind of up and down. But
the Lord blessed us tremendously. The mission was very successful
this month with 159 baptisms. 159! That's a record. And it's such a
small mission!
Pedro and Maria are still going to need help to remain faithful. This
area doesn't have a lot of baptisms, and when it does, the converts
quickly go inactive because of opposition. Please pray for them. The
work isn't done. But the biggest step of faith has been taken. I
know the Lord will bless them!
Mom, all you said last week about my patriarchal blessing got me
thinking a bit. I often feel like I'm not living up to my own
potential. I feel like I may be failing to reach the Lord's
expectations. I hear about missionaries who just work these areas
like crazy! They contact so much and teach so much! I don't know how
they do it. I understand that it has to do with both the elders in
the companionship being really motivated and focused (I can only
control half the companionship), but I feel like we can do more. I
feel so weak sometimes. Sometimes lazy, or distracted, discouraged,
uncreative, prideful, I dunno. But I think I'm improving. When I
think about the progress I've made in the mission, I feel like all
that I am now, I already was. But all that I'm finding in myself now
just sat unapplied and unused before. It was all supressed by other
things and I'm just now starting to use those things. It doesn't feel
new to me, but it certainly is a new me. I feel like I already had
the charisma, leadership, ability to comprehend the gospel, desire,
all that. But I never used any of it before like I do now. I don't
know how to describe it. What would I be like had I applied all that
before? Thank goodness for the mission.
Haley, it sounds like EFY was phenomenal and life-changing. I hope
you wrote all of it down in your journal. You'll want that during the
tough times that will come with the coming school year. Hang on to
what you learned! Apply it all and make habits out of it that you can
continue to apply! Make a plan to focus on those spiritual things!
Don't let the same thing happen where everyone lets go of EFY a month
after it happens. I was praying for you this week that you would have
an awesome experience. I hope you hang on to it!
Mom, sounds like it was a fun and kinda crazy trip. Thank you for
your advice. And thank you for sending all the stuffs. I love you!
Dad, sounds like it was a rough, lonely week. But at least you and
Ginger had some quality bonding time? I think about you a lot. I
wonder what you were like as a missionary. I want to know you and Mom
more, like what you guys were like before life with us wingnuts.
Aubrey! Thanks for your email. I loved the story you shared about
giving the primary boy the plant haha! The kids here probably
would've eaten it or thrown it at the wall! Haha such is life in the
Champerico branch.
Brock, how's life? I want to go on splits with you and teach some
people. How cool would that BE???
I love you guys so much!
I gotta write President. I loved the news and hope you guys have an
awesome week!
It's raining a lot :D Less heat.
Elder Austin Tyler
"Have you ever fought alongside Captain Moroni?"
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:16 AM
Hey!
So I have a lot more time today to write, I'm not going to worry about pictures until next week. So yeah, last week's P Day was soo much fun. The sunburn was brutal. Learned my lesson. Thermometer hit 120 on Friday ha! No rain. I don't care haha.
Thank you all so much for your emails. It's such a boost to be able to read a personal message from each member of my family to start the week. Such a blessing! Thank you for writing. Please tell Aunt Margaret thank you for her note. She cracks me up so much! Tell Her and Uncle Bert that I love them!
Brock, I will definitely be backpacking with you guys (and maybe joining some of those chanchos in the whole backcountry skiing thing). That sounds like so much fun! I'm glad work is going well. You and Aubrey are so cool. I'll have to read section 98 this week.
Haley, not bad with the Spanish! The google translator makes it a bit choppy, but I understood it! Sounds like lots of crazy weather. I've heard that working at Cinemark isn't the funnest thing in the world, but a job is important. Good luck with that ;) Thank you so much for the pictures of Jordan. I finally got his address, so I'll have to shoot him a letter or two (if I ever get the time). Elder Eckel is a district leader, has a native companion, and is still the funniest guy ever.
Mom, what you said about the whole drinking problem here is dead on. People get depressed, so they drink. They get bored and all their friends are drinking, so they drink. People get scared, so they drink. That's the only 'solution' they know, and so many of them end up living in the street. It's so sad. And scary too. I don't like talking to drunk people, I've said that before. But they're just so unpredictable and annoying and weird. Ugh.
Sounds like seminary will be quite the sacrifice. I never really appreciated the work my teachers put into seminary every morning. I was so ungrateful, but now I realize a little more fully the blessing it was to have teachers who gave so much for us. I feel like it would be discouraging to teach a bunch of immature, exhausted, ungrateful, and stuck up teenagers haha. But I know you'll be blessed so much, Mom. Keep that in mind! The blessings! You will be the master scriptorian of the family!
Things with my comp are good. We are so different and it's hard for me, but it's a blessing at the same time. I feel extremely blessed to have never had a companion that just doesn't care, but I've never really clicked with any of my companions. At the same time, however, I've learned so much from each of them. I can call each of them my friends. For that, I feel lucky and blessed.
Dad, thank you for that quote. I've got that motto pasted above my desk: Be the best you can be without trying to be better than others.
Sounds like things are kind of stressful with all the house stuff, but it'll all work out. Hermano Menchu is no longer interested. But we found a couple of families that seem very positive! And the members are getting involved. That's what President wants us to focus on. I realize that we're always so worried about getting in a bunch of contacts and lessons, yet we fail to really focus on the needs of the members. Missionaries come and go, but the members don't. They are the heart, the engine of the branch and the area. This area has had phenomenal missionaries in the past that worked hard and baptized, but the members still don't know how to work with us. That's been our focus. And it's helping a lot. I love the whole radio time idea. I tried to do that in Cuyotenango, but my companion didn't want to. And here in Champerico there's no radio station. Maybe I could suggest that to some leadership.
Transfers happened last week. I feel like this transfer is my last in Champe. We'll see.
We've had a lot of opposition in the area. A lot of pastors are teaching in their sermons that the Mormons worship the devil. They talk about how we get sealed in the temple and that sealing is a covenant with Satan and we get the number of the beast stamped on our heads. Hahaha a lot of people tell us that and laugh because they know it's absolutely ridiculous.
Cool story that President told us in a conference this week...
A stake president he knows was a missionary in Central America. He and his companion showed up to a family's house for a baptismal interview and sure enough, a pastor was waiting inside the house for the missionaries. This one elder always carried a Book of Mormon in his hand and he set it down on a table as they sat down to talk. The pastor picked it up and said, 'Oh, this book. Well, we know this is just a bunch of lies so I'm just gonna toss it here in the oven.' (the people had a brick oven close by). As the pastor stood up, the elder felt a strong sense of power and anger for the man's disrespect for something he loved so dearly (The Book of Mormon). He calmly rebuked the man, saying, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I say unto you that if you burn that book, you too, in a coming day will suffer death by fire.' The pastor set the book back down and didn't say anything else for the rest of the visit.
President's lesson was about the Book of Mormon, and then he did a second lesson about character and pure thoughts. He had a lot of thought provoking questions. He asked us if we really understand that book or the people who wrote it. He asked if we've ever sat down with Nephi and had an interview with him. Have we ever fought alongside Captain Moroni? Have we ever had a conversation with Alma? Have we truly meditated about who those men were and what they did?
It was a powerful lesson. He gave us a list of challenges that try to disprove the validity of the Book of Mormon. Then he gave a list of proofs. It was really interesting. He told us that it was by no means doctrine, and that the only way to gain a testimony is by reading and praying about it. But for those of us who already have that testimony, there's a lot to find to strengthen our faith.
Well, that's about it for this week. I always have so much to tell! I love you guys so much and hope you love the scriptures as much as I do. There's so much to learn and love about them! I am continually humbled by what I read. I feel so insignificant, but at the same time I know Heavenly Father loves me more than I can comprehend. I know it's all true. This is the Lord's work and it's spreading rapidly. And as President Packer said in conference, this is merely the beginning.
I love you guys, have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Hey!
So I have a lot more time today to write, I'm not going to worry about pictures until next week. So yeah, last week's P Day was soo much fun. The sunburn was brutal. Learned my lesson. Thermometer hit 120 on Friday ha! No rain. I don't care haha.
Thank you all so much for your emails. It's such a boost to be able to read a personal message from each member of my family to start the week. Such a blessing! Thank you for writing. Please tell Aunt Margaret thank you for her note. She cracks me up so much! Tell Her and Uncle Bert that I love them!
Brock, I will definitely be backpacking with you guys (and maybe joining some of those chanchos in the whole backcountry skiing thing). That sounds like so much fun! I'm glad work is going well. You and Aubrey are so cool. I'll have to read section 98 this week.
Haley, not bad with the Spanish! The google translator makes it a bit choppy, but I understood it! Sounds like lots of crazy weather. I've heard that working at Cinemark isn't the funnest thing in the world, but a job is important. Good luck with that ;) Thank you so much for the pictures of Jordan. I finally got his address, so I'll have to shoot him a letter or two (if I ever get the time). Elder Eckel is a district leader, has a native companion, and is still the funniest guy ever.
Mom, what you said about the whole drinking problem here is dead on. People get depressed, so they drink. They get bored and all their friends are drinking, so they drink. People get scared, so they drink. That's the only 'solution' they know, and so many of them end up living in the street. It's so sad. And scary too. I don't like talking to drunk people, I've said that before. But they're just so unpredictable and annoying and weird. Ugh.
Sounds like seminary will be quite the sacrifice. I never really appreciated the work my teachers put into seminary every morning. I was so ungrateful, but now I realize a little more fully the blessing it was to have teachers who gave so much for us. I feel like it would be discouraging to teach a bunch of immature, exhausted, ungrateful, and stuck up teenagers haha. But I know you'll be blessed so much, Mom. Keep that in mind! The blessings! You will be the master scriptorian of the family!
Things with my comp are good. We are so different and it's hard for me, but it's a blessing at the same time. I feel extremely blessed to have never had a companion that just doesn't care, but I've never really clicked with any of my companions. At the same time, however, I've learned so much from each of them. I can call each of them my friends. For that, I feel lucky and blessed.
Dad, thank you for that quote. I've got that motto pasted above my desk: Be the best you can be without trying to be better than others.
Sounds like things are kind of stressful with all the house stuff, but it'll all work out. Hermano Menchu is no longer interested. But we found a couple of families that seem very positive! And the members are getting involved. That's what President wants us to focus on. I realize that we're always so worried about getting in a bunch of contacts and lessons, yet we fail to really focus on the needs of the members. Missionaries come and go, but the members don't. They are the heart, the engine of the branch and the area. This area has had phenomenal missionaries in the past that worked hard and baptized, but the members still don't know how to work with us. That's been our focus. And it's helping a lot. I love the whole radio time idea. I tried to do that in Cuyotenango, but my companion didn't want to. And here in Champerico there's no radio station. Maybe I could suggest that to some leadership.
Transfers happened last week. I feel like this transfer is my last in Champe. We'll see.
We've had a lot of opposition in the area. A lot of pastors are teaching in their sermons that the Mormons worship the devil. They talk about how we get sealed in the temple and that sealing is a covenant with Satan and we get the number of the beast stamped on our heads. Hahaha a lot of people tell us that and laugh because they know it's absolutely ridiculous.
Cool story that President told us in a conference this week...
A stake president he knows was a missionary in Central America. He and his companion showed up to a family's house for a baptismal interview and sure enough, a pastor was waiting inside the house for the missionaries. This one elder always carried a Book of Mormon in his hand and he set it down on a table as they sat down to talk. The pastor picked it up and said, 'Oh, this book. Well, we know this is just a bunch of lies so I'm just gonna toss it here in the oven.' (the people had a brick oven close by). As the pastor stood up, the elder felt a strong sense of power and anger for the man's disrespect for something he loved so dearly (The Book of Mormon). He calmly rebuked the man, saying, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I say unto you that if you burn that book, you too, in a coming day will suffer death by fire.' The pastor set the book back down and didn't say anything else for the rest of the visit.
President's lesson was about the Book of Mormon, and then he did a second lesson about character and pure thoughts. He had a lot of thought provoking questions. He asked us if we really understand that book or the people who wrote it. He asked if we've ever sat down with Nephi and had an interview with him. Have we ever fought alongside Captain Moroni? Have we ever had a conversation with Alma? Have we truly meditated about who those men were and what they did?
It was a powerful lesson. He gave us a list of challenges that try to disprove the validity of the Book of Mormon. Then he gave a list of proofs. It was really interesting. He told us that it was by no means doctrine, and that the only way to gain a testimony is by reading and praying about it. But for those of us who already have that testimony, there's a lot to find to strengthen our faith.
Well, that's about it for this week. I always have so much to tell! I love you guys so much and hope you love the scriptures as much as I do. There's so much to learn and love about them! I am continually humbled by what I read. I feel so insignificant, but at the same time I know Heavenly Father loves me more than I can comprehend. I know it's all true. This is the Lord's work and it's spreading rapidly. And as President Packer said in conference, this is merely the beginning.
I love you guys, have an awesome week.
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
Short but sweet
Monday, June 06, 2011 5:30 PM
Hey!
Thank you all so much for the news and the emails. You guys are the
best. This week was interesting, and great. I mean every week is
good in its own way, but lots of cool stuff happened.
To start... questions yalls had. Hermana Maravilla (Mission President's wife) is okay. She is
recovering very quickly from her surgery.
Hermano Menchu didn't come to church this week, but another guy we
found that is starting to change his drinking habits did.
Dad, there isn't much of a language barrier with President. He talks
a little different because he's from Nicaragua, but I understand him.
Haley, go ahead and use the tshirt design.
And yes, we teach Sunday School to the young men and women every
Sunday. It's a tough time, but it's good. Teaching teenagers is hard
and annoying sometimes haha.
So today we went to the beach finally! We went as a zone and it was a
lot of fun. I got sunburnt even though it was cloudy. But it was soo
much fun and it wasn't burning hot!
I tried to upload photos and it ate up all my time and failed. Gosh
darn it. I'm sorry. Darn technology on the interwebnets.
President came down for the activity today and we cooked a big lunch
with him. He's so funny. He likes to cook (and eat). Dang, I really
got to go. I had so much to say! But this week was great and we're
working hard. I'm so sorry I can't write more. I love you guys so
much and stay safe!
Forgive me for the lack of news and stuff. I am so frustrated right
now. But I'd rather be frustrated than disobedient. I love you all.
Have an awesome week!
Elder Austin Tyler
Hey!
Thank you all so much for the news and the emails. You guys are the
best. This week was interesting, and great. I mean every week is
good in its own way, but lots of cool stuff happened.
To start... questions yalls had. Hermana Maravilla (Mission President's wife) is okay. She is
recovering very quickly from her surgery.
Hermano Menchu didn't come to church this week, but another guy we
found that is starting to change his drinking habits did.
Dad, there isn't much of a language barrier with President. He talks
a little different because he's from Nicaragua, but I understand him.
Haley, go ahead and use the tshirt design.
And yes, we teach Sunday School to the young men and women every
Sunday. It's a tough time, but it's good. Teaching teenagers is hard
and annoying sometimes haha.
So today we went to the beach finally! We went as a zone and it was a
lot of fun. I got sunburnt even though it was cloudy. But it was soo
much fun and it wasn't burning hot!
I tried to upload photos and it ate up all my time and failed. Gosh
darn it. I'm sorry. Darn technology on the interwebnets.
President came down for the activity today and we cooked a big lunch
with him. He's so funny. He likes to cook (and eat). Dang, I really
got to go. I had so much to say! But this week was great and we're
working hard. I'm so sorry I can't write more. I love you guys so
much and stay safe!
Forgive me for the lack of news and stuff. I am so frustrated right
now. But I'd rather be frustrated than disobedient. I love you all.
Have an awesome week!
Elder Austin Tyler
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