Hey how are things? I wish I could have heard from you guys this week...
Things have been really good this week. We were able to find three very promising new investigators. We also have a couple of return appointments with promising potentials this week. Our teaching pool is starting to look a lot better now. We saw several miracles this week and am very grateful for them. It's great to see your hard work start to pay off.
Hope to hear from you next week. It's hard to find the desire to write longer letters when I don't hear from you guys. Maybe you can try and write me on Sundays.
Love Elder Tilley
I promise I sent him a letter. I am not sure why he didn't get it, but I literally broke into tears when I read this. Luckily, as I have said before, there are some amazing women in the Ledgewood Ward looking out for Ryan, so I emailed them all and one of them responded telling me to send her the letter and she would print it out and take it to Ryan. So I was able to dry my tears and feel better knowing that Ryan did hear from us today! Thank You!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Learning Patience
What up Fam??
My letter this week is going to be a little short, due to the fact that we had to practice singing for our Christmas missionary fireside for like three hours. My throat is killing me and I don't think I ever want to sing again. Hopefully it was worth it and we sound half-way decent.
This week has been really tough and I have fought some serious internal battles with discouragement. With the weather becoming colder and the sun going down sooner, knocking doors just isn't very effective. We are desperately seeking for new people to teach. When we do find people willing to listen, our return appointments with them fall through every time. Times often get really tough before the miracles happen so we just keep working hard and hoping for better days. I've thought a lot about finding prepared people and I know that they are placed in our paths, we just have to recognize them. This week my companion and I are really going to focus on gathering the elect. We've come up with a few new approaches to our contacting and teaching, so hopefully things will start to look up. As a missionary you ride an emotional roller-coaster. Its never fun when things don't work out like you'd like them to, but that's just how life is I guess.
The Book of Mormon has so much power within it. The Lord has said that it's purpose is to gather the elect. As we use the Book of Mormon more effectively I know that we will find those who are prepared. There are people out there who are ready to be baptized tomorrow. All they need is to just read from this divine book, and they would practically jump in the water. There are people like that out there, you just have to find them.
I know that there are very bright days ahead and this is just a growing experience. Patience is key in times like these. President Uchtdorf, (I may have butchered his name) has said that "Patience is a process of perfection... [It] is abiding in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting, rather than the receiving, in which we grow the most." We are all in a process of perfection when faced with trials. If handled correctly, relying on the Lord for help, trials bring us another step closer to that ultimate goal of becoming like our Father in Heaven. So you go through some growing pains. In the end it is more than worth it. Every single one of us fought for the opportunity to come to this earth and be tried and tested. Who are we to complain?
Anyway, I don't mean to sound as if things are terrible right now. Overall things are good. I've never been closer to the Lord in all of my life. My health is great. I have all my basic needs provided for me, and I have the opportunity to serve the Lord full time. I am careful to never be ungrateful. I know that the Lord has blessed me beyond measure and in so many ways. I love you and am grateful for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I could not do this without it.
Love Elder Tilley
My letter this week is going to be a little short, due to the fact that we had to practice singing for our Christmas missionary fireside for like three hours. My throat is killing me and I don't think I ever want to sing again. Hopefully it was worth it and we sound half-way decent.
This week has been really tough and I have fought some serious internal battles with discouragement. With the weather becoming colder and the sun going down sooner, knocking doors just isn't very effective. We are desperately seeking for new people to teach. When we do find people willing to listen, our return appointments with them fall through every time. Times often get really tough before the miracles happen so we just keep working hard and hoping for better days. I've thought a lot about finding prepared people and I know that they are placed in our paths, we just have to recognize them. This week my companion and I are really going to focus on gathering the elect. We've come up with a few new approaches to our contacting and teaching, so hopefully things will start to look up. As a missionary you ride an emotional roller-coaster. Its never fun when things don't work out like you'd like them to, but that's just how life is I guess.
The Book of Mormon has so much power within it. The Lord has said that it's purpose is to gather the elect. As we use the Book of Mormon more effectively I know that we will find those who are prepared. There are people out there who are ready to be baptized tomorrow. All they need is to just read from this divine book, and they would practically jump in the water. There are people like that out there, you just have to find them.
I know that there are very bright days ahead and this is just a growing experience. Patience is key in times like these. President Uchtdorf, (I may have butchered his name) has said that "Patience is a process of perfection... [It] is abiding in faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting, rather than the receiving, in which we grow the most." We are all in a process of perfection when faced with trials. If handled correctly, relying on the Lord for help, trials bring us another step closer to that ultimate goal of becoming like our Father in Heaven. So you go through some growing pains. In the end it is more than worth it. Every single one of us fought for the opportunity to come to this earth and be tried and tested. Who are we to complain?
Anyway, I don't mean to sound as if things are terrible right now. Overall things are good. I've never been closer to the Lord in all of my life. My health is great. I have all my basic needs provided for me, and I have the opportunity to serve the Lord full time. I am careful to never be ungrateful. I know that the Lord has blessed me beyond measure and in so many ways. I love you and am grateful for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I could not do this without it.
Love Elder Tilley
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Haircut
Hey Family
OK so I have to start off by telling a very funny story about something that happened to me this morning. Every so often, just as everyone else in the world, missionaries require a haircut. Because we are limited financially, most missionaries just cut their own hair. No big deal, we're not really trying to impress anyone, so we try our best to look somewhat acceptable. This morning it was about that time for me to give myself a haircut. I usually just use a 6 all around and have one of the elders line me up and I'm good to go. It's usually a pretty easy process. This morning, however, I FAILED MISERABLY. As Elder Hannah was cleaning off the razor, I handed him the attachment and went in the other room to grab something real quick. When I came back and sat down to start cutting my hair I automatically assumed he put it on for me. When I looked in the mirror after one long stroke across the middle of my dome, I was surprised to see the skin of my head instead of a streak of trimmed hair. Long story short, I had to pretty much shave my head bald. I look pretty ridiculous right now, but it has been such a good laugh. I'm actually kind of surprised at how well I'm taking it. There's not much I can do about it, it's just hair and will grow back. Elder Hannah watched me take that first chunk of hair off and the expression on his face was priceless. It looked kind of like I had a racing stripe across my head. We had a lot of fun shaving the rest off. We experimented with a lot of crazy looks.
Other than making a complete fool of myself, things are great. I went on two exchanges this week which is always fun. On Tuesday Elder Hannah and I were together and we had a lot of fun. We get along really well. We were able to teach Robert, who is Sister Little's son, and we had an amazing lesson with him. After we talked about Joseph Smith's first vision he said, "that's real strong". We like to quote it a lot. The way he said it was really funny... you probably just had to be there I guess. He really enjoyed church and loved how family oriented it is. He also loved the feeling he had there and how kind everyone is. Another awesome thing that happened this week was seeing Maria's husbands heart softened. Maria is a recent convert and was baptized about a month or two before I got here. Her husband has always been very contentious whenever we are there, but we've had him sit down and talk with us the last few times we have been there and his attitude towards us has improved each time. Yesterday, the Gibsons, who are amazing members in our ward, went over and talked with them for an hour and a half. Afterwards, she called us and told us that Pedro (Maria's husband) wanted us to teach him, and that he was interested in coming to church. Hopefully things continue to move in the right direction with him. We're still hoping that David and Yohan will get permission to be baptized, but right now it doesn't look to good. Rob is doing amazing and really progressing.
With Thanksgiving being the focus of the month, I've tried really hard to be extra grateful and to make sure that I have an "attitude of gratitude". As a missionary there are so many things to be grateful for. The opportunity to serve a mission is itself something that I am so grateful for. I'm grateful for the strength and the guidance that my Heavenly Father gives me each day. I am grateful for the amazing ward that I am able to serve in, and for our members who never cease to amaze me. I am grateful for the miracles that I am able to witness each and every day. I am grateful for my Mission President and his wife who are so inspired. I am so grateful for this gospel and for it always being a part of my life. Most of all I am grateful for my family, for the support they give me, for their awesome example to me, and for the love I feel from them. I am grateful for all who have played a role in my life and for the difference it has made for me. I love you all so very much.
Love, Elder Tilley
OK so I have to start off by telling a very funny story about something that happened to me this morning. Every so often, just as everyone else in the world, missionaries require a haircut. Because we are limited financially, most missionaries just cut their own hair. No big deal, we're not really trying to impress anyone, so we try our best to look somewhat acceptable. This morning it was about that time for me to give myself a haircut. I usually just use a 6 all around and have one of the elders line me up and I'm good to go. It's usually a pretty easy process. This morning, however, I FAILED MISERABLY. As Elder Hannah was cleaning off the razor, I handed him the attachment and went in the other room to grab something real quick. When I came back and sat down to start cutting my hair I automatically assumed he put it on for me. When I looked in the mirror after one long stroke across the middle of my dome, I was surprised to see the skin of my head instead of a streak of trimmed hair. Long story short, I had to pretty much shave my head bald. I look pretty ridiculous right now, but it has been such a good laugh. I'm actually kind of surprised at how well I'm taking it. There's not much I can do about it, it's just hair and will grow back. Elder Hannah watched me take that first chunk of hair off and the expression on his face was priceless. It looked kind of like I had a racing stripe across my head. We had a lot of fun shaving the rest off. We experimented with a lot of crazy looks.
Other than making a complete fool of myself, things are great. I went on two exchanges this week which is always fun. On Tuesday Elder Hannah and I were together and we had a lot of fun. We get along really well. We were able to teach Robert, who is Sister Little's son, and we had an amazing lesson with him. After we talked about Joseph Smith's first vision he said, "that's real strong". We like to quote it a lot. The way he said it was really funny... you probably just had to be there I guess. He really enjoyed church and loved how family oriented it is. He also loved the feeling he had there and how kind everyone is. Another awesome thing that happened this week was seeing Maria's husbands heart softened. Maria is a recent convert and was baptized about a month or two before I got here. Her husband has always been very contentious whenever we are there, but we've had him sit down and talk with us the last few times we have been there and his attitude towards us has improved each time. Yesterday, the Gibsons, who are amazing members in our ward, went over and talked with them for an hour and a half. Afterwards, she called us and told us that Pedro (Maria's husband) wanted us to teach him, and that he was interested in coming to church. Hopefully things continue to move in the right direction with him. We're still hoping that David and Yohan will get permission to be baptized, but right now it doesn't look to good. Rob is doing amazing and really progressing.
With Thanksgiving being the focus of the month, I've tried really hard to be extra grateful and to make sure that I have an "attitude of gratitude". As a missionary there are so many things to be grateful for. The opportunity to serve a mission is itself something that I am so grateful for. I'm grateful for the strength and the guidance that my Heavenly Father gives me each day. I am grateful for the amazing ward that I am able to serve in, and for our members who never cease to amaze me. I am grateful for the miracles that I am able to witness each and every day. I am grateful for my Mission President and his wife who are so inspired. I am so grateful for this gospel and for it always being a part of my life. Most of all I am grateful for my family, for the support they give me, for their awesome example to me, and for the love I feel from them. I am grateful for all who have played a role in my life and for the difference it has made for me. I love you all so very much.
Love, Elder Tilley
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Member Missionary Work
Hello Fam
Thanks for the letter I really appreciate it. Yeah I did get the tick out, and I took some pills for a few days that prevent Lymes disease. We'll see what happens I guess.
Things are going well, just getting used to having a new companion. I will say that we have taught some amazing lessons this week. Last Monday we taught Rob again and it went extremely well. It was without a doubt the strongest I have felt the spirit since I have been a missionary. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. Just thinking about the experience, even a week later, brings tears to my eyes. That's one thing that I have grown to love about Elder Althouse. He has one of the sweetest, most powerful testimonies I've ever heard. After the lesson he told me that when he was set apart as a missionary he was promised that there would be times on his mission where he would feel the presence of Christ in the room. I am convinced that that was one such occasion. It was an experience I will never forget. We set Rob with a date on the 20th of November, but he was really worried about getting permission from his mom. We called him later and he told us that as soon as he finishes his Catholic Conformation he can get baptized. He won't be finished with that until late January so I probably won't be here for it. I'm just glad that he will eventually be able to be baptized, so I can't complain.
We also set Yohan with a baptismal date, and reset David with one. They too are held back by their mothers not giving permission. It's strange enough to be teaching three teenage boys who want to be baptized, but even stranger that they all have the same obstacle blocking that narrow gateway which is baptism. It's very frustrating when you have to deal with these circumstances, but three of them is extremely trying.
As I think I've mentioned before, we have struggled with finding new investigators. On Sunday we were blessed with new people to teach. Sister Little's daughter, son and daughter's boyfriend came to church. Apparently the Bishop helped them out with something and so they promised to come to church. We were also able to talk to one of our member's boyfriend, and invite him to play basketball with us on Wednesday. Hopefully this will lead to us teaching him. In all of these instances, members have been the reason for them happening. Once again I am reminded of how important members are to missionary work. I just read a talk by Spencer W. Kimball this week that talked about this. When members find us someone to teach, that person already has a support system. They have a perfect example of how the Gospel blesses families as well as individuals. Investigators need a friend who can show them how living the Gospel brings happiness. Everyone faces some sort of challenge, obstacle or concern when learning about the church. The greatest factor in them sticking with it, is the members who are there to lift them up and love them. I love it when I see our members fellowshipping our investigators. And for recent converts, it's a great feeling knowing that they will always have a family, because the ward can fill that role. I love witnessing the change of heart in so many people's lives. It's the greatest part of being a missionary. I love you all as well. Know that I think about you and pray for you often.
Love Elder Tilley
Thanks for the letter I really appreciate it. Yeah I did get the tick out, and I took some pills for a few days that prevent Lymes disease. We'll see what happens I guess.
Things are going well, just getting used to having a new companion. I will say that we have taught some amazing lessons this week. Last Monday we taught Rob again and it went extremely well. It was without a doubt the strongest I have felt the spirit since I have been a missionary. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. Just thinking about the experience, even a week later, brings tears to my eyes. That's one thing that I have grown to love about Elder Althouse. He has one of the sweetest, most powerful testimonies I've ever heard. After the lesson he told me that when he was set apart as a missionary he was promised that there would be times on his mission where he would feel the presence of Christ in the room. I am convinced that that was one such occasion. It was an experience I will never forget. We set Rob with a date on the 20th of November, but he was really worried about getting permission from his mom. We called him later and he told us that as soon as he finishes his Catholic Conformation he can get baptized. He won't be finished with that until late January so I probably won't be here for it. I'm just glad that he will eventually be able to be baptized, so I can't complain.
We also set Yohan with a baptismal date, and reset David with one. They too are held back by their mothers not giving permission. It's strange enough to be teaching three teenage boys who want to be baptized, but even stranger that they all have the same obstacle blocking that narrow gateway which is baptism. It's very frustrating when you have to deal with these circumstances, but three of them is extremely trying.
As I think I've mentioned before, we have struggled with finding new investigators. On Sunday we were blessed with new people to teach. Sister Little's daughter, son and daughter's boyfriend came to church. Apparently the Bishop helped them out with something and so they promised to come to church. We were also able to talk to one of our member's boyfriend, and invite him to play basketball with us on Wednesday. Hopefully this will lead to us teaching him. In all of these instances, members have been the reason for them happening. Once again I am reminded of how important members are to missionary work. I just read a talk by Spencer W. Kimball this week that talked about this. When members find us someone to teach, that person already has a support system. They have a perfect example of how the Gospel blesses families as well as individuals. Investigators need a friend who can show them how living the Gospel brings happiness. Everyone faces some sort of challenge, obstacle or concern when learning about the church. The greatest factor in them sticking with it, is the members who are there to lift them up and love them. I love it when I see our members fellowshipping our investigators. And for recent converts, it's a great feeling knowing that they will always have a family, because the ward can fill that role. I love witnessing the change of heart in so many people's lives. It's the greatest part of being a missionary. I love you all as well. Know that I think about you and pray for you often.
Love Elder Tilley
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
New Companion
Whats up family??
This has been an interesting week since I have a new companion (Elder Althouse) and a new zoneleader (Elder Christopher) living with us. It was very hard at first because I love Elder Larsen and Elder Taylor a lot. I didn't even realize it all that much until they were gone. The feeling in the apartment isn't the same and I didn't like it at first, but am starting to get used to it. I know it will take a little time but I will learn to love these missionaries as well.
Elder Althouse was serving in Newark before now. I don't think I ever told this story because I didn't want to worry you, but he was one of the Elders who got mugged in Newark. He was hit across the head with a lead pipe and had all his stuff stolen. He has like 6 staples in the back of his head and lost 20% of his hearing in one ear. His companion got pretty beat up too, and had to have a plastic surgeon fix his lip which was busted completely open. The Bloods protect the missionaries in the city, so for the next couple of weeks after that happened Red Dawg (their leader) had some of his gang members follow the missionaries all day for protection. We're pretty sure the kids who attacked he and his companion are dead now. No this is not a joke. I'm not exactly sure why the protect us, but I think it's because some missionary taught Red Dawg once upon a time. They call us the God Squad.
Anyway, just thought I would leave you with that fun fact about my companion. He talks too much (especially in the morning), but I can already see that I will learn many things from him. Elder Christopher is a convert to the church and used to be Jewish. I think he was only a member for a year before his mission, but he is an amazing missionary. We just got a new Assistant and everyone thought it was going to be either him or Elder Taylor (my former zone leader). It ended up being Elder Litzenberger, who was my zone leader with Elder Taylor my first transfer.
Things are going well with the work here, it's been hard to find new investigators lately but we keep working hard looking for prepared people. It's weird being the one in the companionship who knows everything about the area.
Oh by the way, I got a tick raking leaves the other day. I didn't think it was a big deal, but apparently it is. Everyone is freaking out about how I could get Lymes disease (I don't know if that's how it's spelled). I guess only time will tell. I love you all so very much.
Love Elder Tilley
- Poor Ryan, it really isn't his fault. His lack of desire to hear people talking early in the morning in an inherited trait. He is a Johnson after all and we are not morning people. He got it from me, and I got it from my Dad. Not really sure who my Dad got it from. Maybe this companionship will help him get over that! :)
This has been an interesting week since I have a new companion (Elder Althouse) and a new zoneleader (Elder Christopher) living with us. It was very hard at first because I love Elder Larsen and Elder Taylor a lot. I didn't even realize it all that much until they were gone. The feeling in the apartment isn't the same and I didn't like it at first, but am starting to get used to it. I know it will take a little time but I will learn to love these missionaries as well.
Elder Althouse was serving in Newark before now. I don't think I ever told this story because I didn't want to worry you, but he was one of the Elders who got mugged in Newark. He was hit across the head with a lead pipe and had all his stuff stolen. He has like 6 staples in the back of his head and lost 20% of his hearing in one ear. His companion got pretty beat up too, and had to have a plastic surgeon fix his lip which was busted completely open. The Bloods protect the missionaries in the city, so for the next couple of weeks after that happened Red Dawg (their leader) had some of his gang members follow the missionaries all day for protection. We're pretty sure the kids who attacked he and his companion are dead now. No this is not a joke. I'm not exactly sure why the protect us, but I think it's because some missionary taught Red Dawg once upon a time. They call us the God Squad.
Anyway, just thought I would leave you with that fun fact about my companion. He talks too much (especially in the morning), but I can already see that I will learn many things from him. Elder Christopher is a convert to the church and used to be Jewish. I think he was only a member for a year before his mission, but he is an amazing missionary. We just got a new Assistant and everyone thought it was going to be either him or Elder Taylor (my former zone leader). It ended up being Elder Litzenberger, who was my zone leader with Elder Taylor my first transfer.
Things are going well with the work here, it's been hard to find new investigators lately but we keep working hard looking for prepared people. It's weird being the one in the companionship who knows everything about the area.
Oh by the way, I got a tick raking leaves the other day. I didn't think it was a big deal, but apparently it is. Everyone is freaking out about how I could get Lymes disease (I don't know if that's how it's spelled). I guess only time will tell. I love you all so very much.
Love Elder Tilley
- Poor Ryan, it really isn't his fault. His lack of desire to hear people talking early in the morning in an inherited trait. He is a Johnson after all and we are not morning people. He got it from me, and I got it from my Dad. Not really sure who my Dad got it from. Maybe this companionship will help him get over that! :)
Monday, November 1, 2010
I Wonder if They Know
This has been an amazing week. I received several emails and a phone call from members of the Ledgewood Ward where Ryan is serving. They just wanted to let me know that Ryan was doing good, that he was healthy and happy, and that they loved having him in their homes.
- I wonder if they know how much it meant to me
I wonder if they know that it made my day
I wonder if they know that it brought a tear to my eye
I wonder if they know I had a smile from ear to ear for the rest of the day
I wonder if they know how grateful I am
The best part was that one of them sent me this picture. This is the first picture I have seen of Ryan's mission. I can't get him to send me any!
So to the women of the Ledgewood Ward who have taken their time to get in touch with me, I say Thank-You. And to anyone reading this that has contact with the missionaries in any way, I say please take the time to get an email address or a phone number and let their parents know that their boys are healthy, happy and doing a good job. It will mean more to them than you will ever know.
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