I received a letter in the mail from Ryan's Mission President today. It included his current address so I updated it above. Thanks for sending him letters, I know he appreciates it.
Elder Ryan Tilley
200-2 Hallock
Middlesex, NJ 08846
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Transferred
It has been two Mondays since I received a letter from Ryan and I finally got one today. Don't these boys know they can't do that to their mothers?
Dear Family,
So I want to start off by apologizing for not writing for so long.
Sorry... I just didn't feel like talking to you guys... haha just kidding! There have been some recent changes for me which hopefully will explain why I haven't written. So transfers were two Mondays ago and I thought nothing of it. One transfer in an area, first transfer as a district leader, and having LOTS of success. I told everyone there was no way I was leaving. By now I'm sure you've guessed that I was indeed transferred. President Bahr called me Sunday night and told me I was being dropped as a District Leader and being transferred.
When I heard those words my heart stopped. I couldn't believe it. I tried to think of what I had done wrong but nothing came to mind.
Then the unexpected became even more unexpected, when he told me that I was being assigned as a Zone Leader. I almost wet myself. It's now about a week and a half later, but at first I was really upset. I LOVED Paterson.
I felt cheated because I only got to be there for one transfer. When I arrived there were no investigators. Six weeks later we had six people ready to be baptized. The last day of the transfer we taught a lady for the first time who we invited to be baptized and enthusiastically accepted. It was such an amazing miracle.
Everything was perfect. I can honestly say I gave everything I had to Paterson. I loved the members and gained some incredible friendships. All of this was done in such a short amount of time, and I thought I had so much more to look forward to. I was devastated that I wouldn't be able to see the fruits of my labors. I wouldn't be able to do the one thing I desired most in my time there. Baptize. It's so frustrating being transferred twice in a row just as you were about to baptize multiple people. Leaving Ledgewood wasn't too bad because I was there for so long. My time was spent. Anything I didn't accomplish there was on me. I felt like there was so much more I could have done in Paterson. I felt like I had unfinished business.
I didn't sleep at all that night or the next. It was really hard for me to say goodbye. Obviously life goes on, and I guess the Lord needs me elsewhere. It's still hard for me to see exactly why this happened. I always try to determine the why in things. I still haven't quite figured out why I'm here (Scotch Plains) but I know I will eventually.
It still hasn't quite sunk in all the way that I'm a Zone Leader. I'm not sure who I'm fooling. Elder Roper who I lived with in Paterson and my trainer Elder Larson were both called as ZL's in their 6th transfer. It was good to talk to both of them and get advice. I have to go to meetings a lot more often now, and I have to deal with all the problems dumb missionaries cause. There has been nothing but drama since I've gotten here. So yeah, I'm basically a glorified baby-sitter.
I don't want to sound as if I'm unhappy with this new assignment, I'm actually grateful for it. Being called as a leader, especially a zone leader, doesn't necessarily mean you're a great missionary. What it does mean, is that President Bahr has complete trust in you. I am so grateful to have gained his trust. I have a great opportunity to learn even more. When you're a ZL you are able to really see for the first time the whole picture. There is so much that goes into missionary work and I have the chance to help it on a little bit of a larger scale. I hope you will all pray for me and this new calling I have. I love you all so very much!
Love Elder Tilley
P.S. my new companion is Elder Brickey. He went to Orem High with me.
Crazy right??
P.P.S. so I guess the reason I haven't written you yet is because I was busy packing one week, and the other I was dealing with shenanigans.
Dear Family,
So I want to start off by apologizing for not writing for so long.
Sorry... I just didn't feel like talking to you guys... haha just kidding! There have been some recent changes for me which hopefully will explain why I haven't written. So transfers were two Mondays ago and I thought nothing of it. One transfer in an area, first transfer as a district leader, and having LOTS of success. I told everyone there was no way I was leaving. By now I'm sure you've guessed that I was indeed transferred. President Bahr called me Sunday night and told me I was being dropped as a District Leader and being transferred.
When I heard those words my heart stopped. I couldn't believe it. I tried to think of what I had done wrong but nothing came to mind.
Then the unexpected became even more unexpected, when he told me that I was being assigned as a Zone Leader. I almost wet myself. It's now about a week and a half later, but at first I was really upset. I LOVED Paterson.
I felt cheated because I only got to be there for one transfer. When I arrived there were no investigators. Six weeks later we had six people ready to be baptized. The last day of the transfer we taught a lady for the first time who we invited to be baptized and enthusiastically accepted. It was such an amazing miracle.
Everything was perfect. I can honestly say I gave everything I had to Paterson. I loved the members and gained some incredible friendships. All of this was done in such a short amount of time, and I thought I had so much more to look forward to. I was devastated that I wouldn't be able to see the fruits of my labors. I wouldn't be able to do the one thing I desired most in my time there. Baptize. It's so frustrating being transferred twice in a row just as you were about to baptize multiple people. Leaving Ledgewood wasn't too bad because I was there for so long. My time was spent. Anything I didn't accomplish there was on me. I felt like there was so much more I could have done in Paterson. I felt like I had unfinished business.
I didn't sleep at all that night or the next. It was really hard for me to say goodbye. Obviously life goes on, and I guess the Lord needs me elsewhere. It's still hard for me to see exactly why this happened. I always try to determine the why in things. I still haven't quite figured out why I'm here (Scotch Plains) but I know I will eventually.
It still hasn't quite sunk in all the way that I'm a Zone Leader. I'm not sure who I'm fooling. Elder Roper who I lived with in Paterson and my trainer Elder Larson were both called as ZL's in their 6th transfer. It was good to talk to both of them and get advice. I have to go to meetings a lot more often now, and I have to deal with all the problems dumb missionaries cause. There has been nothing but drama since I've gotten here. So yeah, I'm basically a glorified baby-sitter.
I don't want to sound as if I'm unhappy with this new assignment, I'm actually grateful for it. Being called as a leader, especially a zone leader, doesn't necessarily mean you're a great missionary. What it does mean, is that President Bahr has complete trust in you. I am so grateful to have gained his trust. I have a great opportunity to learn even more. When you're a ZL you are able to really see for the first time the whole picture. There is so much that goes into missionary work and I have the chance to help it on a little bit of a larger scale. I hope you will all pray for me and this new calling I have. I love you all so very much!
Love Elder Tilley
P.S. my new companion is Elder Brickey. He went to Orem High with me.
Crazy right??
P.P.S. so I guess the reason I haven't written you yet is because I was busy packing one week, and the other I was dealing with shenanigans.
Once again he did not give me his new address. I will try to track it down and post it soon, I know he loves to get letters.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Wrong Address
Ryan gave me the wrong mailing address, so if you have sent him something recently you may be getting it back. Sorry! I have changed the address above so double check what you have for him. The address in Parssippany is the Mission Home, you can always send mail there and they will get it to him.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Happiness
Dear Family,
This week has been amazing! I was able to attend Leadership training, which was pretty much all day Thursday and Friday. I learned SO much there. I am really trying hard to apply what I have learned so that I can be a better missionary. Yesterday was definitely the high-light of the week. We were very blessed to have a member come out with us pretty much all day. While he was with us we found three new investigators and set two people with baptismal dates. It was amazing! This week we set a total of three people with baptismal dates.
On Tuesday I was on an exchange with one of my zone leaders (E. Walch) and we visited Jean and her 11 yr. old son Jeremy. My companion and I had prayed and decided to invite her to be baptized on the 23. I was so excited to invite her to be baptized, however, as soon as we sat down to teach her she quickly exclaimed "I've been thinking, and I really want to be baptized on January 23!" It was so cool! She even felt so bad that she missed church because she accidentally over-slept, that she went to another ward that started later. She's awesome, and definitely a little crazy. She talks and talks and talks. Sometimes she tells us a little too much. We love her though, and are so happy for her. Jean has loved everything about our church from the beginning and has learned so much. We visited them both several times this week, because there is still a lot for them to learn. We've also taught this 17 yr. old girl named Alicia a couple of times, and she also agreed to be baptized, on February 6. She still has a lot to learn as well, and I foresee some concerns that will be uncovered when we teach the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. If she really is serious about it like she says she is, then she will do what's right.
I hope to always have an opportunity to serve the Lord. I LOVE IT! Missionary work is such an incredible thing to be a part of. Who doesn't want to be happy? Who doesn't want to share that happiness with others? Who doesn't like being given blessings so great they can barely receive them? The answer to those questions is no one, at least it should be. If only everyone could understand that anyone can be blessed and live a happy life. If only every missionary could understand that they can be blessed and be a happy missionary. It makes me sad to see missionaries who don't quite get it. I hope and pray every day that eventually they will. Everyone is looking for happiness. Some are deceived and pursue things which only give temporary pleasure. For some it is not so easy to find happiness, even when it is right in front of their face. For some that happiness which they once had is lost. As a missionary I have watched wonderful families who have the incredible blessings of the Gospel in their lives crumble and fall apart right before my eyes, because of selfish decisions made by a parent, made with little thought of the consequences. We are working with one such family right now. Their family has been torn apart and teeters on the edge of destruction, and each and every one of the children is suffering because of the parents. It's such a difficult thing to witness.
Although I have seen terrible things like this happen, I have also seen miracles. I have watched people who have been lost their whole lives, looking for truth and guidance, finally find it. I have witnessed the Atonement take place in the lives of those who find the Gospel and decide to live it. I have seen people overcome all odds and enter into the waters of baptism with little or no support from family. Who could not love being a missionary? I know where true happiness is found, and I am able to share that with others each and every day.
Love Elder Tilley
This week has been amazing! I was able to attend Leadership training, which was pretty much all day Thursday and Friday. I learned SO much there. I am really trying hard to apply what I have learned so that I can be a better missionary. Yesterday was definitely the high-light of the week. We were very blessed to have a member come out with us pretty much all day. While he was with us we found three new investigators and set two people with baptismal dates. It was amazing! This week we set a total of three people with baptismal dates.
On Tuesday I was on an exchange with one of my zone leaders (E. Walch) and we visited Jean and her 11 yr. old son Jeremy. My companion and I had prayed and decided to invite her to be baptized on the 23. I was so excited to invite her to be baptized, however, as soon as we sat down to teach her she quickly exclaimed "I've been thinking, and I really want to be baptized on January 23!" It was so cool! She even felt so bad that she missed church because she accidentally over-slept, that she went to another ward that started later. She's awesome, and definitely a little crazy. She talks and talks and talks. Sometimes she tells us a little too much. We love her though, and are so happy for her. Jean has loved everything about our church from the beginning and has learned so much. We visited them both several times this week, because there is still a lot for them to learn. We've also taught this 17 yr. old girl named Alicia a couple of times, and she also agreed to be baptized, on February 6. She still has a lot to learn as well, and I foresee some concerns that will be uncovered when we teach the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. If she really is serious about it like she says she is, then she will do what's right.
I hope to always have an opportunity to serve the Lord. I LOVE IT! Missionary work is such an incredible thing to be a part of. Who doesn't want to be happy? Who doesn't want to share that happiness with others? Who doesn't like being given blessings so great they can barely receive them? The answer to those questions is no one, at least it should be. If only everyone could understand that anyone can be blessed and live a happy life. If only every missionary could understand that they can be blessed and be a happy missionary. It makes me sad to see missionaries who don't quite get it. I hope and pray every day that eventually they will. Everyone is looking for happiness. Some are deceived and pursue things which only give temporary pleasure. For some it is not so easy to find happiness, even when it is right in front of their face. For some that happiness which they once had is lost. As a missionary I have watched wonderful families who have the incredible blessings of the Gospel in their lives crumble and fall apart right before my eyes, because of selfish decisions made by a parent, made with little thought of the consequences. We are working with one such family right now. Their family has been torn apart and teeters on the edge of destruction, and each and every one of the children is suffering because of the parents. It's such a difficult thing to witness.
Although I have seen terrible things like this happen, I have also seen miracles. I have watched people who have been lost their whole lives, looking for truth and guidance, finally find it. I have witnessed the Atonement take place in the lives of those who find the Gospel and decide to live it. I have seen people overcome all odds and enter into the waters of baptism with little or no support from family. Who could not love being a missionary? I know where true happiness is found, and I am able to share that with others each and every day.
Love Elder Tilley
Monday, January 3, 2011
Member Support
Dear Family
It's great to hear from you! This week has been pretty incredible as we've begun to see some of our hard work pay off. The first three weeks of the transfer were really tough but the area is getting a lot better. It takes only a couple of weeks to destroy an area, but it takes about two months to fix it. That's what Pres. Bahr says anyway. It's good to see that success is coming a lot quicker than that.
This week the district leaders had the privilege of attending Zone Leader Council. I learned many great things there and only wish the meeting would have been held before I was called as a district leader. Being very young in comparison to everyone else there I took the opportunity to observe others and to learn from them. As I sat with the leaders in our mission and listened to their comments and looked around the room, I couldn't help but feel the spirit strongly confirm that I was sitting with the future leaders of our church. It really is such an incredible thing. As I looked around I noticed that everyone I lived with my first transfer was there. In total six elders that either lived in my apartment complex or served in the same ward that I did my first transfer were there. One is an assistant, three are zone leaders, and one was just released as a zone leader and is serving as a district leader. I am so grateful for their example. I have been so blessed to serve around the best missionaries in the mission. I know it has helped me grow as a young missionary. I feel bad for missionaries who come into the mission and are immediately surrounded by disobedience. Not everyone is as lucky as I was. It was so great to be with those amazing missionaries again. They have had a lot of impact on my life and I love them for that. They always inspire me to do better.
This week we started teaching a lady named Jean. Jean is very Hispanic, but she doesn't want to be taught by the Spanish missionaries. She speaks English fairly well, but sometimes I'm not sure if we get all the way through to her. She came to church and loved it and is progressing very quickly as far as keeping commitments. I'm only worried that she isn't progressing in knowledge or really gaining a testimony. She'll get there eventually. She's one of the few ladies that I've taught that liked relief society, so at least she will stay for all of church.
We have a lot of support from the members right now and are working with them really well. It definitely has made all the difference in getting the area to progress. I have learned a lot this transfer about gaining the trust of the members. I love getting to know the members as a missionary and have been lucky enough to get to know some awesome members of our church. That will continue to be what we focus on and I know we will see greater success as we do. I love members who really get the whole picture. Those who understand their covenants they made at baptism. Missionary work is so important and the potential it has to influence the world has not even scratched the surface. There is so much more that we can all do to build the Lord's Kingdom. It hurts when you talk to a member who isn't willing to sacrifice just a small amount of their time to help in the greatest work there ever will be. I love serving the Lord. There is no better feeling than knowing what you are doing is pleasing to your Heavenly Father. What a blessing it is to be a full-time missionary.
Love Elder Tilley
It's great to hear from you! This week has been pretty incredible as we've begun to see some of our hard work pay off. The first three weeks of the transfer were really tough but the area is getting a lot better. It takes only a couple of weeks to destroy an area, but it takes about two months to fix it. That's what Pres. Bahr says anyway. It's good to see that success is coming a lot quicker than that.
This week the district leaders had the privilege of attending Zone Leader Council. I learned many great things there and only wish the meeting would have been held before I was called as a district leader. Being very young in comparison to everyone else there I took the opportunity to observe others and to learn from them. As I sat with the leaders in our mission and listened to their comments and looked around the room, I couldn't help but feel the spirit strongly confirm that I was sitting with the future leaders of our church. It really is such an incredible thing. As I looked around I noticed that everyone I lived with my first transfer was there. In total six elders that either lived in my apartment complex or served in the same ward that I did my first transfer were there. One is an assistant, three are zone leaders, and one was just released as a zone leader and is serving as a district leader. I am so grateful for their example. I have been so blessed to serve around the best missionaries in the mission. I know it has helped me grow as a young missionary. I feel bad for missionaries who come into the mission and are immediately surrounded by disobedience. Not everyone is as lucky as I was. It was so great to be with those amazing missionaries again. They have had a lot of impact on my life and I love them for that. They always inspire me to do better.
This week we started teaching a lady named Jean. Jean is very Hispanic, but she doesn't want to be taught by the Spanish missionaries. She speaks English fairly well, but sometimes I'm not sure if we get all the way through to her. She came to church and loved it and is progressing very quickly as far as keeping commitments. I'm only worried that she isn't progressing in knowledge or really gaining a testimony. She'll get there eventually. She's one of the few ladies that I've taught that liked relief society, so at least she will stay for all of church.
We have a lot of support from the members right now and are working with them really well. It definitely has made all the difference in getting the area to progress. I have learned a lot this transfer about gaining the trust of the members. I love getting to know the members as a missionary and have been lucky enough to get to know some awesome members of our church. That will continue to be what we focus on and I know we will see greater success as we do. I love members who really get the whole picture. Those who understand their covenants they made at baptism. Missionary work is so important and the potential it has to influence the world has not even scratched the surface. There is so much more that we can all do to build the Lord's Kingdom. It hurts when you talk to a member who isn't willing to sacrifice just a small amount of their time to help in the greatest work there ever will be. I love serving the Lord. There is no better feeling than knowing what you are doing is pleasing to your Heavenly Father. What a blessing it is to be a full-time missionary.
Love Elder Tilley
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