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