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