Inviting the Spirit

Dear Family,

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to learn from Elder Bednar. One thing that was really reinforced was not only that I can receive the revelation I need, but that I need to seek it out. This is something that I really intend to make an effort to do. I need to act in a way that invites the spirit in more abundance. I've been so busy "doing", that I've forgotten to take the time to stop, think, and wait for inspiration. To teach is to touch a life forever. This can be done with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the real teacher, and I need to make sure that He is the one my investigators are learning from. I can't afford to not have the spirit with me at all times. I am really going to focus on softening my heart and letting the Holy Ghost in. Elder Bednar taught many other profound things which have really inspired me.

I have never been let down and had my heart broken as much as I have this transfer. If I could sum this transfer up in one word it would be "struggle". Struggle just seems to surround me. People everywhere are struggling. One of the major insights I have had on my mission is that people really are so fragile. It's been very difficult for me to watch people turn their back on God and abandon him. It seems as if the odds are against people at times, but I know that is not true.
I've watched too many people fall away. This Sunday I had a great experience in sacrament meeting. As I watched a recent convert and a returning less-active speak in sacrament meeting I was filled with relief and joy. I felt the Holy Ghost confirming that there are those who make it. There are those who "press forward with a perfect brightness of hope". There are those who hold to the Iron Rod. There are those who come back. I felt the love of God so strongly that I couldn't help but shed a few tears. It was a great experience.

Nobody in my apartment is being transferred (first time ever for me) which is awesome because our apartment is a lot of fun. For the most part our whole zone is the same. We also found out that they are going to put two more elders in our ward (sigh of relief) so that will make our job A LOT easier. I'm excited to be able to focus on a concentrated area instead of just trying to hold everything together.

Blessings from above!

Love, Elder Tilley

p.s. Mom- the missionaries are not supposed to teach the new member lessons. That defeats the whole purpose of them. The missionaries teach the new member lessons because either no one else will, or no one understands the purpose of them. Yes, we do teach them when no one else will, but we already teach them so it doesn't really make much of a difference. The purpose of new member lessons is so that they can have their learning reinforced, but more importantly to make the transition of being a member smoothly. They need to be fellowshipped and they need to learn that they can rely on the ward for support. Missionaries come and go, but the members will always be there.