First off, I must make mention of the exquisite sunsets that
take place here in Caldwell. I've
been missing the big ol' Texas skies that I love so dearly & being able to
witness such beauty is very comforting to me because God knows exactly what I
needed this week. A good sunset always calms me down. But really, Idaho
is absolutely beautiful. I see the mountains in the distance everywhere I go.
There are trees EVERYWHERE. Guys....the grass is actually green and not
artificial....whoa! Idaho is
stunning.
Well, I just passed one month as a mission five days ago!
I'm starting to get into the swing of things. I'm getting more and more
comfortable talking to people and teaching. I still have learning and growing
to do seeing as I am still a greenie, but hey everyone says they can't tell
I've been out for only a month. Now, I can't seem to discern if they're just
saying that to be nice. It may be the same as, "She has such a sweet
spirit," with an underlying meaning of "She ain't pretty." Take
it how you want it? But anyways, I'm halfway through my first transfer in the
field!
How is Tejas? Mom told me about the ice storm...yikes!
That's Texas for ya. If there's
one thing I DON'T miss about the Lonestar state,
it's its bipolarness/bipolarity/
I absolutely LOVE my district. Elders Hatefi, Reischman,
Ngatuvai, and Stradling are just awesome and downright hilarious. I guess
Sister Ketring is cool too...just kidding, she's UH-MAY-ZING.
We are all really close. Sister Ketring and I are constantly giving these
Elders rides and doing things for them because we just love them. They're like
the brothers I never had....oh wait....KIDDING!
We have named our district #District6. It is in no way
related to that of The Hunger Games trilogy. Speaking of which, I saw Catching
Fire on the shelves at Walmart and about died. I had to turn around and walk
away before I went crazy. But hey, it's quite alright! It'll be way, WAY
discounted when I get home. Now back to my district and missionary life and
what we do for fun. We have decided that we will allow pranks. Oh yes. Sister
Ketring and I were sitting at McD's (I hate it even more now because we are
there ALL the TIME #
Basically, this week has been such a struggle. It's been a
struggle because mission brain has become dominant over my own brain. It's like
someone parked the Strug Bus (short for struggle bus), I got on and now we're
traveling down an ENDLESS road called U B STRUGGLIN. I rest my case.
However, many good things have come out of this week. For
example: our companionship got a hold of The Idaho Boise Mission Dictionary
& The Idaho Nampa Mission Dictionary. Yes, these exist and they have been
revised over the years. They are HIGH-larious. I'll share one a week. The word
this week is Car Czar: The office Elder who coordinates all things
having to do with the INM vehicles. On occasion, will relate going over miles
to the Atonement unless you are a bike Elder in which he will remind you that
you have unlimited mileage.
Now, on a serious note, we taught lessons to our two
investigators and Kenny G, the less active man we've been teaching. On Friday,
we met with Naomi. I think I forgot to mention her in my last email--sorry!
Naomi is an older woman who lives with her son, Bruce (oh hey!). Brice is less
active, but about 9 months ago, he gave his mom a Book of Mormon but no one
followed up with her! She was a bit hesitant to let us in the first time we
knocked on her door but she did and we got to know her a little bit and she is
one awesome lady. We saw her again and taught her about the Restoration. We
invited her to read the scriptures because she didn't follow through with her
commitment to do so the first time we met. She responded to the invitation
with, "Well...I've been thinking," and immediately my mind goes 'oh
crap.' But she continued by saying she wants to and will read the Book of
Mormon every morning when she wakes up!
Following the lesson with Naomi, we went over to Dakota's to
teach him about the Plan of Salvation. Sister Ketring asked him what his
thoughts were about our first parents leaving the Garden of Eden. His initial
response was, "Adam really screwed up." Following that remark, we
discussed why it was good for Adam and Eve to leave and how it was, in fact, a
part of Heavenly Father's plan for us. We read with him in 2 Nephi 2 about the
fall and why it was essential. We talked about how Satan was really just played
at his own game when he got Eve to partake of the fruit and then Adam. Every
time we would read and stop to see if Dakota has any questions, he would say,
"I did but this just answered it." It was just an awesome lesson! The
scriptures answer all questions.
Now, Kenny G wants to receive the priesthood. He wants to go
to the temple. He wants his patriarchal blessing. He's been trying to get his
life in closer harmony with Christ's teachings. On Saturday when we met, he
asked us to talk about the commandments. So we did and we invited him to live
all of them included the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. He said,
"I'll try." Normally I would be completely fine with that phrase
because it's good. However, he needs to DO it. He needs to tell himself that he
WILL keep the commandments. That way, he will have a greater motivation to do
so. Next time we meet, I will bring up 1 Nephi 3:7. "I will go and DO the
things which the Lord hath commanded....."
We all need to be like Nephi. We need to go and do what we
need to do. We need to endure. Enduring to the End is a HUGE principle of the
gospel. It doesn't stop at faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentence,
baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. What good are those things
if we won't ENDURE?
Be obedient. Choose the right. You will be blessed for it.
The Lord is BOUND when we do what He says! We have his PROMISE as long as we
keep our lives in harmony with His gospel.
I love you all! Have a FAN-tastic week! Don't be afraid to
open your mouths!
Until next week,
Sister Tyler
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