WE ARE ALL FINE-Email to family Sunday Morning

Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 7:55 AM
To: Shannon
Subject: family tilley elder tilley

Hey family,
We are all fine. Thank you for your prayers. Please keep them up. I´ll tell you about everything hopefully tomorrow. Your in my prayers and please keep praying. I love you and will talk to you later. I hope church went well today if you've gone yet. Love you ,
Chow

Elder Tilley

Earthquake in Chile Update-Mission Blog Saturday 11:30am and earlier at 7 am Chile time (3 hours after quake)

EMAIL FROM BRADEN EARLIER THIS WEEK-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010 (see below)-(We are so thankful for an inspired mission president!)

“We all had interviews to get our 36 hour packs ready for any dangers that could be coming. Don´t worry nothing is happening right now, but if we are prepared we shall not fear. I have my bag ready. Honestly nothing is happening, just pray for our and the safety of the people here.”

This is from Braden’s Mission Blog: HTTP://WWW.SANTIAGOMISSIONEAST.BLOGSPOT.COM/
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010(11:29AM)
"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." D&C 38:30
All Missionaries in the Chile, Santiago East Mission are safe and accounted for. Today will be a day of service for all of us. We will look for ways to serve our Chilean brothers and sisters by teaching them about our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the blessing of safety that we have been given. We are thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and we stand as witnesses of our Heavenly Father's love for all of His children throughout the world. Without a doubt, we know that our Savior lives, and that He directs this work. We know that when we do His work in His way, He is with us, and we experience miracles! Thank you for your prayers and concern, and please know that we love our missionaries with all our hearts. They are the Lord's army, and we are blessed to be among them and learn from them. They are blessing the lives of so many of our Father's children, and they are powerful examples of all that young people can and should be. Don't worry! Our missionaries are prepared, and "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30) POSTED BY SISTER LISA LAYCOCK AT 2/27/2010 11:29:00 AM 0 COMMENTS
Greetings from the Chile, Santiago East Mission (6:55am)
Greetings from the Chile, Santiago East Mission.
You will be hearing reports that there was an earthquake in Chile. The Earthquake occured 212 miles south of Santiago in Concepcion. Although communication is down in Santiago, we are working to establish communication lines with all missionaries. The Elders and Sisters are well prepared and know exactly what to do in cases of emergency.
Please be aware that we are doing everything possible to make sure that all are safe. We will keep you advised as information becomes available. Thank you for your prayers.
POSTED BY LARISSA CHASE AT 2/27/2010 06:55:00 AM 0 COMMENTS

February 22, 2010 e-mail

(Elder Stagg’s conversion story) He never planned to serve a mission and went to college last year. He threw in a Book of Mormon that his mom gave him as a gift. One night he ended up grabbing it and reading it for 4 hours or so. He did that consecutively for a couple of weeks. He says when you know you just can´t deny that feeling, huh. Elder Stagg is teaching me how to help people feel comfortable. He is the kind of person that makes lemonade with the lemons that come to him. I laughed in my mind today as he showed me how cool it was that you could use that fat chunk of gum on your shoe to stick it to the rest of the gum that was strung around his foot. It´s easier to take it off that way he said. I thought that was so funny.
This last week, Elder Stagg and I were walking to find some people from the area book. A man drove up in a car and asked if we visited people’s houses. He said he didn´t have a lot of time, but come over tonight and teach him and his family. We went over that night and listened for about 30 minutes to this man’s life story. I didn´t understand all of it but Elder Stagg helped me understand after. He came to church the next day and we have family night with them and the Leiva family tomorrow at 8:30 or so. Adolfo got back from vacations this past week. I am so excited to see him again. He didn´t come to church yesterday a friend told us because there were some dangerous problems at his house the day before. Please pray for him. He is such a great kid. I look forward to helping him. All is going well for us. The Lord is blessing us immensely.

The Baptism Was So Sweet

Jayce man,
Wow, sorry about everything that has happened with Curtis. That is really sad and I’m sure there has been a lot of grief and pain over it. Keep being awesome and don´t let that keep you from being his or anyone else’s friend. There are so many people that we talk to everyday that smoke and drink and do drugs. They just don´t know. The adversary is very sly and deceiving. These people are so great sometimes, they just don´t know. Of course always follow the spirit. Some may be dangerous, but others may just need you. Volleyball sounds great. I hope you ended the end of bball and are enjoying vball. Just keep being the man and having the most fun of anyone there. I remember doing that same thing with Coach Derret. It made me so nervous and I think I never did as well as I could have. Just forget that he is keeping stats and have a blast and be a leader.…If you can learn to control your emotions before your mission, you will be so much better off. …We may not be able to control (everything), but we sure can control our choices and decisions regarding it. Keep being a great example to all around you. I read a talk in the Liahona today about how mountains are formed. Without Heat and a lot of pressure, the mountains can never sore to the peaks where they reach their fullpotential … I sure love you and know that Heavenly Father is blessing you and our family. Make sure you take care of Bec and Pres. I´m sure Rach being gone is pretty tough on both of them. Love you brother. Please keep praying for the missionaries and the investigators. You are the man. Chau

(Family)
Thank you so much for caring so much about me. There isn´t a better mom for me in the world. I wrote to President today about how much Heavenly Father is blessing my family. The winter coat from Mr. Macs has been lost for the last two months. I just got it this last week. It was in the office. That was a miracle. Thank you for your prayers. We had some amazing experiences this last week. Elder Stagg asked me a couple of times if I had been fasting for something like this. I replied no, but I wouldn´t doubt if my mom has  It´s so good to hear that Rach is doing well. I´m so glad she is happy happy. There is nothing else I would hope to see her as.

The baptism was so sweet. 6 of us missionaries sang “Joseph Smith´s First Prayer” to the tune of “Come Thou Fount”. The spirit was very strong. President Laycock came to the baptism and spoke with great power as always.

In those pictures you sent me, I noticed a few things.
1. Dad has a sharp looking haircut
2. Bec looks a lot like Rach
3. They are both beautiful
4. Rachel looks so happy
5. Joe is the man. Joe, great job with the championship. We played futbol this morning and thought it cool that I had two goals myself. One in the upper right corner of the goal too . . . I surprised myself. Love you bro. Can’t wait for the great things you will do.
Hey . . . why isn´t mom ever in these pictures?

We all had interviews to get our 36 hour packs ready for any dangers that could be coming. Don´t worry nothing is happening right now, but if we are prepared we shall not fear. I have my bag ready. Honestly nothing is happening, just pray for our and the safety of the people here.

It is such a rare and sacred privilege to wear the name of Jesus Christ. I am so happy. Even when it is hard, there is just a sweet spirit of peace that rests over me. I know Heavenly Father is blessing me. I am doing well with my “spiritual” and “physical” goals everyday, which are to have meaningful prayers every morning and night and do 70 pushups every day; I´m trying to add 10 every month. My end goal is to do 200 in a row. My “mental” goal is to apply the skill I learn in Spanish study every morning. My “might” goal is to bear testimony ever day.
I sure love you and am praying for all of you. I hope you are accomplishing your goals and being the best family ever like always. … Thank you for your support and love. I love our family so much. Many don´t have the wonderful opportunities as we do. Keep up the missionary moments. I can only imagine that every family is as awesome as ours. Gratefully we can share what we know through missionary work and having people in our home just like we are doing. Best wishes and love to all of you. You are all in my prayers and Joe is in them too. Have an awesome week family. Love Elder Tilley

PS-About the picture last week . . .
The picture of the monkey brain is called MOTE. It is actually a dehydrated peach that has been refilled with juice. I hoped you thought it was monkey brain. It is really funny that you actually did. I really like them, but that one specifically was old I think and tasted a little bitter.

February 15, 2010 Email

I hope all is going well for the family. Honestly, we are so busy. I usually think of you about 1 time a day. That is when I kneel down to pray before I go to bed. I know the Lord is blessing you and can see from your letters that you know it too.
I hope basketball went well for Jayce and know that this instance with Curtis must have been hard. . . . I can feel that the Lord is very pleased with you for your great service. Learn everything you can from it. I´ll be praying for you and hope you are having fun playing VBall now.
Pres man I loved the pictures and hope the season went well. Let me know what your schedule is next and don’t forget to send me some pics.
Love you Rach and Jay and Jay. I hope all is going well too. Heavenly Father is blessing us so much. Thank you for your wonderful examples and righteousness. Have a wonderful week family.
Love Elder Tilley

Candy Bar Letter from my "Brady" Family

Companion's Reply to Cousin's Letter

I got the package from the cousins and we all have enjoyed little pieces of it thus far. There is a little funny story my companions did while we were gone, I´ll show you in the pictures that I send, the letter was really fun and the companions note was pretty funny. Elder Stagg is awesome and all is well. Thank you so much. Keep praying for our investigators; all is doing well. Miriam would love some specific prayers for her this week. I know Satan is working on her. I could feel she was very special. Vanessa’s baptism is next week. Pray for that. Elder Stagg and I will probably be singing a special number. Pray for us. I love you !!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom Doesn't Want to Know!!!

Are you SERIOUS???

Bec you’re so awesome. Great job telling your friend about Family Home Evening. It doesn´t have to be a scary thing to do...I tell myself...Just do it like Bec. Love you Favorite little sister.
O Dad. Somehow I could almost feel you writing your letter. I almost started to cry myself, right here in the cyber where we write. … When I think about something that I may not want to do here, the words will go through my mind "but I will, just like my Dad". Thank you so much for your example of service. … I know Heavenly Father is blessing you and (a) thought …that came to me this past week was that "I´m sure glad that Heavenly Father makes the changes and not me" …I´m continually amazed by your example and love to serve the people. I know it´s hard to see the blessings that will come, at least know that your service is doing great things for a little boy serving a mission in Chile Santiago East. I love you Dad!

Elder Stagg fixed us lunch today

My companion Elder Stagg has been out for 17 months now. He just came from Las Escondes, where all the richest people in Chile live. He is glad to be back here he told me. He has 2 older brothers and a little sister and brother. He is incredible. I was shocked when he told me about how he almost didn´t serve. He is the first to come in his family. He has an incredible conversion story and background. He is so smart and a really skilled missionary. He is much more how I want to become. The thought I had was that Elder Stagg makes things happen, he doesn´t let things just happen to him. He has helped us fix up our apartment, made some really good food and has such a kind personality. His testimony is so strong and he is so good at making people feel really comfortable in lessons. I´m so so glad that Heavenly Father makes the changes and not me. Every person that I have talked to that knows him says such great things about him. I´m really super excited to take all I can from him to help this work move forward.

Every Picture this week contained FOOD!

Yesterday, Elder Stagg and I were walking down to a last appointment last night after one had fallen through. I began to have very confusing mixed feelings if we should go or not. Something was very confusing but we continued to go. I felt that’s what we should do. After walking for a mile or so, we came upon this crowd of people in the street. First I thought it was just a bunch of kids doing something bad. As we got closer, we realized that something was wrong and people were all gathered in a circle around something. We asked a neighbor what was going on. She said, a lady just got beat up on the street and she was really hurt on the ground. We made it to the front where the lady was lying. I tried to imagine what the Savior would do. I pictured him down by her side comforting her and blessing her. I think we were both feeling what to do. Elder Stagg told the lady that "we are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ and asked if she wanted a blessing" she said yes. Elder Stagg placed his hands over her head a blessed her by the authority of the priesthood. The blessing was sweet, that all would be well. Elder Stagg and I held her hand as he and many others asked her about her family and what they like to do to keep her comfortable. As I sat there holding her hand I could see the spiritual battle going on in the world. I thought about President Monson´s last talk School Thy Feelings O My Brother. I could see Satan ruling in the hearts among our brothers and sisters here on earth.
We are on the right team and the winning team. Elder Holland said it would be a good fight, a victorious fight, but a fight nevertheless. We listened to his talk this morning from last conference about the Book of Mormon. I am growing to love that inspired book more and more every day. It contains the words of our Savior that bring peace and freedom to anyone who will believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have it so good. It sounds like times may become rough for all of us, but really, we are living in Paradise. I love you family. A day doesn’t pass without me loving you.

My New Companion Elder Stagg

This is my new companion. I´m excited. I think were going to do really well together.
Elder Valverde se fue y yo quede (left and I stayed). Elder Stagg is my new companion. He is from Ogden Utah. He is about my height and white of coarse. I like him a lot. I´m anxious to learn from each of my companions. I think from Elder valverde, I learned that building trust with people, especially the members can help me accomplish my purpose as a missionary very affectively. I´m so thankful for this opportunity to be a missionary. I´m so excited to keep going, keep learning, knowing that Christ has suffered for my every short coming. I´m so thankful for the Atonement. The Atonement is going to be a big part of my mission and life, as it should be. Without it, we are lost. Thank you so much family! I love our family. We really have been blessed so so so much more than we know. Have a great week with the plans and school and everything. Please keep praying for our investigators. I know we can´t do it without Heavenly Father. I love you and am praying for each of you.
Love Elder Tilley

My Zone Before Transfers

February 8, 2010
We went to Hermana Ardanedas house to watch the Prophet of the Restoration. The only TV she has was in her room, so we three watched it sitting on their bed. He knows it´s true and told me he wants to be baptized but just needs that witness from the Holy Ghost. We left him with that challenge this past week, but he went on vacation for the next three weeks.
Vanesa, her mom and little sister all went with us yesterday to a musical fireside put on by one of the zones here in Puente Alto. It was really good. They really liked it I think. We challenged her to baptism this last week and she expressed how scarred she was to make this commitment because she knows she will sin again after. I shared with her Mosiah 18:8-10 and bore my testimony to her that Heavenly Father wants her to have his Spirit so that she can progress. He knows we will make mistakes, but now He can better help us. We’ll see how it goes this next week.
Gina and Maria Jose are on vacation also. We would usually meet with them tonight but...not today. Their Grandma went back home, but I’m not sure where she lives. We didn´t go to Jimena and Karla this past week, but I forgot to tell you that two Saturdays ago, she asked me if I wanted Spaghetti after the meal that we had already eaten. I told her "por su puesto" because I thought she said, "have you tried Spaghetti". She brought out a big plate just for me and I said " I don´t know if I can eat all of that" She was insistent and I ended up trying just one bite. I told her it was good. After we left I told Elder Val Verde how odd that was that she made me a plate of spaghetti out of nowhere. He explained to me what really happened and I felt so bad. Thankfully she is like a Mom and would understand. I need to apologize this next week when we see and teach her.
We taught Alvaero , Benja, and Mirian this last week the Family Proclamation. They really enjoyed it because there are problems in the family that just came to the surface this past week. I guess the Dad is really hard on the kids and yells at them a lot. The Mom just wants the best for her kids but doesn’t know what to do. The kids went out of town this week so we are going to have to keep in contact and help her. Keep praying for the father. We are going to try to swing by their in the next week to see if we can catch him and win his trust.
We didn´t play ball the past two weeks. It kind of died down, As much as I love it here, I´m not sure if you would. I was just thinking today, wow . . . I’m really in Chile. It reminds me of Mexico. I know you would love the people. They are so nice and loving. Jimena would love to meet you. I told her that I left a girlfriend at home a couple weeks ago when I whipped out my picture and showed her my mom. She has loved loved us ever since. She thinks we are kings, hearing and seeing how much we love each other...I don´t doubt her.
I´m sure excited for all that is going on. I´m so excited for Rach. Now, we are both living the dream. I feel very comfortable and confident with her choice. Let me know when and if the note gets to Brother Joe. I haven´t read through any of the letters, but saw the pictures and loved them. Jayce is looking strong and fit as ever, Preston is getting the d-slides going. How fun is that. I´m so excited for everything and love being here.
At the transfer meeting this morning, President Laycock told us about two missionaries in Romania who were killed in the night by a gas leak in the caliphone. One of them was His neighbor. He was very emotional as he told us the story. At the end, we all kneeled down as President pleaded with the Lord for the well being of the family. It felt like we were the sons of Helaman...all on bended knee with our father pleading to our Heavenly Father for the blessing and prosperity of their family and us warriors. The Spirit was very strong. He talked about us as missionaries. Are we ready to meet our maker? Are we doing our all to reach the "Proximo Nivel" (next level)? Would we be ready if we were called home like these wonderful missionaries? If not, Repent. I sure love President. He is so...something. I´m not sure how to say it, but I really look up to him. I´m not sure why, but I got the third part of my interview with him that I didn´t know I had. The topic again was obedience. He expressed how today is the day to be obedient. Not tomorrow or in the next change but now. He promised me two specific blessings this time. He said if you are obedient with exactness, you will be more happy and have more energy. He expressed how he needs me to be an example now. I know there is power in obedience. I always felt that the discipline gained in exact obedience is where there is power. In Preach My Gospel, it says something about the discipline contained in clean living...etc...builds a protection around you as you go through life. I really like that quote and have re-focused my goals. I have a set a goal for each category from the Scripture Luke 2:53. I believe about how the Savior grew. … I know that as long as I´m doing my part, I will see all these things come to pass. I love being here. I´m learning so much.

JAYCE MAN. Thank you so much for praying for me. Funny, this week I had the thought a few times that I can understand and speak. I can´t really say that I have no idea what is going on. The people seem to be slowing down when they talk, and I’m learning new words every day. Hopefully I´ll be able to work on Spanish more this week. We haven´t been able to study a bunch because we play basketball with 5 or so jovenes (youth) Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It seems that I only get a good study in about 2 times a week. They didn´t show up the last couple of times though so way may be stopping.
Prayer is really real. Please pray for me in specifics like you did. Like Mom says when we pray specifically, we can receive specific answers. Basketball sounds great. Good job and keep playing hard and having fun. Sometimes I think about how much I didn´t like going to practice some days, and then I realize how much I terribly miss playing on a basketball team. Make it be really fun and give it your all.
That is so awesome for Curtis that he is getting baptized. I´m so excited for you to see and be a part of it. Yesterday, Clevia and Matias were baptized. Elder Valverde was able to baptize Clevia and I Matias. It was so awesome and the spirit was so sweet. We tried to get all of our investigators at the baptism because the spirit is so so strong. We had invited 6 people, but none of them came, bummer. That is ok though because Clevia and Matias were both baptized for the remission of their sins.
It makes me so happy to hear moms reports about you having influence on others to do good. There is nothing that makes me more happy than to see you becoming yourself by living like the Savior would. Thank you so much for your example. That makes two of us that could show our gratitude better then, I’m glad we are in the same boat. I thought I was all by myself, but we sure did have some good laughs in the basement after the stake dance and stuff like that. Thanks
Jayce, you are the man!

Dad's getting released???

I can’t believe dad is getting released. I guess someone else needs the blessings now more than we do. I can feel for him. The thought crosses my mind every once in a while how I´m going to feel or how I want to feel when I touchdown in the U.S. the land of the free and home of the brave. I think I´m going to have a hard time, but like faithful soldiers, we march on with heads high, face in the wind, soaring through our adversity. . . . I´ll be praying for each of you. I sure love you and know that the Lord knows what He is doing. Many have gone before and they were ok. We will be ok too and blessed for our obedience. Dad, thank you so much for your example. Your service has meant more to me than you know. You didn´t miss any influence on me because you have been called to serve so much. I sure love you all. I´m praying for you. Please keep the investigators in your prayers. I love you all. Talk to you next week.

Rachel Engaged???

I´m so excited for Rach. I wish you could have seen my face when I read her letter. I almost took a picture of myself in shock, but I didn´t. Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! >How awesome is that Rach. I sure wish I could be there. I told a few people this week that my sister should be getting engaged. I´m so glad that Pres likes Joe.
Thank you and I love you so much. Rach, good luck and be awesome as always.

My First Baptism

The baptism was awesome. We missionaries sang “I like to look for rainbows” after the ordinance. The spirit was sweet. I sure miss music in Sacrament meetings though. It is quite a shame that we have a piano but not a solid piano player, yes I just said it and it pains me. The spirit is so strong with music. Elder Turner has a little mP3 player in our pension and the spirit is there constantly. Music is just a relief. I´m not sure what I’m going to do if either I OR Elder Turner get moved this next Sunday.

Aldalfo and Venesa both went to a YSA activity and said they had a lot of fun. The members here are so good at friend shipping people. They are doing exactly what Jayce and Josh are doing, and all of you with your Gospel Donuts. I love that idea and hope you eat them with a smile on your face and in your heart. Aldofo was sick so he wasn´t able to come Sunday, but we are teaching him on Tuesday before he goes on vacation. Venesa didn’t come either, but she is doing well too. We found out this last week that she is scared of the water. This may be an iceberg. I told her if she saw a baptism she wouldn´t be scarred, but she still didn´t come. We´ll keep working.
Gina and Maria Jose are mom and daughter. We taught them twice this last week. We blessed their grandma with health and her other daughter Gina with strength. We taught the first lesson to them very boldly and lovingly. She now understands that her baptism is not authorized because it was not done with the authority of God. We left them with a strong commitment to read and pray. We have FHE with them again tonight with Hermana Reyes.

I hope you like these pictures. I guess all those chores at home came in handy.