My new sweater

… I bought a sweater today that was not the cheapest. After leaving the store once, something snagged me and I went back and bought it. I have the feeling that it is going to be getting very cold here soon. We are wearing our jackets and sweaters right now with scarf’s. It´s pretty Chile (chilly).
Pres, Wow it´s good to hear from you! Sorry about the season. It sounds like you´re doing awesome though. … Good job on your talk. Way to apply the scriptures! Thank you for your prayers and for continuing the gospel donut moments. That is one of the best mission preps you can do, because it really is missionary work. Did you ever think you were a missionary when you share the gospel? I thought of you this week when I was singing a really funny, happy song you sing: "I am H-A-P-P-Y,I am H-A-P-P-Y, I know I am I’m sure I am I am H-A-P-P-Y" Thanks for being the man and helping me to be HAPPY. Love you little brother!
Love Elder Tilley
Becs, You could be the funniest little sister that I have...awh. There´s just not many people as awesome as you. That sounds so awesome about the game. Good job, way to be the captain. Good Luck on Tuesday!! The MTC sounds great. When we did that, we also went to the Oxprings. That is way cool that you got to do that too. I bet Josh was a really good investigator. He is so cool. … I’m glad that dad gets to be home more now. That is so cool. … I love you Becs and am praying for you. Thank you so much for being the best little sister. Keep being a good example. Lots of people look up to you even if you don’t know it.. I love you Becs,
Love Elder Tilley - second favorite oldest brother.

Adolfo is doing awesome. I think I haven´t mentioned him because he doesn´t depend on us. He just goes to church and institute because he wants to. He is a really special guy. If he leaves on his mission in a year from the baptism, I will still be here. That is so cool to think about
Katy was confirmed…also that same day, the mom, Jessica and the 2nd daughter Jasmine were confirmed. Also Raquel was confirmed this past Sunday. She is the wife of the man (Julio) that stopped us on the street and asked us to come to his house. He just got word that his work hours were changed. We are going to visit them on Tuesday to set a date I am assuming and praying.
Alvaro is 14. He is doing well. They said they went to the doctor and he said that you must have a lot of faith. He is getting better. We tried to visit them this past week, but they weren´t home when we went. The teaching with them has been really difficult. It’s hard to get a hold of them to check up because their schedules are so filled. We really don´t have them as solid progressing investigators yet. Last we went, we taught and challenged them to pray to know if Joseph Smith really is a prophet.
I’m not sure if it is all of South America, but everyone here has 4 names. (2 firsts and 2 lasts). When people marry, they don´t take their husbands name. The kids take one last name from each though. The Venegas Diaz is Roberto Venegas and Jessica Diaz. I think it would be good to call her Hermana Jessica Diaz.

I have been thinking about mission goals. Goals I set for myself for my mission. I honestly just want to be happier than I have ever been. I have felt that a happy missionary is a successful missionary. If I do the things that bring happiness, I will be a successful missionary. I have really enjoyed reading about Dad´s experience these last couple of weeks. Some is in pain, some is in laughter and some is in gratitude.
We ate lunch today in the Mission office after the Dr. appointment. Elder Stagg knew a man there that came and ate with us, little did I know that Brother Muir is "the boss of everyone in that whole building" as explained by Elder Stagg. He talked to us about what his job is and what general authorities have taught him etc... I was so impressed by how humble he was. He talked to us about the scriptures, about principles and doctrines.. He said a great way he likes to study is to take a conclusion, for example "I need to take the sacrament every week" and study the doctrine, or "the why behind it". He said these studies many times come from questions such as "Do I really need to go to church every week?" Do I really need to take the sacrament, read the scriptures, say my prayers etc... What I really got out of it was that as members of the church, we have the right to ask questions about our religion. Surely if it is true, there is a reason that is a true reason why we do what we have been commanded to do. I really enjoyed our time with him. I thought how awesome that is that he works for the church. Josh is so lucky or better said, blessed. Do we know where Josh and Jalin are going? I’m excited to hear about them, what the scoop is on the happy couple and know what is going on with Dad and business and such.
Jaspers! Pres looks like a little man in his suit. I love those pictures. ...I thought that one part was so funny..."Dinner with myself". Thank you for being the best family ever. I read a part of Our Search for Happiness and thought about Dad near the end as Elder Ballard expresses how the leaders one day are bishops and then the next they are the primary teachers, and that´s exactly how it should be.
This week is the last before changes. I really want to put a boot down and work the lights out this week. Please pray for us to have the energy, desire and love to do so. Thank you so much for everything family. I love you and am praying for you. I love you. Elder Tilley

Letter from Jessica Venegas Diaz to Elder Tilley's Mother

This picture is the family Venegas Diaz. They were baptized April 4th and the mother (Jessica) emailed this letter on April 19th. Jessica doesn't speak English, so this is a translation.
Hello mother of Elder Tilley!

Hoping that this finds you happily joined with your family, I want to tell you that I am from Comuna de Puente Alto, Chile, the country where your son is serving his mission.
With much respect, I dare to write to you. I tell you that I have been a member of the church for a very short time, but I felt the need to write to you so that you know that your son is a very obedient missionary.
We met your son in December of 2009, he arrived together with Elder Valverde, it was his first day here. Your son, Elder Tilley, is a very special young man, he is a proper person, humble and with beautiful and very spiritual voice, and above all, very excited and that pleases us a lot because he brightens life with his smile, he is an angel that God sent to this far away country to plant in every heart the seed of love of God to every Chilean that has crossed his path.
Well, I will tell you that my older daughter was the first of us to be baptized. She met the Elders since we have a cyber (internet café) where they come to communicate with you, their families. Whether by coincidence or her curiosity, she went asking about what they did all day and that is how she got interested in the history of Joseph Smith, and later the Book of Mormon, which she liked a lot and after a while she was baptized. Her baptism was beautiful because they told funny stories about before she made the decision, but it was something beautiful.
At her baptism her 7 angels, as she calls them, were there. She calls them that because to her they are her angels that one day she met and they returned to show her that Jesus Christ was always with her.
For my part, I can tell you that I supported her in all of her decisions and so did her father and sister even though we didn’t know much about this new church. I started to get interested when I started to listen to the Elders and weird things happened in my heart and I felt that this was the church I was looking for. I suffered a lot because I was getting interested in this church and I believed I was betraying my other religion, but I prayed a lot and many times, without realizing it I received answers to my questions and it was very special to say “Yes! This is what I have been looking for, for a long time.” Until I decided to stay forever in this, my church, it was very hard. The days before my baptism were an agony since many opposed my decision but I prayed again, and again I received an answer and finally I was confirmed and I can say that I am part of this beautiful family of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I hope not to have bothered you by writing you this but I feel very happy for having learned through these angels, children of God, and I thank you with all of my heart for having permitted us to meet your son. I tell you that it gives me pride for these little people that despite being children, they have taken the great decision to come from far to reunite us, the lost sheep. May God bless your whole family and while your son is here, at least in this zone, until they change him, we will care for him with much love and respect. I thank you for reading my letter and it is written with much love and respect to you and your family.

I bid farewell with much love,
Sister Jessica Diaz

April 19, 2010

Raquel was baptized yesterday. We don´t have a firm date right now.
Julio, her husband is waiting for a phone call that his job may get switched so he doesn`t have to work on Sundays. Thankfully, he got sick this weekend and was able to come to his wife’s baptism. He will be baptized here soon though.
We are working with another mom and sister, Sicilia and Karla. We were at their house yesterday. They are both so nice. Sicilia, the mom has read all the material that we have left with her. She really likes it but said she doesn´t think she has received an answer yet. I think after we taught how the answer might come she was a little more sure. Karla is very busy with work and school. It´s been hard for her to read, but she really likes listening when she has time though. The dad of the family is very against church. I don´t think its against any specific church but he believes in his own way. We actually haven´t met him, but he could use some prayers for a soft heart too.
Heavenly Father is blessing us. Some times are much harder than others. It’s a little bit more difficult right now. We would greatly appreciate your prayers too for strength and motivation; for a pure desire to work and work hard.
It´s for sure not easy, but "He didn´t say it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it".
Are you there?... Sometimes missionaries need extra help and it feels good to know you´re there talking back to me. I have 10 minutes left. Is there anything you want to know?

French Toast

Last Monday, we ate French toast. It wasn´t quite as good as moms Texas toast and secret sauce but it was all right. This morning we rode the metro and here are a few pictures. (Pictures posted on 4/12 blog)
(To Preston)
Hey buddy! I hope everything is ok. Mom told me about your assignment for church. That is so cool. Sometimes things can be hard and we don´t want to do them but it´s always better when we do what is right. I promise you´ll feel good after you do it. There are so many kids that think you are so cool and it would help them a lot to have someone like Preston Tilley tell about the scriptures and how cool they are. I really love the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I feel happy when I read them. We teach people here in Chile that if they will read a part of it and really think about what it means and then ask God if it is right, then He will answer. Heavenly Father answers through the spirit. The spirit feels good. I hope you´ll try it out for yourself, not because mom or dad says, but because you want to. You will be surprised how incredible the words of prophets really are. I love you Pres. Ill be praying for you this week and especially on Sunday. Love you brother, Elder Tilley
Well Becs, … I’m glad all is going well. I sure love you and am praying for you. Have fun in ball and mutual. I remember that we did that (mini MTC at mutual) once a long time ago. I really enjoyed it. Let me know how it all goes. Love ya Becs, Elder Tilley
(To Jayce) Way to go with volleyball. I always passed the best when I moved the best. It’s all in the feet. Get to the right spot so it comes off your arms or your fingers the same every time. If I remember right Coach is pretty good at that position with positioning and all. He helped me a lot. Have fun brother. I hope school is going well. I just realized it is coming to an end. Everybody here just started a couple weeks ago. Sorry I haven´t written much. I’m not feeling too well today and my hands are weak. I will keep praying for you for sure. I pray you are learning tons and making the gospel real and personal. It is really cool when it becomes that way. Thanks for your letters. I really enjoy reading them!! Love you Jayce. You´re the man.
MOM , Jessica is the mom (of the Venegas Diaz family), she reminds me a lot of you actually. She told us she changed the FHE lesson three times because she wanted it to be perfect. smiley
Thanks for the letter Dad. I sure love hearing about everything. I was a bit shocked after reading about Josh (hired as seminary teacher and probably moving away). I was hoping for the same things too, but I feel at peace. I will be praying for you, please pray for me. I feel a little alone. Thank you for your love and support. I didn´t get a chance to write Josh, Rach or Joe. Thank them and tell them I love them and they are great. Tell Joe I´ll have to ponder on the joke. Thanks Dad, I’ll be praying for you.
Chow . . . I Love you. There is not a better family I could have asked for in the world!

April 12, 2010

I wrote Grandma and Grandpa. I hope all is well with them. I felt in conference i need to do better writing to them. I love them and am praying for Grandpa. I have been thinking about him a lot out here. I sure love Gramps. He really is an inspiration. Grandma is just an angel. I couldn´t ask for a better family.
Remember Alvaro, he has some kind of disease that spreads rapidly through his body making it difficult to move at all. We found them about 3 weeks into my mission and really haven´t been able to teach them very well since. They work a bunch. We were able to teach him alone this past week about the ¨"The Gospel of Jesus Christ". I reminded him of the blessing that he was given that said "acording to your faith and obedience may you be healed bit by bit" We taught him lesson three and showed him how he could exercise his faith and obedience. We left him with the invitation to pray to know if he needs to be baptized. Please pray him to have faith sufficient for this miracle according to the will of the Lord. (Elder Oaks talk about blessings was incredible).
Jimena (the wonderful lady that treats us like her kids) has been at the hospital with a relative. We haven´t gotten a hold of her very much. She and her daughter came to one session of conference. That was the first time she came to the Chapel. That was a wonderful blessing.

"Rachel is LIVING what I am TEACHING"

Honestly, Thursday (Rachel’s wedding reception) was a little bit rough, not really though. The majority of our plans fell through and there were a long couple hours thinking of Rach. I´m hoping to get the package tomorrow in our zone conference. (We have a south mission conference on Wednesday. I always look forward to learning from President and Sister Laycock. Their energy and spirituality beam from them. I have thought many times how grateful I am to be a missionary and have them as President and Sister).
(Elder Stagg) is helping me learn and grow. I really enjoyed conference this past week and the teaching that "all things shall be for your good to those who love God". I have had some struggles this past week and I know that I am learning valuable life lessons. I am so thankful for the Lord´s hand in my life. I know He is helping me and teaching me. I feel close to Him through prayer. The gospel is allowing me to be happy in all situations. I am learning that happiness, peace and joy are not dependent upon circumstance; they are dependent upon faith in Jesus Christ. I really believe this.
(Dad)- The ward here is doing great. Many have been baptized. Church attendance has grown rapidly. Many have given us credit. As I pondered upon these thoughts and heard the voice of the adversary putting in his two bits, this thought came into my mind. How incredible is the Spirit. All that have been baptized, all that have returned to the church all the good that is being done is happening by the sweet Spirit testifying of the truth of the gospel. Yet the Spirit never takes credit to Himself, only is a messenger for our all powerful Heavenly Father. How much more significant, persuasive is the role of the spirit compared to a missionary and yet in all humility gives all Glory to the Father.
You are such an incredible example to me. I know you serve selflessly. You have expressed similar experiences to me and I have reflected upon your teachings many times.
Experiencing that was very special to me this past week. Heavenly Father is really teaching me. I feel that I am learning so much and becoming more reliant upon Him. I am so thankful for you my father, for all the wonderful life changing lesson you have taught me and all the lessons Heavenly Father has taught me. We are so blessed. I find strength in prayer and am loving serving Him. It is hard sometimes, but I’m learning where I can go to receive my daily bread.

The Metro

Wow, Jayce that is awesome. I am amazed that you are so faithful and strong. That is a really hard thing to do, but if the Lord told you...Do It. I set a goal to have meaningful prayers every morning and every night. I am amazed at how much more close I feel to Heavenly Father. I thought this last week. “I’m receiving little instructions, every day". I have full confidence that I can take a question to the Lord in prayer and He will help me. I think that is one of the biggest lessons I’m learning and you are doing it! How great is that!!!... I hope the week was so fun. It hit me this last week, as I thought about Rach and Joe that this is the gospel. My own sister is making promises with the Lord and really living the gospel. That is so wonderful…. Love you Jayce, thank you so much for your example. It helps me so much to see that you are being awesome. There is not a better blessing than to live the gospel. I believe my favorite teaching from conference was "hope, peace, and HAPPINESS are not dependent upon circumstance, but upon faith in Jesus Christ”. I love it. I am trying to apply it and have felt the power. I love you man. I hope all goes well for you this week. I am praying for you. Con mucho cariño, Elder Tilley

Hey Bec, I hope all went well this last week. I can see how it can be hard letting your favorite older sister go. I felt some of those same feeling this last week as I thought about all that is going on. Then I realized how special it is for them to be experiencing celestial things and to be living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The first few weeks of my mission, I thought "I wish I could hear President Laycock speak every day. It would help me so much to be happy and to want to go and work and feel good" That´s kind of the same with Rach for us. We really want her to be around to we can have fun with them and be happy. This last couple of weeks, I have experienced something great. I really don´t need to hear President Laycock every morning. I found someone new that I receive strength from everyday. That someone is Heavenly Father. I found that if I pray to him every morning and night really sincerely, like a real conversation, than I receive strength. I ask questions and listen and tell him all about my day and how I am feeling. It feels so good to just talk to Him. He really knows us and wants to help us. I know that He loves you and wants to help you too in all that you do. I know that as you seek to find Him, you will. I love you Bec and am praying for you. I am praying mostly that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will sink deep into you while you are young. We can´t return to live with Heavenly Father and our Family if we have sins. The gospel of Jesus Christ, helps us to be clean from our sins,...if we live it. There is an article of faith that helps us understand what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is and what we have to do to us it. It starts like this "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are...I love you Bec and will pray for you. Love Elder Tilley

April 5, 2010 HAPPY EASTER!

The Venegas Diaz were baptized last Sunday and will be confirmed this next Sunday, on the 11th. Katy, the youngest one is having a hard time. As of last I know, she didn´t want to be confirmed. She cried the whole service after her baptism. I thought it was the overwhelming spirit, but she is having a difficult time. Please continue to pray for them. Their dad hasn´t come around yet and I know that is affecting them.
Julio got a job at an auto shop, but his boss smokes and gives him cigarettes for free. That was really hard for him, so he quit. He got a job this last week, but he has to work Sunday´s. We don´t really know exactly what to do. The job is really good, doing sales of some sort. It´s hard because they really need a good job for the family. We aren´t sure what to do either. Any prayers or thoughts you have please send them our way.
We are trying to get a hold of Miriam and her boys. She works so much. I think we are going to have to just go over and at least teach the boys. Alvaro showed me, when his mom wasn´t looking, that he can jump a little bit. He doesn´t have to use his crutch anymore. How wonderful is the priesthood and how incredible Elder Oaks talk was about the priesthood. I found that very interesting. I really enjoyed it. I loved General Conference. One of my new favorites. We watched it live in English in the stake center. I thought about our family a lot throughout conference. I laughed when Elder Nelson did the wink. I could hear Josh and Jayce chuckling along with me.
Besides them, we don´t have many more investigators that are progressing. We have to be disciplined to go find and fill the teaching font back up. Looking back, all the people that we have been teaching and who have been progressing just fall into our lap. Ex. They find us in the street in their car, approach us walking down the street, in the cyber where we write etc. I remember Josh telling me that he has a strong testimony that if we put in the effort to find, Heavenly Father will give them to us. Please continue to pray for us in this effort. There are so many people here and I am still getting over my fear to talk to people. I want to be a consecrated missionary.

Elder Tilley and Elder Vargas

Today I am in a sector called San Jose de Maipoh with Elder Vargas. He is from Argentina. I loved being with him today.

These pictures are from right outside our door-it is so GREEN

Notice their entry way is covered by the grape vine

The pension (apartment) is cool; I can touch my head

Temple with Julio and his family

The pictures from the temple are with Julio and his wife, Raquel , Matias (son) and Fernanda (daughter). We did a temple tour with them. Julio got a job at an auto shop, but his boss smokes and gives him cigarettes for free. That was really hard for him, so he quit. He got a job this last week, but he has to work Sunday´s. We don´t really know exactly what to do. The job is really good, doing sales of some sort. It´s hard because they really need a good job for the family. We aren´t sure what to do either. Any prayers or thoughts you have please send them our way.