October 22, 2011 (almost finished-1 more week)

Still no pictures, but he told us where he was sitting at the 50 year celebration-see the star?

Thank you Dad. That is a real real thank you. I have been having many feelings and thoughts as this week has gone by. I’m sure that it is common among missionaries. Questions such as "have I really given my all?" "Am I doing my all right now?" …Im trying Dad with all I have to come home with a shield of honor. Obviously I have a determined enemy to put whatever thing he can to impede me from doing so…I love the Gospel. It is my great anchor. I love my Savior and my God. … Im coming home different Dad. Thanks to Jesus Christ and His eternal love for me. Thank you for always loving and supporting me. With the last paragraph that you sent about how the family is not perfect, striving but falling short of perfection, it sounds like I will fit perfectly. I love you Dad. They say "go big or go home"...."Ill do both". Love Elder Tilley

Bec. True religion. You are the best. Keep making the Gospel your own. I love it so much because it means something to Braden Tilley. Its mine and I love it. … Pray for me to leave everything out on the court this next week. No regrets. Love you Bec, Elder Tilley

(Jayce) Thanks for talking to them and being examples of the believers. Basketball is fun. Being a good person is power. Im really excited for you to serve a mission. Im going to be your biggest fan. Maybe Mom might be in a close second ....dont tell her I said that. Thanks for being the big brother of the family. Big brothers have tons of influence on the little ones. Im going to have to fill in some big shoes when you leave. What do you think your mission will be like? What are you expecting to learn from people and from the Gospel? Not trying to interview you, just super excited for what the Lord has in store. Love you Jayce. Help me stay in strong to win the game with your prayers. You will be in mine.
Love you, Elder Tilley

I am not planning on bringing many things back that I originally brought unless we need them for the next Superman. My shirts are yellow, my ties are dirty, my shoes.....ahhh (self explanatory), socks have actually stayed in very good condition, coats, jackets (don't know but don't think it gets very cold in Africa).

At least Sergio will be baptized on the 30th. Tender Mercy … they are progressing very well. Loving the Gospel and so are we. I love them so much. We went on a tour of the Temple this last week. It was very special.

I found this on the Mission Blog

(From Braden's mom)
Since Elder Tilley hasn't sent any pictures for over a month, I started investigating the mission blog. I found this picture . . . it is my FAVORITE post!!! We are sad his mission is almost over but are so grateful for the wonderful experiences he has had.

October 15, 2011

(The Venegas family and Jemima, Elder Tilley mentions often, were one of his first baptisms of a mom and her daughter and mom's friend. Another daughter was already a member and several months later, their Dad was baptized. They are preparing for the temple now. They visit Elder Tilley often (Birthdays, Christmas, General Conference etc.) She emails us often too, but only speaks Spanish. These are pictures she sent us from the celebration)

I love you Jayce. We are leaving right now to the 50 year anniversary. They might broadcast it on the internet, I don’t know. I sure can’t wait to catch up. I’m finishing strong. The group that I have come with are doing very well. We are all sprinting to the end, and those that aren’t are getting helped by those who are. I love being a missionary Jayce. I love you tons.

(Mom) Sister Laycock … was the beauty queen for Utah during that time and I believe there are like 7 of those girls who were baptized because of her example. The celebration starts in 2.5 hours. We are really excited. … Love you all. Have a wonderful week. I’m pushing strong....till the end. My greatest desire is to be in the Temple my last day and feeling the words "Well done my Son, I have accepted your work". You are the best. Love you.

I LOVE President and Sister Laycock and my companions!

(We still haven't received pictures of Elder Tilley's companions, but found this one on the Mission blog labeled "assistants", so this must be one of them).

(Parts of a letter to President Laycock). You are probably thinking "ahhhh" what happened, but I’m here....for a little bit at least. … My whole mission, it has been a goal of mine … to be my companions best friend. I want him to know that he is the most important person in my book and I would do anything for him. I just wanted to be brothers teaching about Jesus Christ. This last week, … there was a note and two pieces of strawberry jammed toasts that were waiting for me. The note said ¨For my best friend, Elder Tilley¨ You can probably imagine how I felt …It has taken a long time...or in reality, probably a very short time to learn that lesson. I want my life to be full of alike relations, especially for my future spouse. This last week, after going to a reference with Elder Besich and finding them not there, he said ¨lets knock in a triangle¨. On that street that we knocked, we talked to a man that had visitors that were preparing themselves for their confirmations. We testified of the Plan of Salvation and left him a folleto. As we turned the corner, walking toward another home, we heard shouts and running footsteps. We turned around and to our surprise two younger girls told us they were learning about Jesus and wanted us to come back and teach them. We excitedly agreed and went back and found on the porch of the house 8 young girls waiting for us. We sat down and were asked to explain by their pastor or teacher, who we were and why we were here. It was incredible. I loved some of their questions they asked, that reaffirmed to me that I belong to the Church of the Almighty God. ¨You are saying that Jesus really lives today?....The Book of Mormon is like the Bible" another one said. We felt the spirit very strong. I know that they felt what we felt. The mission is doing well. I think there is a huge excitement walking with The Book of Mormon in hand. It proved to be true for Elder Deaver and I this last week as we went to check the directions of the stadium Santa Laura. We left with two and came back with none and two references that felt our love and the Spirit. We will keep that up forever. It is proven by testimony that it works. Thank you President for your love and example and for being on the next level where we are learning and striving to go… Love Elder Tilley

(Mom) ... From conference, which will be my new study theme, for probably a life time came the very repeated scripture..."we receive any blessings by obeying the law upon which the blessing is predicated"… Example...I think most of my life, I have wanted to be a happy person. I hope for it and pray for it and wish for it and think it would be good to have it and sure enjoy it when I do...not fun when I don’t have happiness etc...like it was something I couldn’t exactly control . . . But . . . If I only crack the code and find the laws that govern "being happy", I will have a specific way and an action plan to be able to ensure lifelong happiness. Cool huh? I haven’t gotten too deep into it yet, but it really has me interested. We are going as a mission this upcoming Saturday- on the 15th to the 50 year celebration. (http://www.lds.cl/s/)
We had a fun this past week living a little dream of both of us, Elder Deaver and I. We had to take the map that the office Elders had made and make sure they were clear enough for the whole mission to follow. When we got to the stadium, we asked if we could have a tour of the stadium. They said we couldn’t do that because there weren’t enough guards to help us. They asked if we were the bosses...yes, we confidently replied. He picked up his Walkie talkie and a man came over to show us around the stadium. You have to know that this stadium is a professional soccer stadium. It was probably similar in quality to a D2 school college stadium, but hey it’s pro. The man walked us around and took us down onto the grass. We walked over and sat in the benches were the team sits. I wish you could have been there. We were the only three people in the stadium were 22 thousand people can fit. There was a big dark storm rolling in and a cool breeze. It was so beautiful. We talked to the man and he explained to us about the stadium and pretty much everything. We got talking to him about his family and found that a family member had recently died. We talked to him about that and taught him about the plan of salvation. Because we had a Book of Mormon in hand, literally (as a mission now, we are everywhere with a Book of Mormon in our hand, it is incredible the difference), and opened to Alma 40 and left him the Book of Mormon. We testified that our families can live eternally and we can return and see our loved ones again through Jesus Christ. I obviously felt the Spirit. We expressed to us that it is so nice to feel and hear something like that, because it gives you new breath, I might say. We were there for probably 40 minutes. We got his address and will get the missionaries there as soon as possible.

I sure love being a missionary family. I think I have expressed that in almost every letter. It is just something special. Heavenly Father is really blessing me. I love being Elder Tilley. I love serving the missionaries. I love my companion. I love my pension. I love my family. I love my life. I love the Savior and love My Heavenly Father. I love you family, Love Elder Tilley

(Jayce) I’m sure glad that you are so awesome Jayce. I hope you know that we are going to be best friends. I’ll be able to tell you anything and know that you will be able to feel the same. … No way I’m getting truncky champ. Elder Deaver gave me a letter today about how ancient warriors returned home 1) disgracefully without their shields, because that meant that they had dropped it to lose the weight and run in retreat because they gave up or 2) they were brought home dead on their shield, which were used as a stretcher for those that had been killed. Well Jayce, I’ll tell you what....I will be coming home with my shield. I’m so excited for you. I can’t even imagine how different your experience will be, but I will tell you one thing that will be the same. When you feel the love, you are doing it right. Love you Jayce.

(Rebecca) I’ll write you a heart touch-er for this week Becs. You have to share it with the family though. We were on our way home from visiting the stadium where we will are going to have the activity next Saturday. We got on a bus that would take us back down to the metro (like an underground train). The bus driver stopped in the middle of the intersection and looked out his window and started honking and honking his horn. I looked over and saw a big Coca Cola truck unloading a bunch of pop. I thought to myself. "Wow, this guy can’t wait 10 minutes to get a Coca Cola. That is a sticky addiction". He just kept honking and honking and grabbed his bag to pull out some money it looked like. I could tell that all the people that were squished together around me were getting a little frustrated too. After what seemed a long time, I noticed that a little girl was running toward the bus. When she got to the door, the bus driver said "Are you coming sweetie?" She jumped on the bus. The man said "How did your day go love?" You have to know that he is talking to her and there are about 8 people including myself physically in the middle of this conversation. She replied to her dad and they talked back and forth till we got dropped off. I want to be a Dad like that. I’m glad you are doing well Bec and for this next week, I want to hear a story. Love you, Love Elder Tilley

(Dad) I’m glad I can write you Dad. We have been really busy. I hope it gives you comfort, that I can not remember 1 single thing that I learned in family scripture study. The only thing that I can remember is that it must be true if my parents got us up at 5:00am every single morning to do it. I am so excited for Jayce. I was so much more excited to see that he got his call than I was when I got mine. I have really learned a lot and I like a lot how I am because of my mission. I am loving it … I’m staying here, mentally and spiritually till all is done. I’m not leaving anything. I’m enjoying myself. I love feeling the Spirit. I want to be obedient. I want to follow the Savior and love doing so. I love sharing and living and helping and teaching. Wow, how I love teaching. I love Lilia and Sergio our investigators. It feels like I have practiced my whole mission so that I was able to teach them like we have. I just love them. They both are ready. Tomorrow we were asked by President to take a missionary on a division to one of his old wards where a boy will be baptized. That ward is also a ward I was in. Do you remember the family that I knocked on their door and then got changed? I met them for the first time a few months ago and she told me that she had seen me in a dream? It is that family. I talked to this little boy that will be baptized tomorrow because he was playing soccer out in front of his house. It will be a tender mercy to be there. I love you Dad. I am praying for you. Don’t forget about the promised blessing of (roof over head, clothes on our back and food on our plates to those who pay a honest tithing and generous fast offering, not mattering how small the amount and live the Gospel) That’s in the Principles of the Gospel book, under tithing. Thank you for your example and faith Dad. I couldn’t ask for a more firm and steadfast role model in my life. Love you, Love Elder Tilley

Dedicated and Diligent Missionaries

(Another picture from the Mission Blog: Caption is--We love our dedicated and diligent missionaries)

(Josh) You did not have an older brother to give you advice and love when you were in your last weeks of your mission. I believe that I am very blessed. Josh, I want you to know that I have absolutely loved my mission. I remember you telling us that the day that you got home that you had talked to people that very day. I have been eternally influenced by your example. I love you. I’m glad that Jailey knows who I am. I tell people that I’m going home to be able to get to know two princesses.I sure loved conference so far. I loved Elder Ian Alred (with the accent) and Elder Perrys talk. Thank you Josh, Love Elder Tilley

(Mom) I’ll send you a picture of my new companions. I absolutely love them. … We will be going to Santa Laura stadium to celebrate the 50th year of missionaries in Chile. It is going to be really really big. … I am really excited. I have loved conference; lots of important revelation. Some of my favorite quotes...God does not care if you work in marble halls or stable stalls. He just cares about me and that He loves me and me Him. I loved Elder Bednar about the spirit of Elijah. I felt that that is a spiritual reservoir waiting for me to tap into the happiness and blessings it contains. I felt it was a huge blessing that would increase to my happiness and love for God by following the council to become involved with it...not as a suggestion...but as a commandment. I also loved how there were so many thoughts and inspirations to learn how to use the technology that we have been offered. We watched it in our chapel....the stake center and were in a room on the side, watching it in English. I’m so happy to have that option. I just love listening to their voices. I have listened before in Spanish and seems not to have the same affect on me. I loved it. I sat with my companions and the zone. We ordered pizza and had some lunch between sessions. My birthday was the best, especially because of Jayce. The Venegas and Jimena Espinoza were so kind to come to wish me a happy birthday. They brought me cake and sandwiches and pancakes that were filled with MANJAR (it’s like thick caramel) I love those. They gave some gifts that they had made and a couple videos that they had made for me. They are so nice and loving. I sure am glad for the strength they have been to me. It helps me realize that there are people like that still out there and they are really willing to change their lives and have the best lives that they could ever imagine once they feel the Spirit in their hearts testify of the truth of the message of the Restoration of the Gospel. It heals hearts...it heals families.

Well Mom, I would have to say that Jayce hit it right on the dot with the "getting jipped" part. I am so sorry that I did not get back to you Mom. I love you so much. I am glad that I have changed a lot in my mission to hopefully get a bit closer to matching the caliber of my family. I say that seriously. I am excited to bless and help where I have been the receiver for two years. I am trying to run hard. Really hard. I am trying not to think about things that distract me, but stay focused enjoying the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing it with others. I sat on a chair today, waiting for our car tire to be changed and a man sat down and we exchanged a few words and I continued writing, preparing some thoughts for conference. I thought, it is much better to be out-going and share at first contact because it establishes the conversation and the relationship. As I wrote this … he got up and walked away. His car was done and he was leaving. To my surprise, he came back a few minutes later and I was glad to have the opportunity to put that right back into practice. I started up a conversation with him. We talked for about 35 minutes…. We talked about his work and family and about the Savior. It was a good time. I want to always be bold to open my mouth because it just fills me right up after having done it. President Laycock is always like that. … People know he is a member and they naturally are drawn to him because of his excitement love and energy. I have felt the desire to self-check my obedience and willingness to serve with my heart. I love being a missionary, as I have said before and I mean it with the real part of my feelings. I am praying for you Mom and love you … Bottom line is … the most influential person of my life will be loved by her son. Love you Mom, you are the best. . . . We are heading back to the stake center for conference, priesthood session. I have loved talking with you. You will be in my prayers. "Better to Look Up" Love Elder Tilley

Best Birthday present EVER!!! Jayce's Mission Call to Africa

(no pictures still from Elder Tilley--so here is one of Jayce in shock when he saw he was going to Africa in February for HIS MISSION EXPERIENCE)

(Mom and Jayce) I wish you could have seen me right when I saw the words...."Its Here". I screamed and told my companion to come film me. I have a good video but it is way too long to send. I started crying. Can you believe that....Elder Tilley crying...... You have no idea Jayce. That was the BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT I have ever received. Honestly, I have never ever been so happy. I think I was more impacted and excited than when I got my mission call. I know what that place will mean to you. Wow. I literally stand all amazed Jayce at the love Jesus offers us. You just can’t know till you get there and you love the people and you cry with them and for them and just can’t help loving them with every ounce of your heart. You just can’t imagine Jayce. I am so excited for you. It is unreal. I am so proud of you. I can’t even think. I just want to talk to you and cry with you in happiness for the salvation of those people and for your own that you will be rewarded laboring among those people. Love is the Key. I could say it over and over. Its all about love. Peter....Do you love me.....Peter Do you LOVE ME.....Peter...DO YOU LOVE ME. Then feed my sheep.
I love you so much and can’t wait to talk to you about being a missionary. Thank you for sharing with me Elder....Love Elder Tilley

Happy Birthday to Elder Tilley . . . 21!

Another Picture from the Mission Blog--Caption said: Elder Maxfield sent us this beautiful picture of Santiago that he took as his plane flew away from Santiago on the night that he completed his mission service. We thought that it looked much like a treasure trove of jewels, sparkling in the night. That is how we think of Santiago. Her people are jewels that sparkle and glisten in the light of the Lord.

(Mom) The Venegas just came to the office to wish me a happy birthday. Ill come back in a second… I’m so excited to tell them about the man....my little brother going to thrash the nations. See you in a sec. ..
4:26-Bec I love how you are Beck. I like how you are honest. We are going to have a blast. Well, stories huh? Lets see. I had a really really cool experience this last week. Its a bit of a secret though down here. Dont tell.... . I recieved a phone call from a man in the public affairs office of the church. They deal with all the public things that have to do with the church. They read the news alot to see if anything has to do with the church and other things....well, they called me and said that a member of the area of the seventy was sending us a film crew from Utah to take film of Elders from our mission. I talked to President and of course he said yes. Turns out that this film crew is the same crew that did the District Videos that are famous to all missionaries....I got to be with all morning. We drove them to a pension as they filmed. They were making a real movie. They are making it for the celebration for the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the missionaries in Chile. It is going to be a huge celebration. … That was something a little crazy that happened…My new companions are Elder Deaver and Elder Besich. I sure love them both. Elder Whitney left this last week with his family. It was really fun seeing them. I sure have loved being here in my ward called "El Golf". … Lilia and Sergio are doing well. I love them so much. I love being with them and love how they accept the Gospel so easily because they can FEEL that it is true. I love you so much Bec. Keep up the Freckles and the Power. Love you,
Elder Tilley

September 17, 2011

(This is the picture on the mission blog with the title: Our Dear Assistant, Elder Tilley . . . they got that right:))

(Mom)…. I’m going to talk to President soon about some direction (about coming home). I would consider myself unfortunate if I didn’t take some time to talk about that with him. He talked to Elder Whitney and I for two hours this last week about how to get out of debt quickly. Its a plan of success. You can imagine how much I loved that. Love you.

September 10, 2011

(Picture from the Mission Blog labeled: Dedicated Diligent Missionaries. The other two have gone home now)

Sorry for the wait. We’ve had a full day. Elder Whitney is getting his last preparation day wishes in. It has been really fun. We are going to go here soon to Thilo and Marlenes house to be able to record them for the film we are putting together for the activity on the 26 of this month....

Guess What!!!I got the package. Elder Orozco and Tooley and Whitney were so excited. They wanted to tell you that you are the best. They really did like them and are very grateful. We took a bunch of pictures, but I don’t have my camera right now, sorry. Ill send them next time. About the birthday present....you know that I have changed alot here on my mission right....well, lets just say, me puse Clark y abri el regalo. No pude esperar. Me lo encanto. Muchas Gracias. (Translation: Like Clark, I opened the gift. I could not wait. Charm me. thank you very much). Did you get that? I actually didn’t even see the warning until after it was opened. Woops. No se preocupe. Voy a tener un compleaños con cualqier sopresa igual. (translation: Do not worry. I'll have a surprise cualqier compleaños with equal).

I sure love you Mom. This week has been one of the best. I couldn’t let myself think too much this past weekend. It wasn’t as hard as I thought. I have been on divisions 2 times this last week and loved them both. I sure love that. That is what is so awesome about missionary work. The good old work. I absolutely loved it. I still get butterflies, but I get over them. I have found myself to be much much more bold. A lot more than I have ever been. I don’t know if that has come from being in the office. I can only imagine that it has. I sure love you.

Thank you for everything.
Pray for Lilia and Sergio. They have their date for the 18th. We have had the most wonderful experiences with them. I love teaching people because I love them. I love praying for them and practicing for them. I just love them and can feel that Heavenly Father loves them too.

A man in the street asked me today "what do you think is the biggest problem in Chile". I answered LOVE. I dont know if he understood it the right way that i meant it, but surely, it is love for God. Doing what he says. The famous saying is here....I follow Christ "in my own way". How false. What a trap. It is the phrase that I have heard more than any other. I love the Gospel. I love how simple it is. How powerful it is. It changes lives, bodies, minds, hearts. I just feel so privileged to be able to be a representative of Jesus Christ. .. The biggest and most wonderful thing has been with Lilia and Sergio. We taught them about the Priesthood and had a very spiritual lesson. Thank you Mom for teaching me about miracles and how to go about receiving one. We have been fasting and praying. We blessed them by the power of the Priesthood. Remember she told us that she couldn’t get baptized because of a sickness. I talked to her yesterday and she said that she actually feels better. Miracle. She prayed that Heavenly Father would heal her so that she would be able to baptized with her son on the 18th. It was one of the more beautiful moments of my mission. I love simple faith. It is strong. Please be praying for them to trust in God and trust in the promises of his two servants in this sector. We have felt it is right.

…Pray for our protection. Santiago traffic is not the safest thing. Love you tons.

September 3, 2011

Elder Maxfield went home a couple weeks ago. I sure am grateful for him. We are really good friends.

Lilia and Sergio are progressing well. We have a current set back with them.. She told us that she got sick again of a very painful something and feels unsafe entering the water. During the lesson, I thought of the movie where the man has a burnt leg and the missionaries ask him if he has the faith to be healed. On the spot, the missionary commands him to be healed. The man gets up and walks briskly and happily all around the house. We are going to be praying for her. I sure love you. The mission is doing well. We are seeing lots of miracles. There are many people showing up almost out of nowhere wanting to be baptized. September, the month of miracles. I’m still working hard. Focusing on keeping my mind off the end and focusing on the now. .. We played "futbol" this morning. It was good to get some exercise in. My knee didn’t hurt at all. It usually doesn’t just running, the problem is jumping and cutting back and forth really hard. We had a great week. We have been trying to work harder in the sector. Its what keeps me sane. I sure love being a missionary. I was realizing that I’m getting squeezed for all I’m worth to build me that much more. I love you all a lot. I didn’t even realize what was going on this weekend. I hope you enjoy it. Don’t worry, I won’t cry for longer than a minute .

(Dad) This week has been very good. The weeks go by so fast. We are getting ready for our activities for the 18th. We have made progress with our investigators as well. I really love them. Ill be praying that you will be enjoying this weekend. Thanks for all the work you go through to make it a life-long memory. … I was inspired by President Laycock when I asked him how he humbled himself when he feels really awesome (he is really cool. I can only imagine that he feels like that alot). He said "I go to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Hill Calvary" … This has saved me many of times from taking a bad thought for a walk. This week I have had many times where this needs to be used. I want to keep myself pure first for Him and second, for my future wife and to be worthy in the interview with my future father in law. I wanted to share this with you because it has been a blessing to me and I am constantly working on keeping myself pure. I want me Dad to be proud of me. Please pray for me to have the might, the pure will power to throw all temptation of this kind out the window. Pray for my mind and heart. I sure love you Dad. Thank you for all you are doing for your family. Love you so much,

Love Elder Tilley

I took this from outside our window. It was so beautiful this morning!

You are looking good Jayce. I’m really excited for you and for all that you have done. Its almost your turn. Hold on there… (I) remember having very significant temptation just before I left. Promise the Lord that you are His. Everything....not just your mind, not just your might, not just your strength....everything. Heart, Might, Mind, Strength. I have realized that I have been significantly tested in these specific areas of my life. I imagine that when you walk into the MTC, your just a big walking man, but really undefined. Like a rock man. When he walks its really rusty, not able to move his joints very well. When you get to the MTC, you just have a huge chisel that comes and whacks off the huge rock formation on your arm. As the rock starts to crumple, a human arm starts taking form. It hurts, it hurts alot sometimes, but think about a perfect walking man at the end. Big chunks and little chunks will keep being taken off until we become like the Savior. This is only possible through the Atonement. I always like thinking about that. I’m not sure how it started, but it helps me see and gives me motivation when it’s hard. Keep up everything Jayce. Nothing can stop Elder Jayce Tilley. Nothing. Period. Your the best. Keep getting your spiritual food. I gave a talk to the mission this last week about how the spiritual food compares to the physical food. After having skipped one meal, how do we feel? Week, Sick, without energy, just very unstable. That happens after one meal skipped. Even if we eat a few hours late, it starts to happen. I found a quote by Elder Oaks that I really really liked from his talk "Nourishing the Spirit". He said that the affect that physical nutrition has on the body, is the same affect that malnutrition spiritually has on the spirit. When it isn’t fed well, it is susceptible to sickness, weakness, Very very unstable. Keep praying and preparing and exercising faith, humility and love for your family members that are there near you. You won’t have them for much longer. Take advantage. Love you. Love Elder Tilley

August 27, 2011

We haven’t visited Victoria this week. I called a couple nights ago and said that she couldn’t have us come over, but still said that she wanted to go to church tomorrow. She really needs the power of the Atonement to change her heart. She has suffered a lot and dwells on it. We met with that family last night because our ward mission leader invited them to a Family Night. We didn’t want to say anything to strong that would cause any offense, so we felt to teach lesson 2. We dived everyone up into 5 groups and had each group(couple) study a few scriptures and draw a picture to represent The Plan of Salvation. It was good because the members taught most of the lesson. We got humbled because we have been practicing lesson 1 a lot and at this point, we were thinking that we were pretty good teachers. We taught the whole lesson and at the end when we invited the people to be baptized, they responded "I don’t think you have to be Mormon to follow the Savior". It was just frustrating that after 45 minutes of trying to explain exactly the answer to that question, it obviously wasn’t understood. Even though we tried to teach just how we practiced (very very important and Jayce can testify why) it just didn’t happen like we hoped. . . Elder Tilley is not the teacher. The Spirit is the true teacher and if I am not humble and have not sought the Lord for help, then no way is the Spirit going to be there to soften a heart and to enter to change minds and hearts and lives. Instead of teaching lesson 1 or 2 or 3 now. I like to think and say that we are teaching Lesson Monica or lesson Fernando or Lesson Lilia and Sergio. That makes me excited just thinking about that. Because everyone is so different and have different likes, desires, reasons for inviting us...each lesson has to be their own, specifically designed for that person. That’s what I have loved so much about this last week. I love teaching by the Spirit. The feeling that you get when you know that people are feeling the Spirit and see them have life difficulties and pains just almost disappear from their eyes and countenances is the most beautiful thing that I think can be felt. I sure love teaching people. This assignment has defiantly helped me see and appreciate more preaching the gospel. This past week we have been preparing for the mission primary activity that we actually just got back from. Each of us had 5-7 minutes to teach the stake primary about being a missionary. You might guess that I chose "The Holy Ghost". I told the primary that I would tell them the secret to being a great missionary. In a very very quiet voice I said "Espiritu Santo". When I asked who heard me, no one raised their hand. I said it again. They started to get quiet and on the third time and little sweet heart in the front row got really excited and said "Espiritu Santo!". I then asked "If I’m supposed to follow the Holy Ghost then how can I do that if I can’t even see him". A little boy on the back right said "we can’t see him, but we can feel him". I had the little Elder (with his nametag that the presidency had made) come and help me. We did a little experiment with some candy, a blindfold, and "The Spirit". I first put the blindfold on the boy and asked him to try to find the candies. He walked around slow trying to remember how to get his direction right after having spun around a few times. After a few seconds, I took him and asked for another volunteer. With the candy on the table you should have seen how many hands went flying up (doctrine of the candy). Anyway, the little Sister missionary acted as the Holy Ghost and guided the boy to the candy. I testified about the Spirit and promised them that they would be lead to the people that needed them by following the holy ghost and by starting today to listen for him. I thought Mom you would like that story. I was really filled at the meeting. Little kids are just the greatest. We are planning for the 18th activity. It will be the following week that we celebrate it though. We are excited. We are starting to put together a little video to fire up the mission and thank them for all the wonderful work that they are doing.

Preston-compare PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL

(Preston) Hey big guy,
The last 3 days, Elder Whitney and I have worked out in the gym that is in the bottom of our apartment building. My arms are still really tight. It hurts to stretch them out all the way. It feels really good to exercise even though it hurts. I was thinking during lunch how funny it is that "we go to the gym to cause pain to our muscles that we know helps them to grow". We willingly do it because it makes us bigger and stronger, not to mention cool. Then I got to thinking, would I be as willing to put myself into spiritual, emotional, mental pain (meaning trials), just so that my character (spirit, mind, heart etc....who I am) gets stronger and bigger? That is really interesting. I wonder why we willingly go through physical pain but any other trials sometimes would make us think twice. It says in the scriptures that men must be proved in all things to be proved worthy to live with God. From that, I guess that lots and lots of spiritual muscles are going to have to be built. I was also thinking about how we prepare our food.
Think about all that we do to eat a meal
1. We have to think about what we want to eat (this changes of course if its after school, after a football game where you just ran in the winning touchdown, in the morning) whenever. We have to think about what we want and what we need. 2. We have to prepare the food. We take out the beans and wash them. Then cut the bread. Then open the package of noodles etc... it all takes preparation. 3. We pray for thanks and a blessing over ourselves and the food so that it will be to our benefit 4. Last and finally we grub. If physically eating, of course is necessary, it is also a reminder about how the Spirit needs nourishment, it would make sense that the same process would make a spiritual feast only that much better. Hmmm. I honestly have to say that I don’t think that I have ever sat down to study having done so much preparation. All these thoughts came from this last week that I have studied the question "Hungry?"… The lack of nourishment physically and spiritually comes down to...DEATH. Wow … Hopefully it excites you to study the scriptures. They are fun. Think of something that you would like to study. Whether it be sports or music or health or how to get better grades on your next spelling test ( I sure need to study for that one). I’m sure, absolutely sure that if you look hard, you will see the scriptures come right alive and have everything to do with an 11 or 12 year old looking for answers. Love you Big man. Have a great week. I’m praying for you. Love Elder Tilley

Can you believe how technical we are getting? Every companionship with their own DVD player. That’s what I’m talking about. The mission program is better than it’s ever been and getting even better… Thank you Dad for the encouragement and advice. I’m working hard. I think the real sign of being trunky is not caring that you actually are. It hurts to see it. I sure love being a missionary. I’m excited to be with the family, but I am not excited to not wear a name tag symbolizing my divine calling as a Representative of Jesus Christ, the Savior of every person . . . I sure love the Gospel, the Savior and Heavenly Father. Love you Dad. I’m working hard and praying for you. This week will be made good by both of us. Love you!

August 20, 2011 - snowed in Santiago. Crazy huh?

I took this picture from outside our window. It is the morning after it snowed in the city. The mountains usually have white caps, but they were just covered that next morning. It was so beautiful.

I want you to know how much your letters and love have helped me so much during my whole mission. It is one of the highlights of the week. I sure hope that the letters that I send home are as beneficial to you as yours are to me. I want to be a better brother and friend, son, etc...People (specific ones) have helped make the most influence on me during these years. They mean so much to me (President and some companions). Because I have felt how much their influence has helped me, I want to be that to each of you because it means a world. I am so thankful for each of you. I think I have a wonder family. One that you would imagine in a perfect family movie. Of course I know its not like that, but close. . . Hey, this week it snowed in Santiago. Crazy huh? I guess it happens more often than Gilbert, but only about every 3-5 years. It was really cool . . . We cleaned our house this morning again. Its good to be clean. Thanks for everything family. I sure love and love you. Love Elder Tilley

August 13, 2011

(Bec). . . One of the things that I don’t like the most is when someone I love is struggling. I know that trials are good because they help us grow, but that is something that I had to find out on my mission. . . a new way to look at it. Instead of worrying about being perfect to not have to suffer any more than is needed, I have felt and decided to get really good at repenting . . . Only through the Atonement, which is unlocked through repentance, is that possible. I have found that I’m able to relax much more. I feel much more happy and much more real. I don’t know why I felt to share that with you, but it has been something that has really helped me recently. I sure love having the Spirit with me. I feel like I’m me when it is with me really strong. When its not...watch out for Grumpy Bear.
. . . keep working hard on the things that matter. I guess it is like the Gospel. Focusing on the most important things is the only way to truly get good. Focus on the things that are really going to help you get to the next level. If the left hand isn’t there like it should....get it there by doing game situation drills with the left that will directly go into your game situation. Only practice will get you to be as good as you can be. (I’m going back to my wish mode) I wish I would have thought about basketball much more intelligently. I wish I would have analyzed my own game and took responsibility for getting better in the things that I felt I needed an idea. Put your game down on paper, your strengths and weaknesses, your tendencies, your likes and dislikes....and make a plan to develop in the area that you want to improve or that your coach says you need to improve, cause she is probably right, and become the best athlete this state has ever seen.

Lunch with Leaving Missionaries and the Laycock's

. . . We also had a wonderful lunch yesterday for those that are leaving. Sister and President Laycock shared some really special things with us. I really love them and they love us so much. That is kind of the theme of their service. LOVE. Love is really great because it makes every word that comes out of their mouth have special meaning to their audience. Sister Laycock has told us many times recently that "She didn’t know that Heavenly Father could allow her to love us like her own children; like we had been raised in their house and all. While I have been here they have been my physical parents since mine have been away. I love them tons.

Jayce, I love you! I have been praying for that day to come quickly for you. Today is your last Saturday. I remember my last Saturday selling. I remember sitting for a little breather and cliff bar and realizing how happy I was and what I was doing. I want to stay “all here” on my mission until the last minute. I’m going to need your help because I’m so excited to be able to be with you again and the family. Keep pumping me up to work my hardest for the Lord. To sacrifice my thoughts of home in Love for Heavenly Father and for the Savior. Pump hard Jayce. Be the best. . . Elder Tilley

(Dad) I’ll tell you how this last week went to get a sneak peak. Monday- change meeting 8-12 … then… helped Elders that would be leaving that night to get their bags weighed in right and to pack them into the truck. We left straight from there to the airport about 40 minutes away. We helped the Elders go and check their bags in and get their flight tickets. Then we saw them walk through the door of doom from whence no Elder has ever returned :) That is always really sad, especially when you can tell that the Elder or Sister loved their mission...loved the Lord really. Then President Laycock told us to go home early and get some rest. He did that, because the next morning at 2:30am Mr. Alarm clock woke us up and told us we had to shower. After getting ready, we picked up the Sister missionary that had her flight that morning. We dropped her off at the airport and sent her through the door. Then, we went back out to our truck where our pillows and blankets had been anxiously waiting for their owners to take a 3 hour airport nap. At 7:50 we got up and waited for the new missionaries that would arrive from the states. There were only 5 coming this time. Funny enough, when I was walking down the stairs toward the arrival gate, a man walking up the stairs caught my attention. I’m not sure how still, but I knew he was from Arizona. I don’t know if it was the shade of tan skin or clothing style or what....but anyway as we past him....he said "Good to see you Elders". You don’t hear that hardly ever in a good accent. After waiting for a while, we went back to check their flight and the same man was standing behind us. I turned around and asked him where he was from....I was pleased at my guess and very surprised to find out that this man is from none other than Thatcher, Arizona. Stephen.....not sure. He just laughed out loud. He didn’t recognize me but he said that he knew a seminary teacher named Brother Palmer. He said he liked to play basketball out there. I’m sure Josh played with him. …We went from there to the New Missionary Capacitation with President (he was at the airport too, he always picks up the Elders and also sees them off at the airport, something that no other Mission President does as far I know from around here) He is something special. After finishing that, at 4 or five, we picked up two twin brother Missionaries that met here to see each other and fly home together (one from our mission and the other from the south…Orsorno Mission). We went back to the airport and did the same thing and hit the bed as soon as we could. Wednesday was less crazy. We had a lesson with a family where we were humbled in the evening. Thursday, we had another airport trip with triplet brothers who were doing the same thing and another set of twins. We had an appointment cancel on us in the evening and we did some touch up plans here at the office. Friday, we went to the Temple with the Elders that are leaving this next week early to start studies on time and did the "Santiago Day" with President. He takes all the missionaries that leave on a little tour of Santiago. We go to 4 of the most famous places here in Chile. We go to Santa Lucia, San Cristobal, Plaza de Armas, el mercado central and Los Dominicos. . . . That lasted till 7 in the evening which I will tell you more about because the lunch and lessons learned from the Laycocks were incredible. Then we went to a lesson with Victoria in the evening (the elderly lady that is blind). Today, preparation day (not P-Day anymore), we got up and did our wash, cleaned our house (I’ve gained a new love for clean living places) and went and played basketball with some kids at the court right next to the temple and church office building. Then we took showers and came down here to eat (Papa Johns-BBQ chicken) pizza that was great. Now I’m here. Tomorrow, President asked us to go with two great great Elders who are finishing their missions to a baptism in a different sector so they can enjoy seeing an old investigator baptism. Then, we are coming back here for the "see you later night" for the missionaries that are leaving in the temple grounds. Wow, I just got tired writing that. That was my week. It is the most crazy week of the change ... next week, we are going to be working on a plan of how to be able to get the mission excited about practicing teaching the mission lessons. President has felt that that is the direction we need to go. We are also going to be planning for the activity that we will have to celebrate the 18th of September. We are going to be able to do a little more work in the sector though, which will be great. Oh, we have another airport trip on Wednesday for the 5 that go home. Every day is different. It is going so fast. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I’m learning so much. I have felt that it will be much more like "after mission life" and I need to learn how to find happiness and joy in this kind of life style. I know that I need to be studying much more than I am. I haven’t gotten a good study session in for a while. President told us this last week that scripture searching is a requisite for the leaders of the church.
President asked "when will we know if someone’s mission is a success?" he answered, in 20 years. Who will they be? What kind of life will they have? What will be important to them? Will they be successful and Constant Temple attenders? As I got thinking about that, my love and respect for you Dad jumped up a lot. From how you are now and the answer to all those questions tells me that you were an incredible missionary. I would have liked to be your companion. It was a really special moment of appreciation from me to my Dad. Thanks Dad for being a wonderful missionary. I had some pain this last week from the choices of some Elders. I am hurt because I know what this miracle has done for me…I love you Dad a lot. We are going to have fun. I’m going to need your help to keep all “my all” here in Chile. I’m just so excited to be with the family again and share and get to know everyone better and live much more happily. I hope that helped you see into my current life a little bit. I consider myself most blessed by being able to have the opportunities that I am having and being able to have so many of them with President and Sister Laycock. I love your letters Dad. Thank you for taking so much time to write me and share what is happening. I love you. Love Elder Tilley

. . . I sure feel the love of our family. I know of Elders that are going through harder things than I can imagine. I respect them so much. I’m going to actually call them today to make sure that they are well.

. . . Yesterday, Sister Laycock said that she felt especially that these two principles needed to be followed by the group of missionaries that are leaving (she included my name in these too).
1. Keep your covenants and you will find joy and happiness
2. Your eternal companion will not be found in an unholy place. She just simply won’t be there. Once you find her, don’t wait.
The spirit was very strong through the whole meeting. It really hit me.

How Beautiful is Santiago?

How beautiful is this picture. I liked it. That big cloud that we are looking down on is actually the famous smog of Santiago. Wow! Jessica had her one year mark in April . I started in that ward remember? I saw her this last Sunday at the good bye night at the temple grounds for the missionaries that were leaving. She told me to tell you hello. She really adores you. I believe she is going to wait for her husband (to go to the temple). From what I have heard, she has been going through a hard time. She is so faithful and determined. . . . Changes went well. These last two weeks have been non-stop craziness. I’m really learning a lot more about managing stress through good planning . . . no one new came to the office this change. That means there is double the work for us. . . These last two weeks it has been difficult to get out into the sector. We really try to get at least one lesson in every day. I really love being with people when we are teaching them the Gospel. I love teaching the truth. It just lifts my spirits. Most of the finding is done by the members. They are really great. I have never received so many references my whole mission. We are currently working with Victoria, who we are planning to help her to be baptized in 3 weeks. I felt so bad last night when we left her house because (she is blind) and had us turn off all the lights before she left because she doesn’t know which are off and which are on. Can you imagine living all by yourself, and being blind on top of that? She really likes it when we come over because the words we say "just fill her spirit". We are going to take her the Book of Mormon CDs so she can listen to them. I think I’ll give her those primary children’s CDs too. We are also trying to work with a little family. We taught them this last week and really got humbled. I wrote in my journal after....Elder Tilley, the only true teacher is the Spirit. We have been practicing a lot these last weeks and supposedly have gotten pretty good. haha. The Spirit will accompany the humble seeker.

(Bec). . . One of the things that I don’t like the most is when someone I love is struggling. I know that trials are good because they help us grow, but that is something that I had to find out on my mission. . . a new way to look at it. Instead of worrying about being perfect to not have to suffer any more than is needed, I have felt and decided to get really good at repenting . . . Only through the Atonement, which is unlocked through repentance, is that possible. I have found that I’m able to relax much more. I feel much more happy and much more real. I don’t know why I felt to share that with you, but it has been something that has really helped me recently. I sure love having the Spirit with me. I feel like I’m me when it is with me really strong. When its not...watch out for Grumpy Bear.. . . keep working hard on the things that matter. I guess it is like the Gospel. Focusing on the most important things is the only way to truly get good. Focus on the things that are really going to help you get to the next level. If the left hand isn’t there like it should....get it there by doing game situation drills with the left that will directly go into your game situation. Only practice will get you to be as good as you can be. (I’m going back to my wish mode) I wish I would have thought about basketball much more intelligently. I wish I would have analyzed my own game and took responsibility for getting better in the things that I felt I needed an idea. Put your game down on paper, your strengths and weaknesses, your tendencies, your likes and dislikes....and make a plan to develop in the area that you want to improve or that your coach says you need to improve, cause she is probably right, and become the best athlete this state has ever seen.

We just came back from lunch with President Laycock. That is how I want to be.

Elder Tilley didn't send any pictures for 2 months (smile), so I had to get some off the mission blog . . . This is one I found... President Laycock and the Assistants to the President enjoy "planning" meetings at special places in Santiago. Elders Tilley and Whitney are an important blessing to our mission. They work so hard and serve so many.

When we stepped into the restaurant, he was so happy to see “his friend” Javier who was the waiter of our table. He greeted him with a hug, like they were best friends. It left me wanting to know if he knew him before or if it was the first time meeting him. I know that that man felt loved and happy as he attended us. President took time to answer any question that we had and shared many wonderful stories of his personal life. His life is meant to bless others. He shares himself to help others, more personal and direct, to help me. After he shared his stories, he wanted to know about us. He asked us one by one to share something. It was really casual, very friendly. Every person shared and he listened with interest and added love to each of the stories. After the lunch, which wasn’t cheap, the waiter Javier asked him if he would like to give a tip. He said “O, por su puesto, 10 por ciento, como siempre” with an attitude like he was confused Javier had asked the question, but on purpose to help him feel his anxious love and appreciation. We got a picture with the food that we had had and of course wanted Javier to be in the picture. When we left, President thanked Javier with a hug and peeked under the counter to tell all the cooks thank you for the wonderful food like always. When we walked back out to the car, he hugged the rugged looking man that was working as a “car watcher”. He asked him about his family before we went away. When he closed the door, he told us that all the people that we had talked to today have had missionary visits. “I’m still working with them”, he said “but they are still my friends”. He told us about his favorite family Christmas tradition on the first Monday of December when they would choose a family and get them something. They borrow cars, wear masks so that no one would be able to catch them and leave all these things without the family knowing and no one would ever tell. It is top secret. They go listen to the Tabernacle Choir sing Christmas music in the Conference Center. That starts out the wonderful Christmas spirit. They tell Christmas stories as a family as well. He said one of the best talents is to be able to tell a story well. He is a really good one. He said telling stories starts from the scriptures. If you can tell stories from the scriptures well, you can tell any story. When we got back to the office, he dropped us off, but wanted to share one more thing with us. He said nothing is more important to him then his family. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and then all the rest shall be added”. I’ve always liked that scripture, but became much more deeply upon hearing this story. He said he was in very important meeting, being the number two representing his firm. His boss and mentor (something Workman) I believe, stopped the meeting where they were and said “I am not able to speak to you right now, I have an unbreakable commitment. May we continue in 30 minutes? President said that the sky must have been falling to have stopped a meeting like that. When they got out to the car, his boss told him “I need to help my son with his math assignment, in thirty minutes I’ll be back to continue. “I am not able right now, I have an unbreakable commitment”. “First, seek ye for the Kingdom of God and then shall all the rest be added unto you”. He thanked us again for the wonderful lunch and got out of the car to hug each one of us before he left. He didn’t just do it because he understands what love is and the positive affect it has on every living being upon the face of the earth. The most influential power is the power of love. I’ve become more than ever in my life because of a LOVING example. Not just an example, not just a teacher, but an instructor spiritually, emotionally, socially and mentally. Love is the key.

August 6, 2011

(Jayce) Keep pumpin’ brother. My last few weeks (with Moxie) were the hardest because I started to get "trunky". I thought about how good it would be to be home... when does this day end... and dwelt on some of those. That was hard. I will tell you that it is much much easier to work hard and not let those thoughts play for very long. Let them give you excitement, but don’t entertain them to much that they make you homesick. Work harder, its easier. Love you Jayce. I’ve been thinking about you and praying for you. Have a wonderful wonderful week and Ill be excited to here from you next week too. Love you tons. Over and Out....Shooter, 1 down. Love you

Our new investigator is Victoria. It was a miracle. She was a reference from other missionaries. I called her on the phone and she told us to come as soon as possible. She had just had surgery on her eye. We took the elevator the 15th floor and stepped to apartment 152. We knocked and the maid let us in. She took us to a large room with red and gold rugs, beautiful furniture, golden curtains that looked over Santiago, with antique cabinets, paintings etc...It felt like we were in an incredible room on the ship Titanic. I don’t know why, but we all thought that. A few minutes later, this old lady with a patch over one eye came walking out, escorted by a member from a different ward that had happened to visit her for the first time that very same day (miracle in itself). She sat down and we introduced ourselves. She was very very down to earth and really funny. She has been trying to get contact with us for 1 year. We taught her about the Savior and the Atonement and the Gift of the Spirit which will comfort her and bring her peace. That is what she explained that she wanted. She accepted the challenge to be baptized in three weeks and we are really excited for her. She is named Victoria.

Well, good news. Thilo and Marlene, instead of waiting after the baby to be married then baptized, they are just going to do it in August. I think it should be in the next few weeks. They had invited President to come over 6 months ago and I hope I will be able to accompany :).

Me and Elder Whitney

San Cristobal-St. Mary Statue

"Dearelder.com" about Rachel becoming a MOM!

Here is a journal entry (and experience) with President Laycock from a couple weeks ago.

I LOVE PACKAGES

There is my buddy Elder Ostergar.

It's COLD in Santiago!

July 30, 2011

Answers to questions: The mission President has two councilors that are both here from Chile I believe. They don’t work with us very much. I have only seen them a few times during my whole mission. Just Elder Whitney and I are his assistants. We consider ourselves more blessed than anything having the contact and relationship that we do with President Laycock. He is really something else. We have about 140 missionaries more or less at any given time. This next week we are going to have to plan a lot for picking them up who are coming, dropping those off who will be going and preparing the meetings for both. It is a lot of work and planning. I’m learning a little bit more each week about the importance and effectiveness of planning.

(Josh) I bet studying with you would be really fun, like the study we had with President Laycock in his house this last week. It was him and 8 of us; 4 Zone leaders, 2 Office Elders and us. It was incredible. We studied Isaiah 42,49,50,52, and the "grand daddy" 53. After that session, I felt like I knew the Savior much much better. It was beautiful. I can only imagine being able to have a study like that daily. WOW! I have been studying the Book of Mormon again with the topic of LOVE. I am marking all the examples that Heavenly Father shows love to us and how we show love to him. I have found so far that the majority of all He does to show His love is by "Visiting and Communicating with us". That was a deep insight to me. I want to start studying Isaiah more. After that study, it was easy to realize why Nefi loved to teach from Isaiah because it brought people to the Savior. I never understood how before. EX. that he showed us. Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.Specifically, vs three is one that we would usually read and jump and just hope to get to the end so that we can finish....The verses talk about the Savior and he shall not break a bruised reed. Reeds are very soft, hollow, blow over with the wind (president explained). His ministry will be as such not big booming, not even to break a bruised reed (he told people not to tell others that he healed them) His ministry was very calm and quiet. The smoking flax (candle light olden days) will not be put out. That could be why we don’t have nearly any of his years before what we do have. It was that quiet and it was prophesied to be so. (These are many of his words, mixed with some of my thoughts....not for sure doctrine). From those verses, I think about how he must have treated people, how he worked with them. So tender and loving. One verse that I may never had thought would help me came to life. I loved it. It was like we took a trip back through time.

Funny Story

(Preston) I have a good story . . . It is a funny one and a spiritual one.
Last night, we were starving and had to go to a little store on the corner to change our bills for coins because our washer and dryer in the apartment only take coins. When we got there and walked up to the door, their was a teen age girl standing at the door and asked us for money. My companion didn’t have any and I told her "No sorry" with s quick smile, mostly thinking about getting something in my stomach. We got in the store and I changed the coins and my companion bought me a completo gigante. It is like a big hot dag, but it has avocado, tomatoes, and mayonnaise. It is really really good, especially when you’re really really hungry. I knew that the girl was still standing at the door and so I pulled a pass along card out of my pocket to give to her. I handed it to her with a smile and asked her her name. She was very interested in my completo, I could tell. I ripped of a chunk of the end and gave it too her. She ate it up real fast. When I looked back down at my completo, I realized that the actual hot dog didnt break off when I gave it to her, so she got a chunk of bread and tomatoes and maynese. I thought about breaking off the hot dog piece and giving it to her, but I thought it would be kind of rude. (Not sure why I thought that). We kept talking about the church and told her that we could help her have a better life. She was excited to find a job through the church job program. Elder Whitney could tell that she wanted more completo I think, so he gave her something that he had just bought. It was like a twinky kind of. (Keep in mind that we are still really hungry). As we left and invited her to come to the church office building and call us, she asked me "me lo regala?" Will will give it to me? talking about my completo. I thought for a split second, looked up at my companion, smiled and handed her my completo. You must understand that it wasn’t an easy thing for a hungry 20 year old boy to do, both being out of money at the end of the month. I watched her walk into the store and sit down and start eating eat. I had a good feeling inside. It was better than the mere uncomfortableness of my stomach. We waved by to her as we left.

As we were driving home, we decided that we would be able to split the other one and each have half of a completo. Which is not very completo if you know what I mean. We set it down on the floor in between our seats and started driving home. I watched it for the first couple turns and it was fine.............We kept conversing about what had just happened and suddenly, around a corner I hear this noise that I know to be familiar that tells my mind, your completo on the floor is much less completo than before. To my horror, I look down and see the completo upside down on our paperwork with tomatoes, avocado and mayonese spread all over the papers. I did a mom scream Auhhhhh!, like I was talking in a big breath of air. We sat in silence for a few seconds and then just started busting up laughing. It was good night and a really fun memory and good story. . . I love you Pres. I hope all is going well. I am doing well and am grateful that you are praying for me. Be a good uncle this week.! Love you, Love Elder Tilley

July 23, 2011

This picture is looking out over the temple, the building just on the left is the chapel, which has been under construction since I’ve been here and just left of that, sorry you can’t see it, the Church office building. It is really big.

Hey Becs,
I sure love you. Thank you for always remembering me. I know it is not easy to write all the time, but I sure enjoy it when I get something from Bec. You are really good at writing because you express yourself well. That is a really good gift that you have. I’ve learned lots more on my mission to express myself. I never knew how important that was. I still feel like I’m just learning and am getting better at sharing my thoughts and feelings … You know what....today has been a little rough for me...(don’t tell mom ) and President sent me an email that just was an answer to prayer. … I treasure the things that President tells me and writes me. I think it will help you too. Thanks for being my favorite little Sister. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Of course wouldn’t have freckle pride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are so great. Keep bounding. I’m glad Heavenly Father is helping me learn. I love being a missionary. It is so fun to be myself and share the Gospel out of love. You are the best. Keep being the incredible Becstress like always . . . . Love you Bec. Have a great week and have fun with the little tike. ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Freckles Unite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Elder Tilley
(From Bec) . . . Just so you know, if you send things to mom’s email…she reads them!!!!!!! . . . thanks for the letter! I LOVE YOU! BECCA
(From E. Tilley) Yea I know. :)

Preparation Day/Night

Antonia's Baptism

This is the picture of Antonia's baptism and Elder Amado who baptized her--he's in our ward?
(Rach) . . . wow. I’m really excited for you. I can’t believe you are having a baby. You have always wanted to be a Mom. Our family grew up really quick. I was telling an Elder this last week about the 2 nieces and soon to come nephew that I hardly and don’t know yet. I’m excited. Good luck. I have no idea about anything about birthing besides the cow I saw that one time. So I don’t think I can give you any advice..haha. I’m praying for you too. Thank you so much for praying for me. I know that prayers are answered. I sure love you and know that Heavenly Father is near. Love you Rach...Till we talk again......MOM! Love Elder Tilley

We said a prayer for the Chilean people

These pictures are from this last Preparation day. It was really fun and spiritual too. At the end, as we looked over thousands and even millions of lights where people live, we said a prayer. The Spirit was very strong and we felt love for these wonderful people. I love Chilean people. They have wonderful qualities that I love. I love how they are HONEST. It might not say that on the news, but as far as I know...that’s how it is.

You know, I don’t know if the Gethsemane idea is an actual poem or just a comment I heard, but I really like it. Even though it would be a really neat experience to have you come pick me up and go see people and things, I’m glad that I am coming home. The thought came to me that the Apostles weren’t there either in the Garden (sleeping). It will be a magical place for me through the rest of my life. I love you tons. . . . Elder Whitney got called up just like I did. It is good to be with him. It is the best being friends with your companion. It’s miserable when you are not. . . . Well, Elder Amado is gone now and I believe that Elder Corbridge is the near President. I haven’t seen him for about a month though. . . Thanks Mom, you’re the best. Love You. Thank you for everything. . . Love you Chau