(Jayce) Your are so awesome Jayce. I’m so excited for you. I wish I could have seen you play. My heart rips out thinking that I just missed my brother finish his high school basketball years. I know you finished strong because that’s the way you do anything. I’m almost crying right now...haha. Tons of luck in volleyball…Im going to be your biggest supporter when you get out here. I love hearing from you and from Josh and everybody. You’ll know what I mean though soon...really really soon... I love you tons and can’t wait to do things with you again.
(Mom) The first week was awesome. We had so much fun and talked to tons of people. We had a zone goal to find 200 news to finish the month...we got 209. It was really fun. There was tons of excitement in the zone. We talked to more people this week than I ever have before, probably in a whole change. We are working harder than we ever have and have a goal to crack the code to reaching our goals, as far as baptisms. I constantly remember that souls are precious in the sight of God, it’s not about numbers, but each number is 1 person. It still is fun though, testing faith and sticking your feet in the water and watching a miracle happen. I love learning about the gospel and living it. Marlene and Thilo are doing awesome. We are going on Tuesday, to talk about getting a marriage date. We have taught them pretty much everything. They accepted and understood the law of tithing. They are so great. Luis came to church again. He has dropped 2 cigarettes this week. Patricia came again because the Relief Society went by and visited her while selling her things in the street. She is so tired. She had to leave after the 2nd hour because she was falling asleep. We found another lady named Nataly that we have taught a few times now. She was on the point of taking her life. She dresses really badly and is really poor. Her husband left recently and she has to work… We did a special fast as a mission yesterday to find news. As we said our prayer, I felt that if we do 10 contacts with new people each day this week, we will be blessed to find a family that will progress and be baptized. Please pray for us to have faith. I love the Lord and the Gospel. Thank you for everything.
(Dad) I loved the letter Dad. Thank you so much for taking so much time to write me. It helps me out so much knowing that the Lord is blessing my family. I’m excited to be able to talk to you again Dad. I never realized that parents can be friends, just like friends can be friends and brothers and sisters can be friends. I love our family. I’m excited and loving being a missionary, testing out the waters of faith and diligence. We have had such a fun week. Elder Bourgeous is so funny and he loves to work. We know so many of the same people. We talk about the good old days sometimes. We are having fun and keeping each other safe. (ask bec). I know that your prayers are answered. I thought about the prayer of protection that you offered about a week ago. I know the Lord protects his missionaries. I love you tons Dad. I don’t know if there is anything I can do to help besides pray and work…
(Becca)- Yesterday, I was talking to someone in the street with my companion. I remember hearing my companion start yelling and someone grabbed me. I fell back a little bit as I spun to see a man with a knife in his hand. I didnt realize what went on, but we walked back and went around him. He was a drunk guy that we had talked to before. He has a really sad life. Elder Bourgeous pulled me out of the way and pushed him in the chest, as the knife was 6 inches from my back. I wasn’t really scarred in the moment, but as he told me about it a few minutes later, I started to pant a little. I know that Heavenly Father protects his missionaries. I know that angels come and help and protect. What I didn’t realize is that sometimes, those angles are our companions. Thinking about that, I’m thinking, maybe I can be an angel for someone else. Maybe I can lift their day or bear their burden. I can be an angel. Be an angel Bec. Their are lots of people....the majority, I would say, that need an angel, just someone to listen to them or give them a smile or tell them they look nice or sit with them when they are alone. Angels have lots of friends. I love you Bec. Your my friend and I can’t wait to be better friends even more. PS. Dad might ask you about this story. Tell freely. Love you, Love Elder Tilley
