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.
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