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