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

July 16, 2011 I LOVE Santiago!

(Mom) Last night, in a ward talent show, we sang a medley of some famous Mexican songs. We all had our highlight moments. I sang the song "Alla en una rancha grande". I held the word vivia (last word of first line) for about 10 seconds straight with a deep Mexican super exaggerated vibrato. I have the video of us practicing, but it is way too big to send. I also told the story about a chicken that got hit by a car with a towel. Do you remember that? A missionary showed it to us about 10 years ago. The kids really liked that and there was a good laugh. It’s never exactly been my forte telling stories or doing weird things on stage but it is sure fun. The week went by fast. We taught Gabriela from Argentina one time and she is doing OK. She doesn’t fully understand the "no wine" thing, but I believe she will change as she prays with a sincere heart. Some of my favorite memories of my mission have been ones on my knees or blessings that have come from the relationship gained with Heavenly Father through prayer. It takes work I am learning more and more. It seems like the weeks that I am focused on praying go by so well and then my natural man slips and I feel the consequences and am forced to rebuild and grow the relationship.
Mama, ¿cómo está el español? ¿Tiene clases? Estoy animado de poder hablar con usted. Esta semana leí mas del Libro de Mormón en español y me ayudó muchísimo. Te amo.
(Google translation)- Mama, how are you Spanish? Do you have classes? I am encouraged to speak with you. This week I read over the Book of Mormon in Spanish and helped me a lot. I love you.
Mom’s response- Thanks to google translate I understood the message . . . the answer is . . . not so well . . . I’m waiting for my private teacher. I LOVE YOU SON!

Good times...Bad times...= Good Times

There is a building that is a lot taller than the rest that is still being built. That building will be the tallest building in South America. Cool Huh?

(Jayce) You are doing so awesome Jayce! I’m super glad for all that you are doing. There sure are hard weeks and other easy weeks. Easier said than done, but President Corbridge of the 1st quorum of the seventy (in our ward) said that "There are good times and there are bad times, but the good times and the bad times are always the good times". I believe he is referring to the growth that comes from the hard times. Like a bicep, no pain no gain. Have an awesome week. Stay close to the Lord and the Spirit will stay close to you. The best thing in the world is knowing and feeling that I am worthy to enter into the Temple. I love it. I’m so excited to be able to be in the Temple with you. Keep preparing in all the decisions that you make to be a worthy Son of God. I’m excited for you and I love you. I will continue to pray for you. Good times....Bad times....=Good times  Love You. Love Elder Tilley

I’m sticking my head out a window of the church´s “help student and find job place”; I forgot what it is called. The man that manages it is in our ward, Mauricio Lamartine. It was fun seeing that building. We were there because Elder Saenz is getting set up for going home.

Here is what happens with the names down here. So, I always call them the Venegas Diaz family. When people get married here, they don’t change their names. The mom keeps her full original name and the Dad also. What happens is that the kids of the two parents inherit 1st, their Dads last name and second their moms first last name. Therefore, only their kids are actual Venegas Diaz. Roberto, the Dads first last name is Venegas and Jessicas first last name is Diaz. There is the name thing. It was hard for me to get at first too. You can call her Sister Diaz. I think that would be it. New music is always good. I have my hands on about all the tabernacle choir there is and EFY now, but if there is any other good uplifting music that you like, it would be good. You know what I would like though, a good pen. One that I could bring home with me.

What is this world turning into?

The doctor here in the office, got a new toy and wanted Elder Tooley (computer gadget expert) to put some music/software on it. We got to play a little bit. That thing is unreal. What is this world turning into? It is honestly really cool though.

I sure love Santiago

This shows the road is lined with big over hanging trees that have brown leaves. I took that really close to the office on Pedro de Valdivia driving South. I sure love Santiago.. It is like a poem says "My Garden of Gethsemane". If you were here just as a regular person or tourist....you would think crazy busy city, everyone working, so much commotion, traffic etc...It is really neat being a missionary.

Love you all. Thank you for the wonderful week. I love Saturdays because I get to take this time to think about the week and think about you and thank you for all you are doing and have done for me. Love Elder Tilley

I Love my Mom

Mom) Im so glad that Becca and Pres are getting those wonderful experiences that mean so much. Thank you for spending time with them. I’m so glad that you have taken care of me so much and expressed so much love. If you only have so much to go around make sure it is spent on them. There is nothing more nourishing than Love. Thank you mom. Love you
Mom) Im so glad that Becca and Pres are getting those wonderful experiences that mean so much. Thank you for spending time with them. I’m so glad that you have taken care of me so much and expressed so much love. If you only have so much to go around make sure it is spent on them. There is nothing more nourishing than Love. Thank you mom. Love you

Making transfer calls and a miracle

Well, miracle time. On Wednesday, we had a zone leader capacitating and I was asked a few weeks ago to write a plan about how to help the mission get to the next level. One of the 5 points that I had felt and written was obedience. Hold your horses, let me explain myself. The first day of my mission, President Laycock promised me that if I was exactly obedient, the baptisms would just come". I trusted in that promise and made check lists to help me be obedient. Everything I did was to be able to help someone receive the remission of their sins through baptism. I got up at 7:30 thinking about it, did pushups thinking about it...everything was to help someone be baptized. My first changes, when I was most focused on that, was the time I was able to participate in the most baptisms. 4.5 months and we participated in 9 baptisms. 2 baptisms each month. Since those first changes, my obedience hasn’t been focused like that. My conscious won’t let me be disobedient, but I wasn’t focused on it. Also, never since then have I been able to participate in so many baptismal blessings. I wrote this up and explained it to President a day or two before the capacitating, Elder Saenz randomly said in the morning. "You know what; I think if we were more obedient as a mission, we would be able to go to the next level". (Second witness). I was assigned to present this topic to the zone leaders. I know I had to do it in a way that would be attractive though. You know how sometimes obedience is taken to right? We made a plan with President and I made a paper that helped us explain obedience better. Rays from the sun can be centered in to a point and focused literally causing an actual change, a power that hadn’t even existed before. Just like the quote says, obedience is the same. If it can be focused into a point, it will cause an actual difference in the results that we get "power from on high". I pretty much explained what I just explained now with the top part as well. Elder Whitney came in with his part "Es Bakan ser Obediente". It means "It’s awesome to be obedient". It was a great capacitation. President Laycock hit it home as always with a wonderful teaching. He said, "when a missionary is perfectly obedient, when he follows all the rules and checks them off....I just want to hug him.” He then said, referring to us....but you zone leaders understand real obedience. You not only do it, but you do it because you understand that we follow all the rules realizing that each rule gives us more power to help a child of God that’s lost, be baptized."
Here is the miracle. That same day. A few hours later, I get a call on our cell phone. The Sister that we would be eating lunch with tomorrow has someone that will be there to hear the missionaries. When we got there the next day, the Sister and the lady that were there were just getting to know each other. They explained it was just put in their laps that we were in the very situation. It was just a miracle. We taught the first half of lesson 1 and invited her to be baptized. She eagerly accepted. She will be getting baptized in a few weeks. Her name is Gabriela. She lost her family in Argentina and has been lost looking for something. She is very educated and honest. She is about 50 I would say and needing the Gospel in her life. There is more...The next day, after fasting, we are eating lunch and we get a phone call. A man tells me that he is from our ward and he wants his daughter that is 14 to be baptized tomorrow. We were shocked. It is a girl that always goes to church, has a testimony, but has never gotten permission from her father. He gave her permission and she was baptized just a few hours ago. President Amado of the quorum of the seventy baptized her. It was one of the most beautiful and spiritual baptisms I have participated in. Her Dad was there and expressed his love and gratitude for us. He wasn’t expecting 20 people to be there on a Saturday afternoon. He felt so much love and it really touched his heart. It was one of those special moments on the mission. Wow. I’m trying to focus my obedience and expressing gratitude for these wonderful blessings that were are able to participate in. This week has been wonderful. I love the Gospel and those short sweet moments of incredible love and peace that can be felt with the company of the Holy Ghost. I love you family. Thank you for being so great. It is going to be fun helping people come to the Gospel. I love you and pray for you. Love Elder Tilley

July 9, 2011

(Dad) . . . I love being at peace. I feel the best when the Spirit is with me the most. I’m realizing and experimenting with the gift of the Holy Ghost, I know it is real. I’m the real me when I have it very close. I’m not me when I have left him. I’m grateful for what I am learning. I have my own testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my every day fuel. Thank you for your example. I realize more and more how blessed I am to have had parents like you who strove to teach me the Gospel. I love it. Thank you Thank you. I love you Dad and am thinking about you. Love Elder Tilley. PS-I think I forgot to tell you a couple weeks ago that I met a man from Otavalo Ecuador. It was really neat to think about you serving the people like that. He looked like a real Indian. It was really fun to talk to him for a bit.

1:40 (Jayce)
I love it Jayce. That’s what I like to see. I love the name. Did Josh tell you what our names were? I think mine was Shooter and Joshes was Rihnospidermantus. Named after an exotic creature that he had found. How cool. Jayce you are doing so well. Keep doing what you are doing. All thanks belongs to the Lord. He is so good to us. Can you feel His love for you? You can’t even imagine how relived and happy I am that you are doing so well in Spirit. It is so good for me that I know that you are doing well. . . . I’m thinking about you out there doing all you can to do what Heavenly Father wants you to do. I feel so blessed to have you as a brother. I’m really glad we are going to be able to get to know each other better before you leave. I hope and pray I’m a lot different when I come back. It is going to be really cool to be best friends and support each other in all we do. I sure love my mission and the Gospel. We had one of the most wonderful baptisms today. It was a miracle. We got a phone call yesterday that a Father wanted her daughter to be baptized. She has already been coming to church for about 6 years, but finally got permission. She is only 14 years old. It was so so wonderful. President Amado of the Quorum of the Seventy baptized her. Wow. I’m so excited for you to have your own wonderful stories and feelings to tell and share. I love you tons. Keep being humble. What a wonderful blessing. Instead of saying "Take Luck" this next week, I’ll say "Take Humility". I asked President what he did when he feels prideful being as cool and successful as he is; and he told me that he thinks about the Savior going to Calvary and recites the 7 phrases that the Savior said, one of them being "Father...forgive (adds his own name), for he knows not what he does". I love the Gospel. It is my favorite thing to talk about. I love you. Talk to you next week. Love Elder Tilley

July 2, 2011-Alicia and Rosa Baptism

These pictures are of the baptism of Alicia and Rosa. They are actually in the Las Condes ward and we are in El Golf. We have been teaching them in our ward because the Sister that found them is in our ward and we teach them in her house. We got the Sister missionaries from Las Condes in there and they helped to have a good transition. Pray for them to have strength socially, spiritually and physically to go to their ward at 9 in the morning. The Bishop was worried that they were not going to assist the correct ward. It was a little big deal. The baptism was almost put off. I sure love baptisms. I more love the process from start to till baptism and confirmation. I love feeling the Spirit and knowing that the person is feeling the Spirit and seeing them accepting the commitments that we give. I LOVE IT. I sure love these people.

They treated me like an angel--An unexpected MIRACLE

Sunday night, the Elders that leave have a going away get together in the Temple grounds with whoever they invite. Near the end, Elder Simbaña came to me and said that there was a family that wanted to meet me. I climbed the stairs and went outside with him and saw for the second time in my life Fidelina, a 65 year old lady with brown hair. I recognized her because about 1 year ago, I knocked on her door with Elder Pierson in the ward Ñuñoa 3. She grabbed my hand like she was my Grandma and thanked me for having come to her house. I remember her telling us on the door that she was Catholic and that she would never change and she wouldn't go to our church....she didn't even go to her own church, let alone ours...she said. Also standing with her, was her daughter Paula , dark brown hair about 38. When we went back to that same house for the second time. Paula let us come in but Fidelina wasn't there. We taught her lesson 3 and remember feeling the Spirit. A few weeks later, I was changed. That was the only ward that I didn't feel that I had a lasting impact on. I was there for 5 weeks. I was there only for my companion I thought and for myself. I learned later, through a phone call the granddaughter of Fidelina was getting baptized. That was so excited to know that. In that phone call, the missionary told me that when we had taught Paula for the second time, Fidelina hid in the bathroom. She listened to the lesson and was touched by it. Later Fidelina was baptized and Paula was baptized recently. They treated me like an angel. I have only seen these people a few times, but in the form of expressing their gratitude, I could have known them for a long time....They told me that their granddaughter wanted to meet me, but she hadn't arrived yet. After some minutes with them, I went back to the office and kept calling the mission about the changes (picture included). The same Elder came and grabbed me and the whole San Martín family was waiting for me at the office door. I introduced myself to the grand daughter (heart remaining closed ) and she thanked me and told me that I look the same. I was a bit confused as you would think, because I have never seen her. With her family there, she told me that while she was listening to the missionaries, she had a dream that two missionaries came to her and presented themselves to her. One of those missionaries being Elder Tilley. She said that we told her that she needed to be baptized and follow in this path. I was a little shocked but very touched. What a neat experience it was. I have never felt greater joy than celebrating with the converts that are still strong and active and loving the Gospel. I love these wonderful people. Santiago Chile has become my Garden of Gethsemane. Where I came to learn and follow the Savior and suffer and gain a testimony of His Reality. I love this place. I feel peaceful … You can count the seeds in an apple, but you could never possibly count the apples that will come from those seeds. President Laycock teaches us that Heavenly Father has planted a seed of LOVE within us. What could possibly be the outcome of the seed?

Relief Society President's family. They are the cutest little guys aren't they?

Josh, you are seriously the coolest guy ever.> I think I tell you that a lot, but it is just plain as fact true. How awesome. I hope I can be like you. I feel much more humble in the mission. I realize much better, where I was, where I am and where I want to go. I´m glad that Heavenly Father has helped me to change. It’s not so much that I feel more relaxed or have "calmed down" to say, but I think what it is, is that I have better learned what the Gospel is and what the Gospel is not. I love the Gospel. Those five simple steps are enough to live, study and apply everyday of one’s life, like it should be. I know Heavenly Father much better. Even though I haven't seen Him, I can really feel a relationship and can feel it growing. It’s similar to the relationship that I have with family in this moment. There isn’t really physical seeing, talking to face to face, giving a big hug relationship, but the feelings that accompany those relationships, I can feel. Wow. Can´t wait till we can catch up. Love you tons. Tell Jalin I love her and Jailey and Jaicey. Mom sent me the CD of her and Paige. That was great. I love it. Keep me in your prayers, por favor. You are in mine. Love you all. Love Elder Tilley

New/Old Companion--Elder Whitney replaces Elder Wilkey

Elder Whitney is my new companion. Remember him. We were companions in El Valle for 4weeks at the middle of my mission. It’s getting pretty cold. I try to eat really well but sometimes those Burger King Cookies and Cream ice cream just call me.
Jayce, you have no idea how happy it makes me to know that you are doing well. 10, holy cow. Heavenly Father is good to us isn´t He? I'm so glad you are happy. Stay close to the Lord. I learn over and over again that my personal scripture study and prayer cannot go undone without a negative consequence. Heavenly Father is teaching me that again and again. Even though I´m doing things all day long and my mind says sometimes "Well I'm serving, shouldn't that be enough?” I am thoroughly convinced that it is not. It is like the sand and the golf balls in the jar. I have to make the essential things a priority and the rest will fit it too. The reason I have felt it is a priority is because when I don’t have constant inventory with Heavenly Father and feel the Spirit through the scriptures, it is harder to be patient, it is harder to not get offended, it is harder to be happy, it is harder to have energy, it is harder to be the person I want to become. I am the real Elder Tilley when I have the Spirit with me. I am happy, feel like I can lift others, won’t get offended and don’t even feel the offense, love others, help others, smile, laugh. I love having the Spirit with me. He is my best friend. Thanks to the blessing of the Sacrament, He will always be here with me as long as I do my part. I love the Gospel. I love exercising faith and trusting in Heavenly Father. I love the feeling that sweeps over me when I really truly repent of my sins. I understand that the Sacrament will bless me to have the Spirit with me always. I’m so excited for you to learn all these wonderful things that I am learning about the Gospel and about myself and really about life. President Laycock calls your mission "The University of Life". I agree 100%. You are going to be so awesome. . . . I don’t want to sound preachy; I just love the things that I am learning. They will be a blessing to me forever. I will be praying for you this week. Keep up the good animo (energy/excitement/attitude). Love you Jayce.

Love you Mom. Send saludos a la familia Anderson. I’m wearing the Tilley and Anderson name proud. I love you all.