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.

June 25, 2011

Alicia and Rosa are getting baptized tomorrow. They are sisters that are both about 70 years old I think. A member talked to them in the street and invited them to hear us. They were just prepared. They stopped drinking Tea and Coffee as soon as we taught about it. They drink hot chocolate now. They want to do everything that the Savior asks us to do. They have had a big swing in their lives since they have learned about the Gospel. I sure love teaching them. OK We can have fun learning (Spanish) together and talking together Mom. I was thinking both the handkerchiefs and aprons would be good to give the Laycock’s on their anniversary, on...no other day then September 24. Cool huh? (Braden's birthday) I thought so too. Well. Really it is just hard being the middle men between President Laycock and the missionaries. We represent him too and it has been hard specifically making decisions that the missionaries don’t like. I don’t want to be vague Mom, but the best thing that you can pray for 1st, what the Spirit says and 2nd that I will be blessed with the gift of charity, the pure love of Christ. I feel like my assignment, what I feel personally, is to make Presidents job as easy as possible. If there is a question I can answer or something I can do without having to let President worry about it, I want to do it. This coming Monday, we have changes. Elder Wilkey will be leaving and we will be getting a 3rd companion. 4 weeks after that, Elder Saenz leaves and it will be me and my companion....help! I’m really excited for what I’m going to have to do. Not sure what it is yet exactly, but new things happen all the time. Elder Saenz asked me last night if I was tired, he told me after, just wait til you get the weight upon your shoulders and you are not only physically tired, but mentally. I have such great companions. I have learned and continue to learn about trust and confidence. A companion’s job is to love and support and be a blessing to his companion. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of being a help to my immediate associates. I learned that with Elder Ostergar. I love that guy so much. He says hello to my family. We are going to be really busy tonight getting together the mission newspaper called Times and Seasons and getting everything ready for changes and the meeting etc...I really like doing this. Its fun. Thank you so much family for everything. I love you so much. Elder Tilley

(Rachel) …I’m learning a lot about love. Love is so so powerful. Of course, not like a young puppy love, but God´s love. I am so thankful for the power of love, it endureth forever. What if, at the last day, we stood at the judgment bar and all we had, was the love that we had acquired and our knowledge. I believe our love scale will be a very direct sign of how we acted and desired on the earth. I love talking about the Gospel now. I know it is reality … Elder Wilkey is going home on Monday and he is almost in a depression. I feel sad for him because he has to leave. If only we could be missionaries forever and be with our families . UMMM that would be good, real good. I'm praying for you … Have a wonderful week Rach and Joe and little tyke. Love Elder Tilley

June 18, 2011

We got the package and we loved it. I like the flowers and the gifts and the music. I especially like the CD from the Solomons. I got pouch this last week, so that was good. Have fun Bec. There is a really cool video on the church website about Tyler Haws who played on the BYU team. Have Bec watch it. It pumped me up. I think they celebrate fathers day. We have a short day again today, it has been really busy and I think this next week will be the busiest of all with all the changes and that so many new missionaries are coming and going.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took this morning from the pension of the office Elders. We dont live here, but it is really cool.

June 11, 2011

(Mom) …I have felt so much gratitude for the spiritual giants that I get to serve with everyday. I love the Gospel. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m praying for you all. I’m so thankful for all of you. You all are my heroes. Thank you for your support and love.. I talked to an Elder this last week that hasn’t heard from his family since he has been here. It’s been 4 weeks. Please pray for me to give my whole self, to hold nothing back, to be 100% consecrated to the Lord. That I will have the strength and desire to put the will of Heavenly Father in 1st place and nothing else matters. Ill be praying for each of you and working hard for each of you so that the Lord might bless you even more. Talk to you soon. Love Elder Tilley
(Picture)--The two Sister Missionaries that are going home were "Pioneer Missionaries" that were asked to interview the first members of the church from all around Chile and to make a book about them. They were so much fun. I only was able to be around them for the last few weeks, but it was such a blessing.

Elders Wilkey, Seanz, Tilley

10:40- (Rach) …The best things in life aren’t cheap. Having a little baby, I think would be one of the best things in this life, and thus, I’m thinking one of the most costly. I know I’m not in your shoes but I know it will be worth it when you see that little tike for the first time. I’m really excited for you…I’m so thankful that I don’t have to worry about you Rach because I know Joe is there. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for me if you weren’t blessed with such a wonderful husband. Thank you Joe for everything and for being so sure and steady in the Gospel. To a little brother and little brother in law that is serving his mission in Chile, it means more than anything else. I love you both and am praying for you. Love you tons, Love Elder Tilley Joe, if you have a second, give me some advice in the assignment I’ve been blessed to have. Is there something that you would have liked to know at the beginning? Would you have done anything different? What would you have changed should you do it again? What was your most valuable lesson learned? I’d really appreciate it.
(Dad)(Dad—English translation) I like the stories of your outing. I wish I was at your presentation. I love that stuff (the White God). I have heard that there are still stories of things like that, but only found in southern Chile where the Mapuchi Indians live. I've only met a few during my mission. This work is making me strong. The first 3 were very easy weeks, the fourth week was difficult as well as this week. I feel much better now. I’m becoming a man, huh? I'm learning hard things and am more and more grateful for your example all my life in magnifying your callings. I will continue praying for you. I love you pops. Have a great week. Love you tons. Elder Tilley

Santiago at night

(Mom) … I think Jayce and I are connected on some kind of magical emotional cycle...If it’s so, I think he has had a really hard week. It is so great how trials push us so much. Elder Zeballos of the 1st quorum of the seventy came to a conference this last week. I was asked to introduce him and his wife. It was really fun to have the privilege to do that. I was also asked to sing a song in one of them, because no one else volunteered. I get so nervous to do things like that, but it is so good for me to break out of my shell. I quickly called up an Elder and pretty much begged him to sing with me so it wasn’t a total solo. He was really excited. We sang Come Thou Fount in Spanish. We both sang some of it solo and the rest harmony. It was so much fun. I honestly did enjoy it. I had had a rough week and the compliments that we received really helped me feel good. I’m really grateful for all of them that did that because it really felt nice... Thank you so much Mom for everything. I wouldn’t be able to do this without your support. You are one of the biggest blessings of my life. I really mean that. Thank you for always being there. Make sure to help Jayce feel how I have felt, like the most special kid on the planet earth. It has helped me so so much and know he needs that, as well as Bec and Pres. I love you all so much. The Lord is taking care of me. If you would like to pray for something specific this week, it would be that I would be able to do all I do with LOVE. I love you all and am so thankful to be part of our awesome family. Love Elder Tilley

June 4, 2011

(Mom)…President told us this last week that all the pain, inconvenience, suffering...will be counted for your joy when you walk under the DEPARTURE sign, so it will be good for me to suffer a bit. I know Heavenly Father is taking care of my family. I feel like I know Him better than ever and know that He loves me.. It is really fun to say that, because I really do feel it.
…Because it has been hard to find a scheduled time to study this last week and my prayers have been less frequent than I should, I felt a bit more distanced from Him and much much much more susceptible to temptation. I remember thinking about the missionaries that get home say they can feel something leave when they get released. I know that especially without the help and power that prayer and scripture study bring, that empty feeling will be much worse. The Gospel is my favorite thing. I love to think about potential, agency and desires. I feel good. I hope all is well at home. I just read through the letter Mom. I loved it. I’m so thankful that Jayce is doing well. I love him so much. He is such a champ. It’s been rough to write in my journal, but I’m going to get a plan and do it. After reading your quote, I think I’m going to start writing (journal) entries entitled, “HIS HAND” ... the last week Elder Ostergar and I were together, we focused on an attribute for the week and wrote about it every day. Each day, we were able to write something down. It was one of my favorite weeks in my mission. He was actually really sick this last week. It is a blessing to have this assignment because we were able to drive to his sector and see him and drop him off some gifts. I love that guy so much. He was such a blessing to me. I was so thankful that you got to meet him and he you on Skype. I sure hope I can keep in close contact with him.

Pirque, Chile

Today for P day, we went down to a place called Pirque. . . it was such a beautiful place. It was like driving up to the cabin kind of. Little streets. Lots of green. Pretty Chile. It was so great. Some of the most beautiful sights that I’ve seen here. I’m sure having a great time and am sure glad the Lord protects His missionaries. It has been a struggle getting back into driving, especially in a big city. I'm feeling more relaxed and so grateful for the protection that we have received. Thank you for being so great family. I was so anxious to get to the office to see how everyone was. We are a blessed people. I love Heavenly Father. I’m praying for you.
Love Elder Tilley

Elder Seanz "kissing a pig"--not really

06 (Dad) …. I think about you more and more now wondering about how you did this or how you did that or how you talked to this person about this subject. Elder Saenz is a lot like you. He is the go-getter-do-er. I’m learning so much from both he and Elder Wilkey. I’m so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me so much. I’m more tired than ever, the days are going by faster than ever, I think less about myself, I’m learning to lead out boldly and know I will be stretched so much more. I love the thought of becoming. I feel that I can do anything that the Lord wants me to do through dedicated work and faith. President Laycock told us a quote this last week that I thought you would really like. He says "Losers and followers make lists of excuses and dwell on them. Winners and Leaders make lists of solutions and implement them" -Larry Laycock. He is so inspiring. When he talks to us about our potential as leaders, I just want to get up and shout and clap my hands and go out to win a war. I sure hope we will be able to be with him and Sister Laycock in the future and so you can get to meet them.

Elder Seanz cooking Mexican food

The first time I have had Mexican food in a long time. Elder Saenz is a really good cook. I love being with them. It is really fun.

(Rachel) I’m glad you are well and you are being taken care of. Its really exciting to know your little guy is coming soon. wow! I can’t believe my little Rachy is growing up, ha ha, no just kidding. I’m going to need some growing up lessons from you here soon though. I’m trying to do my best. I love Heavenly Father so much and I know that He loves me and trusts me. I want to do my best for Him. I can’t wait to be able to meet Him face to face and thank Him for the incredible life that He has given me and all the blessings, opportunities, people in my life that He has blessed me with. It is a day worth waiting for and worth living for. I’ll keep working hard so the Lord will bless you even more than He has. Thank you Rach, I love you and am praying for you and Joe. Tell him to keep it up and Bound . Ha Ha. NVP o sea....nos vemos pronto....see you soon. Elder Tilley

(Dad) In the last two days, I’ve been with missionaries that have had to communicate with their families because of life threatening family struggles. This last one today just sunk me. I don’t know if I am strong enough to be able to endure something like that. I love the missionaries so much. In just these last weeks, my love for each of them has grown. I’m a peer among them, but yet I feel an elderly brother love for them. Our schedule isn’t really set. We are on call all the time. I was able to talk with a missionary on the phone this last week about the struggles they were having with their companion. I was so grateful for the wonderful trials that Heavenly Father has given me in my mission to be able to help others in similar situations. It hurts me when the people I love hurt. Elder Saenz is a great example of leadership. He is very bold. I know I need to develop a more sure form of leading. (Making choices by the Spirit and pursuing those choices with sureness-not wishy washy). I loved so much the mission experience that you included with such detail to Becca. I didn’t know back then how great that was. I would love to hear more stories like that. Thank you for teaching me and loving me. I’m so grateful for the blessing to be an Elder. I love it more than anything. I’m praying for you Dad. Jayce will be in my prayers. I know I don’t need to worry for him, but I will anyways. I hurt when others hurt. If you could include in your prayers that I may be calm during this summer because of where Jayce is and what he is doing, that would be great. I need to focus more and consecrate more than ever before. I love you Dad. Love Elder Tilley

1:49 (Josh)
Hey Brother. I cried and prayed for you this week. I know Heavenly Father loves you so much. I can just feel it. You and Jalin are the greatest people and I hope that I can be just like you. I love being a missionary. I think that is probably the most repeated phrase in all my letters. I never realized what the Lord had in store and still realizing more. I’m going to be needing your help and advice …Thanks for being my heroes, Love Elder Tilley

I thought you might like Mom that I fixed my suit coat buttons today that have been falling apart since the first months in my mission.

(Mom) When we have changes, the assistants announce them all. It was a change, announced as everyone else’s. When they called me, the assistants beckoned me up and sat me down on the bench next to them and President in the chapel. They handed me the paper with all the changes on it and said "You do this zone". I got up a little nervous and looked out into all the missionaries and made a face that made everyone laugh. After the conference, President said "Welcome aboard, we are really excited to work with you". Landon, who is Presidents son, is leaving this week for his mission. He has spent a lot of time with him this week. We haven’t seen him really at all. We had one meeting on Monday morning and received some instructions for the mission that we had to do. The majority of our days are spent in service to the missionaries. …we are still normal missionaries…have some investigators and quite a few recent converts. Mission work is great here in this ward. President Corbridge and Amado from the Seventy are in this ward and lots of other great people. The members give us references and we show up at their house, teach their friends the Gospel and they get baptized. We are teaching two elderly ladies, about 70 that want to be baptized. They are in a bordering ward, but their friend is in ours, so we have been teaching them. We are going to get them settled in with their ward though this week. We defiantly haven’t taught as much, but when we teach, I love it. It feels like we are on the district videos when we teach. I love it. I don’t know if it is natural to feel bad for not teaching so much and tracting so much. Josh told me that it would come. I need to be more in tune with the Spirit. It’s interesting that I have been feeling further away from the Spirit, from the Lord than usual. We have been so busy, I really haven’t gotten a good study in for a while. We get home super late and are pretty stinkin’ tired. I’m just kind of rambling. I love trials like this, because it stretches me. I love thinking about personal growth. It has become a new personal favorite topic. Heavenly Father really wants me to become like He is, like the Savior is. When I feel myself going that way, it feels me with excitement. I love the Gospel and how it changes the very nature of a person. I love love love love love being a missionary. It is the greatest thing on earth.I don’t know if it has happened to you yet, but I think it has happened to me. We’ve taken quite a few people to the airport and we have received their "arrived home OK letters" and I am not looking forward at all to being released as a full time missionary. I love serving the Lord. I can’t wait for you to be missionaries and for Jayce. Wow. …I thought a lot about our family yesterday as I had the opportunity to experience one of the more special moments of my mission with one of the missionaries. This missionary had a close family member pass away while in the MTC. Yesterday, he invited us to watch with him the funeral procession that his family had recorded. I was surprised that he invited us to watch with him. It was really hard for me to watch his face as he watched the procession. I cried lots and felt much for him. …he testified about the truthfulness of eternal families. I was amazed at this boy… I am praying that you are all well. I love you so much, Love, Elder Tilley

May 28, 2011

At the airport, Hermana Matos went back home too.

Pres, Its good to hear from you little brother. It seems like your schedule is pretty full. That’s good preparation for your mission. Do your best in everything. If you do your best now then you will also do your best later too. Sometimes missionaries don’t know how to work hard, because they didn’t work hard when they were little. Work hard in everything. Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers. I know you are praying for me and I am working hard for you too. The Lord will bless you Pres. Thank you again for writing me. It means a lot to a missionary, especially when the missionary has an awesome little brother like you. Love you tons Pres. Keep praying for me and I will for you too. Love Elder Tilley

May 21, 2011

The picture of my hand and watch is day number one with the new assignment. Pretty early huh?
This is how I felt about it.

(Bec) My first day driving, there were 4 different times lives were in danger or bottomed the van out on a huge bump. One, we were on the freeway and there were two exits. I had to take one and the van wanted to take both...lets just say that angels were there. I know that Heavenly Father protects His missionaries. I feel so safe with a plaque on. It’s like body armor. I’m glad you had a fun week. I love you tons Bec. Love Elder Tilley

(Mom) I’m now in the area El Golf. Its in the north of the mission in the comuna Las Condes. I can’t believe what I have been seeing this last week. Going from where I have been to this is like what Aladin said............A Whole new world…lots and lots of money.

(Bec) Happy Birthday , happy birthady, happy happy birthday to you..............clap.clap Happy Birthday, happy birthady, happy happy birthday to you . I love you Becs. Have a wonderful Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(This message was full of "clip art" that wouldn't tranfer to the blog).
Whether it is or . Even if the likes blue. Just remember how it feels when it
and you’ll be up in the . I hope this was a little special. I’m sure you’ll have so much fun in the . Make sure to take lots of so I can be included. Love you again.
PS. dont forget to save me some ... Elder Tilley

This is with a family of recent converts from a part member family. We did lots with them and they helped me feel very welcome in Javiera Carrera.
The boy in the blue shirt is also a recent convert and their family is now reactive. They were the other family that made us feel very welcome.
We have been teaching Gabriel for most of the change. He works in a little Almacen were he sells all kinds of fruit. We talked to him outside one day and a member happened to be in his store at the same time. I think he would have rejected the invitation to hear more, but the member brought it home with her testimony. He is progressing slowly, but surely.

May 16, 2011

Me and Elder Hasler and Elder Wilkey. Elder Hasler is getting on his plane. We three were like brothers. They have helped me so much.
May 16, 2011
(Mom) Im not sure how much time I have today Mom. I’m going to start writing on Saturdays if that is OK. I got changed. It was crazy receiving the phone call. We kind of knew that Elder Ostergar was going to leave because he has been there for 7 months already. It was a little surprising that I was going too. They took us both out of the sector. My new companions are Elder Seanz and Elder Wilkey. Do you recognize those names? I got called to be the assistant and am with them both learning. I’m not sure what to expect, but I think things are going to change really fast for me. We have to leave here soon. We have to take those that are going home to the airport. I’m not sure if I remember how to drive. Wow!
I love you all so much. Thank you for everything. Talk to you soon. Love Elder Tilley

May 9, 2011

Fabian was baptized. His mom Francisca still wants to and will as soon as possible. Her husband doesnt want to get married so she can’t be baptized.

(Mom) I’m super excited to be able to see my blog and for sure I’ll cry every time. I’m still writing my speech book…My first talk was about the priesthood. Presidente showed me his and how he only writes 7 points per talk. People only can retain 7 points, he said. He actually showed me his talk on the doctrine of 7. Its everywhere in the scriptures. Make sure to not get discouraged speaking Spanish. Keep working on it and making it fun. Even if you get laughed at. We will have fun talking and learning together!

(Josh)…I love being a missionary so much. I feel so much more responsible. When I need a kick in the pants, Heavenly Father does it for me. Any decision I make, the consequences fall directly on my shoulders. I feel good... Thank for your support and total awesomeness. I love you and your family tons. Have a great week. Love Elder Tilley
1:49- Love you Everyone. It was great Yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to be with you. Love you tons. Elder Tilley. Happy Mother’s Day Mom. I love you more than anything and am so thankful for all the letters, all the pictures, packages and especially love that keep me going. Thank you. Love your son, Elder Tilley

Elder Ostergar and Elder Tilley

My and one of my best friends, Elder Ostergar. We were sure he was leaving and had to take a good bye picture.
(Dad) 1:22-Dad,
… I’m excited to be able to talk to you and be with you on Sunday. This will be the last time. Wow, how time flies... I know in conference they talked alot about getting married. There seemed to be a feeling that you can just go pick a good one and make it work. Something still in me would really really like an angel, like Jalin or Rach or Bec. Of course I don’t want to sound selfish, but that would be really nice. I’m doing really great Dad. I wonder sometimes how you were on your mission. I don’t remember tons about it, but just that we had seen some of those pictures on the wall when we were little. That would be really fun to have a missionary family night and show things and share experiences. I’m sure glad that mom is keeping a blog. She is just awesome isn’t she? Elder Wilkey told me over the phone yesterday that he walks around with the bookmark "how to know the Spirit" that mom sent us. He said he wants to find someone like Sister Tilley. I agreed with him. I love you tons Dad. I’m so thankful for your example. I’ve been reading a bit and thinking about captain Moroni and about leadership. I was realizing that all the leaders that I know, have this quality, I can’t really put words to it, but it’s like the quality "leadership". I think it has something to do with confidence. I’m going to continue studying and learning from my leaders, like I was admonished in my blessing before I came out. Thank you for everything Dad. Talk to you soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Elder Tilley

May 2, 2011

In my last pension in Javiera Carrera, we made a family shelf on the second to last day. It was fun to have it. It made it feel a lot more like home.
May 2, 2011
Thilo and Marlene have to wait about 6 months before they can be married. Yea, we are going to skype you from a house in the ward (for Mother’s Day).

(Jayce) 1:21-Thank you so much for still praying for me. That really means a lot to me and you'll know what I mean here soon. You are doing awesome it sounds like with volleyball. Enjoy it brother. This morning, I realized how much I took for granted my strong and healthy body…Being a missionary is really great Jayce. I’m seeing the Gospel as more and more awesome all the time. I love the subject of "becoming", and that is exactly what the Gospel does to a person. Helps them become, but not just become someone better....but to become like our Heavenly Father. I feel His love more and more for me and for all people. It is so sad to see in the streets religious people just yelling about Jesus, almost causing a fear of God. It feels so dark just to walk by them…There is no way possible Jayce to learn at home or anywhere else what you are going to learn on your mission. It is the "university for life" as President Laycock calls it. I’m really excited to talk to you. I’m kind of nervous to see you all though. … The time is going to go by so quick, especially for me. Love you Elder Tilley. Thank you for everything.

April 25, 2011

April 25
(Jayce) Your testimony is going to grow so so much on your mission. One of the things that I am most excited for is to be able to be a member that will help fellowship investigators. It means so so much to a missionary and I can only imagine how much more it means to the investigator to have a friend and feel comfortable and welcome whether they be 3 or 80. We are going to have to be the bash brothers, o sea, the fellowship brothers. It will be way fun. The most happy times of my mission have been times that I have felt the most love for people. It is inevitable. When we serve, we love.(Mom) Francisca is going to be baptized with her son on the 8th of May… The new family,,Dad and Daughter came to church and stayed for 2 hours. Im not sure how they liked it. . . . I love being with Elder Ostergar. We are very similar. We are doing great. The rules are cracking down here in the mission to help us be more effective and powerful. Thankfully, I really believe that. We cant communicate to anyone except for family and president now through email. . I love you so much and am so thankful for you. You are the best family in the world. Have a great week! I’m doing awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Love Elder Tilley. Love you Mom more than anything.

April 18, 2011

(Jayce) This week has been a miracle. I have seen my and am sure your prayers answered. I read in Alma 33, right after the chapter about the SEED, that prayer is so so important. I loved how the things in the chapter were so specific. When we ask specifically, we get answered specifically. I was amazed at how one of the Elders in the pension seemed to turn back to me. He wouldn’t talk to me and it seemed that there was some kind of a conflict. I have no clue what. This week, it has been so different. It is amazing that Heavenly Father gave me exactly what I asked, "that He would turn this friend back to me" My testimony of prayer is much stronger. . . . I really do have my own testimony. Even if I was in the middle of nowhere and no one was watching me and no one expected or forced me to go to church to take the Sacrament, have daily conversations with my Heavenly Father, read the words of the prophets, I would still do it because I really want to. . . . I’m so thankful for what I am learning on my mission. It is really hard sometimes, but it is really good for me all the time.
(Rachel) I love the Gospel and love living it. This past week, it dawned on me that I have my own testimony. I really do. I would live it and love it even if no one was watching or expecting me to because it is what I want to do and have seen the blessings and miracles of prayer and scripture study. President Laycock showed us 1 Nephi 15:24 that I really love too. It teaches about the importance of the scriptures. Scratch them down and read them this week. They are really interesting. I’m really excited for you. I can’t wait and can’t even imagine how it would feel to have 3 little friends waiting to be held that I don’t know yet. I’m really excited for you and am praying for your success as a couple. I know the Lord will watch over and provide. "but where is the Lamb? The Lord will provide Isaac...The Lord will provide". Remember that one? Thank you for taking time to write me. It really does help me so much. I am sitting next to one of the Elders I live with. His dad doesn’t even want him here. Can you believe that? I am so blessed. Thank you for everything. I love you and Joe. If you see Vova, Tell him I’m excited to see him and love him. Love you again Rach and Joe and Big Bean. Love Elder Tilley
(Mom) This next week, we have Francisca Martinez with a baptismal date,,, 24th. She needs prayers this week to receive her answer. She is so nice, just a sweet sweet lady. She is 50 or so and lives with two kids and her husband. Her husband doesn’t impede her, but doesn’t want to listen....yet. We are also teaching an awesome family. Mom and Dad and 7 year old daughter. Armando, Maria Inez and Amanda They have accepted to be baptized and love what they are learning. We went to their house, as a reference of a less active, who is their neighbors. They had deaths in the extended family recently and were just looking. They are coming to church next week and we have a family night with them and the Didier family on Friday at 7. I really love being here. This ward has helped me feel very very welcome. It is hard changing wards. I haven’t heard about Chiloe lately. Elder Ostergar and I make sure the zone and companionships are doing well, get everyone excited to complete the goals we have set as a mission, take down and pass numbers to the assistants and I would say more than anything, be examples of love. I have been so busy. I eat an egg this morning, but besides that, it has been two weeks. That’s how busy. We will be calling in the evening. I’m thinking around 7-9 more or less. I’m glad you loved the gift. Mom. Thank you for everything. (Regarding flight plans) November 1st. I feel good about that too. If something crazy goes on let us know if we need to make changes.

April 11, 2011

April 11 Elder Ostergar is so great. I think of the Andersons a lot when I’m with him. I can’t put my finger on it. Last night he started quoting George Baily from Its a Wonderful Life. That was really funny. Yea, all the zone leaders are together. … Elder Ostergar has been out for 3 months more than me. He goes home in July I think. He is from California. He is the oldest of 5 kids. He is such a good missionary because he does what is in Preach My Gospel. I have been impressed with how humble he is. He doesn’t judge, he just loves and helps. I’ll let you know about the investigators from Chiloe. I don’t know much about them right now though. Thank you for all the prayers of faith. Prayer is work and I’m so glad that you sacrificed to help those people. I think the Venegas family is going to write you about the baptism. They called me to invite me, but we aren’t generally given permission to go.
(Jayce) I love you tons Jayce. You are so awesome. You are going to be such a great missionary because you do what is right. I wish I could zip into the future and see you as a zone leader so I could get some pointers. I’m not joking at all. This has been a rough week; more emotionally than anything. I have a really hard time with disobedience, like I always have. …There are those good times that are really good and there are hard times that are.....even better because of what you learn. … I am doing so well and am learning so much from my companion. Mostly about how to lovingly talk to missionaries.. This last week, I learned that nothing takes the place of the sacred time that we have with our loving Heavenly Father. I thought, "maybe because I’m so busy organizing, talking, thinking....that Heavenly Father would understand if my prayers weren’t as thought out or meaningful". I am grateful to know now, that nothing can take the place for the blessings that come through meaningful prayer. …Its not all fun and games, its straight up work, emotional, physical, spiritual, but neither were Gethsemane or Calvary, like Elder Holland said. I’ll do it for My Savior. I love you Jayce. Have a great week. Love Elder Tilley

April 4, 2011

(Bec) I loved the pictures that Mom sent to me. I can’t wait to see you play. Keep up the good work. Keep up the good work in school too. You’re coming to an end. Go hard. I have realized on my mission that it is hard to study things that I don’t have as much interest in. I have learned that I have to apply what I am learning to be able to understand and apply it again when it comes to a test. Just like BBall. After you learn how to shoot, you have to go apply it in practice so that you can do it when the test comes. Make homework applications fun. Im still not sure how to exactly do it, but start on it now so we can work it to perfection later. Love you tons Becs. Have a great week. Freckle Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love Elder Tilley
(Mom) Well, for transfers, we get a phone call on Sunday night from the assistants. They will either say, "you stay" or "you go" calling each one by name. Once you find out, you either get ready for bed or start packing. The next morning, we get up and get our bags to whichever chapel in the mission that they say… changes are announced over the pulpit by the assistants.... Both of us got changed and Elder Hasler stayed in Chiloe and took over all of our investigators…Elder Ostergar, the zone leader of the stake Javiera Carrera was called to stand up and his new companion....Elder Tilley. I was taken a little by surprise, but extremely excited. I just had one of the best companions in the mission and now I get another one. Wow! He is going to be teaching me to help me learn the responsibilities of my assignment. I loved conference. It was absolutely marvelous. We have been saying for the last month that Christmas is coming again. It is honestly the best weekend of the whole half of the year. … I really really really loved Elder Oaks talk. I think that has to be my favorite subject, choosing who you want to be.
Luis did get baptized…Sunday morning before the first sesstion of conference. …. It was a miracle. Our ward mission leader baptized him. … It has been incredible to see Luis grow. It has been very apparent to Elder Bourgeous and I that hidden treasures are given to those who keep the word of wisdom. He is and his ability to think and respond… He said he feels "more capable" of doing things. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is incredible. It has Spiritually, Mentally, emotionally and Physically changed his being. I have seen evidences of each one. …Our ward brought us lunch in the chapel in between the sessions, so we had a beautiful time together. It felt like Thanksgiving. We did the dishes after. Marlene went to get a date for the marriage because Thilo is working so much, but they gave them a bunch of papers that they had to do concerning their kids (each has one). …We are not sure how Hernan is. …He seemed happy and said he would call us later. I hope he reads the Book of Mormon. The day that he wanted us to give him money for transportation, we called the zone leaders and asked them if we could give him money. (It was to be able to go to the center of town for a job interview) They didn’t feel good about it, but we did go home and I got my razor, shaving cream, and some toilet paper put it in a bag. We took it back to him that night. He was pleased that we had helped him but still very sad. He still has that razor. Our teaching pool changed up a bit because we have really been trying to weed out those that are going to progress. We had 5 baptismal dates for the 24th of April, some more sure than others. … I sure learned so much in my last three changes there. I almost lost it a couple of times thinking that I was going to be changes. I may never be able to walk around such a dangerous place with no fear, because I am a Servant of the Living God. Elder Ostergar is from California. … He is famous here for how well he can draw. I’m going to be taking some lessons. He has been accepted into the BYU animation production, which is very difficult and wants to start doing movies with Pixar. He is also a Surfer. Stick those together…Jessica Diaz said that she loves it when you write her. She pleaded that I asked you to continue. They came to conference and were able to talk to them for a bit. They are a great family. Love you tons, have a great week.