Mission Week 33-Mancor February 22, 2016

Ok folks..... I'm not gonna lie, it was a pretty normal week Lots of the same. We were in the streets, giving out some books, cheering that they wanted to hear more, and wetting my companion's shoulder with my tears after finding out that their address was fake. just your average week!!!! It was great though. We had specialized training where President talked to us about being bold in our commitments, then he sang a song about it. He is a true piano man! I had an intercambio with our district leader. He is a solid guy!!!! His name is Elder Fairbanks. He is from just outside of Seattle. I learned this week after forgetting my gel in Palma that shampoo works as an amazing substitute, then I already have it in my hair for the shower the next day. My hair smells like green apples! We met with a friend who wanted to know more because she liked how firm our belief was in Christ, and how we believed that families could be together forever, but when I testified that this knowledge brings happiness and joy, she proceeded to tell us that she didn't want to be happy. She saw so much suffering in the world, she didn't deserve to be happy, nor did she want to. It was so sad, because she looks like she could be Grandma Harrington's Spanish sister. She is so kind, just doesn't want to be happy, it was very odd. I feel great about our area, our members are starting to get the vibe. AM I sad that we aren't seeing baptisms? No... They will come... We gave out a Book of Mormon to an atheist last night, so I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose, I hope he decides to come unto Christ!!!!! Other than that, another great week! We just hung around piso today, cleaning and made a delicious Alfredo. My cooking is improving... hahahaha love you lots!!!! Here are some thoughts that Elder Tyson shared with Grandma Harrington about grace for a lesson she was teaching:  Hey so I just sent this to grandma Harrington, but i wanted to share it with you as well I know you were doing a big study on grace, and I heard an insight that might be interesting that hit home with me. When Alma is talking with his son Helaman he recounts his story of seeing the angel and how he repented and was, "Born of God" he talks about in verse 12 of chapter 36 in the book of Alma how he was "racked with eternal torment, for [his]soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all [his] sins." SO why then, if Christ suffered for his sins, did Alma the younger suffer? It was a question I had. Well, I saw a video that talks about how Alma's suffering was for a completely different purpose. Christ suffered to pay for the sins, to satisfy the demands of justice, while Alma's suffering was intended to change his attitude towards sinning, so that he could experience, "a mighty change of heart." (Alma 5) As we learn from the story of King Benjamin, when we go through a mighty change of heart, "we have no more disposition to do evil, to but to do good continually." How incredible, that Christ had no changing to do, he was perfect. But he suffered so that when our suffering begins, from guilt, trial, heartache, we can exclaim as Alma in verse 20, "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" He made that possible. I testify that as we turn to him, and we are willing to pay the price of turning to him, he will change us. I invite you to read Alma 36 because it is much more eloquent than I, but I know it's true! Christ did it because he loves us. I know he loves you Grandma, because I have felt his love for me, I share this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Mission Week 32: Manacor February 15, 2016

Dear family whom I love so dearly!!!!

This week was an amazing week. We saw so many miracles in finding and teaching. I felt so blessed and guided by the Spirit this week it was incredible.

Elder Cook is fantastic, he has taught me so much about being calm. About not letting the little things that don't matter get to me, and enjoying the ride. He is such a great companion.

Our first new friend was I. We contacted her on the street and she said she knew us because we had said hi to her sister-in-law and she had said that we were really friendly. She said she like religion but that every church had their own interpretation of the Bible. We were able to share the Book of Mormon with her and tell her how the two books clarify and build on each other. We passed by her store the next day and she had already begun reading. We then discussed the topic of dispensations and we gave her a reading assignment to study further. It was a testimony builder for me to know that we don't know what affect we are going to have. One impression can lead to amazing opportunities.

This week in church was another miracle. Our branch is really catching the vision of the Europe Area plan. One of our members brought his wife to church, who isn't a member, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We are excited to follow up with her and help her to come unto to Christ to strengthen their family.

Yesterday, as we were walking I saw an old man that I knew, his name is S. Normally, we would have a small conversation and go immediately into the Gospel, where he would lose all interest. So I decided to try something different. We just walked and talked with him. About life, about his trips to New York, about dinner, and after, he invited us to come over tonight and talk with him about our message. I was another great reminder that these really are people, they have lives, things that are important to them.

Lastly, the other day as we were gazing into a candy store, we noticed a woman looking at our badges. We said hello, and she asked us if we were missionaries. We said of course and she then explained how she knew the missionaries for many years, and in fact, sh had decided that morning that she wanted to go to our church. She said she missed the atmosphere there. But, with her mother in the hospital, she went there instead. What a miracle. She told us she literally woke up just to come to our church. We set a time to go and visit with her, and are so grateful for the missionaries before us who paved the way for us to find this amazing daughter of God.

And now it's time for my favorite part of the week, funny stories with Elder Tyson, color commentating,  Elder Cook. It was a wild one. We heard that the elders from Inca were walking to one of their pueblos (for those Americans, a pueblo is like a little town) and that it only took them like thirty minutes. So we decided hey, why don't we do that? We will save tons of money on bus tickets. So we we began, walking down this farm road, as the sun started to go down around 6:30 and it got dark, fast... Cars were speeding by, there was no shoulder, and no side walk. We walked a little and decided to say a prayer to see if we should move forward, or back. We turned back. We finished our day, and found out that there was a walking path to the city.

The next day we decided to take the walking path. It's only 7.8 kilometers (almost 5 miles for those Americans) so we thought we could make it in an hour, hour and a half at the most. We started at 6pm. Well, it got dark, and we couldn't see the city and we knew when we need to be back, so we pressed forward. We finally made it. After we passed through a huge tunnel with only the light of our iPads to guide us... We made it at 8 pm. So we had two choices, turn and go back, or try to catch a bus. My bus schedule said that we missed the last bus by 10 minutes. We decided to try the bus. As we approached the stop, we saw a bus. We sprinted to it and it stopped. The bus was 10 minutes late!!!! It was a miracle! We took the 15 minute ride to Manacor, and contacted the rest of the night. We realized that, that wasn't our finest hour, but we got a good story out of it. It was rough, but we made it through!!!! Hahahahaha

Love you all!!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 31: Manacor

This has been a great week. Full of surprises, twists and turns, and amazing experiences. This was our first week together, Elder Cook and I, and we get along just great. Although we may have different personalities and ways of thinking, he truly wants to serve the Lord, and as long as we have the same goal in mind, we will be successful and have a great time. He is such a powerful teacher and the members here love him already. 

We have really gained the trust of our members here in Manacor. We have been working to find new people to teach, and on Saturday, in an eating appointment, one Hermana told us that she was talking with three different friends, and was preparing to share the Gospel with them! We were so excited for her, and she bore powerful testimony in Sacrament meeting about the importance of missionary work.

Last night at around 10:15 we got a phone call from our branch president asking us if we would like to go over to his house and teach a lesson. We were a little confused and asked if he had a friend over and he said no, but he just wanted to hear the message. Unfortunately, it was a little late but we promised another day for sure and hat we would love to do that. It was such a powerful moment for me to know that he trusted us enough that he could call at any time and we would be prepared to share the Gospel with him. The members here are so wonderful. We are helping them catch the bug of missionary work.

Transfer week always starts off a little strange with a weird schedule and a new companion, but Elder Cook and I made the most of it!!

Elder Stratton is great, and Elder Allen went to Barcelona... the center... not my old area.... Elder Cook is from Riverton High School

Love,

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 30: Welcome to Manacor, Elder Cook!

Elder Allen is gone!!!!!!!!!!! He is off to Barcelona!


MY NEW COMPANION IS ELDER COOK!!!!! He is in Elder Allen's group. He was in my zone in Hospitalet. He will fly in this evening.

The members were really sad to see Elder Allen go, but we know it's for the best, it's time for him to get a new start, and I know he is going to do great things in his next area.

This has been a great week. I think we gave out more Copies of the Book of Mormon then I had ever given in my whole mission. We wanted to hit the streets so hard, and we gave out so many books. It was such a miracle. On evening we were walking by a cafe and saw a friend who told us he had time right then to listen, so we sat down and were able to talk about the restoration with him and his family. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he has already read a lot. We are so excited to
teach him and help him come unto to Christ.

This week we had branch conference where they heavily focused on the area plan of Europe. I realized that we as missionaries have the same obligation to invite a friend, be self sufficient, and find an ancestor, even if it's in a different way. We decided that we really want to be teaching this to members so I set some goals for myself, and we are getting to work. I started by taking my family pictures and pasting them in my "la familia" pamphlet, and writing stories. I am so excited, and now, when members want to know my family, I can also teach them.

We went to lots of pueblos this week, trying to tract in every part of the area.... We saw some amazing views, and met some great people.... The problem is, not many people live in those little areas, and they are so hard to get to, we try to make the time count, but sometimes
it's difficult.

I am learning so much from my studies in the Old Testament. One of things I love about the Lord is that with the house of Israel, if they obey, he blesses them, but if they don't, he plagues them. Oh it is so funny, but I feel like it applies to missionary work and our lives in general. When we obey, we are blessed, and when we don't, in a way, he plagues us. My hope is to always have the blessings. I also love how many different way the Lord plagues the people. Snakes, sickness, wars, fire, huge holes in the ground, you name it.

I love you so much. I hope you have a great week!!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 29: Manacor

INTERVIEWS!!!!

Yesterday we had interviews with President. What a great man he is! We were able to just chit chat about the gospel, and he gave me some great advice on how to better our area!!!! We were in Palma all day, we didn't get home until seven thirty, so we ate and hit the streets, we were so tired, but it was worth it!!!!

I got your package!!!! The one with the little scripture and the fruit loops and things!!!! whooooo!!! Thank thank you so much!!!! We played games with those little book of mormon cards while we were waiting for our interviews. Everyone loved those!!!! The watch is super nice. Thank you!!!! It was a little big, but you know my around tinkering with things, and now it fits perfectly!!!!

Saturday was the big 19!!!! It was such a great day, thank you for those photos you took!!! They are so nice. C. was so great, filming that and sending it to you!

I had an intercambio with our district leader. He has a ton of time in the mission and taught me so much. Our district leader is the bomb!

Side note.... we got haircuts today

For district meeting, we learned about finding joy in the work, and our leader set up a huge obstacle course made out of chairs in the church. We blind folded our companion and had to guide him through the maze. It was so fun, it really brought joy into the work!!!!

This week during my studies I have truly come to see the power of grace in my life and in the work. It doesn't matter what I do, Christ paid the price. Nothing I do helps me be saved. I heard a quote that says, "we have been saved by grace, but have we been changed by grace?" Christ paid the price for us to return to our Heavenly Father. We have commandments to help us feel comfortable when we return, and the things we do determine how long we will be with him, but Christ is always there. Lifting us when we fall. Not just after we have done everything, but before, During, and After.

 

 Well I have to go.... Be good!!!!

Mission Week 28: Happy Birthday Elder Tyson!!!

Ok what a week. There was so much going on, We are going to have to take it day by day. Well starting with Thorsday.

Thorsday...

So ya. I threw up.... many times.... I was feeling really sick. Elder Allen was a good sport. Helping me to feel better. I was so hungry because I lost all of food, so I decided to make quesadillas.... He warned me that the dairy would just come right back out. I wished I had listened..... I made my quesadillas and within five minutes of eating them, I was puking it all up again.... TMI! I know. We passed the time in piso by reading scriptures and things... and then I remembered the game MASH..... So while I was on and off the baño, we played a little MASH, with areas to serve, companions to have and what not.... good times..... kind of.

Friday....

It rained perros and gatos out here. I was feeling much better but the rain hit us so hard.... I personally loved it..... because I've got sunshine, on a cloudy day. We tried and tried and tried to talk to people, but I guess not everyone knew that the sun will come out tomorrow.... even though I am betting my bottom dollar on it. That day was so great though, we were able to place 2 Books of Mormon in one day. Maybe a record of my mission.... #CelebrateTheSmallVictories

Saturday...

Sant Antoni-The was the party of the century! It all started all family friendly, families on bikes, riding around and looking at amazing paper mache sculptures, and enjoying the time. We enjoyed it too... with members in the streets just singing kumbaya... Until about 8 o'clock..... That was when the kids went to bed and then they lit all of these beautiful sculptures to the ground! Bonfires, screaming, dancing, no one caring about the hour of night. We got back to Piso undetected. We felt like Heavenly Father put the cloak of invisibility over us. We got back and the smell of the smoke (which still lingers over the city) wasn't even on our clothes, and we are talking fires on every single block! The fires we would do  in our backyard don't hold a candle to these things. We felt so blessed. It was like Shadrack, Meshack and Abendigo. Well the party didn't stop once we got to our piso. The people were out, playing blaringly loud music until 4:30 am. I thought I was waiting up for Santa Claus.  What a day!

Sunday....

We saw some people in the streets still celebrating. We thanked the Lord for the Word of Wisdom. When we got to the end of the night, we felt discouraged because our numbers were awful. Then, I thought back on the week. We had truly helped people come unto to Christ. We had committed several families to read the Book of Mormon and to return back to church, and we were able to bless the lives of others through prayers in the streets. I remembered why I came out here. Its not about the baptisms or the amount of lessons I have taught. Those are a byproduct of my purpose here: To help everyone I see to realize that Jesus is the Savior, and they can come to know him better than ever before if they will read the Book of Mormon.

 

Today we went on a hike and saw some of the beautiful parts of our area. Here are some pictures of the island and some pictures of the celebration.

 My scripture is Moroni 10:32 and I know that is typical and was the theme of the church, but i think it really describes what I am all about as a missionary, what i want to accomplish, and its my go to in teaching!!!

 

 I love you so much... and I am doing my best to find teach and baptize...... have a good week.... save some candles for me!!!!!

 

Mission Week 27: Reyes

This week has been so great. We have really been working hard and trying our best to change the lives around us here. We are really growing together and having a great time inviting people to come unto to Christ.

This week we set a fecha (date) with our good friend J. He is from Texas but speaks perfect Spanish. He just moved here and is fifteen years old. He is such a good kid, and really wants to learn. We had set a fecha for the 23rd but, he wasn't able to attend church so we are looking to set a new fecha for the 30th. He has such a good heart, but it was a little weird teaching in English. We are so excited to see the progression in him.

This week the Baleares District began its goal to become a stake, 66 baptisms in on year. We know this is possible, in the Lord's timing, with diligence, hard work and obedience. To help get us on the right foot our Zone Leaders committed us to wear the same tie until we had a baptism. It has been a little rough the last few days, but it gives me more drive to help my friends into the water of baptism.

I had the opportunity to speak in church this week about the Restoration, and how it applies to lives of our members. I realized that the entire first lesson is really centered on prayer. How because God loves us, we can pray to him and he will always answer and give us more light and knowledge. It was wonderful to apply the things i learned to my own prayers, and I feel my relationship with God growing.

Also this week was Reyes (Kings) holiday. It's like christmas all over again. we went and ate and took pictures by the reyes on their horses.... it was super cool....

I ate a whole dominoes pizza by myself.... its buffet here... so we go crazy... I have a video...

We saved an old woman who fell in the streets this week. She was like,"I have fallen and I cant get up" so we were like, "hey, we are human life alerts!" We got her on her feet, and we were happy she didn't break a hip. She said we were very nice, but didn't want us to talk to her anymore.

We contacted a man in the street, and he we went off on us, because we were wearing scarves, and the kids in Africa didn't even have food, so we walked away and later, while were taking a little break, he walked up to us and asked if we were the same chicos from before, I politely told him that we were NOT, and he seemed satisfied. we then tried walking around the block to see if we could confuse him again, but he was no where to be found... probably for the best...

 There are huge fires in the streets every night getting ready for the Sant Antoni celebration.

So this celebration is only in our town... no where else in Spain celebrates!

Love you lots!

Elder Tyson