Mission Week 62: September 12, 2016

September 12, 2016

What a week folks!!!! It was so long!!! But so great!!!!!

We had another elder have his birthday in our piso, and we found out
that he had never gotten breakfast in bed, so we bought him a new mug,
and put hot chocolate in it, then we made him breakfast in bed!!! It
was great!!! We went to eat at good burger, it was a bomb burger
place, and the hot dog was good too!!!!

The theme of the week was, "The Lord commanded us to build a ship, so
that is what we are going to do" we knew it was going to be a week
that really pushed our faith and so we decided to be like Nephi and
put the trust in the Lord but also working so hard.

Elder Campbell and I put our faith to the test. Working harder than
ever before to hit some really high goals we set for ourselves. We
were in the streets a lot, but it was well worth it. We did all we
can, we built the ship, and Lord made it float.

The great example was the baptism of D.!!!!!!! D. was baptized
this week by his father, and it was an incredible experience. The
Spirit was so strong as the ordinance was performed. What joy filled
the room as you could see a young man taking the valiant step of
discipleship. Inspiring!

It was a crazy week!!!!  But really good!!!! Oh ya, I also got really
dehydrated and almost passed out. But I am okay now!!!!! Love you!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 61: September 5, 2016

September 5, 2016

Words can't seem to capture the grandeur of the week Elder Campbell
and I experienced here this week. We are so uplifted doing the service
of the Lord. We saw so many unexpected miracles, it was absolutely
incredible.

We are so excited for the baptism of D. this week! He is such a
great kid, so prepared. His spiritual maturity is at a level much
higher than most other youth his age. We decided to watch the Joseph
Smith movie with him, and we thought he would be a little sleepy
(considering his long trip to Madrid and back), but he was attentive
the whole movie. When the movie ended, we invited him to go home and
pray to really know for sure if he was a Prophet. He responded with
gusto, saying that he couldn't wait to pray and ask. The next time we
saw him we asked if he had prayed. He responded, "Of course I prayed,
and the Lord told me exactly what you told me, Joseph Smith was a
Prophet." We were thrilled for him, and we are getting so excited for
his baptism this weekend.

I am so grateful for Elder Campbell. He is a solid missionary. He is
teaching me so much about using time effectively and being diligent,
always leading by example.

We had a goal this week to hit four Pautas, a goal that I have never
previously hit in my mission. We worked so hard, and we got to church,
and were missing one person to reach the goal. We knew there was
another service later, so, after Mediodia, we hit the streets inviting
everyone to come with us. We received all no's. We went to the church
to try our luck, and no one showed. Then, as the meeting was
beginning, and we were walking out, a women entered the church. She
said she wasn't a member but that her friend had told her that she
should check out our church. She sat with us through the meeting and
to us, was an angel sent from heaven. Although she didn't end up
wanting anything, I knew that the Lord was blessing us for our
righteous desires, hard work, and obedience. What a miracle!

For preparation day we went and saw some big sites in Valencia. It was
chill. We also ate at Burger King.... A Spanish favorite..... And that
basically it!!

Love you lots!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 60: August 29, 2016

Miracles happen. I am so very grateful for this chance I have to serve here in Valencia. This week has been incredible. we have already seen lots of miracles and we are looking forward to many more.

Elder Campbell is my rock. He is like the wildabeast that protects the rest of the herd when the lions are attacking. He is always putting the needs of others and really helping the zone move forward. He knows the needs and knows how to act and help the needs. 

We are teaching D. right now, whom we met just this week.  We have set his fecha for the 10th of September. We have become his best friends. We are so excited and doing all we can to help him reach this goal.

Valencia is a great place, I know the Lord is in this work, and he is giving us extra blessings for all of the sweating we are doing. At least, weight loss. I am striving to do all I can to fulfill my role as a Zone Leader, and I hope that I can keep growing and magnifying this sacred calling.

This week I studied a talk by President Monson called "my Personal Hall of Fame". In it, he talks about all of the amazing people whom he would put in his "hall of fame". I began to think about who I would put in my hall of fame, and I have been so grateful for the amazing men and women in my life that have helped me grow into the man, and missionary, that I am.

Elder Campbell and I have a lot of fun!!!! He is a wild one like me!!!!! This last week we walked by some Gypsies playing music and I started to dance a little..... they all flipped out!!!!! so funny... they loved it, and we chatted for a minute!!!!!

The ward here is incredible!!!!! They work really hard and really mission focused!

I have been scrubbing our piso, because it smelt like straight urine when I got here...... I am still going for the source!!!!! Its been good though!!!!!

Love you lots!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 59: VALENCIA!!!!

August 22, 2016

 

VALENCIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry folks, it will be short today. I just got off my three hour train to Valencia! My new companion is Elder Campbell. He has more time than me in the mission. We are going to have a great time together.

This last week was a struggle.... I broke my pin drive so I lost all of my photos and music, and everything that was on there.... So whatever pictures you have, please keep.

It was a sad week of goodbyes.... I had a visit with X., J., V., L. and J... The five closest people to me in this area... I gave them all gifts, and we just cried a lot. It was hard to leave the incredible people that I had taught and seen grow so much..... I hope to go back to see them.....

My time in Terrassa just flew by... I can't believe I am already gone....... It was a blur.... But I am so excited to make the most of my time here!!!!!

Side note.... I am currently sweating like nobody's business...

Last night we had the other elders in our district in our piso for the night, so we turned off all of the lights.... So dark that your eyes couldn't even adjust..... And we played hide and seek... All by touch and sound..... It was so fun.... And crazy....... As Kalee can attest... I breathe really deeply sometimes... So it made it really easy for them to find me..... They said.... I can't see you, but you sound like bear hibernating..... It was so funny....

Starting a new adventure.... Big changes in our district and the ward.... Two more elders in the ward.... So cool!!! It will help the ward a lot.....

We are running from place to place..... I would love to hear from you... But I can't respond again....

I love you so much..... Have a great week!!!!!

Elder Tyson

 

Some last pictures from Terrassa:

 

 

Mission Week 58: I finished reading the Bible!

August 15, 2016

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, CHILDREN OF ALL AGES. THE SMALLEST OF THE SMALL AND THE TALLEST OF THE TALL.

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE, THAT AFTER EIGHT LONG MONTHS OF NON-STOP READING, I HAVE OFFICIALLY FINISHED READING THE HOLY BIBLE!!!!!!!

I have learned so much!!! It's interesting that as you finish you see the true beauty of it all. It begins by describing the creation of it all, and ends explaining the grandeur of the Celestial kingdom of our God! Absolutely wonderful. After all of the stories, sacrifices, wars and tribulations, it ends giving hope. The Book describes the plan of salvation, from the beginning to the end!!!!!! Brilliant!!!!!!

The work is solid! District is good. Working hard

I sleep with a fleece blanket and a stained pillow... Living the life!!!,

Trying to remember other things but I really can't...

Oh, I ripped my shirt sleeve.... But I sewed it!!! Looks good as new... Almost!!,

Elder Allen is in Gerona... North of Barce.... I will see him tomorrow. For P-Day we went to Barcelona and played soccer as a zone. Elder Muñoz cut my hair.... And it came out a little too long... So we went back the next day and took a little off....

Love you!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 57: Generating Heat like a small Star!

 August 8, 2016

Dearest loved ones,

The weeks are really flying by! As much as I love you, I feel
like we just talked yesterday!!!!! It's so crazy!!!!!!

Just a few updates before I tell you about the week....

I have officially sweated through all of my shirts.... Still wearable,
but no Bueno..... It's hot #IsThatShirtWhiteOrYellow

I have officially hit 13 months in the mission #ButWhoseCounting

I am happy #GoodNewsOfTheGospel

I have broken my nail biting habit.... Woot woot!!! #BuiltInBackScratcher

If I was allowed to grow a beard, it would be really long, really fast
#ShaveDaily

Elder Muñoz is my friend #Fredo

The Book of Mormon is still true #TimeToDustItOffFolks

So there are some updates!!!!!

This week was invite the world week!!!! We had a goal as a mission to
invite 1300 people to be baptized, or 15 every companionship!!!!! It
was so fun, and good to focus on baptism, Elder Muñoz and I invited
everyone we saw!!!! It was cool!!!!!

The miracle we saw this week was with N., an investigator who has
really been into that voodoo, and black magic stuff. Elder Muñoz and i
shared chapter 26:23-31 of 2 Nephi with her. It went súper well. We
focused on how the Lord works in the light, and how he condemns those
activities that are just used to trick people. It was powerful. The
Lord invites all to come unto him in that scripture, and that's what
we did. She agreed to be baptized when she gets back from vacation!!
We are so excited for her!!!!

That's about it.... Today we went down to the Rambla in Barcelona and
got some stuff for Elder Muñoz and I conquered the lion!!!!! The same
lion from like ten months ago!!!!! Boom!!!!

And that's it!!!!!! Love you tons!!!!!

Elder Tyson

Mission Week 56: Kalee called to Brazil, Londrina!

Monday, August 1, 2016

 

BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?? THAT IS CRAZY!!!!!!! AND AWESOME!!!!!!

 

 

I HAVE ALREADY PRINTED OUT A MAP OF YOUR MISSION AND AM SHOWING IT TO EVERYONE!!!!! Member, nonmember, everyone!! I am so happy for you Kalee, I watched the video of you opening, and I can't lie, I was pretty emotional. And impressed, when I opened my call, I was balling like a baby, you kept it together.... Hahaha

This week was really rewarding for us. I felt the Spirit so strong throughout the week. I said things, promised things, and testified of things that I was expecting to say, but it seemed to fit perfectly. As I have been more focused on why I am here, the Spirit has been magnifying me.

Big news folks..... I have been eating healthier!!!!! And not just by force when members feed me!!!!! I found some frozen meals that I like that are full of vegetables and I am addicted..... I feel a lot better.... More energy, not empty fullness... If that makes sense.... Sure I am still a chubbers.... I like my desserts, but I am also liking the healthy life.....

Speaking of Desserts, I figured out how to profeta the brownies.... Because the ovens are the worst here.... I have tried different things and finally figured it out..... It's complicated to explain, but bomb!!!!!!!

This week we fasted with our investigator L. over her decision to get married, and at the end of the fast she posted a picture on Facebook in front of the church and said, "my first test from the Lord, passed!" A member showed us and we were so proud of her. She kept calling us and telling us how hungry she was but she was holding on..... We are meeting with her tomorrow to see how it went!!! So great!!

Elder Muñoz and I have been inviting everyone to be baptized lately and we are excited, we have some great people getting ready for this month!!!!

Is week in district meeting we talked all about listening!! It was so great.... In preach my gospel it talks about how we need to watch gestures as well, so we had to play charades to practice!!!! Hahaha, it was so funny to see them try to act our Michael the Archangel!!!!!!! Gold!!!!

We had interviews with President this week!!!! So great..... He challenged us to use family history everyday.... And we are really catching the spirit of Elijah!!! Hahaha.  He talked a lot about Joseph Smith..... we talked about training, and how I feel...... he thanked me for my service....  he said that he never has problems with Elder Tyson ... for now.... I told him.... he just chuckled that surgeon chuckle.... like he just made a pun in surgery..... it was good!

Anyways, great week, full of the spirit!!!! Loved every second of it!!!!!!!

Elder Tyson