Mission Week 97: May 15, 2017

May 15, 2017

What a Mother's Day it was,

It was so great to see the whole family live. Everyone looks vibrant and happy!!! I glad that the family is safe!

Things are smooth sailing here in Burgos. We had the blessing of seeing great success in our area this week with a lot of potential in our investigators. The district as well is doing wonderfully, almost hitting pautas as averages in the district. We are all about becoming the best disciple of Christ we can. We know if we can build great missionaries, they will build great areas. It doesn't always work the other way around. We are opening our minds to new ideas and ways of doing missionary work that have blessed us dearly. Our goal is to be better every week. Not change necessarily what we are doing, but change our focus to make week things strong. This week we focused on not going through the motions. In many aspects we see that we get comfortable and our productivity goes down. We discussed the 2000 stripling warriors and how they could have kept marching and been safe in Zarahemla, but they decided to turn back and fight. Turn back and try something new. They did and saw miracles.

Elder Torruella and I are the same. We worked so hard and the Lord blessed us with four investigators in church. A grand difference between the zero of last week. We worked hard and we only had two people confirmed. They did come, then another investigator showed up with a member family who helped in the visit. Then a family brought a friend who needed some comfort. It was such a miracle for us. I was so grateful for the members and how they are focused and working with their friends.

Power is oozing out of Elder Torruella as he testifies of the Restoration. He knows when to give his testimony and how. I am looking forward to another great week with him.
Love you so much. Hope Kalee is doing well.... 

Elder Tyson

Here are some pictures from this week:

Mission Week 96: May 9, 2017

May 9, 2017

Let's go!!!!!!

Burgos. A six letter word that comes from the the Latin root Burg, meaning full of miracles! The history holds true!! Burgos is a land of miracles and Elder Torruella and I have been working so hard to see them. We have overly blessed this week by finding 13 new investigators, having 4 second visits, and setting 3 baptismal dates with people we have met in this week. The pace is quick here in Burgos, and the branch is ready to help and serve. We are blessed immensely to have a branch president who is very focused on baptism and retention. We have had a coordination with him just to discuss the recent converts and what the branch can do to better help them feel part of the congregation.

Elder Torruella is firing on all cylinders! He is a power house. He knows the area well and knows what we need to do see baptisms in this area. What I really appreciate about him is that he is a great listener. He is always pulling things of what people say and using it to help teach them the Gospel. He is a fearless giant. He will contact anyone at anytime. He is also very teachable. He expressed to me some of the struggles they were having in this area in the past, and was able to accept some of my ideas and go with the flow. I have been trying to really support the things already built in this area and just add and tweak some things that will help us see success.

The branch here is powerful, we are about forty strong and many members are open to helping us in visits and spreading the Gospel. I pray that we can take advantage of them as we work for the salvation of man. I have been so impressed by the leadership of this branch. Although few, they lead like the Savior, and understand church government. I will be learning so much from each of them.

This city is the prettiest of my whole mission!! I will takes lots of pictures!!!! We are just getting going on preparation day here so we are going bowling today, more sight seeing next week!!

I am so excited to be a district leader! I have already planned all of my district meetings, intercambios, phone calls, and everything. Of course anything could change if the Spirit so indicates. 

 

I feel like this area is my final exam. My whole mission has been working up to these last six weeks.  This is it..... I am so happy and filled with energy... it's all on the table.

Next week I will be skyping at 10:00 your time..... that is six here.... I hope that works!!!!

This week I have spent my studies in the war chapters of the Book of Mormon and in chapter three of Preach my Gospel. I love how important the Gospel was for the Nephites. They put everything to the side to serve the Lord, and many times, even their lives. I have been studying the lessons of Preach my Gospel to learn to love and cherish it like the Nephites. I am so grateful for the light and truth restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love my Savior and I hope to serve him with more power, energy, vigor, and zeal this week.
Love you so much, can't wait to see you!!!!

Elder Tyson!!!!!

 

 

Mission Week 95: May 2, 2017 Transferred to Burgos

May 2, 2017

Big news.....

I have been transferred!!!!!!!!

Last six weeks... leaving Badalona... going to......BURGOS!!!!!!!!!

That's right, it's in the North!!! Not quite Pamplona, nor Santander, but it's close!!!

My new companion is Elder Torruella, a young missionary who served in the Badalona zone when I was there!!

Also, big news, I am no longer a Zone Leader!!! I get to finish as a district leader!! It will be nice to have a change and focus on one district to finish off.

It was sad to leave Badalona, but is in good hands.

The members have been so nice here. It was so sad to say goodbye to converts and friends, but I am used to it now. We were at church and at sacrament meeting my converts from Terrassa came down to say goodbye to me. It was a tender mercy. It was so good to see them and talk about good times. It made me happy to know that I actually have done some good here in Spain, and I am excited to do some more in Burgos.

I am currently writing this email on a 6 hour train ride.... side note

Thanks for all the pictures and messages. I have so much hope in my heart, and am so honored that I was able to be chosen as an honorary pallbearer at the funeral. I hope the Wilhites are doing well.

I am grateful for this work. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I don't have much time today to write, but I will give you all the details of my area next week!

Love you tons,

Elder Tyson

Elder Tyson has made a post mission commitment!

 

Mission Week 94: April 24, 2017

April 24, 2017

Hey Tyson gang,

I have learned a lot this week. A lot about faith, miracles, family,
dedication, organization, humility, and creating your own weather. I
have had a lot of time to reflect this week, and I am grateful for the
Spirit that has taught me more than any book or person could ever.

Elder Knadler has taught me a lot this week. He is really good at
showing people that we are on their team. He is a great listener and
helps people really feel loved. He has been such a great help to me in
this week.

This week I put one of Hermana Dayton's teachings to the test. I have
always been someone who lacks organization skills, and she said that
if we want to be organized, say I am organized. Then get organized and
every time you put something away, say I am organized. After 21 days
it will be a habit. So I am making it happen, and my closet and desk
have never been so clean. I am striving to be as organized as
possible. I know it will be a blessing for my whole life.

It was nice seeing the family on Skype, sad that it had to be under
these circumstances. I love you all and I am glad everyone could make
it down for the funeral.

For preparation day, we went down and rented bikes on the Rambla. It
was a good time. The weather has been wonderful. Short sleeve is the
way to go.

This week I did an extensive study of the word zeal. It uses this
adjective to describe the way the Anti-Nephi-Lehis treated the
commandments. It was interesting to see that the defining difference
between them and the other Nephites was their zeal towards God and
man. I also believe that zeal is a defining characteristic of El Faro.
We can't just go through the motions or simply obey the commandments.
We need to be zealous in our obedience. Treat every part of this work
with marked enthusiasm. I hope that I will be able to emulate
zealousness in this coming week.

We were able to give out a least ten copies of the Book of Mormon this
week. We wanted to focus on its power, and the book pulled through. It
always does!!

Love you,
Elder Tyson

Mission Week 93: April 17, 2017

Glad everyone enjoyed the Easter season.

I know you hate my letters like this, but this week didn't have that much that went on. The weeks really blend together. I hope I can think of some details, but it was really simple.

We had the chance to go out to the home of a little old lady this week. She is one of the oldest members in Barcelona and is really struggling. She never gets visits, and due to health, it is difficult for her to come to church. She said the saddest thing is that she has let her garden die down. Well, we told her we have eight missionaries who will be by to fix up her garden. So we are going tomorrow to give service!!! It will be great!!!!

We had zone conference yesterday. It was wonderful. They gave us fancy fancy study journals! It was really nice of them.

This week our investigator J. made big steps. He has been having some very interesting days. He has been quitting smoking, and upon leaving his house in the morning to buy some cigarettes, he starts jogging and finds himself sprinting all around Badalona, tiring himself too much and forgetting about smoking. I believe the Lord is blessing him for his efforts that now he has to figure out what to do with all of his new found strength. We practiced with him how to say no to cigarettes when offered and he committed to never smoking again!!

Our brotherhood in our piso, will all be home and going to BYU.... and we are making big plans.... specifically a Disneyland trip!!!!!! We have already set the date!!! August 13-17.... this is real... haha... its going to be fun... hahah.... Elder Simon is from Australia so it will be fun.....

Life is great.... been thinking about school a little bit today.... I think you made some good points, and you are right... I need to go far in my studies. I can't settle for four years, the prophets have even counseled us to receive as much education as possible. So that is what I need to do.

Love you so much, thank you for your words of wisdom!!

Elder Tyson

 

 

Mission Week 92: April 10, 2017

Note: Some friends of the Wilhite's ran into Elder Tyson at church in Barcelona. We were so excited and thankful to get some pictures of him.

 

Hey Y'all!!!!!!

What a privilege it is to write another weekly report! It was a stronger week in the Badalona area, teaching repentance and baptizing converts. We had great opportunities to learn and teach during two intercambios, leadership council, zone enfoque, and interviews, just a full week.

We found quite a bit of new investigators this week through our investigator P. He is a Nigerian man with a big heart. He has studied with the missionaries for almost a year and never got baptized because he felt they were telling him and not his own Spirit. We sat down and read about the sacrament in the Book of Mormon. In the passage it explains that without baptism we can't partake of the sacrament nor have the Holy Ghost to be with us. He agreed and told us that his spirit was telling him to be baptized. We are so excited for his progression.

When visiting him later in the week we discovered that he was having a get together with six other friends. We sat down and they asked us to share the word of God. Elder Knadler and I weren't sure exactly what we could share, so we scanned the room and identified the best thing to teach, the Word of Wisdom. This place was filled with alcohol, cigarettes, and other choice substances. We told them that we were there to cry repentance unto this people and we taught the commandment. We felt power as we testified of the truthfulness of this law and promised them the knowledge of its truthfulness using John 7:17 which states, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

They all accepted the invitation to live the Word of Wisdom on the condition that we return and teach them about the interesting prophet who received this revelation, Joseph Smith. We gladly accepted the deal.

Today for preparation day, I got a well needed haircut, then we went to this huge antique market in Barcelona!!!! It is literally a treasure hunt!!!!

In our Zone enfoque we gave out seeds in dirt, and they can only water it when they invite someone to be baptized! It was fun, we hope they grow.

This week I had an experience I will never forget, a miracle, one might say. We were talking to a boy who was very content in his church, that all were correct, so it really didn't matter. So I asked him, "Does God have a body?" He responded no and said that Jesus was resurrected as a spirit. I explained that his statement shows that not all churches were true, because we all have different doctrines. For example we believe that Jesus was resurrected with a body of flesh and bone. He tried to challenge my statement so I took him to Luke 24:36-43 that clearly shows that he was resurrected with a body. He agreed, then said that after, he ascended to heaven without a body. Then I witnessed the miracle. The Spirit brought to my remembrance Alma 11:45 which clearly explains that the resurrection is final. There is no separation after. We testified of the the Book of Mormon, it's clarifying doctrines, and that he could know that it was true. We set up another visit, and we left rejoicing. That may have been one of the only times in my mission when the Bible and the Book of Mormon became one in my hand. The doctrines back each other up. We need both, and I am so grateful for that witness I received.

It was a great week, can't wait for this one!

Love,

Elder Kade Tyson

 

 

Mission Week 91: April 3, 2017

Folks!!!

Good things happening here in the Badalona zone this week, and even more so in the Badalona area! We had a great week and General Conference was fantastic!

I was so grateful for the announcement of the new temple in Saratoga Springs, Utah! I was telling all of the missionaries that they were going to announce one in Eagle Mountain for sure, so I lost control when it was announced that they were going to put one in the city right next to it. I felt bad for disturbing the reverence, considering that I literally leap out my seat and stared cheering. Missed being the family because I know they would have shared the same excitement with me. I immediately said a prayer of gratitude to the Lord for the temples, for the power that is manifested there, and for the restored Gospel that allows us to have our families forever.

My favorite talk of the conference was given by Joy D. Jones, the General Primary President. She spoke about honesty and how we should do things because we said we would. I thought about my own life, how many times do I really do the things I say I will? I am so grateful for the examples of integrity around me. I am inspired by mission leaders, family members, and great members who do what they say they would, and only because they said it. I hope that I can exemplify that characteristic in my life. I love how she finished by saying that Jesus Christ did all he did, because he said he would before this life. It reminds me of the many promises I made with the Lord before this life, before the mission, and through my covenants, and I can ask everyday, "am I doing what I said I would?"

Our area took some hits this week. We found out that several are moving and others do not live in our area, so we are hitting the streets. It will feel nice to wear down the shoes, sweat a little, and just contact. Of course we are also trying to work smart by setting up effective pass-bys and things but I love so solid time to hit the pavement, preach the gospel, and cry repentance! So grateful!

Today for preparation day we went to the zoo!!!!! It was so fun.... we really enjoyed it.

 

The miracle I saw this week may sound silly but it was a powerful moment for me. Our piso has hot water, but it decreases immensely when two missionaries shower, or use any hot water at once. Well, I was showering and I felt my water go cool. I waited for a minute or so wanting to finish my shower nice and hot. So I offered a little prayer, asking Heavenly Father to let me finish my shower as it began. As I said amen, the water immediately regained it's heat and I finished my shower both physically and spiritually warm. I said a little prayer of gratitude and it set me up for a great day. It may sound foolish, but it's the small miracles that make the biggest differences, I think.

Glad you enjoyed conference, and so happy for Allie!!! How is Kalee doing?

Love you,

Elder Tyson