October 17, 2008 Letter

Dear Mom and Dad,

The Richard G. Scott devotional was such an incredible experience. Here is and excerpt from my journal Sunday night: "[Richard G. Scott] said "we all will have adversity, it is a part of life... we need it for growth and the forging of our righteous character" and that "the Lord protects a determined individual from Satan." He told us not to have fear. The most powerful part of his talk, to me was when he shared his testimony. He told us "if you're testimony isn't strong enough, lean on mine until it is." Here is a part of his testimony: "As an apostle of Jesus Christ, HE LIVES...He guides the church PERSONALLY." The Holy Ghost coming from Elder Scott electrified me...I had a reaffirmation of testimony. I know this church is true and I'm so thankful for the humble testimony of Elder Scott."

In addition to that he was hilarious. He had missionaries go up to microphones and answer questions he would ask. One guy gave a beat-around-the-bush answer to one of Elder Scott's questions, to which Elder Scott replied "you sound like a politician!" And before his talk President Boone read aloud Elder Scott's background information, and Elder Scott shouted "this is not a funeral!" So yeah, that was an incredible devotional.

Hey I need some addresses. I need addresses for Brandon Cox, Rachel Povey, Taeler Herr and Hannah Fitch. I know you can give me Brandons but all of the rest are at school so the only possible way to get hooked up with those is for them to write me... work some blog magic or something. idunno. I'm letter deprived today. It happens. But guess what?! Jon the Rose works in the cafeteria! I've seen him twice now.

Dad, I understand you're struggle with your calling. I've been overwhelmed a couple or so times here too. You've just gotta "Lift Where You Stand" as Elder Uchtdorf advised. That's the pits Brother Green isn't going to be able to help you now. But if you rely on the Lord and pray your mind out and read the scriptures prayerfully D&C 84:88 will happen.

Mom, how is Young Women's and work coming along? I've got an idea for an activity; Bake cookies and write letters and send them to the missionaries night! Just kidding. Kind of. :)

Last night Elder Kemp and I taught a guy in the TRC who was role-playing as a person who lost his faith in God. It was rough and I got frustrated, cuz I felt like we had 35 minutes to pound out one principle; "God is our Heavenly Father and He Loves Us" and one commitment; PRAY! I got frustrated with myself cuz my Spanish kind of blanked out last night, but I'm fine now. Esta todo bien!

2 weeks left. I'll hang in there. Hey am I supposed to pack toothpaste and stuff like that when I fly away or will the security attack me? I understand the airport's supposed to be weird about stuff like that, but I may just be making up stuff cuz I've never really been on a plane. Stuff that happened when I was 2 doesn't count cuz I can't remember it and back then the airports weren't super uptight. I'll update you when I get my flight plans so you can know when to expect my phone call. I'm pretty sure I get to call you at the airport. That's what everyone has told me.

How's Rosie? Oh how I miss my dog. And dogs in general. And any animal besides small birds and mice... but we won't go into the details there.

Hey Dad what part of Canada did you serve in? Alberta? Cuz we have all sorts of Canadians in our zone from the west-ish part of Canada, and I'm not really sure where Alberta is anyway, but I wasn't sure if I was recalling your mission correctly. Calgary? Your mission was huge anyways so it might be all of the above... idunno. Tell me some more of your cool mission stories! I dig those. Especially the ones involving bears.

Well, I love you so much Mom and Dad. I'm going to be alright with everything. I feel so excited about what is ahead. I pray for you every night and I love hearing from you.

Love,

Elder Tyler Lewis

P.S. - Here is the reimbursement form for a shot I got a couple weeks ago. I've just got to get one more next April or May.