Hey!
It has been and incredible week! 2 baptisms! Nicoles Siatenu'u's ( the 9-year-old's) baptism was a huge event for his family. They're Samoan/Hawaiian, so of course there was a big feast after the ordinance. David Ramos' (the 18-year-old's) baptism was a very unique experience. Satan did NOT want David to be baptized. The opposition that night was crazy! First of all David was late. Second his parents weren't going to go to the baptism and support him. Third the power was out in Cypress. That included the stake center. But after much prayer and faith everything went fine. David made it to the church before anybody decided to leave. His Mom eventually decided to show up. And finally a man from the stake randomly decided he'd better check out the church and he just happened to bring a bunch of lanterns with him. That may be the only chance I'll ever have to see a baptism performed under lantern light. It was awesome. After Elder Rodriguez baptized David (and after they changed their clothes in utter darkness in the bathroom) Bishop Redding asked David to bear his testimony. It was great. David bore sincere testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and it was obvious how much this baptism really meant to him. It was impossible for his mother to have not felt the Holy Ghost radiating in that building.
8 of our investigators attended church again. That really is a big deal. Elder Rodriguez has NEVER had that many attend church before and he's been out for over a year now. David and Dixie (we found out it's Dixie, not Mixy) attended for the 2nd week in a row and they're planning on going again next Sunday! We visited them last night and it was great! David and Dixie love to feed Elder Rodriguez and I. They have us set aside at least 2 hours for them- 1 for a dinner appointment and 1 for the actual lesson. Last night they had so many questions and the lesson was going so well that they actually ended up having us stay for 4 HOURS! (That's really not supposed to happen but it had to last night.) We watched the Restoration video and it was great. David and Dixie asked us about the Priesthood and we talked about that for a while. I've had some worries on my mind about them for the past little while because of a few things- 1. they're not married 2. they have some Word of Wisdom issues 3. I didn't know if they'd dig the whole tithing deal. But last night I was much surprised when we ended up talking about all of that and more. And I was even more surprised when they seemed okay with everything! David was a little concerned about the coffee thing but they both agreed to live the Word of Wisdom! Dixie hates how concerned churches are about money but she's okay with the 10% Tithing Law because it's in the Bible! And they both acknowledged the fact that they need to get married our last visit without us even bringing up the Law of Chastity yet. And this time David asked US if he could be baptized! You see what I'm really saying here? THE LORD DOES HIS OWN WORK. He's not kidding when He says "the field is white already to harvest." It's not brown. It's not green. It's white.
Now it's time for a short story about a so-called Pastor. Elder Rodriguez and I were tracting one fine afternoon we happened upon two old men whose blindness and hatred defy all description. One of them turned around and spake unto us, not calling us by name and said, pointing to both of us "I know who they are! The servants of Satan! Do you know where you're going? Straight to Hell!" We tried to point out and explain the fact that the name of Jesus Christ was plainly written on our nametags both in English and Spanish but our efforts were wasted. The more energetic of the two old men called himself Pastor Clark and boy was he on one that day. He tossed his Bible on the ground and accused us of doing the same whenever we read the Book of Mormon. He told us we didn't know the difference between good and evil because we're so deceived and caught "hook line and sinker" in lies. We tried again and again to bear testimony and leave but the man really seemed to enjoy spewing hatred so we had no choice but to let him persist. He made me very tired. But now I look back fondly and laugh. Oh Pastor Clark. Calm down. Nobody's going to Hell.
I KNOW this church is true. I KNOW the Book of Mormon contains the word of God to this dispensation and so I KNOW Joseph Smith was a prophet called to restore the literal Church of Jesus Christ. I have felt the Spirit attest to those facts too strongly too many times to deny it. I have considered the circumstances of the world around me and the words of the Lord revealed through prophets and through His scriptures and I realize all too well how obvious it really is that this is the ONE true church of Jesus Christ. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism"; NOT one Lord, 5 faiths, 12 baptisms.
We may have another baptism tomorrow! Pray for Sam! She needs to finally get baptized! Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
Thursday, November 27, 2008
November 21st, 2008 Letter
Dear Mom, Dad & Hannah
I switched my handwriting to cursive for a few days but for the sake of saving time I've promptly switched back to normal mode.
So how's it going? I think I'm supposed to get a letter from you in a couple of days, right? Feel free to write every week I don't mind!
I went to Wal-Mart today. Apparently Wall-E is on DVD now eh? That's all the media I saw. Has the news been updating you about God's anger towards California? It's pretty nuts it sounds like. But Buena Park's been blessed so we're flame-free! Well...I doubt there's a city in California that's really flame-free but ...
Elder Rodriguez and I visited a man yesterday named Dennis who only wanted to talk about Proposition 8 related topics. He said he wrote his college thesis about homosexuality. He said he likes talking to missionaries like us cuz he knows we have strong morals and that's rare in today's society. His view was homosexuality shouldn't be treated as a civil rights issue because it's not a race it's a choice of lifestyle. He said that act is wrong but the people aren't in most cases bad people. I pretty much agree. Dennis has one leg cuz his other one got amputated due to diabetes. He's read the Book of Mormon before and his beliefs are different but he's christian and a nice guy though he admits to have strayed from his ministry.
There's this other guy we're visiting named Jason. He's a super nice guy with a strong testimony but he hasn't been baptized yet because his wife is against it. He's what I guess we call a "dry Mormon". We cleaned up his shed. There was a ton of junk and a ton of black widow spiders. I was very cautious, thinking of Dallas Bradshaw's purple and swollen hand.
So 3 baptisms this weekend! Let's pray that all go through! Nocholas, David and Sam!
I Love You!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
I switched my handwriting to cursive for a few days but for the sake of saving time I've promptly switched back to normal mode.
So how's it going? I think I'm supposed to get a letter from you in a couple of days, right? Feel free to write every week I don't mind!
I went to Wal-Mart today. Apparently Wall-E is on DVD now eh? That's all the media I saw. Has the news been updating you about God's anger towards California? It's pretty nuts it sounds like. But Buena Park's been blessed so we're flame-free! Well...I doubt there's a city in California that's really flame-free but ...
Elder Rodriguez and I visited a man yesterday named Dennis who only wanted to talk about Proposition 8 related topics. He said he wrote his college thesis about homosexuality. He said he likes talking to missionaries like us cuz he knows we have strong morals and that's rare in today's society. His view was homosexuality shouldn't be treated as a civil rights issue because it's not a race it's a choice of lifestyle. He said that act is wrong but the people aren't in most cases bad people. I pretty much agree. Dennis has one leg cuz his other one got amputated due to diabetes. He's read the Book of Mormon before and his beliefs are different but he's christian and a nice guy though he admits to have strayed from his ministry.
There's this other guy we're visiting named Jason. He's a super nice guy with a strong testimony but he hasn't been baptized yet because his wife is against it. He's what I guess we call a "dry Mormon". We cleaned up his shed. There was a ton of junk and a ton of black widow spiders. I was very cautious, thinking of Dallas Bradshaw's purple and swollen hand.
So 3 baptisms this weekend! Let's pray that all go through! Nocholas, David and Sam!
I Love You!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
November 18th, 2008 (Email)
Good morning!
It's been another great week. Elder Rodriguez and I are still being fed like kings. I know that this luxury will not last forever so... I'm going to milk it. One sister from our ward (Buena Park Ward which I find funny considering that my hometown ward is just Park Ward) named Sister Riley took us to Black Angus one night. Yeah. I'm not starving.
David and Mixy DID come to church this week! Awesome! We had EIGHT investigators come to church this week! Elder Rodriguez and I teach the Gospel Principles class to the investigators. This week we taught about obedience. I thought it would be a good idea at the end of the lesson to give the example from 1Neph 3 & 4 about Nephi and his bros going to get the plates from Laban. But David didn't really dig the whole Nephi having to kill Laban thing... so I've learned something: don't bring up that detail with new investigators. It'll be okay though. We're visiting David and Mixy tomorrow so we'll talk about it.
We have three people getting baptized this weekend!!! First is Nicholas. He's getting baptized Saturday. Elder Rodriguez and his old companion had been teaching him for a while. He's nine. Also David Ramos, the awesome 18-year-old who is digging the gospel probably more than any of our other investigators. He's getting baptized on Sunday. Then right after him is Sam. She's my age and she's been receiving lots of opposition from her mom still about the whole wanting to be mormon deal. But her testimony's strong and she's met with the bishop a couple times now and it looks like we're shooting for Sunday with her too! BIG weekend.
Our bishop is Bishop Redding and he's the youngest bishop I've ever met. He's awesome. He's probably Bro. Westinskow's age and very bald. I'd be very comfortable getting interviewed by him. David Ramos' newly activated friend Omar, who sits in with us whenever we go to teach David, has been going to interviews with Bishop Redding cuz he's trying to get back on track. Sounds like the bishop's told him he can serve a mission!!!
So it's definitely been looking like the latter days in these parts of California. A couple days ago the sun was darkened by smoke and the moon turned to blood and all that fun stuff. It was difficult to breathe when the ashes from the fires started falling all over Buena Park and the entire Long Beach mission I'm sure. We had to go inside. Several missionaries got a little sick from the ash cuz of respiratory problems. I really feel like God's sending his wrath down on California for protesting and desecrating outside the temples. I recall that the ONLY time Jesus actually became MAD in the Bible was when he saw the merchants desecrating the temple with their worldly endeavors.So. People trying to destroy the family. People protesting outside the temple. The worst fire California's probably ever had to deal with. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!!!
I just had my first zone conference this week. Man I had no idea how long those take. I thought it was just some hour-2 hour long meeting but no. It was as long as a school-day. It was great though. President Sexton most positively is a spiritual giant. He receives revelation. All the missionaries here can attest to that. They all tell me about how he has turned this mission around and enhanced it into a sacred mission. This week he told each companionship to find five new investigators. It's harder than you'd expect. We pulled it off though.
I've found that the Book of Mormon really does contain truths that can guide you and uplift you if you read it each and every day. I can't see me depriving myself of that wisdom from God anyday in the future. I know that the Book of Mormon is absolutely postively true. I've basically relied on my spiritual witness of that for a long time now. Elder Rodriguez and I have been listening in the car to a talk about the Dead Sea Scrolls and other many other archealogical finds in the Eastern and Western world. Apparently there's a lot of evidence that attests to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon in that field as well. But all in all, despite all the evidence, what matters is your own spiritual witness. Remember that witness, rely on that witness, and refresh that witness daily. You'll be guided and strengthened and the windows of heaven will open and enlighten your mind and your life. Es la verdad.
Well I've gotta write my letter to the Pres now. I love you!!!
-Elder Tyler Lewis
It's been another great week. Elder Rodriguez and I are still being fed like kings. I know that this luxury will not last forever so... I'm going to milk it. One sister from our ward (Buena Park Ward which I find funny considering that my hometown ward is just Park Ward) named Sister Riley took us to Black Angus one night. Yeah. I'm not starving.
David and Mixy DID come to church this week! Awesome! We had EIGHT investigators come to church this week! Elder Rodriguez and I teach the Gospel Principles class to the investigators. This week we taught about obedience. I thought it would be a good idea at the end of the lesson to give the example from 1Neph 3 & 4 about Nephi and his bros going to get the plates from Laban. But David didn't really dig the whole Nephi having to kill Laban thing... so I've learned something: don't bring up that detail with new investigators. It'll be okay though. We're visiting David and Mixy tomorrow so we'll talk about it.
We have three people getting baptized this weekend!!! First is Nicholas. He's getting baptized Saturday. Elder Rodriguez and his old companion had been teaching him for a while. He's nine. Also David Ramos, the awesome 18-year-old who is digging the gospel probably more than any of our other investigators. He's getting baptized on Sunday. Then right after him is Sam. She's my age and she's been receiving lots of opposition from her mom still about the whole wanting to be mormon deal. But her testimony's strong and she's met with the bishop a couple times now and it looks like we're shooting for Sunday with her too! BIG weekend.
Our bishop is Bishop Redding and he's the youngest bishop I've ever met. He's awesome. He's probably Bro. Westinskow's age and very bald. I'd be very comfortable getting interviewed by him. David Ramos' newly activated friend Omar, who sits in with us whenever we go to teach David, has been going to interviews with Bishop Redding cuz he's trying to get back on track. Sounds like the bishop's told him he can serve a mission!!!
So it's definitely been looking like the latter days in these parts of California. A couple days ago the sun was darkened by smoke and the moon turned to blood and all that fun stuff. It was difficult to breathe when the ashes from the fires started falling all over Buena Park and the entire Long Beach mission I'm sure. We had to go inside. Several missionaries got a little sick from the ash cuz of respiratory problems. I really feel like God's sending his wrath down on California for protesting and desecrating outside the temples. I recall that the ONLY time Jesus actually became MAD in the Bible was when he saw the merchants desecrating the temple with their worldly endeavors.So. People trying to destroy the family. People protesting outside the temple. The worst fire California's probably ever had to deal with. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!!!
I just had my first zone conference this week. Man I had no idea how long those take. I thought it was just some hour-2 hour long meeting but no. It was as long as a school-day. It was great though. President Sexton most positively is a spiritual giant. He receives revelation. All the missionaries here can attest to that. They all tell me about how he has turned this mission around and enhanced it into a sacred mission. This week he told each companionship to find five new investigators. It's harder than you'd expect. We pulled it off though.
I've found that the Book of Mormon really does contain truths that can guide you and uplift you if you read it each and every day. I can't see me depriving myself of that wisdom from God anyday in the future. I know that the Book of Mormon is absolutely postively true. I've basically relied on my spiritual witness of that for a long time now. Elder Rodriguez and I have been listening in the car to a talk about the Dead Sea Scrolls and other many other archealogical finds in the Eastern and Western world. Apparently there's a lot of evidence that attests to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon in that field as well. But all in all, despite all the evidence, what matters is your own spiritual witness. Remember that witness, rely on that witness, and refresh that witness daily. You'll be guided and strengthened and the windows of heaven will open and enlighten your mind and your life. Es la verdad.
Well I've gotta write my letter to the Pres now. I love you!!!
-Elder Tyler Lewis
Sunday, November 16, 2008
November 11th, 2008 Letter
Dear Mom, Dad & Hannah,
It's been an incredible week. That first day was probably the strangest day of my life. I only had 3 hours of sleep my last night at the MTC, so that might've contributed to the dream-like atmosphere of that Tuesday. Leaving the MTC for good was the first weird part. Then seeing normal people and stores and television in the airport was the second weird part. Calling you on the phone was great but it was also weird. Then leaving Utah and flying in an airplane...it was all very surreal. But as soon as I set foot in the mission home everything felt just about right. President Sexton's an incredible person. He truly cares about the missionaries and he's super in-tune with the spirit. I got to test drive a car within the first hour of being here. Now THAT was weird and awkward. Later Elders Kemp, Clark and Colon and Hermana Choi and I split up with our companions and I haven't seen any of them since. I'd spent over 1500 hours with Elder Kemp. He's a good guy with a good testimony, but it's good to be away. He stressed me out sometimes. But it's no such case with Elder Rodriguez. He's a great Elder. He has so many investigators lined up for us to teach that we've hardly ever had to proselyte and knock-doors. Buena Park is great. Oh how I love this California weather. Temperature- 65 - 85 degrees. Life's pretty rough - we have a car, the members feed us dinner every night, we teach in English...life is rough. But that is sarcasm so I'll stop. Anyhow, life is great here. I love the many many different types of people we encounter. The 1st interesting character was Ralph. I told you a little about Ralph already. I'm glad he likes us. Yesterday we met a gangsteresque man named Joseph. He's served time in prison as well. But he's seeking religion so that's good. Elder Rodriguez and I have given lots of blessings. We blessed a guy's son who's going to jail. Well, I guess he's there by now. We blessed this Tongan family's baby. I think she was sick. She was tiny. We blessed a sick lady E. Rodriguez baptized a while back named Roxanne. Lots of blessings. I messed up on Roxanne's blessing cuz I forgot to seal the anointing. I think that's important but I think she's okay now. My first door contact ended up being golden. David and Mixy. They have 3 kids and they're going to church this Sunday. Sweet! Well this is the only letter I've had time to get to today. It's been busy. We've had to buy food, wash the car, do the laundry, play basketball, study, write or weekly letters to Pres. Sexton, email. We have lots more to do out here than in the MTC. So, how's life in Utah? Has it snowed yet? How's my dog? Oh, I saw a possum one night. Ugly. How's school/work?
I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
It's been an incredible week. That first day was probably the strangest day of my life. I only had 3 hours of sleep my last night at the MTC, so that might've contributed to the dream-like atmosphere of that Tuesday. Leaving the MTC for good was the first weird part. Then seeing normal people and stores and television in the airport was the second weird part. Calling you on the phone was great but it was also weird. Then leaving Utah and flying in an airplane...it was all very surreal. But as soon as I set foot in the mission home everything felt just about right. President Sexton's an incredible person. He truly cares about the missionaries and he's super in-tune with the spirit. I got to test drive a car within the first hour of being here. Now THAT was weird and awkward. Later Elders Kemp, Clark and Colon and Hermana Choi and I split up with our companions and I haven't seen any of them since. I'd spent over 1500 hours with Elder Kemp. He's a good guy with a good testimony, but it's good to be away. He stressed me out sometimes. But it's no such case with Elder Rodriguez. He's a great Elder. He has so many investigators lined up for us to teach that we've hardly ever had to proselyte and knock-doors. Buena Park is great. Oh how I love this California weather. Temperature- 65 - 85 degrees. Life's pretty rough - we have a car, the members feed us dinner every night, we teach in English...life is rough. But that is sarcasm so I'll stop. Anyhow, life is great here. I love the many many different types of people we encounter. The 1st interesting character was Ralph. I told you a little about Ralph already. I'm glad he likes us. Yesterday we met a gangsteresque man named Joseph. He's served time in prison as well. But he's seeking religion so that's good. Elder Rodriguez and I have given lots of blessings. We blessed a guy's son who's going to jail. Well, I guess he's there by now. We blessed this Tongan family's baby. I think she was sick. She was tiny. We blessed a sick lady E. Rodriguez baptized a while back named Roxanne. Lots of blessings. I messed up on Roxanne's blessing cuz I forgot to seal the anointing. I think that's important but I think she's okay now. My first door contact ended up being golden. David and Mixy. They have 3 kids and they're going to church this Sunday. Sweet! Well this is the only letter I've had time to get to today. It's been busy. We've had to buy food, wash the car, do the laundry, play basketball, study, write or weekly letters to Pres. Sexton, email. We have lots more to do out here than in the MTC. So, how's life in Utah? Has it snowed yet? How's my dog? Oh, I saw a possum one night. Ugly. How's school/work?
I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Elder Tyler Lewis
November 5th, 2008 Letter From Tylers Mission President
Dear Brother and Sister Lewis
It was a pleasure for Sister Sexton and I to welcome your son, Elder Lewis, to the California Long Beach Mission. He arrived Tuesday, November 4, 2008, from the Missionary Training Center, bringing with him an enthusiasm that uplifts the entire mission. We welcomed your son with a lunch at the Mission Home followed by an orientation session. He was then assigned to the new companion/trainer, Elder Rodriguez. By 6:00 pm they, as a new companionship, were proselyting.
Our greatest desire is that your son will have a successful and spiritual mission, one that will be a blessing eternally. Your encouragement, your prayers and communication with him is essential. It greatly strengthens your missionay when he receives encouragement from home. The means of communication will be by letters or e-mail. E-mail communication can be used on P-days, which in our mission is on Tuesday.
Your missionary has been assigned to serve in the Cypress Zone. The new address is:
8182 W. 4th Street #27
Buena Park, CA 90621
I have enclosed a photograph of your son with Sister Sexton and myself upon arrival in the California Long Beach Mission.
Very truly yours,
President Edwin A. Sexton
California Long Beach Mission
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
November 11th, 2008 (Email)
Hey!
I'm here! Long Beach California! And everything's going great! Life out here was so much easier adjusting to than life in the MTC. The first day was surreal- First the airport, then the airplane, then seeing Sis. Orton from Layton at the Long Beach Airport- (her mission was ending while mine was beginning)- then going to the mission home with Pres. and Sis. Sexton and eating sweet sweet non-cafeteria lasagna, then meeting my new and awesome companion Elder Rodriguez from Ecuador, then going to Buena Park and getting settled in my new apartment, then later teaching people... it was fun. It wasn't really a stressful day at all. It was just strange and unfamiliar. President Sexton is awesome. He's uber-spiritual and very kind. Elder Rodriguez is also awesome. He isn't sarcastic or condescending- he's relaxed, he plans well and he's a great teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better trainer. He's learned most of his English in the field but he speaks very very well. Elder Rodriguez and I are serving English speaking in Buena Park. So my language study in the morning and my speaking Spanish with my companion are essential. I've met all sorts of interesting people this week. First there's Ralph. Ralph has been to prison and he's most likely killed at least one person. He's had a liver-transplant due to alcoholism and he's covered in tats. But he's turned his life around and now he's meeting with us! Que bueno! We set up a baptismal date with one of our investigators named David this week. He's 18 years old and we're crossing our fingers for the 23rd. He's a good young man and he's definitely received his witness that the church is true. I've met all sorts. I'll tell you more in my letters. I can't email anyone other than my family now so Mom/Dad if you could forward my emails to people that'd be great. I can't look up the addresses for Justin, Jackie and Launa right now cuz I don't want to risk the computer deleting my email again. This is my 2nd attempt. Well here's my address:
Elder Tyler James Lewis
8182 W 4th St #27
Buena Park CA 90621
my p-day's on tuesdays! i'll write some letters today sometime! all is well i love you!
-Elder Tyler Lewis
I'm here! Long Beach California! And everything's going great! Life out here was so much easier adjusting to than life in the MTC. The first day was surreal- First the airport, then the airplane, then seeing Sis. Orton from Layton at the Long Beach Airport- (her mission was ending while mine was beginning)- then going to the mission home with Pres. and Sis. Sexton and eating sweet sweet non-cafeteria lasagna, then meeting my new and awesome companion Elder Rodriguez from Ecuador, then going to Buena Park and getting settled in my new apartment, then later teaching people... it was fun. It wasn't really a stressful day at all. It was just strange and unfamiliar. President Sexton is awesome. He's uber-spiritual and very kind. Elder Rodriguez is also awesome. He isn't sarcastic or condescending- he's relaxed, he plans well and he's a great teacher. I couldn't have asked for a better trainer. He's learned most of his English in the field but he speaks very very well. Elder Rodriguez and I are serving English speaking in Buena Park. So my language study in the morning and my speaking Spanish with my companion are essential. I've met all sorts of interesting people this week. First there's Ralph. Ralph has been to prison and he's most likely killed at least one person. He's had a liver-transplant due to alcoholism and he's covered in tats. But he's turned his life around and now he's meeting with us! Que bueno! We set up a baptismal date with one of our investigators named David this week. He's 18 years old and we're crossing our fingers for the 23rd. He's a good young man and he's definitely received his witness that the church is true. I've met all sorts. I'll tell you more in my letters. I can't email anyone other than my family now so Mom/Dad if you could forward my emails to people that'd be great. I can't look up the addresses for Justin, Jackie and Launa right now cuz I don't want to risk the computer deleting my email again. This is my 2nd attempt. Well here's my address:
Elder Tyler James Lewis
8182 W 4th St #27
Buena Park CA 90621
my p-day's on tuesdays! i'll write some letters today sometime! all is well i love you!
-Elder Tyler Lewis
Friday, November 7, 2008
October 30th, 2008 Letter
Mom & Dad!
My MTC experience is coming to an end. I feel like I've been here for years yet at the same time I feel like you just dropped me off yesterday.
Sorry about my departure date mix-up. I hope it won't be a problem. You won't have to take an entire day off Tuesday cuz I should just call you sometime early in the morning.
The pictures are of my district. One's of Elder Kemp and I at the temple. Actually they're all at the temple. What do you think of the power ranger pic and my victorious pose pic? Yeah glorious I know. Okay now look at my district picture. Top row: me, E. Darbro, E. Tate, E. Jensen, E. Clark, Sis. Maughan. Bottom row: E. Kemp, Sis. Choi, Sis. Grahn, Sis. Biggs, Sis. Stratford.
Yeah Elder Kemp's going to Long Beach with me. Hermana Choi & Elder Clark will be in Long Beach with me too.
I'm way excited to hear Hannah's recording! Hey Dad, Jenny Lewis is the lead singer of Rilo Kiley so I do have one of her CD's with that band. We saw them in concert so I think it's kind of funny you're getting into her music now. Lucinda Williams is pretty amazing so that's great you've discovered her.
A fourth Canadian came into our zone and he's from Alberta! I think his names Elder Prunell or something else that starts with a P. One of the Canadian Elders named Elder Irvine has a really strong accent and I heard him say "hoser" the other day! That made me very very happy.
I'm not nervous about the airport. Ian Thorley got to go to San Francisco to get his visa cuz France is weird and he said the people in the SLC airport treat the missionaries like celebrities. He's probably over-exaggerating...[sorry but...did I spell that right? Every letter I re-evaluate the digression of my English skills...] but he said someone bought him lunch.
I've been running a lot still and doing lots of sit-ups. I almost have a 4-pack! Progress! And my weight seems to have found a happy spot at 130.
Mom I know you don't want to hear this but I'm excited to go somewhere where there's more time and less competition for ironing clothes. To put it briefly I haven't got to iron very much. But that's why someone somewhere invented "wrinkle-free" eh? And I'm excited to go to the store and buy bleach. Bleach that's actually meant for whites at least.
I met another guy at the TRC who just returned from Long Beach! Despite what he said about Compton I'm still excited to check out Compton. And apparently Lakewood's a fun place too!
Well next time I'll be sending you a letter from California! I'll call you on Tuesday!
I LOVE YOU!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
October 30th, 2008 Letter to Hannah
Hannah!
Hola hermana! Thanks for the bundle of letters! They made my day. It sounds like you're learning lots of cool stuff in school. I'm not sure what a dioram is but I'd love one! Sounds like you've got a lot of Zelda to play! And unfortunately missionaries can't chew gum but thanks anyway!
So you almost got another puppy? That'd be way cool! I sure miss Rosie. And you. And Mom. And Dad. BUT I am really happy to be a missionary. Are you excited to get a phone call from me on Tuesday> I'm leaving on Tuesday now, not Monday, cuz that's just when the rest of the Long Beach missionaries are leaving I guess.
The MTC is kind of boring sometimes. This week's been way busy because Elder Kemp and I have been teaching TONS of lessons.
Today's the 30th so I guess tomorrow's Halloween. Nothing special about Halloween when you're a missionary. I think I'll wear my new brown sweater if it's cold enough. Missionaries can't wear sweaters with really bright colors. They need to be "conservative".
This week another apostle spoke at the Devotional: L. Tom Perry. So I've heard from 3 apostles at the MTC. Cool, Huh?
I heard an old man fart in the temple today. That was awkward. But I guess you can get away with it when you're that old.
Well next time I write you I'll be in CALIFORNIA! And I'm sure I'll have a lot more to tell you about then.
I LOVE YOU!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
Hola hermana! Thanks for the bundle of letters! They made my day. It sounds like you're learning lots of cool stuff in school. I'm not sure what a dioram is but I'd love one! Sounds like you've got a lot of Zelda to play! And unfortunately missionaries can't chew gum but thanks anyway!
So you almost got another puppy? That'd be way cool! I sure miss Rosie. And you. And Mom. And Dad. BUT I am really happy to be a missionary. Are you excited to get a phone call from me on Tuesday> I'm leaving on Tuesday now, not Monday, cuz that's just when the rest of the Long Beach missionaries are leaving I guess.
The MTC is kind of boring sometimes. This week's been way busy because Elder Kemp and I have been teaching TONS of lessons.
Today's the 30th so I guess tomorrow's Halloween. Nothing special about Halloween when you're a missionary. I think I'll wear my new brown sweater if it's cold enough. Missionaries can't wear sweaters with really bright colors. They need to be "conservative".
This week another apostle spoke at the Devotional: L. Tom Perry. So I've heard from 3 apostles at the MTC. Cool, Huh?
I heard an old man fart in the temple today. That was awkward. But I guess you can get away with it when you're that old.
Well next time I write you I'll be in CALIFORNIA! And I'm sure I'll have a lot more to tell you about then.
I LOVE YOU!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
Sunday, November 2, 2008
October 30th, 2008 (Email)
Hey!
My plane leaves Tuesday November 4th at 8:20-ish in the morning! I'm almost out of here!
I'm way excited to associate with gangsters and not eat cafeteria food! This week Elder Kemp and I taught 32 lessons. The class goal was 50 lessons per companionship but that was causing frustrations and contention because it was getting in the way of people's studies so the Fifty has been shot down. Now we're just preparing to leave.
This morning I did a double session. 4 hours in the temple. And I didn't get to eat a celestial breakfast so if this email's short it's because 1. I'm starving and 2. this is my second attempt to write this email. I don't dig the MTC computers.
This week's Devotional featured L. Tom Perry! That's the 3rd apostle devotional! That'll be my last devotional so it definitely ended on a high note.
Well this is my last P-day here so I"ve got some laundry to do and some lunch to eat and some letters to write.
The Church is still true!
Love ya and Happy Halloween!
Elder Tyler Lewis
My plane leaves Tuesday November 4th at 8:20-ish in the morning! I'm almost out of here!
I'm way excited to associate with gangsters and not eat cafeteria food! This week Elder Kemp and I taught 32 lessons. The class goal was 50 lessons per companionship but that was causing frustrations and contention because it was getting in the way of people's studies so the Fifty has been shot down. Now we're just preparing to leave.
This morning I did a double session. 4 hours in the temple. And I didn't get to eat a celestial breakfast so if this email's short it's because 1. I'm starving and 2. this is my second attempt to write this email. I don't dig the MTC computers.
This week's Devotional featured L. Tom Perry! That's the 3rd apostle devotional! That'll be my last devotional so it definitely ended on a high note.
Well this is my last P-day here so I"ve got some laundry to do and some lunch to eat and some letters to write.
The Church is still true!
Love ya and Happy Halloween!
Elder Tyler Lewis
October 23rd, 2008 Letter
Dear Mom & Dad
Tendinitis?! Shitzu+Bulldog=?! Wow, those are two things I didn't know existed.
First off: 1. Money's all good. 2. Laundry's all good. 3. I don't think I need the face medicine stuff. But if I do I'll let you know.
So now that I can't have a beard I absolutely have to shave. What a joke. It's almost an every-day-deal now. I think it's cuz I'm around all this testosterone now. I do miss the ladies. At least the normal ones.
No there's not any mice inside the buildings...as far as I know. but they're defiantly all around the buildings.
That new teacher who served in Long Beach, Hermano Cat, said he got to serve on Catalina Island. He said he got to baptize people in the ocean! He said we'd be teaching 50/50 English/Spanish. That's way cool! Latin people have what missionaries call "believing blood" cuz they just kind of go with what you say with little need for explanation. And I 'm really excited to get immersed in the thug-life. I know I need to be really really careful but I'm still excited to have guardian angels in the form of gangsters. Compton's not supposed to be the most sketchy place. Hawaiian Gardens has that reputation now.
I got called to give a talk on Sunday about Hope. It was neat to give a Spanish talk for the first time.
This Sunday's devotional featured a member of the Seventy named Elder Mask. He gave a great talk about his grandfather who had to go serve a mission when he had a wife and a baby son. His grandma & grandpa loved Nephi because of his attitude: "I will go and do!"
Yeah I'm excited to leave before winter hits. I'm loving this Fall weather though. I'm wearing my fitted shirt today and I've had about 50 comments or something. It's like no one's seen plaid before. People did it because of the sweet buttons I guess.
Mom thanks for your thoughts on Elder Scott's talk. I definitely have a testimony that learning comes through trials too. Yours and Hannah's letter ended my mail-drought this week. And Dad I loved the blog entry. I hope your tendinitis heals.
Well now I'm going to write Brandon. Not much to say. Things are pretty...consistant...here at the MTC. I love being around more people who love Talmages Jesus the Christ. Did I tell you my district's the oldest for a couple of weeks now. Elders Tate & Jensen are Zone Leaders. I think I told you that already. Things should get more interesting in a couple of weeks. I get my flight plans TOMMORROW! Did I spell that right? Tomorrow? Tommorrow? Nope I spelled it wrong. English, why hast thou forsaken me?!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
Tendinitis?! Shitzu+Bulldog=?! Wow, those are two things I didn't know existed.
First off: 1. Money's all good. 2. Laundry's all good. 3. I don't think I need the face medicine stuff. But if I do I'll let you know.
So now that I can't have a beard I absolutely have to shave. What a joke. It's almost an every-day-deal now. I think it's cuz I'm around all this testosterone now. I do miss the ladies. At least the normal ones.
No there's not any mice inside the buildings...as far as I know. but they're defiantly all around the buildings.
That new teacher who served in Long Beach, Hermano Cat, said he got to serve on Catalina Island. He said he got to baptize people in the ocean! He said we'd be teaching 50/50 English/Spanish. That's way cool! Latin people have what missionaries call "believing blood" cuz they just kind of go with what you say with little need for explanation. And I 'm really excited to get immersed in the thug-life. I know I need to be really really careful but I'm still excited to have guardian angels in the form of gangsters. Compton's not supposed to be the most sketchy place. Hawaiian Gardens has that reputation now.
I got called to give a talk on Sunday about Hope. It was neat to give a Spanish talk for the first time.
This Sunday's devotional featured a member of the Seventy named Elder Mask. He gave a great talk about his grandfather who had to go serve a mission when he had a wife and a baby son. His grandma & grandpa loved Nephi because of his attitude: "I will go and do!"
Yeah I'm excited to leave before winter hits. I'm loving this Fall weather though. I'm wearing my fitted shirt today and I've had about 50 comments or something. It's like no one's seen plaid before. People did it because of the sweet buttons I guess.
Mom thanks for your thoughts on Elder Scott's talk. I definitely have a testimony that learning comes through trials too. Yours and Hannah's letter ended my mail-drought this week. And Dad I loved the blog entry. I hope your tendinitis heals.
Well now I'm going to write Brandon. Not much to say. Things are pretty...consistant...here at the MTC. I love being around more people who love Talmages Jesus the Christ. Did I tell you my district's the oldest for a couple of weeks now. Elders Tate & Jensen are Zone Leaders. I think I told you that already. Things should get more interesting in a couple of weeks. I get my flight plans TOMMORROW! Did I spell that right? Tomorrow? Tommorrow? Nope I spelled it wrong. English, why hast thou forsaken me?!
Love
Elder Tyler Lewis
October 23rd, 2008 Letter to Hannah
Dear Hannah,
That's so cool you're going to be a werewolf for Halloween! Here it sounds like my Zone's going to put the name Elder Lewis on their name tags since there's 4 Elder Lewis's now. Oh man that's sad a guy from Pink Floyd died, I hope it's not David Gilmour. I hope Rosie hasn't really forgotten me! That'd be so sad. I liked your song by the way! When you go to church on Sunday you should ask your teacher what Resurrection is.
Yes, I love rainbow chewy frogs! I used to eat them all the time in Jr. High. I just ate lots of rainbow chewy frogs and drank lots of Mountain Dew, and now I'm short.
A new teacher started working at the MTC named Hermano Cort. He just barely returned from his mission in Long Beach! He absolutely loved it there. Sounds like I'll be teaching lots of Spanish-speaking, English-speaking, and Gangster-speaking people. Do you know what the word Ghetto means? If you find out, that's pretty much where I'm going. It'll be SO MUCH FUN!
Well I'm still doing the same stuff. Class, Spanish, Cafeteria food, meetings, devotionals, laundry, temple, teaching. Nothing really changes here except for the people who come and go. My go-time is coming up real soon! Can't wait!
That's a "rip-off" your teacher doesn't do art! Oh well. Enjoy school as much as you can. School was fun.
I LOVE YOU HERMANA!
Love
Tyler
That's so cool you're going to be a werewolf for Halloween! Here it sounds like my Zone's going to put the name Elder Lewis on their name tags since there's 4 Elder Lewis's now. Oh man that's sad a guy from Pink Floyd died, I hope it's not David Gilmour. I hope Rosie hasn't really forgotten me! That'd be so sad. I liked your song by the way! When you go to church on Sunday you should ask your teacher what Resurrection is.
Yes, I love rainbow chewy frogs! I used to eat them all the time in Jr. High. I just ate lots of rainbow chewy frogs and drank lots of Mountain Dew, and now I'm short.
A new teacher started working at the MTC named Hermano Cort. He just barely returned from his mission in Long Beach! He absolutely loved it there. Sounds like I'll be teaching lots of Spanish-speaking, English-speaking, and Gangster-speaking people. Do you know what the word Ghetto means? If you find out, that's pretty much where I'm going. It'll be SO MUCH FUN!
Well I'm still doing the same stuff. Class, Spanish, Cafeteria food, meetings, devotionals, laundry, temple, teaching. Nothing really changes here except for the people who come and go. My go-time is coming up real soon! Can't wait!
That's a "rip-off" your teacher doesn't do art! Oh well. Enjoy school as much as you can. School was fun.
I LOVE YOU HERMANA!
Love
Tyler
