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
Thursday, November 27, 2008
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
