November 24, 2017 - Pday - 1 week down, 3 to go

Hey everybody! i absolutely love it here in the mtc, im still getting used to how different it is from what i am used to back at home.  im still trying to figure out the best way to do these emails so just bear with me as it changes from week to week.

Saturday, Nov 18  The highlight of the day was a extremely frustrating yet very helpful meeting with Brother Jolley (one of my district teachers) he was acting as an investigator. As a class we were trying to teach him about the restoration and Joseph Smith. He was a christian and didn't believe in modern day prophets and we were trying to prove to him that Joseph Smith was a prophet which doesn't work at all. In that lesson, I learned that you can't force anything upon someone. They need to pray and learn for themselves if it is true or not. That day I also found something that Gordon B. Hinkley said, it is "forget yourself, and go to work". This really hit me hard because when you are on a mission you are doing the Lords work and that's the most important thing while you're out here. Sunday, Nov 19  Sunday was my first day as the zone leader. Sundays here are crazy busy. First thing in the morning, we had a zone conference for all the leaders. Then after Elder Tuttle and I taught the priesthood lesson, I wasn't sure exactly how I was supposed to teach it because we all already knew it but it turned out well and I even learned

from some of the elders in there. At the end of the night, we listened to a talk by Elder Bednar. The one thing that stood out or more the only thing I got out of it because I was so tired was one of his ideas. The idea is to read the whole Book of Mormon with a question or something you want to learn about in mind; mark it however you want but at the end write a summary of what you learned. Then do this over and over with anything you want to learn about and by the time you get to be his age, you'll have hundreds of them. Oh and the sisters also got the whole district to join choir. I don't know how it happened but that's okay.    Monday, Nov 20  This was a great day. the whole morning we studied really hard, its amazing what you learn and how much you can learn when you have a devoted study time. for our first class we taught Franchesco our teachers "investigator"again and this lesson turned out great it made up for how bad the last one was haha. In our class that night, we

Friends from High School

learned how to use our words better when teaching and for e t really helped because I've never been the best at talking and being super open. Both of my teachers teach in very different ways but they both work so well and I think it's good that they teach differently because out in Oregon not everybody will be alike. The MTC isn't easy nor did I expect it to be. The one thing I really wasn't expecting was how much and how quickly it would change me. I have become so much more social, I have learned to get along with people better and how to get my point across.  I love what it is doing for me. I am also so thankful for my district, we have all grown so close so quickly and it has created an environment where we are all comfortable and open with each other. They all bring something unique and I am so thankful for that.  Tuesday, Nov 21  Not a whole lot happened this day. the biggest part of it was that Gifford Nelson of the Quorum of the 70 came and talked to us and brought along Janice Perry. Janice wrote alot of the music that we sing in church and so in choir we sang one of her songs that she wrote but never got big, this was the first time that she had ever heard a choir sing that song. she was extremely funny though and just kept cracking jokes throughout the whole thing, the MTC president was just shaking his head because he knew he couldn't do anything about it. the only thing I got out of Elder Nelson's talk was the

importance of the Book of Mormon and either you find scriptures or they find you. This made me reflect on how many times scriptures had found me that have impacted my life. The one that stood out to me the most that day was 2 Nephi 10:20. Wednesday Nov 22 I think one of the reasons i haven't gone crazy yet is because of my district. they are like a family already even though I haven't known them for much over a week. It's going to be hard saying bye to them after the 4 weeks are up but we will see each other after our missions. Without being able to work on my truck all the time, its been kind of hard to get my mind off of things. One of the things that I have found that works for me is drawing people and faces. I'm not the greatest at drawing or sketching, its just kind of a mess but you can pretty well tell who it is. Maybe i'll send some pictures of them in the coming weeks. The biggest thing I  learned today is that you always want to ask the investigator why they are meeting with you. This will give you so much information. It's weird because some days you learn lots of little things and other days you learn a little but they are bigger.

Elder Coons

National Tribute Band Devotional & Thanksgiving Meal

Thursday, Nov 23 Thanksgiving is a very special day here at the MTC. We had a couple of different things go on during the day. The first one was that Elder David Bednar and his wife came and spoke to us. I learned that perfect means complete, not do everything without mistake. this changed the way  looked at things because we are always told to be like Jesus who is perfect. He was without sin but he was also complete and had everything he needed and what his purpose was. this changed how  looked at with trying to be with Jesus. our thanksgiving dinner wasnt the greatest, the potatoes were alright, the turkey was okay, it definitely wasn't my dads smoked turkey like back at home. We also did a service project where we put together food packets for hungry children, this was a lot of fun but it was also very hot in the parking garage. For the final devotional, the national tribute band came and sang to us which we all enjoyed a lot, the choir even got to sing a couple of songs that we had been practicing in choir practice.

Sorry that I kind of jump all over but that is just an overview of my week. I'm not sure if I'll continue to do my emails like this but we will see. Thanks to everyone who emails me throughout the week and keeps me up to date. love ya all and I guess I'll talk to you next week. love ya family <3

Ahhhhh..... surprise!!!! Christmas lights:)

Pday Laundry & TREATS!

November 17, 2017 - 1st Pday in MTC!!

It's been a crazy busy past couple of days here in the MTC.  from going to devotionals, eating some real good food, going to class, and so many other things. 

Here on the MTC campus, the spirit is so strong and I love every bit of it. it's crazy how quiet and peaceful it is considering that you are in the middle of a big city.  You can't hear any road construction or any cars passing by - its almost as in a different place and not a sense you are not a completely different place. 

I am doing great though, the chocolate milk here is the best I've ever had, the food is great and they have a good variety, it doesn't feel like your in a cafeteria and I haven't figured out why yet. 

During class yesterday, we taught our first "investigator" it was really just our teacher but she was so good at acting it was as if she wasn't. We ended up teaching her about prayer and where to look to overcome trials. It's crazy how God works because the first thing that came to mind was 1 Nephi 1-5. It talks about how Lehi and his family left Jerusalem but they had to go back and get the plates of brass, so he sent his sons back to Jerusalem to get them but they were rejected by Laban. Laban slaughter (sought) after their lifes so Nephi and his brothers fled. I imagine that throughout this whole time they are praying to God. And their father and mother are praying for them. A servant of the lord appears to them (angel) and tells them to go back in and get the plates again and the lord will deliver Laban no your hands. So Nephi did this and the lord came through and they got the plates of brass and made it back safely. 

This is one of my favorite stories because it shows how powerful prayer can be, it also shows that everybody has trials and that if you look to the lord that he will help you overcome those trials. this story has been a blessing to me here in the MTC already because I have noticed that I have been praying for guidance more and for help in my trials. Here in the mtc, you're doing great and learning great and then you'll get hit by a train and not understand what's going on anymore, but I know that the lord will help me. And my testimony of him has grown immensely already - it's kind of crazy to think about. 

Insert (I asked him about being hit by a train - this was his response - I mean train wreck as in I'm learning really good and then something just doesn't make sense and I struggle to catch on. Nothing to worry about - I've figured them all out. :-) love ya

Anyways, here's some pictures the first one is of my district.  I love how the Lord works and how he has helped us become so close already.  I love everybody in my district, they all have their unique ways of learning and doing different things, they all have different personalities which is good because then we can all learn from each other. 

In the front row to my left is my companion (Grey sweater) elder Tuttle. To his left is sister Hughes and her companion Sister Wolf behind them is Sister Jenkins and Sister Snow. To both sides of my companion are Elder Macqueen and Elder Asregadoo. right behind me is Elder Coons behind him is Elder Andrus and to his left is Elder Feik, Elder Nelson, and Elder Cornelius. That was kind of complicated to do but you get the idea. The 4 sisters are going to Columbus Ohio. Three elders are going to salt lake city east, two elders going to Portland Oregon and then the four elders in my room are going to Salem Oregon. 

Last night we had a meeting with our zone and Elder Tuttle and I were called as zone leaders. I really haven't been worried about this calling at all.  I know that the Lord will help me through it and I am really excited to get to know everybody in my zone.  Today we went to the temple as a district and it was amazing.  I loved seeing everybody in white and to go and do endowments was such a good growing experience for all of us. 

And then on our way out of there it started hailing and then raining.  So we had to hurry and run back to the MTC.  We all got soaked but still had good spirits. This has been such a crazy experience and I can't wait to see what else is in hold for us. I love this gospel and can't wait to get to Oregon and teach the gospel to the people there. Thanks for you help getting here. love you mom and dad. 

Other tidbits from Tyler.... My day consists of waking up, showering/other morning stuff, going to breakfast, then class, then lunch, then more class. It's going to be changing here in the next day or so now that we understand better what's going on. I'm great at getting lost in here. All of the buildings look alike. We played basketball which really kicked my butt I'm not used to running around that much. They do not have Dr. Pepper sadly. And another thing they don't have is hangers, you were right I should have brought them. Could you send them to me please? :) I can read emails everyday I just can't respond until Friday. Keep them coming - they really help. love ya and tell everyone else I love them too.  Elder Andrus's mom to the rescue! Hangers and Dr. Pepper!!!

Elder Andrus

November 15, 2017 - MTC First Email

Today was a super busy day.  We went to class pretty much all day minus dinner.  The spirit is so strong here it's crazy. 

I really like my companion. His name is Elder Tuttle and then I room with Elder Feik and Elder Nelson.  Elder Tuttle is from Springville and we are very alike in personality. Elder Feik is from Idaho somewhere I forgot exactly where. And then Elder Nelson is from Sandy. 

Elder Robbins, Elder Feik, Elder Nelson, Elder Tuttle

Anyways today was a super good day. Some of the things that stood out to me today was 

• "God can give you parts of his love to give to others" 
• "people are kept from the truth because they don't know we're to find it" 
• "it isn't necessarily you that is talking to the investigators, it's God speaking through you. you are just the messenger" 

Those really stood out to me. anyways my p-day here in the mtc will be friday. thanks to all who got me to this point in life, love yah. thanks for not crying too much dad <3

____________________________

Our friend's son is in Tyler's district and sent us this photo of their first dinner:) We were impressed with their fruits and veggies!

Elder Andrus (our friend's son), his comp, Elder Tuttle, Elder Robbins

November 15, 2017 - Last Day & MTC

Tyler was set apart as a missionary last night. This allowed us time to go to the temple this morning:)  Mount Timpanogos Temple is closed for cleaning, so we went to Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  So wonderful being in the temple with my family! Then we picked up the kids and went to lunch before heading to the Missionary Training Center.

(Tyler - it's freezing - we don't need a picture. Me - Yes we do!)

Me - I'm your mom and I want pictures!!

Last meal with Tyler!  We all love Costa Vida.  Tyler - Do you think they have Costa Vida in Oregon?

It's Time! And feeling real!😧

And that's that!  No looking back and moving forward. Just how I want it!

November 2017 - Saying Goodbye

Grandma and Grandpa Faerber left on a trip before Tyler entered the MTC.  We'll see how much Tyler grows or how much they shrink:)  haha  (that's supposed to be funny!)

Thanks for the fun game night Smiths!

Grandma and Grandpa Robbins saying goodbye the night before Tyler reported to the MTC.

Tyler is now a missionary!  President Robinson came and set him apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

October 29, 2017 - Farewell Talk

Tyler's farewell talk was held at 9am. We had friends and family over afterwards for a nacho bar.  The weather was awesome!  Thanks to all you came to support Tyler!  Scroll down for his talk:)

Carlee Coles

Bike & school friends - Jackson Chilcote, Dallin Miner, Courtney Custer, Brittney Gorman, Kelby Cook, Aspen Fox, Alex Chilcote, Cason Matthews, Carlee, Jerzy & Jayde Matthews, Tyler, Nathan, Jenna,  Tanner Kirkham, Camry Doyle, Hannah, Isabelle Hilner

Lehi 29th Ward Priests Matt Lemon, Aaron Love, Calvin Orozco, Hunter Smith, Tyler, Brock Bursach, Tyler Atwood

Bert Brother Co-workers

Grandma Faerber, David & Donna Wade, Lisa & Joe Wade

Cason Matthews

Tanner Kirkham

Tap Gorman

Good morning brothers and sisters.

I have been called to the Oregon Salem and report to the Provo MTC on November 15^th.  I will be speaking English. 

I have been asked to speak on:  What I have done to prepare to serve a mission and attend the temple and things I wish I would have done. 

When I first got this assignment I Googled “What have I done to prepare for a mission”.  Apparently Google doesn’t know me very well because none of the things it mentioned applied to me.  So I decided to ask Siri and she said something like “I don’t know the answer to this because I don’t know you that well.”  So after a few minutes of feeling completely alone, discouraged, and let down by the two smartest people on the internet, I decided to just speak from personal experience. 

REGULAR CHURCH ATTENDANCE   One of the first things that came to my mind while I was preparing this talk was regularly attending church.  Ever since I was little I have attended church regularly and learned about church history, our prophets, reading the scriptures, serving a mission, and going to the temple.  This regular church attendance is where it all starts.  As primary kids we sing “I hope they call me on a mission” and “I love to see the temple, I am going there one day”.   This laid the foundation very early on for my testimony of this true church. 

SEMINARY   The next thing that came to mind was seminary. When you start 9th grade you also start seminary.  Seminary is a great way to learn the scriptures in more detail and to begin to strengthen your testimony of the Book of Mormon.  Seminary was very helpful in this way but it is also one thing that I wish I would have done even better.  In High School, seminary is one of those classes that it is easy to say “I don't need to go to that today” or “I already know all of what we're going over today”.  I can see now that this really is one of the most important classes to attend during High School!  I realized near the end of high-school that when I did go to Seminary and paid attention that my day went better and how much happier of a person I was. I realize now that I missed out on so much knowledge that I could have used now and later on in life too. 

FRIENDS   Now lets talk about friends. My dad used to tell me that friends can either help you get to heaven or they can drag you to hell.  I may not have been the most popular kid or had the most friends but to me that didn't matter, I knew that a few good friends who have the same morals as I did and the same goals as mine would be better. One of my best friends is a person that I have hardly anything in common with, we come from totally different background, and have totally different interests.  But we get along so well with each other because of our goals, our values, and our ambitions and we both know where we want to go in life. We both have been preparing to serve a mission.  We both hope to get married in the temple someday to some hot temple worthy babe.  And we both hope to make it back to heaven someday. He has been a huge blessing in my life because we can both learn and grow together and not feel alone in this crazy life. Because of him I am a very strong believer in good friends and how much they can influence your life.

SCRIPTURE STUDY    Scripture study is something I wish I had done better on.  Scripture study has always been a hard one for me.  I know many of you kids/ teenagers and even adults also struggle with regular scripture study.  Life gets super busy with long days at school or work then you get home and you have to get more work done, then your day is pretty much over and you are so exhausted you just fall into bed without reading your scriptures.  I know I did this many times and still do on occasion.  I thought that after graduating high-school I would have so much time available to study the scriptures.  But then I got a full time job and sometimes worked 60 hour weeks and time just gets away from you really easily.   Now as I get closer I realize how little time I really have. I leave in 18 days and there is so much that I want to get done and not enough time to do it all.  So all you teenagers and kids plan ahead and do better than I did.

MISCELANIOUS THINGS    There are so many little things you need to do and learn how to do when preparing for a mission.  Things like laundry.  I mean my mom would not be impressed if I turned all my brand new white shirts pink!  I don’t want to send a picture home with the title #laundryfail.    You also need to learn how to shop for food, how to cook, how to iron your shirts, how to budget money, and how to sew on buttons. I feel like I have done a really good job on most of these.  But that budget thing is a hard one when you have a 30 year old, broken most of the time, gas guzzling truck. 

TEMPLE PREP  This would be a good time to mention the temple. Preparing to go to the temple is a big part of preparing to go on a mission.  But it could also be said that preparing for a mission is a big part of preparing to go to the temple.  They both help you prepare for the other one.  When preparing to enter the temple you have to meet with the bishop several times.  In those meetings he interrogates you to make sure you didn't do anything horribly wrong.  If you pass those interviews and you are all in the clear then he will give you a sucker and send you on your way to the Stake President.  He pretty much does the same things….but without the sucker.  I had the opportunity to go to the temple last night for the first time.  I took the temple prep classes from my G’pa who is a sealer at the Mount Timpanogos Temple.  It got me really excited to go to the temple.  I can tell you this…. It is amazing in there!  It is peaceful and you can feel the spirit so strong.  I honestly cannot wait to go back.

TESTIMONY   Brothers and Sisters I know that this church is true.  I have been called on a mission and I know that my assignment comes from Lord.  I am going to be his servant and do his work.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the church here on earth and that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet here on earth today. My testimony may be small right now, but I know that it will grow while I am in Oregon.  I am thankful for my parents and all the rest of my family for helping me get to this point in my life.  I also could not have done this without awesome Young Mens and Scout leaders that have helped me along the way.  I am also thankful for my friends who have helped me get to this point as well.  I am excited to leave and do the lords work and teach the people in Oregon about Christ and his gospel.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen