Week 4 - Belleview Florida

A funeral, 2 people with baptismal dates, and a wedding reception. Oh and a temple trip!! Yea the MTC did not prepare me for so many odd encounters on my mission.

 I never thought I'd even go to a funeral and I've already been to two. But I had a great experience while I was at the funeral for a recent converts' wife. I was assigned to read psalms 23. That scripture is interesting by itself but it's much more relatable when you replace me, my and I. with your own name or the name of those who haves past away. The scriptures have a way of conforming to our needs. Right now when ever I read the Book of Mormon it is always about missionary work. 

I love missionary work although it's tough. In some ways I miss the MTC because everyone was mine own age. And everyone went through the same challenges as I did. It was easy to relate to everyone. And I felt comfortable. And here I'm with a 21 year old every single moment of the day. I mean he graduated back when I was a sophomore. I just don't feel 100% comfortable when the guy next to me has done this longer and knows much more than I do. But I know that I should never compare myself to anyone else, that's Satan’s way. Gods’ way is though service and helping others. So I need to forget myself and get to work. That's been my biggest struggle since I've been out here is focusing too much about myself and not focusing on the reason why I'm here in the first place, “To serve God and the invite all to come unto Christ.”

 With that being said we got 2 new investigators with baptismal dates. Which is awesome. It's amazing how the Lord works. The mission president told us that as we focus on the LARC's (less active/recent converts) and love them opportunities will open up. And that is sooo true. It's amazing how things pop up and your day’s plans are instantly thrown away. It feels like its daily were things pop up and your plans change instantly. Like funerals, weddings, procrastinating leaders that spring meetings on you days before they happen, or when your miles are cut and you find out you only have 11 miles per day. You always stay on your toes when you're out here. 

Anyways I also had the opportunity to go to the Orlando temple this last week. It was beautiful. I love how we can retreat to the temple when we have a need to feel peace and comfort. I love the temple and its fun to teach about the temple to LARC's and investigators.

 The biggest lesson I've learned this week is that we should always be grateful for our blessings. And we need to drive to be more humble. This last week we went to a LARC's house and we step out and the ground is covered in cigarette buA funeral, 2 people with baptismal dates, and a wedding reception. Oh and and a temple trip!! Yea the MTC did not prepare me for so many odd encounters on my mission.

 I never thought I'd even go to a funeral and I've already been to two. But I had a great experience while I was at the funeral for a recent converts' wife. I was assigned to read psalms 23. That scripture is interesting by itself but it's much more relatable when you replace me, my and I. with your own name or the name of those who haves past away. The scriptures have a way of conforming to our needs. Right now when ever I read the Book of Mormon it is always about missionary work.

I love missionary work although it's tough. In some ways I miss the MTC because  everyone was mine own age. And everyone went through the same challenges as I did. It was easy to relate to everyone. And I felt comfortable. And here I'm with a 21 year old every single moment of the day. I mean he graduated back when I was a sophomore. I just don't feel 100% comfortable when the guy next to me has done this longer and knows much more than I do. But I know that I should never compare myself to anyone else. that's satans way. Gods way is though service and helping others. So I need to forget myself and get to work. That's been my biggest struggle since I've been out here is focusing too much about myself and not focusing on the reason why I'm here in the first place. To serve God and the invite all to come unto Christ.

 With that being said we got 2 new investigators with baptismal dates. Which is awesome. It's amazing how the Lord works. The mission president told us that as we focus on the LARC's (less active/recent converts)  and love them opportunities will open up. And that is sooo true. It's amazing how things pop up and your days plans are instantly thrown away. It feels like it's daily were things pop up and your plans change instantly. Like funerals, weddings, procrastinating leaders that spring meetings on you days before they happen, or when you miles are cut and you find out you only have 11 miles per day. You always stay on your toes when you're out here.

Anyways I also had the opportunity to go to the Orlando temple this last week. it was beautiful. I love how we can retreat to the temple when we have a need to feel peace and comfort. I love the temple and it's fun to teach about the temple to LARC's and investigators.

 The biggest lesson I've learned this week is that we should always be grateful for our blessings. And we need to drive to be more humble. This last week we went to a LARC's house and we step out and the ground is covered in cigarette butts and their house is practically broken.  The lady that we meet with is a grandma and her daughter which is 17 is a mom of a 2 year old and a lesbian. She lives with the lady that we talk to, along with her girlfriend. The feeling is so strange and demented there, that I don't enjoy staying there for too long. The lady that we originally came to talk to, told us that she gets her money from being a tattoo artist. In my mind I figured that all hope was lost. I start to think, how am I helping. Isn't there a better way that I can spend my time? Just then she talks about how grateful she is for all the blessings in her life and how prayer has blessed her life. That experience humbled me real quick. Who I'm I to judge another. I need to love all and keep an open mind about everyone I meet. Although it was hard to feel the spirit in that home. It was still present. While we drove home I stepped back and realized just how grateful I was for all my blessings. I also realized the lessons I still need to learn and grow from. I love my LARC's.

 I know that as we forget ourselves and get to work great things will come to past. I know that as we fallow Christs example he has set for us we can become more like him and we can be guided by him. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

I love you all and would absolutely love to hear from all of you, your emails make my day.

I love you all,

Elder Tyler Coley

2 nephi 25: 23-26

2 nephi 31: 11,12

Psalms 27: 14

Jeremiah 2:10,12

Jeremiah 7:23,2

Orlando Temple

Week 3 - Belleview Florida

It's hot. It's humid. It's tiring. It's exhausting. But, I love it. :)
Wow so much has happened since the last time I sent one of these
things out. I guess I'll start at the beginning and work my way down.
The MTC was amazing. I absolutely loved it. I was told that the temple
is the house of God but the MTC is the house of the Spirit. And it's
so true. The MTCs purpose is to feel and to be guided by the spirit.
The last Saturday before I left we met with our mock investigator. And
we committed her to be be baptized. It was the best feeling of my
life. I've never felt the spirit so strongly. I loved the MTC experience (or the 12 days that I went through). But then I boarded a plane and felt like I didn't learn anything in the MTC. Haha. Orlando is a beautiful place. And humid. The grass is horrible. It's not even grass. It's 100% crab grass. It made me a little mad. Haha. My trainer is amazing Elder Cortez is a wonderful guy and I love learning from him. He's very sarcastic and loves the people. It's crazy how different
the field is compared to what expectations were when I left the MTC. I
was expecting to teach the restoration lesson all the time and then having to knock doors or to do street contacting. But I've done the exact opposite of that. I haven't taught any of the lessons from PMG at all, we teach only LARC's (less active/resent converts) and we have so many referrals that we don't have time to talk to people. I love talking to LARC's because it feels just like home
teaching. I've already been to 2 funerals and we've already had one baptism. I'm serving in Belleview Florida and my district covers The Villages which is super nice. It feels like a theme park director and a city planner got down and went crazy. Our ward is made up of retired couples but it's still nice. Since our area is soooo huge we're 100% in a car. So I haven't tested out my bike. I love cars.... Because they have a/c. It's super nice. I'll try to take photos. 
I love my LARC's and my companion and although it's super tough out here and your faith is tested but it's super worth it. You can feel the spirit work threw you
and it makes all the difference. The hardest parts of the mission is when your not teaching someone and your not moving. The members are so nice and it's mostly because they trust Elder Cortez. We're feed about 5 times a week. I love being out here although it's really tough and its spiritually and physically draining. But I've learned so much about myself and my savior as I've been out here

Both were baptized

Week 2 - MTC/Orlando, Florida

MTC - He loves the MTC and the spirit there. Letters and packages are like gold. He has grown closer to Heavenly Father and loves him so much.

D & C 8:2-3

Alma 31

Florida - We got a short email that said: We had a safe flight. It's sooo humid. My P-day is on Monday. The mission has a blog - floridaorlandomission.com 

Psalms 27:1

Elder Thayne

Our district

The elders in my district that are going to Orlando

Week 1 - MTC

Hello everyone, I love you all and can't wait to see you in two years. I've had such an amazing time in the MTC. I've grown so much and built such a strong relationship with my Heavenly Father. Teaching is amazing. Currently I'm teaching two mock "investigators" and a member. Almost every day we teach a lesson. I absolutely love teaching. When I teach I build a special bond with my Heavenly Father. It's remarkable how the holy ghost  works. I love walking into teach with an open mind and heart, thereby making myself an instrument in the Lords hands. It's amazing on what sometimes the Holy Ghost will fill your mind with something to say and sometimes its completely blank. I love those times because your companion steps in or it gives time for the investigator to think. I love my Father in Heaven. I'm meeting with a scripture comprehension tutor and I love it.

My companion is amazing, although he just laughed at my poor typing skills. Elder Thayne is the coolest and he's basically a copy of myself, we have soooo many similarities it's crazy. But he has so many strengths too. He's a great companion. Sooo....  yeah we're Branch music coordinators, ha ha wasn't expecting that. I lead the music and he plays. Elder Thayne is remarkable on the piano. But I don't know what I'm doing, flailing my arms around in the air. I feel like a bird. It's all working out. 

The Provo temple is closed so I can't go in. sad. Since I didn't pack my gym shoes I got to play beach volleyball a lot. But that's a lot of fun and I enjoy it. My district is amazing everyone is so willing to serve and be obedient. I love them with all my heart. There's 10 of us, 2 sisters 8 elders. 5 elders are going to Orlando with me the others are headed to Anaheim CA and Canada. They are all so amazing I love being with them, they have supported me so much. The first 4 days were tough and long but now I absolutely love the MTC. I love all the packages and letters I have received, they mean so much to me. I always love hearing about you guys. Please email me or send me a letter. I'd greatly appreciate it. The MTC spirit is so remarkable and uplifting its hard to stay down when your being obedient. I love my Companion and my district and its gonna be hard saying goodbye to them. I love Jesus Christ and the atonement he's given me. I love My Heavenly Father. I could go on and on but I need to go. I love missionary work. 

Love Elder Coley

Psalms 27:1

2 nephi 31:19-20

2 nephi 31: 11-12

2 nephi 9: 23

3 nephi 11: 36-38

Flowers

Tyler had flowers delivered to our home to say thanks for everything and that he loved us. So sweet.

MTC

We dropped him off at the MTC and it was hard to say "see ya in two". Elder Jensen was his "host" and he was from Miami, wow what a way to start.