Skateboarding Answers Prayers

Happy Memorial Day! I pray you all are having an enjoyable day and hopefully getting to spend time with family and friends. 

Elder Canty, Elder Scott, and myself 

The last seven days have been a wild ride. Here are a few of the things I can remember:

- I keep talking in my sleep. My companions report back to me every morning with a new story. Some of the ones from this week included: sending a referral, teaching in Spanish, yelling at people, speaking Japanese, giving counsel after an exchange, speaking some made-up language, etc.

- Lots of office work. There is a new Mission President coming in like three weeks, so we are excited and prepping for their arrival

Me and Elise!

- I saw Elise Gordon (a friend from BYU)!!! She just showed up at one of the wards we serve in. I didn't even see her until she came up to me after the meeting 

flat tire...

- We got a flat tire 😒 the PSI went down SOO fast it was crazy. Literally went from full to completely empty in like 5 seconds.

Me and a ward member named parker (he knows Elder Hamner)

 I made Brazilian stroganoff 

- Went on one of the best exchanges ever. Shoutout Elder Heggie

Fishing!!

- Went fishing this week!

The baptism of Dulce and Jayleen 

-This weekend we also got to go to a baptism for some kids I taught a bit in my last area. Dulce and Jayleen are great examples to me! They stood out as examples to me from when I first met them! We also went to a baptism with our friend Rae we are teaching. It was a really good service. 

Last story: 

There is this guy in one of the wards who likes to skateboard too. So we get along well and talk about skating whenever we see each other. Well...he didn't seem to have very good skate shoes and his board was pretty beat up. I decided to give him a pair of shoes and a deck I had (since we aren't allowed to skate in this mission). He was super appreciative, and I later found out it was an answer to his prayers. This is why I share this. He later told me that he had been having a really tough month, and his skate shoes were stolen (along with other things). He said it reminded him how much God cares about us and the things we like to do. I am grateful God allowed me to be an answer to my friend's prayer. 

There was this thought shared at a Bible study we were at last night. We talked about how God will never give us anything we can't handle without his help. We might feel like it is too much for JUST me...but with Christ, then I can handle and go through anything. I really feel this is true and reminds me of the importance of turning and asking for help. 

Song of the Week:

- Be Thou My Vision by Elenyi

Scripture of the Week:

- 1 Nephi 1:20 (The Book of Mormon)

20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had ^acast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also ^bsoughthis life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender ^cmercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of ^ddeliverance.

- I really know that faith brings miracles. Being obedient because of faith and love is really what we need. It is what brings miracles. Just being obedient out of conscience is different. I know God loves me and you, and that He wants to bless us and deliver us. 

Love,

Elder Ditto 

Let me tell you what brings me joy...

The weeks are going by too fast. I have less than two months left now... I learned so much this week and really had some eye-opening experiences. Let me share a few.

Bottle flipped to prepare for zone Conference 

Running to appointments

I got to listen to the prophet of God speak to the young adults. I listened to it by myself and really felt it. The spirit. A lot of different things stuck out to me, but especially something President Nelson said...

"I have stopped doing things that don't matter."

To watch President Nelson's talk go to minute 28:32

I am not quite there yet. Not at Russell's level but I am trying to get there. And honestly, it's kinda happening without me even trying. My life is getting drowned with amazing things. So I don't have any room for bad things, or even just "good" things, or things that don't matter. It feels good. Sometimes the "natural Tyler" in me misses doing things that don't matter or are not of any importance. But man all the other things I do are so much more enjoyable and impactful. Teaching and baptizing are far more rewarding than taking a long shower, taking a full hour of meals, napping, checking social media, etc... Anyways, I am always trying to do better and humble myself. 

Multi District Council

Another experience I wanted to share briefly, happened a few days ago while knocking on some doors in an apartment complex. We were walking back to the elevator and started talking to this guy named Quentin who just moved here. He was a dope guy with a MASSIVE afro. We started talking about our purpose in life, and what God's plan is for us. We talked about baptism, and how we can feel close to God and receive blessings. Then a lady and a dude came out of the elevator and yelled "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" And looked at my new homie Quentin and said "...are you okay??" Quentin, with a confused face, said "yes I am totally fine...why?" and then the lady walked past him and rubbed his arm and said, "you don't have to talk to them." Then Quentin was like "bro I'm chillin'. These guys are cool God people. You are the one that needs help."

After that experience, I was thinking about how crazy it is to serve in Salt Lake City. I was reminded that this is literally the front lines of the battle between good and evil. Satan is losing...but boy is he trying hard. He sends so many of his destroying angels to the front lines of the battle, with the hope of distracting some of the children of God. And Satan is good at it too. We gotta try our hardest to stay strong and do the little things and surround ourselves with good people in order for us to stand strong against Satan's well-thought-out temptations. 

Me and Elder Burnette

We also saw a SWAT team raid a house and had to stake out the area for over an hour...waiting for the peeps inside to come out. It definitely made morning basketball more interesting.

Knocking doors with Elder Knight 

We also had two Zone conferences this week. They went really well honestly! The trainings and talks that were given were super good and definitely what we missionaries needed. The training my companions and I prepared went well too (I think). I definitely learn a lot when preparing trainings. A lot of missionaries seemed grateful! 

My sleepy companions

Cowboy Canty

We also got to go to Evanston, WY this week to do exchanges. They went really well and I learned a lot. I went with an Elder named Elder Perez Sanchez. He's a beast.

 a lesson with our friend Rae

I got to see Janet again!! 

Anyways...this was a super fun week but SUPER exhausting. I am pretty exhausted most of the time. It's probably the best feeling tho as a missionary. Lots of late nights and early mornings. I really love being a missionary. I am soaking up my time serving the Lord. 

Song of the Week:

- Young Chap's new album "Against The Grain." It's so good! Lemme know if you need the link for it. It's also on all platforms.

APPLE MUSIC

https://music.apple.com/.../against-the-grain/1623491490

SPOTIFY

https://open.spotify.com/album/3dXlGwoBSXSzCJL6wHvORA...

AMAZON MUSIC

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0B11R3XJN...

SOUNDCLOUD

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/tLQR8FLULxW3ybZP8

If you need help following the lyrics they are on here: https://genius.com/artists/Young-chap

Scripture of the Week:

- Jacob 1:4-7 (The Book of Mormon). I know prophets are REAL!!!

4 And if there were preaching which was ^asacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the ^bheads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people. 

5 For because of faith and great anxiety, it truly had been made manifest unto us concerning our people, what things should ^ahappen unto them. 

6 And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of ^aChrist and his kingdom, which should come. 

7 Wherefore we labored diligently among our people, that we might persuade them to ^acome unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his ^brest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not ^center in, as in the ^dprovocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the ^ewilderness.

- Elder Ditto 

Support the Locals

Hello everyone! This week flew by! And the weather the last few days has been SO nice! It's insane. I can't think of any good stories to share right now, so I will just bullet list some things that happened...

Saying peaceout to Elder Lima

- Went to Rock Springs, WY for exchanges. Everything went smoothly, and I learned a lot while over there! People in Wyoming are so nice, it's crazy!!

I fell asleep in the car :(

- Ate gas station frozen pizza

Exchanges with Elder Jones

- Got to watch another baptism of someone named Geradus! He got baptized at the same age as Jesus, and on his birthday. Pretty rad day if you ask me

Meeting Elder Laytons grandma who is serving in the Family History Center

- Met Elder Layton's grandma (from the MTC) while knocking doors haha

Dinner with the comps

- had really good meetings with President, and planned out Zone Conference. The first one of the transfer is tomorrow, so I'm hyped for that!

- supported the locals by buying some lemonade from a little lemonade stand in Holladay. I asked the two middle school girls what they were saving up for, and they said "hmm...I actually don't know...we just like money"

I had a few opportunities to strengthen my testimony of prayer this week. I lost my bag I carry around that has my camera in it. I left it on a park bench in Midvale. I prayed that I would be able to find it and nobody stole it. Then my prayer was answered. Then the next day I left my other bag with all my scriptures in it at someone's house  prayer is real, and it REALLY helps, and REALLY works. 

Quote of the Week:

"complaining is for the weak, not the meek"

Song of the Week:

- Have I Done Any Good? (Hymn 223). We sang this song in one of the sacrament meetings, and I was really caught by the lyrics. I can feel that this song has urgency behind it. I felt the importance of serving and "doing good" all the time! 

Scripture of the Week:

- Luke 10:30-34 (The New Testament). The parable of the Good Samaritan is such a versatile story, and I learn something new every time I read it. When I read it yesterday, I learned more about selfless service and love. 

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and ^awounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain ^aSamaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had ^bcompassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took ^acare of him.

- Elder Ditto 

Making Covenants With the Lord

What's up friend and family! This last week went by really fast, but also I can barely remember last pday. We had lots of exchanges this week and also got to work in our area quite a bit, which was super nice.

 Me, outside of the Lord's house

Here are a few things that happened this week:

 Waiting forever at the doctor's office 

- Had my follow Dr. appointment for my surgery. The doctor was honestly super lame and not very nice, but he said I am looking good and healing well

Selfie with Neo

- MLC (Mission Leader Council) went really well and we had tons of great discussions. Our trainings went pretty well, and we have been studying a lot about our power and authority as missionaries recently

- An old man tried to hit us with his car on exchanges. We were right by temple square and then crossed the road. Then this dude revved his engine and sped up and swerved to try to hit us. He missed tho 

 FHE/YSA activities

FHE/YSA activities

- Had some jam sessions on a mini basketball hoop

- The Homer kids got baptized too! Patrick and Olivia are super funny people and now their sister Caira is wanting to get baptized too! Sadly I didn't get to go and watch their baptism tho:( 

the Bloss fam

I also got the chance to go back and visit my last area to watch the Bloss family get baptized! They are such a great example to me. I was gone for a lot of the time Elder Ely and Elder Nogueira got to teach them, but the times I got to talk and teach them, it was such a spiritual experience. We had been praying a lot to be able to find God's children who are prepared to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. 

Temple with Elder Jeppson, before he leaves to Peru

Temple with Elder Scott and Elder Canty 

Ohhh and we went to the temple today! Such a great experience every time. Pretty cool that I got to be reminded of the covenant of baptism and the covenants we make in the temple this last week. 

Song of the Week:

- I'll Fly Away by The Lower Lights

Scripture of the Week:

- Amos 8:11-12 (The Old Testament). God knew that there would be an apostasy...the Restoration is an example of God's love for YOU and ME. He cares about us and wants us to come back to live with Him again. 

11 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a ^afamine of bread, nor a ^bthirst for water, but of hearing the ^cwords of the Lord:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall ^arun to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

Much Love,

ディット長老