So fast

Dear mum, dad, and family,

 

Wow what a week! It went by so fast!! I can't believe it, it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting here emailing you, and now here I am again. Your spring break seems productive and relaxing. England had something similar...they call it half term. There were so many people out, with it being a nice week and on the beach, and a carnival going on there were so many tourists...not many people originally from Bridlington, but good things happened anyway. I am glad to hear everyone is doing so well and good things are happening. So the new elder is Elder Gurney...he is actually from Provo, except he went to timpview!! He is pretty cool. He goes home in June! Kendra....he is home in June!!!!! He is a nice guy.

 

Well for me this week is has been fast but very very tiring. For some reason I have just been exhausted this week...it has been really weird. But good things are happening all the same. I learned this week from preach my gospel in diligence. It says something to the effect of diligently working even when you are tired...and you will find joy, and happiness. So I have been trying really hard to work even when I am tired, and honestly it works....As we work, we forget about ourselves and the days just fly by.

 

Many things have happened, good and bad. Carl is still progressing really well. He still has a big desire to be baptized. He is away on a business trip but we are trying to stay in contact with him as well as send him reading assignments. He is going to watch General Conference as well. Carl also has done something that has been a big step for him. He has been having a hard time with smoking, but he has gone away to sail a ship for the business that he is in. We asked him to keep working hard to pack in smoking but he then said well I won't have a problem because I am not taking any cigs. Elder Barendse and I sat so amazed and happy for him. He said it will be hard but he is just going to have to deal with it because he won't be able to buy any on the ship. We are so excited for him and have seen him come really far.

 

Becca and Poppy on the other hand have said that they want to wait to be baptized. We have tried resolving all their concerns but the truth is, they told us they just don't want to commit right now. So we decided we will still work with them but not as much. Until they have a desire to commit, they won't progress anywhere. Well we are still praying for them.

 

Caroline is finally going to come to church and she is doing amazing! She is even doing missionary work and is inviting one of her friends to meet with us!!! How cool! Her Mum and Dad are also less active, they have been really cold towards the church, but she asked them to have a meal with us!! WHAT!!! They haven't seen missionaries for 10 years! This is a miracle!!! We are so excited!

 

We have been finding quite a bit this week and have been running into some pretty crazy characters! It is weird how many different names we have been called! haha...in the past week I have been called really bad names, a salesperson, a police officer, an agent, and a criminal! We are also famous...apparently we are all over facebook, a member told us that somebody posted about how the mormons are knocking on peoples doors!! So heck yeah for us! I'm facebook famous!! :) We found this week a really cool family. They are very kind to us and we are hoping that we will be able to start working with them more to help them come closer to Christ.

Well miracles are happening in little old Brid! I am so thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and this gospel. It truly is amazing!! Keep being awesome! Love you guys and Miss you guys.

 

God be with you till we meet again. One our way. #10sof1000s. HE LIVES!

 

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Not sure what this son of ours is doing---

I think just being a little goofy and having some fun in England!!!

Being very serious as he stands next to this character 

as he shares the Book of Mormon!  :)

I heard Tyler's email being sent to us at 4:52 AM this morning and I laid there thinking, "Go BACK to sleep....Go BACK to sleep!"

BUT...

I just couldn't!  The more I thought about Tyler and perhaps being able to chat with him for a minute or two, I just had to get up and try!  Forget about Sleep!!!

It was soooo fun getting his response that stated, " HEY how are you doing?"

I asked him how he was doing and if things were going good?
his response....

"I honestly am doing really well, I am not going to lie, sometimes it is hard but that is apart of the mission. But I honestly am doing good.  I miss you guys!" 

He has always sounded good and very positive in his emails and in the letters he sends home but it was good to hear this as he kinda REALLY talked with me.  :) 

We continued conversing for a few more minutes and then as I was typing a message to him (and of course I'm a little slower... come on a lot...slower in responding than he is) his message to me popped up...

"Well I have to go!  Bye Mum, I Love You!  :)"

 

I remember when our daughter Kynsie was out serving her mission there were many times where I just would ache inside to see her/visit with her.  The same as occurred with Tyler.  Today was one of those times!  :)

So grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A loving Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ who suffered all for us that we might be happy. I'm very thankful that a young 14 year old boy went into a grove of trees to pray and saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ and that later that same boy, Joseph Smith  restored the gospel in this dispensation. I'm very thankful for a living prophet, Thomas Spencer Monson that leads us and guides us today.  I LOVE my family... and lastly today... I'm grateful for ALL of these wonderful missionaries who are sharing these wonderful truths with others. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless them.  

Now, my experiences today have made me so excited and I'm

LOOKING FORWARD to Mother's Day when Tyler will get to call/skype with us!  

It is really right around the corner!!!  :D