We are going Miles with Elder Miles!

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family,

 

Did you all see what I did there....We are going miles! haha. Well as I mentioned last week, Elder Miles is my new companion. I lived with him for a bit in Leeds. He is a great guy. He is from North Salt Lake. We are pretty similar in personality. We are also doing loads of things. Seeing miracles. 

It seems as though you all had a fantastic week as well. A very busy week with Kylee's science project and with the Klondike and with taking care of Kinley and Mila. I hope they are okay. Will you let me know what the Doctors say about Kinley. Is there anything I can do for her?

 

The Klondike sounded so much fun as well. That is one I probably would have loved to go on. Sorry I couldn't help you out Kate and Nick with your flat.

 

Kylee did you win your science fair? Tan congrats for doing so well at the swim meet even though you didn't feel too good. You can send the stuff to our flat. The new address is 186 Greenlea Court, Dalton, Huddersfield, HD5, 8QB, England. I hope to hear from you all. :)  INSERT FROM TYLER'S MOM:  I THINK THAT IS A DEFINITE HINT!  HE WOULD LIKE LETTERS!!!  :)

 

As for my week it has been fantastic. It has been a busy one with sorting out transfers and things. We had to make sure everyone got where they needed to be and that the people coming to the area got where they needed to be. But it has been good all the same. The Zone is doing really good. We have loads of Elders and Sisters who are very talented and who really want to do good work. Normally we go on exchange every week with someone. President does involve us in almost every meeting. We do quite a bit as Zone Leaders. I still don't think I am very good at it, but I know most of what I need to do. We basically just help out the zone.

 

Elder Miles and I have been able to teach quite a bit and find quite a bit. Huddersfield is a great area. As far as finding is concerned. We were knocking Falcon Street and we were talking to loads of people and having great conversations. Many people are really interested. But we met this one family that I am really excited to see. They are Polish and very religious. We chatted for sometime. They said they couldn't let us in that day because they were decorating. We are going back on Tuesday. Alex, the Dad asked if he could come to church with us sometime. We said yes, of course. He didn't come this week but we are hoping that we will see them on Tuesday and that they will come next week. I am really excited for them.

 

We are teaching this guy named Ben. Ben's grandma is a member of the church already. But the missionaries knocked into him. He said that he doesn't really believe in God but is really interested to find out if He is there. We have taught him a few times and Ben came to church this week. He really liked it and he said he felt at home there. He got on great with all the members. Ben is working towards the 13th of February to be baptized. 

We are also working with a former named Mel. She has had some major issues with substance abuse. We went by and taught her how the Gospel helps us to have a new life. We spoke about the peace that comes when we live the gospel and the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Sh loved it. She is working right now to be baptized on the 27th of February. She is really putting her trust in Heavenly Father and is trying so hard to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It will help her overcome her obstacles. Well as we were teaching her, her family came in and her neighbors. We taught them as well. They are all now wanting to know more and are working towards the 27th of February to be Baptized. Their names are KD, Dane, Kira, and Abbie. They are all so good and so friendly. I have really high hopes for them.

 

Well everyone.. I love you all and I am settling in well. I want you all to know that I know that this church is true. Being able to work with Mel has reminded me of the Atonement again and how powerful it is. I know that it works. I remember when I have been able to rely on Jesus Christ.  I know for a fact that Jesus Christ died for us and that he really loves us. That He knows what we are going through and will help us in every aspect of our lives if we will just trust Him and let Him take control. The Atonement is infinite. I love the Scriptures Alma 7:11-13

 

This is all true.

 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

 

On the Road Again - Tuesday January 19, 2016

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family, 

Well I am off again. For some reason I am moving. I only stayed in Hull for one transfer. :( I am so sad. So many good things were happening. But they will continue to happen. I am so excited to hear how things go with all the people we were working with. I am now going to serve in Huddersfield. It is near Leeds. I will be serving with Elder Miles. I lived in Leeds with him for a bit. He is such a good lad. I am excited for it. I loved the FHE's we always had with family. They were great. I can't believe everyone is growing up. Seeing all the pictures...Everyone is so old now! Tanner you are going to be a fantastic missionary. Just remember to bear testimony at every opportunity you get. Your testimony WILL ring out and loud to everyone that listens. I love ya bud. I miss those late night bed time talks. They were great...even though Mum and Dad probably weren't too happy with us the next day. I am sorry to hear that your swim meet didn't go the best. It is okay. Elder Holland said "We have to have a good, bad day every once in a while. It helps us be more grateful for the good days we do have." I Still can't stand the Klondike...it is too cold. Kylee you are lucky you don't have to go. Haha I love camping except the Klondike. 

Well as for my week. This week has been so hectic. I reckon it was probably one of the most tiring weeks. But it was so so good. We got so much done. The week started off with an exchange. It was great. I was able to go with an Elder named Elder Armstrong. He is great. A wonderful missionary. Really out going and really willing to do the Lords work. We did loads of knocking. Which was so much fun. I really do love knocking. Sometimes I have no idea what to say but when you talk to the one person who Heavenly Father wanted you to meet...It turns into the best experience you can have. Everything seems to just fall into place. Elder Armstrong is a great lad. 

Later we were able to teach Mary and Michelle again. They are still so good. Unfortunately they didn't come to church because Mary was working,  so we have to move their baptismal date to February. I will not be able to be here. But they are so excited to be baptized and they just want to learn more. We were able to teach them about the Plan of Salvation and how we can be families forever. It was so good. They really want to be a forever family. I really loved teaching them and hope that they will continue down the beautiful path that our Saviour paved for us. 

We also were able to teach Nigel this week. Oh goodness, Nigel is still Nigel! He is such a character. We also taught him the Plan of Salvation and he really wants to live in the "Sun" haha. He really wants to live with Heavenly Father and have a perfect body as well. He recognizes that he has made mistakes and he is so willing to change. Nigel's prayers are the best. Oh I love them. The last prayer he said with us he said "I hope that you haven't sent Elder Rife away because I have offended him or you!" He chuckled a bit and then said, "Sorry I shouldn't joke I know I didn't offend him and he will do good." haha I loved it. He is so interested in The Book of Mormon but said he can't read it. We asked him why and he said because the words are too small. So then he said, "will you get me a bigger book?" Obviously we said we would. He is really excited to read it though. The last joke he said was this: There were two Irish men in an airplane. One turns to the other and says if we turn it upside down will we fall out? The other than says, no I hope we will still be friends. haha. Sorry if you didn't get that...English Banter (Humor). Well I will miss that man! 

We also got like 6 hours of sleep in 48 hours because we had to go help loads of missionaries around the Zone. But I am not that tired. I think Heavenly Father is helping me not be tired....either that or I am just so tired I don't realize it. I think the first one is the more correct one. 

Well everyone... I know that this church is true. I love it and I know that it changes lives for good. There is no doubt about it. If you don't know it, or don't believe it...test it out. I know that you will find out. I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and what HE has done for me. 

God be with you till we meet again. On our Way. #10sof1000s. HE LIVES

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Mary, Michelle and Alisha (a member) 

Raz wasn't there!

Elder Kalolo and I were on exchange.

"They are awesome."

"This is my main man Nigel!"

Gods Hand in All Things

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family, 

First off I gotta say Tanner you got me. I didn't think I would ever say it. But I think you have passed me on swim. But we will race when I get home to determine who really is the best. Haha you better prepare yourself!! :) I am really happy for you though. That is so good. Kylee I think you are more busy than I have ever been in my life. You just have so much going on which is good. Keep it up. Kendra you know what this means now right? I am moving in and you will have to teach me how to cook!! Haha. I make a pretty mean chicken wrap! It is funny how people are getting so upset about the BYU Utah game. Go BYU!!!!! The best in the world!! I will only be with the new mission president for a short time. I am excited to get to know him a bit though. Um I know that the release date for us is August 11. but I don't know what it would be if I extended. I do know that it would only be for about 2 weeks because my visa expires on the 28th of August. So I should be home before September. 

This week has been really good. We have had loads of meetings which has been really really stressful but on the other had I have really seen Heavenly Father's hand in everything that we do. This week I have learned so much and have witnessed so many miracles. 

Remember I told you about Mary a few weeks ago. Mary had been taught before in Blackburn which is near the Preston Temple. She really loved going to the church, she almost was baptised and even brought 4 of her friends to the church and they all got baptised. Well things happened... they moved and they weren't able to get in contact with the church again. We were knocking and found them. Well we went by and started to teach them again. Mary was there and  her daughter Michelle. We taught them about Joseph Smith and they said that they feel good. They said that it just makes sense and everything that we talked about was in accordance with what the Bible teaches as well. They explained that they know that the Spirit will tell them what is true. They said they would work towards baptism for January 30th. Well we went by again. This time Marys son was there as well. His name is Raz. He is ten and we talked about Baptism and the Holy Ghost. Raz now wants to be baptised and he wants to serve a mission!!! HAHA WHAT? A MISSION!!! CRAZY! That was exciting to hear. They said that they now it is true. Mary then told us that she remembers one time they went and saw the temple. She said that when she looked at it she knew that is where her salvation was. That is what they are working towards now. They really want to be sealed as a family in the temple. I know that Heavenly Father lead us to that street to knock just to give Mary and her children a second chance. I also know that if we weren't being obedient then we wouldn't have known to knock that street. You could really see that Heavenly Father placed each of us in the same path so we could help Mary, Michelle, and Raz. 

We also were knocking in the same area. We met a guy by the name of Nigel. Well my eyes were opened. I sat there and we started to teach. Well Nigel looks like a very homely old man.  He also just breathes smoke, that is how much he smokes. My first impression was this isn't worth it. Well I was completely wrong. I had a thought, He is a son of God and he deserves the Gospel. So I prayed to be able to love him and see beyond his imperfections. Suddenly I just felt this overwhelming love for him. It sounds silly but I know that Heavenly Father helped me to see his potential. Nigel has the greatest desire to change. He has a lot of issues in his life but he really wants to change. In his prayer at the end of the lesson he thanked Heavenly Father for the missionaries and for us being willing to help him even though he doesn't believe. It really hit me hard. I saw at that moment that there are so many people who need the gospel and who want the gospel. We are here to help them and serve them. I really love this work. 

So many other miracles happened throughout the week but I would sit here for ages trying to tell you of them. I really do know that Heavenly Father's hand is in everything we do, everything we say. This is His work and His glory. He works through us. We have to be willing to let Him. We need to be willing to trust Him. I know He lives. 

I love you all and hope you are all well. Please let me know if you need anything. 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Sorry no pics. They weren't sending for some odd reason. I will send them next week. 

Go till we drop

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It is so weird that it is 2016 now. I can't even comprehend it right now. I have so much to do and so little time!!! AHHHHHH. But you are all doing awesome. Lets do good work this year. What are some goals you all have set? Mum Dad don't tell me what will happen in 2020, I don't even want to figure out what will happen next year!!! 

It sounds as though you have all just partied for the past few months! Hahaha good on ya. We need to relax every once in a while. 

Well as for my week. It has been fantastic. I really enjoyed it, even though it was hectic. It almost seems as though every week is hectic. But no matter. The week started out great. We were able to find loads of people. I had so much finding this week. I normally have fun anyway, but this week for some reason I was just really happy. I have been trying to listen more as I talk to people and it is just so much easier to talk to people. I have seen that Heavenly Father has guided Elder Hultgren and I to people and we have been able to respond to questions and concerns. We have found loads of people but not too many of them have gone anywhere. We are hoping that we start progressing many of them here soon. 

We set up quite a few return appointments with loads of potentials who seem pretty solid. We are going to see one today named Mary. We found Mary knocking and she has had missionaries over in the past and says she was about to get baptized but then moved away and hadn't seen missionaries for a long time! It was great. That was really cool to hear. I know that we were placed in each others paths for that exact reason. Mary needs the gospel in her life. Well everyone does...but she is ready for it. 

We haven't seen Dawn for a little while now either because she has been so busy and we have been so busy. But we are seeing her tonight and we will reschedule her for the end of January. She is so good. She is just so willing and wanting to know if Heavenly Father is there. I know all will go well. I think that is key with anyone looking for an answer. We need to have a sincere heart and real intent like Moroni exhorts us to have. I know that with any questions we have we will be answered if we have a sincere heart and real intent. James B. Martino said "God does answer our prayers about the truthfulness of the gospel, but He answers them when we have a sincere heart and real intent, He does not answer just to respond to our curiosity". Something to think about. 

Oh goodness, James. He is so funny. James has the greatest desire! He is really knowledgeable but at the same time learns very slowly. James has been confused with a lot of things and has had a hard life. But we are slowly seeing a change in Him. It may take time but it is coming. 

I have really been thinking about the Plan of Salvation this past week. We have taught it quite a bit. It has been on my mind lately. I am so grateful that we have the knowledge that we do of the Plan of Salvation. Just knowing that we will be able to live with each other again and that we will be able to live in Gods presence again. I know that it is true. I am so grateful that we have this experience on Earth to learn and grow and it seriously is a blessing that Heavenly Father has given us. He has created this perfect plan for us because He loves us and I know that it is true. If you don't know it is true. Search it, Ponder it, and then Ask Heavenly Father about it. I promise that you will get an answer. I sure have got an answer. I love you all and hope you are all well. If you need anything please let me know. This work is true. 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

ELDER AVENUE!

"They named a street after missionaries because the WORK IS FLIPPIN' TRUE!!! :)"

"This little thing is a segwa (don't know how to spell it) with no handle. It was scary but we knocked on the door, the lady ended up being less active and some how the conversation led to us on the contraption." 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family,

It was so good seeing you all again. I really had a good time, even though the time was short. It was so crazy seeing everyone and seeing how big everyone is. I still can't comprehend how big Mila is and how deep Tanner's voice is. It is unreal!!! I had a great Christmas though, you all were the greatest gift. It seems you all had a fantastic Christmas as well and that you all ate loads of food by the sounds of it. It sure sounds good. I am so glad you got the parcel I sent. I know it isn't much but again it is a bit of England for ya!! :)

My Christmas was good. It was crazy though. We had so much to do. We were asked to deliver parcels around the Zone, so we spent all of Wednesday travelling around playing Santa's Elves. It was great. We were able to see loads of missionaries faces light up as they got gifts from family. We also went to District Meeting on Wednesday, well we overheard a Sister say that she hasn't got a gift for Christmas. Well we decided to go buy loads of silly things and loads of sweets. We wrapped them all up and left a note from Santa for her. We dropped them off and later that night the Sisters rang us asking if we had left them. Well we said no!!!! :) She was so excited and it made our day. 

On Christmas Eve, we decided to go and hit the streets, we started knocking doors. Many people obviously weren't in. But people were so kind to us and loads of them said we could come another time, after the new year. I really liked it. Later that day we visited some members who were just baptized a few months ago. They are doing great. They are struggling with some things but are still awesome. They still see that Heavenly Father blesses them so much. We were invited to attend a Christmas Carol program the Ward was putting on. So we went and were able to listen to loads of Christmas hymns and hear the Christmas story. I love Christmas. The spirit was very strong and just thinking about Jesus Christ and how He came into the world to make it possible for us to overcome sin and death is such an extraordinary act of love. 

Christmas came around, Santa visited. He sure wants me to get fat though, I had loads of sweets and food....it was GREAT!!! :) Loved it. Elder Hultgren and I decided to go visit a sister in the ward and her son who weren't really celebrating, we stopped by, just chatted with them and shared the Christmas Story with them. Again the spirit was so strong and you could feel the love of the Saviour for everyone. The best part of the day was eating all the food.......just kidding it was talking to you all. I really had a good time and loved seeing you all!!! 

The whole week has been a week of miracles. We were able to meet loads of people who are really interested in the gospel and we are now spending this week going to see them!! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know it is. It blesses and changes lives. This coming year is a great time to make changes physically, spiritually, and temporally in our lives. Take the opportunity. 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

George Patrick O'Neil and his owl Arthur

Christmas Breakfast 2015

From what I can see...Looks like he is eating well!  :)