Easter!!!! :) Tuesday, March 29, 2015

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family,

 

Happy Easter!!! It sounds like you all had a great Easter Holiday and that the Easter bunny came. Easter was good here. We got to go share the #Halleluiah video with people and it was so good. I loved it. Not many people here actually celebrate Easter for the right reasons, but I guess that is everywhere. As far as the bombings, I know what happened but it hasn't effected up here yet. Don't worry I will stay on my toes. Thanks for always caring and worrying about me.

 

It has been a good week. I have been absolutely shattered, but it has been good. We have been able to find quite a few people and we are starting to help people progress. So James is so good. He is a scripture genius. He knows the bible really well which has tested mine and Elder Bailey's knowledge and study skills. We saw him last Wednesday with David. We followed up on the Book of Mormon and he said he liked it. He said he is trying to take it all in. But we started talking about the Priesthood authority and he was showing us scriptures from the bible, and things got really confusing. In the end we realized that the problem was we were trying to teach him about priesthood authority. He was thinking it was the Holy Ghost and was trying to explain to us that anyone can have the Holy Ghost who is worthy, which we agree with. So anyway, we explained a bit of it once we understood what was going on. We are teaching him more about the Priesthood authority tomorrow. He is a great guy. His dad is a preacher so he too knows his stuff. David is doing awesome too. He is so excited to help us teach and learn himself as well. He knows his stuff too. He wants to take us larping. haha and he wants to teach us how to play table top games...haha I don't really know what they are. He said they are a lot like the game Stratego, so it sounds alright. But those two guys are great. I love 'em to death.

 

Elder Bailey and I had a pretty cool experience the other day as well. We were trying by a few people and both of us had a feeling to try by a former named Sue. We went by and Sue let us in. She told us that she has felt like something has been missing from her life and said that she was thinking about the Book of Mormon. So we told her that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and that the Book of Mormon and the Gospel of Jesus Christ fills that empty space. She said she wants to try this all again. She expressed a concern of why she needed to be baptized again, so we explained priesthood authority to her and then read 2 Nephi 31 with her, which talks about Christ being baptized. We then showed her a Mormon message by Dieter F. Uchtdorf and she loved it. She wants to come to General Conference this Sunday to hear him speak again.

 

Last week we found an American lass. She has had Mormons around before. We asked if she would have us around again and she said yes. So we went over and found out that she is looking for something more. So we taught her the Restoration and explained to her that it is how she can find out just as Joseph Smith found out. The spirit was so strong. She was listening so intently and we were able to schedule her for Baptism on the 30th of April. I am excited to help her find out if there is a God and if he does care about us. Her name is Eloise.

 

So we have also been working with Sally. She is so awesome. We went by and taught Sally the Plan of Salvation and she said for the first time it all made sense. She said that she wants to know more and that she wants to find out if there is someone out there who cares about her and her family. Sally is afraid a bit so we showed her the tea bag trick, when you light it on fire and hope that it doesn't burn me. Well she had the faith so no worries, I didn't get burned. We explained faith to her, how sometimes we just have to put trust in something until we know for sure that it is true. She said that she wanted to try it out. So she is going to start reading the Book of Mormon and praying. Sally is great.

 

I have been learning so much on the mission. Something that I realized this past week was so great. I was studying a bit about Joseph Smith. What I came to know is that Joseph Smith is truly a Prophet of God. I maybe didn't know it to begin with, but I know now that he is and that he was called of God. The Gospel has been restored to the earth.  I still have a lot to learn and so much to improve but I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet and I am so thankful that God loves us enough to never let us wander in darkness. I love you all and hope you are doing well. York is a great place, very old and loads of tourists, but I love it. If you need anything let me know. 2 Highcliffe court, Clifton, York, YO30 6BP, England. Love ya guys.

 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Well Tyler didn't send us any pictures this week (darn him)

 but thank goodness we have become "good friends" with his companion's Mother via social media 

and she emailed me some pictures that her son had sent home to his family all the way in Australia! We have had some fun interacting with her.  So THANK YOU Kylie Weston Bailey for the pictures this week of our son.  

Tyler with Elder Bailey and Elder Barendse

Two cute Elders working the streets of England!  :)

A week or so ago Tyler sent us a picture of him with a frog they had caught.  

Here is Elder Bailey with their new found friend!  

Just how things go, miracle after miracle - Monday, March 21, 2016

Hiya Mum, Dad, And Family,

I love hearing about everyone's week! It sounds so much fun and very productive. Tanner good job on getting stuck in the work, it will help you loads later on. Kendra you make me laugh that is all I am going to say. Well Elder Bailey claims that he can't cook but I doubt that now! haha I am going to get him to cook now. Elder Bailey and I buy groceries together and cook together most of the time. We have been making some really good and quick food! Speaking of food, if you want to send some easy fast recipes which are good that would be fabulous. The area is big, we were talking about calling President to get us some bikes, because walking right now is the best option, travel by bus is just way ineffective when it comes to time. The traffic in York is Horrendous. So cross our fingers we get some bikes. I will try and figure out if Brother Bates friend is in the Ward. She might be in York 1, but I will definitely ask around. Things are going well. I am thankful for your help in everything. Things sometimes get stressful, but you all know that is just how I am.

Oh my, this week has been probably one of the longest weeks, but most rewarding week ever. First off we were able to teach Rob. I feel like most of his questions were answered. We talked loads about Priesthood and family, but then we found out that he hadn't really been trying to find out. So we explained to him that the Book of Mormon was key to finding out if what we were saying was true. He said that he will sincerely read now and put in some effort. He has asked for a few weeks to read. I still think if Rob truly reads the Book of Mormon he will get baptized. 

I wasn't able to teach Faye and Kenny because I was on exchange with Elder Barendse (I served with him in Bridlington) But Elder Bailey told me that she is really interested still to find out if the church is true and basically find out what happens after death.

So David is doing good. He came to Church this Sunday. Basically it comes down to the Stake to determine where he is at in his progress to get re-baptized. David is so kind though and so willing to try and learn all he can. We had a crazy lesson with him and with James (David's friend) We planned on teaching the Restoration but really it turned into us teaching about the Book of Mormon and the History behind it. David told us that James is still really interested and is looking forward to our next visit on Wednesday. It will be super exciting. David then told us that James is talking about coming to church with his wife. I am really excited for James. We are going to schedule him for baptism on Wednesday. 

We also met Sally who is a less active. What happened was Elder Bailey met her on an exchange. Well we found a potential and had a return appointment. He lived at 56 Brailsford Avenue. So we went and couldn't find 56 (there were no even numbers. But Sally lived at 57 Brailsford Avenue. What a coincidence. Haha. So we knocked on her door and we were let in. We basically just found out loads about her and answered loads of her questions. She told us that she has never let missionaries in before. We explained to her that first we were the coolest missionaries, obviously!!! :) and that we promised her she would be able to find out if what we are saying is true. We then told her that her life would get better as she followed the example of Jesus Christ. She paused and then accepted our invitation. We are going back to see her on Wednesday.

A few days ago we were knocking. We knocked into this lady. At first I got a bit scared because it looked like we were going to have to boot it due to her dog barking and lunging at us. Haha. She said that her dog is actually really nice. It is all bark and no bite. So once the dog calmed down. We started talking to her. To be honest I can't even remember how the conversation went. But she invited us back to share our message with her and her family. We went by yesterday. They are like a proper family, Mum, Dad and 3 kids. Haha. They are Catholic and very open to learning about different religions. We told them about Joseph Smith and and the Book of Mormon. How the Gospel was restored to the earth and the way to find out if what we are saying is true, they simply have to read and pray. Damian the father said that he was going to. He said that he wasn't planning on changing but that he would test it out. I know they felt the spirit and I know that is why Damian even though he is Catholic through and through, said he wanted to find out if it is true. I am really excited for them. We unfortunately can't see them until after Easter, because they are so busy. But hopefully the Macenerney's (I think that is how you spell it) will read and pray. When they do that they will find out that what we are saying is true.

The other day wasn't the best day. Things just weren't really going the way we wanted them to go. But there were still loads of miracles that happened that day. So first we got a referral from Elder and Sister Culbert (the senior couple in the Zone) We decided to try by. The couple called Simon and Ann were in but they were busy at that  moment. Well they were still superb kind and are very interested it seems like. They invited us back on Saturday. We were then walking down the street and we stopped a Uni student. When she heard my voice she was like oh my are you American?! She is American as well and then she asked if we were Mormons. Obviously we are! Haha and so we asked if we could share a message with her about what we believe. She said that she has had Mormons around before and would love to have them over again. We are seeing her next Monday. Later that day we were trying to find a potential but as we were walking there was a little girl selling cakes on the street. Well we decided to buy one...and then we told her that she can have the cake. It was really cool to see the huge smile that came to her face when we said that. At that moment it hit me, I realized that I wasn't having the worst day ever. But I was able to serve people. Sharing the gospel with people doesn't always mean preaching but sharing the gospel is following the example of Jesus Christ and serving those around you. I know that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God. Although I still have so much to learn, I am so grateful for the experiences I have had this past week. I have been able to feel the love of God for me and for those around me. I love you all and hope you are well. 

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

"Elder Bailey and I and our fun studies!! :)"

'MERICA!

This is just me thinking but....I think Tyler thinks to himself, "I need to take a picture or two for my "Mum" and so he snaps a quick selfie or two here and there just so he will have a few to send me! :)  What I think is REALLY funny is that almost all of these "selfies" have the exact "kinda mouth open" smile in them! (Have you noticed that?!!!)  He really does crack me up with this look!!! I can just hear him saying, "ahhh this would make a good picture to send home...I'll take  it!"  I think I will ask him if my conclusions are correct in about 4 months!!! :) Who knows maybe I'm wrong!!! 

There are miracles in the air

Hiya, Mum, Dad, and Family,

First off I was able to find a suit, about £120 but it was cool because there was also a deal with it that I got a free white shirt and a tie. So that was cool. It looks nice as well. It is a grey suit with a black little pattern. I will have to get a picture in it and send it to you. Thank you for helping me out. Also as far as the classes. I would like to take Biology, the Book of Mormon class would be great, and the writing class, and the Human Development class (what is that by the way?) I want to get back into swimming but I have never taken a weight training class so that would be cool. Either one. Thank you so much for helping me out with this. Kylee you are like Wonder Woman, I can't believe that you had a surgery. I hope you are doing okay. I know you are. You have always had a smile on your face no matter how hard things get. Ken I am glad you enjoy your new job. You have done so much and will continue to do loads of good work. Tan Tan the ladies man, oh my...that is all that I can say. Bud make sure to focus on the good things though and everything else will fall into place. Trust me. Put the Gospel first, you won't regret it. 

This week has been pretty good. At first I didn't think we were doing very good but then when I look back I could see all the good things. Elder Bailey and I are doing so good. We get along really well and have some of the same experiences. Sometimes I think he gets annoyed by me though. He is just so Christ-like though, he is a very humble guy. 

We have had loads of miracles. I think the best one is with David and his friend James. So David used to be a member but isn't anymore due to some trials that he went through, and some not very good choices. But David really wants to get back on track. His Testimony of the Gospel is insane, it is so strong and he said that he just wants to cross the t's and dot the i's. So we are re teaching him and hopefully in time he will be able to be re-baptized. So David is interesting though. He really has a fire for missionary work. He LARPs and knows loads of people. So we invited David to Meet the Mormons which was playing and we invited him to bring a friend. So he did. He brought his friend James. James is a born again Christian and is very interested in finding out more. He sees everything in "the Mormon Church" is good but doesn't understand it. So we are going to start teaching him and hopefully if all goes well we will be able to see him come to the waters of baptism.

We are also working with some University students. Will, Joe, and Pete. We met Will knocking. He is very Atheist and doesn't see the point of religion but for some reason keeps all the commandments anyway...even the word of wisdom and the law of chastity. So then we met Joe and Pete. Well we started teaching them about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. They said that it all makes sense. Will was trying to tell us that we were wrong, but we just kept telling him that all he had to do is read and pray and he would get an answer. Well after bearing testimony and showing them the Mormon message "hope of Gods light", Joe and Pete were backing us up. Haha it was great. Will said that he would do it. But Joe and Pete are really interested to see if the Book of Mormon is true. The only unfortunate thing is they are going away for a month. We invited them to read and pray while they were away. We were able to get their mobile numbers so we will be able to keep encouraging them. I am really excited. We are doing loads of other things. Having so much success. We are finding loads of people. I love knocking.  So many other things have happened. But it would take years to tell you everything. Sometimes I have no idea what I am doing but what I have found is that if we just get to work and do the simple things which Heavenly Father wants us to do we will be all okay.

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

"We found a frog....don't mind my face by the way!  haha"

"This is David.  He is so cool.  

He keeps telling us that he is going to get a haircut but then never does!  haha"

We are New in York! - Monday, March 7, 2016

Hiya, Mum, Dad, and Family,

It was a surprise to me to be moved as well. I am definitely going to miss all the people I met there but I know that this new area and new experiences will help me grow some more. I am serving with Elder Bailey from Tasmania, Australia. He is a great guy. Really really humble. He wants to learn all he can and just get down to business. I am very excited to work with him. Tanner congrats on getting into Student Government again. You will really enjoy it. I am glad to hear you are just getting involved with everything at Provo High. You will look back and love the experience. Happy Birthday to Grandpa and Happy Birthday to Kendra. Congrats Kendra for getting the job at the Hospital. I hope you really enjoy it. Mum are you okay?  I hope so, if not please tell me so I can help. (Just so everyone knows....I had the flu!  Yuck!  By the time Tyler was writing this email, I was just fine. :) )
  

Well because Elder Bailey and I are new in the area we have just been hitting the streets. We have talked to so many people. It has been a wonderful experience. We are just getting lost in York and then finding our way back. As a result we have seen so many miracles. First off we went through the area book and found a few "formers" that we could try by. We went by a guy named Rob. He is really cool. Rob is basically a Buddhist but is very open to everything. We went by and he knows almost everything. We were talking to him and found out that he has never been taught the Plan of Happiness. So we decided to teach him about the Plan of Happiness. He listened really intently and they expressed his views and beliefs. He wants to know more and he committed to read the Book of Mormon and Pray. He couldn't come to church this week because he was working but we are hoping that he comes next week. We also invited him to be baptized on March 26th, he accepted it and we are very hopeful for him.

We also found some formers named Sam and Jim, they are twins. We went by and they invited us in right away. We were really excited. So we went in and learned about what they believe and what we need to do to help them. They are two of the most intelligent people I know. Almost too intelligent. I think that this is holding them back a bit because they literally want the answer to every little thing. We have tried to explain to them that they need to just show a little faith. They accepted to at least read the Book of Mormon and Pray about it. We are seeing them again this week.

We have been going by loads of formers and we have set up a few return appointments with some people which I am really excited about. Two of them are families. I am very hopeful.

We have also been knocking quite a bit. We have found so many good people, too many miracles to count. But I will tell you one we had yesterday. We were knocking this street and to be honest we weren't seeing too much success. It was getting cold and we were hungry from fasting. We talked to each other about our plans and said we can street contact home or we can just finish these few doors. Well we decided to finish them. We knocked on the next door and these 2 Uni students came out and invited us in right away. We were really surprised because we didn't say anything to get them to let us in. They said that they saw us down the street and were hoping that we would come by. They said that they don't know much about God but want to know more. So they said we also looked up loads about what you believe already and said we know you don't drink tea but we have hot chocolate and want to give you some. We only had about 15 minutes with them because they had to leave. But we are going back this weekend. It will be amazing.

So much has happened just the past few days and I know more will happen. I have learned this week to keep to the simple things. We don't need to know everything. All we need to know is that Heavenly Father loves us enough that He has restored His  gospel to the earth and has a plan for us to return back to Him. I love it.

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

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Elder Rife and Elder Bailey with Sam and Jim

A picture of Elder Bailey and Elder Rife with President & Sister Pilkington

On the road again part 2 - Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Hiya, Mum, Dad, and Family,

Thank you for all the lovely notes that you all emailed me. It was really nice to hear from you all. I am so thankful for the support you give me and the love you show me. Because of your examples to me I am here. Thank you. I am glad to hear that Grandma is doing better and that she still has the same wonderful personality. Grandma you better let us help you though!! Ky I can't believe you are getting so old. I know your testimony helped many of those primary children and the adults there. You will be a wonderful missionary. Thank you for putting some money in. I will pay it back, no questions asked! Elder Miles is from North Salt Lake. I don't know what ward he is in though. He will be home but doesn't speak for a few weeks. He is a great missionary.

Well I've packed my bags and I'm off again. Another 6 week area. President has asked me to train another missionary in York. I will be white washing and he has also called me to be District Leader again. Sometimes I question Presidents judgement. Haha. Just kidding. I am thankful for Presidents trust in me. I hope I will do a good job. I don't know what the new address is. Sorry Kyns I know you sent something but it might take longer for it to get to me. I am very excited to serve in York stake again. It is such a great place. I meet my new companion tomorrow.

President always moves me out when we are seeing loads of success haha I guess all I am supposed to do is plant seeds. We have had loads of miracles this week it is incredible. The first was amazing. So we went to church and we met Mel there. She was so happy to be at church. She loves the feelings she gets when she goes. She also brought her daughter and daughter's friend. They really loved it as well. Then Joel showed up (I will talk about him later) He has been for the past few weeks but we were just barely able to start teaching him. Ben and Ethan suddenly walked through the doors. The meeting was just about to start and then Alex, Anna, Maggie, and Daniel walked through the doors. My face lit up. People probably thought something was wrong with me I was so happy. It was amazing to have so many people at church. I was very excited. They all really enjoyed it.

Well Mel she is just doing fantastic. Not much has changed but she is so excited for this "On Track" program that she is starting today. It will help her quit drinking within about 6 weeks. She has expressed to us that she has almost given into other temptations but has been able to withstand them. Mel knows that the church is true. I can't wait to see her 5 years from now and see the light radiating off of her. I know that the experiences that she is going through are preparing her for future responsibilities, to help others with the same struggles.

Joel is a grandson of a member. He had been taught before and then lost interest. He has come to church the past few weeks and has really enjoyed it. We spoke to him, he expressed to us that he loves science. So we told him about this cool experiment that we have for him. His eyes lit up. We taught him later about the Book of Mormon and how we can from reading and praying come to a conclusion that the church is true and that it will make him happy. He loved the analogy and then we gave him a data sheet to help him take notes of his observations and experiences. He is really looking forward to finding out. If he finds out he will be baptized on March 26th.

We saw many other miracles, especially in our finding. We knocked into this guy who has loads of issues. We told him that we wanted to help him paint his house. So he said we could. His name is Craig. Well Craig doesn't believe in God. Although he told us that he wants a change in his life. He is happy but just wants to get out of the situations he is in. So we told him about the Plan of Happiness and how it is a plan that God has given to us, to help us have joy and then one day live in His presence again. He said he still doesn't believe but then said "your story is the first story that actually makes sense, I will test this God thing out" He is working towards baptism for March 26th.

We also knocked into Shelagh (she is of Irish decent, hence her name) She is very Catholic and told us that we would never convert her. We just talked and then taught her about Joseph Smith and where the Book of Mormon comes from and then how it helps us. She said she wants to read it and find out more. We invited her to ask in prayer if it is true. She said that she would and then we invited her to be baptized on March 26th if she found out. She told us that she didn't know if she would get an answer but she will listen. We then said a prayer. At the end she broke down in tears and told us that nobody has ever prayed for her. She thanked us and then we left. When we went back she told us that she read the Book of Mormon and felt really comforted and said she maybe was starting a new path. Shelagh is such a lovely lady.

Many things have been happening and although I won't be able to see the harvest I know that I have been able to plant seeds and bear testimony to many people. Miracles happen, The church is true, and the Book is blue. I love this gospel.

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

Sincerely, Elder Tyler Rife

You are probably tired of hearing from me!

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family,

Dad congrats of finishing the puzzle. I talk about you and building your puzzle with investigators. To flaunt my family as well as to teach the principle of enduring to the end and how it may be hard. You can't see the whole picture, you may not know what pieces to use at first but as you keep trying.. keep enduring... it gets more rewarding. That doesn't mean that you won't run into problems but it means that you start to see the bigger plan that Heavenly Father has for us. I will still worry about Grandma. That is just who I am. I get that from Mum I think. I hope she is okay. I know that Heavenly Father will bless her. She still has a great work to do. Sounds like everyone is super busy with life. Ken don't worry, you are critiquing your presentation probably worse than they are. Well suits are cheaper here than they are in America. A quality suit is about £120, I don't know what that is in dollars. I could probably find a discounted one though. My suits are getting holes in them and they are very very discoloured which I don't think shows that I am a very good representative of Christ. Don't rush about getting the money in I can make the suits last for a bit longer. It is amazing how knackered they have got though. haha. Well I have some good news for you all!!!!! Ready for it...I don't know it is pretty crazy. Alright I will just tell you because I can't drag it out. I was accepted to BYU for the Fall 2016 semester!!! :) Now what do I do? haha.

The week has been good. Zone Conference was an inspiration and I was able to see where I need to improve and make some goals to be better. I am excited for the coming weeks.

Oh my, Mel she is just amazing. So she unfortunately won't make her day for Baptism on the 27th because she relapsed but she has taken some major steps forward. I am amazed at it. So we had a feeling to go by. Well she was really depressed and was about ready to give up on everything. She was very drunk but because she is so use to the drink she knew what she was saying and thinking. (She told us the next day all that we said.) So when we went over she had all these concerns and was like "Its not true. What if Joseph Smith is a "liar"? and Why drink? Why tea and coffee?"  We kept resolving her concerns and she kept trying to come up with all these other concerns. Well finally we just said, "Mel do you believe that The Book of Mormon is True and that this church is True?" She paused for a long time and just looked at us. She then said, "yes I do". We explained to her that nothing else matters. She opened up to us loads about how she gets down when she messes up and how she doesn't think that Heavenly Father could love her anymore. We taught her about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how no matter what Heavenly Father will always love her. We invited her to meaningfully pray before she goes to bed. She accepted it. Well the next day she said that last night was the first night that she actually prayed with all her heart and she said that she knew she was talking to Heavenly Father. From that point forward her whole countenance has changed. She knows that she will be able to stop the drink and that Heavenly Father really does listen to her. This is all because she decided to put her complete trust in Heavenly Father. She has taken a huge leap of faith and is trusting completely and fully in His grace and mercy. Mel knows that this is true and she is working so hard to stop drinking so she can get baptized. I am so excited for her.

We also are teaching a few lads named Ben and Ethan. Well we were considering "dropping" them because they weren't keeping any commitments at the time. We went by and taught about the Book of Mormon and how important it is. We read from the Book of Mormon and discussed what the chapter was about. We then were talking and Ethan told us loads of things that have happened in his life and said that he has a hard time trusting because of what happened, but that he wants to find his right "path". He then said when he is around us and sees us, he feels something different (the Holy Ghost) and told us that he wants to serve a mission because it seems like it has helped us so much (which it has) he said that he just wants direction in his life but has a hard time having faith. So we gave him Alma 32 to read and told him to pray intently and ask Heavenly Father if He is there. So we are praying that he does it. We will then schedule him for the 19th of March.

So many other things have been happening but seeing as you are all probably tired of hearing me I will end now. But I want you to all know that prayer is powerful and if we ask with a sincere heart and real intent what is right, Heavenly Father will answer us. It is so simple and yet somehow we make it complicated. Prayers are answered and Heavenly Father does love us no matter who we are or what we have done. I love you all and hope all goes well.

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

Sincerely, Elder Tyler Rife

Elder Rife and Elder Price

"Elder Price is one of the most humble and Christlike people ever. He is going home this transfer."

"Sunday Selfie"

I see pictures like these and I think to myself...that boy hasn't changed a bit!!! :)

Ohhh How I LOVE him!

Don't go back to Egypt. Zone Conference - Friday, February 19, 2015

Hiya Mum, Dad, and Family,

Well surprise another email. It was Zone Conference this past week and so as always President Pilkington has asked us to write home about what we learned and let me tell ya I learned many many many things. This is what I wrote to President, it is what I learned. I hope it makes sense. Also the reason I resent the email (Monday's email) is because apparently myldsmail was down last week and didn't send some emails so President also told us to resend the emails that we sent on Monday.  

Much of what was said made me think about what I am doing and who I am as an individual. I thought a lot about if I was a true follower and servant of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. For the past few months I have felt like I am going in a circle, I plateaued. I didn't feel like I was progressing much or learning much. I couldn't figure out why this was the case. I tried everything that I knew how to do. I went back to the 12 weeks and to studying more intently the scriptures, to making my prayers more meaningful. I still wasn't going anywhere. Sister Pilkington talked about how we need to have a sound structure. It reminded me about the bible story of sowing seeds. How some will hit rocky ground and not become rooted. I then thought about what had been happening in life. I would say that I am rooted in the Gospel. I know that the church is true and that this gospel is true. So I got a bit more confused than I already was. But then I was reminded of when Alma speaks about growing a seed of faith. I learned that a seed is grown from consistently feeding it and watering it. I came to the conclusion that I had rooted my seed but because it was flourishing so much I got complacent and decided to stop feeding it or only feed it occasionally. My plant started to wither. I thought... but I am studying and working hard how could it be withering. I remembered back to what Sister Pilkington said about not cutting corners. We have been talking loads about obedience. I do my very best to be obedient or so I thought. I came to realize that I wasn't being exactly obedient with small things. Such as not working out vigorously or getting out of the flat on time, because I had to get my stuff ready. It didn't happen all the time but I would justify these things and say its okay I am working hard. This is what has been wrong. I had an epiphany at Zone Conference. "Being almost obedient will almost bring blessings." I told myself that now was the best time to start being completely obedient. I am happy to say that the first day to my regrowth has begun and so far been very successful.

You then mentioned many times how the mission will determine the person I will be later. If I am obedient to commandments now then I will be obedient to commandments later in life. I know that this gospel has blessed my life. I don't know everything but I know that it has blessed my life immensely. I know that I would be nothing without it, especially the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, I will not be perfect until I return to my Father in Heaven but I hope that when that day comes I will be able to stand tall and say I did my best and that He will turn to me and say well done my son, you have been faithful in a few things. Now is the time for me to make 180 degree turn and "sell all I have and follow my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ". I know that it may be hard at times but I want to do this. I want to be on His side, this is all because I have truly felt Heavenly Father's love and I want to make Him happy. Now is the time for me to change. There may be moments when I want to "go back to Egypt" but I know if I hold onto the feelings I have already had I will be able to continue in righteousness.

I have mentioned this before but one of my favourite sayings in "Hakuna Matata". It means leave the past behind you. The Israelites kept looking back and wanting to go back because things were hard. They forgot what God had done for them. But if we don't look back even when things are hard we will always go forward no matter how long it takes. My Dad sent me a quote at the beginning of the mission. I can't remember it all but it was talking about a bow and arrow. The quote explained that "in order for an arrow to go far it has to be stressed, it has to be pulled back. But when that arrow is released it flies and lands in the place that it needs to be". God is the Archer. He knows exactly how much opposition we need to help us become what He wants us to be. It will be stressful to the point where we feel like we might break but if we hold on and don't look behind us, if we trust God then we will without a doubt fly further than we expected. This doesn't mean that it will be smooth sailing after He releases us, we will still have the wind in our faces and the hard impact when we hit the spot we need to be but we will experience great joy and see the distance we have gone. I love my Heavenly Father and I hope that I will be able to continue to be strained so I can go forward. I also hope and pray that one day I will be where My Father wants me to be. Now is the time and today is the day for me to change. I will not go back to Egypt.

It is incredible how much I learned. I feel a little overwhelmed and I can't put into words many of the things I learned and many of the feelings I had. I hope you all know that I love you. I want you to continue to hold to the rod. Trust in Heavenly Father, He knows the way.

God be with you till we meet again. On our way. #10sof1000s. He Lives.

Love, Elder Tyler Rife

Along with Tyler's insightful email from what he learned at his zone conference, I'm also going to add 

an email to Tyler from his Dad.  I wanted to share Steve's response to Tyler so we would have it on Tyler's blog.  I feel like it is really insightful as well and I want to always have it to refer to. 

(My goal is to have Tyler's blog printed into a book for him when he returns home.)

Whoever is following Tyler's blog...you are pretty lucky! You are reading this email from his Dad even before Tyler gets to read it!  Hope Tyler doesn't mind!!! :)  I'm sure he won't!

Steve Rife

Thank you for your insights and testimony....  You have grown significantly in knowledge and wisdom!  You are becoming a fine tuned instrument in the Lords hands.  Keep up the great work!  You definitely are on solid ground!  As you put your faith in the Lord.... As you truly humble yourself and willingly submit to His will, trusting that He will not let you fail... believing that He will give you the necessary gifts. knowledge and resources to do ALL that He desires, you will become a powerful tool in hastening His work.  It's not easy.... but the lessons and blessings are worth it.  I hope you realize that you are being blessed significantly!  There are great things that lie ahead for you in life.  You are developing strength as well as spiritual and physical stamina to accomplish these great things.  You are becoming TRUE to His purposes and designs.  By doing so you will become a strength, and an anchor, even a light for those who fall under your stewardship as a husband, a father, a provider, a faithful leader and servant in your church, community, country and world.  Can you see the vision as to where you are going and what your are preparing to do?  The key is to be TRUE and FAITHFUL in ALL things.  As you are obedient you obtain and maintain the Spirit.  The Spirit will enable you to withstand the winds of adversity and you will become a shelter from the storm... you will become a beacon or a light to those who are wandering or who lost.... You will have the strength to uplift the weak and the weary.... You will indeed become THE SERVANT that the Lord would have you become.  Bless you son! Keep up the great work!  The right things are happening in your mind, heart and life!

Love Dad

          I feel so blessed to have these worthy priesthood holders to influence my life.  I know that my Heavenly Father LOVES me and is watching over me and blessing our family. 

This picture is almost a couple of years old.  So everyone has changed quite a bit! :)
It was taken the month that Tyler left on his mission.  August 2014