Monday, February 28, 2011

Hey everyone! 
This week went really well for me. We had a baptism!!!! His name is Roman Quiroz and I was able to baptize him. He is the husband of a recent covert that got baptized a year ago. He has changed a lot in the last year and has been waiting about 2 months to get enough time off work to be baptized. His baptism was really great and he really felt the spirit. The daughter of our pensionista was also baptized Friday and there were almost a hundred people there because she is the daughter of the Stake President. 
Tuesday we had the opportunity to go to Trujillo for our interviews and have a meeting with Pres. It's always really awesome hearing from President because he always seems to know your problems and how to motivate you. After the interviews we had Papa John´s Pizza which was amazing, and when we finished we played a fooseball tournament in the mission office. Every district is playing each other and the winner of each district gets to go to Trujillo for the birthday party of President and play in a tournament of the whole mission. The good news is that Elder Santiago and I won!!!!! haha We get to come back for his party and we both received a 20-30 dollar tie for our prize. 
I don't know the changes but President told me that most likely I'll have a change this time. I hope I go to Cajamarca so I can know what it's like before they change the boundaries of the mission. I'm glad that everyone is doing good and that school is going good for everyone. Right now I'm really glad that I finished all my english classes before I left, because I can't write or speak in english very well...spanish either for that matter. I'm stuck between two languages right now. 
Elder Santiago is from Huánuco which is in the Mission Lima East, but it is really close to the southern part of our mission. In Peru they start their college or institute at 16 years old and he finished that. He worked with electricity and telephone poles and high voltage wires. He took a bus from his house to Lima (the CCM) which isn't too far away about 6 hours or so. His town is mostly jungle but also in the mountains. He said it's between jungle and mountain, either way a lot different from Guadalupe, desert desert desert. 
The weather should start to cool down starting in the end of March. Their summer vacation just ended here so they are starting school tomorrow so we won't have as many crazy little kids running around during our lessons. 
Also, this week we are going to have our district conference and President Turk is coming to our district to talk to everyone. It will be my 2nd district conference in this district so I guess that means I've been here a while. haha It doesn't seem like it. 
Anyways all is well here and we still have one more week in this change so I hope we can find a lot more people to help and that I can enjoy the time left here that I have. The people here are all really kind and the members all have really great testimonies. It's cool that sometimes I think of how different the people act here than how we do in the United States, but they are children of God also. We are all where we´re supposed to be and we all have our own purposes and we can all receive help from our Heavenly Father. 
 I know this work blesses the lives of the people. 
Elder Wilkinson

Monday, February 21, 2011

Hey everyone!
 Just here on the internet in Guadalupe again. Everything is going well and we are still here in Guadalupe safe and sound. The baptisms haven't come through yet because the last two weeks have been really crazy for the two families we were planning for, but this week seems a lot more likely.
 This week we were able to have our Multi-Zone meeting in Trujillo and it was really great. Hermana Turk's talk was really funny because all she talked about was the birthday of President and how old he was, 50!!!!! and that all he wants for his birthday is BAPTISMS!!!!! haha She is having us do a March Madness like they do for all the college basketball teams but instead for baptisms, but we're not competing either haha. and the latino missionaries don't have clue what it is.   Also President Turk gave a really awesome talk and helped us a lot and motivated us. He shared a cool story about the Civil War in the US and it was really spiritual, but it was cool for me because I got a letter from Grandpa Wilk the day before and he wrote me about the Civil War and shared a few stories with me. It was a cool experience.
 My mom asked if I know anything about the changes next week but I thought they´re in two weeks so I hope that it's two not one because I'm not ready to leave Guadalupe yet.
 I'm sorry that I didn't turn my fan in your direction this week to blow the hot air over there, but it's because I had to turn it to blow all the mosquitos away from me haha!!
 I know everyone is probably wondering about the changes in my mission but I don't know a lot. I know that Guadalupe and all of this district will be in the Mission Chiclayo whichs kinda stinks. Also Cajamarca, the part that's most green and beatiful of our mission will also go to Chiclayo. I know that the change will happen July 1st. I don't know how it will affect us, or if some missionaries will move to that mission, but we have interviews in Trujillo tomorrow so maybe I'll hear a little bit more about it. It's really awesome though that Peru will now have 10 missions. 
The people here are very humble and there are a lot of people being baptized and the church is really growing fast here and the people are really being blessed for all of the service that they do in their wards and for the church. The people here have really helped me strengthen my testimony and I have learned a lot from them. I know that they have a lot more humility then we do in the US, and also love for others. We can learn a lot from the people here and I know that the church will be strong here forever!
 Until next week,
 Elder Wilkinson

Saturday, February 19, 2011

It's official...Tyler's mission is being divided!  
Parts of the Piura and Trujillo missions are being divided to become the 
Peru Chiclayo Mission.
We do not know if this will change Tyler's assignment...
but we are excited for the new mission.
10 missions total in Peru!!
This means more missionaries and more baptisms!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Multi-Zone Conference
February 16, 2011
in Trujillo...
Thank you for the pictures Sister Turk!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Hey everyone!
 I'm glad that it warmed up there and that everything is going well. It's still heating up here so I think the heat is just spreading up to you guys.
 My mom told me that Elder Christensen and Elder Perry are home. It's really weird to think that he was my companion 2 and a half months ago, and that I saw him 3 weeks ago. Elder Christensen is right to say that obedience is important and also patience. It seems like my patience is getting worse since I got here, but it's something you have to work on always. The obedience also is hard when you want to visit just one more person before going back to your room or when you just want to sleep for 10 more minutes.
 I'm glad Sister Perry is sending you photos, but you don't have to send me anything. I'm probably going to have a change and I don't have any more room and don't need anything. I still have 2 months of candy or more and I still have rings and photos and everything.
 I can't believe Grandma and Grandpa will be back in 7 months from their mission. That's the same time that I have in the mission right now and it seems like nothing. haha I know I'm struggling with the language a lot now but I feel like I'm stuck between two languages because when I talk to elders and other people in english I can't think of anything to say and I think my grammar is worse in english than spanish when I talk. 
Sadie asks if they have ice cream here and the answer is yes. In the CCM we had ice cream every Wednesday and Sunday and they have ice cream in Guadalupe. In spanish it is called helado, the h is silent. I'm glad to hear from my grandparents that everything is well with them and also with my great grandparents, and I'm glad they  keep me updated on the sports and on everything else that happens in my family and extended family. Everyone tells me it is the same there, but it seems that everything is changing very slowly and that really different and new things have happened. 
My mission seems to be going by really fast now and I hope it slows down a little because I still feel like I have an eternity before I'll know the language and be a strong, self sufficient missionary. 
The other day I was listening to the church hymns and the hymn When There`s Love At Home came on. It reminded me of my mom and when she used to sing that hymn to bug us when we were fighting. Growing up I hated that song for that reason, but now it's one of my favorites because it reminds me of my mom and also of my family. I know that families are the most important thing in our lives and that the gospel helps the family.
 I hope that you guys are all well and are doing all you need to do and I hope that I'm doing everything my Father in Heaven needs me to do.
 hasta la proxima semana, 
con mucho cariño,
 Elder Wilkinson.
 Oh and tell dad that I think he should wait to buy the four wheeler haha

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Elder Perry (Tyler's trainer) just returned home to Provo.
He sent some pictures to share.
We love Elder Perry!!
They love their pensionista and her family!
 


Monday, February 7, 2011

Hey everybody!!!
My week went pretty well. My new companion and I are doing good in Guadalupe and we are working well together. He has helped me a lot with the language and he wants to learn a lot of english also.
 We didn’t have any of the baptisms we were planning because the family had to go to Lima for longer than expected and every other investigator that had a baptismal date didn’t go to church because they`re a little lazy here in Guadalupe. haha!! I’ve learned a lot of patience on my mission waiting for people. Everyone is at least half an hour late for meetings or appointments and when you try to schedule appointments they tell you they are the busiest person in the world.
That’s cool that you found Elder Munson`s mom. I haven’t had much time to get to know him but he has two changes more than me. You asked me if others eat with our pensionista and no we are the only ones that eat there because the other missionaries live in other cities.
That’s awesome that the Packers won the Superbowl!!!!  I’ll have to watch it when I get back because I’m sure Dallas taped it.
I hope dad is enjoying his trip to Washington DC and that they are all doing good there. I hope the weather warms up for you and cools down for me. I’ll make sure to leave our fan running all day and maybe it will blow some of the hot air over to you guys!!! haha
 Sorry I don’t have anymore time to write because I had to write President a lot of stuff but I hope all is well and everyone is happy. Thanks for the emails and I can’t wait to hear from you next week. Oh also Chase Carnahan wants my address and your email address if you can give him the address of the mission that would be great thanks.
Elder Wilkinson

Friday, February 4, 2011

Tyler has the most wonderful "mission mom"! 
Sister Turk posted this top 10 list on her blog and I thought it was such a great reminder of what being a missionary is all about...

She writes...

After being with a lot of missionaries and watching them closely in their missionary efforts, we have come up with our top ten list of reminders that parents can do to help their son or daughter prepare before the mission so that they can be more successful in the field.

1. Teach them that the Holy Ghost is a member of the GODHEAD and can be their constant companion. The Holy Ghost has all Knowledge, all Power, and all Wisdom. They need to be worthy and spiritually prepared to always have this gift with them. And then learn to carefully listen and follow the promptings. What else will they need?

2. Give them opportunities to discuss and talk out loud about the Gospel with you and with others. Let them testify of truth at Family Home Evenings, Father’s interviews, with mom in the kitchen, at the dinner table, church activities etc….

3. Have Family Home Evening lessons from “Preach My Gospel.” Let them prepare and give the lesson.

4. Remind them to have quiet time without music, TV, videos, games, or friends. Have them feel comfortable by being still and listening. Teach them that the Lord is always trying to communicate with them. He does this through the Scriptures.

5. Teach them how to work. They need to work like a farm boy from morning until night. They need to be self-motivated and know how to work hard. They should feel uncomfortable just sitting around.

6. Moms cut some strings. Toughen them up. Let them do things for themselves. Teach them how to iron, cook, & clean. We need men and women in the mission, not little boys and girls needing their moms. And Mothers, please don’t cry for them when they are away. They are growing spiritually and Serving and Saving others. It's exciting!

7. Teach them how to greet people with a firm handshake, and look them in the eye and smile. Teach them how to speak with adults comfortably and have a conversation by asking them questions.

8. Manners are important. Teach them how to eat correctly. Teach them how to treat others. Teach them to be kind and put others first and give service to someone everyday.

9. Help them feel our Saviors love. Create spiritual experiences in the home. Testify to them of the things that are true. And then when you write letters to them in the mission, be optimistic and uplifting and bare your testimony.

10. Teach them that they will represent Jesus Christ at all times and in all things. It is a glorious privilege. They will never be able to repay our Heavenly Father for what they are about to receive on their mission... It truly will be some of the greatest years of their life.