Letters from my mission I send home are posted here. Some will be kept private and for family only. Others I will write directly for the website. Most recent letter will be placed on top. To write me, click here, I would love to hear from anyone!
Some of Ty's First letter home
The first day, being Thursday, not Wednesday, was long and hard. But since, I can not even tell you how amazing this place is. After just a week I understand things so much better. I have experienced such a change since being here. The only way I can describe how much I have learned is to tell you that I could easily redo my farewell. I could get up there and just give a 30 minute talk on Joseph Smith with nothing prepared. I am not kidding. It is so amazing. We go to the Temple tomorrow! Thanks for everything. Mom and Dad. The church is true. No doubt in my mind, more than ever. I also wanted to say that my companion is awesome, my district is awesome, and my Zone is awesome. The companions, room assignments and district assignments are truly inspired. Not random.
More letters to come
Pre-Mission Blog
October 2006
26 - I received my call yesterday. It came in the mail around 1pm and I decided to wait until 6pm to open it so my family (family meaning uncles, aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins, etc.) could be there when I opened it. It was very hard to wait five hours to open it since I have waited almost 19 years for that moment. I am glad I did wait though, it was a much better experience having everyone there. When I first opened it I was going to try to just read from the top, but my eyes went strait to the location, so I just looked up and said "Montana Billings" as a joke. Then I said it was really "The Virginia Richmond mission, English speaking. I report to the MTC in Provo on January 24, 2007." Some thought I was disappointed because it wasn't foreign or another language. Yes, I would have liked to learn a language, but I am very excited either way. They say when you open the call, no matter where you had hoped for, you know that where it says is where you are supposed to go... Its true. As soon as I read that, I knew that's where I need to serve. The second thing to come to mind was the fact that both senators in Virginia are Republican. I need to learn to quit thinking that way for a few years. There is a lot of US history in Virginia, I am very excited to get to see some historical sites that I never would otherwise. The Church is true people.
November 2006
9 - I got a letter and information packet from my mission President. He sent me a new color map of my mission (which you can see on the home page). It has borders of the stakes in my mission. I never thought too much about how much the size of the churches would differ around the country, but looking at that map really made me think about it. My mission has around 80 cities map worthy and who knows how many small towns, yet there are only 7 stakes in my whole mission. Unlike Idaho which may have 7 stakes in some towns in Idaho alone. The population is much higher, but the church population is really small in comparison. I am excited to get started there as I am sure there will be many tractable areas where I can go door to door for hours and never come to a members home where here in Idaho, every few houses is a members home.
10 - Today I got a letter about my bike. I guess I need one... Dang it. Anyway, I can order one through them for $377, or have one shipped there, or get one when I get there. They suggest getting a "Trek 4300". So if anyone owns a bike shop and would like to make me a smokin' deal on one, I would appreciate it. Also, I am taking donations for my mission, which will help pay for things like my bike and suits and food and whatnot. So if you would like to make a donation, e-mail me. Thanks! By the way, I speak in church on January 14, anyone is welcome to come whether you are a member of the church or not, I would really love to see people come. It will be at the LDS church on W 2nd St just west of Meridian Rd on Cherry Lane in Meridian. The time is yet to be determined.
January 2007
8 - Two weeks, two days out. I am excited beyond description. I can't wait to get to the MTC and get started on my mission. Now that all the major events between the day my call came, and the day I leave for the MTC are past, such as Christmas, My birthday, Fiesta Bowl, etc., all I have to look forward to is heading out. That makes these last couple weeks really slow. I still need another suit, so if you wanna help out a little, feel free!
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