Tuesday, October 27, 2009

~ Email Home ~ October 27th ~

Muito mutio bom mae, e Boa tarde minha família,
Last P-Day in the MTC. Then its out into the real world!

This week has been great so far. I gave a talk on Sunday and the lesson as well. President gave me a big hug afterwards and thanked me for being here. I am going to miss him. President Packham. He knows how to relate to the Elders and keeps us smiling. The funny thing about giving talks on Sunday's, is you never know when your giving one. They call you up after Sacrament. I like that because it teaches you to always be on your toes.

I'm very glad to hear the positive things about my President and his Wife. Looking forward to meeting them next week. This past week, meeting and shaking the hands of an Apostle was incredible. I looked into those eyes for a second and knew that he truly is a disciple of Christ. He is a small man with a large love for the missionaries. His humor and testimony lifted our hearts.

Dad - That is so true about speaking the language. Sometimes it's awkward talking in another language, that I don't know well. I frequently find myself in long conversations with our Brazilian roommates about families, life, mission, etc. I know that its going to be an entire different ball game next week. No problem, I'll get it in time.

Morgan and Cate,
Sorry to hear that you are sick Morgan - hope that clears up soon. Also sorry to hear about BYU getting killed apparently? Who knows ... I don't really care for the sports news these days. The language has started to plateau as the MTC comes to a close for me. They can only teach you so much, you really need to do the work and then I'm sure my knowledge will sky rocket. Still haven't received your snail mail, but looking forward to reading it. Also, a major congrats on the photography contest! Your a pro!
Love you both very much and hope all continues to go well.

Dad - Those photos were muito legal (means way cool) (le-ga-ll).
I showed them to my companions, very impressed. The photo with your backs turned and the children holding your hands is my favorite. You can feel the love they have for you. Great stuff Dad. Hope your week continues to go well!
Love,
Elder Tyree

Momma,
Mom your email was a joy to read. The love that your friends have for our family is much needed. Not only for our family but for the benefit of this church. On many occasions missionaries see converts slip away from the church due to the lack of friendships or hospitality.
Please thank Joyce, Cathy, and Taylor for me .. for helping you at church this week.
If you ever see the opportunity to welcome a new member, please do. A simple hello can change them.
I'm glad to hear that everything has fallen into place while we're gone. I pray that this continues and your opportunity to serve in your new calling will bless you greatly.
Happy to hear that the kids are loving life, Devin always has a great attitude for school.
Alli was always great for me ;) so she better stay that way, while I'm gone.

Well fam, keep the good news rolling-in and look for missionary opportunities.
Love to all of the family please!
Eu sei este igreja é verdadeiro, com todo meu corãço.Eu amo vocés.
Elder Tyree
Thank you for the addresses, I'll email you my new one next week.!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

~ Email Home ~ October 20th ~

Minha Família,

Hope you are all doing well! My week was great. Mainly because I have some exciting news! My Mission President called and asked for my departure date to be pushed forward to exactly two weeks from today, rather then four more! I am not nervous at all, yes I don't know the language whatsoever, but that will come in time and practice. I am ready to work with the people of Brazil!

{P.S. Mom if you could please let everyone know that sending mail via snail mail after today, won't get to me because I will be leaving the CTM for my mission area.}

We have our Brazilian roommates now. They are really helpful and fun to talk to. It seems the best subject to talk about is futébol. Ha, what a surprise!! Once we start that conversation at lunch, we´re booked for the entire time! Afterwards you've just become best friends, even if you don´t like the same teams. ;') The fact that a "gringo kid" {what they call me} knows the same amount of soccer knowledge as they do, surprises them ... good times!

At night we read a chapter in Portuguese aloud and my Brazilian companions are learning to read the English version. For me, I think when you read the scriptures in another language you tend to learn faster. Of course I'm no genius, but I think that's one of Heavenly Fathers gifts to us! :)

The food here is awesome! ... I'm told daily that I should enter myself in an eating contest of some sort!
I sing twice a week in choir - making a difference I hope.
I play volleyball everyday now - and I love that!
Sometimes I let myself get upset over little things, so praying with a sincere intent to be better, has calmed me tremendously.

Elder Richard D. Scott is speaking to the 300 of us here on Friday. I will shake an Apostle´s hand for the first time, so I am really looking forward to that!

Dad,
That's great to hear about the progress in Afghanistan. I know you're making a great difference for the people and country itself. I also hope you are able to travel home before Thanksgiving, that would be awesome! Thanks for the motivation you give me weekly. Your in my prayers Dad.

Love,
Elder Tyree.

Cate+Morgan,
When I see that you two write me, I always want to combine your names. Jeff had that tendency as well. So, if I say hey Catgan, it sounds like a gun of some sort.

If I say Morcat, it sounds like some sick guy asking to hand me the plate of cat. Sorry, I just really needed to get that off my chest ;') ha! Ummmm .... Anyways, I hope you two are doing great and that all of your tests will go well. Keep up the hard work! Your in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Tyree

Momma,
Sounds like Virginia is getting better each time I write to you, I know it's hard without Dad.

Hope that Allison starts to perk up and put some rose in those cheeks of hers.

I'm sure that you'll be hearing a lot about Devin missing horses. Maybe we should get him one ;) haha {just kidding}

Keep me updated on how life is at the house. I know that you are being watched over while Dad and I are away. You are in my prayers daily.
Love,
Elder Tyree
PS - Mom I need those addresses I requested last week please. For Weston Fischer + Jeff Whitaker. My best bet for finding them would be through their Momma's.

Also, just in case you were wondering "mission ties".com is similar to dear elder.com - If you would like to send letters that way. I think its 4 dollars a month. Maybe you could look into it ...
Well family I love you all. You are all in my prayers!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Elder Tyree's Email Home ~ October 13, 2009 ~

Hello my awesome, familia and friends!
So glad that I can write to you today to tell you how life's been.

Up until today, the week has been very challenging for me.
My companion went home for reasons I can not discuss, but it was family related. So that really crushed me last Wednesday.
I didn't know what to think ... it was the most unexpected thing.
So I am teamed up with my other two roommates and we are doing amazing. We are all devoted to this work and striving to push one another.

Since I am only able to hear from family once a week it has been very difficult for me. - But Dad's advice to me (or) should I say Mom's advice to Dad really helped. Suck it up son! ;)
{Mother's Note:I did not say this.}

Also, going to the Temple for the first time today was incredible!
I have been to 3 different Temples on different continents. I was able to do Initiatories with my companions and loved it, because they took us to the Celestial room afterwards. I prayed with my companions for about 45minutes. It changes your attitude completely!
Then on our bus journey home, overhearing several missionaries talking about one of their companion's who isn't a very good worker, etc. - I wanted to yell at them and say: "you know if you spent as much time helping this Elder rather then making fun of him then you and him would be better! - But I held back because during my first or second week, that's what I probably thought. Trying to be more Christlike on my mission starts with my very own companions. Good lesson.

Its very strange but I believe I'm in the best shape of my life. I wake up and work out for a short while, go to gym and work out, and go to bed working out. Sooo nice to exercise, with all of our studies. Helps the mind. ;)

Cate + Morgan, Love you both!! It's okay that there isn't much going on in Utah. My days don't change much either! But I'm grateful you write to me anyway.
Morgan, South America is the place to be! The people are slightly hard to understand but extremely warm and friendly. When you both are rich, we'll come back down for a visit.

Mom and Dad, glad to hear that you are keeping a positive attitude. I can honestly say that I know how you feel. My solution to this problem-One, I live in Brazil! Two-This is my 5th week out. Time flies! You´ll be home before you know it and you can retire Dad and be home with Mom and the kids, buy a fishing boat, and your sports car. Life's good! ;)
{Mother's note: where did this idea come from?}

Mom you are not chopped liver! I am your biggest fan. Remember that! So glad to hear that I could help you out with the move to Williamsburg. Love you!

Maybe this joke will help you out this week:

"So at the recent General Conference Thomas S. Monson was leaving in his Protected Van. Several minutes into the drive, President Monson asked if he could drive. The chauffeur agreed, pulled over, and President took the wheel. A few minutes later lights start flashing in the rear view mirror, President pulls over and waits for the officer to talk to him.

The officer takes a few steps and realizes who the driver is. Frantically he runs back to his car and radios the Chief.
Chief, We have a problem. I just pulled over someone famous!
Was it another cop?
No, someone really important.
Well did you pull over a Chief?
No, someone even bigger.
The commander of the army?
No! Someone really, really, really important!
For heavens sake is it the President of the United states?
Well sir, Thomas S. Monson is driving the van, so I'm pretty sure God is in the back.
(sorry if you thought it was dumb, a teacher here shared that to us and I thought it was funny)
My humor is a little different now, I can feel it slipping away from me. {Sad Day}

Devin and Alli, keep being who you are. Devin you are a Pro at horseback riding!
Alli I miss your smile!
Family I miss and love you and I look forward to hearing from you next week!

Eu Amo VOCÊS!
Elder Tyree
{Mother's note: we love you too Elder Tyree}

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

~ Second Email from Elder Kyle ~

Boa Tarde Familia,

I miss you all very much. I'm glad you decided to type one giant letter. Works better that way. I have so many things to tell you and I'm trying to send you photos as soon as I possibly can! The minutes go quickly.

Oh where to start?
I know, the 10 hours of TV we watched this weekend. {lol}
General Conference was the greatest part of my week.
I took 13 pages of notes. Personal Record!
My favorite talks were definitely during the Priesthood session. Elder M. Russell Ballard was a favorite.
First talk, I actually teared up. It was all about fathers and sons. And as I was writing down the tips for sons and fathers, it struck me how grateful I am for my Dad.
At this very moment he is thousands of miles away from our family supporting not only the Country we live in, but our family too.
He works so hard and has raised us so well.
My Colonel Father kept me in-line and a Mother that is in charge of the Colonel. Loved it! {lol}
It helped me realize that everything Elder Ballard talked about was everything Dad has been to me. Helping me grow in the ranks of the church and helping me prepare for the future. To be the Father I would like to be. Thank you Dad.

Learning the language is something I'm adapting to. Although I'm more concerned with understanding the lessons in Portuguese at the moment. On Friday my companion Elder Wilson and I are giving the entire first lesson in Portuguese. Very excited about that.
I Honestly feel like we know more about the lessons and Portuguese than other missionaries leaving in a week. Our teacher brightens our day when we're told with our excitement in teaching the lessons and our language knowledge thus far, we will have great success on our missions. Great words to hear.

Also one of my favorite guys in our district is also a roommate of mine. We get gym five times a week sometimes 6, and we run about two miles a day. Then do two sets of pull ups, push ups, sit ups. Then play volleyball. My loved sport is forbidden to be played in the MTC! Ouch - But we are still aloud to juggle. I do that at least three times a week.

Cate and Morgan,
Love you both- and thank you for the encouragement/updates on Byu!
Still love 'em. {lol}
All is well, cant believe how fast time is flying. Three weeks in! Once again I'm very sorry that I don't have much time to write. Reading the e-mails and trying to write one giant message is very time consuming.

MAIL-the strike is over!
It takes exactly one week to get here, one week for you to get back my letter typically.
I usually respond the same day. I have 45 minutes before bed to write letters. I can receive packages. Everyone here is getting them. However, don't send any three weeks from now because i may be in the field before It would arrive.

Devin and Alli- I cant tell you how much I miss you. Your smiles, hugs, and sweet spirits are constantly an example to me. Thanks you two!

Well Family, I'm sorry to say that it's about that time.
My P-Day is coming to an end.
I love you all with all my heart. I love this chance I have to serve the Lord. ;)
How blessed we are.
Once again thank you for your prayers.
I pray for you all, in another language though ;) {lol}
Elder Tyree

Monday, October 5, 2009

~ First Email from Elder Kyle to Family ~

Dear Mom ~

Well the time has finally come, I'm in the beloved nation of Brazil. The most amazing and loving country I have ever visited. The day coming to Brazil was surely a thrill, but the wait was worth it. I had a great talk with a woman on the plane ride to Sao Paulo. She was traveling there to attend her mothers funeral. I felt like I should share things about my own family and our beliefs - that families can be together forever. It was comforting to her to hear those things, and she told me that I had a great spirit. I loved hearing those things.

The view from my room is indescribable! The four of us in our room open the window every morning and night and gasp, DANG. We´re in Brazil! I love the Elders in my group, the four of us have grown close and enjoy being roommates. We can always have a laugh, but also can turn on our work and focus button the moment we walk into class. Perfect!

Mom, Thought I would tell you that my new address is being mailed to you and should arrive this week. I would like to thank you for the way you raised me. Many guys don´t seem ready to work and I feel blessed that I'm ready to be out here. And when I get back I'll simply let you pick out Mrs. Tyree for me. Mama knows best.
My time has run out for computer time. Cant wait to hear from the family again next week.
Write when you can - I love hearing from family and friends. I need pictures!
Voce Ama,
{Love you}
Elder Kyle Tyree


Dad!!!
Its working, I'm so happy to hear from you! I love Brazil with all my heart. The slums to me are the most beautiful site I have ever seen. I'm taking pictures that I'll try to send within the next month or so. I am honestly so blessed to be in such a wonderful city, where the people are loving and dying to hear the gospel. Tell me how is life going in Afghanistan? I have heard recent stories about the US getting further involved in Iran, and its very scary knowing that these things are going on during my mission, but I don't know the details or latest news. Then it's also comforting to know that I'm serving on the greatest side there is! ;) I have been thinking a lot about you recently and hoping that you're well.
Voce Ama,
{Love you}
Elder Tyree
P.S. I Cant wait to go fishing with you in Alaska when we both get back!

Cate,

Thank you my favorite older sister, I can´t describe how much it means to me when I get a letter from you and the fam. It's one of the most amazing times in my life, but when you don't get to hear from family its sometimes sad. Hence, why they give us P-DAY's when we can re-energize our two year batteries ha ;)

I gave Mom my new address so if you wouldn't mind sending me some snail mail ones, I can respond longer. Cate I love these people, I walked around today for the first time around Sao Paulo and wanted to cry for a minute. So many faces that look sad. With two words in Portuguese I have the ability to change their view of the day. Boa Dia, Good morning. They simply can´t help but smile back and say the same two words.

I tried placing my first Book of Mormon at the airport, but she had several. I wasn't discouraged and we still talked for a while. I also talked with a woman on the plane whose mother had just passed away. Plus - that conversation was mostly in Portuguese. ;) I am learning this language very fast. I can say a full length prayer, bear my testimony, and teach the first two principles of the first lesson. It's just an - all out - amazing experience!

I miss you and Morgan, hope you both are doing well.

Voce Ama,
{Love you}
Elder Tyree