Transfers ~ January 7, 2017

Notice! After this week (the NEXT Tuesday) I will be leaving the office. Explain more this afternoon. Love you all!! :D

Here he is haha. He is an excellent missionary. He has 14 months in the mission so not too far behind from me.

Hola familia!

Wow so there are lots of changes and news I've got to share you! So, this last Saturday we had dinner with President and he had a little interview with me and he said that I would be training at the start of this next transfer (17 of January), and that I would only be training for two weeks! So all this week I have been preparing the stuff to begin training when suddenly out of nowhere President talked to me yesterday and said that my replacement would be coming that afternoon! I was like WAT! And he said that I would train from yesterday until the 17th, and then would leave to the field....

So yeah! That was a quick change! I'm here now with my new companion, Elder Velasco! He's from California, but lives in Orem, Utah. So I will be here in the office only until the 17th. I'm not sure where I'll be going, but I will know this next Sunday. I'm excited to be able to get out in the field again and be able to have some awesome teaching experiences.

This week we had Leadership Council and Zone Conference. It was pretty sweet. We have new news as well. There is a new Missionary Schedule! The first presidency and apostles and missionary committee all approved and decided on a new schedule. In the morning we still wake up at 6:30, then after exercising, we have to plan for the day and have personal study for an hour. At 10:00 am we have to be out in our area working. Sometime between 10 and 9pm we have to have 30 minutes companionship study and language study. At 9- 9:30 we have to be in the house and then we just rest and we can sleep before 10:30 if we want. It is pretty sweet. So after returning home in the night we don't plan for the next day or do anything. We just get ready for bed and rest. The mission department committee (not sure what it's called) said that the purpose is to have more productivity during the day and to have missionaries more healthy by having more resting time at night. Quite a big change, but a sweet one if I don't say so myself.

Well that is all folks! I love you so much! Take care, and Happy New Year and well, happy week!

Love,

~Élder Tyler Hales~

Wow that's crazy that it has been so cold there! Actually since the last week of December it has been a little cooler here in Barranquilla as well. The heat is still there, there is just a nice breeze now that helps cool things down a bit.

Just a quick thing, Ibuprofen might be nice. I'm running out.

Well, got to go now. I love you all so much! Sorry that I wasn't able to write before hand again.... Nothing ever turns out as planned.... But oh well. I love you all so much! Say hi to everyone in the family and that I love them oh so much!

Chaoitos!

Thought of the week:

"Through this restoration, each of you has access to the great blessings promised to Abraham. These blessings can be yours if you remain faithful and live worthy. In the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth, you are given some very practical instruction about how to “go forward with faith.” I summarize some of that counsel: “To help you become all that the Lord wants you to become, kneel each morning and night in prayer to your Father in Heaven. … Study the scriptures each day and apply what you read to your life. … Strive each day to be obedient. … In all circumstances, follow the teachings of the prophets. … Be humble and willing to listen to the Holy Ghost.”

This counsel is followed by a promise leading to promises that come through the blessings of Abraham: “As you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you.”"
Elder Gary E. Stevensen,Where are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?, April 2016

New Year's Eve ~ December 31, 2016

Hi Momooo! Wow it was so amazing to see you guys on Christmas!! :D I don't know why I get so emotional every time haha. I thought that by now I would be used to it haha. ;) After the call, and every other call we've had, it seemed like the time went soooo fast. Even with an hour instead of just 40 minutes. Also I felt like during the whole time my mind just went blank. Haha. I'm sorry. I seriously could not think of what to talk in the moment. But I am so glad that I was able to talk to you guys. I am so grateful for you all. I love you all so much and I hope that everything goes well as you start this new year!

So... Mission stories.

Yeah so first there is the story about the Jimenez family. Last year a few days ago, me and my companions found a family of a dad, and two sons sitting out on the porch. The dad was a big man carving some wood with a big knife and honestly looked very intimidating. But we talked to the family and shared our message with them. We were able to visit them several times after that and I remember the time we taught about the Restoration, I shared the part of the first vision and I remember the Spirit was so strong in the moment and I just felt that the whole family would be able to accept the gospel. The dad was the most interested and he brought his sons to church several times while I was there. We tried teaching the mom and other family members but they didn't accept as much. After I left Sabana Larga, and a few months later when I arrived here in the office (after my area in Arjona) I saw three baptismal records for Daniel, Gabriel, and Ramiro Jimenez. My heart in that moment as I realized who they were filled with so much joy! The three sons we had taught there with the dad were baptized. I then talked to the missionaries from there a couple of months after and they said that the mom and dad, and the three sons attended church every week. And that the parents got married and were preparing for baptism. I haven't heard much from them recently, but I pray that they may all have been baptized and are strong in the church.

Javier Marrugo from Arjona is the first baptism I had. He is from Arjona and he is the one that one fast and testimony Sunday he got up and shared his testimony and said he received his answer that this church is true. We then baptized him two weeks later after preparing him a bit. He had known the missionaries from 14 months earlier from the day he received his answer. And during all that time he didn't want to be baptized. But finally we baptized him. The last he wrote me a few months ago is that he had plans to go to the temple in November in Bogota to do baptisms. I haven't heard recently. He is 19 ( I think 20 now) and he has been the financial secretary of the ward in Arjona.

Those are a couple. Another from here in the office is that about a month ago, there was an elder here whose grandpa died. His grandpa had practically raised him all his life and so it was really had for him. I was the one who had to help him call his family and see how things were going in the house. It was a touching experience. AFter he was pretty sad and so I printed a copy of the Jesus Christ drawing I made on some nice special drawing paper. I wrote on it John 14:27 about "Peace I give unto you....." i don't remember how it goes in English. But it was neat. he thanked me with tears in his eyes and he said he was going to keep it safe and in a place where he would alwasy see it and remember it. Other than that I have had many experiences helping missionaries especially when they have problems a little bigger. Trying to comfort them and everything.

Yeah. Sorry I think that's pretty much all I can fit with the time I have.

I love you so much Mommoo! Thank you really for everything you have done and do for me! You are seriously the best. This next week I will really try to write beforehand because I have only written you and Bryce today. Say hi to everyone. And to Leon and Diane since they wrote me but I don't have time to respond.... Love you bye!

Love,
~Élder Tyler Hales~

ÉLDER HALES

Secretario de Salud

Misión Colombia Barranquilla

About the camera.... well I went to buy one today.... but guess what? the store that has some good ones was closed for New Years Eve.... :/ So I didn't buy one today... But I was thinking, it might be OK to send one in the package. I would be fine waiting a few weeks haha. But if you think it's more secure I could buy one here next week.

Speaking about the package. I don't know if you think i should buy some here, but I was thinking that maybe some shoe inserts to help with my heels would be nice. They get hurting sometimes especially after playing soccer for 2 hours on Saturdays with President. Some nice gushy firm ones. I don't know. What do you think?

Ok sounds good about the shoes. Thanks.

The camera sounds perfect. It doesn't have to be something fancy I don't think.

Ooooh yessssss Zap zit and Stridex pads. Neosporin might be nice too. I haven't had Stridex pads for like two months.... But I am now on the last scrapings of the zap zit. Ummm.... Oh i don't think I I will need more of Mucinex blue version. I still have the big entire box in my suitcase. Just the yellow green version would be needed. Actually in these past couple of days my nose and throat have been bothering me again.... I don't know if it's from the air conditioning in our room or what.

Ooh yes daily vitamins will be perfect too!

Ha oh dear mother. why only 225 pills? ;) Ok sounds good about the protein stuff too. Thank you so much!

Christmas Day ~ December 25, 2016

Baptism and Christmas Eve ~ December 24, 2016

And... Worn out shoes!

Hi mommoo I'm here finallly..... sorry we had a little inconvenience but now I'm here writing with one hand because I'm eating a burger in the other haha ;)

We have a Christmas dinner with the stake president's parents at 6 after the baptism so I probably should not have eaten right now. (2:00 p.m.)

Haha I know right!? Doesn't feel like Christmas Eve at all! First of all we played soccer in the morning with President Gallego and the members from the stake at 6:00 am in the 11 vs 11 field like we do every Saturday. Then we all cleaned the house and then we had to go shopping because last week we couldn't buy gifts for our secret friends here. I have Elder Troche and I got him an Ewok keychain hahaha. And now we are getting ready for a baptism and so forth. So many things to do today. Actually I will probably have to leave at like 3:30 to go to the church because I will be baptizing the son of Felipe (the guy with the catheter) named Didier. So yeah..... I'm so sorry for not being able to write very much today. But it's ok because mañana we will be talking face to face for an hour! :D Yay!

I will be thinking about those questions then. Um.... I'm not sure if there is really anything or questions I have for you guys..... Um..... I just want to see the kitties too with the fam hahahaha ;) ;) I don't know, probably just to see how you all are doing and how things are going with school, work, etc. the home. Everyone and their married lives.... But seriously how have sooooooo many people gotten married in the past year and a little??? I just can't believe my little Colton The-is got married. ;)

Oh Elder Argyle haha, no I just took him with me to a doctors appointment with another missionary because if I left him he would have been alone in the office and there was a companionship of sisters.... and that just doesn't, and can't, happen in the mission. All of the other secretaries had left so I took him with me. I got to know him a bit. He said he's really good friends with Becca Bubbles and he said that Becca had left on her mission and then returned home... :( I had no idea. But yeah it was good to get to know him.

Ok, so tomorrow, at 5:00 it is right? 5 pm. I'm hoping there is internet here in the office because all this week we have been having problems.... It should be fine though. Um lets see here.

Oh! Another thing. So the digital camera has been having problems with the lens. And well this last week with the Christmas activities it officially doesn't work kind of. The lens doesn't come out on its own and it makes a grinding sound as it tries. To get it to go out I have to attach like tape on front to softly help it out as I turn it on. Also now it doesn't zoom..... I'm not sure what to do. That has partially been the reason why I haven't been sending fotos. OVer this time here in the office the lens has been getting gradually worse until now it doesn't even open.... What should I do?

Another thing. My Ecco shoes. So one of the shoes one day after walking I got in the house and looked at the bottom ( this was like 3-4 months ago) There was a HUGE hole in the bottom back heel part that appeared out of the nowhere. Seriously I think I must have stepped on a chunk of glass or something that sliced a chunk out of my shoe. So I was wondering if that qualifies for the guarantee thingie or not. I still use them and now the hole is getting lightly bigger. But seriously it just appeared out of the nowhere.

I think that's it. Um.... what else? Ah. About the package. Don't worry that it's late haha. I'm ok. I'm not too worried like a lot of missionaries are here. They call us everyday asking and asking and asking and sometimes yelling at us so they can get their package before Christmas! It's kind of crazy here in the office sometimes haha. ;) I can't remember anything else I need right now in the package. Hmmm. I'm sure I'll remember something and will have to tell you tomorrow or something haha.

Well I love you so much!!! Merry Christmas and say hi to everyone! See you tomorrow!!! :D

Love,

~Élder Tyler Hales~

ÉLDER HALES

Secretario de Salud

Misión Colombia Barranquilla

Well got to go now to the baptism! Love you so much! Say hi to everyone and that I love them too! Talk to you tomorrow! See you, Love you, Bye! :D

OH thank you Mommoo! I will try it out.
And thanks with the baptism. I will try that with the camera too. Yeah it's kind of oldish now.
The size that it says on the shoe on the bottom is 43. Not sure in American terms what it would be. but, oh well.

One More Week Until Christmas ~ December 17, 2016

One week till Christmas!! :D Wow, mind blown.

So this week has been pretty great. It was actually totally legit because on Wednesday we had the Christmas activity for the zones here in Barranquilla. There are about 80 90 ish missionaries here in these three zones. For the activity first we all took fotos with Santa hats with all the missionaries. Then there was a devotional by President and his family and it was super awesome. President Gallego talked about Joseph Smith, and shared some snippits of stories he had in his life and really what great of man and prophet he was. He then shared with us that when we testify of Joseph Smith, we must really shared what we KNOW to be true and not only say it to say it. It was really cool. After the devotional we had some sweet games that President organized from Minute to Win it. Haha it was so funny and awesome. My team unfortunately lost fairly quickly.... :/ But oh well it was still fun to watch haha. After the games we had a big lunch that kind of turned out.... well not as planned let's say. But the good thing is that it's only the people that organize those things, like us with President and Sister Gallego, that notice those details. ;) After the lunch we then had the Grand Show of Talents! Oh it was super funny! So all the districts in the zones had to make up a little skit or talent show and present it in 10 to 12 minutes. There were so many funny ones, but for time I can't describe them all. But... our show was totally legit!! ;) But seriously, we put a ton of planning into it all this last week. Our show was like a news program showing all the notices and going-ons of the mission. Every secretary did a part dealing with their responsibilities. I, acting as Doctor Hales, talked about the unusual rise of pacients with appendicitis (since we have had 5 missionaries in the past 4 months with it). But the man of the show was Elder Matos. He is so funny especially when acting and imitating people because he can do it so well! He was also the announcer for the whole talent show thing. He had a sweet bowtie on and honestly it was hilarious! When President gives us the fotos and videos of the show I will have to send them to you because it was so fun!

Now the best part is that we still have two more of these activities! On monday we are traveling to Cartagena to have the activity there on Tuesday with the zones there, and then on Thursday we have the activity in Santa Marta! It will be totally legit! With a new and improved news report! ;) Haha, President told us to add three more new notices in the show so we will be doing that in these days.

Apart from that, well we had a Grill party at President's house with the district and the assistants. Elder Pucha, being a pro chef cooked us all some beef, sausage, corn cobs, pork, and potatoes on the new grill we bought for the mission! It was sweet. And it's for that reason that I was late to writing today. But yeah, that's about it this week. I will keep you updated on this next week! Love you see you bye!

Love,

~Élder Tyler Hales~

ÉLDER HALES

Secretario de Salud

Misión Colombia Barranquilla

Wow, there sure is a lot going on. My mind is running like a thousand miles per hour here. haha ;) So this next week is Christmas! So we still have the call at 5:00 pm here time 3:00 pm there time right? Just so I can program it firmly so my companions can't take my spot haha ;) No, we have to share the camera here in the office so we have to let everyone know the schedule.

Haha I love the pics of the concert! Wow the girlies are sure getting really big! I can't believe it! Emma is so tall now! Gracie is about the same ;) haha just kidding. I'm excited to be able to see you guys on Christmas. Haha actually yeah that was neat seeing that family yesterday. ONe of the sons had served in our ward a couple of years ago.

That makes me super happy for Colton. He's a stud. I miss him too. Is he going to be moving??

About Will's family I will still be praying for them. Last week I wrote Will, but he hasn't responded yet. I really miss and love that kid and just reading your letter was making me cry. His family is such a good family. Tell them that I love them so much!

Ok, so about the 25 day service thing. Honestly in these past few days I haven't been very good at fulfilling.... :/ I feel really bad. I need to repent and get on it because yeah, I just need to! I will tell you about some of the activities we have been able to do for this next week ok? Tell Pops good luck! I know he will do great! I know how he feels (a tiny bit) because I still get nervous when I have to teach in District meetings or in the meetings with all the new missionaries and the trainers, and in leadership councils.

Well I'm gonna try and write the rest of the yahoos real quick here. Love you bye!

Light the World Experiences:

On the 5th of December, decide to pray every day for dear ones, learn how you or a dear one can benefit from a priesthood blessing,. 7th, learn how to satisfy spiritual hunger by reading John 6:35, 8th, ask the Lord how you can be the answer to the prayers of another person, Think of a friend that is passing for some difficulties and pray for them, 13th learn how to laugh about yourself, think about the successes of another person today, share an experience when you have been mistaken,17th, don't forget to get in touch with your Mom! ;) Well these are just some small things that I have been able to do and they aren't all but what I can remember right now. Too bad I can't call you today! ;) Next week! :D​


Haha I haven't gained anything! I'm sure trying though! In the package, you should send a multivitamin or protein mix or something I don't know so I can you know, get a little bigger. ;)


Oh another thing.... I am not sure, but I heard that there is a way to pay Colombia customs before even sending pacakges and such so that they just arrive at the office instead of them sitting in customs for weeks and us having to pay an extra fee. Maybe that would be something good to look in...


Thanks for everything ! I will be writing Saturday and then calling Sunday! See you love you bye!

Light The World ~ December 10, 2016

Videos are compliments of Kody Brooks who was visiting the Barranquilla, Colombia mission.  They were attending the Ward Christmas Party and Tyler was there with them.  I love these tender mercies.

Buenas buenas! Mis amiguitos!

This week we had transfers once again. A lot of awesome missionaries finished their mission this week, one of them being Elder Carreon, my Mexican companion from here in the office a couple of transfers ago...:( That was really sad. A lot of new great missionaries got here so that's great.

Not a whole lot has happened other than that this week. We have been doing the LIGHTtheWORLD activities as well and it has really been a neat experience to reflect even more on the things that Jesus did and how we can show that light and example to others so that they can pass it on.

Oh, this week I also saw Elder Baque once again! And my companions for this transfer are Elder Pucha, again!, and Elder Matos. Elder Troche is with Elder Bustos. We are doing well and are excited to keep on keeping on here! I will start sending fotos of what we do for the activities in these weeks! Christmas time is the best time of the year!

Love you all! Ciao!

Love,

~Élder Tyler Hales~

ÉLDER HALES

Secretario de Salud

Misión Colombia Barranquilla

Wow I miss the snow a whole lot right now. Today as we were playing soccer this morning, the sun was blazing so hot in my face. I just wanted to fall on the ground and cry haha. But that's kind of funny about the elementary students haha. I remember how the kids always wanted to slide on the ice... I was one of them... hahaha ;) just sometimes. ;) Yes I got to see the devotional in the mission home with President and his family. It was so legit! I can't believe Christmas is already so soon! I can't believe that a year ago I was in Sabana Larga! It never crossed my mind that I would be here in this part of Barranquilla at this time, even less to be in the office! You guys will have to show me that song and the church video when I get home. They sound pretty sweet.

This week with the services it has been a cool experience. I've been able to reflect on Christ's acts and miracles that He worked while he was here, and how even the simplest acts of kindness we do every day can help others see His example and desire to follow him. Something kind of fun we have done this week is leaving little treats for the door guards of our new apartment building. We have left them like little chocolates and stuff and now they are quite good friends of us and every morning and night when we leave and enter the building they say "The Elders! What's happening? How's it going?" All in spanish but yeah. ;) I will let you know more about these next weeks and what we do.

Merry Christmas #LiightTheWorld ~ December 3, 2016

Merry December and Happy Preparation for Christmas!

December Third: Jesus helped the blind to see, and so can you!
I love this whole initiative that the church has launched this year! So far it has been such a neat experience to be thinking more on how to really serve as Christ served. There are really so many small things that we can do to do just as He did. On Tuesday Elder Bustos and I and President gave the instructions for the iniciative to all the zones here in Barranquilla. That was a cool experience.

On December 1 it was the first day of the initiative and guess what? One of the activities is to help someone move! And we were moving! It was a fun activity for us to do this week, and probably the biggest thing we have had happen this week. But to make it even more awesome is that our new apartment is totally legit! It's on the tenth floor with lots of light from windows and it's not humid like our apartment has been that we have been living in. There are three bathrooms with showers and one half bath and then a service bathroom with a shower as well, a super awesome kitchen with an island and black marble counters! (not sure if it's really marble... it's some kind of rock) But,... the best part is.... something that I have almost forgotten existed..... HOT WATER! Oh yeah! Legit! I about cried my first hot shower on Thursday. ;) The house has been absolutely marvelous! Not to mention it has air conditioning in the main room and then in all the bed rooms as well! This week I think we got a little spoiled, but I am so grateful this apartment showed up. We have been looking for like the past 3 months.

Well, I think that's about it. I will keep you all updated on what's going on this week with the activities of service everyday. Make sure to keep doing them! I love you all and Merry Christmas!
Love,

~Élder Tyler Hales~

ÉLDER HALES

Secretario de Salud

Misión Colombia Barranquilla

Aw yeah haha I felt bad too because I wanted to send it but we have P-day today so I sent it now. I was going to write a poem but didn't have time to think it all up. Maybe for next week ;)

I think 5:00 here time would be perfect! So yeah just so you remember as well that this time we have an hour to talk! :D so from 5 to 6! That will be a perfect time I think. I'm still not sure how our church services are going to be. If they will be all normal or if they will do just the one meeting thing. We'll see.