Snail Mail

Tyler has a short time left to complete his two months in the Provo Mission Training Center (MTC), where he has been working hard to learn to speak and understand Tagalog, and to prepare to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Philippines. Tyler has sent us several hand-written letters by snail mail, which are great treasures to me (I guess that's a Mom thing)!  I transcribed them to include them here:

10/6/2012

Dear Family,

Today is Conference Saturday.  It was really good!  I think one of my favorite talks was the afternoon session by Richard C. Gay.  There were so many good things though!  Including the age change for missionaries.  Crazy.

I got all the letters from the family a couple days ago so I’ll try to answer all the questions.  The missionaries in my district:

My companion – Elder Nathan Wilding, from Fort Payne Alabama.  He’s really excited to be serving a mission.  1 other roommate, Elder Graham Sugden, is from Cardston, Alberta Canada.  A tiny town w/a temple in it.  One of the most sincere people I know; I have a great friendship w/him.  Last roommate, Elder Jordan Germaine, from Woods Cross, UT.  He was the DL for 4 wks.  It’ll be cool to see how much he’s matured after his mission… Then there’s Elder Skylar Morgan from Draper.  He has a really strong testimony.  His comp Elder Alex Clark is from Riverton, UT.  Very good example.  Elder Jared Hubbard from Alberta Canada is the DL now.  He’s great, very obedient and hard working.  His comp is Elder Tyler Williams from Sacramento.  Hard working as well, and is similar to Orrey Bohn.  Elder Matt Comer is from Springville UT.  He struggles the most with the language I think but he tries the hardest and prays the most.  I feel like he’s sacrificed a lot to be here and has a ton of faith.  He’s also ½ Philippino. His comp is Elder Jacob Moreno from Santa Barbara CA.  Very funny, a lot of faith, and very humble.  Sister Robin Huddleston from Saint George is really cool.  She and I are the only BYU students.  Sister Marina Leuluai from W. Valley is Samoan but lived in UT her whole life.  Such a strong testimony and knowledge of the scriptures.  Sister Faith Mamea from American Samoa is very quiet and has a very strong testimony.  Those 3 are a companionship.  So 13 in our district, I wouldn’t doubt we are the biggest district in the MTC.  All the guys are 19 except me.  Sis H. is 2 months younger than me, Sis L. and Sis M. are both 22.  It’s a good thing we have sisters to assist my companion and I in keeping the class in control!  The classroom is smaller than our piano room at home.

Okay next, the weather has been nice, getting colder in the mornings.  We’re inside allll day though.  We have 50 min of gym 5 days a week.  I’ve been playing either beach vball or basketball.  The MTC prez is good.  The Tagalog is fine.  There’s a long way to go but I’m on top of it.  Gift of Tongues is real.  Have a good week!  Love you!

10/9/2012

Mom,

I’m glad the marathon went well!  At least it sounds like it did.  Will you do another?  Today (it’s p day) a couple other people in my district wanted to run so I went.  It felt good.

I ended up seeing/talking with Spencer Salinas a couple times during the past few days.  He left early this morning.  Only 2.5 weeks he was here!  That is so short.  I still have 20 days left.  The time is definitely feeling like it is slowing down.  It is kind of a bummer that all of the walkways at the MTC are covered, so I can’t really see the mountains much even though they are really close.

One of my teachers is especially good.  Brother Ward is only 22 but he cares about his job more than any other teacher I’ve had in high school/college.  It would be cool to work here and it pays well, but I’m not sure I have the patience needed to deal with cooped-up 19 year olds…And 18 year olds. L  That’s probably the hardest part of being here.  Most of the people in my district now have verrry little focus… Oh well.

One thing that is interesting is how unhealthy the food is!  Dessert at all 3 meals every day.  It’s a little over the top w/the sweets.  Oh and they do have a “make you own sack-lunch” option, where you make a sandwich and get 4 other items to choose from doughnuts, cookies, twinkies, cupcakes, chips, and pop.

Well I hope you have good week.  Pray for me!

Love,

Tyler

Trent!  Thank you for the letter!  You are getting so good at writing!  Better than me!

In the MTC, it’s a lot like school.  There are 2 teachers that teach me everything I need to know to help people come unto Christ.

I sleep on the bottom bunk!  I’m glad because I have to wake up really early every morning and it’s hard to get out of bed.

To say “no” in Tagalog you say “Hindi!”

To say “How are you?” it’s “kumusta po kayo?”

To say “Good!” you say “Mabuti!”  To say “smile” you say “ngiti.”

I’m glad your birthday party was good!

One more year and you can choose to be baptized like Jesus was!  In 2^nd Nephi 31 it talks about why we need to be baptized.

Have a good week!  Love you!  Here’s a picture of a chicken:

 (cartoon drawing)

Tiffani!  Those are really good scriptures you gave.  One of my favorites this week is Alma 34:15-16, and also Alma 5:45-46.  Isn’t it cool that we can find out the gospel is true the same way all the prophets have?  Through sincere and diligent prayer.

My favorite part of the MTC is that there is so much Holy Ghost, or that I am speaking a new language.  To say, “I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true!” in Tagalog you say, “Alam ko na totoo ang Simbahan ni Jesucristo sa mga Banal ng mga Huling Araw!”

I’m glad soccer and school are going well!  Who are your teachers again?

When I fly to the Philippines, I will take a bus to Salt Lake City, then fly to Los Angeles, CA, then to Hong Kong China, then to Manila Philippines, then take a bus to Urdaneta City Philippines, then take a Jeepney to wherever my first area is!  You can probably learn about Jeepneys from the internet or Brother Christensen.  Have a good week!  Love you!

Todd!  To answer your questions, the MTC is basically the same EVERY DAY.  It gets a little boring sometimes but I’m learning a lot, about teaching, the scriptures, and Tagalog, and myself.  That’s good you still have a 4.0!  It’s actually a good thing school doesn’t have a break for a long time because it will get you ready for a mission where there are no breaks!  P day isn’t really a break because I have to do laundry still, I study for 3 hours, and I’m busy most of the day.  There aren’t any assignments or tests here, it’s up to the missionary to do what it takes to learn to speak.  The teacher explains grammar concepts and then we figure out how to learn effectively.  We are encouraged to “SYL,” Speak Your Language, as much as possible and that really helps with remembering things the most for me.  My favorite part about the mission so far is how much Holy Ghost there is.  You can get a haircut as much as you want here, for free.  You just have to set an appointment in an open slot on your Pday.  You said you can’t wait til you’re 19, now how about til you’re 18!  Haha.  Love You!  Keep working hard, it will be worth it.

10/14/2012

Hi Mom,

Thanks for the Dear Elder letter.  

So I bought a little leather book and filled it with gospel topics, and now as I’m reading the scriptures when I find scriptures I like I can put them in the book with a short summary.  Then later I can find scriptures by topic quickly.  It’s also way good for helping me focus while reading.

It’s cool how there are scriptures to apply to everything.  Also from them we can learn everything to know about returning to God/having eternal happiness.

I don’t think I wrote this yet but Elder Bednar came here on Tuesday.  It was great!  He talked about how to gain the most from GC.  One thing he mentioned is that the Lord is hastening his work.  Also he talked about how as missionaries, bull time or not, we often tell people we know there are living prophets.  But it’s more important to know what the prophets are saying.  He said “if you don’t know, you don’t believe.”  He then showed several clips from this conference that had 3 different apostles saying close to word-for-word the same things.  Then he said none of them had discussed their talks together before and it all came straight from God.  Anyways it was really cool.

Love,

Elder B

Emails between Tyler and his siblings

Some photos taken of Tyler, Todd, Tiffani, and Trent before Tyler a few days before Tyler left for his mission.  I couldn't get a serious one, believe me, I tried!  I think they're cute -- just having fun together.

Sept. 9, 2012

Hi Tyler!!!

  How's the MTC? What is your favorite food and what do you eat every day? If I was there I would drink chocolate milk and eat doughnuts every meal! Do you like your companion Elder_____________( I don't remember his name).  I had a soccer game on Saturday--my first one but we lost. We need to practice some more I think. It was a fun game though because I had some friends on that team from swim team. I got my hair cut just below my shoulders the Friday after you left.It feels so different! Is it very hot down in Utah? It's really hot down here except for in the mornings. I wish it wasn't so hot right now especially during soccer season. What are a few of your favorite words in Tagalog? How do you say Elder Bowers?  Todd is taking over all of your old stuff!  I already can't wait to hear your voice again!  I hope you are having a great time and miss you lots! You're the best missionary ever!

I love you Tyler!  

Tiffani

Sept. 11, 2012

Hi Tiffani!!! The MTC is pretty good! There are lots of favorite foods. They are all good. We work so hard that I'm always hungry by every meal! A lot of my companions have gained a lot of weight already because they eat so much junk food. I haven't though cause I don't do that! And I've been working out!  My companion Elder _______ is good most of the time.  It gets hard to be with someone 24 hours a day though!!!!  Good luck practicing with soccer! You'll probably win very soon if you work hard :)  You'll have to show me pictures of your hair! It hasn't been toooo hot, but there are a lot of people in my classroom that is really small so the AC doesn't work super great. I have a lot of favorite words in Tagalog! To say "I am Elder Bowers" i say "Ako po si Elder Bowers." For you it would be "Ako po si Tiffani!" I've been sick for a week so my voice is kinda bad! Which stinks cause we sing all the time!  Miss you too! Have a good week!

Love,

Tyler

Here is a message from Trent -- I included it with our weekly email to Tyler:  

Hello Tyler!!!  I've been playing with Legos a lot!  I like to invent new things with Legos.  I've also been playing soccer after school with Tiffani in our yard.  Yesterday Mom played too.  I helped Mom make frosting for the cinnamon rolls this morning.  I used the drill to mix it!  How do you say "Trent" in Tagalog?  How do you say, "This food is delicious!"?  

I love you!  Trent

Sept. 11, 2012

For Trent:

Hi Trent!

In Tagalog to say "Good morning/afternoon/evening!" you say "Magandang umaga/hapon/gabi po!" To say hi you say "Kumusta!" Good is "Mabuti!" Yes is "oo (pronounced ohoh), no is "hindi" church is "simbahan" and how are you is "Kumusta po kayo?"  I'm sorry you're sick! I've been sick too. It's not fun. That's crazy you slept in so late! I never get to sleep in anymore! I love you too and pray for you too! Have a good week! Love, Tyler

Sept. 3, 2012

Dear Tyler,

I hope you have had a good time so far in the MTC, its kinda wierd not having you here but i know that you'll do great on your mission too. I'm glad that you were able to come home and visit with us for a while. Have you started learning Tagalog yet? is it a hard language to learn? is the food very good? I'll stop asking Questions now and i hope that you have a good week  =)

 Love,

Todd

Sept. 9, 2012

I'm glad to hear that you're doing good, school has been pretty good so far. Do the teachers only speak in Tagalog or do some teach you with english too? how do you learn the basics of the langauge, in english or just listening? have they started teaching you the lessons and how to be a missionary yet? what is your schedule like at the MTC? i hope that you have a good second week on your mission.

Love, Todd  = )

Sept. 11, 2012

Hi Todd! The teachers pretty much speak in Tagalog but we do have 2 hours a day of class where the teachers are speaking English.  We are in class about 13 hours a day I think.  We have a language study book to learn from that explains the concepts with english words, but the teacher is only speaking Tagalog during that time.  The 2 hours a day of lessons in english are the lessons teaching us HOW to teach/how to be a missionary. My schedule varies daily but it's mostly like this:

6:30am wake up

7:00 planning

7:45 breakfast

8:20-11:20 class

11:25-12:25 personal study

12:25 lunch

1:10-3:10 class

3:20-4:20 language self practice

4:20-5:20 more class

5:25 dinner

6:20-7:10 gym

then more study

then 30 min personal time

then 10:30 bed.

Thanks for the email!! How is cross country going? And school?

Love,

Tyler

MTC email #2

Hi everyone!

This past week has been pretty good.  It's getting easier to learn the language already.  I don't feel like it's a very difficult language as far as conjugations/sentence structure.  Possibly easier than spanish.  That doesn't mean it doesn't take a lot of work though, because there are still a million words to memorize.  A lot of nouns are similar to spanish.  In Tagalog, you can count w/ either spanish numbers or Tagalog numbers, so that's easy. The days of the week are also in spanish except for sunday, and I hear the months are the same too. It does seem like a lot of work, but I'd say I know about a 2.5 semesters worth of high-school language class already. So if I think about it that way I feel like I'm doing fine.

 That's great Sister Stubblefield got baptised! Sounds like that was a great program.

I'll send pictures when I can or when I get a sd card reader. I haven't taken many, too busy.

I was able to watch the CES fireside online the other day.  It's on LDS.org. It's good! Also, the mormon messages videos are really good and you should all watch them!

Dad you asked for thoughts about the ward council thing.  It seems that referrals are super helpful! So bring that up I guess.  Also I wish I could have changed 2 million things I did over the past 10 years so I could be a better example to non-member friends. That's really important!

There are several people I see in the MTC a lot.  I see Sister Giles, one of Caitlin Mitchell's former roommates, at least 3 times a day every day. That's crazy.  I see Elder and Sister Childers about every other day.  I've seen Elder Passey from Hillview(?) ward once. I think that's it.  But I've also met about 2000 people it feels like. 

I went to the temple and did sealings again today. It was great! So good! And then we had temple food. Temple food > _____.

I heard from Casey Hare!! Woohoo! I'll write you back today.

Um... That's all I guess.

Bye love you,

Elder Bowers

First email

The following is a copy of the first email we received from Tyler, dated September 4, 2012.  It was so exciting to hear from him.  He sounds happy and filled with purpose!

"Kumusta! The MTC is good. My companion is Jacob Campbell's twin both in looks and talk. So we get along great. His name is Elder Wilding, from Alabama. He says Roll Tide a lot and everyone else responds THE SWAAAMP. ha

Since the first minute of class on the first day, my teacher Brother Ah Mu only speaks Tagalog. So that's interesting. It was really hard the first few days but once I started understanding how the grammar works a little better (with the help of the Lord) it became a bit easier. Still hard though.  Knowing spanish helps a liiittle bit. Quite a few nouns are the same, but sentence structure is a bit different and verb conjigation is different.

This keyboard is awful so we'll see how much I can type.

My whole district has a really positive attitude and we all get along really well. There are 10 elders and 3 sisters. All of us are either going to Baguio or Angeles, which is southwest of Baguio. I think. It's weird to not be able to look up Google Maps stuff.

Because of the difficulty of the language, all of our feelings are on a roller coaster. The language learning can be pretty discouraging and it makes me wonder why I ever wanted to go foreign (haha), but then all the other things that happen here totally bring the spirit so that makes it all worth it/gives motivation again for learning Tagalog.

We get mail twice a day, right after lunch and right after dinner. So... DearElder is free and I'll get a letter from it a couple hours later. Also you can send me Krispy Kremes through that. hiiiiint.

It's weird being a mile from where I lived 3 weeks ago.

The food is good. I don't understand why people complain about it? Or complain about anything, really.

I went to the temple this morning and did a sealing session. Missionaries can only be sons/daughters now.

Sundays we go on temple walks but I'm not aloud to tell you what time I go. haha

Sunday night we watched Pres. Monson's birthday celebration.

There's a lot of Polynesians/Islanders in my zone. That's cool.

Did you get the picture of me with Bro/Sis Childers? That was cool.

I don't know what else to say. Ask me questions! I'll email again next Tuesday.

Love you bye."

Preparing to serve

(This blog post was compiled by Elder Bowers' Mom):

First, a little bit of background... Tyler received his mission call in July.  He was living in Provo, Utah, attending BYU and working.  Our family Skyped with him to hear/see him open and read the letter that came from Church Headquarters, and was signed by Thomas S. Monson, the current prophet and president of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

We were excited and surprised to hear where he would be spending the next two years:  

Baguio, Philippines, speaking Tagalog.

  

The Philippines is so far away!  It's hard to imagine Tyler being gone for such a long time in an unfamiliar place, speaking a new language and immersing himself in a new culture.  At the same time, it seems the perfect place for him to be called to serve.  I have complete faith and confidence that this call was issued through wisdom and inspiration from Heavenly Father, who knows perfectly where Tyler is needed most. 

We were surprised to learn also that Tyler would have only five weeks to prepare to enter the MTC (mission training center) in Provo, where he would spend the first nine weeks of his mission learning the language and receiving instruction before leaving for the Philippines.  

Tyler had a lot to accomplish in those five weeks leading up to his August 28th departure date for the MTC, including selling his motorcycle, computer, and phone; shopping for all the mission clothing and required items to take to the Philippines; moving from Provo back to home; attending the Columbia River Temple; and speaking at church.  We had lots of love and support from family and friends who came to Tyler's farewell and/or attended the temple with him.  It was a very special time.

August 18, 2012

Columbia River Temple

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Tyler with his brothers and cousins: future missionaries

Grandma and Grandpa Bowers

Grandma and Grandpa Child

Our family on the temple grounds

On the morning of Wednesday, August 28th, our family drove to the Pasco Airport to bid Tyler farewell.  It was strange to think we would not see him for two years.  Typically, I'm not very emotional, but I did shed a few tears in those final moments before he went through airport security.  I hugged him tight and told him I loved him.  It was a bittersweet experience for me -- I'm so proud of Tyler for choosing to serve a mission, giving up two years of his life to serve and teach and love the people in the Philippines.  At the same time, I almost didn't want him to leave us. 

Big brother, little brother

Big brother, little sister

Older brother, younger (but taller) brother

Dad and son

Mom and son

 What happened next made me smile, and I just knew he would be okay.  As he walked away, Tyler turned and looked over his shoulder at us one last time, and I will treasure that always. 

 He looked confident and happy.  

What more could a mother want?  

He's ready to go and serve the Lord with his whole heart.