Fortify your Strongholds, Build Up that which is Weak

Hello my dear family!!!

Wow! Another transfer has come and gone! It went by super fast. Sister Villondo is in Lubbock :( it was hard to say goodbye to her, BUT the good news is, I get to see her this week! Yay! My companions have MLC in Lubbock, and this time, I get to go with them instead of going to Brownfield like I usually do! I am so excited! MLC is when all of the STL's and zone leaders come together for a conference and President Heap and the assistants instruct. 

Wow, this week we have done more contacting than I ever have before! We talked to EVERYONE!!! It makes me excited though, talking to people can kind of be a 50/50 chance that they'll reject us, but I kind of feel like a secret agent when I write down their address, even when they say they're not interested *cheesy grin* Haha

Exciting news! We have two investigators with baptismal dates!! Andrew's is September 19, and Yesenia's (XD) is October 3. Have I told y'all about Andrew? I don't know if I have. We've been teaching him for about two months, and for a while we almost dropped him because he wasn't meeting with us, and we couldn't reach him, but then we went over to his house at an inspired moment, and he told us that he was so sorry that he wasn't able to meet with us, and that he was available in a couple days! Happy day! He's progressing slowly, but he's slowly progressing. (see what I did there?) Yesenia wanted to come to church yesterday, but she got really sick, and wasn't able to. So, we went over to her house last night and had a lesson with her! She wants the gospel so much, she is so eager for it, and we can see her opening up to us and changing. Something cool too, is that she told us that her husband has noticed a change in her as she's been meeting with us :D And also, he switches from working nights to working days THIS WEEK! Missionary work is amazing!!

One thing that I've learned this week is the importance of both having and consistently strengthening a testimony. They are so fragile if we forget to do the simple things, but also if we forget to delve deeper in those simple things. This past week I have been struggling to study the doctrine deeper, and I finally realized that it takes baby steps--one principle at a time, sometimes one thought at a time. But, I know that as we evaluate what the weak points are in our testimonies, and strive to improve them, our soul as a whole will be healthier and stronger. Our spirit is inextricably connected to our body, and so when one is affected, the other suffers. There's a story in the Book of Mormon where Captain Moroni strengthens the weak cities in the land so that when the Lamanites come, there's no place for them to attack--they are pushed back into their own land, and the Nephites are safe and victorious. Evaluating our testimonies is kind of scary--no one likes to be weak and struggling--but I know that as we pray to find our weaknesses, "they will be made strong" unto us, just like it says in Ether 12:27.

I love you all so, so much!! Have a happy day!! :D

Love, Hermana Tycksen

We believe in being chased by an elephant...

Hello my wonderful family!!

     Wow, so I've made it through training!! It's really weird, I'm not a greenie or trainee or anything anymore! I passed my 4-month mark on Saturday--that was strange. I've been reevaluating myself like I do at the end of every transfer, and I realized that I am not Kristina or Tina or TT anymore. She seems like a different person that I used to know a long time ago. I am Sister Tycksen, and she is so much different from who I was before. Missions are the refiner's fire, and I can already tell that I have been shaped into something unrecognizable from before my mission. But, there is so much more to come!! I am really excited that I still have 14 months! :O It's kind of scary to think of it that way, but I just try to think of it as a timeout from the world to learn and prepare to fight the Lord's battles! ;)

      Okay, so we've been teaching this awesome family for the past couple weeks. The mom was a referral from a member in our ward, and it was totally random and unexpected--we weren't sure if she was going to let us in or even open the door. But, she did, and we met with her, and she's now a progressing investigator!!! Her name is Yesena and she has 4 little kids: Diego (7) Lindsay (4) Mateo (1.5) and Sofia (1 month). She has so many questions and she is so eager to learn! Her husband and her son, Diego, are super interested, but we haven't been able to meet with her husband because he's at work whenever she can meet with us. In our last lesson, we invited her to come to church with us. She really wanted to, but she helps her mom on Sundays with a food stall at the flea market. BUT, Diego and Lindsay really wanted to come, and so THEY DID!!! They sat with us in Sacrament meeting and then Lindsay was really nervous to stay in Primary by herself, so she came with us to Relief Society and everything. Diego loved it though!! There are some people that I've met that I can just SEE them as a member of the church, and y'all, this family is special. :D

      Oh yeah, I forgot to tell y'all, I'm staying in Roswell! I don't know why yet, and I was a little frustrated at first, but I was able to get a blessing from our ward mission leader last night and it gave me a lot of peace of mind. Sister Villondo is going to Lubbock, but Sister Affleck is staying here with me, and we're getting Sister Turner from Brownfield! I think I told y'all a  little about my time in Brownfield a few weeks ago? Sister Turner is awesome, super chipper and a real go-getter. We're excited :) I'm sad to see Sister Villondo go, she's the longest companion I've had so far, but I know that there's someone that needs her, and they're in Lubbock.

       Okay, explanation of the subject line ;) Yesterday we had dinner with a family called the Alders. They are so great! They're an older couple, all of their children but one are married and have families, and Brother Alder is a hoot! He is so quiet, but he's absolutely hilarious. A GOOD HUMAN BEING. After dinner, we had a little scripture study, and they were telling us things that they would do with their kids when they were little. On Sundays, after dinner and scriptures, they would go on a walk and they would take turns reciting the Articles of Faith. So, we were all trying to remember all of them, and Brother Alder says, "What about 'we believe in being chased by an elephant'?" We were a little confused, until he started saying, "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent..." Do you see where this is going? ;) We all had a good laugh. And their daughter Shaunna is awesome--we're going to bake cookies with her next week!

Well, this is getting a little long ;) So I'll sign off for now :)

OS AMO MUCHO MUCHO!!!!

Love, 

Hermana Tycksen XD

Hermana Tycksen making Mexican Food

Trying Masks at Hobby Lobby

Press Forward Saints!! (Version 2.0) ;D

Hello my dear family!

     I don't know how many times I've used that as the subject line, but it keeps popping up! This past week I have really learned a lot about enduring to the end, and more importantly, enduring faithfully and happily. I was so tired this week, almost every morning that I woke up the first word in my mind was "No! Not yet!" Sleep is definitely precious to a missionary! ;) But, as the day went on, I would get more energy. One day in particular, I was exhausted. It was lunch, and I was going to take a nap, but making my food took a little longer than usual (because I was tired!) and so I didn't have time to take a nap. Right when I realized that, I realized that there really was no possible way that I could make it through on my own strength. So, I prayed, and pleaded for strength and energy to make it through the day. Almost immediately after I closed my prayer, I felt a burst of energy come, and I was able to push harder through the day until it was over  :D So, one experience, but I had a few more too! 

     On Saturday, we were contacting referrals from the ward, and at one house there was a covered porch that was kind of rickety, and old-looking. When we knocked, I felt something fall onto my head and I thought "Aw man, a bird just pooped on me" so I put up my hand to get it off and it was a yellow jacket and it stung me! Ow!! it hurt like something else! I didn't have much time to react though because right after that someone opened the door. It started swelling and it was on one of my fingers near the knuckle, so I couldn't close my hand all the way for a little while. Luckily, the guy that opened the door was really nice and gave me some numbing medicine to put on it, so it felt better. Ordinarily, something like that would put me out of commission for a couple hours (or maybe just one ;) ) but missionary work never stops! We kept going throughout the day, and I learned that it is possible to work through almost anything!

     Okay, final story. Yesterday Sister Affleck sang in sacrament meeting and I accompanied her on the piano. :I I have never done that before!! Needless to say, I was absolutely terrified! During the actual sacrament, I was praying for strength and also that I would be able to see the Atonement from a different perspective than usual. I didn't feel anything. So, the first speaker went up, and I was really distracted because my anxiety was getting the better of me. But, the speaker spoke on the Atonement, and at the end he told the story from Jack Christensen about the donuts and pushups in seminary class. As I listened to that, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and peace come over me, and when it came time to do the musical number, I jumped up with a smile on my face and I can tell you, angels were guiding my fingers. :)

The scripture Phillippians 4:13 took on new meaning for me this week. I realized that it isn't as I do things that Christ strengthens me, it is through His strength that I am able to do anything at all! The Atonement is real. I testify of that with all my heart and soul. May we all be able to apply it in our lives every day.

I love you all so much!! I hope you have a marvelous week!

Love,

Hermana Tycksen

Pizza and Companions!  Transfers come this Saturday----????

Birthday girl

Fun companions that woke up at 1 am to decorate the house. :)

More interesting ALIEN places in Roswell

The Most Marvelous Thing

Hello my dear family!

     Thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes and cards! They made my week so special!

Okay, to start off, I'll tell y'all what happened on my birthday :D

      So, my dear, sweet companions woke up at 1 am and DECORATED THE HOUSE!!! They had been scheming behind my back with the zone leaders for the past WEEK! They coordinated for the zl's to buy a cake, candles, and streamers, ALL without me knowing! :D I seriously have the best companions ever! We woke up a little early before we exercised so that I could open presents :3 (carrying on tradition!) and let's just say that I was a little loopy! That day was district meeting, and afterwards we went out to district lunch at Applebee's (which usually I don't like, but it was really good!) and a COMPLETE STRANGER paid for all of our food! He was an older gentleman, and he was there with his wife, and to boot, he wasn't even a member! He just told us that he really appreciated all that we did and that we didn't have to worry about paying for our food that day. :3 So great! We had an awesome day of appointments, and then we went to the Hansen's for dinner. (He's our ward mission leader, and they have 5 daughters and they're the BEST!) My companions were acting strange, making me walk in front of them, and the I go in and there was a big birthday balloon! And, then Sister Hansen whipped out some Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas and then Strawberry Shortcake! I honestly thought I was going to cry I was so excited! Best birthday ever!

     Okay, I don't have any more time today, so I'll just close with saying that y'all are the best family a sister missionary could ever ask for :D

I love you!

Love,

Hermana Tycksen

Tender Mercies on her 20th Birthday!!!

 “Again, my brothers and sisters, our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives.” 

In 2012, President Monson said this in his talk Consider the Blessings in General Conference.  I feel this so often in my every day life.  Today, was just another witness of how aware He is of each of us.  Through a friend, that had long life friends in Roswell, NM----Kristina was served one of her favorite dinners and her favorite "Strawberry Shortcake" at a members home tonight.

(They happen to be the Ward Mission Leaders. )  Tender Mercies!!  This sweet member said, 

 "Kristina just kept saying, "oh, oh, oh."  She was so surprised by it all 

so that made it even more awesome for her."

We will always be grateful for the loving care that came to our SWEET MISSIONARY through the hands of another.  Thank you just doesn't seem enough. 

 Feeling BLESSED!!!   

Strawberry Shortcake --her favorite!!!

Sister Affleck --- Hermana Tycksen ---- Sister Villondo

Happy Birthday Hermana Tycksen!!!!!  20 years old!!

Hello my dear family!!!

Hello my dear family!!!

     Not a whole lot to share this week, but first I just want to say thank you THANK YOU tHaNk YoU!!! Receiving those birthday cards, letters, and packages absolutely made my day :)

     One thing that I have implemented this week, and it has helped a LOT, is prayer mapping! When, I pray, I have a pad of paper and a pencil right by me so that I can write down anything that comes to mind, and I have found that it helps sooo much! I feel more in tune with the Spirit and with my Heavenly Father's plan for me :)

     On Saturday, we had a dinner appointment, but we had never been to their house before, and they live in Dexter, which is a small town south of Roswell. We were hopelessly lost! We pulled over to the side of the road, and we said a prayer about which way we should go on the highway (we could go straight or turn either way) and all three of us felt like we should go straight. The only information that we had was that it was near Midway, and the street that they lived on was Cree St. BUT I couldn't find any of that on the map!! So, we ventured on with faith, and GUESS WHAT??? We actually made it there within 5 minutes!! It was an amazing experience!!

Hermana Tycksen's first zone conference. 

     One of the recent converts that we've been working with is struggling to quit smoking. I'd really appreciate it if y'all could keep her in your prayers, her name is Paula. :) She's absolutely amazing and she has come through far too much to quit now!!

I love you all!! Thank you so much for the birthday wishes!!

Love,

Hermana Tycksen