August 13 & 15 2011

 Elder Rasmussen on his Prep. day.

Elder Rasmussen and Elder Decker

 August 13,2011

So I have some time that I want to hurry and email you a short email. I am sorry about last time it was really hard because we had no time. I couldn't get a computer and then we had to go when I got one. It sounds like everything is going well for you and that you are not having a problem spending all that money that you recently got. Ha ha that really bites that we had lost that much money. I bet dad wasn't too happy, but the way that I look at it is that in the long run the more money you spend the better off it will be and the longer it will last. I bought a Sonic toothbrush and I love that thing even though it was a pretty shiny penny. But guess what, my teeth enjoy it, so in the end the better those tires and hoses are the better the equipment will run, don't look at it in a pessimistic way but in a good way that you will be happy for the long run.

     Well things here are good. We have this 17 year old boy Dylan Botzirhart that is super solid and he is finding answers to all of his questions. It is amazing to see that he can find them so easily from the Book of Mormon. He has told us that the Catholic church that he goes to has lied to him for a long time after he has listened to us. I don't know what it is about 17 year old's but they are so solid when they get converted to the church. I love the fact that Daniel Feliciano is going to serve a mission. He is so awesome I almost had the opportunity to see him again after almost a year. I love the fact that this work is true. I have seen so much of a change in myself and of those that I get the opportunity to come in contact with. I love this Church it really is the true Church and I have no doubt that it is. I Love it so much. I Have seen many miracles and I love that fact that it makes me want to do better everyday. I hope that you have a good time going to those Homecomings of my friends, Please let them know that I do miss them and That I have been praying for their success. When does Justin Robbins come home? please find out.

I also got those pictures thank you so much. I love them and I know that the Hoid family will love them. I hope that you all have a great day and that all will be well.

Love your son

Elder Tyler Rasmussen

August 15, 2011

Dear FAMILY,

   I have been good this past week. I hope you all  (in the South where They say WARSH "Y'all") have been good and enjoyed the spirit of the sabbath. I have been good. I have received some letters from my friends that are on missions and they are doing good as well. It makes me really think that the work really is just so perfect.

   How have you all been? How is the life in UTAH? I love it here in Ohio, and PA is alright I haven't been up there that much. So I just want to tell you about some stuff that has been happening here. I have been able to work with this 17 year old, Dylan Botzirhart. He is really awesome. He is so solid. He made sense of the Tree of Life the first time that he read it. HE is also amazed at the Faith that Nephi had and it is just amazing to him that he can find answers to his long un-answered questions.

   He is such a powerhouse. He has seen that the church is true. The only thing is that he can't really do much because he is still under his mother and she doesn't want anything to do with the church. It is sad because of how he really knows it is true. But that doesn't stop him he said "even if I can't always go to church at least I still have the Book of Mormon." It is so amazing to see that change in people's lives.

   In the end of the month, we get to have the head of the Missionary department of the church come to the mission. It will be really awesome. Then after that we have a meeting with him as leaders for an hour. It will be a really uplifting thing to go through. The thing that I love about this mission is the fact that the only way missionary work will move forward is if you understand your purpose. I have really seen that, and it is just so evident that we must do the best that we can in order to have success. I love this work so much and it makes  me so happy to know that the work is true. I love it with all of my heart.

I want you all to know that I love you and I hope that all is well. Please keep me informed on everything. I hope you all have a good day and once again I love you.

Love
Elder Rasmussen

This month marks 8 months left on my mission. 8/2/2011

Goofy pictures of Elder Rasmussen.

Looks like Elder Rasmussen is still the same goofy guy.

Concentration to sink this putt.

Dear MOM & El Papito,

    I can't believe it is August it blows my mind. I have been doing great, but the fact that I will be at 8 months left stinks so bad because I love it here and I can't believe that I am so close to finishing my mission. I am staying with Elder Decker for his last transfer. He leaves at the end of this one. He is by far one of the best companions that I have had. But the good thing about us is that we get along with everyone. The ward loves both of us because we have a personality and we can work as well.

   I love this ward so much they remind me so much of a Utah ward. They really are always there for each other. The Bishop is so awesome he makes me laugh so much. He loves it when we make the ward feel at home and show our personalities.

Tell Jessica that I say thank you for what she said about me. That really helps out, she is such a good friend and I want you to tell her that I hope that she enjoys being away from home and starting her life. I know that it is really crazy, I have to do so much catching up when I get home but right now I really don't care. That is why I really want to focus on my investigators this down ward slope. I know that if I do that I will love them more and know for a fact that I did SERVE an honorable mission, not just went on a mission.

     The Baptism was so good! They are so solid. I love them so much. They are so great and that is why I want you to do that picture for me if you would. I really  need it. They all looked so good in white. I love the fact that they were so ready. They are so solid right now. We went by last night and Courtney just got done from Cross country and she was reading in 1 Nephi. It was Awesome to see that she yelled at us for ruining her reading. Ha-ha.

I love this work and it is so great. I know that My Savior lives and is happy with all of those that share this gospel. It is to cleanse us not to condemn us. I want you to know that. You must share it with all that you can. Even if it is just saying hello, they will see your example and it will be such a strength to your testimony.

I love you both, I want you to know that this work makes me so happy and I will be sad when I have to leave but I know that it will be what the Lord has need for me to do. I love this opportunity that I have to serve. I can't believe that in the past I didn't really know if I wanted to serve and if I was going to. I never told  you that but I did have those thoughts. I am so grateful for the Spirit in directing me on to the path. I love this work so much!!!!

I love you and I pray for you.

LOVE,

Elder Tyler T. Rasmussen

PS I HAVE MORE GOOFY PICTURES!!!! I can't believe you thought that I would quit being goofy.

Baptism for the Hoid Family.

The Hoid family before their baptism 7/26/2011

MOM,

Thank you for getting my letters to my Grand Parentals. That is to bad to hear about Jason and his fam, but I am glad that you were able to help out and make sure that they were safe. I can't believe you got to talk again, next week I get to give another talk. I talk about every two months, it is funny.

 I wanted to talk to you today about how I was able to see that I have a passion for the work. I love those that I serve as a leader. I have been able to see a change in the Hoid family, they are getting baptized tomorrow, and we are so happy to help them to baptism. I am so glad for this work. In fact I was wondering if you could price a picture of the Temple that is in the front room that Val made for you. I want to get them one so that they always have a vision to go to the temple and make a change in there lives as a family to be sealed.

I have seen myself come so much closer to Christ. I have seen His Hand many times in the mission. I have grown so much in a good way. I never really thought that I would be wanting to say that. I know that this gospel is true. I love it with all of my heart. I am sorry that I usually don't write much, I always feel like I am rushed on time. But I am going to go fishing today and I think that is awesome because I haven't been for FOREVER.

I love it here in Youngstown, I know that this is where I need to be. I am grateful for my goal to be so close to being accomplished for this transfer. I have decide to sent a vision for the rest of my mission. I want to be the very best that I can in order to do all that I can for the Lord, those that I teach, and for myself, in order to grow so much more. I really have seen such a growth in my desire about missionary work. I love it, I know that I have gained a Passion for it. I love the fact that I have seen the power of the Atonement in my life and the lives of others. I love this work with all of my heart.

I love you and I hope that I wasn't as scattered as I usually am. I love you mom an I hope that you have a good day.

Love,

Elder Rasmussen

Dear El Papito,

I have been good. I also hear that you have been good as well. You are welcome Dad I really have taken the advice you gave me for my mission. It sounds like you are still really busy on the pit.

I am glad that you got to speak on Sunday. It is so COOL to serve in the place where my relatives have been, and see the temple that they built. I really know that I have been called here for a reason and there is something that the Lord has in store for me as I do this. I am so grateful for faithful pioneers that were willing to help me receive the Gospel. I know that it is true with all of my heart.

You need to tell mom that I had that Copyrighted so that is a federal offense for using my letter against my will.

I am sorry that I don't write much but I want you to know that I love you and I am grateful for the way you raised me. I hope that you have a good day and know that I love you

Love Elder Rasmussen

7/19/2011 Can't believe Lance is home.

My dad and Lance who is home from his mission.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I want to start of by saying that I sent a letter for Grandma Ruth and Grandma and Grandpa Tonks, as well as a check that Grandma Ruth sent me to have you put in my checking account.

 I can't believe that Lance is home. He looks so good, I can tell that he has changed, and it is so awesome to see that. I can say that what he said in his talk was powerful, I know that it is something that my life has been changed because of the fact that I have become closer to my Savior Jesus Christ, while I have been out here on my mission.

 I have been able to see the fact that I have grown so much out here. I know that the work is true. I have see 

many miracles in this work. I can feel something so special as I serve here. I really feel something special as I serve in Cleveland. There is a special spirit about that city. I have come to realize that this work is so special. I have never wanted to help people so much. We found this new investigator family. They are so amazing the spirit is preparing them so much. I have grown to love the work so much. I want you to know that I am sorry for the hard time that I gave you throughout my whole life. I will let you know that I will still joke around with you but that is a given.

I love you so much. You both are goofs and that is what I love about you. I can't wait till I can say that I have "SERVED" a full time mission for "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" I love this work and those that I come in contact with. I love the work that the Lord has us do, though it may be hard at times, it is such a blessing to be here. I love the leaders that lead me and direct me but I know that as a leader I need to be an example just like Jesus Christ. I love this work with all of my heart.

I love you, don't think otherwise.

Love,

Elder Tyler T. Rasmussen

PS :)

pps :) :)

ppss I will send pictures soon

7/11/2011 Meetings were uplifting.

Dear Mom,

   The meetings were very uplifting and I did learn a lot. I actually wanted to ask you to let my friends know that I would appreciate it if they would no longer write me so that I can focus on my investigators and as I am focused gain a understanding of how they need help. I know that it is something that Heavenly Father wants me to do.

   I can't believe that it is flooding in Pleasant Valley. Did Grandpa and Grandma's house get flooded? I hope not. I still have yet to see the floods at home. We are getting a lot of rain, but I have seen a flood though, it was during that tornado that I was in.

   I didn't get the letter yet. I might get it today. I haven't been home for three days pretty much. We are going on exchanges tonight as well so I won't be home for 2 days. I am glad to hear that Jason is doing good. I hope they can really make a good family. I know they can if they center it on Jesus' Gospel.

   Things have been good here. We are preparing four people for Baptism for the end of this month. It is so cool just to see their lives change.I know that the Book of Mormon is what changes the hearts of those that are willing. I really have grown to know that this church is true and that it is what the Lord wants of me to do. I Want to do all that I can in order to obtain the vision of helping people so much. I want to be that Light and Beacon to the world.

   Please let everyone know that I love them and that I would write them if I had more time. But I know you can forward this to them. I love you both and I hope that you have a good day. Love with all my heart,

Elder Rasmussen.

Letter from the Mission Office

 

Got this letter in the mail from the Mission Office in Ohio telling us that Elder Rasmussen was called to be a

Zone Leader.  It's so nice to get letters like this.  It looks like Elder Rasmussen is enjoying his mission and is happy to accept callings.  It's also been nice that he has liked all his companions so far.

I'm a Zone Leader 7/2/2011

Elder Decker and Elder Rasmussen

Karate Kid?  Not really sure what he's up to.

 

Elder Decker and Elder Rasmussen hanging around.

Dear Family,

I am emailing right now because I won't have any time next week. We have P-Day on Monday but everything else is closed, and I will be in meetings for the next two days after. We are having Zone Leader Counsel this Tuesday. In that I believe we discuss what the mission can do and we work for that in training our zones on 

these new things that go on in the mission.

After that we will be having a leadership training meeting and it will be in the Kirtland Stake Center. So this really is my only day to do this. I Have been good. I got your package. Thank you so much. I will be doing a lot more this next week. We aren't really teaching a lot of people we need to find more. We have been trying to get more, through fasting and much prayer. We have been finding a lot of potential investigators. We have found a lady that gave us free Lemonade because she had met with the Sister Missionaries in the past. We want to stop by her and help her see the power of the Gospel in her life and the life of her family.

Elder Decker is a great missionary and he really is a good one that wants to work. We are a lot alike and we are working hard to make it possible that we can serve the Lord with all purpose of Heart. I have noticed that as a Zone Leader or any leader at that matter, you really have to be more focused and that is what I wanted. I know that I can do a lot of  good in this mission. I want to do all that I can in order to help all of those that need the help. The only Problem is that I feel that I need to be a different person, and that is what I love about serving with Elder Decker. We  don't let "Leadership" aka power get to us like some do. We are still our goofy selves that try to have spiritual uplifting experiences. I know that it is something awesome to do this work.

I have grown to love it with all of my heart. I want you to let everyone that I am grateful for their support, and that I thank them for their prayers. I really want to do all that I can in order to do what the Lord has in store for me. I feel there is much more that I have in store. I am grateful for the love that you both have shown me throughout my life, it has touched me in times of trial and heart ache. I love you with all of my heart. I and I want to commit you and Dad to pray with each other before you go to bed vocally. Do it even if you are tired. Share what you love about each other. I know that this is the way that the power of prayer is meant to be.

I love you both, tell Jason Congrats, and Tiff, Boys are dumb. Tell Val that I love the picture where Kadence is mad.

I love you truly I do,

Love,

 Elder Tyler T. Rasmussen