Shakira Lives! Peruvians! and Cancún oh my! (73rd email)

Oh what a beautiful morning family!

Wow what a rollercoaster week let me tell ya'll! Elder Araujo has arrived safe and sound here in Bella Italia and to be honest I love the guy already! He's from Lima, Peru, yeah I know what you are all thinking my first Peruvian comp! Woot I was a little scared at the beginning to be honest haha but I love the kid, he's got like 8 months in the mission and is teaching me how to make peruvian food. Just like your peruvian friends Linds! But I'm sure your food dominates ours because you are all 5 star chefs so yeah maybe we'll somethin' fancy one day i'll let ya know. We did make like rice cake things yesterday, they are like the latkes the Leifers make but with no ketchup and a little different flavor! They were yum anyways!

Anyways wow we've been on the hunt for people lately because sadly when you baptize someone, sometimes this happens when you dont know where to go next. But luckily we have been blessed to get to know a kid named Sebastian, who is the brother of another inv. we have. He pays lots of attention, and wants to get baptized we just gotta get him to church. Also he wants to take advantage of the summer and hangout a lot so he doesnt have too much time for us as he says but he´s gettin there! If you could pray for him that would be fabulous. Even though I know you guys already do it. :)

This week I received a letter from the Irvine's, it was Kailtyn's (Sister Irvine's I mean) farewell invitation!! :) So awesome, I hope she is doing good and getting used to the mission life, sometimes I wish to be back into her shoes! Because that was such an exciting time for me, it was tough, but it changed me forever. However I am super grateful for the experiences the Lord has given me here in Uruguay that I will never regret!

A new change has started and Ive been thinking a lot about what I want to change and I came across this scripture. Its quite powerful and direct but it hit me hard 

35 Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who 
shall have more abundantly.

It hit me hard because I want to work on my charity and love. I noticed that I was striving to develop that Christ-like attribute as much as I should of! So this change is going to be filled with love! Heavenly Father really does answer prayers! :) 

Oh yeah also in like a month we as a zone are all going to have interviews with Pres. and go to the temple!!!! :) They all challenged us to find a family name to take the temple that day! Not to stress you guys at all, but if a specific person comes in mind that needs some work done I would love to do it! :) Well obviously its my own family! I think I also might have the opportunity to do baptism too if it needs to be done. Should be an awesome experience, I cant wait! Hopefully we can find someone and work it out. Just wanted to let you guys know.

Oh yeah and almost forgot Valentines Day was a blast actually! Well I think they celebrate it down here but not like it is in the states. However we went to the Belloni Ward and helped the elders over there with an activity they were doing called Viajes de Cancún (Cancun Travels)! Its where a bunch of people go around playing games trying to win money so they can ¨pay¨ for the trip to Cancun. So thats where we came in, I had a little game where you had to bounce ping'pong balls into cups of water. Just little games like that people played and when all was finished, depending on how much money they got determines where they will sit in the plane. After everyone is done boarding the plane, we did a little simulation of the plane taking off. But then suddenly something went wrong with our plane and we crash and die!! Haha this is a super lame explanation of the activity but long story short, they took us around to show what it would be in the 3 Kingdoms of Glory. So yeah we had a good time, had a little spiritual thought about the plan of salvation and had refreshments! You guys are probably like that sounds lame but it was really fun, I just cant explain it!

PS: SHAKIRA LIVES! I think she was depressed for some reason so she just sat in her pen all day long starving herself. But she´s walking now and we gave her some rice yesterday and she´s been feasting every since. :)  Also that is so awesome to hear about Jennica, she looks amazing! I agree with her on the Christ-like attributes thing I just find it hard to sometimes recognizing them in the moment. Christ-like experiences come to Christ-like missionaries I always say! :)

Anyways thats its folks sorry Linds about not writing, I honestly thought I wrote you recently but I guess I forgot to don't hate me! I'll give you shout out this week or next week! Love ya babe! Just like I love you ALL TOO MUCH have a fab. week, paz!

Elder Olsen & Elder Ivie proud to be an American!

Goodbye Elder Olsen :-(  Hello Elder Araujo :-)

Zombie Minecraft toy...what?!!!!

Transfers, worries about chicken, baptism, chau elder :( (72nd email)

Hola amorosa familia! 

Hey yo! Times have changed I might say so myself, we got changes call last night and......................I am going to stay!!! Haha yeah Im staying obviously everyone knew that, I am really excited I love this area and ward even if its super hot everyday you cant change that! Its good to hear that we arent the only ones hoggin all the heat down here! Anyways but yes Elder Olsen is gone, he is off the the Coast! Should be fun, its all a lot cooler in temp. there seeing that he is on the coast. He's been here 4 months or so and it was time for him to go! :( Gosh I just love all my comps. I hate when I have to leave ém but hey its the mission and life. SO yeah I am going to be with a latino named Elder Araujo or something like that, I have no idea who he is. Maybe he is a relative of the Araujo guy that used to play for the jazz that blowed! Haha if I remember right?! 

It really was an amazing week though, we were busy all week we didnt have any time for anything!! We were going from one place to the other planning the baptism of Silvia, making invites, and fillin´ the font! But yes as I mentioned and as you see in the photo she got BAPTIZED!!!!!!! And I had the awesome opportunity to baptize her too! :) I am super grateful, I wanted Elder Olsen to baptize her because that would have been his 1st time baptizing someone but, he didnt have pants and I guess it just worked out to be me. It was amazing, Elder Olsen actually got to confirm in Sac. Meeting the next day, and he killed it. He speaks really good spanish, I tell him everyday, I am proud of that lil´ guy! :) Im gonna miss him, he was hilarious! But anyways back to the baptism, it was awesome unfortunately none of Silvia´s fam came because they arent members and live super far away. I thought her cousin that lives like a hour away was gonna to come but she couldnt make it. But luckily this awesome boss ward stepped up and lots showed up to support her! This ward loves her, they are like all fightin with us to see who is going to get her a scrip set! Haha she really was a perfectly prepared woman, and I cant thank the Lord enough for getting to know her! :) I am also super glad to stay here and teach her more, she is a true daughter of God! :) 

Oh yeah now he comes the random paragraph where I just throw a bunch of random stuff out. Soo we think Shakira is sick because she doesnt walk around now. We leave her food and she comes and eats it when we arent around but other than that she just chills in her pen. Maybe she is dehydrated or giving birth we have no idea but it is a tragedy! I am really worried for her, shes my gurl! I love her, ha whatever! That is awesome news on Kaitlyn and Jennica, I love missions,  I love them both of those sisters! Sister missionary crush I have no idea what they are talking about......hahaha maybe but not really im super focused momma! Wow there has been a lot of passing aways lately, they are all in my prayers. How great it is to have the knowledge of the gospel and of the plan of Salvation. So that we can do fam. history and do the work in the temple. I feel ya dad I want to get soo involved in fam. history now! FamilySearch now is so so cool, and wizardly I cant wait to use it, but really! Well thats all I got, as you can tell I am rushin a lot but I love you guys TOO MUCH!!! Have a killer hot awesome week! It was great to hear from everybody especially you Big Anne luvs ya! 

les amo, Elder Tyler Ivie

Baptism of  Sylvia in Bella Italia Feb. 7, 2015

Elder Ivie, Elder Olsen & Sylvia!  An amazing day!  :-)

Chapel in Bella Italia

Camping in our backyard in Bella Italia!  Feb 2015

Bon jía! (71st email)

Hello loved ones! 

Wow what a week its been. Thanks for the awesome emails! :) Anyways its sort of been a normal week. Last P'day was a blast, going to the mall and stuff but today we will be staying here in Bella Italia. We actually have a Zone Activity here in about an hour or so, should be good stuff! But yes it is blazing here still!!! Like literally the sun just eats you here, but hey I'm livin´ still puttin on sunscreen dont worry. Actually on Wednesday we had another interchange with the same guys because we are the only Elders in the district. This time I went there with the newbie Elder Holmes and it rained all day.......normally I would be dreading it because I literally despise the rain. However I have been asking the Lord to make it cool down for a bit and he sure did answer. It rained non-stop for 24hrs., it was a little slower day because nobody wanted to open their doors but we got lucky and got to talk to a few people in the streets. And at the end of the day, I was already soaked so I just walked and splashed in a bunch of puddles on our home just cause. Brings back good memories when I used to play in the puddle on the corner of our house! Haha love that pic of me sittin' in the puddle with my bowl cut! 

Anyways back to what happened, you want to know about S?! Well.......she is progressing so much!!!!!! Its been a little hard to have charlas during the week because she works all day and has no time to talk. So we just maintained in contact with her by phone throughout the week. Anyways she is reading, praying, and she came to church again!!!! :) She is probably the most prepared person I have ever met. The way the Lord has guided her onto the right path through the Light of Christ just makes me want to cry tears of joy. That might sound cheesy but thats the way I feel. She is amazing, and I cant believe I was able to cross paths with her at this time. I am forever grateful for the Lord for having the oppurtunity to get to know and teach her the True Gospel of Jesus Christ! :) And most of all, she will be getting baptized this SAT the 7th!! :) We are going to be praying for her all week. Also I really have gained a stronger testimony of Member Missonary Work. Two Sundays ago S got to know a Sister in church, that sister felt impressed to get her number because she told us she felt something different when she met S. She could already recognize the glowing Light of Christ that S had. :) So we called her up and asked her if she could join us in a charla with S last Sat! And it was a divine charla, the Spirit testified so powerfully. S had a bunch of questions and the sister helped us answer them and bear testimony. This is why we work with members, this is why inv./recent converts/less actives/inactives/ and members of the church need friends in the church. So they can feel like their loved and not alone! Really a life changing experience for me this week in that aspect! :) I love being a missonary, l love this ward and my comp. Sure we come across rough times but Elder Olsen has taught me a lot and I love him for that! :)

I am doing good guys. Thanks for the emails, letters, packages, just everything you guys do cheers me up sooo much! :) Thanks Mom for getting those pics, I know you love sending stuff, and I love getting stuff for ya! Ha stamps I am set probably for the rest of my mission to be honest! Ha I will let you know if I need more. Congrats Alexis on the chime choir performance at Lone Peak! I CANT believe Jennica is already comin´ home, insanity. Yep we be old. A Rodge is my boy and I knew he would do it. Good week of sports. Anyways I love you all TOO MUCH! :) Have an awesome week, hope the weather stays good I would kill for some 40´s right now! Chau ya´ll!

#1 OH URUGUAY

#2 Arco iris!

Oh Uruguay!

Arco iris!!  (Rainbow)

Enjoying some 'Merica food!!  Jan '15

Ooooh, Shakira laying our breakfast this morning!!  Eggs!

¡Im here! (70th email)

Bueno! Hey fam!

                Currently right now I am in a mal (3 Cruces) waiting for my comp. E´Olsen to finish signing his Visa. I remember when I had to do it like it was yesterday, crazy!!

                But yeah its been a better week! J I am getting used to the ward, they are really helpful especially the youth. We got a few priests like come out with us just about everyday for a couple hours. And especially with this new mission plan, we are really trying to get the members involved! Most of the time its just a lack of communication when members and missionaries don’t work to be honest so we´ve been trying to pass by members houses more to let them know this new mission plan!

                This week has been quite the miracle week. On Friday we had another interchange with our District Leader. Sorry these things aren’t very interesting to tell but personally I think they are really fun. I got to go see a new area, called Belloni. Also I learned a bunch from our District Leader that has really helped me ever since! Now for the super miracle of the week!! Sooo while I was in Belloni on the interchange we received a call from my comp. that was working in our area! He told us that he received a call from the mission offices, and they told him that they had a ref. for us from MORMON.ORG!!!! You know it is a super interested person when they request the missionaries to come visit them through the church! So yeah we visited her the next day, her name is S, and she is amazing! J She told us that shes been thinking for awhile now if she wanted to listen to the missionaries. I guess her cousin got baptized, and the change that she is seeing in her has made her want to make the same change. She is Catholic, but she told us she is looking for more, more love, more change in her life! Really I just feel so blessed that God has given me another chance to help another one of his daughters come unto His Son! J We met her on Sat., had a charla with her, and went to church the next day! She told us that she felt very well received by the members, she feels really good and is constantly reading, the pamphlets, BofM, and Gospel Principles Book! What a blessing she is in our lives! J

                Oh yeah and I GOT the package already MOMMA!! J Thanks a million, really I adore stuff from America. Maybe its not totally worth it, but its just awesome to have a treat from America here and there! J Thanks again Momma, but of course I am always asking favors. As long as this isn’t expensive, could you send me like 20-30 printed photos of my life before the mission! Not sure you might have to guess on a lot but here are a few suggestions:

I hope this is ok,

Pics of when I played baseball, me and my pet snakes as a lil’ guy, me playing tennis if you have any? Pic of house of course, pic of the house with snow (Uruguayos love seeing snow ;)) FAM PICS of all of us together! Me and my sis´s! Vacations, Moab, Hawaii, and last but not least my farewell.

                Well, I hope that isn’t too much to ask. Its not urgent at all, and it doesn’t have to be a lot at all! If you guys could whip a few pics of your favs that would be the best, love you guys thanks for everything you do fo me! J Other than that I am set for the rest of my life, oh yeah and I did take a little bit of money out today to buy a few souvenirs if that’s ok! I LOVE YOU GUYS TOO MUCH LIKE ALWAYS! :) Thanks for the weekly emails, literally weekly Im diggin´ it its been an awesome day. Chau talk to ya'll next week!

Les amo, Elder Tyler Scott Ivie

PICS: #1 Elder Olsen, yeah model or somethin

          #2 Shakira, yeah we tra

Elder Young

We trapped Shakira!

Buena Italia! (69th email)

Good Afternoon my dear family!

Tis´ another week has past! Wow time does fly by especially seeing those pics that you sent me Mom & Dad! LOVE! :) Thank you I almost shed a joyful tear of the good memories and hugs we've had! Haha anyways it was a better week here in Bella Italia for us. Yes Mom I'm eating good, the members feed us here like everyday! :) Shakira is cluckin´ around like usual, she is like 15 years old and she lays an egg like every 2-3 days! She's a boss. Lindsay it is super great to hear that you have BOUGHT Rosetta Stone and you will be learning from the Natives! I love it, you've gotten serious now cant wait to chat up with ya. However I will for sure be teaching you the Uruguay accent, none of that Peru nonsense jk! But really Uruguay accent is the bomb. Alexis the sewing queen, atta go girl already preparing for motherhood eh?! Im super glad you enjoy it, you need to teach me but really. Sounds like you are on the hyper side, I guess all of us go through that stage, Mom, Dad, and Linds good luck with that one haha. Mom thanks for the awesome quotes and talks on hope/light, really an awesome truth to remember there thanks so much. However what do you mean you are DONE with the sports? Details what happened?! Maybe I dont want to know....well anyways that stinks :( DAD!  Crazy things happening!  Im pumped for you, especially if you arent as busy and not going to crazy. I would love to hear details as time goes on.

Anyways quickly on to my week, we had a good week! Tuesday I had a chance to go to the big boys house again!!!! Yep we went back to Malvin for a Multi-Zone Conference, all the Zones of Montevideo went which is like 4! Yeah so it was awesome I got to see my friends from my past zones, ate some Subway for lunch, learning how to bring the Spirit better and more into the charlas that we have with our investigators and last of all learned about some Family History interestingly enough! I think we are going to be doing some of that ourselves in the upcoming months so we can help the recent converts and our investigators get involved in it! Wow I was quite surprised the church is hauling with the familiy history. Yeah I am a little behind, as you can tell but anyways it was an awesome conference. Also we had a couple of intercambios with other missionaries. I got to work with a super newbie Elder Holmes. And while we were working a former investigator approached us in the street, his name is W and said hey what happened? My baptism is tomorrow right? Its was crazy because we talked to him in the street but we were never able to find his house. But the Lord blessed us with a miracle and luckily he found US again! :) He rememberd that we had scheduled a baptism date for this week with him. But obviously we got to get him to church, and have him take the charlas! So yeah sorry I am being very brief because I am running out of time but yeah miracles here in Bella Italia! :) Also S's family is starting to go to church again, and once they get reactivated we can schedule a date for S to get baptized, because he wants to! So yeah we are hoping the best for these 2! :) Thanks for all the prayers! 

Thats all folks! It should be a good week ahead of us. Recently our mission just started this new program to get the members involved more and in a more EFFECTIVE way! :) Which is key, so yeah we got a few meetings this week to talk about it and I am super excited. This really is a Marvellous Work & a Wonder! :) Love you guys TOO MUCH! Thanks for everything have a killer week, see ya

Les amo, Elder Tyler Ivie

Montevideo Uruguay Mission--Dec '14

MultiZone (Montevideo) Conference--Jan '15

Hello from beautiful Italy (68th email)

GOOD MORNING YA'LL

Hey fam hows it going?! Sounds like its warmin' up there a little bit too!! Haha yeah I am sweating here just typing this, and it aint because im nervous for anything! ;) This humidity is insane, I forgot how strong it was and let alone its 10:00 in the morning! Ohhh well whattcha gonna do?! Im doing good this week, its sort of been a rollercoaster week of emotions for me. Its still been tough for me speaking louder, and sometimes I still get a little frustrated but I know thats not what I should do. I learned a really big lesson this week that I would love to share I hope it makes sense. So Friday we had a Zone Meeting in Barrio 14, and it turned out to be amazing. We talked a lot about urgency and how we need to maintain it. We were talking about what we can do better to maintain it as a mission. And obviously we came down to the conclusion that it starts with us individually. I realized in that moment I need to improve on somethings. I realized that my attitude has been lacking lately, so that day I said a prayer and kept it in my heart and my mind all day! And let me tell ya I had one of those days that has changed me ever since. The Lord blessed me with a loving/happier than happy attitude that day! It was amazing to feel, I didnt even want the day to end because it felt so good. It was a hot day, we got rejected a lot as well but we had so much success! I felt confident during the day, we met some awesome people that were willing to listen and just felt sooo good inside. Ahhh I cant put it into words but I can say it was the Spirit giving me that light! :) Sounds cheesy but it was such a miracle day for me, I love the tender mercies of the Lord. The only challenge now is keeping that attitude up! Thanks for the prayers and the cheering this week, I know it helped me feel this way! :) 

Other than that we did a few more things, we had a choque de fuerza thing again, but now in a place called Pando like 40min. away! It was fun we helped some hermanas find some new people to teach! I got to work with our district leader E' Eraso, I love that kid he's helped out a lot lately! :) Oh yeah Dad random question do you know of the building/company Zonamerica?! I dont know, maybe not its just a cool looking building that we passed by on our way to Pando this week (see pic)! Pretty sweet looking I was freaking out when I saw it! Other than that we are trying to do our best here in Bell Italia, E' Olsen is patient and helping me a lot, especially with the speaking louder thing. He has a booming voice if I might say! Unfortunately S couldnt make it to chruch because he was on vacation again. But hoping this week we will see progress, keep praying for that little guy also his parents because they need to support him and go church with him! Anyways thats it for this week. We got a Multi-Zone Conference tomorrow which should be da bomb I am really excited! Its gonna be back in Malvin, where we had the meeting before in my last area! Should be a fun time, all the zones of Montevideo are coming, I think that really is only 3 but still its going to be awesome! 

PS: Super glad you got those postcards! :) MERRY late CHRISTMAS! thanks momma for sending those out! :)

Love you all, hope you all have a sweet awesome week! :) thanks for writing me everybody! best fam ever I have. LOVE YOU ALL TOO MUCH!!

les amo, Elder Tyler Ivie

Zonamerica building in Bella Italia--Jan 2015

Thought that building looked pretty cool

House 'mate' Shakira.  Lives in Elder Ivie's backyard.  Sneaks in the house and does her business!

Bella Italia part dos! (67th email)

GREETINGS LOVELY FAMILY!!

Yes I made it safely here in Bella Italia! I am basically just in downtown Montevideo now and interestingly enough I can still SEE the airport from my area! I think there might be 1 area splitting Aeroparque and Bella Italia. But Im in a different Zone, crazy right?! But yeah I like it here, I cant lie its been a little tough week finding some people. Yesterday our only progressing inv. L texted us and said that she doesnt want to keep taking the charlas!!

:( That was a little strong blow HOWEVER we are moving forward with faith! Its been a little tough for me being Sen. Comp. too. Its hard for me to take the lead on some things but, I am very convinced that I was sent here to Bella Italia so that Elder Olsen could help me out! He is awesome, really direct and isn't scared of anything. I get along with him, I just hope the feeling is mutual! I can tell we have a lot of differences but hey we are meant to be companions and I am very excited to work with him and get to know him more this change! :)

Its been quite the crazy week though as usual! Since last P-day me and E' Petersen had to go say bye to a few people. Pretty sad I gotta admit but thats how the mission is! You get so close to these people because I love them and really was grateful to meet them and serve them! I think saying bye to Estefany (Recent Convert) and her family was the hardest for us! E' Petersen and I got so close to her because she was so awesome, and so prepared! We were so blessed to teach her and see her get baptized. Lots of crying too but not from us fortunately, but almost from me! Ahh well I had some great/challenging times in Aeroparque but I am better because of them! I know the Lord needs me here in Bella Italia! Oh yeah other facts that I havent really told you guys. Elder Olsen is from Kansas City, Kansas! Hehe, he's got a funny accent. Umm Bella Italia is a ward about 60-70 strong and it belongs to the Maroñas Stake! We are the only 2 here in this ward BUT it is a big area like always! We have a chicken in the house...well in the backyard, named Shakira!!!!! THE BEST!! She is hilarious and fat always cluckin' for food. I will have to take a picture with her and send it to you guys next week! :)

By the way thanks for all the emails this week! Its the BEST to here from just about all of you!! :) Good news about 'dem Badgers!!!! TOO SICK! My boys got a HUGE game this week! And to answer your question, why not!! I would love them! I love those Gingerbreads the only weird thing is it blazing hot here!! But anyways YES mom I want them! :) Linds remember when we found Alexis's old cup of Hot chocolate with the mushy gingerbread cookies in it! Hahahaha dont ask me how I remember that experience but it scarred me for life! Anyways anything else I need, nah...nothing I really need need. Stuff that would really yummy to have would be like cookie/cake mixes, mac n' cheese, peanut butter, just stuff that can be easily made that I really miss! Haha BUT mom it really isnt that necessary. And you dont have to send me all of it at once! Thanks momma! I am so blessed to have a Momisis like you Momma! LOVE packages! :) Haha

Anyways that its for the week, here we go, week DOS in Bella Italia, wish us luck and many prayers! :) I love life and the mission! Have a great week everybody, it was awesome seeing a picture of Eldine! I miss that sweet lady! Walkin' her to her house every Sunday.... :) LOVE YOU ALL TOO MUCH!!

Les amo, Elder Tyler Ivie