Subject: Hey there folks...I'm melting in the heat
Hey there everybody,
Well here we are again, another Monday. Things here haven’t been crazy, well at least not like last week. We have been working hard and playing even harder. We just finished bowling and I was right at 150 all 3 games, yeah I know I’m good. Anyway sounds like everything around home has slowed down for a while as well. That’s good though, everyone needs some rest. I glad that my post last week was enjoyed by all, because the other guys in my district loved it too.
I don’t really have anything that happened this week like last week, but still some good stuff anyway. On Saturday we went too a High Priest dinner which was so good. Prime Rib, yeah the High Priests know how to roll. Oh and the rolls were really good too, but they didn’t have any butter on them, if you know what I mean…Mom. Anyway this one guy sang for the entertainment and he did such a good job. We couldn’t stay the whole time because we had an appointment. Still he sounded really good.
Then on Sunday we had our first investigator come to church. The night before we ding-dong-ditched our investigators with treats, so it worked and someone came. It was very different, you don’t really pay much attention to church itself, you just make sure they don’t feel weird and other things. This lady, her name is Megan, has a 4 year old son and he came too. Was I that full of “life” when I was that age? If so, I’m sorry. Anyway it still was really nice to have her come to church.
Then last night, still being Sunday, Elder Filter and I gave a fireside to the youth on missionary work with their friends at school. It went very well and all the youth said they had a good time. Even the leaders thought it went well. Also one of our recent converts got the Priesthood this past Sunday and another the week before. So lets just say Sunday was CRAZY!!!!
As I look back at this week we really had a slow week until this weekend. We had some really good appointments. One was with this man whose name is Freddy. He is an African-American from Georgia and he and Elder Filter hit it off really well, with the both of them being from the south, and from then on the Spirit kept working on him and allowing us to teach the things he needed to hear. I know he felt the Spirit and it was so cool to feel the Spirit guide us to say the right things at the right time. Then we had an appointment with a less-active family and that turned in to lunch. We had a bar-b-que. It was nice and then we were off to the prime rib dinner. I will have you all know that I have gained almost 20 pounds since I left home, so if that isn’t a testimony of how much we eat, I don’t know what is. Also the record for most meals in a day so far for me is 7. Yeah that's right: 1 breakfast, 3 lunches, and 1 dinner and 2 desserts. So yeah, we do get fed.
As for tonight, I don’t think I can write how excited I am about tonight. We have an investigator who smokes, so he will get to drink a milkshake. Now a lot of you are probably like what the heck does that have to do with anything. Well I will tell you, He gets to drink a Cigarette Milkshake, doesn’t sound so good now does it???? What you do is take 2 packs of cigarettes and put 37 in a blender, then you top it off with milk and blend. Then you still have 3 cigs remaining. So the smoke them and throw up everywhere. Then they can't ever touch a cigarette ever again or they will get really sick. So we think it’s a good idea.
Don’t worry pictures and Video will come soon. I sent a package last week so I hope it gets there soon, if not already. I’m glad that all it well and good with the Malley babies. I am not so glad to hear about the yard. There is no green here and I miss it a lot, but life will keep moving on. Mom, I’m counting down the days to talk on Mother's day as well don’t worry, and I print out the letters you all send and read them often too. I'm not quite sure how long we will be able to talk. Elder Filter says as long as we want, but I don’t know for sure yet, we will find out more from the zone leaders this week. Well, I've got to get going but I love you all very much.
Love
Elder Taylor
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
A letter from April 23
Subject: We Ate What?????????
Greetings from the land of all Craziness!!!(A.k.a. Winnemucca)
This week has been so crazy. We were going to go to the temple in Reno on Wednesday and I was so pumped, but then it snowed like 6 inches and we couldn't make it out there. What kind of desert is this that it snows in April??? Or snows at all for that matter, but let me tell you I am glad I had that big winter coat, because tracting in the snow, as Chanel would say…BOO! Anyway it was a good day and we had a fun snowball fight and did other very important missionary activities like that.
Then the best of the best was this Saturday. We went to one the high counselors homes and branded 5 bulls!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! They were really big and really mad….hot fire on my butt and I would be mad too. But it was so cool - I got some pictures and video so when I get my new card I will send them on home. The craziest part about the whole thing was what I found out today. Elder Body was driving us to do email and he was like “guess what you ate on Saturday?” and Elder Filter and I were like “What?” Then he laid a huge bomb on us….well I should give you some background about what all we ate first. We ate cookies and chips and Sloppy Joes, or what we thought was Sloppy Joes, Really it was Rocky Mountain Oysters…..yes that’s right everyone I ate Bull's Balls for lunch and didn’t even know it. The weird thing about it…..they aren’t as bad as you think, just a little more seasoning and they might not taste like Balls. All in all it was so much fun to go and brand, I didn’t actually do it, I just watched. A city boy like me brand????? What are you crazy?????
I’m glad to hear all about the babies. It sounds like all is well. Chanel your life is going crazy…do you ever sleep????? It sounds like ward conference was good. How do the hardwood floors look?? Now let me just rant a moment. I had to deal with that carpet for like ever and then I leave and they get hardwood???? Let me tell you what, that really grinds my gears. Now that that’s out of the way... We had a stake priesthood meeting last night, it was way good. Elder Body gave a really good talk and then the some other guys talked, but not as good. Then the stake president spoke. Now he is a really nice guy, but he is no President Dalton, and no I’m not just saying that just because I think he might read this but it’s true. He gave a talk on how to communicate with women; it was good and very helpful.
I’m glad you got my questionnaire/letter, I hope you took it with love and a grain of salt. I guess I was just so fired up and stuff. President Andrus is just really good at lighting a fire under you to make you want to work and everyone around you work just as hard as well, so there you have the note. I really appreciate that you will try and do it, at first it will be weird, let me tell you talking to people you don’t know is weird, but the message is that important that it doesn’t matter anymore if you don’t know them.
Transfer Calls were Saturday as well, but first the Crookston's had a baptism in Battle Mountain (look it up on the map, if you can find it) so we went to that and got back at like 9 o’clock, then we got the news. Our whole district is staying the same, we were really pumped up because we have all gelled well together and enjoy life in Winnemucca, what little life there is. I am glad to be here in still, the families we have in this ward are really strong and very helpful. I will make sure to get some pictures of them to send home when I can.
Well as I said at the beginning this week was crazy. But it was so worth it. We are having a good time here and all is well. We are getting ready to go bowling now, I guess it’s the only thing to do here, but its fun. I bowled a 172 last week, I know, I’m amazing, and humble too. But really I miss you all and hope all is going well back home. Dad your email this week was very nice and I really appreciate the things you said. I love you a lot and hope you have fun playing in the yard this week. Chanel thanks for the picture of mom and dad, doesn’t look like I’m missing much. [THIS IS THE PICTURE I SENT WITH THE CAPTION "Here's what you're missing..."]
Well time's a wasting - I hope everyone is doing well.
This is for grandma and grandpa: Thanks for the stamps, I feel like the worst grandson ever. I will write today and put it in the mail. Time just goes by too fast on your mission. I ‘m glad to hear all is well in IF and the weather is the same here as it is there. I can’t wait to hear about the trip to see Aunt Betty.
And finally in closing…..Bull Balls don’t taste like anything so give’em a try…..you wont regret it….or maybe you will……who knows???????
Elder Taylor
Greetings from the land of all Craziness!!!(A.k.a. Winnemucca)
This week has been so crazy. We were going to go to the temple in Reno on Wednesday and I was so pumped, but then it snowed like 6 inches and we couldn't make it out there. What kind of desert is this that it snows in April??? Or snows at all for that matter, but let me tell you I am glad I had that big winter coat, because tracting in the snow, as Chanel would say…BOO! Anyway it was a good day and we had a fun snowball fight and did other very important missionary activities like that.
Then the best of the best was this Saturday. We went to one the high counselors homes and branded 5 bulls!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! They were really big and really mad….hot fire on my butt and I would be mad too. But it was so cool - I got some pictures and video so when I get my new card I will send them on home. The craziest part about the whole thing was what I found out today. Elder Body was driving us to do email and he was like “guess what you ate on Saturday?” and Elder Filter and I were like “What?” Then he laid a huge bomb on us….well I should give you some background about what all we ate first. We ate cookies and chips and Sloppy Joes, or what we thought was Sloppy Joes, Really it was Rocky Mountain Oysters…..yes that’s right everyone I ate Bull's Balls for lunch and didn’t even know it. The weird thing about it…..they aren’t as bad as you think, just a little more seasoning and they might not taste like Balls. All in all it was so much fun to go and brand, I didn’t actually do it, I just watched. A city boy like me brand????? What are you crazy?????
I’m glad to hear all about the babies. It sounds like all is well. Chanel your life is going crazy…do you ever sleep????? It sounds like ward conference was good. How do the hardwood floors look?? Now let me just rant a moment. I had to deal with that carpet for like ever and then I leave and they get hardwood???? Let me tell you what, that really grinds my gears. Now that that’s out of the way... We had a stake priesthood meeting last night, it was way good. Elder Body gave a really good talk and then the some other guys talked, but not as good. Then the stake president spoke. Now he is a really nice guy, but he is no President Dalton, and no I’m not just saying that just because I think he might read this but it’s true. He gave a talk on how to communicate with women; it was good and very helpful.
I’m glad you got my questionnaire/letter, I hope you took it with love and a grain of salt. I guess I was just so fired up and stuff. President Andrus is just really good at lighting a fire under you to make you want to work and everyone around you work just as hard as well, so there you have the note. I really appreciate that you will try and do it, at first it will be weird, let me tell you talking to people you don’t know is weird, but the message is that important that it doesn’t matter anymore if you don’t know them.
Transfer Calls were Saturday as well, but first the Crookston's had a baptism in Battle Mountain (look it up on the map, if you can find it) so we went to that and got back at like 9 o’clock, then we got the news. Our whole district is staying the same, we were really pumped up because we have all gelled well together and enjoy life in Winnemucca, what little life there is. I am glad to be here in still, the families we have in this ward are really strong and very helpful. I will make sure to get some pictures of them to send home when I can.
Well as I said at the beginning this week was crazy. But it was so worth it. We are having a good time here and all is well. We are getting ready to go bowling now, I guess it’s the only thing to do here, but its fun. I bowled a 172 last week, I know, I’m amazing, and humble too. But really I miss you all and hope all is going well back home. Dad your email this week was very nice and I really appreciate the things you said. I love you a lot and hope you have fun playing in the yard this week. Chanel thanks for the picture of mom and dad, doesn’t look like I’m missing much. [THIS IS THE PICTURE I SENT WITH THE CAPTION "Here's what you're missing..."]
Well time's a wasting - I hope everyone is doing well.This is for grandma and grandpa: Thanks for the stamps, I feel like the worst grandson ever. I will write today and put it in the mail. Time just goes by too fast on your mission. I ‘m glad to hear all is well in IF and the weather is the same here as it is there. I can’t wait to hear about the trip to see Aunt Betty.
And finally in closing…..Bull Balls don’t taste like anything so give’em a try…..you wont regret it….or maybe you will……who knows???????
Elder Taylor
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
It's making me crazy...
It's been so long since we've had new pictures...so now I have to resort to pre-mission archives to put some pictures up...pictures add so much to a blog, don't you think? So, just in case you'd forgotten what he looks like...
Chicks dig a guy in uniform...
They may be trying to steal that car...
Waiting for nachos...or maybe those two chicks are coming around again...
Chicks dig a guy in uniform...
They may be trying to steal that car...
Waiting for nachos...or maybe those two chicks are coming around again...Monday, April 16, 2007
Letter from April 16, 2007
Subject: One month In the Field Baby!!!
Dear Family and whoever else reads these things,
I've been in the Field over a Month now, Man does time fly by. Well we had another Baptism this week, Travis, I think I told you about it last week. Well it went through on Saturday and was so cool. It was spring break here last week and so a lot of people leave this place and go somewhere cool, like Elko. Now that was just a joke for me, Elko is bigger than Winnemucca and smaller then Reno, so now you can laugh. Anyway there were a lot of people who came to the baptism so that was very nice. Some background on Travis, he is 18 and is really nice. His father was somewhat opposed to him being baptized at first, then he came around and the end so it was nice, he has a sister who is 16 who we hope will get baptized this week, her name is Cammy, keep her in your prayers. I think I told you all about this in my first e-mail.
Where do I begin…..I got my first official door slammed in my face the other night. I was so happy, I know that sounds weird but I was. It really isn’t as bad as you think it is. But right after I turned and gave Elder Filter a high five and we walked away, it was pretty cool. Then earlier in the week I met God…..know I want you to think about that for just a second…………ok so we were leaving an appointment and Elder Filter said “Hey go contact that guy” so I did…..turns out he was God, or the USA or Humboldt county or I really don’t know what his deal was. He was very drunk…we had a good time talking to him….then we just started to walk away and laugh, because really what do you do after that???
We have two new investigators, one is Shiloh. He is African American and he is so funny. He just really wants to find the right church to go to, and he has tried almost all of them and now he is giving ours a try and so far so good. He really wanted one of those “Mormon Bibles”, so we gave him a Book of Mormon instead. The other is Jonathan, his wife is a less-active member who wants to go back to church, and he wants to learn about the church, so we said we would go and talk to them. We were on splits on Wednesday and Elder Smith and I went and taught the first lesson and it went well. So that is a lot of what is going on here.
So I guess Chanel said she wants the “Typical Day”. Well we get up @ 6:30 and pray and walk around in a stupor, and then we shower and eat breakfast. We then study for two hours. Then we try and do some sort or service or other helpful work until lunch, as 10 to 12 is a less productive time. We eat lunch and usually go tracting or contacting for a few hours, unless we have appointments, then we try and visit people who set up an appointment, but then weren’t there. Then we go to dinner and then try and visit members after to get referrals. Now of course we have appointments most of the time, this is just a day that we don’t have any appointments.
It’s cool to hear that Elder Wyatt is a Zone Leader; he will do a really good job. Too bad for Elder Hale though, he really lost a good companion. Transfers are coming up next week, I doubt that anyone in our district will be leaving, but you never know what the Lord wants for you. So Mom just keep watching my account you will know where I’m at, you stalker.
Well as for things I need, I have those American Eagle shorts that are crazy looking, if you would send those, and cookies and then another memory card, and then some more cookies I think that should cover it. Dad, the bike is fine a little dirty but its still good. Oh wait I need to get some new breaks, that reminds we, good thing I wrote that down now I can go get them at Wal-Mart. Other then that it's all good. We play CD's on a CD player Elder Filter has, I don’t really need one once I get the iPod and if I do I will just buy one here.
I’m glad that Karen and Deeder got their letter. Please call Grandma and Grandpa Siple and tell them there is in the mail today. We don’t have as much time to write as I would like, so I will continue to do my best. I hope that the family got my letter this week with the questionnaire, it not you will get it soon. I hope you know that I love you all. I glad you had fun with Dick and Jane.
Well it’s about that time to do that thing; we are going bowling, again. I’m getting pretty good; I bowled a 164 last week. Well I want you all to know that I miss you and I miss the green. It sure is not the same down here, but the members are super cool and that makes me happy and think of home too. All is well and I love you.
Elder Taylor
Dear Family and whoever else reads these things,
I've been in the Field over a Month now, Man does time fly by. Well we had another Baptism this week, Travis, I think I told you about it last week. Well it went through on Saturday and was so cool. It was spring break here last week and so a lot of people leave this place and go somewhere cool, like Elko. Now that was just a joke for me, Elko is bigger than Winnemucca and smaller then Reno, so now you can laugh. Anyway there were a lot of people who came to the baptism so that was very nice. Some background on Travis, he is 18 and is really nice. His father was somewhat opposed to him being baptized at first, then he came around and the end so it was nice, he has a sister who is 16 who we hope will get baptized this week, her name is Cammy, keep her in your prayers. I think I told you all about this in my first e-mail.
Where do I begin…..I got my first official door slammed in my face the other night. I was so happy, I know that sounds weird but I was. It really isn’t as bad as you think it is. But right after I turned and gave Elder Filter a high five and we walked away, it was pretty cool. Then earlier in the week I met God…..know I want you to think about that for just a second…………ok so we were leaving an appointment and Elder Filter said “Hey go contact that guy” so I did…..turns out he was God, or the USA or Humboldt county or I really don’t know what his deal was. He was very drunk…we had a good time talking to him….then we just started to walk away and laugh, because really what do you do after that???
We have two new investigators, one is Shiloh. He is African American and he is so funny. He just really wants to find the right church to go to, and he has tried almost all of them and now he is giving ours a try and so far so good. He really wanted one of those “Mormon Bibles”, so we gave him a Book of Mormon instead. The other is Jonathan, his wife is a less-active member who wants to go back to church, and he wants to learn about the church, so we said we would go and talk to them. We were on splits on Wednesday and Elder Smith and I went and taught the first lesson and it went well. So that is a lot of what is going on here.
So I guess Chanel said she wants the “Typical Day”. Well we get up @ 6:30 and pray and walk around in a stupor, and then we shower and eat breakfast. We then study for two hours. Then we try and do some sort or service or other helpful work until lunch, as 10 to 12 is a less productive time. We eat lunch and usually go tracting or contacting for a few hours, unless we have appointments, then we try and visit people who set up an appointment, but then weren’t there. Then we go to dinner and then try and visit members after to get referrals. Now of course we have appointments most of the time, this is just a day that we don’t have any appointments.
It’s cool to hear that Elder Wyatt is a Zone Leader; he will do a really good job. Too bad for Elder Hale though, he really lost a good companion. Transfers are coming up next week, I doubt that anyone in our district will be leaving, but you never know what the Lord wants for you. So Mom just keep watching my account you will know where I’m at, you stalker.
Well as for things I need, I have those American Eagle shorts that are crazy looking, if you would send those, and cookies and then another memory card, and then some more cookies I think that should cover it. Dad, the bike is fine a little dirty but its still good. Oh wait I need to get some new breaks, that reminds we, good thing I wrote that down now I can go get them at Wal-Mart. Other then that it's all good. We play CD's on a CD player Elder Filter has, I don’t really need one once I get the iPod and if I do I will just buy one here.
I’m glad that Karen and Deeder got their letter. Please call Grandma and Grandpa Siple and tell them there is in the mail today. We don’t have as much time to write as I would like, so I will continue to do my best. I hope that the family got my letter this week with the questionnaire, it not you will get it soon. I hope you know that I love you all. I glad you had fun with Dick and Jane.
Well it’s about that time to do that thing; we are going bowling, again. I’m getting pretty good; I bowled a 164 last week. Well I want you all to know that I miss you and I miss the green. It sure is not the same down here, but the members are super cool and that makes me happy and think of home too. All is well and I love you.
Elder Taylor
Sunday, April 15, 2007
A letter from April 9, 2007
Subject: Confrimation is a GO
Dear Family,
Well it has been a very interesting week here in Winnemucca. We had the Baptism Saturday afternoon. It went very well, a lot of Shawn's family was there and that made it really nice. He bore a super strong and super short testimony. Then on Sunday I did my first confirmation, I was so nervous. Here in Winnemucca they do the baby blessings and confirmation after the sacrament, not before in the ward business. So I had to wait longer than I thought which built up my nerves. It ended up being really cool. Also his baby got blessed right after and Elder Filter and I were asked to stand in on that as well. So I had two firsts in one week. Easter was nice, we went The Patchetts for dinner, they are a nice young family and she loves to cook for the Elders, or just cook in general (I haven’t figured it out yet).
Then last night the most amazing thing happened, well maybe not the most amazing thing but it was still cool. Travis, who has been meeting with the Missionaries for a while called us at 10 and was like “I want to get baptized, what do I have to do?” Mind you we were very tired and were almost in bed early and then he called. We a little out of it to say the least, then we totally sprung into missionary mode. He wants to do it this week sometime, and because he has had all the lessons and comes to church all the time he can do it when ever he wants, so we are very excited. The work he has slowed down, not to many new investigators, but we know that as we continue to be obedient and do what we can, the Lord will bless us.
I’ve been in the Field almost a month now!!!!!! It goes by way to fast. We also had zone conference this week, that was really cool except we have to drive 2 hours to get to the rest of our zone, but it was worth it. We got to hear the zone leaders, Assistant to President Andrus, and the President and Sister Andrus. President Andrus is so amazing, I wrote a letter home after the conference it should be there soon. Anyway he does such a good job. Also I go to see Elders Thompson and Riddle who I was in the MTC with, so that was nice.
We are doing good here in Winnemucca, its hard to think this transfer is almost over, I can't believe it. I’m sorry to here about the picture card, I will keep on praying about it, and I will get some good envelopes to send them in. If you send one or two pictures in the E-mail it ok, but I would like to have some to look at in the apartment so maybe Chanel could make a photo album and send it and could you burn some CD’s to send with it, if and when I’m in a car they have cd players so we need good music.
Well I want everyone to know I love them, and also disappointed Tiger couldn’t pull it out in the end, but I like Zach Johnson too, so it still ok. Alright back to the goodbye. Wait you took ELDERS the BLAZER GAME?????????? What are you thinking???????? I hope the Dancers were Hot otherwise it wasn’t worth it. I’m glad they are being well taken care of. Now back to the goodbye. I love all of you very much and think about you all the time. Happy Birthday to Brittani and Elder Wyatt. I hope all is going well. And last but not least, Mom quit stalking me through my Bank account, but thanks for the money.
Love
Elder Taylor
P.S. The Easter bunny did find us, through the Crookston’s, they are so nice and gave us lots of candy……WHERE ARE MY EASTER/MISSIONARY COOKIES, MOM????
Dear Family,
Well it has been a very interesting week here in Winnemucca. We had the Baptism Saturday afternoon. It went very well, a lot of Shawn's family was there and that made it really nice. He bore a super strong and super short testimony. Then on Sunday I did my first confirmation, I was so nervous. Here in Winnemucca they do the baby blessings and confirmation after the sacrament, not before in the ward business. So I had to wait longer than I thought which built up my nerves. It ended up being really cool. Also his baby got blessed right after and Elder Filter and I were asked to stand in on that as well. So I had two firsts in one week. Easter was nice, we went The Patchetts for dinner, they are a nice young family and she loves to cook for the Elders, or just cook in general (I haven’t figured it out yet).
Then last night the most amazing thing happened, well maybe not the most amazing thing but it was still cool. Travis, who has been meeting with the Missionaries for a while called us at 10 and was like “I want to get baptized, what do I have to do?” Mind you we were very tired and were almost in bed early and then he called. We a little out of it to say the least, then we totally sprung into missionary mode. He wants to do it this week sometime, and because he has had all the lessons and comes to church all the time he can do it when ever he wants, so we are very excited. The work he has slowed down, not to many new investigators, but we know that as we continue to be obedient and do what we can, the Lord will bless us.
I’ve been in the Field almost a month now!!!!!! It goes by way to fast. We also had zone conference this week, that was really cool except we have to drive 2 hours to get to the rest of our zone, but it was worth it. We got to hear the zone leaders, Assistant to President Andrus, and the President and Sister Andrus. President Andrus is so amazing, I wrote a letter home after the conference it should be there soon. Anyway he does such a good job. Also I go to see Elders Thompson and Riddle who I was in the MTC with, so that was nice.
We are doing good here in Winnemucca, its hard to think this transfer is almost over, I can't believe it. I’m sorry to here about the picture card, I will keep on praying about it, and I will get some good envelopes to send them in. If you send one or two pictures in the E-mail it ok, but I would like to have some to look at in the apartment so maybe Chanel could make a photo album and send it and could you burn some CD’s to send with it, if and when I’m in a car they have cd players so we need good music.
Well I want everyone to know I love them, and also disappointed Tiger couldn’t pull it out in the end, but I like Zach Johnson too, so it still ok. Alright back to the goodbye. Wait you took ELDERS the BLAZER GAME?????????? What are you thinking???????? I hope the Dancers were Hot otherwise it wasn’t worth it. I’m glad they are being well taken care of. Now back to the goodbye. I love all of you very much and think about you all the time. Happy Birthday to Brittani and Elder Wyatt. I hope all is going well. And last but not least, Mom quit stalking me through my Bank account, but thanks for the money.
Love
Elder Taylor
P.S. The Easter bunny did find us, through the Crookston’s, they are so nice and gave us lots of candy……WHERE ARE MY EASTER/MISSIONARY COOKIES, MOM????
Monday, April 9, 2007
Last week's tragedy...
We got letter in the mail from Geoff this week - and the photo card he included got popped out of the envelope. Super sad. We've been in touch with the USPS - but such a small item might be difficult to retrieve. Sad.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
A letter from April 2
***NOTE: I love Geoff's subject lines..they crack me up!***
Subject: Conference, Exchanges and Crazy Dinner...Oh MY!
Hey,
So all is well in Winnemucca, we got a chance to watch ALL 5 sessions of conference, which was nice. Normally you can't watch Saturday sessions without an investigator with you, but they changed it this time so we could, which was nice. Yes Mom, I did think of you when "Redeemer of Israel" came on, but I didn't turn to Elder Filter. This conference was way awesome. I don't know if you all caught it but the apostles totally put it to all the Mormon-haters out there, they just let them have it on what we REALLY believe. Well now I'm all excited, anyway it was way awesome.
Some other cool news, Shawn, our investigator who is being baptized this weekend, asked ME to confirm him in church on Sunday. Now I'm not going to lie I am totally honored to do so, but still I've never done that before so I'm a little nervous, but still it's going to be way cool. He asked Elder Filter to baptize him so we are very excited for Saturday.
I did hand write a letter which should get there soon, but I will cover some things again. We went on exchanges on Friday. I went with our District leader Elder Body; he is form Seattle, so we talked about the great northwest a lot. It was nice to ride around in a Car for once, but I did feel a little lazy not being on a bike. All in all though, it was a good day.
Alright now to some of the Questions for this week. The Apartment was a total missionary apartment, it looked so gross the first day, but have to no fear Mom, your boy got right to work cleaning on our first P-day. So now it is livable, which is nice. It looks older, I think I put some pictures on the card I sent home. We have a lot of neighbors who smoke so sometimes it smells bad, but other then that it is nice. Life on the Bike is going well - still trying to get used to it, but I'm getting there, lots of hills in Winnemucca! We cover the 3rd ward here, so lot s of riding in town. Elder Filter is from South Carolina, but doesn't have the southern drawl thankfully. He cool, he actually reminds me of Bobby a lot, which in turn makes this process a lot easier.
We had the Craziest meal yet last night. We ate with a lovely family, The Tomlinsons, no relation to L.T. They have six kids, one of which has BI-Polar disorder. Let's just say she was having a "Bad" day. Also I should say there was another family there with a son who was less the stellar. He was actually down right annoying and when she started hitting him I didn't feel that bad. She was letting everyone have it though, from Mom to Dad to everyone, except the Lord's servants. We were actually sad when it was time to go, because they are truly a nice family and the food was way good.
My time here in Winnemucca has been great so far. I hope that I am here to see the work really take off. Winnemucca is in a little valley for those who don't know, and this valley is just about ready to explode with missionary work, so I hope I'm here for a little bit longer. I should be here for at least 3 months to be trained, but I hope it is longer. We have Zone Conference this Thursday, so that will be awesome. Also the Baptism, It should be a busy week.
I think about everyone all the time, I miss everyone. Glad to hear all is going well. I love you all and hope the Mom has a very Happy Birthday on Wednesday, I will think of you all day, not that I don't already.
Love,
Elder Taylor
P.S. If you have more questions or want more info, continue to put in requests and I will do my best to give answers.
Subject: Conference, Exchanges and Crazy Dinner...Oh MY!
Hey,
So all is well in Winnemucca, we got a chance to watch ALL 5 sessions of conference, which was nice. Normally you can't watch Saturday sessions without an investigator with you, but they changed it this time so we could, which was nice. Yes Mom, I did think of you when "Redeemer of Israel" came on, but I didn't turn to Elder Filter. This conference was way awesome. I don't know if you all caught it but the apostles totally put it to all the Mormon-haters out there, they just let them have it on what we REALLY believe. Well now I'm all excited, anyway it was way awesome.
Some other cool news, Shawn, our investigator who is being baptized this weekend, asked ME to confirm him in church on Sunday. Now I'm not going to lie I am totally honored to do so, but still I've never done that before so I'm a little nervous, but still it's going to be way cool. He asked Elder Filter to baptize him so we are very excited for Saturday.
I did hand write a letter which should get there soon, but I will cover some things again. We went on exchanges on Friday. I went with our District leader Elder Body; he is form Seattle, so we talked about the great northwest a lot. It was nice to ride around in a Car for once, but I did feel a little lazy not being on a bike. All in all though, it was a good day.
Alright now to some of the Questions for this week. The Apartment was a total missionary apartment, it looked so gross the first day, but have to no fear Mom, your boy got right to work cleaning on our first P-day. So now it is livable, which is nice. It looks older, I think I put some pictures on the card I sent home. We have a lot of neighbors who smoke so sometimes it smells bad, but other then that it is nice. Life on the Bike is going well - still trying to get used to it, but I'm getting there, lots of hills in Winnemucca! We cover the 3rd ward here, so lot s of riding in town. Elder Filter is from South Carolina, but doesn't have the southern drawl thankfully. He cool, he actually reminds me of Bobby a lot, which in turn makes this process a lot easier.
We had the Craziest meal yet last night. We ate with a lovely family, The Tomlinsons, no relation to L.T. They have six kids, one of which has BI-Polar disorder. Let's just say she was having a "Bad" day. Also I should say there was another family there with a son who was less the stellar. He was actually down right annoying and when she started hitting him I didn't feel that bad. She was letting everyone have it though, from Mom to Dad to everyone, except the Lord's servants. We were actually sad when it was time to go, because they are truly a nice family and the food was way good.
My time here in Winnemucca has been great so far. I hope that I am here to see the work really take off. Winnemucca is in a little valley for those who don't know, and this valley is just about ready to explode with missionary work, so I hope I'm here for a little bit longer. I should be here for at least 3 months to be trained, but I hope it is longer. We have Zone Conference this Thursday, so that will be awesome. Also the Baptism, It should be a busy week.
I think about everyone all the time, I miss everyone. Glad to hear all is going well. I love you all and hope the Mom has a very Happy Birthday on Wednesday, I will think of you all day, not that I don't already.
Love,
Elder Taylor
P.S. If you have more questions or want more info, continue to put in requests and I will do my best to give answers.
A letter from March 26
Subject: Casting out the Bad, Make 'em feel the Good
Dear Family,
So this week has been crazy. Since I last e-mailed we cast out a spirit, that was very interesting, it really only works if the person has faith it will. So far we think she does but she is still scared that the demon will come back. Well anyway, we have been very busy with some very nice people. We have Shawn’s Baptism in two weeks and then we set a Mom and Son to be baptized on the 21st of April, it’s a really cool story actually. The mom has been working with the missionaries for like 2 years and now she knows it's true and wants to quit smoking. So we will be working with them to be baptized on the 21st. Smoking and chewing seem to be the hardest things for people to quit out here. Most people work for the mining companies, so the all just smoke and chew together. On the bad news front, Winnemucca got hit with a lot of anti-Mormon stuff yesterday. It had a DVD and some other stuff about Joseph Smith. It was CRAZY, they were everywhere we went yesterday. But other than that it is still going good.
Now the questions I don’t know if they [the elders who missed the plane to Vegas] came clean about the phone calls, I hope they did though. I just had no information when asked about it, because once we were on the plane we couldn’t see what they were doing. So to get to the north part of the mission we had a Charter bus, which was nice. We rode to Fallon and stayed the night with our Zone Leaders, then we had to drive another 2 1/2 hours to Winnemucca, we got a ride with The Crookstons, they are a way sweet senior couple who a mission as well. So it took like 2 Days, but we finally made it. Elder Filter met me in Fallon and we rode to Winnemucca together. There are 3 sets of missionaries in Winnemucca, the senior couple, and another set, they have cars, and we have bikes. Thanks Dad for all the stuff in the bike box. We eat a lot of food, our calendar is totally full for meals. The members in our ward so cool, and very nice. I have been writing in my journal every night so Chanel will be very happy.
People really like to Bash in Winnemucca, and I really don’t know the bible that well, but I’m learning a lot really fast, “so I got the going for me, which is nice.” Also there are a lot of Spanish people here as well, I can’t remember if I told you that we cover the Spanish group with our ward, so anyone who speaks Spanish we teach. Yeah that a lot of fun, NOT. I can't understand what they say, and Elder Filter doesn’t speak Spanish either, so we have to take a translator with us to each lesson. It keeps things interesting to say the least, but I still love waking up each day to do this work.
I’m very upset at all of you by the way. I have not been kept up to date any sports information, other then Tyler Hansbourgh’s broken nose. No golf stats, no March Madness info, nothing. That the one thing I asked for. MORE SPORTS INFO. Other then that everything is going well with the letters. I hope things are going well, Please write everyone, not just Chanel. Not that I don’t love hearing from Chanel, but other points of view help as well.
I want you all to know that I love you and miss you very much. I’m sorry mom can’t watch golf, but she will get over it. The time flies, I’ve been out a month and week and feels like 3 days. I hope that you are all doing well and keeping good health. This work is one of a kind and I can’t thing of anything I would rather be doing right now. Well that all for now, from the land of a thousand smiles and tumble weeds.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Dear Family,
So this week has been crazy. Since I last e-mailed we cast out a spirit, that was very interesting, it really only works if the person has faith it will. So far we think she does but she is still scared that the demon will come back. Well anyway, we have been very busy with some very nice people. We have Shawn’s Baptism in two weeks and then we set a Mom and Son to be baptized on the 21st of April, it’s a really cool story actually. The mom has been working with the missionaries for like 2 years and now she knows it's true and wants to quit smoking. So we will be working with them to be baptized on the 21st. Smoking and chewing seem to be the hardest things for people to quit out here. Most people work for the mining companies, so the all just smoke and chew together. On the bad news front, Winnemucca got hit with a lot of anti-Mormon stuff yesterday. It had a DVD and some other stuff about Joseph Smith. It was CRAZY, they were everywhere we went yesterday. But other than that it is still going good.
Now the questions I don’t know if they [the elders who missed the plane to Vegas] came clean about the phone calls, I hope they did though. I just had no information when asked about it, because once we were on the plane we couldn’t see what they were doing. So to get to the north part of the mission we had a Charter bus, which was nice. We rode to Fallon and stayed the night with our Zone Leaders, then we had to drive another 2 1/2 hours to Winnemucca, we got a ride with The Crookstons, they are a way sweet senior couple who a mission as well. So it took like 2 Days, but we finally made it. Elder Filter met me in Fallon and we rode to Winnemucca together. There are 3 sets of missionaries in Winnemucca, the senior couple, and another set, they have cars, and we have bikes. Thanks Dad for all the stuff in the bike box. We eat a lot of food, our calendar is totally full for meals. The members in our ward so cool, and very nice. I have been writing in my journal every night so Chanel will be very happy.
People really like to Bash in Winnemucca, and I really don’t know the bible that well, but I’m learning a lot really fast, “so I got the going for me, which is nice.” Also there are a lot of Spanish people here as well, I can’t remember if I told you that we cover the Spanish group with our ward, so anyone who speaks Spanish we teach. Yeah that a lot of fun, NOT. I can't understand what they say, and Elder Filter doesn’t speak Spanish either, so we have to take a translator with us to each lesson. It keeps things interesting to say the least, but I still love waking up each day to do this work.
I’m very upset at all of you by the way. I have not been kept up to date any sports information, other then Tyler Hansbourgh’s broken nose. No golf stats, no March Madness info, nothing. That the one thing I asked for. MORE SPORTS INFO. Other then that everything is going well with the letters. I hope things are going well, Please write everyone, not just Chanel. Not that I don’t love hearing from Chanel, but other points of view help as well.
I want you all to know that I love you and miss you very much. I’m sorry mom can’t watch golf, but she will get over it. The time flies, I’ve been out a month and week and feels like 3 days. I hope that you are all doing well and keeping good health. This work is one of a kind and I can’t thing of anything I would rather be doing right now. Well that all for now, from the land of a thousand smiles and tumble weeds.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, April 2, 2007
Fear not, faithful readers...
Sorry for the lameness for the last week and a half - we've gotten two e-mails one last Monday and one today - and I'm editing them and getting them ready for posting. We are expecting some pictures soon - so please hang in with us as I take my sweet time updating the site.
Also - if YOU hear from our Elder, please let us know - you know we love details!!
Also - if YOU hear from our Elder, please let us know - you know we love details!!
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