***EDITOR'S NOTE: Since the library was closed for Memorial Day, we got a letter today instead of Monday, as usual...***
Subject: It's Time to RUN-A-MUCCA
Well Hey,
Man this week was crazy; we were really busy all week. It was really nice to stay busy all day, everyday. We had appointments everyday and pretty much all day. We met with this lady, whose name is Jennifer and she is really nice, her only problem was a dirty house...when we left I had a sticky substance on the seat of my pants, to that was nice. She was really cool and very nice. She really felt the spirit in the appointment and accepted a commitment to be baptized on June 30th, so that was the best part.
Then this past weekend was the Run-A-Mucca, which is a big biker fest they have here in little ol’ Winnemucca. It was actually really cool and we went down and did some contacting. Try and picture a missionary at a biker party and that was us. It was so much fun though, it would have been better had we not been missionaries and gotten all the sideways looks for every single person. But all in all it was cool; I even bought a shirt to remember it by.
One thing that I have noticed is that I really enjoy the teaching opportunities we have each day, and I have also noticed all the ones I missed when I wasn’t a missionary. I think back on all the people who asked me questions that I didn't have the answers to or I was to afraid to give them the answer. Now I have the answers and the courage that it takes to answer the questions. I always seem to wish I had time machine so I could go back and be a better member-missionary. All the time I wasted not doing anything really pushes me to do my best out here. As I’ve seen the effects that members have on missionary work I encourage all of you who read these letters to just do a little bit more. I know that sometimes it is hard to step out of our comfort zone, but that just might be what it takes to have someone want to learn about the restored gospel. I have seen so joy on the faces of the people we teach when it all clicks, God loves us, he gives us prophets to guide us and books to gain knowledge and love from. As we apply those teachings into our lives the blessings that will flow will be so great we won't have room enough for them, I know that seems like a bold promise but it is true and I know so because I have seen the change in my life and I know this message can bless others as well. That's why I’m here, to share the blessings I receive everyday with the world. I hope everyone that reads this knows I love them very much and that as we apply the gospel to our lives we can feel those wonderful blessings.
Love,
Elder Taylor
P.S Thanks for the box of goodies, and the Roses are awesome!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
No Monday Morning Blues Here!
I have come to love Mondays. I rarely leave my desk on Mondays. I don't usually take a lunch break on Mondays. I watch my email like a hawk on Mondays. And it usually pays off. Elder Taylor sends an email message and sometimes I'm lucky enough to respond and get a reply back from him...almost in real time. Today I hit the jackpot (Nevada gambling pun intended) and he sent pictures.
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: "I love technology.........."
In the immortal words of Kip Dynamite: "I love technology.........."
a letter on May 21, 2007
Subject: We're off like a herd of turtles.....
Hey Guys,
Man, this past week sure did go by slow. We did a lot of travel, as you know Zone Conference was Thursday, and when my alarm went off a 4:10 a.m. I was a little less then pleased. But it all ended up being worth it, because Elder Body and Smith got a new car, so they had to drive to zone conference to get the new one, so we split up into threes. I went with the Crookstons and Elder Filter went with Body and Smith. So I slept the whole way there, it was sure a nice nap. Zone Conference was very good. It's always nice to hear and see President and Sister Andrus. The theme for this transfer is planning: nightly, weekly and lesson planning. It was nice to hear of more effective ways to plan and teach. Also, that is crazy that Bill was in Carson City the same time I was! I would have loved to try and set something up but we had to beat knees out of there to get home on time. It is a three hour drive back to the middle of no where, oh I mean Winnemucca.
I really am struggling to find more this to talk about other then Zone Conference. This week was long and slow. We have been working hard and teaching a lot, but no one wants to come to church. I mean I know it's three hours but really who wouldn't want to hang out with the missionaries all day? I know that I would. Still we are working with some really cool people and the transfer is almost over - it is so weird to think that three months ago today I went into the MTC. The time keeps going faster and faster. I am still enjoying every minute of this work, we work hard all day and in this heat it doesn'€™t make it too much fun. So we get creative with all the things we do. We go "Water Tracting", where we try and see how much water we can get on each street and at night. We bought some glass mugs and we put them in the freezer and put some cold washcloths in the freezer too. Then when we get it, it is nice and cold.
Well I feel bad that this is so short, all is going well and I am feeling fine. No cold, just dry throat in the morning, you know I live in a desert so that is bound to happen. You let Mike Morris know that if he wants to move down here I know the local Century 21 owner and he could make him a sweet deal on a double wide by the BLM. Just to let you know other then double wides there's nothing else there, now that I think about they might all be single wides. Really though this town is great and when ever I get transferred I will miss it very much. I just hope I can say that about all the areas I serve. This has been the most amazing three months, the things I've learned are great and the life experience is just as cool. Living on your own is great, especially when your parents pay for it too. I miss and love you all very much and hopefully I will have some good stories for you all next week.
Golfing last week, with the other three elders.
(a Cinderella story...tears in his eyes...235 yards to the hole...using a 3 iron)
Elder Filter (with tongue) and Elder (tan) Taylor
Hey Guys,
Man, this past week sure did go by slow. We did a lot of travel, as you know Zone Conference was Thursday, and when my alarm went off a 4:10 a.m. I was a little less then pleased. But it all ended up being worth it, because Elder Body and Smith got a new car, so they had to drive to zone conference to get the new one, so we split up into threes. I went with the Crookstons and Elder Filter went with Body and Smith. So I slept the whole way there, it was sure a nice nap. Zone Conference was very good. It's always nice to hear and see President and Sister Andrus. The theme for this transfer is planning: nightly, weekly and lesson planning. It was nice to hear of more effective ways to plan and teach. Also, that is crazy that Bill was in Carson City the same time I was! I would have loved to try and set something up but we had to beat knees out of there to get home on time. It is a three hour drive back to the middle of no where, oh I mean Winnemucca.
I really am struggling to find more this to talk about other then Zone Conference. This week was long and slow. We have been working hard and teaching a lot, but no one wants to come to church. I mean I know it's three hours but really who wouldn't want to hang out with the missionaries all day? I know that I would. Still we are working with some really cool people and the transfer is almost over - it is so weird to think that three months ago today I went into the MTC. The time keeps going faster and faster. I am still enjoying every minute of this work, we work hard all day and in this heat it doesn'€™t make it too much fun. So we get creative with all the things we do. We go "Water Tracting", where we try and see how much water we can get on each street and at night. We bought some glass mugs and we put them in the freezer and put some cold washcloths in the freezer too. Then when we get it, it is nice and cold.
Well I feel bad that this is so short, all is going well and I am feeling fine. No cold, just dry throat in the morning, you know I live in a desert so that is bound to happen. You let Mike Morris know that if he wants to move down here I know the local Century 21 owner and he could make him a sweet deal on a double wide by the BLM. Just to let you know other then double wides there's nothing else there, now that I think about they might all be single wides. Really though this town is great and when ever I get transferred I will miss it very much. I just hope I can say that about all the areas I serve. This has been the most amazing three months, the things I've learned are great and the life experience is just as cool. Living on your own is great, especially when your parents pay for it too. I miss and love you all very much and hopefully I will have some good stories for you all next week.
Golfing last week, with the other three elders. (a Cinderella story...tears in his eyes...235 yards to the hole...using a 3 iron)
Elder Filter (with tongue) and Elder (tan) TaylorThursday, May 17, 2007
We talked to our Elder...
We had several calls from our guy throughout the day, which was great because we could re-group after each call and get organized to have the rest of our questions answered. He called us from a member's home, but had to be really quiet as they were having their own lesson and things in the background. Then he called us back from his apartment - but had to take a break to run over to the district leader's apartment to report their numbers. And then we talked well into the night. The following are random details from our conversations. They may be interesting to you - or not. Please do enjoy...
He was getting a cold - but was doing all the things that a potentially sick person would do, so don't worry.
He has been doing great on his bike, but doesn't have much of a clue about how many miles he's covered. Each time he is working his way up a hill or coasting down one, he always compares it to his Oregon Coast bike trip - those hills were much tougher, he says.
There are the four elders serving in the district, with Elder Taylor and Elder Filter serving in the 3rd ward. Elder Body and Elder Smith serve all the other wards in the stake. The Crookstons are the senior couple who cover the more "outlying" areas in the district. He says he really loves the 3rd ward - there are so many cool people. Every family or person he talked about had a glowing description. That was very cool. When he called he was at the Smiths, who hold their Family Home Evening on Sunday nights. (Which is why he had to keep it down.) But he does say that there is no family like the Taylor family - because we're crazy. We sure are.
Elder Smith and Elder Filter are from North and South Carolina respectively and Elder Body is from Washington state and Elder Taylor is from Oregon...so they have some East Coast/West Coast issues to work out there...but they are keeping it real.
Geoff has requested some new, NOT BLACK, pants - as his have taken a beating already. Plus, black pants just get too hot. Because it's a desert...on a bike. So if you're sewing him some black pants...save them for the winter...
Some of the service that the elders render is at a local Senior Center. They not only serve in the center (meals and heavy lifting) but they also help with their Meals on Wheels program once a week. Elder Taylor says its a lot of fun - and that they are really cool people who are grateful for the service. (I think those old ladies have a crush on those cute young boys).
We asked him about the wheelchair basketball - and they got the wheelchairs from the senior center and the local physical therapy clinics/offices. Apparently there are only four jobs in Winnemucca: Mining/Ranching/Physical Therapy/Wal-Mart. He also told us that there really wasn't much to DO in Winnemucca other than bowling - and he's getting pretty good. Perhaps he'll start a league when he gets home.
Getting to Zone Conference means that they have to be on the road by 4:00 a.m. to be there on time. They are headed to Carson City for Zone Conference this week. He also told us about the drive up north from Las Vegas. They got to watch some "real" movies - but he said they just made everyone really "trunky"...ah well.
He got the package we sent with his iPod and iHome stereo. He was really enjoying all the music - so to all of you who contributed to the music effort - he thanks you! And so does Elder Filter. The rule in their mission is that if you would play the song at a baptism, you can listen to it. I think they have a very wise mission president. Elder Taylor talked a lot about how much loves President and Sister Andrus. His only "negative" was that being so far away meant that they couldn't see them as often.
New pilot program
Elder Taylor also asked for all mail to go through the Mission Home address, that way it won't get stuck in case he moves. So just click on the "Current Address" in the sidebar on the right of this page to send him mail.
Finally: his mission has been selected as one of four missions that will be piloting a new missionary program that goes along with Preach My Gospel. It's an amazing advertising campaign that will direct folks to the newly AWESOME Mormon.org. This website has so many new features and my only advice is that you make sure you have plenty of time to explore the site. My favorite features are being able to ask questions with missionaries live at the Missionary Training Center
and to send e-cards. This new version of the site launched on May 15. Very Cool!
He also bore a very strong testimony...which was inspiring.
He was getting a cold - but was doing all the things that a potentially sick person would do, so don't worry.
He has been doing great on his bike, but doesn't have much of a clue about how many miles he's covered. Each time he is working his way up a hill or coasting down one, he always compares it to his Oregon Coast bike trip - those hills were much tougher, he says.
There are the four elders serving in the district, with Elder Taylor and Elder Filter serving in the 3rd ward. Elder Body and Elder Smith serve all the other wards in the stake. The Crookstons are the senior couple who cover the more "outlying" areas in the district. He says he really loves the 3rd ward - there are so many cool people. Every family or person he talked about had a glowing description. That was very cool. When he called he was at the Smiths, who hold their Family Home Evening on Sunday nights. (Which is why he had to keep it down.) But he does say that there is no family like the Taylor family - because we're crazy. We sure are.
Elder Smith and Elder Filter are from North and South Carolina respectively and Elder Body is from Washington state and Elder Taylor is from Oregon...so they have some East Coast/West Coast issues to work out there...but they are keeping it real.
Geoff has requested some new, NOT BLACK, pants - as his have taken a beating already. Plus, black pants just get too hot. Because it's a desert...on a bike. So if you're sewing him some black pants...save them for the winter...
Some of the service that the elders render is at a local Senior Center. They not only serve in the center (meals and heavy lifting) but they also help with their Meals on Wheels program once a week. Elder Taylor says its a lot of fun - and that they are really cool people who are grateful for the service. (I think those old ladies have a crush on those cute young boys).
We asked him about the wheelchair basketball - and they got the wheelchairs from the senior center and the local physical therapy clinics/offices. Apparently there are only four jobs in Winnemucca: Mining/Ranching/Physical Therapy/Wal-Mart. He also told us that there really wasn't much to DO in Winnemucca other than bowling - and he's getting pretty good. Perhaps he'll start a league when he gets home.
Getting to Zone Conference means that they have to be on the road by 4:00 a.m. to be there on time. They are headed to Carson City for Zone Conference this week. He also told us about the drive up north from Las Vegas. They got to watch some "real" movies - but he said they just made everyone really "trunky"...ah well.
He got the package we sent with his iPod and iHome stereo. He was really enjoying all the music - so to all of you who contributed to the music effort - he thanks you! And so does Elder Filter. The rule in their mission is that if you would play the song at a baptism, you can listen to it. I think they have a very wise mission president. Elder Taylor talked a lot about how much loves President and Sister Andrus. His only "negative" was that being so far away meant that they couldn't see them as often.
New pilot program
Elder Taylor also asked for all mail to go through the Mission Home address, that way it won't get stuck in case he moves. So just click on the "Current Address" in the sidebar on the right of this page to send him mail.
Finally: his mission has been selected as one of four missions that will be piloting a new missionary program that goes along with Preach My Gospel. It's an amazing advertising campaign that will direct folks to the newly AWESOME Mormon.org. This website has so many new features and my only advice is that you make sure you have plenty of time to explore the site. My favorite features are being able to ask questions with missionaries live at the Missionary Training Center
and to send e-cards. This new version of the site launched on May 15. Very Cool!
He also bore a very strong testimony...which was inspiring.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mother's Day call...
Yes, our phone rang at 6:30 a.m. (local time) and it was our Elder Taylor. He's getting a little cold (and the air is REALLY drying out) but he still sounds like our guy!! And remarkably, no tears were shed. We were all just so excited to talk that the emotional part got left behind.
The best part is that he can call as many times today as he'd like, with no time limit. We talked for an hour this morning - and then he had to get in the shower to be ready for his study time. It's still a regular day in the mission, folks.
We'll post more details once we're done talking today....
The best part is that he can call as many times today as he'd like, with no time limit. We talked for an hour this morning - and then he had to get in the shower to be ready for his study time. It's still a regular day in the mission, folks.
We'll post more details once we're done talking today....
Monday, May 7, 2007
the letter from May 7, 2007
Hey There Folks,
There seemed to be a central theme in all the emails this week! Is Mother's Day coming up soon or something????? Just kidding! It's less then a week away, and let me tell you I'm really excited about talking to you guys. I will try and call late for Dad or really early and like 6:30 or something, I am not sure. It will probably be around 7 or 8 at night though. We haven't planned that day out yet but you will hear from me when you can all be there. I know you don't like me saying that but I just don't know yet.
Now on to other news, we had a zone meeting this week. I have been holding in some news from you all until I knew all the info so here it is. [EDITED FOR CRUELTY, bwa ha ha!]
So last week I told you about how Jonathan was going to drink a Cigarette milkshake. Well he did it. I have a 14 minute video of him doing the whole thing. It was so gross, but he said that the cravings are gone, and he hasn't smoked for a couple days. Really though it was so gross and he was "the man" for trying it at all. It looked like a rotten Butterfinger milkshake. But picture this: they have a drive-up smoke shop and that's where we bought him cigarettes, 4 elders buying cigs, it was pretty funny.
This past Thursday was Elder Filter's one year mark, and in true Chanel Taylor fashion I bought a cake, and we had a little party for him, so yes missionaries do have fun. Then on Friday Elder Filter and I went contacting all day. The only problem was it snowed, and hailed and rained and we had sun for like an hour. It was crazy, but we still talked to over 100 people and taught 15 lessons in the street and got 6 new investigators, then we got 5 more on Saturday too. This past week was my "Senior Companion" week so I had the idea of all day contact. About all day tracting, let me tell you: I don't like tracting. I don't like it when people come to my house and bug me, so I don't. Maybe I will some day, but I sure don't want to. But still, it was a good weekend.
Well this week is going to have to be a short note and next week will be too. But a least you will hear my voice. Please don't cry too much - I really don't want to hear that - but if you must, you must. I love you guys a lot and I will being watching for the UPS man or woman like a hawk today. I love you all and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Elder Taylor
There seemed to be a central theme in all the emails this week! Is Mother's Day coming up soon or something????? Just kidding! It's less then a week away, and let me tell you I'm really excited about talking to you guys. I will try and call late for Dad or really early and like 6:30 or something, I am not sure. It will probably be around 7 or 8 at night though. We haven't planned that day out yet but you will hear from me when you can all be there. I know you don't like me saying that but I just don't know yet.
Now on to other news, we had a zone meeting this week. I have been holding in some news from you all until I knew all the info so here it is. [EDITED FOR CRUELTY, bwa ha ha!]
So last week I told you about how Jonathan was going to drink a Cigarette milkshake. Well he did it. I have a 14 minute video of him doing the whole thing. It was so gross, but he said that the cravings are gone, and he hasn't smoked for a couple days. Really though it was so gross and he was "the man" for trying it at all. It looked like a rotten Butterfinger milkshake. But picture this: they have a drive-up smoke shop and that's where we bought him cigarettes, 4 elders buying cigs, it was pretty funny.
This past Thursday was Elder Filter's one year mark, and in true Chanel Taylor fashion I bought a cake, and we had a little party for him, so yes missionaries do have fun. Then on Friday Elder Filter and I went contacting all day. The only problem was it snowed, and hailed and rained and we had sun for like an hour. It was crazy, but we still talked to over 100 people and taught 15 lessons in the street and got 6 new investigators, then we got 5 more on Saturday too. This past week was my "Senior Companion" week so I had the idea of all day contact. About all day tracting, let me tell you: I don't like tracting. I don't like it when people come to my house and bug me, so I don't. Maybe I will some day, but I sure don't want to. But still, it was a good weekend.
Well this week is going to have to be a short note and next week will be too. But a least you will hear my voice. Please don't cry too much - I really don't want to hear that - but if you must, you must. I love you guys a lot and I will being watching for the UPS man or woman like a hawk today. I love you all and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Friday, May 4, 2007
Fina-frickin-ly
Elder Taylor is ready to ride
Elder Filter, a new member of the church, and Elder Taylor
Elder Taylor enjoying some wheelchair basketball
I'm not sure what happened, but the Munchkins seem thrilled...
Elder Smith performing one of his District Leader functions
The best way to spend a day off...at a driving range
Yes, he's still got it!!
Elder Filter, Shawn, and Elder Taylor
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