[Editor's note: Elder Taylor got permission from his mission president to call us on Sunday, May 18, 2008 to hear about his father's baptism. It was SO wonderful to talk with him again!]
Dear Family,
Well I guess we all got really lucky to be able to talk to each other again yesterday. I was so glad to be able to call and talk to you all about the baptism and hear a little of what happened and went on. Dad, thank you so much for your note and your testimony. It was so great to read that and feel the change and added Spirit it your life. Chanel your note was short but very sweet and as you said….we talked yesterday, so what is there to report? Well I guess I held back some things just to have something to write today.
One of the things that I didn’t talk about on the phone, since it happened last night, was we a nice dinner with the Stoddard family. Their Mom and Dad are currently serving as mission presidents in the Chicago North mission. It was nice to hear a little of what it is like to be a mission president. They are a really nice family and the food was great. Then we had a lesson with Kim again and she is doing really well. We watched The Restoration and talked about some of the commandments. You never really know what to expect when you teach the Word of Wisdom to a 17 year old girl….so that’s always fun. But it all went well and she really enjoyed the movie.
I hope that everyone enjoyed the baptism this last week. It sounded as though it was an amazing day and that all had a great time. Dad, I am so proud of you and the choice you have made. Keep doing the things you're doing and all will work out for you in the end. Times may get rough and tough, but remember the way you felt yesterday and things will always work out. You’re an amazing example to me that it is never too late to change. I know that you will have the love of your Father in Heaven, and He will watch you and bless you in times of need. I know that is true as I have felt them in my life. I love you all and have a great time on vacation now and don’t have to much fun without me….you’ve already had enough.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Monday, May 19, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Picking up the Pieces the day after...
Dear Family,
I hope that you are all doing well…even though I know that you are, seeing as how I talked with you about…oh, 24 hours ago. I really did enjoy getting to talk and hear all about the goings on in the Taylor family world. Chanel I’m so glad that you are loving work and that you are learning and growing with the kids as well - it is really great. Those kids need you probably as much as you enjoy them. Mom, I’m sorry to hear that it seems like the house is falling apart around you…at least the frame is still standing right? Dad, well I pretty much told you everything yesterday….but thank you so much for all the advice you game me in your email - it was great. I hope that this next week goes well for you all and that nothing else to major falls in to your path.
Well - I did tell you the majority of news and info that I had yesterday…but in case you all forgot or…Dad, if you just forgot….things here are going well. This last week we had transfers, and I must say that I love my new district leader…his name is Elder Barragan. He is from Utah, but we don’t hold it against him t0o often. But really, he is really funny and a great missionary, a great addition to our apartment, I must add. This past week was also filled with a number of teaching appointments which was great. We started teaching a new young lady, her name is Kim, (her boyfriend is a member) and she started coming to church and said she loves the feelings that she has while there. This is always something that is good to hear. She has really enjoyed the lessons so far, so we hope that she gets baptized soon. Her mom is getting in the way of that right now so we are praying and hoping for that to be able to happen soon. Also we have been teaching a lady who lives with her brother’s family and she has been allowing us to come over lately and talk to her and she even came to church yesterday, too. That was so cool to have her there. Her Brother is a recent convert to the church as well and that makes the situation even better. Her name is Coral, by the way. She is way cool, too and nice. She always makes us food and stuff when we go by….and the food is always really good!
Well I don’t really have to much to update you all on. I hope that you all have a great week and that you all have a fun and enjoyable time at the baptism on Saturday. Remember, please take a ton of pictures and send them as soon as you can. I love you all so much and hope that you all have great week and keep the Lord by your side and all things will then be done in wisdom. Again, I love you all. I was so glad to hear your voices and stories and all the great things going on in your lives. Only one more call home and that will be all she wrote. Well, have a great one!
Love,
Elder Taylor
I hope that you are all doing well…even though I know that you are, seeing as how I talked with you about…oh, 24 hours ago. I really did enjoy getting to talk and hear all about the goings on in the Taylor family world. Chanel I’m so glad that you are loving work and that you are learning and growing with the kids as well - it is really great. Those kids need you probably as much as you enjoy them. Mom, I’m sorry to hear that it seems like the house is falling apart around you…at least the frame is still standing right? Dad, well I pretty much told you everything yesterday….but thank you so much for all the advice you game me in your email - it was great. I hope that this next week goes well for you all and that nothing else to major falls in to your path.
Well - I did tell you the majority of news and info that I had yesterday…but in case you all forgot or…Dad, if you just forgot….things here are going well. This last week we had transfers, and I must say that I love my new district leader…his name is Elder Barragan. He is from Utah, but we don’t hold it against him t0o often. But really, he is really funny and a great missionary, a great addition to our apartment, I must add. This past week was also filled with a number of teaching appointments which was great. We started teaching a new young lady, her name is Kim, (her boyfriend is a member) and she started coming to church and said she loves the feelings that she has while there. This is always something that is good to hear. She has really enjoyed the lessons so far, so we hope that she gets baptized soon. Her mom is getting in the way of that right now so we are praying and hoping for that to be able to happen soon. Also we have been teaching a lady who lives with her brother’s family and she has been allowing us to come over lately and talk to her and she even came to church yesterday, too. That was so cool to have her there. Her Brother is a recent convert to the church as well and that makes the situation even better. Her name is Coral, by the way. She is way cool, too and nice. She always makes us food and stuff when we go by….and the food is always really good!
Well I don’t really have to much to update you all on. I hope that you all have a great week and that you all have a fun and enjoyable time at the baptism on Saturday. Remember, please take a ton of pictures and send them as soon as you can. I love you all so much and hope that you all have great week and keep the Lord by your side and all things will then be done in wisdom. Again, I love you all. I was so glad to hear your voices and stories and all the great things going on in your lives. Only one more call home and that will be all she wrote. Well, have a great one!
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, May 5, 2008
Who are you Robots.....and what have you done with my family??
Well Hello Again,
Well it sounds like another whirlwind week at the Taylor house. Dad you really are causing quite the stir, it seems like. But I must say the changes that have been made in all of you will seem weird for a time but as they become more of a habit then they will be easier to do. Chanel, I know that it may be weird…but I say just roll with it and see where this all goes...Mom, I’m glad to hear that my family has not been replaced by some crazy Mormon robots...that’s always good to know. Dad, well it always seems to be a lot about you lately. I think mom and Chanel have talked about you in their letters more in the last two weeks then in the whole 14 months before that. But I am so glad to be able to talk to you all in person next Sunday. One quick note, I’m going to file my talk on Baptism with my camera and then send home the SD card….from there I will let you all figure out how to make it play at the baptism.
Well this past week really has been uneventful….not a whole lot has happened since last Wednesday...Oh wait! I forgot we had two baptisms Saturday….it was so cool to be a part of these two young ladies baptism…I was asked to be one of the Witnesses so that was a really cool honor. I really enjoy going to baptism services. They always seem to have a special spirit about them. They are just a great place to be. Even if you don’t know the person who is getting baptized you know the spirit that it there and that is an amazing blessing to feel. Well anyway, they were confirmed in their sacrament meeting yesterday, there Dad who was doing the whole thing had his arm on my shoulder, it was shaking like crazy the whole time, I really thought his or my arm was going to fall off at some point…but alas they did not. So now Anna Brennan and Jamie Larson are new members to the Church.
Oh, also we had transfer calls on Saturday as well….Saturday was just a really busy day, it seems….well I will be staying in my area with Elder Taylor….the Dance team lives on! I am actually really excited about this next transfer. Not that I ever hate them, but it is really nice when you’re in an area you love and with a companion you like. It makes it so much more fun to stay in the area. So I really am excited to stay…plus we have a lot of work left to do in this area before I feel like I can leave it.
Well, I did something yesterday I don’t often do. Much like Chanel and mom, I stood in one of our testimony meetings and bore my testimony. I bore testimony that I know that we all receive blessings from missionary work. Even the missionaries, not just our families. Of course, sometimes they come in a hidden package, but we still get them. Sometimes it is your father deciding to be baptized by the correct Priesthood authority and sometimes it is you not being able to be there for that. But you get to talk to him the week before he does such a thing, so at least you can tell him you love him and that you are so excited that he has made a choice you have been praying for, for a long time.
It kind of reminds me of Alma’s prayer for his son’s heart to be softened and for him to change his ways, except this was a son praying for his dad to realize the things he was missing out on and the things that he could miss out on even more in the future. But the mighty power of prayer always seems to prevail over all. That’s what I love…..that God really does answer prayers…..in his time…not ours. As we do what is right and make the changes in our lives to follow his will and the Savior’s path, then all things that we desire will be given to us.
Dad, I am so happy for you and the choices you’re making each and every day. The things you do now will help shape you into a better you. Do the things that you know to be right, and have an open mind to learn and grow more….I personally am humbled every day, it seems like…that there is something else I need to get better at or that I need to be more obedient to, but I always seem to receive the help I need when I pray and ask for it and set my will the same as our Heavenly Father’s….I really need to quit saying stuff like this otherwise it is going to really be quiet over the phone line next Sunday!! Oh, just kidding…..a Taylor family phone call silent???? Never heard of it.
Well I hope that all goes well for you this week. To my Brothers in Arms that read these letters when they get them from Bishop Wilson….you guys are awesome….I love your letters and read them over and over again each week…..you guys make me want to be better each week. Have a great week….
Much love.
Elder Geoff Taylor
Well it sounds like another whirlwind week at the Taylor house. Dad you really are causing quite the stir, it seems like. But I must say the changes that have been made in all of you will seem weird for a time but as they become more of a habit then they will be easier to do. Chanel, I know that it may be weird…but I say just roll with it and see where this all goes...Mom, I’m glad to hear that my family has not been replaced by some crazy Mormon robots...that’s always good to know. Dad, well it always seems to be a lot about you lately. I think mom and Chanel have talked about you in their letters more in the last two weeks then in the whole 14 months before that. But I am so glad to be able to talk to you all in person next Sunday. One quick note, I’m going to file my talk on Baptism with my camera and then send home the SD card….from there I will let you all figure out how to make it play at the baptism.
Well this past week really has been uneventful….not a whole lot has happened since last Wednesday...Oh wait! I forgot we had two baptisms Saturday….it was so cool to be a part of these two young ladies baptism…I was asked to be one of the Witnesses so that was a really cool honor. I really enjoy going to baptism services. They always seem to have a special spirit about them. They are just a great place to be. Even if you don’t know the person who is getting baptized you know the spirit that it there and that is an amazing blessing to feel. Well anyway, they were confirmed in their sacrament meeting yesterday, there Dad who was doing the whole thing had his arm on my shoulder, it was shaking like crazy the whole time, I really thought his or my arm was going to fall off at some point…but alas they did not. So now Anna Brennan and Jamie Larson are new members to the Church.
Oh, also we had transfer calls on Saturday as well….Saturday was just a really busy day, it seems….well I will be staying in my area with Elder Taylor….the Dance team lives on! I am actually really excited about this next transfer. Not that I ever hate them, but it is really nice when you’re in an area you love and with a companion you like. It makes it so much more fun to stay in the area. So I really am excited to stay…plus we have a lot of work left to do in this area before I feel like I can leave it.
Well, I did something yesterday I don’t often do. Much like Chanel and mom, I stood in one of our testimony meetings and bore my testimony. I bore testimony that I know that we all receive blessings from missionary work. Even the missionaries, not just our families. Of course, sometimes they come in a hidden package, but we still get them. Sometimes it is your father deciding to be baptized by the correct Priesthood authority and sometimes it is you not being able to be there for that. But you get to talk to him the week before he does such a thing, so at least you can tell him you love him and that you are so excited that he has made a choice you have been praying for, for a long time.
It kind of reminds me of Alma’s prayer for his son’s heart to be softened and for him to change his ways, except this was a son praying for his dad to realize the things he was missing out on and the things that he could miss out on even more in the future. But the mighty power of prayer always seems to prevail over all. That’s what I love…..that God really does answer prayers…..in his time…not ours. As we do what is right and make the changes in our lives to follow his will and the Savior’s path, then all things that we desire will be given to us.
Dad, I am so happy for you and the choices you’re making each and every day. The things you do now will help shape you into a better you. Do the things that you know to be right, and have an open mind to learn and grow more….I personally am humbled every day, it seems like…that there is something else I need to get better at or that I need to be more obedient to, but I always seem to receive the help I need when I pray and ask for it and set my will the same as our Heavenly Father’s….I really need to quit saying stuff like this otherwise it is going to really be quiet over the phone line next Sunday!! Oh, just kidding…..a Taylor family phone call silent???? Never heard of it.
Well I hope that all goes well for you this week. To my Brothers in Arms that read these letters when they get them from Bishop Wilson….you guys are awesome….I love your letters and read them over and over again each week…..you guys make me want to be better each week. Have a great week….
Much love.
Elder Geoff Taylor
Thursday, May 1, 2008
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!
AFTER COLLECTING MY JAW FROM THE FLOOR....
Hey Hey,
Well this week has really been a long week….it seems like forever since I last got a chance to sit down and write an email out to all of you, and it really has been a while….our P-day was moved from Monday to Wednesday this week for our Temple Day…so that is why it has been so long in between emails.
But I guess the big news that’s rocked my life is the fact that my Dad wants to get baptized….if most of you think you have lost your vision….I did too.
I guess there is a lot of things on my mind right now, so forgive me if the letter is scatter-brained and all over the place. First things first….Dad, of course I would love to record a talk on Baptism for you….I will see what I can do about maybe having it as a visual recording but I can’t promise anything yet. Second, Grandpa Siple, you lucky dog you….and President Dalton….you too! How I would love to be there, and be a part of this wonderfully awesome event. But I have a few things that are going on in my life right now...But can I just say a quick holy cow…Holy Cow. Man, this is just a crazy way to start your emails.
Well, as far as for me, I really don’t have any news that was as nearly as exciting as what I got…so I will try and make do. First off, we didn’t have our 2 baptisms last week because their Dad, who was going to baptize them, had to have his Gall Bladder removed last Thursday, which put him out for a few days…but we are good to go and now. They will be getting baptized for sure this Saturday. So we are really happy for them. Other than that…I’m sorry to report that not too much else happened. I had been sick from Thursday of last week until late Saturday night…I wasn’t really able to do a whole lot…but I’m happy to report that I am back to full strength. We are out working like missionaries do and it is a lot nicer being outside than in. Right now our District leader has been in the Hospital since Sunday, but he should be getting out soon enough, I think later today in fact. We did get to go the Temple today….boy, that is always a breath of fresh air to go into the Temple and have your spiritual batteries recharged…I really love going to the Temple.
Well , I want to cover a little more of what I was talking about at the top of the letter. Man, I am so happy to hear the news that Dad wants to get baptized. There really couldn’t have been any better news to get today than that. Dad, I want you to know that this is such an amazing choice you are making to get baptized. It will truly change your life, more then you can even think of now. You think you’re blessed having the missionaries over for lessons and dinner now…just wait!! It gets even better. May 17th will be a big day on my Calendar…I will be thinking of you all that whole day
Now, let me make this very clear….someone better take so many pictures that I get sick of looking a pictures of the people and things at my Dad’s baptism service. I really want there to be a ton. Again…of course, Dad I will do whatever I can to be a part of this special and amazing day in your life…As much as you are looking forward to May 17th 2008…I’m looking forward to May 2009….when we are all able to go to the Temple, the house of our Heavenly Father, and be sealed together as a Family for Time and all Eternity. Also Dad, I want to add my testimony to the things which the missionaries are teaching you, they are teaching true and living doctrine…it can and will bless your life….but it is all dependant on your willingness to follow and do what your father in Heaven asks of you. I hope that you do the things you know to be right and all the blessings in store for you will come your way.
Well, transfer calls are Saturday night and I hope that I don’t get transferred. But you just never know. I really do love this area…I think it really has become my favorite area. It is just really amazing--the members the investigators. I really love it here. I also love all of you very much.
Holy cow, this week has just been turned upside down!
Well I will talk to you all next week…..Much love.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Hey Hey,
Well this week has really been a long week….it seems like forever since I last got a chance to sit down and write an email out to all of you, and it really has been a while….our P-day was moved from Monday to Wednesday this week for our Temple Day…so that is why it has been so long in between emails.
But I guess the big news that’s rocked my life is the fact that my Dad wants to get baptized….if most of you think you have lost your vision….I did too.
I guess there is a lot of things on my mind right now, so forgive me if the letter is scatter-brained and all over the place. First things first….Dad, of course I would love to record a talk on Baptism for you….I will see what I can do about maybe having it as a visual recording but I can’t promise anything yet. Second, Grandpa Siple, you lucky dog you….and President Dalton….you too! How I would love to be there, and be a part of this wonderfully awesome event. But I have a few things that are going on in my life right now...But can I just say a quick holy cow…Holy Cow. Man, this is just a crazy way to start your emails.
Well, as far as for me, I really don’t have any news that was as nearly as exciting as what I got…so I will try and make do. First off, we didn’t have our 2 baptisms last week because their Dad, who was going to baptize them, had to have his Gall Bladder removed last Thursday, which put him out for a few days…but we are good to go and now. They will be getting baptized for sure this Saturday. So we are really happy for them. Other than that…I’m sorry to report that not too much else happened. I had been sick from Thursday of last week until late Saturday night…I wasn’t really able to do a whole lot…but I’m happy to report that I am back to full strength. We are out working like missionaries do and it is a lot nicer being outside than in. Right now our District leader has been in the Hospital since Sunday, but he should be getting out soon enough, I think later today in fact. We did get to go the Temple today….boy, that is always a breath of fresh air to go into the Temple and have your spiritual batteries recharged…I really love going to the Temple.
Well , I want to cover a little more of what I was talking about at the top of the letter. Man, I am so happy to hear the news that Dad wants to get baptized. There really couldn’t have been any better news to get today than that. Dad, I want you to know that this is such an amazing choice you are making to get baptized. It will truly change your life, more then you can even think of now. You think you’re blessed having the missionaries over for lessons and dinner now…just wait!! It gets even better. May 17th will be a big day on my Calendar…I will be thinking of you all that whole day
Now, let me make this very clear….someone better take so many pictures that I get sick of looking a pictures of the people and things at my Dad’s baptism service. I really want there to be a ton. Again…of course, Dad I will do whatever I can to be a part of this special and amazing day in your life…As much as you are looking forward to May 17th 2008…I’m looking forward to May 2009….when we are all able to go to the Temple, the house of our Heavenly Father, and be sealed together as a Family for Time and all Eternity. Also Dad, I want to add my testimony to the things which the missionaries are teaching you, they are teaching true and living doctrine…it can and will bless your life….but it is all dependant on your willingness to follow and do what your father in Heaven asks of you. I hope that you do the things you know to be right and all the blessings in store for you will come your way.
Well, transfer calls are Saturday night and I hope that I don’t get transferred. But you just never know. I really do love this area…I think it really has become my favorite area. It is just really amazing--the members the investigators. I really love it here. I also love all of you very much.
Holy cow, this week has just been turned upside down!
Well I will talk to you all next week…..Much love.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
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