Bucking Hay On My Birthday!

Hey Hey!
Thank you to everyone for the e-cards, real cards and just plain thinking about me on my 21st birthday…Well, what a day right????
21, I just can’t believe it….it really happened and I feel like I’m still in high school….OK, not quite that bad but I still feel pretty young and now I am over half way to 40….what’s up with that????

Just kidding! I’m really not that worried and I had a great birthday….Well, my Zone Leaders, who I live with, went out and bought birthday donuts….that is always a good gift…..plus a great way to start the day…..then I got to go do some service… .I got to Buck Hay!Yeah, that’s right... I bucked some Hay. It was a lot of really hard work….but was a great learning experience and I had a ton of fun….we did it for non member who asked our ZL’s for help…well, with them trying to surprise me the way I did to Elder Settle, this was the best chance, right? Well they didn’t quite get me, but it was the thought that counts….I got mom and dad's gifts and stuff on the actual day and I got Chanel's last Monday…..I opened it and made sure everyone I say knew “CUBS WIN…CUBS WIN!” Chanel, that was awesome! Perfect, I might dare say. Then we went out to lunch…We went to Chili's Restaurant and had a great time. I have some pics and some videos, but I will just send the card home soon so you can see them then. T,hanks to everyone again for everything that you sent or thought, or what ever.

Well on the missionary work side...Holy cow….that’s what I have to say. We had a lot to do last week and we have a lot to do this week, but I think it will all work out. First, I went on splits and we were in Dayton. That area covers Virginia City, and I wanted to go and work up there….it was lot of fun to try and talk to people. I must say I had a great time on splits…Then Saturday we had interviews with President McCracken. Then we took him to an appointment with us…that was kind of fun….I had a great time with him at the lesson and it was nice to have him come out with us for a little bit….we had Stake Conference this past weekend as well…It was a really a good time. Elder Richardson, an Area Seventy, was there and he was the one that did the most talking to us…it was really good though, and everyone had a great time....we even had a few investigators there, so that was really nice too.
Well, this week we have zone conference and so that should be a pretty big day. Then we have a baptism this Saturday, as I mentioned earlier...

Well I hope you know that I love you so much...sorry that this email is short and that it doesn't have maybe as much detail as you would like, but know that I love you all so much and am grateful to have you all in my life to help me in any way you have....again I love you all, have a great week.

Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor

Hannah Montana....A Zamboni....And a Crazy Sunday? What could make life better???

Hello Hello,

Oh my goodness…..I can’t believe that it is here again….P-day…..I was thinking in the shower this morning….that’s probably where I do my second best thinking…about the fact that it is p-day again….these things seem to really be coming up out of nowhere and really fast now. It could be because I’m getting older or that I have been out for so long now but I really just don’t know. This week really has been amazing and I have really felt the hand of the Lord and the prayers of my loved ones in my life this week. We had some amazing fun and some cool experiences.

I won't waste anymore time I will just jump right in. First this past Wednesday was Elder Settle’s birthday….and for those of you who don’t know how serious we Taylors take birthdays….well, then check out Chanel’s blog and then you will know…I had to do something! Well, we came up with this plan to throw a little surprise party, so we went and got cup cakes and the like. Elder Settle has a playful crush on Hannah Montana…..so the party theme was….you guessed it: Hannah Montana! We got him a calendar and a big huge poster of her…and he thought that it was quite the party…and the Wal-mart guy thought that we were kind of weird - since it was four missionaries buying Hannah Montana stuff….but we did. We took him (Elder Settle, not the Wal-mart guy) to Chili’s for lunch and got half off our meal because we are missionaries…so everyone go there tonight and eat because they are so nice! Well that was really the end of the party stuff. Later we had a really cool experience. We went to go and visit this less-active lady and..she stood us up. So that was no bueno….so I asked the member who was with us who we should go see….he said that an older recent convert was having some health issues and thought it would be nice to drop in. Well it turns out that he wanted a blessing and that his wife wasn’t sure who to call. Knock Knock…the missionaries are here! So that was such a testimony builder of following the Spirit. It was really cool, and the member gave the blessing, only his second one! I can remember my first….how nervous and scared I was….well now I have given a few more….but it still is nerve wracking.

Then Friday….oh Friday it was so much fun. We, as an apartment, started to get really sick of the old contacting and tracting and since everyone who lives in Carson City has lived here their whole life or if they just moved here, they are already members. So we decided to make signs and hold them at street corners and see how it goes. Well, let me tell you…..it was so much fun that we have been doing it the last 3 days! We get a chance to talk to people off the street and get honks and waves…..and some middle fingers….but that just makes us laugh. It really is a lot of fun….I really must say….it really is a great idea.

Saturday we went with our zone leaders to do service at this middle school that is being re-modeled. They are 7 weeks behind schedule…and they open for school on the 25th and they needed help, so the zone leaders ward decided to help….so, we did too. It was a lot of fun. I got to ride on a Zamboni type thing to clean the gym floor….that was so cool and so much fun. The folks at the school really loved it too. Then the ward had a picnic that night and we went to that also. They had a horseshoe tournament…well you know me and how competitive I can get. We all signed up and then we looked at the bracket they made up and then I looked at the trophy. But guess who I was playing the first round?! That’s right - the defending champion…..what kind of garbage is this?! We played the game and I was winning 8-3, and we were playing to 11. But then the old guy hooks two ringers back to back!! In the end I lost but I didn’t go away quietly….I matched him point for point and then he ended up taking me out….I was sad…upset….but overall had a great time.

Then came Sunday….the craziest day since I have been in Carson City. We had 3 lessons yesterday after church…it was nuts. Best part was when we showed up to church there was this guy there who wanted to meet with us! We taught him last night and he said he believes in Joseph Smith and that he wants to jump into this 110%. I was so happy to see someone with so much enthusiasm…he is here for another 5 weeks of police academy. So we hope that he stays hot like he is….we are meeting again tonight….so hope that it all goes well.

Well this past week has been amazing and I hope that this week is a good one too. Yes, I do get a year older and better looking too….but I also hit my 18 month mark! Holy cow - time goes by so dang fast….I hate that so much. But all good things must come to an end sometime….sadly. Well I hope that you all have a great week and stay safe….I love you all and keep it classy.

Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor

It Can't be???? P-day is here again????? YAY!!!!!!!!!!

Well Hello,

First: the libraries here in Carson City just don’t get the job done. We only get half an hour and then we are done. I might just have to write two letters this week and you guys can piece them together. We had a busy week and I can’t believe it…..P-day snuck up on me this week. That never happens….but this week it did. We were leaving a member's home last night and they told us "Happy P-day!" I stopped and said, "Holy cow! Tomorrow is p-day" And I am glad for it. I was glad to read that you guys all had a great time out at the beach this year. Sounds like a good time was had by all this year….I was sad that I couldn’t be there but this just seems to be the year I miss all the big family events….just my luck. It really did sound like a great time. I’m sorry the weather wasn’t that great….because the weather here has been amazing since I got to Carson City. It cools down to about 70 at night and hit mid 90’s in the day…..I dare say that the weather here is perfect.

This week has really been busy. We have been teaching the members around here the Plan of Salvation lesson to try and get them more into doing missionary work rather then doing nothing. It really actually seems to be working and I think I know the members better faster than I have in any other of my areas. They are really nice and let us come and teach them a 20 minute lesson. We also met with some of our investigators this week….I hope that we will have two baptisms here in the month of August. So that should be pretty cool. We are working with a guy named Terry and he used to be a trucker and smoke 3 packs of cigarettes a day. Now he is down to just 5 cigarettes a day….and that is really cool to see someone trying to apply the gospel in there life. Also we started meeting with this guy named Ferg and he is a little crazy, as most people are here, but is a really nice guy. He said that he really loved the lesson and that we taught him a lot he didn’t know about our church. So that was cool and he said we can come by and teach him more.

Well now I have a confession to make….I said in one of my previous emails that I was going to try and finish the Book of Mormon by the end of July. Well I didn’t quite make it….I finished last week. I still have the goal to read the whole thing by the end of the month though. I am half way through Second Nephi and I started on Saturday night. I really do love this book and I hope that those of you who haven’t read it that recently….pick it back up and do so. It really will help you. Your testimony will really grow. I really hope you all will do that. My time is up for now I hope to get back on later….but if not I love you all so much and have a great week.

Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor

Why people fly to Reno...

Hello Everyone,

Oh man, I have to say it is a lot nicer up here in Carson City than in Las Vegas. It actually cools down at night and that makes it more fun to be out there. At transfers, when we met up in Reno, and I got out of the car and it was 80 degrees…..I was cold! I wanted a coat or a sweater or something to help keep me warm. That is almost a 30 degree change in weather, folks….that isn’t supposed to happen to your body that fast! I think I will adjust just fine to the nicer weather. The highs are about 95 or so during the day and at night you can sit outside and not sweat your “you know what" off. Well I have arrived safely and I must say Tuesday was a long day. We (and by we I mean ME) drove to Reno on Tuesday morning starting at about 10:30 in the morning. Well, I think I have to start a new paragraph…..just to show how frustrated I was that day.

So, like I said…I got to drive to Reno and that’s not that bad. Well it IS that bad. This transfer they were trying to move some older cars down from up north and take some newer ones up there, so we had 6 cars and a Van. This meant no normal transfer bus…sadly. So this other missionary…Elder Tonga...and I drove one of the cars. Like I said, I drove the whole way. It was a long boring trip…..there is nothing to look at….unless you like the sand and dirt and some small dirt formations. Oh, and Area 51, cant forget that! And no, you can't see it from the road….but you know it is out there. Well anyway we drove all day….really...all day. We stopped in Tonopah for lunch and gas and then in Fallon to drop off people there. We were off again to Reno to meet everyone else and we got there at 7:30 p.m. and I didn’t get to Carson City until almost 9:30 that night….it was such a long day. There was so much confusion as to what was happening with all the cars that came up that I almost didn’t get a car….and that would have followed with me punching someone in the face (really I was that tired and I wanted to sleep). Anyway, I got a car and drove to my new place in Carson City.

Holy bajolie, Carson City is smaller then I remember for sure. There seems to be no one here! Okay, some people but not like there was in Las Vegas….there are people everywhere you turn. Anyway my new apartment is amazing. It is a duplex….a two level duplex….I will have to do an apartment tour on my card. It is really nice….almost like a town house or condo or something. We live with our Zone leaders and so that makes it cool. Kind of funny, too, because when our district leader calls us for stats every night he talks to us then we just pass the phone over to them. Weird but that’s the way we do it here. The guys in the apartment are pretty cool and funny. I do miss living with the span-ams…which means no more Spanish lessons. Though one of our wards has a Spanish group in it and so now I can put my skills to the test!

Speaking of wards: I cover the Carson River and Hot Springs wards. They just name the wards after streets here, it’s really funny. They are really nice…not too small….just the right size. We have a family named the Waltz’s, they remind me of Connie and Don, the nicest people ever. They have us over all the time and let us come over Sunday and hang with them. They feed us whenever we don’t have a dinner and take care of us a lot. They also remind me of Mom and Dad, too…so that is really nice. My companion, Elder Wright is a nice guy, and he and I get along well and have a good time together. We have gone around teaching the members in the ward since I got here. We teach them the Plan of Salvation and then commit them to share that wonderful plan with someone they know. Since everyone hopefully has friends, then it makes it a lot easier to get them to talk to their friends about this great plan we know. It was cool to hear that you guys got to learn more about the Mormon.org stuff. I mean I have known about it for a while….you remember we did test that program and stuff. So it is cool to see that because we are so amazing that now everyone else gets to use it! It really does work well….so use it to your advantage.

The other night there was an Elder Quorum party and we went. We had a great time….played Croquet, and I won two games! I think it was from all those times at Grandma’s house that I got so good. Anyway, I have gotten to know the members here faster then in any other area that I have been in. So it really makes things here a lot more fun too.

Well I must say that I was really sad to leave my last area. Having been there six months and getting know a lot of people and making lots of friends and stuff….it really has made it easier to transition to here. Well, have a great week and I hope that all gets going well for you. Have a great week out at the Beach! Don’t miss me too much, and next year I will be able to be there and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Well my time is up, have a great week.

Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor