Well hey there,
Well, this has been crazy week to say the least. We have been really busy with trying to get to know the area and stuff. I did make it to Las Vegas safely….and soundly. I got off the bus and was pleased with the weather (much warmer) and then I was told that I would be living with members. Then I was told that I would need something else…then I got handed a cell phone. Oh happy day!! Finally!! And all other words that mean joy….that is what I felt….A CELL PHONE…I am so happy. Then we got into the car and went to the house. I met the Stringers and they are the nicest people ever. They then took us out to dinner because we had no idea what was going on in the area. So we went and had a nice dinner. Then we got settled into the room. We live in a bedroom toward the back of the house and we are doing that while we wait for our apartment in the backyard to be finished. They have a little place for us to live it just needs a little work. The nice thing is that Brother Stringer is a general contractor, so he knows some people who can help out. Then we spent the rest of the week trying to figure out what was going on around here.
We did have some ward parties and things like that to help us get to know the members in the ward faster. We had High Priest party in the Deer Springs ward and then a trunk or treat in the Lynbrook ward…the other ward that we cover. We didn’t find out until transfer day that we would be covering that ward...and it should be all right…they are really close together and small wards anyway. We had a great chance to get to know the wards. Then, of course, Sunday was the Primary program in both wards. So we got to enjoy all of that, as well. Those kids did such a great job, they sang there little hearts out and had a great time. We were in the Lynbrook ward though and they announced the new Elders….Elder Thomas and Elder Degering….Elder Thomas??? How do you mess up Taylor and not Degering…I have never heard of that last name ever….and you mess up Taylor???? Come on now. So needless to say…Deer Springs is my favorite ward. Just kidding - they are both really good wards. This area is really devoid of missionary work, though, which was much like Carson City. But I think it will start to pick up and then take off...and we have a lot of work ahead of us if we want that to happen. So we are just going out and opening our mouths and each day it seems like we have someone we talk to that wants to learn more so it is nice in that sense. Funny story though: We were riding home the other night on Decatur and Deer Springs Road, (not that any of you know where that is…anyway) we were riding and some people flagged us down. We thought they needed help so we went over….Then they said, "Hey we are doing a scavenger hunt and we need someone to tell the Joseph Smith and Moroni Story." Who better to have stopped then two Mormon missionaries? So we told it in 30 seconds and they then took off….it was really one of the craziest moments of my mission.
Well, a little about Elder DeGering: he is from Virginia, some small town there….I don’t know the name. He has like 3 older brothers and a younger brother and sister…he has been out 16 months now….we are like the oldest companionship in the zone….and I am the longest tenured missionary in the zone…it is really crazy. I think things will work out though…he is a good guy and we get along pretty well. If you have any questions, Chanel, then just send me a note and I will write you back.
Well things have really gone by pretty slow this week…I hope that they start to pick up and that we have things get going in the area. We are just working hard and knowing the Lord will bless us. I am glad to hear that all is going well and that you are having a great time…good luck with the pig and the Dyches'…that should be really fun. I hope that you all have a great rest of the week. I love you.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Monday, October 27, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Short, Sweet....well you get the point...
Hey Family Unit,
Man - I thought that I had a busy week! We really did a lot this week, but then I read your emails and you make me feel like I just sit around and do nothing. I mean, I don’t, but that’s what I feel like. So glad to hear that things went well this week for the Primary program, the one we had here was pretty good too. A few younger kids did an amazing job, talking for like three minutes a piece…all memorized…one even sang an impromptu song about the prophet and apostles. I must say it was very cute. Still - I'm glad to hear of the entire goings on….really you all are very busy. I hope that I can keep up with this pace that you all seem to keep when I get home (I think I will be able to).
Well as you know I am getting transferred back down to Las Vegas and I will be in the Tule Springs zone and stake, specifically in the Deer Springs ward. It should be pretty interesting. I’m not too sure about the area, but I know they are splitting one and I get half of it…other then that, that’s all I know about the area. I will be serving with Elder Degering, I think that’s how you spell his name, not too sure though. Anyway, yes we will be on bikes, but only covering one ward so it really shouldn’t be too bad! Plus the winter is starting in Vegas….so it won't be so dang hot anymore. I must say I wasn’t to sure about transfers at first but I think that it will work out just fine.
As far as news for this week: I emailed last Wednesday about the most important things like the temple and stuff…so really I don’t have to much else to write. I feel really bad, this letter is so daggum short. I mean all we did this week was tract and tract and try and find new people. We did get a referral from some members who work in Scouts about these two boys who want to get baptized…so it should be really cool. Though I won't be here…I will be leaving. Really I think this this is the way things have gone my whole mission that I have never really left an area bare or with no work…it seems like it always picks up right as I am leaving and then I never know what happens to it. Such is the life of a missionary.
Have a great week and I will send you a note once I'm in Vegas. I love you all so much and hope that you are all doing well. Mom, I hope that things get figured out for you and that you all do well this week….welp big gulps??? Well - see ya later!
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Image via here.
Man - I thought that I had a busy week! We really did a lot this week, but then I read your emails and you make me feel like I just sit around and do nothing. I mean, I don’t, but that’s what I feel like. So glad to hear that things went well this week for the Primary program, the one we had here was pretty good too. A few younger kids did an amazing job, talking for like three minutes a piece…all memorized…one even sang an impromptu song about the prophet and apostles. I must say it was very cute. Still - I'm glad to hear of the entire goings on….really you all are very busy. I hope that I can keep up with this pace that you all seem to keep when I get home (I think I will be able to).Well as you know I am getting transferred back down to Las Vegas and I will be in the Tule Springs zone and stake, specifically in the Deer Springs ward. It should be pretty interesting. I’m not too sure about the area, but I know they are splitting one and I get half of it…other then that, that’s all I know about the area. I will be serving with Elder Degering, I think that’s how you spell his name, not too sure though. Anyway, yes we will be on bikes, but only covering one ward so it really shouldn’t be too bad! Plus the winter is starting in Vegas….so it won't be so dang hot anymore. I must say I wasn’t to sure about transfers at first but I think that it will work out just fine.
As far as news for this week: I emailed last Wednesday about the most important things like the temple and stuff…so really I don’t have to much else to write. I feel really bad, this letter is so daggum short. I mean all we did this week was tract and tract and try and find new people. We did get a referral from some members who work in Scouts about these two boys who want to get baptized…so it should be really cool. Though I won't be here…I will be leaving. Really I think this this is the way things have gone my whole mission that I have never really left an area bare or with no work…it seems like it always picks up right as I am leaving and then I never know what happens to it. Such is the life of a missionary.
Have a great week and I will send you a note once I'm in Vegas. I love you all so much and hope that you are all doing well. Mom, I hope that things get figured out for you and that you all do well this week….welp big gulps??? Well - see ya later!
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Image via here.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
A silly survey...
I sent Elder Taylor a few silly questions - and here they are, along with his answers!
Do you prefer chewing gum or mints?
I love to chew gum...but both are good.
What's your favorite breakfast food?
Waffles, I think.
What's your favorite game show?
The Price Is Right
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Web Slinging like Spiderman.
Do you like guacamole?
No.
Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope, not really.
Name five songs to which you know all the lyrics.
No...they are all hymns.
What's your favorite infomercial?
Set it...and forget it! The Ronco rotisserie oven or the Little Giant Ladder system.
What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
Like an hour or two...Disneyland.
What's on the cover of your weekly planner?
I bought a brown planner cover for mine.
Do you prefer chewing gum or mints?
I love to chew gum...but both are good.
What's your favorite breakfast food?
Waffles, I think.
What's your favorite game show?
The Price Is Right
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Web Slinging like Spiderman.
Do you like guacamole?
No.
Have you ever been in a food fight?
Nope, not really.
Name five songs to which you know all the lyrics.
No...they are all hymns.
What's your favorite infomercial?
Set it...and forget it! The Ronco rotisserie oven or the Little Giant Ladder system.
What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
Like an hour or two...Disneyland.
What's on the cover of your weekly planner?
I bought a brown planner cover for mine.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Well, it could be worse...it could be later
Hey Family,
Hey, sorry that this is so late….today is our temple/P-day…so here is my email. We don’t have too much time to write this stuff….so I sure hope I can get all the stuff in that I want to talk about…if not then I will write about it all next week. Like I said though, today is our temple day. We took three recent converts and six missionaries. It was such a cool experience to take a recent convert to the temple. We took Terry, and we tried to get Cheyne to go with us, but he had to work. Terry had a great time at the temple. We did baptisms, of course, and they really liked it. Like I have said in the past, the Reno Temple is a small one….so everything is small...very different from back home. Anyway we made is work….I got to be a witness and then confirm a few people and that was really cool. Overall it was really a cool trip…one I will remember for sure.
What else happened this week? Oh, yeah, zone conference! That was really good. The assistants to the President did a really cool training all about baptisms and ordinances. It was really cool. They really seemed to tailor it to the zones here. Then our zone leaders did a pretty funny training and I helped out to make it interesting! They were talking about chapter 10 in Preach My Gospel or PMG, and I told them they needed to dress up. And then I said, "Hey - you should go as Mario and Luigi!" Oh man, it worked out pretty well and they did pretty good. They talked all about different things and then relating them to Mario and Luigi…so it was pretty cool.
Then one of the other cool things to happen this week: we had some new investigators! One is a really nice older lady named Karen. She is a really nice lady and she seems pretty interested in the gospel. We also taught these two teenage girls that these members found for us to teach. That lesson went super well. They really felt the Spirit…and we hope to meet with them again really soon. It was really nice….we haven’t had to many investigators as of late…most of the people that we have been teaching, are less-active folks and so it was nice to teach someone who is learning for the first time, too.
Elder Taylor and Elder Wright
Also, as you know, Connie and Don came and took Elder Wright and me out to dinner. It was really cool to see them and be around them again. It was so weird because you can really tell that Mom and Connie are sisters….they act very much alike. That was a big highlight for the week. We had a great time and great food…and even better company.
Elder Taylor and Aunt Connie
Uncle Don, Elder Taylor (in his rockin' Pebble Beach hat!) and Aunt Connie
That really is all that I can remember for this last week. Maybe I will remember more and write longer next week. We have transfer calls coming up on Saturday. I really don’t know what is going to happen. I’m thinking I will stay but I just never know. I hope for the best though. Well have a great week. I love you all and sorry that this is late…and short.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Images via Aunt Connie and here
Hey, sorry that this is so late….today is our temple/P-day…so here is my email. We don’t have too much time to write this stuff….so I sure hope I can get all the stuff in that I want to talk about…if not then I will write about it all next week. Like I said though, today is our temple day. We took three recent converts and six missionaries. It was such a cool experience to take a recent convert to the temple. We took Terry, and we tried to get Cheyne to go with us, but he had to work. Terry had a great time at the temple. We did baptisms, of course, and they really liked it. Like I have said in the past, the Reno Temple is a small one….so everything is small...very different from back home. Anyway we made is work….I got to be a witness and then confirm a few people and that was really cool. Overall it was really a cool trip…one I will remember for sure.
What else happened this week? Oh, yeah, zone conference! That was really good. The assistants to the President did a really cool training all about baptisms and ordinances. It was really cool. They really seemed to tailor it to the zones here. Then our zone leaders did a pretty funny training and I helped out to make it interesting! They were talking about chapter 10 in Preach My Gospel or PMG, and I told them they needed to dress up. And then I said, "Hey - you should go as Mario and Luigi!" Oh man, it worked out pretty well and they did pretty good. They talked all about different things and then relating them to Mario and Luigi…so it was pretty cool.Then one of the other cool things to happen this week: we had some new investigators! One is a really nice older lady named Karen. She is a really nice lady and she seems pretty interested in the gospel. We also taught these two teenage girls that these members found for us to teach. That lesson went super well. They really felt the Spirit…and we hope to meet with them again really soon. It was really nice….we haven’t had to many investigators as of late…most of the people that we have been teaching, are less-active folks and so it was nice to teach someone who is learning for the first time, too.
Elder Taylor and Elder WrightAlso, as you know, Connie and Don came and took Elder Wright and me out to dinner. It was really cool to see them and be around them again. It was so weird because you can really tell that Mom and Connie are sisters….they act very much alike. That was a big highlight for the week. We had a great time and great food…and even better company.
Elder Taylor and Aunt Connie
Uncle Don, Elder Taylor (in his rockin' Pebble Beach hat!) and Aunt ConnieThat really is all that I can remember for this last week. Maybe I will remember more and write longer next week. We have transfer calls coming up on Saturday. I really don’t know what is going to happen. I’m thinking I will stay but I just never know. I hope for the best though. Well have a great week. I love you all and sorry that this is late…and short.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Images via Aunt Connie and here
Monday, October 6, 2008
Cake in a Cup...How much more exciting can it get?
Hello Hello,
Well, I hope that everyone had a chance to watch General Conference this past week. Chanel said she did and told me her favorites….I must say I loved Sister Allred’s talk on Saturday morning. She got after the members and the missionaries to do missionary work. That was one of my favorites and then of course Elder Wirthlin was really good too. The topics to me seemed to be coming in a very timely manner and they really addressed things that needed to be talked about. All the talks were really good. I must say as well Dad, that President Ucthdorf’s talk in priesthood session was amazing. “Stand where you are and lift.” They really are words for us to live by as Latter-Day Saints. All the talks were great and so was President Monson. Overall, I really did love conference. But the next one will be great too….it will finally be Pajama Sunday again…lol. Just kidding…well not really.
On the mission front…I must say: my area right now is painfully slow and I mean really painful. We really don’t have anyone we are teaching that is investigating, mostly just working with less-active people, which is fun because that is part of the job, too. We have done some pretty cool stuff this week. I went on splits with part of my district this week and also the ZL’s, too. It was a pretty good time overall.
When I was out in Dayton we were tracting and found this guy working on some dirt bikes. We asked if we could help, and he said, "Sure!" So, we spent the next 2 hours or so helping and teaching. It was really cool…until…..dot dot dot….(to add more emphasis): Anyway we were sitting there and the door blew open a little bit and the guy said, "Oh, I hope my roommate is wearing clothes." And in my head I said, “Me, too.” And then he adds, "Yeah, because she is a stripper!" So that certainly made things more interesting. Thankfully: 1) she never came out, and 2) she wasn’t nude. So, that was pretty crazy. He was really nice guy and is actually taking those elders out fishing this morning…so pretty cool right???? That really was the highlight of the entire "splits"…and can you blame me???
This week, we also went back to help the guy for whom we bucked hay. This time he needed some wood split…again something I hadn’t really done. Let me tell you - it was really fun. Now I feel like I can do anything. Ok, maybe not anything but it was a cool life skill to learn. Plus I got a little stronger. So Dad…you'd better be ready to rumble here in a few months…I am bigger then I used to be. You’ll even be proud of my baby gut! Yeah that’s right…I’m working on it. (Really though it's nothing and I hope to work it off before I get home.) The members don’t make it easy, though. We have to eat like ten pounds of food and then dessert. 
We did have a cool desert the other night. We were eating with one of our bishops. The family said, ”While we are finishing up dinner - you mix up your desert.” We made the coolest little cakes. They are called Five Minute Cakes and you mix them in a mug for two minutes and then microwave them for three. They make the coolest cakes and don’t worry, I have the recipe…if you want it. It really was a lot of fun and plus if it didn’t turn out right…it was our own fault!
Well I really love you all. I hope you had a great week and that you have a great one coming up. It will be busy for us as we have interviews tomorrow and then Zone Conference on Wednesday. So this early part of the week should be really busy. I love you all so much. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Images from here, here, and here
Well, I hope that everyone had a chance to watch General Conference this past week. Chanel said she did and told me her favorites….I must say I loved Sister Allred’s talk on Saturday morning. She got after the members and the missionaries to do missionary work. That was one of my favorites and then of course Elder Wirthlin was really good too. The topics to me seemed to be coming in a very timely manner and they really addressed things that needed to be talked about. All the talks were really good. I must say as well Dad, that President Ucthdorf’s talk in priesthood session was amazing. “Stand where you are and lift.” They really are words for us to live by as Latter-Day Saints. All the talks were great and so was President Monson. Overall, I really did love conference. But the next one will be great too….it will finally be Pajama Sunday again…lol. Just kidding…well not really.
On the mission front…I must say: my area right now is painfully slow and I mean really painful. We really don’t have anyone we are teaching that is investigating, mostly just working with less-active people, which is fun because that is part of the job, too. We have done some pretty cool stuff this week. I went on splits with part of my district this week and also the ZL’s, too. It was a pretty good time overall.
When I was out in Dayton we were tracting and found this guy working on some dirt bikes. We asked if we could help, and he said, "Sure!" So, we spent the next 2 hours or so helping and teaching. It was really cool…until…..dot dot dot….(to add more emphasis): Anyway we were sitting there and the door blew open a little bit and the guy said, "Oh, I hope my roommate is wearing clothes." And in my head I said, “Me, too.” And then he adds, "Yeah, because she is a stripper!" So that certainly made things more interesting. Thankfully: 1) she never came out, and 2) she wasn’t nude. So, that was pretty crazy. He was really nice guy and is actually taking those elders out fishing this morning…so pretty cool right???? That really was the highlight of the entire "splits"…and can you blame me???
This week, we also went back to help the guy for whom we bucked hay. This time he needed some wood split…again something I hadn’t really done. Let me tell you - it was really fun. Now I feel like I can do anything. Ok, maybe not anything but it was a cool life skill to learn. Plus I got a little stronger. So Dad…you'd better be ready to rumble here in a few months…I am bigger then I used to be. You’ll even be proud of my baby gut! Yeah that’s right…I’m working on it. (Really though it's nothing and I hope to work it off before I get home.) The members don’t make it easy, though. We have to eat like ten pounds of food and then dessert. 
We did have a cool desert the other night. We were eating with one of our bishops. The family said, ”While we are finishing up dinner - you mix up your desert.” We made the coolest little cakes. They are called Five Minute Cakes and you mix them in a mug for two minutes and then microwave them for three. They make the coolest cakes and don’t worry, I have the recipe…if you want it. It really was a lot of fun and plus if it didn’t turn out right…it was our own fault!Well I really love you all. I hope you had a great week and that you have a great one coming up. It will be busy for us as we have interviews tomorrow and then Zone Conference on Wednesday. So this early part of the week should be really busy. I love you all so much. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Geoff Taylor
Images from here, here, and here
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