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.