Hello one and all,
This week has really been a little different for me. As I mentioned a few weeks ago I was going to Reno to help Elder Riddle with his surgery and stuff like that. Well first of all his surgery went well and he is healing up nicely. We are up in Reno again today getting the final packing taken out of his face so that he can breath and almost feel normal again. Well the best place to start with the story is at the beginning. So we got there and: we arrived in Reno on Monday night and stayed with a member from one of my old wards. Then the surgery was the next morning at 8:30 and we had to be there early. We arrived in plenty of time and we were able to get him all checked in and medicated. The doctor that was performing the surgery was Dr. Elder Dyches. He is in the Area Presidency and some quorum of the seventy, he is also a really nice doctor and is really one of the best in the West. The surgery lasted for about an hour, and they just pounded it back into place and made it all pretty and straight for Elder Riddle. Well, one thing I forgot to mention was that a sister missionary was having the same thing done on the same day. Funny side note: when Elder Riddle broke his nose, the sisters took him and another Elder to the ER to get it checked out….while he was being stitched up she fainted and broke her nose on a cabinet. So they both broke their noses and had surgery to fix them on the same day….what a great story to tell!
So, after the surgery we just took it easy….Elder Dyches offered to let us stay at their home for a few days while he recovered. He has a really nice house and I’m sure that his wife loved having me there….all the big heavy moving that she didn’t or hadn’t wanted to do - she had me do whit Elder Riddle slept or ate or did whatever. Well the nice thing was we had total run on the kitchen anytime we were hungry. We could get what we wanted or cook or whatever. It was so nice to have a place to stay and relax that had food in it….most missionary apartments only ever really have junk food in it….so it was nice to eat real food all time.
We stayed at their home until Thursday evening and then we went back to Gardnerville. We stayed together because I knew what needed to be done and also because I could drive - so if we got to stir crazy we could just leave and drive around or something. We split back on Saturday evening for Church…but it snowed like 6 inches that night and church was cancelled! Then the sun came out and melted the snow a little bit and we (Elder Riddle and I) headed up here to Reno while we had the chance….so glad we did! It snowed again here in town and I’m sure down in G-Ville as well. Like I said Elder Riddle is having his packing taken out this afternoon and then we will be going back to G-Ville. So then we will be all done.
Well as for other big news: Of course the entire LDS community is aware of the passing of our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley…we were with some other missionaries when we got the news that he passed…we were all shocked for a few moments and then as we all talked about the plan of salvation it made us all realize he was in a better place and he was doing what the Lord would have him do at this time. It was most assuredly a sad moment but he is now reunited with his sweet wife and they are doing their job now, together again. Another quick health note…yes, Mom I’m doing fine. Actually our mission president will be going to Salt Lake this week for some tests by the church doctors there as he has had bone cancer in the past and they don’t know if it is acting up again…I would just ask that you keep him in your prayers…and all of us missionaries will be fasting for him this fast Sunday.
Well know that I love a appreciate all that you guys do and have done and will continue to do. I love you all so much and hope that all continues to go well. Again I love you and have a great week.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Well, heres the deal......
Hey there family!
This week has been a little better weather wise and I have gotten to know Elder Tubb a little bit more and things have gotten better around here….plus not being stuck in the apartment all day really helps out a lot. We have had a bunch people to visit and things to do this week to keep us busy. It has been a very productive week and a lot has gotten done. We visited most of our investigators and now this week is full of appointments. We have a lot of potential in this area...the last elders didn’t seem to want to use it very much - so they left us plenty to do. For which I am grateful.
Well, as I sit here and think of the things that we did this week I really am drawing a blank. We did a lot of just visiting people who may or may not be home and other stuff like that. I do have to tell this story though. We went to dinner the other night with a nice couple. They were so happy to be able to feed the missionaries and to have us in their home, and you know me I love to make people happy….here’s were the problem starts….Elder Tubb hadn’t been feeling to well that day and really wasn’t too hungry…..so he really didn’t eat all that much. Well, he ate a few bites and had to go to the bathroom….(he had bugatti’s and needed to go)….well he was in the bathroom for a little bit of time…ok, a long time. The wife thought that her food had made him sick, and I told her that he hadn’t been feeling good that day and wasn’t really very hungry. When he came out, the husband asked if he fell in...and then the wife began to pester him about how he felt….and the last question she asked was…."Are you bulimic???" At that point I lost it, and I was laughing out loud and just couldn’t stop thinking of Zoolander and “You can read minds?!”…it just really made me laugh.
Well, this week, like I said, wasn’t too eventful but if I remember more later I will write a snail mail letter and send that. Maybe if you send me a questionnaire with all the details you want on it I can write you back and tell you all you want and more…but this week has been good…church yesterday was fun….the Walker Branch I cover is just a bunch of old Crazies…so that makes it really fun to be there and help out. The Branch President is a guy who lives in Gardnerville and he is awesome…the other ward is awesome and they really all want to help us out. Mom, sorry to hear about the Colts…..but my Chargers are one step closer to where I said they would be….it’s in writing!
Oh! I forgot to tell you last week that I get to go back up to Reno for a few days. Elder Riddle, (we were in the MTC together) is here in Gardnerville and broke his nose playing basketball a month ago and he is having surgery next week…so I get to go with him and drive him back home…since his comp doesn’t have driving privileges. Well I love you guys a lot and hope you all have a good week.
Love,
Elder Taylor
This week has been a little better weather wise and I have gotten to know Elder Tubb a little bit more and things have gotten better around here….plus not being stuck in the apartment all day really helps out a lot. We have had a bunch people to visit and things to do this week to keep us busy. It has been a very productive week and a lot has gotten done. We visited most of our investigators and now this week is full of appointments. We have a lot of potential in this area...the last elders didn’t seem to want to use it very much - so they left us plenty to do. For which I am grateful.
Well, as I sit here and think of the things that we did this week I really am drawing a blank. We did a lot of just visiting people who may or may not be home and other stuff like that. I do have to tell this story though. We went to dinner the other night with a nice couple. They were so happy to be able to feed the missionaries and to have us in their home, and you know me I love to make people happy….here’s were the problem starts….Elder Tubb hadn’t been feeling to well that day and really wasn’t too hungry…..so he really didn’t eat all that much. Well, he ate a few bites and had to go to the bathroom….(he had bugatti’s and needed to go)….well he was in the bathroom for a little bit of time…ok, a long time. The wife thought that her food had made him sick, and I told her that he hadn’t been feeling good that day and wasn’t really very hungry. When he came out, the husband asked if he fell in...and then the wife began to pester him about how he felt….and the last question she asked was…."Are you bulimic???" At that point I lost it, and I was laughing out loud and just couldn’t stop thinking of Zoolander and “You can read minds?!”…it just really made me laugh.
Well, this week, like I said, wasn’t too eventful but if I remember more later I will write a snail mail letter and send that. Maybe if you send me a questionnaire with all the details you want on it I can write you back and tell you all you want and more…but this week has been good…church yesterday was fun….the Walker Branch I cover is just a bunch of old Crazies…so that makes it really fun to be there and help out. The Branch President is a guy who lives in Gardnerville and he is awesome…the other ward is awesome and they really all want to help us out. Mom, sorry to hear about the Colts…..but my Chargers are one step closer to where I said they would be….it’s in writing!
Oh! I forgot to tell you last week that I get to go back up to Reno for a few days. Elder Riddle, (we were in the MTC together) is here in Gardnerville and broke his nose playing basketball a month ago and he is having surgery next week…so I get to go with him and drive him back home…since his comp doesn’t have driving privileges. Well I love you guys a lot and hope you all have a good week.Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, January 7, 2008
When it Rains...it Snows
Hello,
A very wet and strange "Hello" to you all. As some have heard, there has been a little crazy weather these past couple of days. We have seen a little bit of everything, so that has made the transition a little different then normal. Well, as many know we have had a lot of snow in the last few days and it has made missionary work a little different than usual. Not too much actually - people just don’t seem to like to talk to us when they are just as cold and wet as we are….but that has been nice because our apartment was a total mess when we got there…we have had a few days to clean and re-arrange the place which is really nice….it needed it. Our apartment is an older apartment that missionaries have been in for a few years and it is a total change from my last few apartments. It is nice though…..it reminds me of something the Brady Bunch would live in. It almost looks like a house though….we have a driveway and a garage which is a pretty cool change….I wish I could tell you more about the members but we haven’t really met many of them yet…Church was canceled yesterday and so that made it really hard to try and get to know everyone. Those we have met are pretty cool…I’m not to sure about our Bishop since he is fairly new and I don’t know if he really knows how to work with missionaries. But guess we can help him out with that!
Gardnerville is a small little town….I miss Reno already….everything is so far away and there is only one other missionary companionship in Gardnerville. But it is a nice little town. Don’t get me wrong it's nice, it's just not Reno. But one cool thing is that Elder Sanderson is my zone leader now which is pretty cool, good to see him again. My new companion, Elder Tubb...He is from Georgia, the Atlanta area…and he has one older brother and he really is a nice guy. All in all - things will go well and continue on like normal…he has been out 20 months and he was Elder Filter's MTC companion and that’s pretty cool…
Other details: we drive a maroon 2008 Corolla and it is like brand new….so that’s nice! I cover the Carson Valley 2nd ward and the Walker Branch. Walker is in California and is a good 40 miles from my apartment. We don’t have too much work going on out there. We have our branch mission leader drive us out there for appointments and stuff…which helps on miles. There aren’t really too many investigators right now, which means we have to do a lot of tracting and street contacting and stuff like that. Which is just what missionaries do….so I don’t have too much of a problem doing that.
Well I hope that everyone has had a good week and has a good week this week. I know that I will…go Buckeyes tonight! I hope they win. LSU is good but I think The Ohio State is going to take it….Know that I love you all very much and I hope that you all have the Spirit with you and that you do your best. This has been the craziest week so far…
Love,
Elder Taylor
A very wet and strange "Hello" to you all. As some have heard, there has been a little crazy weather these past couple of days. We have seen a little bit of everything, so that has made the transition a little different then normal. Well, as many know we have had a lot of snow in the last few days and it has made missionary work a little different than usual. Not too much actually - people just don’t seem to like to talk to us when they are just as cold and wet as we are….but that has been nice because our apartment was a total mess when we got there…we have had a few days to clean and re-arrange the place which is really nice….it needed it. Our apartment is an older apartment that missionaries have been in for a few years and it is a total change from my last few apartments. It is nice though…..it reminds me of something the Brady Bunch would live in. It almost looks like a house though….we have a driveway and a garage which is a pretty cool change….I wish I could tell you more about the members but we haven’t really met many of them yet…Church was canceled yesterday and so that made it really hard to try and get to know everyone. Those we have met are pretty cool…I’m not to sure about our Bishop since he is fairly new and I don’t know if he really knows how to work with missionaries. But guess we can help him out with that!
Gardnerville is a small little town….I miss Reno already….everything is so far away and there is only one other missionary companionship in Gardnerville. But it is a nice little town. Don’t get me wrong it's nice, it's just not Reno. But one cool thing is that Elder Sanderson is my zone leader now which is pretty cool, good to see him again. My new companion, Elder Tubb...He is from Georgia, the Atlanta area…and he has one older brother and he really is a nice guy. All in all - things will go well and continue on like normal…he has been out 20 months and he was Elder Filter's MTC companion and that’s pretty cool…
Other details: we drive a maroon 2008 Corolla and it is like brand new….so that’s nice! I cover the Carson Valley 2nd ward and the Walker Branch. Walker is in California and is a good 40 miles from my apartment. We don’t have too much work going on out there. We have our branch mission leader drive us out there for appointments and stuff…which helps on miles. There aren’t really too many investigators right now, which means we have to do a lot of tracting and street contacting and stuff like that. Which is just what missionaries do….so I don’t have too much of a problem doing that.Well I hope that everyone has had a good week and has a good week this week. I know that I will…go Buckeyes tonight! I hope they win. LSU is good but I think The Ohio State is going to take it….Know that I love you all very much and I hope that you all have the Spirit with you and that you do your best. This has been the craziest week so far…
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, December 31, 2007
A HO HO HO....OH and getting stuck in the Snow
Happy New Year,
Well I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and had a great time talking with family or visiting family….or just anything to do with their family. I will let all of you know that I had a great time talking to my family and finding that all is going well with them. I had just a great time talking to them and hearing their voices. But I must say that this week has been one of total craziness….now Chanel told me that I say "this week was so crazy" every week….but this week really was crazy. But I will start with the most important news first: Transfers. Yes, I am leaving…..I’m going to Gardnerville, Nevada. It should be fun…I will be just a nice normal missionary…and let me tell you how happy that makes me: well it makes me very happy to say the least. My new companion will be Elder Tubb and I don’t really know him too well but I am excited for the new change and no leadership. I hope that all will go well.
Now to the Crazy part of the week. Other then talking to my family, I had some good times this week. So as I said last week, we went to North Tahoe to do a baptism interview for some little kids….and by little I mean 8 and 10. Anyway their baptism was on Thursday night. So I wanted to go back up there and see them get baptized…so we hopped in the car and rode up with the Spanish Missionaries. As we were getting closer and closer the snow started to fall more and more and more and more….and more…well you get the point….
we made it to the church and were there for the baptism. But now it was time to drive home….and we couldn’t…they were requiring chains on all cars or snow tires…well as missionaries we aren’t supposed to be driving in weather conditions like that. Thankfully some very nice members were willing to have us come and stay at their home for the evening….we were so grateful. They gave us a ride back to their house and we were able to stay the night and come back to Reno the next morning when the roads had been cleared. 
We made it back nice and safe and no animals were harmed by our driving…or humans. The people we stayed with were the Jones’ and they have an amazing house. It is like my perfect dream winter home up by Lake Tahoe….they live in Truckee so their not too close to Tahoe…but just close enough. It was an amazing home…I will include a picture of us in their home. 
They were so nice that they said we could come back today and go sledding in their backyard…they have a sled track that he dug out of the snow and it is so cool…I’m very excited to go back up there and see them again.
Well like I said transfers calls were Saturday night…and yes, I really am leaving for Gardnerville….I am actually pretty excited about the new area….I hear that it is a really pretty place to live and there are lots of nice people there. I will be covering only a 1 ward and 1 branch so that will be a nice change….I just seem to be covering smaller and smaller areas now….it is actually quite nice. It will be another Double Transfer though…every time but one that I have been transferred in it has been a double transfer…so I don’t really like them very much…but life goes on….right??
Well I hope that everyone has a great New Year and if 2008 goes by as fast as 2007 then I just won't know what to do with myself…I have spent most of this year either on my mission or preparing for my mission….and I must say that if there is anyone who is thinking about going on a mission and not quite sure if they should do it…..go for it! This has easily been one of the best years of my life. I have had so much and grown so much that I can’t wait for 2008 to get here. It is going to be so much fun to see what the New Year holds, I hope it holds many blessings for me and also for all of you. Again I hope that all of you had a great Christmas…and I hope you have a great 2008.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Well I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and had a great time talking with family or visiting family….or just anything to do with their family. I will let all of you know that I had a great time talking to my family and finding that all is going well with them. I had just a great time talking to them and hearing their voices. But I must say that this week has been one of total craziness….now Chanel told me that I say "this week was so crazy" every week….but this week really was crazy. But I will start with the most important news first: Transfers. Yes, I am leaving…..I’m going to Gardnerville, Nevada. It should be fun…I will be just a nice normal missionary…and let me tell you how happy that makes me: well it makes me very happy to say the least. My new companion will be Elder Tubb and I don’t really know him too well but I am excited for the new change and no leadership. I hope that all will go well.
Now to the Crazy part of the week. Other then talking to my family, I had some good times this week. So as I said last week, we went to North Tahoe to do a baptism interview for some little kids….and by little I mean 8 and 10. Anyway their baptism was on Thursday night. So I wanted to go back up there and see them get baptized…so we hopped in the car and rode up with the Spanish Missionaries. As we were getting closer and closer the snow started to fall more and more and more and more….and more…well you get the point….
we made it to the church and were there for the baptism. But now it was time to drive home….and we couldn’t…they were requiring chains on all cars or snow tires…well as missionaries we aren’t supposed to be driving in weather conditions like that. Thankfully some very nice members were willing to have us come and stay at their home for the evening….we were so grateful. They gave us a ride back to their house and we were able to stay the night and come back to Reno the next morning when the roads had been cleared. 
We made it back nice and safe and no animals were harmed by our driving…or humans. The people we stayed with were the Jones’ and they have an amazing house. It is like my perfect dream winter home up by Lake Tahoe….they live in Truckee so their not too close to Tahoe…but just close enough. It was an amazing home…I will include a picture of us in their home. 
They were so nice that they said we could come back today and go sledding in their backyard…they have a sled track that he dug out of the snow and it is so cool…I’m very excited to go back up there and see them again.Well like I said transfers calls were Saturday night…and yes, I really am leaving for Gardnerville….I am actually pretty excited about the new area….I hear that it is a really pretty place to live and there are lots of nice people there. I will be covering only a 1 ward and 1 branch so that will be a nice change….I just seem to be covering smaller and smaller areas now….it is actually quite nice. It will be another Double Transfer though…every time but one that I have been transferred in it has been a double transfer…so I don’t really like them very much…but life goes on….right??
Well I hope that everyone has a great New Year and if 2008 goes by as fast as 2007 then I just won't know what to do with myself…I have spent most of this year either on my mission or preparing for my mission….and I must say that if there is anyone who is thinking about going on a mission and not quite sure if they should do it…..go for it! This has easily been one of the best years of my life. I have had so much and grown so much that I can’t wait for 2008 to get here. It is going to be so much fun to see what the New Year holds, I hope it holds many blessings for me and also for all of you. Again I hope that all of you had a great Christmas…and I hope you have a great 2008.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, December 24, 2007
HO...HO...HO.....
Well Hey,
As I will be talking to you tomorrow…I won't make this too long….but I do have a few highlights I would like to cover….
First was on Friday - Santa came Early…some missionaries in my district dressed up as Santa and one of his elves and went to visit investigators and they came by our apartment all dressed up and it was so funny…probably one of the best things I could have asked for this holiday season. Then yesterday I got to go and interview two kids for baptism….it was so cool to interview these little kids who now had the gospel in their lives…..their Mom was a less active member and wanted her two sons to get baptized and so they had the missionaries come and teach the family and it was so cool to be apart of the process…even in a small little way. They were nice little kids and it was fun…the only problem was they live in California up by Lake Tahoe…so we had to drive and hour each way just to do this interview…..but it was worth the drive. 
Also we saw this way crazy big icicle. It was bigger then me…..it was so crazy…then we made Elder Fechser run through the snow…well he wanted to do it, so we just strongly encouraged it. It was very funny to see him running through thigh high snow in his suit pants….nothing gets better right?????
Well as this is my first Christmas away from home and I haven’t been able to enjoy the family traditions this year, but it has given me some time to think about the true meaning of Christmas and think about what a wonderful gift we have all been given….A Savior….it is truly a pleasure to be His representative and do the work He would do if He were here himself…..I love my Father in Heaven and thank him everyday for my wonderful family….and even more for a Savior. I hope that everyone has a fabulous Christmas…I know I will….I hope all you dreams come true. I Love You all.
Love,
Elder Taylor
As I will be talking to you tomorrow…I won't make this too long….but I do have a few highlights I would like to cover….
First was on Friday - Santa came Early…some missionaries in my district dressed up as Santa and one of his elves and went to visit investigators and they came by our apartment all dressed up and it was so funny…probably one of the best things I could have asked for this holiday season. Then yesterday I got to go and interview two kids for baptism….it was so cool to interview these little kids who now had the gospel in their lives…..their Mom was a less active member and wanted her two sons to get baptized and so they had the missionaries come and teach the family and it was so cool to be apart of the process…even in a small little way. They were nice little kids and it was fun…the only problem was they live in California up by Lake Tahoe…so we had to drive and hour each way just to do this interview…..but it was worth the drive. 
Also we saw this way crazy big icicle. It was bigger then me…..it was so crazy…then we made Elder Fechser run through the snow…well he wanted to do it, so we just strongly encouraged it. It was very funny to see him running through thigh high snow in his suit pants….nothing gets better right?????Well as this is my first Christmas away from home and I haven’t been able to enjoy the family traditions this year, but it has given me some time to think about the true meaning of Christmas and think about what a wonderful gift we have all been given….A Savior….it is truly a pleasure to be His representative and do the work He would do if He were here himself…..I love my Father in Heaven and thank him everyday for my wonderful family….and even more for a Savior. I hope that everyone has a fabulous Christmas…I know I will….I hope all you dreams come true. I Love You all.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, December 17, 2007
Well...it's cold....really cold....but this week was good anyways.....
Happy Holidays,
Well I hope that this past week has gone by as fast for all of you as it has for me. We had last P-day and that was fun….We had dinner with the Simpson’s and you got the picture from that…..Sister Simpson does that because she hasn’t gotten pictures from her son who is on a mission yet…he has only been out like 2 months….but I don’t mind and I know you guys don’t either. (No, we don't mind at all!)
Then Tuesday we had District meeting and other stuff to do. Then Wednesday was the big day….we had interviews with President Andrus. He has changed the way he does them now….he used to do interviews the day of Zone Conference but that was too crazy…now he does them on their own day so he can spend more time with each missionary and talk about stuff….so, it was a nice interview. Most of them have been like 2 or 3 minutes….this time it was like ten or fifteen….it was really cool. Then later that night we had what we call “The Christmas Blessing”….which translated to normal English means: dinner, talent show and MOVIE…..movie is extra big because we got to watch Elf which turns out to be one of President's favorite Christmas movies….so that was pleasant surprise! We had a great dinner and we had a funny talent show….the highlight was Elder Dixon dancing around in a Banana Suit…dancing to the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." For those of you who love The Family Guy know why that is very funny….for others: Google the name of the song and you will see why he was in a Banana Suit. Overall it was a really good time….especially watching Elf, more so a real movie….
Then Thursday rolled around and that was actually kind of a nice because it was a nice easy day…..then came Friday and that meant Zone conference and that was a story unto itself. So we had to get there at 8:30 in the morning which was just fine…..except last week it didn’t hit 30 degrees outside until about 2 in the afternoon…..so we were standing outside inspecting our cars at 8:30 a.m. and it was about 18 degrees or so outside. Let's just say that is too cold to be outside doing anything….but that wasn’t the half of it! Then inside I learn the training that I was supposed to do was actually a workshop and that I was to do it and also Elder Fechser was to be apart of it as well. What I was originally told it was to be a ten minute training in the Zone conference. The workshop is when everyone brakes into groups and is trained by zone leaders. This time they added one district leader from each zone as well….so Elder Fechser and I pulled a something together in the 15 minutes we had to plan and went to it! Let's just say that after the third group we had a good plan set forth and it went well…that was good because President Andrus walked in the with the very next group….so we did a good training with him in the room…..I was still a little nervous though…but it went well and he said we did a really good job.
Well it sounds like everyone had a great and festive week…and I hope that all of you have a good rest of the week…know that I love you and can't wait until next week. Know I love you and I hope that you all keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind this year….The best gift anyone could ever receive…A Savior. I am so grateful to have this gift in my life…I gain even more love for Him every day as I go and serve Him and bring people into His true and everlasting gospel…it is one of the many other gifts that I enjoy because of a Father in Heaven who loves me and because of my loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Again know that I love all of you very much….have a great holiday season.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Well I hope that this past week has gone by as fast for all of you as it has for me. We had last P-day and that was fun….We had dinner with the Simpson’s and you got the picture from that…..Sister Simpson does that because she hasn’t gotten pictures from her son who is on a mission yet…he has only been out like 2 months….but I don’t mind and I know you guys don’t either. (No, we don't mind at all!)
Then Tuesday we had District meeting and other stuff to do. Then Wednesday was the big day….we had interviews with President Andrus. He has changed the way he does them now….he used to do interviews the day of Zone Conference but that was too crazy…now he does them on their own day so he can spend more time with each missionary and talk about stuff….so, it was a nice interview. Most of them have been like 2 or 3 minutes….this time it was like ten or fifteen….it was really cool. Then later that night we had what we call “The Christmas Blessing”….which translated to normal English means: dinner, talent show and MOVIE…..movie is extra big because we got to watch Elf which turns out to be one of President's favorite Christmas movies….so that was pleasant surprise! We had a great dinner and we had a funny talent show….the highlight was Elder Dixon dancing around in a Banana Suit…dancing to the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time." For those of you who love The Family Guy know why that is very funny….for others: Google the name of the song and you will see why he was in a Banana Suit. Overall it was a really good time….especially watching Elf, more so a real movie….Then Thursday rolled around and that was actually kind of a nice because it was a nice easy day…..then came Friday and that meant Zone conference and that was a story unto itself. So we had to get there at 8:30 in the morning which was just fine…..except last week it didn’t hit 30 degrees outside until about 2 in the afternoon…..so we were standing outside inspecting our cars at 8:30 a.m. and it was about 18 degrees or so outside. Let's just say that is too cold to be outside doing anything….but that wasn’t the half of it! Then inside I learn the training that I was supposed to do was actually a workshop and that I was to do it and also Elder Fechser was to be apart of it as well. What I was originally told it was to be a ten minute training in the Zone conference. The workshop is when everyone brakes into groups and is trained by zone leaders. This time they added one district leader from each zone as well….so Elder Fechser and I pulled a something together in the 15 minutes we had to plan and went to it! Let's just say that after the third group we had a good plan set forth and it went well…that was good because President Andrus walked in the with the very next group….so we did a good training with him in the room…..I was still a little nervous though…but it went well and he said we did a really good job.
Well it sounds like everyone had a great and festive week…and I hope that all of you have a good rest of the week…know that I love you and can't wait until next week. Know I love you and I hope that you all keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind this year….The best gift anyone could ever receive…A Savior. I am so grateful to have this gift in my life…I gain even more love for Him every day as I go and serve Him and bring people into His true and everlasting gospel…it is one of the many other gifts that I enjoy because of a Father in Heaven who loves me and because of my loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Again know that I love all of you very much….have a great holiday season.
Love,
Elder Taylor
Monday, December 10, 2007
Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful.......
Hello There Everyone,
This week has been a wild one….we have seen a little of everything this week. We had perfect 60 degree weather early in the week and then this past weekend we got a few inches of snow that are still hanging around and really helping to get people into the holiday spirit. It really has been quite nice to see all the snow…hasn’t been fun on missionary work though. The roads have been pretty clear so that we can drive but Friday we really couldn't drive for too much time…lots of walking around. We were able to have a nice snow ball fight with most of our zone….so that was pretty fun.
We did have a baptism this past Saturday and it was pretty cool….with the snow on the ground it really made the baptism special…..more because we had a pretty good turn out despite the weather….there were a lot of people there to support them and it was really nice……The best part was I just got to sit there and enjoy. I didn’t have to do anything and it was nice….the only thing I was in charge of was making sure the font was full of water….and that proved to be quite the task. The “Special” plug thing kinda leaked water so I had to run and add some more water before they were baptized…but it all worked out great. The two who were baptized are Ruben and Analyn Toledo…..he is from Mexico and she is from the Philippines. He doesn’t want to go the Spanish branch because his wife speaks English. I forgot my camera today so I will have to send the pictures from the baptism next week. They were confirmed in church yesterday and given an amazing blessing and guidance to listen to. They wanted the bishop to baptize them and the his counselors to confirm them and they all did a great job and it was so cool to see a ward get so involved in a baptism……
This week will be a crazy busy one - we have something big going everyday….today being p-day then tomorrow district meeting….Wednesday is what we call the Christmas blessing…..where we all get together (the missionaries up north) and have a dinner and talent show and watch a movie…then we have interviews with President Andrus that morning too…then Zone Conference on Friday….then Saturday will be back to normal….so I will be looking forward to that…..Well, I hope that all is going well for everyone…Know I love you all and thank you for your prayers and love.
Love,
Elder Taylor
This week has been a wild one….we have seen a little of everything this week. We had perfect 60 degree weather early in the week and then this past weekend we got a few inches of snow that are still hanging around and really helping to get people into the holiday spirit. It really has been quite nice to see all the snow…hasn’t been fun on missionary work though. The roads have been pretty clear so that we can drive but Friday we really couldn't drive for too much time…lots of walking around. We were able to have a nice snow ball fight with most of our zone….so that was pretty fun.
We did have a baptism this past Saturday and it was pretty cool….with the snow on the ground it really made the baptism special…..more because we had a pretty good turn out despite the weather….there were a lot of people there to support them and it was really nice……The best part was I just got to sit there and enjoy. I didn’t have to do anything and it was nice….the only thing I was in charge of was making sure the font was full of water….and that proved to be quite the task. The “Special” plug thing kinda leaked water so I had to run and add some more water before they were baptized…but it all worked out great. The two who were baptized are Ruben and Analyn Toledo…..he is from Mexico and she is from the Philippines. He doesn’t want to go the Spanish branch because his wife speaks English. I forgot my camera today so I will have to send the pictures from the baptism next week. They were confirmed in church yesterday and given an amazing blessing and guidance to listen to. They wanted the bishop to baptize them and the his counselors to confirm them and they all did a great job and it was so cool to see a ward get so involved in a baptism……
This week will be a crazy busy one - we have something big going everyday….today being p-day then tomorrow district meeting….Wednesday is what we call the Christmas blessing…..where we all get together (the missionaries up north) and have a dinner and talent show and watch a movie…then we have interviews with President Andrus that morning too…then Zone Conference on Friday….then Saturday will be back to normal….so I will be looking forward to that…..Well, I hope that all is going well for everyone…Know I love you all and thank you for your prayers and love.
Love,
Elder Taylor
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