Craziest week

Hello Everyone -

I don't think I have enough time or enough words to quite express all the things I want to.  I  hope some of this email makes sense to you all.

Transfers was this last Tuesday.  I had to say bye to 2 of my best friends in the mission. Not gonna lie - it's tough seeing people you love so much go home, people that you have grown with. On top of that saying bye to the Bandelier Ward and going into the West Mesa YSA branch was another new experience too. We have had like 4 meetings last week and have been meeting with our branch president and branch mission leader trying to get things figured out. Honestly I can't even begin to tell you how busy every second of every day was last week, and always something comes up with a member or a missionary at the worst timing haha.
 
The branch is now splitting. It used to cover 2 stakes and now they are splitting off so we had a meeting Sunday for that and the Spirit was very strong. The missionary spirit was there and the stake presidents and mission president spoke and in each of their talks, of course, they spoke about missionary work and this great force in the Church. It really took me back and made me ponder on my mission, that right now is my time to work my hardest for the salvation of men. Now is the only time I can fully focus on the work like this and the only time that everyone's so focused on me and my calling... I came to realize that it will end sometime, that this attention from members and spiritual feasts all the time and long days wearing these clothes and name tag will end - my heart was filled with emotions. Am I truly stepping up to the plate, am I truly letting myself be molded into who God wants me to be? Our mission president said that we will be accountable for the people in our stewardship. Am I truly helping them come to Christ and giving them Christlike love? These questions are stirring  up inside me and motivates me more. I have taken a deep breath at the end of this last week and have truly prayed long prayers and pondered much on my life, my future and if I am reaching my highest potential. I can testify that our loving Father in Heaven will let us know when He wants to push us a little more and make us stretch and I'm eternally grateful for that! 

All those who read this I just want to say that this world brings NO true hapiness. I experienced one of the craziest things and scariest things of my entire life this last week and I don't think I have the right to disclose that information and speak of it. But what I will say is that it has changed my life, has made me grow up a lot more and see how horrible things can flip in people's life and how much the Lord protects His missionaries from danger and His saints who follow the commandments. I feel at times in my mission like Joseph when the Lord said to him... "know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good... Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." D&C 122:7,9. I know that my life has purpose and a plan and I continually pray for the Lord to put things in my life to make me be who I truly am destined to be, to put me in ways to prepare for being the best husband and father and priesthood holder. 

For those who are stressed and have so much going on that your mind is going 100 miles per hour and your days are filled with ups and downs, know that it will give you more experience. Know that it is ONLY for your good and that if you so simply ask for help to finish the task the Lord will help and carry the rest! Hopefully this week isn't so crazy but I know that whatever happens that I will look at it with spiritual eyes. 

My testimony from this last week is perfectly summed up in this verse...

" Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them... let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God." D&C 123:13,17.

Do all you can in your power and God will send you as angels to save others.

Love always,

Elder Taylor