El Paso or Bust!

I found out on Saturday that I’m staying in El Paso for another transfer!  I can’t believe I’m still here. Usually the trainer leaves after he trains but in this case the trainee is leaving (Elder Broulim) and I’m staying here. I’m super sad that we are splitting up; he was an awesome companion but I'm happy though because I truly love it down here.  I love all of the people and there’s still a lot of work to do. 

I hit my 6 month mark tomorrow and it’s so crazy that I’m one-fourth done already. Just like everyone always says that you’ll already look back and hope that you knew more and were better at certain things and that is EXACTLY what I feel like. I was reading in the New Testament and came across a scripture that really stood out to me and it's 2 Timothy 4:7-8. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. As I've pondered about this verse and thought about my life, and more specifically my mission, it’s brought a new perspective. If I live every day to the fullest and work until I drop, then after another year and a half when I’m done and step off that plane I’ll be able to say, just like that scripture, that I’ve fought a good fight and have finished my course and kept the faith. I know the Lord will bless me and more importantly bless my family. 

I was asked in district meeting on Friday to say a motivating reason why I’m out here on my mission and what kind of gives me that drive to keep going and to work hard.  My first answer was a total joke because it was like tense in there.  So for some comic relief I said I  that I hope I get a hot wife out of all of this, but then I said for real I’m here because of my Mom, and my family. I’m here to make her and my family proud and all I want is that for while I'm gone that my family gets ALL of the blessings that come from me serving and being away from them. I got a card from Jessica and it melted my heart away... that’s my baby girl and to have her say she misses and loves me and is happy I’m a missionary makes me so proud to be her big protective brother. I love the boys in the family but my girls, my mom and Jess, have made me into a better man.  Because now all I’ve got is Jess here with me until the next life I keep seeing my mom in her more and more and PRAY that as I’m gone she will be blessed as I serve. My family is everything and to be out here helping other families have what I have brings me no greater joy. 

There’s a family in our apartment complex who we FINALLY got to teach and they were really receptive and are a super cool family. The father Ishmael is always outside smoking and stuff and looks like a hard "cholo" Mexican with tattoos and the whole deal but seriously is one of the nicest guys I know. "Don’t judge a book by it's cover" for sure applies to this situation. I’m really praying we can get their family to church this next Sunday and have the kids go to primary because I  KNOW the Lord has put us in their path for a reason. It helps us and brings me so much joy and love when people really appreciate what we are doing out here and want to listen.  

So, now on to Elder Broulim ... I’m going to miss that guy. He’s the first person I’ve ever trained and my second companion ever on my mission. I'll never forgot when I picked him up I was freaking out because I felt so brand new still and couldn’t believe I had to train. I told him I was half way through my mission so he wouldn’t freak out (ha), but everything turned out great. I learned so much from him even though I was his trainer. I learned to always push through when facing adversity because he’s gone through a lot of medical problems so far on his mission already and is still out here pushing through. Also, I've learned the importance of speaking to everyone around you and to always start conversations with people. He's got a wonderful family who I’ve felt a genuine love for  as well. He’s truly family to me now and always will be... he’s ma true Brotha!!

The Lord has blessed me with the two best companions in the mission already so we will see who I get on Tuesday... I’m sure he will be great!

Love to you all and thanks for all the support from everyone! Hopefully next week I'll have some cool stories to tell.

Love always,

Elder Taylor   

This is Manny and he's awesome!

Another Baptism

Last Saturday Ray Arellano got baptized. I can't begin to tell you how much joy it brought to me to see him enter the waters of baptism. I met him in the very beginning of my mission when I was awkward, scared, and homesick but after that we just kept teaching him.  He also was my very 1^st person I EVER invited to be baptized. So there's a lot of things that we have gone through since that day and finally it was the right time for him to be baptized and receive the full blessings of the Gospel. I don’t think it could have been at a better time.  I've seen his testimony grow so much since day one up until now! I was so truly humbled that I was again asked to perform the baptism.  Ray also asked for me to confirm him and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost (it was my very 1^st time I had ever done that). The Spirit was just so strong this weekend and Ray gave a powerful testimony at his baptism and at that point I was HIT by the Spirit telling me that this is why I’m here ... this is why I left everything behind to come serve the Lord.  I am supposed to find my brothers and sisters like Ray and bring them the joy I have in my life, and seriously it doesn’t get better than that! Though at times the mission is so hard and I get homesick and just want to quit and rest, I know that other people have sacrificed so much for me personally to get to this point in my life and have touched me... so I NEED to return the favor to them and most importantly to my Savior and Redeemer. Everyone, the Lord is hastening His work here on the earth... more and more people are getting exposed to the true Gospel so STUDY and PREPARE to teach those around you who are in need of these blessings. 

I could see the Love of the Lord working on Ray this weekend and my testimony grew leaps and bounds about the importance of baptism.  It makes me rejoice that another one of God's children decided they want to return to Him again.

Hope you all have a great week and know I love everyone who reads this and supports me!

Yours truly,

Elder Taylor

PS: Funny story about the baptism... after I baptized Ray we went into the bathroom changing area and then he said he forgot his towel... and I was like I totally forgot mine too!  We just busted up laughing because of how dumb we were to forget a towel and then Elder Broulim comes in and says everyone could hear us!  We told him we forgot a towel so he ended up getting paper towels out of the dispenser and we used that to dry ourselves!  haha Super Ghetto but it worked.  I'll never forget a towel AGAIN! Ha

Baptism pics!!! me and ray and also chris, a guy we baptized like 3 months ago came and supported ray so It was so cool to be there with both of them !

Ray and I on Sunday... we had our skinny black ties on and a tie clip! Bosses

Elder nelson and I when we were on exchanges for the day 

Had to fix somebody's lawn

Baptism

I want to apologize that I'm emailing like 3 days later than usual!  It's been a crazy past week! haha 

My companion, Elder Broulim, has had pain on his back so last Thursday we went to the doctors and they said he has 2 cysts on his back. We had to drive to New Mexico to the doctors and then to the west side of El Paso, TX. In 2 days between that and all of the appointments I drove 140 miles!  I haven’t driven that much since before my mission.  Elder Broulim had surgery on Monday morning. We got up at 4:30am to drive him to the hospital. 

Funny story...I was studying in the waiting room and I feel asleep for like 20 min and then all of a sudden I wake up and the hospital is FILLED.  There's a guy sitting right next to me and two ladies right in front of me staring right at me! haha So awkward. The surgery went well and I've been taking good care of him... or at least I hope I am. We have been in the apartment the whole time so I've been able to study a lot! In 3 days I've read 455 pages of “Jesus the Christ”. It’s the most sophisticated book I've ever read. 

SO... now to the awesome news!

Chris Martin was baptized on Saturday. His wife is a member of the church and they have a cute little boy who is 9 months old. He was open to the missionaries and after a few visits accepted baptism. I was so humbled when he asked if I could baptize him. This is my very 1^st baptism so far on my mission that I've been the one to baptize them. I was on exchanges with Elder Krebs the zone leader on that day and served in the lower valley which is right one the border of MEXICO. I got a picture by the fence actually!  ha It was cool hearing him teach in Spanish. Crazy thing is that I'm getting better at listening and understanding what people are saying in Spanish. From there I went to the church and raised my hand to the square and baptized Chris Martin. I was SO HAPPY. To see someone accept being a member of Christ's true church on the earth and to see him want to be a disciple of Him is amazing. He was so happy, I think his wife was even happier! haha I think it's because they want to be an eternal family and sealed in the temple so this gets him a step closer.  :)

I sadly will probably be leaving this area in the end of July because I'm finishing up training Elder Broulim and usually the trainer leaves. So there are two more people I want to see baptized before I go... so hopefully it will happen !

I  just want to briefly talk about the power of the priesthood. It truly is humbling to have the power to act in God's name. This past week I've literally given more blessings than ever before. Like, at least 10, and EVERY TIME my testimony grows. I can testify that it truly isn’t the words of who is giving the blessing but from our Father in heaven. Example: I gave some  blessings to a family who I felt inspired to ask if they needed some. The last one was their oldest daughter who hasn’t been to church for a long time!  I gave a blessing DIRECTLY from heaven. I had no idea why she needed a blessing or what's going on in her life but I felt her sobbing while I had my hands on her head and I spoke what came to me.  Afterwards she and her family were all in tears and said that’s everything she needed to hear. I then on Sunday saw her with her family at church!! SO AMAZING to see that God used us as a instrument in His hands to get one of His daughters back closer to Him and at church. People somehow heard about the blessing and came to me and said that whatever was said in the blessing was what she needed because she hasn't been back to church since who knows when. My testimony grew LEAPS and BOUNDS. I know God lives and that when we are an instrument in His hands we can and will perform miracles unto His children.

Thank you all for your letters and emails and support... it means the world to me!! Also I got to meet the new mission President (President and Sister Miller) and they are awesome. They both crack jokes but still throw down at the same time. They are so loving and personable and it is exactly what I need and this mission needs.

Lots of Love,

Elder Taylor

Long Week

This past week has been one of the longer weeks so far on my mission. Things have been so up and down it's been tough. BUT whenever there is a low there is ALWAYS a high. I look forward to next week and hope to make it a great one. I feel that I haven’t been giving the Lord all of my Might , Mind, and Strength lately. I’m being brutally honest. I’m sure everyone of you who reads this has had times where you haven’t given your ALL to the Lord and His work and been a helping hand. Now don’t get me wrong, we still have been doing missionary work, but it's not at the level where I want it to be. The great thing about the Savior and His atonement is that we can have HIM help US improve ourselves. That’s what I’m doing...I'm having Him strengthen my weaknesses and imperfections. Also, all of the stress from this last week with all that went on was weighing on me but again I gave it to the Lord and had him ease my burdens. 

Last night I watched the World Wide Mission President Broadcast at the church and it was good! Oh, how I love this Church. I don’t know of a greater thing than this. Everything just makes so much sense... the structure of it as well as the foundation that it's built upon. The leadership of the Church is what gives me so much faith and trust in it. As I watched the Apostles of the Lord speak I was taken back... I could truly see the love that this Gospel has brought to their lives. I was so HUMBLED and HONORED and GRATEFUL that the GREATEST time ever to be a servant of the Lord is now, and I have been found worthy and able to do such a thing...to literally be a representative of the Lord and to know that He is allowing me to do so. As I sat and watched the broadcast I just got so fired up about the missionary work and wanted to share it with all of our friends and family who have no idea about it and I TOTALLY forgot for a sec that I was a missionary (haha) until I looked down and saw my name tag. Then I got even more pumped about everything.

For some crazy reason since I’ve been  missionary my mind has been open to things.  Revelation sometimes just pours like water out of a glass.  It's SUPER humbling because those who knew me before probably think I’m crazy for saying this.  I am able to make up things such as quotes or analogies to help understand the Gospel in a simpler way.  While I was at the Butterfields a few days ago I was pondering my Dads 3D’s of the Devil that he made up and he sent me.  He said that the adversary will use Disappointment, Discouragement and Depression to get you down, and to fight against it!  Like father/like son I decided then and there to make the C’s that Satan will use against us:

Satan will use these C’s against you. 

1^st he will use Confusion, 

2^nd Corruption, 

3^rd Contention, 

4^th Collision until 

5^th you Collapse then with keep you Captive. 

DONT LET HIM! Don’t let him Confuse you and confuse your standards or your beliefs.  Don’t let him Corrupt your mind and soul.  Don’t let him bring Contention into your life and home ... he does this so there will be a Collision in your life; either with yourself or with others that you love and care for. Then, from that point you will Collapse and he will try to take you Captive. 

Now, I hope this doesn’t sound too scary or something but I am speaking of the reality of these things.  I have seen them in my PERSONAL life, and now being a missionary I've seen them in others’ lives. PLEASE recognize these C’s because he will use cunningness and craftiness to bring you down and take away all your joy. I’m giving these to you to help you put on that armor of God and to use these to your advantage so that when they occur  you will be able to fight ALL of them off.  I testify that if you apply this in your life, and share it with others to help them fight against it, that you WILL win; that WE all can win because we are on the Lord's team. Search for those who are struggling and help be a Savior to them and help lift their sorrows and pain. Maybe next week or sometime I can think of A’s and B’s too apply as well. 

I pray and hope these things will help all those who read this and and all of those you share it with. If this is applied you will be able to recognize these things and can better fight off the adversary. This Gospel is true and because it’s true that means it’s pure. I can bear testimony that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is just that, and because of it we all have an opportunity to know pure and true joy after this life!  The scripture to go with the C’s can be found in 3 Nephi 14: 17-20 and Matthew 7: 16-20.  Open your mind to it and you will see how it applies.

Love to you all,

Elder Taylor

PS - I read the Pearl of Great Price this week and it was great!

My FADE hair cut!  A Mexican lady in Socorro cut it!

Picture of us and the sister missionaries

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

Happy Father’s Day to all who read this!  I’ve pondered a lot about Fathers, and the importance of them in our lives especially because of yesterday. I had a wonderful privilege of speaking yesterday at church. For those who have been reading this for a while know that two months ago I spoke in church but at least this time he called to ask us at 8:30pm instead of 9:30pm.  I only stayed up until 1:30am to prepare and study but last time we were up until 3:30am preparing. 

So, as of right now I’m very tired, but very blessed that I spoke because it made me ponder over my life and the importance of Prayer and Fathers. Just as our earthly father wants to hear from us and know how we are doing our Heavenly Father definitely wants to know us... so we MUST update him every day through prayer. My Dad last week sent me an email that he sent to our bishop regarding prayer to Heavenly Father and why we do it.  Totally inspired I think. I used some parts of it in my talk.  My dad was saying that “you aren’t praying because God needs you to pray, you are praying because He wants you to pray because He wants you to develop a relationship with Him… The process of prayer is for us, it transforms ourselves, not God.” I love what my dad said, how it’s important for us to pray so we develop that relationship and transform ourselves. I stated on Father’s day mind you, that every Father in that room can find something to improve on; they can be better while carrying out the duties as a father, and they can always progress.

 I made 6 steps on how I have found we can grow closer to our Father in Heaven:

1: Pray at a quiet time and place

2: Update your Father on your life

3: Have Hope, Faith, or Belief that He truly is listening to you.

4: Thank Him for EVERYTHING He has given you. Humble yourself, be grateful and ask for NOTHING only thank.

5: Tell Him you want to be closer and know Him better and promise you’ll strive to accomplish that.

6: Close in thankfulness for His Son, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.

I made this up that night and have used it for the past 2 nights and I have felt so wonderful after I stop praying.  I can promise if you try those steps that you will feel closer to God.

Later I shared a little of my story.  For the 1^st time ever in this ward I shared publically what I’ve gone through with losing my mother. I didn’t want to do it because I don’t want pity or attention or for anyone to treat me different but I felt prompted by the Spirit to share it. As I have gone through this trial I have tremendously developed a STRONGER relationship with my earthly and Heavenly Father; it took a trial for me to personally learn this. Learn from my mistake... turn to both of them NOW, let both of them help you and show their love they have for you. My dad is the greatest man I know. I don’t think I’ll ever meet a better one. I LITERALLY can’t find one flaw in him, one wrong thing he’s done or said. I’ve never felt closer to Him in my entire life. I believe it's because we both have gone through the hardest thing we have ever faced and we both turned to our Heavenly Father to get comfort, courage and strength and it had Bonded us closer together. I love both so dearly. I know through these two Father figures in my life I can overcome any and all obstacles and that I will never feel alone or abandoned, because they show their love to me. I pray each of you will strengthen your relationship with your Earthly and Heavenly Father. Also I give some credit to my mom because behind every great man is a great WOMAN and I know my dad can agree to this statement!  :)

Update on missionary work. It was a tough week.  

It was our first one with the new changes with our area being divided into a north and south and having new sister missionaries come in. We lost 75% of the people we taught and all 4 of our baptisms planned so that’s been hard to basically start all over again but I KNOW the Lord has a perfect plan and reason for it. We are definitely humbled about all this. We have found wonderful new people to teach, (actual families) which are what I have been praying for. 

 It was tough to hear people's problems this last week. We have been working with a lady who is addicted to hard core drugs and pills and shoots up every day. We helped her stay clean for 3 days but the temptation was too strong. She texted us and said there was no hope for her. I don’t EVER want to hear those words again. I know that through Christ there is hope for everyone so please help those around you who feel hopeless. Love the heck out of them, then help them, and then hug them. Make them feel special just like the Savior did when He was on the earth. Seeing how badly the world is getting and the problems in it are hard to see but makes me REJOICE in knowing the plan of happiness and know truth and to be part of Christ church here on the earth. Stay strong everyone!

Love to you all,

Elder Taylor  

A picture of our white board after the sisters came in ... I had to erase almost everything!

picture of me and elder broulim just chilling on the couch

Changes

Changes.

That one word can explain the past year of my life perfectly. 

Yesterday on June 9^th was the 9 month mark since my beautiful mother's passing. She actually passed away on a Sunday, just like yesterday, so it was a special one to me. The past year I’ve graduated High School, helped take care of my family while my mom was sick, turned in my mission papers, went to Hawaii for college, lost my wonderful mother, and now I'm serving a mission. As I’ve been serving my mission I have gained a better understanding of where she is and what she’s doing. I know for a FACT that if it weren’t for this Glorious Gospel of Goodness and plan of happiness that I would NOT be where I am today. Even though I have that knowledge/understanding/and blessing in my life it is still difficult at times. I hope that those who read this that have lost a loved one will pay attention. 

I'M NOT ALWAYS STRONG when it comes to losing my mother. I speak with  honesty in my heart. I used to think I was Superman and could handle everything myself but I was rudely awakened 2 years ago by my mother. She sat me down and with tears in her eyes told me “Justin, I know you think you are and want to be Superman and do it all by yourself... but you can’t.  You can't take the world on your back. It’s impossible. Turn to the Gospel to help you. It’s ok to admit you’re not perfect and have weaknesses and can’t fix everything.” That stood out to me ever since. My mom was “Wonder Woman” in my eyes. How can Wonder Woman tell Superman that he can’t take the whole world on his own? As I’ve reflected on this conversation with her I now realize that she’s right. That I have someone better than Superman... my Savior. I’ve OFTEN turned to Him to help me with the burdens and trials I face on a day-to-day basis from previously serving my mission. Satan knows my weaknesses/fears and regrets in my life and attacks them. I feel as if I myself have fixed a “wound” finally but then Satan comes in and “stomps” on it and brings back the same pain as before and re-opens the cut. BUT luckily our Savior is the Great “Physician” and can sew my wounds up and heal them properly. I don’t have to rely on myself to try to bandage my wounds but the Savior will and he will make it as if new. So in those times when I feel down, discouraged, or angry towards what has happened in my life I remember that Christ will fix it, that He’s gone through it all and that I DON’T have to be Superman and fix it on my own.  There’s ALWAYS someone who has it worse than you. Then my knowledge of the Gospel comes into play.  Then the peace and happiness overcomes me and I feel the Love of the Lord and my mother...knowing that I WILL see her again someday. That it’s a “see you soon” not a “goodbye forever”. 

I encourage those who have lost loved ones and their faith to please TAKE my faith in the merciful plan and TAKE my peace that I have of knowing that everyone who has passed on is FAR happier than we are and is waiting with open arms for us to reunite with them. Hope is the 1^st step of everything. Hope for something, then have faith in it , believe in it, then run with it and never let lose it!

Brother Butterfield in my ward here emails my dad occasionally.  He talks so highly of my father and to me is a second father-figure while serving here. My dad was up at 3 in the morning and sent him a rough draft of his talk that he gave yesterday. I asked for a printed copy of it and the Butterfields gave it to me. I don’t think that any treasure on EARTH could ever buy these four papers from me. I read out loud with my companion my father’s talk titled “ Emissaries by Example: Catching the Spirit of Missionary Work”. Both my companion and I are in tears while I tried to read this talk out loud; it’s more like an “epistle” in my eyes. My love and respect for my father grew leaps and bounds after reading it. I want to share parts of it with all of those who are reading this. 

“Elder Wilson explained, it doesn’t matter whether I teach the gospel on this or the other side of the veil, so long as I teach it’. I am confident my wife would say the same thing. It’s so humbling to have 2 members of my family serving the Lord, my son on this side of the veil and my eternal companion on the other side of the veil”. 

My father is also my strength. His positive outlook on all he faces in life teaches me so much. WHY NOT BE HAPPY?! If all you do literally is look at everything in life with an Eternal Perspective then what in the world is ever going to bring you down if you KNOW that there is so much happiness to come in the next life??? I testify that this life is as a grain of sand in the sea. Having an eternal perspective with the Gospel Will Wash away the Worries of the World and bring Wisdom! I know that because Jesus Christ “Loose[d] the bands of this temporal death, that ALL shall be raised from this temporal death”.  {Alma 11:42 in the Book of Mormon}. I know that because He lives, that now my Mom lives and that after this life I too will live. I tell myself that I'm going to have to tell my future wife that after this life I'm going to have to chill with my mom for AT LEAST a thousand years!  haha ;)

I love her. I love my Father. I love my Lil Bro Dylan.  I love my Baby Girl Jess. I love this Gospel and all that it encompasses. Know i'm working hard, but I could work hard{er}. Know I'm happy but could be happi{er}. Know I'm strong, but can be strong{er}. Know I'm striving to be better like our SAVI{ER}.

Love to you all. Remember to pray and please email or write me if I can help you in any way! I’ll always love and revere my “wonder woman” Mom, “till we meet, at Jesus Feet” .

Forever love,

Elder Taylor

This is Nora Silva.  She is old and very lonely so we stop by a lot!! It's always a party with her. She thinks I should go on the Bachelor when I get home!! :P haha and basically said if she was younger she would go on the show and know I would have chose her... awkward! haha

Elder Rico is an awesome missionary who was my AP when I first arrived and is going home.

Blessings of the Lord

This last week was wonderful. 

We broke records… literally. We worked our butts off and beat our numbers from last week. We taught ALL member present lessons this week which was 15 of them and 14 less active member lessons and 11 new investigators we found to teach!!   Sorry if none of that made sense and was pointless to you but that doesn’t usually happen. I don’t know why the Lord has blessed us so much with so much success. AGAIN I say all of this humbly, because I truly am humbled by it.   I’m in awe and wonder right now.  

Why would we be so blessed with so many amazing people to teach and with so much success? I feel unworthy of it. I still feel I’m not giving my best or my all. I feel I’m not being as consecrated as I could be as a missionary. I have SO MUCH more to improve on. I pondered this and this is my conclusion to it. On the back of my planner I have 2 quotes written on it that I look at every day. 1^st is by Michael Jordan (of course) … 

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it to happen, others make it happen”. 

The 2^nd is by Bob Marley “you never know how strong you are... until being strong is your only choice”. 

These both apply to me. My attitude is exactly like both of these. If I want to have the most success out of any missionary in the world I will make it happen.  If the only way to help people into the waters of baptism is by having members come with us to teach and fellowship these people I will make it happen.  Sitting down and giving up isn’t in my book. I’ve had to go out of my comfort zone; I’ve had to stretch ways I didn’t think was possible to achieve the impossible... to believe that miracles happen with faith. Just like the 2^nd quote says ... I had to choose to be strong while I was tested through tremendously hard trials.  I’m not nearly as strong as I should or want to be but the SAVIOR has made me stronger through His Enabling Power of the Atonement. Through Christ he can “make bad men good and good men better”. I have been trying to implement this into my daily prayers and study. 

To look for ways to improve and that if I want something to happen that I need to 

1^st have hope, 

2^nd  then have faith in it,

 3^rd WORK for it,

 4^th then see the fruits of my labor afterwards. 

We had 5 Investigator’s come to church yesterday... 2 families and one single lady. Oh how great is my joy to see them in the Lord's true Church feeling the Spirit and feeling the love from all of the other saints around them. I hope that if any of you find things in your life that don’t seem achievable that you will use the steps I’ve given (that have worked for me personally) and apply them and just wait and see what comes of it!

 I testify of that because I experienced it firsthand.  I saw miracles happen.  I saw goals that I’ve set be exceeded, all because of a Loving Heavenly Father blessing us and His children because of our desire to help those in darkness.

 I talked to Elder Schneider, my last companion, and he asked about the work we have been doing and if the people are progressing towards baptism. He was SO happy to know how much the Lord is blessing this area. When I got here there was only 7 people on the board and Elder Schneider found more than half of those before I got there.  Now we have 2 full boards, we might even need to get another one. I KNOW that there are always people who are ready and open to hear the Gospel but it’s our jobs to not give up and keep inviting people. 

I miss and love you all.  Thanks for all the support and love.

Yours truly,

Elder Taylor

The Coolest BYU basketball shirt ever! I swear I had the same shirt when I was a lil' kid

The Butterflied family made this bread and applied ANTS . I taught about "Automatic Negative Thoughts"... you've gotta stomp them out. haha Sister Miller taught us that in zone conf.

All of my district together

Two of the Gonzelez kids reading scriptures

this is conner ! he is selling alarms here and served a mission a few years back with a buddy of mine

I was OF course climbing a rock wall and trying to hop it and slid and messed up my arm haha

My mission president and his wife!  This was their LAST zone conference. They go home on July 1st. They were so awesome. I love them both dearly.

My hair is super long again!  Just got it cut today so don't worry guys! haha

Forget and get to work

I don’t think I’ve ever exerted more energy or passion and feelings into anything than I have this past week. I am dead tired right now but let me tell you why that makes me happier than I’ve ever been! 

After my hard week 2 weeks ago I really wanted to use the “atonement” more in my life.  The "atonement" basically meaning to correct or overcome our sins and trials because Christ did that for us, and that word is used to describe that. So after that I knew I had to work harder than ever before if the Lord was going to help me with this... so that’s what I did. 

We went and contacted EVERY PERSON we could think of. We filled our planners with people to go by and visit if our appointments fall through and technically we were supposed to be home at 9 o’clock at night unless we have an appointment (then we can go till 9:30pm) but what I do is work every night till 9:30.  We visited and strived to bless as many people as possible until we had to head back.  Now “technically” that’s kind of bending the rules but for those who know me we know that I’d do it anyways. I love these people too much to be lazy or to not try to fit a lot of people in or to not contact them.  I don’t want to waste the Lord's time throughout the day... that’s why I’m here.  I’m here to work.  My heart is full!  My love for the members / investigators/ less actives has increased “100 fold”. I would do anything for them; I consider them family and eternal friends. I want to see them in the Celestial Kingdom after this life with their family and have them be in God’s presence. I am changing every day.  I am surrendering myself unto the Lord.  I’m not fighting anymore who “I” want to be ... I’m letting Him mold me into who “HE” wants me to be and I hope that I will be that man that I’m destined to be. 

I HUMBLY want to say that last week we taught about 40 lessons total. We had 13 member-present lessons in one week (which last week we had 9 and that was even super high). Setting goals that are challenging but achievable is what will make you better and give you the results you look for. Two new missionaries were able to do that.  Now, it wasn’t us... it was the Lord blessing us for our hard work.  I want NO credit for the success we had because it was all the Lord.  I am so humbled that we yet again had a wonderful week but we know there are so many things to improve on. All of your prayers truly are helping - I can feel it. 

We had a miracle this Sunday- we had 3 investigators come to church!  Its been about 3 months since we have had that many to church.  I’ve been praying for that and the Lord provided.  One of them, named Ray, we actually set a baptismal date for on June 16 which will be great.  He’s amazing and is so ready for this next step closer to God.

Also, another miracle is that for 2 weeks in a row we have had members signed up to come out with us Monday through Friday.  Two weeks ago I kind of “threw down” in priesthood about needing them to come out teaching with us.  I was very lovingly straight to the point and blunt with them but the spirit put the words in my mouth that I said to them, and as a result we have had more members wanting to come out and more excitement about missionary work then I’ve ever seen since being here!  

This week we have met a lady who has been taught by missionaries in the past but is addicted to cocaine and other hard drugs. She showed us her infected hands and feet when she shoots up the drugs and it was hard to see. The love I have for her is great so it hurts seeing someone controlled by a drug and feels like they can't escape it.  Luckily, through the “Atonement” Of Jesus Christ she can escape it and we are working with her on it.  

Another miracle is a man that I’ve seen at our ward occasionally.  Elder Broulim and I just  prayed that we would be able to help someone and find someone who really needs us because we were having a tough afternoon and being rejected a lot.  Then we get a call from that man on a random number.  He asks if we could meet up, so we hurry over to Lee Travino chapel and speak with him. You could see the pain and sorrow in his eyes so I asked him why he called us, and then all of a sudden he just opens up. He tells us that he hasn’t seen his 3 year old daughter in over a year because his ex won’t let him see her and they are somewhere in Juarez, Mexico with her family who also hate him. This man loves his daughter but can’t see her. He’s done many iniquities and sins in his past life and is wanting a fresh new start again and to get back to the temple. He lost his Job that he had been working at for 19 years, and was a year away from retiring there but they fired him and he’s now jobless. He lost his car, as well as his house, but the hardest was losing his daughter. We were shocked and heartbroken, but LUCKILY the Spirit helped us bear powerful testimony to him and help him see a light at the end of the tunnel. We were all in tears and we asked if we could give a blessing. I was asked to give it.  Now, I’ve given quite a few priesthood blessing on my mission but this one was one of the top few I’ve ever given where I felt so strongly of what to say. There were things said that I can’t even type because of how sacred they are to him and to his trials and welfare. Now, this man texted us last night and said he is SO HAPPY and felt the Spirit all day... as well as the love his Heavenly Father has for him. Because of a phone call and because he was just looking for someone who he could trust and talk to, we were able to make the darkness in his life into Light by the Power of the Lord. He said he didn’t want to do something stupid that would result in bad consequences and I’m so grateful that he didn’t and that he called us. I share these things with you because I know it can bless you guys by learning from these people's experiences and realizing that there is always someone out there who has it worse than you do. Turn to the Savior and HE will help you, your family and those you love who are struggling. Thank you for those who read my blog and take from the things I email, and actually appreciate it.  It brings me joy to share my experiences and feelings with the world as a missionary for the Lord.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Love,

Elder Taylor   

My Savior

This past week I have been stressed, tired, unsure, scared, hurt, and confused so much.  Being a missionary is the HARDEST thing I’ve ever done. I now know why people have always told me that. I’ve been missing two people in particular this past week or so and it has been a very big struggle for me that I’ve been facing as well as many others. I can feel the Adversary working on me so hard using those struggles against me and putting garbage in my thoughts. There have been times I have just wanted to give up, to give in, to throw the towel in, BUT I didn’t… I remembered my Savior, my Redeemer, my Christ, my Example... my favorite name for him is Prince of Peace, I was really needing that peace. 

There is a member here named Matt Gonzales.  He’s a father of 7 children already at age 29 and is an amazing disciple of Christ/father/husband and I consider him truly an eternal friend. He suggested that I turn all of these struggles I’ve faced and give them all to the Lord and he
bore personal testimony of that to me in his own life... so I did. I got to a point where I couldn’t bear these burdens anymore so I gave them to the Lord. After sobbing and humbling myself more than ever before in prayer I received SO MUCH happiness and peace that my words in this letter cannot even describe it. I went to sleep with no worries or doubts; I had more love and joy than ever before. “MY SAVIOR” went through what I went through.  He’s felt all that I’ve felt and He is and always has been there for me, to make my burdens light. 

I testify that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of God, and that He is perfect and just and true.  His love and our Heavenly Father's love for us exceeds anything we have seen or felt. I bear personal testimony that Christ lives, that HE leads us missionaries through the spirit to those who are in need of His gospel, and that Christ's true church is here again and has been restored back to the earth with His authority and with a prophet and twelve apostles. I hope one of you have grown a deeper love for our Lord while reading this.

May our loving Heavenly Father bless all of you this week.

Love always,
Elder Taylor

Another email about my week and the miracles that happend:

This past week has had its rough times but also its great times. We started off slow with having member-present lessons because no one was signed up to come at all and a lot of our investigators kept dropping our appointments that we had with them. Luckily the Lord blessed us so much because of our work that we ended up having 9 again. 

We had 3 miracles happen last night. 

There is a less active whose son lives with his mother and was taught by missionaries before awhile ago. So Elder Schneider and I tried the whole 3 months we were together and not once did I ever meet or see him but yesterday we felt inspired to try and he was there!  He answered and we got to meet him and set up an appointment for Tuesday.

Then 3 doors down from his house there is a man named Lino who we tracked into my 2nd week on my mission.  That was a miracle story in of itself but we never got to see him again after our one lesson. His daughters wouldn't answer the door and his wife would tell us she would talk to him for us but we never saw or heard from him; so we tried again and he was there. We got to have a short lesson and set a return appointment to meet him on this next Thurday... so that was incredible. 

Then after that we went to a house where missionaries have been teaching them for like 6 months and it has been real up and down with them.  The last time the mother said she wanted us to teach her teenage son, which was a huge step, and we were so excited. Well, that appointment fell through a few days ago so we stopped by and they weren't there but the son was. He invited us in and we had a little lesson with him and set an appointment with him.  He is very excited to meet with us and said he's got an open heart and mind to what we shared!  

I was in complete shock after last night.  The Lord gave us 3 miracles that I've been waiting and praying for since the very start of my mission. He blessed up with 33 TOTAL LESSONS this week with members/ less active members/ investigators. My faith and testimony grew so much.  I know if we just put the work in the Lord will give us the miracles and blessings.

Love, Elder Taylor

all of my ties!  23 of them!

I made some of this Mexican food! oh ya!

Mother's Day

Great day yesterday talking to my family! It brought so much joy to me. I know that the work we are doing here is so important. Knowing that the Lord blesses my family and friends back home whom I love brings me so much peace and joy as I am away. I feel the comfort of my Savior when doing that.

 The wonderful Butterfield Family let me and Elder Broulim go and Facetime at their house ... which was awesome and it all worked out perfect. I got to talk to my companion's family and WOW they are just amazing. I truly feel loved by them already and feel so humbled. This past week we were somehow able to get a lot more member-present lessons... which is amazing. 

Yes, at times yesterday it was hard BUT I felt so much peace. The was the first Mother's Day without my beautiful mother, but I know that she knows how great she was for me. If it weren't for her I wouldn't be here on my mission and be doing what I am doing. She was, and still is, my eternal Rock and she gives me so much strength when I need it so badly!  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. 

My family are the most AMAZING people ever. My dad and brother are the 2 STRONGEST guys that I know and my princess sister is soooo brave and amazing. I want all who read this to know how important families are, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ binds and bonds families and keeps them strong when trials arrive. I can testify of that because it happend to me!  Hope you all have a great week!  The Church is SO true :)

Love always,

Elder Taylor

Just a cool sunset here!  They have the best ones

First week as a trainer (and LOTS of pictures)

WOW.  This past week has been again very humbling, but in a different way than before.

I was very nervous to start training a new missionary while still being a new missionary myself but the Lord has helped me out so much! I have NEVER been so humbled by the compliments that people have given me this last week ... especially those coming from my companion, Elder Broulim. 

Members of the ward, as well as people I have been teaching have noticed a difference in me and in the way I teach, talk to people, and act.  I didn't notice what had been happening until Elder Broulim started pointing things out to me.  I wish I could tell you all but I don't even know where to begin or even how to explain it without saying it face-to-face. The Lord has been blessing me BEYOND anything I deserve and I feel so unworthy of it.  My words through prayer or my words on this email cannot even begin to express the feelings and blessings I feel in my life. My companion said, "These past few days it hasn't been you speaking ... there is no way a man could say or know what you just said to that person."  I humbly say it is true. Lately I've felt the Holy Ghost impressing upon me things I need to say to help touch people in this area and I had no clue it was happening until it was pointed out.  I AM NOTHING,!  I only do and say what the Lord wants me to do or say.  I deserve nothing of what people have said about me this last week here because it isn't me saying or doing these things...  I am just a servant of the Lord striving to do my best with what I know at this time. I was worried about teaching but every lesson we have taught together has been great and the Spirit has been really strong. I've never spoken or felt the Spirit tell me things so obvious ever before while on my mission.

Elder Broulim is a great missionary already and is willing to work very hard.  My goal by the time he's done training is to make him a better missionary than I was and it is definitely reachable because he is very prepared.  He is from Idaho ( I called it! ;) ) haha  His family owns a grocery store chain and he's all about the outdoors and football, and he likes basketball too... so that helps!  Also, when I picked him up we were wearing matching Nixon watches... it's meant to be!  He has said the MOST humbling comments and kindest words ANYONE has ever said to me in my whole life! I truly love him already and feel so honored to be his trainer.

The love for this area is always increasing and the people are truly amazing. Our ward is getting a lot better and I talked to my Bishop yesterday and a miracle happened.  He said "yes" to having us come to ward council now so I'm extremely blessed because I feel there is so much the ward can do to help our investigators progress ... as well as make our ward even better. :)

Shout out to the Butterfield family. They are so kind to us and always take us in as if were family. The Gonzolas family as well... they are also SO kind to us and always there for us no matter what. The friendships I have with members in our congregation is an eternal friendship!

I love the Lord ... He is my strength.

Best wishes,

Elder Taylor

Elder Schneider and I!  His trainer passed down a tie to his "fav trainee" and

then Scheider gave it to me ... and now I have to pass it down!

 Also got matching ties on at transfers that the Butterfields gave to us!

Saying "goodbye" to Elder Schneider ...

... and Elder Stewart.  These are my boyz ... they are total studs.

I cleaned up the WHOLE apartment the night before Elder Broulim came because I'm in charge of it now.  I threw a ton away and organized stuff!  I had like 3 bags full .... my mom would have been proud :)

 Here is a picture with me and my new companion!  Elder Broulim!  He's a stud.  I'm so grateful to be his trainer.  He's ready to work hard and learn a lot!  This pic is with Josh ... he's in our ward and he's amazing.  He greets everyone at the door and always has a smile on his face :)

These are the "10 more commandments"that I made for my trainee.

They are things I feel are important at the beginning of your mission ... they will

help bring him success early on.  There is also two quotes I've made up since

I've been on my mission!