Its Transfers

Can't believe how fast time is going by... seriously too fast. Its another transfer and my comp is leaving tomorrow morning. I'm bummed out about it but I know that he will do great. He is now going to train and be a district leader in a struggling district so he will do great. 

We had our SMCM report (which is when every month we report to the Stake Presidency and usually a high counselor over missionary work and our mission president and his counselor are there). Seriously, it is so cool. This time was different than all of the other ones because this time our mission president didn't go... so he texted and said good luck and he knows we will do well representing the mission.  haha Yea, no pressure!  But it went well. We talked about the new "Meet the Mormons" movie that is coming out and how that will help this stake a lot because they will probably be showing it in a local theater and hopefully a lot of non-members go. We think this will help people be more receptive to the church, as well as receptive to missionaries who knock on their door. 

There is a great spirit going on right now. I feel an extra added push to do more and to work harder. Thank you all for the support you gave me and my family on the 9th; truly it was a wonderful day to me. I met with my mission president for about a hour and a half and just talked.  I kind of shared my story and about the things that happend in my life right before my mission; we cried and laughed, but it was one of the most spiritual conversations and experiences I have ever had!

I'm excited for this next transfer. Every companionship in my zone is changing except for one so there will be a new mindset and fire going on. I want everyone in their mind to know that were a baptizing and perfectly-obedient zone.  I know if we all have that mindset then the Lord will help us reach new heights! 

Thanks again for everything.

Change is always good everyone ... it helps us to have new experiences. 

Love,
Elder T

ZONE PICTURE AT THE ACCOMA PUEBLO RESERVATION!! 

Pic of the district

Special Day

I don't even know where to begin this email, I am sure a lot of you have been waiting to see what I write on this day, the 9th, the 2nd year mark of my mother's passing. To be honest I have no words. I have pondered on what I wanted to write and express but I have no words to describe what I feel inside. My heart is full at this time. It's so very bittersweet today for me. 2 years ago from yesterday on the small island of Hawaii, I received my mission call to the Albuquerque, New Mexico mission. I can't even begin to describe the feelings I had at that time; to be honest I wasn't too happy to be called here. I thought I was going some where else. That evening I remember walking by the temple and it was raining (side note last night it was raining and it reminded me of this night of the 8th of September, 2012) and I was told that my mission isn't for me it's for others and that there are specific people I need to help and that the Lord's called me there. I felt so much energy, the Holy Ghost confirmed to me that I needed to serve in that mission. I remember texting my dad that night telling him I wanted to tell mom the next day where I was serving because she was too sick to hear when I called earlier. I went to bed that night with a strong missionary spirit, determined to conquer my misson and to serve my heart out. Little did I know what was in store for me the next day... little did I know that my life was going to change more than I ever thought possible, little did I know that someone else in my family would recieve a mission call as well... 

Next morning was the first Sunday in my new student ward, I remember being excited to tell my mom where I was serving later that day. 2nd hour of church I remember being asked to stand in my mission preparation class and announce where I got called to serve and everone clapped and that got me more excited for my misison. It was in the 3rd hour of church in priesthood that changed my life forever. I will never forget the text I got from my dad hearing that my mom's not doing good. I remember freaking out but knowing that all is ok, it has to be, she's fine, she's gonna call me soon. Waiting and waiting for a response, finally my roomate told me I should just go out and call him, so I did. I remember the clock on the wall, the chair I sat in, the door I walked out of as if I'm there now. Not knowing what was to come once I walked out of the church, the 2nd crack on the right in a pathway is when my dad answered and told me... 

My life flipped. My world changed, every nightmare came true, I wanted someone to pinch me and wake me up. I had to at that time decide if there truly is a God and if so, if he knew me and why he would let this happen. I'm sorry to say but my faith was tested, I had much anger in my heart and sorrow. I didn't know what to believe. Later I had the experience too sacred to share here, many of you know it from the funeral, but that was when I was built up. When I knew that my Savior lived, that He loved me. That my mother was not far, that this was part of a plan, a divine plan, that this had to happen. That my mom, as well as myself, had a greater calling in our lives together, that our bond would only get stronger.  

I again will say, as I said over a year ago in one of my emails, the greatest trials you face will be the greatest blessings you receive, I testify that that is true. I know now for a fact that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that there truly is life after death, that families can be together forever and that there is a plan of happiness for all of us. I love my life more and appreciate it so much more because of this trial, I have been able to bear this witness to those who have lost hope in a God and in a happy life; because of this trial I have been an instrument in God's hand to help bring the world truth. I know that my mom is by my side, she has been a sustaining help to me, she has been teaching and serving others her whole mortal life and now her life in the spirit world.  

I know at times I struggle, I have grief or anger because I miss her, and that this email might sound depressing but I hope it doesn't. I want to share with you all what was on my mind 2 years ago and how much I have changed from that day. Nothing is going to stop me from being EXACTLY the son my mother raised me to be, who she always saw me to be, who she believed I could become. I'm on my course back to her and living in such a way to do that. My family is eternal and to me that is the only thing that keeps me going day to day; knowing that my dad, Dylan, and Jessica and I will one day be with my beautiful mother. 

Let's remember to make it a Claudine day by helping others around you, but not just for today, but always, because my mother always served.

Though time might go on, some people may forget how special this day is, I want you to all know that I will never forget this day, because the 9th of September is where I truly found out who Justin Williams Taylor is and that God does live and how important family truly is. 

Love to you all, 

The SON of the Greatest Woman to Live  

Heres a poem I wrote for my mom on last Mother's Day but just never sent it: 

Charity, diligence, and virtue is how you lived your life

always striving to be Christ like.

I'll never forget that every night

you'd come sit at my bedside.

We would talk about my life

and all my dreams I had deep inside.

You'd leave with an "I love you" as you looked in my eye

I knew you loved me and never lied. 

Now its the 2nd Mothers Day 

that you have been gone to what people think is so far away 

but I know it's not too far because I feel you with me as I pray.

Even as I struggle with my challenges everday 

I know your Near, I hope you Stay,

My Vision is Clear, I'm headed your way.

I've got to live better than my past 

to progress and grow and be my best. 

So that our little beautiful family 

may join in heaven to then be in rest

from all our trials together and all our tests.

If we just endure this time of separation 

I am sure, that we will be eternally blessed!

Love you, Mom! 

2 Weeks ago we hiked up to the volcanos here and got the best zone picture ever!

haha This zone is so awesome! I love it!  

All the Elders who have served on ALAMO... we are called the "Alamo Brothers"! 

The Restoration

Hey everyone, hope all is well in your lives. Thanks for all the prayers you say on my behalf, I know much of the blessings I receive are because of your prayers!

This past week has literally flown by so fast, time keeps getting faster and faster, I hate it haha and it seems like everyone asks me how long I've been out and I hate that, too. Wish I could just stay out here forever!

So this past week I had a very sweet tender mercy from the Lord. Since I have been here in Albuquerque I haven't taught really a lot at all or had SUPER spiritual experiences in lessons (not trying to be negative) but this lesson we had a few days ago was amazing. We were teaching this guy named Patrick who knows everyone in the stake and the stake leaders because he works for boy scouts and is a camp director and the young women camp was at his camp. He happens to be a YSA (young single adult) in our stake so we just met him a few weeks back and got to know him and finally taught him the restoration. The spirit was so strong in that room, you can tell his heart was humbled. I just said a prayer in my heart that I would speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and that I will only follow the spirit. No words can describe the power in that room, I testified and shared Joseph Smith's First Vision and I KNOW for a fact that He saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ; my testimony grew every stronger just by bearing that witness to him. At the end with the spirit in the room we invited him to come closer to Christ by being baptized and he agreed to it and says when he receives that answer he will follow it!! I'm so excited. He said if he knows that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet he will wonder why he waited so long for him to find out and to join this church, we know he will come to a testimony that he's a prophet.

I KNOW this church is true, I know the Holy Ghost truly is the SENIOR companion to us all and will help guide and train us and give us the words we need to say to touch other's hearts.

Love you all,

Elder Taylor

God Knows His Children

Hey everyone!  I hope all is well in your lives and that you don't all hate me for not sending pics and writing anything good the past few weeks. 

So, here in the YSA it is a lot different kind of missionary work than what I was used to before. We have been trying to visit all of these people we have on the branch directory and there was a name someone gave to us to go visit so we drove by.  Well, the gate to the complex was closed so we waited for someone to go in then we snuck in!  haha  We drove around then finally found her place, knocked on the door and what do you know? No one answerd. There was a guy outside when we pulled up working on a truck and I noticed him and felt like we needed to say hi so on the way back I just yelled out, "Hey man!  How's it going?"  He answered saying he was good just working on his truck.  I asked him if he needed help.  He said no, but where are you elders from?  Come to find out that he is a less-active that moved here 9 months ago and hasn't been to church mainly because he works a lot, but also because his girlfriend that he lives with isn't a member but he said she would probably be open to hearing about the Gospel!  Also, he said he wouldn't want to go to a family ward but would want to come to the YSA ... we were freaking out. He told us that the lady we tried to see has moved... look at God's hand. We drove way out there for someone but in God's eyes it was to find this man. He knows His children and we could sense this man's good heart and that he needs to return to the fold. Later we ended up giving blessings to sister missionaries who are really struggling.  I was honored to perform them and felt such an overwhelming feeling of the Spirit. I felt again that God sent us to help His daughters feel better; He sent us so that HE could speak to them through HIS priesthood. I know our Heavenly Father loves us; He needs us as much as we need Him. This last week was crazy.  We had a sister who had to go to the hospital because of horible pain in her stomach area then we had a lockdown and had to stay in someone's house for a hour and a half because a guy who killed someone was on the run and shooting at the cops; we gave a  blessing to someone sick while they were sitting in the car and had to go to my companion's doctor appointment. It has been crazy over here! haha 

I was able to attend a special baptism in the zone this last week of 3 children. Their mom hasn't been to church in YEARS and then came across the missionaries.  They all had a change of heart and were converted to the Lord and baptized. During ALL of their testimonies we were in tears crying and they were saying "I know that this is where I'm supposed to be; I feel at home now. God led me here because He saved me."  Even the youngest one (who was 9).  It was such a tender moment to hear that; all of their testimonies and one of the mother who now has all her children in the church. She felt the spirit tell her to get her kids into the church.  I testify that God uses the spirit to prompt you to do things. He knows who you are. 

I'm thankful for the relationship I have with my Heavenly Father.  It is so personal to me and I hold it in deep reverance. I have no words to describe my thoughts and feeling towards Him but that He is engaged and lives and wants us all back.

I invite all who read this to look for things in your life, like the small experiences I had this week, that tesify that He is aware of you and more importanly others around you.

Love always,

Elder Taylor 

Some missionaries going home or just being transferred! 

Sister Morris, the coolest sister who came out with me, just went home

Also my best bud Elder Magalei went home too :/ 

Elder Ahloy who I trained awhile back is now training a new elder!!  So cool! 

Hey everyone!

Hey everyone!  Another super-busy day. Didn't have time to type up something good and I'm so sorry about that.  I have a lot of pics to send so I'm going to buy a cord for my camera because I lost my other one.

Know that this Gospel is true, and that the times you truly feel the Spirit you need to record that somewhere and when times of trials come and doubt you can reflect back on those experiences that are recorded to remember how merciful our Father in Heaven is and that He lives and is REALLY wanting you to return to Him! 

Love you all,

Elder Taylor

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

Area Swap

Hey everyone.  Hope all is well. Don't have much to write about today.

My companion and I are switching areas and will be covering the West Mesa YSA branch and will be covering the whole stake. We were super bummed-out to leave the ward that we were in because we got super-close with a lot of members there but it will be a new adventure covering the YSA. There are a lot of families in our ward that have YSA kids who are active or less-active; so we will still be able to eat with them and stuff so that will be good.

Time is flying by so quick out here... it is starting to freak me out!  One of my best buds is going home tomorrow and others are leaving the next transfer. I've come to better realize how time works in our mortal lifes and how important it is for us to pay attention to our experiences and to learn and grow always!

Love to you all... have a great week!

Going to miss Bandelier Ward SOOO much, but I know the Lord has other plans! 

Elder Taylor

Small world

Hey everyone who reads this blog still...  thank you for still reading it!   I'm shocked people even read the blog in the first part of my mission. Thanks for reading my words as I serve the Lord in His work at this great time.

I don't have a huge thought this week but these past two days I have been connecting with people who know where I'm from or people I know! 

My whole mission, until this last week, I have never really met anyone who knew a lot about San Diego or Southern California or knew where I lived or people that I know.  We had dinner with this family and come to find out I asked him where he served his mission ... it was in California and he served in Murrieta in the Spanish branch! Crazy!  He knew the missionaries I did my mini-mission with when I was a junior and he knew all of  the missionaries that I loved. We even figured out that we went to the same building and could have walked by each other a handful of times; little did we know two or so years later I'd be out serving in his ward! 

Another experience was with a family whose son and daughter-in-law came to visit from Utah and she's from California.  She knows some guys I know back in Murrieta that I hung out with the summer before my mission! Then there is another family whose sister and her family just moved down to Murrieta/Menefee area and lives like 4 miles from my house! Crazy . I know this is kinda' lame to write about, but to me its so cool to see how connected we all are as church members and how when we share our lives and where we are from and how we have come to meet people we will see how truly small this world is and how many of our brothers and sisters we already are connected too. I can't wait for heaven; that is going to be a ton more awesome than the three experiences I had with people I've met who I've been able to relate with! 

Church is true... the book is blue!! 

Sincerely,

Elder Taylor 

His Hand

As I have pondered on what to write about this week I looked through my personal journal and saw all of the tender mercies that have been happening.

To me my mission is sacred.  I KNOW that every area and every companionship I am in is inspired of God;  therefore I look for the small things that testify to me that I'm where I need to be.

This last week we did a "park your car" day...  meaning you only use your car to drive to appointments but other than that you need to be walking and talking with people. So, it was about 103 to105 degrees outside (I swear) and we walked about 5 miles that day contacting people that we came across. Someone gave me a drink and I put it in my backpack and it must have had a small hole in it and it leaked and got onto my scriptures so now they look like legit missionary scriptures... all messed up!  ha  Anyways, we were supposed to meet with the Bishop at 4pm and were walking to his house.  Then he texted and said he will be home in 15 more min so we decided to stop by a less-active's house. On our way we came across two ladies and three kids picking plums.  One of the ladies was pregnant and is up on the ladder picking the fruit. I told her to get off and I jumped on the ladder and started picking.  We were just talking to them about random things and then when I was done we told them we do service for people and if they ever needed help to give us a call!  Well, they were grateful and we said we also teach people the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  One of them just opened up and said her daughter passed away recently and that it is hard for her.  We immediately gave her a pamphlet about the Plan of Salvation and said we will come by again to talk to her about where her daughter is and that they can be together forever!  We felt SO guided to her; if our bishop wouldnt' have been late we wouldn't have met her ... someone who REALLY needed us. 

The next day was Sunday and that night we taught a famly who had lost a husband/ father about 2 months ago... really sad story, and they are best friends with some members in the ward. They started taking the missionary lessons and we have only taught them like twice before Sunday. We talked about the plan of salvation and how it applies to them. They had a lot of questions, but at the end I was able to bare my testimony on the plan of salvation. I told them that I wanted to share with them something I don't tell a lot of people and that I hold personal and that is the passing of my mother before my mission. I then bore witness of how this plan is so sacred to me...  that I LIVE it everyday to help me get through. That I KNOW my mom lives; I've felt her and I know that we will all be together again forever! I said that I feel another reason why I was sent to this area was to bear my witness of this so that you guys will see how this Gospel helps people through losing a loved one.  I said that I felt prompted to tell them that I believe that my mother is teaching their father or husband in the spirit world; that she's a part of that process and that we are all working to help them be an eternal family. As i looked into thier eyes I saw tears; not tears of anger or sadness but tears of joy! I told them that the veil thins often;  that when we feel this Spirit so strong like we do now that it is God telling us this is true and that we truly are His children and that there is life after death. No one could deny the Spirit of God manifest in that room.  I felt the veil thinned.  I'm sure that both our loved ones who have passed were there! I know that this family will be baptized someday soon and that they will recieve the comfort and blessings that this church brings.

I testify that HIS hand is in our lives everyday.  I know it. We are put in people's paths always for a reason.  We can touch people's lives everywhere we go; just open your eyes and look around you. See the hand of God in your life, and you will feel the burning in you saying this is not my home... I'm just mearly preparing myself to go back home to be with my Father in Heaven, my Savior and all those that I love. 

May you all this week see His hand in your lives and remember He loves and has a plan for YOU.

Love always,
Elder Taylor

Me and my comp at a member's house

On exchanges with my MTC companion, we taught a lesson to someone at the temple. 

Personal Ministry

Hey everyone!  I have much joy in writing this email because it gives me so much to look back on in my life and to thank God for all of those experiences.

I have had one of the busiest weeks of my mission and I love that...  I love being busy and growing and progressing because that is what we are here to do while in this life. 

So, I want to just tell you the day I had on Sunday but before I tell you that I have to explain something that happened on Saturday. Some sisters asked for us to come unlock the church for them.  Well, we did and then they were talking about how one is playing the piano in sacrament and the other is singing.  Well, the non-member who was going to sing with her canceled  We were all looking in the hymn book for a cool song they can perform for their sacrament meeting the next day but she was stressed because there was no one to sing with her. Well, I was joking around about songs to sing and singing all funny then she asked if i had ever sang before.  I said, "No.. I'm not a singer at all.  The only experience I have is in the shower!"  ha  She said to just try it. Everyone else egged me on to do it, so I did with their promise not to make fun of me. At the end of it they said I need to do it, and to try it with this sister as a duet and see how it goes.  Well it went pretty good in their book and so they begged that I sing with her in their ward. Feeling bad and guilt-tripped into this I said that I would! So we practiced and BOY is singing hard! ha  All of the breathing and timing and holding notes...  man, I felt like I played 5 basketball games at the end of it. 

The next day, Sunday, we met up early at almost 8 o'clock to practice for 15 min; then my companion and I ran to ward council.  Then we had correlation meeting, another correlation meeting with the ward missionaries, then we had our sacrament in which our awesome mission president spoke about missionary work, then we met with another gentleman from the high council and had to print and discuss some things, and then I went into Cibolas ward sacrament and sang the song [which was hymn number 97 (1st and 3rd verse) then sang right into hymn 98 (one verse) ... Lead, Kindly Light and I Need Thee Every Hour)] and it was tight!  The sisters said that everyone asked for us to do it again and that it sounded awesome.  Then the sisters told them that I just learned how to do like legit-real-singing less than 24 hours prior to that and they said they were shocked.  I told the sisters that it was my one time ever doing that and to ask someone else next time!! haha  Then we had to meet with a counselor in the mission presidency, then we went to another big meeting after, then we went out teaching people for a little bit, then we had dinner at the bishop's house, and then we were off to a Ward Mission Conference (that we and a high counselor hosted to help ward mission leaders, ward missionaries and bishops know how to work together with the missionaries and our roles). It was really great and our mission president spoke again and said something I really loved and that is, "The full-time missionaries are just part-time missionaries really and when we go home we will be full-time missionaries. Members are full-time missionaries sharing the Gospel with friends and finding those families who are prepared for the Gospel."  Also, he spoke on our personal ministry and that impacted me.
A few months ago I wrote my personal ministry and I wish to share a few things I wrote in it:   "I want to be a man of God;  always looking for those who are in need of help. I want to dedicate myself to the Lord's work and to continue to be a disciple of Christ in all things. As I've already in a small-fraction surrendered myself to the Lord I've felt almost as if a veil has been lifted; I've seen things I could never before see. I commune with the Father and plead for strength;  every time I do receive the necessary strength, peace and energy . My strongest testimony is that people can change BACK. I say "back" because this is who I am supposed to be; who I really was and am.  The person who I was before my mission was just lost."                 

 Those words that I wrote on December 26, 2013 still drive me to be better and to improve. 
I know that our Father in Heaven has a plan just for me and I have my own personal ministry on earth.  I know that as i pray about it and read the scriptures and, like what our president says, look for spiritual gifts you have... you will come to know who YOU are and what your ministry is.  I testify of that and invite you all to come to know who YOU are and what our wonderful and loving Father in heaven expects of you! 

As for me, I'm trying to do things that will give me more experiences and learning opportunities and I want you all to know that the ONLY reason why I just out-of-the-blue committed to sing last Sunday was because of my mom and dad; because they both sing great and I know it would make them proud that I'd try it one time in my life!  Also, I know my mom was with me up there as I was shaking and nervous, and she did comfort me and listen to me and that's the ONLY way I was able to do it...even something as small as that I know was part of my ministry in my life was to try it. 

Keep making good choices you all and helping EVERYONE in need around you :)

Love always,
Elder Taylor   

Priesthood

Hey everyone!! 

I'M SO SORRY that again I don't have too much time to write. There is a lot of missionaries wanting to use my computer so I don't want to be selfish, but this week I learned a lot about the priesthood.

Our mission is now teaching the laws and ordinances of the Gospel before people's baptisms to help them understand better everything that is important for us to know in this life.

I really learned a lot about the priesthood. That truly we need the keys, not just the power of the priesthood. If I were to try to open up a door, even if I had power (faith and worthiness) I couldn't do it unless I had the keys to unlock it.  Same as it is for us ... we need keys to do ordinances and permission to open the door to eternal life.

As much as people claim to have the power, we are the ONLY ones who have the keys to actually unlock the blessings from heaven...  which are all done through the priesthood! 

Love you all,

Elder Taylor 

New everything

Hey everyone!   As I'm sure most of you know I'm in the Bandelier Ward in the Albuquerque West stake. My companion's name is Elder Espinoza and everything is going good. My new comp is super tight ... we get along great and are pretty much exactly the same on a lot of stuff.

All of the members here are really cool with the missionaries and are trying to find people to teach for us. The area is struggling because we have one of the smallest areas in the mission and it is all just a ton of houses and stuff.

I'm not going to lie...  I'm still in "culture shock"!  haha  Not used to the "big city" yet and there are a lot more white people here and cars and actual shopping!

I know deep in my heart that there is a reason for why I'm here and serving here with these people. There is another lesson that I need to learn and develop and if I'm humble I know the Lord will direct my path.

Truly I miss Alamo, Magdalena and Socorro with all of my heart. I was there for SO LONG and came to love the people more than I ever thought was possible.  Truly they are part of my family and I will always feel that way. I thank my Father in Heaven for blessing me with such an amazing mission with the greatest people that I know.

I long for the day in the next life when I'm reunited with all of those that have impacted me and we all together will have the fullest joy and love.

Sorry again everyone... I don't have any lessons to write about this week but I will share a crazy thing that happened:

My companion and I were visiting a set of Elders in the zone that are in Laguna (on the Pueblo reservation) and wanted to check up on them and see how they are doing. Well, on the way back we were coming up on this hill and there was a guy waving in the middle of the freeway with his truck going across the lanes. My companion slammed on the brakes, and the minivan behind us almost hit us... I saw them skidding.  We both jumped out and went to help the guy.  We started trying to push the truck but it wouldn't budge... then we all at the same time pushed as hard as we could and moved it off to the side. The brakes were locked in the front and there was no way we three could have moved it on our own... there had to have been heavenly help. My comp and I had our backs still to the road as we pushed it and there were semi-trucks and cars passing about 2 feet from behind us. Truly it is amazing to be in the right place at the right time to help people.  The Lord always protects us!!

Love,
Elder Taylor

PICS FROM SOCORRO ....