Elder Taylor's trainer

Elder Taylor's father received the following email and wanted to share :

Brent,

I'm a student in the JD/MBA program at Northwestern and by a serendipitous set of events, had a chance to talk to your son's missionary companion on the phone last night for a few minutes. I thought I'd send a quick note to let you know if I could hand pick a missionary companion to train my son as a missionary it would be Elder Schneider, his current companion. I taught him in the mission field when he was 17 and he's hard working Arkansas boy that is as kind as they come. He seemed pretty excited to be working with your son so I thought I'd just pass that along (especially since it was even more coincidental that your son was born in Evanston while you were at Northwestern).

Take care and know your son's in great hands,

Brian

Email from March 11th

Hey everyone,

So 2 weeks ago we had a zone conference. My companion and I had to do a role play as master teachers in front of everyone... the mission president and everything. It was on the kingdoms of glory and I felt we did very well. One of the zone leaders made a comment saying that as you taught you seemed like two missionaries... not like one trainer and a junior companion ... so I thought that was cool. 

Well, this last Friday we had a zone meeting just with the missionaries in El Paso and they asked us AGAIN to do a role play. It was just about how a ward council meeting should be like so it wasn't too hard, but still. haha.  

So I think I've told you about Chris.  We've been teaching him and he had a baptismal date. He's been going to Spanish ward but we started teaching him because he speaks no Spanish.  He was referred to us by the Spanish elders so we, of course, figured he lived in our area...  but we found out 4 days before his baptism that he lives in another area and another stake!  So, on Saturday he was baptized at our building so our ward and Spanish ward could come but it was under the direction of his new ward... so TECHNICALLY it's not our baptism but I still say it was!  haha It was amazing. I had to play piano in front of everyone because no one else could play and I was really rusty.  My companion and I were witnesses for the baptism. 

Also, that day was the six-month mark since my mother passed.  I wore everything that reminded me of her... my tie, ring, watch and of course my necklace that I wear everyday! I found a scripture that my mom happened to say helped her when her sister Careen passed away and now this scripture is helping me with my mom. 

D&C 101:36, 37
Wherefore, fear not unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.

Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul,  and for the life of the soul.

This scripture is so powerful and meaningful to me. Not a day goes by that I don't think of that amazing women. I always pray about her and I'm trying to study doctrine about the Spirit World and what she's doing and how I can feel her in my life more. 

So, on Saturday night at 9:15pm I got a call and we were asked to speak in our ward about the Resurrection the next morning. So, after all other missionary stuff we had to do, my comp and I finally were able to start preparing at 10:15 at night. We ended up not finishing until 3:15am because of the hour time change. My desk was filled with books and scriptures and everything. We had to make it really good so we could gain the member's trust so that they will help us more as missionaries.  The missionaries before us lost a lot of their trust.  We only had 3 HOURS OF SLEEP!  It ended up going really well ... I learned a lot from preparing and a lot of members and stake representatives that were there came up and thanked us for our talks and that it kept them awake. haha We've been getting so many people that we need to contact we had to buy a whole new white board to put names on it, and we filled the whole thing up. A lot of appointments fell through last week but we are hoping this week we can actually meet with a lot more!  There is a guy named Ray that I'm going to challenge to get baptized on Wednesday and to get baptized by the end of this month! :)  We will see how that goes. 

Here is a cool quote: "If the foundation of FAITH is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble... it is NEVER too late to strengthen the foundation of faith." Henry B. Eyring. 

I hope you all have a great week and thank you for the letters and emails ... I really appreciate them all!  I'm sending out 10 letters today so I promise I'll reply it just takes some time! ha

I hope everyone will strengthen their foundation this week like that quote says and read Helaman 5:12.

Your all's missionary,

Elder Taylor

Showing off my letters!

Jacob ... the baptism from 3 weeks ago

Valentine's from my ward Primary

Chris' baptism

Picture of my desk while we were preparing for our talks!

Email from March 4th

Holla!

So, first off I'm going to tell you about the baptism I had a last week. 

So he is a total STUD. His name is Jacob and he's 28 years old and has a 2 year old cute girl. He served in the military for 10 years and on his last deployment he came home and his wife was all packed up and said she's leaving and that he is taking their daughter. So his life completely changed. He had to leave their house with his little girl because the army has a rule if you are a single parent you can't serve.  Now he has his little girl so he can't be deployed or anything so they moved in with his dad.. with No job and No wife and he is going to college right now. His friend Matt is a member and he called him and said as he was moving he found a Book of Mormon that Matt gave him years ago and read some of it. He called Matt and said he wants to meet with the missionaries. 

So, before I got there they taught him the first 3 lessons and he committed to baptism. He read in Moses chapter 6 and a huge power came over him and he knew in his heart that it was true. So now his whole life is changed, he listens to church talks while he works out, he listens to them on his way to school, etc.  He's teaching his little girl how to pray, he reads the Book of Mormon and New Testament every day and goes to Institute every Wednesday and he plays ball with the ward too. He teaches me and my companion when we go over at times ... he is FULLY CONVERTED. We have never seen anyone be so desirable to have this Gospel. At his greatest moment of weakness and depression he found Christ's true church and it has forever changed his life. He will always hold a place in my heart .. the FIRST baptism ... one month since I've been a missionary and he's just amazing. 

So this week has been up and down. We haven't had a lot of appointments,and a lot of people have been canceling on us last minute.  A lot of people are busy when we try to go see them.  On Saturday we had a FULL day and really worked hard but NO ONE answered or let us in or returned our calls.  I know we did all we could and that the Lord will bless us in our efforts because we were doing all that we could!  :)  I have faith that this next week will be amazing. 

We are scheduled for another baptism this Saturday but there's been a lot of complications because his girlfriend is a memeber in the Spanish ward.  He wants to go there but he can't because he doesn't speak Spanish.  So there's a big mess but hopefully he will get baptized this Saturday. 

So I have been growing more of a love for being a missionary and really trying to be fully committed and focused on it.  I've been happier and time has been going by faster that way too, its crazy. But I'm really loving the people here. I'm literally in MEXICO!  haha  45% of the people here ONLY speak Spanish, not English, but I'm trying to learn a little bit.  I can say a few missionary-type things and the Church's name but that's about all!  ha. Well. pray that my comp and I will have a great week and bring others unto Christ. READ THE SCRIPTURES every day ... it will strengthen you in the rough world and will bring you blessings and joy... I promise. 

2 Nephi  9:18 really stood out to me this week. 

Love, 

Elder Taylor 

First Baptism!!!

I'm so sorry everyone but I forgot my cord to download pictures so I can't send the baptism picture but I will next week.. I promise! His name is Jacob and he's 28. He's so ready for the Gospel. He's already teaching us missionaries. He just is understanding the Gospel so much more and it's a remarkable story. I'll tell the story when I send the picture next week. 

My companion and I did great this week. This area hasn't had a baptism for 6 months and we've had one and another one planned next week... and a lot of promising investigators.

In El Paso there is crazy weather. In one week we had a rainstorm, then it started hailing and then we had a sandstorm yesterday and crazy winds. It seemed every time we were out and about doing the work was in the crazy weather... but it seemed EVERY TIME we had the most success was when it was hard with weather. We knocked on a guys door who said he was just praying for some help and hope in his life then we came to the door. It was a miracle and I can't wait to see how things go with him. I feel he's ready for the Gospel!  I hope everyone has a good week and know I pray for all my family and friends every night ... all of your guys love is what keeps me going! 

Love, 

Elder Taylor  

First Week in El Paso, Texas!

I'm so tired! I thought I was tired at the MTC but that was nothing compared to this. 

My companion is awesome and our area needs a lot of work but we have a baptism on Saturday. We have a lot of people we set appointments with next week so we're meeting with them soon and have a good feeling about a lot of them so we will see! I was able to attend another wards baptism yesterday and it was amazing to see.. the joy that comes with baptism and making that promise and receiving the Holy Ghost is so awesome.

There is a lot of goodness in the world but SO MUCH evil ... like the world is getting worse and worse and to me it's hard to see. I've talked to people and tried helping people who have done or are going through horrible things.. like stuff I don't ever want to share. So many people are getting divorced too or are in 3rd marriages and that's something I feel is sacred and people treat it like nothing. But there are still a few people we talk to that need this Gospel to help and bless their lives.

I ran into an African American family a few days ago and the dad was a military guy and wasn't at first interested, but by the time we stopped talking he took his hat off and bowed down to us and was almost tearing up and said, "You servants from the Lord are here for a reason. Come back Tuesday and don't eat. I want you to teach my whole family."  I KNOW we were there at that time for a reason. We were kinda sad because our appointment canceled that night so we just went knocking and ran into that guy. So tomorrow we are teaching him.  I'll let you guys know how it is. 

We have taught this guy Raymundo and boy is he something else. He's 60 and alone ... just him and his dog.  He has a Spanish accent and isn't a believer in God and just thinks of the craziest questions but we answer them and even though he gets on our last nerves we still love and care for him. I've only met with like ONE white family this whole week I've been here... everyone is Hispanic here.. it's nothing like Texas. It's like Mexico but just not as dangerous as it is in Juarez which is like 10 min away from us. We hear about the Cartel a lot here too and crazy stories. A lot of Mexicans here are sad because they used to live there but had to leave because of how dangerous it is.

Also there's a 15 year old girl who is an investigator. Her LDS friend (that's a girl)  dropped a rose off at her house and said it was from us. So when we went to her house her mom said she wasn't there but that the rose we dropped off made her day and was so grateful for it. W were ere like uhhhh .... that's not from us! ha ha As missionaries we don't do that! So, yea, that was really awkward!! haha  

Well, anyways, there are a lot more stories I can tell but just don't have time but next week I'll be able to share some more crazy ones and talk about the baptism. Love you all and love hearing from everyone! The church is TRUE! 

Elder Taylor 

This picture was sent from a sister at the mission office.

It is Elder Taylor and other Elders/Sisters at the 

New Mexico Albuquerque Temple on the day they arrived

 LDS Church building in El Paso, Texas

Elder Taylor and Elder Schneider

A glimpse of their apartment

Elder Taylor's family received this email on February 12th (the day after he arrived in the mission field)...

Dear Taylor family,

We just had a great dinner with your son, Elder Taylor! I guess we were his first dinner appointment in the mission field! We are so excited to have him in our ward. We love our missionaries. He didn't want me to tell you his area because he is hopefully going to email you himself tommorow, and he wanted to be the one to tell you.  :) but I thought you'd like to know he is safe and doing well! It was fun to talk to him because my daughter is the same age as your daughter-first grade-so my daughter thought that was really cool. We will take good care of him! This is a picture of my kids with Elder Taylor and Elder Schneider.

Love,

Adrianne Snyder

MTC Letter # 3

3 more days!!

I can't believe how fast my stay here at the MTC has gone. Its been great but I can't wait to head to the mission field and teach the people of New Mexico. This week has been great, my companion and I have been doing a lot better at teaching the Gospel and being more effective.  Our teacher was telling us that we have great potential as being very effective missionaries ... so it was great to hear that. The Spirit has been with me more and more each day which helps me understand the gospel better as I study but more importantly to be able to use the Spirit to direct me while I'm teaching and help me know what to say. There are a few great quotes and things I've heard this week that I wanna share:

" There is no such thing as an unsolveable problem with the Gospel".

 "Church is for imperfect people coming to worship perfect things".

"God doesnt count baptisms, He counts Converts!" 

"YOU ARE AN INSTRUMENT IN GOD'S HANDS!". 

"We don't convert, the Spirit does, we just need to make it present so it can do its part". 

I love all of the quotes and things I've learned. Each and every one is powerful and we can each take something from it. Something else is that sucess requires obedience, hard work and sacrifice. It requires us to WANT to bring others to Christ. Also, that every problem can be solved with work ... work harder when it gets tough.  

I am at the very end of the Book Of Mormon. I've got like 50 more pages and will finish before the MTC like I promised and it has been a blessing. The Lord has helped me so much with it. People don't understand how I've had only like 6 hours of sleep at night and then be able to have an 18 hour day!! It's the Lord... He's giving me the strength to wake up early to read the BOM and be able to continue with my day because He knows it's important that I finish it. It is so powerful ...  this book changes lives... I've seen it and it has happend to me!  Share it with everyone you know ... share the joy.

Here is a scripture that I really love that is exactly what I want to be able to say with power and conviction: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will Trust and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation."  2 Nephi 22:2

 

Tomorrow, the 9th, is the 5-month-mark since my loving mother passed away.  I wanna do something special so I deciced I'll write a little email to her as if I was sending it to her and tell her how I feel.

 

Dear Mom,

The mission has been amazing so far.  I love all of the people I'm with and the sister missionaries are so strong.. there are a few that remind me of you if you were 19. You have prepared me my whole life for this huge opportunity I have.  You have always guided me on the right path, made sure I attended church and made sure I would be a strong man that can handle anything that life throws at you. I know I could have been better at scriprture study and payed more attention at times but i KNOW that besides that you have prepared me to be a missionary and to always continue on when it gets hard. I wish you were there to drop me off.  I just pictured you balling like a baby as I hugged you goodbye and as I walked away (ha) but what's so amazing is that we didn't have to do that ...  that I didn't have to walk away cuz now you can always be with me wherever I am. 

Last night my companion and I taught about the Plan Of Salvation.  Yes, they are actors playing a role but we are teaching them as if it's real and the Spirit was so strong. This person we were teaching hasn't been very receptive to the Spirit as we have met but this time as I spoke about the Plan of Salvation and how it is a plan of happiness his heart softened.  As I shared why it's important and how its blessed my life I could see in his eyes that he knew this Gospel was true.  He said, "Why wouldn't anyone want this?!"  I said exactly... we all need this. We commited him to baptism and after 2 minutes of silence and the Spirit working on him he looked up and said OK!  We were sooooo happy,  my companion and I just wanted to jump up and scream.  He realizes that God and Christ love him and want him to return with them and the first step is baptism. Mom, I want you to know that there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you!  I wear my necklace EVERYDAY under my white shirt and tie.

 

Love your oldest son/ momas boy/ best friend/ Missionary,

 

Elder Taylor  

MTC letter #2

Hey everyone!

So I've been here for a week and 2 days, and its like the longest days of my life but the fastest weeks! haha  I'm learning so much here, its almost too much but that.s the point ... they throw a lot at you and you pick up everything you can. My companion and I have 3 people we're teaching here for practice and its been great. Every time we teach them we're able to touch them more and more and I am becoming a lot better at being an effective teacher. 

This week we really talked about prayer a lot and how it's important for everyone to build that relationship with Heavenly Father ... it is so true! HE wants to hear from us and hear our troubles, concerns and answers and all we have to do is talk to Him through prayer. My advice for everyone this week is to pray and not only pray but pray often and see the amazing difference that you'll see in your life.  I've been doing that lately and I've been receiving my answers and being blessed.

 I love you all and hope everything is well. I've had less time to email this week so that's why it's a little bit shorter. The best way to communicate to me while in the MTC is using DEAR ELDER... it's a website.

Much love,

Elder Taylor

If anyone wants to send a letter to Elder Taylor in the MTC NOW is the time ... he is scheduled to leave the MTC for New Mexico on Monday, FEBRUARY 11th.

Elder Justin Williams Taylor
MTC Mailbox # 359
NM-ALB 0211
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

or you can use www.DearElder.com