Dear fam,
Howdy!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GRIFFIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! He sure is cute!!! I definitely have the five cutest nephews and niece in the world!!!!! He is the best thing that could of happened on friday the 13th!
This week was pretty cool! I am trying to draw more pictures in my scripture study to help me visualize and show symbols in the stories. This week I read about Jared and his family crossing the ocean. I drew water, with the barge and two sources of lights, and a whale, and the winds. To tell the truth, it helped me to see what was happening and it stuck with me a lot better than if I hadnt done it. The lights in the barges are like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or Christ himself. They always light the way even in the darkest of situations. The whales that swam around the barge are like temptations. They are always there, and seem huge, but if we keep ourselves surrounded by the light of the Gospel we can overcome them. THey cannot really hurt us unless we leave our barge, or place of security (or holy place). The ocean represented the difficult times and trials that we all face. We have to do as the people of Jared and keep on trusting in the Lord. Even if we do not see where He is leading us, He does. Oh, and the wind are changes in life that sometimes scare us, but always lead us to where we need to be or what we need to learn or where we need to serve.
So, I have two funny stories. One, is proof that the Lord answers prayers. One day this week we had a couple of appointments in the morning so we studied outside after our appointments. I accidently left my agenda or planner on the bench in the park. Anyone that has served a mission knows that the planner is like the brain of a missionary!! I cannot remember all the things in the there, appointments, directions, phone numbers, notes, etc. So at night, when I realized I really did not have it, we prayed that I coud find it the next day. We passed by this little park, and there it was on the grass!!!! It was a little beat up (soaked, smelled of cologne, and the last couple of weeks we burned from a cigarette), but I found it!!! Heavenly Father is really funny with prayers lately. He answers them, but never in the way I expect (yes I found my planner, but I was not expecting to find it like that haha). He makes me laugh!
Second funny story. FIrst, what do you think could be the most random thing you could find first thing in the morning in the bathroom???? Well Hermana Jackson got up on Wednesday and went to the bathroom. She saw something dark in the toilet and thought, "ewwww," but then it moved. No, it was not a frog. IT WAS A MURSIÉLAGO AKA BAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ya a bat in the toilet. That was a little bit of a surprise to put it lightly. She went to tell her companion, hermana chavez from Peru, and her spanish was not in full gear. Her companion went to see what she was talking about and shouted, "oh my gosh!" So therefore, and six of us one by one came in and saw the bat in the toilet. Yes, it was alive. We did not know what to do, but Hermana Hallenberger loves animals. She got a tupperware container and fished it out of the toilet. Then she dried it off with some toilet paper and we let it free outside. To say the least we had an exciting morning that day!!!
I am learning how much of a sense of humor the Lord really has!!! One day we prayed that someone would come out of this house that we went to visit, some inactives. Well, someone came out, and told us that the peope we were looking for left and probably left because they knew we were coming! haha, yes the Lord answered our prayer just in a different way than we were expecting!
The biggest thing I learned this week, is that when times get tough and opposition is large, you just keep going. There is always a miracle around the corner or a lesson to be learned. Opposition is a good sign even if is super difficult. I am also learning to trust in the Lord´s path and not my own. When we pray for direction and He answers us, we better follow that counsel. Sometimes it is really hard, but the Lord sees the big picture!!!
I love you all un MONTÓN!!!!!!!!!!!
Love
Hermana Taylor
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
December 9, 2013
Dear Family,
WHOA!!!!!!!!! That is super fun with the freezing rain!!!! We do not have that here. Especially since it is summer. We got rain yesterday, and it was one of the strangest things because summer here should be super dry.
Cool story of the week. We are teaching a part member family. The husband, Victor, has been inactive for 10 years or more and his wife, Gladys, is not a member. We have eaten with their family lunch once. and dinner once. We went to teach them the first lesson to the whole family this time and emphasize the priesthood. She got baptized in another church when she was 15, so she did not understand why she would need to get baptized again. We had a great lesson, but at the end when we invited her to be baptized she said, "I have been baptized already." Our hearts kind of dropped. Her husband tried to explain too, but she was firm still. We did not know what to do, so we invited her to kneel right there and pray and ask God if she needed to be baptized again. Well, she started praying and she said, "Father, I have a broken heart and a contrite spirit now. If I need to be baptized again, tell me." Then she started crying.
After the prayer she explained how she felt such happiness and like a hand was one her head during the prayer. She said that she had never felt like that, and felt such great happiness. It was amazing!!!!
This happened after we went the ENTIRE day contacting (we street contact almost always) and NO ONE wanted to listen to us. It was kind of hard. It seems like we go all day long every day, and at the end is when we find people that want to listen. I think the Lord is trying to teach us perseverance because everyday it is the very end of the day that we find people. I guess that can be true in life too. Sometimes we can try our very hardest, and we still have to wait to see the result. It does not mean that our efforts were in vain, it just means we needed to persevere to get the best result. In the end, it all works out as we trust in the Lord.
I am also learning that it does not matter if others accept my work, or think that I am doing a good job. It is the acceptance from the Lord that we are all looking for. Even though we do not have baptisms and investigators in the church every week, we feel and know that the Lord sees our work. He knows that we are working our hardest and that is what matters. We also know that we will find those golden investigators as we keep on looking. We just have to find them!
I hope that things are all going well for yall in the cold!!!! I have to say I do not envy your weather right now.Keep up the good work!!! Invite someone to church this week, or to a family home evening or dinner!!!!!!!!!! It will strengthen your faith, I know it!!!!
With a lot, a lot, a lot, A LOT, OF LOVE,
Hermana Taylor
WHOA!!!!!!!!! That is super fun with the freezing rain!!!! We do not have that here. Especially since it is summer. We got rain yesterday, and it was one of the strangest things because summer here should be super dry.
Cool story of the week. We are teaching a part member family. The husband, Victor, has been inactive for 10 years or more and his wife, Gladys, is not a member. We have eaten with their family lunch once. and dinner once. We went to teach them the first lesson to the whole family this time and emphasize the priesthood. She got baptized in another church when she was 15, so she did not understand why she would need to get baptized again. We had a great lesson, but at the end when we invited her to be baptized she said, "I have been baptized already." Our hearts kind of dropped. Her husband tried to explain too, but she was firm still. We did not know what to do, so we invited her to kneel right there and pray and ask God if she needed to be baptized again. Well, she started praying and she said, "Father, I have a broken heart and a contrite spirit now. If I need to be baptized again, tell me." Then she started crying.
After the prayer she explained how she felt such happiness and like a hand was one her head during the prayer. She said that she had never felt like that, and felt such great happiness. It was amazing!!!!
This happened after we went the ENTIRE day contacting (we street contact almost always) and NO ONE wanted to listen to us. It was kind of hard. It seems like we go all day long every day, and at the end is when we find people that want to listen. I think the Lord is trying to teach us perseverance because everyday it is the very end of the day that we find people. I guess that can be true in life too. Sometimes we can try our very hardest, and we still have to wait to see the result. It does not mean that our efforts were in vain, it just means we needed to persevere to get the best result. In the end, it all works out as we trust in the Lord.
I am also learning that it does not matter if others accept my work, or think that I am doing a good job. It is the acceptance from the Lord that we are all looking for. Even though we do not have baptisms and investigators in the church every week, we feel and know that the Lord sees our work. He knows that we are working our hardest and that is what matters. We also know that we will find those golden investigators as we keep on looking. We just have to find them!
I hope that things are all going well for yall in the cold!!!! I have to say I do not envy your weather right now.Keep up the good work!!! Invite someone to church this week, or to a family home evening or dinner!!!!!!!!!! It will strengthen your faith, I know it!!!!
With a lot, a lot, a lot, A LOT, OF LOVE,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
December 2, 2013 - Halfway Point!
Dear Family,
I LOVE YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wanted to make sure that yall knew that! Also happy thanksgiving a little late!!! I hope it was super delicious and that yall found a million things to be thankful for!!!!
So Wednesday I complete my halfway point, or nine months. It is tradition to take a photo like this in the mission (see below). Hermana Jackson gave me a soccer ball, so I just stuck it under my shirt. Companions from the MTC, and we still are in the same apartment, serving in the same ward haha. I cannot believe how fast the mission is going!!! I LOVE THE MISSION!!!!!!!!!!
One miracle we had, is that we left early sunday to pass for an investigator before church and bring him. In Chile every house has a gate, and normally we just shout, ALOH, and the people hear us. THis house was far back from the gate (they actually have a little bit of a yard) and our shouts just were not cutting it. We decided to pray, and I said all of two sentences asking that he could hear us and he came out (we did not finish the prayer until later). Unfortunately he told us that he could not come to church, but we forgot to pray for that (or we did not have time), so the Lord did answer our prayers haha. It was really great! The Lord has a sense of humor.
Something that I learned this week, is that I am super ungrateful. Thursday we woke up and went to a reunion for those new missionaries (Hermana Escobar is about to finish her training in a couple of weeks) and I have forgotten that it was thanksgiving. I was too consumed in myself and the people I needed to call and all the things we needed to do. One Hermana had to go home for health issues, and that made me really sad. I take the mission for granted. Really, Every single day is so precious! Later in the meeting, Presidente read from Job 1:20-22. Job lost EVERYTHING!!! All that he owned, his family, even his health. And in the midst of all this, he gave thanks to God for all the lord had given him. He knew that everything we have in this life is a blessing from God. EVERYTHING!!! He knew what gratitude really was. I realized that I am super ungrateful. I cannot complain about anything on the mission because I am so blessed to be able to serve! I see miracles, small and large, everyday, and am learning so much!!! That day, in our prayers (we always pray a lot during the day) we just gave thanks. It is really powerful giving thanks in prayer. I highly recommend it when you go to sleep tonight. Just give thanks. I promise your problems will shrink or maybe even disappear.
Thank yall for your prayers and support. I know without yall I would not be here in the mission. I am so blessed to have yall as my family and friends!!!! I LOVE YALL!!!!!!!!!
Today for p day we had a potluck thanksgiving. about 20 or 30 sisters in the mission came and it was really fun! Some of us played a little bit of soccer which is why we had shorts, and others skirts haha. It was super fun!!! Oh, here is a pic of Marisol and us at her baptism. The other one is her, with her 3 daughters, mom, and her friend that baptized her. We are super happy for them!!!
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont forget your prayer of gratitude tonight!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
I LOVE YALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just wanted to make sure that yall knew that! Also happy thanksgiving a little late!!! I hope it was super delicious and that yall found a million things to be thankful for!!!!
So Wednesday I complete my halfway point, or nine months. It is tradition to take a photo like this in the mission (see below). Hermana Jackson gave me a soccer ball, so I just stuck it under my shirt. Companions from the MTC, and we still are in the same apartment, serving in the same ward haha. I cannot believe how fast the mission is going!!! I LOVE THE MISSION!!!!!!!!!!
One miracle we had, is that we left early sunday to pass for an investigator before church and bring him. In Chile every house has a gate, and normally we just shout, ALOH, and the people hear us. THis house was far back from the gate (they actually have a little bit of a yard) and our shouts just were not cutting it. We decided to pray, and I said all of two sentences asking that he could hear us and he came out (we did not finish the prayer until later). Unfortunately he told us that he could not come to church, but we forgot to pray for that (or we did not have time), so the Lord did answer our prayers haha. It was really great! The Lord has a sense of humor.
Something that I learned this week, is that I am super ungrateful. Thursday we woke up and went to a reunion for those new missionaries (Hermana Escobar is about to finish her training in a couple of weeks) and I have forgotten that it was thanksgiving. I was too consumed in myself and the people I needed to call and all the things we needed to do. One Hermana had to go home for health issues, and that made me really sad. I take the mission for granted. Really, Every single day is so precious! Later in the meeting, Presidente read from Job 1:20-22. Job lost EVERYTHING!!! All that he owned, his family, even his health. And in the midst of all this, he gave thanks to God for all the lord had given him. He knew that everything we have in this life is a blessing from God. EVERYTHING!!! He knew what gratitude really was. I realized that I am super ungrateful. I cannot complain about anything on the mission because I am so blessed to be able to serve! I see miracles, small and large, everyday, and am learning so much!!! That day, in our prayers (we always pray a lot during the day) we just gave thanks. It is really powerful giving thanks in prayer. I highly recommend it when you go to sleep tonight. Just give thanks. I promise your problems will shrink or maybe even disappear.
Thank yall for your prayers and support. I know without yall I would not be here in the mission. I am so blessed to have yall as my family and friends!!!! I LOVE YALL!!!!!!!!!
Today for p day we had a potluck thanksgiving. about 20 or 30 sisters in the mission came and it was really fun! Some of us played a little bit of soccer which is why we had shorts, and others skirts haha. It was super fun!!! Oh, here is a pic of Marisol and us at her baptism. The other one is her, with her 3 daughters, mom, and her friend that baptized her. We are super happy for them!!!
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont forget your prayer of gratitude tonight!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
Monday, December 2, 2013
November 25, 2013
Dear Family
Hola!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope you are all going to eat a bunch of turkey and mashed potatoes!!!! thanksgiving does not really exist here, but we might celebrate it next p day with some other sister missionaries. Today we went to climb san cristobal (a big hill in the middle of Santiago) but the workers are on strike. We played in a park for a Little bit instead. Tell everyone in Maryland, Grandma Billy Connie Chris erica Cristy and whoever else that I said Hi!
Well, hmmm what happened this week..............
MARISOL GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are pretty excited for her!!!! She just glowed all day saturday, and especially sunday. She got baptized in her Ward, but we had permission to go. We did not see her get confirmed, but she came to say hi in our Ward afterwards and she just glows! it was a pretty amazing experience. i did not understand the importance of baptism before the misión, but I am learning here. She truly has started a new life being baptized by someone who has the Priesthood authority of God. I am so happy for her!!!!
That was definitely the highlight of our week. The whole week we were preparing for it, and we truly saw miracles. sometimes I get caught up in details and forget the whole picture. the Lord always makes it so it Works out in the end, and sometimes it is hard to let go and trust Him. letting go of this control, or worry (I do not know what to call it) is hard. i still struggle with it, but He is helping me slowly but surely.
i learned this week also, that the time when people kind of start to bug you, is the time that you have to love them the most. They probably bug you because you are having a problem, or they are going through a tough time. sometimes i can get a Little sucked into myself and my feelings, but that is not the way to fix the problem. The Lord keeps telling me that I need to learn to love. Sometimes I think I understand what He is trying to teach me, and He just throws a curveball telling me there is still more. it is good. It keeps me humble haha.
I know that the lord truly watches out for us and helps us overcome difficult times. If nothing else, I am learning how to trust Him a Little more. HE ALWAYS HAS THE BEST PLAN!!! If we would just listen to him and obey, oh how wonderful our lives would be!!! But, a lot of times our pride gets in the way and we mess up, dont listen, or just flat out disobey. That is why we have the Atonement. The Atonement is such a grand blessing!!!! Literally, I would be nothing without the sacrifice of my Savior. He truly suffered for every single one of our sins, sadness, illness, frailties, disabilities, etc. HE KNOWS US!!! that is why only through Him, and with His help, can we repent and be happy. It is true that, "wickedness never was happiness" alma 41 verse 10. I am so grateful for the Atonement!
Thanks for everything familia!!! i am truly blessed to have yall!!! I LOVE YALL A TON!!!!!!!
con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Hola!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!! I hope you are all going to eat a bunch of turkey and mashed potatoes!!!! thanksgiving does not really exist here, but we might celebrate it next p day with some other sister missionaries. Today we went to climb san cristobal (a big hill in the middle of Santiago) but the workers are on strike. We played in a park for a Little bit instead. Tell everyone in Maryland, Grandma Billy Connie Chris erica Cristy and whoever else that I said Hi!
Well, hmmm what happened this week..............
MARISOL GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are pretty excited for her!!!! She just glowed all day saturday, and especially sunday. She got baptized in her Ward, but we had permission to go. We did not see her get confirmed, but she came to say hi in our Ward afterwards and she just glows! it was a pretty amazing experience. i did not understand the importance of baptism before the misión, but I am learning here. She truly has started a new life being baptized by someone who has the Priesthood authority of God. I am so happy for her!!!!
That was definitely the highlight of our week. The whole week we were preparing for it, and we truly saw miracles. sometimes I get caught up in details and forget the whole picture. the Lord always makes it so it Works out in the end, and sometimes it is hard to let go and trust Him. letting go of this control, or worry (I do not know what to call it) is hard. i still struggle with it, but He is helping me slowly but surely.
i learned this week also, that the time when people kind of start to bug you, is the time that you have to love them the most. They probably bug you because you are having a problem, or they are going through a tough time. sometimes i can get a Little sucked into myself and my feelings, but that is not the way to fix the problem. The Lord keeps telling me that I need to learn to love. Sometimes I think I understand what He is trying to teach me, and He just throws a curveball telling me there is still more. it is good. It keeps me humble haha.
I know that the lord truly watches out for us and helps us overcome difficult times. If nothing else, I am learning how to trust Him a Little more. HE ALWAYS HAS THE BEST PLAN!!! If we would just listen to him and obey, oh how wonderful our lives would be!!! But, a lot of times our pride gets in the way and we mess up, dont listen, or just flat out disobey. That is why we have the Atonement. The Atonement is such a grand blessing!!!! Literally, I would be nothing without the sacrifice of my Savior. He truly suffered for every single one of our sins, sadness, illness, frailties, disabilities, etc. HE KNOWS US!!! that is why only through Him, and with His help, can we repent and be happy. It is true that, "wickedness never was happiness" alma 41 verse 10. I am so grateful for the Atonement!
Thanks for everything familia!!! i am truly blessed to have yall!!! I LOVE YALL A TON!!!!!!!
con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
November 18, 2013
Hey fam!!!
WHOA, CAM GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is pretty cool. Way to go bro! And Welcome to The Family Rachel! That is exciting!!!
So, this week was awesome to say the least. Elder Holland came and talked to us Tuesday, and it was amazing!!!! Four missions all came to the same building (all the Santiago missions), so it was a little crowded to say the least. We woke up at 4 30 in the morning and left at 5 so that we could get there at 5 30 in the morning. We were on the 3rd row. It was sweet!!!!!
He got super excited and slammed the pulpit a few times. If anyone has heard his talk "missions are forever" he used a lot of the same stuff. I think every missionary got different messages out of his talk. The thing that stayed with me is that WE ARE THE LORD´S INVESTIGATORS. It is so easy to say, "man, why won´t this invetigator just read (or whatever committment it is)." It is easy to say that because we love them and we want them to change their lives and experience this joy that we have felt and that all are promised. The Lord is the same way with us. He never stops giving us committments and ways to improve ourselves so that we can have even more happiness. A lot of times we say, "oh man, I just did not have time this month to go to the temple like you told me too. Or, I was just too tired to read, or do my visiting teaching thismonth, there just wasnt time." Most of the time we do not keep our committments, and yet the Lord is so patient, or at least I know He has been super patient with me. My new goal has been to keep these committments He gives me, but starting with one at a time. This week is prayers. No more praying in my bed (i sleep ont he top bunk). It just is not quite as effective.
He also declared loudly, "dont you ever give this up!!!" A missionary should never give up what he gave here. They should never turn their back on what they taught. They stop keeping their committments from the Lord, stop keeping committments that they were keeping until the light that they were given is taken away. He said that he has met many of his missionaries from when he was a mission president, and they are all active. If there are any that arent, they are smart enouight to avoid him. He threat to put pepper in our empanadas, let the air out of our tires, and more if he ever hears we are giving this up.
He also said that the mission does not end after we are released. That the mission is FOREVER. It is true. We can never stop doing what we are doing here (studying the scriptures everyday, serving people, sharing the gospel, etc) even after we do not have a plaque.
He said that he does not remember one day that he did not think about his mission. That no one has ever been effected so much by a mission as he was. I want at least a part of the change that he experienced.
So, mission life is really great right now. MARISOL IS GETTING BAPTIZED SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her two daughters are waiting a little so that we have more time to teach them thoroughly, but she is getting baptized SATURDAY!!!! We are pretty excited. Pictures will be sent next week. We are pumped!!
I love you all!!!! Keep studying the scriptures, conversing with the Lord morning and night, and smiling even in the midst of adversity!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LIL BRUDDER BEN!!!!!!!
WHOA, CAM GOT ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is pretty cool. Way to go bro! And Welcome to The Family Rachel! That is exciting!!!
So, this week was awesome to say the least. Elder Holland came and talked to us Tuesday, and it was amazing!!!! Four missions all came to the same building (all the Santiago missions), so it was a little crowded to say the least. We woke up at 4 30 in the morning and left at 5 so that we could get there at 5 30 in the morning. We were on the 3rd row. It was sweet!!!!!
He got super excited and slammed the pulpit a few times. If anyone has heard his talk "missions are forever" he used a lot of the same stuff. I think every missionary got different messages out of his talk. The thing that stayed with me is that WE ARE THE LORD´S INVESTIGATORS. It is so easy to say, "man, why won´t this invetigator just read (or whatever committment it is)." It is easy to say that because we love them and we want them to change their lives and experience this joy that we have felt and that all are promised. The Lord is the same way with us. He never stops giving us committments and ways to improve ourselves so that we can have even more happiness. A lot of times we say, "oh man, I just did not have time this month to go to the temple like you told me too. Or, I was just too tired to read, or do my visiting teaching thismonth, there just wasnt time." Most of the time we do not keep our committments, and yet the Lord is so patient, or at least I know He has been super patient with me. My new goal has been to keep these committments He gives me, but starting with one at a time. This week is prayers. No more praying in my bed (i sleep ont he top bunk). It just is not quite as effective.
He also declared loudly, "dont you ever give this up!!!" A missionary should never give up what he gave here. They should never turn their back on what they taught. They stop keeping their committments from the Lord, stop keeping committments that they were keeping until the light that they were given is taken away. He said that he has met many of his missionaries from when he was a mission president, and they are all active. If there are any that arent, they are smart enouight to avoid him. He threat to put pepper in our empanadas, let the air out of our tires, and more if he ever hears we are giving this up.
He also said that the mission does not end after we are released. That the mission is FOREVER. It is true. We can never stop doing what we are doing here (studying the scriptures everyday, serving people, sharing the gospel, etc) even after we do not have a plaque.
He said that he does not remember one day that he did not think about his mission. That no one has ever been effected so much by a mission as he was. I want at least a part of the change that he experienced.
So, mission life is really great right now. MARISOL IS GETTING BAPTIZED SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Her two daughters are waiting a little so that we have more time to teach them thoroughly, but she is getting baptized SATURDAY!!!! We are pretty excited. Pictures will be sent next week. We are pumped!!
I love you all!!!! Keep studying the scriptures, conversing with the Lord morning and night, and smiling even in the midst of adversity!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LIL BRUDDER BEN!!!!!!!
 |
| Hermanas Urzagaste, chavez, skabelund, me, escobar, and jackson. This was us waiting to for Elder Holland to get there!!! |
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
November 11, 2013
Hola familia!!
Les quiero un montón!!! How are things going there? Happy late birthday dad, and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON AND DANIELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is really Handy that your birthdays are two days apart! Dad´s birthday sounds pretty great!!! I cant believe Sister poyfair made him a cheesecake! Dad, you must have been in heaven!!! Cheesecake is super expensive here and it is hard to find. We have never bought it. My old companion, Hermana Samantha Skabelund, is going home in December and she is going to bring a couple things home for yáll. So if you are not going to Utah for Christmas, let me know.
This week was really amazing!!! We worked hard, and the Lord gave us miracles! We had quite a few people who said they were going to come to church this week. We were really excited! When we got to church, no one was there. We had gone with a member to try to pick up one investigator, and he was sick, others wouldnt answer their phones. We were a Little disheartened. The sacrament meeting started and I was really discouraged thinking, ¨not again! We worked so hard and a lot of people said they were going to come an no one is here.¨and just was a Little negative. Right before we were going to start the sacrament, Hermano Victor and his family came in!! He is less active (for about 10 years) and came with his wife and two Little kids. After that I felt really bad for losing faith and hope so soon. Sometimes I think I am a super faithful person, or that I have a lot of hope and am optimistic, but the Lord tells me otherwise and humbles me A LOT!!! Really, we do not do anything, it is all the Lord. He blesses us so much that it is unbelievable. We are so blessed to work in His vineyard and be a part of this marvelous work!
Hermano Victor, his wife is not a member and his oldest kid will turn 8 next year. His wife liked church and offered to feed us this month! They are a beautiful family and we are excited to see them progress in the Gospel!
I was reflecting this past week in how I have changed, and the biggest thing is that I have learne to love people. It was devastating when no one showed up because we love them SOOOO MUCH!!!!! We want them to progress and enjoy all of the blessings the Lord is just waiting to give them!! It hurts when they do not come because we know they are not enjoying and receiving these escential blessings. I am the same way sometimes. The Lord is teaching me the same lesson over and over again in the misión and I learn really slow. He is so patient and loving though and keeps helping me even though I do not always listen. I cannot get mad at others because the Lord is patient with me too. You just have to love them and keep working with them.
Marisol is getting baptized with her two daughters the first of December now. We just have to help her see why she has to assist her own Ward now. She really loves our Ward and does not want to leave it. She is really amazing and keeps progressing everyday. The family in our Ward supports her all the time and is the reason why she has progressed so far and will be baptized. We did not do much, just teach some lessons. We are so excited for her!!!!
Tomorrow, Elder Holland comes to our misión. He will talk to 4 missions, so we are leaving at 5 in the morning más o menos, to get there super early in hopes to get a decent seat. I will update you next week on how it goes.
In preach my góspel it says¨that goals reflect the desires of your heart¨. I am learningthat that is true. What goals do you have? Have you taken Elder Ballard´s challenge to invite someone to listen to the missionries by Christmas time. I know that you can do it, that there is someone in your life that you can introduce to the góspel by the end of the year. I will be praying for your success!!!
I LOVE YALL LOTS!!! KEEP SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THOSE LITTLE WAYS!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
Les quiero un montón!!! How are things going there? Happy late birthday dad, and
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON AND DANIELLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is really Handy that your birthdays are two days apart! Dad´s birthday sounds pretty great!!! I cant believe Sister poyfair made him a cheesecake! Dad, you must have been in heaven!!! Cheesecake is super expensive here and it is hard to find. We have never bought it. My old companion, Hermana Samantha Skabelund, is going home in December and she is going to bring a couple things home for yáll. So if you are not going to Utah for Christmas, let me know.
This week was really amazing!!! We worked hard, and the Lord gave us miracles! We had quite a few people who said they were going to come to church this week. We were really excited! When we got to church, no one was there. We had gone with a member to try to pick up one investigator, and he was sick, others wouldnt answer their phones. We were a Little disheartened. The sacrament meeting started and I was really discouraged thinking, ¨not again! We worked so hard and a lot of people said they were going to come an no one is here.¨and just was a Little negative. Right before we were going to start the sacrament, Hermano Victor and his family came in!! He is less active (for about 10 years) and came with his wife and two Little kids. After that I felt really bad for losing faith and hope so soon. Sometimes I think I am a super faithful person, or that I have a lot of hope and am optimistic, but the Lord tells me otherwise and humbles me A LOT!!! Really, we do not do anything, it is all the Lord. He blesses us so much that it is unbelievable. We are so blessed to work in His vineyard and be a part of this marvelous work!
Hermano Victor, his wife is not a member and his oldest kid will turn 8 next year. His wife liked church and offered to feed us this month! They are a beautiful family and we are excited to see them progress in the Gospel!
I was reflecting this past week in how I have changed, and the biggest thing is that I have learne to love people. It was devastating when no one showed up because we love them SOOOO MUCH!!!!! We want them to progress and enjoy all of the blessings the Lord is just waiting to give them!! It hurts when they do not come because we know they are not enjoying and receiving these escential blessings. I am the same way sometimes. The Lord is teaching me the same lesson over and over again in the misión and I learn really slow. He is so patient and loving though and keeps helping me even though I do not always listen. I cannot get mad at others because the Lord is patient with me too. You just have to love them and keep working with them.
Marisol is getting baptized with her two daughters the first of December now. We just have to help her see why she has to assist her own Ward now. She really loves our Ward and does not want to leave it. She is really amazing and keeps progressing everyday. The family in our Ward supports her all the time and is the reason why she has progressed so far and will be baptized. We did not do much, just teach some lessons. We are so excited for her!!!!
Tomorrow, Elder Holland comes to our misión. He will talk to 4 missions, so we are leaving at 5 in the morning más o menos, to get there super early in hopes to get a decent seat. I will update you next week on how it goes.
In preach my góspel it says¨that goals reflect the desires of your heart¨. I am learningthat that is true. What goals do you have? Have you taken Elder Ballard´s challenge to invite someone to listen to the missionries by Christmas time. I know that you can do it, that there is someone in your life that you can introduce to the góspel by the end of the year. I will be praying for your success!!!
I LOVE YALL LOTS!!! KEEP SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THOSE LITTLE WAYS!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
November 4, 2013
Dear family,
Howdy!!! How are things? I hear it is finally cooling down there. That is really great. It is starting to get pretty hot here. Luckily, People offer us wáter (actually soda or juice) a lot, so it is not too bad.
Well, if you want to hear how people are doing, here they are. First off is Marisol. SHE IS DOING GREAT!!! She is getting baptized the 24th of this month (we moved it back a week because of elections) with her two daughters. She is progressing greatly and really is excited for her baptism (her daughters too). She lives in another Ward, and we got permission to go to her baptism in this other Ward, so we are very content!!! She came to stake conference (both saturday and sunday) and is amazing!!! It is amazing how the Lord puts people in our path. She decided to listen to us because we were visiting a family and she happened to walk in and we said a prayer with her and a spiritual thought and invited her to listen to more (this was all about 3 months ago). This family had invited her many times and this time she accepted and now her and two of her daughters will be baptized!!! Sometimes we have to continue to invite people (and maybe invite the missionaries to share a scripture and prayer wink wink).
Next is a Young man named Aldo. He had a bad week the week before, and this week he told us that he prayed and that the Lord answered him. He told us now that he has a testimony of prayer and knows the Lord answers. Before, he believed more in a great power and not really in God and definitely not in religión. He is starting to come around. He is praying about baptism now. And he is going to come to church this next week.
We found an old man named Manuel this week. He is confined to a wheelchair because he only has one leg. We have taught him outside of his house a couple of times. It is a Little hard because we have to shout for him to hear us, but he likes what he has Heard. We just have to get him to church this week!!!
One of the coolest things that happened this week was with a less active named Victor. He has a ciber that we use every week, but I guess no one before offered to visit him or I am not sure. We went to share a quick scripture with him, and he had his two kids on his lap. We talked about Christ, and shared our testimonies. His daughter who is seven really soaked it up. At the end we asked if they had any questions and He asked us if his daughter could take the discussions. She turns 8 in January and he wants her to be baptized. Of course we said YES. and five minutes later his wife got home and he told her that their daughter would be taking the discussions and said,¨" and you too right?" (she is not a member) and she asked him "well you too?" I think we will be teaching the whole family so we are pretty excited!!! Hopefully the mom and daughter will be baptized together!!!
We really are talking to everyone we come in contact with basically. We visit a LOT of less actives (there are a ton here in Chile). A lot of times people in the streets, and sometimes inactives, reject us and do not want to talk with us but a lot do want to tlak to us. A lot more just need a Little whack telling them "hey, what you are looking for is right here" haha. We truly can just invite people to come to church, listen to a Little message from the missionaries. or read a Little talk or pamphlet. I am learning that this truly is salvation and peace that we are preaching.
A cool experience that we had was this past thursday I think. We were studying as a companionship and we were Reading "The Living Christ". I had not read this in years, and did not understand it before. It hit me harder than ever that Christ truly LIVES!!! He loves us sooooooooooooooooooo much, and suffered so much so that we could be happy. Also, He truly wants ALL OF HIS CHILDREN, ALL to return to him and receive this message. Now we have a Little clearer perspective on things and even more motivation to talk to everyone!!!!
Something cool that happened today was I talked to a missionary who is going home tonight. She lived in the same Ward as me at BYU, just a year before me and lives about an hour outside of Cumberland. My first companion, Hermana Steganini, became her companion next. One time, I wrote her a note and sent it to her through the office of the misión. This was almost 6 months ago. She was with Hermana Stegagnini for 3 months. Today I saw her and she said that the note came at the perfect time and that she needed it. I had forgotten about the Little note I wrote, and it was humbling to know that the Little prompting I received helped someone else. It really wasnt much. It was really cool.
This week was amazing!!!! I LOVE THE MISSION!!!!! I really do!! Sharing the Gospel brings me more joy than anything else, and I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve! I know that Christ lives and love us, every single one of us! I know that God has a plan for us, and if we follow HIS will we will be happier than we can imagine, even in the midst of tough trials.
I love you all!!!! Les amo un monton!!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Howdy!!! How are things? I hear it is finally cooling down there. That is really great. It is starting to get pretty hot here. Luckily, People offer us wáter (actually soda or juice) a lot, so it is not too bad.
Well, if you want to hear how people are doing, here they are. First off is Marisol. SHE IS DOING GREAT!!! She is getting baptized the 24th of this month (we moved it back a week because of elections) with her two daughters. She is progressing greatly and really is excited for her baptism (her daughters too). She lives in another Ward, and we got permission to go to her baptism in this other Ward, so we are very content!!! She came to stake conference (both saturday and sunday) and is amazing!!! It is amazing how the Lord puts people in our path. She decided to listen to us because we were visiting a family and she happened to walk in and we said a prayer with her and a spiritual thought and invited her to listen to more (this was all about 3 months ago). This family had invited her many times and this time she accepted and now her and two of her daughters will be baptized!!! Sometimes we have to continue to invite people (and maybe invite the missionaries to share a scripture and prayer wink wink).
Next is a Young man named Aldo. He had a bad week the week before, and this week he told us that he prayed and that the Lord answered him. He told us now that he has a testimony of prayer and knows the Lord answers. Before, he believed more in a great power and not really in God and definitely not in religión. He is starting to come around. He is praying about baptism now. And he is going to come to church this next week.
We found an old man named Manuel this week. He is confined to a wheelchair because he only has one leg. We have taught him outside of his house a couple of times. It is a Little hard because we have to shout for him to hear us, but he likes what he has Heard. We just have to get him to church this week!!!
One of the coolest things that happened this week was with a less active named Victor. He has a ciber that we use every week, but I guess no one before offered to visit him or I am not sure. We went to share a quick scripture with him, and he had his two kids on his lap. We talked about Christ, and shared our testimonies. His daughter who is seven really soaked it up. At the end we asked if they had any questions and He asked us if his daughter could take the discussions. She turns 8 in January and he wants her to be baptized. Of course we said YES. and five minutes later his wife got home and he told her that their daughter would be taking the discussions and said,¨" and you too right?" (she is not a member) and she asked him "well you too?" I think we will be teaching the whole family so we are pretty excited!!! Hopefully the mom and daughter will be baptized together!!!
We really are talking to everyone we come in contact with basically. We visit a LOT of less actives (there are a ton here in Chile). A lot of times people in the streets, and sometimes inactives, reject us and do not want to talk with us but a lot do want to tlak to us. A lot more just need a Little whack telling them "hey, what you are looking for is right here" haha. We truly can just invite people to come to church, listen to a Little message from the missionaries. or read a Little talk or pamphlet. I am learning that this truly is salvation and peace that we are preaching.
A cool experience that we had was this past thursday I think. We were studying as a companionship and we were Reading "The Living Christ". I had not read this in years, and did not understand it before. It hit me harder than ever that Christ truly LIVES!!! He loves us sooooooooooooooooooo much, and suffered so much so that we could be happy. Also, He truly wants ALL OF HIS CHILDREN, ALL to return to him and receive this message. Now we have a Little clearer perspective on things and even more motivation to talk to everyone!!!!
I am definitely learning humility in the misión, that as missionaries we are just the Lord´s servants and nothing more. I am beginning to learn how grand the lord´s love is for me, and for all of his children and how much he desires for us to come home. I want to share this with everyone, but sometimes it is so frustrating because people do not understand and brush it off. They just wont accept our message sometimes or refuse to progress. I am learning how to love people inspite of this, and to truly desire their salvation. Some days, no one will listen to us and all appointments fall through, and other days we see miracle after miracle.
I love you all!!!! Les amo un monton!!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Thursday, October 31, 2013
October 28, 2013
Querido familia,
Howdy!!! How are things going? COngrats Penny on soccer and volleyball!! Way to go!!! We will have to play when I get back! Keep on going Ben!!! You can do it!!!
I cant believe how things are changing there in the family. It will be a little different when I get back. I am excited to meet the newest little baby in the family after he is born!!!
This week was pretty great! I had intercambios or exchanges Saturday and went to a sector that was high class (lots of houses still, but they were nice) and it was kind of crazy!!! It reminded me of Salt lake City. My sector right now is not like that, so it was kind of fun to be there for a day. I was with Hermana Katherine Hunter, and we found some people, taught some people, and went to stake conference with an investigator. To be honest, we did not know if we had permission to go to the adult session saturday night, but we went anyway. Our mission president spoke, and his wife. The session went late, and we had switch companions still, so President Wright and Hermana Write drove us to the our apartment from the church so I could grab my bag. It was kind of crazy! Our mission president is pretty awesome!
I learned a very valuable lesson this week (or relearned). We passed by a street contact and this time we finally found her and entered her house. We did How TO Begin Teaching and she asked us what makes us different so we taught briefy the Restoration. It just wasnt powerful like it should have been and we did not know what to do. We did what we had been taught, but even she told us that we had not said anything that sparked her interest really. She said we could come back, but we were really confused in why we did not have the power that the Restoration should have, why the Spirit wasnt there. As we pondered this for a while, we figured it out or maybe what we were supposed to learn. We cannot just teach truth to people (ok sometimes yes) and expect them to want to change their lives. We have to apply this to THEM and why THIS CHANGES THEIR LIVES! We taught, but we did not apply it to them. It is kind of like history in High School. "What does this have to do with me?" is what kids ask all the time, and the truth is that it has A LOT to do with you! Just like we learn from history, what works and does not work in society, what shaped us into who we are today and where our society is going in the future, AFFECTS US A TON!!! It is the same with the Gospel, but incredibly more important!!! The Gospel changes lives, it is eternal salvation, but if we do not apply it to the person, they will not understand and will just brush it off. I have a lot to learn with this still, but I am thankful for the lesson that the Lord taught me!
Jessica and Cecy we taught them this week, and they have a baptismal date. They still have a long way to go, and have to recieve a testimony for themselves, but we have faith that they can do it!! Marisol also has a baptismal date (she was waiting, but decided to just go ahead and do it without all of her family). Unfortunately, she lives in another ward, but the important thing is that she will for sure get baptized!!!!!!! We are pretty excited for her!!!
This morning I was reading in D&C 59 (studying about keeping the sabbath day holy) and found a lot of cool things. I think it is verse 2 or 4 that says that we will be crowned with many blessings and also many commandments. We are given commandments to bless us, that is why we have them. THey are not to test our faith, or to just keep us from doing this one thing, but to help us learn, grown and most of all BE HAPPY!!! That is the point of this life after all (2 nephi 2 verse 25). like it says in Mosiah 2 verse 41 I think that happy are those that keep the commandments of God. I have to impove in being exactly obedient, and little by little I am repenting and changing. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here in CHile, serving the people here and learning so much. Thanks for your prayers!!! A prayer of faith is always heard!!! I LOVE YALL!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Howdy!!! How are things going? COngrats Penny on soccer and volleyball!! Way to go!!! We will have to play when I get back! Keep on going Ben!!! You can do it!!!
I cant believe how things are changing there in the family. It will be a little different when I get back. I am excited to meet the newest little baby in the family after he is born!!!
This week was pretty great! I had intercambios or exchanges Saturday and went to a sector that was high class (lots of houses still, but they were nice) and it was kind of crazy!!! It reminded me of Salt lake City. My sector right now is not like that, so it was kind of fun to be there for a day. I was with Hermana Katherine Hunter, and we found some people, taught some people, and went to stake conference with an investigator. To be honest, we did not know if we had permission to go to the adult session saturday night, but we went anyway. Our mission president spoke, and his wife. The session went late, and we had switch companions still, so President Wright and Hermana Write drove us to the our apartment from the church so I could grab my bag. It was kind of crazy! Our mission president is pretty awesome!
I learned a very valuable lesson this week (or relearned). We passed by a street contact and this time we finally found her and entered her house. We did How TO Begin Teaching and she asked us what makes us different so we taught briefy the Restoration. It just wasnt powerful like it should have been and we did not know what to do. We did what we had been taught, but even she told us that we had not said anything that sparked her interest really. She said we could come back, but we were really confused in why we did not have the power that the Restoration should have, why the Spirit wasnt there. As we pondered this for a while, we figured it out or maybe what we were supposed to learn. We cannot just teach truth to people (ok sometimes yes) and expect them to want to change their lives. We have to apply this to THEM and why THIS CHANGES THEIR LIVES! We taught, but we did not apply it to them. It is kind of like history in High School. "What does this have to do with me?" is what kids ask all the time, and the truth is that it has A LOT to do with you! Just like we learn from history, what works and does not work in society, what shaped us into who we are today and where our society is going in the future, AFFECTS US A TON!!! It is the same with the Gospel, but incredibly more important!!! The Gospel changes lives, it is eternal salvation, but if we do not apply it to the person, they will not understand and will just brush it off. I have a lot to learn with this still, but I am thankful for the lesson that the Lord taught me!
Jessica and Cecy we taught them this week, and they have a baptismal date. They still have a long way to go, and have to recieve a testimony for themselves, but we have faith that they can do it!! Marisol also has a baptismal date (she was waiting, but decided to just go ahead and do it without all of her family). Unfortunately, she lives in another ward, but the important thing is that she will for sure get baptized!!!!!!! We are pretty excited for her!!!
This morning I was reading in D&C 59 (studying about keeping the sabbath day holy) and found a lot of cool things. I think it is verse 2 or 4 that says that we will be crowned with many blessings and also many commandments. We are given commandments to bless us, that is why we have them. THey are not to test our faith, or to just keep us from doing this one thing, but to help us learn, grown and most of all BE HAPPY!!! That is the point of this life after all (2 nephi 2 verse 25). like it says in Mosiah 2 verse 41 I think that happy are those that keep the commandments of God. I have to impove in being exactly obedient, and little by little I am repenting and changing. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here in CHile, serving the people here and learning so much. Thanks for your prayers!!! A prayer of faith is always heard!!! I LOVE YALL!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
October 21, 2013
HOLA FAMILIA!!!
Wow!!! That is so great about the baptisms in the ward!!! I cannot believe the assistence is really large! Actually, our ward just changed from 9 o clock to 11 and assistence shot up. We had about 215 the last two weeks (dont worry, we are working on activating some more to pump up the number haha). It is pretty great!!
This week was one of miracles!!! A cool experience we had was Friday. We went to the temple (our only time for this year) and it was awesome!!! The whole session was in Español, and I understood (with some prayer before which definitely helped). It is amazing in the 7 months that I havent gone, how good it felt to go back!!! After being super spiritually charged we came back and worked!! We passed by for a reference and asked them some questions like, ¨have you talked to other missionaries before?¨ and they said yes. We were a little confused but taught them a little just the same. They pulled out once (a light dinner) all of a sudden and we were obligated to stay. We left and realized that they were actually inactives and not investigators haha, that made us laugh a lot!!! We left late because of "once" and were running to our appointment with Marisol. We called her to tell her we were late, and she said she was still out of town and wouldnt be able to meet with us. We were a little crushed since she is really close to baptism. We had about 45 minutes before exchanges with Hermana Sharp. Once investigator, Jessica G and her family, were in my head all day. She worked A TON and only has the afternoon of Saturday, and Sundays off. She should have been working, but we went anyway. SHE WAS THERE along with her daughter who is really interested too. We only had about 20 or 25 minutes to get in and get out, so we talked for a minutes to see how things were going. She did abunch of errands that day so she did not work. We sang a quick song, prayed, and taught the Restoration in about 5 minutes and answered a few questions and talked about baptism for 5 minutes. We invited them to be baptized if they received an answer that the Book of Mormon was true, and they said YES!!! It was pretty awesome! It is true that we do not have to teach indepth to have the spirit testify (and he is the one that really does the teaching, we just true to invite him there). Then we left and did exchanges and it was AWESOME!!! Nothing went according to plan that night, but everything happened just right!!! The Lord truly is in charge of the work, not us!
Friday with Hermana Sharp, we saw miracles also! Basically everyone wanted to listen to us! We have two new investigators that we found, Sergio and Estela, that are a SUPER CUTE OLD COUPLE! She is 95 I think and he is 89! We talked about eternal marriage with them, and it was awesome! I have tried to pay more attention to miracles this past week, and it is true that everyday we see them! A lot of time plans fall through, but that is ok because the Lord is in charge and His plan always works if we will just listen.
Funny scripture that I found is in proverbs 28 25 I think. It explains why missionaries (especially sister missionaries here in Chile) gain so much weight. "He that trusteth in the Lord shall be made fat."
I always learned that the Lord has a funny sense of humor. I prayed really hard for the chance to run (I was praying Monday night) because so far in the mission field I cannot run without a companion and my comp has asthma and cant. I could not run in the morning the next day, and figured I just needed to be patient. In our district class we did a game where we ran to grab the marker, and I got to run for a a few seconds. Afterwards, when I realized that the Lord answered my prayer, I laughed really hard. He does not answer my prayers in the way that I expect them sometimes haha.
I love serving here in Chile!!! The mission is the best decision I have made in my life, and I am so privileged to have the chance to serve. I think I am learning a lot more than I am teaching. It is true that the Lord does everything, and He is merciful enough to let us help or be His instruments. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve and learn!!!
To answer about Spanish, I still have A LOT to learn, but I can communicate almost whatever I want and understand too. It is really nice. Learning a new language is kind of like learning to read. I do not remember what Spanish sounded like before I knew it, and sometimes I do not recognize or differentiate if what I am hearing or saying is in Spanish or English. It is really cool. (sidenote from another email)
I love yall a TON!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you get more rain!!! les amo!!!
con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Wow!!! That is so great about the baptisms in the ward!!! I cannot believe the assistence is really large! Actually, our ward just changed from 9 o clock to 11 and assistence shot up. We had about 215 the last two weeks (dont worry, we are working on activating some more to pump up the number haha). It is pretty great!!
This week was one of miracles!!! A cool experience we had was Friday. We went to the temple (our only time for this year) and it was awesome!!! The whole session was in Español, and I understood (with some prayer before which definitely helped). It is amazing in the 7 months that I havent gone, how good it felt to go back!!! After being super spiritually charged we came back and worked!! We passed by for a reference and asked them some questions like, ¨have you talked to other missionaries before?¨ and they said yes. We were a little confused but taught them a little just the same. They pulled out once (a light dinner) all of a sudden and we were obligated to stay. We left and realized that they were actually inactives and not investigators haha, that made us laugh a lot!!! We left late because of "once" and were running to our appointment with Marisol. We called her to tell her we were late, and she said she was still out of town and wouldnt be able to meet with us. We were a little crushed since she is really close to baptism. We had about 45 minutes before exchanges with Hermana Sharp. Once investigator, Jessica G and her family, were in my head all day. She worked A TON and only has the afternoon of Saturday, and Sundays off. She should have been working, but we went anyway. SHE WAS THERE along with her daughter who is really interested too. We only had about 20 or 25 minutes to get in and get out, so we talked for a minutes to see how things were going. She did abunch of errands that day so she did not work. We sang a quick song, prayed, and taught the Restoration in about 5 minutes and answered a few questions and talked about baptism for 5 minutes. We invited them to be baptized if they received an answer that the Book of Mormon was true, and they said YES!!! It was pretty awesome! It is true that we do not have to teach indepth to have the spirit testify (and he is the one that really does the teaching, we just true to invite him there). Then we left and did exchanges and it was AWESOME!!! Nothing went according to plan that night, but everything happened just right!!! The Lord truly is in charge of the work, not us!
Friday with Hermana Sharp, we saw miracles also! Basically everyone wanted to listen to us! We have two new investigators that we found, Sergio and Estela, that are a SUPER CUTE OLD COUPLE! She is 95 I think and he is 89! We talked about eternal marriage with them, and it was awesome! I have tried to pay more attention to miracles this past week, and it is true that everyday we see them! A lot of time plans fall through, but that is ok because the Lord is in charge and His plan always works if we will just listen.
Funny scripture that I found is in proverbs 28 25 I think. It explains why missionaries (especially sister missionaries here in Chile) gain so much weight. "He that trusteth in the Lord shall be made fat."
I always learned that the Lord has a funny sense of humor. I prayed really hard for the chance to run (I was praying Monday night) because so far in the mission field I cannot run without a companion and my comp has asthma and cant. I could not run in the morning the next day, and figured I just needed to be patient. In our district class we did a game where we ran to grab the marker, and I got to run for a a few seconds. Afterwards, when I realized that the Lord answered my prayer, I laughed really hard. He does not answer my prayers in the way that I expect them sometimes haha.
I love serving here in Chile!!! The mission is the best decision I have made in my life, and I am so privileged to have the chance to serve. I think I am learning a lot more than I am teaching. It is true that the Lord does everything, and He is merciful enough to let us help or be His instruments. I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve and learn!!!
To answer about Spanish, I still have A LOT to learn, but I can communicate almost whatever I want and understand too. It is really nice. Learning a new language is kind of like learning to read. I do not remember what Spanish sounded like before I knew it, and sometimes I do not recognize or differentiate if what I am hearing or saying is in Spanish or English. It is really cool. (sidenote from another email)
I love yall a TON!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you get more rain!!! les amo!!!
con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Monday, October 21, 2013
October 14, 2013
Hola familia!
How are things going? I hope everything is super great!!!
This week was pretty great. We were able to find some new people and contact some others. One of our investigators, Marisol, fasted yesterday to know when she should get baptized. Also, another investigator, Jessica, came to church for the second time yesterday. She told us after fast and testimony meeting that she felt something during the meeting. We are excited to teach her some more this week.
Yesterday we had a cool lesson with a family of less actives. The mom and daughter went to Church yesterday and we went to have a family home evening with them later on that night. We were an hour late because consejo de barrio (ward council I think in English) went really long. We walked over there as fast as we could (my companion has asthma and cant run but can walk pretty fast). We got there and the mom came out crying because of a fight with her daughter. We went inside, kneeled, and offered a prayer with her. The Spirit was strong and she stopped crying. After that, she talked to her daughter and we had a family home evening about the plan of savation. It was really great and we are really excited for this family to return to church!
Life is really great here in Chile! I love serving the Lord here and I LOVE PREACHING THE GOSPEL!!!! Today I studied about how we can increase our faith. True to the Faith lists three basic things that will always increase our faith:
1. prayer of gratitude for all the Lord has given you, and also pleading for blessings, not just praying but pleading for blessings for yourself and others.
2. Obey the commandments of God and keep your covenants.
3. Study the scriptures
They are the primary answers that we also give, but it is amazing how we struggle sometimes to do it. It is so great that God does not make things complicated, but simple. We just have to do the small and simple things!
I hope everything is great there in the states! I love yall a ton!!!!!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
How are things going? I hope everything is super great!!!
This week was pretty great. We were able to find some new people and contact some others. One of our investigators, Marisol, fasted yesterday to know when she should get baptized. Also, another investigator, Jessica, came to church for the second time yesterday. She told us after fast and testimony meeting that she felt something during the meeting. We are excited to teach her some more this week.
Yesterday we had a cool lesson with a family of less actives. The mom and daughter went to Church yesterday and we went to have a family home evening with them later on that night. We were an hour late because consejo de barrio (ward council I think in English) went really long. We walked over there as fast as we could (my companion has asthma and cant run but can walk pretty fast). We got there and the mom came out crying because of a fight with her daughter. We went inside, kneeled, and offered a prayer with her. The Spirit was strong and she stopped crying. After that, she talked to her daughter and we had a family home evening about the plan of savation. It was really great and we are really excited for this family to return to church!
Life is really great here in Chile! I love serving the Lord here and I LOVE PREACHING THE GOSPEL!!!! Today I studied about how we can increase our faith. True to the Faith lists three basic things that will always increase our faith:
1. prayer of gratitude for all the Lord has given you, and also pleading for blessings, not just praying but pleading for blessings for yourself and others.
2. Obey the commandments of God and keep your covenants.
3. Study the scriptures
They are the primary answers that we also give, but it is amazing how we struggle sometimes to do it. It is so great that God does not make things complicated, but simple. We just have to do the small and simple things!
I hope everything is great there in the states! I love yall a ton!!!!!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
October 7, 2013
Dear Fam,
I hope all is really great there in the great US of A!!! We went to hard rock cafe here for our p day, and it was like being in the states! We also went to the biggest mall in Chile I think, Costenera Center, with a ton of American stores. Ya we spent a few hours in the states today haha. WASN´T GENERAL CONFERENCE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! General Conference in the mission is like the super bowl for normal people!!! It WAS SO COOOL!!!!!! Also, we got to watch in English, all the gringos in my stake, which made it that much better. I loved the talk about missionary work and likening it to football! I am so pumped now, and I hope yall are too!! I know yall can all invite friends, or acquitances to a family home evening. You are offering them something priceless!!! OH MAN I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!
The weather here is finally changing, and it is actually hot. I have not had a true summer in over a year, and I think I missed the heat a little bit. I already am getting a weird sister missionary tan line, and it is still spring. By Christmas time it will probably be pretty hilarious. I have not gotten sunburned yet, which is good. I have forgotten what a sunburn really is.
Today in my scripture study I read Alma 56 about the stripling warriors, and I noticed something new. They answered that they did not doubt that their mothers knew it, not that they knew it. Sometimes we are given the gift of believing the faith of others. It reminds me of the talk by Elder Holland in the last General Conference in which he said that if your faith is weak, lean on mine. We all need to gain our own testimonies, but believing in the testimonies of others is a gift too. I do not know this explains what is in my head, but it made an impression on me.
Congratulations Penny on your first volleyball game! I wish I could have seen it! Oh, other cool thing, ELDER HOLLAND IS COMING TO SPEAK TO OUR MISSION NOVEMBER 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am just a little excited. I love yall un monton!!!!
Love,
Hermana Taylor
I hope all is really great there in the great US of A!!! We went to hard rock cafe here for our p day, and it was like being in the states! We also went to the biggest mall in Chile I think, Costenera Center, with a ton of American stores. Ya we spent a few hours in the states today haha. WASN´T GENERAL CONFERENCE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! General Conference in the mission is like the super bowl for normal people!!! It WAS SO COOOL!!!!!! Also, we got to watch in English, all the gringos in my stake, which made it that much better. I loved the talk about missionary work and likening it to football! I am so pumped now, and I hope yall are too!! I know yall can all invite friends, or acquitances to a family home evening. You are offering them something priceless!!! OH MAN I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!
The weather here is finally changing, and it is actually hot. I have not had a true summer in over a year, and I think I missed the heat a little bit. I already am getting a weird sister missionary tan line, and it is still spring. By Christmas time it will probably be pretty hilarious. I have not gotten sunburned yet, which is good. I have forgotten what a sunburn really is.
Today in my scripture study I read Alma 56 about the stripling warriors, and I noticed something new. They answered that they did not doubt that their mothers knew it, not that they knew it. Sometimes we are given the gift of believing the faith of others. It reminds me of the talk by Elder Holland in the last General Conference in which he said that if your faith is weak, lean on mine. We all need to gain our own testimonies, but believing in the testimonies of others is a gift too. I do not know this explains what is in my head, but it made an impression on me.
Congratulations Penny on your first volleyball game! I wish I could have seen it! Oh, other cool thing, ELDER HOLLAND IS COMING TO SPEAK TO OUR MISSION NOVEMBER 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am just a little excited. I love yall un monton!!!!
Love,
Hermana Taylor
Friday, October 4, 2013
September 30, 2013
Hola familia!!!
How is everyone? I hope everyone is doing great!!!
Here in Chile things are FANTASTIC!!! My new companion, Hermana Escobar, is from Guatemala! She is definitely the new generation of missionaries. She barely turned 19, and is super prepared to serve!!! It is amazing see the new generation and the new forcé of missionaries!!! I LOVE IT!!!
This week flew by! We taught English clases, which were fun. I do not really know what I am doing, but at least I can speak English and help them learn to communicate if nothing else haha! We taught Marisol this week, and she told us that she wants to get baptized, she just doesnt know when. She comes to church every single week, and loves it! She knows it is true. She has three daughters and she just wants them to gain testimonies so that they can take this step together. We taught them the Restauración yesterday (specifically her two younger daughters) using jenga and it went great! Her oldest daughter hasnt come to a lesson yet, but we have hope! The family in our Ward invited her for a long time,and only recently did she accept! They are so great supporting her!
We also went to teach a meno activa, Hermana Bustos, This week.We felt impressed to promise her that she would find her answer in general conference. I have neverquite made a promise quite so boldly, and it was amazing to feel the Spirit testifying to her (and to us) that she truly would receive her answer in conference. Now she just has to watch it. We also got to watch General Conference Saturday which was fun!!! Here it aired at 9 at night, and I watched it in Spanish. Truly as members of this church, we have a huge responsibility. We as missionaries NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!! One family that has been helping us with the work a lot, has progressed so much and I have seen their progression as a family in such a short time and it is astounding!!! I hope you all can feel the need and step out of your Shell and share and go after the one!!!
This week I completed 7 months in the misión!!! The time is flying by! I love serving here in Chile!!! I also have come to the realization that I basically can express whatever I want in Spanish (at times I struggle, but not often). The Lord has truly blessed me with the ability to learn this language and I am so incredibly grateful!! I love you all a ton!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
We had a zone conference with Elder Zeballos of the 70. This is a third of the missionaries in our mission.
(I am on the left end of the second row from the bottom)
How is everyone? I hope everyone is doing great!!!
Here in Chile things are FANTASTIC!!! My new companion, Hermana Escobar, is from Guatemala! She is definitely the new generation of missionaries. She barely turned 19, and is super prepared to serve!!! It is amazing see the new generation and the new forcé of missionaries!!! I LOVE IT!!!
This week flew by! We taught English clases, which were fun. I do not really know what I am doing, but at least I can speak English and help them learn to communicate if nothing else haha! We taught Marisol this week, and she told us that she wants to get baptized, she just doesnt know when. She comes to church every single week, and loves it! She knows it is true. She has three daughters and she just wants them to gain testimonies so that they can take this step together. We taught them the Restauración yesterday (specifically her two younger daughters) using jenga and it went great! Her oldest daughter hasnt come to a lesson yet, but we have hope! The family in our Ward invited her for a long time,and only recently did she accept! They are so great supporting her!
We also went to teach a meno activa, Hermana Bustos, This week.We felt impressed to promise her that she would find her answer in general conference. I have neverquite made a promise quite so boldly, and it was amazing to feel the Spirit testifying to her (and to us) that she truly would receive her answer in conference. Now she just has to watch it. We also got to watch General Conference Saturday which was fun!!! Here it aired at 9 at night, and I watched it in Spanish. Truly as members of this church, we have a huge responsibility. We as missionaries NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!! One family that has been helping us with the work a lot, has progressed so much and I have seen their progression as a family in such a short time and it is astounding!!! I hope you all can feel the need and step out of your Shell and share and go after the one!!!
This week I completed 7 months in the misión!!! The time is flying by! I love serving here in Chile!!! I also have come to the realization that I basically can express whatever I want in Spanish (at times I struggle, but not often). The Lord has truly blessed me with the ability to learn this language and I am so incredibly grateful!! I love you all a ton!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
We had a zone conference with Elder Zeballos of the 70. This is a third of the missionaries in our mission.
(I am on the left end of the second row from the bottom)
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
September 23, 2013
Hola familia!!!
I hope things are all well there in the great ole US of A!!!
So September 18th is really huge day here in Chile because it is there independence day, but it is a week long celebration. This week we did not find quite as many people in their houses or on the streets, but it was fun!!! People did not work for a full week and basically eating for a week straight! Empenados and asados (kind of like a barbecue) is what everyone did this week. Some members invited us over and I ate the meat inside of the empenadas haha. It was delicious!!! Wednesday we also had zone conference with Elder Zeballos of the seventy which was really fun! He and his wife and our mission president and his wife talked to us and basically pumped us up! Elder Zeballos talked about learning a language too and that it is important to NEVER lose it because the Lord will have use for us one day in the future, especially those speaking Spanish. That was kind of fun! He also talked about D&C 4 and the qualifications to be a missionary. He then showed scriptures that basically showed that love, love love and love qualify us for the work. I am learning a lot about what love really means. It is good that love is the biggest and most essential thing in missionary work because I lack a lot of other things.
Oh random story, we had to take a taxi to the meeting because we had to be there really early in the morning before the metro opened up. We had a little bit of confusion with the taxi, but finally found one. We were a little frustrated, and I think he could tell and got us there REALLY fast. We were going 60 kilometers per hour. That is REALLY fast. Lets just say we were the very first ones there :).
I was studying about Charity this week and in Moroni 7:45 it says, "no piensa el mal" or doesnt think the bad or something (I only know it in Spanish). This is why we always should have a positive attitude!!! we all are working on charity and part of it is having that hope, optimism and trust in the Lord. It is not easy to learn this sometimes haha.
This week was pretty great!!! Unfortunately, Hermana Skabelund got transferred this week. I am sad, but excited for my new companion!!! Tomorrow I start training a greenie or new missionary and I am pretty excited!!!
Keep up the great work family, and show that love you have and share the great news of Christ!!! I KNOW there are people prepared in every person´s life and that every person can share the gospel!!! You just have to open your mouth and do it!!
Con mi amor,
Hermana Taylor
I hope things are all well there in the great ole US of A!!!
So September 18th is really huge day here in Chile because it is there independence day, but it is a week long celebration. This week we did not find quite as many people in their houses or on the streets, but it was fun!!! People did not work for a full week and basically eating for a week straight! Empenados and asados (kind of like a barbecue) is what everyone did this week. Some members invited us over and I ate the meat inside of the empenadas haha. It was delicious!!! Wednesday we also had zone conference with Elder Zeballos of the seventy which was really fun! He and his wife and our mission president and his wife talked to us and basically pumped us up! Elder Zeballos talked about learning a language too and that it is important to NEVER lose it because the Lord will have use for us one day in the future, especially those speaking Spanish. That was kind of fun! He also talked about D&C 4 and the qualifications to be a missionary. He then showed scriptures that basically showed that love, love love and love qualify us for the work. I am learning a lot about what love really means. It is good that love is the biggest and most essential thing in missionary work because I lack a lot of other things.
Oh random story, we had to take a taxi to the meeting because we had to be there really early in the morning before the metro opened up. We had a little bit of confusion with the taxi, but finally found one. We were a little frustrated, and I think he could tell and got us there REALLY fast. We were going 60 kilometers per hour. That is REALLY fast. Lets just say we were the very first ones there :).
I was studying about Charity this week and in Moroni 7:45 it says, "no piensa el mal" or doesnt think the bad or something (I only know it in Spanish). This is why we always should have a positive attitude!!! we all are working on charity and part of it is having that hope, optimism and trust in the Lord. It is not easy to learn this sometimes haha.
This week was pretty great!!! Unfortunately, Hermana Skabelund got transferred this week. I am sad, but excited for my new companion!!! Tomorrow I start training a greenie or new missionary and I am pretty excited!!!
Keep up the great work family, and show that love you have and share the great news of Christ!!! I KNOW there are people prepared in every person´s life and that every person can share the gospel!!! You just have to open your mouth and do it!!
Con mi amor,
Hermana Taylor
Thursday, September 19, 2013
September 17, 2013
Dear familia,
Hola! How is everything going? How is school going for everyone? Is it still super hot there? It warmed up for a few days here, but then it cooled down again. I am pretty excited for spring to finally get here. The trees are blooming and it is all really beautiful.
Funny thing of the week is that we started feeding a dog that lives in the street. Hermana Skabelund named him Flakucho (flaca means skinny). She has a huge heart for dogs. So most days now, we buy him dog food, go find him in one of his usual spots and give him the food. He is kind of old, and now responds to his name. Sometimes Hermana Skabelund reminds me of Lindsey, or I could see Lindsey doing the same thing.
This week in la capilla or church we had my best week of the mission!!! We had 8 investigators and a couple of little kids!!! We are teaching two families right now that are really promising. Marisol brought her brother to a ward activity (barbecue type thing for 18 de septiembre or independence day here) and he loved it! She also brought him and her three daughters to church. It was great!!! Also, we were going through the list of members and visiting them and we found a lady named Jessica. Her daughter was baptized at 8 years old and has never been to church since. It happens that her boyfriend is a less active member, and that her other daughter is really interested. Almost all of them came to church too. There is a scripture in Alma 26 verse 22 I think that says the Lord will give them to chance to bring many souls unto repentance. It is true that the investigators that we have are just given to us. A lot of time when people are given things or given "success" it is a gift from God. Just because they received a gift and someone else didnt, doesnt mean that they are more righteous than the other. It means that God gave them that blessing.This is kind of hard to learn, but I am learning it a little at a time. He is giving me the wonderful opportunity to be here in Chile serving these amazing people! He is giving me so much more than I could ever give Him, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve for a year and a half.
We have zone conference this week, so they changed our p day. Tomorrow is our Zone conference with one of the members of the 70, but I forget his name. I am pretty excited!!! Tomorrow also is Chile´s independence day. This whole week (literally) is a big long holiday. Independence day is huge here! Basically for a whole week, they eat all day, dance, and have fun! It is all pretty fun! They eat a bunch of empanadas, and barbecue a TON of meat!
The mission is amazing!!! If anyone is ever doubting whether or not to go, the answer is to go! Sure, it is extremely difficult in many different ways, but it is a life changing opportunity where you receive a lot more than you can ever give! Oh, I got on familysearch.org today to check out the new page so that I can help people out, and there are still a lot of ordinances not done. How is the work going? It is a lot easier to add pictures now, and even family stories. It is super cool!!! Thanks for taking those name to the temple! I know they are grateful too! Les amo un MONTON!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Hola! How is everything going? How is school going for everyone? Is it still super hot there? It warmed up for a few days here, but then it cooled down again. I am pretty excited for spring to finally get here. The trees are blooming and it is all really beautiful.
Funny thing of the week is that we started feeding a dog that lives in the street. Hermana Skabelund named him Flakucho (flaca means skinny). She has a huge heart for dogs. So most days now, we buy him dog food, go find him in one of his usual spots and give him the food. He is kind of old, and now responds to his name. Sometimes Hermana Skabelund reminds me of Lindsey, or I could see Lindsey doing the same thing.
This week in la capilla or church we had my best week of the mission!!! We had 8 investigators and a couple of little kids!!! We are teaching two families right now that are really promising. Marisol brought her brother to a ward activity (barbecue type thing for 18 de septiembre or independence day here) and he loved it! She also brought him and her three daughters to church. It was great!!! Also, we were going through the list of members and visiting them and we found a lady named Jessica. Her daughter was baptized at 8 years old and has never been to church since. It happens that her boyfriend is a less active member, and that her other daughter is really interested. Almost all of them came to church too. There is a scripture in Alma 26 verse 22 I think that says the Lord will give them to chance to bring many souls unto repentance. It is true that the investigators that we have are just given to us. A lot of time when people are given things or given "success" it is a gift from God. Just because they received a gift and someone else didnt, doesnt mean that they are more righteous than the other. It means that God gave them that blessing.This is kind of hard to learn, but I am learning it a little at a time. He is giving me the wonderful opportunity to be here in Chile serving these amazing people! He is giving me so much more than I could ever give Him, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve for a year and a half.
We have zone conference this week, so they changed our p day. Tomorrow is our Zone conference with one of the members of the 70, but I forget his name. I am pretty excited!!! Tomorrow also is Chile´s independence day. This whole week (literally) is a big long holiday. Independence day is huge here! Basically for a whole week, they eat all day, dance, and have fun! It is all pretty fun! They eat a bunch of empanadas, and barbecue a TON of meat!
The mission is amazing!!! If anyone is ever doubting whether or not to go, the answer is to go! Sure, it is extremely difficult in many different ways, but it is a life changing opportunity where you receive a lot more than you can ever give! Oh, I got on familysearch.org today to check out the new page so that I can help people out, and there are still a lot of ordinances not done. How is the work going? It is a lot easier to add pictures now, and even family stories. It is super cool!!! Thanks for taking those name to the temple! I know they are grateful too! Les amo un MONTON!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
September 9, 2013
Hey familia!
I am learning so much here in the mission!!! We had interviews with President this past week, and it was really insightful. I asked him a question and he gave me a story in the Bible to read, in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha. It did not quite answer the question I had, but it answered a different question that I did not know I had. Reading it in Spanish is a little different than English. In verse 41 it has a couple of words that I did not know, so I looked them up. Afanada y turbada, which have different definitions than just to be worried. One definition is to be confused. I realized that I had been a little confused. I was so caught up in trying to obey with exactness, that I forgot why I was obeying in the first place. There truly is a letter of the law and the Spirit of the law. Ya, we should obey all the rules, but we need to realize why we are obeying, because we love God and are trying to love him, serve him, and become more like him. Sometimes, the Lord gives us a ton of things to do like food storage, family history, fellowshipping, etc. that it can get overwhelming, like Martha. It is times like this that we have to look at what and why we are doing these things are realize that we will not be perfect in this life. The Lord sees and knows our hearts and knows that we are trying, and sometimes we need to give ourselves a break (or at least I needed to).
OH, something super cool that President talked about was that our mission is going to focus a TON more on family history now!!!! All I can say is, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! Chile has really great records and ways to search, so I think a lot of people are going to be able to get their work done! We went to one less actives house, and normally she is pretty dense and doesnt listen to well. We mentioned family history, and she woke up (a promise we have from doing this) and also her husband. We will be going over this week to get them started and hopefully get them a goal to come back to church so that they can take these names to the temple.
Other quick story, Marisol (our reference from a family in the ward) is progressing. We meet with her every friday and this last time she said the Book of mormon is starting to convince her and that it truly is a great book!!!!!!! I had to keep myself from cheering out loud when she told us haha. We have high hopes for her!!!
I love you all UN MONTON!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
I am learning so much here in the mission!!! We had interviews with President this past week, and it was really insightful. I asked him a question and he gave me a story in the Bible to read, in Luke 10 about Mary and Martha. It did not quite answer the question I had, but it answered a different question that I did not know I had. Reading it in Spanish is a little different than English. In verse 41 it has a couple of words that I did not know, so I looked them up. Afanada y turbada, which have different definitions than just to be worried. One definition is to be confused. I realized that I had been a little confused. I was so caught up in trying to obey with exactness, that I forgot why I was obeying in the first place. There truly is a letter of the law and the Spirit of the law. Ya, we should obey all the rules, but we need to realize why we are obeying, because we love God and are trying to love him, serve him, and become more like him. Sometimes, the Lord gives us a ton of things to do like food storage, family history, fellowshipping, etc. that it can get overwhelming, like Martha. It is times like this that we have to look at what and why we are doing these things are realize that we will not be perfect in this life. The Lord sees and knows our hearts and knows that we are trying, and sometimes we need to give ourselves a break (or at least I needed to).
OH, something super cool that President talked about was that our mission is going to focus a TON more on family history now!!!! All I can say is, I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! Chile has really great records and ways to search, so I think a lot of people are going to be able to get their work done! We went to one less actives house, and normally she is pretty dense and doesnt listen to well. We mentioned family history, and she woke up (a promise we have from doing this) and also her husband. We will be going over this week to get them started and hopefully get them a goal to come back to church so that they can take these names to the temple.
Other quick story, Marisol (our reference from a family in the ward) is progressing. We meet with her every friday and this last time she said the Book of mormon is starting to convince her and that it truly is a great book!!!!!!! I had to keep myself from cheering out loud when she told us haha. We have high hopes for her!!!
I love you all UN MONTON!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
September 2, 2013
Hola familia!
Sounds like the school year is up and running for yall. Tell Brent that I said Congratulations and Good Job!!! That is super exciting that he is home!
This week was super cool! We did two divisiones this week, which is always a little crazy. I learned a lot, and am extra grateful that I am junior companion and not training haha. This mission is hard, but absolutely amazing! There is a quote in the first part of preach my gospel that says (sorry i have to translate it so it isnt exact) that as our understanding of the Atonement increases, our desire to share the gospel increases. This applies to EVERYONE and not just missionaries. These people out there NEED the gospel, NEED it!!!
Funny story of the week. Tuesday we have our appointments fall through, so we decided to do a little bit of street contacting before we had to go back to the pension. The second guy we contacted was older, and super receptive to everything we said. We were excited! The only problem was, we we asked if we could take down his information, he said he did not remember. We could tell he was being honest, but wasnt drunk or anything like that. We asked some more questions, like where he was going and how long ago he left his house, and it was pretty evident that he was lost. He was going in the opposite direction of where he wanted to go, and we think he had dementia or alzheimer o something like that. We did not want to leave him alone in the street, so we took him to a couple of small stores trying to get help and get someone to call the police. Eventually we ended up in a pharmacy similar to Walgreen´s (called Cruz Verde) and the guard there helped us. The store did not want to be liable for this old man, so we had to sit and wait with him until the police came. It was about nine twenty or nine thirty when we actually got help from someone, but the police were not going to be there for 20 or thirty minutes. We waited with Elías (the old man) and read from the Book of Mormon with him, but the police were late getting there. We had called the zone leaders since we couldnt leave this man alone in the pharmacy and we did not know when the police were coming. Eventually at 10:25 elders came to take our place with the old man so we could get back to our apartment. They took a taxi with him to the police station, and we found out the next day that he got home. That was kind of a fun experience haha.
We had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Marisol, this week. She also came to church on Sunday. One family in the ward invited her (they invited her for years before she accepted) and are doing most of the work. We are there to teach and that stuff, but the family makes all the difference. We have big hopes for her!!!! It is ok to invite people and they say no. As with Marisol, after lots of persistence one day they will say yes!!!! I know this knowledge changes lives. I also knmow how much the Lord needs us in this work.
I love you all!!! Have a FANTASTIC week!!
Love
Hermana Taylor
Sounds like the school year is up and running for yall. Tell Brent that I said Congratulations and Good Job!!! That is super exciting that he is home!
This week was super cool! We did two divisiones this week, which is always a little crazy. I learned a lot, and am extra grateful that I am junior companion and not training haha. This mission is hard, but absolutely amazing! There is a quote in the first part of preach my gospel that says (sorry i have to translate it so it isnt exact) that as our understanding of the Atonement increases, our desire to share the gospel increases. This applies to EVERYONE and not just missionaries. These people out there NEED the gospel, NEED it!!!
Funny story of the week. Tuesday we have our appointments fall through, so we decided to do a little bit of street contacting before we had to go back to the pension. The second guy we contacted was older, and super receptive to everything we said. We were excited! The only problem was, we we asked if we could take down his information, he said he did not remember. We could tell he was being honest, but wasnt drunk or anything like that. We asked some more questions, like where he was going and how long ago he left his house, and it was pretty evident that he was lost. He was going in the opposite direction of where he wanted to go, and we think he had dementia or alzheimer o something like that. We did not want to leave him alone in the street, so we took him to a couple of small stores trying to get help and get someone to call the police. Eventually we ended up in a pharmacy similar to Walgreen´s (called Cruz Verde) and the guard there helped us. The store did not want to be liable for this old man, so we had to sit and wait with him until the police came. It was about nine twenty or nine thirty when we actually got help from someone, but the police were not going to be there for 20 or thirty minutes. We waited with Elías (the old man) and read from the Book of Mormon with him, but the police were late getting there. We had called the zone leaders since we couldnt leave this man alone in the pharmacy and we did not know when the police were coming. Eventually at 10:25 elders came to take our place with the old man so we could get back to our apartment. They took a taxi with him to the police station, and we found out the next day that he got home. That was kind of a fun experience haha.
We had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Marisol, this week. She also came to church on Sunday. One family in the ward invited her (they invited her for years before she accepted) and are doing most of the work. We are there to teach and that stuff, but the family makes all the difference. We have big hopes for her!!!! It is ok to invite people and they say no. As with Marisol, after lots of persistence one day they will say yes!!!! I know this knowledge changes lives. I also knmow how much the Lord needs us in this work.
I love you all!!! Have a FANTASTIC week!!
Love
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
August 26, 2013
Hola familia!!!
I hope everything is great in the good ole US of A!! Wow, a whole summer is already gone? that went by really fast. Feel free to send that summer air down our way. For a couple of days, we had some super nice weather that felt like spring. Now it is cold again, but nothing like what it was before. I am grateful. Today for P day, Hermana Hallenberger taught me how to make no bake cookies. They are super delicious AND naturally do not have flour!!! Therefore, I could eat them too!!! I love Trinidad, and love all the people here!!! We visited a less active yesterday, and she cried as she told us some of her challenges. No she has not gone to church in a while, but she said no one came to help her or even visit her to see if her and her family were ok. She committed to come to church with us this next week. We are going to walk there together. I do not know how many other people are in the same boat, that are pleading for help and are ready to come back if someone would just hold their hand along the way. I learned a lot about the importance of doing your home and visiting teaching, at least making the effort to show you care about the people under your stewardship.
Today I was reading in Alma 29 where Alma says, Oh that I were an angel, and stuff about preaching to the whole world. For the first time, I really understood where Alma was coming from. It would be so nice to be able to teach everyone the gospel and baptize everyone, but our Heavenly Father has a different plan. I think it is verse 6 that Alma asks why should we wish to do more than the job Heavenly Father has given us? I am just one missionary, and sometimes it may not feel like I am making a difference, but I know I am. This work is grand and it is such a blessing to be here serving!!!!! I know that the Lord has a specific job for everyone, but sometimes we are too insensitive to listen when He calls us. I was also reading over some notes I made in the MTC and one devotional someone told us that God has commanded us to do things, and when we are not doing them we are sinning. In a way, not doing anything is sinning. We are not expected to work harder than we have strength, but He knows how much we can. He has a job for everyone in this work. Do not be afraid to simply invite someone to church. Invite someone this week to come to church. If they say no, dont worry at least you extended the invitation!!! I love you all!!!!
Love
Hermana Taylor
August 19, 2013 various pictures
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| Back row-Elders Gula, Vega, Fisher, Anderson, Bishop Cataldo & Elder Fuentes, Hnas Cisneros, Taylor, Phelps, Fisher, Ordoñez, Hallenberger, Jackson |
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| Hna Cisneros looks on as new missionaries Hna Phelps and Taylor start a CVC tour |
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| Hnas Phelps, Cisneros, Taylor, Jackson, Ordooñex, Hallenberger & Fisher going home |
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| Hnas Taylor & Stegagnini |
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| Hnas Taylor, Phelps & Cisneros |
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| Hnas. Taylor, Fisher, Stegagnini |
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| Hnas. Taylor, Stegagnini, Fisher & Obispo Alegria |
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| This is how we cover the broken arm |
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
August 12, 2013
Hola familia!
It sounds like you all had a great time on vacation and I am glad! Yáll should definitely send me pictures of everything!
This week was really great. One of our investigators, Ercilia, should get baptized this week or next. She is super great, and a cute little old lady. She absolutely adores church and the people there and loves to listen to our message. We still have a few commandments to teach her, but she is progressing greatly. The sad thing is that I wont get to see her get baptized. I got transferred today to Trinidad (a neighboring stake but is only 15 minutes in a car to get there). My new companion is Hermana Skabelund from Orem, Utah. She is really great, and we are really excited for this cambio!!! It was really sad to say bye to everyone yesterday because I just love everyone in Lo Cañas!! Hopefully Hermana Cisneros y Hermana Phelps baptize all of our investigators in the next 6 weeks without me.
Trinidad is really cool! There are 6 missionaries (3 companionships) en the ward and our sector is pretty small. The six of us live together in the same apartment, and it is pretty tight but we fit. Our apartment has a dryer which I am pretty excited about!!! We never had a dryer in Lo Cañas even when we were 6 missionaries. We have not had a chance to proselyte yet, but tonight we will!!!
I absolutely LOVE being a missionary!!! This is the best time of my life and I have learned sooooo much! Anyone that is thinking about serving a mission, DEFINITIVAMENTE SHOULD!!! This work is grand and I am so grateful for the privilege to work in the Lord´s vineyard! Keep helping the missionaries, we always need more help! I love yall!
Love
Hermana Taylor
P.S. one day i will figure out what I need to do to send pictures again.
It sounds like you all had a great time on vacation and I am glad! Yáll should definitely send me pictures of everything!
This week was really great. One of our investigators, Ercilia, should get baptized this week or next. She is super great, and a cute little old lady. She absolutely adores church and the people there and loves to listen to our message. We still have a few commandments to teach her, but she is progressing greatly. The sad thing is that I wont get to see her get baptized. I got transferred today to Trinidad (a neighboring stake but is only 15 minutes in a car to get there). My new companion is Hermana Skabelund from Orem, Utah. She is really great, and we are really excited for this cambio!!! It was really sad to say bye to everyone yesterday because I just love everyone in Lo Cañas!! Hopefully Hermana Cisneros y Hermana Phelps baptize all of our investigators in the next 6 weeks without me.
Trinidad is really cool! There are 6 missionaries (3 companionships) en the ward and our sector is pretty small. The six of us live together in the same apartment, and it is pretty tight but we fit. Our apartment has a dryer which I am pretty excited about!!! We never had a dryer in Lo Cañas even when we were 6 missionaries. We have not had a chance to proselyte yet, but tonight we will!!!
I absolutely LOVE being a missionary!!! This is the best time of my life and I have learned sooooo much! Anyone that is thinking about serving a mission, DEFINITIVAMENTE SHOULD!!! This work is grand and I am so grateful for the privilege to work in the Lord´s vineyard! Keep helping the missionaries, we always need more help! I love yall!
Love
Hermana Taylor
P.S. one day i will figure out what I need to do to send pictures again.
August 5, 2013
Hola
familia!
Espero que
todos esten bien en los Estados! How was the family vacation? What all did yáll
do in Oregon exactly and who ended up going? Tell grandpa that I said, ¨Feliz
Cumpleaños!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¨ Also that he is a youngin still haha.
This week
seems like a month looking back on it. We had two intercambios, Hermana Cisneros
had a meeting for leaders, and we had appointments for almost every single hour
of the day. We did intercambios with another trio, and Hermana Burnett (from
Vegas) and Hermana Fedor (from Kentucky) came to Lo Cañas with Hermana Phelps
and I. We split up into two companionships and it was amazing!! The field truly
is white already to harvest, we just have to thrust in our sickle with ALL our
heart, might, mind, and strength and we will definitely reap and lay up in
store salvation for our soul. We also had intercambios with Hermana Sanabria
who is from Paraguay. She studied English for a little bit before the mission
and has to learn for what she is studying so we talked in English all day with
her. When we were speaking English in the street, someone passed by and said,
¨hello¨, (this is not that unusual, but this guy was bright blonde and was
definitely not chileno). We stopped and talked to him. His name is Michael and
is from Denmark (good thing he knew English because we dont know a single word
in Danish). While he was waiting for the bus we taught him most of the first
lesson (the Restoration) in English (harder than you would think). He seemed
really interested, and hopefully the missionaries in Denmark can find him (he
is only visiting Chile). It was really cool since I am one fourth Danish. I
think he is the first person straight from Denmark that I have ever met.This
week a lot of people came up and wanted to talk to us in English. I guess that
is why a bunch of gringos are serving in Chile right now.
Saturday,
we went to an appointment with Karín with una hermana from our ward. It was our
first appointment with her. When we showed up, her husband and two kids were
there ready to listen too. We taught all of lesson one, gave them all a copy of
el Libro de Mormón, and invited them to be baptized if they receive an answer
that it is true (they said yes), oh and invited them to church at 9 am the next
day. It was really cool. They live in our same apartment building, so we said
we would pass by before church and we could take the bus together. MANY MANY
times we have tried to do this with investigators and they were not there, or
something always happened, but with them they were all ready to go when we
passed by. The whole family came to church and I think they liked it!!! Also,
Ercilia (a grandma who is about 82 years old) came too. We were all smiles
because they came!!!
This week
I learned about humility. I am very proud, but not in the sense that I think I
am better than other people. More in the sense that I do not trust in the Lord
with all my heart. I truly am here to be an instrument in the hands of the
Lord. We do not do anything, it is ALL the Lord that changes people´s hearts,
He just allows us to be the messenger sometimes. I am so grateful to be serving
the Lord in Lo Cañas ahora. Being a missionary really is the best job in the
world!!! Yall can be missionaries too, and should be missionaries!!! I love
yall!!
Con amor,
Hermana
Taylor
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
July 29, 2013
querido familia,
Hola!!! First off, before anything
else
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY EZRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS!!!!!!!!
I am super excited for Ezra´s
baptism even if I cannot be there!!! Yáll have to send me pictures of it!!!
Tell Ez that I am super proud of him!!!
Ok, después esto. It is really weird
to hear about how hot it is there in the states. We are in the dead of winter
here, but it is kind of similar to Texas. Some days are actually kind of hot
and other days are super cold. Dad, I am glad to hear that you have a set time
to go out with the missionaries. Hopefully once they get to know the area, they
will utilize the members more. It truly is a great blessing to have members in
the lesson. What about the rest of the family? Are all of you going out with
the missionaries or offering your services, or providing referrals, or
spreading the Gospel in some way??? At least, make sure that when missionaries
bring people to church, or anytime someone is new that they are befriended. Hermanamiento
(I do not know the word in English) is super importante!!! This work is super
important!!!!
We had some miracles this last week
that were pretty cool. Some of our investigators that we taught, but were not
super sure about us, we finally were able to teach them again. One couple, Juan
and Yolanda, starting crying. We did not have much time, but we had a member
with us and it was powerful. Another family, the familia Gamboa Caro, work A
LOT and we havent been able to meet with them in a while. They have had some
serious trials lately in their family and we were able to meet with the mom.
The Spirit was so strong in this lesson, and It was probably the most
powerful lesson I have been in.
Sunday came and we had big hopes of
all these people coming to church, and only one investigator, Ercelia (a cute
old lady) came. We were thankful to have one at least. Basically all our plans
fell through, but we prayed for miracles and faithfully went out and worked.
The very last person we were going to try and visit, Gigliola, is inactive. We
have talked with her a few times outside her house and she doesnt want anything
to do with the church, but we keep passing by and checking up. This last time
she opened up about why she doesnt like the church and why she left. Also,
about how she still is searching. She told us that she hasnt actually ever read
the book of mormon and amazingly, SHE COMMITTED TO READ IT AND PRAY ABOUT
IT!!!! This truly is a miracle and the Lord answered our prayers.
I am learning how powerful prayer
is. The Lord truly answers our prayers, but in HIS time and in HIS way (which
is great because He is way smarter than us and knows what is best for us).
Also, how important the people are around you. Little acts of service for my
companion (and in your cases family) are essential and necessary. It is true
that you love the people you serve. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Con amor,
Hermana Taylor
Monday, July 29, 2013
July 22, 2013
Hola Familia!!!
How is everybody??? How hot is it in
Texas? I hear it is super hot in Utah right now. How is Danielle doing?
How big are Ezra and Silas now? Is Ezra super excited to get baptized? What are
Lindsey and Rob up to these days? Does Penny like her braces? Got any
pictures of the familia? What is everyone up to? How are the grandparents and
cousins?
Things in Chile are pretty Chilly. I
really think it is similar to Texas because this past week we had 3 or 4 days
where it was almost hot, and it one day WHOOSH it was really cold again. We
appreciated the warmth while it lasted haha. This past week was Hermana Phelp´s
birthday. We made her a sign thing, and card, and in the night we made Cake In a
Cup. (This is one of our favorites because it is fast and we never have much
time to cook things). Her birthday was really fun! Also, we had intercambios
two times this week, back to back. We did not see Hermana cisneros basically
for 48 hours and it was strange. It is great to learn from other hermanas, and
also really fun too!
This week I am learning or getting a
slight taste of how frustrating agency can be. We can´t force our investigators
to read, or to go to church. Also we can´t force the ward to work with us.
Heavenly Father is super patient with us!!! I am also learning how INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT THE MEMBERS ARE IN THIS WORK!!! Without members, our time and efforts
are so inefficient. It is really intimidating to go to church for the first
time when you dont know anyone, dont have clothes like everyone else. It is so
much better when the members come and pick up an investigator (actually better
when they invite them in the first place because they were there for the
lesson) and are there for the whole process. I hope all of you are freely
offering your help to the missionaries and are actively involved in this work.
It is SO IMPORTANT!!!
Today we went to San Cristobal which
was SOOO cool. It is like going on a hike with trees and dirt and everything,
but when you look into the distance you can see ALL of Santiago!!! IT WAS SO
FUN!!! I love that Santiago has these big hills with trees (this one even had a
zoo too) smack dab in the middle of downtown. For some reason, it wont let me
send pics lately, so sorry about that. Thanks for writing, remember to give
references to the missionaries, and also remember to read, pray, and attend the
temple.
Here are some pics!
The first picture is of the snail i
found in my shoe. Hermana Alvarez put it on her hand YUCK
The things we did for Hermana Phelps
birthday
Birthday cake in a cup
Intercambios con la Hermana
Valeriano
San Cristobal
I LOVE Y´ALL MUCHO!!!
Hermana Taylor
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
July 15, 2013
Hola familia!!!
This week was a week of faith. For some reason, I am always learning about the faith. Last Monday we had a family home evening planned with our Ward misión leader and we were going to bring two investigators. We went to the first investigators house, and no one was home and he wouldnt answer his phone . the next investigators was supposed to meet us on the same Street but he wasnt there either. We went to his house even, and no one was there. We just did not know what to do, so we stopped and prayed. We prayed that we could find someone to bring to the FHE activity because it would be pointless for us to show up without anyone. We had tried all we knew to do and the Lord knew that. After praying, we just knew that we would find someone to bring, we just KNEW it! We went to a couple of house of less actives, but did not find anyone. We were really late as it was, so we decided that the next house was the last one. Sure enough, Fernanda who hardly ever is home was there. We said, " Nos gustaría invitarla a una noche de hogar con la familia Bernal (we would like to invite you to a FHE with the Bernal family)" She asked us when and we said, Right now! Amazingly enough she said OK and we left!!! It was a testimony builder for me and I know it was because our faith, and that we did everything we could that we found her.
I was sick for the first time in Chile this week and Wednesday I stayed in the apartment and slept for almost the whole day. Hermana Achucarro stayed with me and made me rice. After sleeping for a whole day (and yes I used oils mom) I was a lot better and now I am good. Being sick as a missionary is the worst because there is so much to do, and preach, and people to help. I am grateful that in our Ward we have two trios so that the other 4 could go and work this day.
This week, almost every appointment we set fell through. It is hard when this happens because we want to help our investigators repent and truly change, but when we cant find them it does not happen. Also, we did all we could yet again and we had no investigators come to church (well one that does not want to talk to us so...). It is so frustrating, but at the same time we know that we will have miracles! We do not know how, or when, or what kind but this truly is the Lord's work and He is in charge. Also, agency is a necessary thing and all our the people we teach have it.
A great momento we had this week was with Patricia that Works in a produce stand. We had taught her a couple of times before, but she had told us she just wanted to read the Book of Mormon and not change her religión. This time we taught her or retaught her the Restoración and at the end we asked her if she would be baptized if she received an answer that the book of mormon was true. She said yes, but of course she would need to read more. We were super excited, but we didnt put a date because we did not actually know where she lived (she just kept saying far away). We finally got her full address and it is in our sector!!! We were so happy when we found her Street we were jumping up and down!!! She is really great!
I realized today how much I really have grown to love the people that we are teaching. I truly was heart broken when they did not come to church. The ability to love is essential in this work and we cant teach without it. I LOVE THE PEOPLE HERE AND I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! It is true that there is no greater work. You all can be missionaries too, and actually it is a comandment. In Preach my Gospel, chapter one, the very end of the chapter are a bunch of quotes from past presidents of the Church. Read them and it will make you think, and motivate you!!!
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Taylor
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