!Hola Familia!
Well I hope all is well back at the Taylor Bed and Breakfast! It wounds like you guys had a very nice Christmas - very different, but nice! I'm sure it would be tough to have one of the kids gone, I can't even imagine with two firsts in the same year! That's not cool at all! But I guess we had good excuses..!
Ten missionaries in our ward now?! That's so crazy. It's weird to think I've been here for two weeks already - I'm a veteran! not really but I like to pretend! We got new missionaries yesterday for the first time, so that was cool. We didn't get any in our Zone, though. Next week we have some elders leaving, so most likely then.
OK, now I'll answer some of your questions. No, there aren't any other Elders or Sisters in my Zone going to my mission or even my country. It's kinda tough, because we've become so close here and it might be the first and last time we all see each other. Oh well, the Lord works in mysterious ways. Yes, i got the packages and of course i shared! And I'll have you know, Dad, I DID read all the scriptures before opening the gifts - thank you very much! We got pictures to prove it! And don't worry - most of it has been untouched! I've go to watch my girlish figure.
I have seen Elder May multiple times, and I gave him the candy bar for Christmas - he gave me some glowsticks! Haha. We look for each other before and after devotionals and what not.
During our gym period I just play basketball. The other options are 4 -square, volleyball jogging, or weightlifting - yea, I'll stick to my basketball! Haha. On P-days we do laundry in the morning, write letters, eat lunch, write more letters after (because the temple is closed til next week) and jsut kind of lounge around. At 4:15 we have to "get dressed" and we have Comp. Study and Personal Study until 5:15 in the classroom. 5:30 is dinner time. 6:15 - 9:00 we are back in class like normal. So nothing too crazy!
How do they feed 1800 scouts? Often times not well. Haha. It's just like a high school cafeteria, but the food is a LITTLE (only a little) better. We usually have 2 choices for lunch and dinner, so sometimes there's a little selection.
I still haven't had the chance to talk to Pres. Trost about it yet, so we'll see. That would be kind of crazy!
Ok, now to Christmas. Christmas morning, up at 6:30 (of course) and opened presents. Skipped breakfast (cereal) so that's no biggie. At 10, we had a morningside with a couple of musical numbers and interview videos. Then the MTC gave all of us stockings, that was cool. Lunch was Chicken cordon Bleu (sp?) - I love chicken, but it was definitely not their best meal. We then pick up SACK LUNCHES for our dinner - are you serious? A hoagie sandwich and fruit or something. Oh well. We had a devotional in the afternoon. Douglas L. Callister of the 2nd Zuorum of the Seventy. It was a really good talk, but I'm not gonna lie, we were all pretty disapointed. But, what we didn't know was that the disappointment had ot hit it's peak...! That night we had another devotional/program, so we thought they might redeem themselves. We couldn't have been more wrong. We all go to the devotional a little earlier than usual to make sure we got decent seats and on the screen it announced the program - The PROVO HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR and the Mapleton Chorale. You're kidding, right? Nope, dead serious. We listened to a high school and community choir on Chirstmas night. I love choir music, and they were good but not Christmas night at the MTC good. So yeah, that was what the MTC told us would be "our best Christmas ever." To end it all, though, they let us watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas, so that helped.
I really tries to be the example and not let my disappointment show, but I don't know how well it worked. i just kept myself busy and tried not to gripe,'cause that doesn't help the situation at all.' The idstrict is doing better. We've all gotten closer and that is helping. We still have a long way to go, but it's coming. They really focus and bring the Spirit strong when they want to. Now we've just got to find a way to make them want it more!
I got a letter and a candy bar from Skyler, so I'll be writing him next. I love that kid. It's weird to think he;s almost done.
Thanks for sending my grades - I was getting anxious. I know I didn't so as well as I could have (obviously) but I promise to make up for it. Except for the one, though, I am quite happy about the semester. I'm learning more about the way that I best learn and study too, so the only way to go from here is up! Repentance is a beautiful thing!
Enjoy the rest of the break and be ready to hit the ground running! Oh, I almost forgot....
Melanie - your song is sooooo good! I didn't even know it was you for like 45 seconds! And when I told all the Elders it was my little sister, they freaked out!! We've probably listened to it over ten times! Keep up the great work and let that gorgeous voice shine!
I love you all. Girls, get caught up in school and stay caught up. No more slacking. Mom and Dad - that goes for you too!
I LOVE YOU! Happy New Year!
Love,
Elder Taylor
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Letter #2 MTC
My Dearest Family,
Where do I even begin?! There are so many thoughts flying around in my head right now - I hope I can get them all out! Everything is going really well. We're finally into the normal routine, so that is really nice. My feelings about the MTC are kind of mixed as of right now. I absolutely love the environment, the spririt that can ALWAYS be felt, and the chance I have to study the gospel so much! But we're in the same classroom for like 9 hours everyday, so that's kind of rough. the idea is to get all the lessons down in English really well before we hit the spanish. I think it will be better once we start really learning the Spanish. But, you'll be happy to know, I can now successfully pray and bear my testimony in Spanish. I can't say even close to everything I usually would, but that will come! As for Melanie's question - I don't think Bajio means anything. I think it's just a name. The verb "bajar" means "to go down" and "bajo" means under. so, as far as I or my teachers can tell, Bajio is just a name! How is the Spanish coming for everyone! Haha. Ghe stuff we've learned I've been able to pick up really quickly, so that's comforting. We'll see how it goes once we get into different tenses and what not. anyways, moving on...
The food here isn't horribly bad, but it's not great, either. there are meals that are wonderful and others that are not, by any stretch of the imagination. Definitely not any that can compare with my last home-made dinner! Haha. although, the eggs really tear up your stomach. No Mas juevos por me! "Juevos" is pronounced like "Way-bos". The j's produce an "h" sound and the v's are a soft "b". So there's your first lesson! Haha. Oh, and ALL h's are silent!! It bugs me to hear people say them in spanish. Just so you know.
Hmmm...what else? Elder Trane and I are still getting along really well. I got lucky. there are 4 other copanionships in our district and I think elder Trane is the only one I could stand for the whole time here. Oh, last week I was called as District Leader, so that's kind of fun. It's kind of though, because the rest of the elders in our district have a hard time focussing and when Elder Trane and I say something about it, they throw my calling back in my face, so that will take some work. elder Trane and i work really hard and it's paying off in our teaching.
Um... the rest of the Elders in our zone are really cool too. One of our Zone leaders, elder Jemmett, is from Parma, Idaho do you know where that is mom? Nobody else does. Haha. It's really cool to hear all of the different stories in our district. Elder Zink, for example, has been a member for just over a year and he is the only member in his broken family. He is going to be a great missionary. He still has a lot to lear, but he has an amazing testimony. And he's a really good basketball player, too. Haha. He played soccer in high school, but he's just an athlete. Elder Vonasek, in one of the other districts is from California and started varsity basketball fro his sophoore year. He is awesome! He's gonna go walk on somewhere after his mission, so that'll be cool! I can keep up with him, which earns some respect on the court! Haha.
Ya'll probably be happy to hear that I have received some cards from members of our ward. The Mangum's and the Auriches both sent me little Chirstmas cards with notes of encouragement. It was really nice to receive those! I never realized how true all the jokes about missionaries and mail really are until this week! One of my responsibilities is to check mail twice a day, and it's always an anxious experience for us all! It's so nice to receive letters and packages from friends and family! Speaking of packages, there are a few things I would like you to send me, if you could -
-3 more pairs of white socks
-5 or 6 pairs of regular underwear; I just bought some brand new ones. There are a couple of white pairs and then some light and dark blue ones that are all the same brand. I'm not sure what it is, but if you could send those...
- My Bingham Basketball shorts, (in my dresser drawer, I believe)
- Some T-shirts, probly the ones in my window seat, right side drawers.
I just need some clothes to be able to get dirty in gym and not have to wear everyday - ew! so id you could send all that ASAP, I would greatly appreciate it!
I just ant you all to know that I know this church is true! My testimony has never been stronger, and I can feel it being strengthened daily! joseph Smith was called of God to restore the gospel of Jesus Chirst in these last days. Through his faith, he was able to translate the Book of Mormon, the Spirit that can be felt by reading, pondering, and applying the principles contained in that book is amazing! I think I will be able to finish it either today or tomorrow. We are so lucky to be given the opportunity to read it. Girls- how is the reading coming for you? I con't wait to hear your thought and insights on what you're reading! One thing I noticed yesterday is the difference between the people of the brother of Jared and Laman and Lemuel. In ether 6:8-9 it talks about their attitudes wile heading toward the promised land; compare that to I Nephi 18 and the attitude and things that were different in Nephi's experience. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished by having faith in Christ! I can feel my faith in christ growing stronger each day - can you? As members of the church, that's what we should strive for. We are either moving forward in the gospel, or we are moving backward. There are no time-outs or breaks. I pray that, especially during this Christmas season, we can remember our Savior Jesus Christ and find ways to increase our love for Him! I love you all and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Love Always,
Elder Taylor
(Here are some thoughts from the weekly devotional and such...) "Missionary work demands courage, effort, dedication, and humility." - Merrill J. Bateman
"Great missionaries not only work hard; they are dedicated to the gospel. They live and breathe it." Merrill J. Batemen
"Let no one deter you. No one know what you know; no one has felt what you feel!" (I love the present tense) - Merrill J. Bateman
"Dedicate yourself and it will be the greatest two years of your life - I promise you that." -Merrill J. Bateman
"The day obedience became a quest and not an irritation, I began to have power." - Pres. David O. McKay
I LOVE YOU!!!
Where do I even begin?! There are so many thoughts flying around in my head right now - I hope I can get them all out! Everything is going really well. We're finally into the normal routine, so that is really nice. My feelings about the MTC are kind of mixed as of right now. I absolutely love the environment, the spririt that can ALWAYS be felt, and the chance I have to study the gospel so much! But we're in the same classroom for like 9 hours everyday, so that's kind of rough. the idea is to get all the lessons down in English really well before we hit the spanish. I think it will be better once we start really learning the Spanish. But, you'll be happy to know, I can now successfully pray and bear my testimony in Spanish. I can't say even close to everything I usually would, but that will come! As for Melanie's question - I don't think Bajio means anything. I think it's just a name. The verb "bajar" means "to go down" and "bajo" means under. so, as far as I or my teachers can tell, Bajio is just a name! How is the Spanish coming for everyone! Haha. Ghe stuff we've learned I've been able to pick up really quickly, so that's comforting. We'll see how it goes once we get into different tenses and what not. anyways, moving on...
The food here isn't horribly bad, but it's not great, either. there are meals that are wonderful and others that are not, by any stretch of the imagination. Definitely not any that can compare with my last home-made dinner! Haha. although, the eggs really tear up your stomach. No Mas juevos por me! "Juevos" is pronounced like "Way-bos". The j's produce an "h" sound and the v's are a soft "b". So there's your first lesson! Haha. Oh, and ALL h's are silent!! It bugs me to hear people say them in spanish. Just so you know.
Hmmm...what else? Elder Trane and I are still getting along really well. I got lucky. there are 4 other copanionships in our district and I think elder Trane is the only one I could stand for the whole time here. Oh, last week I was called as District Leader, so that's kind of fun. It's kind of though, because the rest of the elders in our district have a hard time focussing and when Elder Trane and I say something about it, they throw my calling back in my face, so that will take some work. elder Trane and i work really hard and it's paying off in our teaching.
Um... the rest of the Elders in our zone are really cool too. One of our Zone leaders, elder Jemmett, is from Parma, Idaho do you know where that is mom? Nobody else does. Haha. It's really cool to hear all of the different stories in our district. Elder Zink, for example, has been a member for just over a year and he is the only member in his broken family. He is going to be a great missionary. He still has a lot to lear, but he has an amazing testimony. And he's a really good basketball player, too. Haha. He played soccer in high school, but he's just an athlete. Elder Vonasek, in one of the other districts is from California and started varsity basketball fro his sophoore year. He is awesome! He's gonna go walk on somewhere after his mission, so that'll be cool! I can keep up with him, which earns some respect on the court! Haha.
Ya'll probably be happy to hear that I have received some cards from members of our ward. The Mangum's and the Auriches both sent me little Chirstmas cards with notes of encouragement. It was really nice to receive those! I never realized how true all the jokes about missionaries and mail really are until this week! One of my responsibilities is to check mail twice a day, and it's always an anxious experience for us all! It's so nice to receive letters and packages from friends and family! Speaking of packages, there are a few things I would like you to send me, if you could -
-3 more pairs of white socks
-5 or 6 pairs of regular underwear; I just bought some brand new ones. There are a couple of white pairs and then some light and dark blue ones that are all the same brand. I'm not sure what it is, but if you could send those...
- My Bingham Basketball shorts, (in my dresser drawer, I believe)
- Some T-shirts, probly the ones in my window seat, right side drawers.
I just need some clothes to be able to get dirty in gym and not have to wear everyday - ew! so id you could send all that ASAP, I would greatly appreciate it!
I just ant you all to know that I know this church is true! My testimony has never been stronger, and I can feel it being strengthened daily! joseph Smith was called of God to restore the gospel of Jesus Chirst in these last days. Through his faith, he was able to translate the Book of Mormon, the Spirit that can be felt by reading, pondering, and applying the principles contained in that book is amazing! I think I will be able to finish it either today or tomorrow. We are so lucky to be given the opportunity to read it. Girls- how is the reading coming for you? I con't wait to hear your thought and insights on what you're reading! One thing I noticed yesterday is the difference between the people of the brother of Jared and Laman and Lemuel. In ether 6:8-9 it talks about their attitudes wile heading toward the promised land; compare that to I Nephi 18 and the attitude and things that were different in Nephi's experience. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished by having faith in Christ! I can feel my faith in christ growing stronger each day - can you? As members of the church, that's what we should strive for. We are either moving forward in the gospel, or we are moving backward. There are no time-outs or breaks. I pray that, especially during this Christmas season, we can remember our Savior Jesus Christ and find ways to increase our love for Him! I love you all and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Love Always,
Elder Taylor
(Here are some thoughts from the weekly devotional and such...) "Missionary work demands courage, effort, dedication, and humility." - Merrill J. Bateman
"Great missionaries not only work hard; they are dedicated to the gospel. They live and breathe it." Merrill J. Batemen
"Let no one deter you. No one know what you know; no one has felt what you feel!" (I love the present tense) - Merrill J. Bateman
"Dedicate yourself and it will be the greatest two years of your life - I promise you that." -Merrill J. Bateman
"The day obedience became a quest and not an irritation, I began to have power." - Pres. David O. McKay
I LOVE YOU!!!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
First Letter MTC
Dear Family,
Well, here it is at 8:35 pm on my first day in the MTC. They have kept us so busy today my head is still spinning trying to take it all in. After I said goodbye to you guys (it seems like days ago!) we went and stood in a lot of lines to check off our immunizations. On my way there, however, I saw Elder May (Bryce) and his companion. That was really nice to see a familiar face. It wasn't long after when I saw even more. I saw Elder McCarty and Elder Rogers while in the lines. It was fun to see them both here. After that, I came to my room to drop off all my old books and then went to get my luggage. Before that, however, I met up with my companion - Elder Trane from Idaho Falls. He will be serving in the Guyaquil, Ecuador mission. We seem to go really well together. I am really excited to get to know him better. We share a room with Elder Anderson, from Midvale, and Elder Menniger from Gilbert, Arizona. We all got unpacked and settled in before we went to a new missionary orientation, where the mission presidency spoke to us. they are great men who carry the Spirit with them and teach wit it. Pres. Boone, one of the counselors quoted Neal A. Maxwell as saying, "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability." Already I am SO glad that I have made myself available to Him and I can't wait to help build His kingdom here on the earth, most specifically in Uruguay.
After our meeting, we had dinner, which was pretty good, and then we went to meet our Branch Presidency. Our branch president is President Trost and his counselors are Pres. Flores and Pres. Harper. Pres. Flores is from Mexico and started giving us our first lesson in Spanish! Oh boy. We were then given a short MTC tour by our Zone leaders and now we are back in our room. They gave us special permission to write a letter tonight. my P-Day here is Thursday. But I just wanted to write you and let you know that all is well. the Church is still true, and I'm so excited to be here. I don't think it's hit me yet, but that will come. I love you all, remember that. Love,
Elder Taylor
Well, here it is at 8:35 pm on my first day in the MTC. They have kept us so busy today my head is still spinning trying to take it all in. After I said goodbye to you guys (it seems like days ago!) we went and stood in a lot of lines to check off our immunizations. On my way there, however, I saw Elder May (Bryce) and his companion. That was really nice to see a familiar face. It wasn't long after when I saw even more. I saw Elder McCarty and Elder Rogers while in the lines. It was fun to see them both here. After that, I came to my room to drop off all my old books and then went to get my luggage. Before that, however, I met up with my companion - Elder Trane from Idaho Falls. He will be serving in the Guyaquil, Ecuador mission. We seem to go really well together. I am really excited to get to know him better. We share a room with Elder Anderson, from Midvale, and Elder Menniger from Gilbert, Arizona. We all got unpacked and settled in before we went to a new missionary orientation, where the mission presidency spoke to us. they are great men who carry the Spirit with them and teach wit it. Pres. Boone, one of the counselors quoted Neal A. Maxwell as saying, "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability." Already I am SO glad that I have made myself available to Him and I can't wait to help build His kingdom here on the earth, most specifically in Uruguay.
After our meeting, we had dinner, which was pretty good, and then we went to meet our Branch Presidency. Our branch president is President Trost and his counselors are Pres. Flores and Pres. Harper. Pres. Flores is from Mexico and started giving us our first lesson in Spanish! Oh boy. We were then given a short MTC tour by our Zone leaders and now we are back in our room. They gave us special permission to write a letter tonight. my P-Day here is Thursday. But I just wanted to write you and let you know that all is well. the Church is still true, and I'm so excited to be here. I don't think it's hit me yet, but that will come. I love you all, remember that. Love,
Elder Taylor
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Setting Apart Night
Aaron was set apart on December 12, 2006. After he was set apart, we also had a little birthday party for him since he would be in the MTC on his 19th birthday. After the birthday party, everyone went upstairs to help him finish packing. There's a LOT of packing to do when you're going to be gone for TWO WHOLE YEARS!!
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