Finally...!

Taylor Family and Friends,
 You wouldn´t think that skipping one P-Day would be a big deal, but you
could´ve fooled me. The second we got done planning last night, we were
changed and in bed. Out like a couple of lights. And we have big plans for
this afternoon...3 hour nap, here I come. Haha. It has been a long, good
week. Not to mention, the heat has started to show up again. I can´t
decide which I like more, the heat or the cold. They both have their
advantages and their disadvantages. But hey, we work anyways, to the
surprise of many. Haha.
 So this week was a week full of work, but there´s not a ton to report.
We are teaching a lot, but our investigators are having a rough time
grasping the concept of the importance of going to church. But hey, that´s
why we are here as missionaries, right?! What an opportunity we have to
help them learn. Haha.
 Couple of cool little events...I have now eaten some "weird" stuff in the
´Guay. A recent convert named Jimmy Pio has made us two unusual dishes.
Cow udder and stuffed intestines. Sounds good, uh? Haha. The cow udder was
kinda different, but the intestines were actually REALLY good. I had like 1
1/2 servings of the cow udder stuff, but I had 3 1/2 of the intestines. I
was almost disappointed that that was all I could fit in. It was really
good.
 Mary-Anne, it seems like you change jobs faster than I change ties!
Sheesh kid. So now you´re working at a Day Care. Whatever happened to that
insurance company place or whatever? Did you ever check more in to that?
You could have hooked a brother up if you had taken that job! Haha. And you
found the ghetto Oregon version of Desert Star. That´s awesome. So it´s
like a movie theater place, not a live play? That´s cool. The other day I
was actually thinking back on Desert Star-that was a fun job. Most of the
time. Haha. You said you thought it was weird to go to your stake center
that is half an hour away? Get this: we belong to the Salto stake; Salto is
where we go to plan every week-a two or two and a half hour bus ride to get
to the stake center! I don´t know if I will ever ride to church in a car
again! Yesterday as we were walking to church, I was thinking about how
nice it was outside and how nicely it sets the mood for the Sabbath to walk
to church. Just an interesting little thought.
 Mom and Dad, are you guys still going to the chapel up on 40th? It seems
like there has been so many changes, I can´t keep them straight anymore!
Haha. Speaking of the changes, how is the neighborhood behind the house
looking? Can we still see the mountains? If we can´t, I´m building a room
on top of the house. I miss the mountains. People say mountains here, and I
just laugh when I see the rolling hills. Good times. Ignorance is bliss. Or
so they say...right?
 Robby White got his mission call?! Holy cow! That is SOOO cool! That is
so weird to think that Robby is that old. I can still remember when he ran
straight in to our tramp when we were playing soccer in the backyard! Haha.
He did a lot of crazy things, and always got up laughing. You make sure to
tell him before he leaves that the Lord protects us from danger, but not
from stupidity. Haha. And then give him a huge hug for me!
 So I want to hear all about this Aida thing that Melanie and Megan did.
What theater was it? Was it like one of those community theaters, or what?
All I´ve heard was Aida and lead role. Come on, people, I´m 6,000 miles
away and hanging on one sentence. Haha. Melanie tried out for Bingham´s
musical, right? Isn´t it Oklahoma this year? How did she do? All you´ve
gotta do, Mel, is just put the nerves behind you and bust it out, kid! I
know you´ve got it in you! They all know it, and you know it too. Now just
let them see it!
 Megan, how´s your new school going? Keeping up with all the stuff
you´ve gotta do? Keeping away from all those South Jordan boys? Yeah, I
know how they are. Haha. Oh yeah, that reminds me...how did Melanie´s
first date go?! I didn´t even get an update on that! Sheesh. You think my
cute little sister or my best friend would keep me updated on something
like that...! Keep dreaming, uh? Haha
 Dad, I know how you feel about the whole talk thing. Sometimes we have
something great in mind to say, and then something completely different
comes out. It can be frustrating. But even in times like that, I´ve found
that the Lord´s hand is in it. Sometimes it´s hard to think that He would
want something like that...but why do you think that is? I expect a 500
word response by next Monday. Haha. As long as we have done our part in the
preparation, we can rest easy, no matter what comes out of our mouth; even
if we think that we butchered it. But the key is to make sure that we are
prepared.
 Last week it happened again. I was sitting at the piano playing prelude
for sacrament, and the first counselor comes up and ask me if I can give a
10 minute talk during the meeting. "Absolutely."  Great answer, Elder
Taylor. Haha. I went up to the pulpit with my Book of Mormon and Bible,
praying for the Lord to fulfill His promise of filling His servants´
mouths. He did. He always does. The counselor had said that the topic was
preparation...funny, uh? But it was a testimony to me. The Lord was able to
put into my mouth the scriptures and principles that I have learned
throughout the course of my life. Through personal scripture study, we are
showing the Lord that we want Him to use us in His work. He can´t put into
our mouth something we are not familiar with. He cannot tell us to share a
scripture that we have never read or studied. Kind of an intimidating
thought; but at the same time, what an amazing blessing. The Lord wants to
use us in His work, but He won´t deprive us of the opportunity of learning
and growing according to our desires. It was a nice reminder.
 So anyways, that was a fun experience. I know that the Lord is always
there to lead and guide us, even at times when things seem to go wrong.
Through small and simple means, the Lord will bring great things to pass. I
don´t remember how it goes in English. Alma 37:6-7 if you want the correct
wording! Haha.
 So I think that´s about it for this week. Sorry that it´s kind of a
bland letter, but there´s not a lot that you guys can do about it. Haha.
The work of the Lord is moving forward in this part of the world. And from
what I hear from Elder Homer, in the Philippines as well. I got a letter
from him this last week. I would love to receive updates and notices from
every one of you; even if it´s a wedding announcement. By the way, Mom,
did you send congrats to JoHanna and Brandon for me? Shayla´s wedding is
in just a bit too...make sure that you get a hold of her for me! Well, know
that I love each and every one of you and I can´t wait to hear from you!
¡Chao!
 Elder Taylor