Another Week

Taylor Family and Friends,
I don´t know if you all feel the same way, but these last six weeks have
just flown by. I can´t believe we´re already at the end/beginning of
another change.
But more important than that, I got to give a shout out to Pops! Happy
Birthday Dad! I don´t know if you heard me singing this morning bright and
early, but it sure was taken care of. :o) I hope you have a FANTASTIC day!
I thought it was cool that I get to have a p-day on your birthday-i­t´s
almost like I got invited to a party...I guess? Haha.
Anyways, so about changes...any guesses? Alright, I´ll just tell you:
I´m staying here in Bella Union with Elder Marroquín. I pretty much
figured that´s what was going to happen. Elder Marroquín is only my
second companion here in Uruguay that I´ll have been with for more than
one change. I was with Elder Stoddard (trainer) for two changes, but after
that it´s been one after the other. Pretty crazy, uh? I´m not gonna lie,
there was a part of me that wanted to bounce to another area, but I know
that this is where the Lord wants me. There´s people here that need to
hear the gospel from Elder Marroquín and Elder Taylor. I think I just
wanted to go to get to know other parts of the country. I´ve been out
almost 11 months and I´ve had two areas. I know Elders who´ve been out 4
months and they´ve had more areas than me. But hey, I´m grateful to know
that this work is directed by our Heavenly Father and so we don´t need to
question or doubt anything.
This last week was awesome. Well, weather-wise it was ridiculous. I think
the weather is more unstable and unpredictable here than in any other place
I have been in my entire life. We have had days of almost unbearable heat
and then two hours later it is POURING rain. Pretty intense stuff.
Yesterday is rained ALL day and today it is still overcast and drizzling
off and on. Not the most beautiful p-day in the world, but prolly not the
worst, either!
Last weekend, I had a special visit that made me SUPER trunky; but not
trunky for home. What am I talking about? Saturday night, Elder Marroquín
and I were planning and at about 9:15 somebody burst in our front door and
yelled , "HEY GRINGO!" Elder Marroquín and I just looked at each other,
not knowing exactly what to do; yeah, basically just freaked out. After a
couple of seconds of silence, I stood up and headed out of the room to go
to the front door. As I got close to rounding the corner, I heard footsteps
in the front room. Right as I rounded the corner, so did a huge
silhouette...Hermano Juan Carlos Martinez from Artigas, Rama 5! We both
just kind of yelled and laughed as we hugged. Hmo Martinez used to live
here in Bella Union a long time ago, but is now living in Artigas. He had
come on Saturday afternoon for work (he drives a bus/taxi) and was going to
be heading back to Artigas late Sat night. He had called tons of the
members here throughout the afternoon trying to locate those darn
missionaries, but to no avail. But one thing about those darn Mormons in
shirts and ties-everyone knows when they´re going to be inside. Haha. The
members told him where we were living and he came to visit. We chatted
about the Rama 5 and what has been going on in the 3 months since I left.
It was SO good to see him. He stayed for about 20 minutes or so and then
had to head out. When he left, my companion looked at me and said, "You´re
trunky now, aren´t you?!" And I said, "Yes, but only for Artigas." Haha.
It was so weird. If I could´ve, I would have gotten on a bus and headed to
Artigas right then. It was a lot of fun to get news about people with whom
I lived and worked for 6 months. So that was my special visit from Saturday
night!
Anyways, now about the whole missionary work thing...! Things are going
really well for Elder Marroquín and I. We are teaching a lot, but the
investigators haven´t been progressing much, so what do we have to do?
Find those who are going to progress! It may mean that we are going to
spend more time in the rain, but if we put our confidence in the Lord, He
will bless us. This last week, we decided to do just that. We stopped
passing by some of our "old" investigators (explaining why beforehand) and
started knocking. The Lord really does bless us if we put our trust in Him.
We were able to find more people to teach last week than in any other week
of the change. Only time will tell if they are those who the Lord has
prepared, but it was definitely a testimony to us.
The other day, I was doing my morning study and I read a scripture that
I´ve decided to put as my ´theme for this change. Philippians 4:13. I´m
not going to tell you what it says, because that would deprive all of you
of the opportunity to open your own scriptures and mark it for yourselves!
:o) But it´s a good one. It´s in the New Testament, for those of you who
forgot. Open it up and think about how each one of you can apply it as we
begin this new change...! Send me thoughts and ideas, I would love to hear
what ya´ll think!
So anyways, that´s what´s going on in the life of Elder Taylor. The
mission is fantastic. It´s hard, for sure, but I love it. This last week
we have had a couple of Family Home Evenings with members here in the ward,
trying to spark some excitement here in Bella Union. We have been reading
with them in Alma 24, about the Anti-Nephi-Lehites, verses 21-27. In these
short verses, it gives us as children of our Heavenly Father an idea of
just how powerful our example can be. So far, it has gone really well. I
hope that it helps the members catch a little of the vision that we have.
Melanie and Megan, how did the quarter end up? I hope that you both
stayed up on your studies. It is amazing the difference that can be seen
here between the people that have taken advantage of the opportunity to
study, and those who didn´t.
Mom and Mary-Anne, what did ya´ll end up doing last weekend? Did
Nathanael get to spend any time with you, too, or was he in the library all
week?
Swift, how are the studies going? Are we going to have another lawyer in
the world, or not? How are things looking in Salem? Should I head up there
and study with you? Haha. Yeah right. I have NO idea what I´m going to do
with my life. But I´ve still got time to think, right?
Dad, what is this new position you´re looking at? I hope all goes well.
Keep me udpated. How are things going with the calling? You should take a
picture from our deck and send it to me. Or should I wait and just be blown
away when I come home? Hmmm. You guys decide.
So what have you guys decided to send me for my birthday? Haha. One of
the members here is telling me to ask for peanut butter, so if you guys
could manage a bit of that, that´d be good. Just an idea. I´m not picky.
I´ve thought of new English scriptures...big ones like my spanish
set...what are your thoughts?
Anyways, it´s about that time. I love each and every one of you, and
I´m looking forward to hearing from you! Take care!
Elder Taylor

I´m healthy. Haven´t bought new shoes yet. My feet got SOAKED yesterday. I
think next week I´ll buy some.  I hope that things are going well. But hey,
I
think we´re going to head out and try to go to Brazil before the end our of
Day. I love you, Mom, more than anything. Give Dad a big hug and kiss for me
today! Take care of yourselves!


(The last little bit was a quick couple of emails back and forth between Liz
and Aaron.)