Taylor Family and Friends,
Well hey there! How are you all doing? Today I´m writing you from the main street in Rivera, Uruguay, about six blocks away from the border with Brazil. Cool, uh? Tomorrow we have interviews with President Peterson, so we decided to take advantage and come in today to play some soccer and eat with the zone. We´ll be back in our area working tomorrow after interviews.
This last week brought a lot of rain and a lot of mud. I think I have seen more rain in Tranqueras than in any other area in my mission. I´m not exactly sure why, but that´s the case. Maybe it´s because the region has more hills than any other place I´ve been. Who knows? There were on and off showers starting Wednesday and Thursday, then it rained ALL day Friday and Saturday, and up to about 3 PM on Sunday. I don´t mind working in the rain, but it always makes things difficult on Sundays for the investigators and even for the members. Tranqueras really only has one paved street, so if it´s raining too much, most people don´t even leave their houses. That was almost the case yesterday. Élida Bravo was supposed to get confirmed yesterday (because we had Stake Conference last week) but she was not able to come because her roof leaks in various places and they were trying to keep as much water out as possible. As soon as the meetings ended yesterday, Elder Hughes and I went over there to help them with what remained. When they get the materials to do so, we´re planning a branch service project to replace the roof.
We had a really good week, even despite the rain. We didn´t have as many investigators in the chapel as we have in past weeks, but we had a few. The members really stepped up in helping us this week. We had a lot of great lessons with members present, and even had a couple of finding lessons where members invited friends or family to their house in order to meet us. We´re excited to get back to our area tomorrow and get things ready for this Sunday.
Yes, Mom, they have Primary programs here. I believe I told you last year when I played the piano for the program in Bella Unión, didn´t I? If not, I just did! :o) Yes, I would appreciate it if you would set up a dentist appointment for me before I head up to school. As of right now, I don´t believe there is any necessity for me to see a doctor before I head up to Logan, but I´ll let you know if anything comes up! Okay, the 21st of December sounds fine. Let me know what the specific topic is, if/when Bishop Mangum tells you-thanks!
Time if flying by. Anyone know any secrets to slow it down? This week we have interviews, next week we have Zone Conference, then the next week is changes. After that...sheesh. Elder Hughes and I are really excited for the prospects we have for November, so it´ll keep us plenty busy!
Glad to hear you got the pictures ok. Now I can delete them off my camera and take more!
So Skyler´s getting operated on the 16th of December? Haha. That´s awesome, first time in four years that we see each other and he´ll have cotton up his black nose. Nice to see you! :o) Are he and Tyson still down at SUU together? Don´t worry Mom, my hair is not thinning! Haha
Well, I think that´s gonna about do it for me this week! I hope you all have a happy Halloween! It´s so crazy to think that we´re about to start November. Whew. But yeah, I love you all! Take care and let me know how things are going!
Elder Taylor
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hey Hey...
Taylor Family and Friends,
So, here we are at the close of another great week, with a new one just beginning. The last couple of days have brought a lot of sun and heat...looks like summer is just around the corner!
We had a really good week last week, with a couple of highlighting events. Friday afternoon at 6 PM, Élida Bravo was baptized by Elder Aaron Taylor. It was a great baptismal service. When 6 o´clock rolled around, there was hardly anyone there, but by 6:10 there was quite a few-Mormon Standard Time even exists in Tranqueras. Haha. Everything went really well in the baptism, and I will never forget how Élida looked at me as she came up out of the water and said, "Muchísimas gracias, Taylor." A truly unforgettable experience.
Sunday morning we got on another bus headed for the Stake Conference in Rivera. There wasn´t as many members in this trip as there was for General Conference, but there was still more than in years past. The Stake Conference was a conference transmitted to 26 different stakes in Paraguay and Uruguay. Elder Zwick conducted the meeting, which was presided by President Henry B. Eyring; Elder Richard G. Scott and Sylvia H. Allred were also present and spoke. It was a great conference where the Spirit could be felt in abundance. The members were encouraged to build their foundation on Christ through prayer and daily scripture study. The young men were challenged to prepare to serve full-time missions, and the youth were warned about the dangers of immorality. I am so grateful for inspired leaders who are called to teach us of our Father´s plan.
Mom, to answer some of your questions: we haven´t had a lot of opportunities for service here in Tranqueras yet, but we´ve talked to a few members and are planning projects within the coming weeks. Right now there are about 5 in the Elders quorum, with 1 priest, 2 teachers, and 1 deacon. Heber, who was baptized last month becomes a deacon next April. There are probably about 10-15 sisters in the Relief Society and 10ish kids in Primary. That´s not counting the investigators we have attending as well. Relief Society is usually taught by the branch president´s wife, who is the RS President. In priesthood it is usually President Diaz, or one of us missionaries. In Sunday School, the first counselor´s wife is the teacher as far as I know. Elder Davidson switched off teaching Gospel Principles every week, and that´s what I plan on doing with Elder Hughes, if he´s ok with the idea. He is doing really well. Like I said, he understands basically everything, but sometimes gets tripped up trying to speak, just like any new missionary. But he´s doing great, and starting to teach a lot more.
So you all got my itinerary...crazy. Don´t worry, I´m not trunky. There´s way too much work to be done. This last week, we found some AWESOME new investigators that we are really excited for, and we saw some great progress in others. We were with Ingri and Anivel on Friday night, and at the end of the lesson, Ingri told us that she was going to be in her mother´s house around 1 PM on Monday if we wanted to swing by and meet her. Monday is our P-Day, but after looking at each other, Elder Hughes and I both decided to do it. So about 2 hours ago, we said a prayer before leaving the house and prayed for the companionship of the Spirit in order to know what to say in order to help this family understand the importance of the message we have been called to share. We went over there and found Ingri waiting with her mom, Graciela, and two of her younger siblings, Evelyn and Julio. Come to find out, they all went to church before, but when the area was closed to missionaries, they stopped going. We had a great first lesson, and answered some of their questions about baptism! As we left, both Elder Hughes and I agreed that it was well worth the 45 minutes; with sacrifice come the blessings!
That is how the work has been going here in Tranqueras. The Church is so new here that the members are still excited and anxious to share the truth with their neighbors. Sometimes, after an area has been open to missionary work for a long time, the members become apprehensive about sharing their beliefs with others...don´t fall in to that! The Lord can´t use us as instruments in His work if we are apprehensive. That doesn´t mean be impolite and pushy, but it means actively look for opportunities to share restored truths. I have received more references here in Tranqueras than in any other area in my mission; this little branch is a GREAT example of member missionary work. I am so grateful for the members, and for the example they have given to me. I hope to always be as diligent and faithful to my responsibilities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
So there ya go, that´s what´s going on here in Tranqueras. I hope everything is going well for all of you! I can´t believe Sterling May is home, that´s so crazy. Elder May (Bryce) is probably heading home within the next couple of weeks, too, isn´t he? Wow. Don´t worry, as I said, I´m not trunky! Haha.
Love you all, and I´m anxious to hear from you!
Elder Taylor
So, here we are at the close of another great week, with a new one just beginning. The last couple of days have brought a lot of sun and heat...looks like summer is just around the corner!
We had a really good week last week, with a couple of highlighting events. Friday afternoon at 6 PM, Élida Bravo was baptized by Elder Aaron Taylor. It was a great baptismal service. When 6 o´clock rolled around, there was hardly anyone there, but by 6:10 there was quite a few-Mormon Standard Time even exists in Tranqueras. Haha. Everything went really well in the baptism, and I will never forget how Élida looked at me as she came up out of the water and said, "Muchísimas gracias, Taylor." A truly unforgettable experience.
Sunday morning we got on another bus headed for the Stake Conference in Rivera. There wasn´t as many members in this trip as there was for General Conference, but there was still more than in years past. The Stake Conference was a conference transmitted to 26 different stakes in Paraguay and Uruguay. Elder Zwick conducted the meeting, which was presided by President Henry B. Eyring; Elder Richard G. Scott and Sylvia H. Allred were also present and spoke. It was a great conference where the Spirit could be felt in abundance. The members were encouraged to build their foundation on Christ through prayer and daily scripture study. The young men were challenged to prepare to serve full-time missions, and the youth were warned about the dangers of immorality. I am so grateful for inspired leaders who are called to teach us of our Father´s plan.
Mom, to answer some of your questions: we haven´t had a lot of opportunities for service here in Tranqueras yet, but we´ve talked to a few members and are planning projects within the coming weeks. Right now there are about 5 in the Elders quorum, with 1 priest, 2 teachers, and 1 deacon. Heber, who was baptized last month becomes a deacon next April. There are probably about 10-15 sisters in the Relief Society and 10ish kids in Primary. That´s not counting the investigators we have attending as well. Relief Society is usually taught by the branch president´s wife, who is the RS President. In priesthood it is usually President Diaz, or one of us missionaries. In Sunday School, the first counselor´s wife is the teacher as far as I know. Elder Davidson switched off teaching Gospel Principles every week, and that´s what I plan on doing with Elder Hughes, if he´s ok with the idea. He is doing really well. Like I said, he understands basically everything, but sometimes gets tripped up trying to speak, just like any new missionary. But he´s doing great, and starting to teach a lot more.
So you all got my itinerary...crazy. Don´t worry, I´m not trunky. There´s way too much work to be done. This last week, we found some AWESOME new investigators that we are really excited for, and we saw some great progress in others. We were with Ingri and Anivel on Friday night, and at the end of the lesson, Ingri told us that she was going to be in her mother´s house around 1 PM on Monday if we wanted to swing by and meet her. Monday is our P-Day, but after looking at each other, Elder Hughes and I both decided to do it. So about 2 hours ago, we said a prayer before leaving the house and prayed for the companionship of the Spirit in order to know what to say in order to help this family understand the importance of the message we have been called to share. We went over there and found Ingri waiting with her mom, Graciela, and two of her younger siblings, Evelyn and Julio. Come to find out, they all went to church before, but when the area was closed to missionaries, they stopped going. We had a great first lesson, and answered some of their questions about baptism! As we left, both Elder Hughes and I agreed that it was well worth the 45 minutes; with sacrifice come the blessings!
That is how the work has been going here in Tranqueras. The Church is so new here that the members are still excited and anxious to share the truth with their neighbors. Sometimes, after an area has been open to missionary work for a long time, the members become apprehensive about sharing their beliefs with others...don´t fall in to that! The Lord can´t use us as instruments in His work if we are apprehensive. That doesn´t mean be impolite and pushy, but it means actively look for opportunities to share restored truths. I have received more references here in Tranqueras than in any other area in my mission; this little branch is a GREAT example of member missionary work. I am so grateful for the members, and for the example they have given to me. I hope to always be as diligent and faithful to my responsibilities as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.
So there ya go, that´s what´s going on here in Tranqueras. I hope everything is going well for all of you! I can´t believe Sterling May is home, that´s so crazy. Elder May (Bryce) is probably heading home within the next couple of weeks, too, isn´t he? Wow. Don´t worry, as I said, I´m not trunky! Haha.
Love you all, and I´m anxious to hear from you!
Elder Taylor
Thursday, October 16, 2008
It's Official!
We have officially received Aaron's itinerary for his flight home!
He will leave Montevideo on Wednesday, December 17th at 11:05 PM. After many long flights he finally arrives in SLC on Thursday afternoon, December 18th.
We are so excited to finally have a date set in stone and to know when the end will be here! Thank you all for your support throughout his mission, and we will keep you updated on when the homecoming will be!!
Lots of Love,
Mary-Anne
(and the whole Taylor family!!)
He will leave Montevideo on Wednesday, December 17th at 11:05 PM. After many long flights he finally arrives in SLC on Thursday afternoon, December 18th.
We are so excited to finally have a date set in stone and to know when the end will be here! Thank you all for your support throughout his mission, and we will keep you updated on when the homecoming will be!!
Lots of Love,
Mary-Anne
(and the whole Taylor family!!)
Monday, October 13, 2008
22 months...!
Taylor Family and Friends,
Well, in the last line of Mary-Anne´s email, she let me know that today is my 22-month mark in the mission. That´s so crazy. There are days when it seems like I just got here. But I won´t lie, there are days when it seems like it´s been longer than 22 months, too. Haha. No worries, I´m making the most of the time I´ve got left. No regrets.
We´ve had some special visitors this weekend; Elder Davdison and his mom have been in town. They got here Saturday night and they´re leaving tomorrow morning. It´s been really fun talking to her and getting to know her a little better. I´ve heard about her for the last year and a half, and even more so in the last 2 months, so it´s been cool to actually get to meet her. Elder Davidson´s face has changed even in just the last week and a half. I think he just looks more relaxed and at-ease. He told me he´s just anxious to get home now. His mom arrived Saturday (the 4th) and they fly out on Wednesday afternoon.
Just to let you know, before I forget, I sent the DVD with the pictures on it this last week. They said it takes 7-10 days in order to get there. Let me know when you get it, so I can delete the pictures off my camera and thus have more room on my cards.
On Friday morning I received a call from the offices. Elder Bigham said, "Elder Taylor, I have a question. Do you think your family would mind if we sent you home a week "early"? Or in other words, a week before Christmas?" I laughed and I said, "Ya know, I´m pretty sure they wouldn´t mind." You all don´t mind, right? Haha. He told me that they don´t have the flight itinerary or anything yet, but the projected date is the 17th of December. Whether that is the date I fly from Montevideo or the day I arrive in Salt Lake, I am not sure. But yeah, just so ya´ll know!
Elder Hughes and I had a great week last week. We found quite a few new investigators and had progress with some of the older ones. I don´t know if you remember, but I believe I have commented on Daiana, who was baptized on Sept. 13. Anyway, she has a sister-in-law named Ingri who has come to church a couple of times. She went with us to General Conference last week, as well, and had a great time. We asked Daiana and Walter afterwards what Ingri had thought of it and they said that she had mentioned that she wanted to be baptized. The next afternoon we were at her house! Haha. We had a great lesson with her and her husband, Anivel. We found out that Anivel has heard a little from the missionaries (years ago) and that he was reading the Joseph Smith sunday school manual that we had given Ingri a few weeks ago. We invited them to get baptized at the end of the lesson, and Anivel said, "Well it depends on what day it is, because I work Monday-Saturday." We chuckled and said we could work around his schedule. The challenge will be getting him to church because he´s also a soccer fanatic and often plays on Sundays. Ingri could be baptized this weekend, but we are going to see if we can help Anivel catch the vision and start progressing.
On Thursday, we had a lesson with Élida Bravo, who the missionaries have been teaching for a while. She is Marcos´ mother, the man whose family was baptized a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, she´s fantastic, but couldn´t progress because she couldn´t get a divorce in order to get married with the guy she´s living with now, who comes and goes from Artigas because of work. To make a long story short, they decided that things weren´t going to work out, and he´s staying in Artigas to live his own life so she can live hers. She said she needs God in her life more than she needs any man. When she told us this new news, I almost didn´t know what to say, because it was so unexpected. After stammering for a second and looking at my comp, I asked her, "Well okay then, what day do you want to get baptized?!" Haha. She said, whenever you two think I am ready. The baptism is set for this Friday. The whole branch was excited when the baptism was announced yesterday and she handed out invitations after church. It has been 10 years since she first met the missionaries in Artigas, and after watching her son, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandchildren be baptized, it is finally her turn! When the Lord gives a commandment, He always prepares the way for it to be obeyed, even if it takes a while!
This weekend, we have Stake Conference in Rivera, with a special transmission from Salt Lake. I wonder what it´s gonna be about, or who it´s gonna be....interesante!
This morning we went and had lunch with Marcos, Paola and their family along with Elder Davidson and his mom. We killed two of their chickens and about an hour or so later, we ate them. I´ll send pictures. :o) It´s a pretty nasty day out; it´s been REALLY humid the last couple of days, and it started raining yesterday afternoon-hasn´t stopped since.
Yeah, Mom, we can go onto the Brazil side, because it´s just a street that separates it. We only go over on P-Days though, mostly to eat or maybe shop. I´ve been over once or twice is all, when we´ve gone into Rivera for changes or something.
I believe I know the Bueno family, from Artigas. Well, I know a couple of them. One of the families has been members for years, and the other one I met was baptized last year right after I went to Bella Unión. Maybe it was them. I don´t remember the names, because they were in a different ward.
Well, I believe that´s gonna do it for this week. Thanks for the letters, and for letting me know some of what´s going on. I love you all, and pray for you often! Take care and enjoy the week!
Elder Taylor
Well, in the last line of Mary-Anne´s email, she let me know that today is my 22-month mark in the mission. That´s so crazy. There are days when it seems like I just got here. But I won´t lie, there are days when it seems like it´s been longer than 22 months, too. Haha. No worries, I´m making the most of the time I´ve got left. No regrets.
We´ve had some special visitors this weekend; Elder Davdison and his mom have been in town. They got here Saturday night and they´re leaving tomorrow morning. It´s been really fun talking to her and getting to know her a little better. I´ve heard about her for the last year and a half, and even more so in the last 2 months, so it´s been cool to actually get to meet her. Elder Davidson´s face has changed even in just the last week and a half. I think he just looks more relaxed and at-ease. He told me he´s just anxious to get home now. His mom arrived Saturday (the 4th) and they fly out on Wednesday afternoon.
Just to let you know, before I forget, I sent the DVD with the pictures on it this last week. They said it takes 7-10 days in order to get there. Let me know when you get it, so I can delete the pictures off my camera and thus have more room on my cards.
On Friday morning I received a call from the offices. Elder Bigham said, "Elder Taylor, I have a question. Do you think your family would mind if we sent you home a week "early"? Or in other words, a week before Christmas?" I laughed and I said, "Ya know, I´m pretty sure they wouldn´t mind." You all don´t mind, right? Haha. He told me that they don´t have the flight itinerary or anything yet, but the projected date is the 17th of December. Whether that is the date I fly from Montevideo or the day I arrive in Salt Lake, I am not sure. But yeah, just so ya´ll know!
Elder Hughes and I had a great week last week. We found quite a few new investigators and had progress with some of the older ones. I don´t know if you remember, but I believe I have commented on Daiana, who was baptized on Sept. 13. Anyway, she has a sister-in-law named Ingri who has come to church a couple of times. She went with us to General Conference last week, as well, and had a great time. We asked Daiana and Walter afterwards what Ingri had thought of it and they said that she had mentioned that she wanted to be baptized. The next afternoon we were at her house! Haha. We had a great lesson with her and her husband, Anivel. We found out that Anivel has heard a little from the missionaries (years ago) and that he was reading the Joseph Smith sunday school manual that we had given Ingri a few weeks ago. We invited them to get baptized at the end of the lesson, and Anivel said, "Well it depends on what day it is, because I work Monday-Saturday." We chuckled and said we could work around his schedule. The challenge will be getting him to church because he´s also a soccer fanatic and often plays on Sundays. Ingri could be baptized this weekend, but we are going to see if we can help Anivel catch the vision and start progressing.
On Thursday, we had a lesson with Élida Bravo, who the missionaries have been teaching for a while. She is Marcos´ mother, the man whose family was baptized a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, she´s fantastic, but couldn´t progress because she couldn´t get a divorce in order to get married with the guy she´s living with now, who comes and goes from Artigas because of work. To make a long story short, they decided that things weren´t going to work out, and he´s staying in Artigas to live his own life so she can live hers. She said she needs God in her life more than she needs any man. When she told us this new news, I almost didn´t know what to say, because it was so unexpected. After stammering for a second and looking at my comp, I asked her, "Well okay then, what day do you want to get baptized?!" Haha. She said, whenever you two think I am ready. The baptism is set for this Friday. The whole branch was excited when the baptism was announced yesterday and she handed out invitations after church. It has been 10 years since she first met the missionaries in Artigas, and after watching her son, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandchildren be baptized, it is finally her turn! When the Lord gives a commandment, He always prepares the way for it to be obeyed, even if it takes a while!
This weekend, we have Stake Conference in Rivera, with a special transmission from Salt Lake. I wonder what it´s gonna be about, or who it´s gonna be....interesante!
This morning we went and had lunch with Marcos, Paola and their family along with Elder Davidson and his mom. We killed two of their chickens and about an hour or so later, we ate them. I´ll send pictures. :o) It´s a pretty nasty day out; it´s been REALLY humid the last couple of days, and it started raining yesterday afternoon-hasn´t stopped since.
Yeah, Mom, we can go onto the Brazil side, because it´s just a street that separates it. We only go over on P-Days though, mostly to eat or maybe shop. I´ve been over once or twice is all, when we´ve gone into Rivera for changes or something.
I believe I know the Bueno family, from Artigas. Well, I know a couple of them. One of the families has been members for years, and the other one I met was baptized last year right after I went to Bella Unión. Maybe it was them. I don´t remember the names, because they were in a different ward.
Well, I believe that´s gonna do it for this week. Thanks for the letters, and for letting me know some of what´s going on. I love you all, and pray for you often! Take care and enjoy the week!
Elder Taylor
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sweet Weekend!
Taylor Family and Friends,
I´ll just start by saying how truly grateful I am to know that God has a living prophet on the earth today. What an amazing opportunity we all had to be instructed by His servants the last two days. Ok, I´ll get back to that subject in a minute. :o)
Last week was a very busy week for us, and it started out in an interesting way...! Elder Davidson and I went in to Rivera on the noon bus on Tuesday, because he was leaving from Rivera at 00:30 on Wednesday morning. We had a good afternoon over in Rivera. At 10 PM or so, we went and helped get some of the other Elders on their buses and whatnot, and then another group along with Elder Davidson at midnight. Elder Gillis and Elder Davidson were both finishing, and as I stood there with them, the feelings started to creep in. They both commented on the butterflies and the nerves. No tears, though, because both of them are going on a little trip with their parents this week. I stayed with the Zl´s on Tuesday night, because the offices said that Elder Hughes would be getting to Rivera at noon the next day...
The next morning at 6:30 we went and picked up some of the new Elders in the zone, and then went back to the house for studies. At noon, we got a taxi and started over to the bus terminal. The taxi driver asked me what area I was serving in, and I told him Tranqueras. He then said, "Oh, there´s been a Mormon in the terminal for the last three hours who is also headed out to Tranqueras." No way. Haha. He said the blonde kid and put his suitcases in a taxi, got in, and then got back out as he realized that the taxi wouldn´t take him to Tranqueras. As we pulled in the terminal, I jumped out and started looking around for Elder Hughes; nowhere to be seen. I went and asked Jorge, a guy we know who sells drinks and candy at the terminal if he had seen a lost Elder. He said, "Yeah, he was here for a couple of hours, and then the other guy helped him get on the 11:15 bus to Tranqueras." By "the other guy", he meant the member of the Church who sells empanadas and milanesas in the terminal. I couldn´t believe it. I ran on to the next bus that left right then for Tranqueras and started calling the members in order to have them stop the bus. You see, as the bus goes into Tranqueras, there are various places where you can get off, but you have to know where you want to get off, or tell the driver. My comp had NO idea where to get off. I got ahold of one of the sisters, and as she went out her front door, the bus passed by! She went back inside and called the agency, telling them to tell the Mormon to stay on the bus until they brought the bus back to the garage, which is a block away from our house. Haha. I got there an hour later, and as I went up the stairs in our house, Elder Hughes stuck his head around the corner with the most relieved face I have seen in a LONG time! I felt SO bad, but the offices had told us he got there at noon. Well, the most important thing is that he arrived safe and sound!
Elder Hughes is from Boise, Idaho. He has been in Uruguay for about seven weeks now. He´s actually doing really well with his Spanish. He understands a lot, and he can speak pretty well, too. We´ve already set some specific goals to help him get better, and he´s progressed a lot even in just these last couple of days.
The baptism was done in the garage, in a thing they use to clean the cattle here. At least that´s what they´ve told me it´s used for. I´ll send a picture. The picture with Marcos and Paola by the cake is in the front room of the house, which is just like the foyer. The one of everyone outside before the baptism is behind our house, yes.
Had a sweet experience yesterday. The branch rented a bus so everyone here could go to the sessions yesterday. I locked up the house, and was the last one to go over to the bus. I made sure everyone was there, and then I asked the driver if I could sit up front with him so "I could see the view." Hehe...! We chit-chatted for two or three minutes, and then he opened the door...."So do you guys have some kind of convention in Rivera today, or what?" Well, just let me tell you where we´re headed...! We had a fantastic conversation over the next 45/50 minutes about the importance of prophets, Christ´s church and it´s restoration, as well as the Book of Mormon. I told him, as we were entering Rivera, that that´s why people call us "Mormons"-because we give that book to everyone we meet so they can know of the truthfulness of our message for themselves. Freddy´s eyes lit up and he asked me, "Do you have one of them with you?" "Yeah, my companion has it in his backpack." "Would you give it to me?" "I would absolutely love to. As soon as we get to the chapel, we´ll get it out of his bag." The countryside of Uruguay is beautiful, which could be seen very well from our seas, but the knowledge of God´s plan for us often times surpasses that beauty. How grateful I am for having been where I needed to be, when I needed to be there.
Mom, I went to send the pictures between sessions on Saturday, but it was closed. I will send them tomorrow. I hope. :o) Well, my time is up for this week. Know that I love each and every one of you! I´m looking forward to going over the counsel we all received this weekend again. I´ll send highlights and thoughts next week. Take care!
Elder Taylor
I´ll just start by saying how truly grateful I am to know that God has a living prophet on the earth today. What an amazing opportunity we all had to be instructed by His servants the last two days. Ok, I´ll get back to that subject in a minute. :o)
Last week was a very busy week for us, and it started out in an interesting way...! Elder Davidson and I went in to Rivera on the noon bus on Tuesday, because he was leaving from Rivera at 00:30 on Wednesday morning. We had a good afternoon over in Rivera. At 10 PM or so, we went and helped get some of the other Elders on their buses and whatnot, and then another group along with Elder Davidson at midnight. Elder Gillis and Elder Davidson were both finishing, and as I stood there with them, the feelings started to creep in. They both commented on the butterflies and the nerves. No tears, though, because both of them are going on a little trip with their parents this week. I stayed with the Zl´s on Tuesday night, because the offices said that Elder Hughes would be getting to Rivera at noon the next day...
The next morning at 6:30 we went and picked up some of the new Elders in the zone, and then went back to the house for studies. At noon, we got a taxi and started over to the bus terminal. The taxi driver asked me what area I was serving in, and I told him Tranqueras. He then said, "Oh, there´s been a Mormon in the terminal for the last three hours who is also headed out to Tranqueras." No way. Haha. He said the blonde kid and put his suitcases in a taxi, got in, and then got back out as he realized that the taxi wouldn´t take him to Tranqueras. As we pulled in the terminal, I jumped out and started looking around for Elder Hughes; nowhere to be seen. I went and asked Jorge, a guy we know who sells drinks and candy at the terminal if he had seen a lost Elder. He said, "Yeah, he was here for a couple of hours, and then the other guy helped him get on the 11:15 bus to Tranqueras." By "the other guy", he meant the member of the Church who sells empanadas and milanesas in the terminal. I couldn´t believe it. I ran on to the next bus that left right then for Tranqueras and started calling the members in order to have them stop the bus. You see, as the bus goes into Tranqueras, there are various places where you can get off, but you have to know where you want to get off, or tell the driver. My comp had NO idea where to get off. I got ahold of one of the sisters, and as she went out her front door, the bus passed by! She went back inside and called the agency, telling them to tell the Mormon to stay on the bus until they brought the bus back to the garage, which is a block away from our house. Haha. I got there an hour later, and as I went up the stairs in our house, Elder Hughes stuck his head around the corner with the most relieved face I have seen in a LONG time! I felt SO bad, but the offices had told us he got there at noon. Well, the most important thing is that he arrived safe and sound!
Elder Hughes is from Boise, Idaho. He has been in Uruguay for about seven weeks now. He´s actually doing really well with his Spanish. He understands a lot, and he can speak pretty well, too. We´ve already set some specific goals to help him get better, and he´s progressed a lot even in just these last couple of days.
The baptism was done in the garage, in a thing they use to clean the cattle here. At least that´s what they´ve told me it´s used for. I´ll send a picture. The picture with Marcos and Paola by the cake is in the front room of the house, which is just like the foyer. The one of everyone outside before the baptism is behind our house, yes.
Had a sweet experience yesterday. The branch rented a bus so everyone here could go to the sessions yesterday. I locked up the house, and was the last one to go over to the bus. I made sure everyone was there, and then I asked the driver if I could sit up front with him so "I could see the view." Hehe...! We chit-chatted for two or three minutes, and then he opened the door...."So do you guys have some kind of convention in Rivera today, or what?" Well, just let me tell you where we´re headed...! We had a fantastic conversation over the next 45/50 minutes about the importance of prophets, Christ´s church and it´s restoration, as well as the Book of Mormon. I told him, as we were entering Rivera, that that´s why people call us "Mormons"-because we give that book to everyone we meet so they can know of the truthfulness of our message for themselves. Freddy´s eyes lit up and he asked me, "Do you have one of them with you?" "Yeah, my companion has it in his backpack." "Would you give it to me?" "I would absolutely love to. As soon as we get to the chapel, we´ll get it out of his bag." The countryside of Uruguay is beautiful, which could be seen very well from our seas, but the knowledge of God´s plan for us often times surpasses that beauty. How grateful I am for having been where I needed to be, when I needed to be there.
Mom, I went to send the pictures between sessions on Saturday, but it was closed. I will send them tomorrow. I hope. :o) Well, my time is up for this week. Know that I love each and every one of you! I´m looking forward to going over the counsel we all received this weekend again. I´ll send highlights and thoughts next week. Take care!
Elder Taylor
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