Another wet week her in Mariana. We have been told by a few "funny" high priests that we would have more success if we built an ark, that's how much it has been raining! Before i get into the top ten of this week I just wanted to share some great scriptures I have gotten this week from studying. First off, I have been trying to do a really deep reading of the Book of Mormon and get a lot out of it. I love Mosiah. I have learned so much from it.. here are some things i loved as I read Mosiah 23:21 "Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." The lord gives us trials how could we go to our father in heaven and Christ who both went through so much for us and say, no we don't want any trails but we want to come home to you! Trails are essential and it's the Lord seeing if we have the patience and faith to follow him and keep his commandments, even when things are hard.
But to go off our trials, the Lord promises something amazing in Mosiah 24:13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.
14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.
As we submit to the Lord, do what he wants us to do and follow him, as we stand as a witness of Christ at all times and obey the covenants that we have made with the Lord, he will bless us beyond measure. He will make us strong to hold are burdens cause although our yoke may be heavy, his is light! I just loved this scriptures and i hope you love them also.
Now to the top ten!
1. One day an appointment fell through and we were on the "other side of the tracks" where a the majority is African Americans. We were out walking decided to knock a few doors. This lady throws open the door and says come in.. we stood there for a second in shock and then went in we gave her an awesome first lesson! It was great. My favorite part though was she had a picture of the last supper and every character was black... haha it made me laugh a little bit. I just don't see davinci's last supper with black people in it too much!
2. We did some more service this week. We helped a member in the ward build a shed! Man that was a dirty job. we waded through about 2 feet of mud with roaches and spiders EVERYWHERE then me, elder Bochenek, Elder Farris, and this 74 year old carried a 500 pound roof 100 yards and threw it on top of the shed we had built. it was quiet a fun job, especially in the rain!
3. As we where out working on the shed we found a bug that could eat a human! Biggest bug i have seen, but it is only a grasshopper. It's called a Georgia thumper.. I'll attach a picture so you can all be in awe as much as I am!
4. So a little funny thing, We were walking through the Wendy's parking lot on our way home and a random guy yelled at us to ask us if we were Mormons and we told him yes. He jumped out his car, ran over gave us 20 bucks and said go buy yourself some food! So that was really cool, there are some nice people out here!
5. This one really touched me this week! Sister Clements is an older lady in the ward and a pure sweetheart! She is just wonderful and every time we walk by or see her she gives us a pat on the shoulder and says, "that is cause i cant hug you!" So she is awesome! But she bought a car so that she could give it to her grandson who had no way of getting to seminary. He never had a ride, because he is a senior and hasn't been able to go yet since he lives so far from the church. So she brought him a car so that he could get to seminary every morning and be ready for a mission at the end of the year!
6. Ed Watts is a great guy that takes us on splits all the time. We got a lesson in missionary work from that guy and it was amazing! He told us that the way to get people to church is to love them to church, which is so true! That's how you get people to come back; show them and tell them that you love them and want what's best for them! He gave an awesome lesson to Brother Wilmer Strickland (who is the next point) and said soon enough we will both see our father again! It was amazing, two hard old men just started to cry as the spirit testified that they would return to their father in heaven! It was amazing! The spirit was so strong
7. Brother Strickland is awesome man. An inspiring man, also he is 97 years old and still drives to Walmart to get his food and medicine! It is amazing! One day he saw two hitch hikers and picked them up and brought them to his home helped them and clothed them. He loved them and gave them a place to stay. To repay him they ended up stealing thousands of dollars worth of things from him. They sole his check book and when he went to the bank they had caught them he said i don't want to press charges. This man is so loving and forgiving! It is so sad to see that there are people that will take advantage of a 97 year old. It is really sad.
8. I was humbled this week, there is this guy, a rough looking guy doesn't usually stay for all three hours of church and looks like his wife drags him around all the time. As bad as it sounds, I judged this guy as someone just along for the ride not super active , and I feel horrible for that. Because this guy who didn't look too spiritual from the outside stood up and gave an amazing prayer, cried and all, it was kind of like the Spirit slapping me in the face and saying really you can't judge anyone! So i have learned a lesson through a simple prayer.
9. As i said earlier, we are building an ark! We need one! we didn't have the car this week so we got rained indoors for a few days. That's why i don't have too many amazing experiences or fun stories! T did go swimming a few time,s but that was just walking outside! When it rains here it really comes down!
10. Elder Farris's mom sent him a few cans of silly string so us 18-20 year-old boys turned into 5 year-olds for a few minutes and ran around the house having a silly string war! Man it was so much fun! But it did make me feel like i was 5! But that's alright !
Thank you all y'all love you all y'all and appreciate you all y'all!
Elder Taylor
THE GEORGIA THUMPER:
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