1. We had a sad start of the week. A good pioneer of the Monroe branch, Alfred McKinley, passed away so we went to his service this Saturday. we were blessed with the chance to give him the sacrament just a few days before he passed and he could tell his time was getting close but he was still being the goofy guy that everyone remembered. It was a beautiful service and the church had the wonderful opportunity to testify of the gospel and the plan of salvation to plenty of non-members and less-actives. I'm so grateful of the knowledge the gospel has given me about what happens after this life!
2. On a brighter and more happy note, one of the other missionaries serving in the area got transferred so we decided to have a good send off for him. Elder Milne and I purchased some shaving cream and then walked into his apartment and ambushed him! it was great and a lot of fun! We got picture of the aftermath. 2 sets of elders across the street from each other is great! So if any of you have some good pranks don't be afraid to share them!
3. We got a car!!! WHAT A BLESSING THAT IS A NEW '14 CAROLLA!! Oh man it has been so great especially with these freezing temperatures, the new rule of no riding bikes after dark, also with limited miles we save a lot more driving only one car to a meeting we both go to! What a blessing! I do love the new heater also! blessings for working hard i guess!!!
4. So I had a really big reading week! I finished the book Jesus the Christ, I read it from cover to cover. I have been reading for a few months but it is such a good book and explains it so well! James E Talmage, the author, knew his stuff. I just had to read it with a dictionary cause i think he makes up a few words in there cause they are pretty big! But i made it through and man did that enlighten me so much on the life of Christ and his mission and I am grateful for that book! I am also half done with the book our heritage, talking about the trials that the early saints went through! Man did the Lord sure send them through a refiners fire! I also have started the old testament and have read Genesis and half of Exodus and all i can say is, man there are some weird stories in the Old Testament. Good but super weird, I can see why some aren't taught in primary! My favorite verse of the old testament has been in genesis talking about how Jacob worked for his wife Rachel! it says " And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her." I know I'm a missionary but all i can saw is aww that is darn cute! I also finished my first journal and am getting really good at writing nightly!
5. We we able to go to mutual this week and had a party for a youth in the ward who is the nicest kid you ever will meet. He has deshanees disease which is a very aggressive form of muscular dystrophy, but he is still one of the most smiling kids you have ever meet! We played white elephant with all the youth and me and Elder Milne scored a sweet mini fooseball table! We totally got the best present out of them all!
6. We went to see our good friend Brother Siezmore in the nursing home and had a good talk with him. He was so bored he was wheeling himself in circles. He was happy to see us and we gave him a "ride" he was so happy to be out and about! IT just brightened his day when we were able to bring him out and show him around for a bit. he was very grateful and wanted to make sure we would be back soon enough to give him another ride!
7. We had another slow week till Saturday! We had some awesome success! We walked around and in an hour gave out 5 Book of Mormons and taught a bunch of lessons! It was so cool! and such a blessing to see all these people and as we talked to them they grew in interest! The Lord has seen us working hard and is slowly giving us more work to do!
8. After that successful walk in the park we went to an investigator, Peaches ( Lorea is her real name) ,and her husband Arthur who are an older black couple. Peaches just had a surgery so we just wanted to stop by and it turned in to a 45 minute discussion on trials but i was guided in the conversation as i turned to 1 peter 4: 12-13 a new favorite of mine it reads "12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery atrial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." I love what peter says here. He is saying that we should be happy with the fact we have trials becasue we get to partake of the suffering that Christ went through and as we do this we feel as he did and we become closer to him! trials are blessings! Something i have learned so much on my mission!
9. We were able to go and talk with the young men about missions which is always a blessing! It really opened my eyes and I told them that our job was to save lives and do this wonderful work! WE ARE DOING THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK THAT THERE IS, PERIOD! We are in the business of saving souls! I know that God loves all his children and wants us to go find them! He helps us and guides us to these loved ones that means oh so much to him! it is such a blessing to be a part of this work!
10. Sunday a brother told us of a story.. He watched on tv about a football player that gave up a lot and ended up in jail after a lot of bad choices. The boy who recently changed and saved his own life said something that I love. He said " show me your friends and I will show you your future!" It is amazing how much of an influence that friends have on us. So I am so grateful for all of my friends! I have been blessed to have so many great friends who I love so much! it is such a blessing!
I am eternally grateful for all those who even had the slightest influence on me over the years. I love you all
I am eternally grateful for all those who even had the slightest influence on me over the years. I love you all
Elder Taylor
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