Another Week in the Vineyard

1. We taught Travis Garrett again! Cornbread! We figured out what his full name was! Tt was pretty funny, we asked all his friends what his name was and most didn't know him by anything other than Cornbread! But we taught him twice in the last week! He really has that sincere desire to learn more and figure out for himself. He is driven by his 8 month old daughter and he really wants to make the right decisions for her and be a good father for her! I'm excited to see where he will go! 

2. We had one of the lessons with Cornbread at a members home, Ethan and Sara Johnson's, and it was a great visit. I was surprised when Sara who has only been a member for a year or so invited Cornbread over for family home evening once a week so they could all read the Book of Mormon together! It was an awesome example of a member catching the vision and reaching out to help an investigator in a way we did'nt even ask! It was so cool! 

3. We taught D'anne Taylor again and the good news is she dropped her crazy loud interrupting boyfriend!! It was awesome! He was a good guy but a distraction. She told us straight up that she wants to be baptized somewhere and wants to find out if it's God's true church so she can go that way. She really wants to do it for her son and wants to be a good strong example for him! 

4. We got to see our good friends, Peaches and Arthur again and we taught them a great lesson on the plan of salvation! It went really well. There were a few new things but nothing to go crazy about! They are so awesome but we won't be able to see them for a wile because Arthur is having a surgery on his neck! So we will be praying for him a lot this coming week!

5. I have learned that people notice us as members of the church! It is interesting getting an outsider's view and talking to the people that say oh ya, I know a Mormon! 9 times out of 10 its is positive and they say how great that person is and how much they like them. It just kind of amazes me how much others watch us and we don't even notice it!

6. Family history, family history! Wow I would never have thought I liked this stuff so much! I always thought it was super boring but now I love it! Looking for stories and discovering all these different things it is amazing! I love it so much and have really realized a new commitment while I've been studying this! Here is a quote by Henry B. Eyring about family history that I love, to all us who have been in the church a while and have "done it all already" "As you decide, remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. When you were baptized, your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Perhaps after centuries, they rejoiced to see one of their descendants make a covenant to find them and to offer them freedom. In your reunion, you will see in their eyes either gratitude or terrible disappointment. Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them."

7. We have an awesome branch president here! President Albritton. It does not matter where we go but when we go out we always meet someone who knows Greg Albritton. It is amazing all he does. He has been branch president for 9 years and he has made this branch well established. He has worked miracles here and it has been amazing to see the growth. I can only imagine how it was before him! He is just such a great example of a leader and what how we should act.

8. Kim is another investigator that we met last week, but when we went back she called us and told us her mom was in the hospital. So we didn't get to see her :( So we went on with our day and we ran into her 5 times!!!!! It was so awkward because it was within 4 hours and about 20 mile circle! The last time we saw her she was sure to come up and say that she would call us! It was just so funny. We would just go a random place and there would be Kim! I guess we really needed to talk to her!

9. There is strength in our struggles! I have learned that so well on my mission. It has not been easy, i don't think i would be here if it was easy! But I have learned and grown so much over the last few months it has been a miracle i have really realized. Then when i asked for those mountains to climb they sure do come! And they usually hit pretty hard! But after the trail or whatever I can look back and truly see my growth it is such a blessing! 

10. So let's end on a fun note! We decided to go to a city we hardly ever go to, Evergreen. It was very interesting. The highlight of the day was when a guy yelled at us to come over so we did. He then listed off all the drugs he was selling and what we wanted to buy... So we said we were alright. But as we left he asked for money, we gave him a dollar and then he asked us one last time if we wanted and cocaine. We said we were alright and biked on... Iguess you have some interesting experiences down here!

I love you all!

Elder Taylor

missionary work in restaurants, spirit of Elijah, and wars

It was a great week this week! Although it seems like whenever we have a good couple of days, 1 day everything has to fall through! That is just the life of a missionary! 

1. We have an awesome new investigator and he is so solid! His name is Cornbread! Haha, yes, he actually he goes by Cornbread but his name is Travis and he works with a less active man that just returned to church. He saw the amazing change that happened when this guy came back and he wants that in his life now. He has an 8 month old and really wants to have his life be on the right track. It is so amazing how much he has been prepared. I'm excited to see him again!

2. The day after, we didn't get too much done and we were about to head home but elder Peterson had to make a pit stop... (at a zone conference they told us we needed to be drinking A LOT more water than we have been drinking!) But anyways, we stopped at a little southern restaurant called Smokquees which is so good! As we were leaving we saw a member in the parking lot who was leaving but offered to buy our dinner! We did not dare deny her the blessings that she would receive so we graciously accepted! Then as we were sitting waiting for our supper in walks Cornbread! Imagine that, it was perfect so we had a nice little supper with him and just talked about normal stuff. He told us that he had been reading in the Book of Mormon the night that we had been there! He also told us that as he drove by the restaurant that he had heard a voice say "go in and get some food" so he did it! As he was leaving he told us how much he enjoyed it! 

3. We had another cool experience. A few weeks ago I got a gift card that a missionary that used to serve here found in his wallet to another Southern restaurant named AJ's. So i decided to take Elder Peterson, Browne and Parsons out. So we went and ate one after noon because they have a great fried chicken buffet! And as I went to pay I got to talking to the cashier and she was the sweetest woman and as I gave her the gift card instead of using the money she put an extra 25 on there and said she just wanted to help out where she could. An awesome lady and hopefully when we go back we can have a good gospel conversation with her! 

4. Kim is another investigator we met with an interesting story. As we walked by she was talking on the phone and yelled at us to come in. We did as we were commanded and she told us that she was a nurse and had a very sick cancer patient in the back room and she wanted us to pray for him. So we did just that and prayed for Mr. Cunningham who could not have weighed more than 80 pounds. I offered a simple fervent prayer that his suffering would be lessened at this time. She was very grateful and gave us some deer sausage and we ate it that night with cheese grits and a fried egg (ya, I'm a southerner now). We returned a few days later and found out he died the night of our last visit. We offered our condolences and read parts of Alma chapter 40 which talks about where the soul goes after this life, she was so touched and loved it so much she wants to learn more and can't wait to see what we have to offer!   

5. We had an awesome zone conference, that is when the missionaries in the area meet together, and we learned a lot and it is like a pep rally for us to get us inspired and get us out doing what we need to do! We talked about guess what again! FAMILY HISTORY!!! It was super informative and I caught the vision! President Smith, our leader, gave a powerful sermon on why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does family history work! It was awesome! He read some scriptures that I want to give to y'all. First he started off with the need for us all to be baptized. Matthew 3 clearly states that every person to enter the Kingdom of God must be baptized but we know many die with out that chance to do that! In Luke 23:43 the lord says that today you will be with me in paradise to the thief on the cross but if we look in john 20:17 says that as he talked with Mary he says he has not gone to heaven yet. where was he for these three days between his death and him showing him self to Mary! He said himself that he was going to paradise! 1 peter 3:19 and 1 peter 4:6 both state where he was! He was in preaching to the spirits in spirit prison!  Well why would he want to do that? 1 cor15:29 talks about the early church of Christ participating in the practice of vicarious baptism for the dead. The Lord was preparing a way for all the souls that had not heard of him to hear of him and accept vicarious baptism! It was amazing how he unfolded that doctrine! we know God is no respecter of persons so he cares for all his children no matter what! He gives them all an equal chance! I have truly seen the promise in Malachi 4 that says the hearts of the children will turn to the fathers and the fathers will turn to the children! When we do family history work the veil between us and the other side is thin! I testify of that! I wish y'all could have been with em and heard how beautifully this information was delivered and how powerful the spirit was! I have caught the spirit of Elijah and know how awesome family history work! 

6. In zone conference we then went over how powerful church tours are! How great they are also! It was just amazing to see what a church tour can do if done correctly! we then all got to do it ourselves and we went around the building and taught pretend investigators! We got to teach the mission president's wife! Probably the nicest and funniest lady I have ever meet! I love her so much she is awesome! But we taught her about the church and it was amazing how powerful a tour of a local meeting house can be. One thing i also learned is how powerful a personal testimony is. As i told her how great relief society was and told her how they have blessed my family the spirit was so strong and it was amazing! Personal testimony and experiences are essential! 

7. Some of the missionaries that were heading home shared a few thoughts that I loved. One said " more important than the number you baptize is the person you become through your desire to baptize" I thought that was so powerful. I have not seen as much fruit from my labors as I would have liked to see but I have seen myself grow so much! In just a little under a year i have changed a lot and i am so grateful for that experience! I love it so much I am so grateful for that! I am so grateful I still have a year left and i cant wait to see what will happen in the coming months! Adventure is out there! 

8. On Saturday we had an interesting lesson.... it started great. An older gentleman that we had met we shared a few Scriptures in the bible that supported the restoration of the church and it was going so great, he agreed with all we had to say which was awesome. Then we introduced the Book of Mormon and suddenly all we had said was a lie... it was kind of a bummer, he just wanted to argue after that and it is sad to see how into it he was. He even said there could be other scriptures and then when it was introduced he shut down... it was a bummer but he was an interesting guy. Like everyone here, he knows the bible well. agency is frustrating....

9. President Albritton, the leader of the church in Monroeville, said something profound the other day that I thought was awesome. We were talking about the last days and how they are so very close, a person then said ya that is true but there has to be a great and last war before that happens. his reply was "the biggest war with the most casualties is the war that is currently being waged over the family". I thought that was so profound and so true if the adversary can destroy one family, he can destroy life for generations to come! He plays his cards smart but we all must play them smarter! 

10. Concentration is something I am working on this week, month, year! I have realized how important it is to give the Lord our all! It is not a loss but it is a blessing giving yourself to the Lord. I know heavenly father needs me. and his work that is directed by the Savior needs exactly what I am prepared to give and to offer! Qhat a humbling task but I am looking forward to that with all my heart! 

I hope you all want to do family history! I love you all and am grateful for you in my life!

Elder Taylor

A Busy Week in the South

1. There was a baptism in the branch, not ours, but it was still a baptism and it was great. It was a less active father who came back and was able to baptize all three of his kids. It was an amazing experience, the branch showed up and showed a lot of love and support to all the kids and there was a very strong spirit there. It was great, the next day he gave a talk and told all about the experience and how the night he baptized his kids he cried himself to sleep because he was so happy! And if you were ever to see this guy you would never guess it; he is a big tough guy that would never do something like that! It's awesome the gospel can make the toughest men into big ole softies!

2. D'anne Taylor is a lady we met with last week who had her crazy boyfriend there and that was an interesting experience. But this time we met again and the boyfriend was there again with her but he was a lot better this time. He had read a huge part of the Book of Mormon and had loved it. She had also read a few chapters and that went really well. They felt of the spirit very strongly and Mrs. Taylor knows she has to be baptized so I think that will be something that she looks into and we will talk with her about!

3. Peaches and Arthur are some investigators that we have been seeing for a good while. We had a great experience with them! it was awesome!  We sat down and talked about the restoration and how important that is and what it means. They opened up and then we talked about the church. Arthur brought up a few concerns about church history that he had learned over the years. We told him that it all goes back to the Book of Mormon and that will tell us if this is the Lord's true church! He opened up and said he is looking for a chance to be rebaptized in a church but he wants to do it for God, not for a person or a church! the Whole time I was thinking wow all he has to do is read this book and he would know!

4. The Loyds are a less active family that we have seen a few times. Actually the wife is not a member right now! But hopefully we are fixin to change that! She is awesome and loves the missionaries and has been to a lot of church activities. She loves everything about the church except the fact about no caffeine. We tried to tell her she can still drink her coke but that didn't go too far. Our branch president came up with a great idea. He said come at it another way, testify what the savior did for us and then say is caffeine more important than that? Is it bigger than that or of more importance? The answer should always be no! What are we willing to give up for the savior who gave us everything?

5. Chris stall worth is an investigator we met with twice this week. He is finally opening up more to us and asking questions and is trusting our intentions. It is amazing how as we go and talk in love, how peoples hearts are softened and they can feel the spirit more in their life.

6. we met an awesome family this week, the Packers. we tracted into them and they let us in right off the street and it was great. We learned a lot about them and spent about 30 minutes just talking about life and how important God is in our life. It was great, it showed them that we aren't robots but we are really people that do real things. It was great and we really established a lot of trust with them! 

7. BRT that means to build a relationship and trust. That is something we have been working on right now! We are trying to get these investigators that we are normal people and not crazy religious people! It really helps when you are a friends rather than just random people, so it helps to take time and get to know them! 

8. In a meeting we talked about unity in our mission and how we can come closer as a mission and as people there are three suggestions which are: 1. speak kind words oft 2. do not exercise unrighetous dominion 3. learn to really listen 4. learn to council and learn together! I really love these four things because I know they will help in the future with other relationships like marriage and families! But i have learned as apply these I do grow a closer love for the people I am with.

9. Family history was a big topic again! It is amazing how much I learn each time. I never thought there was this much good information in such a thing but we talked about the things that would happen to 4 groups as they did family history.1. nonmembers would feel their hearts turn to their ancestors and they would feel the converting spirit of Elijah 2. members would feel their hearts turn and they would be retained easier 3. less actives would feel their hearts turn and experience re activation 4. missionaries they will feel their hearts change and then be more valiant and consecrated in the work! 

10."10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." I love these scriptures. It comes from 3 Nephi 22: 10 but it is also found in Isaiah! It just testifies of the love Jesus Christ has for us and how much he loves us. Nothing we can do will turn the love of God away from us. It is so humbling knowing that but i am so grateful for that knowledge! 

Love, Elder Taylor

[ELDER PETERSON AND I]

[ME IN FRONT OF OUR LITTLE BRANCH BUILDING. THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE SMALLER!]

Snow, Ice, and Hastening the Lord's work!

1. So the big news of the week is that in that huge storm it snowed! A lot! And then it froze... :( So all the roads in our whole county were frozen solid! For two days all the roads were closed! It was crazy! I know its not that exciting to all you Utahans but I never though I would see that much snow and ice in southern Alabama! What is going on with my life!? It is being turned upside down! But with all those elements the Lord's work is still moving forward! We had the most successful week since I have been here with only about 10 hours of teaching this time the whole week! So i hope it continues this way and we can have more and more time filled with appointments! 

2. We had some great lessons this week, it was amazing! One was with a lady named Katrina that we have been working with for a while and it was awesome. She hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon like she should have so we sat down and read with her 3 Nephi 11 and it was amazing .Elder Peterson felt the spirit I felt it and I would be very surprised if she did not! we talked about authoritative baptism and the priesthood and what that means that we have the priesthood, it is finally making sense to her! 

3. Arthur-  we have been seeing him a lot lately. He is a nice guy and always loves what we teach. We taught him about prophets and then asked him if there could be a prophet today. He said yes and that idea really got him thinking and he really liked it! I think he too is getting the bigger picture now.

4. Chris is a guy we ran into trying to meet his parents. He let us in and we had a great talk about the Book of Mormon and what it means. He really likes the idea of what we taught of Christ's true church and what that means for him. He was very receptive and we are going  back to teach her tonight. 

5. D'anne Taylor is a lady we talked to a few days ago then went back. She was having a hard time and doesn't know why she goes to church and they can't help her overcome her problems. It was a great lesson and we had an awesome member there who related a lot to her and it was going so good the spirit was there, I felt like we should extend a baptismal date and then.... her loud boyfriend showed up. And man it was done after that. He talked over her and wanted to know what we were talking about. I was super bummed about that! It made me a little mad but i forgave the guy and we set up another time at a different place so we wouldn't have any distractions! I'm excited for that and it was a good experience, even with the distractions.  

6. We had an awesome priesthood activity Friday night. We went to a bowling alley and had a good time for a few hours! Don't worry we had approval to go! but it was a good fun activity it was a great environment for us to be seen in, just being normal people. We also got introduced to a non member who has been asking some good questions. So that was a good experience.

7.  We had an awesome broadcast for the whole state of Florida about missionary work and leaders of the church getting involved and it was great. L. Tom Perry was in charge. I know we aren't supposed to have favorite apostles but I think he is near the top! He is one of the funniest old guys I have have ever seen. He was cracking jokes and making me laugh the whole time! It was great! I got an ab work out cause of it and I needed it! He went on to say how you can be a good missionary! Like when the waitress comes to give you coffee you should say "I'm a Mormon we don't drink that stuff! And we are the happiest people around!" He said he does that at everything he goes to and then he gives the waitress a business card and says you must know a few mormons, go show them this and say you met this guy! He said he always get a great response from random people who end up with that card! To see a 92 year old so passionate about something and so enthusiastic about it is amazing. In his words "The enthusiasm of the Gospel is the best disease to catch" 

8. L. Tom Perry went on to tell of 3 things he hates to do. 1. meetings, 2. traveling 3. preaching. all things that his life for the last 40 years has included! He said when he was 85 he was made to preside over Europe which was a lot of traveling, Gordon B. Hinckley called him in and asked him to do it. His first thought was that this was not a job for a man his age.. then he looked at President Hinckley and thought, "I cant play the age card on the then 90 year old President Hinkley". Sometimes the Lord calls us to do things that we do not like to do, but we must do it. He knows what will help us grow and make us stronger. I am grateful for our trials that strengthen me! 

9.  They then read D+C 88:73 which says  "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time" He is now hasting his work! That is why we have 85000 missionaries! It is amazing what is happening now, we need everyone though! Something they talked about is praying that the missionaries will find people to teach! But that isn't their job it is members job! So by showing faith in prayers we need to pray show us who we can introduce to the missionaries! How smart is this?! I know this is truly the Lord's work! L. Tom Perry said this is the greatest time in the history of the church because this era we will touch more lives than any other! What a blessing it is to live in this generation!  

10. I read 3 Nephi 19:3 this morning and i loved it. it says  "yea, an exceedingly great number, did labor exceedingly all that night, that they might be on the morrow in the place where Jesus should show himself unto the multitude.    I love this scripture, this takes place right after the Savior reveled himself in the Book of Mormon to the people in the city Bountiful! They all went home that night and told their friends about what had happened and these friends lived far away because it took them all night to get to the city! It also made me think. Would we be ones to sleep through the night and say oh we will go see him in the morning. Or are we the ones that hear the Savior is here and run all night to just get a glimpse of him? I hope I would be one of those that labors through the night, the hard times, so that i can see my Savior in that beautiful morning! 

Love you all,

Elder Taylor