Fwd: Georgia Shmorja - ADDRESS CORRECTION

Apparently I had the wrong zip code.  Thanks, Paul!

-Lindy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Paul Taylor <paul@gideontaylor.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM
Subject: RE: Georgia Shmorja - ADDRESS CORRECTION
To: Lindy Taylor <lindyjtaylor@gmail.com>
Cc: Sister Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net>

ZIP Code correction! This should be the direct address:

 

319 BRISTOL TRCE
JOHNS CREEK GA 30022-1086

 

That points to:

 

 

Is that where you are, Christa?

 

- Dad

 

From: Lindy Taylor [mailto:lindyjtaylor@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2013 11:06 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Fwd: Georgia Shmorja

 

FYI:  All packages/mail sent after Nov. 27 should be sent directly to her address at Sister Christa Taylor 319  Bristol Trce, John's Creek, GA 30097

 

Date: Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Subject: Georgia Shmorja

There is SO MUCH I would love to write home about today! I filled up six sticky notes of bullet points for stories I wanted to share. But I'm about out of time, so I'll just share a little bit.

 

One of my highlights was last Friday night, when we ate with the Garcia family. We didn't know what to expect because we didn't have any information on them-- we didn't know if they were an active family, inactive, part member, or what. All we knew was the mother's name and that she had a twelve year old son, and that she had recently gotten married. We showed up, and they were the NICEST family! They're Peruvian. Her husband just came from Peru last month, so he knows hardly any English, but enough to converse with us with small words. They fed us a delicious meal of arroz y pollo, and told us their incredible conversion stories. As part of our dinner message, Sister Buhler and I sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", and they were in tears almost immediately when we began to sing. It was so touching. Their testimonies were so sincere and kind, and I just fell in love with them. They go to the Spanish branch, but they came to our ward yesterday just to hear us sing our musical number. Sister Garcia was emotional when in relief society, she shared that our visit had meant a lot to them, especially since they had not fed the missionaries in almost two years. We felt grateful to have met such a beautiful family.

 

Other highlights-- last Thursday we had a Sister's Day with all the sisters in the zone and Sister Wolfert. I taught a 20 minute training on hair and makeup. I'm doing some haircuts later today for sisters in my zone. It's nice to be able to use these talents and skills on my mission!

 

Saturday night we ate with the Dunne family (all members except the father), and I was talking to the thirteen year old Sammy. She is a sweet, smart, happy girl, and I just love her. She was assigned to speak in sacrament meeting the next day, and she was scared to death. Her history of public speaking was not good-- in the primary program, she'd gotten up and just laughed nervously until she cried, then sat down. She was so, so nervous, and speaking in church was going to be a big deal for her. Sister Buhler and I gave her encouragement and hugs, and told her we believed she could do it. In Sacrament Meeting, she stood up there, and didn't speak for almost two minutes. She fidgeted nervously, almost in tears. When she finally spoke, she only said a few words at a time, constantly looking to her mom to rescue her. She got through her whole talk on the power of prayer, and partway through said that our visit had been the answer to her prayer, and she'd been given the courage to give her talk. She quickly finished and sat down. We were so proud of her, and privileged to have been in the right place at the right time to help her. What a privilege to be part of miracles every day. :)

 

Something interesting about the people here-- since we're so close to Atlanta it's a huge melting pot with tons of Koreans, Indians, Chinese, and even Pakistani/Afghanians, then of course Americans. So sometimes we tract a neighborhood and EVERYBODY is Asian. Or everybody is an American businessman from somewhere else in the states. Or Indian. Or all of it. It's very interesting to see so many people with such different backgrounds! At least I'm confident that I have what they need! :) 

 

All of our investigators were either sick or had to reschedule this week, so we're hoping to teach them all this week. We'll be teaching almost all of them the Plan of Salvation. Their names are Minister Ross, Mike and his wife, James, Fernando, and Chrissy. Keep them in your prayers, and Sister Buhler and I-- so we'll be able to teach them! I'm nervous but I know God will take me through if I'm committed to do my best and bring the Spirit. 

 

I'm starting to fall in love with mission life. It's so focused! On helping people! You don't have to fight for the balance of how much social life, entertainment, media, homework, work, etc to fill your life up with. All that's gone-- you get to just focus on building yourself and others spiritually and becoming a more converted disciple of Jesus Christ. That's something that you keep and develop your whole life, not just on your mission. I love that. This is not an eighteen month deal. This is the introduction to the focus of mortality and the immortality to follow. What a privilege to learn so much, and help others on this journey for just two short years or eighteen months.

 

I had a neat impression this week. It's helped me to overcome feelings of inadequacy or being overwhelmed. It's basically this: It's not about being qualified; it's about being committed. When we feel stressed or overwhelmed, we tend to say, "I'm not good enough for this! Why would God put me here if I don't know what to say or teach?! I don't know what to do or how to do it!" That's the blessing though-- we don't have to know. When we are committed, we approach the daunting path ahead by saying, "I'm not strong enough by myself, Lord. But I know you are, and I'm committed to work as hard as I can to do thy work. Just help me know what to do.", then start working. That is exercising faith, and that is being a successful missionary. Success is measured by your obedience, worthiness, and work ethic. When we're right with God, everything else always falls into place. 

 

Hope you enjoyed Volume IV of The Adventures of Sister Taylor in Georgia. Sorry every week is basically a novel :) 

 

Much love to ya'll!

 

Sister Taylor

--

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."

Mother Theresa

Fwd: Georgia Shmorja

FYI:  All packages/mail sent after Nov. 27 should be sent directly to her address at Sister Christa Taylor 319  Bristol Trce, John's Creek, GA 30097

Date: Mon, Nov 18, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Subject: Georgia Shmorja

There is SO MUCH I would love to write home about today! I filled up six sticky notes of bullet points for stories I wanted to share. But I'm about out of time, so I'll just share a little bit.

One of my highlights was last Friday night, when we ate with the Garcia family. We didn't know what to expect because we didn't have any information on them-- we didn't know if they were an active family, inactive, part member, or what. All we knew was the mother's name and that she had a twelve year old son, and that she had recently gotten married. We showed up, and they were the NICEST family! They're Peruvian. Her husband just came from Peru last month, so he knows hardly any English, but enough to converse with us with small words. They fed us a delicious meal of arroz y pollo, and told us their incredible conversion stories. As part of our dinner message, Sister Buhler and I sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", and they were in tears almost immediately when we began to sing. It was so touching. Their testimonies were so sincere and kind, and I just fell in love with them. They go to the Spanish branch, but they came to our ward yesterday just to hear us sing our musical number. Sister Garcia was emotional when in relief society, she shared that our visit had meant a lot to them, especially since they had not fed the missionaries in almost two years. We felt grateful to have met such a beautiful family.

Other highlights-- last Thursday we had a Sister's Day with all the sisters in the zone and Sister Wolfert. I taught a 20 minute training on hair and makeup. I'm doing some haircuts later today for sisters in my zone. It's nice to be able to use these talents and skills on my mission!

Saturday night we ate with the Dunne family (all members except the father), and I was talking to the thirteen year old Sammy. She is a sweet, smart, happy girl, and I just love her. She was assigned to speak in sacrament meeting the next day, and she was scared to death. Her history of public speaking was not good-- in the primary program, she'd gotten up and just laughed nervously until she cried, then sat down. She was so, so nervous, and speaking in church was going to be a big deal for her. Sister Buhler and I gave her encouragement and hugs, and told her we believed she could do it. In Sacrament Meeting, she stood up there, and didn't speak for almost two minutes. She fidgeted nervously, almost in tears. When she finally spoke, she only said a few words at a time, constantly looking to her mom to rescue her. She got through her whole talk on the power of prayer, and partway through said that our visit had been the answer to her prayer, and she'd been given the courage to give her talk. She quickly finished and sat down. We were so proud of her, and privileged to have been in the right place at the right time to help her. What a privilege to be part of miracles every day. :)

Something interesting about the people here-- since we're so close to Atlanta it's a huge melting pot with tons of Koreans, Indians, Chinese, and even Pakistani/Afghanians, then of course Americans. So sometimes we tract a neighborhood and EVERYBODY is Asian. Or everybody is an American businessman from somewhere else in the states. Or Indian. Or all of it. It's very interesting to see so many people with such different backgrounds! At least I'm confident that I have what they need! :) 

All of our investigators were either sick or had to reschedule this week, so we're hoping to teach them all this week. We'll be teaching almost all of them the Plan of Salvation. Their names are Minister Ross, Mike and his wife, James, Fernando, and Chrissy. Keep them in your prayers, and Sister Buhler and I-- so we'll be able to teach them! I'm nervous but I know God will take me through if I'm committed to do my best and bring the Spirit. 

I'm starting to fall in love with mission life. It's so focused! On helping people! You don't have to fight for the balance of how much social life, entertainment, media, homework, work, etc to fill your life up with. All that's gone-- you get to just focus on building yourself and others spiritually and becoming a more converted disciple of Jesus Christ. That's something that you keep and develop your whole life, not just on your mission. I love that. This is not an eighteen month deal. This is the introduction to the focus of mortality and the immortality to follow. What a privilege to learn so much, and help others on this journey for just two short years or eighteen months.

I had a neat impression this week. It's helped me to overcome feelings of inadequacy or being overwhelmed. It's basically this: It's not about being qualified; it's about being committed. When we feel stressed or overwhelmed, we tend to say, "I'm not good enough for this! Why would God put me here if I don't know what to say or teach?! I don't know what to do or how to do it!" That's the blessing though-- we don't have to know. When we are committed, we approach the daunting path ahead by saying, "I'm not strong enough by myself, Lord. But I know you are, and I'm committed to work as hard as I can to do thy work. Just help me know what to do.", then start working. That is exercising faith, and that is being a successful missionary. Success is measured by your obedience, worthiness, and work ethic. When we're right with God, everything else always falls into place. 

Hope you enjoyed Volume IV of The Adventures of Sister Taylor in Georgia. Sorry every week is basically a novel :) 

Much love to ya'll!

Sister Taylor

Fwd: Georgia On My Mind

Hey all! 

Oh, excuse me. Ya'll. 

It's been such a good week. We've seen miracles and felt God's love and involvement in the work. Here are a few highlights from this week.

In my studies, I read Alma 32:41-43. I realized that while we exercise faith, diligence, patience, and long-suffering---- we often have to put those forward for a long time before we get the rewards of our faith. We must prove to God that we will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to do His will and His work. Long-suffering is a real thing! We must have faith ("have faith" meaning, work as hard as you can, humbly, with or withour results, knowing God is backing you up) that God will work miracles for and through us. We've just got to give 100%. Personally, I am often tempted to give more like 80% or 98%-- I'll allow myself to complain a little, let Sister Buhler make all the phone calls, etc.. little things. But I'm working on being as anxiously involved ALL the time as I can. I want to live each day of my mission as if it were the only day of my mission. This is precious time, and it's not my time. When I remember to think of my mission as a privilege, not a sacrifice, I am more grateful and happy to be here!

Wednesday we had the first lesson with Mike and his wife (we forgot her name! *facepalm*). We weren't sure if it would actually happen since it was set up from a simple contact while tracting-- but we ended up being there for over an hour. They are a wonderful, very Christian couple in their sixties, currently foster parenting three children that their son is going to adopt soon. They shared much of their life story with us, and I sure hope all goes well with them, because they sure seem prepared! He said that he used to drink heavily, and one morning he woke up, and "God told me to stop," he said. So he did. She did the same thing with smoking-- she felt like God didn't want her to smoke anymore, so she stopped. Neither were Christian at first, and both came to commit themselves to Christ in beautiful, individual ways. They pray as a familly every day and have a very real relationship with God. What a wonderful thing to see! 

We shared the first lesson with them (the message of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon), and they listened attentively and asked good questions. They committed to pray about and read the Book of Mormon. I don't know that they're entirely interested in embracing the gospel, but I hope their BoM reading will spark interest there as the Spirit speaks to them. I am praying for progress with their family-- Sister Buhler and I think they would make great Mormons! ;)

Thursday morning, I woke up and found Sister Buhler curled up on the bathroom floor with her pillowpet and blanket. She was really sick. We managed to get to Zone Conference, but we spent the rest of Thursday, all of Friday, and part of Saturday in the apartment. It was a blessing in disguise. She got feeling better pretty quickly, and I was able to do a LOT of organizing, cleaning, and preparation. 

Zone Conference was great!! Very uplifting, inspiring, and educational. Don't have time or I'd say more. But they handed out mail, and I got SEVEN LETTERS plus a birthday treat for turning 20 next month! I felt very spoiled! :)

Saturday our appointment with 19 year old James fell through because he got ringworm fungus, sick sick... but he is reading the Book of Mormon really well and loving it! Hopefully he can come to church this week. 

Sunday was amazing. We tracted on a beautiful road in late afternoon and we were so happy. I had an amazing experience at one house. As we approached the door, the Spirit said, "This is a Presbyterian home. What can you say that a Presbyterian would want to hear?" It was very subtle. We knocked on the door, talked to the man inside who was uninterested, but when we asked what religion he had, my jaw just about dropped to the floor when he said he was Presbyterian. We walked away and I was just about to sing the Hallelujah chorus at the top of my lungs. There is a quote about knowing the Lord is pleased with you when he works through you for the sake of others-- I really felt that. It was an amazing experience!

That night, we went to a less active's home, Laura Miller. The house was dark and we almost didn't knock, but we were so glad we did! We stayed an hour and a half with her, and got to know her quite well. She's in her sixties, married to a non member, and she hasn't been to church or the temple for a few months, I think. She is the sweetest person ever. She's going through a lot of family issues and stress, lots of emotional turmoil. When we talked about church, she said, "I need to be better. I know I need to come back." Dad, I thought of your experience at that moment. It was such a sweet thing. She said she's coming to church on Sunday, we're going to do our best to make sure she's there!

I love my mission. I'm really learning to love it. I'm not sure why God sent me to Georgia, but I'm sure glad He did. 

Much love, 

Sister Christa Taylor

Christa's Snail Mail:

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

1150 Cole Dr SW

Lilburn, GA 30047

Fwd: My week!

Christa's Snail Mail Address for her entire mission:

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

1150 Cole Dr SW
Lilburn, GA 30047

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Subject: My week!
To: Lindy Taylor <lindyjtaylor@gmail.com>

I'm about out of time, but it's been a wonderful week! Here are a few highlights from the week.

HALLOWEEN. The night before halloween was our ward's Fall Festival. It was held at a member's home, and okay. It's basically a palace. Everyone parked on the front lawn (barely took up a fourth of the front yard, or shall I say, front field? palace gardens?) and then walked around back, where a luxurious pool, huge field surrounded by gorgeous trees, and the back view of their ginormous gorgeous house awaited our view. I'm not describing this very poetically, but catch my drift. It was really gorgeous. 

We met a ton of the members, socialized, and even met some non members that had been invited. There was a lot of food and fun to be had! Everyone did dress up, but since we can't really dress up to the nines as missionaries, Sis. Buhler and I were super creative and went as "greenies". We wore matching green outfits and put our "dork dots" (orange dots that mark you as a first day missionary at the MTC) on our tags. People thought it was hilarious. We felt pretty clever.

Halloween night, four companionships of missionaries, us included, went to the stake president's house for a halloween party! We would have had to go home by six, but we got to party and eat LOTS of gourmet food and candy instead. Lucky us ;) We ate, played trivia (Sis. Buhler and I TOTALLY owned. Go us, we are so smart. and humble), and had a ping pong and fuzball tournament. So much fun. 

Missionary work like, I had a humbling experience while we were tracting. A nice, tall black guy invited us in named Harold. We ended up talking to him for about an hour, but we shouldn't have. He was really nice and very open to talk about religion with us, and he had a lot of questions-- but he wasn't prepared. His heart wasn't open. That was fairly obvious, but I overlooked it and while I didn't argue, I tried to answer all of his questions, and not from having my heart in the right place. I wanted to be right, I guess. I realized I was doing this after a few minutes, then I tried to respond purely from love and by the Spirit. The Spirit told me to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and leave, but I didn't. It was a subtle prompting and I didn't realize I had blatantly overlooked it till we left. But I should have been willing to leave earlier and I didn't. That was my bad. We probably could have been more effective somewhere else. Harold was a funny guy, though. My favorite line of his--"You Mormons are like the hip hop of religion. And Joseph Smith is like Jay-Z!" (Worldy reference, JayZ is a famous rapper, not the likes of which you would like much, mom). I found that amusing and somewhat humorous. It's going on my quote wall. ;)

We had some really amazing experiences at dinner appointments with members. The dinner messages we prepared (a scripture and thought, usually) often were exactly what they needed to hear, and the experiences were edifying for all of us. When we're constantly serving as missionaries, it's nice to see the fruits of our labors right away, so to speak. I loved those experiences.

I could share much more but I'm out of time and you're probably done reading! :) It's been a good week. I feel much better about me and my mission. One prompting I had this week-- "You're in the right place doing the right thing. All you have to do is work." I'm trying to take my mission one  day at a time instead of eighteen months at a time. It's helping a lot! The time flies, and I'm beginning to understad the importance of using our time wisely. We don't have much of it.

I love you all so much! I would LOVE a snail mail from you! :)

Love,

Sister Christa Taylor

--

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."

Mother Theresa