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
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