Fwd: Doin' fine. (fine, ef-ay-ah-in-ee).

Date: Mon, Mar 31, 2014 at 12:31 PM
Subject: Doin' fine. (fine, ef-ay-ah-in-ee).

Hay y'all!

 

What can ah do ye fer? Ah'm lovin' thee-is cuhntry livin'. Ah weeish ah cood wraht thuh way people tawk day-own here. Ee-iht's ahwesome.

 

I'm breaking this up into sections today to make it easier to read. Sorry so long. I'm a talker, and they sent me to the South, the land of talkers. It's inevitable.

 

The Culture:

I LOVE LIL OLD NORTHERN GEORGIA. This place has got character. The other day we were up in Ball Ground (this middle-of-nowhere old country town where the Cherokee Indians used to live), and ate at Dot's-- a little restaurant that Dot, the owner, has been running for forty six years-- and I don't think much has changed. It was empty except for a table of old people, regulars, in a corner, chatting and watching an old fuzzy TV with VHS's stacked next to it. She had a few pots of whatever she'd cooked up that mornin, and that's what we chose from. She served us chicken n' dumplin's, with orange soda, for two dollars. She had to go to the back to find us a spoon. It was so legit. New definition of homestyle cooking. :)

 

Sister Mac and I were dinnerless, so we went to Waffle House for dinner. I described it last week. It's a little podunk breakfast chain that's everywhere in Georgia. Every person working there came over and talked to us about the church! The first lady was missing several teeth, had an accent thicker than cloth, and accepted a Restoration pamphlet when she saw us reading one. The second was a young man in his 20's with an awesome red moustache and ponytail. He heard us humming a hymn and asked what we were singing. "It's a song about a prophet, have you heard of the church...?" It was an easy lead in. :)  He'd just moved from Minnesota (he was surprised when I was familiar with Sauk Rapids, close to St.Cloud where he was from-- thank you Dickersons!), and is a musician so we were able to relate to him on that. Gotta love Waffle House. :)

 

The Work:

The work this week was a little slow. But we did meet a LOT of people we're going to follow up with this week! Several were in government housing we tracted in. Hopefully we'll have several new investigators soon. Especially in lower income areas, people are pretty nice (nass) whether or not they're interested. 

 

In terms of news, we got transfer calls today!! Transfers are this Wednesday. Sister Macedone is going to a singles ward and I am staying in Canton! My new companion will be Sister Alvey. Sister Macedone trained her. I hear she loves to sing (yay!) and loves dressing up as Disney princesses for parties and events. I'm excited to meet her.

 

The Spirit:

I felt impressed a few days ago to study prayer. I did and was reminded that we pray because God is our Heavenly Father-- He is our Dad!! We should want to talk to Him! Later that day I decided to flip open my Preach my Gospel and see what God wanted to tell me. What did I turn to? The section "Pray Often" in chapter 3. Bam. God speaks to us openly and clearly when we are willing to listen. We are taught to be bold and clear when we testify of the gospel. Why wouldn't God be bold and clear with us? He doesn't make things vague or difficult to understand. He wants us to become as little children; to allow the gospel to operate simply in our lives. The gospel is easy to understand. His answers are clear and simple. Acting on them may be hard, but they come as we are worthy and willing to receive them. If you're having difficulties with prayer or receiving answers, ask yourself-- "Am I willing and worthy to receive answers?" That helps me. Hopefully it will for you too. :) 

 

I'm going to miss my vivavious, generous, bubbly Sister Macedone-- can't wait for more adventures with Sister Alvey! We're going to go bowling now at a ghetto bowling alley. Hopefully the only strikes will be with bowling balls and pins. ;)

 

Much love!

Sister Taylor

Fwd: Happy St. Patty's Day!

She forgot to send this last week- so you're getting two this week!

-Lindy

Hey yall!

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day yal

What an enlightening week of instruction it's been! We were so privileged to have a zone conference with Elder Kopischke of the 70. Something that stood out to me was his definition of bold-- teaching boldly is teaching clearly. I'm understanding how being bold, by that definition, makes me a better teacher. It removes all the flowery, fluffy speech that really isn't contributing to what I say, and replaces it with clear, simple explanations of doctrine and testimony of truth. It's more meaningful and effective.

 

I went on exchange with Sister Moon (one of my sister training leaders) right after zone conference, and that was one of the best exchanges I've been on so far. Sister Moon is an exemplary missionary. She is humble, bold, obedient, focused, optimistic, and kind. She radiates with her testimony and desire to share the gospel. I felt a light kindle in myself; I remembered the brightness of the Spirit that accompanies humble, dedicated missionaries. I haven't been blatantly disobedient or unfocused, but I have not been giving my heart and effort to the work the way I should be. She helped me remember what it means to give one hundred percent of yourself to the Lord. I want to be more like Sister Moon! :)

One of the visits we made on exchange was to a recent convert, Brother Monette. He lives in the back of an old trailer park with a gravel road and patchy grass; he's in his sixties, with a white moustache and missing teeth. But his eyes radiate the light of the gospel. Sitting in lawn chairs outside his trailer, he shared with us his conversion story. Listening to him bear his testimony was inspiring and humbling. The Lord had been preparing his heart with questions and a yearning for truth for years before the sisters knocked on his trailer door, and when they found him, he was ready. There really are people out there who the Lord has prepared to hear the gospel! His humble testimony and eagerness to learn renewed my excitement about the gospel. I want to be more like Brother Monette in my love for the gospel, and I want to be a worthy instrument that the Lord can use to find others like him.

Meanwhile in Canton, Sister Macedone and the other STL found a new investigator in a recent convert's roommate. Poma is in her late forties, and has lived a difficult life ridden with addictions and abuse. Her substance abuse has affected her maturity and mentality, and she hasn't a drop of self esteem. Sister Macedone and I helped her and Jessica (the recent convert) pack boxes to move, and talked with her about God's love and prayer. She has been through so much, I have no idea how to help her or how much she is capable of understanding. But I know Heavenly Father knows her better than I do, so we're just going to do the best we can to help her by teaching her. I love what it says in Preach My Gospel-- "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." That's just as true for Poma as it is for me or anyone else.

Yesterday a high councilman met with Sister Macedone and I to talk over our concerns about the ward. We're struggling because the ward has a hard time reaching out to each other, especially new converts and less active members-- which has created some perceived judging and offense among members. We've felt frustrated because we don't want to bring investigators to a ward in which they won't feel welcome. The high councilman knew exactly what to say. He counseled us to love the members anyway. He told us to be honest in admitting our needs to the ward, and to be obedient and loving. It was humbling, but just what we needed to hear.

Sister Macedone and I performed a musical number in Sacrament Meeting yesterday and it was a real success. I played the piano and Sister Macedone sang-- it brought the Spirit and everyone loved it. We were especially grateful because Sister Macedone was sick and we had only practiced twice. God helps us out when we're trying our best to invite the Spirit. :)

We're looking forward to another great week in Canton. Great things are happening here.

Sister Taylor

Fwd: Cooing Cats, Haircuts, & Accompaniments

A couple more pictures from this week. :)

The one of me with the Book of Mormon was at Waffle House, a dumpy breakfast chain that is EVERYWHERE in the south. Waffle House is to Georgia as LDS Chapels are to Utah Valley. Whether or not they pass inspections is questionable..but the food is delicious and cheap. So I don't ask questions.

Sis. Haymore in the ward made each of us a hat like that. Love members!

On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 2:59 PM, Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hey yall!

I'm starting the Book of Mormon over again this week! Sister Wolfert (my mission president's wife) challenged us to read the Book of Mormon through once and mark every reference to the Savior, and focus on Him while we read. I'd like to extend the same invitation to you. Learning to love the Savior brings blessings and peace into our lives, and I know you'll feel more peace and love as you read with the Savior always in mind. I'm excited to start this challenge!

We started teaching a woman named Brady this week. Regardless of whether or not she progresses as we teach her, she will be one of the most unique people I've met on my mission. She has a blind dog, a cat that coos like a pigeon, and a bearded dragon that eats pasta and marshmellows. She herself has numerous tattoos, formerly did stand up comedy, told us about the evil spirit living in her house, and goes to a "seer" regularly. She's very nice, I have no idea how interested she is though. We also met an 80 year old war veteran that was a former Italian Mafia member. All kinds of cool people here!

We also started meeting with a recent convert of six months, Heather, and her two children who are pretty destitute right now. They're living in a motel and only eat one meal a day, at the pizza joint her husband works at that lets them eat for free. Her daughter, Autumn, is three, and since they can't afford a brush, her hair is matted and tangled so I had difficulty braiding it while we were there. It's sad and eye opening to see what they are living without. But Heather's love and zeal for the gospel is motivating and exemplary. She speaks of her gospel goals as her life goals and wants nothing more but to be involved in the church, continue learning, and help her husband progress towards joining the church. While we were talking with her, she talked about scriptures stories she'd been reading and how compared to what they were going through, how could she worry about anything? I was thinking to myself, how could I worry about anything compared to what she was going through?! It was a humbling experience for me to see someone in her situation valuing the gospel and her family above everything else.

In that motel lobby we met Heather at, we also met Markena-- a woman who said from across the lobby, "Are y'all church people? I can feel the Spirit of the Lord from way over here! Oh, I feel it." We talked to her and she said she wants so badly to be taught the gospel. She wants to give up her addictions and start her life over with her daughter. Sister Macedone said to her, "This is the true church," to which Markena said, "I know it is." We're excited to start working with her!

Saturday night/Sunday we had a miracle. Saturday, we were planning to be home an hour early to prepare to teach Young Women's the next day, and around 7:30 we visited Amanda, an inactive 24 year old member we visit regularly. She looked really stressed when we walked in. She ended up crying and telling us about a lot of hard things going on, and we listened and provided comfort where we could. We were there for an hour and a half...there would be no preparation time for our lesson that night. But as we drove home we knew we'd been where we needed to be, and that God would bless us for that. He did; our lesson went really, really well. The girls opened up and the Spirit was felt. God gave us what we needed when we followed the Spirit.

We (the Ward Choir) performed in Sacrament Meeting (I accompanied), and it went just fine. We're singing Amazing Grace for Easter Sunday, and it's my job to arrange the accompaniment! We talked with the choir director afterwards and got most of it figured out..we'll have two key changes and a few descants, etc. I've just got to play and make it sound pretty. :) I have the chords for the choir to work with. During choir they said, "Sister Taylor can't get transferred before Easter." Someone else piped up, "Sister Taylor can't get transferred EVER!" At least the ward choir loves me. :)

Can't WAIT for General Conference coming up!! Get ready for it!

Love,
Sister Taylor

P.S. Last Monday I cut Sister Moon's hair from long to A-line! It looks really good on her. I'm glad I haven't lost all my hair skills yet. :) Before and after pics included.

--

“You don't blast a heart open," she said. "You coax and nurture it open, like the sun does to a rose.” ― Melody Beattie

Fwd: Scatter Sunshine

From: Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net>

Date: Mon, Mar 10, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Subject: Scatter Sunshine

We had quite the week! I am feeling more and more comfortable with Canton. I feel like I've already been here forever. It's been a much happier experience with miracles scattered along the way.

I just realized, I don't think I told you about Sister Macedone yet! She's from Orem, UT, she's been out ten months, and she's also very musical. She's black and has a beautiful, showy singing voice with all the bells and whistles. We have fun singing together. She's the tenth of FIFTEEN children! Eight are her parents', seven are adopted. She's one of the adopted ones. She's a dancer (she taught African and hip-hop dance before the mish) and very playful, confident, inquisitive, and insightful. She's a great companion! 

This week I was guided in my studies and I found a few articles that were clear messages to me from Heavenly Father. One was an article that caught my eye while casually browsing through the Feb 2009 Ensign one night. It's about a girl my age, who moved to Atlanta (!) to accept a job offer, and how she learned to choose to be happy now instead of pinning her happiness on future events. 

The other article was about reaching your full potential, through serving others and relying on the Lord. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said to not waste joyous moments by anticipating the moment when they will end. I know I was led to find those articles.This is something I feel the Lord has been wanting me to learn-- and I've been happier because of it! I feel more like my sunshiny, bouncy self as I look for the good in the world and scatter sunshine. This morning when I walked in for studies, Sister Mac said "Thanks for the concert," since I'd been singing (rather loudly) "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" in the shower for a good 20 minutes. I'm loving my mission more now that I'm looking for ways to love it.

Friday was a day of miracles. We showed up for an appointment that fell through, but talked to a man fixing his car across the street. He was interested, so we set up a return appointment. As we were talking about the restoration, his friend pulled up, enthusiastically greeted us, and said he'd love to come to church! Later we accidentally locked our keys in the car, but the passenger door was somehow unlocked and we were able to retrieve the keys. 

That night, we were on a dark road and flipped on our brights just in time to see that the road ended thirty feet ahead! We were able to stop just in time before hitting the trees and debris in the way. We also had a "spiritual GPS" experience where we were led directly to a home we felt prompted to knock at. They weren't interested, but we had a good fifteen minute conversation with them and talked  to a few neighbors. We'd set a goal of reaching twenty contacts that day; we finished the day with exactly that amount. We were grateful the Lord let us see His hand in the work so clearly that day.

The Quentin L. Cook meeting on Saturday was wonderful. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to play the organ! It was a treat and a privilege. I loved it. Elder Cook came up while I was playing and gave me a pat on the back and said it was nice to meet me. He was so kind. :) The speakers were very inspired. They talked a lot about how to invite others to Christ while respecting agency, and conversion among members and investigators.

Please keep Sharon in your prayers. She's an investigator who has been very ill recently and it's keeping her from being able to read and study. She's promising and I'm sure that prayers will help her in more ways than one.

I love you all very much! I'd love to hear from you! My mailing address will always be the same:

1150 Cole Dr SW

Lilburn, GA

30047

Much love from the South! 

Sister Christa Taylor

P.S. There was a bamboo forest in my last area. Who knew that South America was in John's Creek, GA? Also found a creepy little circle of stone monkeys...?? Don't ask. Because I don't know.

 

 

Fwd: I met Elder Cox!

I met Lena's grandson, Elder Cox! He came up and introduced himself and said, "I think...we're related..?" I think he was nervous that I was the wrong Sister Taylor :). But we had a great conversation and he's a really great guy! He remembers meeting Rocky in Idaho a few years ago and we talked about the fun jungle trails and the beach behind Aunt Lena's house. I don't know if I'll see him again since he's a visa waiter for Brazil, but I'm glad it worked out that we got to meet each other!

Fwd: Sister Mac and Cheese! I mean, and I.

Fwd: More driving pictures

Fwd: Look who's in the car!

We had a little visitor while we were trying to visit an investigator.

Fwd: Canton: Connections, the KKK, and Meet Larry

From: Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 1:03 PM
Subject: Canton: Connections, the KKK, and Meet Larry
To: Lindy Taylor <lindyjtaylor@gmail.com>

Hey'all!

 

It's happening, I'm becoming a southern girl. Y'all is now officially part of my regular vocabulary. And every once in a while I'm a fixin to do somethin. Just kidding, not that fluent yet. But ahm a workin ohn it. And I hit my five month mark yesterday! The time is flying by. I'll be home in 13 short months.

 

Here's a fun story. One night this last week we were driving to a less active member's home who lives in Waleska, which is a pretty country, po-dunk area. I was driving. Our GPS told us to take a left onto a potholed, bumpy, precarious dirt road. After several minutes of winding down this road, Sister Macedone said, "I really don't remember this road. Our GPS is probably possessed." Right on que, the GPS said, "Turn around when possible." AHH!!! That freaked us out. Alas, the road was small and surrounded by trees and old barbed wire fences, so we had to keep going. Branches were scraping the sides of our car, and soon we heard howling. Oh no. A pair of yellow eyes appeared right outside my car door and barked loudly at the car, chasing us. It was not a wolf, thank heavens, but a big brown lab. I sped up to outrun him, getting tossed every which way as we hit potholes right and left. Soon we passed some old trailers, with equipment and cars outside. Sister Macedone commented that it was probably the KKK's headquarters. Not funny. (We later found out a preacher lived there. Quite different from the KKK.) Just then, a GATE came out of nowhere, blocking our path! We managed to turn around and eventually free ourselves from the path of endless woe. It was a left, by the way, to get onto that dirt road. Don't choose the left. Choose the right. It wasn't as life threatening as it felt, but it was quite the adventure!

 

I made an amazing connection at a dinner appointment last week! I met a ward member that served with my grandpa in Finland on her mission!!! She said she'd served a mission in Finland, and I mentioned in passing that my grandpa had served there as well. "That'd be Elder Taylor," I said, passing something on the table. She looked at me and said, "What was his first name?"
"Rocky," I said.
Her eyes got big. "Rocky Zane Taylor?!"
"Yes!!"
     We couldn't believe it! She said she got goosebumps all over just remembering Elder Taylor. She told me about how he was her zone leader, a very good missionary, and had taught her and other missionaries how to make tabs out of paper-punch-circles from undeveloped film strips to help mark verses in the bible by topic.  It was definitely a tender mercy that God helped us meet and make that connection. There are no coincidences with the Lord.

 

I've had several opportunities to use my musical talents here! Quentin L. Cook, an Apostle, is coming to speak to the Georgia Atlanta and Atlanta North Missions this Saturday, and President Wolfert called me a few days ago and asked me to be the organist for the meeting! I've also become the ward choir pianist, and I'm singing with a few other sisters for a musical number at Zone Conference next week (Elder Kopischke of the Seventy will be there). I'm also a substitute organist for the ward. It feels good to sit at the bench and tickle the ivory now and again.

 

Honesty is the best policy. We played uno after dinner with a member family one night, and I was the only one who played clean. I won three times. (I'm not typically a regular winner in card games.) I think God was trying to tell them something. ;) Of course it was all in good fun, but you get some extra heavenly help when you're honest, even in card games. :)

 

We have lots of opportunities to do service here. There are so, so many members struggling with pretty serious tragedies and trials in our ward, and it's a lot to take in. The members are pretty open with us about what they're going through, and we're trying to find our role in helping them. Please pray for the people here. They need to love and be loved. They're good people and once the ward's situation is a little more stable, they are just firecrackers of missionary work waiting to happen. I'm excited to be a part of it here, whether or not the fruits of our efforts comes while I'm here.

 

Please pray for Lorra, Kimberly, Sharon, and Dorothy. They all have very different needs but we're excited to keep teaching them the gospel.

 

I love you all so much. The Church is true. If you're wondering what you can do to be a missionary, then pray for opportunities to serve and open your mouth, read and study your scriptures, serve and love your family, and do your home/visiting teaching. It matters so much that every person is watched out for and cared for. I have gained a greater appreciation and testimony of the importance and significance of visiting teaching. God asks us to do it for a reason.

 

1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do as the Lord has commanded; for I know the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them, that they may accomplish the thing which He hath commanded them." The Lord always provides a way.

 

Love,

Sister Taylor

 

P.S. Meet Larry the Lizard. Isn't he cute?

 

 

Fwd:

From: Christa Taylor <christa.taylor@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 11:58 AM

Grandma and Grandpa Taylor,

 

Thanks for the email! I'm thinking of and praying for you too. It's hard here, but it's getting better and better. I'm having grand adventures here in Canton.

 

I actually had an AMAZING experience last week about you, Grandpa!!!

 

Guess what?! I had dinner with a ward member last week that served with you in Finland on her mission!!! Her name is Eva Roubicek. She's was born in the Czech Republic. I couldn't BELIEVE that we found that connection. She said she'd served a mission in Finland, and I mentioned in passing that my grandpa had served there as well. "That'd be Elder Taylor," I said, passing the butter. She looked at me and said, "What was his first name?"

"Rocky," I said.

Her eyes got big. "Rocky Zane Taylor?!"

"Yes!!"

     We couldn't believe it! She said she got goosebumps all over just remembering Elder Taylor. She told me about how you were her zone leader and a very good missionary. She went to her bedroom and brought out the same Bible she'd used on her mission, and you had taught her and other missionaries how to make tabs out of paper-punch-circles from undeveloped film strips to help mark verses by topic. I knew it was you when she showed me that-- I don't know many other people as creative and resourceful as you. She said you might remember her companion better, Sister Nielson.

     What an amazing experience! What are the odds that I, your granddaughter, would meet a missionary you knew on your mission, while on my mission in Georgia, and that that connection would come up in conversation? I know it wasn't coincidence. I made sure we got a picture together and I've attached it. I'm sure she looks different now than she did when you served together, but I thought you may appreciate it. Let me know if you remember her and I'll be sure to pass on the greeting.

 

I sure love you and I'm so grateful to have such stellar grandparents! I want to come up and spend some time with you, a weekend or something, when I get home. A mission sure helps you appreciate and love your family more.

 

Love you and hope to hear from you soon!

 

Sister Christa Taylor

 

On Fri, Feb 28, 2014 at 1:36 PM, Rocky Taylor <rocky.valoy@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Sister Taylor,

Just writing to say hello and let you know we're thinking of you and praying for you.  Hope things are going well there as you continue to become acquainted with the new ward, area and companion.  If the ward needs more love, you are just the person to help with that!

We love you and are proud of you!

G & G Taylor

--

“You don't blast a heart open," she said. "You coax and nurture it open, like the sun does to a rose.” ― Melody Beattie