Fwd: It's Raining Pollen and Miracles!

Date: Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 12:25 PM
Subject: It's Raining Pollen and Miracles!

Hey y'all!

 

It's raining pollen and miracles! Get ready to hear about some crazy miracles going on here in Canton.

 

First, the pollen. Every spring, because of all the trees, there are HUGE amounts of pollen in the air that create yellow-green layers of dust on cars, streets, even your shoes and clothes. It looks like Tinkerbell and her friends went crazy on pixie dust. It also is awful if you're allergic to it. I'm usually fine but have occasional bouts of ridiculous allergies. It's a pretty interesting phenomenon. I'll send pictures next week.

 

Oh my goodness. I am so blessed to have Sister Alvey. To be brief, let me tell you a little about her:

1) She's from Layton, UT

2) She's a Disney princess and actress. She worked for theatrical companies/Disney at balls, birthday parties, and events as Mereda (from Brave), Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, Cinderella, Ariel, Dora the Explorer, Barbie, and more. She's grown up on the stage, and her favorite role so far was Havala in Fiddler on the Roof.

3) She is a Disney fanatic. (Kind of a given, see #2). Calendars, mugs, stuffed figures, pj's, you name it. It's Disney.

4) She is a funny girl. Who needs movies when you can listen to Sister Alvey talk?

5) She got to help three friends get baptized before her mission.

 

Spiritually, too, Sister Alvey is on top of it. God knew I had a lot to learn when He put us together. She has several of the strengths I want but don't have yet. She has clarity in her teaching, understands our investigator's needs, has a solid understanding of the doctrine and knows how to defend it, and she lives the gospel because she knows it works and it's real. She is an incredible missionary. She just hit her nine month mark this week-- she'll be glowing by the time her 18 months are up! I know I won't ever be Sister Alvey, but Sister Alvey is sure helping me to become the best Sister Taylor I can be.

That, and I feel like I've accomplished more in 1.5 weeks than I did all last transfer. Referrals, contacts, investigators, and progression with investigators are coming out of nowhere-- and that was done in half the time we normally have to proselyte because of meetings every day this week! We also have a new ward mission leader and every missionary in the ward has been here six weeks or less. It's a fresh start and miracles are happening every day in Canton. We're on fire.

OH THERE IS ONE HUGE MIRACLE I FORGOT TO TELL YOU

 

Remember my investigator, Victor, in my last area that I talked about? He got BAPTIZED last month!! YAY!! I was transferred a few weeks prior so I couldn't attend the baptism, but Sis.Alvey says he still totally counts as one of my converts.

 

AAAAAAANDDDD

 

Because I taught him, I got to go with all the other missionaries that baptized last month to the TEMPLE on Thursday!!! It was a picture perfect morning; could not have been any better. I left feeling like my cup was filled. It was an unexpected blessing and privilege to go. The Atlanta Temple is beautiful.

 

We have one investigator on date, Poma. She's lived a life full of drugs and dark places. Sister Alvey has lots of experience working with people in her situation so she's been key to helping Poma. Poma has a baptismal calendar to help her move toward baptism, and is excited to start reading the illustrated version of the Book of Mormon, since the real one is too difficult for her right now. It's definitely stretching my faith because I have a hard time seeing Poma change so much in so short a time. But it's up to me to teach and facilitate a spiritual environment, and up to her to change. I'll do my part.

 

We have another investigator, Rachel, in her 70's, and her daughter is a recent convert of 15 months. Rachel is as golden as they come! She literally asked us, "What can I do to prepare to be baptized?" We're going to start teaching her the lessons this week. We just have one itty bitty problem. She has many health issues, including a recently amputated toe and foot infection, which can't be submerged underwater.

 

........

What do you do if your investigator can't go underwater?!?  

 

They didn't teach me that in the MTC.....Well, we're going to pray, teach her, set a date, walk her to the font, and watch the Lord work. If the Lord wants her to be baptized, we know she will be. :)

 

Oh gosh, as I type miracles are happening! About a month ago we met a man, Eugene, on the side of the road briefly who seemed interested in coming to church, but we didn't get any contact info. He just walked into the library and sat down next to me, here as we speak! He was surprised I remembered his name, accepted an invitation to get a church tour, and when I gave him a Mormon.org card he said, "I'm gonna look it up right now!" So he browsed Mormon.org while I sat here typing up about miracles. Wow.

 

P.S. to above miracle, next to him sat another potential we met in the gas station a few weeks ago. AND a lady we met at a bus stop. Okay, okay. Fine. I guuueeesss we could squeeze in a couple more investigators.

I feel like Tevye, and all my rich man dreams are coming true! The Lord is blessing us immensely with work to do as we are obedient and seek to work. The work comes as we are obedient and faithful. I wish I could internalize that more for myself!

Oh, and I jumped between Sister Alvey and an attacking chihuahua. She's allergic to dogs. That's comp unity for ya.

Have a wonderful week!
Sister Taylor

 

P.S. A member in the ward painted the Mt. Timpanogos temple for me with whatever season and sky I wanted!! It's in the fall with a blue sky. I'll take a picture and send it next week. :)

 

Pictures in front of the Atlanta Temple. :)

 

--

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