Fwd: Mirrors, One in Four, and Mountains to Climb

Date: Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 11:48 AM

Subject: Mirrors, One in Four, and Mountains to Climb

All Yall,

So guess what? Miracles happen! Here's a neat one we found last night while looking at last week's numbers. 

Because of meetings and an abundance of appointments, we only had 6 tracting hours and 28 contacts this week. But of those 28 contacts, 7 became new investigators! That means one in four people we talked to became new investigators!! Last week we averaged about one in forty becoming new investigators, with 76 contacts and 2 new investigators. I see that as an example of the Lord's generosity, and a testimony that he can place as many people in our path as He pleases. Last week required much endurance; this week, we reaped the blessings of it through finding.

Training Sister Hawkins has been a joy, with ups and downs, of course. I feel like a parent watching their kid get a shot; it's uncomfortable, painful, feels lots longer than it should be, and I can remember going through the same thing. But I can't do anything to lessen the pain. I just know it does get better if you hang in there. Missionary work is a difficult adjustment, and she's felt discouraged, inadequate, and the temptation to just quit. But she received a Priesthood blessing yesterday that gave her comfort and reassurance, and she seems much more at peace. She is a gifted teacher, real, sincere, and works hard. She amazes me! There are rocky points ahead, but along with the difficult climb, an incredible view. We are so blessed, and the low points just make the high ones that much better.

Another miracle! On Wednesday, we invited Jeff & Georgina to be baptized-- and they said yes! They are on date for September 27th. They hit it off with a member that came, Sister Giggey, and we're hoping to have dinner with them in the Giggey's home this weekend. They were a little intimidating to teach because they were a little hard to read; but Georgina told Sister Giggey that she's missed the peace we bring to her home, and that she'd told her mom over the phone how excited she was to keep meeting with us.

One high point during the lesson was when we taught that Christ's Church has been restored after centuries of being lost. I described Christ's gospel like a mirror. When Christ formed his church, it was perfectly organized and in place, with the complete gospel, like a complete mirror. After Christ left the earth and His apostles were killed, the people were wicked and didn't want the gospel anymore, so God took the power to lead God's church off the earth; the mirror shattered. 

For centuries, people scrambled to gather as many pieces of the shattered mirror, or truth, as they could find. Some pieces were lost, some people had more pieces than others, and some were wicked and deceitful and really didn't have any of the pieces. Basically, that perfect mirror could never be put back together again perfectly, with the same flawless reflection as when Christ originally formed his Church. That's why a restoration (complete renewal), not a reformation (putting the pieces back together) of Christ's Church, was needed. And that's why God called Joseph Smith, at a young age, to be a prophet-- to be an instrument in bringing Christ's Church back. When we asked Jeff and Georgina what they thought of Joseph Smith's story, Jeff said, "It looks like the mirror got put back together again." Yes! He got it! I felt the Spirit strongly while we taught this lesson, and I look forward to seeing their happiness increase as they learn more about living Christ's gospel.  

The Foster family (several teens) seem to be at a standstill. They love the gospel, when they read they love it, but they have a hard time keeping commitments. I'm striving to be patient with their progress; I need to walk with them instead of trying to pull them along. Shaqkeem just came up to me here at the library and told me how his glasses (fashion function only) demand respect from all who beheld him. I love that family. :D

We had an adorable encounter with some neighborhood kids. One night we were going door to door and met a couple 5th grade girls on bikes. A few minutes later, three barefoot little boys came dashing down the street yelling for us to stop. "We heard you were saying something about Jesus!" they panted. When we told them about the history of the Book of Mormon, one boy said, "Man, I wish I could have that book." We said they could have a copy under the condition that they promise to read it, and they eagerly nodded their heads in agreement, as though it were buckets of candy at stake. After sealing their promise with a pinky swear, they ran off excitedly holding their Book of Mormon. I don't know if their parents will call, but it was a sweet seed planted.

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Taylor

Fwd: Loving Greenies, Teaching Africans, Converting Nations

Date: Tue, Aug 19, 2014 at 11:47 AM

Subject: Fwd: Loving Greenies, Teaching Africans, Converting Nations

Date: Mon, Aug 18, 2014 at 12:12 PM

Subject: Loving Greenies, Teaching Africans, Converting Nations

Hey YALL!!

I am becoming stronger every day. For example, the other day I squished a spider. With my FIST. Yeah. Anyone who knows my arachnophobic tendencies at home should be really proud of me. 

 

This week definitely pushed me. There were a few days I felt like I just couldn't keep walking. It was difficult, but I can feel myself stretching and growing, and I love the work. It seems such an oxymoron, to feel zeal and excitement for something so difficult and often frustrating! But I know the Lord is directing the work, and the people here are prepared and progressing. 

Sis. Hawkins is a real trooper. The stress of adjusting to missionary life is really hard. I know I can't fix everything for her but I'm trying to find little ways to encourage her and help the sunshine shine through. She is a hard worker she's always offering to help with dishes after dinner and doing the little things so I won't have to. I think I'll keep her. :)

The other night, we were so, so tired and completely exhausted. The week had run us dry. It was good bonding time though. We laughed about things that should not have been remotely comedic. Like the green traffic light on the way home. Simply hilarious. ("Conosco esta el verde luz, es verdad." #missionaryjokes) I'm glad we get along so well. 

We're teaching an awesome guy named Edwin, an African man in his 30's. We taught him about the Plan of Salvation-- where we came from, why we are here, and where we're going. When we told him we receive our bodies back in perfect condition in the resurrection, his eyes bulged and he said, "Ah you fo real?! You jokin me!! Ah you fo fake?!?" Best reaction to truth ever. He said he would be baptized and pick a date if he received an answer from God that our message is true. We are hoping to have him on date for baptism on Wednesday or by the end of this week.

I probably felt the Spirit the most powerfully this week when we visited Shannon. Shannon, age 25, is the daughter of an active family, and in the last month she's had a complete turn-around and is changing her life to come back to church after ten years of complete inactivity. We sat down, and since her parents had arranged for us to meet, I didn't know how open Shannon would be with us. But I asked her what made her decide to come back to the church, and she unfolded much of her journey over the last few months, including drugs, jail, people entering her life that helped her find God again, the kindness of her parents in letting her come home, and a new-found understanding and gratitude for the Savior and His Atonement. Sis. Hawkins has a great ability to love people, and was especially able to help her feel not alone in her struggles. The Spirit helped me see the beauty and value in a lost lamb, and the incredible love Heavenly Father has for each of His children, no matter how much they stray. 

Jeff & Georgina canceled two appointments last week, but they are looking forward to a lesson with us Wednesday and said they'd come to the ward picnic afterwards! Keo, who was formerly on date, committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know which church is true. Great things are happening here with all our investigators. Please pray for Jeff & Georgina, Edwin, Keo, Jeremiah, Julie, and Theresa. They could really use it.

Stay nice and dry when the sun is high!

Sister Taylor

*some names changed 

P.S. Me with my Shaq's!

Green meal, in honor of Sister Hawkins' greeniehood

zipper spiders (body the size of a quarter, spread out the size of your palm, easily). gross.

Fwd: Bright Yellow Labels, Zipper Spiders, and Sister Hawkins

Date: Mon, Aug 11, 2014 at 1:59 PM

Subject: Bright Yellow Labels, Zipper Spiders, and Sister Hawkins
To: Lindy Taylor <lindyjtaylor@gmail.com>

Family and Friends and All Y'all,

First things first! The mail policy changed, so now mail is to be sent to me directly. Mail me at this address:

Sister Christa Taylor

1245 Britain Dr

Lawrenceville, GA

30046

This week was exciting because it was my first week of training a new missionary. In the week before transfers, I was really struggling. I doubted my capability to run the area, let alone to train. I finally asked for a priesthood blessing Tuesday night, and it has made ALL the difference. It wasn't terribly specific, but it did specifically mention soundness of mind; and from that moment on, soundness of mind has been my saving grace. My fears and anxieties melted into collected calm, and a gentle confidence in my task has been with me since then.

I prayed for several days that I would have great love for my trainee. The moment I met Sister Hawkins, I felt filled with joy and love for her. I know Heavenly Father answered my prayer. 

Sister Hawkins is wonderful. She's from Logan, UT and though more quiet and introverted, she's fun and talkative with me and we get along splendidly. Of course it's a huge adjustment to the mission field, and she's going through the same feelings that I, and probably every missionary, had when new to the field. It's hard. We're always tired. It's awkward and uncomfortable to tract. Talking to everyone is intimidating. Lessons fall through. Investigators bail appointments. There are more religions and cultures out there than you can count, and suddenly your gospel knowledge feels like the size of a pea. You feel inadequate and completely unequipped to teach the gospel. You start to wonder if you really want to do this for 18 months, when it would be easier to simply go home. Sister Hawkins has been open with me about all of these concerns, and I don't know how much help I've been, but I tell her I've felt all that before and that it gets better and easier, and I try to encourage her in every aspect of the work. She is wonderful, and I only hope I'm doing my part to help this incredible missionary start her mission on the right foot.

We did see some awesome miracles this week! Here are some key experiences:

** FIVE investigators, all women, were at church on sunday! Two were ours, Julie (a referral we hadn't met yet) and she brought her friend Theresa with her. The investigator sunday school class was packed with recent converts and investigators. Theresa had lots of questions about the Book of Mormon and the temple, and I was able to answer them for her. We'll be teaching them later this week. 

** While tracting, we met this black 30 year-old man named Mike, he's a truck driver. We asked what he knew about the Mormons and he went wayy off with some crazy false stories about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He wasn't being mean, he was just repeating what he had heard. But then, he also talked about how humans are close genetically to apes, the ancient Egyptians might have had lightbulbs and electricity, and all kinds of random things. I got the impression that he just had no idea what to believe. I said, "Do you believe that there is a God?" When it came down to it, he didn't know. Sister Hawkins bore a beautiful testimony on how she had been confused about what was true, too-- but she came to know that there was a loving God and that the Church was true when she read and prayed about the Book of Mormon. It was perfect and brought the Spirit, and his whole demeanor changed. You could tell he'd felt the Spirit. So we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon, and he said he would read it. It makes me so grateful for what I believe. It helps me so much to know that all truth comes from God, and that He will help us discern what is true and what is not.

** We went up to this run down house door that had a sign that said this on it: "Police, some guy is coming to cut the lawn, please don't leave a citation." Umm....so we didn't knock that door. It was super funny though because we have no idea what it meant!

** We saw a zipper spider yesterday. They make webs that are thick enough to wad up into a softball or even a soccer ball, and they are HUGE. It would fill up the palm of your hand, and it's body was the size of a penny. BIG GUY. I'll try to send a picture next time. 

***MIRACLE OF THE WEEK***

Yesterday, on Sunday evening, we were tracting on a street we had just felt good about on the map-- nothing too special, no crazy strong impressions to go there. But at one door, Sister Hawkins said "Look down!" There, on the rug on the front porch, was a bright yellow label that said "PROPERTY OF JULIE *JOHNSON"-- the new investigator we had met at church that day!! A voice from inside said, "Come on in," so we did, and sure enough, it was Julie! God led us straight to her home, and she needed us. She has a lot of mental instabilities and is bipolar with a past (and present) of addictions and difficulty. She started crying and was really struggling. We encouraged her, shared a strengthening scripture, and sang "I am a Child of God" to her. She cried as we sang, and the Spirit was present. She asked if she could sing for us, and sang "Amazing Grace". It was so sweet to see someone just learning about the Atonement reach out to the Savior with a humble song of gratitude for His love. It was an incredible miracle.

Investigator-wise, we've had several bail on appointments this week, which has been frustrating. However, we've been blessed with three new individual investigators. God is still working miracles, and I dearly hope that our precious families don't drop us. Please keep these people in your prayers:

Shaqkeem, Shaquill, Amber, Prophett, Kedra, Teamo (especially 1st two, that they'll continue progressing towards baptism)

Jeff & Georgina (that they'll feel comfortable meeting with us again and make friends with the Giggey family, who is fellowshipping them)

Victor (my first baptism from John's Creek-- his membership is straining his marriage and he needs prayers)

Keo & family (that they will meet with us and be able to progress towards baptism as a family)

Sister Hawkins (my trainee, that she will feel loved and that I'll be able to help her the way I'm supposed to)

Thanks, and I love you all SO much. Keep praying for me and look for the missionary opportunities around you!

Love,

Sister Taylor

*changed names :)

Fwd: Crawdads, Fantastic Five, and Pregnancy Brain

Date: Mon, Aug 4, 2014 at 10:44 AM

Subject: Crawdads, Fantastic Five, and Pregnancy Brain
To: Lindy Taylor <lindyjtaylor@gmail.com>

All Yall,

So this week, I've been a little out of it. 

Exhibit A: While I was driving and we were waiting at a red light, I closed my eyes and told Sister Hjorth to tell me when the light turned blue. 

Exhibit B: Yesterday before we tracted, I asked Sister Hjorth if she'd grabbed the moon out of the car (I meant phone....). 

Exhibit C: I've had emotional highs and lows and random cravings. Does that sound like pregnancy brain to you?

....I'm TRAINING!!!

(In missionary lingo, you're "pregnant" if you're going to be training a brand new missionary, and for sisters the missionary you train is your daughter and you're their mom.) Sister Hjorth is uncannily good at guessing transfers, so I actually wasn't very surprised because Sister Hjorth has been telling me all transfer that I would be training. So I am! 

I am incredibly nervous and chalk full of inadequacies.,,,but it's apparently normal to be this nervous for a first time trainer ;).  I don't want to lose the confidence I've gained over the last 10 months, but I do want to be humble so I can teach and lead by the Spirit. I'm really looking forward to meeting the new sister and getting her started on the best eighteen months ever. 

So I got brave again with Southern foods. I ate a crawdad! They're like mini-lobsters-- they're soaked in Creole seasoning and served whole. You break off the tail, peel out the meat (like shrimp)-- then you suck the gut juice out of the other half. It tasted like Creole seasoning which I like, so it was actually pretty good! 

We did have kind of a sad experience. We met an awesome lady, Nelly, a mom in her mid-thirties, who seemed interested and let us come back. We taught her about how the gospel blesses families and how Christ's church was brought back to the earth. She agreed to meet with us again and read the Book of Mormon. She texted us a few days later, canceled the appointment, and said we could come pick up the book. We were so sad, especially because her story and background made now seem like the perfect time for her family to grow in the gospel. We'll pray for her and she'll have more opportunities to listen when the time is right. 

Our fantastic five, the Fosters, were out of town this weekend and didn't come to church, but we should be seeing them several times this week. But early last week, we had an awesome review lesson. Mostly because, did we teach it? No...Shaqkeem taught pretty much the whole thing. Elder Foster-- I mean, Shaqkeem-- is amazing! He better be a missionary someday, because he has a gift for it. Using the paper labels we used to teach them, he taught his siblings and neighbor kids, in detail, each step of the Plan of Salvation. He invited them to ask questions, which opened a great discussion on the Resurrection and why we are here. All the siblings are progressing differently, so I'm trying to go at the paces they need. We're taking it one day at a time and following the Spirit. Hopefully several of them will have a baptism date by the end of this week.

We had a great lesson with Jeff and Georgina, the Baptist/Catholic couple we're teaching. The member that came with us had a Baptist/Catholic background, which was perfect!! You can tell they're looking for answers, and they're curious about our message. I know they'll feel the truth and love of God as they read the Book of Mormon. It always rings true to me, even if the messages are subtle. Several members have volunteered to have them over for dinner this week, which would be awesome to help them feel loved and involved. In the works!

Keo and Jane are still slow-moving, but we got to talk to Keo's wife Pong again last night, which is a miracle and progress!! I really hope we can start working with Pong. Our number one goal is to friendship Pong and help Keo build his testimony. He readily accepts doctrine, but he doesn't have a testimony yet. God has special plans for that family.

I've really loved this transfer with Sister Hjorth, and I'm sad to see her go. We played car games, uno tournaments almost every night, rapped and beatboxed and sang back and forth together, and just had fun while we worked hard. I'll miss her. :)

Love, your favorite peach,
Sister Taylor

P.S. Some pics from Stone Mountain hike last week. :)