Week 14 - Kuna 09/09/13

Hello Family!

I'm doing very well!  I love my new companion, Sister Stevens, she has the most wonderful testimony and we have a lot of fun together.

We were invited to Brother & Sister Rogers' home to teach two young women (their employees).  They accepted our invitation to be baptized and have set a baptismal date of October 5th.  The Rogers are an amazing family, I've come to really love them.  We have also been teaching another individual who also accepted our baptismal invitation but he has yet to set a date.  So, all in all, we've had a really good week.

We've had spaghetti casserole four days in a row, and although we're so thankful for the dinners the members prepare for us, I hope I don't have to eat spaghetti casserole for a very long time.  We did get to go to a Mongolian grill last week, with Shari and her family, which was absolutely delicious.   I had lots of leftovers that have been my lunch for the past few days.  It gets better and better everyday because the sauces have more time to seep into the food, Yum!

Stake Conference was this past Sunday and it was focused on missionary work!  The leaders are encouraging the members in the area to focus on missionary work and we are seeing the fruits from their efforts in the many referrals we have received.  Now the problem is just keeping up with them all! What a great problem to have, eh?!

The weather here has actually been pretty nice.  It's been mostly in the 70's and 80's, a nice change from the 90's and lower 100's!!!  There was a really awesome storm the other day, it hailed and flooded like crazy.  Luckily, we had stopped back at home to pick some things up so we were safe in our room before the tempest started.  As soon as it ended we hopped back in our car and went out teaching!

Unfortunately I can't find my camera, I have no idea where it could be.  I'll have to figure something out so I don't miss too many photo ops.  In other words, I won't have any photos for mom to add to my blog.

Alright, my time is up on the computer.  I love all of you so much!  You are such a wonderful example to me, and I am so grateful for that.

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Email dated September 6, 2013

Dear Brother & Sister Taylor,

We just wanted to tell you what a wonderful daughter you have serving here in Kuna, Idaho.  We had Sister Taylor and Sister Stevens in our home this evening to teach two of our employees.  She is an incredible missionary!  Thank's for sharing her with us here in Idaho!

Sincerely,

Brother & Sister "R"

Week 13 - Kuna 09/02/13

Hello Family!

To celebrate Labor Day I am laboring.....IN KUNA! I got to stay here and Sister Nick was transfered to Emmett. She left early, early, early this morning! I am quite tired to say the least. And I have a new Companion, Sister Stephens! She has only been serving for six weeks so I’ll be finishing her training! So now I am the Senior companion, Which is a TON of responsibility. It's really awesome to know that President Cannon trusts me enough to be the leader of the Kuna area! Not many people get to train after only two transfers! Thankfully, Sister Stephens is so nice and ready to get to work, which is a good thing because we have lot of appointments already scheduled this week! 

Mud volleyball was so much fun! It was a ward party for the Kuna 5th ward, and man was it hilarious!  We told one person that we were planning on playing mud volleyball. We went to change into our non pros (no proselyting clothing) and when we got back we found all of the kids impatiently waiting for us so they could start the game. Word sure travels fast! We gained many new fans that night. Now everyone wants us over for dinner, YAY!  Everyone had such a fun time! I am so glad to be staying here in Kuna. I love the people here SO MUCH!

Another funny story, yesterday at the end of the 4th Ward Sacrament Meeting, a Sister came up to us and asked, "Which one of you is Sister Lindsay Taylor?" And of course I was really surprised because I had no idea who she was or how she knew my first name because it’s not printed on my tag. Anyway, I told her it was me and she said "I'm Sister O'Brien! You went to college with my son Jacob. He told me I had to make sure I found you and said hello!" Jacob was one of Coriannes best friends and he would come over to the apartment all of the time. Isn't that so cool? I feel like I know everyone here! 

I've enjoyed reading the hymns and the scriptures that go with each one. This past Sunday, while going through the hymnbook. I looked in the front of the book and there is a  message from the First Presidency. From the “Music in Our Personal Lives” section it reads, “We encourage you to memorize your favorite hymns and study the scriptures that relate to them." I just thought the whole preface they put in the hymnbook was really cool.  Love me some Hymns!

I love you all so much and hope you are having a good week! You are always in my prayers! 

Love,

Lindsay, aka, "Sister Taylor"

P.S. Sorry I don't have any pictures for you this week! Things just got really crazy with transfers and packing and I forgot to put my camera in my bag! So now you will have lots of pictures next week!

A special thanks to the members that sent the following photos of our muddy missionary!

Mud Volleyball with Kuna 5th Ward!

Sister Taylor and Sister Nicholaison

Fun, but gross!

Last Sunday together for Sister Nicholaison and Sister Taylor before transfers

Week 12 - Kuna 08/26/13 and More Kind Word from Kuna

Hello Family!

It’s finally my turn to be the designated driver of our companionship! It's really different driving here and having to share the roads with some of the biggest tractors I’ve ever seen.  Most houses are built right off the roads where cars regularly travel at 50 miles per hour.  I always worry when I see children playing in their front yards so close to the road, yikes!  Despite the challenges of having to share the road with farm equipment, It’s fun to be driving again!  

I definitely think that Blake’s mom will be baptized someday. She’s reading through the Book of Mormon right now, so hopefully she is in a place where the spirit can bear witness to her the truthfulness of the gospel! 

Transfers are this coming week! We find out on Saturday where everyone is going (or staying). On Transfer day, a family in one of the Elder’s areas has the district missionaries over for a big breakfast and together we listen to the calls there. She’s Russian and cooks really good food and tons of it! They are the Huberts and I love them so much! I think that I’m staying and that Sister Nick is leaving, but she thinks the opposite, so who knows! I do have a feeling that I’ll be training, that would be so awesome! I think our area is going to be split because we’ve had so much growth over the past several months. Plus we’re expecting so many new missionaries to join the Nampa mission this transfer, it just makes sense to split what we have now and create several new areas to accommodate the growth.  Exciting stuff!!

This week we got to play mud volleyball with one of our wards! 

Oh and Shari is getting baptized! On the 7th of September! 

I have to go now but I love all of you so much! have a wonderful week!

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Letter dated August 11, 2013

Brother & Sister Taylor & Family,

My name is Dwayne Millward, and I am the Bishop of the Kuna 4th Ward, where your daughter is currently serving with Sister Nicholaison.  Several weeks ago I had asked this wonderful companionship to speak in our ward sacrament meeting.  While your daughter spoke, I felt that I should write to tell you how much we appreciate having her in this area.

Sister Taylor is an absolute delight, she is bright, bubbling with her love of the Savior, she is not overbearing, but works so hard with our ward members in helping them fulfill their responsibilities to be good member missionaries and examples.  How blessed we are to have such a wonderful Sister to serve in our ward.  I just wanted you to know that we appreciate the sacrifice that she and you are making to have her out here serving the Lord, and that her testimony and love of the Savior and the Gospel radiates from her.  You must be very proud of parenting such a beautiful daughter of God.  Thank you for sharing her with us and for teaching her so well.  I hope that my own daughter, who is now 13 years old, will stand as a witness of the Savior so well as your daughter does now.  Every assignment to visit part member, less active, non-member, or even members who are going through particular challenges has always been met with a positive radiant attitude.

For additional insight regarding our ward, we are 354 members with an activity rate of 60%.  Our Young Men and Young Women are stalwarts!  They just had a group Book of Mormon reading challenge where they completed it in 36 hours.  I believe your daughter participated in some of that activity as we had guest speakers and role playing for some of it.  We have recently been challenged by our Stake President to increase our missionary labors to keep your daughter and the other missionaries in this area anxiously engaged.  We held a special fast in August and already I can see the members concentrating their efforts to be more faithful, and of petitioning the Lord to find out who is ready so that they can open their mouths and share with them the good news of the Gospel.

Well, I just hope you realize that we appreciate your daughter choosing to serve, and to do so, so faithfully.  May God support and edify you as you continue to support her.

Sincerely,

Bishop Millward



Email dated July 31, 2013

Hi Sister Taylor!

Our family had the sister missionaries over for dinner tonight.  Your daughter is a great missionaries - she's so personable and seems to really enjoy teaching the gospel.  This is the second time we've had her over and we really enjoy her sweet personality!!

Have a great day, and thanks for sharing your daughter with us temporarily!

Sister "B"

A note from home:

We're so thankful to have been blessed with such an endearing daughter who has always been a steadfast example in our home.  Lindsay is a spiritual giant in a kind and modest way, so much so, that she naturally draws others near.  The Lord has called her to serve in areas that will bless her life as much as the lives of those she has the opportunity to serve.  As her parents we take comfort in knowing such wonderful members and investigators are caring for her while she is away from home.  

Week 11 - Kuna 08/19/13 and Kinds Words from Kuna

Family!

Sister Taylor is doing pretty good here in Kuna, Idaho. We aren't really being affected by the fires, but it does get pretty smokey sometimes depending on which way the wind blows. I've heard that in Boise the smoke is so bad it's difficult to see any distance at all and the air quality is horrible! It’s still pretty hot out here and unfortunately, sweat is just a part of every outfit now! 

Zone conference was held in Nampa last Tuesday. There was still an hour and a half left in the meeting when President Cannon asked someone to say the closing prayer. Needless to say, we were all very confused because our meetings never end early, in fact they always seem to run long.  After the closing prayer was offered, President Cannons gets back up and says "Alright everyone, we have a surprise for you. We’re going to the movies!" How awesome is that? We hustled to our cars and headed over to the theater and saw Ephraim’s Rescue. It was a very good movie, and I highly recommend it for the whole family! 

Then on Saturday, we had our baptism for Blake! It was absolutely wonderful!  The room was packed with 101 people, which included three families we’ve been teaching. It was so awesome! Blake’s football coach gave a talk on baptism and it was absolutely incredible. The spirit was there so strongly felt. His mom, who isn't a member of the church, came up to us afterwards and gave us each a big hug and said, "Thank you so much. This was an incredible thing to witness." The confirmation was also pretty amazing too.  I hope you get to meet Blake someday! I want to bring my whole family back so we can go on a mission tour and meet all of these wonderful people!

 I feel so blessed to be serving here. I feel so much love for each person we visit. I have definitely felt like I've been gaining the trust of the members. And that is so incredibly important. We went from receiving maybe one referral a week, to recieving 7 or 8 on average. The members really help the work progress so much. 

Thanks for supporting me so I can do this great work.  I love you all.

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Water temperature... check! 

Blake (second from left), excited to enter the waters of baptism!

Kind Words From Kuna;

We are so thankful to the members and investigators for sending us kinds words and photos of our Sister Taylor.

This photo was sent by, Shari, with a note telling us that they had just set her baptism date for Saturday, September 7th.  Shari also said, "We are enjoying having your daughter as our missionary, thank you for allowing her to bless our lives.   

Sister Taylor and Sister Nickolaison

Week 10 - Kuna 08/12/13

Family!

Guess what? I saw Corianne and Regan yesterday! It was so cool! I was in the chapel before sacrament meeting talking to one of our investigators, and she suddenly says, "There are two young ladies behind you that look like they’re dying to talk to you." So I turn around, and there stands Corianne and Reagan! It was so awesome to see them! We had such a fun little reunion. They are both just as beautiful and fun as ever. We got to chat a little after church and catch up on the latest happenings in Provo. Reagan and Caitie (my roommate from Glenwood) might even have found "the one"! Guess we’ll see how many wedding invitations I get in the mail over next few months. 

I didn't get to take any pictures this week, but I did take a couple of videos! I'll try and send them to you, but a lot of times it says the file is too big to send. We shall see!

We received an extra special gift box this week that was filled with an entire gardens worth of vegetables! There was zucchini, cucumbers, sweet corn, acorn squash, peas, carrots, tomatoes, you name it. There were also fresh eggs! Fresh eggs taste so much better than store bought eggs. I actually eat them for breakfast now, without cheese or anything! Guess what else I love with a passion now? TOMATOES! I eat them with everything now! I bet you never thought that would happen huh?   People treat us so well here, I love it! One investigator we visited sent us home with a bunch of vegetables from his garden and said "And next time bring your husbands so they can pick out what they like!" Hmmmmm I have a feeling we have some explaining to do....

Our baptism with Blake is this Saturday. I'm so excited! We met with his Mom last Monday, and that was definitely an experience. She is a staunch Christian and wanted to know what Blake had been taught before he gets baptized. She kept questioning us and the situation was quickly going in the direction of Bible bashing. It was a really scary experience because we are told specifically not to get involved with that. Then, Blake suddenly turns to his mom and says "Mom, I'm not going to sit here and listen to you try and tear this religion down. I know this church is true, and I am going to get baptized. And you can’t say that it’s not true until you read the Book of Mormon yourself and pray about it." WOW! What an incredible experience! I was so overjoyed to hear him say that! Hearing someone you've been teaching bear testimony of the gospel is one of the most powerful experiences you will ever have! Ever since then, she has been reading the Book of Mormon for herself and has been much more open while asking questions and receiving answers. How cool is that?

We also have four more baptisms during in the month of August.

Everything has just been so great! I love it here, and I love every single person I come in contact with! 

On Saturday I ate raw rhubarb for the first time. It tasted really good and sour, but my stomach HATED me the next day and I had the worst acid reflux in the world! Needless to say, I won't be eating raw rhubarb again!  

You are all such a wonderful example to me. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Week 9 - Kuna 08/05/13

Dear Family,

Things have been going pretty good here! We went to Kuna Days this past week. It's an annual celebration of the creation of Kuna. It was really fun! Plus it was nice to eat something different! We had this yummy indian fry bread sandwich and it was free because the owners of the booth love missionaries. :) We have been making so much progress with our investigators! We have 15 now! Blake is still right on track to be baptized on the 17th. He is so excited and has been inviting absolutely everyone he knows to come. We will be meeting with his mom tonight for the first time too. I can't wait! 

Last P-day we went hiking, I'll be including some pictures of that! I was wearing my girls camp shirt and an Elder I didn't know that was with us said, "Ashburn, where is that?" and I told him Virginia and he goes "No way! I'm from Oakton!" His name is Elder Hinnegar and we got to talking and turns out we were in the same CTR class with our teacher who gave out homework! Small world huh? We took a picture together that I'm including with the e-mail. You can tell me if you recognize him! 

Nothing crazy has happened this week! We’re teaching a lot of little kids, and it's been really fun! Also the Callahans, the people we live with, have had all of their family over this week so I've been loving the time we have spent with those kids too. Last night I missed Kyle A LOT. It was really hard because I realized the next time I see him he will be 10 years old. Don't grow up too fast on me buddy! 

One of my favorite scripture stories this week is from Nephi. It's the story of when Nephi broke his bow and his family became angry because they were so hungry. Even his father Lehi began to murmur against God. But Nephi humbled himself and knew exactly what he needed to do. He got down on his knees and prayed to his Heavenly Father to know how to get food for his family. This is one of the most known stories in all of the Book of Mormon. Many children have heard it in primary, and we use it to teach principles all the time! The story is in 1 Nephi chapter 16 and I like verse 29 where it says:

"And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things."

If you really think about it, this was such a small thing that happened. All Nephi did was break his bow, and the simple act of praying changed the hearts of his whole family. There are so many stories in the scriptures about building boats, burning bushes, and seeing God in the flesh, and those are all very powerful experiences. But sometimes, it’s those little moments where we show our love and devotion to God by going to Him for help that changes our lives forever. So remember, nothing goes unnoticed. Everything you do, whether big or small, our Heavenly Father notices and it so proud of us.

I hope you all have a wonderful week, and know that I love you all so so so much!

Love,

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Half our District Celebrating Kuna Days!

Elder Hinnegar (From Oakton, VA) and Sister Lindsay Taylor

Elder Zuniga and Elder Tuia with the District Mascot, Lorenzo!

P-day Hike with the District

Week 8 - Kuna 07/29/13

Hello Family!

We got four new investigators this week! Isn't that awesome? It's so nice to be able to teach formal lessons and share spiritual thoughts with our member families in between our lesson appointments. I love the people we come in contact with and teach, but it's really exciting to be a part of someones path to baptism. 

We did actually get to see Sister Nicks brother two times! The first time she saw him she gave him a big hug. There was an audible gasp in the room from all of the elders, but we assured them it was fine since they were brother and sister. It was really nice for her to be able to see him! He’s serving in Caldwell which is only about 20 or 30 minutes from us. So she should get to see him pretty often!

My friend, Cody Lords, who lives in one of the wards we serve, is having his wedding reception here in Kuna. We were invited because they’re expecting several non-members to attend that have asked questions about the church. I also think they invited us because they knew that my roommates would be there and that I'd really enjoy seeing them. They are so nice! 

The weather here has been mostly in the upper 90s/100s. Its really not too bad since there is no humidity but everyone here complains about it. This coming week is supposed to be in the lower 90s/upper 80s so we’re all pretty excited about that!

I love how everyone grows their own food here! People are always giving us fresh eggs, milk, potatoes, carrots, peas, you name it! Lots of people grow grapes here too. So closer to the end of August, we have 3 or 4 families who’ve told us to come pick/eat grapes to our hearts content. I love it here! 

Our MTC event went pretty well! We didn't have a ton of people show up, probably about 80 or 90, but our ward mission leaders and the elders did an amazing job at teaching their topics. President and Sister Cannon both came to our activity as well, and they said they were very impressed. I'm glad it turned out so well, and I'm also glad it’s over! It was a big event that caused a lot of stress, althogugh totally worth it. P-day couldn't come soon enough, whew! I didn't get to take any pictures because we were running from class to class and showing people who were late to their classes. 

I don't have time to write down a spiritual thought, but I will share a scripture I came across on Sunday. It's in Proverbs 18:10 and it reads:

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

I know that if we are ever going through trials or hard times, if we turn to our Savior, we will get the support and safety we need. I love this gospel so much! I gain a greater understand of the principles every time I have to opportunity to teach them. 

I love you all so much!

Love,

Lindsay

Week 7 - Kuna 07/22/13

Family!

Everything is going really great! This week has been especially stressful though. We’re trying to get everything finalized for our member MTC day and it’s been crazy! It seems almost impossible that everything will fall in place but I know it'll all work out. Especially since my companion has made it clear that the spirit has made it known to her many times that this needs to happen no matter how hard it gets! Health-wise, we are both doing really well. 

So Sister Nick has a brother who is going to Curriturba Brazil, and has been in the Provo MTC these past few weeks. As you know, visas just aren’t coming in so many missionaries are being reassigned temporarily in the U.S.   Salt Lake called our mission president, President Cannon, and said "Okay, we have 60 visa waiters, how many can you take?" President Cannon replied, "We have room for one elder." Guess which elder gets sent to our mission? SISTER NICKS BROTHER! So he will be coming in around noon tomorrow. How cool is that? Sister Nick is really excited. 

Alright I'll go ahead and answer your questions really quick:

• We drive a 2012 Gold Toyota Corolla. The senior companion is always the designated driver unless there is a problem that prevents that. So right now Sister Nick is the designated driver! I probably won't be driving for a while. 

• Our morning schedule goes as such:

6:25 Wake up/say morning personal prayer/say companionship prayer

6:30 Exercise

7:00 Get ready and eat breakfast

8:00 Personal study

9:00 Companionship study

10:00 12 week new missionary training

11:00 Usually go out an proselyte at this time and then take an hour for lunch at 12:00 but our district gets together for lunch every day at 11 for an hour and then we all go out proselyting. We get free sno cones at a local sno cone shack near one of our church buildings so we go there a couple times a week! I get the smallest size but I only ever eat about half. It melts faster than I can eat it!

*The weather really hasn't been to bad here! It's mostly in the 100's but since theres no humidity it’s more than bearable! 

I went on exchanges for the first time this week! The Sister Training Leader (kind of the zone leader for sisters) came from Nampa to visit with Sister Nick and I for part of the day,  then Sister Nick went to Nampa and I spent the rest of the day with Sister Thomas. We had a lot of fun!  Although miles wise I didn't do so well. I used up A LOT of our monthly allotted miles. Oops! We did get alot of work done though! We went and visited a farmer who was a former investigator and he taught us about farming and let us pull the tops off the Bull Row of his corn! I'm a real farmer now! He said he wasn't interested in the gospel but we convinced him to let us come back so we could do service and he could teach us more about the life of a farmer! We then visited another less-active member who got really excited to see us and told us all about his mission. He served in Taiwan and tried to teach us a bit of mandarin!  Sadly, I can’t remember any of it. 

I can't believe my first transfer is already over! It makes me sad to think that my time here on the mission is slowly getting shorter and shorter. I don't think I'll ever be ready to leave! 

We worked hard giving service to several people and families this week - and a lot of dropping in on families. We’re really good at dropping in! We had some great dinners this week and we were invited to several BBQ’s and breakfasts as a district. Our district sincerely love each other and the members in our collective areas love our district, so they love having us all together! It’s fun!

My roommates are coming up to visit this weekend so I will get to see them in church this Sunday! That will be a really nice treat. 

 As missionaries we get to do a lot of service which I LOVE. Service is one of the greatest ways to find people and help them trust us! And, of course, our district helps each other out with the different service activities we have. Sometimes we end up spending the entire day doing service by supporting each others service projects. We meet so many amazing people that way!

I haven't received any mail this week. But that may be because our mailbox is completely smashed. Some guy who came to clean the ducts in the house we live in backed into the mailbox.  I ordered more missionary tags for myself and I’ll be picking them up at the mission office today so I’ll check there to see if I have any mail! 

I found a hymn that I absolutely love this week! Its titled,  Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy.

It’s a men's chorus song in the back of the hymn book.

1. Brightly beams our Fathers mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

2. Dark the night of sin has settled;

Loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing,

For the light along the shore.

Let the lower light be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;

Some poor sailor, tempest tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor,

In the darkness may be lost.

Let the lower light be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save. 

One of the scriptures that go with it is found in 1 John 2:10 which reads:

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him."

Having love for those around you can bring about so many miracles. If we want to be true followers of Christ, we have to have love for everyone!  I know that if I didn't have love for the people I teach, it would be impossible to teach them the lessons and help them come closer to Christ. I wouldn't be an effective missionary and I wouldn't be able to fulfill my missionary purpose. One of the best ways to share the gospel is through loving and serving one another. Not only will people see that love and that light that the gospel gives us, but we will find so much joy in helping others. The Lord always answers prayers, and, more often than not, he answers those prayers through other people. So always strive to be in a place spiritually so that you can be an answer to someone else's prayers. 

I love this gospel so much! It brings me so much joy. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I’ll be with my family forever. It always makes me so happy to hear the wonderful things you are doing to strengthen others and to strengthen the family. The family is so sacred, and I am so grateful be a part of the best family ever!  I love you so much, and I hope that you have a wonderful week. Stay safe!

Love,

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Four year old "L" and I - she's such a spitfire!

"L" drew me a picture of all the people she wants me to teach in her neighborhood.

Week 6 - Kuna 07/15/13

Hello Family,

I'm quite well and full of energy, thankfully.  My companion is a-okay now, but I came down with a stomach bug and was sick all day Monday and through the night.  Tuesday morning came and I was exhausted and over the nausea, thank goodness.  We are both fit as fiddles now.  I was so glad to get back to missionary work and out of our room, woo hoo!

To answer some of your questions:

*The weather has actually been really nice out here!  It's only been in the 90's, which may seem like it'd be hot but without the humidity it's wonderful!

*President assigns a "designated driver" and she is the only one allowed to drive until he decides to change it.

*We each receive an individual debit card that's managed by someone the mission affairs office in SLC. 

*I am sleeping very well.

*My favorite meal was actually one we had at my friend Cody Lords.  He used to hang out at my apartment at BYU all the time.  His family made us hamburgers, baked beans, fruit, and chips.  It was delicious!

I'm glad you have the missionaries over often.  Missionaries love to have fun and connect with the families in the wards they serve.  It's so nice being able to go over to a members house and have a fun conversation and close with a spiritual thought and family prayer before we leave.  It's especially nice to come home at the end of the day and have letters waiting for me in the mailbox.  Neither Sister Nick or I receive many letters.  I would love to have letters in my mailbox more often, hint, hint.  They really help keep me going.

The people we went to visit last week and asked us to come back have been so much fun to work with.  We ended up teaching the investigator along with five other of his relatives.  They were all boys between the ages of 10 and 25.  We gave each one of them their own copy of the Book of Mormon, which we keep in the trunk of our car, then closed the trunk and said our goodbyes.  We went to get into the car, when Sister Nick realized she didn't have the keys and quickly remembered she had left the keys on the floor of the trunk next to our box of Book of Mormons.  Oops!  Luckily we had a member of the ward with us for the lesson and they were able to drive us home.  Fun times.

One last thing before I sign off..... I got my first baptismal date!!!  So exciting!!!  It's scheduled for August 17th.  I'll tell you more about it in my next letter home.  I love you all so much, and remember to always be in a position where the spirit can be with you!

Love,

Sister Lindsay Taylor

A beautiful Kuna Sunset

Believe it or not, we see Peacocks roaming the streets of Kuna all the time

Sister Nick and I

A double rainbow!

Sister Nick and I with some of the Elders in our District

Week 5 - Kuna 07/08/13

Hello Family & Friends!

We had a really fun 4th of July.  We went to the parade in Melba, which is a small town of about 300 people.  So this tiny town hosts a big parade and fireworks show every year on the 4th and people from all over Idaho come to enjoy the festivities!  Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the fireworks show because it started at 10:30 PM, which is our bedtime.  The Melba Elders said all of the missionaries from the district were invited to a BBQ at one of the local members homes.  We had an interesting time to say the least and I'll leave it at that.  After the BBQ we caravanned to another members home and lit fireworks.  The Elders though it was great fun planting firecrackers behind me and my companion.  Sister Nick and I were shooting evil looks the Elders way for most of the night.  

One thing about the mission that I didn't expect is that we have meetings  ALL THE TIME.  Hours and hours of meetings.  It can be quite, well honestly - boring.  I have a hard time sitting still for too long and I find that I have a hard time focusing after about 30 minutes. Working out in the field is the best though!  We meet awesome new people everyday! The members are so supportive and kind.  I can't tell you how many people have paid for our groceries and invited us into their homes for dinner.  It truly is wonderful to have so much support!

Last Friday all of our appointments and our back up appointments had fallen through and we were trying to figure out who to see.  I had a really strong feeling that we should go visit someone we had found in the area book at the mission office the other day.  We had no information about him other than his name and address.  Before each visit we pray and I felt prompted to include in my prayer that we be blessed to find other people as we went out to teach this man.  We started walking up to his house and we ran into this woman who was trying to catch her dog.  We started up a conversation with her and I asked if we could come back to teach her the lessons.  She said, "Well, my husband's the Mormon in the family and he's never been able to convert me, but you sure can give it a shot!"  I was filled with so much happiness at that moment, I can't even put it into words!  Finally, a new investigator!  We said goodbye, and got to the house were were planning to visit.  We knocked on the door and a young man opened it.  I introduced Sister Nick and myself as representatives of Christ and began to testify of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon.  I then asked if we could come back to teach him the lessons. 

He said, "Yes, of course! The missionaries used to come by about a year ago, but they all of a sudden stopped showing up!  Can you come back tomorrow?"  We totally said yes!!!  I love receiving answers to my prayers and I know that if you pray in faith you will receive an answer.  We have been able to meet with him again and he and his family are so amazing.  Sister Nick hasn't been able to officially meet with them because she's been sick.  I've been going on splits with other sisters in the area so we could keep our appointments.  It was really scary at first, but the members here are such great missionaries.  They helped me out a lot!

We really are children of a loving Heavenly Father.  He loves each and every one of us so very much, no matter what kind of person we are nor the decisions we may make.

Random thoughts:

*My district is the best, like really.  We're all best friends.  I love it!

*The mission car we're driving had Utah plates and we finally received the Idaho plates - I get to keep the old Utah plates, YAY!

*We also went to a baptism the past Saturday.  It was an investigator that the Melba Elders had been teaching.  It was such an amazing experience to witness my first convert baptism.  The spirit there was so powerful.  He's invited us to come to all of his family BBQ's, sweet!!!

Anyway, I'm really not sure what else to say besides I know that this gospel is true.  The more I study these things, the more the Spirit testifies it to me.  I encourage everyone to study Preach My Gospel.  It isn't just for missionaries.  It's for everyone!  I love being on a mission.  I have never felt so right about anything in my life.  I know that the blessings that will come from giving up 18 months of my life to the Lord will be abundant.  I love all of you so much and I pray for you every single day.  

Love to all,

Sister Lindsay Taylor

Sister Nick and I have decided that we're going to come back to 

Kuna and buy houses on W. Lil Robert Ct.

In Melba at the 4th of July parade.  Doesn't Sister Nick look like she's having fun?

Elder Eegle, Elder Mang, Elder Fuller and Elder Diaz

Also enjoying a HOT 4th of July Parade.

Week 4 - Kuna 07/01/13

One of the many beautiful fields in Kuna

Shout out to all of my Canadian family out there!  I get poked fun at a lot for the Canuck blood I have flowing through my veins, but I'm proud to say I stand true to my heritage!  O' Canada!

It rained here all last week which made the farmers really happy!  It's getting HOT, HOT, HOT - I'm going to have seriously weird tan lines by the time I get back home.   Sister Nick and I were weeding the other day and the weeds were super prickly and really hurt my hands, OUCH! Oh, and did I mention it's been HOT, HOT, HOT?!   

We've been very busy working with two families who are getting pretty close to baptism.  Exciting, right?!  I taught my first lesson the other day and it went very well even though I was super nervous.  I know I'll become more and more comfortable each time I teach.  Everyone we've taught have been so kind and there is always such a sweet spirit in the room.

Sister Nick and I gave two talks each last Sunday!  I usually take forever preparing my talks, and I read them word for word, but I only had an hour to prepare this time and was able to fill in the gaps while speaking at the pulpit.  It was kinda cool!  I felt pretty legit.  

Our planning for the MTC day is going very well.  It's officially scheduled for the 13th of July!  The Stake President and Mission President are totally on board.  I'll be sure to take lots of pictures during the activity.

We had dinner with a lovely older couple last night. The husband was a spiritual giant!  His stories really brought the spirit - I'll have to tell you guys about them some time when I have more time to type them up.  I really do love it here, everyone is so wonderful.  I seriously want to move here someday.

Oh, funny story.  The six year old, little miss B.,  I mentioned last week is absolutely in LOVE with me!  We were over at their house for dinner last Monday and the funniest thing happened.  Little miss B. was talking  about all of the things she wanted to do with me that week.  Then she got really excited and said, "Oh!  The next time that you come to visit me...", and then she half-heartedly gestures toward Sister Nick and says, "And her.... I'll have lots of pictures and presents to give you!"  Sister Nick and I were trying so hard not to fall over laughing.  She's a little sweetheart and she says the funniest things.   Another funny moment with little miss B., we were sitting in church waiting for Sacrament to begin and I asked her what her favorite food was.  In a very loud and excited voice she answered, "POMEGRANATES!  Did you know you can eat two of those things and it won't even give you the poops?!"  Kids.  Gotta love em!

Mom, I'm beginning to know how you feel sometimes - there's NEVER enough time in the day to get everything done.  So many people to see, so much paper work to fill out, meeting to attend, etc.  Our day is FULL!  I can't wait until my 12 week training is over so I can have that extra hour to go teaching.   Sister Nick says I get a look of disgust on my face every time she mentions it.  But ya gotta do what ya gotta do!  I just want to be out serving the people, but I do know the extra study time will help me become a better servant.

Alright, here's my spiritual thought for the week:

I absolutely love reading the hymns and then looking up the scriptures that go along with them.  This morning I was reading through the hymn, Let Us All Press On, and was particularly moved by the third verse:

1. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord, That when life is o'er we may gain a reward; In the fight for right let us wield a sword, The mighty sword of truth.

2.  We will not retreat,  though our numbers may be few When compared with the opposite host in view; But an unseen pow'r will aid me and you In the glorious cause of truth.

3.  If we do what's right we have no need to fear, For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near, In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer, And prosper the cause of truth.  

And I love the scriptures that go with; D&C 6:33-37;

33  Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

34  Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

35  Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.

36  Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

37  Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

So powerful!  The blessings that come from being faithful are so numerous.  What is everyone's favorite part of that scripture?  I'd love to hear from family and friends in an email or letter.

Love to you all,

Sister Taylor

Kuna - Official Mission Change & New Mission President

July 2, 2013


Dear Parents,

     Thank you for sending such a wonderful qualified missionary to serve the Lord and the people of the Idaho Nampa Mission.

     Sister Cannon and I have been called to serve as your missionary's new leaders.  We are committed to watch over and care for your missionary just as you would.  Thank you for your trust.

     We have attached a picture of your missionary with the two of us.  Thanks again for your faith and trust.



With love and appreciation,



Stuart B. Cannon
Idaho Nampa Mission President
Elaine S. Cannon

President and Sister Cannon with Sister Taylor

Pictures - Destination Boise!

All of the missionaries that flew into Boise.

Me and my MTC district.

Elder Henderson and I - So fun to see him again!

(Elder Henderson is from Ashburn and his family is in our home ward.)

Elder Stapley and I - He's awesome!

Elder Stapley was one of the zone leaders in my district at the MTC.

MTC - A Few More Pictures

My MTC zone teacher, Sister Frost, she was amazing!

My MTC district and my teachers.

Another picture of my MTC district on the temple grounds.

Ran into another one of my good friends, Elder Brown, from EFY!

Sister Lagrosa and I -  We saw each other at least twice a day every day at the MTC!

Kuna - Dinner With The Burnett's

A note from mom:  We're so thankful for the members and investigators taking such good care of Lindsay and her companion, Sister Nickolaisen, while they serve amongst them in Kuna, Idaho.

June 27, 2013

Dear Missionary Family,

My husband is the Ward Mission leader in the Kuna, Idaho 8th Ward.  We just had dinner and our first meeting with Sister Taylor and Sister Nickolaisen.  They are delightful and we are so blessed to have them serving here!  I asked them if I could take their picture and send it to you, it is attached.  Our son will be going on a mission to Oregon next month and we are so excited to be hearing more about being a missionary from these two Sisters.   They are wonderful examples and we hope we will be seeing them often.  Please let us know if there is anything you need or anything we can do for them.

Warm Regards,

Steve and Valerie Burnett

New Missionary Welcome Letter from President & Sister Cannon 06/24/13

Dear Missionary Parents,


How thrilled Sister Cannon and I were to greet your daughter and to welcome her as a full-time missionary in the Idaho Boise Mission. What a blessing it will be to our mission to have her serving here at the assigned field of labor.

After arriving at the mission office and conducting a brief orientation of the mission, I had the opportunity of interviewing your daughter in an effort to become better acquainted with her and to feel of her spirit. As a result of this interview, I felt impressed to assign your daughter, as a companion, to the most obedient, most skilled, and hardest working missionary in the mission. You can be assured that this companion is one of our mission’s very best.

We are confident that your daughter will have a very positive experience while serving in the Idaho Boise Mission. We know she will strengthen her skills, increase her knowledge and testimony of the gospel, and establish an increased measure of love for all of our Heavenly Father’s children she will assist in teaching.

We have attached a picture of your missionary with Sister Cannon and myself and her trainer, Sister Nickolaisen.

May the Lord’s choicest blessings be with you as you sustain your daughter and pray for her continued welfare.


Faithfully yours,


President Kent H. Cannon
Idaho Boise Mission

Week 3 - Kuna 06/24/13

Family!

The missionary broadcast was AMAZING!  Totally pumped for missionary work after that!  Sister Nickolaisen and I came up with an awesome idea that we're pretty psyched about!  We're planning a mini MTC activity for our Stake where we'll have classes, role play activities, and share testimonies about missionary work.  Our goal is to keep up the excitement that the broadcast has created and invite everyone in attendance at the workshop to bring a non-member/less active friend to an activity in the near future.  We're planning a "hoedown" with country dancing, a barbecue, and side games.  At the end of the activity we'll offer tours our the church building.  Genius right?!  It's just a chance to let everyone get together, friendship one another, and share their beliefs.  It's going to take a lot of work and planning but I haven't been this excited for something in a LONG TIME!

Yes Dad, the broadcast was very informational and greatly needed!  I wish they made it mandatory for EVERYONE to attend/watch!  I can't express how grateful I am that you have been so willing to help the missionaries there at home.  I didn't understand how crucial the wards are to missionary work until I became a missionary myself!  I was watching a segment of The District with Sister Nick during companionship study, and someone said, "Missionaries are there to assist the members."  That's so true!  The members are our most valuable tool in finding new investigators and sharing the gospel!  So please, don't ever be afraid to share the gospel with others.  As long as you're sharing it in the spirit of love, no one will ever be offended by what you are sharing with them.

I recently re-read the last few chapter in Luke, the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.  In chapter 24 it specifically talks about how Jesus comes to the women at the tomb and how they rush to tell the Apostles what they had seen.  In Luke 24:10-12;  "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.  Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."

The natural man in all of us will always bring doubt.  It is sometimes hard to have faith in some of the teachings and commandments that God gives us when we don't immediately see the fruits of those labors.  But I want to be just like Peter, who, despite all his doubts, immediately ran to the tomb.  All it takes is a small particle of faith, and I promise you, you will be so blessed, and you will see results and receive answers.

I'm so glad you guys have been getting my letters!  I really wish I could've written more, but I had ZERO time at the MTC.  Here on P-days I get 2 hours of email time instead of 30 minutes!  Hooray!  I'm so glad you are sharing my emails with everyone.  I wish everyone could be here with me experiencing it all too!  Being on a mission is another world in itself.  We still get to have fun, create friendships, and be silly, which is nice but I just love how everything is focused on inviting others to come unto Christ.  One of my favorite messages to share with those we teach is the message of hope.  One that allows us to live with our family forever in a state of never-ending happiness!  How awesome is that?!

I have met so many incredible people here.  I've probably said it before, but everyone is so loving and kind, especially the members!  I feel so welcomed, I don't ever want to leave Kuna!

We're having dinner with an investigator tonight and our discussion will be on the commandments.  This lady is so wonderful and really has a love for the gospel.  She has been doing everything right and coming to church regularly, if she wanted to, she could be baptized tonight!  But of course, nothing could be that easy!  Hopefully we can help her work through the last few things that are holding her back.  She lives with her mother and niece who is six years old.  As you can imagine, the six year old and I are the best of friends, especially since she thinks I look like an actress on her favorite Disney Channel show.

We work with a lot of less active families and over age youth.  It's been interesting to see how different missionary work is from what my expectations were.  How strange it is to hear missionaries say they've never been tracting while serving their missions, when it seems tracting is what I understood to be the epitome of missionary work!

Okay, I just need to talk about my companion, Sister Nickolaisen, she is just SO AMAZING!!  I love her!  We get along so well, she is one of my best friends!  I hope I get to be with her for a few transfers, but who knows with all the new sisters coming in.  She has only been out six weeks and is already training me.  I do feel so blessed to have a companion that is so wonderful and helps mee feel the spirit in preparing for investigators.

Mom, thank you so much for sending me packages and letters they always brighten my day!  Thank you for always being such a great example to me and being so firm in the gospel.  I use you a lot when giving examples of faith in my lessons to investigators.  I really do feel so blessed to have such an amazing family.  Thank you for all of the love and support you have given me.

I know this gospel is true.  My testimony of that grows every day.  As long as you are trying your best and moving forward with faith, the Lord will bless you.  I encourage you all to read the Book of Mormon again as a family.  I know it can be difficult with schedules, just take what time you can and seek His councils through the scriptures.  Families are such an important part of this gospel.

Love you all!

Sister Taylor

Week 2 - Kuna/June 20, 2013

Greetings Loved Ones!

I'm here in ...... drum roll please ....... KUNA IDAHO!!!!!!!! HOW INCREDIBLY, AMAZINGLY, AWESOME IS THAT???!!!  Of all the places I could've been sent, I get to be in the one place I've actually been to before!  And to make it even more awesome, Corianne's ward, my roommate from BYU,  is one of the wards we are over!  I can tell God loves me, cuz he keeps making my life awesomer, and awesomer!

Well, we made it to the airport at 5:30 am Tuesday morning, and safely arrived in Boise at 8:30 pm - that's a story I'll cover in my next email.   LONGEST DAY EVER.  But I'm here!    I'm now officially serving in the Nampa, Idaho Mission.  No more Boise for me.   I love my Mission President, he is seriously the coolest. I have the best trainer in the mission, probably the world!  Seriously, Sister Nickolaisen is the nicest, sweetest, coolest trainer ever.  Okay, I may be a little biased.

I just wanted to let you know that I arrived here safely and I'm doing fine.  You should be getting an email and pictures of me from my Mission President sometime soon, so look for those!

I love you guys A LOT.  You are always in my prayers!  I'll send you a nice big email on my P-day, which is on Monday's now.

Love,

Sister Taylor

Week 1 - MTC June 12, 2013

Hello Family!

Where to begin, where to begin?  It's just so crazy to me that I've already been here at the MTC for a week!  I'm lovin' it!

Sister C. and I met with an investigator, Nathan.  We had a short discussion and gave Nathan a Book of Mormon, then we invited him to church next Sunday and he accepted our invitation!  YAY!  It's so great to be able to share my testimony with others.  In Preach My Gospel, there's a quote by President Thomas S. Monson, "Regarding one's testimony remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses...  Teach and testify.  There is no better combination."

I want to share an excerpt from my journal entry last Sunday:

At tonight's fireside we watched the Joseph Smith movie.  It was so powerful!   I came to a realization today during the part when Joseph Smith's father dies, and the thought came to my mind, "Why was I born at this time?"  It only took a moment for me to answer my own question.  We have the knowledge that the Lord has saved His strongest spirits for the last days, and I feel so humbled and blessed to be one of those spirits.  Not only to be among the strongest but to also be a missionary, trusted by the Lord to bring His sheep the Gospel of Christ.  What a cool cool thought, huh!

I know I keep saying this but I just LOVE the MTC!!!!!!! The days go by so quickly because they're so packed with classes and meetings, but I have enjoyed each of them so, so much!!!

Oh!  Before I sign off, I fly out of SLC at 8 am Tuesday morning!  Which means I have to be up at 3:00 am to get everything ready in time.  YAY!

Well my laundry is done and I have to go.  Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Love,  Sister Taylor

Unexpected Encounter - June 11, 2013

A note from mom:  It's always fun to be reminded just how small our world really is!  We were so excited to open the following email and picture of our Sister Taylor - the first picture of Lindsay as a missionary sporting her missionary badge, and of course that endearing smile of hers.

June 11, 2013

Shari,

I don't know that we have met, but I am in your ward.  My parents serve in the MTC and ran into your daughter a few minutes ago at the weekly devotional, which they just moved over to the Marriott Center.  She recognized my Mom who she had met while Mom was visiting.  They took this picture and asked me to send it to you.  They said she is doing well!

R.W.

Lindsay's Response:

June 12, 2013

Mom,

We were walking to the Marriott Center for a devotional when I saw her.  I was so excited, and equally as excited when she offered to take a picture and send it to you!  I know that probably made you happy.      Mervyn B. Arnold was the devotional speaker, wow, what an amazing man.  I highly recommend looking up his talks for FHE (Family Home Evening) or personal study.

Love you so much!

Sister Taylor