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