Monday, January 27, 2014
Week 34 - Nyssa 01/27/14
Family!
Last week I told you about M., who has been inactive for quite awhile and didn't want us to try to reactivate her, but was very friendly and open to our company. Well........ M. attended church again this week! Woo! Hoo! She even met with the Bishop and got everything set for her Patriarchal Blessing and a personal plan in place to prepare for the temple. After her interview M. came into Relief Society absolutely beaming! She had a whole new light about her! We're hoping the Bishop will extend a calling to her soon and get her involved serving. She'd be great in the Young Women's organization - the Young Women's Presidency totally agrees that M. would be great working with the girls. We'll see what the Bishop decides.
I was asked to speak in Sacrament meeting yesterday. I was asked to focus on a conference talk titled, "Put Your Trust in the Lord", by Elder M. Russell Ballard. I'd send you a copy but I don't actually write down my talks anymore. I just study, and make a few notes (prompts), then give my talk. Crazy, right?! I'm a pro now!
Love you guys so much!
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Here's the link to Elder Ballard's talk:
Become engaged in doing what you can in sharing the great message of the Restoration of Jesus Christ.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/put-your-trust-in-the-lord?lang=eng
"I quote from another successful member missionary, Clayton Christensen: “Every time you take someone figuratively by the hand and introduce him or her to Jesus Christ, you will feel how deeply our Savior loves you and loves the person whose hand is in yours” (The Power of Everyday Missionaries: The What and How of Sharing the Gospel [2013], 1)."
Week 28 - Nyssa 12/16/13
Hello Family!!
I’m short on time again, but I wanted to make sure I told you that we’ve been working with an investigator and things are going very well. At our next appointment we’re going to extend the baptismal invitation! Woohoo! I'm so excited!
We played basketball during our exercise time at one of the ward buildings in Kuna. Some of the members that would come and play saw that I didn’t have basketball shoes so they bought me an awesome pair of Nikes and sent them to Nyssa!!! Aren't they sweet?!?!
Thanks for all the uplifting words of wisdom. Keep the emails and letters coming! You guys rock!!
Awesome Nikes!
Week 26 - Nyssa, OR 12/02/13
12/02/13
Hello Family!
I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it for another month or so. On Friday after Jacob's baptism I was told I was being transferred to Nyssa, Oregon. Sister Bishoff was a visa waiter called to serve in Argentina and temporarily serving in Nyssa until her visa was approved. She was serving with Sister Hernandez in the Spanish area of Nyssa. Sister Zavala opened the English area of Nyssa with a brand new sister, Sister Duncan. Sister Bishoff received her visa last week and left this morning for Argentina and is so excited to be on her way. Sister Zavala is a native Spanish speaker so she is going to be Sister Hernandez's new companion and I've been assigned to take over the English area. Did ya get all that?
Well, In the two short days before I drove to Nyssa, I quickly made my rounds to say goodbye to as many people as I could and it wasn't easy. When we stopped by to tell Shari Ladd that I was leaving and say my goodbyes, she ran into another room and came back a few minutes later with card and said, "Since you won't be here for Christmas." I opened it when I got home, and she had stuck $50 in that card. Isn't that so sweet?!
Sister Anderson, Sister Feinauer, Sister Taylor
Farewell to Sister Taylor
From Kuna, Idaho to Nyssa, Oregon
Goodbyes with the Darrington Family.
Sister Taylor & Sister Callahan
(Lindsay has lived with the Callahan family from June through November 2013)
Sister Taylor & Sister Hubert
Alright dad, now to answer all of your questions from your last e-mail. I was definitely surprised that I was being transferred to Nyssa! It came out of nowhere! Sister Anderson was really surprised too. Yes, Sister Anderson will be training Sister Feinauer.
I do have a car in my area! Its another brand new 2013 Chevy Cruise! I love those cars! We are the only English speaking missionaries in town. The Spanish Sisters we’re staying with cover Nyssa, Vale, Ontario, Parma, and I think maybe New Plymouth. That’s a big area! I was able to stay for Jacobs baptism! It was great! Sister Anderson and I did sing and it was beautiful. The spirit was there for sure. One of the ward members asked us to sing it in church and we said yes....but that was before President sent me out to Oregon.
Oh, and the food that the Sister from Ukraine made for us was really good! We had Pork and Borsht (I really don't know how to spell it).
So the area is really great! I love the people here even though the majority of the population is over 70 years old. The members are still adjusting to having their own missionaries. We don't have any investigators at the moment, but we will soon! We just have to get out there and find them without freezing in the snow! We live in a trailer with another companionship.
I love you and miss you a lot! I can't wait to skype you on Christmas! YAY!
Well I love all of you and miss you guys a ton!
Love ya loads!
Sister Lindsay Taylor
11/27/13
Our new companion is Sister Feinauer (sounds like fine hour). She's from Houston, Texas and ready to dive into missionary work! We had a tracting activity that was really fun. We got to go out with Sister Gray from Samoa. She is the happiest person ever! I've learned that about Polynesian people, they always seem to be so happy!
I'm so excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow at the Hubert's! It's going to be a lot of fun. They're such a fun family.
Jacob's baptism is coming up fast. We got the keys to the baptismal font today and are making the final preparations. Hopefully our song turns out well - we still haven't found someone to play the piano, we better figure that one out soon!
Our new house has some issues. I was the last one to take a shower this morning and there was no water/water pressure left, so basically it was like taking a shower in the rain, the ice cold rain. So what I think we need to do is take turns going first, second, and third. This way we can each have a hot shower at least twice a week.
The mission has been really good for me. I've made a lot of mistakes, but I've also done so many good things. Things that will change my life forever. I feel like my life actually has direction now, and that I have a purpose. I want to serve a mission again someday with my husband. I'd love for my husband to be a mission president so that I can be a missionary mom to all the missionaries in that mission.
Time to go now. I'll update you on everything this Monday. I love you so much!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Love,
Lou (Sister Lindsay Taylor)
Sister Anderson, Sister Taylor and Sister Feinauer
Dear Parents,
We thought you would enjoy receiving a photo of sister Taylor and her new trainee, Sister Feinhauer as well as sister Anderson, posing with President and Sister Cannon. It is a pleasure serving with such wonderful young missionaries in the Idaho Nampa Mission.
Regards,
Sister Short
Idaho Nampa Mission
President and Sister Cannon, Sister Anderson and Sister Feinauer
Week 25 - Kuna 11/25/13
11/25/13
So transfers were this weekend and I'm staying here in Kuna again with Sister Anderson!! Woo hoo!! I love it here, but you already know that! If I leave after this transfer I will have spent seven months in Kuna. Isn't that crazy? That's almost half of my mission! I've enjoyed every minute I have served and will enjoy every minute until it's time for me to move on. I'm so happy to still have Sister Anderson as my companion, but we'll be joined by a new sister so I'll be double training. It's going to be crazy getting ready in the mornings with three girls and only one bathroom. I'm sure we'll figure it out. I'm really excited and it's great to know that President Cannon has confidence in me.
Also, today we're moving out of the Callahan's because their time for housing missionaries is up so we packed our bags and will be moving into a home of members in the fifth ward. We've been told it's really cramped since they had to add the third bed for our new Sister. Oh well, as long as I have somewhere to crash when I get home at night! I'm so sad to be leaving the Callahan's, they've been so wonderful. Sister Callahan let us decorate her home for Christmas with her. It made me think of home.
The weather her has turned cold, cold, cold! There's so much frost on the houses and grass that it looks like snow. I guess it doesn't snow much here but the ice is brutal. I keep forgetting that the car pretty much ices over every night so when we go out in the morning the entire car is covered in ice. We need to add "defrosting the car" into my morning routine now because it takes so much time.
The work here is going great, and things are really picking up again. Our ward mission leaders are really on the ball. I'm really excited to get this third Sister because then we can go on splits and visit even more people! We are going to start teaching the discussions to families in the wards so that they can know better what missionaries actually do and not be so scared to refer their friends to us.
I love you all so very much, and I'm grateful to have been raised in a home that has the gospel. Y'all are such an example to me.
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
So transfers were this weekend and I'm staying here in Kuna again with Sister Anderson!! Woo hoo!! I love it here, but you already know that! If I leave after this transfer I will have spent seven months in Kuna. Isn't that crazy? That's almost half of my mission! I've enjoyed every minute I have served and will enjoy every minute until it's time for me to move on. I'm so happy to still have Sister Anderson as my companion, but we'll be joined by a new sister so I'll be double training. It's going to be crazy getting ready in the mornings with three girls and only one bathroom. I'm sure we'll figure it out. I'm really excited and it's great to know that President Cannon has confidence in me.
Also, today we're moving out of the Callahan's because their time for housing missionaries is up so we packed our bags and will be moving into a home of members in the fifth ward. We've been told it's really cramped since they had to add the third bed for our new Sister. Oh well, as long as I have somewhere to crash when I get home at night! I'm so sad to be leaving the Callahan's, they've been so wonderful. Sister Callahan let us decorate her home for Christmas with her. It made me think of home.
The weather her has turned cold, cold, cold! There's so much frost on the houses and grass that it looks like snow. I guess it doesn't snow much here but the ice is brutal. I keep forgetting that the car pretty much ices over every night so when we go out in the morning the entire car is covered in ice. We need to add "defrosting the car" into my morning routine now because it takes so much time.
The work here is going great, and things are really picking up again. Our ward mission leaders are really on the ball. I'm really excited to get this third Sister because then we can go on splits and visit even more people! We are going to start teaching the discussions to families in the wards so that they can know better what missionaries actually do and not be so scared to refer their friends to us.
I love you all so very much, and I'm grateful to have been raised in a home that has the gospel. Y'all are such an example to me.
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Week 24 - Kuna 11/18/13
11/18/13
I don't have a lot of time to respond to your email today because everyone all of a sudden decided to email me, YAY!! But to answer your question of, what is the best advice I've been given that's helped me get through tough times.... hmmmm. I don't really know about advice I've been given, but for sure I've learned that when we're going through tough times it's really important to put into practice what I preach. I teach people how to apply the principles of the gospel in their own lives during hard times, but then when I am going through something difficult I forget about how I can use it to help myself! Sometimes it's really easy to get discouraged and disheartened, but then I talk to some of the members I'm really close to and they remind me of the Atonement and how the gospel is there to help us in every aspect of our lives. I don't believe that Christ's Atonement is fully comprehended by most people. If we only understood how we could use the Atonement in every part of our lives, then our lives would be so much easier and we could have so much more hope in situations that seem completely hopeless. I have such a strong testimony of the Atonement and it's healing powers. There was an article in either August or September's Ensign titled "The Healing Balm of Hope" it was truly inspiring and has kept me going through some tougher times. I've also learned to make use of my Mission President. He is such an inspired man, and really is like a dad away from home. He is so caring and loving and is completely qualified in every aspect of his calling. He has really helped me in so many ways since I've been out here on my mission.
I'm driving a Chevy Cruise right now. It's a very nice car and should be able to handle the snow and ice that will surely come our way. Now, hopefully I can handle driving in the snow and ice!
Until next week.
Love you all,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
I don't have a lot of time to respond to your email today because everyone all of a sudden decided to email me, YAY!! But to answer your question of, what is the best advice I've been given that's helped me get through tough times.... hmmmm. I don't really know about advice I've been given, but for sure I've learned that when we're going through tough times it's really important to put into practice what I preach. I teach people how to apply the principles of the gospel in their own lives during hard times, but then when I am going through something difficult I forget about how I can use it to help myself! Sometimes it's really easy to get discouraged and disheartened, but then I talk to some of the members I'm really close to and they remind me of the Atonement and how the gospel is there to help us in every aspect of our lives. I don't believe that Christ's Atonement is fully comprehended by most people. If we only understood how we could use the Atonement in every part of our lives, then our lives would be so much easier and we could have so much more hope in situations that seem completely hopeless. I have such a strong testimony of the Atonement and it's healing powers. There was an article in either August or September's Ensign titled "The Healing Balm of Hope" it was truly inspiring and has kept me going through some tougher times. I've also learned to make use of my Mission President. He is such an inspired man, and really is like a dad away from home. He is so caring and loving and is completely qualified in every aspect of his calling. He has really helped me in so many ways since I've been out here on my mission.
I'm driving a Chevy Cruise right now. It's a very nice car and should be able to handle the snow and ice that will surely come our way. Now, hopefully I can handle driving in the snow and ice!
Until next week.
Love you all,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Week 23 - Kuna 11/11/13
Another busy week has come and gone. I'll have to get a letter off to you in the mail because we've called to attend a zone meeting in Nampa. I just logged in, and now I have to say goodbye before I even get to tell you about my week. At least I can tell you I love you guys and miss you tons!
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Week 22 - Kuna 11/04/13
11/04/13
I love Training Sister Anderson! We get along so well and have so much fun together, which means we are getting a lot of work done. We're teaching a young man right now that was Buddhist when we first met him. He has been particularly interested int he Plan of Salvation, which has completely changed his view of the gospel. He called us last night and told us he wanted to be baptized tomorrow, but unfortunately he hasn't gone through all of the lessons yet so we explained that once we do that we can schedule a date for his baptism. That was exciting! We're also working with a married couple that are working very hard to eliminate some bad health habits as they work towards being worthy for baptism. This Tuesday we're meeting with them and setting a goal to work on one thing they are going to give up for the next two weeks. I really admire them. It's not easy to give up lifelong habits, but they have the desire to do so, and we're going to help them every step of the way.
The members have been amazing, and we've received several referrals this week that we're planning to visit. The members here are fantastic missionaries!
A Ukrainian family in the 5th ward has invited us to dinner on the 22nd, and yesterday at church the sister asked us what we would like her to fix us for dinner. I asked her to make perogies like mom makes, and she said they are actually called something else in the area of the Ukraine she's from. I can't remember what she called them because it was a complicated Russian word, sorry. But apparently her version of perogies are made with read dough that is filled with meat and veggies. But the sister who is feeding us said she would call them perogies because that's what I'm used to calling them, ha, ha. She's going to prepare potato filled and chicken filled perogies, an she's also going to make borcht (a beet soup that's really popular in Russia and the Ukraine). She also will make other traditional Ukrainian foods that her family enjoys. I'm excited, but wish you could be here to enjoy the meal with us dad. Maybe I can ask her for some of the recipes and you can try them out at home.
Tomorrow is my 5th month mark as a missionary, isn't that crazy!? Time really does fly by. I'm loving every second being out here.
On Halloween all missionaries in the district were together at the Hubert's home. Many of the people we visited earlier that day knew we couldn't go out trick or treating so they gave us bags of candy. We brought those bags to the Hubert's and we gave them away to the kids that came knocking. You can imagine how big their eyes got when we gave them an entire bag of candy instead of just a handful. I'm sure their parents appreciated it greatly! We only kept one bag of candy for ourselves and the Elders. I only got two pieces of my favorite, reece's peanut butter cups. Elders and their appetites......
Our trip to Linder Farms with the Taylor family was so much fun! The farm is owned by a member family, and when we arrived the owner, Sister Linder, ran up and gave us each a huge hug. Her daughter is serving in Japan and it was her birthday that day. She said it made her day to see us and she gave us some hot chocolate and a bag of really good homemade mini donuts. Then she took a picture with us and I had her send it to your e-mail. Hopefully you guys got it!
Well, I believe that covers the weeks happenings. Thank for all the love and support you guys give me! I love being a missionary and sharing the gospel with other. It gives me such joy! I love you guys!!
Your favorite sister missionary,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
I love Training Sister Anderson! We get along so well and have so much fun together, which means we are getting a lot of work done. We're teaching a young man right now that was Buddhist when we first met him. He has been particularly interested int he Plan of Salvation, which has completely changed his view of the gospel. He called us last night and told us he wanted to be baptized tomorrow, but unfortunately he hasn't gone through all of the lessons yet so we explained that once we do that we can schedule a date for his baptism. That was exciting! We're also working with a married couple that are working very hard to eliminate some bad health habits as they work towards being worthy for baptism. This Tuesday we're meeting with them and setting a goal to work on one thing they are going to give up for the next two weeks. I really admire them. It's not easy to give up lifelong habits, but they have the desire to do so, and we're going to help them every step of the way.
The members have been amazing, and we've received several referrals this week that we're planning to visit. The members here are fantastic missionaries!
A Ukrainian family in the 5th ward has invited us to dinner on the 22nd, and yesterday at church the sister asked us what we would like her to fix us for dinner. I asked her to make perogies like mom makes, and she said they are actually called something else in the area of the Ukraine she's from. I can't remember what she called them because it was a complicated Russian word, sorry. But apparently her version of perogies are made with read dough that is filled with meat and veggies. But the sister who is feeding us said she would call them perogies because that's what I'm used to calling them, ha, ha. She's going to prepare potato filled and chicken filled perogies, an she's also going to make borcht (a beet soup that's really popular in Russia and the Ukraine). She also will make other traditional Ukrainian foods that her family enjoys. I'm excited, but wish you could be here to enjoy the meal with us dad. Maybe I can ask her for some of the recipes and you can try them out at home.
Tomorrow is my 5th month mark as a missionary, isn't that crazy!? Time really does fly by. I'm loving every second being out here.
On Halloween all missionaries in the district were together at the Hubert's home. Many of the people we visited earlier that day knew we couldn't go out trick or treating so they gave us bags of candy. We brought those bags to the Hubert's and we gave them away to the kids that came knocking. You can imagine how big their eyes got when we gave them an entire bag of candy instead of just a handful. I'm sure their parents appreciated it greatly! We only kept one bag of candy for ourselves and the Elders. I only got two pieces of my favorite, reece's peanut butter cups. Elders and their appetites......
Our trip to Linder Farms with the Taylor family was so much fun! The farm is owned by a member family, and when we arrived the owner, Sister Linder, ran up and gave us each a huge hug. Her daughter is serving in Japan and it was her birthday that day. She said it made her day to see us and she gave us some hot chocolate and a bag of really good homemade mini donuts. Then she took a picture with us and I had her send it to your e-mail. Hopefully you guys got it!
Well, I believe that covers the weeks happenings. Thank for all the love and support you guys give me! I love being a missionary and sharing the gospel with other. It gives me such joy! I love you guys!!
Your favorite sister missionary,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Sister Anderson and I at Linder Farms - best donuts ever!!
District pumpkin carving activity - yes, the Elders were a bit crazy!
The Hubert's go all out decorating their yard for Halloween, it was pretty amazing!!
Week 21 - Kuna 10/28/13
10/28/13
I'm loving life for sure! Unfortunately, this week was pretty uneventful. Sister Anderson was sick with the flu ALL WEEK. Poor thing. She kept apologizing for being sick, and all I could do for her was to keep reassuring her it was okay. She was pretty much bed ridden Tuesday through Friday. It was kind of nice staying put for the first two days because I was able to catch up on my studying and several letters I've needed to write - I did sneak in a couple of naps too! But after day two I was going stir crazy! Luckily the members we live with had their grandchildren over for a little while, so that made day three go a bit faster. On Saturday, Sister Anderson's fever was gone and she was finally feeling a little better so we ventured out for a few visits, but after the second visit Sister Anderson was begging me to take her back home because she was so exhausted, I felt so bad for her.
Today for P-day we're going to Linder Farms, which is a pumpkin patch and corn maze. It's going to be so much fun!
We're getting lots of exercise through our service opportunities during the weekdays. For example, this week we're helping three families rake the leaves in their yards, and hauling a bunch of dirt for another. If anything I'll have killer arms when I return home from my mission!
We had Haitian/Creole food for dinner last night, it was yummy. The father of the family that fed us served his mission in Montreal, Canada and spoke French for a part of his mission. It was such a good dinner and their company was even better.
Tonight we are invited to Family Home Evening with members of the 8th ward. I'm really excited, they're such a great family and make us feel so welcome in their home.
Well, that's all for this week. The Family History Center is closing and we're being asked to finish up.
Love you guys so much! Have a wonderful week!
Sister Lindsay Taylor
I'm loving life for sure! Unfortunately, this week was pretty uneventful. Sister Anderson was sick with the flu ALL WEEK. Poor thing. She kept apologizing for being sick, and all I could do for her was to keep reassuring her it was okay. She was pretty much bed ridden Tuesday through Friday. It was kind of nice staying put for the first two days because I was able to catch up on my studying and several letters I've needed to write - I did sneak in a couple of naps too! But after day two I was going stir crazy! Luckily the members we live with had their grandchildren over for a little while, so that made day three go a bit faster. On Saturday, Sister Anderson's fever was gone and she was finally feeling a little better so we ventured out for a few visits, but after the second visit Sister Anderson was begging me to take her back home because she was so exhausted, I felt so bad for her.
Today for P-day we're going to Linder Farms, which is a pumpkin patch and corn maze. It's going to be so much fun!
We're getting lots of exercise through our service opportunities during the weekdays. For example, this week we're helping three families rake the leaves in their yards, and hauling a bunch of dirt for another. If anything I'll have killer arms when I return home from my mission!
We had Haitian/Creole food for dinner last night, it was yummy. The father of the family that fed us served his mission in Montreal, Canada and spoke French for a part of his mission. It was such a good dinner and their company was even better.
Tonight we are invited to Family Home Evening with members of the 8th ward. I'm really excited, they're such a great family and make us feel so welcome in their home.
Well, that's all for this week. The Family History Center is closing and we're being asked to finish up.
Love you guys so much! Have a wonderful week!
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Week 20 - Kuna 10/21/13
10/21/13
Another busy week has come and gone. I love Sister Anderson. She is working hard to learn and is a great missionary already!
It's a good and bad thing that our area was split. It has given me a little taste of what it'll be like when I leave Kuna. I really miss everyone in the two wards we lost even though they are only a few miles away. I've grown close with so many, but I know that changes help us grow in so many ways and I'll always carry them in my heart.
We were invited to attend a BBQ with the other missionaries in our district last Thursday. It was awesome! We had so much fun and it was nice to relax for a little bit with my fellow missionaries.
The weather is getting colder at night and we've had to scrape the frost from the windows of our car every morning. I really need to invest in some cozy tights because my legs freeze whenever we are out early or late. Brrrrr....
My roommates, Corianne and Regan from BYU came up to visit Corianne's family in Kuna this past weekend so I got to see them at church yesterday! Regan just got engaged this past week and brought her fiancee along too. He's very nice and I'm so happy for them. It was so good to see them.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that we're going to learn to bottle applesauce this week - I can't wait!
Me "blindfolded" with Sister Anderson's scarf, ready for the obstacle course activity at our last zone meeting.
10/17/13
She's here! My new companion, Sister Anderson has arrived, and as her trainer it is my pleasure to drive her to the public library so she can email her parents to let them know she has arrived safe and sound. So while sister Anderson is emailing her family, I get to email mine - bonus! Sister Anderson is from South Carolina. She has the cutest accent, is super sweet, and I might just be half an in taller than her, hah! Since Sister Anderson's arrival we haven't had a normal day yet due to some unexpected changes, which meant several meetings to bring us all up to speed. Despite being assured that our area wasn't being split until next transfers, the AP's (Assistants to the President) called yesterday morning and told us that our area was in fact being split sooner than anticipated. This means we've been scrambling around working through the logistics of the changes. The two new Elders are taking over the responsibilities of two of our wards, and right now they don't have a car, a cell phone, or the slightest idea of what to do. So I've been trying really hard to set up dinners for them and finding rides for them to some of the appointments we had already scheduled. So since the area is splitting, Sister Anderson and I spent the day yesterday visiting the families int he wards I'm losing and saying goodbye. It made me feel so good when som
e of the members told Sister Anderson that she has a really good companion and that I would be a great trainer. Then when we went to visit the new Elders this morning, the sister they are living with said, "Sister Taylor, you can't leave!", and she turned to the Elders and said, "You two have very big shoes to fill. Sister Taylor is an incredible missionary!", I'm so sad to leave those two wards, but it has been really cool to see how much influence I've had on people because I really had no idea! It was unexpected and humbling. Sister Anderson and I will still be visiting the families with single moms as head of household since the Elders cannot be in their homes without another male present (at least 16 years old). The people here are so wonderful and loving.
President Cannon told Sister Anderson that she is blessed to to be trained here in Kuna because it is the most coveted area in the mission. Our district is absolutely huge now! Our district meeting today was 12 people strong, and one companionship was missing because they already had a lesson planned. Usually a district is made up of 4 to 6 missionaries.
Well, Sister Anderson has finished up her email and so must I.
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
My new companion, Sister Anderson with President Cannon and me!
Dear Parents,
We thought you would enjoy receiving a photo of Sister Taylor and her new trainee, Sister Anderson, from Rockhill, South Carolina. It is a pleasure serving with such wonderful young missionaries in the Idaho Nampa Mission.
Regards,
Sister Short
Idaho Nampa Mission
Sister Anderson and Sister Taylor
Week 19 - Kuna 10/14/13
10/14/13
Hello Family!
CRAZY WEEK!!! Guess what today is? Transfer Day, and guess where I'm going? Nowhere! Woo Hoo, I'm Staying in Kuna! But Sister Stevens is leaving me and I'm so sad because I wanted to stay with her longer. She's being transferred to Enterprise, Oregon where she and her new companion will be opening a brand new area. This is very exciting because this area has never has Sister Missionaries before. Enterprise is the complete opposite edge of the mission and is about a three hour drive from here. Sister Stevens will do an awesome job! I will be training a brand new Sister, how cool is that?! I'm so excited that President Cannon is trusting me with this kind of responsibility! I won't get my new companion until tomorrow since all the newbies fly in on Tuesday's, so Sister Zavala and I will be temporary companions while we await the arrival of our new companions. Sister Nickolaisen will be here this evening for a big dinner meeting being hosted for the new trainers. I'm looking forward to seeing her again. We're all excited to meet our new Sister companions tomorrow. There are five new Sisters joining our mission and they all look so sweet - very exciting!
The red roses in the pictures from our last Sisters Conference were from President Cannon. He wanted us to know that he loves us all and thinks we are the most wonderful sisters in the world. I love President Cannon!
This weekend the Huberts took us to Swan Falls, it was beautiful, but out in the middle of nowhere. There is a short stone wall to keep folks from falling over a huge cliff. At the overlook there is an amazing view of the Snake River. Just over the stone wall there is a ledge, so we climbed over and pretended like we were falling - see the pictures of our antics! We also went to the old dam, which was once used as a prison. A must see for anyone coming through this area.
Sister Stevens and I had a really cool experience the other day. We were cleaning our car outside (In our service clothes, not our dresses), when an older gentleman passed by. Sister Stevens waved at him and said hi, and the gentleman waved back. Then his eye caught her name tag and he stopped and and said, "You're a missionary aren't you.... Well, I've been inactive for over ten years. Maybe you could help me with that?" Of course we said yes! We found out that he had actually served as an area Seventy back in the 50's and 60's. We talked a bit longer and invited him to join us at church the next Sunday. He sat with us yesterday at church, which was Fast and Testimony meeting, and he got up and bore his testimony. He is such a cool guy and it's awesome to have a little miracle like that happen.
I seriously love this mission so much, and I especially love serving here in Kuna. I love all of the people and I don't ever want to leave! Thank you for all of your support and all of the love you send me. I feel it for sure! Make sure you don't skip out on the small stuff - daily scripture study and personal prayers are so important!
As you know, I found my camera shoved deep in the abyss of the couch in our living room. Yay! So here are some pictures of our trip to Swan Falls, enjoy!
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Hello Family!
CRAZY WEEK!!! Guess what today is? Transfer Day, and guess where I'm going? Nowhere! Woo Hoo, I'm Staying in Kuna! But Sister Stevens is leaving me and I'm so sad because I wanted to stay with her longer. She's being transferred to Enterprise, Oregon where she and her new companion will be opening a brand new area. This is very exciting because this area has never has Sister Missionaries before. Enterprise is the complete opposite edge of the mission and is about a three hour drive from here. Sister Stevens will do an awesome job! I will be training a brand new Sister, how cool is that?! I'm so excited that President Cannon is trusting me with this kind of responsibility! I won't get my new companion until tomorrow since all the newbies fly in on Tuesday's, so Sister Zavala and I will be temporary companions while we await the arrival of our new companions. Sister Nickolaisen will be here this evening for a big dinner meeting being hosted for the new trainers. I'm looking forward to seeing her again. We're all excited to meet our new Sister companions tomorrow. There are five new Sisters joining our mission and they all look so sweet - very exciting!
My current area will remain as is until the next transfer in six weeks, which means I'll still be covering the five wards here with my new companion. I'll probably be staying here in kuna until January or February, which is fine with me! Elder Diaz, Elder Tuia, Elder Agle, and Sister Stevens are all moving on to new areas so Elder Hatefi, Elder Eagleston Elder Hendricks and I are all getting new companions.
A new set of Elders are also flying in tomorrow to join our mission. So this transfer will bring the most changes since I came to this mission. My companion and I will still be the only Sisters in our district, but that's okay because everyone spoils us rotten. I love it!
The red roses in the pictures from our last Sisters Conference were from President Cannon. He wanted us to know that he loves us all and thinks we are the most wonderful sisters in the world. I love President Cannon!
This weekend the Huberts took us to Swan Falls, it was beautiful, but out in the middle of nowhere. There is a short stone wall to keep folks from falling over a huge cliff. At the overlook there is an amazing view of the Snake River. Just over the stone wall there is a ledge, so we climbed over and pretended like we were falling - see the pictures of our antics! We also went to the old dam, which was once used as a prison. A must see for anyone coming through this area.
Sister Stevens and I had a really cool experience the other day. We were cleaning our car outside (In our service clothes, not our dresses), when an older gentleman passed by. Sister Stevens waved at him and said hi, and the gentleman waved back. Then his eye caught her name tag and he stopped and and said, "You're a missionary aren't you.... Well, I've been inactive for over ten years. Maybe you could help me with that?" Of course we said yes! We found out that he had actually served as an area Seventy back in the 50's and 60's. We talked a bit longer and invited him to join us at church the next Sunday. He sat with us yesterday at church, which was Fast and Testimony meeting, and he got up and bore his testimony. He is such a cool guy and it's awesome to have a little miracle like that happen.
I seriously love this mission so much, and I especially love serving here in Kuna. I love all of the people and I don't ever want to leave! Thank you for all of your support and all of the love you send me. I feel it for sure! Make sure you don't skip out on the small stuff - daily scripture study and personal prayers are so important!
As you know, I found my camera shoved deep in the abyss of the couch in our living room. Yay! So here are some pictures of our trip to Swan Falls, enjoy!
Love,
Sister Lindsay Taylor
Sister Taylor cheesin' it up for the camera!
Sister Stevens!
Cute Companions.
Sister Taylor and Sister Stevens
.... and stretch 2, 3, 4
"Who's idea was this anyway? I'm afraid of heights!!!"
The District and Sister Huber.
Thank you Brother and Sister Huber for a fantastic day!
Sister Stevens & her cool pumpkin!
Me and my pumpkin! I Love Kuna!!!!
Week 18 - Kuna 10/07/13
Sister Stevens and I have been going full throttle for the past six weeks! This has been the fastest transfer I've had so far. It seems as if it was just yesterday that I was picking Sister Stevens up at the transfer spot - where did those six weeks go?
This week we met another investigator, her name is Yesenia. She lives with her husband at his parents house, who are active members of the church. We're going to teach them the first discussion tomorrow. This week Sister Stevens and I went with one of our families to the church orchards and picked red delicious, golden delicious, and granny smith apples. Apple picking is hard work. If anything falls on the ground, you can glean it and take it home with you. We helped the family we went with glean a bunch of apples and she is going to teach us how to can them and make homemade applesauce and apple juice. We are also going to be canning tomatoes with her. I'm excited to learn. Everyone has been feeding us their homemade applesauces at dinner, and it's soooooooooo good!
I had one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission last Saturday during Rheanna's baptism. Rheanna is only 21 years old, and although her husband is less active he was able to baptize her. It was very touching to see him so moved by the spirit as he entered the waters with his wife. The spirit was so strong in the room. It was beautiful.
We celebrated Sister Stevens' birthday yesterday with the Huberts. We watched conference, then had a little birthday celebration. It's tradition here that the birthday missionary's companion gets to smash their face in the cake.... so I had the honor of exfoliating Sister Stevens face with rainbow cake!! It was so much fun!
I've been learning a little more Spanish and practicing more of what I learned in school since this areas Hispanic population is 30 percent. So here's a little something in Spanish for you to decipher:
! Yo se que la iglesia de Jesuscristo de los ultimos dias es la iglesia verdadera en la tierra y que gracias a Jose Smith y por el poder de Dios el pudo restaurar la misma iglesia y misma doctrina que Jesuscristo ensernaba cuando el estaba en la tierra. Yo amo a mi salvador y se que gracias a el yo puedo mejorar como persona y vencer cualquiier problema que me enfrente en mi mision y mi vida. Los amo mucho familia ! y los extrano mucho !
Oh, I found my camera, YAY!!!!
Love,
Sister Taylor
Sister Stevens & Sister Taylor after a long day of apple pickin' fun!
Rheanna's Baptism
Sister Taylor & Sister Stevens
Sister Taylor & Sister Stevens
Sister Conference
Smile!
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