Week 5

Wow! I can't believe my time here at the MTC is up!! I get my re-assignment tomorrow and i am so excited! I can't wait to find out where I will be serving until my visa comes. Ah i just can't believe it is my last week here. so many mixed emotions. I have grown to love this place so much. I have had some of the funniest, hardest and most spiritual experiences here. I have grown more than I ever thought possible in these 5 weeks. It will be a hard goodbye. But I am beyond excited to get into the field- wherever that may be! 

On Thursday morning my companion went home. It was so hard to say goodbye to her. I learned so much from her and I love her to death. She's incredible.

I am now in a trio with Sister Magelby and Sister Denton from my district. they are so great and have taught me so much. ah being a missionary is unreal. on Friday we taught a lesson to what we thought was suppose to be a member in Brazil over skype. His name is Vinicio and he was around 23 years old and lives in Sao Paulo. With some technical difficulties with the sound and his accent and our lack of verbs/nouns that don't relate to the gospel it was very difficult to understand him. He kept asking us if we were "consado" which means tired in portuguese and we would reply, "Oh sim, muito consado!!" ahhhh we soon realized he wasn't asking us if we were tired but if we were MARRIED which is "casado" hahaha. And then our teacher found out the Vincio was actually an investigator! it was quite the experience. haha hopefully next time will be better.

It was Elder Roundy's birthday in our District on Saturday so we had a "little" party for him. we decorated the room and sister denton's mom ordered a cake from the provo bakery and we ate chips and queso and dr. pepper for 15 min. It was so fun. I love my district and am going to miss them muito muito mais. 

Don Clarke of the seventy spoke to us last Tuesday night. It was the best devotional we have had here at the MTC. He gave us the "10 things every missionary should know". It was so inspiring and motivating. This truly is the Lord's work and we are so lucky to be able to help Him.

I don't have much time today but I love you all!

I know this church is true. Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.- wow i have learned so much about Joseph Smith this week and He is amazing. 

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will help us. God wanted it to come forth at this time for US to read. so read it!! 

Jesus Christ is our Savior, He is our Redeemer. Our brother. Our friend. Come unto Him and He will help you through your trials. He knows you personally. Get to know Him personally.

Missions are amazing. I never want to come home. haha I love this so much and am so incredibly happy.

LOVE YOU ALL

xoxoxo

Sister Taylor

UPDATE- Lauren has been assigned to the Long Beach, California Mission until her visa arrives. She leaves the MTC March 31st!

Week 4

hello my beautiful family!!

holy cow one month!! It's surreal to think one month of my mission is already gone. 

This was the quite the eventful week! I got to leave campus three times!!!  It was so weird. My companion has been needing physical therapy so we have been going to this place off of university avenue. I could have walked to my friends houses in two min! ah. so weird.  I saw five people from the ward and  that was wonderful! But I really couldn't wait to get back inside the mtc. The outside, worldly provo started calling my name ... haha there was music playing at the physical therapy place so i got to listen to some billy joel and john mayer... but they don't even compare anymore to  the lovely efy music and mormon tabernacle choir. nope. not even close. haha kinda kidding :)

  

I had to get my Hep. A booster shot this week and I was really tempted to fake a british accent. Everyone who was getting shots were foreigners and  were from all these exotic places! Whenever someone asked me where I was from I was just like, "oh I'm actually just from Provo!" they would just stare at me and then ask, "really?". haha it was hilarious. 

ELDER COOK CAME. WOOOOHHHHOO. literally it was the best. everyone was so excited because I guess Apostles don't come as often as they used to.

He talked about how mission calls are assigned which was really cool. 

He told us how our faith will lead us to success. Then he said if "we are inviting we are succeeding".  As missionaries we are suppose to invite investigators to be baptized in the first lesson we  have with them! WHAT. I nevveer knew that until i came here. But an Apostle of the Lord said if we are inviting others-(to be baptized, pray, read the BoM, attend church, etc.) then we are succeeding. This is the Lord's work. It's not about me or my fears or what I want to do. It's what the Lord wants. Elder Cook also said, "It's the Lord's church. He will establish His church." Wow. It really shows how this work only comes forth becomes of Him. MIssionaries are simply his instruments.

As far as my VISA goes... it doesn't look like it's coming anytime soon. There are 4 little dots that show that status of my VISA and mine is still on dot number one. I will be getting my reassignment next week on wednesday or thursday. I am really excited to get it! It's like waiting for another a mission call! two missions in one is the way we are looking at it.

well i love you all so much and hope you are enjoying this BEAUTIFUL weather as much as I am! We try to study outside as much as possible now. I love it!!

The church is true and Heavenly Father is so mindful of us. He loves us so much and will help us through our trials. 

xoxoxo

Sister Taylor

Week 3

Well, another week flew by here at the mtc in provo. It's so weird to look out windows and see Timp. or Y mountain and realize that I am still in Provo. It definitely doesn't feel like I am.

The spirit at the mtc is so incredible. My favorite things so far has been when we all sing, "Called to Serve", "Come Thou Fount" and "The Sisters of Zion/Army of Helaman", it is the most amazing experience. I AM A MISSIONARY SINGING CALLED TO SERVE. so so cool. I love it so much. 

The beginning of this week was really hard. Missions are hard. Everyday is challenging but at the same time everyday is so rewarding. I am stretched and my patience is constantly being tested but the Lord is there. He is helping me and it's amazing to see His hand in my life. Sometimes we as missionaries don't realize whose name we are wearing each day and are not the kindest to each other. Or we don't try as hard as we should. It's not a perfect place here, but it's a place where people are coming unto Christ. As long as you are trying, that's all that matters. 

I saw a quote the other night by Pres. Monson that said, "We must accept His discipline, to become His disciple" it was exactly what I needed to hear. 

During RS on Sunday the general RS 1st counselor spoke to us and she showed one of the bible videos of Christ and His Atonement. He died for us. He suffered the pains of this world, pains beyond mortal comprehension. I can't articulate the emotions I felt and still feel, but as I sat there all I could think was, how could I not be better? How could I not do everything in my power to show the Lord my love for Him? I have such a strong testimony that our Savior lives. He loves us. He is our brother. He died for me and for you and for everyone who has lived and is yet to live. He has felt our deepest pains. He knows you and loves you. This is my purpose as a missionary- to help others come unto Christ. How excited I am to be doing His work. To be representing Him each day. I am so grateful that He would love me enough to let me represent Him and be an instrument in His hands.

We have memorized our purpose as missionaries, James 1:5, the baptismal invite and the 1st vision in Portuguese so far. My testimony has grown so much from saying these words in Portuguese. it's hard to explain but it is one of the most spiritual experiences thus far reciting the first vision in Portuguese. 

I love being a missionary. I am the happiest I have ever been in my life here. I love it so much. 

I love you all!!! Have the greatest week!

xoxoxo

Sister Taylor 

p.s. however, I do think I could be a little a happier if they would let me walk to Swig once a day... I miss my dirty diet coke! 

Congrats Ruby on your call!!!!

Sisters in her District.

March 3, 2015

Oi Familia!

  

I LOVE THE MTC SO MUCH. this week flew by. it's crazy. 

Basically my schedule goes like this:

5:30 a.m.- Sister Denton gets up. she sleeps above me and is from Nashville. we tease each other relentlessly. I'm always saying to her, "Is that how they do it in Tennessee Sister Denton?" haha i love her. She's the mom and makes sure everyone is always doing what they're supposed to be doing.

6:00 a.m.- everyone else gets up. 

6:15 a.m.- I get up. (let it be known we don't have to get up until 6:30...)

7-7:45 a.m.- personal study in our tinyyyy classroom

7:45-8:15 a.m.- breakfast

8:15-12:30 p.m.-  classroom

12:30-1:15- lunch

1:15-4:15-  back to the classroom

4:15-5:30- gym time

5:45-6:30- dinner

6:30-9:30- classroom

9:30-10:30- GOLDEN HOUR

so 10 hours of the day I am in a closet size classroom with 11 other people. and I LOVE IT. 

My district is so amazing. We have so much fun but also work very hard. Our teachers are fantastic. Irma Cowen(who was Marcia our old investigator and served in my mission! she got home in october. i love her!) and Irmao Buttars who is so great! We were having a conversation about how we think he is one of the 3 nephites and Elder Roundy was like "Wow, if he's one the of the 3 nephites that must mean we were chosen!!" haha it was so funny. everyone tells us they have never seen a district act more like a family because we all tease each other but love each other soo much. but we also work very hard. our teachers really push us. on Thursday we are having an "english fast" so we can only speak Portuguese for 24 hours. yikes. i already have a head ache just thinking about it. momma, i'm gonna need some more diet coke. 

the other night as we were getting ready for bed all of sudden girls started screaming bloody murder and we opened our door and there was a mouse running around on our floor! haha it was the funniest thing thing though. this lady was chasing after it and then 5 girls were running in the opposite direction.

As I said before i have the best teachers. Irmao Buttars was telling us the other day about Thomas B. Marsh and how he could have been the next Brigham Young but gave it all way because of his pride. if you don't know the story look it up. He told us not to lose our missions because of our own pride."You aren't here to serve missions.You are here to prepare yourself to be a missionary for the rest of your life."

I have been preparing for my mission since before I was born and I want to be able to look back and know that I gave it everything.This is the hardest thing I have ever done and I am so tired and frustrated 90 percent of the time. But this is my chance to give everything I have to the Lord. I want to be able to look back and know that I gave it everything. When I was tired, when I was homesick, when I was rejected, when I didn't get along with my companion, when I wasn't learning the language, I still pushed through. This is my time to show God what He means to me. To be strong enough and faithful enough to be a bold missionary to follow His example. I am here to become all He would have me be. And I am leaving it all behind. 

Serving a mission is the best decision I have ever made. It is already changing me and I'm so grateful. 

I love you all so much and am praying for you!!

xoxoxo

Sister Taylor

p.s. the sisters in my district have amazing voices so we will be singing in sacrament meeting on sunday. HAHA who would have thought i would ever be singing in church!!! 

February 24, 2015

WOW! 

holy cow i feel like i've been here FOREVER. The first couple days were hard but only because I was thinking about myself. It has been so amazing these past few days. The spirit that is in the MTC is incredible. I have already learned so many things that I would have never been able to learn without being here. I'M SO HAPPY. 

 

There are 12 people in my district. 6 elders and 6 sisters. all going to brazil! 4 are going to sao paulo south and then my companion is the only one going to sao paulo interlagos. Her name is Sister Holdsworth and is from Casa Grande Arizona. She's so sweet and funny and always makes the most random hilarious comments. 

Basically I am in class all day studying portuguese. But it's amazing to me how much responsibility we have here. We are given a schedule but then it's our job to stick to it. No one is telling you what to do except for when you have a teacher during one of the three, three hour blocks. My district is so great and we all really push each other. Our teacher Irmao Buttars has us do 20 contacts, 20 testimonies and 20 "estar" phrases everyday in Portuguese to random missionaries throughout the day so we are progressing really quick!! we teach lessons to our "investigator" Marcia (soon to be teacher) and our 1st lesson was on Friday, 2nd on Saturday and our 3rd lesson was yesterday. For our 3rd lesson we couldn't use ANY notes. And the lessons are 30 min. long! I was so scared. But wow. the gift of tongues is so real. My companion and I did it and it went so well! Our sentence structure definitely wasn't great but we were able to get across what we wanted to say about the restoration, prophets and the book of mormon! I can speak Portuguese!! All because of the Lord. If we put the Lord first He really will help us. On Sunday we had a devotional and then after I watched "Characters of Christ" by Elder Bednar. Changed my life. This mission is not about me or what I want. It's not about how much I want to speak the language or how many investigators I want. It's about Him. I'm learning so much here and I'm so grateful for this. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.

The food could be better here... haha hello cannon center take two. but it's okay. I see Mason and Tiffany all the time everyday and so many other kids from Timpview and BYU. The girl I went through the temple with is in the room right next to mine along with Kari Larsen from Timpview so i love that! They are also in my Zone. And other kids from my mission prep class are in my zone so it's great!! The girl I met at the post office is in my district, Sister Piltcher. She's so great! I love her to death. 

I know the Lord is strengthening me every day. This is hard, don't get me wrong. I'm tired 75% of the time but it's so worth it. And like I said before, this isn't about me. I love you all so much!! 

xoxox

Sister Taylor