I'm not quite sure how to start this email...many many thoughts are running
through my head...but I'm comforted, truly comforted by the Holy Spirit. I think
I will tell you about my week and then about all the other thoughts running
through my head. I hope I can get through everything I want to say...
This past week has definitely been one of the coldest weeks out here.
Bone-chilling cold. But it was one of the most amazing weeks. We taught 27
lessons. Wedesnday was great. We taught a few of our investigators and one
actually might already be a member of the church...she can't remember. Which is
unique but we taught her the plan of salvation and it 'makes sense' to her. We
went and saw a HQ referral and he didn't think we were going to come. But of
course we did. He said he wanted a Bible but we didn't have any bibles but we
told him we had a Book of Mormon. We quickly taught a short Restoration and gave
him the Book of Mormon. We thought it was pretty promising but we recieved a
text last night saying he'd like to stay Methodist. Sometimes that happens. "/
We quickly went and saw Bonny and Sister Morrison is STILL sick. So we went home
and relaxed and tried to get her feeling better. Not much luck. Still sick. I'm
definitely learning patience ha. We had interviews that night with President and
Sister Jeppson and I love interviews so much. President and Sister Jeppson are
so loving and knkow exactly what we need. They truly are inspired. I told them
that I found out Grandpa had a stroke so they knew a little bit about what was
going on. They were comforting interviews. We went to a members house for dinner
and had really good soup. I love being in the members homes and feeling the
spirit there. I love all the members here! We went to young womens after that
and decorated mugs with them! It's pretty sweet. Maybe I'll have to send that
back so I don't lose it here.
I can't remember what day I recieved two little packages, but of course
they're always on days that I need them. They were from Melissa and Liz Dicou.
Melissa sent some pictures from her wedding and I loved them! I look at them
often. Thank you Melissa. And Liz, you better believe I cried when I opened it
up and saw what it was. Thank you so much! It was a hymn book because we always
used to share hers. Thanks again! And thanks for all the support, really. I
couldn't be here if it wasn't for all the prayers and love you show to me.
Thursday we had an exchange with Sparta. I went up to the "New Jersey
Mountains" and BOY WAS IT COLD!!! It was walking day and I haven't had a walking
day in two transfers because Sister Morrison's leg and so it was a BIG change to
what I have been doing. But it was fun! I went with Sister Healy and she's
incredible and funny and awkward and great! We walked quite a bit and contacted
a lot of people. It was great and good to get back to that. It was a good
exchange that's for sure. Sister Healy is coming home this next transfer and had
the temple trip so we came back down to Morristown on Friday morning and so
Sister Richardson, her companion, stayed with us most of the day. We did our
studies and then went and helped Darsi. I love Darsi so much. She's like a big
sister to me out here. She's amazing and is looking to recieve her endowments in
February. I'm so excited for her! After Darsi we went and saw Cynthia and she
how she was doing. And she was exhausted. Work and everything is just too much
for her right now. She didn't come to church. Neither did Cary. That's the
biggest struggle we're having with our investigators right now is getting them
to church. We went and visited Prakash, our gas guy, and he said he was thinking
about us that day. Inspired to go and get gas! We're trying to set up a time to
go see him and his family again.
Saturday was great as well. Darsi needed more help so we went and helped
her. Cary has been fixing our skirts and i'm so grateful for her. We went and
dropped those off to her and then went to the Chase home (Sarah Page's) sisters
house and taught them the doctrine of Jesus Christ. They had such a beautiful
home and beautiful kids. After that we went to the Perez home and watched the
Legacy with them. They all committed to come to church and they were all there
again! I love seeing families come back to church. Even though I haven't
baptized anyone yet I'm strengthening families and helping them build their
faith in Christ.
As I have said time and time again I love Sunday's and this one in
particular! It was a missionary themed church. President and Sister Jeppson were
there and spoke about missionary work and I was asked to bear my testimony in
sacrament meeting. I love bearing my testimony and I was grateful for the
opportunity. My testimony has strengthened so much since being out here and it's
only going to get stronger! I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE! It makes sense. :)
President got up and was talking about Elder Ream (who also bore his testimony)
and me and said "you probably didn't know Sister Taylor was a college basketball
player." Needless to say I got some pretty crazy looks after that. But it was
good. Relief Society was also all on missionary work. It was on the talk given
my Elder Nelson in October's conference "Ask the missionaries! They can help
you." So that's exactly what the teacher did. She asked us to bear our
testimonies in Relief Society as well. I'm so privilaged to be a missionary for
my Savior Jesus Christ in these days. I love every opportunity I get to share
the gospel. One of our less-actives was having some pain so we went and helped
her. We took her dogs for a walk and cleaned her windows. I love any type of
service! We went to a members house for dinner and then went to the hospital to
visit the less active that wasn't doing to well. We had the bishop come over and
give her a priesthood blessing. I hope she's doing okay. This week was great! We
worked hard and it's paying off. I really hope to get some baptismal dates set
this next week and getting our investigators to church.
My district leader is pretty sure I'm going to be getting doubled in to a
new area and training a new sister. President told me I'll definitely be
training because we're getting 8 english sisters in this upcoming transfer. I'm
sad to leave Morristown but I know wherever the Lord calls me is where I need to
go. We'll see what happens in these upcoming weeks!
Now for the news I recieved this morning....it's definitely heart-breaking
to find out Grandpa has passed away. It's hard because I've been so fortunate
not to lose someone close until now. It's tough and it was tough when President
called me. Right as he told me tears came. But I'm glad he told me before, so
thank you mom for that. I know I already sent mom an email telling you about his
favorite memories but I remember going to his work and getting gumballs. That
was probably my favorite memory with him. As I have prayed this morning, the
spirit is here comforting me. I know and will continue to strengthen my
testimony on the plan of salvation. This is a great opportunity to me to really
know that The Plan of Salvation is real. I remember leaving to the MTC and
telling grandpa where I was going. I told him twice I was going on a mission and
then told him one last time and he said "I know that". He knows where I am and
he's going to look out for me. He's reunited with some much of his family and
he's happy. Mosiah 2:41...he's in a state of never-ending happiness, reunited
with his family and waiting for us to join him one day. It's hard and going to
be hard these next couple days and weeks but we have eternity with our families.
And I'm so grateful and happy to spend it with my family. I love you all so
much! You are all in my prayers, always! And Kimber, I'm so excited for you to
be sealed this Saturday. What an amazing day it will be. I know this church is
true. If I didn't I wouldn't be out here. I know God has a plan for each one of
us and this time right now is going to make us all stronger as a family! Can't
wait to hear from you all next week! And thank you for all your suport!
Love you!
Sister Christine Elaine Taylor :)
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