Week Four!

Hey All!

So I have been sick this whole week. There’s a bug going around our Zone and seriously like half our zone is sick it stinks! But hopefully I'll start feeling better soon!

Thanks mom for the Package with 10 lbs. of candy and clothes and my shoes ha, ha, ha. So this week was cool. I feel like my companion Elder Pace and I are really starting to learn how to teach in unity and the language is coming along really well. We have 3 investigators now and it is so frustrating when you know they know the gospel is true but still won't accept it!!!!! It’s so frustrating! But all is well, I know that we go through trials to test our faith, and it is only after the trial of our faith that we receive what we desire.

This week is kind of nuts in the MTC because all of the apostles are here! We saw David A. Bednar walking down the hall, and remember Banks my R.A from school? Well he's a security guard here now and he got to valet President Monson's car ha, ha, ha, so lucky! They are all here because all of the new mission presidents are here, including... Mine! On Wednesday we got to meet with our new mission president, President Wilkinson and his Wife. He served his mission in the Dominican Republic, and he's only 47! He is so spiritual but at the same time utterly hilarious. He and his wife are so cute together. He loves basketball and volleyball (score!) and he got recruited to play volleyball at BYU.

I seriously love President and Sister Wilkinson and they already feel like my surrogate parents for the next two years. I love them with all my heart because of the spirit that they bring whenever you talk to them. I cannot wait to get to Costa Rica! Oh, P.S., they said they don't have addresses in Costa Rica, for example the mission home mailbox in Costa Rica is down the street next to some McDonalds... so they don't know how it is going to be trying to send letters! Communication may only be through e-mail!!!! Nuts I know! I am seriously so stoked to get out there and do the Lord's work!

Something that I have been working on lately is my love for people. I don't want to be a missionary because it's the right thing to do. I want to do it because I sincerely love God's Children in Costa Rica, and I want to share God's plan of Happiness and salvation to them. It's hard being a missionary, I miss home, my friends, SLEEP, and the comfortable life I was used to, but I know this is what I am supposed to do. There’s just a sense of fulfillment when you grow in this gospel and you know that you are doing the Lord's work. I pray every day that I can live up to the name that is on my name tag and be a true representative of Jesus Christ and act how he would if he were in my shoes. I love this work, and I love this gospel so much!

Last night we had a sweet fireside from President and Sister Braxdy, District MTC Presidents up here and it was really informative and spiritual. They talked about different ways the spirit prompts us and guides us in our lives, and how we need to become familiar to his voice before we can start recognizing him all the time! I pray with all my heart that I can always be obedient so the spirit will be my constant guide! I can do nothing in this great work without the influence of the Holy Ghost to testify of what I am saying is true!

Well randy is really lucky! He leaves Tuesday morning I think, what a lucky dawg. I really want to get out and share my love for this gospel but at the same time I don't feel at all prepared in Spanish. Speaking of which, Spanish is coming along very well. I can mostly say whatever I'm thinking or want to express, albeit in a very slow and "gringo-ish" way. But don't judge it'll come through obedience and the Holy Ghost soon enough.

Well I want to know how everything and everyone is doing. How was the move with Katie and Cam? How’s Jase doing up at Vasser? How are Eric and Shelby's wedding plans coming along? How's Dad holding up in Sin City? P.s speaking of Sin City it is hot as heck in Utah, I AM GOING TO COOK IN COSTA RICA!!!!!!!!! Oh and what's going on in the outside world? Like politics and sports and stuff? I heard the Miami Heat won the NBA finals... sad day haha.

Well I love each and every one of you. I know this church is true. I know that the temple is the house of the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and the redeemer of the world. I know that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us, and as I have grown closer to him he has lead me so much in my life. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of God on earth today and that he is the mouthpiece of the Lord. I love this church so much, and I love all of you so incredibly much. I love this gospel and pray that someday I may live in the presence of God and Jesus Christ again.

Love all of you so much!

Dios puede estar con nosotros por eternidad! ( sorry for my bad Spanish haha)

Elder Ryan Taylor

Week Three!

Hey Everybody!

The church is true! This week was really difficult for me, and I felt like I have just been going through the motions all week however, today at the temple was amazing! I seriously love the spirit and power that resides in the house of the house of the Lord!

Okay so last night we had a really good fireside from Sherri Dew, the president of Deseret Industries. She talked to us about our relationship with God, and how we have the ability to ask him for spiritual gifts. She told us if we have trouble feeling the spirit to pray and ask the Lord to tutor you and teach you personally in how you personally feel the spirit. I never thought of asking that! And you know what? It totally works. I have grown and progressed so much spiritually over this past week.

Oh and another thing, so I decided to start the Book of Mormon over at the beginning of last week and I'm in Alma and it is just amazing. I think my favorite scriptures so far are 1st Nephi 13:37 and I really love Alma 36: 17-21. The Book of Mormon is true and I received so many answers regarding my life today in the temple through the Book of Mormon.

Also something I feel prompted to say, today in the temple I received the confirmation that Grandma Gallegos is doing well and that Grandma Hackett is too. I just love it there so much I wish I could go every day because I learn so much every time I go.

Spanish is coming along well. I don't practice as much as I should, but I can pretty much express my feelings and everything I want to say in a super simple and humble way. I feel like I can receive inspiration and feel the Spirit more with the simple Spanish I know because it is so basic and humble, just like our Church is.

Things are going well with my companion and I, we get along and we teach with the spirit. So remember our "investigator" that we baptized, well he's our teacher now. Hermano Hoapoade, a Tongan that served his mission in Paraguay. He told me that I need to testify from my heart about everything I am teaching my investigators because when I do they can feel the spirit and will become converted. I really love my teachers Hermano Wood and Hoapoade, they are truly men of God.

Oh a funny thing, so we were teaching an investigator named Amalio about the Atonement and how it can give us a change of heart and he kept saying "Que Pucha!" I thought pucha was a bad word so afterwards I asked my teacher what It meant and turns out it means "Oh D***!" Haha it was funny!

Well today is my last day with two of my buddies who are going to the Guatemalan MTC tomorrow. I love them, their names are Elder Hilton from north Ogden, and Elder Roach from Indiana. Love them to death, and I know they will be amazing missionaries.

Oh another good thing, so our room in our Apartment is blazing hot! Its like "el inferno" (Heck!) in there and these elders gave us a fan! May not seem like a big deal, but I slept amazing last night!

And I'm sorry that Katie, Cam and Joshy are moving up to Utah. Hopefully you can spend some time with them and check out their new digs. Oh and thank you mom for sending up my package! However, I don't fit into the olpin group shirt because its tiny haha but thank you i appreciate it and I'll hopefully get it tomorrow.

Oh and Mom and Dad, so when you put my emails on my blog can you go on my facebook and post the link to my blog every week you do it? I want people to ee it if they want to! Thanks!

P.S. this next part is for Dad...

Happy Fathers day Dad! I love you so much. I'm so thankful for your example of tireless work and selflessness for your family. I miss you and all the "funny" embarrassing things you always did. You spiritual letters really do help me get through the day and I love hearing your insight into things. I'm thankful for the example you have given me by living up to your priesthood and temple covenants. I strive to be like you someday, and honestly hope that I can be the man you are. Love you dad, and I hope you got my letter that I wrote. I wouldn't be here without your work, love and care. Hope you're having fun in the "Sin City" with the crusty old owner of the Venetian.

Oh and what is Eric and Shelby's date for their wedding? Uncle Warren emailed me and wanted to know, he said he and Pam hadn't heard about it! Also, thank you so much for the pictures of Joshua! He is so darn cute! Especially the one where he is shirtless in the high chair just smiling with his hat on! And thank you for Grandma's funeral thing, and for letting me be an honorary pallbearer, I really appreciate it. They are all pinned up on my wall by my desk here.

I just want all of you to know that this church is true and that there is a reason that I am serving the blessed people of Costa Rica. Someone there needs my personality, my spirit, and my testimony to personally touch them and I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me to do so. Christ Lives! His atonement is real, and pain and guilt can be changed into peace joy and happiness. I love all of you very much and miss you, but I'm loving the opportunity to Give the Lord all my two years. I love all of you and cannot wait till we meet again!

Love,

Elder Ryan Taylor

Week Two What!?!?!

Hey Mom, Dad and family!

So it's week two in the MTC and it's had it's ups and downs. I remember when I first was getting ready to leave and the missionaries said they are used to being tired all the time, and I'm starting to get like that too. Less than 8 hours of sleep a night is not enough! However, I know that when I'm obedient to the schedule I will be blessed.

I'm sorry to hear about Grandma Gallegos' passing. My life I didn't really know her, but I still loved her. I'm so glad I was able to meet her last April, and to at least hug her and tell her I love her. I know that she is much better off with our Father in Heaven, and that her and Grandma Hackett
have a lot of work to do up there.

Oh about my immunizations, so I'm all up to date but I need to know when I got my chicken pox shot so I can get the next one at the BYU student Health Center, and I'm getting my next Hep A shot sometime next month. Also that sister that is in my district from Granite Bay went to Del Oro, and she doesn't know any of our family.

Also tell Eric and Shelby CONGRATULATIONS! I am so incredibly stoked for them! That will be such a blessing in their lives! I wish that I could attend the civil ceremony and the subsequent sealing but I'm so happy for them that it doesn't matter! I bet you and Dad are super stoked to plan another wedding huh?! Haha just kidding! But yes I am so grateful for Shelby's decision to be baptized and for Eric's tremendous example to not only her but to me. Also how are Katie, and Jase doing? Tell me next time you write me.

Okay so this next part is for Dad. Thank you so much for your spiritual letters to me. There are times when I'm having a hard day learning Spanish and I just get down on myself, but your letters really do uplift me. They really apply to me so much everyday. Remember the letter you wrote to me about the Atonement and Alma I think? Well my investigator Marcos asked me a question about the atonement and I was able to remember what you told me in the letter and it was a very spiritual experience for both of us.

Oh p.s. Marcos is getting baptized haha, we talked to him about the 3rd lesson and when he asked when he could be baptized. I know it was fake but it's such a rad and amazing feeling when you can tell that the Holy Ghost converted someone. I am also so stoked to go to Costa Rica. Everyday I just get so pumped to teach people the truths that I kno0w, and to bring them more happiness and peace in their lives.

So yesterday we had the sweetest fireside and the managing director of the Missionary Department, Steven A. Bell (i think that’s his name?) told us how we need to love our companion. It was so powerful. Something that I really needed to hear about. I've come to the realization that I can be very selfish at times, and now I'm figuring out that I need to lose myself and love others. I've started doing this and life is 10x better and more edifying.

Oh also today we went to the temple. It was such an amazing a spiritual experience, and it has strengthened my testimony so much. Before I started my session I asked the Lord to give me a special witness of the presence of the person who I was doing the work for. And you know what? He was there, and he was so excited to be finally able to enter the presence of the Lord. It was so amazing. I love the temple so much and it truly is the house of the Lord!

Oh and also last night we watched "The Testaments" you know the movie about 3rd Nephi. IT WAS AWESOME! I know that Christ is my Savior and Redeemer! I can't say it enough, Christ does live and it is only through his grace mercy and atonement that we are saved! I love him so much!

Well I hope everything is going well at home, I love getting letters from everyone, and tell them to keep sending them because letters make me extremely happy and it's sad when I don't get any haha. Oh and by the way REALLY IMPORTANT: Mom or Dad can you ask Allison if she got any of my letters, cuz I sent one last Saturday and one this Friday and she hasn't responded! Thanks! Oh and can you guys send me a package of food or treats please! That would be very appreciated! All I want is a package, and you know what I like. Also mom, could you send me up my volleyball shoes and like some extra shirts for p-day and working out. I have nothing. This is what I need...

·         2 extra pairs of long white socks

·         Maybe basketball shorts if there is room

·         Volleyball shoes ( the silver and black ones)

·         Green and white RVCA shirt with the pocket in front ( it's short sleeve)

·         And FOOD!

Thanks Mom and Dad. I really love and miss you guys so much. I know our family is being blessed because of my mission, and for your great diligence in keeping the Lord's commandments. I know this church is true and I know that this is where I am supposed to be. Send all my love to everyone in the family and let them know I am having the time of my life up here, and that I cannot wiat till I finally get to Costa Rica.

P.S.

Here's a funny story. So my branch president's wife was in my physical science class this last year. She was the old lady that always asked strange questions in class haha, it was weird to finally see her and recognize her as the "crazy" old lady. But i ate lunch with her the other day and she was awesome, and it's good for her that she is going back to school! Oh and this is for MOM: i wear my silky pajamas every night because they won't let us walk around in garments hahaha....

Well let Allison know that I wrote her, and that I want a Dear Elder from her! And i love PACKAGES! Love you guys, and I know this church is so true!

Love,

Ryan

Hola Family! Week one in the MTC!

Hey Mom and Dad,
Sorry I haven't written to you yet. I figured that by the time you got any letter I wrote you would have already gotten an email from me, so I decided to just wait till my P-day to write you.

So my P-days are on monday so you should get an email from me every monday...Well my first week at the MTC has had it's ups and downs! The spirit is so strong here. I have felt it so strongly everyday in all the workshops and classes that we have. It's funny how everyone says that you'll hate the MTC, but so far I love the feeling I have here.

My district is awesome. My companion is Elder Pace, he's from Las Vegas, and he stayed in Helaman Halls the same time as me up at BYU. He's a good guy and will be an excellent missionary in Tucson, Arizona. My roomates are a little skinny guy named Elder Jones who will be going to Costa Rica, and Elder Fuiamono who is the coolest guy I know. He is the most genuine and loving samoan guy ever and I learn a great deal about how to care for people by his example. He's also way funny. Two other missionaries in my district will be heading to Costa Rica with me. Elder Anderson who is hillarious, and Elder Richardson who is way cool and plays linebacker at BYU. I really love my district.We also have a lot of Hermanas that are going to Tucson. They are babes haha, just kidding. One is from Granite Bay actually which is pretty cool.

Well this past week has been pretty cool. My spanish is coming along really well, and I'm starting to think in spanish now. I guess I was sleep talking last night and Elder Jones said he heard me speaking in Spanish. THE GIFT OF TOUNGES IS REAL!!!!! Haha, but yes the spirit is helping all our spanish so much.

We taught our first "investigator" this past week too. His name is Marcos and his girlfriend is a member of the church. I put "investigator" in quotes because we saw his "celestial smile" through his clothes and he was speaking perfect english in the hall to some of our teachers. Teaching is a real humbling experience. It is so hard to say exactly what you want, and express your true feelings about our church with the little spanish that we know. But through the spirit I've been able to understand and express ideas that I can't even remember saying. I know that the Holy Ghost resides here in the MTC and that he is helping all of us in learning spanish.

I love my spanish teacher, Hermano Wood. He is a true man of God. He recently interviewed all of us one on one to ask us how everythings going. It was such a spiritual and revealing experience. I told him I am here to bring the happiness and peace that the gospel gives me to others. I am so stoked to give people this happiness.

I rejoice in Christ and his gospel, and I seriously am so stoked to bring it to his lost children. I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. Well today we went to the temple and it was an amazing experience. I love the temple and it truly is the House of the Lord. Being a missionary is so great becuase you are so close to the spirit all the time, and you rely on it so much. Missionary work is so humbling and I love it. I JUST LOVE IT!

Well the food here isn't gross at all. It's 10x better than the Cannon Center! And i eat 3 square meals a day so thats way good. And tell Jason the OJ doesn't make you poop becuase Elder Fuiamono had 10 his first day and didn't have diarhea or anything. I had like 6 and I was fine. Also tell Katie thanks for her Dear Elder, I'll try and write her back soon but we don't have much time for anything.

Oh on a spiritual note, on sunday we had a really really good mission conference. President Brown talked about keeping your name dignified, and how we need to obedient so we will be remebered for good, and not for our dumb mistakes. It was a way good talk. I love it here in the MTC haha, most of the time.

Waking up early is pretty easy by the way, we just have gym right when we wake up which kinda stinks. But its all good, the spirit here makes up for everything that is bad about the MTC.

Also, tell people to write me and dear elder me please! I got 8 dear elders the first time here, it was rad. Everyone was jealous of Elder Taylor and his popularity. Also you can email me too. Oh and show this email to whoever you want to, i dont care.

I would just like to end this email with my testimony in spanish...Yo se que Dios es nuestro amoroso Padre Celestial, y Jesucristo es Sus Hijo. Yo se que Jesucristo murio por los pecados del mundo, por mi y ustedes. Yo se que Jesucristo es el Salvador y el Redentor del mundo. Me amo Jesucristo mucho. Yo se que Presidente Thomas S. Monson es la profeta de Dios, y Jose Smith es un profeta de Dios. Estoy muy agradecido por la diligencia de Jose Smit. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero, y a traves de la fuerza de Dios, Jose Smit (translated?) el Libro de Mormon.

I love you guys so much and miss all of you. Say hello to the family for me, and let them know I think of them everyday and I'm praying for all of them. I love you Mom and Dad, and I hope you guys are doing amazing at home! I'll write next monday!

Love, Ryan

p.s I can't send pictures from the MTC... lame I know. So i'll send all the pictures I can when I get out to Costa Rica! Okay love you guys! Bye! The Church is True! And let me know if you get this email!