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