Buenos Dias from the MTC!!!!

Hey Y'all!

So it's week seven or eight now in the MTC I can't remember, but we get travel plans this week!!!!!!! That means we leave for the field soon! I'm so excited, it feels like I've been in the MTC forever!

So this past week was very good, and I have grown a lot spiritually and emotionally. So Tuesday night we had an emeritus seventy, Robert R. Steur (sp?) speak to us. Honestly I can't remember what he talked about, but I remember it applying a great deal to our missions. But the best part about Tuesday was that our Branch president, President Ricks, talked to us about his testimony of Joseph Smith. It was really cool because we read through the first vision with him, and he told us how Joseph Smith was very deliberate in the words he chose, and that the first vision is a lot different than how we usually picture it as. It was neat to think of it that way.

Anyways, the week was really good and teaching my investigators is going really well. I just wish I could get out in the field already and preach the joy of the restored gospel!! Well so we also had a sweet fireside last night from Jenny Oaks Baker. She's a world renowned violinist and daughter of Elder Dallin H. Oaks. She played a lot of songs for us, and told us how through her experiences with music her testimony had grown immensely. Her whole family also played for us. A 9 year old on piano (who was better than me), an 11 year old on the violin, 7 year old on the cello, and the cutest 5 year old boy on the guitar. I WANT MY BOYS TO LEARN THE GUITAR OR PIANO! It was very cool to see how music can bring the Spirit so well, and how through it emotions we have never experienced can be felt.

Oh by the way, have you ever heard of the book, "The Message" by Lance Richardson?! I think we have it. Well it's about how he was in a coma and went to the spirit world and was sent back to earth to tell the United States about the importance of family and service. His son, Elder Creed Richardson, is in my district. It's an awesome book. I’m pretty sure we have it, so you should read it. Hmmm, not much else is new.

HEY MOM CAN YOU DO ME A HUGE FAVOR!?!? Could you have Dad or Eric or anyone download a bunch of Disney music (Hercules, and other stuff like that) and spiritual music (like come thou fount) onto my iPod and send it up to me along with the wall charger? That would be awesome! I would appreciate it so much.

I also sent a bunch of letters this week so whoever is waiting for a letter should get one sometime this week.

Oh funny story, so Hermana Uscharwadi (sp?) is from Granite Bay. She went to Del Oro, so I asked her if she knew the Savages and the Judds, haha and she knows them. She described the Savages exactly how you do, haha, it was very funny!

So keep me in your prayers because I feel like I've completely plateaued in Spanish. It feels like I learned so incredibly much the beginning of my MTC but lately it just has been hard to retain things I have learned. But the Lord gives us trials to maintain our faith so it’s just all part of the Lord's plan for me.

This week I have really felt my testimony of the gospel and of the atonement especially grow. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and he loves us so much. He is our advocate with the Father and he pleads in our behalf to the Father. The Atonement can really change the people we are and how we treat others. I just love the gospel so much, and I know with my whole heart that it is true. I just cannot wait to share these truths with the blessed people of Costa Rica.

Oh, something else that was cool, so last night I was talking to Elder Jones ( in Spanish: Elder Ho-nez) and he brought up something really cool. He made me think that before this life, I had chosen to come to Costa Rica and search out my pre-earth life best buds. I believe this. I was fore-ordained to serve in Costa Rica at this time, and I want to do my best to always search and seek out my brothers and sisters. I am committing to myself, and to all of you right now to do all I can to see k out those prepared to hear and rejoice in the gospel of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

I love all of you so much, and Mom, por favor send my iPod please!!! I'll want music once I get to Costa Rica. I love all of you!

Love,

Elder Taylor                                                                                                                                                                                       

P.S: Hey Mom so I haven't cut my hair this whole time and it looks like a lion’s mane. Don't worry I have a haircut scheduled for this week so hopefully I can get that taken care of. Okay I love you

Dios les bendecirá!