Training... Again!

Buenas Familia!!!!

First to answer Mom's questions...

1.       Elder Rangel is not my companion... We got a call this past Tuesday that he was going to have changes, and that I was going to be a trainer! So yes, my new companion is Elder Hernandez, from Mexico City and he has about a week here in Costa Rica!

2.       The ward is super helpful here. We have been working a ton with them, trying to gain their confidence, and this week we already have family nights scheduled with different members, every night of the week!

3.       No I haven't gotten the box that you sent me, but I should be getting it in a little bit, we'll see!

4.       Haha, the soles of my shoes are already coming off! I went over to an investigators house and he fixed one pair, but I still have one pair that is mangled and broken up, but no worries, these "Bad Boys" (my shoes) are going to last my whole mission.

5.       Uhmmm, as of now, all I need is Axe hair gel, the red kind, becuase I am using some Costa Rican brand, and it's terrible and I look like a "Greaser" from the 50's haha

Well, so yes as you have already heard I am training now! I knew that it was coming up soon because I had an interview with President Wilkinson and he told me, "Elder Taylor, I have a lot of confidence in you, we need the younger missionaries to grow up fast, and I have the confidence that you will do it." So that’s always good to know that you have the confidence of your mission president.

So yes, Elder Hernandez is my new companion. He's 18 years old from Mexico City and he is a convert of about a year and a half. I love the converts because they are sacrificing so much and have so much drive. He's super obedient and is really teaching me a lot about obedience.

Well I have been praying, and pondering a ton lately, to be able to be the best example I can for my "hijo". And with this prayer and meditation, I have really felt a spiritual lift in my studies and everything. So I think I have read the Book of Mormon 3 times in my life, but today I was reading in 1st Nephi 22. I love this chapter. It talks about the scattering and gathering of Israel, and before I would always just skim over it and read it for face value. But when we actually study the scriptures, whoa can we learn a ton! I was finding things, and doctrine that I had never read before, and it was really amazing to see that we can read the Book of Mormon about a thousand times, and learn something different and applicable in our lives every time! I love it!!!

Well, Mom I'm sorry to hear that the van is dying all the time. Maybe it's about time that we change it for a little sports car or something, because you and Dad are getting to the point when you won't need a van anymore!

Time flies huh! It's crazy to think that I already have 8 months in the mission, that I'm training, and that I really feel super comfortable hear in Costa Rica. I'm really excited and I hope that you can come to pick me up, because I really want to spend time here with the family, but we'll see what's up in 16 months haha. And Dad, I would love to read about that account of the First Vision where Joseph Smith had been searching for forgiveness since the age of 12. What’s it called???? And I have also questioned why we always go over the same basic principles every four years and talk about the same things, and I have an idea about it.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is incredibly simple, Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. 5 incredibly simple steps, and with each principle we can find a mountain of doctrine and information. I think we go over the same exact things every year because we need to. I find that every time we talk about Faith, if we are really listening with the Holy Ghost, we can pick out something that we can work on, always. The same with every principle. If we cannot grasp the basics of this gospel, we can't become converted, and in no way can we endure to the end. I think in the church there are so many varying degrees of understanding in conversion, that we sadly need to go over the same things over and over. But I like that you are changing things up, and making it more interesting and thought provoking. Yesterday we were eating lunch with a family, and he is the Sunday School President. He told me that the calling of teacher in the church, might be the most important calling. A teacher needs to be inspired and constantly receiving revelation in order to really help and teach their students. Think of that, my Dad has the most important calling in the Church!!!! Hahaha, but it really is true, I'm glad that you are really trying to receive inspiration for your class, and I know that all will benefit from that.

Well, I'm super glad that Aunt Deanna is doing well. She has been in my prayers, and I know that through her obedience and that of Ralph, their family will be blessed. Let her know I say Hi, and I am very glad that all went well.

Well I don't have much time, I hope this letter was very chatty for you Mom. I wish I could write more but I have no time! I love you all, and I know the Lord is blessing you. I pray for you every day, and I really am so excited to see you all once again. Love you!

Love,

Elder Taylor

San Jose from the apartment window:

 

Elder Rangel and I in Asseri: 

Cathedral in the center of San Jose: