May 13, 2013

Buenas Familia!

How are all of you doing?! It's not like I just talked to you yesterday...

Haha but yes, it was awesome seeing you guys yesterday and talking on Skype! And sorry that I forgot, "what day it was" yesterday, Mom... I still love you guys!

Well so I don't have very much to write because I basically talked to you all yesterday! Oh I am super excited for Katie also! I hope it is another Boy!

So I really loved your letter this week dad, and I have a really cool experience with teaching about Fasting and Tithing here on the mission. So here, in the last year my testimony of the power of the Fast has increased so much. But I have a neat experience about teaching about tithing. So when Elder Cristofferson came to our mission, we got to have a question and answer session with him, and one of the missionaries asked about how we can keep and recognize the Holy Ghost in our lessons, like how we can tell when the Holy Ghost is present. Elder Cristofferson explained a lot about the Holy Ghost, and then explained to us a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 50:21-22...

21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

He explained to us that one way to recognize this edification, is if we are learning different truths as we teach. Okay so about 6 weeks ago we were in a Family Night with about 20 people, and I was giving the lesson on the blessings of tithing. I remember that I was teaching everything like normal, but then a thought came to my mind: When we pay tithing, we are helping to construct temples, and we give people the chance to make covenants in these temples. We give people a better chance at reaching exaltation! And so I said that, and I felt the holy ghost so strongly, and it testified to me that that is the truth, that through our faithful tithes, we allow people to experience the same blessings that we have experienced in this life, and we allow people to become eternal families. I love it! I have already made a promise with myself and the Lord that I will always pay a faithful tithe. Sure it may be hard, but when we gain a strong testimony of any principle in this Gospel, we have the faith to keep it, and always live it. And thank you Dad, I really loved the scriptures from Isaiah. That is the truth. When we fast in the correct way, with a pure heart, the Lord is right there. I have felt that a lot on my mission. I really fast for about the first time here on my mission. I had always fasted before the mission, but here is the first time that I have done it with a willing heart, and not selfishly. The Lord is right there when we fast, and I have felt His presence so much here on my mission. I love it!

Well I don't have much to write this week. Today for P-day we went and played paintball haha and it was super fun! I got shot a ton and my hand was bleeding!! Haha I love it!

Well, I love all of you so much! Mom, I love you and thank you for all the principles that you have taught me. You have always guided me in the gospel and have always had a ton of patience with me. Sorry for all the pain, and dumb things that I have done to you throughout my life. I love you Mom, and I would not be here if it wasn't for your guidance, and really the foundation that you provided for me in this life. I love you!!!

Well Love you all again. Hope everything is well at home. Hope you know that I am always praying for every one of you! Take care!

Pura Vida,

Elder Taylor

P.S. have Eric send me the addresses of some of his young men! Ush! Chao!!!