Elder Zach Taylor - Week 3 of Obligado

Hello!

Another week here in Obligado...

On Tuesday we had interviews with President LaPierre. I love having interviews with the mission president, I feel like I can just talk to him about anything. President told me in our interview that the place Im at right now is one of the hardest areas in the whole mission. He´s been considering just taking out the missionaries for a while, but decided to put me and my companion in kind of as a last hope effort. Apparently this area hasn´t been growing in a very long time. The area consists of a couple cities, Obligado and Trinidad. There used to be a branch in both cities, but a few years ago it seems like everyone in Trinidad decided to stop going to church, and they took out the branch and just combined it with the one in Obligado. Now when we go to Trinidad to talk with the less actives, they use the excuse that the church is too far away, so they can´t go. And everyone in Obligado has just gotten lazy. President LaPierre said he knows this place is suffering, and he´s probably just going to take out the missionaries for a while if it continues this way. I´ve definitely been feeling it these past couple weeks here. It´s a very difficult area where me and my companion just don´t feel wanted by anyone. We thought that maybe we should just go to last resort and run around clapping doors all day, but we didn´t enter into a single house. Sometimes I feel like darth vader, and everyone here are a bunch of Lukes. ¨Search your feelings, you know it to be true!¨ ¨NO, THAT´S IMPOSSIBLE!!¨ ... But I´m not about to give up. I realize that I wouldn´t be put here if it werent for something, even if it takes a long time to figure out what that purpose is. All I have to worry about is doing my best. What the people decide to do is out of my hands. 

I´m not going to lie, it´s been a relatively unsuccessful week. We had about the same church assistance as the first week. I´m just thankful for the 3 faithful families that continue to go, even though times are hard here. If it weren´t for them, the church wouldn´t even exist in this area. 

We did have one small success, though. We went on Saturday to go look for a familiy that before visited with the missionaries. We asked the neighbors if they know which house it was. They told us that they moved a few months ago, but they invited us in to listen. It wasn´t anything too special, but they did say we could come back. I´m just glad we´ve found someone to teach. 

This morning I was reading in 2 Nephi 4. Verses 15 - 35 are just amazing. I love the way Nephi declares his love for the lord and that he will always follow in his footsteps. It was a powerful passage that just hit me right to the very center. Something I noticed too, I´m pretty sure those verses inspired the words to the song Ï love the lord¨. It´s pretty similar.

Well, I´m glad I was able to email you today. It was kind of a pain finding a computer. There arent any public ones and the one in the church broke, so we had to go to a members house. I heard my family lent our computer to the missionaires over there, I know how thankful they must have been! 

I´m hoping for a better week this week, but I´m thankful for the tiny successes we´ve had so far. Talk to you all later! 

Elder Taylor

Elder Almen Thorpe - January 18, 2014

Hi Family! Miss you!

This week went by really fast! Wow, where did the time go!?! First it was one day, then one week, and now months, too fast, no good!..hah. I'm still loving it though, to the fullest! I'm healthy as never before but I think I might be allergic to some of the foods down here but I don't know which one, which is no help... all is well though, all is well, still keeping that smile on my face! Sounds like the family is keeping themselves busy for this new year. 

 

My week was crazy! (in a good way) The ward that I am in right now is just awesome! We had this whole week where my companion and I went out on splits with the members going to see less actives, none members, and families that are in need of help. We came up with a new system to get the ward involved more by having one whole week where we take the High Priests out with us, then the next week the Elders Quorum, then the next the Priest's, Deacons and so on. My companion and I have seen this being really effective because the members not only get to see what we do, but they also participate in the work. President Lekias, the mission president said that this is what we are going to focus on "the work of salvation" were members and missionaries work together.

Going on splits where my companion takes one or two members with him and I take about the same amount with me, has really taught me to be brave and shown me how it would feel like taking the lead. The members love going out with us and have shared their testimonies to the less actives or investigators. It has touched them, the things that just sharing your testimony can do. Working with the members like this really helps those who we are teaching get comfortable with coming to church on Sunday with us. For example, we used brother Latu, our ward mission leader to help Danny and Bionca, our investigators, feel more comfortable being with the members. 

 

Speaking of Danny and Bionca, my companion and I had a miracle happen to us this Sunday with both of them. About two days ago my companion and I were on splits and my companion took brother Latu with him to go see Danny and Bionca. They had dinner with them and later had a discussion, and Bionca said she and her daughter Jade would be baptized. This was on Thursday, (good news) bad news is we want Danny and Bionca and Jade to be together so Danny and Bionca would need to get married. I don't know much about marriage, but... I'm going to put my trust in the Lord to help us get these two married because he is the one that put them together for a reason.

My companion and I also invited them this Sunday to go to a fireside. They both said yes. Now to come and see this fireside is where all the missionaries bring an investigator with them to hear President Lekias talk and some new converts to the church speak as well. There's also singing and food afterwards. Well, this Sunday we went with Danny and Bionca to the fireside. I was praying really hard that the talks would be something that Danny and Bionca could both take home and use in their daily lives. The things that our Father in Heaven does, I prayed hard all day and my prayers were answered because the meeting was about families and how families are the key in this society today. My mouth dropped open when I heard President Lekias start talking about families. Talk about how the power of prayer really works!!! During the meeting I looked over to see what the expressions on Danny and Bioncas faces were. I could see Bionca crying a little and Danny was really into the talk.

YES YES YES YES!!! Prayer is the best!! This seriously is something we should never give up on and that is praying with real intent and asking for specific details to our Heavenly Father. He is there and waiting for us to ask for guidance. After the fireside we hung around their place and had some pizza. They both said "that talk was really useful and really uplifting". We had a good night and they both loved it. Bionca was telling us that when we told her we were going to a see a fireside she thought there was going to be a group of people gathered around a fire and singing, we all laughed and she was happy it wasn't like that. 

 

Miracles do happen! My personal lesson this week is that prayer is powerful!!! I never thought prayer was that big of a thing, but boy was I wrong. Like on a scale of one to ten and ten being absolutely right, I would be on a scale of negative one hundred....yes I know sad but..good news I have been praying every morning and night and even during the day! I'm always on my knees praying about the people down in New Zealand and the family back home. I know there are times where we are too tired or just getting back from work or too busy to pray but our Father in Heaven is honestly waiting for us to ask Him. He loves it when we pray to Him because its His way of hearing our voices and the way for Him to reach out to us is by giving us miracles. It's His way of telling us thank you my son or daughter for that sweet prayer you have said to me.

Mom and dad and family, please keep up with your prayers and invite others to pray as well. I have a testimony that prayers can be powerful as long as we set our minds to it, have faith in Him and keep Him updated on our day and how we are feeling. Include in your prayer the peoples names. My mission has really shown me that, I wish I would have taken it more seriously back then but now I know. I love you all and hope your week goes great!! Every single one of you is always in my prayer! Love you and miss you!

Elder Thorpe :)

Elder Kaden Barlow - "Holy Apostasy!!!"

Quote from Elder Barlow’s apartment wall:  “I want to live in such a way that every morning when I wake up Satan will see me and say, ‘Oh no, he is awake!’”

 

Hey everyone!

 

This week has been great here. New Year’s Eve we went out for pizza and then went home early. On New Year’s eve everyone is cooking pigs, like whole pigs on a stick like in the movies out on the street. . . kinda gross. It was completely insane--fireworks, people, gun shots, whatever. Didn't sleep at all. Everyone and their dog was out partying and getting drunk. It was crazy. And then on New Year’s everything was closed!!  Everything, even the colmados [small corner store] and the place we get water. . . I felt lost without my colmado haha. But at least no one threw more beer bottles at our door.

 

One of the days when everyone was drunk, we were out contacting and not having any success and we just sat down for a little. . . 5 minutes later a lady in one of the houses came out and asked if we wanted water. . . which is always exciting because the people that contact the missionaries are usually more prepared to hear our message. . . turns out she is Catholic and really just wants to serve everyone. . . but now we are teaching her and her grandson. . . Hopefully they will progress.

 

Oh I successfully cooked lunch all by myself for the first time. :) Rice, beans, meat and veggies. And it actually tasted good!!! This week we went to the zone leader’s house for lunch and I learned how to play dominoes [Dominican Dominoes]!! It’s super fun and you would think it doesn't take very much strategy but it does. My comp is really good and he is teaching me. The Dominicans are way into it.

 

We were teaching a less active that has been having the missionaries go to her house for 2 years. We haven't and that ticks her off, but she won’t progress. She has this huge grudge against this ward and it’s ridiculous. Anyway we were talking about the importance of the sacrament and how it’s super important to renew our covenants and she is like I don't need to go to church for that, I bless my own sacrament every week! . . . I almost burst out laughing, and well, I was too in shock. . . holy apostasy!!! Never thought I would ever hear something like that.

 

Yamile has been reading the Book of Mormon!! Yippee I didn't think she actually would, she has this thing about prophets she doesn´t believe in them and that is a big problem talking about either the Bible or Book of Mormon, but well I guess I won´t see how this turns out because I’m being transferred!

 

My new area will be Villa Carmen in a different zone.  I’m not training sadly. . . but I think my comp is a district leader there and I have heard that there are 6 missionaries in the ward. I have heard that my comp is from Utah and he has 8 months in the mission. Both his parents are from Mexico though and he already knew Spanish before coming, and apparently he likes to work a ton, le gusta trabajar pila as the Dominicans say. I’m excited to go tomorrow to my new area. I’m not really sure but I’m pretty sure it’s in the capitol still; I will have a lot more information next week.

 

I was doing service at the Patriarch’s house and we had dinner after and they served us iced tea. . . yeah I didn't know that until after.  It tasted good to me and I just thought it was some weird fruit juice. . . yeah I was kinda. . . well I didn't know what to think. . . The Patriarch is chevere [way awesome] but his wife is trying to set me up with her daughter who is serving in the Santiago mission.  She was in the CCM with me and she is a cool person but. . . yeah I’m going to marry an American thanks.

 

Elder Barlow

Elder Christian Tanner - Where Are The Prepared?

Hey Family,

It has been a really great week. I will just dive right into it I guess. There were 4 experiences that I really want to share that I think you will like a lot. I most certainly feel strengthened spiritually and feel like a better missionary.

First, I know that last week I mentioned how confused I was. I still didn't know what I was doing in Trollhättan. Being Senior Companion really added a lot to that stress. Well, I, again, kneeled down in prayer. As I was doing my personal study, it hit me. "Visit all the members in the ward and teach them about Member Missionary Work." Instantly I started working on the lesson plans. Over the next hour and a half I read over the "finding people to teach" section in my Preach my Gospel (which I had already done 100 times. I don't know why I got it THIS time.) I decided that we wanted the members to commit to two things. 1. We would give them a pass along card. They would give this card to a friend, family member, or someone who they think needs it. and 2. to invited them to hold a personal or family fast and prayer that they can find someone to give this card to. After I decided this I said to Elder Hansen "Tell me yes or no...." Then explained what I wanted to do. He said yes. So we went right ahead and started calling all the members in the ward. Took about 4 hours, but we have appointments with them over the next few weeks. So this week is going to be really really busy with visiting with members. The finding wasn't happening by knocking doors or contacting (which by the way, my goal is 5 UNPLANNED contacts per day. Not the plans for the day of contacting/tracking) and I was getting frustrated. WHERE ARE THE PREPARED? I have come to the conclusion that this is the road we need to take over the next few weeks. Investigators will come. The Bishop is also going to ask the ward to hold a fast and prayer for the missionaries and for finding investigators this up-coming fast Sunday. For that very reason, we went to the BISHOP first. We also offered our help in anything. The members need to trust us, and the best way for us to build trust is to do service. When you have the Bishops trust, the rest will naturally follow. 

On Thursday, January 9, we went on splits with our Zone Leaders after district meeting. I went with Elder Mangum. The ZL's are in Borås, so I was excited to leave Trollhättan for a day. When we got to Borås, we spent a little while planning out what we were going to be doing that day. We had a total of 4 lessons planned - 2 with investigators, 1 with a member, and 1 with a less active. All of them fell through. I was really bummed, I wanted to teach a lesson with Mangum. We had a big list of "swing-by's" of former investigators and in-actives. So we started going by those. Everything just seemed to work out. As we were walking up to the door of one former investigator, he was just leaving his house to go to the gym. We had a discussion with him and he told us to come back (unfortunately, I wont be.). But he particular part of the story I want to share is what happened next. We drove over to our Less-active appointment and discovered that she had no intentions of meeting with us. The apartment complex had a port-code so there was no way we could have even gone and knocked on her door. We waited there for a few minutes to see if we could get a hold of her or if somebody would be leaving so we could get through. Nothing. So, we turned around about to head back to the car. Elder Mangum stops mid-tracks. He says to me "Elder Tanner, where do you feel inspired to go?" At first I was caught off guard. I don't know. I don't know anything about Borås. I stood there for a minute, and looked around at the apartment buildings around us. For some reason, my eyes kept going back to this particular window with the light on. So I started walking towards is. Elder Mangum said "okay. I'll just follow you."

I said "yeah, okay. But the place I am walking to is probably still port-coded so we wont get in."

"yeah, that's probably true." he said.

Well, we walk up to the third door of the apartment complex. Sure enough, it is port coded. But, as we walked up to the door, we could see which numbers were in the code because they had been worn down from being pressed too much. Not even 2 minutes later we were in the door, after having guessed the code. This particular door had only 6 (I think... maybe it was 8) apartments in it. We started at the top, and worked our way down knocking on every door. Out of 6 (or 8) doors, 3 people said we could come back and visit them again. The last door, one of the 3, had two kids that answered the door. One of them 17, one of them 14. We just started talking to them about a bunch of stuff. Where they come from, what they believe, and even things like soccer. We must have talked for about 20 minutes. The only this was, was that their parents were not home. Although these kids were totally interested what we had to say, their parents probably were not. The kids told us to come back in the next few days and meet their parents. A few days later, on saturday, I got a call from Elder Mangum.

"guess what" he says. "Those kids that we tracked into, we went back to them and met their parents and they want us to come back too." That is a family of 6 which means a possible 6 baptisms in the next month or so. Can you say "Totally awesome!" I know for a fact now that stopping just for a second to listen to a prompting can make the biggest difference. Mangum felt the prompting to as me, I felt the prompting to know where to go. By the end of the evening that night we had 11 new potential investigators. 6 of those potential I know for sure is now considered investigators. So awesome. We just saw so much success even though all our original plans went through. It was most definitely an incredible learning experience - and I gained an even bigger testimony... again. :) The apartment in Borås has a sauna, so Mangum and I relaxed in the sauna that night. It was the best ever. I felt so good spiritually and just relaxing in the sauna - awesome.

So another really good story that happened this week. As you probably know, Helen and Dag Stulen is the Bishop and his wife. They have a son, Martin, who is on a mission in the Phoenix, Arizona mission. They also have a daughter Sophia who is inactive. Her sambo is Daniel, he is a Norwegian and not a member. Daniel is taking the lessons from Martin through skype every sunday, however he isn't really interested. Also, a few months ago when Elder Faylor and Elder Peterson were here in Trollhättan, they left the bikes at the train station and just kept them there. So when we went to go get the bikes, they were destroyed beyond repair. We had permission to go and buy new bikes. But the bikes were in Uddevalla, a city about 25 minutes away from Trollhättan so taking a bus to get 2 new bikes (still in a box, by the way) by bus is quite a pain. I decided that we would call Daniel on Friday night and ask him if he could take us in his car to get the bikes. He said that he would. A few hour later he picked us up from our lesson and drove us out there. Right before he picked us up, however, Helena called us and said that she was giving Daniel money to take us to Burger King to get dinner, also.   We said thanks, but didn't think too much about it. We went and got the bikes. So now fast forward to Sunday night. After institute we asked if we could stay a few minutes behind and talk to Bishop and his wife about the Member and Missionary Work in the ward. After our lesson with them, we thanked them again for the Burger King on Friday night. Helena then started explaining:

 

On Friday when we called Daniel to ask if he could take us to go pick up the bikes, he had been in bed all day really depressed. (Both Daniel and Sophia have some health issues that cause this kind of stuff, but I wont get into that) He had forget to do something so that's why he was really depressed. Well, he and Sophia had gotten into a fight and Sophia called her mom to come get her to take her away for a while. So, according to Helena, the fact that we called him and asked him to take us to get the bikes was exactly what Daniel needed. He needed something to "break the ice" and to get out of bed. The reason that she gave us money for Burger King was because she was so grateful for us and because Daniel hadn't eaten all day. She explained how she was so grateful that we were so in tune to the spirit to just randomly call up Daniel like that. As she was describing this, I could see a small tear in her eye. For us, it was nothing. To her, it meant her family, but more importantly it meant her daughter. It was just a really really nice experience.

 

So for the final story. This was on Saturday night, the day after splits with the Zone Leaders. This lady in our ward had given us a referral...kind of. She gave us the address, but didn't know the name. Just that it started with an H. The address she gave us just so happened to be across the street from our own apartment. Number 40. We walked inside and found no name that started with an H. Which was strange because it was a BIG apartment complex. Probably at least 50 or 60 doors inside. My companion turned to walk outside but I said "nope. we are tracking this." With that many doors, it would take at LEAST 1 hour or more to tract. By the way, we live in Iraq. Muslims and middle-eastern people are around every corner and take up more than half the bus generally. He was kind of complaining that it was all Muslims and we wouldn't find anybody. I didn't say this, but I thought about it: So I guess our purpose as missionaries is to invite EVERYONE to the gospel, EXCEPT Muslims? No, of course its not. So I tracked the dang building by myself. I ended up giving away 2 Book of Mormons and 5 pass-along cards. (Before we left the apartment earlier that day I felt the prompting to take another Book of Mormon with me.) And even some of the Muslims that DID answer their door found it really neat that we leave our homes for two years and come to a foreign land at our age. So, it was totally worth it. I remember dad telling me a story one time of how sometimes looking for a referral is just a way for the Lord to get you to the prepared. Plus, after my experience with Elder Mangum, there was NO way I wasn't going to knock that. If you have time, and you don't find your referral, knock the doors surrounding it!!

 

We still have no investigators at this point. But now we have 2 potentials. I know that if I keep at it, keep being obedient and keep being faithful, they will come. They will come. This week was probably one of the best weeks so far of my mission. I learned so much. I love doing missionary work. I love the work. I love the Lord. I love this gospel.

Have a good week my friends.

Äldste Tanner

Elder Xavier Stilson - "It Was Something I Had Never Felt In My Life"

Elder Xavier Stilson

 

 

 

This week was really good! I need to  make a correction though. I told my mom last week that I had boils but I used  the wrong word, they were blisters. Mom, those little blisters on my arm have  cleared up. Now I am just working on the legs now ;)  This week was awesome! We met an Amazing  family. Their names are Washington, Valdirene, Mateus, Walesson, and Ryani.  They are really receptive and it has been great working with them. We have a  baptism with Walesson this week! It was very spiritual as we taught and worked  with him this week. We had invited him to come to church with us and so we walked  a half hour to meet him. He lives in Premeiro de Maio. My companion was a little  worried that he wouldn’t come with us but when we got to his house he was  waiting for us at the door!!! Right before sacrament meeting we got a call from  our Zone Leader and he challenged us to talk to each of our investigators who  were at church with us to pray during the passing of the sacrament and ask if  this church was true. We had 6 investigators at church and so we asked everyone  to do this... After the meeting I asked Walesson if he had done this and he  said, “yes, it was something I have never felt before in my life" after  that he said "I want to be baptized".  He is 14 years old and has a very strong  testimony of the gospel. I am so grateful that we were given the counsel for  this small invitation. The spirit during the sacrament was so strong. We asked  all of our other investigators and they all said the same thing that it was  something that they had NEVER felt before in their lives!! What an amazing  blessing to know that these people want this in their lives!

We also had the baptism of Thamiris,  it was awesome!! The spirit was so strong during the baptism and then I was  able to be in the circle when she received the Holy Ghost. She will be an amazing  missionary one day.  This week was just  full of these great experiences and I really felt the Spirit especially during  the end of the week. I love serving the Lord and I know that this church is  true. Those of you who have fallen away "Come, Join with US!" You had  a testimony at one point, it is still there! If you know of someone who has  fallen away share your testimony with them! Invite them to church and to pray  during the sacrament!!! You WILL feel something you have never felt before!  Also do this for YOURSELF so you can feel this amazing spirit and then share it  with others!! I love you all!!!

Love,

Elder  Stilson

 

Elder Almen Thorpe - January 12

Elder Thorpe working hard

Having fun with eyebrows sent to him by his sister Amy

 

Dear family! 

This week went by fast, unbelievable...things are moving too quick and so many things have happened this week. On Saturday and Sunday we had stake conference and it was amazing!! Our mission President gave a talk on Saturday and had all the missionaries stand in front of the stage looking forward towards the members attending the meeting. He had each of one of us tell our names and where we came from, then after that he had all of us sing "love on another" but in a different way. He had the congregation sing to the missionaries the first verse and then he had the choir and missionaries sing back to the congregation the second verse. It was amazing! The feeling in the room of all the members singing to the missionaries and the missionaries singing to the members was just...amazing! So many people began to cry and yes I did myself as well. President Lekias purpose of all of us singing together was to help each other and share where all the missionaries came from was to show the members to love one another and that we are here because we love them and want to help them out.

This is the time where members and missionaries work together, the Lord is moving his work forward and we all should starting working together as a big family. After that Saturday night meeting everybody left with a big smile and were so happy! Just seeing others, even members smiles makes my day and I love how everybody left with the importance of working together. In their mind is the key to bringing back our lost brothers and sisters. 

The next day was Sunday and all of the missionaries in the Manakau Zone sang to the congregation. No body knew we were going to sing because the member leading us kept it a secret from them, the meeting went great. Everybody talked about one thing and that was "hastening the Lords work". He is moving his work fast and we should all prepare ourselves and work hard to bringing as many of his children back to Him. At the end of everyone's talk the missionaries sang the last song,  it was the EFY melody. All of us missionaries could feel the spirit! The kids in the congregation, families, adults and some of the none members started to cry. We sang that song so that everyone could remember at the end of the meeting the moment the missionaries sang that one special song. It was great! That was my week and it was special.

This week was mostly about bringing members and missionaries to work together because without unity there can be no work to be done.  I have learned that with my companion, we may not agree all of the time on some things but we find a way in our hearts to forget the silly things and work together. It has really changed me and him as well because each day we learn from members and from each other. We are working our hardest to bring our investigator to baptism before the transfer week so we can see all of them progress before one of us gets transferred.

My testimony grows and grows and grows each week, loosing myself in the work and progressing to become like Christ everyday. Love is the key to being successful not only in missionary work but in life as well. We can all surprise that one person by simply showing our love for them. As members of the church that is what we do, we share our love with everyone.  We do this by doing the simplest things in life, giving a simple hi jester or a simply help can change someones attitude and thoughts about the members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Later Day Saints. Don't be shy about showing that love towards someone you don't know. I myself have worked my way out of my comfort zone by showing my love towards everyone I see and talk to. I hope everyone is doing well in the family and I think about you all everyday! Miss you tons and love you all! Hope your week goes great! 

Much love, Elder Thorpe 

Elder Zach Taylor - January 6 - 12

Much has improved this week!

First of all, funny story. My companion and I were standing out front of one of the members houses this past Monday night waiting for the member to come out so she could show us the house of one of the less actives in the branch. Just minding our own business.. when this rat comes flying out of a tree and smacks my companion in the shoulder. He freaked out a little bit.. it was a good time.

Also one thing I forgot to mention about my apartment. Since I'm living in a town that has a bunch of German people, who are generally taller, the shower head is high enough for me! Who´d have thought I'd find that in Paraguay?

I've also got to know some of the people here a lot better, which is making me feel more happy and optimistic. There's a family of less active members that we´ve been visiting called the Rolín family. The mom's name is Nancy, and she lives alone there with her 7 kids. I LOVE visiting them. They're so funny and just make me laugh every time I go over. And my companion is really good with kids, so they just love having us come over. Nancy is quite an amazing person. She has her huge family and works every day, including Sundays. If she goes to church she only has time for Sacrament meeting, which is at the very end. Usually when we go talk to a less active its because they don't understand why church is important. Nancy is different.. we went to go visit her yesterday and she came out of her house with her Book of Mormon. She had been reading one of the chapters in Alma and as soon as we sat down she just started talking about how true the Book of Mormon is. She told us of all the blessings she's recieved from Heavenly Father, and even told us ¨Could you imagine how blessed I'd be if I went to church??¨ It kind of surprised me. Then the question came to mind ¨Then why in the world dont you go!?¨ She actually did come this Sunday for Sacrament meeting. I'm hoping she continues in her faith and finds the means to attend all of church with all of her family.

I had been thinking a lot about their family. The little kids always get embarassed when their mom asks them to pray or read a verse in the scriptures. I had never really thought about it before, but I realized how important it is that we start those habits young. I felt thankful to my parents for always making the whole family wait for my little brothers to pray with our family every night, for making us go to church every week, for stressing the importance of those things. I've seen a lot of families with little kids that just don't want to pray or go to church, and the parents just let them. I've seen when they get older that since they don't have those habits, its even harder to do them when asked. And I've heard awful stories about people here that have just fell off the deep end in life because they weren't built on that foundation. A family based on gospel principles is the only way to be truly happy. I'm thankful to my parents for raising me the way they did, and I know I'm going to do the same thing when I have my own.

I also had a cool experience with another less active family. Their names are Miguel and Romilda. Miguel is kind of in a tough spot with work right now and has been worried about it. We went to their house on Wednesday just to talk about church assistance. They told us the usual thing, ¨If it doesn't rain¨ or ¨If God lets us, we´ll go¨ (which is completely ridiculous, why on earth wouldn't he let you go?!).. I'll tell ya these Paraguayans have some pretty lame excuses sometimes. But I opened up my Book of  Mormon and it fell open to a scripture I had marked. I felt prompted to have Miguel read it, so he did. I also had him read another right after when Christ tells us to not worry about how we´ll make it through tomorrow, just look for god first in your life and he´ll give you what you need. After having read, I could see a distinct change in his attitude about the church. It wasn't much, but at the end when I invited him again to go, he gave me a definite yes. And he went, along with his wife. It was a witness to me that the scriptures do have power to change people, and it is so important that we read them.

We had 36 people in attendance at church this week, compared to our 13 last week. I know we've been blessed for the small efforts we've been making.

All in all, this week was a good time for me to appreciate all that I had and have, and the ways the Lord has blessed me in my life. Being here has filled me with desires to live as close to God as possible, because I've witnessed the difference it makes in peoples lives. Hope you all have a good week! :)

Elder Taylor