Changes in Curitiba

Bom dia!!                                  March 18, 2013

Scott, Im so proud of you for getting your patriarchal blessing. I know that it will be a blessing to you for your whole life and especially on your mission. I will admit that I didnt study it very much before the mission but now I really know that God knows each one of us personally and that he expects a lot out of us. Keep being the great kid that you are. You have a lot of potential and God has given you a lot of gifts. Use them the best that you can to bless the lives of others. I love you man. Youre the best.

Today marks the 1 year mark that Oswaldo and Marina were baptized! I have already gotten permission from Pres. Cordon to go to their sealing but now I am just waiting to hear when they will be sealed. Its so crazy to think how fast time has gone by. I love that family so much and I know that Im going to bawl like a baby when I see them in white. (For the second time) ;)

We are really starting to work better with the members here. During lunch we always give a short message but now we have changed our focus and we are starting to make them make a list of 10 people that they know that they can share the gospel with and we are getting referrals! The work really is going foreward! We had a good week and found a knew family to teach. Their names are Eloisa and Euzébio. They live in Matto Grosso which is a different state but they are here because Euzébio is getting treatment for a disease that he has. We found them doing contacts and taught them the Restoration this week. We marked baptismal dates with both of them for April 7th! Right during general conference. Nothing better. We have transfers next week and I have a feeling that Im going to be transferred. But we will see. You never know whats going to happen with Pres. Cordon.

Things are really changing here in Curitiba. I think that our stake is going to change completely. Yesterday we went to the church early to get a ride for one of our investigators and in came Jairo Mazagardi. Hes a general authority and in the Brazil Area Presidency. He watched both Sacrament meetings and spoke in Jardim Botânico. It was way good. But General Authorities dont just come here to hang out. I think there are going to be a lot of changes. I got to talk to him before the meetings started and he asked me if I was a good missionary haha then he gave me a huge hug and thanked me for the work that I am doing. It was really cool and he said that we are blessed to have Pres. Cordon. Amen to that. When he spoke in church he said one thing that hit me hard. He said, ´Parents, teach your children to pray. Their prayers are stronger than yours´. Its so true. Children have true faith. He talked about a lot of examples of how his children prayed and received answers. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for teaching me to pray when I was little. I know that it has blessed my life. I know that God answers our prayers and that he is always listening.

Well, I love you all. Its starting to get really cold here so Im guessing that its heating up there. Enjoy it! I know that this is the work of the Lord and that He is protecting me. I feel it every day.

I love you!
Love,
Elder Taylor

Bom Dia ! March 13, 2013

I'm sure you're all wondering why I didnt email you on Monday. Well, we got up and were getting ready for good ol P-day and we got a surprise call from the assistants telling us that we would be going to the temple! So we went to the temple and are having our P-day today. It was so good to go to the temple again. I really do know that the temple is the house of the Lord. And now I still have gone with every single one of my companions. I think I just set a record. 

Im not going to lie, this was the hardest week of my mission so far. Not because of my health or even my area but because of our zone. We spent 3 days in a row this week in other areas trying to fix the problems that are going on. It was ridiculous. This last month our zone baptized the second most in the mission. It was awesome. But the bad thing is that Satan knows that we are doing well and it seemed like he threw everything he had at us this week. I have never been so exhausted in my life. We still havent gotten everything fixed but we are getting there. We also had the zone leader counsel this week so our area has not had very much work. We have been working so hard to make this area better and we just gotta keep going. We had zone meeting yesterday and we decided that what we need is a zone fast. So we will be doing that this week to stay strong and to keep our eyes on the prize. We are actually doing really well. There are just little things that are going on that, as zone leaders, we have to put a stop to. But I am doing great and the work is going foreward.

I still havent gone to the doctor yet. He hasnt called me but I will call him today to see what I can do. Thank you so much for your fasting and prayers. I know that everything will work out.

One thing that I learned this week is that nothing can stop this work. We had a hard week and yet we still found new people to teach and we are still doing well. Nothing can or ever will stop this work.

Well, I love you all. I hope that you all know that I know that this is the work of the Lord. I know I am where I am supposed to be. I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Taylor

PS. Thank you so much for the packages. I loved all of the Valentines treats!

Bom dia!

March 4, 2013

What a great week! First, Eduardo was baptized! It was a great baptismal service and his girlfriend was crying the whole time. I was able to baptize him and while we were changing clothes he kept saying, Im so happy. It was so so so so good. The bishop here already planned his interview to receive the priesthood next week. We had lunch with Eduardo and his family after the baptism and it looked like he was shining. This is what its all about. He changed his life and now he is so happy. This week he asked us why God made him wait so long to hear the gospel. He said that he would have liked to serve a mission. But we talked to him about it and told him that it was his time right now and that he can still serve a mission by telling his friends and family about the gospel and then teaching them with us. He is such a great man.

This week we had an incredible lesson with a new investigator. Her name is Klisie and we contacted her last week. Well, she lives alone so we took a less-active member to teach her with us. The lesson was amazing and she had tears in her eyes when we said the first vision. But the best part was that she told us that she usually doesnt give her name or address to people. She almost always lies about it. But she said that when she talked to us, she felt so peaceful that she couldnt lie. She said that it was the first time that she has felt like that in her life. We marked a baptismal date with her and she accepted very quickly. She really wants to follow Christ and she even said that she has a cousin who is a member in the USA! 

Well, Annie, youre gettin big. It makes me so sad. But I hope you have the best birthday ever. We are going to make cake today because a sister in our zone will have her birthday tomorrow. But secretly I am making this cake for you....I love you so much Annie. Dont you dare forget about me. 

I love you all so much. Scott, sorry the mullet has to come off. But it will rest in peace. Just remember that in the ressurection not a hair on our head will be lost. It will come back!

Dad, good luck with the new calling. You will be great. Tell all of the young men that I love them and that they need to prepare to serve missions. The lord needs them out here!

I love you so much and I know that this is the work of the lord. Theres nothing better than bearing your testimony about the truth of this gospel. I love it. 

Love, Elder Big T.

                                            Batiiiiiiiiismo!     Eduardo's baptism

Bom dia!

Bom dia!

Well, my surprise was totally ruined this week by the leaders of the church haha Just kidding. I was so excited to tell you all about how the mission is going to split but you already know! But I will tell you how we learned any way. We got home Tuesday night and got a phone call from President Cordon. He said, Elder Taylor call your whole zone and put them on a conference call with me as soon as you can. We have some important things to talk about. I got way nervous haha but i did as he said and then he announced that the mission is going to split! We still dont know the boundaries or who will go to which mission but its an exciting time and I cant wait. After everyone hung up, President Cordon told me to stay on the line for a minute. He talked to me about how I need to keep being a strong example to not only the zone but to the whole mission. Im not sure what lies in store for me but I am praying for strength to be the best leader that I can be.  I love this work so much. Its hard, tiring and sometimes we get ice cubes thrown at us haha but its the best. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that I am one of his many representatives on this earth. I only have 9 months left and I need to make these the best 9 months of my life. One thing that really helps me to keep going strong is that before we left we had everyone write on those 3x5 cards in the book. Well, both of the Mouritsen girls wrote, No regrets. At first I thought that was just cliche haha but I am now realizing how important it really is. I cant leave any regrets out here. 

We will be having a baptism next week! My asian! Eduardo is finally ready to be baptized! We were talking to him about it and his girlfriend said that he could choose who he wants to baptize him and he looked at me and said Elder Taylor of course! haha I love him. He is so excited and so ready. He is even starting to read D&C. Josè blessed the sacrament yesterday for the first time. He had to repeat it 3 times but it was so cool to see him up there blessing it. The work in Ala 2 is really going forth.

I want Scott to know that I am so proud of him. Mom and Dad, he has taken a while to get his patriarchal blessing because he knows how important it is. Thats something that I admire in him. I remember when I got mine that I didnt really know how important it was. But now I do and I can promise that it will guide your life Scotty. I have already seen how it has blessed my life and that it really is a blessing from God. 

Working with Elder Veiga has been great. He is a hard worker and we have decided that what this area needs is a weekly fast. We have already seen miracles with the new people that we have found and the people that we are teaching. Our zones baptismal goal for February was 12 and we got our 11th yesterday. We only need one more. The month will end this week but we have two people in the zone that are getting ready to be baptized on Wednesday. It will take a miracle for either of them to be baptized but I have already seen enough miracles to know that God can do anything. I know that he can help these two people to be ready.

Well, I love you all so much and I know that this is the work of the Lord. The Bishop here in Ala 2 said that I cant leave this area till the end of my mission so it looks like I will be here for a while but thats fine with me haha I know there are people in every area that are being prepared to hear the gospel. Some by missionaries and some by angels. I really believe in that. I know that when we work hard and do our part that the Lord will do the rest. Its the same way with the Atonement. Do your best and the Lord will do the rest. 

I LOVE YOU!

Love, Elder Big T. 

 

New companion!

Bom dia!!!

Wow you all had a crazy week! I am glad to hear that you are all doing well. I

We had transfers today and.....Elder Joás was transferred. He is going to open an area and train a new missionary. My new companion is....Elder Veiga! He is from Rio Grande do Norte just like Elder Joás and I like him a lot. I already knew him and when President Cordon said that we would be companions Elder Veiga almost yelled haha. It will be a great transfer and Elder Veiga is really here to work. He only has 2 more transfers left on the mission so he wants to give it his all. He has never been a zone leader so I will have to show him how its done :) I am way excited and we are going to baptize everyone here in our area. 

Flávia and José were both confirmed this week and José received the Aaronic Priesthood! It was so good. He is now getting ready to go to the temple next week to do baptisms for the dead and they already have his dads name ready for him to do the baptism! That will be a great day.

Ok I have to tell you what happened today when I got to the transfers. I walked in and said hi to this one Elder and didnt even notice the man standing next to him. The Elder grabbed me and asked me if I knew the man. Thats when I saw that it was Oswaldo!!!! I gave him a huge hug and he started to cry. It was so so so good to see him again. I love that man. He came because Elder Clift went home today and he wanted to say goodbye. Oswaldo said that him and Marina are getting ready to be sealed in the temple next month and that they want me to be there! I will have to talk to Pres. Cordon but he usually lets us go. I love Oswaldo so much. That man really changed my life. This work really is about love. When we love the people we really will do anything to help them.

I know that this church is true and that it is an honor to be a missionary. I love the time that I have here and the people that I have met. My life has changed so much and I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us.

I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Taylor

Bom dia!

Scott, I am just about crying right now because at the zone leader counsel this week Pres. Cordon showed us that same video of the kids opening their calls. It was one of the most spiritual things that I have ever been a part of. I cried like a baby. Seriously. I remember that day so well. I cant wait to hear all about you opening your call and I would love for someone to film it and send it to me. I dont even care if it takes all of my computer time haha I want to see it. The mission truely is a blessing!

This week was incredible. We had the best zone conference ever on Tuesday. Sister Cordon is the best and in her training she threw cake at everyone! Then she pulled out a nice good cake and force fed it to Elder Joás hahaha she was trying to teach us that we cant force feed our investigators and that they need to be able to eat at their own pace. It was one of the best trainings that I have ever seen. Our training went really well. Until right in the middle. I had woken up that morning with a terrible stomache ache and I didnt even feel good enough to go to zone conference. Thats how bad it was. But I knew that I had to go so I went. Well, half way through our training I just about did a number 2 in my pants and had to run to the bathroom. I saw Pres. Cordons face when I left and he looked shocked. I dont think anyone has ran out of zone conference like that before haha. Well, I came back and then had to run out again right in the middle of Pres. Cordons training. It was awful. Food was coming out of both ends of me at the same time. I know thats TMI but its the truth. But it was a great zone conference.

Thursday was the zone leader counsel and it was amazing. Like I said earlier, Pres. Cordon showed us that video and I cried like a baby. But the first thing that he had all of us do was close our eyes. Then he started to read our mission call. It was so powerful. He asked us to pay close attention to our feelings. Let me tell you, my feelings have changed a lot since I first read that letter. When I first got it, all I could think was Brazil!!!!! Now, its very different. I didnt even pay attention to the begining of the letter this time. In the middle and at the end is what its all about. Helping others to come unto Christ. We have such a special calling. And the Lord has promised that as we leave everything behind, we will be blessed to find the people that are ready to be baptized. I am so grateful for the time that I have here on the mission. Its flying by. But I am loving every minute of it.

We had TWO baptisms yesterday!!!!!!!! It was one of the best baptismal services that I have ever seen. There were tons of members there and this little girl sang I Like to Look for Rainbows for the special musical number. Elder Joás baptized José and Flávia was baptized by her husband Daniel. It was so special and I just got to watch and take it all in. I love these moments on the mission. It was such a special day. This weekend is Carnaval and Flávia said that while everyone else is out getting drunk and doing bad things, she was there coming closer to Christ. That was awesome. What a week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you so much and I hope you have an awesome day. I cant believe that youre 11 already! Would you stop growing up so fast? Please?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!!!!!! 

Well, this week was incredible. I love the mission. Transfers are next week and Elder Joás will probably be transferred. Ben Keaton will go home. I have seen him quite a few times already. I love that kid. Elder Clift is also going home next week. Thats weird for me because it shows how fast time really is flying. I feel like I will be the next one haha but I still have time to destroy the wickedness here :)

I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Big T.

                                              Jose and Flavia's baptism!  I'm the one left out!!

Bom dia!

Bom dia!!!                February 4, 2013

You all always seem to have crazy weeks! It seems like so fun. But nothing is as fun as sharing the gospel! Ok, sometimes its not the funnest thing in the world but it definately is the best thing for the world. I love being a missionary!

We are so excited for this coming week. Its going to be full of blessings. Tomorrow we have zone conference and I actually get to give a training since I am a zone leader! Then on Thursday we have the zone leader counsel. Its already my third. Time is flying by sooo fast. We are also helping two investigators to be baptized on the 10th. José and Flávia. They are so ready and so excited. I cant wait to see them in white!

This week was pretty crazy. We had to do exchanges on back to back days so that we could resolve some problems that are going on in the zone. It was good to be able to talk to the other missionaries to help them. Elder Joás has left all of the talking to me because I am way more patient than him haha Its nice to be able to talk things out and just put the bad things in the past. I love being a leader and being able to help others. 

Today we went to the Panoramic Tower here in Curitiba and took a ton of pictures. It was made so that people could see the whole city. And you really can see the whole city! Thats what the pictures are that i sent. We took part of the zone and then we ate lunch together. It was really good and a good way to get ready for the zone conference tomorrow.

Please dont get mad that I am going to take out so much money today. I will be buying something good that I will use for the rest of my life. I will send you a picture when I get it!

I love you all so much and I know that this church is true. I am so blessed to have been given the chance to serve a full time mission. I know that I am where I am supposed to be. i love this work and the joy that it brings.

Love,

Elder Big T

Ps. Sorry my emails are still so short. But just think, we have eternity together. Thats plenty of time to tell you all about the mission ;)

I LOVE YOU!

                                                 Curitiba - from the Panoramic Tower

                                                                  Zone Buddies!

                               Elder Taylor with a view!  And always with a Book of Mormon!