Yes. It is coooooold here. This morning we
were studying and our door buzzer went off. This never happens because we are
missionaries. So that scared the heck out of us. Plus it was 9 am so we were so confused. But we listened to see who it was and
we could hear the Elders talking to each other. So we went out in the hall to
talk and they were like "hey is everything ok? Is your phone
working?" Apparently they had been trying to get a hold of us for the last
hour to inform us about the weather, but had to drive out to check on us since
we didn't answer. Oops. So they told us to end studies early and to go ahead
and do our shopping since President Vellinga wanted us to be in by noon today.
It's supposed to get down to -17 with the wind chill tonight. I got out of
the car to get gas earlier today and I was out for about a minute. By the time
I got back in the car my hands, nose and cheeks were freezing and red. And
tomorrow is supposed to be worse. So we will probably stay in tomorrow too.
Winter is the worst. I'm just hoping seasonal depression will soften people's
hearts and we will be able to find people to teach.
Aside from the cold, we've had a pretty good
week. We've visited a lot of less active ward members, which is good. We did a
little bit of tracting, and it was soooo cold! So we were so relieved when
a lady let us in and made us hot chocolate. I swear she was Mormon. She kept
saying things that sounded Mormon-y. Well, first of all she offered us hot
chocolate, not tea or coffee. And then she talked about the 12 tribes
of Israel and taking the Sacrament. I guess that stuff is in the Bible too. But
still. We'll have to go visit her again some time. She's pretty into her own
church, but she has a Book of Mormon and has had missionaries over before. But
she said to come back next time we're freezing and need hot chocolate! I'm not
even kidding, miracles like this happen every day. It's so amazing.
We also went to the doctor this week for one
of my companions and found out she has to go gluten free. I would totally do it
with her if I could afford it. I'm not good enough at budgeting my smidgen of
money I get each month as it is. But because of that we got to make a fun trip
to Trader Joe's in Mayfield (I think?) which was awesome and unexpected.
We also took a couple of tours in Kirtland
this week! That was awesome because we've only taken one tour as a trio and we
need the practice. One of them was pretty special. We had a Spanish-speaking
group of members come in for a tour. But of course none of us speak Spanish.
They spoke some English but not a whole lot. So at first we were a little
worried. But then some Elders brought their investigators there who joined our
tour. And also spoke Spanish. I can count on one hand the number of
Spanish-speaking tours I have seen come to Kirtland. So the fact that they came
together tells me there must have been some divine intervention there.
Especially because as we gave the tour one of the people in the other group was
able to translate for us, and the ones who were members were great for the
investigators. They were instant friends, and I could tell that that played a
huge role in the experience these investigators had in Kirtland, as well as for
the members who had a great missionary opportunity. The school of the prophets
was incredible with them. I love Kirtland so much.
So this morning during my mini study I was
going to try to find something to share with y'all but instead I found myself making
a list of things I've learned on my mission, mostly just as a reminder to
myself that what I'm doing is important. I tend to lose sight of that
sometimes. I wasn't expecting to have more than about 10 things on there. But I
ended up making a pretty lengthy list that I'm still adding to, but I felt like
I should share it with you guys.
Things I Have Learned on My Mission:
1. Miracles happen daily - we just have to
recognize them
2. Deeper understanding of the Plan of
Salvation
3. Greater appreciation, testimony, and love
for the Prophet Joseph Smith
4. Better study habits
5. Love for others
6. Greater understanding of faith
7. Better social skills
8. Greater love for Doctrine and Covenants
9. Deeper love and understanding of Book of
Mormon and its purpose
10. More confidence in what I believe
11. Courage to be bold
12. Appreciation for the organization of the
Church
13. Stronger testimony of the Restoration
14. Physical, mental, and emotional endurance
15. Self-discipline
16. Testimony of obedience
17. Enabling power of the Atonement
18. Sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy
Ghost
19. How to compromise
20. Importance of keeping records
21. Indifference to worldly things
22. Organizational skills
23. Trust in the Lord and His work
24. Humility
25. Patience
26. Appreciation and love for eternal families
27. Gratitude toward my Heavenly Parents (and
earthly parents) for allowing me to be raised in a Gospel-centered home
28. Understanding of temple covenants
29. Understanding of the Atonement
30. Understanding of the Doctrine of Christ
31. Importance of the baptismal covenant
32. Greater love for my family
33. Power of prayer
34. Understanding of my divine nature
35. Importance of church attendance
36. Hard work
37. Recognition of my blessings
38. Reality of a Living Savior
39. Reality of Satan, and our power to
overcome him
40. Importance of repentance
41. Joy in service
42. Importance of regular scripture study
43. Value of working outside my comfort zone
44. This is His work, not mine
45. Joy in helping others repent and come unto
Christ
46. The Gospel is for everyone
47. Reality of God's love for His children
48. How to have an eternal perspective
49. Testimony of a living prophet
50. Importance of personal revelation
Ok I was at about 41 and couldn't stop at
that weird number so I just now added the last few. But missionary work is
so misunderstood sometimes. Yeah it's hard. But it is SOOOO worth it. And I've
only been out for 5 months. So I have a lot still to learn. But it's already
made me a better person than I was when I left.
Love you guys! Have a great week!!
Love
Tayler
ALSO SHOUT OUT TO MY BIG SISTA! Happy birthday
Lauren!! Love ya!!!