Week 23

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!!!