Blessings and more by serving

I had 3 patio tomato plants and  one basil and cilantro. The Basil was thriving in our cool weather then the hot sun came, it looked sad, I brought it in and it felt better but didn’t grow. So I put it in the shade on my patio and went to work- it was half dead when I got home. It has passed on now. I have two window air conditioners on the patio and they put off a lot of heat also. I’ve tried moving the plants around, but I now have only one Tomato plant left. So much for a green thumb. I’m going to pick up another basil plant and keep it inside. I love fresh basil. I’ll say a prayer over my tomato plant that it blooms.

I have internet at my place but not cable TV. At our Swap meet (When you leave you give them what you can’t use, when you arrive you shop free for 20 minutes. Then all the other resident sisters and young Elders shop free too. It is held once a month.), I picked up a TV antenna that is to be hung near a window. (so I plugged it into the TV and added cable cord length to it and strung it across the ceiling to the Sliding glass doors. ( the only window except Bedroom window) I now get BYU TV and about another 5 channels I can watch. The others are not English or are fuzzy. This is really nice as there are times I can not make it to Music and the Spoken word.

Since I drive to the COB (Church Office Building) or JSMB (Joseph Smith Memorial Building) as I have a devotional there each day and then I drive to work because I work off Temple Square, and I do very little walking on Temple square. ( mostly because of my foot injury) Soooooooooo I’m always confused where the other buildings are, when I get above ground. (I park at the COB and go pretty much everywhere from the under ground parking, and tunnels. )  Sister Hawley  ( she and her activity group adopted me- I was a lone wolf when I came here) finally had me spend some walking time with her a couple of weeks ago on Temple square to get my bearings straight.)  That has been a life saver, because feeling lost all the time as to where to go or what direction to go when someone says we’ll meet out front the Assembly hall east door before we go in, (or another location on Temple Square), my stomach would just turn upside down if it didn’t connect to the parking area.  So I am finally feeling better about being at Temple square above ground.

I then took Sister Hawley and a few other sisters to the North Temple Visitor Center. If you haven’t been there in a while there are a couple new displays you’ll want to visit. (Part of what my department (Exhibits) does is draw, design build and test out new displays before they put them out at a visitor Center or Historic Site.) We are on Facebook and a number of other sites and they put the word out they would like to collect enough Missionary tags to be used in a display on Temple Square. The letters that came in with the tags were both heart warming and some heart breaking (some of the missionaries have since passed leaving young families to serve there mission above.). They were filled with testimonies and Love for our savior. I tried reading a few and all I did was cry. Back to the display. They have the tags mounted on 3/4 of a surround wall with 3 TV’s connected in front, The display is enclosed and is like a small theater room. There is an Ipod for you to use and choose one of 8 missionary Stories from all walks of life. I’ve only had the opportunity to listen to 2 of them – but I will be back.  The other display is not as new. It’s ‘God’s Plan’ a series of 6 rooms – each decorated appropriate for the video you watch in each of the rooms. It is also amazing – when we went, while we waited for the young sisters to come up and take us through the display, there were 5 young men casually dressed  conversing on the seats in front of Thorvaldsen’s Christus. I told Sister Hawley we should invite them to go through with us. – No sooner said and she went over and invited them. They were delighted. They had all received calls to go to France on there Mission and had met through Social media. Earlier they had attended one of young men’s endowment and were going to the last ones the following week. After completing the 6 rooms, The spirit was very strong and to listen to their impressions and feelings of God’s Plan, would give one all the faith needed in this next generation of leaders.

There are 24 in their (our) Activity group (they all attended MTC together and arrived in SLC December 5th. (except me, I arrived April 3rd.  – (My MTC group went every where except SLC). This does make for an interesting FHE group. 19 of us went and saw’ Miracle of Cokeville’ together in Bountiful. Last evening we went out for Pizza, and passed the hat and answered the question we drew. (all the question were in regards to your child hood) – Listening and answering your own questions, brought back many fond and funny memories. This being the whole idea to help us realize writing a story of our lifes for future generations does not have to be that over whelming. We meet weekly and try to have one outing a month. Again there is always food at the gatherings. Last time I made chewy fudge brownies with Hershey’s chocolate icing and cut them in to small bite size pieces. They were a big hit. and if there are leftovers everyone can take a variety of goodies home. Jon and Arlene, I can’t remember the name of the game we played at your home, there were 4 piles of cards each worth 5, 10, 20 and 25 points each if answered correctly. They were questions out of the BOM, The Bible, The Doctrine and covenants and one other. I continually surprise myself with the knowledge I have gained from church, gospel study classes, reading the scriptures  and all our FHE games we’ve played. I only missed one – I don’t remember the question, but the answer was the beehive.

A blessing or a miracle -One of our group members has been in a leg brace for the last 25 years, believed to have been caused from a car accident and had lost partial use of his right arm/hand. Could close his hand with fingers out stretched, but would take minutes to accomplish, and he was on a number of medications. He became really sick once here and had to have a number of tests ran.  After test and a review of his history the doctor took him off his past medications and as of the first part of June he no longer has to wear his Leg brace and he can take one finger at a time and touch his thumbs.  He believes heavenly father blessed him and assigned him here for this purpose.

Got lots more to write – but got to go – We have a new Missionary President and today is our Missionary Conference.

Thanks again to all that are hleping me by helping Marleen. Especially Jarod Perry and Family as they have been tending to the yard care. Not a small task.

 

Hugs to all I love you Sister Taylor

 

 

 

 

It’s a great mission and the food is —————————–

It’s been so long since I’ve been to this site. I think of you often and have a number of cards I’ve written, but have yet to mail – I wanted to mail all at the same time. – my mistake as they are now over three weeks old. SO tomorrow I will mail those that I have and work on the others as I can. They are all late thank you cards for all the support you’ve given me before I left, and while on my mission. I love you and appreciate you and miss you.

Just a few high lights of living the mission life.

I’ve hung all my family pictures in early May on the entry hall walls. A little tight but great to have up.

As I’ve settled in the only thing that is hard, is doing laundry. It’s down 3 buildings and down the stairs. But I am very grateful to have them and the ability to still do laundry (hard for me) (but compared to others I have it easy) There are a number of older sisters who hand wash most of there things in their apartment and hang in the Bathroom to dry. Otherwise we all just do what we can at a time and the rest gets done as needed. My only excuse is I hurt my foot at the MTC and it’s been trying to mend.

The other side to that coin is they gave me a Handicap parking tag and I get to park at the Church office Building when I go to Devotion every morning around 7:30. Then I drive to work after devotional.

Have you ever been to a Brazilian Dinner house? Scrumptious – the waiters have a variety of smoked or grilled meats on a skewer and they go from table to table and will slice off a piece if your ready for some. They also roast a pineapple and it is out of this world. I’ve been taking a couple from Finland(the Arromas) shopping and they treated to my first experience. I won’t be making a practice of it as it’s expensive. 26.99. there is a gourmet salad bar and a Hot service section too.

Salt Lake is called the 20 lb mission – as most people put on 20 lbs while here. I can see why – I like food and they have many wonderful places to eat. Even the cafeteria serves Prime rib every Thursday. It is also mouth watering. – The Hodges family stopped by and we had a great visit at my work place and at the Cheesecake factory. My son was visiting and they treated him to a philly cheese steak sandwich. I lived in Philly for 4 years and this was better then anything I remember from there. I had hot and spicy chicken wontons. Huge servings- crispy and spicy – I’ll try and send some pics from my phone. Ethan’s burger was bigger then his mounth(Lol). And ivy’s childs pizza was larger then a usual small pizza. I also took a picture of the club sandwich – it took a platter to hold it. She looked smaller then the Sandwich by comparison. Enough about food – can you tell I’m hungry and I like food. I guess I just need to get out more often. (oh Yeah) Our FHE group is going out for Pizza and a little studying tonight.

To help fend off the title of a 20 lb mission, I had cabbage soup for dinner for 2 weeks. It was great and I dropped a few. Only to put them back on during mys son’s visit of 10 days.

Have you seen Miracle of Cokeville (my spelling is probably wrong) it is out standing, we’re (FHE) are going again. It had everything. I’d explain but as you can see by the way I write it would take a page or two.

I have been so blessed to have a number of visitors stop by when they are in SLC. Some it is just a quick visit others I’ve been able to share where I work and live. In case I haven’t mentioned it – I work in the kitchen. That sounded like the perfect place for me on my mission. Only don’t let the name fool you – I don’t get to bake or cook. they just ran out of room anywhere else to put me. When Tammy Perry and the girls visited I a got a great picture of the girls lounging on the huge bean bag chair, just behind the kitchen. We have about 8 rooms for conferences, brainstorming, meetings, theater room, a couple sound /recording rooms, a fairly large shop with a huge table saw – over 10 feet long. A production room – etc. Marleen spent the night. after a return visit to her family. She really looks good. (thank you – for taking such good care of her in my absence. What a great blow up mattress with the motor built in. So easy to fill and deflate and comfy. (that will be on my next wish list.) Tha Adams family came down for Evy’s birthday, I made my first Guten free brownie cake. Rasberry filling and Hershey chocolate Icing. It was a hit.

I changed the title to reflect the story – Food. – – – Once I get started it is hard to stop. I’ll write more tomorrow. Don’t want to bore yo all in one night.

One last comment – Thank you Margaret for the little fan you gave me. It has been a life saver on many occasions. I think I have my own personal heater – I just haven’t figured out how to turn it off. Love and Hugs to all. Sister Taylor. Upcoming ‘more about the actual mission and the blessings received.

Getting more acquainted.

Happy Mother’s Day!!!!   to all the Moms, and Dads who serve as moms and to all our sisters who care for and share their lives with our children.  May all our mothers know the Love we have for them and all they taught us throughout our lives. May we each do our mothers proud.

I now have internet at my apartment and writing on my blog should be easier. Time is still an issue, but is better then it was.  I’m doing great, only a few glitches now and again. Like getting this written and sending out thank you cards as you all have been so wonderful, I received a number of cards, well wishes, and gifts before I left, and each time I receive one here, or get a call or a visit it comes to the fore front on my mind how much I miss each of you and how delinquent I’ve been in sending replies.  It may take some time, but I’m looking forward to having time in the next few weeks. I love you.

I’ve been to Smith’s, Costco, Home Depot, WinCo and Sprouts. We have a couple from Finland and I see them walking home carrying bags of groceries from Harmon’s, (very spendy) all the time. I hadn’t been to Winco here and they had opened a new one in West Valley. It was about 10 miles out so we went. I totally enjoyed it, when we left WinCo’s to my surprise I saw a Dunkin Donuts and had to treat us each to one.  Then I saw a Noodles, a Kneaders, a TJ Max, a Ross’s and many other stores – it was like ‘wow’ there is a life out here.  All I’d seen since I arrived was tall buildings everywhere.

The other Sister’s in my Zone and in my Branch have made me feel so welcomed.  I’ve been to a couple family home evening groups and will be attending another tomorrow. I have options since I did not come with a group.  The first two were widely different. I’m looking forward to this Monday night’s group.

I’ve not done any tourism as yet – that too will come in time. I drove a few sisters from last week’s FHE to the movies in Bountiful. All I could do was laugh (it was that or scream,(I took the higher road and enjoyed the comic of it all)). I’m trying to follow my GPS, and my backseat driver sister was over talking it, I pulled over, and the other driver pulled in front, so I followed her because the backseat driver knew she would take the freeway and that’s the way we were to go.  Of course she didn’t so I said you want me to take the freeway – oh no follow her we should stay together.  Then she pulls over because her GPS wasn’t working and my back seat driver was still working overtime.  The long and the short of it – we got lost – so as a good neighbor I asked the first person I saw how to get there. It was the hardest I laughed in a long time.  Life can either be a bowl full of cherries, or turds and I love cherries.

I bought a whole spiral Ham and shared it with a sister. After I removed all the meat from the bone, I was left with a bone larger than any pot I or others had. So I boiled one end and then the other switching every couple hours till both ends fell off.  It made a wonderful ham and bean soup. I had a couple of bowls and shared the rest. I also picked up a Roasted Chicken from Costco and made a Chicken Salad for Mother’s Day.  Apples, pecans, crasins, celery, green onions and a fresh chicken, with a semi sweet-tart dressing mixed in. A number of Sister’s like myself did not get to see the kids for Mother’s day and had to stay here. So I treated them with a serving of Chicken Salad and a sweet roll after Sacrament today. I on the other hand had some salad before I went to church and just now had my roll.

I’m working at the church office building again this week. My missionary work is becoming more defined. I love what I’m doing, if only the new system would cooperate. Monday is the start of a new week, and they are doing a great job of correcting the problems as they come up. Monday I have 3 for them. I’m hoping there is a quick fix for those too. It’s a double edge sword. The sooner they get all the issues taken care of the sooner I will be returning to the exhibits. Not that it’s bad over there, it’s just I like working with all the sisters and couple missionaries at the Church Office Building.

My apartments coming along—finally—(feeling more like home) I’ll try and send some pictures later this week.

Hugs to all, I Love You.  Sister Taylor

My First Visitors!

McKay Lundgren was Mike’s and my original home teacher and both his boys were his partners. Spencer, the oldest married, shortly after his return from his mission.  His wife is due shortly. Anyhow, McKay, Carl (who just came back from his mission to Brazil 2 weeks ago) and Katheryn stopped by Saturday for a couple of hours. It was great seeing them. (my first visitors) . They helped take a bookcase down and brought a smaller one up for me. The Lord does bless us. I had no idea how I was going to do that. I gave them a short tour of where I worked.

My second blessing for the day was Kurt Mclaws brought a few things down around 5 that same evening, (Marlene was so kind enough to go over a list with me and set aside for items for him on Friday to pick up.) Both of us were limping. He’d been doing some hard dirt bike riding with a relative and got just a little bruised up.  I aggravated an old soccer foot injury while at the MTC.   I now have a temporary handicap parking pass, as well as parking rights in the COB.

Thanks to Marleen and Kurt, I now have the frames to put the kid’s pictures in and hang up. I’m excited to figure out a plan to get everybody’s pictures up on the walls I have a little hallway entry as you walk in with walls on both sides just right for all my kid’s pictures.

It will be nice once I get most everything in here and settled in to be able to have some time and just sit and relax, but I really do enjoy doing all that I’m doing.

I made lunch today (Saturday) peppers, onions, chicken, tomatoes, olive oil and grilled them on George. I called one sister on the third floor to have her drop a couple spices down to me, she came over instead, with my apartment door open another sister saw us and stopped by (she said she couldn’t resist with the great smell coming from my place.) She also brought over another spice.  I added the spices and tossed it all up and the three of us shared a great meal together.  I love to cook as yet. They said they are glad they found a sister that likes to cook.

I’m cooking for the Elders Next Sunday.  We must have 3 single sisters present. Then I’m taking dinner over to the Andersons the following Sunday for he and his wife and three or four single sisters.. They are both so sweet, and even though she is vegan and gluten free, she feeds the Elders every other week, she loves the company. She says she is doing her best to remember how to make a few dishes, but she buys things mostly pre-made.  Elder Anderson watches info commercials and gives her ideas.

I changed the arrangement in both the bedroom and in my living room the first weekend I was here. All three sisters who saw my bedroom arrangement went home and changed theirs too. Whoever stages the rooms likes to put the bed in the corner next to the electric base heaters. (dah) I love the Sisters here.  I know how blessed I am to have them in my Life.

Just a bit more–David Becker has been keeping me up on each Sacrament as to who talks and what they are speaking on.  I so appreciate his texting and keeping me informed. I’ve missed so many great talks. If any of you know of a way to record them, please let me know and I’ll see if Bishop Perry would approve it.   I’m missing so much and I have this great desire to hear their talks and keep in touch and on track.

Love and Hugs. I think of all of you often and I miss you much. Every time I have to introduce myself and tell a little history, I always end up in tears when I tell them about you and how my ward family helped me grow, and how much you mean to me as you have been such a big part of my life since I became a member and how much I love each and every one of you and miss you dearly.

 

 

More Mission News

I’m not getting enough sleep.  My goal for the rest of the month is to be in bed no later than 10. Not that I have to stay up till 10. I hope to write a blog this weekend.   If you take advantage of everything they have to offer, it doesn’t allow for much self-time  When my Zone Leader found out I was going tonight to do a sealing at the temple, I was told  I needed to slow down.  My response, of course, that I’ve been on my mission for going on the 4th week and this will be the only second time I’ve had a chance to go to the temple. I like to go at least once a week. I did tell her though I would work on slowing down. I meant it too,  but that was before Sister Mitchell passed away. I’m not sure what that’s going to mean to me exactly right now, but I have a feeling I’ll be busier. If it means I can just focus  on the one project that will be good for now. 😥

My main missionary service here is to replace a couple whose health has not been very good.   Their names are the Mitchells.  I would have met them and worked with them over the next month or so.  Sadly,  Sister Mitchell passed away Thursday.  I’m not sure exactly what all will occur to move me into that position faster,  but the concern right now will be with Elder Mitchell and all that he must go through.  The Mitchells and I have the same Zone Leader, Elder Kimberling, He and Sister Kimberling will pick up where he left off.  I will work with the Kimberlings starting Monday afternoon.  I’ll be on a fast track. (it’s actually Monday 4/20 and we did make a couple recommends today.)

Friday 4/17

I had a great day at work today.   I was there till 5:30. They introduced me to their LDS Banker, Elder Roach, today.  He had me work through a little bit of the banking.  I like numbers and I could spend way too much time writing different reports or searching the system to simplify the process.  I do like this.  I’ve already found two shortcuts to running the info I need.

Tonight is the only night I have left to do my laundry.  So I’m going to have to make the dreaded trip down and check the laundromat area. They just put all brand new washers and dryers in the laundry facilities.  They’re in the last building which gives me a good walk. Our whole complex is behind the gates.  We need to have a pass to drive in and out or a key for walking. So I’d say they’re pretty safe.

I know I’m going to have to treat all my clothes up here before taking them down. I just don’t know what else I’m in for. I do not want to carry down full containers of laundry soap etc. etc.  So I’m going to have to figure how I’m going to take a smaller amount. I know this laundromat experience is going to send me back to the early seventies and late sixties. But come to think of it back then there were at least two of us doing the laundry together. You know the male carries the laundry down, they usually watch you do it, and carry it back. I don’t think I appreciated it as much back then as I do now. How time changes our priorities. And with two we had each other to converse with.

I’m back to not sleeping again, and although I prayed about it, it took a few times for a response.  It finally came to me like a bell going off, when I couldn’t sleep before I would listen to the scriptures or a conference talk and within the hour I would fall asleep. Bonnie, I turned the scriptures on where we left off in Alma and listened to the end. I know I had read it before ahead of schedule, but a refresher never hurts. (I so miss our classes.)

 

My Busy Schedule!

Hello FHE, friends and family,

My life always seems to be busy, I thought for sure I would have more time here. Lol

I can hear you Marlene…I told you so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At home we all have a Ward.   Here that is multiplied.   I belong to the Ensign 3^rd Branch. I belong to Zone C.  I belong to the Missionary Department.  I belong to the Church Family and History Mission.  So here is a short view of my schedule last week.

Monday–7:30 AM, Missionary Department Devotional, 8:15 Mission Devotional. 5:30PM and Aloha Dinner with the 3^rd Ensign Branch.  Janice Capp Perry and Husband were our entertainment last night. What an inspiration they were!

Tuesday thru Friday 7:40 AM, Zone C Devotional.

Wednesday– Department Farewell luncheon 12:00,  Mission Conference 2 PM.   Elder Grow spoke on Scriptural teaching.

4:00 pm Temple Sealing.

Thursday–Can’t remember.

Friday–Zone C farewell and welcome dinner at 5:30 PM.  I had to talk again.

Saturday—We attended the Tabernacle Spring Concert with Ryan Murphy as conductor, Orchestra at Temple square and Temple square Chorale, (a 16 week training program for new members.) Upon successful completion of the Choir School, with its final exam, as well as the final Temple Square Chorale performance, these musicians are ready to join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Sunday– 9:30 AM–We attended the Spoken Word.  We have to leave here at 8:30 to be there in time to listen to the practice and preludes.   My branch, the 3^rd Ensign Branch meets from 1:00 to 4:00.   RS is first, then Sunday School (3 Teachers) then Sacrament.  At 4:15 we take turns signing up to being an investigator for the Elders.   The only Elders on Temple Square have a disability which does not allow them to serve elsewhere. There are about 80 to 88 Elders. This gives them the opportunity to proselyte during their mission. Our branch and the 2^nd Branch feed the Elders on Sundays. This is to insure they are fed at least twice a month where they can share a message with us.

The snow picture is from 4/15 and that’s Sister Hawley, my tender mercy the Lord sent me to help me. I took a picture of her in front of the tulips. The snow will probably kill them. I came out in the morning to take the Sisters to the Church Office building (COB), and it took me by surprise how much snow there was on my car.  All in all it was beautiful seeing the snow covered trees.    I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for the snow as they have been praying for rain.  It is badly needed here.   I’m also thankful it didn’t snow for days.

I need to start journaling earlier in the day, especially with the snow days.  Only few sisters have cars here and only a few sisters have parking rights. At this time I am the only sister.  Wednesday morning with all the snow on my car it took quite a bit of time to get it off before we left.  All in all we usually leave about 7:20 in the morning to walk over to the church office building for zone devotional. With my driving we left at 7:15 and barely made it with all the snow. With the snow and a very weak sister who’s just out of the hospital, we are going to leave tomorrow at 7 to give her plenty of time to get to the devotional. This is even with me driving.

Sister Hawley (the sister in the tulip picture) and I went over to the Salt Lake Temple to do a sealing session Wednesday evening.  Our Branch does Sealings on Wednesday at 4 o’clock. Because of the weather a few couples didn’t show up. Therefore we had seven sisters and one elder to do the sealings. We bailed out and went down to initiatory which is always very refreshing.

This is to be continued tomorrow!

Revised 1st week in Salt Lake

I can’t go any further without telling everybody how fantastic conference was this year I mean the talks were awesome, but just being here and feeling the spirit tipped the scales.  They all had such strong messages to share.  Now we just need to be a strong as their messages. Okay to my week here.   Unloading the car was not fun.  It was too far from the apartment and I would probably have had to make a hundred and fifty trips bringing things up and small packages one at a time until the Lord provided a number of tender mercies for me.   The first one was a shopping cart in the apartment complex next door which they let me borrow.   I could put 15 to 20 small items in the shopping cart and push it over to my apartment.   That in itself made things a lot easier.   Then I had a few sisters who, as they were going by, stopped and gave me a hand.   Also, I had a number of canned goods in my trunk.  Two elders offered to help me with those.   This complex is a wonderful place to be with all the sisters, seniors. and young elders.

I started my service on Monday.  Everyone in the office seems to have ‘A’ personalities, with lots of drive and energy, all focused on the Lord.   They are all paid employees.  Everyone on the first floor is LDS, and all they do is focus on the Lord.   They are the team that is responsible for all the new exhibits that go up as well as the production of Meet the Mormons.   Upstairs we have artists, designers, producers, filmmakers, project managers, etc.   They dress very casually unless they have a meeting with a producer or Steve Allen, then a few of them tend to dress up a little.   They have a production room, a toy room, a couple different conference rooms, and  a huge production exhibit room.  If you are a snacker this is the place you want to be.  They spare no expense on any of the goodies you see at Costco such as boxes of Reese’s Cups,  Snicker bars, M & M, sea salt caramel popcorn, Wheat Thins, pretzels, licorice, water, individual crystallites to pour in your water.   Whatever you think you might want I’m sure they have.  I don’t like to generalize but I would say the majority of the age group is between the age of 35 and 45.

The group that I work with downstairs is responsible for all the visitor centers, historic sites, and, of course, the exhibits at those sites, as well as all the online chatting, emailing and voice talking that the visitor centers do with the investigators.   They are also responsible for the technology, to make sure it’s up and running and doesn’t skip a beat, as well as recording all that which they can.   If you have not been to Salt Lake lately, you’ll want to stop in at the north Visitor center and see “God’s Plan.”   It is outstanding.  They also have a wall made of about 1500 missionary..mission name tags.    Then they have iPods that the kids can pick up and learn about one of eight different missionaries and what their mission was like.   Its interactive.

I’ll be doing a number of different projects for them. I spent today as well as yesterday going through training to learn how to do the recommend process for the Visitors Center and the Historic Sites.  I’ll review each of the applicants to see if any of them match the multiple factors that are needed for them to serve at a Historic Site or at a Visitor Center. Part of my responsibilities will be to see that each of our sites have the necessary single sisters and senior couples that are needed.   Even though I may recommend them because they may meet all the required factors doesn’t mean that they will be sent there.   Most applicants have three or four recommendations.   There are over a dozen departments that review the applicants to see if they are a fit for their department.   If so they would also put a recommend on the applicants paperwork.   Then they move to the next step where they are prioritized again based on a multitude of factors and qualifications of the individuals to decide where they are most needed etc.  At that point they either go to members of Quorum of the Seventies and or to the Apostles who then have the responsibility of revelation as to where they should go.   There are times that none of the recommendations of where the senior couples or the single sisters should go is chosen.   And of course the last checkpoint is then they go to the Prophet where he can make changes.  Additional to this part of my service is a multitude of smaller projects and talking with the directors of each of the sites.

I will share with each of you since I have been here I have struggled with  this assignment the Lord has given me.  I have had a priesthood blessing which has  helped and have conversed with Bishop Perry.   I so wanted to be a part of a group with other sister missionaries.   Due to the service I’ve been assigned this has not occurred and will not occur at this time.  I am the only sister missionary at the exhibits.  This is and has been very hard for me. I know our Heavenly Father knows all and although I may hurt I do have trust in him that all of this will be for my good. I know for a fact he knows each and everyone of us personally and is there for us if we will only come  unto him.   I love our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I know through him and his servant Joseph Smith they have established the only true gospel on this earth in this dispensation. I say these things in the name of our Savior and our Redeemer Jesus Christ Amen

My MTC summary

Hi everyone, the MTC has been a wonderful, stressful, marvelous, spiritual, memorable, rewarding, life altering, experience. Well that sums it up! Lol

I’ve given and received more hugs these last two weeks from complete strangers to becoming great friends who will be serving all over the world.

I’ve been so excited, the spirit is strong here. I can’t stop smiling and feeling happy, even when I’ve been stressed.

Elder Tae of the seventy’s and his wife spoke on Tuesday, his wife could of talked all night and kept the crowd awake and in stitches,she was great. She spoke of her traveling in the Philippines, where there is no set schedule for leaving.  Her getting into a USA modified jeep and setting in her favorite seat waiting for the driver. after a few more seats were taken, she thought why is the driver not going, oh a couple more got in the front. So she’s ready to go, oh not yet, a family of 6 was getting on, and they had to add a bench down the middle, then more people came and another bench across the back… and as she is telling this story she has a small like jeep 12 to  14 inches long, with little dolls etc., and this jeep was used for business too, so pipes were added to the top and chickens and baskets of fruit on the side and lumber and wire to the top, and then more people on top, it was a sight to be hold as she kept adding more chickens and baskets and vegetables and what next… yes more people. Finally the driver started  to drive and people and merchandise were getting off and being delivered and she made it to her destination. She said something like no matter how,long your wait or how heavy your burden, with patients or enduring to the end heavenly father will answer your prays and your burdens will be lifted. I wish i would of taken a picture, it would of made this allot more humorous.

okay, I,promise not to make any more long speeches.. but for us it kept the young as well as the old in stitches.

Those who will be serving in a Visitor Center as well as I went to The SLC Visitor Center on Monday. what a marvelous Center. For all of you coming to Conference, you’ll want to stop in and see the two newest displays. the Book of Mormon and the 5 rooms of the Plan of Salvation.  As we were given a tour of the Plan of Salvation a family of 4 joined us. At the completion thee Mom was in tears when asked which room she liked the best. She said all, the spirit is so strong in here.

I found out more of what I will be doing. I was told I am working in the best kept secret in SLC. I will be working with the 10 directors who are the ones who look for inspiration on what the next exhibit/display for the Visitor Center/historic sites/ and dedications should be. then it is engineered and tested right there at our sight, before being sent to a visitor center. I am not part of the inspiration for design, they need me to run the office and keep things running smoothly and timely.

Please say a prayer for me, for those that know me well, my being on time to functions is an understatement.

Sorry this is so long.. this is the first real chance I’ve had to catch you up.

One last item, today I was taught the ins and outs of how to chat on line from the LDS call center. My young companion and I patiently waited to have someone pop up on our screen, as everyone else on the class was chatting.

Finally Christopher from England came on the line and was chatting, He wanted to know more about our religion. He said he had been in the poorest sections of Africa and he saw the service the Mormons were giving the people. We offered to send him a book of Mormon. He said he was on a tractor most the day and could we send an audible, we of course replied yes and sent him the link. We asked him to pray about the truth of Book of Mormon and he said he would. we asked if we could send missionaries out to talk to  him, he said he wanted to listen to some first and he would call back in. This was amazing,  we could see what he was writing, even if he erased it, and one of us could be formulating a response while the other bore hr testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon. we always reviewed each others responses prior to sending it out. This is so brilliant people all over are coming to us and we are putting the BOM in their hands and they can call back and chat and ask more questions and were sending Missionaries to their homes.

I’m headed to SLC  tomorrow, thank you for checking up on me, miracles are happening everywhere. Who would of ever thought I’d place a Book of Mormon in someones hands within the first two weeks of training.

God bless you all and may he be with you and look after you as you are obedient to his commandments. God Loves You as do I.

Love and Hugs to all,

Judy

 

 

 

Notes I’ve taken at MTC to post to my Blog-Day one

 

Hi to all
I arrived at the MTC Sunday March 22nd at 10:30 PM. Tired and exhausted I put a few things in my room and was in bed by midnight. 3 more hours and I would of been up for 24 hours.

Monday we checked in had lunch and met as a group,  about 30 couples, one set of sister in-laws, myself going to SLC and Sister Powell, my companion for the next week going to auxiliary military in DC.

I am so thrilled to be here and I’m beaming as usual through out our orientation. at the end of the orientation the MTC President, Elder Burgess his wife and his two counselor’s,  and wife’s. all came over to let me know they had all been watching me. We chatted and of course I hugged them.

We had our schedules & homework. shortly we met as a group and had dinner, great social gatherings.  After dinner  Sister Powell and I walked to the temple to do a sealing. My feet were shot so I walked back shoeless.

I felt very blessed after Day one, tired but blessed. Our leader was Elder Taylor- He was in charge, the go to Elder and inspirational.

Hugs I Love you,

Sister Taylor

 

Judy’s First Post

Hi everyone.. my family and my word family.
I’m sorry this is taking me so long to get my blog going. There is so much construction going on in the senior resident building, we have little to no conectivty.

Here is a small highlight.
All is going well here. Tears are close to the surface most all the time and many times there are leaky eyes. Our time schedule is so much better than the young missionaries, but very stressful and tiring on us Senior Missionaries. They have us busy in classes all day up till dinner and then right after dinner we either have a devotional or temple time or something going on . Which means after doing homework it is still late when we hit the sack. Then back up again at 6 o’clock to get ready to start the day all over again. Our teachers are returned missionaries now going to BYU. They are truly the chosen ones, they are awesome. After we learn our lessons and talks in class we do role playing with one couple as the investigator or the less active, and the other couple as the missionaries. Although it is role playing, the spirit is so strong you feel as if it is real. I was the missionary in this case… In getting to know them you feel their hurts and desires and you know that what they want and need is what you have. You continue to visit with them. And the tears come as your sharing the gospel and more tears come when they commit to come to services and you promise to set beside them in RS. Not only was I crying through this process but the grandmother was too.

I’ve never seen so many men brought to tears as they are missionaries visiting with their investigator . It’s amazing how the Spirit effects each of us.

Sometimes we’re given case scenarios where something is not functioning right at the branch or the Ward, and senior couple missionaries are asked to come into help. The tools they have taught us to usr are amazing.

We had the morning off, to visit a Temple or listen to 1 of the devotionals in another room. Elder Bedlam of the seventies spoke the other day. We also saw the film of Elder Bednar’s Christmas devotional he gave at the MTC last year.

I drove to the Manti Temple to see a live endowment, and they were just closing because the women’s conference tonight. I did get to see the spiral staircases. They were extraordinary. I thought it would be at least 23 months before I could come back down. Once we are in our mission we are not to go any further out than a 60 mile radius from home base.. however when I sppke with Elder Taylor our leader at MTC, he assured me I would get to go to Manti while I was in Salt Lake City doing my mission. That did bring a smile to my face.

I miss you I miss knowing how you are doing and what is going on with everybody I know life changes in ways for all of us, some more dramatic than others. I just want to be there for you, for your ups and your downs. Your heavenly Father Loves and I Love you much. Hugs Judy (sending this much before I take any more of a chance to lose it) if someone gets this call me or text me because I’m still not sure how this works. Hugs Judy