HAPPY FLIGHT!!!!! HAPPY FLIGHT!!!!!

April 7, 2014

I can't believe it's actually here.  I'm leaving.  I honestly can't believe it.  It still didn't feel real, until I got a call from President Toone this morning.  He was just giving me some details on how to get to the mission home tomorrow...but at the end he was just laughing and said he was gonna miss me and my happy attitude.  I make him smile every time I talk to him.  I'm sure he says that to everyone, but it was still nice to hear.

This week has been AWESOME!!

DID YOU ALL WATCH CONFERENCE!?!?!?!?  #Spiritbomb #LDSConf

It was incredible.  We watched it at the Stake Center here.  Man.  Dallin H. Oaks.  I love him.  He laid it down.  Along with Neil L. Andersen and Russell M. Nelson.  It seems like Conference just gets better and better every time.

What were some of your favorite talks?

One of my favorites was from Henry B. Eyring in the Priesthood Session where he talked about heroes.  So, here are some of my heroes and why:

Dad:  I have watched you all my life accept callings and challenges with a smile.  You have been an incredible example to me of dedicated love and service.  You have also been a great example of priorities.  I cannot ever express enough how thankful I am for a dad that came to every single game of my senior season.  Even though I only played a total of 2 innings all year, you were at every game.  I'm sure at times it didn't feel like the best thing for you time, but I really can't tell you enough how much it means to me.

Mom:  I love you.  You get my first hug when I return.  I see pictures of missionaries hugging their moms and it makes me cry.  I love you, Mom.  You have also been an incredible example of pure, Christlike love.  You've faced a lot of trials but you continue to stay happy and positive.  I love you.

Jesse Wade - I have always been slightly disappointed when an LDS athlete forgoes a mission to play.  It makes me smile every time when I see something that says "he will play for Gonzaga for 4 years AFTER serving a 2-year mission."  Thank you for being an example to the world of putting a mission at the top of the priorities.  The experiences you have can never be replaced.

There are may more, but those are some that I thought of as he spoke.

I am so sad to leave Casa Grande.  We visited some families last night and it was tough to say goodbye.  We have a part member family bringing us donuts today. :)  They are awesome.  The wife last night looked at me and said that I have been an incredible influence on him.  He has advanced more than with anyone else.  I can't wait til he gets baptized and I told them I will come to their sealing.
Sasha and Emilio also called this morning.  They asked what we were doing tonight and wanted us over before I leave.  They don't have much money but they want to have us for dinner and give me my favorite American candy before I leave.  I love them.  They are getting baptized on the 26th.  I'm sad I will miss it, but I am so happy for them.

Well, I guess that's all from Arizona.  Tomorrow I get on a plane and lave to a whole new experience.

HERE. WE. GO.

Love, Elder Scott Jackson Taylor

I also forgot to mention John Boy Garrett.  He's my Hero too.  #UtahSTATE

Sasha and Emilio's cat had kittens so we put them in our pockets!

I forgot to mention this in my other email.  We got a call Tuesday night from President asking if we would go to the Gilbert Temple!  All missionaries leaving (including visa waiters) and their companions got to go do a session!  It was awesome!

A member took us out to eat for one of my final American meals.  

Good thing we chose  Mexican restaurant right? 

Yeah I forgot to tell you about this too.  the knife slipped on Friday night and I now have a stab wound in my palm. It isn't very wide, but as you can see, there was a lot of blood.  It got every where.  The blade went lik 1/2 inch into my palm.  It hurt!

That is beautiful!!

You're officially old!

March 31, 2014

Ola Familia!

Just thought I'd point out:  This is my last full week of English.  Whoa!

Thought I'd also point out:  Mom and Dad went on a cruise for an anniversary.  That means you're OLD!

This week has been great!  We have been teaching Sasha and Emilio a lot.  They are so solid.  They haven't been able to come to Church because of work, but they are both in the process of finding new work.  We had a lesson mid-week and we were talking about coordinating their wedding with Bishop.  I said, "well, even if I'm not there, send me pictures."  and Sasha goes "oh no, you'll be there."  I love them!  They are so legit and have been so good to work with.  We have seen a lot of miracles with them and with the ward as we've worked with them.  We've seen the ward just jump in and help out in any way they can.  They will hopefully be married this week, but sadly because of not attending Church due to a family emergency yesterday, they won't be baptized until after I leave.  BUT, they will be baptized.  I'm so excited for them and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to teach and work with them.

We had our first dust storm!!  It wasn't very bit, but it provided some pretty cool pictures.  We were at the Church and didn't know it was coming and one of our investigators texted us and told us about it.  We went out to check it out, and we left all our stuff in the Church as the doors closed.  Yep.  We locked ourselves out right before the storm!  Luckily we had the car that day and I had my keys in my pocket.  So, we got in the car, and righ then, someone pulled up to the Church to check on something and had keys!  It was pretty cool.

It's starting to get pretty hot.  Ha!  We've been in the upper 80's and the sun just beats down.  It's a party.

I went on exchanges and we walked by a house and this big guy was out smoking a HUGE cigar.  We went to talk to him and he just says, "I don't need it.  I'm already a sinna"  With his hands up and this thick Brooklyn accent.  Oh old people.  they make me laugh!!

Well my friends, hope all is well in Kaysville!  ( And Logan and Provo and Orem and Argentina and Mexico and .........)

Love you all!

Love, Elder Scott Jackson Taylor

Despicable me card collection from Wal-Mart! What's up!

Mom and Dad, take a good, hard look.  This is probably the closest I'll ever get to Harvard!

Yep.  We have the coolest members ever.  They're a young family that grew up in Spanish fork.  The dad is a HUGE  BYU fan, and they knew I am too.  so, they whipped these out for dinner!

Here comes the dust storm!

It's gettin closer!

There she is!  :)

Oh Rhonda!

March 24, 2014

So guess what.  Remember that time we use to have a car?  Well, I named her Rhonda.  The Church gets rid of mission vehicles at 50,000 miles, and I've put almost 3,000 on her.  And this week during exchanges I put her over 40,000.  It was a great day!

Anyway, Mom and Dad on a cruise?  How in the world did that happen?  Who was the one that was able to break open his wallet?  I hope the house isn't burnt down yet.  You kids do get crazy!

This week has been pretty good!  We had a FANTASTIC Zone Conference in Maricopa on Tuesday.  President Toone talked about being a consecrated missionary.  He talked to us about how one unconsecrated missionary can hold the mission back from the blessings we will receive.  We watched the John Tanner Story, a story of complete consecration and trust in the Lord.  He asked what more we can give to be fully consecrated.  It was incredible and inspiring.  It really opened my eyes on how much we have to give.  I only have 17 and a half more months to give everything I have.  I have only 2 weeks to give everything I have to the people here in Casa Grande, so I don't want to waste it.

We also had an incredible lesson Monday night.  Little did I realize the similarity to the John Tanner story until we watched it the next day.  We have been teaching a couple named Sasha and Emilio for a long time.  they have been together for 3 years but aren't married.  So, we have talked to them about that.  On Monday, we taught more on the Law of Chastity, they said, "we want to get married, but we don't even have money to pay for a wedding license."  The member that was with us asked how much it was.  $80 bucks.  so the member said, "we'll pay for it."  So I thought she meant when the time came, but she reached in her purse and pulled out $100 and said, "well I guess there's lunch for the day too."  It was incredible.  After the lesson we just kept thanking her.  And she said, "all I have is from the Lord.  I have 6 years of income that I wasn't suppose to have."  Ha!  and her husband goes, "Yeah, and a husband to go with it!"  (Her husband has a brain tumor that was suppose to take his life, but after a Priesthood blessing, it stopped dead in its tracks and has been dormant since!)  It was an incredible example to me of consecration and fulfilling our covenants!

Then, last night was awesome too.  We went to visit another investigator named Lupe with our Ward Mission Leader.  We got there, and a guy was there and laughed and kin of jokingly said, "can I have  Mormon Book?"  So we said yes and asked if we could introduce it to him.  Well, it turns out that he is Lupe's ex-wife's brother and is staying at the apartment for a little while. His name is Victor.  He talked to us about how he feels agnostic, but wants to know so badly the true nature of God.  He told us how he's been to a ton of churches that judge him and throw him out because he has tattoos and blah blah blah.  And he's been to too many churches where the people give of their tithing and have humble livings and then the pastor rolls up in a Mercedez-Benz and takes all their money.  So, we introduced him, invited him to church, and set up a return.  It was incredible!  The Spirit was super strong as we bore our testimonies of the true nature of God and that His Church has been restored.  He told us that he just really wants to know.  And, he always sees everyone hide from the Mormons, so he decided to find out what they really have to say.  It was awesome!  The best part is that our Bishop drives a simple Toyota Corolla.  So, Dad, keep driving that Grandma car!!  You never know who it will inspire!

Casa Grande is a party!!  I love it!  The work goes well.  Both of our new Ward Mission Leaders are awesome!  The end.

Love, Elder Scott Jackson Taylor

This is Dawn's baptism!  Guess who is baptizing her?  Yep.  Brother Taylor! Best. name. ever!

Toni's baptism!!

This.  This is my girl Rhonda.  I put her over 40,000 miles this week!

Oh yea, I forgot to tell you in my email that I got sick and had to stay in Wednesday and Thursday.  Thursday morning I was throwing up.  It was no bueno!!

Yes.  That is a 2014 Stingray.  But no, I didn't drive it.  One of our members works at a nice dealership and gets to have some fun!

Dad, this one is for you!  DJ (our Polynesian recent convert)  fed us this week and  it was delicious!  He said that this is a Hawaiian staple.  I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed that me and the big Polynesian were the only ones that finished!

Yep, I'm proud!

This is a pooping do sign that just says "NO!"

No more explanation needed!

P.S.  Estou indo a Brasil em dois semanas.  Louco.