Monday, October 27, 2014

One more!

October 27, 2014

Well, here it goes mom.  As for the transfers....I'm staying here!!  Still with Elder Digiorgio.  He's done being trained, but I guess Heavenly Father still needs us and what we're doing here for a little bit longer.  I was actually really surprised.  It's a good surprised, we have a lot of families that are looking really good.

This week, I don't know what it was about this week.  But, it has just been hard.  Yesterday and today especially.  I actually don't know if it was the whole week.  This morning has just been a really rough morning.  bu tit's all good.  We just press on and focus on the small and simple things.  As my good buddy, John Boy Garrett said in his last email.  If we want things to get better, we have to start at square one.

But we did see a lot of miracles this week.  Eve though there were difficulties, the Lord showed us that he is definitely on our side.

Thursday was quite the day.  We had Almoco (lunch)  with a less active who is going to a ton of Evanglical (Christian) churches.  yep, the type that teach you that you hae to be yelling and speaking in tongues to feel the Holy Ghost.  It was an experience.  Holy cow.  Well, he started to tell us all how he felt.  He said "I know you all think that you have the one and only true church, but I know you all have doubts in your hearts."  He was actually looking at me when he said it.  but I looked him in the eyes and shook my head.  Saying no.  But it wasn't just any head shake.  I meant it.  My mind was very clear at that point and I was able to just say, "No.  I actually don't have doubts of it.  I know this is the true Church.  I know it.  I just do."  He felt the REAL Spirit when we prayed.  We'll see if he accepts it.

Then Thursday night.......WE HAD A BAPTISM!  Jaqueline got baptized and I baptized her.  It was awesome.  Her entire family came and some friends.  And other missionaries brought investigators that are getting baptized this week.  it was good.

Then Saturday and Sunday.  Literally saw a miracle.  We've been teaching Matilde and Emerson.  Matilde had already been to Church twice, and Emerson zero.  And it wasn't looking like Emerson was going to go any time soon.  We told them about transfers and he said he wanted us to call him once we got them.  We weren't able to call until Saturday night and we told him and he said, "Well, I'm really glad to hear that.  I'm going to Church tomorrow."  WHAT? We literally danced and jumped and celebrated.  And then on Sunday, HE ACTUALLY CAME!  Then he wanted to eat dinner with us last night, so we did.  And it was good.

Well family, I love you all.  I know that many times we pass through difficulties and just feel like giving up  We feel like no one really understands us.  But, the Savior does.  He really does.  People will tear us apart and make us feel bad, but the Savior won't and our Father won't.  So trust Him.

I love you.  Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor

sorry for no pictures.  these computers aren't working well these weeks.

Well, what a week.

October 20, 2014

Wow.  This week was very different.  And really hard.  And really good.

First, it hit 111 degrees this week and every day was 105 or more.  Yeah.  The heat just makes everything really hard because everyone is tired and a little bit grumpy.  Ha.  I can't believe hot hot it is.  It really feels like I am walking in an oven.  I stopped using my glasses because they get so hot that they feel like they're burning my face!

Second, actually, this is the bigger one, but yeah.  Elder Digiorgio found out last Monday that his Dad passed away.  He wasn't very close to his dad and his dad left when he was 12, but they had recently been getting closer.  On Monday, I don't think it really set in, but starting Tuesday, it seemed lik reality hit.  It has been hard because many times he just doesn't want to do anything.  I am trying to help him but it's really hard.  I really don't know what I would do if one of my parents passed away on a mission.  I really don't ever want to have to know what I would do.  So please, be careful.  I love you guys and pray for you every day.  Pray for Elder Digiorgio and his family at this time.  He needs it.

I'm so happy to see all your adventures of the temple!!!!!!  Holy cow I love the temple.  I miss it so much.  Enjoy it and take advantage of it.  I want to live in Utah my whole life.  When I get home, it'll be probably 17 in Utah, right?  I think 14 are dedicated right now, or 15.  I don't know, but I want to go to them.  All.

But our area is doing well!!!  I don't know if I told you, but when i got here, this are had only baptized one in the last year, and the other area in Boa Vista had gone over a year without a baptism.  Well, We've baptized 4 together and we each have baptisms this week.  Yeah.  Jaqueline is doing GREAT! She is so legit.  She is not trying to help her family join and everything too.  She wants me to baptize her on Thursday,  because she'll be in Sao Paulo Friday and Saturday, and we have transfer on Monday.  And it's all but certain that one of us is leaving.

But things are going well.
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So here are the top 2 compliments I am getting lately.
1.  Nossa Elder.  Voce esta emeagrecendo ne?
     (wow Elder, you're getting skinny eh?)
and
2.  aquele elder com o cabelo bonito
(that missionary with the nice hair)
It's kind of weird that one, but I've had quite a few people say I keep my hair really nice and well kept.  That's what's up!

I'm so hot!

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!
Apparently you need to cheer louder there in Provo!

And cheer for the ROYALS!  Those stinky Giants can NOT win another world series.  Especially when the Dodgers were supposed to win it.

I love you all,
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor

Well, hey there sun, you can calm down if you'd like!

October 13, 2014

The happenings in Aracatuba:
1.  HEAT
2.  HEAT
3.  HEAT
4.  HEAT
5.  HEAT
6.  Soon to be baptisms

But for reals.  It is so hot here.  This week was all 95-105 degrees.  Like, I've been in that weather before.  but I've never had to walk all day in it.  And that was like the peak of summer.  Yeah,  summer here is just starting.  Everyone always laughs and just says we haven't seen anything yet.  It gets to about 115-125 here.  Yay.  I'm so excited for December and January.  Ha!

Things are just chuggin right along!  We have been working a lot and having some meetings wtht the leadership of our ward on how we can really get things going.  We know that without the members, this work won't work.  We need them and their abilities.  So we had some meetings, and planned some activities.  It was good.  We were also able to give a training on Sunday.  It went alright.  We were all feeling a little down after because frankly no one paid attention.  They were talking the whole time and we were all a little peeved.  Well, we had one brother come up to us after and mark a time to visit some people with us and showed us the notes that he took.  Well, that was a huge comfort.  Every great work has to start somewhere.  It reminded me of the scripture in D&C 18:15 -(I'm translating) "And if you work all of your days, and only bring me one soul, how great will be your joy with him in the Kingdom of Heaven."  We have to be grateful for what we have, and be diligent, and the rest will come.  Remember that he didn't say "and if you work for a little while."  He said "ALL of your days".

We worked all week and all week, but when Sunday came, we had quite a few investigators out of town.  Including one that went to look at the temple in Sao Paulo.  Well, we got a little discouraged because no one was at Church, then in walked Matilde with her two sons.  She's incredible.  Emerson, her husband, was working, but she wok up the kids and came to Church.  She will get baptized hopefully this transfer.

It sound like you're all having quite the part there in Utah!  Especially Dad with all his duties.  As they said on Disney, "make sure the President's duties don't get too backed up." HAHAHAHA!  And with all the Birthdays.  I am sending a package soon.  don't even worry.  It's gonna be real cool.

I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!  Good luck to Kylie in Texas!  Is she going to the same mission as Marie?

I love you all!

Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor

His Grace is Sufficient

September 29, 2014

This week was pretty cool.  I had a pretty cool opportunity this week to baptized someone who served a mission.  He made some mistakes in his life, and suffered because of the mistakes of others as well.  But he found his way back and is still fighting.  He passed his interviews after a long time with the Stake President.  He's been working on this for a long time.  And he asked me to baptize him.  It was really cool.

I also found out today that one of my companions from Arizona got sent home for disobedience.  yep.

Don't do dumb things.

And mom, don't even worry about the shade.  It's finally started to rain here.  It rained I think 3 days this week.  and it RAINED!  We were soaked.  It was funny There are actually quite a few churches here that do proselyting.  but the only ones that still go out in the rain and lightning to preach the gospel are the dang Mormons.  It's what we do!

This week was pretty good.  We had quite a few lessons and new people at church.  remember when I told you about Marcio?  We passed by on Saturday and we were only able to talk to him at the door because his wife and baby were sleeping.  But he said that they were already planning to go to Church.  So, we passed Sunday morning to walk with them but his wife was sick.  So he wasn't going to go.  But then we convinced him to go.  and he went.  He told us about how he got an answer that the book of Mormon is true.  And he loves it.  LEGIT>  He had trouble even picking up a Bible before, so it's pretty cool.

Sunday was a pretty big miracle.  At first, Marcio wasn't there, and the other investigators weren't either.  So I was pretty bummed.  But then a reent convert brought her son.  and Marcio showed up.  AND DANIELLE'S MOM CAME.  That's like Heck freezing over.  For reals.  That was a miracle.

Things are going pretty well here on the south side.  Even with the rain, ti's super hot.  So enjoy the cooler weather.  People are so surprised when I say we have snow for about 4 months there.  Ha.

I love you all!!!!!

Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor


So, just take a good long look at these pictures here.  Like, a good one.  I've had so many members say I look skinny this week!



When I first got here to Brazil, 5 months ago.  CHUNKER!




This last week.  YEAH!!

Just keep on keepin' on!

Sept. 22, 2014

Well, this week was pretty great.  IT FINALLY RAINED!  It is so hot here and everything is dying.  This is normally the rain season and we have not received anything and finally it rained twice this week.  but it still needs to rain a lot more.  It's about 100 degrees every day and technically it was winter until yesterday.  Yeah.  Just imagine the summer.  WOOHOO!  Yep.  I'll just keep losing weight.  I've now lost 16 kilos.  I think that's about 35 pounds.  yeah.

Sounds like it's just a part there in UTAH!  I love Utah.  I miss seeing a temple wherever I go.  for reals.  Don't take it for granted.  go to the temple weekly, not weakly.  Holy cow I love the temple.  I'm super jealous of the new Ogden temple.  It looks a lot like Gilbert.

And GO COUGARS!  I hope you guys are bringing my picture in my BYU shirt to the games so that I can cheer with you.  Yep.  They're going to win it all.  I'm calling it right now.  The year that I'm gone BYU wins it.   Dodgers win it.  And even the JAZZ win it!

This week was good.  We taught A LOT.  Holy cow.  We're going through a nice phase of finding new people who keep commitments and want to go to Church.  Jaqueline is doing good.  She had a little bit of a rough time but we had a feeling to visit her unscheduled on day and she was having a lot of doubts and we answered her prayer.  So, that was good.  Ha

Things are great here.  and super hot.  I love you all.

Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor

PS  I spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday and killed it.  One of the counselors of the Stake Presidency was there and he said after "wow, it's been a long time since I heard a talk like that.  The whole building felt the spirit during your talk."  Keep the commandments and be virtuous.  there are no excuses.  That was basically my talk.  I talked about stories of John Tanner and Greg Johnson going on a mission.  there really are no excuses to do what we know is right and do it well.  It was awesome!

WOW!

September 15, 2014

I still can't believe I hit one year this last week.  I just realized it's been more than a year since I've woken up later than 6:30.  Holy cow.

So the BYU game.  Holy legit.  Just so you know there were about 4 of us missionaries here drooling over the pictures and getting super trunky.  Haha.  I can't believe you guys had Bis!!  That's so cool.  We eat that quite a bit here.  It's super cheap.  Like maybe 2 dollars at the most.

This week was really good.  We were supposed to baptize but sadly things just didn't quite work out.  Jaqueline chose a date and she will be baptized this transfer.  She's super solid in being baptized, just not in a huge hurry.  she chose the last week in October and said, it's official, mark it on your calendars.  I'll be baptized.  So that's good.

We just been working and walking and gettin all skinny and cute.  ha.  but for reals, I'm so much skinnier than I was a couple months ago.  EVERYONE comments on it.  Even people that met me 4 weeks ago.  "nossa voce magraceu."  wow.  You got more skinny!

I hope all is well there.  It's going well here.  Sorry this is so short.  I have fotos to send and not very much time!!!!!!!

I love you all!

Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor


Primeiro, meu Brasil.  Aracatuba!


Me and Elder Barlow on a division celebrating 1 year!



Oh you know, just me chillin with a mango.  Holy cow!  Mangos are so good! 
 Are they really expensive in Kaysville?

HOLY. 1 YEAR

September 8, 2014

yep.  I can't believe it either.  It was exactly one year ago today that I was there in Kaysville giving my farewell talk.  a full year.  I can't believe it.  It really does fly by.  Even though there are times when you just don't think you can do any more.  It's only 6 o' clock and you know you have until 9 and your veet are screaming and no one is listening to you, it's all worth it.  It's all worth it when you find that golden couple, and a new couple goes to church, and an investigator finally gets serious and gets baptized.  It's all worth it.  It's been a year of CRAZY.  It's been a year of HARD.  And, it has been a year of INCREDIBLE!

This week was also crazy, hard, and incredible.  We found 15 new investigators this week.  4 families.  I've wanted to find families my entire mission, and finally the Lord is placing them in our path.  We found Marcio and Carol.  They were a contact on the street early in the week and we marked to visit Saturday.  We taught the Restoration Saturday and they went to Church on Sunday.  They are incredible, and they will get married soon.  And hopefully baptized as well.

We also found (kind of) Matilde and Emerson.  We didn't find them.  the other companionship lives in our area, and one day they were walking to their area, and they felt that they needed to knock on a door that was in our area.  They went, got the info, and passed it to us.  We went.  And only had about 20 minutes the first time, so we gave a blessing on the house and the family.  Then had the feeling to invite them to be baptized.  They said yes.  That was super cool, but still, the significance of this miracle is still to come.  We passed on Saturday to teach them and invite them to church, but Emerson had to work late.  We talked to Matilde and she told us that Emerson never really liked religion.  she usually goes to an "Evangelical" church (sometimes).  And in the past, he would hide the keys to the car so that she wouldn't go.  but even before we taught the Restoration, he accepted to be baptized.  He didn't go to Church, but Matilde did.  We taught them the Restoration with our Bishop on Sunday, and they loved it.  They need this for their family, and it showed, and they want it.  They are incredible.

There's a lot of miracles happening in the mission world right now, all over the world.  It's incredible.  We all need to join in and invite.  M. Russell Ballard said that we should be inviting a friend at least every 3 months to be taught by the missionaries.  That includes us in Utah.  It's hard, but we will see the benefits.  Elder Barlow showed me something cool this week in 1 Peter 4:6.  It talks about when the people didn't listen to Noah and only 8 people were saved.  In our day, it's a different prophet.  And he's said to do missionary work instead of get on a boat, but the principle is the same.  there were more than 8 people that heard Noah, but only 8 listened.  How many people will listen this time?

I love you all.  Have a fantastic week.

Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor

Sorry, no pictures this week.  This computer is dumb and I'm out of time.  But please send pictures again this week.  Especially of the BYU game!!!!!!
Oh my gosh, Annie is so big.  Tell her to stop growing.  She's getting too big.
AND THANK YOU FOR THE PHOTOS!!!!!