August 10, 2015
Well family and friends, I get on the plane in approximately 7 hours! I can't believe it's here. It is sad. And, yet it is joyful. This week was incredible.
We had Leadership counsel at the beginning of the week and it was awesome. It was the biggest GH of my life. Our zone hit President's goals of 1 baptism and 1 reactivation per companionship per month. We were the only one to hit both. And, our zone is also the last to go up front and do accountability each meeting. so we got up, the mission had a good month, but when we got up, President Brum said, "wait a minute, let's all give a good clap for this zone." He doesn't do that. He then talked about me and how he was proud that I didn't just throw in the towel for the last month and I went out and helped the zone and left my mark. It was awesome!
We then visited Recent Converts and a couple other people to say good-bye and on Friday I got the bus.
Oh yeah! On Wednesday, I did a division with Elder L. Souza from Curitiba. He said Trevor looks really familiar but he didn't ever really meet him. He says he thinks he just saw you in the mission office. But he did know Elder Poe really well. Poe passed in his ward and L. Souza did divisions with him each week. He talked about how he's married now and I was just like, hey, I know. haha It was cool He's a cool guy and a really good missionary. Trev, see if Poe remembers Leopoldo Souza.
Then in Ribeirao Preto, Saturday was incredible. It was the single day that really made 2 years of difficulties, sweat, tears, blood, tired feet, and all the other hard things worth every minute. We had a self-sufficiency training at the beginning and that made me realize that I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Then we had our interviews with President. It was incredible. He talked A LOT about marriage, but he said a lot of really good tings. Definitely a lot of things to consider and he talked a lot about taking big decisions to the temple and praying and fasting. He's an incredible man. We then had dinner at his house with him and Sister Brum. And Elder and Sister Hawkins, the couple missionary. It was so good. I just kind of sat back at the beginning and realized how much I will miss these incredible people. I love President and Sister Brum. They have 3 kids that live in the U.S., So I told him whenever they visit Utah to let me know and we'll go out to dinner to. We watched a movie after our missions and pictures that we had sent in. It was awesome. I am so thankful that I came out as a missionary when I did.
I love you all. I am so excited to see you and let me repeat. MOM GETS THE FIRST HUG!!
Well folks, I've been waiting two years to say this.
I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Keep Moving Forward!!
August 3, 2015
Well, my family and friends. Here it is. I still can't believe it's here. But the dream is ending. today is my last P-day as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has been a crazy tow years. Technically, it's actually only been 23 months. due to transfers and visas, it won't be a full tow years but, it's been an incredible two years. I have had the chance this week to reflect on a lot of what I have learned, and more importantly become during this time. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me this time to really become a man. And to truly gain a testimony and help other people. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the greatest blessing that our Father in Heaven could have ever given us. I am so thankful for that. The chance to repent, learn, change, and move forward. I love this work. It is the work of God.
This week was awesome. It was very different. I had the chance to go on divisions with a couple new missionaries. The purpose of the division was to see how they are and teach them a little bit of what I have learned in the last two years. I think I learned more than taught though. The first division was with Elder Serra. He is from Fortaleza, Ceara, Brasil. He is one of my favorite missionaries that I've met. He has an incredible story of how he came back to Church, gained a testimony, and is serving a mission. It's incredible when you can truly see the Light of Christ in someone's eyes and feel it eminating from them. I don't know if he learned a whole lot form me, but I hope so. I learned a lot from him. The second was with Elder Sardan , from Espirito Santo, Brasil/Cochabamba, Bolivia. That division was also really good. I had the chance to just sit down with him at the end and talk for awhile. His humility and willingness to learn just made me happy. They are two missionaries that have great potential and I'm grateful to have been able to help them.
church in Araraquara for the last time was super bittersweet. I think that is the only word that describes the end of a mission. The happiness to continue on and see my family and start life again. And the sadness to leave behind not just two years, but a people, a culture, and a new family. I bore my testimony of when I finally felt the truthfulness of the Gospel. And how I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It just simply is. A lot of people came and thanked me for the work I've done.
But the moment that sticks with me is when the Stake Patriarch came up to me after, looked in my eyes, and said, "Parabens Elder. Missao cumprido. Voce serviu uma boa missao." (Parabens Elder. Mission accomplished. You have served a good mission )
It was super simple. Something that anyone could have said, but I felt it. I feel that I have done what the Lord needed me to do. My favorite hymn is "Come, Com, ye Saints." I love this verse:
Encontramos um lar.
Hoje, libertos do pesar e dor.
Vamos todos cantar.
Partindo de nosso coracao
Bem also e com resolucao.
O nosso glorioso refrao
Tudo bem! Tudo bem!
Family and friends. Simply. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I feel it. I just simply know it. I love it. I just can't say it enough. I feel it in my heart. I am so thankful for it. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is the Savior of the World. He loves us. He died for us. And He lives for us today. this is His Church. He didn't have to give us all of this, but He did. I love Him. I can't wait to see Him again. I know that htis is the work of God. I LOVE MY FAMILY! I can't describe how much I love them. It's been 3 years and * months since we were all together. I love them. I am so happy that we can and WILL be together forever.
Well, here it goes. I love you all.
No matter what, Just Keep Moving Forward
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well, my family and friends. Here it is. I still can't believe it's here. But the dream is ending. today is my last P-day as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has been a crazy tow years. Technically, it's actually only been 23 months. due to transfers and visas, it won't be a full tow years but, it's been an incredible two years. I have had the chance this week to reflect on a lot of what I have learned, and more importantly become during this time. I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me this time to really become a man. And to truly gain a testimony and help other people. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the greatest blessing that our Father in Heaven could have ever given us. I am so thankful for that. The chance to repent, learn, change, and move forward. I love this work. It is the work of God.
This week was awesome. It was very different. I had the chance to go on divisions with a couple new missionaries. The purpose of the division was to see how they are and teach them a little bit of what I have learned in the last two years. I think I learned more than taught though. The first division was with Elder Serra. He is from Fortaleza, Ceara, Brasil. He is one of my favorite missionaries that I've met. He has an incredible story of how he came back to Church, gained a testimony, and is serving a mission. It's incredible when you can truly see the Light of Christ in someone's eyes and feel it eminating from them. I don't know if he learned a whole lot form me, but I hope so. I learned a lot from him. The second was with Elder Sardan , from Espirito Santo, Brasil/Cochabamba, Bolivia. That division was also really good. I had the chance to just sit down with him at the end and talk for awhile. His humility and willingness to learn just made me happy. They are two missionaries that have great potential and I'm grateful to have been able to help them.
church in Araraquara for the last time was super bittersweet. I think that is the only word that describes the end of a mission. The happiness to continue on and see my family and start life again. And the sadness to leave behind not just two years, but a people, a culture, and a new family. I bore my testimony of when I finally felt the truthfulness of the Gospel. And how I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It just simply is. A lot of people came and thanked me for the work I've done.
But the moment that sticks with me is when the Stake Patriarch came up to me after, looked in my eyes, and said, "Parabens Elder. Missao cumprido. Voce serviu uma boa missao." (Parabens Elder. Mission accomplished. You have served a good mission )
It was super simple. Something that anyone could have said, but I felt it. I feel that I have done what the Lord needed me to do. My favorite hymn is "Come, Com, ye Saints." I love this verse:
Encontramos um lar.
Hoje, libertos do pesar e dor.
Vamos todos cantar.
Partindo de nosso coracao
Bem also e com resolucao.
O nosso glorioso refrao
Tudo bem! Tudo bem!
Family and friends. Simply. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ. I know it. I feel it. I just simply know it. I love it. I just can't say it enough. I feel it in my heart. I am so thankful for it. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is the Savior of the World. He loves us. He died for us. And He lives for us today. this is His Church. He didn't have to give us all of this, but He did. I love Him. I can't wait to see Him again. I know that htis is the work of God. I LOVE MY FAMILY! I can't describe how much I love them. It's been 3 years and * months since we were all together. I love them. I am so happy that we can and WILL be together forever.
Well, here it goes. I love you all.
No matter what, Just Keep Moving Forward
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Day 7,399 in the life of Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
July 27, 2015
This week was really good! We have continued working a lot with less actives and doing a lot of divisions. It was really good to do divisions with some missionaries that I hadn't been able to yet and help them out.
Sorry, I don't have a lot of time this week. I have to send a bunch of stuff to the mission office and it's taking a while to download. And I have to send it today. so yeah.
We have been working with two less actives called Danielle and Pedro. they're not family. They actually live really far away from each other. Danielle was a referral from a member. She is doing well. She was just kind of waiting for the invite to go back as well. she is now officially reactivated. She was invited by a returned missionary that got back from Cochabamba, Bolivia recently. So, RM's, look for your friends and invite them back. do it. Pedro is the dad of a family that was recently reactivated. He is doing well. He just kind of struggles with commandments. But he is coming back well and his family is doing really well. His wife and kids are all very active now and participating in everything. We're happy that the dad is also coming back. The ward is now working for them to get everything going well and get sealed in the temple.
We also had a couple new investigators at Church. Vera and maria Eduarda. Sadly, Vera's husband, Joao, didn't go. We still don't know why. I think they said he was sick. but Vera and Maria Eduarda were contacts last week and we invited them to the ward party and they went. they went to Church yesterday and really liked it. That was good.
I'm excited for this week. I'm doing a couple special divisions with newer missionaries in our zone to train them to be leaders and teach them what I've learned in the last 2 years. It's really interesting to think of everything I have learned. I was on a division with Elder Alves on Thursday and he said, "what advice do you have for me now that you're going home?" And I told him simply "Even though numbers are important because they represent the people we're working with, the Spirit is much more important. We can baptize 1,000 people, and do a million contacts, but if we aren't sanctified to have the Spirit with us and be true representatives of Jesus Christ, we have failed in the eyes of God." What matters most in our lives is having the Holy Ghost with us and doing things for the right reasons. I have gained a very strong testimony of that this transfer. Simply doing things because we love the Lord. Not for our own gain, nor the recognition that comes with it.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! Have fun in Alaska Mom and Dad!
See you in tow!!! haha ( I just thought that was funny cause everyone says that at the beginning and ti's two years. Now it's two weeks. It is insane how fast it all flies by. Soak it in and work hard!)
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
This week was really good! We have continued working a lot with less actives and doing a lot of divisions. It was really good to do divisions with some missionaries that I hadn't been able to yet and help them out.
Sorry, I don't have a lot of time this week. I have to send a bunch of stuff to the mission office and it's taking a while to download. And I have to send it today. so yeah.
We have been working with two less actives called Danielle and Pedro. they're not family. They actually live really far away from each other. Danielle was a referral from a member. She is doing well. She was just kind of waiting for the invite to go back as well. she is now officially reactivated. She was invited by a returned missionary that got back from Cochabamba, Bolivia recently. So, RM's, look for your friends and invite them back. do it. Pedro is the dad of a family that was recently reactivated. He is doing well. He just kind of struggles with commandments. But he is coming back well and his family is doing really well. His wife and kids are all very active now and participating in everything. We're happy that the dad is also coming back. The ward is now working for them to get everything going well and get sealed in the temple.
We also had a couple new investigators at Church. Vera and maria Eduarda. Sadly, Vera's husband, Joao, didn't go. We still don't know why. I think they said he was sick. but Vera and Maria Eduarda were contacts last week and we invited them to the ward party and they went. they went to Church yesterday and really liked it. That was good.
I'm excited for this week. I'm doing a couple special divisions with newer missionaries in our zone to train them to be leaders and teach them what I've learned in the last 2 years. It's really interesting to think of everything I have learned. I was on a division with Elder Alves on Thursday and he said, "what advice do you have for me now that you're going home?" And I told him simply "Even though numbers are important because they represent the people we're working with, the Spirit is much more important. We can baptize 1,000 people, and do a million contacts, but if we aren't sanctified to have the Spirit with us and be true representatives of Jesus Christ, we have failed in the eyes of God." What matters most in our lives is having the Holy Ghost with us and doing things for the right reasons. I have gained a very strong testimony of that this transfer. Simply doing things because we love the Lord. Not for our own gain, nor the recognition that comes with it.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week! Have fun in Alaska Mom and Dad!
See you in tow!!! haha ( I just thought that was funny cause everyone says that at the beginning and ti's two years. Now it's two weeks. It is insane how fast it all flies by. Soak it in and work hard!)
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Surprise!!
July 20, 2015
Well kids, this week was crazy. We did a few divisions and visited some peeps. We had a dupla in our zone that was having some issues. We went on a division with them on Tuesday. It was super interesting. I learned how simple things can be. I got there to their area and they hadn't even planned the day. The Elder I went with is pretty new on the mission. So I sat down with him and talked about the importance of planning and the little things. I asked him if they were using Preach my Gospel, the area book, and other stuff and he said no. So I showed him how to simply follow it and plan. It helped him a lot and they were able to resolve some of their problems. That was good.
That night I got a call from my companion (who was in our area) and he had a surprise! The assistants called and were coming to do a division with us Wednesday. yeah. They called the day before. Well, we had actually planned another division with a different area so we kinda just threw those plans out the window and planned a new day with the assistants. It went really well. I was with Elder Contreras from Neoquen, Argentina!
The rest of the week we just worked and worked and visited a lot of people. Leandro went to Church again and is doing really well.
Oh yeah! I forgot to tell about the festa Junina! That's a really big party here. Basically, any group of anything just has a big party in June or July and eats a lot of cowboy food. Ha. Totally what it is. Our ward had it on Friday. It was really good. As we were inviting our investigators to it, we ran into a lady named Vera. We invited her and she and her family went! That night, a different ward baptized a family of 4 in our chapel. And they wanted to watch the baptism first instead of going to the party. We are now teaching them. They're pretty cool.
Well, I just keep on keeping on! I love you all and can't wait to see your little faces!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well kids, this week was crazy. We did a few divisions and visited some peeps. We had a dupla in our zone that was having some issues. We went on a division with them on Tuesday. It was super interesting. I learned how simple things can be. I got there to their area and they hadn't even planned the day. The Elder I went with is pretty new on the mission. So I sat down with him and talked about the importance of planning and the little things. I asked him if they were using Preach my Gospel, the area book, and other stuff and he said no. So I showed him how to simply follow it and plan. It helped him a lot and they were able to resolve some of their problems. That was good.
That night I got a call from my companion (who was in our area) and he had a surprise! The assistants called and were coming to do a division with us Wednesday. yeah. They called the day before. Well, we had actually planned another division with a different area so we kinda just threw those plans out the window and planned a new day with the assistants. It went really well. I was with Elder Contreras from Neoquen, Argentina!
The rest of the week we just worked and worked and visited a lot of people. Leandro went to Church again and is doing really well.
Oh yeah! I forgot to tell about the festa Junina! That's a really big party here. Basically, any group of anything just has a big party in June or July and eats a lot of cowboy food. Ha. Totally what it is. Our ward had it on Friday. It was really good. As we were inviting our investigators to it, we ran into a lady named Vera. We invited her and she and her family went! That night, a different ward baptized a family of 4 in our chapel. And they wanted to watch the baptism first instead of going to the party. We are now teaching them. They're pretty cool.
Well, I just keep on keeping on! I love you all and can't wait to see your little faces!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Look at this crew! I'm so good looking!
(Zone conference photo)
I made stir fry! I'm getting good, by the way!
Me, Elder Sardan, Elder Moroni, and Elder Serra
Me and Elder Contreras
As someone who speaks Portuguese what this means :)
(Ready to date?) Haha!
GO BACK TO CHURCH DUDE!
July 13, 2015
Well hello everyone. This email is gonna be short and sweet. I'm tired. Haha!
This week was really good. We went to Ribeirao Preto and had the leadership counsel to start the week. It feels like it was like a month ago. haha. The counsel week is always a loooong week because of travel. but, it's been good. The counsel was good and we had pretty good numbers. It was all smooth. Our zone did well in reactivation and is doing well again this month. We're actually looking at a huge month because two areas have families to baptize. WOOHOO FAMILIES !!
Our area is doing really well with less actives. We have 4 that have been to Church in the last couple of weeks and are really close to reactivating them. The coolest is Leandro. This is a really cool story. I think I told part of it. We met him "by chance". Well, we have been teaching him for the last two weeks and made a goal for him to not only be active but possibly temple ready by the time he goes to the U.S. in about a month and a half. He has responded really well and went to Church for the first time in about 5 years yesterday. It was awesome. The ward welcomed him really well and the Bishop even interviewed him and helped him out. He's doing really well and is progressing fast.
The other is a guy named Pedro. His son has been active for a while and his wife and daughter were reactivated about two months ago. He went to Church yesterday and is also looking really good to come back strong. We have a family night with them and a member on Wednesday night.
Things are going really well here and I'm loving it. I'm tired like crazy but I know that I just have to give it my all until the end!!!
I love you all.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well hello everyone. This email is gonna be short and sweet. I'm tired. Haha!
This week was really good. We went to Ribeirao Preto and had the leadership counsel to start the week. It feels like it was like a month ago. haha. The counsel week is always a loooong week because of travel. but, it's been good. The counsel was good and we had pretty good numbers. It was all smooth. Our zone did well in reactivation and is doing well again this month. We're actually looking at a huge month because two areas have families to baptize. WOOHOO FAMILIES !!
Our area is doing really well with less actives. We have 4 that have been to Church in the last couple of weeks and are really close to reactivating them. The coolest is Leandro. This is a really cool story. I think I told part of it. We met him "by chance". Well, we have been teaching him for the last two weeks and made a goal for him to not only be active but possibly temple ready by the time he goes to the U.S. in about a month and a half. He has responded really well and went to Church for the first time in about 5 years yesterday. It was awesome. The ward welcomed him really well and the Bishop even interviewed him and helped him out. He's doing really well and is progressing fast.
The other is a guy named Pedro. His son has been active for a while and his wife and daughter were reactivated about two months ago. He went to Church yesterday and is also looking really good to come back strong. We have a family night with them and a member on Wednesday night.
Things are going really well here and I'm loving it. I'm tired like crazy but I know that I just have to give it my all until the end!!!
I love you all.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
July 4, 2015
Division with Elder Evans in Matao.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Happy Independence Day???
July 6, 2015
Ha. GUESS WHAT. Saturday was the 3rd straight Independence day (July 4th) that I have been out of the country. BOO. I love that parades and everything. haha maybe next year......
This week has been GREAT. Me and Elder Goes are doing well and kicking. We had quite a few new investigators this week. Sadly when it came to Sunday, no one went to Church and doesn't want to meet with us anymore, but that's ok. We'll keep searching for God's elect.
We did teach a few Less Actives this week. And I tell you what. The Lord guides his servants where they need to be. And, if we as members don't give up on those we love, we will see the fruits with time. The Bishop gave a list of less actives that he put together for us to visit. We visited a couple. Including Saverio, who was reactivated and is doing well. He is even preparing to go out with us to visit people this week. Cool. We also found Marcus, who went to Church once. Hopefully he keeps going and can be reactivated.
This week, we visited a man named Benedito. He's middle age and lives in a super humble little shack. He is really cool. We invited him to come back to Church. He doesn't live very close, a solid 30-40 minute walk. And guess what....he came all by himself. We visited him again Saturday and asked if he would go to Church even if it was raining and he said yes. and he went! He walked and it was awesome. He is doing well and we will continue visiting him.
We also were looking for a couple of the other addresses and stopped to ask some guys where a street was. One invited us in to check on his phone and his brother comes out and say, "Oi Elders." So, we asked if he knew the missionaries and he is a mbmer. He even almost went on a mission. He had his papers filled out but then decided to go back to college and got involved with the world. His name is Leandro. He is really cool. He has a cousin that served a mission, then married an American and now lives in Rexburg, Idaho. Well, he is going to visit his cousin i Idaho next month, and his cousin had already told him, "when you're here, we're going to Church every week." haha The Lord definitely led us straight to him at this time. We set a goal with himto get him active BEFORE he goes to Idaho. so that he can already be ready to go to Church there. It's really close for him to go to the U.S. haha and guess what.....I go to Church in Utah before he goes to Idaho. haha Crazy!!
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Ha. GUESS WHAT. Saturday was the 3rd straight Independence day (July 4th) that I have been out of the country. BOO. I love that parades and everything. haha maybe next year......
This week has been GREAT. Me and Elder Goes are doing well and kicking. We had quite a few new investigators this week. Sadly when it came to Sunday, no one went to Church and doesn't want to meet with us anymore, but that's ok. We'll keep searching for God's elect.
We did teach a few Less Actives this week. And I tell you what. The Lord guides his servants where they need to be. And, if we as members don't give up on those we love, we will see the fruits with time. The Bishop gave a list of less actives that he put together for us to visit. We visited a couple. Including Saverio, who was reactivated and is doing well. He is even preparing to go out with us to visit people this week. Cool. We also found Marcus, who went to Church once. Hopefully he keeps going and can be reactivated.
This week, we visited a man named Benedito. He's middle age and lives in a super humble little shack. He is really cool. We invited him to come back to Church. He doesn't live very close, a solid 30-40 minute walk. And guess what....he came all by himself. We visited him again Saturday and asked if he would go to Church even if it was raining and he said yes. and he went! He walked and it was awesome. He is doing well and we will continue visiting him.
We also were looking for a couple of the other addresses and stopped to ask some guys where a street was. One invited us in to check on his phone and his brother comes out and say, "Oi Elders." So, we asked if he knew the missionaries and he is a mbmer. He even almost went on a mission. He had his papers filled out but then decided to go back to college and got involved with the world. His name is Leandro. He is really cool. He has a cousin that served a mission, then married an American and now lives in Rexburg, Idaho. Well, he is going to visit his cousin i Idaho next month, and his cousin had already told him, "when you're here, we're going to Church every week." haha The Lord definitely led us straight to him at this time. We set a goal with himto get him active BEFORE he goes to Idaho. so that he can already be ready to go to Church there. It's really close for him to go to the U.S. haha and guess what.....I go to Church in Utah before he goes to Idaho. haha Crazy!!
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
The Beginning of the End
June 29, 2015
Holy Crazy! It's now official. today is the First day of my last transfer. That's pretty crazy. I'm just gonna go nuts and leave it all here this transfer. It's like the 4th quarter. Like the music we hear in the street says, "turn down for what?" haha
This week was crazy. and super sad.
Monday: We didn't really do a whole lot. We just sent email and then we went home and relaxed and Elder Jake packed his bags. The fun came a little later. We have a really cool Recent Convert named Felipe. He speaks English. He was baptized about 7 or 8 months ago and we visit him every once in awhile. We went to a restaurant called Pizzeiros. It's a Rodizio de pizza. (all you can eat pizza and they bring it to you). They have a bunch of different flavors. they bringthem around and ask if you want a piece. Including a bunch of dessert pizzas. Elder Jake and I ate 20 pieces of pizza each. I don't know if Felipe ate that much, but he ate quite a few as well. It was hard to sleep that night. We had to go pregnant woman style and sleep on our sides and move around until we finally found a position that didn't hurt too much.
haha It was so good! Best normal: Doritos Pizza. Best Dessert: Coconut and milk pizza.
Tuesday:
We had Zone Conference with the Ribeirao Preto West Zone. It was really good. President Brum told a little bit about his story after his baptism. He was baptized at 9 years old with the rest of his family. He studied in a military school. He then entered into one of the top military school in Brasil. Actually, THE top. ha. He wanted to go on a mission, and received a letter and a visit from James E. Faust. At the time, the Church wanted the few members they had in the armed forces to stay and preach there. He was made basically a missionary at the academy and taught people there with others. There were 4 of them that were missionaries. 3 are now General Authorities or Mission Presidents. He then continued and later received a call from i believe it was Henry B. Eyring calling him as a mission president. He gave up a big promotion in the army (He was already very high up) to come be a mission President. We then talked of the importance of the Book of Mormon. President read thescripture in Doctrine and Covenants about the new covenant of the Book of Mormon, and that if we don't use it in our every day lives, we will be responsible for it.
A couple from the ward then took us out to eat Coxinhas from a super famous spot in Ararquara. It's famous in the entire country. It's soooooo good. Look up Coxinhas. They are fantastic. Ask Trev to make them!
The rest of the week was pretty normal. just saying goodbye to all the recent converts and less actives and investigators.
Friday was so sad. Elder Jake left with Elder Wood that night. We went and visited Marcia and Bel to say goodbye and they both started crying. We then visited Ana and Anne.. They both also started crying. I almost even started crying. Elder Jake has been my best companion and has become one of my best friends. I'm thankful that The Lord gives us opportunities to meet people like that in our lives. People that just make you better. I learned a lot from him and we had a lot of fun and success. He really taught me to grow up and to lighten up. haha. It really was awesome. I've been sad the last few days because I just feel alone. I've just been traveling between my area and Ala 3 here because we had to take care of both wards this weekend. It's hard to be a Zone Leader alone. I am really thankful for Elder Jake and the time I got to spend with him.
My new companion got here today! His name is Elder Goes (said goys. Like, rhymes with boys.) He is from Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil! The same city as my trainer Elder Souza. He is from a different part though. Manaus is huge. So, I was "born" to someonefrom Manaus. and now I will be "killed" by someone from Manaus.
I'm super excited for this transfer and keep praying for me!!!!!
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Sorry about still no pictures!!! I forgot my chord in the rush of transfers today!! I promise next week.
Holy Crazy! It's now official. today is the First day of my last transfer. That's pretty crazy. I'm just gonna go nuts and leave it all here this transfer. It's like the 4th quarter. Like the music we hear in the street says, "turn down for what?" haha
This week was crazy. and super sad.
Monday: We didn't really do a whole lot. We just sent email and then we went home and relaxed and Elder Jake packed his bags. The fun came a little later. We have a really cool Recent Convert named Felipe. He speaks English. He was baptized about 7 or 8 months ago and we visit him every once in awhile. We went to a restaurant called Pizzeiros. It's a Rodizio de pizza. (all you can eat pizza and they bring it to you). They have a bunch of different flavors. they bringthem around and ask if you want a piece. Including a bunch of dessert pizzas. Elder Jake and I ate 20 pieces of pizza each. I don't know if Felipe ate that much, but he ate quite a few as well. It was hard to sleep that night. We had to go pregnant woman style and sleep on our sides and move around until we finally found a position that didn't hurt too much.
haha It was so good! Best normal: Doritos Pizza. Best Dessert: Coconut and milk pizza.
Tuesday:
We had Zone Conference with the Ribeirao Preto West Zone. It was really good. President Brum told a little bit about his story after his baptism. He was baptized at 9 years old with the rest of his family. He studied in a military school. He then entered into one of the top military school in Brasil. Actually, THE top. ha. He wanted to go on a mission, and received a letter and a visit from James E. Faust. At the time, the Church wanted the few members they had in the armed forces to stay and preach there. He was made basically a missionary at the academy and taught people there with others. There were 4 of them that were missionaries. 3 are now General Authorities or Mission Presidents. He then continued and later received a call from i believe it was Henry B. Eyring calling him as a mission president. He gave up a big promotion in the army (He was already very high up) to come be a mission President. We then talked of the importance of the Book of Mormon. President read thescripture in Doctrine and Covenants about the new covenant of the Book of Mormon, and that if we don't use it in our every day lives, we will be responsible for it.
A couple from the ward then took us out to eat Coxinhas from a super famous spot in Ararquara. It's famous in the entire country. It's soooooo good. Look up Coxinhas. They are fantastic. Ask Trev to make them!
The rest of the week was pretty normal. just saying goodbye to all the recent converts and less actives and investigators.
Friday was so sad. Elder Jake left with Elder Wood that night. We went and visited Marcia and Bel to say goodbye and they both started crying. We then visited Ana and Anne.. They both also started crying. I almost even started crying. Elder Jake has been my best companion and has become one of my best friends. I'm thankful that The Lord gives us opportunities to meet people like that in our lives. People that just make you better. I learned a lot from him and we had a lot of fun and success. He really taught me to grow up and to lighten up. haha. It really was awesome. I've been sad the last few days because I just feel alone. I've just been traveling between my area and Ala 3 here because we had to take care of both wards this weekend. It's hard to be a Zone Leader alone. I am really thankful for Elder Jake and the time I got to spend with him.
My new companion got here today! His name is Elder Goes (said goys. Like, rhymes with boys.) He is from Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil! The same city as my trainer Elder Souza. He is from a different part though. Manaus is huge. So, I was "born" to someonefrom Manaus. and now I will be "killed" by someone from Manaus.
I'm super excited for this transfer and keep praying for me!!!!!
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Sorry about still no pictures!!! I forgot my chord in the rush of transfers today!! I promise next week.
Day 651 in the life of a missionary
June 22, 2015
BOM DIA PEEPS. What it is?
Guess what! This is Elder Jake's last week as a missionary.He said it didn't really hit him until he was saying goodbye to people at Church yesterday. Ha. We got there and we figured he might give like a last testimony. The Bishop comes up and says, "Can you talk today?" Well, yeah. then we get to Sacrament meeting. He asks if it will just be a testimony and Bishop says, "No, you're the second speaker. You got 15 minutes." HAHAHAH! Gotta love it!! He did real good though,. It was fun.
This week was insane. We have been running all over. We had quite a few baptismal interviews to do in all parts of the city and in others parts. We even went to Ribeirao Preto (not for an interview though). And we went back to Americo . They should baptize this week. woot woot. We only had 2 full days in our area.
One of them was Tuesday. And it was AWESOME. Remember ana and Anne that got baptized 3 weeks ago and are AWESOME too? Well, Danielle, Anne's sister and her husband were here in Araraquara and wanted to meet us. Ana calls Danielle like every day and usually talks about us and the Church. Well, we had a late lunch with them and introduced the Church to them and they thanked us for our work and how Ana and Anne have changed and how they're so happy. So, we totally invited them to Church. Anne went with them to Sao Paulo for like 2 weeks, so we told her she has to go and take them with her. They also wanted to buy us a present, but we had to leave. so they told us to come back right after, so we did.They bought us PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!!!!! Yeah. That was awesome. They're real cool. We gave them a Book of Mormon Liahona.
We went to Ribeirao on Wednesday because Elder Jake had to renew his I.S. So he could go home. While I was there, I got a letter from Brother Jenkins. Funniest letter that I've gotten while here. It just said, "My elbow still hurts...." That's all. hahahahah! Tell him I say stop crying and I love him.
We also had a reactivation this week. Saverio is going to Church and strong. His sister is a recent convert that was baptized about 7 months ago. She is helping him a lot and he is coming back well. He was living with his girlfriend and wanted to come back to Church. she didn't want to and wanted him to go to her Church where they didn't really have to do much of anything so he broke up with her and kicked her out. He's a good guy.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week. And Happy Father's day yesterday!!! On of the other areas had a baptism yesterday and they don't have a font in their chapel, so they had it in ours. We went. It was an 11 year old girl and she was baptized by the Ward Mission Leader. I thought back to when my old man baptized me on May 3, 2003. A long time ago. Thank you dad for being such a great dad and incredible example. Thank you for showing me a true example of someone who lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
BOM DIA PEEPS. What it is?
Guess what! This is Elder Jake's last week as a missionary.He said it didn't really hit him until he was saying goodbye to people at Church yesterday. Ha. We got there and we figured he might give like a last testimony. The Bishop comes up and says, "Can you talk today?" Well, yeah. then we get to Sacrament meeting. He asks if it will just be a testimony and Bishop says, "No, you're the second speaker. You got 15 minutes." HAHAHAH! Gotta love it!! He did real good though,. It was fun.
This week was insane. We have been running all over. We had quite a few baptismal interviews to do in all parts of the city and in others parts. We even went to Ribeirao Preto (not for an interview though). And we went back to Americo . They should baptize this week. woot woot. We only had 2 full days in our area.
One of them was Tuesday. And it was AWESOME. Remember ana and Anne that got baptized 3 weeks ago and are AWESOME too? Well, Danielle, Anne's sister and her husband were here in Araraquara and wanted to meet us. Ana calls Danielle like every day and usually talks about us and the Church. Well, we had a late lunch with them and introduced the Church to them and they thanked us for our work and how Ana and Anne have changed and how they're so happy. So, we totally invited them to Church. Anne went with them to Sao Paulo for like 2 weeks, so we told her she has to go and take them with her. They also wanted to buy us a present, but we had to leave. so they told us to come back right after, so we did.They bought us PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!!!!! Yeah. That was awesome. They're real cool. We gave them a Book of Mormon Liahona.
We went to Ribeirao on Wednesday because Elder Jake had to renew his I.S. So he could go home. While I was there, I got a letter from Brother Jenkins. Funniest letter that I've gotten while here. It just said, "My elbow still hurts...." That's all. hahahahah! Tell him I say stop crying and I love him.
We also had a reactivation this week. Saverio is going to Church and strong. His sister is a recent convert that was baptized about 7 months ago. She is helping him a lot and he is coming back well. He was living with his girlfriend and wanted to come back to Church. she didn't want to and wanted him to go to her Church where they didn't really have to do much of anything so he broke up with her and kicked her out. He's a good guy.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week. And Happy Father's day yesterday!!! On of the other areas had a baptism yesterday and they don't have a font in their chapel, so they had it in ours. We went. It was an 11 year old girl and she was baptized by the Ward Mission Leader. I thought back to when my old man baptized me on May 3, 2003. A long time ago. Thank you dad for being such a great dad and incredible example. Thank you for showing me a true example of someone who lives the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Bus contacts
June 15, 2015
So this week, I did something I've never done before and it almost scared me enough to pee my pants. I've done a lot of contacts on the bus, but never a full bus contact. That's where you go up in the front and talk to everyone and show them the Book of Mormon and all that jazz. It was scary. It's not so bad once you get up there, but just trying to get yourself to stand up and go do it is crazy. But, like the scriptures say, we can't be ruled by fear. I don't know if anyone really got much out of my bus contact, but I know that I did.
This week has been kind of uneventful. It was good, just the normal work. We've been looking to work a lot with less actives and recent converts. We have a few recent converts that have been going thorugh a lot of struggles and we are working to help them. A couple of them have kids that have gotten into drugs and such, and it is affecting them a lot. One didn't come to Church for the last two weeks and finally came yesterday. After the first class, she came up to me and asked me if I would find her a ride home. so, I asked her why and she said she was feeling sad because of her son and didn't want to talk to anyone. Well, knowing that the only thing that can make her truly happy is the Church and the Gospel, I gave her a little tough love and said no. Ha. I felt so mean, but at the same time did not want her to go home. so, she ended up talking to the Bishop and staying. We went by yesterday night and she was a little happier. Sometimes, it's not what people want to hear, but we have to help them receive the blessings of the Gospel.
We also had a couple new less actives come to Church. One is very well known and hasn't been less active very long. He knows the Church is true, he just struggles with a commandment. He's now living with his girlfriend, but he knows it's not right. We talked to him a lot about repentance, and he has embraced it well. He's a really cool guy and knows what's right, just had a little bit of fear to actually do it because he knows it will be hard.
Things are going really well here and it's just a party. Elder Jake goes home in two weeks and it's kind of crazy to be killing another missionary. I just want to destroy this last transfer and give it everything I've got and leave no regrets. I'm super excited.
You know what is just absolutely blowing my mind right now????? I get on and have an email...and guess who's home. The Womacks. WHAT? How in the world? It's just gone by way too fast.....
I love you all and hope you all have fantastic weeks!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
So this week, I did something I've never done before and it almost scared me enough to pee my pants. I've done a lot of contacts on the bus, but never a full bus contact. That's where you go up in the front and talk to everyone and show them the Book of Mormon and all that jazz. It was scary. It's not so bad once you get up there, but just trying to get yourself to stand up and go do it is crazy. But, like the scriptures say, we can't be ruled by fear. I don't know if anyone really got much out of my bus contact, but I know that I did.
This week has been kind of uneventful. It was good, just the normal work. We've been looking to work a lot with less actives and recent converts. We have a few recent converts that have been going thorugh a lot of struggles and we are working to help them. A couple of them have kids that have gotten into drugs and such, and it is affecting them a lot. One didn't come to Church for the last two weeks and finally came yesterday. After the first class, she came up to me and asked me if I would find her a ride home. so, I asked her why and she said she was feeling sad because of her son and didn't want to talk to anyone. Well, knowing that the only thing that can make her truly happy is the Church and the Gospel, I gave her a little tough love and said no. Ha. I felt so mean, but at the same time did not want her to go home. so, she ended up talking to the Bishop and staying. We went by yesterday night and she was a little happier. Sometimes, it's not what people want to hear, but we have to help them receive the blessings of the Gospel.
We also had a couple new less actives come to Church. One is very well known and hasn't been less active very long. He knows the Church is true, he just struggles with a commandment. He's now living with his girlfriend, but he knows it's not right. We talked to him a lot about repentance, and he has embraced it well. He's a really cool guy and knows what's right, just had a little bit of fear to actually do it because he knows it will be hard.
Things are going really well here and it's just a party. Elder Jake goes home in two weeks and it's kind of crazy to be killing another missionary. I just want to destroy this last transfer and give it everything I've got and leave no regrets. I'm super excited.
You know what is just absolutely blowing my mind right now????? I get on and have an email...and guess who's home. The Womacks. WHAT? How in the world? It's just gone by way too fast.....
I love you all and hope you all have fantastic weeks!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Crazy Week
June 8, 2015
Well hey there family! This week has been a pretty crazy week. Unexpected trip to Ribeirao Preto for Leadership Counsel to start the week and other surprises. It's been a little crazy and tiring. But it's been good.
First, Leadership Counsel and Zone Meeting. The counsel went really well. the assistants gave a really good training about the importance of the Baptismal invite. the simplicity of it and how important it is to simply invite. then President Brum talked a lot about the importance of study and the Book of Mormon. Jeffrey R. Holland once said something like this: Study can make or break your mission. It can make or break your life. Ha. I don't know the exact quote. But I know the idea. Study and the morning hours set the tone for everything else and we have to keep it simple and focused on the basics and on our purpose.
We then had zone meeting and taught the zone and all this stuff and it was real good. ha.
We also were suppose to have Zone Conference on Friday, but the assistants called Sunday night and cancelled it. Well, put it off to the 23rd. You know what the crazy part is of this Zone Conference? There's a part called "Testemunho do herois." Basically final testimony. And me and Elder Jake will be a part of it. It's so weird to think about that because I've been seeing it my entire mission and I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it's my turn. Super weird.
We then had Stake Conference and President Brum came. He talked about the importance of members getting involved in the reactivation efforts. The most important people in reactivation efforts are the members themselves. A lot of people when they talk about this cite the story of The lost sheep. I know there's quite a few where we live, not a whole lot of non-members. So this is where we can best contribute. Help our friends get back to Church. So, do it. :)
I love you all and hope this week is fantastic!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well hey there family! This week has been a pretty crazy week. Unexpected trip to Ribeirao Preto for Leadership Counsel to start the week and other surprises. It's been a little crazy and tiring. But it's been good.
First, Leadership Counsel and Zone Meeting. The counsel went really well. the assistants gave a really good training about the importance of the Baptismal invite. the simplicity of it and how important it is to simply invite. then President Brum talked a lot about the importance of study and the Book of Mormon. Jeffrey R. Holland once said something like this: Study can make or break your mission. It can make or break your life. Ha. I don't know the exact quote. But I know the idea. Study and the morning hours set the tone for everything else and we have to keep it simple and focused on the basics and on our purpose.
We then had zone meeting and taught the zone and all this stuff and it was real good. ha.
We also were suppose to have Zone Conference on Friday, but the assistants called Sunday night and cancelled it. Well, put it off to the 23rd. You know what the crazy part is of this Zone Conference? There's a part called "Testemunho do herois." Basically final testimony. And me and Elder Jake will be a part of it. It's so weird to think about that because I've been seeing it my entire mission and I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it's my turn. Super weird.
We then had Stake Conference and President Brum came. He talked about the importance of members getting involved in the reactivation efforts. The most important people in reactivation efforts are the members themselves. A lot of people when they talk about this cite the story of The lost sheep. I know there's quite a few where we live, not a whole lot of non-members. So this is where we can best contribute. Help our friends get back to Church. So, do it. :)
I love you all and hope this week is fantastic!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
WOOHOO BAPTISMS AND SURPRISE TRIPS!
June 1, 2015
Well kids, I don't have a whole lot of time because we got a call yesterday telling us that we have Leadership Counsel in Ribeirao Preto tomorrow!! Yep, the Assistants forgot to advise us. So, we are hurrying and emailing and we will be catching a bus to Ribeirao right after. haha. but, it's all good. I like Ribeirao.
AND THE BAPTISMS!!! Ana Maria Lima and Anne Karollyne da Silva were baptized on Saturday!!! and confirmed yesterday! I have pictures, but the card hookup isn't working right now so I'll have to see if I can maybe send them later or something. But the baptism went really well. Elder Jake baptized Ana and I baptized Anne. This week has been really cool. We have been calling every day, multiple times a day to make sure Ana didn't smoke and if she felt the need, we would help her out. Well, on Friday she had her interview. We were headed toward the Church to do some contacts and we were passing a street by their house. We had the feeling to call her and she was about to smoke. We literally ran over to her house and just talked to her and shared scriptures with her. We ended up being over there for 2 hours just talking to her and calming her down, and when we left, she said she didn't even want to smoke any more. And she didn't! They both passed the interview and the baptism went really well! We visited yesterday and challenged them both to read the Book of Mormon all the way through from the beginning...and they were already doing it! So that was cool. They're solid.
There was also a stake activity talent show Saturday night and Anne participated. It was cool. She's already participating in everything with Young Women's and she's doing really well. I also got to see all my peeps from Americo and found out that a few of them are going to the U.S. at the end of this year. they're all going to study English for 4 months and then try to get in to LDSBC. So that's cool. It'll be a party.
I love you all and hope you all have fantastic weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well kids, I don't have a whole lot of time because we got a call yesterday telling us that we have Leadership Counsel in Ribeirao Preto tomorrow!! Yep, the Assistants forgot to advise us. So, we are hurrying and emailing and we will be catching a bus to Ribeirao right after. haha. but, it's all good. I like Ribeirao.
AND THE BAPTISMS!!! Ana Maria Lima and Anne Karollyne da Silva were baptized on Saturday!!! and confirmed yesterday! I have pictures, but the card hookup isn't working right now so I'll have to see if I can maybe send them later or something. But the baptism went really well. Elder Jake baptized Ana and I baptized Anne. This week has been really cool. We have been calling every day, multiple times a day to make sure Ana didn't smoke and if she felt the need, we would help her out. Well, on Friday she had her interview. We were headed toward the Church to do some contacts and we were passing a street by their house. We had the feeling to call her and she was about to smoke. We literally ran over to her house and just talked to her and shared scriptures with her. We ended up being over there for 2 hours just talking to her and calming her down, and when we left, she said she didn't even want to smoke any more. And she didn't! They both passed the interview and the baptism went really well! We visited yesterday and challenged them both to read the Book of Mormon all the way through from the beginning...and they were already doing it! So that was cool. They're solid.
There was also a stake activity talent show Saturday night and Anne participated. It was cool. She's already participating in everything with Young Women's and she's doing really well. I also got to see all my peeps from Americo and found out that a few of them are going to the U.S. at the end of this year. they're all going to study English for 4 months and then try to get in to LDSBC. So that's cool. It'll be a party.
I love you all and hope you all have fantastic weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
I only have 1 picture that Giovane sent me. But these are a couple of the Americo kids!
"Humility is the key to inspiration." - The Best Two Years
May 25, 2015
Well hello my wonderful family! How's Bear Lake this fine morning? I love Bear Lake, but it's so cold. but a cold lake sounds wonderful. haha!
This week was AWESOME. I was still sick at the beginning. We ended up not doing a whole lot Monday or Tuesday because I was still sick Monday and then Elder Jake was sick Tuesday.. But other than that, it was a good week! Lots of people came to Church and we are doing well.
This week was really cool on Sunday. 1. Ana and Anne were there are are preparing super well for their baptism this Saturday! Ana is doing really well with quitting smoking and Anne's testimony is just growing and growing! She went to mutual this week and liked it. It was good because she is super shy and wasn't really talking to any of the other girls in the ward and now she is. so that's good. We went over there Saturday with Alan and Camila, a young couple in the ward, and that was awesome. Camila is in the Young women's presidency so she has helped Anne a lot. Ana has also been well welcomed into the Relief Society so Saturday should be awesome.
2. Celsio and Lucia were there. They are the couple we took over when the other dupla left. They have been going to Church for awhile and we had a good lesson with them this week. Celsio likes going to Church, but is extremely stubborn and is very used to having everything his way., So it is very different to have missionaries who are also stubborn when it comes to the Gospel. Not in a bad way, we have to have courage to truly tell people what is right and what is wrong.
3. A new family came to Church. Maria Paula came with her 4 kids. She is a lady that lives in the longest part of our area. haha literally about a 3.5 hour walk from the Church.. may be more. She was baptized 19 years ago but doesn't quite know why she stopped going to Church. but she did. She was visiting a family the other day and they invited her to Church. she came and wants to come back and she has 3 kids that can be baptized that all loved Church! We were able to talk with her a little and set up an appointment Saturday to teach them in a members house! I'm super excited.
This week was awesome and full of miracles. Something that has really stuck out to me this week is the Christlike attribute of humility. I'm not too good with humility. I'm a very prideful little boy. I'm workin on it, but I know that it is my downfall. As the prophets have said, it is the universal sin. It is the root of all other sins. This week we had some interesting experiences that have shown me the importance of realizing when we are wrong. We talk to a lot of people that get offended when we teach a commandment right, and it isn't what they've lived. That's how it is these days. People take the attitude of "how can you tell me that I'm doing something wrong!?!?!?!?" Well, wrong is wrong, no matter what. SO MANY PEOPLE in the history of the world failed in the eyes of God because they were unwilling to swallow their pride, even when they knew they were in error and sin. BUT, there are success stories. I read about Zeezrom in the book of Mormon this morning. He was a bad guy. He was trying to get Alma and Amulek killed, like many others. THE DIFFERENCE. Zeezrom didn't die. WHY? All of the other people stayed in their pride. As people started to die, Zeezrom realized how terribly wrong he was. He was thrown out from among the people. His actions made him so sick that he was bedridden for weeks. He was nearly dead from Guilt. He admitted to the people that he was wrong. When he found out that Alma and Amulek were still alive he was overjoyed. He sent for them and they came and blessed him. He got well immediately and devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and keeping the commandments. THE RESULT. All the people that held their pride died and frankly I imagine they are not in a comfortable place. But Zeezrom repented and turned his life around. I imagine he is still preaching and dedicated to the Lord in the Spirit World. I know he is overjoyed with where he is at because he has the Gospel.
The Lesson: We have to be the one in the great crowd to swallow our pride and do what the Lord asks. It is that simple. IT's not easy, but it's worth it.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well hello my wonderful family! How's Bear Lake this fine morning? I love Bear Lake, but it's so cold. but a cold lake sounds wonderful. haha!
This week was AWESOME. I was still sick at the beginning. We ended up not doing a whole lot Monday or Tuesday because I was still sick Monday and then Elder Jake was sick Tuesday.. But other than that, it was a good week! Lots of people came to Church and we are doing well.
This week was really cool on Sunday. 1. Ana and Anne were there are are preparing super well for their baptism this Saturday! Ana is doing really well with quitting smoking and Anne's testimony is just growing and growing! She went to mutual this week and liked it. It was good because she is super shy and wasn't really talking to any of the other girls in the ward and now she is. so that's good. We went over there Saturday with Alan and Camila, a young couple in the ward, and that was awesome. Camila is in the Young women's presidency so she has helped Anne a lot. Ana has also been well welcomed into the Relief Society so Saturday should be awesome.
2. Celsio and Lucia were there. They are the couple we took over when the other dupla left. They have been going to Church for awhile and we had a good lesson with them this week. Celsio likes going to Church, but is extremely stubborn and is very used to having everything his way., So it is very different to have missionaries who are also stubborn when it comes to the Gospel. Not in a bad way, we have to have courage to truly tell people what is right and what is wrong.
3. A new family came to Church. Maria Paula came with her 4 kids. She is a lady that lives in the longest part of our area. haha literally about a 3.5 hour walk from the Church.. may be more. She was baptized 19 years ago but doesn't quite know why she stopped going to Church. but she did. She was visiting a family the other day and they invited her to Church. she came and wants to come back and she has 3 kids that can be baptized that all loved Church! We were able to talk with her a little and set up an appointment Saturday to teach them in a members house! I'm super excited.
This week was awesome and full of miracles. Something that has really stuck out to me this week is the Christlike attribute of humility. I'm not too good with humility. I'm a very prideful little boy. I'm workin on it, but I know that it is my downfall. As the prophets have said, it is the universal sin. It is the root of all other sins. This week we had some interesting experiences that have shown me the importance of realizing when we are wrong. We talk to a lot of people that get offended when we teach a commandment right, and it isn't what they've lived. That's how it is these days. People take the attitude of "how can you tell me that I'm doing something wrong!?!?!?!?" Well, wrong is wrong, no matter what. SO MANY PEOPLE in the history of the world failed in the eyes of God because they were unwilling to swallow their pride, even when they knew they were in error and sin. BUT, there are success stories. I read about Zeezrom in the book of Mormon this morning. He was a bad guy. He was trying to get Alma and Amulek killed, like many others. THE DIFFERENCE. Zeezrom didn't die. WHY? All of the other people stayed in their pride. As people started to die, Zeezrom realized how terribly wrong he was. He was thrown out from among the people. His actions made him so sick that he was bedridden for weeks. He was nearly dead from Guilt. He admitted to the people that he was wrong. When he found out that Alma and Amulek were still alive he was overjoyed. He sent for them and they came and blessed him. He got well immediately and devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and keeping the commandments. THE RESULT. All the people that held their pride died and frankly I imagine they are not in a comfortable place. But Zeezrom repented and turned his life around. I imagine he is still preaching and dedicated to the Lord in the Spirit World. I know he is overjoyed with where he is at because he has the Gospel.
The Lesson: We have to be the one in the great crowd to swallow our pride and do what the Lord asks. It is that simple. IT's not easy, but it's worth it.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
TRANSFERS!!!!!!!
May 18, 2015
Hey kids. So, today is transfers. We just got word that we have to go to Ribeirao Preto to pick up a missionary. so, I'll have to send my full email a little later! I can't believe Lauren already got married. I thought it wouldn't happen at least until summer. That was quick. Haha they look so little! They look like a couple going to prom not getting married!! hahah I love you all and I'll talk to you a little later.
Well Folks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing changed for me THANK HEAVENS. I'm so excited. Elder Jake and I are staying one more here in Araraquara 2 as the Zone leaders. EXCEPT, we had 2 duplas in our ward. Now we only have one. We have the entire ward. Overall there were 6 investigators at Church yesterday so this should be an awesome transfer. The area is HUGE. It might actually e one of the biggest in the mission now. It's really big. It is actually 2 wards. There use to be a 4th ward but they shut it down and it dissolved into the 2nd ward. And thankfully, we ended up not having to go to Ribeirao Preto. We made another dupla travel with the other elder because I'm sick.
Ana and Anne are doing REALLY well. So, like I said, Ana had to stop smoking. so, we made a calendar and she is (diminuindo? how do you say that in English?) every day. She is solid for baptism on the 30th and so is Anne. Anne is really shy and she's kind of having a hard time fitting in with the young women in the ward, but she decided she wants to go to mutual this Friday so it should be awesome. They have been to Church every week since we found them last transfer and they are progressing so well!!!!!
We also took over another couple that is what we call Eternigators. haha yeah. Celsio and Lucia. They've been going to Church since way before I got here. They were in the other area but it is now our area. Celsio is pretty darn stubborn. he says he only goes to Church because of Lucia, his wife, but I know there's a deeper reason. Because if he didn't want to go, he wouldn't. Lucia is basically a member. She just hasn't wanted to get baptized without her husband. She is at every single activity, service project, and everything. They were a reference from a member family that lives across the street from them. The family should be able to help a lot.
This has been a pretty good and crazy week. I got really sick yesterday and today. Yeah...like pretty bad. Yesterday was actually only the second day of my entire mission that we had to stay home because of me being sick. It's not fun. I've gotten to know the bathroom quite well. But I'll be fine soon and working like a charm. Today hasn't helped much with the fact that we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off because of transfer problems, but it's all good.
I love you all and hope you feel it! I know that this Church truly is the Church of Jesus Christ. He guides it. He's in the front and he will not let us fall. We may have to pass through trials, but we can never fail unless we give up., As long as we are truly trying, we can never fail. The Lord loves us and he is with us.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Hey kids. So, today is transfers. We just got word that we have to go to Ribeirao Preto to pick up a missionary. so, I'll have to send my full email a little later! I can't believe Lauren already got married. I thought it wouldn't happen at least until summer. That was quick. Haha they look so little! They look like a couple going to prom not getting married!! hahah I love you all and I'll talk to you a little later.
Well Folks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nothing changed for me THANK HEAVENS. I'm so excited. Elder Jake and I are staying one more here in Araraquara 2 as the Zone leaders. EXCEPT, we had 2 duplas in our ward. Now we only have one. We have the entire ward. Overall there were 6 investigators at Church yesterday so this should be an awesome transfer. The area is HUGE. It might actually e one of the biggest in the mission now. It's really big. It is actually 2 wards. There use to be a 4th ward but they shut it down and it dissolved into the 2nd ward. And thankfully, we ended up not having to go to Ribeirao Preto. We made another dupla travel with the other elder because I'm sick.
Ana and Anne are doing REALLY well. So, like I said, Ana had to stop smoking. so, we made a calendar and she is (diminuindo? how do you say that in English?) every day. She is solid for baptism on the 30th and so is Anne. Anne is really shy and she's kind of having a hard time fitting in with the young women in the ward, but she decided she wants to go to mutual this Friday so it should be awesome. They have been to Church every week since we found them last transfer and they are progressing so well!!!!!
We also took over another couple that is what we call Eternigators. haha yeah. Celsio and Lucia. They've been going to Church since way before I got here. They were in the other area but it is now our area. Celsio is pretty darn stubborn. he says he only goes to Church because of Lucia, his wife, but I know there's a deeper reason. Because if he didn't want to go, he wouldn't. Lucia is basically a member. She just hasn't wanted to get baptized without her husband. She is at every single activity, service project, and everything. They were a reference from a member family that lives across the street from them. The family should be able to help a lot.
This has been a pretty good and crazy week. I got really sick yesterday and today. Yeah...like pretty bad. Yesterday was actually only the second day of my entire mission that we had to stay home because of me being sick. It's not fun. I've gotten to know the bathroom quite well. But I'll be fine soon and working like a charm. Today hasn't helped much with the fact that we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off because of transfer problems, but it's all good.
I love you all and hope you feel it! I know that this Church truly is the Church of Jesus Christ. He guides it. He's in the front and he will not let us fall. We may have to pass through trials, but we can never fail unless we give up., As long as we are truly trying, we can never fail. The Lord loves us and he is with us.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
FELIZ DIA DAS MAES!!!!!!
May 11, 2015
It was fantastic to see your stinky little faces yesterday. You all look so cute and good. Good luck to Syd at Dugway today for her first day! That's pretty cool. I'm sure it'll be lots of fun. also, I didn't really get to talk to Abbey and Hailey all that much. sorry. It was kind of hard skyping on just a little phone. but, just know that I got both of your letters and you will get the responses soon. You too, Syd, my bad.
This week was good. It was kind of a really long week. Really good and really stressful. We started Monday and Tuesday in Ribeirao Preto for the Leadership (Jedi) counsel. It went really well. Presidente Brum talked a lot about sanctification and the importance of the Spirit in our work. then we took it all back and taught the same thing to the zone in zone meeting on Wednesday morning. and the pancakes were a smashing hit. I even was the loving zone leader who put out my brand new peanut butter sent by my fantastic and best mom in the world. Let's just say there's not very much left. haha. But it all went really good. I got both of your packages and a BUNCH of letters. The secretaries even took pictures when they gave it to me because I had 23 letters (including 20 from the same person because I turned 20! Thanks :) and 2 packages waiting for me. Happy Birthday to me.
We then had to set up and organize for interveiws with President on Friday. It was crazy. Ha. When we were coming back from Ribeirao, the keys must have fallen out of my pocket. So, we planned the zone meeting from the pizzeria across the street from our house as we waited for the other elders to get home Tuesday night. We then had to run all over to get a key to the Church for interviews. But it was all good in the end. Interviews went really well.
Ana and Anne are still doing really well and were at Church yesterday. They are preparing well to be baptized on the 30th. They are reading and Ana is trying to quit smoking. they will be awesome. We are also teaching a lot of new people and new families. We have a lesson tonight with a family that could be really cool. Their 4 year old son doesn't like loud noises, and they are baptists. Well, any Church like that here, the pastor yells and they yell/pray and it's just super loud, Well, the kid does not like that and so they haven't gone for a little bit and are looking for a Church to go to. Well, I think the Lord has placed that in the kid for them to go to the True Church where there is Reverence and principles of God. It should be good.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
P.S. Dad, you may think I was kidding about those Dodger tickets....I wasn't.
It was fantastic to see your stinky little faces yesterday. You all look so cute and good. Good luck to Syd at Dugway today for her first day! That's pretty cool. I'm sure it'll be lots of fun. also, I didn't really get to talk to Abbey and Hailey all that much. sorry. It was kind of hard skyping on just a little phone. but, just know that I got both of your letters and you will get the responses soon. You too, Syd, my bad.
This week was good. It was kind of a really long week. Really good and really stressful. We started Monday and Tuesday in Ribeirao Preto for the Leadership (Jedi) counsel. It went really well. Presidente Brum talked a lot about sanctification and the importance of the Spirit in our work. then we took it all back and taught the same thing to the zone in zone meeting on Wednesday morning. and the pancakes were a smashing hit. I even was the loving zone leader who put out my brand new peanut butter sent by my fantastic and best mom in the world. Let's just say there's not very much left. haha. But it all went really good. I got both of your packages and a BUNCH of letters. The secretaries even took pictures when they gave it to me because I had 23 letters (including 20 from the same person because I turned 20! Thanks :) and 2 packages waiting for me. Happy Birthday to me.
We then had to set up and organize for interveiws with President on Friday. It was crazy. Ha. When we were coming back from Ribeirao, the keys must have fallen out of my pocket. So, we planned the zone meeting from the pizzeria across the street from our house as we waited for the other elders to get home Tuesday night. We then had to run all over to get a key to the Church for interviews. But it was all good in the end. Interviews went really well.
Ana and Anne are still doing really well and were at Church yesterday. They are preparing well to be baptized on the 30th. They are reading and Ana is trying to quit smoking. they will be awesome. We are also teaching a lot of new people and new families. We have a lesson tonight with a family that could be really cool. Their 4 year old son doesn't like loud noises, and they are baptists. Well, any Church like that here, the pastor yells and they yell/pray and it's just super loud, Well, the kid does not like that and so they haven't gone for a little bit and are looking for a Church to go to. Well, I think the Lord has placed that in the kid for them to go to the True Church where there is Reverence and principles of God. It should be good.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
P.S. Dad, you may think I was kidding about those Dodger tickets....I wasn't.
The letters and caixas!!!!!!
We visited this family in Elder Jake's old area while we were in Ribeirao. He gave us corn tea. It's not like tea there. Any kind of drink they call tea here. Well, corn tea is strangely, weirdly good. You just take the water left over after boiling corn on the cob, add sugar, and drink it!
Hello
May 4, 2015
Well, sorry this is so short. I hate computers. I was almost done writing this email, and then it just disappeared. and now I don't have much time.
This week was awesome. Ana and Anne went to Church. they are new investigators we found during our 342 contact week. They are really awesome and are loving the Church and everything. Ana's husband passed away and Anne is her youngest daughter. The members really like them and they are doing really well and headed for baptism on the 30th. Ana just needs to stop smoking.
Antonia and Lourenco fell away. In a couple really sad lessons, they will not accept the law of tithing. Lourenco does not believe that he should have to give a certain amount and says ten percent is way too much and it is impossible. We talked a lot about faith, and he told us many times that he has faith, but then told us it is impossible and there is no way for him to pay ten percent. and he said, I will not go into debt because of Church. Antonia decided to go back to her Church where it is also ten percent, but when you can't do it, you don't have to. We told them very clearly that this teaching was not from Christ. He requires full faith and sacrifice.
Which begs the question: if the Lord asked everything, would we do it? If he were to ask for 50% of what we have and trust him that it will work out, would we be willing to sacrifice? And if he asked us, as Job, to give up everything, would we have the faith to move forward and give up everything for his kingdom? What are our priorities?
If we aren't, then imagine Hermoine Granger saying "you need to sort out your priorities."
I love you all. Have a fantastic week.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well, sorry this is so short. I hate computers. I was almost done writing this email, and then it just disappeared. and now I don't have much time.
This week was awesome. Ana and Anne went to Church. they are new investigators we found during our 342 contact week. They are really awesome and are loving the Church and everything. Ana's husband passed away and Anne is her youngest daughter. The members really like them and they are doing really well and headed for baptism on the 30th. Ana just needs to stop smoking.
Antonia and Lourenco fell away. In a couple really sad lessons, they will not accept the law of tithing. Lourenco does not believe that he should have to give a certain amount and says ten percent is way too much and it is impossible. We talked a lot about faith, and he told us many times that he has faith, but then told us it is impossible and there is no way for him to pay ten percent. and he said, I will not go into debt because of Church. Antonia decided to go back to her Church where it is also ten percent, but when you can't do it, you don't have to. We told them very clearly that this teaching was not from Christ. He requires full faith and sacrifice.
Which begs the question: if the Lord asked everything, would we do it? If he were to ask for 50% of what we have and trust him that it will work out, would we be willing to sacrifice? And if he asked us, as Job, to give up everything, would we have the faith to move forward and give up everything for his kingdom? What are our priorities?
If we aren't, then imagine Hermoine Granger saying "you need to sort out your priorities."
I love you all. Have a fantastic week.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Sunday, July 5, 2015
WE WANT A RECORD!
April 27, 2015
Well, everyone and anyone. Thank you for the Birthday wishes. I'm sorry that this email may be a little short today. I was busy getting caught up on pictures. I love pictures and was sad that I wasn't able to send them before, so there they all are!!!!! Wooo Hooo!
This week was awesome. Like awesome awesome! We gave a huge challenge to the zone. Actually, 2 challenges.
1. The companionship with the most contacts at the end of the week gets acai paid by the zone leaders. We didn't tell them how hard that would be because Elder Jake and I are both very competitive, and we are not willing to lose. hahaha. But, they responded well. We set a mission record. WE HAD 342 CONTACTS this week. That was INSANE! haha. It was by far a new record. One of the other duplas had 273, that is very high. It was awesome. We won.
2. The other was for the zone to hit 1500 contacts. We have 10 companionships and that's a 150 average. That's pretty high. If they did, the zone leaders would throw a pancake party before the next zone meeting. yeah. pancakes. I love pancakes. haha AND WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had 1,505 contacts as a zone. It was awesome.
and it was my birthday. Our RC, Marcia, our investigator, Bel, and Angela, and Bel's family threw me a little party. It was fun. They had cake, Pave (a delicious Brazilian dessert that I will make and eat forever and get fat again.) And juice. They are so cool. It was a pleasing day and ti was way fun.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!! I can't wait to see you on Mother's day!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well, everyone and anyone. Thank you for the Birthday wishes. I'm sorry that this email may be a little short today. I was busy getting caught up on pictures. I love pictures and was sad that I wasn't able to send them before, so there they all are!!!!! Wooo Hooo!
This week was awesome. Like awesome awesome! We gave a huge challenge to the zone. Actually, 2 challenges.
1. The companionship with the most contacts at the end of the week gets acai paid by the zone leaders. We didn't tell them how hard that would be because Elder Jake and I are both very competitive, and we are not willing to lose. hahaha. But, they responded well. We set a mission record. WE HAD 342 CONTACTS this week. That was INSANE! haha. It was by far a new record. One of the other duplas had 273, that is very high. It was awesome. We won.
2. The other was for the zone to hit 1500 contacts. We have 10 companionships and that's a 150 average. That's pretty high. If they did, the zone leaders would throw a pancake party before the next zone meeting. yeah. pancakes. I love pancakes. haha AND WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had 1,505 contacts as a zone. It was awesome.
and it was my birthday. Our RC, Marcia, our investigator, Bel, and Angela, and Bel's family threw me a little party. It was fun. They had cake, Pave (a delicious Brazilian dessert that I will make and eat forever and get fat again.) And juice. They are so cool. It was a pleasing day and ti was way fun.
I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!!!!! I can't wait to see you on Mother's day!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
The city of Araraquara from our house.
Elder Jake, Irmao Francisco, and the barbecue
Elder Jake, Me, Irmao Osmar, and the barbecue. By the way, the churrasco was delicious!!
Elder Jake and me in our matching Brasil jackets that we found for cheap last Monday.
My planner cover this transfer. GO DODGERS!
Division with the Assistants on Thursday. It was Elder Hansen's Birthday on the 23rd.
My birthday morning. We partied hard. Me, Elder Jake and Elder Hansen
This is my "I'm 20 years old" bathroom selfie!
The cake and party. These people are awesome!!
The plate of fat boy food that Elder Jake gave me for my Birthday. I love food!
Me and Bruna. Her other granddaughter and the flowers they gave me.
BIRTHDAY PARTY!
This is Bia. Our investigators granddaughter and the most adorable little black girl ever!!
The tie they gave me! It's really slim! But I wore it to Church anyway!
The cake and peach pave. I love cool people!
The division boys. Elder Hansen, Me, Elder Menden, Elder Jake
The big, huge, dirt road (mountain) that we walk on almost every day.
It doesn't look very long, but looks are definitely deceiving!!
FELIZ ANIVERSARIO PRA MIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 20, 2015
Today. Day 7,302 of my existence on this Earth!
So, just a heads up to EVERYONE. My BIRTHDAY IS ON FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! We're gonna have a party here in Araraquara, Brasil if anyone wants to come. You're all invited. BYOC (Bring your own Coke)!
Haha. This week was AWESOME. I love having a good companion. It just makes everything SO MUCH BETTER. Elder Jake is a beast and we killed it this week.
I think I told you about Antonia and Lourenco, right? Well, they're a really cool old couple that we are teaching and I love them. I truly love them. Last weekend, their granddaughter, Sofia had a surgery to remove a kidney and they have been super nervous about it for a while. We gave her a blessing before and went back this week after they all got back from 3 or 4 days at the hospital. She is doing incredibly well and not even feeling pain. The best part: They recognized the blessings of the Gospel. They fully recognized that it was because of the obedience to the Gospel that everything is going well. They will be baptized in the coming weeks. They are very firm on that. We just don't quite know a day yet because of the uncertainty of Sofia's recoveryl They are incredible and want us to teach the rest of their family. I love them and pray that they will continue on and be a family forever.
We also set a goal for contacts this week at 210. That's actually our standard of excellence. And as any missionary can tell you. That's actually a lot. 30 per day. that's actually a lot of new people to tlak to and still teach and everything. Well, we just went at it. We got nervous when it was pouring rain yesterday, but we just went for it and finished the week with 212. It was awesome! We found some cool people this week and we are excited to just keep it going.
Everything is going really well here. Other than that there isn't a whole lot of big news. But it's all going really well. Just know that.
I love you all and hope you all know that the Church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ. Me and Elder Jake have had some great discussions this week about a lot of things. And how without the Gospel, people just don't get it. Sadly, even some people with the Gospel just don't get it. We have to truly live the Gospel if we want complete happiness.
I love you all and Happy Birthday to ME this week!!! I won't be a teenager any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Today. Day 7,302 of my existence on this Earth!
So, just a heads up to EVERYONE. My BIRTHDAY IS ON FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!! We're gonna have a party here in Araraquara, Brasil if anyone wants to come. You're all invited. BYOC (Bring your own Coke)!
Haha. This week was AWESOME. I love having a good companion. It just makes everything SO MUCH BETTER. Elder Jake is a beast and we killed it this week.
I think I told you about Antonia and Lourenco, right? Well, they're a really cool old couple that we are teaching and I love them. I truly love them. Last weekend, their granddaughter, Sofia had a surgery to remove a kidney and they have been super nervous about it for a while. We gave her a blessing before and went back this week after they all got back from 3 or 4 days at the hospital. She is doing incredibly well and not even feeling pain. The best part: They recognized the blessings of the Gospel. They fully recognized that it was because of the obedience to the Gospel that everything is going well. They will be baptized in the coming weeks. They are very firm on that. We just don't quite know a day yet because of the uncertainty of Sofia's recoveryl They are incredible and want us to teach the rest of their family. I love them and pray that they will continue on and be a family forever.
We also set a goal for contacts this week at 210. That's actually our standard of excellence. And as any missionary can tell you. That's actually a lot. 30 per day. that's actually a lot of new people to tlak to and still teach and everything. Well, we just went at it. We got nervous when it was pouring rain yesterday, but we just went for it and finished the week with 212. It was awesome! We found some cool people this week and we are excited to just keep it going.
Everything is going really well here. Other than that there isn't a whole lot of big news. But it's all going really well. Just know that.
I love you all and hope you all know that the Church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ. Me and Elder Jake have had some great discussions this week about a lot of things. And how without the Gospel, people just don't get it. Sadly, even some people with the Gospel just don't get it. We have to truly live the Gospel if we want complete happiness.
I love you all and Happy Birthday to ME this week!!! I won't be a teenager any more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
TRANSFERENCIAS, YES !!!!!!!!!!
April 13, 2015
BOM DIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So this last week, my companion Elder Yaple went home. He left on Friday with Elder Archiprette, the Argentine that also lived with us that went home.
Then there was transfer calls...Yeah. #BDOML
I stayed. (Shocker) haha and my new companion is.......ELDER JAKE. YES. Remember that picture I sent the other week and said this guy is one of my best friends on the mission? He was my zone leader in Aracatuba for 4 transfers. when I was transferred to Americo, he rode with me the whole way cause he was a district leader in Araraquara. This last transfer he was technically actually my district leader. Haha. At the beginning of the transfer, I took his planner and went to April 10 and wrote..."Transfer calls. Elder Jake...FOI (Went) Novo Companheiro...Elder Jackson!" And GUESS WHAT !!!!!! It came true. I was so happy when I got that call. He's from Huntersville, North Carolina. He went to BYU so he knows quite a bit about Utah and its people. Good ole Utah. I love Utah with all my heart. I love that little bubble we have. The bubble of innocence. Haha!
This week was really good. We were kind of just saying goodbye to people with Elder Yaple. He actually leaves today. The missionaries that end go to Ribeirao Preto on the Friday and then actually leave on Monday. So he will be back in California with his family on Monday. Crazy.
And there is just no way around it. Killing a missionary makes you trunky. haha. He was the first one that I "killed". It was super weird. they talk about it so much and you feel like you're going home with them and then you're like, whoa. I'm staying here actually. It's not a bad thing, it just get you thinking about when your time comes. But I'm not trunky any more. elder Jake and I are gonna destroy. He works a lot like me. We have very similar ideas and we aren't afraid to get things done. In other words, we're not soft. We're not rude either. That's the trick, you gotta find a balance. But, you have to be willing to 1. Go out of your own comfort zone. and 2. Push people a little out of their comfort zones. That's how we learn and improve.
I also learned this last transfer that I REALLY like to listen to BYU devotionals. We're allowed to, and this last week I listened to one from Spencer W. Kimball YEARS ago. It was so interesting. He was warning against so many things that have just become so common in the world today. It's incredible how much the Prophets and apostles know. LISTEN TO THEM!!!!!!
Marcia was confirmed on Sunday and everything is good there. She is doing really well and now we challenged her to read the entire Book of Mormon. One chapter at a time. One per day. It'll be cool.
We are also teaching a couple that is AWESOME. They are sure to get baptized soon. Their granddaughter (that they raise as a daughter. She basically is their daughter) had a kidney removed on Saturday. We went on Thursday and gave her a blessing before the surgery. It was cool. We have talked a lot with them about the temple and that has grabbed their attention big time. so, when we were there, I told them "Alright, Sofia is gonna have this surgery Saturday and you guys will be back Tuesday. Then we're gonna get this thing going and really working for your baptism." And the wife got really excited. so it should be good. They're way cool and actually understand the message.
I'm super excited for this transfer. There were a lot of changes in the zone. 5 missionaries finished their mission and went home. And the only companionship without a change was the sisters. so this should be really good. It was really needing a lot of change. This transfer is gonna be SO AGUA in ZONA ARARAQUARA!
I love you all and hope you know that the Savior also loves you. He is always here to watch over us and catch us when we fall. As Elder Holland said, He doesn't leave us when we're crazy enough to leap. He's there to catch us by the arms and lift us, not drag us, to safety in His gospel.
EU AMO VOCES!!!!!!!!
and sorry for no pictures lately. It's been crazy. I was finally gonna send a bunch today, but in the rush for transfers, we had to be at the bus station at 6:30, 3 missionaries missed the bus to Ribeirao Preto,we have to go back to pick up all the arrivers at noon, and go back to drop 3 more off at 7 tonight because they will trains. And in all this, I forgot my camera chord. haha:)
I love you all,
Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
BOM DIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So this last week, my companion Elder Yaple went home. He left on Friday with Elder Archiprette, the Argentine that also lived with us that went home.
Then there was transfer calls...Yeah. #BDOML
I stayed. (Shocker) haha and my new companion is.......ELDER JAKE. YES. Remember that picture I sent the other week and said this guy is one of my best friends on the mission? He was my zone leader in Aracatuba for 4 transfers. when I was transferred to Americo, he rode with me the whole way cause he was a district leader in Araraquara. This last transfer he was technically actually my district leader. Haha. At the beginning of the transfer, I took his planner and went to April 10 and wrote..."Transfer calls. Elder Jake...FOI (Went) Novo Companheiro...Elder Jackson!" And GUESS WHAT !!!!!! It came true. I was so happy when I got that call. He's from Huntersville, North Carolina. He went to BYU so he knows quite a bit about Utah and its people. Good ole Utah. I love Utah with all my heart. I love that little bubble we have. The bubble of innocence. Haha!
This week was really good. We were kind of just saying goodbye to people with Elder Yaple. He actually leaves today. The missionaries that end go to Ribeirao Preto on the Friday and then actually leave on Monday. So he will be back in California with his family on Monday. Crazy.
And there is just no way around it. Killing a missionary makes you trunky. haha. He was the first one that I "killed". It was super weird. they talk about it so much and you feel like you're going home with them and then you're like, whoa. I'm staying here actually. It's not a bad thing, it just get you thinking about when your time comes. But I'm not trunky any more. elder Jake and I are gonna destroy. He works a lot like me. We have very similar ideas and we aren't afraid to get things done. In other words, we're not soft. We're not rude either. That's the trick, you gotta find a balance. But, you have to be willing to 1. Go out of your own comfort zone. and 2. Push people a little out of their comfort zones. That's how we learn and improve.
I also learned this last transfer that I REALLY like to listen to BYU devotionals. We're allowed to, and this last week I listened to one from Spencer W. Kimball YEARS ago. It was so interesting. He was warning against so many things that have just become so common in the world today. It's incredible how much the Prophets and apostles know. LISTEN TO THEM!!!!!!
Marcia was confirmed on Sunday and everything is good there. She is doing really well and now we challenged her to read the entire Book of Mormon. One chapter at a time. One per day. It'll be cool.
We are also teaching a couple that is AWESOME. They are sure to get baptized soon. Their granddaughter (that they raise as a daughter. She basically is their daughter) had a kidney removed on Saturday. We went on Thursday and gave her a blessing before the surgery. It was cool. We have talked a lot with them about the temple and that has grabbed their attention big time. so, when we were there, I told them "Alright, Sofia is gonna have this surgery Saturday and you guys will be back Tuesday. Then we're gonna get this thing going and really working for your baptism." And the wife got really excited. so it should be good. They're way cool and actually understand the message.
I'm super excited for this transfer. There were a lot of changes in the zone. 5 missionaries finished their mission and went home. And the only companionship without a change was the sisters. so this should be really good. It was really needing a lot of change. This transfer is gonna be SO AGUA in ZONA ARARAQUARA!
I love you all and hope you know that the Savior also loves you. He is always here to watch over us and catch us when we fall. As Elder Holland said, He doesn't leave us when we're crazy enough to leap. He's there to catch us by the arms and lift us, not drag us, to safety in His gospel.
EU AMO VOCES!!!!!!!!
and sorry for no pictures lately. It's been crazy. I was finally gonna send a bunch today, but in the rush for transfers, we had to be at the bus station at 6:30, 3 missionaries missed the bus to Ribeirao Preto,we have to go back to pick up all the arrivers at noon, and go back to drop 3 more off at 7 tonight because they will trains. And in all this, I forgot my camera chord. haha:)
I love you all,
Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
FELIZ PASCOA E ELE VIVE. and a BAPTISM!
April 6, 2015
Well folks, this week was quite the week.
Zone Conference, General Conference, Baptism, Easter, and today........HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes everyone. My old man is 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!! He's a geezer. And I love him. I really do love my old man, Jeffory Irl Taylor. That is one good man. I have never met anyone that quite equals him. I read recently a story in the Liahona about how a guy was in the MTC with President Hinckley's grandson and how he visited him. It gave the guy a chance to reflect and even though it wasn't Pres. Hinckley, he said he wouldn't trade his Grandpa for anyone. That's how I feel about my old man. I love my dad and I am so thankful for the example my parents have given me. The way he treats my mom is a model for every man in the world. I like to replace his name there for Moroni. If every man were like Jeff Taylor, the very powers of Hell would have no power over the children of men. I love you and miss you, Dad. Tell Trev to give you two hugs, one from me. (but it won't be too long before you get one from me!)
This week was awesome. We had zone conference in Ribeirao Preto and it was really good. President talked a lot about just doing the right thing. It was very similar to the feeling of Uchtdorf's talk about worrying more about people than numbers and titles. It was a real feel good moment.
Then, General conference. I love General Conference. That was my last General Conference as a missionary. Next one, I'll be eating white chocolate covered pretzels on Sunday morning with M&M's. And go to the conference center. And eat out after Priesthood session with my Dad and brother for the first time in 4 years! I loved Elder Pearson's talk. He just straight told us how it is. We can't just come back and dink around. There is no time for that. And all the talks about marriage. Those were good. Answered a lot of questions and helped me get my vision. hahaha. But not for another 4 months of course.
The even Saturday was awesome. during the week, our investigator, Marcia was ad and had drinken coffee early in the week for the first time in over a week. She had stopped and promised she would stop again. But decided the baptism wouldn't be this week. Well, we were actually fasting during that visit for her baptism on Saturday and I was a little disappointed and almost stopped the fast, but decided to keep going. On Friday, we had a ward barbecue. It was sooooo good. Marcia went and had a really good time. And on Friday night, we were having a lesson with her best friend, Bel, and we got a call from Marcia. She said "I have some news. You'll like it." (She's kind of hard to understand though so I thought she said you won't like it. ) Then she said "I'm getting baptized on Saturday." I didn't know if I heard right, haha. So I put it on speaker and she said it again. It was difficult cause we still had to do the interview and no one in the ward knew, but we got it all worked out and after the Saturday afternoon session, with a bunch of her family there that we will now teach, Marcia was baptized by Elder Yaple. It was AWESOME! it was the first baptism I've had in a while so I was so happy. Elder Yaple leaves to Ribeirao Friday morning and to California on Monday, so it was good to end it with a Baptism. It was awesome.
and, Happy Easter. Or Feliz pascoa. I know the Savior lives. He is here to comfort us and bless us. He lives for us. He is here so that we can be happy.
I love you all, Love,
Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well folks, this week was quite the week.
Zone Conference, General Conference, Baptism, Easter, and today........HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes everyone. My old man is 50 years old!!!!!!!!!!! He's a geezer. And I love him. I really do love my old man, Jeffory Irl Taylor. That is one good man. I have never met anyone that quite equals him. I read recently a story in the Liahona about how a guy was in the MTC with President Hinckley's grandson and how he visited him. It gave the guy a chance to reflect and even though it wasn't Pres. Hinckley, he said he wouldn't trade his Grandpa for anyone. That's how I feel about my old man. I love my dad and I am so thankful for the example my parents have given me. The way he treats my mom is a model for every man in the world. I like to replace his name there for Moroni. If every man were like Jeff Taylor, the very powers of Hell would have no power over the children of men. I love you and miss you, Dad. Tell Trev to give you two hugs, one from me. (but it won't be too long before you get one from me!)
This week was awesome. We had zone conference in Ribeirao Preto and it was really good. President talked a lot about just doing the right thing. It was very similar to the feeling of Uchtdorf's talk about worrying more about people than numbers and titles. It was a real feel good moment.
Then, General conference. I love General Conference. That was my last General Conference as a missionary. Next one, I'll be eating white chocolate covered pretzels on Sunday morning with M&M's. And go to the conference center. And eat out after Priesthood session with my Dad and brother for the first time in 4 years! I loved Elder Pearson's talk. He just straight told us how it is. We can't just come back and dink around. There is no time for that. And all the talks about marriage. Those were good. Answered a lot of questions and helped me get my vision. hahaha. But not for another 4 months of course.
The even Saturday was awesome. during the week, our investigator, Marcia was ad and had drinken coffee early in the week for the first time in over a week. She had stopped and promised she would stop again. But decided the baptism wouldn't be this week. Well, we were actually fasting during that visit for her baptism on Saturday and I was a little disappointed and almost stopped the fast, but decided to keep going. On Friday, we had a ward barbecue. It was sooooo good. Marcia went and had a really good time. And on Friday night, we were having a lesson with her best friend, Bel, and we got a call from Marcia. She said "I have some news. You'll like it." (She's kind of hard to understand though so I thought she said you won't like it. ) Then she said "I'm getting baptized on Saturday." I didn't know if I heard right, haha. So I put it on speaker and she said it again. It was difficult cause we still had to do the interview and no one in the ward knew, but we got it all worked out and after the Saturday afternoon session, with a bunch of her family there that we will now teach, Marcia was baptized by Elder Yaple. It was AWESOME! it was the first baptism I've had in a while so I was so happy. Elder Yaple leaves to Ribeirao Friday morning and to California on Monday, so it was good to end it with a Baptism. It was awesome.
and, Happy Easter. Or Feliz pascoa. I know the Savior lives. He is here to comfort us and bless us. He lives for us. He is here so that we can be happy.
I love you all, Love,
Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Monday, June 15, 2015
PORQUE ELE VIVE
March 30, 2015
Well hey there kids!
I love you all. I'll just start with that.
And I'm jealous of your Washington D.C. adventure that you're on right now. I love D. C. I was only there for a couple hours but it was sweet. I wanna go back there when I get back and go to the temple there. It's incredible.
This week has been cool. I'm loving all these new little videos and things that the Church is making to really explain the reason we have the holidays and the importance of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have been showing and passing cards out for the #PORQUEELEVIVE. or in your language, Because He Lives. If you haven't yet gone on LDS.org and watched, DO IT. Ha. I don't know the site in English, I just know that here, it is elevive.mormon.org. So go, watch it in Portuguese, then watch it in English.
I'm so thankful for the atonement. We have a couple really good progressing investigators, including Marcia, who should be baptized this Saturday, after conference. She was ready a while ago, but out of nowhere just go super unhappy and didn't want to get baptized. She still went to Church though. Finally, after much teaching and inspired questions. She started to compare herself to her best friend, Bell, who is oru other investigator. Bell is also super ready for baptism, but because she lives with a man, she can't yet be baptized. The man doesn't want to get married and is a drunk. He is always drunk, and she has received the answer form Heavenly Father that she needs to continue with her life and be baptized. So she is working on being able to live alone. But Marcia was just comparing and getting down that "she isn't as good as Bell." So, we talked a lot about her being a daughter of God and the Expiacao (Atonement) and all that it means for her.
The next day, she was watching t.v. and she flipped through channels and she watched the Pastor channel for a little while. Usually that gets us super worried, ha, But the pastor said, "if you are thinking about Baptism and haven't done it yet, Go get baptized!" Haha. It was awesome! She took that as an answer. The pastor gave Acts 22:16 and Galatians 3:27 and she is feeling a lot better about finally getting baptized.
This week has been good. It's been pretty crazy but good. It's super interesting as a zone leader. There's always something to do and someone else to worry about. I love it. It helps me not be selfish.
I love you all and have a great week!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well hey there kids!
I love you all. I'll just start with that.
And I'm jealous of your Washington D.C. adventure that you're on right now. I love D. C. I was only there for a couple hours but it was sweet. I wanna go back there when I get back and go to the temple there. It's incredible.
This week has been cool. I'm loving all these new little videos and things that the Church is making to really explain the reason we have the holidays and the importance of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We have been showing and passing cards out for the #PORQUEELEVIVE. or in your language, Because He Lives. If you haven't yet gone on LDS.org and watched, DO IT. Ha. I don't know the site in English, I just know that here, it is elevive.mormon.org. So go, watch it in Portuguese, then watch it in English.
I'm so thankful for the atonement. We have a couple really good progressing investigators, including Marcia, who should be baptized this Saturday, after conference. She was ready a while ago, but out of nowhere just go super unhappy and didn't want to get baptized. She still went to Church though. Finally, after much teaching and inspired questions. She started to compare herself to her best friend, Bell, who is oru other investigator. Bell is also super ready for baptism, but because she lives with a man, she can't yet be baptized. The man doesn't want to get married and is a drunk. He is always drunk, and she has received the answer form Heavenly Father that she needs to continue with her life and be baptized. So she is working on being able to live alone. But Marcia was just comparing and getting down that "she isn't as good as Bell." So, we talked a lot about her being a daughter of God and the Expiacao (Atonement) and all that it means for her.
The next day, she was watching t.v. and she flipped through channels and she watched the Pastor channel for a little while. Usually that gets us super worried, ha, But the pastor said, "if you are thinking about Baptism and haven't done it yet, Go get baptized!" Haha. It was awesome! She took that as an answer. The pastor gave Acts 22:16 and Galatians 3:27 and she is feeling a lot better about finally getting baptized.
This week has been good. It's been pretty crazy but good. It's super interesting as a zone leader. There's always something to do and someone else to worry about. I love it. It helps me not be selfish.
I love you all and have a great week!!!!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
It's been raining a lot! I even broke out the rain jacket for the first time since the Provo MTC!
My companion's birthday (Elder Yaple) was on Friday. I bought us Pizza.
Division on Tuesday with Elder L. Silva. I bought us ice cream.
Generation picture at mission tour! My dad, Elder Souza, Me, and my son, Elder Digiorgio.
Basically my best missionary friend, Elder Jake.
I'm still mad about this one. That's a hole. I just touched it!
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Mission Tour com Elder Grahl
March 23, 2015
BOM DIA!!!!
Well, I just wanted to start out telling you that I love you all.
This has been a good and super interesting week. A lot of huge lessons that I have been learning. Many from watching other people. It is incredible what we can learn from watching (not judging, but watching) other people. The lessons we can learn will change our lives. One of my first companions often said to me what his dad had said to him, "you can watch and learn from my mistakes, or you can learn from your own." the first option is much easier. We don't have to pass through unnecessary trials. We can gain a testimony without having experienced the bad. We may not know exactly how the "bad" feels, but we don't need to . We can know that it is bad and we should avoid it.
We had Mission Tour this week. it's where a general authority comes and talks to the mission. Well, last year, it didn't go down too well. We had an are seventy come in and frankly he was pretty rude. Was he right in the things he said? Yeah. Well, most of them. But it's in the way that you deliver it. I've learned that A LOT in the past 3 weeks. If there isn't love, people can feel that. You can be 100 percent right but if there is no love, no one cares what you have to say.
So, people were nervous that it was gonna happen again.
IT WAS THE OPPOSITE! It was incredible. It was an area seventy from Porto Alegre, Brasil. Down in the south where my President is also from! haha. He was incredible. I am also so grateful to be a zone leader. When I was called, that was the first thing I thought. "I'm gonna be in the leadership counsel for mission tour!" The counsel was AWESOME. He came in and just loved us. he was so loving. That was exactly what we needed. he talked a lot about the example we give and how we lead. he talked a lot about love and having the Spirit with us. he told the story of an axeman who was one of the best and was hired because he could chop a tree with one hit. After a time, he was still working just as hard, but his production went way down. The boss pulled him aside and asked what was wrong. He didn't know. so, the boss looked at his axe and they realized it had a lot of chunks taken out and wasn't sharpened. The boss said that he had to stay in and sharpen it before going back out. it took awhile to sharpen, but when he went back out his production was as before. so, we as members and missionaries, we can go out and work like crazy, but if our tools are not sharpened, or if we are not in tune with the Spirit, we will have poor results.
He also talked about gaining revelation and our divine purpose. He talked about how Abraham saw us all before this life and how we have been saved for this time. Why? Because we were valiant. We are valiant. the Lord knows our potential to be valiant now.
It was incredible. I love you all and hope you all have a fantastic week. Thank you for your prayers and love and all you do.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
PS I'm super jealous of your D.C. trip this week. What in the world? that isn't really Annie is it? Holy. she's so big. hahah that's super weird!
BOM DIA!!!!
Well, I just wanted to start out telling you that I love you all.
This has been a good and super interesting week. A lot of huge lessons that I have been learning. Many from watching other people. It is incredible what we can learn from watching (not judging, but watching) other people. The lessons we can learn will change our lives. One of my first companions often said to me what his dad had said to him, "you can watch and learn from my mistakes, or you can learn from your own." the first option is much easier. We don't have to pass through unnecessary trials. We can gain a testimony without having experienced the bad. We may not know exactly how the "bad" feels, but we don't need to . We can know that it is bad and we should avoid it.
We had Mission Tour this week. it's where a general authority comes and talks to the mission. Well, last year, it didn't go down too well. We had an are seventy come in and frankly he was pretty rude. Was he right in the things he said? Yeah. Well, most of them. But it's in the way that you deliver it. I've learned that A LOT in the past 3 weeks. If there isn't love, people can feel that. You can be 100 percent right but if there is no love, no one cares what you have to say.
So, people were nervous that it was gonna happen again.
IT WAS THE OPPOSITE! It was incredible. It was an area seventy from Porto Alegre, Brasil. Down in the south where my President is also from! haha. He was incredible. I am also so grateful to be a zone leader. When I was called, that was the first thing I thought. "I'm gonna be in the leadership counsel for mission tour!" The counsel was AWESOME. He came in and just loved us. he was so loving. That was exactly what we needed. he talked a lot about the example we give and how we lead. he talked a lot about love and having the Spirit with us. he told the story of an axeman who was one of the best and was hired because he could chop a tree with one hit. After a time, he was still working just as hard, but his production went way down. The boss pulled him aside and asked what was wrong. He didn't know. so, the boss looked at his axe and they realized it had a lot of chunks taken out and wasn't sharpened. The boss said that he had to stay in and sharpen it before going back out. it took awhile to sharpen, but when he went back out his production was as before. so, we as members and missionaries, we can go out and work like crazy, but if our tools are not sharpened, or if we are not in tune with the Spirit, we will have poor results.
He also talked about gaining revelation and our divine purpose. He talked about how Abraham saw us all before this life and how we have been saved for this time. Why? Because we were valiant. We are valiant. the Lord knows our potential to be valiant now.
It was incredible. I love you all and hope you all have a fantastic week. Thank you for your prayers and love and all you do.
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
PS I'm super jealous of your D.C. trip this week. What in the world? that isn't really Annie is it? Holy. she's so big. hahah that's super weird!
Monday, March 16, 2015
Don't forget who you are!
March 16, 2015
Well, I am on a bad computer. I was just about done with this email and it just erased and disappeared. So, sorry if it's not a detailed email now.
We had Leadership Counsel on Tuesday. It was awesome!! I saw a bunch of missionaries that I hadn't seen for 8 months or more. I got to talk a lot to Elder Souza (my trainer), Elder Schrenk (Provo MTC companion) and Elder Lloyd (Sao Paulo MTC companion). All missionaries that I hadn't seen since I left to Aracatuba. The counsel was awesome. It was like an elevated Zone Conference with just really good missionaries that all wanted to be there and work. Presidente Brum talked a lot about seeking the Spirit more in all phases of our work. It was something that we were really needing here in this mission. It has been a lot of just work, work, work and a huge focus on numbers. A lot of people forgot the importance of really staying in tune with the Spirit. He talked a lot about qualifying for the Spirit as well. Especially in what kind of music we listen to. I'm glad and grateful that I haven't had any problems with music. I love music, but I haven't had any problem giving up the worldly music for this time.
Then we came back to Araraquara. That was quite the experience. My companion forgot his Visa papers. It's law here that you can't travel between cities on the bus without it. But, between Araraquara and Ribeirao Preto they don't usually check. So, going to Tibeirao, they didn't check. But coming back they did. I went first and got up on the bus and sat down and waited for y companion. and waited and waited! But he wasn't coming. Then I heard him and the bus drive yelling at each other. He was made that the driver wouldn't let him on without his I.D. and the driver was mad that he thought he could get on without it. Tuesday was when I realized how much patience I've developed on my mission. I just calmly took my stuff off the busy and calmed down the situation. And, we had to just let the busy go. so, we went back in to trade our tickets, and you had to have I.D. to do that too. So, my companion just started fighting with the guy at the ticket window as well. I had to go calm that down as well. and I got everything situated and going. We finally were able to get them traded after having to go to the LAN HOUSE and print off a new I.D. It wasn't official, but better than nothing. all of this while carrying my bag and 2 boxes of Book of Mormons!
Definitely grounds to be angry. But I'm proud of myself. I stayed relatively calm even though my comp made some smart alec comments to me after all of this. Oh, that was a nice trial of patience!!
Other than that it's been alright. Friday I went on a division with Elder Neves. He's from Santos, Brasil. It was cool. I went to his area and we just went and worked. It was a good division. We ordered pizza when we got home. It was sooo good. They have a really good pizzaria in their area. (that's rare here) haha. It was us two and the other two that live there. One of them lives in Curitiba mission! He's from Ponta Grossa, Parana, Brasil. Trev knows where it is. I forgot to tell him that I've already had two assistants here also from Curitiba. One right now and one that went home about 5 months ago. Elder Zolet is assistant right now, and I'm not sure what Bairro he's from. and the other missionary is from Chihuahua, Mexico! Where Cayden Womack is at. Sadly, he didn't know Elder Womack. But it was still cool.
The other companionship in our ward had a baptism Saturday as well. It went really well. The ward here is doing really well.
Well family, I love you! My spiritual thought is from a talk yesterday in Sacrament. I spoke really fast, then another lady after me. She talked about Elder Ballard's talk about staying in the boat. "Those who jump out of the boat during the storm die drowned." She said it really simple. Those who jump out of the Gospel when trials come, drown in their trials and spiritually die. So, as the talk says. Get in the boat and hold on!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
Well, I am on a bad computer. I was just about done with this email and it just erased and disappeared. So, sorry if it's not a detailed email now.
We had Leadership Counsel on Tuesday. It was awesome!! I saw a bunch of missionaries that I hadn't seen for 8 months or more. I got to talk a lot to Elder Souza (my trainer), Elder Schrenk (Provo MTC companion) and Elder Lloyd (Sao Paulo MTC companion). All missionaries that I hadn't seen since I left to Aracatuba. The counsel was awesome. It was like an elevated Zone Conference with just really good missionaries that all wanted to be there and work. Presidente Brum talked a lot about seeking the Spirit more in all phases of our work. It was something that we were really needing here in this mission. It has been a lot of just work, work, work and a huge focus on numbers. A lot of people forgot the importance of really staying in tune with the Spirit. He talked a lot about qualifying for the Spirit as well. Especially in what kind of music we listen to. I'm glad and grateful that I haven't had any problems with music. I love music, but I haven't had any problem giving up the worldly music for this time.
Then we came back to Araraquara. That was quite the experience. My companion forgot his Visa papers. It's law here that you can't travel between cities on the bus without it. But, between Araraquara and Ribeirao Preto they don't usually check. So, going to Tibeirao, they didn't check. But coming back they did. I went first and got up on the bus and sat down and waited for y companion. and waited and waited! But he wasn't coming. Then I heard him and the bus drive yelling at each other. He was made that the driver wouldn't let him on without his I.D. and the driver was mad that he thought he could get on without it. Tuesday was when I realized how much patience I've developed on my mission. I just calmly took my stuff off the busy and calmed down the situation. And, we had to just let the busy go. so, we went back in to trade our tickets, and you had to have I.D. to do that too. So, my companion just started fighting with the guy at the ticket window as well. I had to go calm that down as well. and I got everything situated and going. We finally were able to get them traded after having to go to the LAN HOUSE and print off a new I.D. It wasn't official, but better than nothing. all of this while carrying my bag and 2 boxes of Book of Mormons!
Definitely grounds to be angry. But I'm proud of myself. I stayed relatively calm even though my comp made some smart alec comments to me after all of this. Oh, that was a nice trial of patience!!
Other than that it's been alright. Friday I went on a division with Elder Neves. He's from Santos, Brasil. It was cool. I went to his area and we just went and worked. It was a good division. We ordered pizza when we got home. It was sooo good. They have a really good pizzaria in their area. (that's rare here) haha. It was us two and the other two that live there. One of them lives in Curitiba mission! He's from Ponta Grossa, Parana, Brasil. Trev knows where it is. I forgot to tell him that I've already had two assistants here also from Curitiba. One right now and one that went home about 5 months ago. Elder Zolet is assistant right now, and I'm not sure what Bairro he's from. and the other missionary is from Chihuahua, Mexico! Where Cayden Womack is at. Sadly, he didn't know Elder Womack. But it was still cool.
The other companionship in our ward had a baptism Saturday as well. It went really well. The ward here is doing really well.
Well family, I love you! My spiritual thought is from a talk yesterday in Sacrament. I spoke really fast, then another lady after me. She talked about Elder Ballard's talk about staying in the boat. "Those who jump out of the boat during the storm die drowned." She said it really simple. Those who jump out of the Gospel when trials come, drown in their trials and spiritually die. So, as the talk says. Get in the boat and hold on!!
Love, Elder Scott JACKSON Taylor
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