Hello my wonderful family!! How are you all doing?
It was really cold and rainy again then it is getting hot now. So.......ya that is exciting!
How is everyone? I don't feel like I have anything terribly exciting to say but our ward here needs to split so that our stake can split so that they can build a new chapel here. Shich is great! It just means that it all comes down to the missionaries to find, teach (marry people) and then baptize them! We have six families, two will get baptized, two have a goood chance and then the other two are a little more complicated. Our bishop told me that I need to take care of our couples and that is my focus. Shich is good, just that suddenly everyone has problems!!!!! One couple doesn't know if they want to stay together ect ect ect. So I am giving marriage advice never being married., but i basically talk about the gospel of Christ and that when we live the gospel and decide what we want Heavenly Father will take care of us. This couple that doesn't know if they want to stay together is my favorite couple here. Which is making me sad because they are a beautiful little family but like everyone they have problems. They dont see it yet that the gospel will help their lives in every aspect!!!!!! My goal right now is to show that. :) But it's all good.
This week I have been studying virtue and how important it is as an attribute of Christ. Every action starts with our thoughts and it is so important to guard our thoughts, not just with chastity but with everything. What we let ourselves think about. There is so much in this world that is a distraction but when we are focused on the right things, we don't have to worry about a majority of the other stuff.... its been really good. Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 talks about how when we walk in the path of virtue our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God. Alma 34:32-33 talks about our purpose in this life being that we need to prepare to meet God one day and how important it is to repent now and use our time wisely. We all have sins but what will make the diference is those that choose to apply the sacrifice of Christ and repent and those that don't. Really that is the difference, who will do the work to be clean and prepare to meet God and those that just continue with life and ´do their time´. It's so much more than that.
Kersten! Happy birthday this week! I love that you are so full of life. You are always ready and willing to do something FUN!!! And you are so creative! I really don't think my mind has the ability to do what you draw and make. It's really a blessing to have you as a sister!!
Vienna!! Happy first birthday! It's weird because I feel like I really don't know her, but from what I remember I love her smile! She was always so willing and ready to smile and be loved! I am excited to get to know all the kids again and especially the new ones that we will have in the family!! So cool!
Love you all.
Enjoy this week and the end of summer!! !
Love,
Kat
August 22, 2011
Hello my wonderful family!!!!!!
So I have been sick sick sick this week!!! I have slept so much! It's actually kind of hard to get back into the swing of things because I am feeling better phyically but certainly weaker spiritually. What a difference scripture study makes in the day.
I have some very exciting news!!! We are teaching a family, Claudia, Robson e Daví!!!!! Davi has 5 years and is so funny. I took some pictures the other day I just hope that I can send them today. I love this family. We actually met them a month ago when I really really needed the bathroom one night, it was like I needed it right then and I couldn't walk. I had to stop and cross my legs so I wouldn't pee my skirt. So my companion knocks the door and doesn't even do a contact just asks if I can use the bathroom. So I run in and try to greet people as I am running to the bathroom. I come out and we chat and mark to come back another day. For two weeks we only found the wife in the house but we wanted to teach the family so we marked to come one day when he was home and it was PERFECT. We taught the restoration, and it was by far the best lesson about the restoration that I have had on the mission. He understood the apostacy and everything. I also think it helped that Claudia was sick, she was pretty zoned out and Davi was asleep (which is a miracle because he goes 100 km an hour when he is awake). Robson said a prayer on knees and afterwards said he felt good. That it was easier than the written prayers. They have been teaching Davi to say all of the written prayers, sometimes he prays and its really cute. He is built a lot like Shay but has long hair and is in bambashos everyday, just like his dad. He loves rodeo and is learning how to rope. It's really cool. Robson practices a lot for the rodeo and is so typical gaucho. His picture should be in the dictionary next to gaucho. Very hospitable, very giving. Always has chimmahao (I still don't know how to spell that word) but he is a Brazilian cowboy. But it's so much more than that, I don't know how to explain it all. When we went back they hadn't read the Book of Mormon so I was really worried. We started to reach 2 Nephi 31 with them and invited them to be baptised and he said that if they recieve an anwer to their prayers they will. There are so many more details than this but I don't have time to write it all. But one thing he said, that if they aren't converted, and he said he thinks they will be, but if they aren't because it's always possible they may not be, that our visit has been benificial. Translating doesn't do it justice but it was so good. I love them. We ran into him on Saturday and he said they would go to church, but then his grandma and greatgrandmother came into town so that was inconvienent. We went by last night and said a prayer on knees again (he always wants to pray like that now :)) and he started to teach Davi how to pray using his own words. Davi was kind of frustrated and said but dad I don't know how to pray like this. So we helped. It was so good. Then Robson had to go to work (he works at a new paper printing place here) but I asked how the Book of Mormon reading was going and he smiles and said that next time we will talk about it. I love this family. One trial they might have is the Sabbath Day because Robson always goes out of town for rodeos at the end of the week. But it will all work out. Claudia is more resitant but its ok, we watched the restoration video with her and she is more interested now. It's so great!!!
My setting apart said that some peoples choices will break my heart.... I don't know what that means but I hope this family accepts the gospel.
My companion is funny. One night we were teaching a lesson and it was raining so my hair poofed and our apartment had been robbed earlier that week and they stole my hair stuff (and one luggage bag, what a blessing, they stole some valuables of the other sisters but i was really blesed, they even were nice enough to take out my old journals from the luggage so really i was blessed) but in the middle of the lesson she starts patting my hair down.....it was funny. Like I was a poor puppy. And the other day, super sick and cold we left the house to teach this family and my clothes were not matching at all!!! She didn't say anything then but ever since she has commented on it. It's so funny. I love her, she is great.
I love the gospel. It makes all the difference in the world and in eternity. It is simple and beatuiful. Nothing can replace our own personal study of the gospel and scriptures. The way we learn spiritually becomes a part of us and influences how we see everything and what choices we make. I love you all so very much.
Love Always,
Sister Taylor
So I have been sick sick sick this week!!! I have slept so much! It's actually kind of hard to get back into the swing of things because I am feeling better phyically but certainly weaker spiritually. What a difference scripture study makes in the day.
I have some very exciting news!!! We are teaching a family, Claudia, Robson e Daví!!!!! Davi has 5 years and is so funny. I took some pictures the other day I just hope that I can send them today. I love this family. We actually met them a month ago when I really really needed the bathroom one night, it was like I needed it right then and I couldn't walk. I had to stop and cross my legs so I wouldn't pee my skirt. So my companion knocks the door and doesn't even do a contact just asks if I can use the bathroom. So I run in and try to greet people as I am running to the bathroom. I come out and we chat and mark to come back another day. For two weeks we only found the wife in the house but we wanted to teach the family so we marked to come one day when he was home and it was PERFECT. We taught the restoration, and it was by far the best lesson about the restoration that I have had on the mission. He understood the apostacy and everything. I also think it helped that Claudia was sick, she was pretty zoned out and Davi was asleep (which is a miracle because he goes 100 km an hour when he is awake). Robson said a prayer on knees and afterwards said he felt good. That it was easier than the written prayers. They have been teaching Davi to say all of the written prayers, sometimes he prays and its really cute. He is built a lot like Shay but has long hair and is in bambashos everyday, just like his dad. He loves rodeo and is learning how to rope. It's really cool. Robson practices a lot for the rodeo and is so typical gaucho. His picture should be in the dictionary next to gaucho. Very hospitable, very giving. Always has chimmahao (I still don't know how to spell that word) but he is a Brazilian cowboy. But it's so much more than that, I don't know how to explain it all. When we went back they hadn't read the Book of Mormon so I was really worried. We started to reach 2 Nephi 31 with them and invited them to be baptised and he said that if they recieve an anwer to their prayers they will. There are so many more details than this but I don't have time to write it all. But one thing he said, that if they aren't converted, and he said he thinks they will be, but if they aren't because it's always possible they may not be, that our visit has been benificial. Translating doesn't do it justice but it was so good. I love them. We ran into him on Saturday and he said they would go to church, but then his grandma and greatgrandmother came into town so that was inconvienent. We went by last night and said a prayer on knees again (he always wants to pray like that now :)) and he started to teach Davi how to pray using his own words. Davi was kind of frustrated and said but dad I don't know how to pray like this. So we helped. It was so good. Then Robson had to go to work (he works at a new paper printing place here) but I asked how the Book of Mormon reading was going and he smiles and said that next time we will talk about it. I love this family. One trial they might have is the Sabbath Day because Robson always goes out of town for rodeos at the end of the week. But it will all work out. Claudia is more resitant but its ok, we watched the restoration video with her and she is more interested now. It's so great!!!
My setting apart said that some peoples choices will break my heart.... I don't know what that means but I hope this family accepts the gospel.
My companion is funny. One night we were teaching a lesson and it was raining so my hair poofed and our apartment had been robbed earlier that week and they stole my hair stuff (and one luggage bag, what a blessing, they stole some valuables of the other sisters but i was really blesed, they even were nice enough to take out my old journals from the luggage so really i was blessed) but in the middle of the lesson she starts patting my hair down.....it was funny. Like I was a poor puppy. And the other day, super sick and cold we left the house to teach this family and my clothes were not matching at all!!! She didn't say anything then but ever since she has commented on it. It's so funny. I love her, she is great.
I love the gospel. It makes all the difference in the world and in eternity. It is simple and beatuiful. Nothing can replace our own personal study of the gospel and scriptures. The way we learn spiritually becomes a part of us and influences how we see everything and what choices we make. I love you all so very much.
Love Always,
Sister Taylor
August 15, 2011
I want you all individually to know that I love you. I keep learning more about the importance of family. This week me and my companion have been studying prayer and the atonement. Everytime I feel more and more about the importance of the gospel in my life. We talked with an investigator about movies the other day and I realized how distant I am from the world right now and how much I love being distant. The world offers so much that isn't worth the time. It was cool for me to see. Not just movies but so many things. True, clothing and shopping as well. I have such a diminished desire to shop. CRAZY HUH :)
I love you all, the Gospel changes lives.
We are teaching a family that is GAUCHO mesmo. Everyday he wears the traditional gaucho clothing but they didn't go to church Sunday which broke my heart. If you all could pray for that that would be nice, Claudia, Robson and their son Davi.
So much love.
Sister Taylor
If anyone is looking for something to study Mosiah 4 is great!
I love you all, the Gospel changes lives.
We are teaching a family that is GAUCHO mesmo. Everyday he wears the traditional gaucho clothing but they didn't go to church Sunday which broke my heart. If you all could pray for that that would be nice, Claudia, Robson and their son Davi.
So much love.
Sister Taylor
If anyone is looking for something to study Mosiah 4 is great!
August 8, 2011
Hello Wonderful Family!!
I hope that you are all doing well and that everyone is loving summer time there. It has actually beeen really hot here this week. Then it rained and because of the humidity our house was all wet. So crazy.
Exciting news, I am training. She is the daughter of a stake president and acts like one, I don't know how to explain it but she is always pushing to do more and be better, its great! Its just hard sometimes because I feel like for the first three or so months here in Brazil I didn't get what was going on so I don't feel like I really have all that much practice in doing all of the little things I need to be doing right now to teach her. Also I am starting to depend on her because she speaks Portuguese and so I expect her to take control of situations sometimes. But I can't do that. When it was just two Americans we just jumped in and did all that we could to explain and talk with people. But I need to do better in SOOOOO many things. Definately a chance to learn and grow, I have to remember 1000 things at the same time and I feel like I am barely afloat sometimes. But she is good and very much GET IT DONE attitude. But with a very Brazilian side to it too. It's hard to explain. But I love her, Sister Pinheiro.
I am learning that its personalites that help us grow a lot. With change and new personalities we adapt and learn how to handle life differently. With every change we have new opportunities and its never easy but growth never is.
I can't believe that harvest was so fast this year!! I think that is amazing!!!
I have one minute left. I want you all to know how much I love you and pray for all of you. I am continually learning about the importance of the family and I am so grateful that we are a family. We need to do all we can to ensure that we will be an eternal family. It's not easy but the blessings are so big! I love you all.
Love, Kat
I hope that you are all doing well and that everyone is loving summer time there. It has actually beeen really hot here this week. Then it rained and because of the humidity our house was all wet. So crazy.
Exciting news, I am training. She is the daughter of a stake president and acts like one, I don't know how to explain it but she is always pushing to do more and be better, its great! Its just hard sometimes because I feel like for the first three or so months here in Brazil I didn't get what was going on so I don't feel like I really have all that much practice in doing all of the little things I need to be doing right now to teach her. Also I am starting to depend on her because she speaks Portuguese and so I expect her to take control of situations sometimes. But I can't do that. When it was just two Americans we just jumped in and did all that we could to explain and talk with people. But I need to do better in SOOOOO many things. Definately a chance to learn and grow, I have to remember 1000 things at the same time and I feel like I am barely afloat sometimes. But she is good and very much GET IT DONE attitude. But with a very Brazilian side to it too. It's hard to explain. But I love her, Sister Pinheiro.
I am learning that its personalites that help us grow a lot. With change and new personalities we adapt and learn how to handle life differently. With every change we have new opportunities and its never easy but growth never is.
I can't believe that harvest was so fast this year!! I think that is amazing!!!
I have one minute left. I want you all to know how much I love you and pray for all of you. I am continually learning about the importance of the family and I am so grateful that we are a family. We need to do all we can to ensure that we will be an eternal family. It's not easy but the blessings are so big! I love you all.
Love, Kat
August 1, 2011
Today is tranfers but we don't have a phone officially because it got lost before I got here, and we don't know what it happening!!!!!! We totally want to stay together and we feel like we are learning a ton and we love our investigators!!!! But we are trying to be ready for whatever is going to happen and trust that we are ready for it. Our District Leader is headed over here to talk to us but he hasn't come yet and I am feeling nervous!!! I might be training in a different area or we are just moving houses or the other Sisters will move in with us. Lots of stuff. We just don't know yet!!
Our investigators, I have told you all a little about the faith of Alex e Laura. Here are some pictures of them and their 2 little boys. We had lunch with them yesterday, she saved up all week to give us a nice meal, I think it's the best I have had during the mission because I knew the HUGE sacrifice that it was for them and that they so willingly gave it!!!!!! Wow I love them. (Also everyone here makes potato salad, but it's so much better here!! I love it). Then they went to church! I just love them so much. They don't know everything about the gospel but they have so much FAITH!! So can't wait to be baptised and their marriage papers are finally coming. It's been like a two month wait and its finally on its way!!!! Kind of funny the age difference between them. She is 19 and he is 37...... :) It's weird to think about sometimes but they really are so happy and have so much personality. They are not perfect but they are willing to do everything and they have seen the blessings come into their lives!!! They are such an example. They live in the worst place!!!! Every one there is a crack addict and they are just this little diamond in the rough. We can't even go there with out a member. So to feed us lunch we meet them way far away from their house and they walked us there and back. It's so amazing. And they like us!! That is a bonus. ;)
Our bedroom doesn't have a door handle that works from the inside so we have a towel on the corner so we dont accidently get locked in our room!! But one night it was really cold and we we had the heater on, so without thinking I shut the door really hard with the towl on the corner and we were locked in. My lovely companion climbed through that little window in the bathroom (which leads to the laundry room) after a long hard day and we laughed so hard and had to get a picture. That is my guilty face with the door!!!
We have had a lot of old men tell us that we are really beautiful this week. That is kind of weird and we don't mark to come back and teach them. We have the funniest experiences together but we are learning and doing all that we can to help our investigators grow. I like that we support each other and if one feels like we should do a certain thing we are willing to try and go along happily and put our all into it. We have a member who is in the hospital here so we go and visit her, be so grateful for the hospitals we have back home. It's very different here.
There is a picture of a little gaucho, he is in the full get up. He was playing with a toy accordian and dancing to music on the radio so we stopped to get a picture. Sosososososo cute!!!!
The Gospel is so true. I know I am not great at teaching and speaking Portuguese but I feel the importance of it every day!!! I want to help these people but they have to want it. It hurts so much sometimes when I know the huge difference this will make if they will just read The Book of Mormon, pray with real desire, and go to church. People all over are looking for something to change their lives but if they don't do something different they won't get different results. We have one guy who is 30 and he wants a different life he just isn't willing to do what he needs to. He reads the Book of Mormon but he doesn't pray or go to church. We can't keep coming back to see him because he just talks about changing and doesn't act differently. But it breaks me heart because his life is unhealthy in everyway, he just doesn't follow through.
Family, I love you all. I showed pictures of you guys to Alex e Laura and I missed you all. I have one more year on the mission. I will have a lot more experiences and a lot more trials. But every day I am trying to be better, and trying to learn. In this next year a lot of things will happen and you all will have a lot of experiences, please keep sharing them with me, even if it's the smallest thing!!! I love hearing everyday stuff.
I love you all. I pray for you all, especially at this time I am praying for harvest and that everyone will be safe.
With all of my love.
Sister Kathryn Adalee Taylor
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