December 30, 2013

Thank you to everyone who sent me packages/letters for Christmas:) I love you all! you made me smile! It means a lot! How was Christmas for all of you? I bet none of you milked a goat!!  haha I DID!

Christmas eve was super fun too! We had a mission conference up in Tucson, drove back to willcox, got picked up for dinner, and went out to the Bull's ranch where we had a nativity with all their kids, a white elephant exchange, and santa came!! :)

Friday morning we found out that one of our investigators got picked up by border patrol. So we raced out to his house to see if his wife was ok. when she answered the door, We asked if she knew where her husband was, and she replied( In Spanish) " Yeah of course! He's at work!"... She had no idea that he had gotten arrested. It was so sad having to be the bearer of bad news. that was definitely one of the saddest moments of my mission.  

Saturday was a little better day. We were in a lesson with Rodger ( Our recent convert), and his step son came rolling in the room(he's in a wheelchair) and started asking a ton of questions. We answered them, gave him a book of Mormon. and invited him to church. He said he'd be there!

He was! and he participated in class and seemed very interested!! he invited us to dinner this coming Friday!

 I can testify that the Lord really does prepare people. I've seen it multiple times on my mission so far. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. There's no where else I'd rather be. There are times when I want to quit and come home. but I know that there are people here that need my help, and help them I shall. Thank you all for the support. I love you so much. -Elder Taylor Alston

December 23, 2013

hey everyone! can you believe Christmas is in 2 days? thats crazy!!

so this week was awesome:) mostly cuz it snowed Friday:) haha

we were eating dinner with Susie and Bruce (Investigator and Less-active.) and we walked outside, and there were 3 inches of snow on our car:) Merry Christmas to me! haha

We finally got Susie to come to church!! and Bruce seems to be making progress with reactivation! they have come to church the past two weeks!

Rodger blessed the sacrament yesterday!! :) after he said the prayer, he looked up at me and was grinning from ear to ear. THAT was a good feeling!

So on Tuesday, Sister Nolan asked us to come help her teach in seminary. all we did was help the kids make Christmas trees for people in the area that needed a little smile. So that was fun.

Y'all should start asking me questions. I run out of stuff to write. haha

well, Merry Christmas to all! have  a good week!!! :) LOVE YOU! -Elder Taylor Alston

we came out of dinner Friday night, and guess what!? I got my wish...3 inches of snow on our car! 

I forgot how amazing it is to drive in! 

I think we found the only buffalo in Arizona...

beautiful snow capped mountains! 

one of these toes is not like the other...haha

Brother Davis made me a belt for Christmas...it has oak leaves and my name on it

December 16, 2013

No letter today...but here are some pictures!

The Douglas' tree store 

Kambyrn and Jayden Douglas 

Me and Kambryn's snowman! 

saw a Lambo in Willcox!! 

rainstorm sunset...

....turned into a snow storm! 

check out this bus..haha! 

December 10, 2013

This week was another good one! We were able to start teaching Rodger's Son in law. We had exchanges Tuesday, So Elder Peterson and I went over to their house, ate with them, and talked about the restoration. He said we could come back and talk more, which is always a plus. haha Wednesday we had zone meeting all day. Thursday We went to see Gilberto and Barbara. we read with them, and then before we left, Barbara asked us if we would give her son a blessing. Which was SO cool. the fact that she asked us before we even mentioned it. That my friends, is why I'm on a mission. A month ago, Barbara didn't even know what a blessing was. Now,  she knows that it can help her son. Through the power of God. one thing I have learned while I've been out is that a mission is more for the missionary than anyone.  I have learned more in 8 months than I have in my whole life. I've learned how to serve with all my heart, I've learned a new language, I've learned that  I thought I knew what hard work was before my mission... I could go on for a real long time about what I've learned.

Anyway, How's the snow? I'm super jealous of all you up north. haha I didn't think I'd miss snow as much as I do!

Everyone getting ready for Christmas?? Can You believe it's so close?? I can't.

Have another good week everyone! Love you! -Elder Taylor Alston.

December 2, 2013

whats happening up there in the 801? how was el dia de gracias? 

Rodger got baptized on Saturday! :) It was super cool, His daughter, her husband, and their daughter came. After the baptism,. we asked if We could come over sometime this week and talk to them about the church, They accepted! We are going over there tomorrow night! :)

Thanksgiving was good! we went up to Benson and played in a Turkey bowl. I got my nose broken by the bishop, but other than that, it was super fun! 

We ate at the Crockett's house.  there were 10 pies for 8 people. Elder matiz and I had 2 plates of dinner, and 6 pieces of pie each.. haha I almost died. 

friday we had thanksgiving dinner at the Larsons, Their ENTIRE family was there. 18 pies, 3 turkeys and a ham. haha THAT was good food. 

This morning we drove up to Benson and ate breakfast with the zone leaders , then we butchered a turkey so we can cook him up for district meeting on wednesday:) shout out to my dad and grandpa for teaching me how to gut animals! haha. 

Sorry this email is so lame. haha I'll try to make something crazy happen this week. Love you! have a good one! -Elder Alston

we found a mud hole

Brother Foster and Rodger (the short one is Rodger)

my district meeting turkey 

November 25, 2013

hello again from Willcox, AZ! how is everyone? this week was pretty good. the temperature is finally dropping! the high today was about 40 ish. saturday was stormy and windy all day. no snow though:( Elder Matiz and I and one other companionship were the only ones in the mission to get Standards of Excellence this week! So that was super cool.

We set Rogers baptism up for this saturday at 5pm! He is super excited! It's crazy how solid he is. his wife told him that if he got baptized, she would divorce him. He told her, "Well then divorce me right now, cuz I'm gettin baptized!" She eventually got over it and gave him permission. haha 

I got to fix an engine for the first time on my mission! :) it was brother Davis' ATV. it wouldnt start. so I took the starter off, took it apart and found that it was seized up. So I oiled it, put it back together, put it back on and now it runs like new! I love working on cars and what-nots:) 

All our other investigators are doing good, Patty and victor came to church! along with Roger, and his granddaughter and justin. 5 investigators at church! new record!! 

Last night at the Nolan's, we played a game of spoons, and if we lost, we had to put a line across our face with marker... Well, at the end, I had 3 lines across my face. haha.

After the Nolan's, we went with Guy (Ward mission leader) to a less active's house, and fixed her furnace and then taught her a lesson. 

We've have been getting calls from members asking us if they can go out with us. haha its reversed since I've bee here. we used to have to call people. 

I love this area so much. we have transfers dec. 10th and I am hoping I dont leave. It'll be like leaving home again. oh well... it's gotta happen sometime, right? 

This area has been such a blessing to me. actually being able to see the progress of the missionary work in the ward, the members and how much they care about, and being able to work on ranches for service! could it get any better? I think not! haha.

 how's everyone's missionary work going on the home-front? I promise it's worth it to talk to your friends about the gospel! You''l bless their lives so much. And Yours will be blessed in return. 

I know the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the kingdom of God once again established on the earth. in preparation for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. I love you all so much. Thank you for the support. Get out there and save the world!! -Elder Taylor Alston

we came out of an appointment Tuesday night and this was on our car...they call me Arnie

me teaching a cactus

Am I the only one that thinks this is beautiful?

our zone with President Killpack and Elder Paul B. Johnson of the 70. We had half mission conference on Thursday.

Macho in his new home. Garret Douglas gave me a kennel. 

I don't know about you, but I am filing this one IFR!