March 31, 2014

P-day again, huh? did someone build a time machine and fast forward? I swear  I was just here. haha well I'll try and write stuff about my week then. 

Tuesday: exchanges. I got Elder Maughan. Who is literally 95% deaf. and when he talks, its very quite due to the fact that he can't hear himself. and he was trained not to yell when he talks. so needless to say, walking on the sidewalk of a very busy road, trying to communicate with him was slightly difficult. anyway, we spent the day visiting less-actives, helping someone move, and eating with the bishop.

Thursday: we helped two people move, and taught a few lessons. nothin too crazy. 

Saturday: Guess what? we helped two people move. just call us the mormon moving company. haha 5 moves in one week. I think that's a record for me. After we helped with the moves, we went to see a whole much of referrals. we attempted to see ten people. None of which were home. it was a really long day full of biking and knocking. haha but then we got to finish the day playing Rugby so that was a good note to end on:)

Sunday: Found out how hard it is to be in a walking area on fast sunday. haha we basically had to crawl to dinner. Yesterday was also Elder Gosper's birthday so of course we had a birthday party at dinner. 

I love how much service i get to do. I would encourage y'all to do the same, find someone in need and help them.  Moroni 7:45-47. charity is the pure love of christ.  never forget it! have a good week! love you guys!  

- Elder Taylor Alston

kickin' it will the Douglas family 

Zone Conference...nuff said

yes, we're 5

gotta love language study

cutest kids ever

apparently I found the origin of ice. It's on the bridge.

watch tan line

after finding out U of A lost...

dinner at the Romero's

March 24, 2014

Happy spring everyone! haha it wasn't too much of a change for us down here in Tucson.. we are now in the high 70's low 80's. 

ok, Weekly rundown..

Tuesday: We visited a less-active member who shared her entire life story with us for a solid hour and a half. haha she said we are a huge blessing to her and she loves missionaries but she doesn't believe the Book of Mormon to be true anymore. Tuesdaynight, we were supposed to have exchanges, but the other elders didnt get home until like 1030... So that didnt happen.

Thursday: We had zone conference from 8 am to 430 pm.. it was draining, but good. it was needed. 

Saturday: We were just busy making the rounds, inviting people to come to church. and now every Saturday night we play Rugby with investigators under the lights! It's way fun. I'm going to move to Australia to be on e the national team. haha just kidding. sorry this email is so plain and short. this week just wasn't supper exciting. I'd like to leave you with a spiritual thought:) 

"Now, my brethren and sisters, the time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation, knowing well the meaning, the breadth, and the importance of our mission. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all of our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike. We have nothing to fear. God is at the helm."- President Hinckley. Keep up the work! We are all in this battle together! As long as we band together, nothing can stop us! now... GET OUT THERE AND SAVE THE WORLD! Kia Kaha, Forever Strong. I love you all! Until next time. love, Elder Taylor Alston 

March 17, 2014Bo

Happy Green day Everybody! I hope y'all have fun! :) 

My week was pretty busy! 

Monday: After emailing, we went shopping, then went to the park and played rugby till like 5. 

Tuesday: We had exchanges. I went with Elder Van Noy. at 1030, we went over to the West Zone and Taught ASL class (American sign language). then we went back to our apartment, and the Douglas's(from Willcox) came up and took us to Applebee's  for lunch! it was super fun to see them again. at 7:00 pm we went to the university of Arizona because Elder Van Noy teaches an ASL class in the institute.  Hopefully I'll be tri-lingual when I get home! :) 

Wednesday: we had district meeting then went to a less-actives house. she is from Brazil and we are trying to get her daughter baptized. at 6:30 we went and met with Our WML and discussed the month. then we taught gospel class at the church. After Which,  someone came up to us and asked for a blessing, then we talked to him for a bit and he said he wants to start coming back to church. 

Thursday: Exchanges AGAIN... one of the zone leaders came to my area. 

Friday: the Bowers from my first area came up and took us to lunch. then we went and made the programs for Bonnie Bullivant's Baptism. the baptism was at 6 and it went very well. Lots of people showed up! 

Saturday: Exchanges...again... haha I went With elder Flake in his area. We taught a few lessons and went to a little 7 year old's soccer game. it was so cute. haha 

Sunday: it was finally a semi-relaxing day. Church was normal, We taught young mens, then had a couple lessons after church, went to dinner, had a couple more lessons, went home and went to bed. haha I have never been this tired in my life. You really dont know what tired is till you go on a mission. It is all worth it though. this is the work of salvation. People are coming unto Christ everyday. I love you all. have a good week. and happy st. Patrick's day! Love, Elder Taylor Alston 

the wash we walk down to get to a less-actives house

the Bowers came up from South Tucson to take me to lunch! I hadn't seen them in like 8 months! 

Bonnie Bullivant's baptism 

March 10, 2014

Another week here and gone. Another area under my belt. I am now in East Tucson. My companion is Elder Gosper. He is from upstate New York And went to BYU for a year. He also did Army ROTC... So we have LOTS to talk about. haha. it is a bike/walk area. We do not have a car. Which is fine, Our area is only like 5 square miles. 

Here is a rundown of my week...

Last Sunday: (Still in Willcox) We had the Gilbert temple Dedication, then we went to the Douglas' house for  brunch. While we were there, Jayden, Their Son, Started to have a seizure. the ambulance came and took him to the ER. We all Raced over there right behind the ambulance. when we got there, It was determined that he needs to be flown to Tucson Medical center. So Tiffany asked us to give him a blessing. Elder Matiz And I cried our way through the blessing right there in the ER.  and about 5 minutes after that, he started to wake up. It was the fastest I have EVER seen the priesthood work. it was just proof to me that the priesthood can and will work miracles.  I know for a FACT that it is real.... After that we helped him get loaded up into the helicopter and watch them take off, Then Garrett and Tiffany drove off to tucson. The rest of our day was filled with saying goodbye to people and going to a few appointments. it was a really strange day for Elder Matiz and I. 

Tuesday: Transfer day. We drove to Benson and Waited for the transfer van to take me to Tucson.  It was weird coming back into the city.  I met Elder Gosper and Elder Hall, who was with  us for a few days while he was waiting for his companion. So form tuesday to Thursday, we were in a trio. 

We spent the week visiting less actives and getting a baptism ready for Saturday

Saturday: we had a baptism for Mona Stanislas, An African refugee. it went well. Elder Gosper And I Talk about the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" lesson. 

After the baptism, We had stake conference, and after the meeting, a lady came up to us and said that she feels that everything that was said was true and she wants to be baptized. She had been taught all the lessons in the past by other missionaries and said that she was finally ready. So We set up an interview with her for sunday! 

Sunday: we had the other session of stake conf. and then Bonnie's interview.
She passed! now she is getting baptized this friday! Pretty good for my first week here huh? haha 2 baptisms already in east tucson! :) 

The work continues! I sure as heck am keeping busy! Thanks for the love and support everyone! Keep in touch! Love you! -Elder Taylor Alston

Taylors new address:

Shadowtree Apt # 349

201 N  Wilmot Rd.

Tucson, AZ 85711

my house

me, Elder Seare, Elder Hall, Elder Gosper

I got to be an usher for the BYU folk dance performance. It was sick! We got it watch it too!

Mona's baptism. His cousin Pedro baptized him. Mona is the big one.

walking to stake conference 

where I live

March 4 , 2014

Brother and Sister Clem

Saying good-bye to Susie and Bruce

Dassault Falcon at the airport. We sat in it and talked to the pilots for like an hour.

Sister Nolan (stake presidents wife) and Guy Nolan (ward mission leader)

Just one of the sketchy buildings in Willcox.

Brother Davis

Brother and Sister Foster

Brad and Tracy Nielson 

Ben and Lacy Miller

The Douglas Family