July 21, 2014

Another week down! And a really busy one at that! I've given two sacrament talks tyhe past two weeks here. haha.... This area is REALLY hard right now. The previous missionaries left a really bad impression. So it is our job to rebuild the trust and respect. PLUS the ward just got split about a month ago, so we know none of the members and the members don't know us. But who doesn't like a clean slate to work with, right?? :) 

 These past couple of weeks have been FULL of tracting. probably about 25 hours worth. and we have been going through the ward list trying to go visit as many members as possible to try and get to know them. Our ward mission leader is really solid so he helps us out a lot. We also have a list of Part member Families and Perspective elders. So we definitely have our work cut out for us. 

 We do have a couple pretty solid investigators right now. The one that is closest is Joy Prochaska. (Pronounced Prohaska). We have taught her about the BOM and about the restoration and she had a bap date but didn't show up for church. 

 The other one right now is Salvador Russo. We had a lesson with him last night and he said that if he finds out if it is true, he will get baptized. 

 Yesterday was one of the busiest days of my life. we had ward council at 0630, went back home, finished up our talks, went to church at 1, spoke in sacrament meeting, Taught gospel principles, helped teach Elders quorum, Then went home, changed, And went tracting until dinner at 630 pm. After dinner we went to salvador's house until about 915 and then rode as fast as we could home. 

Im so grateful for the opportunity to serve for 2 years. There is nowhere else I'd rather be than right here in this part of the vineyard. I know there is a plan for each and every one of us. I know without a shadow of doubt that Heavenly Father is real. I love this gospel with all my heart and I'll defend it till the end. I love all of you. thanks for the support you give. Keep praying for the missionaries!! 

Love, Elder Taylor Alston

this is my house 

someone put a maze in the middle of the desert...haha

the things you find tracting 

you know it's going to be a good day when you see this

first wile tarantula! 

I found half my families names on street signs...haha Tami, Natalia, Natasha 

                                    

the hills we have to climb 

my dream Oro Valley house 

talk preparation 

found this poor little guy tracting...he was pretty beat up. He died in my hands  right after this picture. 

July 14, 2014

hey y'all. This weeks email is gonna be real short on account of I don't have any time to write anything. Just know that I am doing fine, The new comp is going alright, And the new area is treatin' me fine. 

I had to speak in church yesterday after the bishop asked me to 2 hours before church started. 

I promise next week will be MUCH more detailed and longer. I love you! I'll send as many pics from this week as time permits. 

love Elder Taylor Alston 

I like taking pictures of flowers..is that weird? haha

We went caving this morning. 

Elder Peterson squeezin' through 

Most of the cave you had to crawl on hands and knees, but some holes you had to  squeeze through on your stomach.

There was a book to sign when you got to the end. 

July 7, 2014

 Hey everyone! I got transferred to the North Tucson Stake. In the Coronado ward. And yes.. it's another bike area. I did some math the other day and by the time I leave this area ( Assuming I stay for 3 transfers) I will have biked 4860 ish miles on my mission.  not too shabby huh? haha My new companion is Elder Kienitz. He was Elder Stoelk's MTC companion. We have already bonded pretty well because we both had to deal with the same comp. haha 

I haven't had time to take pictures of my new house yet but I will get those on my next weekly report. I live pretty much in Oro Valley(pretty much as far north as the mission goes). Not far enough to cool the temperature down though. haha although this past week has been full of clouds, rain and under 100 degrees! Its' been incredible! We got the first monsoon of the season on I believe Friday or Saturday. I slept that night with the window open, listening to the rain. I miss that sound!!   Living in Tucson really makes you grateful for water. and for clouds. haha my blood has thinned out so much in almost a year and a half. I'm going to FREEZE when I get back to Utah. 

 Not much happened last week in Pima ward. besides for biking in the Monsoon and 4th of July. OH! Our new mission President got here on Monday! We got to meet him last Friday at a mini Zone Conference. He teaches a lot like Elder Bednar and looks kinda like him too. 

  Let's see, what else... OH! Remember elder Peterson? My trainer? He's my zone leader again up here in the north zone:) I get to be with him when he goes home!! He is leaving at the end of this transfer. 

  I think that's all I have for Y'all this week. I'll let you know how this coming week goes in the new area with the new comp! Love y'all! Stay classy Utah! 

Love, Elder Taylor Alston 

Just a cool picture that kinda describes the last 5 months.

Well thanks for telling me AFTER I was under it...haha

saw this tree on top of like 4 cars..bummer day!

who raised this kid? haha

 

                                 

Exchanges with Elder Ward 

A little Tucson for ya'll

Happy Independence Day everyone! haha

Monsoon riding baby!!