February 23, 2015

Hey everyone, sorry I didn't send an email last week. The library was closed Monday, Tuesday we had a serious lack of spare time, and Wednesday we had about 20 minutes between appointments, so, we got on the computers to write President, and that's about it. 

Let's see, what can I update you on? Well, This week, we found out that Hawk is in fact, a less-active, not an investigator. He has been lying to us the entire time. So that was a buzz kill. He was baptized when he was 8 and then fell away as a teenager. This week, we are going to be meeting with him to see what his expectations are with meeting with us, and coming to church. 

Most of our work, is with less-actives, and prospective elders. We have been going through both those lists like crazy. Trying to get to know all of them and get them to church. We have so far found, and brought to church regularly, 2 less-actives. and have appointments with 3 more this week. So we'll see!! 

 Exchanges went well this week. I went with Elder Hepworth. He's a stud of a missionary. Been out about 5 months and Is a REALLY had worker. He's going to have some great success.

 Yesterday was insanely busy. we had a stake priesthood leadership meeting at 630 AM. Our stake President asked us to give a training about using family history as a finding tool. It went really well, and seemed well received by the bishops and WMLs. We had multiple people come up to us after thanking us for the new ideas we brought to the table and the inspiration we shared. So, hopefully we start seeing some amazing success in the Rincon stake! We are going to be following up with the high councilmen and the Stake President this week. Anyway, after that meeting, we had ward council and then church, then we went to go visit probably 6 different people. Then had dinner, and then went to correlation. To top it all off, it was end of the month calls last night. So we had to collect everyone's retention and reactivation numbers as well. We didn't get to bed until about 1130. It was a fun day:/ 

Well that's all I can think of to update yall on. So here's a quote!!!

When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.

-Viktor E. Frankl

Love yall! Keep on keepin on! -Elder Taylor Alston 

February 9, 2015

Hey there, everyone! I don't know about you, but it is getting warmer down here. We have been in the 80's pretty much all week. 

 The 3 days of winter were nice down here. But now it's summer again for the next 362 days. It's funny how your perspective of "Hot" changes when you live in Tucson for 2 years. 

 Now, let's see if I can remember my week. 

Tuesday: After we emailed, we went shopping, then went to zone sports, Then dinner at 530, then had a lesson with Justin, one of our great investigators. He is a 7th day Adventist, and has a lot of the same beliefs as us, but needless to says, disagrees with a few things. But We had a great lesson and answered a few of his q's. Then we went over to a companionship's house to chat a little (one of the elders is brand new) and see what we can do to help them adjust and feel comfortable.

Wednesday: We were supposed to have Zone meeting, but had zero time to prepare, so we postponed it to this coming week. Instead, we had District meeting, and because we are a DL short in the zone, we have to be the DL for now, so we had to prepare district meeting. Anyway, It went fine, and we had great participation.  Then we had lunch with the zone, and heading out to work. We had another great lesson with Justin, and he seemed a bit more "Into it". which was great. The other lesson we had that day was with Austin. We brought a member with us to that lesson and it was great! They are both in the Air Force, so they automatically had a connection. It was amazing to see our member testify so powerfully of the atonement and be able to touch Austin's heart. 

Thursday: We met with the Rincon Stake President, to correlate our efforts between missionaries and members in the stake. We invited him to our Zone meeting this week, and he said he wanted to join us! No pressure right? haha Then we had a great lesson with Nathaniel (another amazing investigator). We brought Darien with us and they hit it off! It's great to have such willing and able members to come out with us. Then we had another Justin lesson. with another member present. 

Friday: We had service with a member in the East stake. Then raced home, ate lunch in about 2.4 seconds, and raced to Nathaniel's house at 230. Then drove over to Elder Huff and Taylor's area to go on exchanges. We were able to split up and have a great talk with both of them while we tracted for the afternoon. I love helping to instill motivation in other missionaries! I love being able to help people realize their potential. It's amazing when you can look at something through Christ's eye's and just feel the deepest, most sincere love and appreciation for the sacrifice they are making by being out here serving others.

 After The exchange, we had and Elder's quorum activity. We played glow in the dark dodge ball. It was crazy fun! 

 Saturday: We helped move some stuff out of the house we are living in, And then had a wrad temple trip. We got permission to go up to the Gilbert temple! It was AMAZING!!!!!!! I love it. It's so beautiful! And HUGE!

 After the temple we got to go to dinner at Cafe Rio! :) first time in two years! I almost died of excitement! haha  

 Sunday: had a great day at church, Then met with the AP's to discuss the zone goals, and talk about a few missionaries that need a little boost. then went to dinner, then ward correlation. 

 So far I am LOVING YSA 2nd ward. It is way too much fun. I'm getting spoiled for my last few weeks. haha it's great! 

 Well, Here's the quote of the week! 

"Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible - it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could." -Barbara de Angelis

Let us remember the power of love and charity! Remember that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we could EVER imagine and he is always there. Pray, and he will listen, listen, and he will answer. I promise you this, He is real.

 I love you all! thank you for everything you do! 

 -Elder Taylor Alston  

February 3, 2015

Hey everyone! It's transfer day, and yes, I got transferred. Im back in the Tucson area. And back with Elder Call. We are over the UofA YSA 2nd ward. 

 This last week in Thatcher was pretty busy. Doing a whole lot of service, MLC all day Friday, Helping out in the mission office, and taking care of a few baptisms in the district. Our grand total for baptisms in the district for the transfer was 5. the zone had 7. 

 Today has been INSANE. I haven't been to bed since Sunday night... We got in last night at about 945, then I had to pack, and prepare for zone meeting tomorrow . By the time I finished everything I needed to do, It was probably about 2am.  And we had to get up at 3 to drive into Tucson by 7, so I just figured I was better off not going to bed, and finishing some other stuff. SO, now I'm here, half asleep, with a full day of tasks ahead of me yet. Gotta love responsibility, huh? haha hopefully tonight I can get a full nights sleep. 

  I am sad to be leaving Elder McKenna and the district. He was up there as one of my favorite companions. He's grown so much and I love him like my little brother. It was hard to say goodbye. I wish I could just finish my mission out there in Thatcher, but I know that I am called to areas for a reason, and all I have to do is find that reason. 

 I hope everyone continues to do well and is staying healthy and strong! Here's the quote for the week!! 

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

-Vince Lombardi 

I've definitely learned this in my life, that success comes, when we are willing to do anything to get what we desire. Nobody ever said it would be easy, but it WILL be worth it. I can promise you. 

I love you all.

 -Elder Taylor Alston