Two months in and our road to happiness...Week 8

Buenas... todas personas!

I'm finally at the 1/12 mark of my mission and a lot has happened! It's crazy here. We have set two baptismal dates and I'm supposed to perform the ordinances. So I have a lot of studying to do.

It's getting easier understanding other people and I'm getting a lot better at speaking cause I choose only to speak spanish with my companion. I am trying to learn five new words every day, which isn't that bad, but not too easy. I know that by the gift of toungues I will be able to learn spanish. I also found someone that is from texas and speaks english. It was really cool to teach someone in english about the restoration of the gospel.

I was also able to finish the book by M Russel Ballard "Our Search for Happiness". That was an amazing book and it helped me have an experience that helps me understand our road to happiness. I also had the opportunity to read the article "The Gospel Path to happiness" by elder jeffrey r holland. And my challenge to all of you is to read it and find how you can CHOOSE to be happy in our lives. Remember: it is a choice.

I don't have much time today, so I'll try to send pictures later. Love you all and wish you all the best! May God bless us all!

Hasta Luego,

Elder Taylor

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks

I found Elder Rogers and Elder Jensen

Last day in the CCM with the district and our teacher Hermano Bejar

 Just played some football with my man Elder Dotson

Notes from Mom: I will be sending Simon a package in November that will get there for Christmas/his birthday. I asked him what he might want. I didn't expect so many laundry-based answers. "Hey mom! The flier was from a family of another religion that wanted to convert us haha. I'll do better at taking pictures of myself. A lint roller would be nice haha! And some soap maybe. Just some things of the family so I can remember you guys every day. Cause you guys didn't take pictures of yourselves before you gave me the camera. Also, the best way to send stuff to me is to the mission home through USPS. And the best way for me to get stuff to you is by DHL. Some more of that oxi clean stuff for my shirts would be nice. The best present is you guys. So, use your imagination.

I hope you saw the video that I told you about. I dont know when your free period is on Mondays, so tell me the time." Some weeks his p day will fall on a B day for me when I am teaching math at the high school. I really love my work, but it does intrude on getting messages from Simon. He sent me the sweetest note: 

I think of you every day mom. I don't wanna cry in a Cyber (internet cafe), but I want to email you something special cause you really are special to me and I miss you the most (idk it's a hard tie with ana). But really, I want you to know I'm so thankful for what you have done for me. You have taught me so much and I am eternally grateful. It's hard cause I dream of home nearly every night. Waking up and going to work, or helping you with dinner. I miss your cooking and your detergent SO much and I don't know why the detergent but I do miss it! I hope school is going well and I wish I could have a class with you, but right now I have to be a teacher, and a student in a different place, in a different way. I love you lots and want to chat with you more than anyone I chat with on hangouts. I love you and miss you so much and wish I could've been better to you when I was home.

Love you, 

Slimy

We aren't sure if Google hangouts is mission specific. Some mission presidents permit using it, and others don't. Simon's mission allows it, but I think it makes it hard for him to stay focused on the work. We will have to see what works best for him.