Hard Crust, Sweet Filling...Week 9

¡Hola, todos amigos (y amigas)!

This week has been crazy difficult. We had to go on a little "trip" to Zaragosa and meet some of the other Elders in our zone. Elder Damuni and Elder Gordon. Elder Damuni is a stud polynesian that is probably the nicest guy you'll ever meet, but after his mission, he is going to play football at Utah State! Elder Gordon is my homie from Mapleton, Utah! We talked forever about the good things back home, and we're excited for what awaits us! But right now is the work.

Speaking of the work, we weren't able to find new investigators right away because we were in Zaragosa. So when we got back we had to work really hard. He had a whole day of at least (cause I lost count) 81 doors slammed in our faces. And that's okay! Yes, this is hard. BUT WORTH IT! Because the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. The next day (Friday) we we're able to find 2 investigators. A single father with 2 daughters. He felt like there wasn't any hope for him or for his family with all the trouble that was going on, and our experience there was a great one. We found some more investigators throughout the rest of the week, but not many with a promising spirit. Sin embargo (however), last night (Sunday night) we found Arturo. He is a man just like anyone else. Family, problems, and a desire to have miracles in his life to help him through those problems. We knocked on his door and he let us in immediately and happily. He told us that he was having family problems and we talked to him about The Plan of Salvation and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said he would love to learn more! We later found out that it was his birthday that day! So we went and bought some little cupcakes and candles and sang happy birthday to him!

Now, this week was very hard for me because I started to feel super sick and wasn't able to get much sleep. There was a lot of moving around Coahuila and that was really stressful as well. This is the hard crust that we're biting through, however, we can have faith that if we keep "biting" we will find the "sweet filling" that God has promised us. My challenge for all of you this week is to look for the blessings every day in you're lives. It could be people, scriptures, etc. Or maybe YOU are the blessing in the lives of someone else.

Keep the faith!

Elder Taylor

Notes from Mom: I asked Simon where he lives so I could figure it out with Google maps. I also asked him what he would like me to send for Christmas and his birthday coming up. I told him that Springville High School football is doing well, and that members of the ward have asked about him. "We live in Los Altos on the street 28 de Marzo. It's next down the street from an Oxxo. Houses are all the same on these streets, but it's the last red house before the blue house. Sister Alvarez was taking me home with her husband that night. They're family is awesome! We've met some really promising people and how we've found them is amazing! I'll tell you more in my big letter. Here's a list of things I want in the package:

Scripture marking materials!

Photos of y'all

New pens (cause these pens are super inky and smear a lot)

shoe polish (black AND brown)

kit kats

celery? (if possible)

a lego built by Adam and Owen (small, not likely to break)

sewing kit

some recreational long sleeve shirt

music (uplifting, claro)

more oxi clean things for my shirt collars

I don't know the difference to be honest between pens. The ones you sent me with smear a lot. Whatever doesn't smear will be perfect! I've tried the Tums and they do help, so thank you. I have a shoe polish kit, I'm just running out of brown and I might as well be prepared with some more black. I ripped the new blue pants right on the bum-cheek area so I'm just gonna try and stitch it up and live with it. If I can find Persil, I will buy it. The other stuff is fine, I just miss the smell of our laundry room haha.

If you think of anything else that I could want or, more importantly, need, then feel free to send it. I'm surprised Springville stepped it up after the first two games. I'm glad people still remember me from the home ward!

Love you so much, miss you! Usted es la mas mejor mama en todo del mundo!"

Sadly, I can't send Simon celery!

"Look mom, missionaries!"