09 December 2000

A little while ago Sister Charles sprained her ankle jump-roping, and was injured to a point that she couldn't even walk on it.  The next morning I got a phone cal asking for a blessing, of course I said sure.  We went over and gave her a blessing, fixed their fitter, got them some ice (which is a pretty difficult thing to do in this country) and then were on our way.  The next morning she was find and could walk just like nothing had ever happened.  the power of the Priesthood is truly the power of God.  It was really only the 2nd time I've ever had to do that, and what an awesome experience it was.

I would like to dedicate this entry to Sister Christensen because she won't leave me alone about writing in this thing.  I know it's very important and we have been asked to do it by our leaders.  I just never know what to write about, especially if I write very often.  She said If I ever became famous they aren't going to have anything to work with after I die, so figure I'll start writing now just in case.

12 August 1999

Well I have been here for 7 days now, and so far it's the most awesome thing I have ever done in my life.  I love missionary work.  I guess I'll start with the first full day that I was here (Lithuania-arrived 5 August 1999), and then I'll go from there.  Hopefully I will remember things.  The first full day was great.  I spent the day at a Youth Conference.  There were kids from of the Baltic States, speaking all kinds of languages.  The kids had work shops on different principles of the Gospel, and played games.  It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of nice people.  I was also given the opportunity to participate in 2 blessings.  Two of the kids at the conference got hit in the mouth (boy & girl).  The girl's tooth cracked right down the middle, and she was in a lot of pain.  The boy was taking it pretty good.  It was an awesome first day.  I also met my companion at the youth conference.  He is an awesome Elder and knows the language really well.  Elder Thurber has only been here for 4 months, so he has picked up the language really quick.  He is awesome.  The first Sunday was great also.  I barely understood anything, but it was a lot of fun.  I hope I understand more next time.  I might even have to bear my testimony in Russian, so we'll see how that goes.  I gave my first discussion on Monday, the 9th.  That was a great experience.  I didn't understand anything, but I did feel the spirit.  the "D" went real well, and they want to meet again (Cepzen & Lesa).  They seem to be very interested.  We also met another awesome guy; his name  is Amgpeia.  We haven't taught him any "Ds" yet, but he is my favorite so far.  I like hearing, and trying to understand what he has to say.  Hopefully we will get somewhere with him.

Today we went and did service at an orphanage.  It was a  lot of fun, but depressing at the same time.  I know the kids aren't treated too well.  It will be fun because we get to do it each Thursday.  I want to get to know the kids if at all possible.  Today was also the first day that I got to go tracting.  I thought it was so much fun.  It's exciting to see what their reactions will be when they open the door.  We were only able to talk with a few people out of 72, but we had a lot of fun.  

The Spirit of the Lord is very strong with us missionaries, and I can't wait to get this language down so I can seriously get to work.  The Lord has helped me a ton, and I know he will continue to bless me if I give it my all.  It's going to be fun.

Elder Taylor

Today, David would have turned 40. It made me think of when our Dad turned 40. He was a single father at this point with 5 boys living with him, 3 of which were early teenagers. If we didn’t already make his life interesting, his 40th birthday was an effort to make it memorable. David was set on making it the biggest curse of old age possible. Decorating everything in black went without saying, but David wanted the ultimate expression of over-the-hill. So, when Dad came home from work for dinner, he found a black painted cardboard coffin waiting for him on the kitchen counter. It wasn’t completely life-size, but no less creepy. David made things memorable. Happy 40thBirthday David!