Transfer to Masica - February 9, 15

How was your week?

It was really pretty good!! I long week but a very good week!! Not much to say really, like we baptized the family and we found some super great investigators then........... i got transferred......... there just is no nice way to put it... we literally had everything in my other area... now i have... no dinner or lunch.... we don't have a church building... the assistant is like 30... and my comp and his old comp had 3 investigators.  They had about 6 lessons a week.... and holy cow...... .my new comp has 23 months on his mission... so it's going to be a short change... this area is basically a new area... but nobody has done much so the possibility to baptizie is huge... they just need to search for leaders that can lead the church here in this area... so I'm searching for families of course and priesthood... so that this place can turn into at least a branch so that it can begin to grow.

Did you get transferred?

Yes... im in Masica... its just outside La Ceiba...

If so, where did you get transferred to - the city? how far from the mission home? What is the new city like?

No a small pueblo... we are like 3.5 hours from the mission home... its soo small like we have nothing here our bank is 30 minutes in taxi away... hahaha

Also, if so did you get to tell people good-bye?

No not all but... all the ones I really wanted to yes...

Did you get a new companion?  If so, what is his name?  Where is he from?  How long has he been out?

Elder Guadamuz..... He is from nicaragua.... he has 23 months hes done in march... .

How did your teaching go this week?

Well it was really good! we had 37 lessons and he has 0 when i got here... and one day we were in san pedro getting my foot xrayed and such... I  have tendonidis in my foot so they just gave me some medicine and yeah...

How are the families there?

We got nothing here... we have literally nothing... its a rough area... but it'll be good... we have one good good member shes a returned missionary - shes way good..

Did you get a package this week?  Or maybe two of them were there from us?

Only one and I missed it... we were so close... we almost got them to hrmna y hermono diller... but eh close...

February 1, 2015 They Walk and Hour to Church! Pedro and Diller Came to be Baptisms

Taylor and the Murillos Family

Taylor and Pedro in Tocoa!

Taylor and Murillos family parents baptism

Taylor and the Murillos family Baptism

Murillo Family Home

February 1, 2015

How was your week?

 

The lady Bertha that he baptized is 8 months pregnant, that is why the baptism was on Sunday (because they walk an hour to church).  They love Taylor and asked him if they could name their baby after him, so the baby's name will probably be "taylor shepherd padilla murrillo"

 

He is afraid he will be transferred this week and has so many people that are accepting the messages that now he doesn't want to leave Tocoa.

My week was great... we killed it in lessons this week again... we had 60... and we had a baptism... well 2... and one fell through, sadly, ugh. But we baptized the family on Sunday... before church. At 7AM so we couldn't pass by for any investigators.  But we went and got some investigators to come to the baptism.

And we passed by the Murillos... and they were already to go.  So we were waiting at the church and they showed up 40 minutes late... but they came!!!  We asked why and its cause riding her bike causes so much pain.   But she came cause she wanted to be baptized and she knew God would bless her,  so she came..  Not tons of people came to the baptism cause it was really early but Pedro and Diller came... and then the Elders  Quorum president came also, but nobody else, except the missionaries.  It was amazing, super spiritual... we had 3 investigators in total at the baptism.

Funny story so on Sunday yesterday, I was on splits with Pedro and we were out visiting and of course a little girl yells to us to ask if we want to talk to her mom.  So I went over and lower myself down to her level,  she's like 4... and my pants ripped from the crotch, right down the middle,  and then her whoollleee family came outside and invited us in.  So we entered into the house and we taught all them.

But in all I know that the Lord has such a big hand in the work... we found 18 people to teach on Saturday. We found them and I know some will get baptized, if we teach them correctly

Did you see or hear things about the Superbowl there in Honduras?

Yes hermano Adan the person we live with told me all about it... ugh man... Seahawks had it.

Are transfers this week?

Yes we find out tomorrow... but we dont have a change meeting anymore.

How are the parasites (I hope better)?

Eh its getting there.

Is it still really rainy?

Somedays but its less and less right now,  we are entering the hot season.

So you were with Pedro last night - what were you doing there?

We were on splits... and all the missionaries slept in the same house yesterday til today.  So he dropped me off there. 

How was your teaching this week?

It was great we taught alot of lessons 60... and had people at church... just alot of miracles honestly. God has a hand in everything.  We found some great families to teach, so I'm really glad about that.

The main thing I've learned is never to contend you need to submit to the way the person wants to be taught... for example this lady yesterday was like attacking us about baptisms for the dead, the book of mormon and all this stuff and was saying none of it is in the bible... so i pulled out my bible and said it is all in here... bring me your bible... and i showed her and her family scriptures that testified of everything we teach... and now she want sto keep listening.

How was church this week?

It was great we had 7 at church.  

Last Week We had 60 Lessons!! - Crazy!! This week Daniel was Baptized!

Taylor with another Monkey

Taylor said: "This is Pedro, I love him!"

Taylor and Daniel

Taylor baptized Daniel 3rd from left. 

January 19,  2015:  How was your week?It was a great week!! We worked super super hard this week we had like 60 lessons!! crazy! Then when I went on divisions I found some people and gave some baptismal dates we have 9 in total with dates right now... I'm praying for all of them... and 11 at church... so we will see how that goes... I'm teaching my comp english so we really only speak in english now... which is super bad for my spanish but it motivates him... and i think thats more important then bettering my spanish...

How is you family coming along?  Has the lady told you anymore weird things this week?They are going to be baptized maybe this week Sunday or next Saturday.  The problem is the lady is 8 months pregnant and walking to church doesnt feel very good...and she's having like pains and such.  So we might baptize her on Sunday after church... They are so perfect and such a good family.

Do they have a baptism committment?Yes but complications with a baby on the way.  They told me they want me to baptize them.

How many are in the family?  And the ages of them?There are five,  the mom Berta is 35, the dad is 45 and the kids are 4 and 5 and one on the way,  then a girl that is 16.

Have you taken some pictures during the week?  Make sure to take pictures of all these people that you are teachingI know im starting to take pictures of people... I always forget and it's a little dangerous cause people don't have anything...so I'm doing better at this.

Is it hard to teach the families that don't read?  Do they just not have the money to get an education?Yes.  Cause you have to review everything every time... and they dont understand me as well as I am still learning the language and my accent.  and like usually its not cause of money they just didn't get married... like literally people are not married but together at 13 years old and like have babys and everything...eh...  like its hard.

January 26, 2015

How was your week?

My week was very good! We found alot of people this week... but not a ton were really interested.  So that was eh... we like knocked on so many doors and stuff but like you can tell when someone is really interested and really not interested.  We found like 5 really interested out of the 30 people we found to teach...

 But one family we are teaching accepted their baptismal dates.  Her name is Marisol, she is a proffessor... and she is sooo smart.  And her husband speaks a lot of english because he worked on a cruise line. He didn't accept the date right now but he will and they will go to the Temple.  But I wont be here for the baptism... ugh... I'm super upset about that... she is amazing.. and her whole family understands english,  so thats cool!   They are so interested,  ugh I'm so upset if i leave..

Did you have the baptisms this weekend?  If so, how were the baptisms? (send a picture)

Yes!  Daniel he's awesome... he's 14 but he totally understands and everything. He's awesome!! 

How was your teaching this week?

It was super great!! We taught 41 lessons but none with members it was a bad week with members cause nobody was in town,  and our phone broke.

How are the others you talked about last week that have baptism dates?

Ugh... alot fell through... one lady has a kidney stone and won't be there anymore.  One went out of town another 3 didn't go to church cause of the rain.  They are on track but slowly.

Was church successful for you this week?

Nope... the rain... always gets ya.... ugh.... they will not go in the rain no matter what.

How far from the church is your apartment?

It's only like 40 minutes.... haha...

What kind of jobs do the people there have?

They go sell stuff in the streets. It's all personal really,  or working in the market or pharmacies. But usually just stuff like that.

What kind of things are at the corner market you shop at?

Just stuff like in the states but in the corner markets there are jerseys and stuff like that - so its super awesome! we can always buy sweet stuff there... it's like when we went to Mexico.

Is there a free market to buy food and stuff (like tables with food and things for sale like they would have at the park here)?

Yes but its not the safest way to eat...

We Had 6 People At Church

Taylor with Brother Pedro, always doing splits

A street in Tocoa

How was your week?

It was great! I got really really sick though... I through up all my lunch... and my comp wouldn't let me go work.... that was the worst part of all of it... bu then... after that... everything was pretty good!! haha... we had 6 people at church... eh.... but 2 are a mom and dad and they want to get baptized so I'm super excited about that... but it was crazy... we moved houses this morning and we live like 45 minutes from the  church.  

How was church this week?

It was good... 6 people like I said... and one of the people we didn't visit the whole week and he came to church and we are like way good friends and he pulled up a chair and we sat together... but this week... I saw sooooooooooo much weed... like people making it and smoking it... cause we work in the really poor areas... but the people there are willing to walk so far and stuff.... and are alot more humble... so i think its a good thing.

Do you have a chapel?  If so, how big is the chapel and what is it like?

The chapel is just tile... has a pulpit... has like benches like our chapel just the small side ones... it's like a normal chapel.. but only a piano... and huge fans to keep it cooler...

Is the font that you baptize people in at the church you go to?

Yes... its awesome! I like baptizing in the river though... but the samewater comes to it... like super super dirty water.

How are your two families that you talked about last week?

One doesnt want to listen anymore and the other came to church!! And they will be baptized!!  The family literally had no food.... and they were going to go to bed hungry... and then we visited them... then we left... and food ended up on there door step... crazy stuff like that and they just know its true.

Any change on your parasite rash?

No its gotten a bit better I think... I just keep using it and stuff... but idk it's getting better...

Are you doing anything fun today for your P-Day?

Ummm its been raining super hard... so nothing... lol... 

How's your studies of the institute books going?  Which book are you studying now?

Very good... I love studying!! I study them a ton.... I really am studying the Book of Mormon in spanish right now and I understand basically everything but things are explained a little bit better in spanish... it's weird.

If You Trust in Him, Everything will be Ok!

How was your week?

My week was great... I learned alot... we had 2 people at church... and i feel like a failure because of the work I put in... but I was talking to Diller and he taught me alot... he told me the Lord is testing me and if I endure and am happy cause I worked hard and respect the agency of others I will have success.. The lord will bless me with success.. He needs you to show your love and faith in him...  sometimes everything is hard but you need to rely on Heavenly Father for him to guide you through and if you trust in him everything will be ok..

Did you go to the doctor about your itchy stuff?  If so, what did they say and do?  If not, why don't you go try to get it taken care of?

No we know what it is though... I have to take some parasite stuff and cut open each one and put stuff in it to kill the parasite for it to stop itching... but if I don't do it... it'll travel in my blood to my heart... so I have to... ugh...

Did you buy you some new shoes yet?  If not, go buy some.

yes but they arent ones I need, we should have bought eccos... goodness.. hahaha

What did you do this week - give me more details of some of your days, contacts, etc.?

Ugh.... I'm so so bad at this... so let's see we have one investigator and his name is Antonio.... man he is perfect... I have been communication with the spirit so well lately... I talk and I know what im saying is true... even some of the things I promised him... I told him God has a purpose for him... and that they he needs him right now. 

Do people there decorate for Christmas?  If so, what do they decorate with?

Just like christmas there!! Nothing to crazy!

Do very many people there have cars?

No... like nobody...

Are you taking pictures?  (You haven't sent any for a while - PLEASE SEND ME SOME PICTURES!!!)

No time today but I need a hard drive to download all the pictures on...

 I go on divisions alot as you guys know... so I found a family with a member and I gave them a date for baptism and they accepted... they can't read but eh... then I found another family and we are getting them married and one will get baptized the other is a member... and we are baptizing her son also...

But with the first family we contacted and taught all of lesson 1 the Restoration and they believe all of it... so that is amazing.. then we taught part of lesson 2 an they really accepted it... and loved it.. ..

What did everyone there think of the snow they saw on the computer when we were skyping you on Christmas?

They really liked it!! they were like what is that!! oh gosh thats awesome!!!

How are the other missionaries in your city?  

Eh...  my zone leaders and Elder Winkle  and a couple of other Elders

Is the cream and medicine for the parasites doing any more?

Eh.... no not really but eh... sorta...

Have you been emailing with any of your missionary friends?

Eh... I try but I dont get many responses and stuff... cause everyone is on on different times and such... like it's eally hard... so not much...

Did you love seeing Sammie?  I don't think she can see people on the computer monitor.
Sadly she can't... I loved it... just please keep her alive... ugh hahaha...

How was you visit with everyone skyping?

It was great I loved skyping with everyone... Carson gave some great advice... and i got some great advice from dad and you... and seeing my friends was awesome!! It was a great day...

How was it for you...

I am Happy Because I know my Heavenly Father is!

How was your week?

My week has been really good! Its been a hard hard hard week though...  "in the end I told him I'm here to baptize... I'm here to convert and save people... and God is happy with me right now.  I'm very happy cause I know my heavenly father is also.

Are you getting transferred?  If so, where are you going to?  When do you leave?

We dont find out til tomorrow night

How are the families doing that you have been teaching?

Ugh.... No church again... Man its so hard...

How was "new member" after her traumatic baptism?  Was she happy that she did it or was it really hard for her?

She was great... but... now she left... she lives like 1 hour from Tocoa... and isn't coming back... so.... idk... she just got up and left and told nobody where she was going.

Did you get anymore packages yet?  (Maybe no one has come from the mission home to bring some)

No but tomorrow I will recieve them if I have any... so im excited for that!!

How is your health?  Are you doing good?

For the most part yeah... The itchy bumps we think I have a parasite so we are going to find some pills for me to kill parasites... and I got super sick the other day... but I just worked through it... And my feet I need new shoes still hahaha... but its working for now... But this week I went to San Pedro with my distict leader for his residency and that was horrible - 6 hours in a bus then 6 more after hahaha... horrible!!!  But it was cool to talk to some other missionary's. 

We Took a Bunch of Kids and Played Christmas Games

How was your week?

It was super great! I don't have a ton of time but it was great! My companion is a good guy... But this week we found a guy really interested and wants his family to listen and everything also... So I'm super excited for him... And yesterday we took a bunch of the  kids and played Christmas games with them and acted out the Christmas story it was amazing.. They were so excited and humble...  .

When is the next transfer?

On the 10th so next week... so idk if I have transfers I only write Monday but if not I'll write on Monday and Wednesday... 

How long do you get to email each week?  (It seems like we are emailing back and forth and then you are just gone).  Does the computer just shut off?

Usually 2 hours... but the problem is the internet sometimes I receive your emails like 45 minutes later then you sent it so I'm on usually 3 to 5 for 2 hours... but if I don't receive and stop responding its because I haven't received it.

How is the itchy stuff?

freaking itchy..... sooooo itchy....... its horrible hahaha...........

Did you buy you some new shoes?

No I havent bought any yet...

How are your feet doing?

Eh they are fine! The problem is the rain here; when it rains its bad, cause my shoes break and such.

How is your companion - have you learned about his family, home, etc.?

He doesn't email his family really haha... he just says it doesnt help him... so idk he doesnt talk of them much... just that his mom is a teacher and he doesn't know about his sister.

Have you been studying from the books we sent to you?  (I should go get one for me and concentrate on one of the books this year).

Yes I love them... I use the D&C one right now... I am on seccion 1 verse 20 and just studying all of it, all the foot notes and the book. And in the Book of Mormon one I'm in chapter like 13.. with all the footnotes and stuff also... its amazing.

What has Brandon been up to lately?  (We haven't seen him, except at the Rec Center on Thursday morning)

No I just know he works a ton... thats all he tells me... he usually can't even write me.