November 24, 2008 - 4th week in the field - First Baptism!!

Laundry Facilities

Sofa Decor - Each missionary has his own sofa - this is "mine":)

Hey!!!! I´m surprised that you had to bust through the door to get me an email! Usually you write immediately following mine, or early in the week. lol, but I´ll forgive you. I still can´t help but cry when I recevie anything from you...it´s just good to hear you, the other day I was thinking and I read D & C 121 about the Prophet Joseph Smith´s afflictions in Liberty Jail, and it notes ¨Your Family and Friends still by you and wait with open arms to receive you¨ ... after reading that, everytime I get down, or most of them, the thought pops in my head, without me even trying. ¨My parents love me sooo much, and my friends are just waiting for me to return, wishing me success and joy.¨ It´s about time I heard from them by the way... but anyway, I can visualize every square inch of our home, to see you bounding through to get to the computer. The garage to the front door, through the laundry and kitchen through the little arch into our living room past the lamp and dictionary down the 7 feet to the computer room and around the corner to fly into your little red chair, slide it up and pull out the key board with the other hand slapping the desk searching for the mouse. Scrambling onto your email.a..a =´( Well, the first thing I´m sure you´re waiting to hear is things are better. My companion and I, we´re not chumbs or buddies, friends or amigos but we´re working. We don´t talk that much, usually after a few hours, one of us (or the other) will ask a question. So Whats´your favorite movie, what do you want to do when you get back, how was your first area??? I don´t know, I don´t know if I mentioned I was having problems with Elder Gonzalez, Elder Hoffman´s companion, too. It´s better also, but I am having such a hard time letting things go, I´m trying to forgive´... I´ll kneel down and pray that I can forgive but ... I think I just need to try more often, to push the thoughts out of my head. Continuously, I just think he´s going to do something mean, or that he´s a jerk, usually everythings perfectly fine at that moment to. I don´t know, I know that everything´s getting better. I don´t know how long I´m going to be with him, but I have to say, I didn´t know Josh could pull out such words of wisdom. ¨The Lord has a place for him and he´ll move you in his time.¨ Wow... Kid´s got a testimony still, he just doesn´t want to go back, too many memories. I know I¨m here to learn something, and I´m grateful for my challenges now, I can´t yet see the result, but I´m starting to think that I know what I´m learning, I think. Patience and long suffering, LOVE your companion, we´re friends and we have to be so that we can... so much. Not just companions or co-workers but friends. This keyboard drives me nuts, alot of the keys are in different places and it gets in the way alot. Lately I´ve been thinking about my Spanish, and I haven´t been studying much, always growing, but I´m not showing forth much effort I think. I want to read a minimum half hour in the BofM everyday, that´s so I can understand, then I also want to read a half hour of in Spanish (and if I need, English) so I can learn. The Mission President told Elder Winkfield that he´s not allowed to speak English to me, or at least that he should speak mostly Spanish. The grand majority. It´s better now. Hatred isn´t a benefactor... I´m hoping for a lot of improvement by the time we split though. Two weeks minimum. I don´t know if he´s transfering out, if I´ll transfer out or if we´ll stay the same. Well a few other things now. Last week was Elder G´s birthday and we went to play pool (billiard´s) and went out to pizza afterwards (thanks to you two my birthday´s going to be a little more eventful! Lol. We didn´t do quite much this week. First and foremost, forgive me, I can not bloody remember to bring my camera, por nada. Once again I forgot it and I´ll HAVE to send you the photos next week. I´ll just attach´m to the email and you can have some fun later! Lol Nevertheless, you´ll have to wait another week. I have to apologize again, because this week I blew about 100 pesos on a bunch of CRAP! Ok it wasn´t full blown crap, but it could have been spent with a little more wisdom. Unfortunately it was not on a nice dinner, lol. First I got a Halo 3 Shirt, lol. Much to your disfortune. It´s horrible, quite pathetic actually, it´s just a paper print more or less ironed onto to the shirt, you can see the edges where they cut. Only from up close though, and it´s a good little shirt for while I´m here, I didn´t bargain with him though, well. 20 pesos I got off, but I still had to pay $100, or 10 bucks. Too much for this t-shirt. it´s fun to wear though. Next I bought, and I´ll send you the picture next week, but my watch is more broken now then before, it doesn´t just stop every morning for an hour anymore. Rather, most of the day it doesn´t tick. So for 30 I bought a knock off Rolex at San Juan de Dios, the biggest black market i´ve ever heard of. I probably told you a little bit, but everythings pirated and everything´s fake, I´m sure, it can´t be any other way, but I got the watch, I´m not very happy about it though, it fits and it ticks, but I like my Fossil better, it just looks better. This ones almost too fancy, there can be fancy with a very casual luxury, but this is all silver. There was another that I REALLY wanted to get but it was 50 bucks, so maybe for my birthday or something I´ll just get a little money, lol. It´s an Omega, and it´s nice. lol. No, I´m happy for now. I bought a black one at first, but it didn´t work, so we ran back in and traded it out. I went on divisions with the district leader Wed. and it helped me so much, I´m so satisfied with that and just plain happy. Unfortuantely however in our area the camion (bus) is only 5 pesos, 50 cents. We spent 20 bucks on buses though in that one day, so it wasn´t exactly in our favor, lol. So today I reimbursed the District Leader Elder Del Angel for my half. We haven´t eaten lunch yet, and I just had some cereal at 7 this morning, as such I´m really hungry, lol. We got back to the house an hour and a half ago after visiting heaven again... Walmart. I bought Ritz crackers and oreos, which should last me the week, A BLANKET! Lol, for 25 bucks, or such...argh. And ... oh, lol, grass seed and fertilizer. Just like dad told me he wishes he had taken a before and after photograph of the Dana and Maricopa houses, I wish I had taken one period of ours. Elder G and I scrapped the first half of the front yard and we´re planting grass. I put the seed and fertilizer in just before this, and managed to wash 4 of my dress shirts and 1 garment top. The rest... I don´t know. Lol. Hopefully, we can fnish up the yard and I can start having fun with the rest. We need to wait for Elder G and Elder Wink leave though, so I can remodel the interior, they´re rather ´satisfied´ with their 1/4´s of the house. it could definately use some shifting around. Lately we´ve been able to see our blessings pretty good. A member gave us a box of ritz crackers, or the knock of mexican brand called crackets (exactly the same) and some Emperadors, a more or less cookie like oreos. However I bought the REAL version of both today, the others are still great, and point and case she bought us a box of both, and it was amazing. Both amazingly nice, helpful, and just plain delicious. Elder Hoffman and Garcia´s area has a member who gave us a Christmas Tree! Lol. Today I´m going to buy some lights cause a whole strand is only 20 pesos, 2 bucks! Lol. I have a lot to do though, organizing and cleaning, studying and practicing. And lately my mind has been plagued with confusion. I want to KNOW; So much I just want to know. How to use my moneym, exchange rates and economies, how to talk in Spanish, how to talk with people more effectively, how to act in such a way that´s more refined and definate. So much, how to build things and study things, to know how things work and why, math, science, English, Spanish. I want to draw I want to make music, paint use a computer to create anything I want. I want to know. I ´can´t expect too much as in ´what´s going to happen, what´s going to happen December 7th? (The date of the changes, where I might get a new companion) Will I stay? Go? What should I do, how/what can I do to create a companionship, to get along and succeed. How can I impliment everything I want to do in the mission? I´m glad to hear Elder Kelly´s around, it´d be kind of fun to hear from him too, lol! He´s a great man, all around. He had an odd liking to me, but it was fun, it´s too bad Elder Goddfrey got transferred out already, but I know that he was probably looking for somewhere new to go. It´s kind of old after a while. I wouldn´t mind sticking around this area. There´s just so much that could be done. I don´t know. Only a few minutes left.I just got dad´s pouch letters from the 11th and earlier. It took a nice while. I heard that about the pouch though. For you guys, it may take a while to get WHATEVER I send, then again you know I can send stuff too often. They wait for the pouch to get full, and then take it out. I just got that Dear ELder you sent me too! The one about my shoes. LOl, btw. The blisters are fantastic, by that I mean almost gone, the shoes are incredibly comfy, and I put on my old ones yesterday for church and after walking around all that day afterwards I could feel it heating up. The new shoes and socks help incredibly, lol thanks a billion! Well, I think I should share this. Before I got here, and for some time, Elder Winkfield and his former companion had been teaching a man named Joaquin (Wah-keen) and he was just baptized yesterday. He´s a rather big guy and thus I baptized him. It was great! Felt amazing. I asked him about it afterwards and he has his confirmation. We have another one this week, a woman named Merceditas, then we have one on the 7th, maybe. That one´s a Fechas Fija (or a fixed date) but isn´t necessarily permanant. We work for that date and try to achieve it, but it´s up to them. I think it´ll go through, 3 weeks. I think there are some other families too that are close. Last week, we finished an appointment and then Elder Wink decided we should knock doors... again. When he asked me where we should knock, I said ´Let´s pray´ I prayed and the thought popped into my head cluster 4, I continued thinking of clusters closer, cluster 4 came again. So I said it, Let´s go to cluster four. On the complete other side of the city, honestly though I wasn´t even thinking about distance. We knocked an entire side of a street and nothing, then he said we should start the other side of the street and to pick a house. I said we should just cross the street and head back up the way we came. 3rd house we hit a family who is Christian not Catholic, has a sick daughter a 6 month year old grandson and the whole family, minus one daughter is out of work. We´ve been three times, I have confidence because I believe we were led there. They didn´t come to church though. The wife seems to love reading the book of mormon. We assigned her a chapter and then she said yeah I read it but I hope you don´t mind I read the next X chapters too. Uh, no that´s great, urgh,umm fine.. yeah that´s fine. Later we´ll return and see how it´s going. A chunk of investigators are in the loop, but we´ll see. I need to go, it´s been an hour. I love you all so much, I´m pretty focused on food and other such stuff right now. But I love you so much, thank you Dad SOOO MUCH! For sending the letters, receiving letters still drives me insanely happy. And to think of your love to sit and do that. Thank you, I love hearing how things are going with the houes and Kyrene schools. 3 schools next summer. That´s insane. 51 other schools... man. Merry Christmas. It´s about time I heard from the guys again too... could you get ahold of ´em? It´s time I got a lettler or an email. David said he sent a letter here for me before I left the mtc and if it wásn´t here when I got here to let him know. I want a Christmas letter. Nice and long. Could you do that for a crying giant? I love them. I love you more, but my friends and family stand by my side and stand with open arms to receive me, that is pìece of my foundation, and I cannot let it fall. I know my Savior loves me, and I can feel his love. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the apoyar (support) y amor (love) Thank you thank you. You need to be broken down to know how much it means. I always wanted to know that too. But love is a foundation. It´s something that doesn´t need anything but a thought, but can save lives. Faith can move mountains, but love keeps them in one piece when you try to set it back down. There is seriously sad love music playing in the background, in friggin´English... jeez... what a time. LOVE BEYONd MEASURE, Jake Taylor, Elder P.S. Pictures next week. Christmas still applies

November 17, 2008 - 3rd week in the field

I am still so blessed though! I know I´m learning. Mom, Dad. Before I left I was driving in the car, pondering. I thought to my self - quite randomly, I´m going to Mexico. With certainty, I just knew it. I got my letter and saw Mexico. My first thought was still, wow this blows. But the second was remembering that I thought that. In the MTC 2-3 days before I left, I again was pondering. "I´m going to have a trainer that because of who he is, I will be forced to learn everything on my own". And with very few exceptions that is true. I do not mimic many of his actions. I learn from others, my district leader and my two zone leaders are INCREDIBLE - but my trainer is a ... I can´t bring myself to type fool. He´s not the worst thing in the world, but I can´t stand it anymore and I can´t stand for it. He told me today if I do or say certain things he´s going to hit me. If he does I´ll break his neck! I feel horrible...I just want to take a day and cry. And today we don´t have much time to email caus we have to do laundry. I doubt we´ll get to do it anyway. I haven´t had time for laundry since I got here, lol. My nights usually include washing a pair of garments and a shirt. Elder Hoffman´s having it tough too, he doesn´t understand 75% of what his companion says and much of what he does understand he doesn´t agree with. He´s grown quiet and we don´t talk as much. Added to this he was bitten twice by a spider and it swelled up so big yesterday he couldn´t walk. Went to the hospital twice over the weekend and goes again tomorrow. THis isn´t the same spider but over our neighbors (well we don´t have neighbors in this house, but in this house next to us) window is a normal spider, not a tarantula or something like so, the size of my hand. MY hand... insane. Our house is a dump too, grass to my knees and two overgrown dwarf citrus trees hanging to the ground. The other day I cleared all the trash out of the grass and filled our entire garbage can and found a ton of rocks in the grass so I lined our walkpath with them, then I swept and mopped inside the house. Our walls are pealing and dead bugs line them as well. It´s not a bad house. Definately needs work, but has potential. Problem is, nobody´s cared for it. This is all last Monday before I emailed you. There´s so much to talk about it´s very easy to forget. But this morning, Elder Gonzalez (Elder Hoffman´s companion) used a pick and a shovel that he borrowed from a member and began to renovate the first half of our yard. I helped him and in an hour we cleared a 3 by 10 area of all the grass and leveled the dirt. He said we´re going to go buy grass too which I happily obliged. Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday were utter hell. Up until we ARRIVED at the temple rededication. Yesterday we didn´t have church like usual, the Mexico City Temple was rededicated and we went to the stake center in Guadalajara to watch it. Notice I said when we ARRIVED. Í´ll write that story in a letter or tal vez (maybe) I´ll tell it into my handy dandy voice recorder! You´ll have to forgive me, once again I forgot the cord to my camera, and though I have my camera in my pocket I forgot the cord so I won´t be sending any pictures. Hopefully next week, again. Lol. I´m losing track of my thoughts, so I´ll reply to a few things and hopefully I´ll remember. First off, thank you for the compliment on my emails! I thought they were all just usually gargled jargon. But apparantly they´re witty funny and informative (not in that order). I apologize if some of my usual ´wit´ is missing for the place of sincerity and formality. That´s my current mood, this is a random thought too (I´m glad you mentioned that because now I don´t feel bad for wandering thoughts, lol) but the more I learn Spanish, the more I think about English. The idioms we use, what is literal what is not, my vocab in English is slowly growing as it dies. When you´re forced into Spanish like this, there´s not any English, you forget words - but as much as I ponder I think my English is staying pretty strong. The language is coming good. I teach my entire part in the lessons, obviously badly but I don´t just testify, I teach and everything; understanding is my problem. I haven´t been able to understand anything up to lately. I still still struggle immensly, but now I can understand most of the points I´m told, meaning most of the time I get the jyst. Once I can understand I can use the words I hear too! Lol. Once I can hear how they speak I should be able to translate what I say a little better. It´s the difference the gift of languages and the gift of tongues. You can learn ´Spanish´ but not speak Mexican. I´m sure you get the drift, but for lack of a better way to describe it I had to ´drift´ it. I don´t know if I mentioned this last week or not, but they listen to more English music here than they to Spanish. I don´t think I did. It´s almost even, half the places we go to we hear English blairing out the window. It´s just as bad as we hear Mariachi and Banda everywhere. It´s horrible also. I can´t help but think though that I´ll be listening to a few of those stations when I get home. It´s been three weaks. I´m torn between ´It´s already been three weeks!´ and ´It´s only been three weeks?´. THoughts of home have plagued me lately, video games cars and you guys and else. It doesn´t defect me as much though anymore. I push it out after awhile. It´s great to focus on the work - and here´s a very good lesson I learned about it all. This is a way in which Satan works. He brings to thought many of the sensations that you feel, but emphasizes them. The first week we were here was fast Sunday. It sucked, we do full 24 hours, and it was bad because from 4:00 o´clock Saturday afteroon til 2:00 Sunday afternoon, nothing. Not even water.That was all I needed. We walk around these dusty roads and my throat was killing me. My sensation for the want of water, my thirst was impressive. Incredible. However, when I finally got that water, and I´ve been able to prove this several times since, wasn´t what you imagine. It´s good and just like everyother time. But it´s not that wonderful feeling you have. My thoughts of video games and home are the same. They seem so glorious and relieving. So worth it to indulge in. I think of the games I want to play and they seem SOO fun. Yes they´d be fun but they aren´t how I´m thinking. They´re exagerated. And this is what Satan does to taunt us...to make US think than something else is greater. I find it a tantilizing thought. Using this, whenever a temptaion of this nature hits me, usually quite quickly I think. No its not... it´s not that great. That gamé´s fun, I miss that. But it´s not quite that great. Anyway. I want to reply to the rest caus I do have to go soon! I´m so happy for the houses and the 5 year contract! You truly are blessed! OH! I have to talk about the principle of obedience too! I have a testimony that the Lord blesses us on principles of obedience, I also have a testimony of afflictions and trials of faith, that´s next. This is how I know: we have more or less 20 minutes to work out in the mornings. That´s nothing, I use a Nestle coffee can filled with dirt to work out, with a little stick poking out one end. With this and a few pushups I curl weights and work my biceps and triceps. Usually it´s not much, and in respect and comparatively, it´s nothing. I have grown stronger in the last three weeks than most of my time working out. My arms are growing, I don´t want to say excessively quite yet, but I´m going to test this theory and quizas (perhaps) next week. The Lord blesses us if we show the faith to just do what he asks, simple or whatever it seems. We will be blessed. It´s hard to apply to all things, but we have too. I do have to leave but I´ll tell you the rest another time! Mom I love you... and when I get home I will give you a kiss on the cheek and say it again. Dad I love and respect you, I always have but it´s grown. I Love you miss you and hope you grow as I do. Until later, I´ll write a letter too. When I have time, it will be interesting to do the one page thing. Sincerly with Love, Jacob D. Taylor, Elder

Monday, November 10, 2008 - Week 2 in the Field!!

Haha, HI! Well I hope you don´t expect to hear from me very often or get a letter for sure. I haven´t received any letters or packages yet so wé´ll see what happens. Now...I heard something about receiving letters and packages at the Zone conferences. I guess it gets stored in the mission office and then the Zone leaders come and pick it up. Luckly, tomorrow´s zone conference! So next Monday you´ll know if I got them! Well, after two weeks, and as you can certainly imagine there´s alot to talk about. First my compaion because you want to know. His name is Elder Winkfield. Nobody in Mexico can pronounce it´s usually weenfee-el! Kind of funny, anyway. He´s from Spokane, Washington, and he´s a little bit interesting, nothing just blatantly wrong, he likes to obey the rules, and he knows the area. It´s still amazing to me how large our area is, it´s incredible. Our little area is a bike mission for the missionaries in Arizona. A bike area here is still small. I can´t, I can not in English or any words, describe how big our area is. If you want to check it out go to Google Earth and look up Tlajolmulco, or something along those lines, my Area is ¨Sante Fe¨¨Chulavista¨¨COlmas del roble¨¨Villas del Hacienda¨ and ¨Los Frenos¨ if they show up. It´s huge. Anyway, my companion said on our first day sometimes he struggles to love the people. I can imagine why now. For the most part I love them. The problem is they are blood bred Catholic, like I probably said last week. Not the I´m Catholic but I really don´t know what that means. Not many people want to listen to us. Often. Well, until we say ¨Well we´re not actually from the Catholic CHurch, We´re from the CHurch of Jesus Chr...¨ And then they usually start saying they aren´t interested. The whole baptism as a child thing is also a problem, most people and other missions you say, well technically it doesn´t count, you did it wrong. And people agree. Here, you don´t say that unless you´re REALLY tired of your mission, because you´re going to die. My biggest problems with the area now is we don´t use our resources. We contact wherever we happen to be standing at the moment or Knock doors, kind of on a whim, I think we should prayerfully pick a spot and rely fully on the Lord for that. We have to do 180 contacts a week. I don´t understand that because we´ll usually get 30 addresses and visit one all week. Then 180 more the next week. And visit 2-3. I don´t know. I have a lot of improvement to make on the contacting too though. What to say to catch their attention, how I should do it, how can I know if they´re interested. Well the buses are still crazy, we hitch hike alot too. Which is funny, sometimes they don´t stop all the way, so you have to keep one foot planted. It does save alot of money. Everythings MORE expensive here. Somethings like the bread, yeah 30 cents. But drinks and everything are either the same or, In Walmart, more expensive. By a long shot. I´ve learned one valuable thing about Mexico though. If it says ´made in Mexico´... it sucks. I think I told you that last week too. But it really applies. That one drink Senzao is the name, and another are exceptions. A two liter of orange soda is 80 cents. It´s pretty good. I calculate everyting in american dollars too, for the record. It´s easier with smaller numbers, when you go buy a soda and it´s 11.50 it´s more or less, What?? So yeah, I bought a pillow for 68.00 today. Lol, in Pesos. So about 7 bucks. The last time I checked it was 12:1 Pesos:Dollars. Which is great. But it fluctuates I´m told. Also I´m really sorry, I´ve been using money like I own a bank here. I DID find a pair of shoes here! There´s a fat people store and I bought some shoes, they ´seem´more comfy, but I have to walk around for a day before I´m going to know. I really hope they work, I´m looking forward to the shoes you send. The others are so hard, it´s a hard leather like bottom, my old shoes, and every step is just a clunk. The blisters cover all the middle of my foot from the balls to the toes, so it´s pretty bad. I´ve been putting Neosporin on and doubling the socks which is good. Elder Gonzalez, Elder Hoffman's compaion drained them (which was very itneresting) and afterwards I soaked them in hot water with salt. Which is supposed to help. So the shoes were +/- $80 and I´ve spent about another 40 on just stuff. I feel reeeeeeeeeally bad! = (The store I got the shoes in is across from what´s called ¨San Juan de Dios¨ which is the biggest black market I´ve ever seen. It´s about the size of Superstition Springs mall or Chandler Fashion, but with 3-4 times the goods. Because every little inch of space is taken. Everythings bootlegged and pirated. All the games and movies are copies and every other store is a shoe store. I found a belt buckle today of metal and such of a Nintendo Controller for 80 pesos. Or 7-8 bucks. Lol. So I got that , I bought a pillow some Oreos and a drink at Walmart on the way back to the house. I didn´t have a pillow and I still don´t have a blanket, lol. I´m VERY glad I brought sheets! The other night I didn´t close my camel back all the way and it leaked all over my sheets. I took some pictures of my house and companion and other such things. Preparation days go by so fast. It´s horrible the other days go by fast too, especially for 10:30 to 9:00 oclock, almost 12 hours. But I wish we had a little more time to do the things we need to do. Today I cleaned the floors of the hours, because you couldn´t walk around barefoot without getting fungus. The house is disgusting, but slowly one week at a time it gets better. I don´t know if I told you the laundry thing last week. But yes I too wash my clothes in a bucket like tray thing protruding from the wall and a cup to scoop water from the bucket. I took pictures of that too. I need to get those too you. I can send them via email which I´ll do eventually but I still have stuff scattered everywhere. As you can also imagine I don´t have much time for that either. So I need to find my camera cord and I´ll send those to you. I´ll send em all to you. Delete the ones I send (except the ones I like) and let you stash em. This place is a ghetto...lol. I don´t mind it that much, and once I get everything implemented and hopefully we start teaching more then things will move a little bit faster. Everyone here says their first area went by pretty slowly but after that it goes by nuts. Just really fast. I hope to go to Vallerta too, I really want to go to Vallerta. Personally I don´t want to spend much more than a single change anywhere. I wouldn´t mind staying here, and I might for more changes, but I´d love to go all over. Vallerta the city in Guadalajara, maybe even the Pueblos. Our area is actually Condo´s and such. Really small houses. But one thing I heard in the MTC is most people here will have ghetto houses and then just an incredible speaker sound system. Which is amazingly true. We´ll go into some GHETTO houses and there on the shelf, a speaker system the size or our T.V. Thousands of dollars. Everyone blasts their ´banda´ too. Not too much Mariachi, actually none except for 4 guys playing at a restaurant that I saw today. I´ve eatin´rice with one meal since I´ve been here and I´ve eatin´beans once. It´s all just random stuff here. Fortunately there´s a member across the street from our house who sells burgers and that comes in rediculous handy! Lol. This is a long email, lol. Well, I don´t have time to write letters so it´ll have to do. = P What else, ... I´m glad to hear about Josh´s new house, I hope to hear from some of you soon in a letter. I´m kind of bumbed about the email situation, but I guess it´s not that bad, I don´t like wasting alot of time on here anyway. We have an hour, we´re only supposed to take 30 but it´s impossible, I´m on 45 min. now. Thank you for the emails and updating me! I´m afraid I´m not going to have much an opportunity to check out my blog spot... = ( but I´m going to leave that for you to watch over K ! Lol I´ll let you know how the shoes and socks are! And then what else... Tell Josh and Erin Hi for me, Todd and Catherine too, I never had a chance to say thanks for the cookies! Oh, back to the money. This sucks, we have 93 bucks a month. Lol. Last week for lunch we went to sirloin steakhouse, that buffet, I think I told you about it... but that was 100 pesos or 10 bucks, well... that´s 1/9 orf my money...A candy bar is essencially a buck and the drinks are roughly a buck too. If I got a candy bar and a drink everyday I´d have 30 dollars. For all the rest of my breakfasts and dinners. So we don´t snack often. Snacks are the mst expensive anyway. My usual breakfast is as so. A bowl of Chocolate Krispies which is a Mexico only Kellogg´s cereal, it´s like Rice Krispie´s but has a big brown Elephant on the box, lol. And a piece of bread. Good old fashioned oven baked bread. Which is where the expression ´Bread of life´comes from I´m sure. That´s 3 pesos, less than 30 cents. And so that makes a good breakfast. Dinner we either get a free burger or buy snacks. Lol. the lunch as I believe I said is with a member. There are about 400 listed members. Sacrament meetings we have about 80. I don´t know. That´s one of my goals too, is when we eat with members, who usually don´t even go to church, well seomtimes. I´m going to talk about going to church and inviting friends and family to church or neighbors. References, lol... you get the point. We´re going to the Bishops meeting with his Counselors this week by my demand and the bishop convinced himself after my desire to become involved with the ward to call a ward mission leader. This way maybe we´ll get some member lessons and ward activities for the investigators to go too, get the members and the others mingling so maybe they have a little more reason to go! One of Elder Winkfield´s investigator´s from before I got here is getting baptized next week, and we´re striving for some others too, we have to wait for one coule to get Married, which here is very time consuming and VERY expensive! Alot of work to do! I´m trying to keep my mind on the work. I wander to music and video games, cars ... well anything, quite often. I'm told and I know that the more you focus on the work the faster the time goes and the way I see it is you´ll get more done anyway. I´m really strengthening my faith overall, but in especially following your promptings, it´s difficult sometimes, it´s the little things, but they always lead out. And I say you can either worry about your problems or worry about the Lord´s problems and he´ll take care of yours. So either way you´ll get what you need to get done, done. But one other way you´ll do the Lord´s will too. I hope these blisters go away soon, the shoes are being put to the test tonight! I´m excited for the others too! I heard that anything I have to sign for will get here safely, other than that I´m not too excited about asking you to mail me anything... but food sure does sound good. Lol. Sorry again for the money spending thing, if I kept this up it´s be a pretty hefty price and I don´t want that. But at the same time I might take a quick trip to San Juan e Dios and look at movies just before Christmas ; ) I LOVE YOU MOM! I´ve been looking at all the little things you helped me with lately. I feel horrible for the way that I treated you and Dad. Everytime I look at a pair of my garments I see the little J.T. and a heart or a smiley face next to it and it seriously brings tears to my eyes. Every time I read a letter I start to cry. All the little odds and ends I brought from home made me swell up in side. The lucky shell...it´s a frickin shell. But it makes me cry...I love you so much Dad you too. I´ll love you more if you get that 5 year contract... lol. I love you anyway, I´m actually so incredibly happy you took my idea with the house thing. I ´ve thought on more than one occasion how I wish I were there to fix´em up with you! That´d be fun... But I´m on the Lord´s errand, and it´s hard. It´s tough. Most people help me with my Spanish but it sometimes feels like they think I´m the only one who can´t speak Spanish theír first 2 weeks here. It doesn´t matter though, it´s not true. The only burden is most people ask me In Spanish if I can speak Spanish (these are the Mexicans) and when I say not much they talk faster and use big words I ´don´t know...lol. I don´t want all that to come across negative though, I´ve learned so much, and after 2 weeks I can speak pretty good understanding too, I can understand alot more! I know taht the Lord is blessing me in this, this is not me. For me to understand these things and speak the things I do is a God given gift. I want to knjow that in my heart too, and not just say it! But it´s hard, and I´m glad I have a little hope for the future, cause I´m pretty tired already and I don´t want to go back out this week, If I don´t have some excitement, but I´m glad the Lord is working through me and with me and with/through the other elders. The kindness of everyone keeps us alive. We live off of generosity and we...or at least I feel horrible about taking it all the time, but we need! I hope you continue to feed Elder Kelly over there! Lol. Give him snacks, drinks let him know you appreciate what he´s doing. Caus this is hard. Anyway. I love you Mom...so much. I´m going to come home in two years and we´re going to have some kick butt Family Home Evenings, and we´re going to spend a little more time together...Thank you for your blessings and the support you´re giving me, caus Satan wants me to give up. And it´s hard. I received a blessing on my feet from Elder hasslehoff (Hoffman) and he said this is a test and if I endure it, my feet will be stronger. I know the Lord blesses you here and you too at home for principles of obedience. We have a half hour in the morning to work out. I have a Nestle can of cocoa now filled with dirt to lift with. That´s nthing, I don´t have anything, but If I use that time wisely I grow stronger, more than a can of cocoa would usually permit. If you go to bed on time, you sleep like a doll! Etc. Anyway. Tell everyone I love them. And maybe visit the guys again on Tuesday and tell em all I love them... LoVE THEM! Lol. Tell Dad I miss him. I loveHim, I respect him...even though I´m still smarter... I won´t admit that yet...lol. Not in everything, he has a wealth of knowledge and priceless experience and heart that would conquer the grinch. Tell him too keep that. Never let any one work over it... Thank Thank Thank You You YOu! I have to go. I love you.Love, Sincerely, Until we meet again.Jake Taylor - Elder-

11/3/08 First Week in Tlajomulco

Hey! Well, I have plenty of bad news! You know how we discussed how the email thing would work in the mission? And how some elders only got to email their parents? Well guess what. I´m only allowed to type two emails a week, one to the mission president and one to you. That´s it. I can´t send you two. Can´t reply keep reading and reply again. I can only send YOU one letter(period). So, this is going to be long and scarcastic. Alot has happened in one week, and yes I´ve had more Spanish than my whole life up to this point in just one week but I´ll talk more about that later. Sounds like things are all pokey dokey at home! So Josh just read my letter and...? Will I ever here from him again? Lol. Bumcat got his ear infected. 1,000 bucks is insane. Speaking of a hundred bucks, that´s all the money we get here per month is 1,000 pesos. $93 in American. That s and is not at the same time enough to live off of. It´s pretty scanty I used $20 this first week I used it from the 20 Dad slipped me before I left = D lol. It´s pretty tough here. The shoes I brought aren´t going to work. My feet are completely blistered above the ball and before the toes on both and along the outward sides of my feet completely blistard. Not good. Today is obviously our first Prep day here. And we took the Bus into Guadalajara but there weren´t any shoes my size. There was one store for bigger people but it was closed from 2-4 when we were looking for it. I´m stationed in Lomas Del Sur. A ´fraccionamiento´. Basically like LA, you have the city of LA but it´s ´divided´into San Bernadino La Crecenta etc. Each little ´area´. That´s what it is like here, except each ´fraccionamiento´ are about 15 of dirt away from eachother. Well I live in a pueblo with 3 other missionaries, one of which is Elder Hoffman! Lol, we´re stationed in the same house with our companions. My companion is Elder Winkfield. More to come about him. Of course the water´s filthy but the sink, I can´t fit my two hands in it. My ankles down hang off the bed. and when I sit on the couch my knees come almost to my head. That´s the ´size´of it. We have a portable stove and a fridge. By portable stove I mean that literally, it fits in my backpack VERY easily. All the dishes are washed by hand and and I wash my clothes with a pieceo of metal with some ridges on it. Yeah.... then hang them to dry. I don´t know what happens yet whe´n it rains. There´s a tacostand near our house but it´s two tacos fora buck but the tacos (both) can fit on one hand with room for more. They´re the size of ... well a baseball if it were flat. Fortunately there´s a member across the street from us that makes hamburgers, lol, for their work. And every coule of days we´ll go there. We went twice this week. There´s one little tienda here. Ok the houses are about the size of my bedroom and the guest bedroom, but as thin as just one room, but really long. And almost every house, the living or front room, is converted into a store. I´m in one right now typing. The whole house is filled with computers and such except the kitchen andone bedroom. Pretty successful though, there´s alot of people here! Anyway our little tienda is a Walmart that could fit in our living room. They have everything! Unfortunately the biggest lesson I´ve learned inthe week here, is that: Anything that´s made in MexicoSucks.Everything with the exception of one soda I´ve had called Zaoxen, or smething. I don´t know, but it´s amazing. It´s 50 cents in American, or roughly. 5 pesos here. Not very big, the steal is 75 cents gets you 500 or more or less2 leaders of orange soda. My breakfast usually consists of either cereal if I´m lucky, or a little piece of bread we buy and a cup of milk. The sound of it sucks, but it´s enough! Haha, lunch is always provided for by one ofthe Hermanas´or Sisters in English. There´s alot of members ... technically. But the chapel yesterday, had maybe 50. Alright 75. I don´t know. I couldnt´understand anything anyway ... Dinner asImentioned sometimes a burger or yesterday we/I made quesadillas. And whatever we feel like buying. Now here´s my area. Guadalajara is amazing! It´s so nice. The weather kicks the crap out of San Diego. All seriousness. Unfortunately I´m about an 1 1/2 South West ofthere in the middle ofa friggin desert. Call Tlajomulco. I think. Lomas del sur is where we live the little ´area´ our proselyting area is San Sebastian, Sante Fe and two others. Our area is HUGE! It´s insane. It´s like ... ug.. I don´t know. But the walking is rediculous. The whole ´not being able to ride a bike´thing, doesn´t apply here. There are only two areas... areas in the entire missino that have bikes and that´s WAY north of here. This is a biking area though, it is so frickin big. And we have to walk and I have blisters flying out my bum. And some how I have 7 bug bites on one ankle. Not quite sure how that happened.... `,= / oh well. It´s hot here, the first two days were cloudy and actually nice and my feet weren´t dead now it´s BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND I HAVE BLISTERS. So it´s a little bit different now. Well.... My area... has room for improvement. That´s how I´mgoing to put it. Yeah I live in the poorER than dirt part. I don´t know why I didn´t expect this. The only thing is, I´m wondering if i´d rather go to North mexico than this. When I got my call I saw Mexico and started to commit suicide inside... than oh Guadalajara, it´s ... ´different´. Well, no it sucks, lol. The food is...weird. If if weren´t for yesterday at lunch I wouldn´t have had any rice, but we hadalittle for lunch with the Sister. I haven´t had any frijoles yet. You know that means beans. None. Wait...no. Once. only once though. I´ve had macaroni and sliced ham twice, some sort of soup with chicken in it. OnceI had a thin slice of steak that neither my companion or I could cut...lol. And...some cabbage and potato thing. I don´t know. I´d rather ´normal´Mexican food I think. I don´t know, it´s fine I guess. Everythings dusty and dirty. The people are NOTHING like we expected. Some are totally nice like we though and invite you in give you cookies and fresh water, others don´t even look at you. It´s pretty pick and choose. Well, Guadalajara and the round abouts are also the head ofthe Catholic church in Mexico. EVERYONES Catholic, or Católico. And not Christmas and Easter mass Catholic. This is I have a bumper sticker in my front window of my pastor and a sign that says we do not accept proselyting from any other religion. It is hardcore Catholic, everyone says the baptisms are up 68% from 1 year ago andstill we have... 4 a month. maybe... sometimes less? Really quick question, are you saving my emails? Caus I don´t have many optins here, so if you are that´d be good. So we can laugh about´em later! Next, ok. So Lomas Del Sur, where we live is not even our area. We live 20-30 minutes driving time for our area. Guess how we get there? We hitch hike... on OCCASION we take the bus, for 50 cents. But that adds fast. We don´t take the bus during the day, but I don´t know why. We are givin 600 pesos a month solely for transportation via bus and train. But...I don´t know. The hitchhiking is fun though, seriously the bus and hitch hiking are the best parts of the day. In the morning at 10:30 we wave down a truck hop in and go. There aren´t any stoplights outside of Guadalajara city. People go FAST and ... well yeah, all the streetsa have potholes everywhere and well, you don´t drive though em. You dodge ´em, so a two lane street has cars weaving every where. And today I saw the first crash, well, saw the first car that´s been in a crash. Nobody gets hit. People in America just think there invincible, they drive crazy and think nothings goign to happen. People drive crazy and watch what´s up here. The buses are insane. They go 50... maybe 45. And they hit speed bumps, yesterday after church! I got air,... I went up about a foot in the air three times! It´s crazy fun. Can´t sleep though. Just hang on. Lol. I actuallyh have the phrase now, this is more fun than Mexican hitchhiking! Either that or this is more fun than a Mexican Comiun. Witch is more or less the word for bus here. Well. Thats more or less it actually. I´m going to send this, read the other letters and go proselyte. I love you mom, I do miss you and Dad. Well, I miss my life. It´s definately less comfortable here. Nothing to stop me, but I have a lot of work to do and all that. So anyway, keep the letters coming, I won´t get em for a long time, but send packages via fedex/ups too! I hear there´s no problem there. K I hope to hear from you in a week! LOVE YOU LOVE YOU LOVE YOU! Oh and tell veryone hi for me and tell David I did NOT get his letter!- With Love, Elder Jake Taylor-----

10/20/08

I'm sorry if I sounded like I was complaining last week, I don't want it to come out like that, the German Chcoltae cake was fantastic, I just had to scrubthe coconut away = D . Still a delectable brownie underneath! Lol. Well, maybe you can help me with something. Josh won't reply to my emails? Do you have any idea why? Im going to the bookstore today and buyin' all sorts of stuff, a photo album, print off some pohotos, dry cleaning today, some toiletries. Man all sorts of stuff. Well if you're bored and want to send me something fun in Mexico, lol. I only have one brown tie for my brown suit, = P and wearing it over nd over gets old. I got my favorite pin stripe suit back the other day! I was so happy, it's such a nice suit. Oh well. I better brush up on my Spanish, I hit Mexico in a week. I was so excited last week, but now I know I'm going to get there at about 3 o'clock and then walk out into the streets and contact! Yay, my flippin favorite. Anyway. I'm not as excited anymore. One funny thing about my companion is that we're both video game frieks, myself more so a little I believe because he asks me all sorts of weird questions about video games and I give him all the details. Lol. Plus I can remember almost every song. Haha. I'm going to go write down Rena's address and get out of here.! Two more tings, I haven't had a chance to thank Catherine, could you forward her a quick message for me? Just tell her I said thanks, alot, but still wondering about the half a piece of bread. Lol, that was weird. Let me tell you. Carrie Ostler, is an angel, lol.l Sending me all sorts of stuff, plus I got a letter from melissa Clemmer! That was a pleseant surprise! Lol. Lastly, My friend from ASU - Frank Wills left today =' ( lol. I'll miss him! Saw 2 people from Westwood here, and I'm off!LOVE YOU SO MUCH! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!-Jake Taylor, Elder

10/20/08

Hmm, well let's see. Lol, Thank you so much for the Zune, I don't mean to complain, the speakers Daniel picked out are just awkward. You're supposed to put your iPod in it and then you can take it around with you because it's battery powered, but because mine doesn't fit in I'd have to keep it open with the Zune lying out and then I couldn't take it with me and leave it at the apartment and since I'd have to leave it at the apartment why have a battery powered one that doesn't fit, I thank you for the thought and sincerely the effort! I really do! Daniel's just a dork, lol. The radio thing. Well, the Zune already has a radio in it...technically. But I have sincerely no desire to listen to the radio. Im actually very into the gospel thing now. Actually, you sent me an album called Sunday's best! OH WOW! It's amazing! Lol. It has an arrangment of "If you could hie to Kolob" that's a spectre from the God's. Amazing, lol. Then the Mormon Tabernacle, you have 4 or 5 whole albums on there, that was amazing, then the Marvin Goldstein, kudos for good taste thank you. It makes such a difference when studying at night when you're getting ready to go to bed. Hopefully in Mexico I can listen to it while I sleep too. Here nobody likes too, so oh well... anyway. Let's see, Yes Elder Shumway is from AZ, actually he lived by the AMC theatre on Stapley and Baseline, or somewhere in that region. Maybe North of the 60, I'm not sure...I can ask him again sometime = ) He wants to hang out when we get back. Haha, Well my actual companion, is Elder Porter. He's in some of my pictures, I'll have to mark him for you. And no...the tall one is Elder Bolander. he's from Utah Salt Lake City. I don't know any other blonde tall kids who like basketbal = \ Anyway. Well, the wounds almost completely sealed. I don't know if that's good or not, I should get it bandaged today but I don't know. Not much time. Anyway, We MIGHT go to Salt Lake today to the consolate and see if we get our Visas. The MTC is really stupid though and said "come at 1:30 (which is the time they LEAVE for Salt Lake) and we'll tell you if you can go) Which is horrendously foolish... just come and waste your only day off and then we'll just say no anyway. Temple was good today though, I need to remember the good things, I'm praying to know my purpose, and how I can better recognize the Spirit. I need to remember to dance in the Rain, everytime I forget that I see it posted somewhere from you. Keep sending it. I need it, thank you! Well, yes, our group all goes at the same time to Guadalajara. Next Monday hopefully... the flight would be at 10:00/10:40. It's a straight 4 hour flight then we get off the plane and start working. The elders going to Monterrey have a 5 hour layover in Texas, go do whatever they want. I'm a little upset about that, I'd like 5 frickin' minutes to do ANYTHING that they REQUIRE me to do. Not only is there not free time, there's not time to do what they tell us to do. Then they talk everyweek about how we're behind and not doing what we need to. Now...I know a little time management can fix this, so looking at it from a Christlike manner, I can still do better. I love how the Spirit helps me think straight even when emailing = D I don't know when I'd call you, but this is the last chance Iget to email you from the MTC, so, expect it around 9/9:30 I don't know. I GOT LETTER FROM DAVID ON SATURDAY! He thought I was in Mexico already, lol. So he sent a letter there, then when you called him the other day he decided to wrte me another letter I guess! I was happy either way. I'm still waiting for everyone else. I got the letter from Jessyca today too! I'm SO excited to write her in Spanish! Lol. I'm going to go reply to you're other two emails too! Plus I might remember some otehr fun stuff to say!

10/13/08

Good to hear form you dad. I'm glad you're doing the house thing, I knew it'd be a good idea. For some reason whenever I get on the computer I forget what my life is like and am just absorbed with everyting going on at home. Which is probably why they don't let us email alot. Laundry is a pain in the but. Lol. Surgery went great I gave mom the details and you'll get more in the mail... from the insurance company. Lol, chiste (joke) but I'm sending some information and pictures, and whatever. Writing letters is difficult, not alot of time here. I want to write every one. I got kristen fitzues (completely spelled wrong) letter. I got one from Melissa Clemmer and several from Carrie Ostler. It's cool! She's so nice! It was a surprise to get one from Melissa too. Anyway, things are going good. I still feel the adversary is trying to stop me. My companions doing better though, we're getting along. A few bumbs nd bruises but everyting will work out in the end. I had a thought about him the other day, I felt that he will have a great mission but also be a successful missionary if he CHOOSES to do so. I want to help him, we have two weeks left here, nd I want to use it write. We've started this week off right and it's going great. Pick up my ripped suit tomorrow from repairs, dry clean them all, etc. Class is interesting, personal study is slow, but since I got my Zune from mom, studying is more fun. I can concentrate when thatm usic invites the spirit and takes my wandering mind off of everyting else. It's snowing here! Lol, the last three days! It's amazing, I know the Lord answers prayers now, haha. I felt like asking for it about 1 - 2 weeks ago, don't now why so I did. And this is pretty early for snow. Plus everytime I've prayed for rain on multiple occasions which has resulted in very wet tomorrows. I'm so glad you saw me in conference, I was up in the corner in the middle of no where, so I said a quck prayer you'd see me. and Then thre you go, I got your letter. I'm very happy for that, what a great experience. Not many missionaries can say they did that! Hopefully I'll write a letter let you know what's going on, 30 seconds left. Keep the letters coming, I'm surprised to get your cards, but it's definately a treat! LOlLOVE YOU DAD!-jkake Taylor

10/13/08

Hey! Que paso! Everything's going steady, being tried and trying to get past it. Thanks for reminding me of that quote. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass it's learning to dance in the rain ... awesome. That applies my life to a T here in the MTC, I use that expression caus you just did. I have two questions you haven't answered yet! I'm super anxious to hear! Did Dad give you a concecrated oil blessing yet? That's something you should do, if not. Also how did Rena and Al go over? Or have you done it? If you give me their address I'll write them my own letter that'll get the missionaries over there. ... lol. Ok, well, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ZUNE! I was listening to music during study today, it helps me focus. I miss inspring music, we're pretty deprived here. Let's see one thing though. You got those speakers at Daniel's store? Did he have you get them? Caus they only work for iPod's ... lol. They MIGHT work, but they portable speakers I couldnn't use portably, I'd have to have it out of the case. I can only have it in the apartment anyway, so I was thinking something more along the lines of a little base stand that plays the music. David know's what I'm talking about. I was ... kind ... of surprised when you said that the 'missionaries' helped you with my Zune. That was odd. lol, btw thank sister Kelly? who sent the cake, German Chocolate, great except for the coconut I have to scrape off. Lol. Still good, it was under a different ladies name though, which was odd. I got your cinnamon rolls, they're pretty good too. And I have a few pictures I need to print off and mail too you. HOPEFULLY, I can get those too you... lol The Ac unit in our rooms covers the entire width, I put all the food you've sent me. It covers the entire thing. THANK you for the food, it's amazing but I gotta say, we will not finish it by the time we leave, so no more food! Haha, I have to find away to type these because time FLYS by and it's really annoying. I'm so gld to hear Dad'd taking my advice on the homes, if you had three rental homes, it's just a good idea. Take my word on it. Just do it. Lol. I'm probably going to send the speaker things back, return em give em to Lance, whatever. I do'nt like asking for things, but the stand would coem in handy. Español es bien, pero no tengo tiempo escribir in Español, pues escribiré in Ingles. So yeah, I might write a letter to Elisha in Spanish, that'd be fun. I'm going to TRY and write EVERYBODY a letter today. Ok, Daniel's email was great. But he didn't really care... and the fact that NONE of my friends have sent me a letter is starting to make me feel bad. It's really sad. =' ( Why don't they write me? it's almost been two months? They have time?! As for Jon I have two numbers from him in my phones, poke around and you should find one. I'll write a letter too, it's just good to hear from you. My wound is almost healed too, which is crazy. I have a little information on 'Pilonidal Disease' which will explain what exactly I had. No big deal anymore. Except I'm not allowed to ride a bike on my mission, at all. Ever. Lol Yeah if I do leave on the 27th I do get to call you. If you had every one there ... that would be great . Lol. I really would be upset if you weren't home when I called. I'd blow up something, or over flow the bathroom. Either way it would cause an inconvenience for the airport. K I need to read some other emails, lol. LOVEY YOU!-Jake Taylor

10/5/08

Well, the doctors name is Sampson, don't know much else, All I know is all doctors are full of ther fat middle aged mid life crisis selves ( kind of like missionaries but older and less hair (on the head)) But oh well. I'm curious to see whats going on , the doctor here is giving me the run around it's this not this, your doctor's stupid, it's ovciously this not that. Ok, wow shutup. Lol. I'm in a hyper mood today, a little casual today, kind of like what Elder Perry said about caasual dress casual attitude. I'll get dressed later, soon. Anyway, my nice suit ripped it's being repaired then I'll take everything and get it dry cleaned, it's just a little pass the half way point, so I think its due time...lol. Now one thing I was thinking about. Have Elder Kelly and Elder Godffrey over and then invite Rena and Al to a nice dinner. They need to know the gospel and they're ready to receive it. Give them each a book of mormon, its time, bear your testimony and look them in the eye and address them by name. Anyway, THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK WITH THE ZUNE! I'm going to be happy come Christmas time, you KNOW Christmas music is my favorite, I'm just hoping there's not much tht's not aloud. They CAN be strict, sometimes not though. Spanish is good, life is good here. Conference was amazing and I'm trying to soak it all in, but that'll take awhile. hopefully sooner than later. but I'm happy, I now have two temple recommends, lol. Funny story there, I'll tell you about it later. Let's see. I'm going to write Josh now, and maybe the boys again, I'll email it straight to Ben, but I don't have addresses for anyone else. I need to get one to R.J. too. You'll be getting a letter too soon = D hope you like it!Love you so much, you wouldn't even believe it (now) Su hijo muy grandeJake

10/5/08

I know you hate Email dad, lol. But I prayed you would see me, and I was kind of outa the way on the camera there, so I'm glad you did! Yep I sang in the MTC choir, lol. It was amazing, I kind of wish the camera had gotten a better shot of me, but oh well. They told us they would pan the entire choir, but that went to heck. Lol. oh well. Everything is going good here, I'll write you a letter asap, I'm curious about the house and stuff, I know the Lord is blessing you while I'm gone, hopefully I'll stay out as long as necessary til we get what we need ; D anyway, not much time gotta email everyone else! Adios!Mucho Amor, Su hijo Jacobo Taylor-Jake Taylor, ElderP.S. Get better, I want Mom to beat you in tennis and send me picture!

10/5/08

Hola mi madre? Que paso, el Españo is veniendo muy bueno. Pero, es mucho mas aprender, entonces otro vez, es bueno para yo! Anyway, thanks you for all yo've sent! If I could ask for anything in a care package though, it would just be some gatorade! I just got Carries package two or 3 days ago, It came in handy though the cookies were totaled in the process...lol. That and I have WAY TOO MUCH CANDY!! lol The poptarts cheeze-its wheat thins and easy cheese AND THE PRINGLES! MMM! Are the most handy, lol. Thanks for all the work with the Zune, why don't you just have David or Daniel over for a day? They each have one... oh I have a BIG favor for you to do me. I really really really really really want to hear from Jon, I miss him a ton. Could you call himm with my address and see if he'll send me a letter maybe? That'd be nice, I'm glad you got my package that quick, I sent it Thursday! Pretty nice it got there so fast! Tell Elder Kelly, I said hi, and I KNOW he misses me muy mucho, that and I met Elder Godfrey's cousin here. Lol, I heard someone yelling out ELDER TAYLOR! And I looked around and saw some random guy who wanted to say what's up...lol. So anyway, food sucks, I want hotpockets but there's no way to keep them cool. Haha, and maybe you could send me some mountain dew? = D Oh, another favor, there's an elder here who turns 20 on Friday, maybe you could send something fun and tasty? Not much, everyone's stocking, but soda would be awesome. Haha. Tell everyone I loce them muy mucho, and I'll reply to another one of your emails, I just need to read em first!Love ya' -Jake!

9/29/08

Hey! Well, regarding the temple recommend, I thought I left it there, because I don't remember getting it back so I went back and they said the hadn't seen it. I checked many of the lost and founds here, but...to no prevail, I've already gotten a new one. Lol. I'm kind of surprised they mailed it back to Bishop Clanton. That's odd. But oh well, I'm glad to know at least now what happened to it. I got to be interviewed by the MTC 1st counselor here though, so it was all good. Except I've been kind of a neusance to my district because of the things I do and do not have. Well regarding my problem. My cyst is back, I noticed it regrowing over the last week. Not good. But then after gym one time last week I saw my garments hanging, covered in blood like they were before, I immediately set up an appointment with the doctor here, and naturally as no doctors get along, the surgeon who took it off in Mesa 'obviously had no idea what he was doing'. And Doctor Phelps is pathetic 'for not having noticed such an 'obvious' thing'. But I'm scheduled to see a 'specialist' on October 7th here. Which is very good timing for one specific reason. I hope you (mom) are having a good time in California, because it's a little painstaking here. I've been struggling testimony wise, which I know comes as a big shock, but it's all coming back to me now which is good. Satans been working with me on some serious overtime. But I've always been taught that when Satan works this hard on you it's for a reason. So I'm steadily recovering and trying to suffer long with patience and endure my trials. Even these unusual doubts that have challenged every part of my testimony. It's so hard for me to sit down and study. I 'can' but it takes me forever. For some reason on many occasions it'll take me over 3 hours to read a single chapter from the book of mormon. Or 1 page from Preach My Gospel. Spanish WAS coming along good. But I hit a road block, I was humilited on Saturday. Every Saturday we have a 'TRC' appointment which is Teacher Resource Center, and we have a TA or a Teaching appointment. This is where we teach a volunteer protending to be an investigator. However each one starts with a 'task' or something we have to do in the mission languge. Which went so bad. There were two BYU boys who volunteered for us. Who were RM's and they TRIED to humiliate us. They, in my opinion, intentionally spoke so we couldn't understand them. Very fast, words we obviously haven't learned at this state. He even had the nerve to say after I said 'Sorry I don't speak much Spanish', in Spanish. Oh neither do I ... Anyway. Temple was great today, I had to fight to get in today, had an interview this morning at 7 a.m. to get my recommend. Lol. Oh well, today's P-Day and I'm trying to recooperate spiritually and physically. My companion and I are starting to see eye to eye. I just hope I can do what I need to do still. He's starting to come around too. Our personalities have alot of similarities, but mostly outside of missionary work, and that's not our focus here. All in all, I think we'll be studying together better and more often. Hopefully putting a lot more effort in. Food still sucks. I have found nioe thing I like! Lol, the lasagna. But even still. Thanks for the CARE package! Lol, 43 pounds. Everyone was dumbstruck when they saw me lug that in. I loved the pictures though, haha, that was actully my favorite part. BTW (by the way) I LOVE the camera. I wasn't expecting something that nice. That's pretty top of the line isn't it? = ) Well I'm happy, haha. It takes great pictures! I'll be sending a card home maybe with some more detailed things of what I have to suffer - Christ suffered all things and I'm following in his example. I'm sure there was bad food in Jerusalem too. I'm sending a disposable one home with a few papers and things so you get an idea of my 'former' resopnsibilities! I'm so happy, I was released yesterday from being District Leader. I'm just very relieved. Get a few people off my back. I want to be an example still. Hopefully I can do what I need to do. Thanks for all your support. I really need it. The scheduel isn't hard for me. The learning isn't hard for me. Dealing with my own ambition and expectations for myself is killing me. I'm nowhere I should be. I'm pissed at myself for not being able t study. And then I had those doubts. But Elder Hoffman (military boy) had a good marine story about how a sword is made by being thrown in the fire and pounded out. It's a little more elaborate than that. But you get the idea, only 13 minutes left on this life forsaken system. Laundry went well today! Except yesterday right when I got home to change, my pocket got caught on the edge of the chair and ripped straight down. I'm going to see if the alterations place can even attempt it. It's bad. I'm a little upset that it's my favorite suit too. The Raulph Lauren one. Oh well. I tried not to get upset over it, it can probably be fixed. I'm really struggling to write letters here, I'm going to force myself to get a few out to the guys, and another for you two! Tell Josh and Debbie to email me! I got one from Cindy Clemmer, but I haven't heard from them yet. Hope too hear from them soon, and I hope Josh is doing good with the stocks! Anyway, love you TONS and I hope to get letters and such from you soon!-Jake! = D--

9/22/08

Oh, I'm glad Dad got such a kick out of my suffering. I really appreciate it. It's insane. It's not bugging me as bad, I've REALLY FORCED myself to deal with it. But it's seriously painful. I know Dad still doesn't understand it... then again he doesn't understand much, so I don't really blame him. Did you take a picture of Pikachu for me? a couple nice one's to remember him by? I'm so glad he's doing good. Hopefully I can get in a few letters today. I don't know how much I can squeeze in, I'm behind on my journal haven't been working on my abs + alot more. It's hard to keep on track, the schedule's just difficult. I can do better though. My biggest concern is getting in my personal study time. I hope you and dad are doing well, and it's actually fun to hear the random nonsensical things your doing. Like a little story. Closest thing to a good book I get around here. We did get to watch Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration last night. I love that movie. Joseph Smith was a true prophet. Did you ever get a chance to talk to Rena and Al? I think they'd be very interested in hearing you talk about it. Well last thing I wanted to mention. I love you both very much, and I really need your support, Dad told me about your jaw. Has he given you an blessing with oil yet? I think you should get one from Him and maybe Alan Fox, or bishon Clanton, something along those lines. I believe in priesthood blessings, and The Priesthood. Anyway I hope you get better and I pray that the Lord will take away your pain and heal your jaw. Anyway, until you get my (hopefully) letter! With Love and Sincerity,Jake Taylor, Elder!

9/22/08

Well, my times already down to 23 minutes. I hate this system. It sucks, plus finding washing machines was HORRIBLE my companion and I have 4 washing machines completely spread out and around... oy, dryers are fine but washing machines are pthetic. I think there's over a hundred missionaries at once in there which is rediculous. I think there's a lot of things they could fix around here but over all its pretty good. It's so hard to do everything you need to do around here, I need to iron after this as well. I NEED to buff my shoes, they've gotten pretty scuffed in the last three weeks. Foods growing on me, but the unassembled mess they call sustenance is still not equivilent to that which I usually choose. Fill my checking card anyway, caus I'm making up for lost time when I get to the airport. I guess I'll get to call you when I hit the airport, that seems to be the case now a days! There are NO digital cameras here, I actually ended up using a full throw away camera on my district and the temple. There's not a whole lot to take pictures of here, but I wanted to get at least those, and the camera only has 27 photos anyway. I can use that pretty fast. Anyway, yeah if you could send me one that'd be great, have DANIEL pick one out ok? He knows Digital Cameras pretty well. Something top of the line ; P LolWell, lets see if I hve time to write you a letter today I'll describe my MTC life to you, I know I haven't done that yet. Unfortunately I'm in a pickle. I feel "Holy, squirrel nuts its been a month!" ... then I think, "Holy squirell balls, its only been a month..... UGHH!" So I'm battling that out in my mind. I get released as District leader next Sunday and I'm NOT zone leader. I was kind of looking forward to that, but at the same time I may be able to get a few more things done AND zone leaders need to be a pretty solid companionship. My companion is getting alot better. Still alot of road bumps, but I'm finding alot of problems with myself too. I want to read the Book of Mormon, once just reading, once taking tedious notes, once marking everything about the savior and once marking everything about Missioanry work. But, I can't even get myself to sit and read it period. I've decided to start hitting note cards, learn some more Spanish vocab. It's coming along... ok. Nothing amazingly special. Quick F.Y.I, I DID get my contacts, I actually got them the first week I was here. I thought I mentioned that, but I guess not. It was funny I got a 'Dear, Elder' letter from you and it said I hop ethese help!... but there was nothing there... THEN! I got your letter with the pictures and the notes from the guys, II started to cry when I saw those and read them. I've been able to stay in contact with you and Dad, which has kept me alive. But I haven't heard anything but that from any of them. I never got Ben's letter, it must've gotten lost in time. But, oh well. I hope they write me soon. I did get the Martinelli also! Thank you soooo much. I don't know why, I just liked that. Maybe a few more to stash up on for the night before I leave... haha. I haven't tried the cinnamon thing yet, I should before it goes bad. OH! And btw. Thanks for the brownie mix. Yes brownie mix, not brownies. I'll be sure and cook those as SOON as I get vegetable oil, an oven, eggs, a cooking pan, maybe some PAM. But it was a very nice thought! Lol, I know it was a mistake, Dear Elder is interesting. Well, on my Zune, I don't know if you've gotten into that yet, it'd be best if I get it before I leave though, so the Mexican Post office doesn't jack it. But you need to buy some CD's of good music, then David can put them on my computer and put them on my Zune, I'm sending those CD's I brought back, caus there's nothing to play them with. Everyone here brought their Ipod's. Oh well. Then you can listen to them too. I'm going to try and send a package with letters and some memorabilia from here than may give you an idea of what I've been donig. I'm REALLY excited to get released... you have no idea. Also Josh CAN email me. In fact I'd really appreciate it. I'm writing all the guys, but I'll just throw em all in the package I send you if it's ok. Then maybe you could distribute them for me? I'm going to see if I forgot to include anything...

9/15/08

Oh, dear Heavens. Thank you for the cheez-its and all the other amazing things in that box. I don't say it to brag, but it totaled every other elders box. That kind of made me smile, but I'm just so happy to have gotten it from you! I was going to ask for you to just buy some random things, I didn't know what to expect, lol. But I was PLEASANTLY surprised. No wait the funniest thing was I was going to Specificallyl ask for Ding-Dongs, and then I open the box and what-d-ya-know. Lol. I haven't received the letter from Ben yet, but it takes about a week and a half to get anything from any of you. I received your epistle about the U.S. Open but at the same time, I got the letter from dad before you both left for Camp LoMia just earlier this week. I don't know. Oh well, let me fill in a few random events, then I'll get to myself. We have an Elder Buchanan and an Elder Powell who are companions going to Lima Peru, they're supposed to leave Wed. but we just found out today only one got their VISA. Lol, unfortunately it's Elder Buchanan who's going to have to wait and he's the one with the gas. But we were talkign about Adam and Eve on a side note the other day, because one Elder (Procuniar) couldn't understand why God would give them contradictory commandments, have children and partake of the fruit ven though they couldn't keep both. So Elder Buchanan asked "could they not have children caus they didn't have any genitalia?!" It's the funniest thing that's happened yet. It was SOOO funny. I almost died...it may be funnier in context even the teacher was standing in the corner blushing trying not to laugh. Let's see. My companion is better in another way too. The other night he focused from 9:30 to 10:30 doing wht he was supposed to and then he shut the blinds and covered the clock light which is what I usually do, because I forgot! It's the small things that make the big difference by far, It's still a struggle to get my district thinking that the gospel is more important than learning the language and that try as you may there's always something new to learn. I'm was having a problem getting along with the Elders who really think they're hot stuff. I'm learning virtue and love though. I've gotten over most, problem is I LIVE with this one. I don't know how to say it except he REALLY reminds me of Kieran from GameCrazy. But I'm pushing that out of my head, I just want to be patient and get along. I'm getting over a temp. cold now, and I gave somebody a piggy back ride but then slid home when I couldn't slow down enough to turn a corner. Got a little rug burn all the way down my leg. Still no time to do anything and I'm learning that it's very difficult to study on P-Day. I stared at the Book of Mormon and Preach my gospel for an hour to no prevail. Then spent another 1 1/2 hours doing nothing. But now it's laundry. I get time to right letters. Hopefully I can right MORE THAN ONE! this time...

9/15/08

Hola! Yeah, Josh can email me! Here at least, it varies by mission president...there's some elders that can email their parents only, but most allow brothers and sisters, some don't allow cousins though, so I hope Debbie can still e-mail me... = \ Either way, I can send it to you and just have you forward it. Lol It's been interesting. Being district leader is a blast but at the same time ....... sucks. I just love all the elders in my district, and it's just one of those things. Like when a mission president says 'Idon't know them but I just love them'. Just like like. But at the same time, a few are giving me problems, and I feel very unaccepted most of the time. There's some elders here tht bring me home though... There is one inparticular, Elder Hoffman, who IS Ben... He is the epitimization of Ben. He walks on his toes kind of just like Ben. Does the same reactions. same logic, talk, he's going to be a Marine after this. He reminds me of Ben in almost everything the says. My companion and I are getting along incredibly better. He studies and gets ready for bed and all sorts of things now. He still likes to skip the prayer and song, and thinks of little other than food when dinner rolls around, but I know it'll come with a little more time. I'm going to read the rest of your emails really quick and will reply more... talk to you in a bit!-Jake

9/8/08

Thanks for telling me about all the rain that come as soon as I leave. I think The Lord blesses Arizona with rain each time a missionary leaves... Thanks for getting ahold of BEN! Did you do it with your new handy dandy phone? I used to have a phone like that once. Well there's plenty of stuff going on here, but every time I learn/hear something new it pushes old stuff out of my brain. Did you receive my letter? I guess I won't find out until I get another letter from you, or I check my E-Mail next Monday... = / and hey...just caus I can E-mail ONCE A WEEK doesn't excuse you from writing LETTERS! Lol, oh yeah, sugar not vinegar... please. I really hope I get that picture soon, and I got Debbie's email! That was a nice surprise. It's kind of funny, I'm excited to hear form anybody here... Let's see something good. I'll let you know next week. Spanish is coming good. I found a funny card I'm sending Dad, you'll like it... lol. (Laugh out loud) in case you forgot what that meant. Also, because you love me so much, and becaue I established very strict mandates with the guys, think you can send me a care package soon? with the necessary tools to survive, like ... food. That doesn't give you dysentary and malaria with ancient forms of polio per day... I'm going to write letters for EVERYBODY after this, so I hope you five me something to look forward to everyday this week. How is everybody doing? Thanks for the passport stuff, I haven't gotten mine back, and I don't really expect too really, until I leave. Well, I probably won't be leaving until October 27th, which sucks, but I need it. I know it'll get better, I need to go repent for having such a negative attitude now. I know it'll be fine. I just need to trust The Lord will instruct me what to do. It's good Preston is still hanging around, and Rena is hitting lunch with you. Has she said anything about the church? I'm really curious, if she's curious... if you want let her email me on your email. I'll convert her... *malicious laughter* The tie Susan gave me doesn't fit. If I tie it the right length it has less than two inches of slack. Lol. Well, i hope you got my letter, I'll be sending another shortly. And I'll be sending some to Ben, David etc. If you could forward them for me... I love you Mom, tell Dad my regards, and he'll be getting a letter soon too. Tell me how Pikachu is doing in a letter too please, and see if you can find out any info on TT (Turkey the Turtle) Convert preston too, and Josh...anyway. I'll talk to you soon! Love ya'!-Jake Taylor, Elder

9/1/08

I have another 30 minutes for the dryer to finish. I put the laundry in, forgot my white dress shirts. Put my colors in with my companions, but I forgot my gym shorts and towels. Got my dress shirts and put them in another washer, but forgot the hangers, I could have done this is all for under $2. But I'm an idiot. Moving on, there's too much too do, it took me two hours to read Helaman 13, spanning two pages of notes. I don't know why I can't study better - my Spanish is coming good, pero es no que necesito. Mi companero es no encante muy bueno. Last night my companion was upset over his 'inability' to learn Spanish, but it's only day 6, he shouldn't be speaking amazing. He was crying, and we tried to console him, but it wasn't working so I said a prayer with him in Spanish...until I couldn't go any further than I finished in English. Case and point, he opened up his scriptures kind of aimlessly, and the first words he read was concerning God making him a great missionary and that all things were possible in the Lord. If I can remember the reference I'll let you know. I've seen my buddy Frank from ASU institute, I said hi to Elder Miller and he shipped off at the end of last week. I've seen Tim VanCapelle from the 5th ward also. Not my favorite event of the week, but...you know. I hope everything's going good. Do me a favor too, if you could. Call all of my friends and yell at them for not writing me yet. This place is the land Desolation. All happiness and forms of joy are void. It's a necessary work, and I wouldn't sacrifice it for anything, but I pray the days go by fast and I learn what I need to learn. Hopefully I'll see the light at the end of the tunnel. And then I'll pray it's not a train. Until later...-Jake Taylor

First email 9/1/08

Hello, mom. I forgot what exactly your email address was so I sent it to the two I thought it might be. Sorry you haven't gotten a letter yet, you'll be getting one this week explaining exactly why...lol. Anyway, it's my Prep. Day, so I've finally gotten e-mailing opportunity. Now, just wanted to say hi, I don't have much time, my laundry just got done... but it's just a bundle of cookies and joy over here. Just to let you know... I'm probably going to break an arm or something, but we'll see. I hope you are all doing good. I saw Adam he left Saturday Morning. So anyway, I have to go! Love ya!-Jake