Taylor, We're Here!

July 28, 2008 - Transfers

It was good to get some emails. I have gotten a few things from mary anne. but haven't written her back. tell her thanks for the letters (also tell her i cant read here writing.) Things are the same here. we had a baptism last week but if fell through. maybe this week. I got a new companion. A gringo. Elder Cozzens (cousins) he is from Sandy and a pretty cool kid.
Today we played a little football, soccer, and basketball (but i poped that). after a mini waterfight. after my comp and i are going to watch a movie. next week we are going to chilasco with the zone. I will try to get some better pictures this time seeing how i already have gone there.

Whenever Your in Trouble

Share on MySpace!

July 14, 08

well no emails this week.
I was able to find some weights finally. 3 months of living in a little pueblo and NOTHING. cost me about an arm and a leg at about 18 dollars. i bought 3. It took me awhile to find them and are a little expensive. do you want me to get more??
We watched the best 2 years again this week for p day. we are all out of money and cant travel so we just chilled.
Nothing much new. all our people we are teaching have fallen. and every, (including members) tell me that my my spanish sucks and that having 6 months i should be able to talk better. To tell you the truth i still cant teach a full lession. everyone else could do that after their first change. Im on my third.
I wrote the president a few weeks ago. we will see how he responds and his actions on the requests.
anyway. hope all is well.Elder Taylor Wood

Guatemalan Girl

man with a machete hanging from his belt holds his granddaughter's hand as they watch a Sunday festival in the village of San Andrés Itzapa, not far from Antigua.

Read more about Guatemala in "Going Deep" in the May/June 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

A Quarter Through

Letter from Previous Elder

Hang in there!! I served in your same mission from Sept 2003 to Sept 2005. It was the greatest experience of my life. There were times when i wanted to give up, but there were also times that i'll never forget for the rest of my eternity. Not a day goes by that i don't think about my mission... it has had a profound effect on who i am and the things i've pursued following my return. I hope you don't mind, but i've bookmarked your blog and i check it regularly for updates. I was 3 months away from going home when the transition from President Harris to President Coleman was made. What amazing men they are. I hope all goes well within your area. you will have success if you continue to work hard. The language will come... I promise. It seriously becomes a part of you. I remember teaching someone english towards the end of my mission, and i couldn't complete a full sentence. You will put up with Members and elders making fun of your spanish... i've been there. It passes. Keep posting pictures!! I LOVE SEEING MY OLD STOMPING GROUNDS :) Keep up the good work.

Austin Gunn

The Joy of Missionaries

The Joy of Missionaries

We hadn’t been here long before we set out on a whirlwind tour of the Mission. It was our blessing to visit with the missionaries here in the Capital and then journey to Coban, Polochic, and the Petén and then Hermana Torres and I went to Poptún and Dolores. In each and every area we felt the love and concern of our missionaries and more particularly your love for the Lord and this wonderful work.In several of the areas that we visited I noticed that when we entered the chapel where the missionaries were waiting for us a hush fell over the room. Everyone stood up as a sign of respect for our office. This brought to mind the love which Hermana Torres and I developed for our own Mission Presidents and Mission Moms. But then I thought of how each of you has been blessed to have had President and Sister Coleman be your President and mission Mom. What a wonderful work they did for us but this only compliments the work which you are each doing. You serve day and night which reminds me that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17) Our hearts have been touched; thank you Elders and Hermanas for the memory.Upon our arrival in Coban I was stuck by the unique make up of the people of the city. Here we have a Stake of Zion which was created on the 29th of October of 1995 this taking place almost forty years since the first baptism in the area. While there we visited the great family Patriarch of the Ovalle family. He had decided that he no longer wanted to go the hospital and only wished to remain at home. In that home we knew that we were in the presence of greatness. Here was a man who was a pioneer one of first members in this area. On the wall of the home was a picture of Hermano Ovalle in his white shirt and tie. The uniform of a Priesthood holder of the Lord Jesus Christ.I was reminded of our missionary purpose as found in Preach My Gospel which at the end declares in all solemnity inviting all to come unto Christ and “endure to the end.” Another way of saying it is to have our “garments spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out.” (Alma 7: 25) What joy two missionaries are having as they realize one of their baptisms has endured to the end and is now “in the kingdom of heaven no more to go out.”While on our tour we visited 5 apartments of our missionaries. Each and every one of the rooms was neat and clean and we could see that in those apartments the Spirit of the Lord resides. What a wonderful thing it is when a missionary has learned to be submissive to the Lord in even this thing. Can there be any doubt but that the Lord will bless those missionaries who have shown faithfulness in these areas with the blessing of receiving new converts who are so precious in His sight.What marvelous joy comes to us as a result of faithful service in His work. There can be no doubt in our minds that our task is much like the Master Himself suggested, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt: 11: 30) He loves His lost sheep here in Guatemala so much that He has sent us to find them and with His help nothing is impossible.

Successful Member - Missionary Work

"Don't worry about being successful. We are going to be successful - there is no doubt about it. The Lord has sent [you] to earth at the time of the harvest. He does not expect [you] to fail. He has called no one to this work to fail. He expects [you] to succeed"



("Keys to Successful Member - Missionary Work," Ensign, Sept. 1990, 6).

Jul 7 2008

Well, this week was still the same. I heard an elder say that the new President said that areas have more success when your in the area longer. I think he won't do very many changes in the future.

Today we went to Chilascó - more waterfalls. There is a tunnel that the water goes into and the river goes like 60 meters before coming out. Needless to say, I have more pictures.

Also I recieved my package and camera. 2 weeks! How did you send it?? (In the flat rate envelope for $11.95) I don't have my adapter this week so I wasn't able to upload pictures yet.

Sorry to hear about Kim and Josh. He can always join leaching and sleep all day!! that works for some people ;)

anyway. maybe I will send some pictures some time. I lowered my resolution so hopefully I can send more each week.

thats all....Elder Taylor Wood

Letter to Elder Wood

I came across your blog chronicling your son Taylor's missionary service. I am sorry he is having such a difficult and challenging time in the missionfield. I actually served in Nacahuil from July 2003 until Nov. 2003. It was a very strenuous and adversity-filled experience as there were only two members in the area at the time, who for some reason became very antagonistic towards my companion and I. Following Nov. 2003, the area was closed. When I left the mission field in Nov. 2004, the area had yet to be re-opened.

My last area was actually in Salama so as of now I have had two of the same areas as Elder Wood. I also had many areas close to Elder Wood's first area of Paraiso III as I was assigned in various parts of Zone 18 in Guatemala City.

Please let Elder Wood know that I, as a returned missionary who served in the Guatemala Guatemala City North Mission came out alive and well. I completely understand many of the frustrations he has expressed in his correspondence with you and your family. However, if he continues to serve,the experience will of course still be stressful and challenging at times, but it will get better. I can personally, from first hand experience, attest to that statement. If I can be of any help to you, your family or Elder Wood regarding mission information, insight or advice just let me know.

I hope Elder Wood continues to serve, there are many honest in heart within the mission boundaries who need to hear his testimony both those who are and are not yet members of the Church. Best wishes always.

Regards,
Ryan S. Hansen