Rural School

As Taylor's siblings, niece and nephew go back to school, I thought I would post a photo of a rural school in Guatemala. "Count your many blessings, name them one by one."
This is a public school in Caserío El Rosario, Camotán.

Indian Weights

Indian weights from the highlands of Guatemala used to weigh produce in the markets. They correspond to the Nephite monetary system as recorded in Alma 11. Each weight equals one half that of t he next size up.

Nino Puro

The call Taylor "nino puro" which means 'Pure Child' because he loves to collect things that children play with, and undoubtedly because he enjoys children so much. I am sure that some of his greatest joy comes from being able to make the children of Guatemala happy. Why else would a mother let her missionary son take his lazer with him?

Tiendas

I ask Taylor about the shops in Guatemala. He said that they are just inside peoples houses. They have things hanging around like cow stomachs, pig legs, gizzards, liver, and testicles. I ask about the flies in these areas and he said it was really bad.

His cook tried to feed him a tendon once and he shut her down solid. Usually he just dumps icky stuff down the toilet, but this time he actually said something to her.

What's Up?

Well last Monday after emailing we heard that a fair was in town. Anyway. we rode the ferris wheel. that was good. we saw an electric fire start on another ride, and they closed the ferris wheel (while we were on it) because something was wrong. well we had a great view of the guy fixing it while we were on it.!! .

I didn't have the opportunity to talk to the president this week. I will just live it a week at a time until I can talk to him.

Nothing much here. I am starting the symptoms of a cold. within the week I will hit the peak. anyway nothing else...
Elder Taylor Wood

Grafiti

A Day in the Life ....

Taylor said that he is working hard doing missionary work during the day, spends a great deal of time hoping it isn't raining and enjoys relaxing during his off time in his hammock. He loves the people, and appears to enjoy getting out and seeing waterfalls etc.

The roads are pretty rough on him. Made of cobblestones, they are hard to walk on, and cause him to turn his ankle often. This has been a hard thing for him. He is prone to turning his ankle on flat, paved roads, so he turns them often, sometimes weekly.

The Elders have to be on their guard a little bit. Some of the people have yet to be trained/taught about the "Missionaries don't date while on their missions" rule. They have to guard against that.

Taylor had a member ask him about getting the PAF 5.0 or 5.2 update. The only problem is that Spanish PAF is only in the 4.0 version. I don't know the differences between the 4.0 and 5.2 but the 4.0 seems to work fine. Good luck with that.

All of this worrying about how hard this mission would be for Taylor, and I was wrong. He DOES have a shower. In fact, it sounds like most of the places he may serve have showers, with the exception of those serving in the Mayan language areas.

It's Raining! It's Pouring!

He's still the Champion!!

Well I am in Colban right now. tomorrow we have another conference. Before I forget.... I took a picture of some cards. those are when we played SCUM... needless to say. I still don't have a heart.

Things here?? Well i don't want to gain any more weight so I'm only eating 1 of my 2 tortillas daily. we just throw them away. so what happens after a week or so?? Nobody knows., its grows this orange cheese looking stuff. Then you wake up to little larvas running around on your floor. We only found a few though like 50 or so.

Played soccer today. playing soccer consists of running around like a clown and pretending I'm good. the Americans liked it. not the Latinos though.

I took a picture of a giant moth.

Anyway. I will talk to the president tomorrow.
Elder Taylor Wood

Here Comes the Champion!!!

well i am in colban right now. tomorrow we have another confrence. before i forget.... i took a picture of some cards. those are when we played SCUM... needless to say. i still dont have a heart.

Things here?? well i dont want to gain any more weight so im only eating 1 of my 2 tortillas daily. we just throw them away. so what happends after a week or so?? nobody knows., its grows this orange cheese looking stuff. then you wake up to little larvas running around on your floor. we only found a few though like 50 or so.

PLayed soccor today. playing soccer consists of running around like a clown and pretending im good. the americans liked it. not the latinos though.

i took a picter of a giant moth.

anyway. i will talk to the president tomorrow.
Elder Taylor Wood

Our Group with President & Sister Torres

Answers to Mom's Questions

What time do you get up? 6 30 to 6 45
How long do you study each day? 8 to 20 2 hours
How many missionaries are in your city? 2
How many people are there in your city? 20 thousand ish
Do you see any of the elders from the CCM? sometimes
What is your new president like? like whip cream
What is his wife like? whip cream with straberies
Have they changed any thing in the mission that Pres. Coleman had been
doing? maybe just longer time in our areas
How is Elder Madsen doing? alright. not sure
Is Elder Madsen still in the mission home? in the office
What is Elder Wolford like? pretty cool. he is zl now
It looks like you are having great P-days. What else is there to see in
your area? girls. waterfalls, not to much
Did you notice that we have two previous Guata Elders checking your blog
regularly now. That's kindof fun. Sounds like they enjoy the pictures.
I'm sure they would love to hear more about what you do during the day,
people (including names) that you are teaching (they may have left some
seeds before) as well as how the ward/branches are doing in your area.
sounde good.
Do you have many branches/wards in your area? just one branch with 100 attentence
Do you help with the work in the branches/wards on Sunday? nope

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

Vera Paz

Baja Verapaz

Baja Verapaz is the cradle of the Rabinal Achi´, the epic poem that is one of the most important works of the pre-Columbian period.

In addition to this example of ancestral culture, we find in this Department the Biota of Quetzal, one of the few protected sites that preserve some examples of the national bird and symbol with its prodigiously beautiful and colorful plumage.

Other attractions of Baja Verapaz are its archaeological sites, the powerful Matanzas River with its 225 meter waterfalls and the Chixoy River dam, surrounded by an impressive natural landscape.

Jun 30, 08

Wednesday I will meet the new President. There i will talk to him
I think President Coleman is from Kansas and will report home in about 3 weeks.

My area is basically city country. like Delta but dirt roads. the houses are always with cinder block and tin roofs. my districts is ALL of BAJA VERAPAZ we only work about close to the church though. people are going to pay a lot of money to go to church. anyway the area is fine. its hard to get people to church.

What is the funnest thing you have done on P-day with this companion? chilasco
Did your camera come yet? not yet we get pouch wednesday.
How many miles a day do you average walking? who knows like 5 to 7

anyway. im talking to the president this wendesday. i dont want to be here. we will see how it goes.

tell me who is in the derby that i might care about . anyway nothing new. you all know that. till next week.

Elder Taylor Wood

Chilasco'

At Chilasco' or Dark Mountains, there is a 130 m-high waterfall, El Salto de Chilasco, one of the highest in Central America. It is on the road to Coban.

Jun 23 2008

Nothing for the past 2 weeks.
for p day we went to chilasco. the largest waterfall in central america. my feet are still soaked. anyway. nothing much
we had a flood here. all into the street. it was like knee deep.

Near Salama you can find the Mario Dary Rivera Nature Reserve ( Biotopo del Quetzal ) which was established to protect the quetzal bird, revered by the Maya and the national bird of Guatemala. There are nature paths through the cloud forests where you can see orchids, ferns and bromeliads, owls, hummingbirds and toucans. Even though sighting a bright red and green quetzal bird is a rare event, the area is a paradise not to be missed.

Chilasco

How I Taught the Big Guy a Lesson

Elder Kolton Bundy came home this week. This is the story he used in his talk. I loved it. (Mom)

“I did not provoke the fight, so I feel no remorse for what I was forced to do. We were arguing and, seeing that I was right and he was wrong, he decided to fight to cover for his stupidity. He swung at me first, but being in top condition, I was able to block the punch neatly with my head. Whereupon I jumped to the ground, knocking him down on top of me. Then I placed my ear in his mouth and poked his finger several times with my eye. His teeth hurt so much from the strength of my ear that he became irate and tried to kick me, but I cleverly blocked the onslaught with my ribs and face.

“I scrambled to my car in hopes I would get away and save this man from my deadly hands. Before I could start the car, he pulled me from the still-open door. I then proceeded to swing at him, but only managed to hit myself in the head. To this I said,’what’s this? Two against one?’ that was the final straw. I lost all control. There will be no mercy! Taking him in my death grip, I pounded him in the knee with my stomach then hit him two or three times in the fist with my teeth.

After that, he didn’t even try to pick me up off the ground, he was to chicken.”

It’s all in how you look at life!

Laundry

omen from Santiago Atitlán make daily trips to the lakeside, just below the village, to wash clothes by hand amid the pirogues that the men of the village use for fishing.

Transfers - But Staying

PHOTO: Byron, who is leaving for his mission in Ecuador on August 21.

First of all. I will get my shoes resouled. its raining alot and im going to start breaking in my boots. i think we should hold off on the shoes. but send the camera ASAP. Mine is shot. it doesnt take pictures anymore.
I recieved my ankle braces last week. so i thought i would give them a try. two days later my ankle caved again. Pretty minor but it put me back a day or two. I like the smaller one better because I can wear it anywhere, anytime. How long do i take the pills? (they will help strengthen your connective tissue. Continue taking them as long as you need added help)
Sounds like gas sucks. its about 36Q (7.5=1) ($4.06)
This week was fine. We had changes and I am still in SALAMA Baja verapaz.. you can google baja verapaz its like a state in the usa. We had to travel about 1.5 hours away for a babtism for another area. It was in the river. we have a black market here. they just close a street every monday and friday, every just goes to town.
Anyway. i dont know what else to write about. questions are always good.
Elder Taylor Wood

June 2 08

The baptism.. His name is Juan Carlos, and he is 11 years old. we just tought him and we was really a great investagator. goes to all activities and everything.

I sang in zone confrence. In a cortet. 2 weeks ago. And today we played soccer for 2 hours. man i didnt know soccer could be fun. but i scored 2 goals and had an assist.

its still pretty tough. we have a kid prepareing for his mission and he helps us alot. anyway he comes with us every day, but they kinda zone me out cause i cant speak Spanish.

Also with my shoes. Did you have to pay? (no) they have a 2000 mile warenty on them. so you shouldnt have to pay. the should also send them to me. i have my other pair so i should be good till they get here.

DID you get my package yet? (no) i sent it like a month ago.

You might have to just try to figure out the pictures and who is in them etc.

Um, things are still the same. i just eat, teach, and sleep.

Elder Taylor Wood