Georgia On My Mind

November 11, 2013

Hey all!

Oh, excuse me. Ya'll. 

It's been such a good week. We've seen miracles and felt God's love and involvement in the work. Here are a few highlights from this week.

In my studies, I read Alma 32:41-43. I realized that while we exercise faith, diligence, patience, and long-suffering---- we often have to put those forward for a long time before we get the rewards of our faith. We must prove to God that we will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to do His will and His work. Long-suffering is a real thing! We must have faith ("have faith" meaning, work as hard as you can, humbly, with or without results, knowing God is backing you up) that God will work miracles for and through us. We've just got to give 100%. Personally, I am often tempted to give more like 80% or 98%-- I'll allow myself to complain a little, let Sister Buhler make all the phone calls, etc.. little things. But I'm working on being as anxiously involved ALL the time as I can. I want to live each day of my mission as if it were the only day of my mission. This is precious time, and it's not my time. When I remember to think of my mission as a privilege, not a sacrifice, I am more grateful and happy to be here!

Wednesday we had the first lesson with Mike and his wife (we forgot her name! *facepalm*). We weren't sure if it would actually happen since it was set up from a simple contact while tracting-- but we ended up being there for over an hour. They are a wonderful, very Christian couple in their sixties, currently foster parenting three children that their son is going to adopt soon. They shared much of their life story with us, and I sure hope all goes well with them, because they sure seem prepared! He said that he used to drink heavily, and one morning he woke up, and "God told me to stop," he said. So he did. She did the same thing with smoking-- she felt like God didn't want her to smoke anymore, so she stopped. Neither were Christian at first, and both came to commit themselves to Christ in beautiful, individual ways. They pray as a family every day and have a very real relationship with God. What a wonderful thing to see! 

We shared the first lesson with them (the message of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon), and they listened attentively and asked good questions. They committed to pray about and read the Book of Mormon. I don't know that they're entirely interested in embracing the gospel, but I hope their BoM reading will spark interest there as the Spirit speaks to them. I am praying for progress with their family-- Sister Buhler and I think they would make great Mormons! ;)

Thursday morning, I woke up and found Sister Buhler curled up on the bathroom floor with her pillowpet and blanket. She was really sick. We managed to get to Zone Conference, but we spent the rest of Thursday, all of Friday, and part of Saturday in the apartment. It was a blessing in disguise. She got feeling better pretty quickly, and I was able to do a LOT of organizing, cleaning, and preparation. 

Zone Conference was great!! Very uplifting, inspiring, and educational. Don't have time or I'd say more. But they handed out mail, and I got SEVEN LETTERS plus a birthday treat for turning 20 next month! I felt very spoiled! :)

Saturday our appointment with 19 year old James fell through because he got ringworm fungus, sick sick... but he is reading the Book of Mormon really well and loving it! Hopefully he can come to church this week. 

Sunday was amazing. We tracted on a beautiful road in late afternoon and we were so happy. I had an amazing experience at one house. As we approached the door, the Spirit said, "This is a Presbyterian home. What can you say that a Presbyterian would want to hear?" It was very subtle. We knocked on the door, talked to the man inside who was uninterested, but when we asked what religion he had, my jaw just about dropped to the floor when he said he was Presbyterian. We walked away and I was just about to sing the Hallelujah chorus at the top of my lungs. There is a quote about knowing the Lord is pleased with you when he works through you for the sake of others-- I really felt that. It was an amazing experience!

That night, we went to a less active's home, Laura Miller. The house was dark and we almost didn't knock, but we were so glad we did! We stayed an hour and a half with her, and got to know her quite well. She's in her sixties, married to a non member, and she hasn't been to church or the temple for a few months, I think. She is the sweetest person ever. She's going through a lot of family issues and stress, lots of emotional turmoil. When we talked about church, she said, "I need to be better. I know I need to come back." Dad, I thought of your experience at that moment. It was such a sweet thing. She said she's coming to church on Sunday, we're going to do our best to make sure she's there!

I love my mission. I'm really learning to love it. I'm not sure why God sent me to Georgia, but I'm sure glad He did. 

Much love, 

Sister Christa Taylor

Christa's Snail Mail:

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

1150 Cole Dr SW

Lilburn, GA 30047