Dover Days!

I love Dover!

I'm in Dover, serving as a Sister Trainer Leader with Sister Carla Argueta! And yes, this was the first Rita's of the season! Hey, it was 60 degrees outside, we had to!

I'm so excited to be serving here, we've seen so many miracles already and the branch is incredible. Yep! I'm serving in a branch for the first time and I am so excited! The people already feel like family. My new companion is Sister Carla Argueta from Guatemala/ California (: I'm hoping her Spanish will rub off on me... I love her and I am so grateful to have her as a companion. We've been asked to serve as Sister Trainer Leaders, and I am so excited to get to know the sisters in this mission even better! 

I feel so blessed to be here at this time. I love this mission, I love being a missionary and I love my Savior. I am humbled when I contemplate my calling to represent Him in a very literal way. I can see the increased capacity to serve that He has given me. I know that He will always sustain me in whatever it is that He asks me to do. I am grateful for this knowledge. 

Everyone needs to read: Reflections on a Consecrated Life by D. Todd Christofferson:

I've learned that I'm the only person that expects me to be perfect. Not even my Father in Heaven does. He wants me to constantly improve, and strive every day to be more like my Savior. As long as I keep the spirit with me and act on the promptings I receive...I will grow closer to Him and become more like Him. When we stop contemplating our weaknesses and focus more on becoming like our Savior, I promise you that your weaknesses will naturally go away. You'll be so focused on your Savior and being more like Him that there won't be any room for darkness in you at all. Remember, darkness and light cannot coexist. 

So Dover...I"m pretty sure 85% of the buildings here are haunted...and I love it. We're definitely going to go on a tour of the Capital building ASAP! Also, we're going to hit up Amish country. I've heard their food is amazing, and I'll definitely be wanting some souvenirs. 

I want you all to know that I love my Savior. He is my best friend! I could do nothing without Him. I know that this Gospel is the way back to our Heavenly Father. I know that living this Gospel is the only way to have lasting peace and happiness in this life and in the next life. I know that every commandment from God is calculated to bless us. I know that God's timing should always be good enough for me, because He loves me. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

Come what may and love it.

So much love that I don't even know where to begin!

Yesterday after church we taught Kelsey for the last time before her baptism next Sunday. It was so bittersweet, I have grown to love her so much! In fact, this week as we were driving down the street, I thought to myself, "Man, I sure love teaching Kelsey! I always feel like we're going to have a lesson with our friend!" ...and then I realized that I should feel that way about everyone that we teach, so it was a good lesson to learn. This week she asked us if she was our first "transformee" haha sure Kelsey.

 She offered the prayer at the end of our lesson yesterday, and she had us in tears. There is no greater tender mercy than being able to see, even in the smallest way, the difference you have made when you've chosen to be the hands of the Lord. It's so amazing to see the light that the Gospel brings to the lives of our Heavenly Father's children. It's amazing to see people that are so willing to keep the commandments, becuase the Spirit teaches them that these things are true. I am so humbled that I get to be even such a small part of brining that light and the love of our Savior into the lives of our brothers and sisters. He is the light can light up our lives, if we let Him. Being in the service of the Lord is the happiest thing I've ever done. I promise when you turn towrad others you will forget yourself, and there is no greater blessing than losing yourself in the work of the Lord. Always be on the Lord's errand. Learn what it means to lose yourself in the service of others.

There's a care center up the street from us, and we have grown to love so many people there. It's the first place we went when we got to Delaware because, we had nowhere else to go! There were a few members staying there and a few peole suggested that we go see them. Oh what a blessing it has been. We have met the most wonderful spirits. I sent pictures of two special ones, Cecelia and Dorothy.  We go every Saturday and play bingo with them, obviously it's a riot. Miss Dorothy can't move the pieces so we play together. She is so amazing! I swear we've known each other forever. I hope one day when she has a resurrected, perfect body that we'll be chattin' it up like we did in the good ol' days. I love her so much! The light of Christ is in every one of us. Never forget that.

On a side note, I have never contracted so many illnesses in my LIFE as I have on my mission. I swear, I'll develop some symptom, get over it a week later, then two days after that I've got some awesome new ache or pain. This week: sinus cold and losing my voice. I can't breathe or talk, it's awesome. ;)

I encourage all of you to watch "The Daily Bread" mini-series (if you will) on mormon.org. It's by Elder D. Todd Chirstofferson. and it's amazing. It has totally changed the way I look at my day to day trials. I am so grateful for the law of the fast. Fasting weakens our physical bodies and brings us spiritually closer to our Father in Heaven. It reminds us to recognize where our daily bread really comes from. He is the source of all that we have. Please, always remember that.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Man, I've become that missionary that never wants to go home. Besides, who would want to face reality when you could just preach the Gospel forever?

I've never been so happy in my life. Understandably of course, what else would make you happier than helping others come unto Christ?! Not a thing in the world. Which is exactly why I indend to be a missionary for the rest of my life! I'll never stop fulfilling my purpose! I know that living the gospel is the best and  happiest way to live.

God knows us all. His tender mercies are not random, they are purposeful demonstrations of His love for us in our day to day lives. Take note of them, and keep them close to your heart.

All my love,

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

Daily Bread Links:

Experience

Change

Pattern

Megan and Brett Sullivan Family

When you find yourself in the middle of a psychological thriller...

Two funny stories that have highlighted my week:

 

1) We went to an appartment complex to try and find a former investigator that we felt had some good potential. We got in to see her, everthing went great, we set up a return appointment and left. As we were walking down the stairwell, Sister Ririe (yes, I will point fingers on this one!) said that we should go back and knock on the door accross the hall from our investigator. She even had a nice "welcome" sign on the door. We knock. A frail, "golum" (from Lord of the Rings) looking, 60ish year old woman answers. We ask her if she or someone she knows could use an uplifting message. She looked confused. So we told her that we teach about how following the example of Jesus Christ can help us to find happiness in our lives. I could not have prepared myself for what happened next..."I still don't know what you mean" she said, "I used to have 48 names, but now I have 84. Will you come in and write my names down for me?" PEOPLE! these are the kinds of things you read about in text books, or see in movies...not in real life! We totally lied to her (This was also the day that I learned that it's sometimes okay to lie. But ONLY if the Spirit tells you to!) and told her that we couldn't come in because we had an appointment. "You don't want to come in?!" Oh no, I was going to lose it. So we told her that IF we came back we would bring a friend from church named Heidi...wrong thing to say. "OH! One of my names is Heidi! Heidi, Holly, Brittney, Chelsey..." Off she went, then... "I have 16 personalities too." Great, one of them is BOUND to want to kill us! We told her that we would try to come back next week, and as we sprinted down the hall she yelled, "I LOVE YOU!"

 

I was so sure she was going to stalk us and kill us. Or something worse. For a good 45 minutes I was totally shaken up. And wanted to be in the same room as a priesthood holder, ASAP! Man, there's no coming  back from that. (Please tell Amy C. how much I love and admire her!)

 

2) *Names have been changed to protect the innocent.* Last week we were at the Smith's house for dinner. Bro. Smith is a member of the bishopric and we were talking about how helpful it would be to have a ward FB page. I'd brought it up in ward counsel a month or so ago and totally got shot down. Let's just say that 2/3 of the bishopric is not pro social media. Bro. Smith said that I should bring it up again next time we have ward counsel. So there we are yesterday, sitting in ward counsel...they'd been discussing the ward mission plan for a good hour when they finally got to the part where they were trying to figure out how to put it on a bookmark. Then, all of the sudden, Bro. Smith says, "I think the Sisters have something to say about facebook..." I then stammer out a marvelous, "Uhhhhhh..." and thankfully the YW president chimed in with, "Yeah, why don't we have a facebook page?"  Whew, saved by the bell. Afterward we ran into Bro. Smith in the hall and I said, "Thanks for throwing us under the bus! We weren't even talking about anything remotely related to Facebook!" Bro. Smith replied with, "They started talking about bookmarks! I don't even use paper! We need to have a facebook page!" Let's just hope we get a facebook page soon...

 

I want you to know that I love being a missionary. There's nothing more tiring and more fulfilling. When you're on the Lord's errand you cannot fail. When you're on His side you'll always succeed. God, our Heavenly Father has set us up for success. His way isn't always easier, but it's always better. Never forget that. When  you make the decision to be on His side, you'll recieve help from both sides of the viel. And just because you set your foot on the right path does not mean that He'll smooth it out for you. Life will always be hard, bask in the refiner's fire. You're being fitted for the Kingdom of God. I love you all so much. Your love and support means the world to me.

 

Onward and Upward,

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

Hey, look on the bright side!

Sometimes...everything that CAN go wrong, WILL go wrong. But I love every minute of it. One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite people says, "You can either laugh or cry, and crying gives me a headache." - Marjorie Pay Hinckley

This week was hilarious! It started off with that gas leak in our heater, then we had a toddler pee on the carpet (5 inches away from me) in the middle of a lesson, we got snowed in twice and...I clogged the kitchen sink. How you might ask? Well let's just say that as I was shoving the pasta down the disposal, I heard my father's voice very distinctly saying, "Never put pasta down the drain, It clogs it!"...10 minutes later we are at the office making a maintenance request. 

There's nothing in the world that I love more than my mission. The best part about it is that it started 9 months ago, and it is never going to end. It's just begun! Isn't that amazing?! It makes that 1/2 way mark not quite as terrifying...I think...

We had an investigator come to church this week! Kelsey is amazing! She's progressing, she has a desire to learn and grow, and she is such an amazing example! I feel so blessed to serving with so many of God's choice spirits.

Here's my new favorite quote (for now)! :

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." -Roald Dahl

We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we should be beaming so bright that our faces light up! Literally! We should be the happiest people on earth! And even when we're not, we know who to turn to- our Savior. I pray that the knowledge of His Atonement lights up your soul. Search the scriptures. Pray always. And always remember, it's better to look up. I have a lot I need to improve on, but I have all the tools I need to succeed, on my mission and for eternity. I need to keep the Holy Ghost in my life. I need to keep an eternal perspective, and I need to learn something from everyone that I meet. I am so grateful to be here, and I pray that I never take one day for granted. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor 

read this talk: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng&query=the+first+great+commandment

Humble stature & Majestic Dignity

We can't waste a precious moment of this life that God has given us to perfect ourselves. We have been given every tool that we could possible need to aid us in this great cause. We have no excuses. We need to repent and change every day. A little bit at a time. We must always be progressing, and always be raising the bar. Now is the time for us to prepare.

I'm still "polar vortex" proof. That doesn't change the fact that I hate the snow. Yes, HATE. It's not pretty, it's not fun, it's not even bearable. It's brown, slushy, cold and dangerous. I don't like any of those words. It sould be illegal. Rant: over.

Yesterday was crazy awesome! I'll credit it to the fact that it was Kamryn's birthday/farewell!  So let me back it up...On Saturday we "randomly" met a woman named Val. She was outside smokin' and drinking coffee when we were on our way in to the appartment complex to stop by one of our investigator's houses. She told us that she was looking for a church in Newark to go to because she's been having a hard time getting to Wilmington every week for church. Of course we were more than willing to solve her dilema! We told her that the next morning we would have a member pick her up for church! And as a bonus, church doesn't even start until 12:30! *thumbs up*  She said she'd be ready by noon! She even called us the next morning to make sure someone was coming to get her! Now let me explain to you what a heart-attack this was giving us. First of all, she's not even an investigator, second of all we haven't taught her ANYTHING, and third- the sunday school lesson was on the organization of the priesthood. Super awesome. Well, she LOVED it, and found answers to her prayers! She said she'd be back next week. She's coming to a dinner appointment with us at a members home on Thursday. MIRACLE.

Our Sabbath did not cease to be eventful. THEN when we got home last night... (let me preface this by saying that everytime our heater turns on it sounds like it's going to explode, seriously) we swing open the door of our apartment, exhausted as we have not been home since 10am, and WHOOSH! A nauseating gaseous smell hit us in the face, and the heater was...uh, humming? Needless to say we stayed with members last night, and reported the problem first thing this morning.

Well folks, God lives. He loves each and ever one of us. He wants us to be happy, He wants us to return home to Him. Our time on this earth is so fleeting, yet so important. Please don't take one second of it for granted. Live your life so that you can have the Holy Ghost with you always. Everything good this life has to offer depends on getting and keeping the Holy Ghost with you always. I promise that if you ask for help from our Heavenly Father, he will sustain you. He will do everything in His power to see you through, but you have to be willing.

Onward and upward,

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

talk to read: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2003/10/the-empowerment-of-humility?lang=eng

Laughs

This week was full of laughs! Thank you for all of your prayers, they make a world of difference!

 

For starters...we're teaching this family. We will call them...the Jones family. Let's just say, they're a little ADD. All God's children (yes, I've been quoting Easy A my entire mission with that one liner). Anywho- This week when we went to the Jones' house to have a lesson and dinner their 11 year old son Kyle while -trying to help us understand his video game- tried to help us see how Assasins Creed related to the Bible...as if that was supposed to help us understand that the point of his video game was to kill everyone...? haha hilarious.

 

THEN Myca Irvine taught us how to crochet! Fret not, we have a good cause! We are going to join a knitting group at the library in hopes of finding someone that wants to listen to us and change their entire life in their old age. Wish us luck.

 We are teaching someone INCREDIBLE! Her name is Hannah, and she's 11 years old. Her mom is a less-active member that is coming back to church and wants to attend the temple! She is so prepared and will hopefully be getting baptized within the next few weeks! (: Keep her in your prayers!

 

So...I sliced my thumb open while trying to open a can of black beans. I seriously thought I was going to need stitches. But alas, it stopped bleeding and Sister Ririe nursed me back to health. It's pretty gnarly though...

 

My life was changed this week. We went to the Disney Store at the mall. I FLIPPED OUT. And bought a Thor t-shirt- of course. I haven't set foot on a Disney establishment in THREE years! That's too long, just in case you were wondering. Luckily my dearest Kaitlin Welker (Shout out!) has been mailing me Pixie Dust which I sprinkle on my pillow every night. She's a life saver.

 

This week I learned so much about my divine purpose and potential! I don't think I will ever fully understand the role I have in His great plan, but I'm trying to comprehend it more and more every day. If you have your patriarchal blessing, read it with a dictionary. It rocked my world and totally changed the way I read it! Read this talk: http://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/01/the-best-time-to-plant-a-tree?cid=HPWE010114311&im=true&lang=eng

 

By the way, I'm polar vortex proof. It's called living in Rexburg for three years. I have walked to school uphill both ways in the snow while it was -12 degrees. And look, I lived to tell about it.  I don't see what everyone over here is complaining about. They canceled school because it was "too cold". Whatever. I don't get it.  

 

I love you all! I am so grateful for my friends and family. One of God's greatest manifestations to me of how much He loves me is the people He places in my life. For that I will be eternally grateful. Have an amazing Christ centered week!

 

Love,

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

Happy New Year?

Where has the year even gone?! 8 months say WHAT?!

 

This is something that I've really been focused on this week. Time goes on, it always will. We cannot take a minute of this life for granted. It has been designed for  us to be successful. God's plan for us is perfect. He has told us what we need to do to find peace and happiness, and gives us every opportunity to do so. We make covenants with Him, and then serving in the Church gives us the opportunity to keep our covenants. God has so much in store for us. We need to trust Him and strive to know His will concerning us. His will needs to become our will. Read this talk:  http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/06/improving-your-personal-prayers?lang=eng Sorry, I rambled.

 

Christmas was amazing! There are so many amazing people that I get to serve and serve with! So many wonderful families in the Newark 3rd ward that take such good care of us! This week I got to make Dad's famous chocolate chip cookies at the McMui's! So grateful. Then we spent Christmas Eve at the Idi's home. They moved here from Sao Palo (?) one month ago! Their kids try to speak to us in portugease (?) and it's hilarious. I've got about two solid phrases down. We're getting pretty good at guessing what they're saying to us. Luckily their parents translate for us.

 

THEN, I got to see all of your lovely faces on FaceTime. I love technology. It was amazing to hear your voices and tell stories and laugh with you. Hard, but good. We went to the McNeil's to FaceTime and it was awesome because Sister Ririe and I were skyping and Her son in Brazil called too! We were all on at the same time! So much missionary magic!

 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful that we have each other. God wants us to be happy and He wants us to be a family forever. I am so grateful for His perfect plan. He wants us to be happy, but we have to do what He asks. Our reward will be so much greater than our sacrifice. If we are faithfull, all of our losses will be made up. I promise.

I was able to spend some of Christmas with the Idi family and with Sister Ilene Boyd!

Presents  (I'm SOOO Grateful!)

Love,

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor