Time is of the essence.

It's happened... I say "woader" instead of water, which still isn't as bad as woodar. But sometimes I say "yous guys" on accident...And when I say coffee, I think i say coafee...but other than that I think I'm still pretty normal...hopefully.

Let's all be honest with ourselves, General Conference is better than Christmas. I AM SO EXCITED!  I hope you each go with a prayer in your heard and a question(s) you want answered. The Lord's spirit will be with you if you are sincere in heart. Your questions/prayers will be answered. I promise. 

It was a fun week full of laughs! We were driving home from a meeting in Philly on Friday and we were on the freeway near Market Street when all of the sudden I look to our left, make a quick observation and then say very matter-of-factly, "Elder Mower (who was driving)...I'm pretty sure the guy next to us is high AND texting. You're going to want to speed up or slow down...now!" haha it was so funny! Then the guy started swerving all over the place! Don't worry, we made it out alive! And yes, I'm sure these are the stories that keep my mother up at night... (: 

How about that historic Women's Meeting, yeah?! I was in tears half the broadcast! We are so blessed to live in a time such as this. Where we can listen to a prophet's voice! My heart is brim with joy because of this glorious fact. We don't need to worry from day to day, only relax and rejoice! Our covenants give us access to exaltation, we need to cleave to them. We must draw attention to our Savior, not to ourselves. It's all about doing what He would do. Serve Him with a smile! We already have divine gifts that we've inherited from Him! Lift up your hearts! Look up, cheer up, and step up! The Lord is hastening His work, it will go on with or without you. Choose to do your part! 

I want to thank you all for your love and support. I can feel your prayers getting me through the long, busy, wonderful days! I cannot thank you enough. I am humbled every single day by the support I receive. I have never felt so much love in my entire life. This work is real, and it's the greatest work you or I could ever be a part of. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor 

Thy will be done

I've learned so much this week! It will be hard to put it into words and form sentences that make sense- bear with me. 

I've learned that trivial things drive out people and moments that matter most. Don't let satan distract you. Trust me, he does a good job. He will try to tear down the elect slowly. He'll creep in and tell you that unimportant things (TV, work, phone, games, internet, school) are actually more important or just as important as your family, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't listen to him, not even for a second.

Let Jesus be the light by which you see the way. He has set a perfect example for us. Jesus never did a single thing that we can't do. He has commanded us to be like Him, and he was not taunting us when He did so. Develop Christ-like attributes. You'll never be perfect over night, but you'll never be perfect if you don't work on it everyday either. Live up to your potential every single day. That day becomes a week, becomes a month, becomes a year, becomes your lifetime! Live up to your full potential every single day. "I'd rather be in hell going toward Heaven that in Heaven going toward hell."- Brigham Young

You're either progressing or digressing...there's no standing still. If you're not getting closer to the Lord, you're getting further away from Him. Be actively engaged in strengthening your relationship with the Lord. 

You're either with Him or against Him. You either keep the commandments or you do not. Don't be lukewarm. There will be no fence sitting in the Kingdom of God. Get off the fence. Revelation3:16,19. The Gospel needs to be an active part of your life. Know it, live it, love it. 

God cannot work on what He does not have and He cannot have you unless you give yourself to Him. He can't give you everything He has unless first you give Him everything you are. Give your time, give your will. Put all your wants and desires, even the good ones, on the shelf. Then let Him orchestrate your life the way He has planned. His way isn't always easier, but it's always better. And remember, just doing the right thing isn't good enough, you have to want to do the right thing too. 

This week was incredible! I am continually amazed at how much love my heart can contain! I've never loved anyone or anything so much in my life as I do the people on my mission! I didn't understand how to love before my mission. And it's all only a fraction of what our Heavenly Father feels, and He lets us experience it. What a loving Father. What a perfect plan.

We had an appointment with the Spanish speaking family this week. SHE MADE US TAMALES! Apparently it's a really big deal. Sister Argueta says that their family only makes them on Christmas and sometimes for weddings! She woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning to make them! (I'm just trying to get my point across because my mom buys tamales from a Spanish man that comes around the neighborhood every Spring...this is WAY more sentimental than that!)

I love this Gospel more than life. I know that God loves us and wants us to return to live with Him. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God because when I read it, I feel my Savior's love. I know that no one can know of spiritual truths without prayer. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I am so grateful for continuing revelation. It has blessed my life immensely. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor 

Please Read: Jesus, The Perfect Leader- 

full calendars, full stomachs and full hearts.

I've never been in an area where the member fill our meal calendars AND our work calendars! We have been so blessed with people to teach. But...they mostly speak Spanish and I no hablo espanol. So my role is to look pretty. It's great. Not really, I feel totally useless in our spanish lessons! 

I want you to know that I LOVE being a missionary. Nothing in the world makes me happier than the call to serve my Savior. His love fills my heart everyday and completely overwhelms me. I did not know I could love so much. I know that this is the only true and living Gospel on the face of the earth. It contains every element of truth that we need to return to our Father in Heaven. We are divine Spirit children of God. 

Love, 

Hermana Taylor

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