Heart, might, mind & strength

All I know is that I LOVE living with Sister Zeller and Sister Jolley! 

This week my Mission President asked what my opinion was on some statistics in our mission. His question was thought provoking for me and my response helped me to learn a lot. It is as follows: 

"I think when teaching we act like the things we say are more like good suggestions rather than the only way back to our Heavenly Home. Like Elder Holland teaches, if they don't know the importance of our message then at least we do, and we need to act like it! The Gospel is for everyone, weather or not they are prepared. We need to start being more lovingly persistent I guess. This is not a day-by-day work, it's people's salvation. We can't just teach another restoration lesson, we need to put our heart and soul into everything that we teach. It's hard, and it takes a lot of effort/energy- but this is the time that God has given us to serve Him with all of our heart, might, mind and strength. We need to let these people know how much we really care. And as I've recently learned, actions speak louder than words. I need to apply these things as much as anybody else.  It's hard, and I think it will take practice- like exercising a muscle, but it will be worth the effort."

Brothers and Sisters, the Gospel is more than the happiest way to live a life, it's the only hope for our eternal lives. It is urgent that we share what we know. Do we understand that this is a completely new era in church history?! NOW is the time to hasten the work of salvation. Nottomorrow, not next week or next year- now!  This work will go on with or without you. When all is said and done, will you have done your part in hastening the work, or will you leave it for someone else to do? Will your part be one of an observer or a doer? 

I love the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my brother, He is my friend, He is my Savior. Because of Him I can do all things. No task is too great, not mountain too tall. He will always lift me higher than I can ever lift myself. His Atonement gives my heart the capacity to love everyone around me. I miss Him. I can't wait to see my Heavenly Father and my Savior again. 

Search for unplanned opportunities to serve those around you. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor 

Everything I'll ever need to know I'll learn on my mission.

This week was crazy! Monday to Tuesday we were in Salisbury, MD with Sisters Andrus and Pike, Thursday to Friday we were in Newark 1st with Sisters Wilson and Lewis, and Friday toSaturday we were in Newark 3rd (my last area, whoot whoot!) with Sisters Jensen and Ririe! Then on Saturday we also had Accountability with the Assistants! It was quite a week, and I loved it!

This week I had an experience that helped me to learn something that was very profound to me. We were on exchanges and I was in Newark 1st Ward area serving with Sister Lewis for the day. We went to a deaf woman's house to help her clean. Her husband recently had an injury and just came home from the hospital. I'll have you know that neither Sister Lewis or I know ASL...luckily we know how to spell! Well I guess the appointment wasn't scheduled and so we were pretty much just hoping that she would let us in to help her. Well I'm glad she did, because that experience changed me. Brothers and Sisters, infinitely more important than what you will ever say is what you do. As I delicately dusted her cabinets and her china dishes I realized that it was the only way I could communicate my love for her. The only way I could speak to this child of God was through my actions. What you say matters little compared to what you do. What are you doing to show those around you that you love them? How do you treat those around you to let them know that you love them?  What do you do to show your Heavenly Father that you love Him? That day I truly learned that actions speak louder than words. 

I know that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior and Redeemer. He's paid the price for my sins, weaknesses and even my character-flaws, so that if I repent continually and always turn towards Him I can live with my Heavenly Father again. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves me. I invite all of you to share this website/video as much as you can this week. 

http://easter.mormon.org/

This video has the ability to touch the hearts of millions of people. Please use the social media hashtag #BecauseofHim. This is a special week for Christians around the world. Share your testimony of the Savior with everyone!

I know that it's because of Him that I am given the capacity to serve our brothers and sisters. It's because of Him that I am will be able to live forever. Because of Him there is no end. 

All my love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

God is in the details!

Life is crazy on the mission! Crazy-awesome! I seriously feel like we never stop working, and I STILL feel like we get nothing done! I do not understand how that happens. We had to type up our WHOLE area book onto the iPads...it took FOREVER. literally. That area book will haunt me for the rest of my life. Between that and going on exchanges/doubling in and entering the area book, I feel like we do nothing else! Transfers are next week so hopefully things will calm down....knock on wood. I love being a missionary! I cannot imagine life if I hadn't chose to serve. It has changed me forever already, and I'm not even done! My perspective before was...so, so small. I had no grasp on what life or eternity held for me. I'm a totally different person. I've learned how dependent I am on the enabling power of the Atonement, and I'm still leaning what that means! I couldn't trade my mission for anything. 

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