Miracles abounding!

Once again I'm not quite sure where to start...chronological order will do (:

Victoria's baptismal program was beautiful. She had so many friends and family members that traveled to be here and support her, it was amazing. Watching this day come together filled my heart with joy. As her baptism got closer and closer, I expected this "burning in my bosom" type experience and...it never came. I thought for sure that as I was able to witness Victoria enter into the waters of baptism that the flood gates of my tear ducts would over flow and...the tears never came. I was surprisingly calm. I was a little befuddled but still totally at peace. 

After the service we went to Olive Garden! :D For the next 12 hours I was still wondering why I didn't have this grand experience that I had anticipated. 

Sure enough, the next day at church Victoria came forward during sacrament meeting to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the second Brother Hummel opened his mouth, I was weeping like a child. What a blessing it has been to be called to Dover at this time. Victoria was 100% prepared by the Lord, I simply showed up at the right time. He could have called anyone else to be here, but He called me. I've never felt so much joy in my life. Pure joy is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest. I have never known such peace. I cannot believe He counts me worthy to be His mouthpiece.

During Relief Society we taught Ashli about the message of the Restoration. We kind of had to teach the Plan of Salvation at the same time in order for her to understand the context. She attended Victoria's baptism, so we talked about how baptism is the gate in which we enter the path back to our Heavenly home. It's just the beginning. We told her that we didn't want to rush her to baptism, but we helped her to understand that she could not be baptized in China. We knelt in prayer with her as she offered the most sincere prayer I have ever heard. She asked our Heavenly Father to let her know if she should be baptized before she goes back home to China. She knows there will be many restrictions there, and that she doesn't have much time here. As she was praying, SO WAS I! I honestly couldn't feel a thing, and neither could Sister Howard. I just plead with Heavenly Father to help Ashli to recognize her answer, because we can't do that for her. As she ended her prayer and we sat quietly for what seemed like eons, with tears streaming down her face she finally said, "I think I am lucky enough to be baptized before I go home to China." And by this point we all had tears streaming down our cheeks. We promised her that her Heavenly Father is so mindful of her. He will help her every step of the way. He wants her to be happy and He will help her to do what is right. Please keep her in your prayers! She leaves for China on August 11th and her service will be held that weekend. 

THEN, that night they prepared us a feast! Heaven help me, I thought I was going to throw up. We call it, "eating for Jesus". You know what a texture eater I am! ....sesame paste....assortments of tofu, a plethora of mushrooms and last but not least...DUCK EGG!!!! I'm fine. I lived to tell about it, didn't I? It was a bunch of horribly textured things covered in nut taste. BUT, there was cilantro! :D Man, I guess I got my wish, a slice of China in my mission (: I love those girls.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. It's blessings cannot be received by mere observation, but only in the living application of His teachings. When we show our desire, light will flow into our souls. Our Heavenly Father will help us every step of the way, we just need to show Him - by our actions- that we care. We can only love someone to the extent that we are willing to sacrifice for them. After all that the Savior has done for us, what are we willing to sacrifice for Him? A life of living His Gospel? I sure hope so. I love the Lord with all my heart. Thank you for your constant support and much needed prayers. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Taylor

All you need is love.

Well let's see...

We had to take our car in for an oil change at Pep Boys...no big deal right? Wrong. They worked on it for a total of 50 minutes, yet somehow managed to keep the thing over night! Not to mention during a 24 hour span of torrential down pour (prayers for Rexburg)! 

Ashli and Fiona are AMAZING! They are so full of light! We teach them eternal truths and they recognize them! We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Saturday and invited them to be baptized! They said that they would pray about it and attend Victoria's baptism this weekend! We found out that they go home August 11th, so time is of the essence. They cannot be baptized in China, so we're praying for and expecting a miracle! They also brought their friend Felika to church yesterday and we taught her too! Because it's hard for them to get much from Relief Society, we took them out and had a lesson with them. It was so incredible and the Spirit is always so strong when we teach them.

VICTORIA IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! She's incredible. Such an amazing example and such a strong spirit. I love her to death! 

I've had another epiphany, so bear with me. God's love for us never changes. He loves us independent of anything else in the universe. Every detail of my life is a manifestation of this. Every single person, regardless of their actions, their circumstances or anything else about them, deserves to be shown this love. We are His hands here, especially in this regard. Every living soul needs to be treated with Christ-like love. End of story. These words don't adequately explain what I've learned, but my soul has been enlightened. My heart has been filled with light and joy. I am able to feel of His love and the love of those around me because I've learned this. My Heavenly Father loves me independent of any earthy or eternal circumstance, happenstance, situation or any other reality that pertains to me. He just loves me. I'm so grateful for the people in my life that have shown me this kind of love, they have been a great example to me. 

I love my Heavenly Father so much. I'm so grateful for the details of my life in which He expresses His love. I can't wait to one day return to Him, so that time and space cannot distance us from Him! I'm so inexpressibly grateful for the Gospel in my life. It changes my heart day by day, and for that I am grateful. 

I love you all so much! 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

p.s.- I feel old. I can't imagine how that makes my parents feel! ;)

Amish Audacities, C-5 Escapades and our Chinese friends- This week hasbeen one for the books!

Well folks, I picture is worth a thousand words, but let me just explain to you in great detail what will happen to you if you enter a C-5 (GIANT. Metal. Aircraft.) in the middle of July...while you're dehydrated. Nothing good.

It was a hot summer P-Day and we were on our way to the Dover Air Force Base. We arrived and got hooked up with tour guide T (Brother Hamner, him and his wife are the ward YSA reps! - Heather and T Hamner!). Brother Hamner is a C-5 and C-17 mechanic. He showed us the shop where they check out their tools and "bunny suits", then we waited for our Raptor 5 to come pick us up and take us out to the plane. At this rate, we were a hot...and a little sweaty, but nothing I haven't been through before. I had a half a water bottle with warm water in it so I figured I'd be fine.

We get out to the plane, and we get earplugs because some generator thing is so loud that it will burst our ear drums or something. T gives us a tour around the outside of the plan and tells us about all the fuel and cords that make the plane not explode. (: Then...we climb up into the cargo deck! This is where we reached FLIPPIN'HOT status. After a couple minutes there, he took us up into the passenger seating area...SUPER FLIPPIN' AFRICAHOT status....but, I hadn't passed out yet so I was set and ready to go into the rear of the plane and up the T wing, BRING IT ON! So we make it to the back of the plan, like literally, in the tail of the plane and I'm telling you, it was HOTTER THAN HADES! I will never forget that heat, talk about a burning in your bosom! Hot hot hot. But, once in a lifetime experience, so there's now way I'm backing down now! 

So in order to get from the tail end, up into the t wing you have to climb some ladders. I hate ladders. Tight spaces- I'll get over it. Heights, as long as I'm strapped in- I'm fine. Ladders- no. Quadruple no. So of course I let all the others sisters go first, then the time came- my turn. After standing at the top of the first ladder for ten minutes, Sister Zeller and Sister Howard started singing my hymns from the bottom. Then, Sister Jolley came down from the top (the next 40' ladder/tunnel I had to crawl up). I had two sisters behind me singing me on, and one sister above me lifting me up. Literally. I had to get from a ten foot ladder, onto a ledge to the next ladder up the tail of the plane. I thought I was going to die. But after some pep talking from Sister Jolley, I DID IT!!!!  Gloriously, triumphantly and totally dripping with sweat and smeared with grease.  Tour guide T greeted me as I made my way to the top, "Sister Taylor, you're a freakin' champ!" I took some fantastic pictures and as I put my hands up in the air, that's when I knew something was wrong, I was totally shaky. And I thought, "Oh crap, this can't be good". 

So I scurried back down the ladders, through the tail, onto the passenger deck and then down to the cargo deck and...crashed. I had to lay down on the ground or I was going to pass out and throw up. And I had no water left. SUPER! But after a couple minutes I'd cooled off and I felt fine. T came back down and told us we has one last stop, the flight deck! I couldn't miss this, that's for sure! So up the ladder I went! We get up there, and everyone's havin' a ball! Trying on oxygen masks, sitting in the pilot's seat and the flight engineers seat and...here it comes again, I feel like i'm going to puke. I was sitting in the seat thinking to myself, "If I stick my head out that window and throw up, will I get puke on the side of the plane? If I get puke on the tarmac, who's going to have to clean it up?" Yes folks, I know, this would only happen to ME. So then I'm like, "T...I think I'm going to throw up..." Back down the ladder and outside we went, because even though it was 95 degrees outside, it was cooler than anywhere in the plane. And I flopped to the ground again. There I was, laying on the ground next to a C-5. All the mechanics working on the plane were laughing at me. I didn't even care. And that ladies and gents is the time I finally made it onto a C-5. #NeverAgain

THEN, on Thursday, on our way to the Wilmington District Meeting, we found it- KRISPY KREME! Finally. Duncan Donuts is getting really old. Super overrated. We each ate two hot donuts in a matter of 60 seconds. It was glorious. 

On Saturday we had a lesson with Ashli and Fiona and they prayed in English! They are so prepared and so...perfect! We found a Mormon message about the last week of the Savior's life and His resurrection all in CHINESE! When it was over we asked them what they learned and Ashli said, "God sent us His Son to die for us...because He loves us. He is the Savior of the whole world." TEARS were streaming down my face!  These girls could not be more prepared! They came to church again yesterday and next week they are  bringing a friend. They go home to China at the end of August, and I don't know how things are going to end up with them, but one thing is for sure, WE'RE TAKING THE CHURCH TO CHINA! I love those girls so much, being a part of teaching them about their Savior and the loving Heavenly Father has strengthened my testimony so much. The simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are real, and life changing. 

http://www.mormonsandchina.org

We have a divine destiny. Our course has already been mapped out by the Savior. We were MADE to succeed, the only thing that can change that is us. We have two choices in life- The Savior, or turmoil. There is no middle ground, there can't afford to be. These are the last days! We have to pick a team and stay the course! And just because we put our foot on the right path doesn't mean that the Lord will smooth it out for us. It isn't meant to be easy, we're meant to learn to rely on Him and not ourselves, or others, or things.  Change doesn't need to be hard, you just need to be honest and then commit. We are meant to change. Please don't return home to your Heavenly Father the same way you left Him. Commit to your spiritual CPR, church, prayer and reading- DAILY. If we don't feast daily we will suffer deadening spiritual consequences. 

I love you all so much. Thank you for your love and prayers, they are felt and needed. I wouldn't be here without you. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor

p.s.- I'm not really turning 22 am I? #OldyPants #TurningGrey #iDontKnowAboutYouButImFeelin22 

Independence Day in the Capital of the First State! ...'MERICA!

This week was awesome! We had Zone Training, and the whole first half of the week it consumed us! We really wanted to make sure the missionaries in our zone had a spiritual experience that would motivate them to be exactly obedient, and we wanted them to know of their self worth! We did everything we could on our part to ensure an environment for the spirit. And...we think it went really well! The spirit was very strong, and I know that I learned a lot for sure. We were also lucky enough to have President and Sister Anderson and the Assistants with us! 

We also had interviews with President Anderson this week. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for President and Sister Anderson. They do so much to ensure our success and happiness. I am so grateful for their many sacrifices on our behalf. They are so inspired, and meant to be here at this time. 

GUESS WHAT?! This week when the Goldens come in...we'll have 80 SISTERS IN THE MISSION! Yup, you read that right, 80. #sisterpower

We had our first real lesson with Ashley and Fiona this week. It was incredible. We get to teach so simply and I think it's amazing. "God is the Father of our spirits...Jesus Christ is His Son...when we follow His teachings we can return to live with our Heavenly Father...God communicates with us through His spirit...We communicate with God through prayer..." It's amazing to see the spirit touch their hearts when we speak of these simple truths. We shared the Because of Him video and had Ashley in tears! They both prayed in Chinese! It was incredible! I don't know what's going to happen with them, but I know they've felt the spirit and it's absolutely strengthened my testimony of the gospel to teach them. 

You won't believe it...we got to stay out until 10pm on the 4th of July!!! We got to watch fireworks and everything. We watched them from the Kopp's driveway, and had a perfect view of the Capitol building. 

Well folks, I'm off to tour a C-5 at the Dover Air Force Base...

Know that I love my Savior, know that God's plan for us is perfect, and know that if you follow the Spirit, you will never be led astray. The spirit is the single most important element to your personal salvation. I know this to be true.

Love, 

Seester Taylor

also, I get to stay in Dover for 6 more weeks with Sister Howard! We're gonna keep rockin' this town! 

Flip-flip-flip-a-delphia!

I know I say this a lot, but this time I really mean it...I have no clue where to start! So much to say and so little time. We don't have a lot of time to write but a picture is worth a thousand words so I sent you a ton! :D 

I SPENT TWO DAYS IN PHILLY! Conclusion...not sure if I could actually serve there...I think it would wear me out real quick! But, I'd better keep my mouth shut because transfers are coming up next week! I rode the subway, went to Reading Terminal Market and went to the temple construction site! The sisters there live right on 17th and Spring Garden! It was awesome (: 

SISTER HOWARD BROUGHT ME CAFE RIO BACK FROM WASHINGTON D.C.!!! Best companion ever. Obviously. My taste buds almost exploded with joy. 

We also had Mission Leadership Council this week and it was so spiritually uplifting! I can't wait to do Zone Training this week! Please pray for us! We want the missionaries in our zone to have a great experience with the spirit! I'm so grateful for President and Sister Anderson! They do so much for us and they love all the missionaries so much! They work so hard. 

Keep on and pray on. Remember that you are not here on this earth to prove your worth, that was set eons ago. You are here to determine where you will spend the eternities. Your individual worth cannot and never will change. I love this Gospel and my Savior more than I can tell you.The Atonement is real. Lean on it, don't let His sacrifice be in vain. Don't do all that you can, and then expect Him to make up the rest, walk with Him every step of the way. Thank you for your prayers, they have been felt. 

All my love, 

Sister Kadee Elise Taylor 

I'm on top of the world, yeah!

This was a jam packed week of awesomeness! 

We made some Chinese friends/investigators. (I just really want Chinese friends).  They are exchange students and will be here until August. We invited them over for dinner at a member's house who lives down the hall from them. They brought some chinese food...it looked wierd, but of course I muscled it down. Upon further inspection we came to the knowledge that it was black tree fungus. yay! But they did bring some shredded potato stir fry and that was good (: We showed them one of the only Mormon messages translated into Chinese and it was about our divinity as daughters of God. These girls did not even know the meaning of the word "religion". They are so receptive and after their 10 day vacation to Disney World we are going to have another lesson with them! Please pray for Ashley and Fiona. More commonly known as, Yang Qui Liang and Feng Jing Ting... (: 

Us four Dover sisters put on a "Dover Community Cultural Night"! Yes, we single handedly organized, planned and carried out the entire thing. WITH help from Victoria of course, she helped us make ALL the decorations and centerpieces! :D She's incredible. The event was a wild success and there were 16 non-members there! :D HOORAY! 

Okay, here's three facts that need to be reviewed before I tell you this story. 

1. I can't sing. I just don't. You know this. 
2. For months we've been hearing about a music festival that would be here in Dover this past weekend. It's a hipster music festival called Firefly that's basically trying to re-create Woodstock. 
3. Two weeks ago our bishop asked us (both companionships of sisters in the ward) to sing a "prelude song" before sacrament meeting started. Kinda awkward, but sure! (: We decided to sing Brightly Beams or Father's Mercy to the tune of Come Thou Fount. 

Drum roll please...

Next thing I know, I find myself singing acapella on the stand in Sacrament meeting realizing that Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons is on the back pew with his family...The champ took a picture with us but asked us not to use it for social media purposes because it causes the church negative attention :( Yes, the sister missionaries were the only ones to snag a picture with him and yes, I still manage to meet famous people on my mission. 

I had an amazing study about the "mist of darkness" spoken of 2 Nephi 8! I received a blessing last week and was counseled to study 1 Cor.10:13. It talks about overcoming the temptations sent our way. As I studied all the cross-references I ran into this, "And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost." - 1 Nephi 12:17. We are infinitely more than our trials and afflictions, but we have to beware of the mists od darkness that the adversary throws our way! They are all around us, and the adversary is getting trickier and trickier! He's making good seem bad and bad seem good. Whenever the scriptures talk about temptation it is coupled with prayer. We must always be pleading for Heavenly help if we are to get by. Any good that comes from us comes because of Him. We mus always be relying on Him. And not only that, we must thank Him for every seemingly small miracle we receive at His hand. I love the Lord! I am not the source of the Light, but I can reflect it! 

I love my mission more than you'll ever know. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. You inspire me to work hard! I love you more than I can put into words. 

Love, 

Sister Kadee Taylor 

"My mission belongs to the Lord. With all my heart, I give my energy and my time to the Master. Therefore I'm going to look at every day not as mine, but as His. And I will treat each minute of His time with respect and focus on the dedication that it deserves." Elder Russell M. Ballard.

I'm seriously about to shave all my hair off.

It's official. I hate summer more than winter. 

This week was amazing! I learned so much that I will cherish for eternity. District meeting was all on Humility. It absolutely changed me. I learned that if my Savior, through the help of His Father in Heaven, performed the Atonement, then there's nothing I can't do without His help too.  I think I see the world through different eyes. My perspective has changed and I'm learning about my individual worth, and how that never changes in the eyes of God. We need to see each other's similarities before we see our differences. We are all of equal and important value to our Father in Heaven. Temporal things do not effect our worth, and the adversary will always try to distract us with "vain imaginations" and "self made issues". Your individual worth is permanent. When we remember our origin, it's easy to reach our destiny. When you feel your confidence waning, remember your divinity as a child of the Almighty God.

Our investigator Victoria, that Sister Argueta and I started teaching at the beginning of May, has picked a baptismal date! Her husband is deployed in the Navy right now, and she was originally going to wait until he got home in November to be baptized. We tried to understand and didn't push the issue. As we continued teaching her and as she kept keeping commitments her heart changed! She said that she feels like she needs to be baptized sooner and has chosen July 26th! I am so happy for her. It has been such a tender mercy to be able to teach her. She is more prepared than anyone I have ever met. She even  got upset when she realized she couldn't have a calling until she was baptized, and has helped us entirely plan and prepare for an upcoming ward party! She's incredible.

This week was full of miracles that I don't even have time to type up! Fret not, they're all in my journal! I want you to know that I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. If we allow Him to, and if we are willing to put in the work, He can change our very natures. I'm not sure how, but I know that He can, because I've experienced it. If we have a desire to change and to become better, then we need to humble ourselves in prayer and ask for help, then get up and work for the change. This is a Gospel of transformation! It will transform YOU!  Pray for the strength to influence your surroundings, don't let your surroundings influence you! Be a thermostat, not a thermometer! :D 

Thank you for all the love, support, and needed prayers! 

Love, 

Hermana Taylor