December 25, 2011

Skyping with our missionary was the BEST Christmas gift EVER!!  It was wonderful.  We talked for 2 hours and then got to talk on the phone for another hour with him!  Love our missionary!

December 19, 2011

So the first thing is I am still in Havasu for the next 6 weeks, which is really cool.  But, the awesome thing is I get to Skype this year for Christmas!!!  So, we need to plan that.  You need to email me back right now mom, haha. But, this should be pretty cool.

I hope everything is going well at home.  We are getting fed way too much, haha.  There are just so much sweets everywhere we turn.  Yesterday we had an eight year old baptism and we talked at it and then afterward his step mom came up and was just like, "hey, I want to do that too.  Oh and my daughter would be so happy to do it too. She really wants to be a member of the church."  We just looked at each other and were like, "we can help you with things like that!  We think we might be able to squeeze you in somewhere like whenever you can do it.  That's when we can squeeze you in! Haha.  I love people that want to be baptized and I don't have to do anything.

Oh and I am loving the 12 days of Christmas.  It is a lot of fun to do, haha.  I don't know how you came up with some of this junk, but it is a lot of fun.  Like the yo-yo!  Haha  I have not played with that in forever, but no, I open them first thing in the morning every day.  So I am so pumped for Christmas.  We have 3 meals planned.  We are going to my favorite families house--the Adam's--for Christmas.   We will go and have breakfast before church.  I am so pumped for that.  Well talk to you Christmas.  Let me know when you can talk, please.  If not, I will call you before church so I can work it out.

December 12, 2011

Hey, so my companion is good on Christmas, but there is a sister who is from Mexico that will not have anything we are pretty sure.  Her name is Sister ---------.  She is really sweet, but has been out for 15 months and has only had one letter from her family and writes them every week sometimes multiple times a week.  I just think it is not fair to her not to have a Christmas. And there might be another sister, too, but I am not sure.  So me and my companion are wanting to give her a good Christmas.  So could you either put some money in my account or send an anonymous package to her with no name or address.  I don't want her to know it was us.

Ok so, we are finally getting into the spirit of Christmas.  It feels weird this year but in a good way.  Everyone around here besides me is from somewhere that is really cold.  Chicago is (where) my companion(is from), then Edmenton, Canada and Wyoming. Haha So I am the only one that is not used to a white Christmas.

That family (in the picture we were texted)  was the Kanborian's.  They are are a real cool family.  That was our first dinner with them. Oh and yeah, Elaine Kohler gave me a hug.  You would be surprised by how many old ladies that I talk to on the street give us hugs and some ladies in the ward just don't care about that rule!  Haha.  It is all good.  If you read the white hand book there is nothing ever said about hugs.  It just says to avoid any inappropriate relation with anyone of the opposite sex, but if it is an old lady there is nothing wrong with it in my opinion.  At the Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving a Brother Brimhall asked the four of us if any of us were from Louisiana and I was like me and then he said that he was her brother.  I think but I am not sure about that.  So I was like, "awesome".  Then he was like, "awesome" so then one day he called the other missionaries and asked for my number and called and asked if he could bring something to me and I was like sure and they showed up at our house with her and goods.

It is so weird to see all of my little sisters getting so old.  Happy birthday, Ems.  It is so weird.  MC wrote me finally.  They are the worst at writing, ever! Haha for real.  But they are so old.  I am trying to get some friends at BYU to watch out for her (MC).  Haha like my roomate.  Alex is too lax. oh well.

December 5, 2011

      My church is at 11:30 here and ends at 2:30, but I could be moved before Christmas.  So any packages that are not sent by next Monday get them sent to the mission home and then the mission home will send them to me wherever I am.  Transfers are on the 20th so I don't know if I will stay or go because there is about a 50-50 chance that I will stay or go.  I hope I don't move right before Christmas.

 

      I can have any uplifting music that brings the Spirit.  So no (certain) type.  It can be EFY.  I would love to have all the different EFY's and just other good music.

 

     We just started the Book of Mormon over again with the Preach My Gospel class that we do with the ward.  We made a 90 day reading plan up with the help of some of the ward members and we are reading it.  We started on Nov 29th, so we are just slowly going through it.  It only is 3.6 pages per day.  It is really not bad at all.

 

     The work is kinda slow.  We have not been able to find new investigators.  I have heard that it is slow in the work around the holidays, but we were able to find two new investigators here this past week.   We are hoping that they will go through.  They were both from member referrals. Y'all should invite over Matt, Logan, and Micheal some time this holiday.  Keep being friends with them.

 

      I love all of y'all.  Peace out home dogs.  Is Alex Zachary going to be home for the break?

November 28, 2011

So, I am going to kill a fowl.

Don't really know why, but just felt like saying that.

So, there are a few different hikes in this great place, so we are doing them.  Last week we went on Sara's Crack with 23 missionaries from the zone it was a blast.

So the work is going kinda slow, but we are having a good time trying to find new people to talk to.  We are going to start teaching the members here lessons because we are getting no referrals. But, hopefully people will let us after there friends. ahha :).

So, I am mad at the girls because i didn't get a letter.  I want to know what is going on at home.  So hit me up with some letters.  I need to know the guys names and stuff so that i can get them killed!!!!!!!!!!!

But, I do thank y'all for the package!  It is great to get them.

And I didn't forget about your birthday, Mom! haha I was going to send flowers but that junk is not cheep so i was like, "she knows I love her!" haha  So, sorry, I hope it is the thought that counts for your birthday.  So just walk outside and look down like there is something there and get really excited.  Then start crying because your son is just the best person ever and loves you!  Just do that for me, haha.

So, happy birthday Moms!

My new companion is awesome.  I love him!  He is just a hair better then the Big Clason! haha.  But I have had great luck with all my companions.  Our district is just awesome this transfer.

November 21, 2011

Ok so, since I had to wait 50 mins before i could get an email then I don't have much time.  But, it is all good. We are eating (Thanksgiving) at the ward mission leader's house.  And playing in a Turkey Bowl between the two wards.  I am so pumped for Thanksgiving!

And as far as I know there are no rules on gifts we can get, besides, like, iPhones! ahha  But no, I can even get an iPod with church music on it. Which would be really nice if you would like to send one out.  That would be cool but  there is an RC car track here in Havasu.  They run these RC cars on them that can like do big jumps and stuff like that.  I would really not mind getting one of those things.  They are freaking awesome.  They're kinda exspensive though.  haha  I am not really sure how much but, we are going to check out the whole thing at a local store today.  They are not just any car, though, so I will let you know how much they are.

Hey, when you put a question in your email that you want me to answer just put it in a different color--like purple and gold or something like that.  Ok? So I can see the questions easy.

So, some how, not really sure how this happened, but I got out on my mission without my Patriarchal blessing so if you could throw that into the package that you send that would be freakin awesome. So the work is going good but we have some wierd stuff going on.  Like we keep finding investigators for the other missionaries that are now getting baptized.  haha  At least the work is moving forward.

I will be expecting to see some mail from MC, SB, Emma, and Lils this week.  haha I wrote them, now they have no excuse!

November 14, 2011

Dear everyone awesome,

 

              So, this week has been awesome.   My new comp(anion) is Elder Davis.  He is really funny. haha  It is weird though, because I know the area better.  I am now getting to plan for every day.  It sucks.  I liked not having to do anything. But, it is really fun.  He is from Chicago.  We have fun.  The ward mission leader is having us over dinner on Thanksgiving.  (Mama asked if he spends much time in the rest of the house he lives in) We go downstairs to talk to them.  They are really cool.  He is a gunsmith.  We love these people.

 

              So, I don't think I have told you about the guy named Don.  He is a really cool dude.  He is like 80 and he is so funny.  We were teaching him but he does not want to join so we just talk to him now every once in awhile.  It is awesome.  He loves us and we absolutely love him.  It is awesome.  He is so nice.  I am staying at his house when I come back to visit.  He told me I have no choice.  It is awesome.

             Well I will be expecting letters back form 4 little girls that live on 72 Horseshoe Ln in Sulphur LA. So, peace out!

 

 

                  Love, Elder Zachary

November 7. 2011

So, I am staying in Lake Havasu for at least one more transfer. So, I am kinda pumped about that it.  Should be preatty fun.  Haha.  I hope I don't get a sucky comp(anion)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but, it should be cool.  I will tell you more next week.  But, it will be my second companion.  Haha.  I love this area.  I am so glad that I am not leaving quite yet.  The other ward in our district will be Elder Gott, and he is training.

Now, I shall do questions.  The food here is just normal food with a little Mexican, but in this town there are not very many Mexicans.  It is kinda like Sulphur, but with only old people. But, it is cool.  My gumbo was good.  I am going to make some more for one of the families in the ward.  They asked me to, so we are going to do a family home evening. Oh, and in Vegas, there is a Raisin' Canes.  We went when we went up there with a member of the ward to hear Elder Jensen speak.  I am not sure which was better---the member of the Seventy, or the Cane's.  Haha....jk, the Cane's was way better!!!!!!!!!!!!! Haha Ok, I am terrible. Sorry, but we love this place.  We have three investigators down in Parker.

(Information about a real person has been deleted by editor....Mama)

So, love you bye.

October 31, 2011

Ok, so for reals.  Let's be for real.  This place rocks.  This transfer is coming up and I am kinda excited about getting a new comp(companion).  It should be fun.  Last transfer we had the whole district together for a second transfer.  I am hoping I don't get transferred but, I guess I can.  I don't really know.  But, any way we had a baptism this week.  It was awesome.  The father almost cried and, oh yeah, I messed up the prayer to baptize the son twice!  Oh well :/ haha.  But they are the freak....the bees knees so, it was all good.  But, it was an awesome thing.  I love this ward so much.  The other ward down in Parker is going to be having some baptisms coming up soon we are kinda weirded out by.  We have an investigator that we are trying to convince that we need to wait a little longer to baptize her.   ahha :) . 


So, the other Elder holding me in the picture is Elder Gott.  He freaking rocks.  Then the kid I am holding and kneeing in the stomach is Kyle Melendez.  He and his father are the best.  We love them and they do anything for us.  It rocks. We have an awesome ward.  It would be tough to leave.  


I couldn't attach the picture of the family we baptized but, I will send the card tomorrow so you will see them soon.  Ok, so it is not letting me attach any pictures so, i will just send them both to you.  Ok, so sorry.  


Ok, so can you fix and send me my suit?  I think it would be fine to wear.  


Ok, and for Christmas i want a game......Settlers of Catan and Seaffers of Catan---the Exspansion.  So, let me know.  I have no idea how much it is or where to get it.  Haha, so good luck!

 Elders in the same area.  Elder Gott and 

 Some things never change...

 He is super happy it looks like!!

 Elders Zachary and Gott

 Taylor and Kyle, whom Taylor baptized on Saturday, October 29.

Looking to California!!!

October 24, 2011

OK, so we got the best news ever. We are so pumped. This weekend we are going to be having a baptism of a father and son that we have been trying to get baptized for about 8 months now. He had legal issues, so we were able to get that cleared up and he and his 8 year old son will be baptized this Saturday. The whole ward is really excited about it. There has only been one baptism in this ward this year, so this is exciting. The son wants me to baptize him so I will be doing that, and the former stake president who we live with will be baptizing Walter. He is really excited.

So this past week Elder Jensen of the 70 came to the mission. We went up to Vegas. It was fun. He was very interesting and very funny. He talked a lot about faith and how we have to have a lot of faith to be able to lift people up to where we are and not lift people above us.

We are  having a good time. Transfers are coming up on the 8th. We are thinking that two of the guys in our district are going to be leaving. One of those is my companion. He has been here for 6 months.


So, we shall see!

To Lily--October 17, 2011

hey Lils,

 

    Hey I heard it was your birthday last week. Sorry, I didn't write you.  I was busy. I hope you are doing great.  You are nine years old!  That's crazy.  But, I was thinking.....it was just about a year ago that I had the opportunity to baptize you.  I just wanted to say thank you for that.  Love you a lot little sister.

 

 

October 17, 2011

So, this week was a great week.  We were able to get a soft ok to go ahead with the baptism of one of our investigators that we thought would have to wait for another year.  So, in the next few weeks him and his son should be getting baptized.  We are really excited about that.  He is a great man.  Then the lady who's husband said no to the church at all--we were able to help her move and she has many friends and is getting more and more every week in the church.  Her husband is softening his heart little by little, but if she does get baptized then it will be in the other ward.  But, we don't care.  She is the best lady that I know and is ready.  Her husband will just take some time but, he will get there. So things are lookin' up.

 

My companion played O-line for SVU in football.  

We have awesome members.  There are the Melendezes, who are an awesome family.  Only the son and the dad are members.  The dad has been a member his whole life and is just now getting back in to the church and he is now in the Elder's Quorum Presidency.  He helps us with what ever we need and we have a great time.  His son, Kyle, is awesome.  He is 16 and when he got ordained to be a Priest, he asked us to stand in the circle.  He is such a good kid.  He reminds me a lot of Dan in the way he is a good example for all those around him.  I admire him.  For a long time he went to church by himself and it is in large part because of him that his dad is active again.  He rocks.  Then we have the Rask's.  They are an older couple, but are the nicest people I have ever met. About 5 years ago he had a stroke and the right side of his body his paralyzed, but he doesn't let that stop him. Whenever we ask for rides in priesthood he is always the only one who raises his hand.  I really have grown to look up to him.

So this week Brother and Sister Rask are going to bring us to Las Vegas to go see Elder Jenson, of the Seventy. It should be awesome.  Then we are going to go to the temple with them.  We are really excited.

 

I love all of y'all.  Y'all have all made an impact on my life in some way or another.

 

Oh yeah, my favorite scripture is Ether 12:27.  It is Dad's, too, I know.

October 10. 2011

ok, Mother, here are some pictures.

ok, so this week was good.  We are having a good time.  We have a new investigator who has a goal of being baptized. He has a few things to get over, but we will be working with him to stop smoking and a few other things so we shall see how that goes.  There is another man and his son that either them both will be baptized or just the son will be baptized this month.  But, we will have a few baptisms coming up.  Hopefully, they will still be happening.

 Taylor at Hoover Dam...

 Lake Havasu--looks beautiful....

This picture is the little girl we baptized.

So that's good.  We are doing great, though.  There really isn't much to report on this week, Mom.

October 3, 2011

This week was not so great.  We had a good bit of ups and then way downs.  But there is a lot that I can learn from each one.  We started out the week finding out that the best investigator ever was moving to the other ward and so she would be taught by the other missionaries so that was not too good but at least she would be getting baptized.  She is so strong and awesome.  Then on Wednesday, we were going to meet with her and tell her she had to go to the other ward.  When we went to do this she met us with tears.  Her husband had been anti-ing her and it was not working because she knew it was true and she said that there was nothing he could do to take that away.  I think he realized how strong she is so he told her that it was him or the church. This was a hard decision for her, but her daughter needs her father so she made the right decision to go ahead and wait on meeting with us any more for now.  She cried so hard.  One day she will be baptized and I will be there.

My companion and I are doing great......getting along and everything.  This is a retirement community, so there are no young people.

It was great to see all the girls with Alex!  haha.  That is funny.  I will be with them in two years if they are not all on missions. haha  It could happen! haha  That would be awesome if we where all out at the same time.  haha  Tell Jen to hurry and get out here so we could go home at the same time.  haha  That would rock if it was me, Travis, and Jen coming home.

 I love all of y'all!

Geaux Tigers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 26, 2011

Ok...so there is some awesome news.  We just had stay/goes (transfers) and I am staying along with the rest of my district.  haha.  So we set one of our investigators this week.  We had a great experience but then her husband pulled out with some anti stuff.   Then they went on a double date with some members.  It went well, but then when they got home they got in a big fight and he told her that he can't stand the way that she is changing because of this "Mormon investigation."  But it is all good because we love her and she has no doubt that this is true and she knows it and still wants to get baptized.  So we are really confused.  We are not sure to be happy for her or sad.  I don't know.  So pray for her please.  We should have between 2 to 5 baptisms this transfer  :).

 

Our district is the best thing ever. I am having a blast.

 I would write the bad stuff if there was any....haha :)

 

So, I am so happy to see how well the Laracuente's are doing.  Tell them how happy I am for them and that there is nothing that they could do that would bring them more happiness in this life and for time and all eternity.  This gospel has brought such happiness to my life and blessed our family more then words can describe.  Without that there is no hope in this life.  Without the Savior there can be no eternal life.  He broke the bounds of death so that we may have an immortal body and then attonned for our sins that we can be forgiven and repent and learn to be more like him if we allow him to take control of our lives. In the MTC I was told a story about a truck driver who was going through a mountain pass and as he was driving he hit ice. His truck lost control and turned completely side ways.  He tried everything nothing seemed to work. But he heard a voice saying "let go". That is not something you do in a situation like that, so he resisted. So a second time he heard  "let go" again and he pushed it off.  A third time he heard "let go" so he threw is hands in the air. At that second the truck straightened up with out a hickup.  This is much like us.  Christ is constantly saying to trust him.  We have to let go of the steering wheel and turn to him in our day to day life and have that faith and trust in him that it will turn out right. I know as we do that then our lives will blessed with blessings that we cant imagine.

 

Umm so I got to head out, but I love ya'll so much.

September 19, 2011

Dear everyone whom I do love so much :)

       So, I am loving this place.  Next Monday I will find out if I am outa here and the first transfer will be over.  We have a feeling that one of us is out of here.  But, it will be interesting to see who stays and who goes.  Elder Clason has been here for 4.5 months already so, I think he is going to go.  But, who would trust me to be here in the area? haha!  Oh well, haha, we shall see.  Now only 16 more transfers left--nothing at all, haha.

     So Mother, I don't want to eat breakfast, but I have been.  I got oatmeal last week and I have been enjoying it a lot. haha

     So, we should be setting a lady for baptisim, and if we set her her daughter will probably be getting baptized ,too.  they just moved from  Grand Junction, Colorado.  We love her.  She is awesome.  We have a blast teaching her.  We are also about to start teaching this part member family down in Parker.  The two kids want to be baptized already.   They have been going to church for two months already.  We have not meet them yet, but we will try and get the mom to be baptized with the kids.  We shall see.  Then there was supposed to be a baptism this next Saturday, but he backed out but on Tuesday.  He will tell us what date he wants to be baptized.  So, the work is going forth even with me here--who knew!  We are working with a guy that joined the church with his girl friend then his girl friend left him and went to Provo and then he stopped coming to church becasue it was hard for him to be in the building without her.  But, we are getting him back.  He has such a strong testimony about the temple.  It is awesome.  He brings it up every time we stop by.  I cry almost every time, haha.  I am such a girl, haha.  Oh well, we love him already :).  He is a great guy.

       Thanks for the gumbo stuff.   I am cooking it this next Monday so i can cook on p-day.  We are going to have a good time.

Love y'all.  I hope y'all are having as good of a time as I am!!

September 12, 2011

Dear awesome people,

      So, first off i am deeply impressed with the SFD (Sulphur Fire Department...they hung a huge flag from fire trucks over Maplewood Drive yesterday on 9-11 and I sent him a picture). That is so awesome. SB, I am sorry I didn't make fun of your driving abilities.  I am just glad that they sold my truck before they let you start driving because I know whose truck it would have been and where it stayed parked it would have been a garage door that protects the Shelby.  haha   So, good thing.  I am counting my many blessings.  haha.  

    But, yeah, Mother, I get all your emails and I love them.  They rock.

    So, this is a story about a normal day in the life of a Las Vegas missionary.  It starts off with the waking up before 6:30, so it is like 6:29.  haha.  But, we are being obedient.   haha  Then we go and work out.  Well, sometimes, haha.  Not as much as we should.  Then 30 mins to take showers and prepare for the day.  Then an hour of personal study.  That is hard to stay up in and then at 8:30 breakfast, but i don't like that to much, so I usally take a 30 min nap. and then 2 hours of companionship study because I am still in training.  Lunch after an hour of proselyting and then we have a great time proselyting for freaking 5 hours and then DINNER!  Favorite part of the day by a long shot!  haha  I am kinda joking.  Then proselyting till 9 and planning for the next day.  Stewardship calls....and bed at 10:30.

    So, we had our first baptism yesterday, and it was awesome.   I said the opening prayer and gave a talk on baptism.  The bishop did the baptism and the conformation.  It was really cool.  The pictures will be in the email next week.  I sent you two memory cards with pictures.  Take them all off and delete them.  Send them back packed just the way they are.  Thanks.

     My clothing is doing awesome.

     We just received 3 more referrals at the baptism.  They are down in Parker, Arizona which is part of our area.  2 of the three want to be baptisied already......no questions asked. haha   Yeah, and they have already been to church like 9 times in a row, so we are pumped to go teach them.

                                        Love, Elder Zachary

ps. Taylor

September 5, 2011

Hey so I am loving the mission and today is only 95. That might seem kinda hot, but it is really not at all. It feels like the low 80's here. The area is beautiful. I am sending some pictures home in a letter, so I will tape two memory cards.

This Sunday is our first baptism. Haha, I am so pumped. She is this little girl who is nine and she is the sweetest thing ever. When we teach she listens so well. I am so happy for her. Every time we talk about baptism she gets so happy. Her name is Elaina, and yeah she gets baptized on Sunday.

So on the pictures....there are pictures of this really skinny guy and that is Elder Kiser. He is awesome, haha. Then "Kill Pack" is the huge guy. Then there is a picture with "Kill Pack" and another dude and that other dude is Elder Driggs. There are some pictures with me and some elders who are going to Baton Rouge. We both have Saints jerseys, haha. It is awesome. That's all I can remember on the pics.

We wash clothes at the house that we live at, but only on p-day. We play board games and basketball with the other elders.

My companion is from Frezno, Califorina.

We have not been fed too much, but it is good. We get fed enough.

The best thing has got to be when we get to teach people. I love it we get to have conversations. We are teaching this one guy named Don. He is crazy! He loves Mormons, but thinks religions are a celestial race for the fastest way to get to the same place. So we asked him if we could practice on him to improve our teaching and it has been a whole lot of fun.

Stopping the car to talk to random people is the hardest thing.

Not enough (information or pictures). I love it. It has not made me miss home at all. I love y'all's letters. But, I need to know if y'all are going to send me some sausage. For real. Please tell me. I need to know.......please.


Follow up conversation with Daddy:

Elder Zachary:  hey can you send me that sausage or no?????

Daddy:  Are you still on line?

Elder Zachary:  Yeah.......how is every thing?

Daddy:  We are good. How about you. 

I love you!

Dad

Elder Zachary:  we are great!   haha   Tell Mom that I get on at 10 every Monday.

     

Daddy:  What time is it there now?

Elder Zachary:  11:20

I have been on for a while now...haha

Daddy:  SB parks the Expedition. Some folks hit a deer....she hit deer sausage!!
Love ya

Elder Zachary:  haha  Yeah, I saw it.  haha  It made me and the other three elders laugh! haha

Daddy:  She was pretty upset at first!

Elder Zachary:  Hey, well, it is time to go so I have to go.  Next Monday I will be on at 10 AZ time, so bye. Love y'all.

  

September 1, 2011

hey so guess what....................................nope you're wrong.

P-day is starting to be Monday as of Monday. So I have two p-day's this week. haha! But, I am excited. Tell the little sisters how important it is to write me----------------- I AM KINDA A BIG DEAL!!!!!!!

Haha. Hey, so I think that you should start sending me an email that is separate with all your questions because it makes it much easier to read and answer. So Sunday, y'all each write me an email telling me about how y'all are doing and then y'all can compile a great collection of all y'all's questions and I will go and answer them to the best of my ability. Everyone MOM. haha

So yeah, I got my bike. It is awesome. I just put the speedometer on it earlier today. I do love it. I just have no desire to ride it. It is way too hot. Haha. You have to drink like a gallon of water every two seconds. Haha. But, it is not too bad.

Shoot, I will baptize anyone. Haha, jk. But, for real, yeah i would. But yeah, we are baptizing this one really awesome little girl. She is 9 and so nice. When we teach she just sits there and listens and then we draw awesome pictures and she loves them even though I drew them........and lets be honest I can't draw!!!!!!

Gladys Knight sounds awesome. My companion says you should just go to Vegas to see her. She is always here.

The pool looks so good. I want to see another picture. I couldn't really see it. The picture is not too clear but send me another.

I am so jealous of the fact that you got to see Elder Holland! He is the bomb.

Hey, so tell Matt and Logan to write me. Elaine and Ashley are my only real friends so far. But, for real.

Oh, and i wrote Mamaw and Mamaw Clara already last week, because I am just that awesome. But, let's be honest, you might have to go use a Urim and Thummin and translate it for her. But maybe not............but I wouldn't bet on it.

We are having a great time. We have two baptisms scheduled right now, so we are working on getting more. There are two awesome people. One has been taking the lessons for a long time now and I think we might finally have him Haha jk, but I think that he is seeing that this is the right thing.

I love the awesome package.

Hey ok so I have a big favor to ask the old one (Zack, in case anyone is wondering!) so guess..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................nope you're wrong again. So I am getting requests for gumbo already and so, um i need some of the good stuff namely sausage and roux. (I know that's not spelled right.....he spelled in rough!) But if y'all could send me some, that would be awesome. I have looked at the stores and there is nothing that I can bring myself to put in gumbo. If y'all can't, then I just need some roux, and I can find something that might be ok, I guess. Thanks. Just let me know in the letter on Monday.... and yes, that's September 5th

I love y'all so much and don't forget the email of questions. haha.

August 25, 2011

Dear Everyone,

I am having a great time here in Lake Havasu. We are working hard. It is supposed to be up in the 120's this coming up week. Haha. Yeah, mom, the London Bridge is out in the middle of the town. It goes from the main part of the town out to a large island out in the middle of the lake. It is really cool. They have some of the most awesome boats I have ever seen. And because it is a retirement community mostly they(boats) are every where. But, it makes tracting hard because there is no telling where there are people actually living in the houses because there are so many snow birds. We have a good bit of investigators. But, we are trying to put a family mission plan in place so that we can find more.

Why are you going to see Elder Holland?

Ok, so my mission president is really cool, i think. I only got to talk to him for like 2 mins. Because I am out of the Las Vegas Valley we do not get to go to the meetings that they have in at the mission home, or go to the temple with the rest of the guys i came in with, or go to the new missionary conference. But, it is going well so far:). Please tell lils not to send me letters anymore telling me how much she misses me. Haha. I started crying.

Oh, and I have lost a little weight. haha :)

There are one other set of missionaries here. They are really cool. We see them a good bit. Ha. The Levi's are really nice. We live in one of their bedrooms. They have a son on a mission and one living at home still. They have a total of 9 kids. The youngest is the one on the mission. They all served missions. They are kinda quite but he is a gun smith. He has awesome guns. They are so cool.

I love all of y'all. People laugh because I say "yes, ma'am" so much!

Lake Havasu City, Arizona---August 18, 2011

Hey, so I am here. Ok, I am on p-day now.

My address is 2711 Plaza Verde Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86406

Hey, send a message to Kelsey and Carolina and Logan and Matt and Megan on my facebook with my address please MC-Hammer. Ohh, and if you could get Travis' email for me. That would be nice thanks.

My trainer is named Elder Clason. He is a cool guy. He went to SVU and played football for them. I never thought I would be the smaller of the companionship. First time, haha. But I am taller. We are in the most southern area, haha. It gets to 120 here every once in a while. But, the heat has not been bad at all. I think it is kinda pleasant outside, but that is just me, haha. Maybe I am just a little weird.

We have not been able to meet with many of the investigators but there are two that are very interested and seem like they will join in the next month hopefully. Also, a girl that is 9 in a part member family that has a date set already, so hopefully that date stays. We have spent a lot of time trying to get to know a lot of the ward leaders. My companion does not have driving privileges, so I get to drive :) Haha! That should help our relationship. Haha It is weird, though. I have never had to count miles so exact. Everywhere we go is based on the miles that we have. Haha! I have to get used to it.

I have had a lot of fun so far. I cant wait to get into a real lesson. We were able to teach some what of a lesson to some people that we went and visited, but not really.

Please mail me some pictures of the whole family thanks.

Lake Havasu City is really pretty you can see the lake from almost anywhere in the city. Haha! It is really cool. But it is the hottest place in Arizona and the hottest place in the mission. Haha! lucky me!

Mission President's Letter to Family when Elder Zachary arrives in the Mission Field!

Dear Zachary Family,

I am happy to inform you that Elder Zachary arrived in Las Vegas with a smile on his face and a wonderful spirit. Thank you for preparing him to serve the Lord. We will do our best to build on what you have taught him by incorporating the principles of missionary work found in Preach My Gospel. When his service is finished he will be a stronger person with a deep commitment to the Lord.

We hope as you write or email him weekly to express your love, that you will also encourage him to live up to the commitments he made when he accepted this call. Missionary work is hard, and many times it is discouraging. Your letters of encouragement and love will help him continue to work hard and be happy. If problems arise at home we hope you will be thoughtful about what you share, so as not to distract his attention from the work. If you detect any continuing problems through his letters, please write or email me if you feel we can help.

Phone calls to family members occur two times a year, on Mother’s day and on Christmas day. As you can imagine, many people visit or pass through Las Vegas. We follow the church guidelines that there be no visits from family or friends. Visits are difficult for missionaries as their focus is interrupted. Please do not ask your missionary to see you or friends while he is serving. Please help your missionary live the mission rules including calling only on the designated days.

Finally, the missionaries are provided a monthly allowance that covers their needs. This mission has some of the most generous members of the church. In most areas the missionaries are scheduled in a member home for dinner every evening. Please help your missionary learn to live on a budget. Don’t supplement him with unnecessary funds. If an unexpected expense or emergency comes up he will email you.

Your love and support are so important to his success. He will be blessed as he is obedient and he will be happier. Again we thank you for your faith in sending your son out to serve the Lord.

Sincerely,

Michael A. Neider, President

NEVADA LAS VEGAS MISSION

Leaving the MTC for Vegas, August 16, 2011

This morning around 9:00 AM Central time Taylor called from the airport in SLC just prior to getting on the plane for a 36 minute flight to Las Vegas. I was so happy to hear his voice. He is very happy and can't say enough good about it all. He said that the food was so-so, but very anticipated throughout the day. He lost the 4 pounds he said he gained in the first 4 days! He wanted to know about Logan (his friend from high school who had a church tour on Sunday). He is super excited to share the gospel with Logan.

He said church was great in the MTC, but very different. His Branch President while there was a man over all the Institutes of Religion in all of the world for the church. How cool is that? He said Sunday's were very spiritual.

Taylor couldn't talk long because the other Elders needed to use the phone. I so wanted to be selfish and say that was their problem, but I knew how hurt I would be if Taylor didn't have time to call.......so.......I let my baby get off the phone, knowing that I won't be able to talk to him until December 25! That was not easy! I had to make sure he was happy, and when I was satisfied he was I got off the phone.

Alex had been on a 3-way with us and so after Taylor hung up we were still connected and after hearing me cry for a few moments he quietly said....."Mama, are you ok?" What sweet boys I have. I sure do love them.

So, my missionary is somewhere in Las Vegas, Nevada tonight, being loved and supported by his mission president and the mission president's wife. I know they will take excellent care of him. I am so thankful for them and the Lord for watching over my sweet baby.

August 15, 2011

Yes, I leave tomoorrow and I can call you mom.

Tell Logan that I will be calling early so if he wants to talk to me to be at our house if you want. I leave the airport at like 8:45 here, so I will have to call before that.

This place is awesome. I dont have a calling or anything to be a leader, but I have found that if you are a good example and love the people then you can lead them to do good. The younger groups are some of the coolest guys that I know. We have a blast and really grown to love each other. I am going to miss them a lot. I look up to a lot of them. My companion is an amazing guy. Oh yeah, you wanted to know who was going to my mission. Well they are Driggs, Alonzo, Greogory and he wants to hear dad's conversion story. and Sorensen. This place has really taught me how to love in different ways. I have felt the Spirit here more then any other place ever.

I love hearing about all the good stuff at home. Because I will be calling tomorrow, this is all I am going to write.

love Taylor

Elder Zachary

August 8, 2011

This week has been great. Right after I wrote yesterday (last week) I was able to go to the temple. Tell Lils that I will send a letter today. I am only supposed to write letters on p-day which is Monday and one of the elders in my district are going to write her too. Here is a list of my district because i have received plenty of letters. Keep them coming.

Elder Alonzo- he is my roomate and has the disire to be here and knows this is where he needs to be. In D&C 4:3-4 it says that if you have to desire to serve then you have been called to this work. I love him and our teachig is getting better. He is from New Jersey and is Filipino . i know thats not spelled right (it wasn't!)

Elder Driggs- he is my best friend and roommate. He has a greater testimony than I think that he can even see but we can all see it. I am able to relate to him like no one ever in his life, according to him. I love him and I have meet him once at byui. We played basketball. He is from Dallas.

Elder Kiser- he is a great man...a little metro, but just about the coolest and happiest guy ever. I love him, too. Every time you look at him he is smiling. He is from Oregon.

Elder Gregory- I have had the opportunity to talk to him and help him through so problems that he is having. He is like you, Dad. He joined the church two years ago and is having problems, but he has come such a long way. I love him, too. Hey, Mom, you should send him a "Dear Elder". He does not get too much mail and is kinda sad about it. Dad, you, too. I think you could relate to him, but he is a lot smarter than you were when you came out.

Elder Smoot - this is the greatest man i know. He has such a testimony and a love for others....just needs to love himself

Elder Sorensen- Beaumont, Neederland

Elder Babka- Draper Utah; district leader

Then there are the zone leaders. They are both great men and great elders and define the word elder (deffender of the faith) Elder Killpack and Elder Larsen. I have begun to love them greatly.

I am running out of time, but i love all of y'all very much

I am about to go to the temple. Last night was the most spiritual experience of my life so this is going to be great.

P.S. send the missionaries to Logan please. love you.

First Email from the MTC--August 1, 2011

Dear Mom,

Please make sure my address is on Facebook. I have only gotten one letter and one package so far which kinda sucks. (Don't know why...we have sent him tons of "dear elders"!!!)

Anyway, so I have learned a lot. I preatty much have the best district ever. I know one of the kids from byui we are having a good time but I have figured out why everyone else hates this place haha. After a little while it gets really boring. There is way to much food here though I have gained like 4 pounds which is almost a pound a day. And the thing about it is the food is really not that good but it is so good at the same time. My companion is a good guy we dont have a whole lot in common. He is from New Jersey. We are learning how to teach and he is a little behind on a lot of the doctorine but we are getting there. I love Elder Alonzo though. We have one elder that is one of the coolest guys i know....he is awesome. He designed me a house in our devotional. He is the smallest guy i have ever met in my life. He is a normal hight but weighs about 115, but i dont know if i believe him. I think he is a hundred with wet pants.

Tell all the girls that i love them.

love Elder Zachary

Love all of y'all a lot. Have a good week.

First Letter From the MTC--received Saturday, July 30

Dear Mom:

The MTC is great. I feel very prepared, believe it or not. My companion Elder Alonzo is a great guy. We are really enjoying study time. Who would ave thought. The food is alright, too. There are four other missionaries going to Vegas with me. All are really great guys. I am missing two of my shots. There is a pink slip telling which ones. The Hep A might be at the Idaho Clinic. Please fax it to the number on the slip. Love you and the rest of the family.

Love,

Elder Zachary