February 13, 2012

Haha, so this was much better.  You are improving on getting your answers very clear and easy to see where the questions are.  That is very good, Mother, haha.  Good puppy, haha.

 

I just got the King Cakes today.  I was walking out to go and get in the car to go email, and I was like, "hey, there is a Fedex guy" and then he was like "hey, there are some missionaries," and then I was like, "hey, and I waved, and then he was like, "Are you Elder Taylor?" and I was like, "hey yeah, that would probably  be me," haha.  Then I got them.  I think I am going to bring one of the King Cakes to Brother Avery's house and share it with them.  Then I am going to eat the other one by myself, haha.  And no, I have not gotten the letter yet.  It takes a while to send the letter out here.  Keep sending them to the office first.  That's what they like to happen, but it takes a while for them to get to me.

Oh, and I do need something.  Well 3 things, haaha.  First, if there is any way that you could send the ladies in the office a king cake that would be awesome and get me brownie points, haha.  That is always nice, haha.  And then I need a camra charger for both of my cameras.  I have been meaning to ask, but I have forgotten.  The one is a Fuji film water proof camera XP and the other dad already bought one for but I lost it.  So, if he could look in his recent history on E-bay he would be able to get another one like it haha. I was using my other companions cameras with my memory card in it, but I don't want to ask this one.  He is not as cool, haha.

 

There are like 1,000 people in Panaca, a huge stake center, a few houses, a Bible Talk church, and a tiny gym, and a post office, and a grocery store called Panaca Market.  It is more like Panaca Monopoly, haha.   They are so high in prices, but I am doing better with my MSF.  My goal is not to have to use any money from y'all, but I might have to this month.  But next month I want to do it.  I am trying to be better the whole time.  Oh, and me and another missionary told Sister Nieder that we had such low funds and that they used to be higher, till the last mission president was in and he lowered it.  So, she is going to look into raising it back to where it used to be.  Or like 20 more dollars, which would be a huge help.  So that would be awesome.  

But, it is a really cool little town.  It reminds me of Salmon, Idaho, haha.  It is really unique, but there are like 4 towns that size, that we cover.  We cover Area 51, too, haha. i have met a lot of people who "don't" work out there.

 I have been cooking some stuff.  I figured out I can make a good hamburger for just over a dollar fifty about.  So, i have been doing that a little.  So, that is really good.  Then I have been eating fruit smoothies, so those are really good.  Just like we make them at home, but without the Splenda.  That cost too much, haha.  

People are awesome, haha, so nice and friendly.  Everyone knows everyone in the whole county, not just in the towns, haha.  It is really funny.  If you are trying to figure out where anyone lives, you can almost just stop some one on the street and ask them.  There is probley a good chance they would know.  They go spot-lighting all the time to hunt rabbit or coyote, haha.  It is really funny.  We went to an Institute class, and they where like,  "hey any one want to go spot-lighting after?" and the teacher was like, "yeah, I will drive."  And this is a hired teacher not from there, haha.   And so he drove them all in his mini van to go hunt.  It was really funny.

Yeah, y'all can all do what the video said.  That would be awesome, and with the one I sent to MC and SB, that is just a talk that I really like.  I think it is my favorite talk there is, haha.  It is amazing.  

Yeah, she(Whitney) wrote me a long time ago, but I sent her a letter back and it got sent back, but not until this past week or so, haha.  And I was going to send it to her, but I lost Alex's address, haha.  So, if you get that to me then that would be awesome, haha.

 

Yeah, it snows a little, but it has not since I have been here.  They are expecting some today or tonight.  We will see, but, yeah, it is beautiful here.  There is so much just empty land that is owned by the BLM, Burrow of Land Management.

 

I have not heard much about the (Presidential)race since I got here.  I may or may not have seen a debate at a members house in LHC, haha, but tell me about it.  I would love to hear about how that is going and preferably like right now.

 

So, this is a letter that you could get if you keep doing awesome on the highlighting, haha .

February 6, 2012

Hey, so I am in Panaca, Nevada.  More specifically, all of Lincoln County.  We have the largest area in the mission and we are 2 and a half hours from the next missionaries.  That would either be in LV or Mesquite or Ely, which ever direction you want to go.  We cover 6 wards and "Area 51" Haha.  It's tight.  I meet some people that can't tell me where they work.  Haha.  It's pretty cool.  This area is kinda slow and easy going.  I am trying to push too hard.... according to my companion.  My comps name is Elder Coulter.  He has been out for 23 months.  Haha, so I am killing him off in the mission.  I have never been accused of being high strung until last night, haha.  Oh well, we had a good conversation and hopefully we will be able to get along really well.  We shall see.  He says I ask to many questions! No! Not me! Haha.  Never would have guessed that, haha!  He is from Alberta, Canada.  He is almost 23, he will turn 23 in about a month, right before he goes home.  So, that should be fun.  We cover Panaca, Poiche, Calieta , Alamo, and Hiko which is the Panaca Stake.  None of these towns have more then 1,500 people in them. There are only like 6,000 people in the area, haha, and it is like 2 and a half hours in length and in height. 

It reminds me of Jena just a lot smaller, haha, and no Wal-mart.  Shoot, there is not a fast food place in the area at all, haha. We are in the middle of nowhere, haha.  Maybe my comp is right, I just need to let the work come to us and not worry so much. 

Ok, so Terry Avery lives in Panaca 1st ward.  He is a school teacher here in town, haha.  I said I was from LA and so the members where like, "oh Brother Avery is from LA!"  I was like "tight."  So then I talked to his wife and she was like "what city?" I said Lake Charles.  She was like "no way, he is from there too!  Well actually Moss Bluff" and I was like "well, I am from Sulphur, but is he related to Grant Avery or Trevor Avery?"  She was like yeah so then I talked to him for a while about the people back home and for the rest of the day everyone that asked me where I was from was like you know Brother Avery is from Louisiana. It is pretty cool.  So, yeah, we are having dinner over at their house on the 17th.


Oh, and the one girl who puts the pictures on (Facebook) is Char.  She is a recent convert in Lake Havesu and she is a really good missionary.  Two of her friends are getting baptized soon, so she is cool.  Her boyfriend is on a mission right now.


We go to which ever ward we need to go to that week.  Which ever is needed, but we try to go to all six each transfer.  There are two wards in Panaca, so we can go to both of them in a week. 


Sister Bart is a sweet lady.  She is part of a group of ladies that get together and fed us once a month in LHC.  
  ---Letter we received yesterday from Sister Bahrt.

   Hello Zachary Family, 

 I am fortunate to be in the Acoma Ward in Lake Havasu City, AZ where
 Elder Zachary is currently serving.  I am one of a group of mostly senior
 single sisters who, since we  cannot have the Elders to dinner at our
 homes, have chosen to get together and have a potluck for them once a
 month.   Both Missionaries are absolutely delightful.  Your son’s first
 day in Lake Havasu City was a night of our potluck so we got to see him
 then and to  see how much he has grown in the past few months.  His
 Mission will truly be a success because of his testimony and the way he
 is with people.

 We understand that a transfer is possible and I can tell  you if that
 happens he will be sorely missed. 
 
 The pictures were taken at an Empty Nester Christmas party in late
 December.   The gift exchange was small but it was fun to see them show
 surprise and delight over something so simple as a chocolate bar.
 
 Update:  I didn’t get this sent when first written  because of a
 malfunction in trying to attach the  pictures.  Since then Elder Zachary
 has been transferred.   He had hoped for a bigger town/city than Lake
 Havasu and sad to say I am told he will be in a very remote area of
 Nevada.  If you have never been to Nevada, a remote area there is almost
 like being on the moon. Wherever he is they will be blessed to have him.
 
 Blessings to you all,
 
 Margie Bahrt

January 31, 2012

Yeah, so, I am out of here.  I just found out today, but I will be leaving tomorrow, so I am kinda nervous but kinda excited for the new unknown.  I am ready, but I will miss the members and a few of our investigators.

 

Been here for six months now, so I am ready.  I hit my 6 month this past Friday.  haha  Kinda seems weird.  We burned a tie at an investigators house.  It was a lot of fun, but I don't have much time today to write, so i can go see people.  But, I love you, Mom, and everyone else.  We have to go...... and Mom your highlights are terrible.  Those are not questions, those are whole paragraphs, haha.  But, I love you still, Mom.  Keep me updated on Uncle John and Aunt Kristy.

January 23, 2012

ha Thanks Mom...

 

Yeah, I got my pity card for the week.....haha.  Thanks, I appreciate the Subway gift card.

 

Haha yeah, I got the Trahan's package.  It was really good. hahah I found out that LSU had lost and then I got home and had that! haha.  It made my day.

I will email my testimony next week, if that is ok.  Good, I knew you would understand.  Tell them if they want it though, that I will need a letter filling me in about their lives, because that is my criteria.  Haha, so if they want my testimony, they better put some good letters in the mail today or tomorrow, haha.

 

Yeah, we have used 17 Miracles in like 2 lessons already.  I don't know if we are really supposed to, but they are really good lessons, so far.  Hahah, so yeah, and we watched it for a Halloween party that we had.

 

Man, no, I have not lost or gained.....just stayed the same, haha.  But that is so good for SB and MC.  Congrats on the good eating and stuff like that, haha.

 

Haha, the crazy lady was so funny.  She could not have done anything to me, haha.  I am like ten times her size, haha.  My comp(anion) is going into the Army, haha.  I know that sounds cocky, but oh well, haha.  I have not been scared once on my mission, haha.  This place is so nice.  There is no reason to be scared.

 

No offense, I hope MC does not get into BYU, haha.  That is just how I feel!  BYU-Idaho is the best.  Haha, sorry MC Hammer.

 

That is so freakin weird that Em's is 12 now.  It just does not seem right, haha.  She should be much younger.

 

SB is so tall she would be really good at VB, if she applied herself, but if that is not what she wants to do then there is no way that she will be able to be good because it takes dedication.

 

So this week was awesome.  We got to go to Las Vegas for my comps recent converts to get sealed.  I had never seen a sealing before.  It was really cool and super spiritual.  We had a lot of fun on our family vaction, haha!

 

The work is still slow, but we are having some potential people pop up out of nowhere.  So that is good.

Yeah, I spent too much, but, yes, I get only $115/month.  All the other missions get like $150 or more and most of them use money from home.  Everyone that I have talked about it on this mission uses about $60 plus from home every month.  I have to get some stuff before I get transferred.......like a tub to carry around all the junk that you get on a mission and a portfolio to put my letters in so they don't get lost.  Sorry about that.  I will try and cut back but Lake Havasu is one of the more expensive towns in the mission because of it being a tourist town.  So I have been taking out $60 a month, but this month I needed to get the stuff to be transferred. If you don't want me to do that anymore I can try and make it work with the $115.  

Yep, going to the temple was great, mom.  It really was.  Thanks so much.

So, I was listening to a talk this week on CD, and it was talking about the 2000 Strippling Warriors and I couldn't help but to cry, because that is me.  I cant deny it because my mother knew it.  Thank you so much for your prayers and everything that you do for me.  Thanks Mom.

January 16, 2012

So this week was probably the toughest of my mission, so far, which pretty much means that I have had a really easy mission so far.  We are trying to figure out ways to get more people to teach.  It is just not happening and right when we thought we where getting some people, the two people that we were most excited about dropped us for no reason at all....besides she has work, haha.  Kinda sucks, but today we are going to play air soft so that should help, haha.  I have had 3 baptisms so far but this is a low baptizing area here.  We have only had a total of 3 baptisms in this ward all year.  2 of those where mine, but I had one down in Parker.  Not a lot, but not a little either, haha if that makes sense.  Transfers are not till the 31st, and yeah, I should be getting transferred this time.  I hope I will. It is getting hard to just go and see the people here.  I love them to death, but I am ready for a new place and new challenges, and all that jazz.

The first one is a picture of me in front of the London Bridge.  It is really cool.  This place is so beautiful, sometimes.  It has some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

The next picture is of me on the Lake Havasu sign.  It is at the 95 on the way back to Havasu from Parker.

The next one is of a lady that is crazy.  She lives down in Quartzsite, Arizona.  It is really a funny thing.  So, she thinks that she has the priesthood and that she had the sword that she is holding pulled out of her by a witch. Then the witch cut off her hand, but she blessed herself and she was able to restore her hand to the fullness.  I love crazy people!  Oh, and she told me my future because she has the gift of sight or something like that, haha. I will be rich.  Heck yeah, go rich people...haha.  I will have 8 kids.  My wife will be a darling, but really frustrate me sometimes, haha.

A picture of the I-10 sign down in Quartzsite!  Haha, totally worth going down there.

That is a picture of the guys in my district right now, and the zone leaders.  They are really cool especially Elder Poitress.

Me and my comp went for a little swim...........you know no big deal..

So, there is the life of Elder Zachary.

January 9, 2012

Hey, so Mom let's be real here.   Two things-----the Saints and LSU are the bomb and WILL win the championships! haha  Because they are the best.  Second, there is no way that I am going to able to find all your questions unless they are put out some how so you need to highlight them.  Just the questions, not statements that you find interesting and would like to hear my feedback on.  Make the questions stand out and then I will be able to know what the difference is in a question and just statements.

 

So, this week is going to be fun.  We are cooking gumbo for a bunch of the people in the ward tonight.  We are going to be going to the Melendeze's house and he is having a bunch of less actives and investigators and just people that could use some fellowshiping.   Y'all should do that same thing in our ward--invite a bunch of people over for a barbecue or something like that.

 

I love this ward so much, but man after six months, I am ready to get out of here.  And now haha it is getting hard to go and visit the same people over and over and over again.  It is just getting really kinda boring, but I only have 3 weeks left before I am done in this area.  I think--I hope at least.  I am just ready for something new.  I love both my companions but it is just about that time to leave. haha.

 

I will always remember how great this ward is though and all the great things that I have learned while serving here. Can you believe I have almost been here for 5 months and with the MTC I have almost been out 6 months?  It is really weird to me. haha  It does not seem like it at all haha :)

 

 We don't really have any new goals.  We have a goal for a baptism every month for every companionship.  So that works out to about 1200 baptisms.  We did get over 1000 baptisms this past year.

 

 

January 2, 2012

So I am extremely jealous that y'all got to go to Branson, Missionary.

That sounds like it must have been a lot of fun.  That is beautiful country up there.

So, since I got in trouble when we Skyped for not ever talking about football here.............. haha............... Isn't it awesome that Drew Brees is an absolute beast?!  He is my hero!  He is such a great guy and is such a great football player!  It just goes to show you you don't have to be a druggy loser to be good at football. He is such a great example to everyone that wants to be a pro football player!

Louisiana is going to have both of the titles---BCS and the Super Bowl!!! LSU is freakin going to KILL Alabama again!  People want to see a rematch!  LSU will destroy them.

haha So, y'all are four-wheeling today.  That sounds like a lot of fun.  I wish we could go do that.  That would be a blast.

So, the work is still going pretty good.  We still have 3 set for baptism.  I hope they still go forth.  They should be....at least we are really hoping so.  We will probably set someone else this week i hope so at least.

Ask Ashley if she ever got my letter I sent to her or did I send it to the wrong place?

Mom, if you want more to be written I need questions. sorry.