It has been a Miracle Week here in the Hamilton Mill ward. We've certainly worked harder than ever, and the Lord has blessed us for our efforts. We have taught R***** a lot this week. Twice with all of his and his fiance's kids there. He's a good, good man. And he will be an incredible priesthood addition to this ward. We have set a date for his baptism and it is January 25th. A week after he and Lorri get married.
So, ready for some more miracles?
This week we had interviews and we had it at a beautiful waterfall called Amicola Falls. While there a recent convert from a ward next to us gave us 2 referrals. One, a less active seminary teacher friend of hers who now drinks and smokes. Second, her son who lives with her ex-husband who says he wants to be baptized. We visited them and the boy wasn't home but the dad was and he's willing to allow us to come over and teach he and his son.
Another miracle: I survived our 50+ mile week of hilly terrain. I've been so so tired, we really have worked our tails off.
Back to spiritual matters. Saturday we met with an past investigator who was never really dropped, but we just didn't get to him when the ward split. His name is R****, he's retired and lives by himself, but he knows his Bible. He actually teaches Bible study classes on various topics and is super nice. He's kinda open minded; he really likes to just talk about our common beliefs and he actually explained to me a lot of what Baptist churches believe, where they come from and he even offered to take us with him to his Bible study classes. He's a Church of God member, but I think we have a good fellowshipper for him. His name is Brother Smith.
A little background on Brother Smith, he was raised in the RLDS religion, he wasn't super active but eventually he started exploring the church and for a long time really really knew more about our church than most members. Well, guess who his great, great grandfather is? That's right Joseph Smith Jr. Anyway, we're excited to take him over there and to hopefully get Ralph to sincerely read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
Well, we got a referral this week from headquarters and the referral said this: M*** - requested: Missionary visits.... he wants to be baptized. Well, we got in contact with him asap and were able to go over there yesterday. It was truly the most remarkable experience of my mission. M*** has been in the army since he was 18, he's 26 now, and he's grown up around members his entire life. He's grown up a 7th day Adventist and his drunk father came in half-way threw the lesson and tried to get me to "convince" him about why we worship on Sunday and not Saturday. Well, not only was he totally drunk, he was actually proving my point of: by their fruits ye shall know them. Anyway, once he left us alone we continued discussing and come to find out that M*** has his own leather bound quad! I mean this is truly the Lord's elect. Well, needless to say the spirit was strong and he has a baptismal date for October 31st. I know, that's incredible quick, but this man has been searching for truth and is so dedicated to living the religion already that we could not deny that the spirit had us set such an early date.
So a week of miracles and beautiful Georgian pictures. Probably the most incredible week of my mission thus far. Well, last night we got calls about transfers. They were going through all of the other districts in our Zone and then they came to us: Gainsville Distirct: Elder Johnson, Elder Campbell and Elder Davies, you're leaving. What!!! I absolutely love this ward. We have just got the ball rolling, just like we had in Lilburn (3 baptisms, maybe 4 there have either happened or are planned from people we had contacted) and now I'm being ripped from the people who I would bike to the ends of the earth for! Well, I don't know where I'm serving, President has asked me to serve as a District Leader and to be honest family, I'm pretty scared.
My knowledge that the Lord lives today, just as he did in Jerusalem is at the up most assurance that it has ever been. It is him in whom I trust, he is my Savior, our Savior and the Savior of all the spirits who dwelt with God. No doubt in my mind there have been angels pushing my pedals over these mountains. The Lord has blessed me with one angel whom I have missed dearly and thought of often in the short four and half months I've been gone. I can stand still and say with the strings of my heart and conscience that He Lives.
I'm sorry to change up the pace on you from my more humorous weeks, but I wished to share that with you. For all of your love and support, I thank you. You are my most prized posses ions,
I love you,
Elder Davies
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 5, 2009
What a joy it is to write you in light of the recent General Conference. It was a very interesting few days as I spent much of it at members homes eating their food, relaxing on their couch and treasuring the words of the Lord through his prophets and apostles. A little missionary heaven break. Before I get to conference let me give you a little recap of this week:
On Wednesday, we had an incredible lesson with R***** about the Plan of Salvation. We went up to the Atonement and didn't talk about death or anything after that. But it was a very spirit filled lesson. He's really starting to feel comfortable with us and ask us questions.... always a good thing. We hope he had a good experience at conference this weekend and that he felt the spirit strongly.
We then biked about 15 miles to our dinner appointment with a less-active/ part-member home. The husband is an incredible chef and we had some good shrimp scampi. We played UNO with the 11 year old and gained his trust. For some reason he has a bad misconception at what Mormons are all about, he's obviously watched WAY too much t.v. Well, we'll try to clear that up and get him and his mom back to church.
The next day we contacted some former investigators and such. We contacted a lady named M*****, she came to the open house that we had a few weeks ago and we finally got in and talked to her. She's an active Baptist, but funnily enough she has defended our church as not being a cult in her former church. She's great, open-minded and long winded... she talked to us for 2 hours! Even when after an hour we told her we needed to go. Well, she doesn't think she can change but she has said she'll read and pray about the Book of Mormon (little does she know the change that that can make!). We also met a man who had formerly investigated the church, and on the records there was no indication to why he had stopped being visited. So we stopped by, and he came outside and I could just tell that he was miserable. He's going through a divorce right now, has 4 kids under the age of 10... I think and is just so sad. We quickly bore him our testimony about the Book of Mormon. The way it can help change your life and told him we'd come back a different day. Our hope is that we can get the ward in there and have them just wrap their arms around him and help him out! That will be a project we'll be shooting to make happen this week.
As for conference. I was in heaven. I loved every minute of it! Favorite talks include: Elder Scott, Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard and of course: Elder Holland! I loved it all a lot!
Well, family I love you. I'm trying to help a man fill out a job application for a trucking company. Hopefully the Book of Mormon in my hand will be his... wish me luck!
Love,
Elder T. Davies
On Wednesday, we had an incredible lesson with R***** about the Plan of Salvation. We went up to the Atonement and didn't talk about death or anything after that. But it was a very spirit filled lesson. He's really starting to feel comfortable with us and ask us questions.... always a good thing. We hope he had a good experience at conference this weekend and that he felt the spirit strongly.
We then biked about 15 miles to our dinner appointment with a less-active/ part-member home. The husband is an incredible chef and we had some good shrimp scampi. We played UNO with the 11 year old and gained his trust. For some reason he has a bad misconception at what Mormons are all about, he's obviously watched WAY too much t.v. Well, we'll try to clear that up and get him and his mom back to church.
The next day we contacted some former investigators and such. We contacted a lady named M*****, she came to the open house that we had a few weeks ago and we finally got in and talked to her. She's an active Baptist, but funnily enough she has defended our church as not being a cult in her former church. She's great, open-minded and long winded... she talked to us for 2 hours! Even when after an hour we told her we needed to go. Well, she doesn't think she can change but she has said she'll read and pray about the Book of Mormon (little does she know the change that that can make!). We also met a man who had formerly investigated the church, and on the records there was no indication to why he had stopped being visited. So we stopped by, and he came outside and I could just tell that he was miserable. He's going through a divorce right now, has 4 kids under the age of 10... I think and is just so sad. We quickly bore him our testimony about the Book of Mormon. The way it can help change your life and told him we'd come back a different day. Our hope is that we can get the ward in there and have them just wrap their arms around him and help him out! That will be a project we'll be shooting to make happen this week.
As for conference. I was in heaven. I loved every minute of it! Favorite talks include: Elder Scott, Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard and of course: Elder Holland! I loved it all a lot!
Well, family I love you. I'm trying to help a man fill out a job application for a trucking company. Hopefully the Book of Mormon in my hand will be his... wish me luck!
Love,
Elder T. Davies
September 28, 2009
First off, I apologize for my understatement last week. I guess we've been having record rains and parts of Atlanta (the interstate on the west side being one of them) are flooding like crazy. Rest assured, we're safe here in Hall/Northern Gwinett county. It's kinda funny, the flooding seems to be mostly just outside our mission boundaries. Which is unfortunate, because we haven't been able to help with the clean-up. However I know that there were several hundred members from some of the surrounding stakes (Sugar Hill, which is mine, included). From what I hear the clean-up was not very well organized and our ward members only ran into one man who would absolutely not let 'Mormons' on his property...even to help him clean out his flooded house. The other interesting report is that there were a fair amount of Jehovah's Witnesses there too! I think that's great, in fact, the other day Elder Christensen and I shared a bathroom with a Jehovah's Witness, he was very nice and very friendly to us.
So.... on to this week's events. We had a very good week. We've identified several part-member families who we'll be trying to get in, serve and gain the trust of in the following week. We're hoping to get them back to church, or at least find a friend in the ward for them. No new investigators this week, but we're finding a lot of Potential Investigators. For some reason all of the Potential Investigators seem to be younger kids. I'm talking that with Part-member families and such there's like 4 or 5 11 year olds that we may have as investigators, it's kinda cool, I'm really learning how to teach simply. (Ask Jordan about John Taylor quote in Ch. 10 of PMG... I'm striving for "true intelligence" as my name-sake has defined it). One such 11 year old is from a Less-Active/Part-Member family. He was super super cold to us when we first met him and wouldn't even really come out and say a prayer with us. So we brought it up in District Meeting and the idea was suggested that we go over and have like a family home evening/game night! We suggested the idea to him and he was super excited, I have to make sure to buy UNO today, he really wanted it. Now the trick is to: 1) Get his mom and his brothers and sisters and HIM to church. 2) Get her to stop smoking and 3) Get the dad to be home so we can teach him too!
R***** S***** is the man who showed up to church on Sunday last week. We taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel. He accepted everything (I'm not completely sure how much he understood) and has even accepted to be baptized as he comes to know that these things are true! We tried to set a date for the second or third weekend in October but we ran into a catch. The lady/member who we thought was his wife is actually is fiance. So, they have to get married before we can actually baptize him and they're not planning on that until January! So we're hoping that either he'll have a spiritual experience at Conference that will convince him to move it up sooner OR he'll move out and live with his mother who's just down the street. Either way, it is in the Lord's hands and that's how it should be!
I really love this ward, and we're starting to get them more PMG and more involved. One great man in our ward has brought this man and his girlfriend to church!
PAUSE! I just had an incredible experience. So while I've been sitting here typing the guy right across from me has been staring at me. I figured, we'll he doesn't like Mormons and nothing's new. Well, he just came over, asked me what church I was from and asked me if we attend other churches. I told him "Of course we do" Well, he invited me to his church which is a United Methodist Church and I, knowing beforehand that he was going to at least ask me something, had pulled out an Article of Faith pass along card and handed it to him, he said he'd look for me at church. I'm super excited if it doesn't conflict with our time at all and it's a great Building Bridges experience. Something that we're stressing in the ward is to 'Build Bridges' we're reminding people that it's not about converting people, it's about inviting people. It doesn't matter if they come as long as you sincerely and thoughtfully pray and think of people that you can invite to any church function. Anyway, his name was Reverend Scott, he's retired now, and they have a woman pastor. They aren't meeting until Oct. 25th so I'll let you know on the 26th how it went. I'm excited... and a bit nervous.
Back to the story. This couple who's been coming to church has been going through some really rough times. He lost his job and they lost their house and they've been living out of a tent in the woods. Some guys from the ward have been finding odd-jobs around the house that they can pay him for doing. We're hoping that maybe we can teach him sometime this week. We'll see.
I love you all, just as I love Joshua's council to the children of Israel right before he passes away... "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." By the way did you know his father was a Nun? (Okay, so not really, but that was his name... pretty cool huh!)
With greatest love that binds my heartstrings,
Elder Taylor Davies
So.... on to this week's events. We had a very good week. We've identified several part-member families who we'll be trying to get in, serve and gain the trust of in the following week. We're hoping to get them back to church, or at least find a friend in the ward for them. No new investigators this week, but we're finding a lot of Potential Investigators. For some reason all of the Potential Investigators seem to be younger kids. I'm talking that with Part-member families and such there's like 4 or 5 11 year olds that we may have as investigators, it's kinda cool, I'm really learning how to teach simply. (Ask Jordan about John Taylor quote in Ch. 10 of PMG... I'm striving for "true intelligence" as my name-sake has defined it). One such 11 year old is from a Less-Active/Part-Member family. He was super super cold to us when we first met him and wouldn't even really come out and say a prayer with us. So we brought it up in District Meeting and the idea was suggested that we go over and have like a family home evening/game night! We suggested the idea to him and he was super excited, I have to make sure to buy UNO today, he really wanted it. Now the trick is to: 1) Get his mom and his brothers and sisters and HIM to church. 2) Get her to stop smoking and 3) Get the dad to be home so we can teach him too!
R***** S***** is the man who showed up to church on Sunday last week. We taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel. He accepted everything (I'm not completely sure how much he understood) and has even accepted to be baptized as he comes to know that these things are true! We tried to set a date for the second or third weekend in October but we ran into a catch. The lady/member who we thought was his wife is actually is fiance. So, they have to get married before we can actually baptize him and they're not planning on that until January! So we're hoping that either he'll have a spiritual experience at Conference that will convince him to move it up sooner OR he'll move out and live with his mother who's just down the street. Either way, it is in the Lord's hands and that's how it should be!
I really love this ward, and we're starting to get them more PMG and more involved. One great man in our ward has brought this man and his girlfriend to church!
PAUSE! I just had an incredible experience. So while I've been sitting here typing the guy right across from me has been staring at me. I figured, we'll he doesn't like Mormons and nothing's new. Well, he just came over, asked me what church I was from and asked me if we attend other churches. I told him "Of course we do" Well, he invited me to his church which is a United Methodist Church and I, knowing beforehand that he was going to at least ask me something, had pulled out an Article of Faith pass along card and handed it to him, he said he'd look for me at church. I'm super excited if it doesn't conflict with our time at all and it's a great Building Bridges experience. Something that we're stressing in the ward is to 'Build Bridges' we're reminding people that it's not about converting people, it's about inviting people. It doesn't matter if they come as long as you sincerely and thoughtfully pray and think of people that you can invite to any church function. Anyway, his name was Reverend Scott, he's retired now, and they have a woman pastor. They aren't meeting until Oct. 25th so I'll let you know on the 26th how it went. I'm excited... and a bit nervous.
Back to the story. This couple who's been coming to church has been going through some really rough times. He lost his job and they lost their house and they've been living out of a tent in the woods. Some guys from the ward have been finding odd-jobs around the house that they can pay him for doing. We're hoping that maybe we can teach him sometime this week. We'll see.
I love you all, just as I love Joshua's council to the children of Israel right before he passes away... "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." By the way did you know his father was a Nun? (Okay, so not really, but that was his name... pretty cool huh!)
With greatest love that binds my heartstrings,
Elder Taylor Davies
September 21, 2009
Well, it's been wet here in Georgia, very wet! But the Lord has continued to bless us with miracles. We haven't been almost hit by any cars or fallen into thorny bushes. But we've had some of the best authentic Southern food I've had thus far. I've had fried okra twice! Cornbread twice, Country fried steak, and chicken and dumplings. Along with a Giada Delorentes meal at a members house. It was like the pot roast pasta... so good! Work was good, I continue to love reading the scriptures and even the Old Testament is making a little bit of sense to me. We have a new investigator who came to church with his wife and he's a super nice guy! We're really connecting with this ward and they're starting to trust us with bringing people to church and the bishop really trusts us, which will just help the work progress like crazy! I know I shouldn't say this, because saying so will curse me but, I really hope I get to stay in this ward with this companion for at least one more transfer, I wouldn't even mind until Christmas to be honest! There's great work going on here.
Love,
Elder Davies
Love,
Elder Davies
September 14, 2009
I'm loving my bike, kinda. Its fulfilling but also harder to get up in the morning. Wednesday night we rode to the church (about 5 miles away) and it was drizzling when we left, but we were moving pretty quick, just because I knew it would get worse... and it did! By the time we were a mile away from the church it was a complete Georgia downpour! I couldn't see anything and rode by faith for the next mile, just hoping to live to see our new church building. I was singing hymns whenever I wasn't out of breath. We arrived at the church completely soaked and lo and behold, they canceled the mutual activity of going out and passing out invitations to the Open House, so we taught a lesson about Christlike attributes, choosing NOW what kind of person you want to be and making NON-NEGOTIABLES that will help you get there... so maybe some of it I stole from mom, but it ended up being a good experience for all.
Well, Thursday night, we rode home from the church after a long day of giving our invitations and I was riding in back because I still didn't have a light for the front of my bike. Well, Elder Christensen was about 50 feet in front when we were coming to a T intersection. A car was coming to a stop sign about 30 feet in front of him, it seemed to be slowing down, but then I saw him swerving his handlebars so to shine his light in their eye and then he hit on his brakes as they pulled out feet in front of him. To my great enjoyment, he raised his fist and shouted 'You SON OF PERDITION"
They stopped and apologized, the lady driving said she didn't see him and I was trying to hard to contain my laughter that I didn't get much in. Well, needless to say I was joking around with him the rest of the way home, so proud that he actually said it (we'd been joking around about doing that if something like that ever happened... it's from a J. Golden Kimball talk... Oh by the way, I love talks on CD) when we were just about home. Now, I've been told that karma isn't necessarily a point of the gospel, but after that night, I've gained a testimony. We were cutting through some parking lots and going up this little dirt path about 8 feet long and at a 60 degree angle, so I was building up some speed to get up it quick and it style, just like I've always done. I let Elder Christensen go first and then took my ascent, well, like I said it was dark and I didn't have a light yet, as I was about halfway up I hit a tree root and immediately was stopped and as I was there, just hanging in mid-air I fell to my right into a thorny bush. I laid there for a few seconds and then realized my foot was caught under the bike so I calmly called to Elder Christensen "Hey, Elder, I would get myself out of here, but my bike's on my foot, could you lift if up for me?" He did so I brushed off the thorns and couldn't help but think that what goes around comes around.
Moral of the Story: Love your bike or it will find ways to love you!
Well, we had an Open House for our new ward building and it was great. I actually had to sing a Prelude of Nearer My God to Thee, and it was a good success. There were abut 30-40 non-members who showed up and we were able to talk to a few people who may become investigators of the church. One lady was a former baptist who stood up for us to her Sunday School teacher and said "Have you ever read the Book of Mormon? Then how can you judge it?" I'm pretty sure she falls under the elect category, but it is harder to get older people to change... so we'll see. That night we had a fireside with Dale and Nancy Murphy, it was sooooooo cool. He's a super nice guy and he reminds me of Uncle Dave Checketts in a ton of ways.
On Sunday, Sister Harlow, our ward organist and former member of MOTAB sang a solo and it was absolutely gorgeous. Then after church we had the baptism of Nathan Harris. It was a great experience and we hope to strengthen that family in the gospel.
Love,
Elder Davies
Well, Thursday night, we rode home from the church after a long day of giving our invitations and I was riding in back because I still didn't have a light for the front of my bike. Well, Elder Christensen was about 50 feet in front when we were coming to a T intersection. A car was coming to a stop sign about 30 feet in front of him, it seemed to be slowing down, but then I saw him swerving his handlebars so to shine his light in their eye and then he hit on his brakes as they pulled out feet in front of him. To my great enjoyment, he raised his fist and shouted 'You SON OF PERDITION"
They stopped and apologized, the lady driving said she didn't see him and I was trying to hard to contain my laughter that I didn't get much in. Well, needless to say I was joking around with him the rest of the way home, so proud that he actually said it (we'd been joking around about doing that if something like that ever happened... it's from a J. Golden Kimball talk... Oh by the way, I love talks on CD) when we were just about home. Now, I've been told that karma isn't necessarily a point of the gospel, but after that night, I've gained a testimony. We were cutting through some parking lots and going up this little dirt path about 8 feet long and at a 60 degree angle, so I was building up some speed to get up it quick and it style, just like I've always done. I let Elder Christensen go first and then took my ascent, well, like I said it was dark and I didn't have a light yet, as I was about halfway up I hit a tree root and immediately was stopped and as I was there, just hanging in mid-air I fell to my right into a thorny bush. I laid there for a few seconds and then realized my foot was caught under the bike so I calmly called to Elder Christensen "Hey, Elder, I would get myself out of here, but my bike's on my foot, could you lift if up for me?" He did so I brushed off the thorns and couldn't help but think that what goes around comes around.
Moral of the Story: Love your bike or it will find ways to love you!
Well, we had an Open House for our new ward building and it was great. I actually had to sing a Prelude of Nearer My God to Thee, and it was a good success. There were abut 30-40 non-members who showed up and we were able to talk to a few people who may become investigators of the church. One lady was a former baptist who stood up for us to her Sunday School teacher and said "Have you ever read the Book of Mormon? Then how can you judge it?" I'm pretty sure she falls under the elect category, but it is harder to get older people to change... so we'll see. That night we had a fireside with Dale and Nancy Murphy, it was sooooooo cool. He's a super nice guy and he reminds me of Uncle Dave Checketts in a ton of ways.
On Sunday, Sister Harlow, our ward organist and former member of MOTAB sang a solo and it was absolutely gorgeous. Then after church we had the baptism of Nathan Harris. It was a great experience and we hope to strengthen that family in the gospel.
Love,
Elder Davies
September 8, 2009
Elder Hunsaker is now over in Roswell and my new companion is Elder Christensen. He's been out 10 months, but graduated in 2006, and is from Cedar Hills, UT. He's a great missionary, very kind and in touch with the spirit. I love him AND like him, I think we'll have a productive transfer. Well, we got two new Spanish Elders in our apartment and they now have our car! That's right, I'm finally on bike, hence a sore bum. Because the Spanish have more room to cover they have our car and we are working up a sweat on the narrow Georgia shoulder. I actually do love my bike though, it's hard in the morning to get motivated to jump on, but it does feel good at night to come home and feel the burn of your legs knowing you've had a good days work. Thursday and Friday we didn't do too much biking, but Saturday, we biked a good 25 miler day... I was pooped. I know Georgia is pretty flat, but my legs would say otherwise.
We had some great dinners this week, and were fed twice on Sunday. But I am still always hungry, probably from all the biking. My new thing is grilled cheese sandwiches and Nesquick.
Well, I love you all so so much. I love this work and pray every day that the Lord will continue to do what he sees fit to refine me, smooth out the rough edges and help make me an even better servant. I just want to please my father.
With love,
Elder Georgia Davies
We had some great dinners this week, and were fed twice on Sunday. But I am still always hungry, probably from all the biking. My new thing is grilled cheese sandwiches and Nesquick.
Well, I love you all so so much. I love this work and pray every day that the Lord will continue to do what he sees fit to refine me, smooth out the rough edges and help make me an even better servant. I just want to please my father.
With love,
Elder Georgia Davies
Monday, August 31, 2009
August 31, 2009
I'm staying in Hamilton Mill, but will be getting a new companion. Also, exciting news, we will have another companionship in our tiny apartment (so much for my personal bathroom). Probably Spanish missionaries, so I may be switched to bike, I cross my fingers (and pray) that that doesn't happen in this area, where everyone lives about 10-15 miles away.
I finally had my first run in with a good ole Southern Baptist. I won't go into to too much detail, but it was quite an experience. We tried to answer his question best we could and tried to transition to teaching and testifying, but he wouldn't allow us to read from the Book of Mormon and went off as soon as we were inviting the spirit in to touch his heart. What's even funnier is that his Methodist friend, who we were actually dropping by to see (he's a Less Active member who was baptized but doesn't really have a testimony, his father is active but his wife is Methodist... maybe someday) was defending us when the Baptist guy told us we weren't praying to his God and that we were "bearing false witness." Well, maybe someday we'll go back, we'll see.
C.S.S.O.T.W.
And the award for the Crazy Southerner of the Week goes to: My black friend who works at Subway. I was on Spanish exchange with my DL Elder Brewer (who I love!) and we were with a Less Active member, we went into Subway and bought a cookie, the lady working there told me that she had been Mormon once. I enquired where she was a member, she told me the Peachtree Corner Ward (that's where my trainer, Elder Amesimeku is right now) but she was like " Yeah, I quit that, I can't believe in no 'Book of Mormon' or Latter-Day Prophets" Well, I had a decision: should enquire why she ever became a Mormon if she doesn't believe in the most foundational and distinctive points of our doctrine? Or should I let her off easy, ask her which church she goes to now and take my cookie and say goodbye.... Because I'm a good boy and KNEW she was crazy I thanked her for my cookie, asked the most popular get to know you question and returned to our table.
Crazy subway lady is rivaled only by a Spanish branch member (in fact, the one who was with us at Subway) who called me the next day and said he needed to talk about some of his "issues" I told I was busy and that I would call him back later. I'm not sure which team he swings for, but he's a nice guy, he's actually a Spanish radio announcer... so if Real is ever looking, he's actually very good. He also speaks Italian and Japanese... maybe that's why he's so crazy, he's got like 4 schizophrenic voices all trying to speak in their own language.
Well, I'm really excited to stay in this ward, I'm starting to make some great bonds... not quite where I was in Lilburn, but with more families. This ward treats us great! I have a personal chiropractor, doctor and a dry cleaner (for half off), I also have a Opthomologist... who knows what kind of stuff I may be taken care off with.
I love you like I love the scriptures: I just can't get enough!
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
I finally had my first run in with a good ole Southern Baptist. I won't go into to too much detail, but it was quite an experience. We tried to answer his question best we could and tried to transition to teaching and testifying, but he wouldn't allow us to read from the Book of Mormon and went off as soon as we were inviting the spirit in to touch his heart. What's even funnier is that his Methodist friend, who we were actually dropping by to see (he's a Less Active member who was baptized but doesn't really have a testimony, his father is active but his wife is Methodist... maybe someday) was defending us when the Baptist guy told us we weren't praying to his God and that we were "bearing false witness." Well, maybe someday we'll go back, we'll see.
C.S.S.O.T.W.
And the award for the Crazy Southerner of the Week goes to: My black friend who works at Subway. I was on Spanish exchange with my DL Elder Brewer (who I love!) and we were with a Less Active member, we went into Subway and bought a cookie, the lady working there told me that she had been Mormon once. I enquired where she was a member, she told me the Peachtree Corner Ward (that's where my trainer, Elder Amesimeku is right now) but she was like " Yeah, I quit that, I can't believe in no 'Book of Mormon' or Latter-Day Prophets" Well, I had a decision: should enquire why she ever became a Mormon if she doesn't believe in the most foundational and distinctive points of our doctrine? Or should I let her off easy, ask her which church she goes to now and take my cookie and say goodbye.... Because I'm a good boy and KNEW she was crazy I thanked her for my cookie, asked the most popular get to know you question and returned to our table.
Crazy subway lady is rivaled only by a Spanish branch member (in fact, the one who was with us at Subway) who called me the next day and said he needed to talk about some of his "issues" I told I was busy and that I would call him back later. I'm not sure which team he swings for, but he's a nice guy, he's actually a Spanish radio announcer... so if Real is ever looking, he's actually very good. He also speaks Italian and Japanese... maybe that's why he's so crazy, he's got like 4 schizophrenic voices all trying to speak in their own language.
Well, I'm really excited to stay in this ward, I'm starting to make some great bonds... not quite where I was in Lilburn, but with more families. This ward treats us great! I have a personal chiropractor, doctor and a dry cleaner (for half off), I also have a Opthomologist... who knows what kind of stuff I may be taken care off with.
I love you like I love the scriptures: I just can't get enough!
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
August 24, 2009
I don't know what I have done, but I seem to be attracting some Georgian Belles. This week doesn't have just one new girlfriend, but several. First there's a few little 3 year olds who keep trying to flirt with me from their pew but the real one is a little six year old, who follows Elder Hunsaker and I around after church, the only escape we had was into the Men's bathroom, and even then she waited outside for us... a little creepy. But we shake it all off and get back to missionary work.
This week we did a lot of service. Wednesday was our designated random acts of service for the members day. We went and washed a car, swept a garage and pulled some ivy ( my experience was invaluable). We even had two investigators at church, we didn't bring either of them, they came with their families. One of them a little 10 year old boy named N*****, we taught after church. His mom and brother and sister are all members but he is not. He's accepted to be baptized on September 5th or 12th, depending on whichever weekend he's not with his dad. I'm not sure how solid the family's commitment to the church is, and he's really only being baptized cuz his mom wants him to but she's giving him the choice and he says he wants to. I just hope he actually gains his own commitment and testimony. But you can't just deny someone being baptized because you don't think they'll stay in the church, if they want to be baptized and are worthy then you of course let them. Anyway, I hope it will all turn out for the best.
Well, I'm sorry I'm so short on time. I love you all and can't wait to hear from ya'll next week.
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
P.S. I've yet to have any real good Georgian Peaches, did you know that South Carolina grows more peaches than Georgia... I feel jipped.
This week we did a lot of service. Wednesday was our designated random acts of service for the members day. We went and washed a car, swept a garage and pulled some ivy ( my experience was invaluable). We even had two investigators at church, we didn't bring either of them, they came with their families. One of them a little 10 year old boy named N*****, we taught after church. His mom and brother and sister are all members but he is not. He's accepted to be baptized on September 5th or 12th, depending on whichever weekend he's not with his dad. I'm not sure how solid the family's commitment to the church is, and he's really only being baptized cuz his mom wants him to but she's giving him the choice and he says he wants to. I just hope he actually gains his own commitment and testimony. But you can't just deny someone being baptized because you don't think they'll stay in the church, if they want to be baptized and are worthy then you of course let them. Anyway, I hope it will all turn out for the best.
Well, I'm sorry I'm so short on time. I love you all and can't wait to hear from ya'll next week.
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
P.S. I've yet to have any real good Georgian Peaches, did you know that South Carolina grows more peaches than Georgia... I feel jipped.
August 17, 2009
To get over my great fear of bikes (which has been instilled in me ever since my many bad experiences as a young pup) we've been riding a mile and back to Wal-Mart, twice this week. Well, as we were cutting through back lots and such we can to, what for me, was a very large hill. Now, Elder Hunsaker being an extreme sports Motorcross racer easily whizzed down the hill, leaving me to start a top and conquer my fears. I said a prayer and an audible "Lord have mercy" and was on my way down. Luckily, I missed the rock. Exhilirating, yes; freightening: YES!
Thursday night we went to dinner and a members home with boys ranging from 16 to 3. Well, after a hearty dinner we had some entertainment, courtesy of the 3 and 7 year old. After batting practice there was a dance party that broke loose to the tune of 'Who Let the Dogs Out' during such dance party a highly coveted and patented move broke out much to my dismay: The Bumblebee. Where little 3 year old Manning Berrett learned such a move I know not. But it is my signature move and lucky for him I did not have the heart to show him up.
While visiting the members on our ward roster on Saturday we came to the Hales' house. She is from Centeral America and has two twin 3/4 year olds. The boy being a normal 3 year old, was pushing his sister and being a tease. But his sister, having braces on her legs could do very little about it. I appointed myself her protector and played with the little boy, while still protecting his sister from his vicious fists. Well, neither of them really spoke much but after this little girl saw me as her own personal Hercules she began to show me some of the little scrapes and bumps upon her arms, speaking is Spannish all I could pick out was Un pacito (if I'm not mistaken) which, according to my knowledge and her mother affirmed translation, means little kiss. So add her to the list, Girlfriends from 4 to 79, not exactly what I expected from a mission ;)
Well family, I wish I had more to report about the actual work. It's moving fairly slow and things are pretty tough. But the Lord is good, he loves his children and his "kindness shall not depart" from they who will humble themselves and turn to him. With all my heart I love and think of you all often.
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
Thursday night we went to dinner and a members home with boys ranging from 16 to 3. Well, after a hearty dinner we had some entertainment, courtesy of the 3 and 7 year old. After batting practice there was a dance party that broke loose to the tune of 'Who Let the Dogs Out' during such dance party a highly coveted and patented move broke out much to my dismay: The Bumblebee. Where little 3 year old Manning Berrett learned such a move I know not. But it is my signature move and lucky for him I did not have the heart to show him up.
While visiting the members on our ward roster on Saturday we came to the Hales' house. She is from Centeral America and has two twin 3/4 year olds. The boy being a normal 3 year old, was pushing his sister and being a tease. But his sister, having braces on her legs could do very little about it. I appointed myself her protector and played with the little boy, while still protecting his sister from his vicious fists. Well, neither of them really spoke much but after this little girl saw me as her own personal Hercules she began to show me some of the little scrapes and bumps upon her arms, speaking is Spannish all I could pick out was Un pacito (if I'm not mistaken) which, according to my knowledge and her mother affirmed translation, means little kiss. So add her to the list, Girlfriends from 4 to 79, not exactly what I expected from a mission ;)
Well family, I wish I had more to report about the actual work. It's moving fairly slow and things are pretty tough. But the Lord is good, he loves his children and his "kindness shall not depart" from they who will humble themselves and turn to him. With all my heart I love and think of you all often.
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
August 10, 2009
Ican't believe that Summer is almost over... well for you. Things have been incredibly hot here in Georgia and it just so happened to be a week that Elder Hunsaker and I decided to do some walking to 1) save miles on our car and 2) be seen more by the public, People don't really see you when you're behind the windshield of a car... So we did a lot of waving and luckily no one really yelled or threw anything at us. So all in all a good week. We didn't really do much this week in the way of tracting or finding people, we're still trying to get to know the ward, so that is pretty time consuming.
Yesterday in church we started a new type of Prelude thing. This was Sister A*******'s (an older widow in the ward) idea. She saw it done in another ward and just loved it. Well, we had dinner with her a few weeks ago and then again on Saturday. She had already asked me to 'sing the prelude'. What this meant was that about 5 minutes before sacrament meeting started I was to stand about a foot away from the pulpit, not talking to anyone, just looking out into the crowd and then when I bowed my head and raised it Sister A******* would start playing the piano and I would begin singing. Imagining this was a pretty awkward situation to me. And so I asked I thought there should be an announcement or something so that people wouldn't think it was weird that this missionary took it upon himself to entertain the crowd. Well, since it was Sister A*******'s idea and I didn't have the heart to change her idea I just kinda went up there and was talking to the youth speaker and to the Bishopric and finally after standing there for a few minutes the organist asked me if I wanted her to stop and I kindly said that I would appreciate that. So I started singing 'I Need Thee Every Hour' and it all went well, I walked off the stand and the meeting started. Afterwards I had a few ladies come up and talk to me, some people still thought that I just decided to get up there and sing. I hope that they all get the idea next week when some other poor sucker is up there singing... and it better not be me. I even had a few ladies tell me that I shouldn't be a Psychology major and I should be a music major. I smiled and thought about trying to support a family as a music major and chuckled to myself. One lady even told me that I had a beautiful but untrained voice and that with some training I could really go somewhere, she asked me if I'd ever taken lessons and to be nice I said, "yeah, a little bit ;)" All in all the humiliaton was worth making one sweet Sister A*******'s day... and probably week.
It really was a rather uneventful week though, and I'm hoping we can get the ball rolling here soon.
Love you all, (even those that haven't written for a while ;)
Elder Taylor Davies
Yesterday in church we started a new type of Prelude thing. This was Sister A*******'s (an older widow in the ward) idea. She saw it done in another ward and just loved it. Well, we had dinner with her a few weeks ago and then again on Saturday. She had already asked me to 'sing the prelude'. What this meant was that about 5 minutes before sacrament meeting started I was to stand about a foot away from the pulpit, not talking to anyone, just looking out into the crowd and then when I bowed my head and raised it Sister A******* would start playing the piano and I would begin singing. Imagining this was a pretty awkward situation to me. And so I asked I thought there should be an announcement or something so that people wouldn't think it was weird that this missionary took it upon himself to entertain the crowd. Well, since it was Sister A*******'s idea and I didn't have the heart to change her idea I just kinda went up there and was talking to the youth speaker and to the Bishopric and finally after standing there for a few minutes the organist asked me if I wanted her to stop and I kindly said that I would appreciate that. So I started singing 'I Need Thee Every Hour' and it all went well, I walked off the stand and the meeting started. Afterwards I had a few ladies come up and talk to me, some people still thought that I just decided to get up there and sing. I hope that they all get the idea next week when some other poor sucker is up there singing... and it better not be me. I even had a few ladies tell me that I shouldn't be a Psychology major and I should be a music major. I smiled and thought about trying to support a family as a music major and chuckled to myself. One lady even told me that I had a beautiful but untrained voice and that with some training I could really go somewhere, she asked me if I'd ever taken lessons and to be nice I said, "yeah, a little bit ;)" All in all the humiliaton was worth making one sweet Sister A*******'s day... and probably week.
It really was a rather uneventful week though, and I'm hoping we can get the ball rolling here soon.
Love you all, (even those that haven't written for a while ;)
Elder Taylor Davies
August 3, 2009
We've spent a lot of time in the apartment creating a Map Book for the area since it's new and we're new and our miles are limited we decided that this would be the best use of our time. Other than that we've been trying to meet new members so not to much to really report. We did have a baptism on Saturday... so kinda my first but I'm not really counting it because I didn't ever teach her a lesson and such. But nonetheless, it was very exciting. Her name is T***** A*****, her husband is a member, they got married about a month ago. In fact it's a really weird situation, the husband and his ex-wife are both in our ward. And both active, but they're very civil, so I hear. I actually haven't met the ex-wife yet so I'm not sure for myself. Anyway, T*****'s step son who just returned home from his mission baptized her (using my pants because he left his, so I guess in a sense I was in the water with them ;) not really though, because that would have been weird). So that was pretty cool.
Wednesday night we had dinner with a sweet widow in our ward, she's 79 years old and she's our ward chorister. Her name is Sister A******* and she's very sweet. Anyway, after dinner she asked if we'd sit around the piano and sing for a bit. So for the next hour and a half we sang anything from Heigh-Ho to Jesus Was No Ordinary Man. Well, Elder Hunsaker's not really a singer so he was a good sport to go along with it. But because of this instance I've now been recruited to sing in church this upcoming Sunday, and not like the special musical number, I will be singing the Prelude music (another one of Sis. A*******'s ideas) so your prayers would be much appreciated. I nearly gave her a heart attack when I hit the high note in Danny Boy, afterwards she told us that our singing turns her on (take that from a sweet innocent old widowed lady perspective though) still, for us, it was a bit awkward and weird. Needless to say, Elder Hunsaker hasn't let me live any of this down and has relentlessly teased me about my new 79 year old girlfriend.... Don't worry, my eye is still single, and I don't think Sis. A******* would be the one to pick the lock I've already set on my heart.
Well, that's really our week, not very eventful but a good ride and good learning experience all round.
Love,
Elder Tay
Wednesday night we had dinner with a sweet widow in our ward, she's 79 years old and she's our ward chorister. Her name is Sister A******* and she's very sweet. Anyway, after dinner she asked if we'd sit around the piano and sing for a bit. So for the next hour and a half we sang anything from Heigh-Ho to Jesus Was No Ordinary Man. Well, Elder Hunsaker's not really a singer so he was a good sport to go along with it. But because of this instance I've now been recruited to sing in church this upcoming Sunday, and not like the special musical number, I will be singing the Prelude music (another one of Sis. A*******'s ideas) so your prayers would be much appreciated. I nearly gave her a heart attack when I hit the high note in Danny Boy, afterwards she told us that our singing turns her on (take that from a sweet innocent old widowed lady perspective though) still, for us, it was a bit awkward and weird. Needless to say, Elder Hunsaker hasn't let me live any of this down and has relentlessly teased me about my new 79 year old girlfriend.... Don't worry, my eye is still single, and I don't think Sis. A******* would be the one to pick the lock I've already set on my heart.
Well, that's really our week, not very eventful but a good ride and good learning experience all round.
Love,
Elder Tay
July 27, 2009
I am about an hour North of Lilburn, in Hall County. I'm in a ward called the Hamilton Mill ward. You probably can't find it on any maps since, they've only been around for about a month now. In fact, Sunday was only the second Sunday in a full block. They're still trying to get all the callings filled and it's a pretty hectic place right now. To add to all of this, we're whitewashing the area. Yes, I was whitewashed and now I'm whitewashing, this means that both Elder Hunsaker and I came from different areas. Elder Hunsaker is my new companion, this is his first transfer as a senior companion and he's been out 7 months. He's from Lehi, Utah and loves racing motorcycles and dirt bikes and such. He's got a funny sense of humor, kinda reminds me of a mix between Nate Larsen and Colton Cook.
As a result of being in a new area we've spent the first few days making a map and trying to figure out where in the heck we're going. We're starting from scratch so to say. As a result we've been in our apartment making the map rather than proselyting, so it's been the strangest 3 days or so of my mission so far. On the positive side, we're in car during the August heat. On the negative side, the missionaries before us left us the car with 1174 miles on it for the month (that was on the 22nd) However, we're only allotted 910 miles a month, so we're trying to work through that too. Elder Hunsaker is really chill and so we don't stress, I really love that about him.
So a little bit about the area, Hall County is home to the training center of both the Atlanta Falcons and I believe Braves (don't quote me on that because it could just be a Minor Leauge team and it could be Gwinett County... which has a relation to Hall County and the year 1776, a prize for whoever can figure it out!) Also in Hall county is the Mall of Georgia, which is the biggest mall in all of Georgia, so we'll probably go there of these P-Days... I'll see if I can find some great southern garb to send ya'll.
Marc Johnson is in my new district, he's a Centerville native who's in our stake. His little brother Chad is my age and both are really good guys. I do love this district though and see a lot of opportunity to grow.
Well, that' really it for me. I want you all to know that I'm doing extremely well, I've been so strengthened by the Lord during this transfer and I'm so excited to be in a fresh area where we can really get the work progressing and try some new things. We're calling every ward member on their birthday to try to BRT (Build Relationship of Trust) hopefully that leads to some success. I love you all and know that the Lord has and will continue to bless our family. It does seem as though the last year or so have been a little bit of a refiners fire for the family. But I've seen us pull closer and, as strange as it seems, I feel closer to Jaman right now than I have for a long time, no doubt in my mind he's piggybacked me up a few of the hills I've come across.
Overall message: I love you, sorry if my letter became a missionary sermon, I try to stay away from that. But I do love you and think of you all often and pray for you more often.
Much Love,
-Elder Tay
As a result of being in a new area we've spent the first few days making a map and trying to figure out where in the heck we're going. We're starting from scratch so to say. As a result we've been in our apartment making the map rather than proselyting, so it's been the strangest 3 days or so of my mission so far. On the positive side, we're in car during the August heat. On the negative side, the missionaries before us left us the car with 1174 miles on it for the month (that was on the 22nd) However, we're only allotted 910 miles a month, so we're trying to work through that too. Elder Hunsaker is really chill and so we don't stress, I really love that about him.
So a little bit about the area, Hall County is home to the training center of both the Atlanta Falcons and I believe Braves (don't quote me on that because it could just be a Minor Leauge team and it could be Gwinett County... which has a relation to Hall County and the year 1776, a prize for whoever can figure it out!) Also in Hall county is the Mall of Georgia, which is the biggest mall in all of Georgia, so we'll probably go there of these P-Days... I'll see if I can find some great southern garb to send ya'll.
Marc Johnson is in my new district, he's a Centerville native who's in our stake. His little brother Chad is my age and both are really good guys. I do love this district though and see a lot of opportunity to grow.
Well, that' really it for me. I want you all to know that I'm doing extremely well, I've been so strengthened by the Lord during this transfer and I'm so excited to be in a fresh area where we can really get the work progressing and try some new things. We're calling every ward member on their birthday to try to BRT (Build Relationship of Trust) hopefully that leads to some success. I love you all and know that the Lord has and will continue to bless our family. It does seem as though the last year or so have been a little bit of a refiners fire for the family. But I've seen us pull closer and, as strange as it seems, I feel closer to Jaman right now than I have for a long time, no doubt in my mind he's piggybacked me up a few of the hills I've come across.
Overall message: I love you, sorry if my letter became a missionary sermon, I try to stay away from that. But I do love you and think of you all often and pray for you more often.
Much Love,
-Elder Tay
Monday, July 20, 2009
Dear blog readers,
I'm sure that you are few in number, but great in heart. Thank you for your support, love and prayers during these first few weeks of my mission. I want to let you know that I know with a surety that what I'm doing is the Lord's work. All of the success, is his success and it sure is a privilege to be out serving the people of 1150 Cole Drove SW Lilburn, GA 30047 (Oh come on, you didn't expect me to write without putting a little plug in for mail ;) I love all of your letters and if you send them to that address, they will ALWAYS get to me, the mission home will forward them if needed. It is super green out here in Georgia, but it comes with it's fair share of heat and humidity. Chances are I will be on a bike for the month of August so, prayers and water drinking on my behalf would be appreciated... kinda like a backwards fast! I love ya'll and can't wait for you to see pictures of some of the coolest people I've ever met... except for ya'll of course!
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
I'm sure that you are few in number, but great in heart. Thank you for your support, love and prayers during these first few weeks of my mission. I want to let you know that I know with a surety that what I'm doing is the Lord's work. All of the success, is his success and it sure is a privilege to be out serving the people of 1150 Cole Drove SW Lilburn, GA 30047 (Oh come on, you didn't expect me to write without putting a little plug in for mail ;) I love all of your letters and if you send them to that address, they will ALWAYS get to me, the mission home will forward them if needed. It is super green out here in Georgia, but it comes with it's fair share of heat and humidity. Chances are I will be on a bike for the month of August so, prayers and water drinking on my behalf would be appreciated... kinda like a backwards fast! I love ya'll and can't wait for you to see pictures of some of the coolest people I've ever met... except for ya'll of course!
Love,
Elder Taylor Davies
Monday, July 13, 2009
Greetings from GEORGIA!
Dearest Blog Readers,
I wanted to first thank all of you who have written me a letter or included me in your prayers. I have felt your love and support and relied upon it in some of my greatest hours of need. I sure do love each and every single one of you. So thank you thank you thank you. I appoligize about pictures, I have lost my battery charger and Walmart doesn't have the one I need and we're still looking for a place. I will fix that and have some pictures for Meg and Greg to put up next week. Till then, Ya'll have a great week, ya hear?!
-Much Love,
Elder Davies
I wanted to first thank all of you who have written me a letter or included me in your prayers. I have felt your love and support and relied upon it in some of my greatest hours of need. I sure do love each and every single one of you. So thank you thank you thank you. I appoligize about pictures, I have lost my battery charger and Walmart doesn't have the one I need and we're still looking for a place. I will fix that and have some pictures for Meg and Greg to put up next week. Till then, Ya'll have a great week, ya hear?!
-Much Love,
Elder Davies
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