Leaving the MTC and flying to CAMBODIA TODAY!

This is from Taylor's email today:

Departure day is here! It's about 11:12 am and I'm totally packed and everything, so I don't really have much left to do. The MTC (Missionary Training Center) experience has truly been a great one. As I've progressed with my district in the language and the gospel, we've all changed for the better. The MTC has done a great job of helping us to go out as great missionaries.  The Spirit is here constantly and it has been key in increasing my testimony.  My personal testimony of the Atonement has grown tremendously, mostly due to our incredible teachers. They are so spiritual and really helped me to better understand what the Atonement means to me. They helped me understand my Savior's love for me. It has been an irreplaceable experience to have the Spirit bear witness to me that these things are true, and that the church is true. I know it is and I know it is the greatest work on earth.  My favorite scriptures are Alma 29:9, 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and Alma 26:27

FYI - (From Taylor's mom) this is an excerpt from the Dr. Seuss book "Oh the Places You'll Go" - that I sent Taylor on his last day at the MTC - I put the verses I modified in italics.

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

You're not on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU and the LORD will decide where to go.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You'll look up and down the streets. Look 'em over with care.

About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."

With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,

you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

Out there things can happen

and frequently do

to people as brainy 

and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,

don't worry. Don't stew.

Just go right along

You'll start happening too!

Taylor's next email will be from Cambodia!  Look to the right for Taylor's new mailing address. Remember if you use regular mail -  it will require extra postage.  You can still write him thru www.dearelder.com.

MTC Days

This is the "go to place" for Taylor's mission updates and photos. I will update each week with news from his emails and letters. Taylor entered the MTC Dec. 10, 2008 and leaves for Cambodia this week - Feb. 24th! He has loved the MTC experience but says he is SO READY to enter the mission field. In a letter we received this week, Taylor said he is excited to experience the food and can't wait for his 1st native companion. I'll keep you updated! (Donna - Taylor's mom).