Fortune Cookies

Cool Story time: "We were tracting the other day when I found a fortune cookie on the ground. The fortune inside said, "Now is the time to be candid and overboard in all things." Next thing I know we found this guy named Kenny working on his Corvette. Then I felt the spirit say, 'Well, you've been told what to do so get to it.'. So I was as bold with him as I have ever been with someone.  I told him about our living prophets, the Book of Mormon and receiving my own answers directly from the Spirit.  He was receptive, took a BoM and invited us to come back this coming Saturday."

New truck!

Loving life sitting in the new truck the mission just gave us to help out! It is a red Chevy Colorado pickup with room for 6 is in the cab. The Arvada zone just got mixed around and that makes us the rides for some of the missionaries in the city. We plan to use the truck to take us to an area of the ward and then just bike around the area. It makes travel much less of a hassle and hills are no problem. :p We just started a new transfer Monday and I am staying here in the 4th ward with Riskin for another 6 weeks which means I get to see Brian all the way through.

Dinner appointment...eeuuu...

"We had a dinner appointment  last night and I am glad that you couldn't see the house. Imagine a house with unfinished walls, light fixtures in strange places with no shades to speak of and filth that makes your skin crawl. The floor had so many food particles, dirt and such that it felt a bit sandy in the place ans lets just say you would be hard pressed to find anything remotely termed clean. It was all a bit horrifying, but I am not sick so that's good and the food wasn't overly strange.  ...I just had to laugh when we got out of there because it was such a classic mission story. 'Kids picture this. When I was on my mission we had dinner with a family of fairly average looking people with ot much out of place with them personally, but their house was like something you imagine in a 3rd world country and we sat there and liked it.'".

Arvada, CO

Reid was transfered to the Arvada 4th ward January 3rd. Arvada is a suburb of Denver in the NW corner.

The Denver temple 

"I feel very happy with things that  I have done in the Miramont ward and I can honestly say that I think I have done what the Lord needed me to do here. I'm ready for new challenges and new people. I think that this ward is better than when I got here and many members agree. I will miss the many people here that I have grown so close to and I have been thanked by many people. I am honored that the Lord has trusted me to work for these wonderful people and glorify His name for the mighty works he has done here. Let all glory be to him."

Fort Collins

My good friend, Joel Woodward, lives in Colorado Springs and told Reid that he needed to visit this place while he was in Fort Collins. A very interesting sort of...zoo?

Mission collections

It seems like each mission has something the missionaries collect or trade. Reid's is pins to put on your backpack and stickers for your name tag and white handbook. For Christmas I sent him a pin for each state we have lived in. This picture was taken before he received them. I will have to ask him to update the picture from time to time. I made him the shell pin from a shell he and I found on the beach. He has very fond memories of the Taylor clan vacationing on the NC beach.

Baptism!

Reid and Elder Garrett had a baptism December 29, 2011.

Brook is the daughter of a part-member family.

Her grandfather came up from Denver to baptize and confirm her.

Reid said it was a beautiful and spiritual evening.

"...we have little to show for our work but I understand that is just how it goes sometimes.I still feel the Lord's approval and take many opportunities to speak with him. I have been able to have prayer be more of a conversation and less of a letter. I encourage you to try and do the same because the comfort and guidance are phenomenal."

(Reid took this picture at the Rocky Mtn. National Park)

No more snow!

"I rode my bike through the driving snow last night to visit less active members who I knew would reject us but all I could do was laugh and smile because it was one of those classic grandpa mission stories. (in old man voice) 'On my mission we would ride our bikes through the driving snow to visit less active members even though we could hardly see and most folks weren't happy to see us. We still did it and we liked it!' (^_^) It has been a good week and I am so happy to be a missionary." 11/29/10

Birthday boy!

Happy 20th Birthday Reid!

January 3, 2011

Transfers were on Reid's birthday and he was going to the Arvada 4th ward. Sister Merrill happened to making dinner for Reid and his companion the night before and she asked me what he would like for his birthday dessert. She is so thoughtful. I told her that he would love Marie Calandar's Razzle Berry Pie. It is one of his favorites!

We sent him a hug for his birthday! We took a picture of us like we were group hugging him and had it printed on a fleece blanket. This way he can have a family hug any time he wants! 

Christmas 2010

I have always gotten Reid a Lego for Christmas. This year I found this great Lego advent calendar for him. He got to build a little Lego everyday. He had a great time!

       

Christmas morning at the Merrill's. Reid said he had a great day. He got to visit many families and enjoyed the gifts we sent. We got to talk to him for an hour and a half! It was the best Christmas gift I received. It was heaven to hear his voice. He sounded so well and happy.

Elder Garrett

After Elder Zimmerman went home Reid got to be companions with Elder Garrett. They had a rough start of it so Elder Garrett suggested that they play chess together to build their companionship. It really helped and by the time Reid was transferred to Arvada they were friends. 

Elder Garrett, Bro. Smothermon and Reid

On being a missionary

"Being a missionary is hard. I knew it would before I signed up, but it is only now that I understand this fact. At the same time it is the best thing that I have ever done and it fills me with joy to serve my fellow man. I can feel pain at times because of the choices that people sometimes make, but I know that all of this is but a part of what God feels. I am proud to be his servant and will always press forward for God is my help, my strength, my friend. Know that I feel your prayers pushing me on and that I know the gospel is the best way to be happy in this life and the life to come. May God bless you as I pray he will every day." - Elder Reid Taylor

The Merrills

Elder Zimmerman and Reid moved into the Merrill's home. They took such good care of them. I am very grateful to them for welcoming my boy into their home and treating him like a son. 

             

        Brother and Sister Merrill

                                          

The boys loved Baily the dog. She loved to chase tennis balls and spent alot of time with them when they were home.

Not sure what they were helping to cook!

The bike

Reid started out in a car but that didn't last long. Elder Zimmerman helped him pick out a bike. He splurged for fenders and some special tires. He has been on a bike for 6 1/2 months now. He says trying to bike through the snow is a real challenge.

Elder Zimmerman and Fort Collins

Reid's trainer was Elder Zimmerman. We love Elder Zimmerman, even though we have never met him! He was so good to Reid. He was happy and hard working. He showed Reid how to be a great missionary, how to work hard and how to have fun within the rules. They were together two transfers and Reid loved every minute. They started out living with Bro. Smothermon. Bro. Smothermon was really good to them. He often took them someplace fun on P Days. They went to the Rocky Mountain National Park one time and loved it.

                                      

Notice how crisp and clear Reid's tag is and how worn Elder Zimmerman's is.  Reid was his last companion before he went home.

 Here are some other goofy pictures of Reid and Elder Zimmerman.

 There is smoke in the background from the CO fires.

Reid uses his ninja skills to hunt the rare iron stork. 

                     

Elder Zimmerman is soon to be attacked...

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Denver bound!

 

This is Reid on the plane to Denver Aug. 29, 2011 He was so ready to go. He was anxious to hit the ground running and serve.

 President Ely and his wife. This is what Reid had to say about him,"My mission president is awesome by the way! He is an engineer and a really solid guy. His rules are as follows, 'You have the White Handbook for a reason. I expect you all to be adults and follow its council. If you do you won't have any problems.' I love that! It is exactly the way that I would handle it. I relate to him and already feel the wisdom that he has. That's a real load off my mind."  Reid was quite worried about how he would like his mission president. Jim counseled him that as long as he followed the rules he would develop a good relationship.

Hey! I know you!

Reid ran into his good friend Derek Carmack at the MTC bookstore. Derek is serving in Idaho.

First Companion!

Reid's first companion was Elder Arntz. Reid said he was a quiet and insightful guy. You would never guess that he is a break dancing champ! Reid really liked him. Hopefully, they will get to serve with each other again.

Missionary Training Center

Reid was asked to report to the MTC Wednesday, August 11, 2011. It was decided that his dad would fly out with him and I would stay home with the girls. I have to say, Aug. 11 was quite possibly one of the hardest days a parent can face. On one hand, you are eternally grateful that your son is serving a mission and on the other hand it seems next to impossible to give him up for two years. I spent the day in tears and Jim held it together until he got to the airport to go home. We are very glad we don't have two sons... Reid was nervous and excited to start this new adventure. Thanks goes out to Reid's cousin, Jared Armstrong, who housed, transported and photographed Jim and Reid. We love you Jared!

Reid on his early flight to Salt Lake City.

An extra short haircut!

The MTC was under construction, so no traditional "going into the MTC" photos. The Provo temple made for a nice background. Jim said that one of Reid's friends who was already at the MTC came out to greet him, then took him in to get him settled.