In the Name of Missionary Work

I want you all the sterotypical missionary stories you have heard.  What "Horror" stories have you heard?  Start listing them now!  Pull up a new email, write down the missionary horror stories you have heard/lived and email it to morgan.taylor@myldsmail.net RIGHT NOW!

Thanks.

 

(Do you like my grill?  Yes, I made a fire under a piece of metal.)

​

This week I am a living example of probably every single one of those stories.  What happened this week? 

On a blustery day, with no lessons planned, my extremely sick companion, Soeur Anzi, and I wandered into a small neighborhood in hope of finding a new person to talk to.  As we entered, we met two very large dogs, gave them a loving pat, and continued walking.  As we unsuccessfully left the neighborhood, our two new friends, the dogs, followed us.  30 seconds later I had a nice new, red tattoo of the teeth of a dog on my hand.  I was bit by a dog. 

Speaking of tattoos! We were walking to go teach a lesson when we spotted our investigator with a large group of people.  We went to go see what was going on.  That was when I was offered a free tattoo.  It was a tattoo party.  There was a long line of people waiting to get tattoos.  Including a 7-year-old girl.  I successfully convinced her NOT to get a tattoo. 

 

(in the Hospital.  This is one of my favorite Patients)

​

That was when her 14-year-old sister offered me a smoke of her cigarette.  I was very tempted to say yes, take the whole pack, and throw it into the middle of the ocean.  That is when a 15-year-old girl told her that members of our church do not smoke.  I started talking to her about the church and I asked her how old her little brother was that she was holding.  Nope.  Not her little brother.  It was her 4-month-old son.  

After all this, we went to a dinner appointment.  Finally, food!  I was talking to the non-member grandpa about his latest hospital stay.  I made the mistake of asking why he was in the hospital.  He said because I had an operation right here, he stood up, and dropped his pants so he could show me much more than I wanted to ever see.  Thanks Papi, but I did NOT want to see that. 

 

​During dinner, we ate Fafaroo!  It was delicious!  Granted I can't smell or taste, but the family didn't know that and was very impressed the little blonde American had three servings of the rotten fish.  

All in the name of missionary work. 

Oh,  I'll be home on January 14th!  My flight lands in SLC around 6:30pm.  I hope to see you all there!

 

XXo, 

Mo

 

 

Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

 

Additional Photos sent this week:



When Morgan sent this photo I responded with "oh my, what in the world"  then I read what the story was behind it.  This is the group of people waiting to get tattoos on the side of the road.  She was trying to talk them out of getting them.  They told her she was next and that is why she is laughing.  A fourteen year old put his hat on her because she looked "too proper"  She saved the child from getting one:) 





Morgan and the machete she used to help start her fire......I think I am OK with that:)  I know she used them in her first area Maraa one year ago to open coconuts.  I would be lying if I said I am not overly protective now days.  Everyone wear your helmets, seatbelts and lather up with Sunscreen!!! 



 

Kiss The Fish......

I'd like to introduce you to my doppelganger.  This is dealing Soeur Stansty.  I feel for this poor girl. She is getting stopped and people are saying, "Soeur Taylor! How are you feeling!!" Um.. Not Soeur Taylor.  I guess we do look similar. We're both blonde.  She is, however, much more tan than I am (the curse of being in a car).  But, if my hair were at its normal length, we could probably pass as fraternal twins. What do you think?

Everyday I see a miracle.  Look at food!  We eat it, and our body turns it into energy. This week I saw a big one.  A few weeks ago I let a member download my newstory off my 500gb hard drive.  BAD. IDEA.  Insert extremely deadly virus here.  EXTREMELY DEADLY.  For weeks I have felt so sick because I could not open a single file.  That is where all my pre-accident mission pictures are.  I could not open them.  I was sick.  My soul hurt.  I was wallowing in self-anguish to Soeur Anderson, she works in the mission office, one day about it.  What did she tell me?  "Go talk to "R"over at the Church Office. He fixed my computer, maybe he can fixed your hard drive." So, skeptically I went.  Skeptic, yet full of hope.  I loaded up my "bag o' virus" (Yes, I literally wrote, Le Sac du Virus on the bag, complete with a skull and crossbones) and went to the church office to grovel... What happened? 

HE SAVED MY LIFE!

My USB drives, all 6 of them are virus free.  They will NOT be touching a non-church computer for the rest of my mission.  Holy cow. 

 

(Yum!!  Hey, if you can't kiss a boy, kiss a fish!) 

Everyone tells me my accident has changed lives. I believe that with all my heart, but I have always wondered if I would ever SEE how it changed someone's life. (yes, I know.  Faith is believing without seeing.  That does not change the fact I would like to meet someone who changed because of my accident aside from my familý's and my own.)

This week, my best friend, Miti, introduced me to two people. "Y"and "Z"

 Y is an investigator, he didn't say very much.  Maybe because he was sacred of me, that happens, or because Z was talking a lot.  Z was baptized on October 25th.  His conversion story literally took my breath away. 

Z heard about my accident in June,  He thought it had just happened, so what did he do?  He went to the hospital and looked for me.  When he did not find me, he looked for the missionaries to see if I was okay.  He started taking the lessons and he got baptized.  When he saw me outside the temple with MIti, he started crying.  God does everything perfectly. 

​(Elevator Selfies!) 

My 20-year-old friend, Z, can have all the blessings God wants him to have now.  Because I was hit by a drunk driver.  I was able to meet a man whose life has been changed for the better. He can have an eternal family now. 

I would never changed December 13, 2013 for anything. 

I am thankful I was hit by a drunk driver.  Too much good has come from that accident to wish for anything different.  Yes, I would like my memory back, I miss tasting and smelling, and YES dear citizens of Tahiti I gained a lot of weight.  But, the good outweighs all the bad in my situation. 

 

I am lucky.  I am blessed.  I am thankful.  I am still "Mo." I am alive. 

Love, 

Soeur Mo

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Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

Locked in the house



How I feel about packages...Thanks Mom!



So my companion has been sick all this week.... We have not left the house.  Enjoy flashback pictures. 

Yeah... It's not Christmas without Snow.  IT IS SNOWING IN TAHITI!! I made dozens of snowflakes and taped them around the house.  You can only do so much studying within one week...  

 

​Flashback to last week!!  I like boats. :)

 

​I played with Vanilla plants on Moorea. 

Well, 

I'll be more exciting next week... 

​

XXo,

Sœur Mo

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Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

 

The Blog

Miracles Happen Once in a while if you HAVE FAITH...

Hello,

This email may be a tad short this week, seeing as I am currently sitting on the lovely beaches of Moorea.

Yes, you read that right.  I am in Moorea.  No, I was not transferred there.  I AM ON VACATION!!!!

Totally kidding. 

I am here on business.

Last night, I gave a fireside here on this lovely island.

​

I am in Moorea!  Well, I'm only here for two days, but it has been the best two days ever.  Moorea is pretty small, there are not a lot of members compared to Tahiti, so I wasn't expecting too many people to show up.  I should have learned by now that the opposite of what I expect will happen.  We filled up the entire chapel.  Then, we found all the folding chairs and filled up every space outside that was by a window.  We ran out of chairs.  People were sitting on other people's laps just to see me.  It was incredible.  

​This is Mia.  She is 4 years old.  We are now best friends.  She is incredible.  After my accident the members were asked to pray for me, she reminded her family every morning and night to say a prayer for me.  I love her.  I am so thankful for the prayers everyone said for me.  Most importantly for the faith everyone had.  Go read Moroni 7:33 and 37.  It is only by faith that miracles can happen.  If we didn't have faith, today, I would not be here on this Earth. 

I would not be able to celebrate my favorite holiday.

It was Halloween this week!!  For those of you who know me well, you know that Halloween is my favorite holiday.  Big time.  I dress up every year, usually I'm an evil witch doctor, but this year (and last year) I didn't have my costume.  So I made do.

Yes, I am in the middle.  People who saw this picture asked me where I was...​ 

The scary thing about my costume is not the fact that I look terribly creepy, but it's the fact that my little sister, McKenzie, had the same idea.  Just not in the creepy manner I did.

She was a cute scarecrow. 

Yeah, living proof that we are siblings.  Sisters to the end! Sorry Kenz, you're stuck with me. :) 

Thank you for everyone who has supported me!!  It's crazy to think I'll be home in less than three months. Ahhhh.. 

Nope.  I refuse to think about that.  My mission will never end.  At least, my mission started in 2012, and it's going to end in 2015.  Actually, my mission is never going to end.  I may not get to wear my shiny, black name tag all the time, but my shiny, black name tag will be in my heart.  I will always be a missionary. 

I love you!! 

XXo, 

Mo

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Other Photos Morgan Sent this week.  She said she saw dolphins, turtles and whales:)

Morgan and her companion

Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

Because of Love.....

I would like to start of this letter in giant capital letters,

I LOVE PRESIDENT BIZE!!

Why?  Well, so there is an island I have always wanted to serve on called Maupiti.  The missionaries and members would like me to go there and do a fireside.  I asked President last week if there was anyway I could go.  And, He told me I could go if I find a way to pay for my ticket.  So, insert the "Fund to Send Soeur Taylor to Maupiti" fundraiser here.  It is about 300 dollars, but I will accomplish this lifelong goal. .....Editors note:)  The "Fund to Send Soeur Taylor to Maupiti" was quickly met and she will be going the end of November:).....

Also, meet my new companion...For this week.

I LOVE HER TO DEATH.  Her name is Soeur Anzi, she was born in Africa, but lives in Paris now.  She is basically my twin, and we do crazy good work together.  Yesterday in 3 hours we did more work than what I have done in one week my whole second half of my mission.  It is safe to say, I am very happy. We also go running in the mornings.  We run to the cemetery. 

Also, I GOT A LETTER!  I cannot explain how happy mail makes me. 

And I played with Kids.  Children are attracted to me. We have fun together. 

We also go our car back, no worries.  Because the accident wasn't my fault I am allowed to drive again.  Life is good. 

What did I learn this week?  Love.  Love is important.  That should be our only motive.  Why do something to hurt/annoy someone?  We do everything because we love it.  Why do we work?  Well, so I can pay for school.  Why go to school?  Because I want to learn.  I love learning.  Also, so I can get a good job later on in life.  Why is it important to have a good job?  So I can help pay for the things my family needs.  Why do that? Because I love my family.  Therefore, I am working because of Love.

​(Quick!  my lovely sisters, hold your breath! I'm in a cemetery!) ......Editors Note, again:) Morgans sisters always made her hold her breath when they ever drove by a cemetery:)  The girlies like this photo!!

God loves us.  He gives us everything because he loves us.  I sit here sometimes and think, do I love my  neighbors?  Do I show my love for them?  Hey, here I love complete strangers.  In fact, I love them to the point I go to the hospital multiple times a week and talk to the patients. 

The very first person I spoke to in the hospital a few weeks ago was a member.  She was the first lady to ask for me to come see her.  I am very close with her family.  I went and saw her Saturday night, we had a good chat and laughed a bit.  She told me she was going to be at the airport when I leave to go home. I told her I would be back to see her at 5pm on Sunday.  My dear friend, "V" passed away at 4pm yesterday.  I miss her.  Death is an odd thing.  We think of it as a bad thing, but it is a wonderful thing.  It should be joyus.  She is leaving this world, she no longer has her cancer, and she is back with God.  We are sad because we miss her.  We are sad because we are not with her.  We are sad because we love her. But I am also happy she is now able to be free from this terrible disease called cancer, but I am sad because I cannot see her. Because I was one hour too late to say goodbye one last time. 

Last night we went with the Elders in our zone. They had a nice taste of my life.  My experience is incredible.  I walk into a room, it does not matter if it is a room of a member or not, and the patient sees me and starts crying.  They tell the Elders, "Thank you for bringing Soeur Taylor to see me.  I think about her and her story everyday.  She gives me hope."  *okay, i'm crying as I type this*

 

 

 

​(We make silly faces) 

I give people hope.  I am so blessed to be able to do that.  I love the people of Tahiti. I love my mission.  I love my companion Soeur Anzi.  I am here because of love.  I am here to be an example to my future children.  Because I love my mission.  Because I love this gospel.  Because I love my savior, my brother Jesus Christ. 

I am here because of Love. 

XXo, 

Soeur Mo

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Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

 

La Vie Est Belle

Hello World.

This has been an interesting week. 

We got in a car crash. But don't worry, the doctor said my skin may go back to normal in a couple of years. 

The car crash...  In the lovely roundabout.  The car on the inside lane made an illegal lane change/exit without signalling and was about to t-bone us.  I swerved as far as I safely could, so only the front of the car was mangled.  It's safe to say, I never want to see cars again in my life.

As for my skin...  Since I have been back here these strange brown spots are appearing all over my hands and arms and are not going away.  I showed Soeur Warner (My mission mother and the nurse) and she took me to see the doctor.  What are the brown spots?  Well....

Apparently I am allergic to a specific pollen that burns my skin.  Then, once the burns get UV from the sun they are tattooed brown.  Yes.  I am getting tattooed on my mission.  I feel pretty cool. Basically living in a hospital for multiple months means your body is not very happy when strange substances come in contact with your skin.  No, there's no clue as to what kind of pollen.  No, I don't even touch flowers. 

I had to throw that first line in there, it was too good to resist.

In my zone, I am the only Sister from the United States in it. Crazy!

Yesterday we had a zone meeting with Elder Gifford Nielsen of the first quorum of the 70. (yes, the NFL Quarterback)  It was incredible.  We also saw a Studio-C worthy "sketch" of President Bize and Elder Nielsen.  They were pretending they were in a Companionship Inventory.  That's basically when you sit down and you're supposed to discuss the strengths of your companion and then how you two can work better together.  (Usually it's just a "I hate that you do this and this")  Best. Presentation. Ever! 

 

I just want to throw out there that I have the most beautiful non-Maraa area on the island of Tahiti. 

I realized I have been forgetting to tell you what I learned each week! Silly me!  Well, this is what I learned this week, or more on what I contemplated.

We have the freedom to choose how we feel.  That is the first blessing (aside from our body) God gave us.  Free agency.  He told Adam and Eve they were free to choose.  We are also free to choose.  We can choose to have liberty and joy.  Nobody can force you to feel miserable.  It is yourself who decides you're a) sad b) upset c) miserable.  

We are in prisons of our own devices. 

 

In the mission we have certain aspects we need to focus on.  

Our PHYSICAL WELL-BEING: (Work outs I can do in a 4x4 square balcony are appreciated). Are we Wise? Are we reading from the best books? (you better not be reading the garbage of the world of literature.)  

Our MENTAL WELL-BEING:  Are you happy?  If not, CHANGE THAT.  You can change that.  What are you missing in order to be happy? 

Be in FAVOR WITH MAN. Are you SOCIAL?: Be happy!  We need human interaction to reach our full potential.  Talking to people makes everyone happy.  That's why sitting in a white, padded room all by yourself is an extreme punishment. 

and the most important ones,

LOVE YOURSELF: Be in balance with yourself.  Don't like something?  Fix it. Remember, we have the power to so. 

Be in FAVOR WITH GOD:  Follow the commandments EXACTLY.  Yeah, I can go have a sip of beer with a friend that won't do anything.  Um, wrong.  It does an incredible about of bad.  It chases the spirit away, you lose the trust of God.  I cannot think of anything worse than losing the trust of my all-knowing, all-powerful Father.

When we are in balance with all of these areas.  Life moves on. More than that, Life works.  Life is beautiful.  

I am going to make sure all five of these areas have the same strength this week, I want to be happy.  This is the key to true happiness.  The happiness that lasts an eternity. 

 

​And little kids.  They always make everyone Happier. 

Thank you for all the love emails you have sent me.  Letters are appreciated!  I've been here two months without mail. . . 

Love you!!

XXo, 

Soeur Mo

 

 

 

Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

 

And insert French Keyboard Here...

​My keyboard is in french and refuses to go to english... so enjoy my week in pictures:

 

 

My MTC group of sisters went home today.  I made the mistake of going to say goodbye.  It is safe to say I am a mess.

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

p.s.  i was transfered.  I am so excited!!!

XXo,

Mo

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Tahiti Papeete Mission

Soeur Taylor, Morgan

 

B.P. 93

Papeete, Tahiti

98713

French Polynesia.

 

The Blog