1st WEEK !!!

Hey Everyone!

    
 One week down, one to go? I love it here. It is completely amazing and I love every second of it! I don't even know where to start... How about my companion! He is from the outskirts of Dallas, Texas. He has a really loud, brassy Texan voice (which hasn't stopped talking), a big belly and an excess of back hair. He is ten minutes late to just about everything we go to, and uses a vocabulary much to large for his understanding....oh, also, he was 8 hours late to report to the MTC, so I was companionless for the first day here. I was planning on complaining about him for the whole email, but on Sunday, I fasted and prayed really hard for charity towards him, that I might be able to love him as Christ does - and what'd ya know?! it worked! Also, that day, he said I have tremendously helped him to see what a missionary should be like and he really feels like he was put with me for a reason. And to be completely honest here, I don't know that any of the other Elders in the district could handle him.

   
My district! They are all sooo cool. We are a really different group of guys, but we mesh really well. The zone leaders asked me to be the standing district leader untill the branch president could interview all of us, but I have a feeling that because I'm leaving in two weeks, he'll choose another missionary who will be here longer. There are four missionaries including myself that are going to the DR, and the rest are going to Argentina. My teachers are really good too! I feel more comfortable expressing myself in Espanol now than i ever had before! It is sooooo much easier to learn another language when it's the Spirit teaching you instead. I already have a very strong testimony that the gift of toungues is real, because there is really no other way i could learn so much so fast and retain it all.

   
People talked to: Jeff Hasen, Nate tucker, Chad Tealeno, Christian Price, Jacob Taylor, Jeff Bigelow, Blake Williams, Elder Clayton (Mandi Andre's friend). Greg lives two stories above me, so he comes down every night and we share food and chill. On Sunday night, we get to watch movies, and I went to Legacy with Matt and we talked through the whole thing. (don't worry mom, I have pictures) Oh! and one of the first words of wisdom Matt had for me was for you to Dear Elder me back instead of email, because I only have a half an hour to write and if I read a letter too, I can tell you all I want, which I'm starting to see is true now...

   
How have you guys been? Thank you everyone who has sent me stuff! (Mom, Emily and Chelsea). I was like the coolest kid yesterday when i got 3 letters and a package. No one found out they were all from my Mom and my sister haha. But, I really appreciate it so - thank you!

Taylor and Elder Greg Montgomery

So gym is actually really fun and it's a really nice break from the rigorous classes. I dunked in a game a few days ago! It was awesome and now my district has stupid names for me concerning basketball. This is really the best time of my life though. It's so fun and rewarding. My companion was sick yesterday - he said his stomach hurt... so I had to stay at the dorm and just do personal study which is allright I guess..

What else... ummm general conference next week! That'll be really cool. The devotionals here are sooo good and you feel the Spirit so strong. Oh - my roomies are in my zone but not district, but theyr'e going to Macon, Georgia - Spanish Speaking, which is the same mission as Josh Weathers. So, I won't be surprised if he trains one or something... running out of time.... the dorms are just a party at night haha! We play games, feast on junk food, and it's just kind of nice to relax a little and have another glimpse at teenage life. Oh, I'm youngest in my district by far... three of the missionaries are over 20, and one is 26. They are all super cool though.

Anyways, love you all! Bye!

Elder McBride

The Day Has Arrived

Well, the day we have waited for for the last 3 months and I guess for the last 19 years has arrived and Taylor is now in the MTC. Now that it's here, I'm not sure I'm ready for it. But, ready or not, here it is and we are going to enjoy the ride! He will be there for the next 3 weeks and then in the DR MTC for 6 weeks.

On Monday the 21st, President Greer came over and set Taylor apart to be a missionary. It was such a wonderful evening and the Spirit was so strong. President Greer gave Taylor a beautiful blessing that I will always remember and I hope he will too.

On Tuesday morning, September 22, we kept the boys out of school and went to the airport. Emily and I were going to fly up with Taylor to Salt Lake, so it was goodbye for 2 years at the airpot for Brad and the boys.

After we landed in Salt lake, we went to the Temple grounds, ate lunch and then went to see Aunt Oleta. She is 95 now I think and we are so glad that we got to see her.

That night, we met some of Taylor's friends that are at BYU for some ice cream and some goodbyes.

Jordan (leaving for Brazil in 2 weeks), Bethany, Taylor, Trevor and Brad

The next morning we ran some errands and then went to the MTC to take some pictures. In June of this year, the MTC made a new rule that the parents don't come in for orientation any more. Instead, the missionaries are dropped off at the curb and so we wanted to be sure and get some pictures in before the big rush. We saw some groups of Elders that talked to us for a few minutes and made me feel a little better because they seemed really happy! Then we went to the Missionary Mall and got a couple more ties and a few other things.

After we ate lunch it was time to drop him off. Taylor wanted to have Taco Bell and the Sconecutter one last time! We put Brad on speakerphone and at 1:15, we drove up to the MTC and there were a TON of people there. We pulled up to the curb and there were 4 cute Elders there to greet us.They were so friendly and understanding. They got Taylor's bags, we hugged and took a couple of pictures and then he was off! I cried a lot more than I intended to. They were cute and said that all the moms do and said they would take good care of him. As we drove around the corner, all these groups of missionaries kept waving to us and yelling that they would take good care of him.

It is such a bittersweet feeling saying goodbye to your son for 2 years. I know that what he is doing is right and he is where he is supposed to be - but it is a lot harder than I expected it to be. I know he is in the Lord's hands and will be watched over, but I can't help worrying about him. I will miss him like crazy.

I have a testimony of what he is doing - of the gospel and of Jesus Christ. I know that he will be a fabulous missionary and I hope it is a wonderful experience for him. We love Taylor and are so proud of the wonderful man that he has become.

Last Sunday at Home for 2 Years

Today Taylor and Brad both spoke in church. If this were earlier years, it would have been called his farewell. But we are not supposed to call it that anymore. The reason that Brad spoke is that he was given instruction that the Bishop should talk at all the missionary "farewells". I was so proud of both of them. Taylor spoke about duty and Brad spoke about the things that we are asked to do. They both did such a wonderful job. We had a lot of wonderful family and friends that came to hear him. A lot of Taylor's friends are gone away to school, so we were pleased at how many were still here and came to hear him!

Taylor & Ashley

Taylor & Friends that were still here

Taylor taught the 11 year old Primary class. Some of the girls heart attacked him this afternoon and then came back to tell him goodbye!

We celebrated Taylor's birthday tonight with homemade fried tacos - yum!

Taylor and Mason Ball were asked to speak at a Youth Fireside this evening. Mason returned last month from Germany. They gave some good talks and there was a great question and answer session. Taylor did such a fabulous job in church today and then tonight also. I was really proud to be his mother!

Party!

Last night was Taylor's Birthday/Goodbye Party. It was a great night filled with lots of good friends and family and way to much good food! We have sooo much left over!

Taylor and some of his friends. It was Joey's birthday yesterday too.

Ryan had lost a tooth the night before on the ward camp-out. Then, when he was getting ready for bed tonight, he was brushing his teeth and brushed another one right out!

Elders

We were privileged to attend Matt's setting apart on August 3rd. It was such a wonderful experience and it makes my heart so full watching these boys grow up and leave to serve the Lord. Matt is still in the MTC but will be serving in Santiago, Chile (East). He and Taylor will be in the MTC for a week or 2 together. I am really glad, because even though they are cousins, they have been best friends too!

Matt and my future missionaries!

Greg Montgomery and Taylor have been very close the last year also. We love Greg and his family! His sister Chelsea and Emily were best friends also. Greg got his call a little later than Taylor, but he entered the MTC yesterday - a week earlier than Taylor. He is going to the Pocatello, Idaho mission. Taylor was able to attend Greg's setting apart and Tammy kindly took a picture of them for me! We love Greg and Matt and appreciate the wonderful examples they set for Taylor and for the good young men that they are