Answering a few questions in this weeks email

How many Elders are in your room? There are 4 elders in my room.

How many are in your district? There are 9 elders in my district, Elder Archuleta moved to a different district.

Are they all going to the THE mission? 2 Elders are going to Independence Missouri, and the rest of the district is going to the THE mission.

Where is Elder Esplin from? Elder Esplin is from a small town in Oregon.

What is the best thing you've eaten since you got there? It's all about the same...

Do you like the food? It's ok, but not like Mom's cooking.

What is your room like? My room is old and the beds are terrible.

Do you sleep ok? Last night was the best nights sleep since I got here.

Is it cold in there like I've heard? It is really crazy on the temp sometimes its cold or hot.

What's your favorite activity during the week? Or what do you look forward to the most? Volleyball is pretty fun.

How are your toes feeling (after toenail surgery)? Toes are fine.

What are some of the district leader's responsibilities? I get the mail, interview my district and make sure everything is good.

As a family what things can we do to support you besides the obvious letters and prayers? Anything else? Everyone write, that's probably the most that you can do.

Are there Elders or Sisters that you know that you've been able to spend time with? I have seen lots of people I know, but we don't hang out.

As of right now what single experience has strengthened you the most since you arrived at the MTC? How fast the language is coming is for sure the coolest.

I love you all keep writing its great to hear from you. Yo se que Jesucristo vive y el libro de mormon es verdadero. Yo se que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Don't get that translated it might be wrong ha ha. But i know that Jesus lives and that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That's what it's supposed to say. Love you all keep writing.

Elder Archibald

Taylor's 1st Email from the MTC...

Hey,

MTC is pretty sweet. I'm already learning so much Spanish and it's really cool cause you can really see the gift of tongues coming into play in everyone studying. I guess miracles really do still happen eh? On Sunday I became district leader and before that I was the temporary district leader so I kinda have been the whole time I have been here. I miss you all and hope that everything is going great. Anyone can email me here I just can't email them back I will have to write letters. We have an Elder that is struggling and it has really made being district leader a little difficult but we are all praying our guts out. I love you all so so much and am remembering you in my prayers. (which I now do in Spanish):) Everyone keep writing it has been a huge help to me. You guys have to do it first cause I need addresses. I love the life of a Missionary! I just want you all to know that I know that this gospel is true and that this work is so so great. Over the last few days I have already gained such a testimony of it. And now I truly understand why they said every worth member and also why they raised the bar. A lot of people don't realize the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God otherwise they wouldn't think twice about going on a mission because it is truly a great thing to give people the opportunity to be with their families forever like I will be. :) And to let them know how much God loves them. Gods love is perfect and He loves us all so so personally and I can really feel His love. Can you imagine someone out there that doesn't know that love? I can't, it kills me inside...haha I probably shouldn't start crying in the middle of the laundry room though haha... I'm having a great time though and just doing laundry on my p day. My companion is pretty awesome haha he isn't really like me at all but we still get along great. Haha in the MTC we sing and pray a lot and it's in Spanish too so a lot of what we are singing I don't understand but who knows maybe singing in Spanish will improve my singing voice hahaha but I doubt that. But I have never prayed like this with this much feeling. Everyone just know that I love you and that God loves you. Sorry this is so long and random I'm just trying to use all 30 minutes and I have only used 20 hahaha but I will probably still cut it short. I pray for all of you. And Mom are you still singing at night? I am hahaha. Love you all! Please keep the letters and Dear Elders coming but no Dear Johns please :) (Brook). This was an aimless email once I get questions then I will be more organized.

Elder Phillip Taylor Archibald

Elder Archibald's first letter from the MTC

Hey Mom, Things are going great here. I"m all settled in and unpacked. Elder Holland came and spoke and bore strong testimony of the work we are doing. It was a great day. I will send you a picture of me and my roommates. My comps name is Elder Esplin he is on the left (in the picture he promised to send in his next letter). This is short cuz it's 10:28 and lights out. I love you so much. xoxo Elder Archibald P.S. Forgot Brooks address so will you hand deliver hers for me ASAP? Gracias.

Taylor ran into a friend at the MTC

We were all standing in the parking lot saying our goodbyes and suddenly Taylor called out "Hey Chris" and a missionary that was walking through the parking lot turned around and came over to talk to him. He is going to the Phillipines on his mission and it was neat for Taylor to see someone that he knew there.

A few pics from the MTC goodbye

Lots of hugs and tears, but a wonderful day.

Off to the MTC

Wednesday was a day filled with lots of emotions for all of us. Taylor seemed a little anxious and uncertain, but so excited at the same time. We were up until 2:30 am packing so we were both pretty tired. We left North Ogden about 9:30 to head to Provo to meet Phil and Cindy for lunch before we took him to the MTC. We listened to the Called to Serve CD and sang and visited a little, but mostly Taylor was deep in thought. We ate lunch at the Brick Oven and then headed to the MTC to take some pictures, say our good bye's and "drop him off" at the curb. I was grateful we didn't have the whole MTC program that they used to do. I had more than enough emotions on my own and wasn't sure I could handle the added emotions of their spiritual program and singing Called to Serve, so I was grateful for the new way of dropping them off. When we pulled up to the curb, he seemed very confident, strong, and excited. He went around and gave everyone one last hug, grabbed his luggage and started walking up the hill with his escort and never looked back. I was hoping he would look back so I could see his smile one last time and wave, but the fact that he didn't look back somehow gave me strength.