Speaking to you guys a few days ago feel like a dream! That was the best gift ever. Hna Pancake and I had a great Christmas together and ate a lot of good food. We had a giant activity on Christmas Eve with half the mission here and it was incredible! We laughed so hard and I’m so thankful for a President with a good sense of humor. At the activity, President pulled me aside and let me know that he is calling me as an Hermana Leader and that I’m finally leaving my zone! I’m scared to leave “my nest” but it will be good. Reflecting back on my time in the same area I really learned to love where I am and love the moment. I feel that I was finally able to see why I was called to this area. I’ve learned that I don’t know what these people need or what they’ve been through but the Lord does. These people have truly entered my heart and feel like family so Christmas didn’t feel so lonely after all.
Something really cool that I experienced this week was with a less-active member. All my time here in this area, missionaries had passed down that we shouldn’t go visit this less-active guy because he is trouble. I obeyed blindly, but about 2 weeks ago, I felt impressed to go visit him anyways (despite what I knew about him). He is a kind and respectful young man who just needed to know that he is always welcome back in church and that his Heavenly Father loves and forgives him. I didn’t expect much after that short visit but that following Sunday he came to church for the first time in almost a year! I felt so guilty that I had blindly listened to what others said about him and gained an even stronger testimony of forgiveness. I, or anyone else for that matter, has no place to judge him and his past. In order to be forgiven, we must forgive. That was a powerful lesson to me and I am so glad I have been able to see others come back into the church by feeling the accepting love and mercy of the Savior and the support of the members.
I just love being a missionary so much! I love you guys!
Love,
Hna Taylor
Hermana Taylor Takes the Dominican Republic 