ADIOS HERMANA MOORE!

Hermana Taylor Moore entered the MTC today at 12:45.  Well actually around 12:40 because if you know Taylor, you know she would rather be 30 minutes early then 30 seconds late!  But she was ready and anxious to get this mission started!

Taylor was set apart last night, Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00 PM.  But before that, she started off her last day home at the Ogden Temple.  Taylor has really loved going to the temple ever since she received her own endowments.  Her aunt had given her a bunch of family names and she has enjoyed doing their temple work.  Carson and I joined her as well.  What a blessing it is to be with my daughter in the House of the Lord!

Taylor spent the rest of the day saying goodbye to friends and packing.  Then we went out to dinner as a family at one of her favorite restaurants, Tepanyaki.  Our chef was sure fun, but we were all a bit somber knowing it would be the last outing with her for a while!  (There was a miscommunication with Taylor's dad, Jeremie so he didn't make the picture.)

After dinner, we met the Stake Presidency and Bishopric at our church.  She was given some great advice by each one of them.  She was told to speak with confidence as she bares her testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.  She was told to fear not and remember that her Heavenly Father will always be with her.  She was told to trust that everything and everyone at home would be okay and that she should focus on the work.  Then she was given a beautiful blessing and was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Taylor had a great big smile on her face during this entire meeting.  The spirit was so strong and we were all assured that this is where she needs to be!

Wednesday, February 25 finally came!  We were able to take pictures at the Provo Temple before experiencing the famous MTC curbside drop off!  After we took a few, Taylor said we might as well go even though it wasn't quite time yet!  She was met by a darling sister who helped her with her luggage.  We gave our last hugs and she was off, smiling the whole way into the MTC.  We will miss her like crazy, but we can't wait to follow her on this amazing journey!    

Go get 'em Tay!

TAYLOR'S FAREWELL

   Taylor will enter the M.T.C. in a few days, and so I, her mom, will be keeping up with her blog!  Today is my training day so she can make sure I can do it right!  Thank you for following her and supporting her as she "embarks in the service of God".

   On Sunday, February 22, Hermana Taylor Moore spoke in church and shared her beautiful testimony.  The topic given to her was "The Plan of Salvation", but because Taylor loves her family so much she decided to focus on how eternal families are a main part of that plan.  She did such a great job and as her mom, I was so proud of the young women she has become.  She is so ready to go to Arkansas and teach people how they too can be with their families forever!
   We are so grateful for all the wonderful families and friends that came to support her.  We loved catching up with people we haven't seen for so long.  We are amazed at the distant people drove just to be there and humbled by the many cards with words of encouragement and gifts to help her get on her way.  Just a few more days and she will begin this journey!  

 Taylor's primary class sang "We'll Bring the World His Truth" as a special musical number.  They did such a great job!

Mission Pictures

 Here are a few of my mission pictures! It is beginning to feel real now. I'm actually going on a mission! Right now my emotions are all over. One minute I can't even contain my excitement, and five minutes later my stomach is in knots.. Luckily, I've been told this is normal so its okay. ha ha.

After receiving my call to Arkansas I started to do a little research. I found out that apparently Arkansas can get a lot of rain. I was thrilled because that meant I didn't have to leave behind my favorite pair of shoes...my rain boots! I pretty much based my entire mission wardrobe around these red boots.  So Arkansas better get some serious rain these next 18 months!

Many of you are checking in on me and asking how I am feeling. I can assure you all I am doing just fine. This isn't the easiest thing for me to do , and naturally there are a lot of nerves that come from embarking on such a journey as this, but I know this is the right thing for me to do. Gordon B Hinckley said

 "You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make." 

I get to go preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Arkansas, and I absolutely can't wait. 

Temple Day

On January 23rd I went through the Draper temple. Like most going through for their first time I was a little nervous and wasn't quite sure what to expect. However, as soon as I walked through those doors I felt nothing but peace and I loved every minute of this experience. It truly is the Lord's House. How lucky we are to have an escape from the world and enjoy the peace and comfort of such a holy place.

This last fall I took a mission prep class at Weber State. My teacher shared a lesson with us about our missions that really stood out to me. He taught me that although it is exciting to open our calls and get started on our packing lists, we mustn't forget that the single most important part of this whole mission process is going through the temple. He emphasized that our mission call opening parties should not outshine the day we enter into our Father's House. Missions won't ultimately get us back to our Heavenly Father, temples will.

This day was even more special having my sweet family with me. I can't say thanks enough for the endless support they have given me. And a BIG thanks to my mom for being by my side through this important day.

"As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therin, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls-not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when he said "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
                                      -Thomas S Monson