10/28/09

Dear Family (and interested friends),

So I officially finished my first week here in the MTC, and the new missionaries come today, so we won't be the new missionaries anymore. When you first get your nametag, it has a bright orange dot in the corner to let everyone know you're new. I guess its helpful because I didn't know where anything was, but it's pretty embarrassing. I went on exchanges last night and I heard one of the zone leaders call them "dork dots." Kinda funny. So I think I told you that I met Elder Smart last week. If you don't remember, his sister was kidnapped about 7 years ago and is now going on a mission to Paris. Her brother, Elder Smart, came the same day as me. We sat together at lunch - he looks exactly like her. FYI, he's from Salt Lake City and went to East High, and is called to serve in Mexico somewhere. After about a week here, I'm pretty sure my companion, Elder Matthews, and I are the only ones in the entire MTC going to Guam. People always ask where we're headed, we answer, and then they say one of two things: "Oh yeah! I've heard about you guys!" or "...where is that?" The other missionaries in my district are going to Tampa, Florida or Cleveland, Ohio. My Zone Leaders are speaking Cantonese in either Hong Kong or Toronto (Dad).

Moving right along...

It snowed here in Provo yesterday. Which is great actually because I brought four short sleeve shirts, and that's it. Luckily the ac/heat doesn't work in the buildings either, so I'm in good shape. Just kidding, it's really cold, but I'll be leaving 2 weeks from yesterday, so I'll be ok I think.

Like I said, I went on exchanges last night with the zone leaders because no one in my district wanted to go to choir, and I couldn't go unless I had a companion. I wanted to go because the choir is guaranteed a seat at the devotional that night. Good thing I did too, because L. Tom Perry was the speaker (which they don't tell you until he walks in). He spoke about how to be a more effective teacher - it was incredible to see all these missionaries sitting attentively and vigorously taking notes.

My companion is from Rexburg, Idaho and I think I'm the only one in my district that has ever been to a halfway decent-sized city. They are all from Idaho, Canada, or New Mexico. They always talk about farming and tractors and these other things that harvest wheat. It's so weird. I also decided to wear my skinny jeans today for P-Day, which was a hot topic for discussion at first. I'm sure they'll understand how to wear their jeans soon enough.

I only have 5 minutes left on this computer, so I'll have to wrap this up. I have never been so consistently tired in all my life, but I'm learning so much. Jacob, I'm making a Bible like the Book of Mormon that you made, but it's taking me kind of a long time. I'm really learning to teach pretty well and how to work together with my companion as we do it.

P.S., I need my line of authority and all my friends' mailing addresses. It's hard to write to people when I don't know where to send it.

I love you all,

Elder Barlow

10/22/09

Dear Family,

Today was day two in the MTC, and what an experience it has been. I'm not going to go into too much detail because I'm just supposed to tell you I arrived safely and all is well, which I did – and it is. My companion is Elder Matthews from Rexburg, Idaho. He's a really cool guy and I have a lot to learn from him. He has a really strong testimony and an arsenal of good habits to teach me, whether he likes it or not.

Anyway, I realized I left a couple things at home (I had to have the info desk call to see if I had my MMR booster or not) so if you could send that to me, I'd appreciate it. I also left my razor at my friend Sal Trejo's house in Provo, but I'm not sure how to contact him. I'm sure I'll figure something out, but just as a little cliffhanger to keep you excited for my actual weekly letter – I made friends with a certain Elder Smart yesterday at lunch. So, family, all is well, and until next time;

Love, Elder Barlow VII

("Hannah said that VII meant that he was the 7th Elder Barlow, after me and his 5 older brothers. I never would have figured that out." -Dad)

Farewell

Prior to leaving for his mission Taylor had a lot of friends over for a barbecue.

Since the missionaries were also over for dinner it was decided to introduce Taylor’s friends to what Taylor would be doing for the next two years. So the missionaries presented a gospel discussion to the group. Then the Bishop had assigned Taylor to speak in Church on Sunday, October 18. Many of his friends were able to attend. He also had family come from Idaho, Michigan, Utah and Arizona. Interestingly, the other speaker fainted leaving Taylor a lot more time than he had anticipated. But it worked out fine.


















The Stake President set him apart as a full-time missionary on Sunday evening, then he left for Provo, Utah on Monday, October 19.

















His brother, Clark, picked him up from the airport and he stayed with Clark and Holly until Wednesday, October 21, when he went into the Missionary Training Center.

Mission Field Address

Also, I almost forgot; Some people have been asking about my address in Guam, and I don't know it for sure. However, my booklet says the following:

Tell your family and friends (thats you) to send letters to the mission office until you can notify them (again, you) of the address of your first assignment in the mission field:

Elder Taylor J Barlow

Micronesia Guam Mission

PO Box 21749 GMF

96921 Barrigada

Guam

Phone: 1-671-734-2294

Mailing packages to the mission: Following is the address where packages can be sent to the mission office:

Elder Taylor J Barlow

Micronesia Guam Mission

620 W Route 8

96921 Barrigada GU

Guam

(Telephone same as before)

My Last Week

White Shirts? Check

Slacks? Check

Black Socks? Check

Shoes? Check

Garments? Check

Baptismal clothes? Check

Flight itinerary? Check

Yapese copy of The Book of Mormon? Check (just in case)

Crocs? Check

Nervous? ...Check

(I came across this poem today - just thought I'd share.)

The Plane Ride

As I stare out the window,

The tears still in my eyes.

I saw the friends and those I love,

As we had said our last good-byes.

The ride was long and trying,

As two questions plagued my mind.

Do I want the life that's up ahead,

Or the one I left behind.

Two years is such a long, long time,

For going door to door.

In my reflecting I thought to myself,

There really must be more.

I dragged myself down off the plane,

And stared smiling at the beach.

When a man turned me the other way,

Saying, "Elder, Go find and teach”.

I sit reflecting once again,

As this day is my last.

“Please Lord this isn't fair,

The time goes way to fast”.

And I stare out the window,

The tears still in my eyes.

I see the Elders and those I love,

As we've said our last good-byes.

The ride was long and trying,

As two questions plagued my mind.

“Do I want the life that's up ahead,

Or the one I've left behind?”

-Author Unknown