Pics of Taylor's time at the MTC

Taylor at MTC in front of statue of Missinary bikers.
Nativity at the MTC.

Taylor and best friend Andy Romney visiting at the MTC...Andy has received a call to serve in Mongolia scheduled to leave in Feb.

looks like broken fingers to me! Missionary love signs!
The "PA" in finger sign language! What talent!!
Mission comps at the MTC, just chillin
The MTC is decorated like a Temple Square with lights and nativity.

Taylor, Andy Romney and Collin Mangum at the MTC. Collin is going to Italy! Friends forever!

Taylor departs to Pennsylvania

Monday December 10th was a great day! Taylor called us from the SL air port on his way to Pennsylvania. He was happy and upbeat and ready for the new challenge. He was sad to say good-by to many of his new friends, but ready to meet new ones. The bus was loaded and ready to go, when 2 of the sister missionaries, announced they had left their luggage in their room. Everyone had to wait for 30 minutes while they sent the Elders back for their luggage! Typical women!! He said it was a little hard to drive past University Parkway past our home...and felt an urge for a quick detour....but the bus headed for Salt Lake airport. He by passed his breakfast so he could make some quick calls to his brother and sisters before he left. He was to arrive in PA around 5:00. They were going to spend the first night in the mission home, and then be assigned to his new area and companion on Tuesday. We are looking forward to getting his letter this week to get all the details. Any mail can be sent to the mission home and will be forwarded on to him the next day! He would love to hear from all of you. His address is:
Elder Taylor Russell
Pennsylvania Harrisburg Mission
3903 Hartzdale Drive Suite 303
Camp Hill PA 17011

Taylor had an incredible experience in the referral call center last week. He spoke with a woman who loved the mormons. She said no mater what they don't judge. She is 58 and living with her mother who don't allow the missionaries. He talked with her for 30 minutes where most calls only last 2-3 minutes. She kept saying she was feeling the spirit through him. They got over 85 referrals in 2 days. He committed her to meet with the missionaries at her daughters house and attend a church closest to her home. He was excited about this experience to share the gosple and bear his testimony.

He said you just open your mouth and the spirit does the rest! He said it is an awesome experience. He has a really shy companion, but he is finally getting him out of his shell. He is happy and focused even with these lengthy classes. He told his dad he is in class for 13 hours a day, so his dads bisopric meetings are nothing!!! He is full of great advise for all family members and we hope we can grow spiritually along with him. He loves and looks forward to news from home, so please drop him a note. He leaves for PA on the 10th of December!

updates from Elder Russell

Taylor's letters are incredible! It is amazing how these young men are transformed in such a short time. We are recieving letters that he is loving the MTC. He says the spirit is so strong, and his teachers are awesome. They know the scriptures inside out, and give the companionships questions to answer through the scriptures. When they give their answers, they are told that they have a great answer, but there is a better scripture. He said they know the bible and scriptures better than anyone he has ever met!

On Thanksgiving, they were honored to have Elder Holland come down to speak to them. He said it was wonderful. He said he promised the missionaries that through their obedience and service, their families would be blessed. (We truly are seeing and feeling the blessings!!) They were told that the greatest conversion was in their own personal testimony, and then to go forward to bless the lives of those they teach.