Letter #8

2/7/2011

Dear Dad,

                I know that I was able to talk to you a little bit while I was on the computer during email. But I wanted to write you a letter because I know how good it is to get mail. Plus I wanted to tell you that I love you and think what you would do when I get in different situations. I am also thankful for the example you have shown me by both going on a mission, even though you were told that you would not be able to go on one.  Also that you haven’t let losing your leg keep you from doing things with the family. Even though walking around is kind of difficult for you. I hope that someday I will be able to be like you. Also, I want to thank you and mom for raising me in the Gospel, so that I would know enough to come out and teach it to others. Thanks for not giving up on me when I know I was being a pain in the butt. If you guys would have given up on me I don’t know where I would be right now. Hope everything is going good for you. Wish I could be there to help you out with fixing the white van and working on the gray truck. Sorry if you cannot read my handwriting. It is really bad. Thanks again for everything Dad! You are the best!

I Love You So Much

Elder Taylor Gull

letter #7

2/7/2011

Dear Family,

                How is everyone? How is school going Seth, Del, Don and Kaytie? How is work going Mom and Daniel? Hope you are all doing great. Mostly cause you guys are too awesome to be doing anything but good! J It’s funny how much you don’t appreciate your family until you are not around them all the time.

                How is Seminary Missionary Week going? I hope Del and Don get the opportunity to go on splits with some Elders before their missions. Just so the younger three know a mission is nothing like “The Best Two Years” movie. Right now I am in Apple Valley and last week me and my companion tracked for fourteen hours, but we haven’t talked to a lot of people. We have no new investigator,  but we will get one soon. There are three girls that their mom was taught by the missionaries the transfer before I got here. The mom got baptized and the only reason the three girls didn’t get baptized is because their step mom doesn’t want them to get baptized, which really stinks. But hopefully we will be able to get them baptized this transfer.

                Right now I am really sore because I just got done playing football and ultimate Frisbee a while ago. While playing ultimate Frisbee I kept diving for the Frisbee so my back and hips hurt right now. I hope that whoever is reading this can read my handwriting. Something I like about this area is that this is a biking mission. I am getting back into shape. While I was in the MTC I gained 8 pounds. I used to be 172 lbs now I am 180. My companion says its from all the muscles I have built since today was the first chance I had to weigh myself since I got here from the MTC.

                My companion’s name is Elder Bowler and he is from St. George. Some things that are funny about him is he knows Kristen Adams and her older sister.  That just shows how small this world is.

                Mom and Dad thanks for not giving up on me and for teaching me the Gospel, so that I would be able to go on a mission and teach it to others. Did Kaytie and Dad get their letters?  I hope they did.

                Seth, how is college going? Are you having fun? How is Ike doing? I really miss that little guy. It’s too quiet without him around. 

                Del, I am not going to judge you on any decisions? You have your agency and I will support you no matter what you decide to do.  You just need to talk with Mom and Dad more. Don’t leave them in the dark, because that isn’t fair. Have fun no matter what you do.

                Don, how is band going? You excited school is almost done? Do you have a countdown going that is when you can put your papers in? It’s crazy to think that we might not get to see each other for   3 ½ to 4 yrs depending on when you get your call. Is there anywhere you want to go? I love it out here. Since I haven’t even been out a month but it is still amazing here.

                Kaytie, keep up the good work with what you do? Don’t be a crazy driver like Del and Don are. Just kidding. Del and Don enjoy school while it lasts. Don’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd because if you do you will regret it. I know I do.

                Daniel, how are you Bro? I haven’t talked to you in a while. I don’t think I will be seeing your truck any time soon, because I am not anywhere near the freeway. Thanks for the stuff you gave me on my mission. I love you Bro. Be safe in the truck. Tell me if you get into college and I will start to write letters just for you. Just kidding, I will do that for you anyway. I also want you to know that I love you guys so much and hope you are doing great. I think of you guys whenever I don’t have anything to do, which is not a lot. So I am not getting trunky, which is a good thing. Wish I could of talked to you all the day that I called from the airport. And that I could of talked a bit longer. Anyways keep writing me and write to Tommy. We need it.

Love you all a ton,

Elder Taylor Gull

PS:  Be safe.

letter #6

2/7/2011

Dear Grannie and Grampie,

                How are you guys doing? I am doing good. I am in Apple Valley this transfer. I miss visiting you guys and hope you guys are doing good. This is the best thing that has happened to me and I know this is what I am supposed to be doing right now. I am enjoying myself. My area is a bike area, so I am getting back in shape. I think Mom and Dad should have a picture of me and President and Sister Godwin. I hope you guys can see it. Do you have any advice I should follow while I am out here. I know what I need to do but I want to leave you guys an opportunity to write me back. I really want letters from you, because I miss you guys a lot. I wanted you guys to know that I love you and hope you are doing good. Can you tell me about some of the things that you did while on your mission because I haven’t really heard anything about it before.

Love you guys, Be safe.

Your Grandson

Elder Taylor Gull

Letter #5

2/7/2011

Dear Kaytie,

                What’s up little Sis? The Mission is good. I am in Apple Valley right now. It is really busy in the field. I have tracked for fourteen hours last week, from Tuesday when I got here unto Saturday. Haven’t had a lot of success other than people trying to tell us that they are worried for our salvation. I try not to laugh when they say that. I like my companion he is really laid back and chill, if you know what that means. If not, it means he is really cool. His name is Elder Bowler and he is from St. George. Funny thing is that he knows Kristen Adams.

                It is hard to believe that you are going thru Driver’s Ed right now. That just makes me feel old. I heard T.J. Lennon speak before, It was a really cool experience. I am glad you were able to listen to him and hear some of the things he has been thru. Be safe dating and don’t go on any dates other then group dates. I know I wish I would have gone on more group dates, other than the ones I went on until Jess. How’s school going for you? How do you like the Seminary Mission? Mom told me where you are going, but I forgot. So where were you called? Can you get me Brother Foley’s address for me? If you could do that It would be helpful. Just have some question  for him if he asks you why. Well be safe and write back soon Little Sis. Miss you.

                Love ya

                Elder Taylor Gull  

Letter #4

2-7-11

Dear Jessie,

Thanks for you letter, and telling me how to spell doubt. I am glad I didn't need to be in the MTC for 6 weeks. I was getting sick of it, sad to say. This was my first time flying and they do serve peanuts to the passengers still. Have you ever been in a plane before? I am looking forward to the spiritual and fun experiences that are to come. Something fun that has happened already is that a couple days ago me and my trainer, whose name is Elder Bowler. Anyways we were tracting and we knocked on a door, and when the guy opened he let us in without us really talking to him. When we got in there we found out the guy was a Baptist minister, and he proceeded to tell us how our church was a cult and other things like that. When we left we had 4 huge packets full of Anti-Mormon stuff, which we burned when we got home. Anyways that's his loss. It is awesome that you are getting your patriarchal blessing soon. I am super excited for you. I am writing my dad and Kaytie letters today, so they should get theirs around the same time you do. That is funny what you told me about what happened while dinner was being made. That's weird what happened with the face paint. Hope it is nothing too serious. My mom told me today that you have been sick for a while. I hope that you get better soon. I think the craziest thing about being on a mission, other than I am on one, the time passes fast, I can't talk to you all the time anymore, and that I miss my family and friends, especially you, is that I can't listen to the music that I like. Hey, if you want, could you send me some of your EFY/church music that you have on some CD's? You don't have to if you don't want to. But all I have right now is Mormon Tab and sad to say is I am getting sick of them. Thanks for sending me a picture of you when you get some ink for you printer. How is your family doing? I haven't really heard anything about them since before I left. I hope they are all doing good. Do you want to hear something crazy? My companion Elder Bowler he is from St. George, and he knows a couple of people that I wend to high school with. It shows how really small this world is. I have one more favor to ask you in this letter. Will you get Brother Stone's address for me? I don't have it and I have something I really need to ask him! Thanks, Jess. You are the greatest friend I have ever had. And thanks for everything that you have helped me with. 

               Your Best Friend
               Elder Taylor Thompson Gull

   Yup, I put my middle name :) 
     write soon buddy

Hello Everyone!

Elder Gull's first area is Apple Valley up in the desert above San Bernardino.  His trainer's name is Elder Bowler, and we are told that he is a good, hard working missionary.  We are all so happy and excited for Elder Gull, and can't wait to hear from him about his new and first area.  He looks happy and we couldn't be more thrilled to see these pictures of him as a glowing Full time missionary.  

Elder Gull with President and Sister Godwin

The new missionaries right off the plane. 

Elder Gull is in the center.  

Here is a letter sent to Mom and Dad from President and Sister Godwin:

Dear Brother and Sister Gull,

We wanted to write to you and express our gratitude to you for sharing your son with us for the next two years.  We have enjoyed meeting him.  Attached are a couple of pictures we thought you would enjoy seeing.  He is a very talented young man and we have enjoyed our interactions with him and look forward to many more.  We know he will share with you his experience arriving here, but we thought we would share our abbreviated experience also.  We apologize for the impersonal nature of the internet, but we wanted to send a note and some pictures and thought this would be a little faster. 

We met the arriving missionaries at the Ontario airport.  Elder Gull  along with eight other Elders and three sisters arrived at the airport about 9:30 this morning.  They looked amazing as they were coming down the escalator - all the elders in white crisp shirts, new suits and shined shoes.  While we were waiting for their luggage, we had a quick visit with each of them.  They were excited and just a little uneasy, (maybe more than a little) wondering what was happening next.  The assistants to the president (AP's) had been driving around the area in a pick-up truck and two vans, waiting for us to call them to come and get them.  We called, they arrived and all luggage was loaded into the vehicles.  We transported them to the Etiwanda LDS chapel where all the other missionaries that were being transferred as well as the new missionaries trainers, were waiting.  The whole chapel was full as we brought in the new missionaries.  It is a pretty exciting meeting for all involved.

We left the chapel with the new missionaries and a load of chairs in the AP’s truck and went to the the Glen Helen Park at the mouth of the Cajon Pass.  Sister Mills, a local historian, (she is an amazing sister who loves to meet the missionaries) met us there and told us how the area had been settled.  The first settlement efforts were conducted by Spanish missionaries, and Spanish landowners starting about 1810.  During the U.S. Mexican war the Mormon Battalion (the only religiously based battalion in U.S. history) was organized in Iowa in 1847 and after a march through what would become the Southwestern part of the U.S. it arrived in San Diego and was eventually stationed in what would become San Bernardino and the surrounding areas.  Jefferson Hunt, a Captain in the Mormon Battalion was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as were all the members of the battalion.  Since many people call Church members Mormons, the Battalion was known as the Mormon Battalion.  Among its many assignment a portion of the Mormon Battalion was sent to guard the Cajon pass and protect it from possible marauding Indians. After the members of the Mormon Battalion were mustered out of their service, they returned to Salt Lake City to join their families.  President Young saw that Southern California could be a valuable supply route for the Utah pioneers.  So to establish a mail route and a supply stop/route for immigrants coming through California, President Young used church funds to buy property in the desired area from Antonio Maria Lugo, a Mexican rancher who had obtained a 35,000 acre grant after Mexico won independence from Spain.  Twenty families were asked by President Young to colonize the area.  Fifteen former Battalion men and their families were among the Saint who settled in the area in 1851, including Captain Jefferson Hunt.  The story of the settling the area here in San Bernardino was told in a story written by Sister Mills for the February, 2003 Ensign, if you are interested in reading more about it.    

After the experience at the park we took the new Elders to the mission home to have lunch and an orientation meeting.  After the meeting about medical, financial and transportation issues they had initial interview with President Godwin. We then cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and a little relaxing time where the missionaries could socialize with one another.  Later that evening their transportation arrived and they went to their various apartments to begin their service here.  

Also for your information, we wanted to tell you about what we have been doing prior to your missionary’s arrival here in the field.

We  (President and I) have been involved in training the zone and district leaders in the new Simplified curriculum for the past few months.  They, the zone leaders and district leaders will be involved in teaching the same program to all other missionaries in their areas.  We, along with members of the mission presidency and other senior missionaries will be attending those various meetings for the next few months.  This program will be taught to all new missionaries when they report to the MTC beginning in May of this year.  By that time, all of the missionaries here in the mission will know the program.  Preach My Gospel is the text the missionaries will continue to use, but there is an additional approach that has been prayerfully directed by the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles.  We were told in the MTC this past July in the Mission President's Seminar that they have spent many, many hours on bended knee and in the temple receiving inspiration on how to make it easier for the missionaries to teach and the investigators to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The use of additional principles contained within Preach My Gospel are being used to invite the Spirit in the initial interactions with a new investigator.  This process allows ample opportunity for the missionaries to ask inspired questions and then address the needs of those they teach.  The principle of the Doctrine of Christ is taught first where possible, but following the Spirit is still essential for the direction of the work.  The knowledge of the material in Preach My Gospel is vital to teaching by the Spirit, but not in rote fashion.    

We hope this information will be helpful to you. Some of it may may be retold to you by your missionary, but hopefully you have learned something you didn't know before.  

We are looking forward to working with your son in this most wonderful of experiences - preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in this area.  There is a lot of diversity here.  He will learn a lot about other cultures. We know your son will be a fine missionary.  He is a wonderful young man.  

If you have any questions, please ask us anytime.  

Warmest regards,

Sister Godwin 

President Godwin

Again we are so excited for Elder (Taylor) Gull and can't wait to hear more from him.

I hope to have his new address posted soon, in the mean time just send everything to the mission office.  

Thanks Everyone!

A Day of First Experiences!

Today is Elder Gulls first day in the mission field!!!  He landed at about 10:30am Utah time.  He was able to call home and Mom says he is doing good.  The first day is always so exciting, and we will have news soon about his 1st area, companion, and hopefully pictures will be coming shortly.