Bakow Babble Too!: October 2013

"Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for a short time, so that others may be with their families for eternity".

Between the break in Conference sessions Saturday afternoon Taylor and I went out to snap some missionary photo's of him. I think we got some good ones. One needs to go on his missionary plaque at church. I especially love the ones where he is holding both his French Book of Mormon and Tahitian Book of Mormon. He will be learning both langauges in 11 weeks at the Missinary Training Center (MTC).

I had fun playing around with editing and love this blurry version I made too, which highlights the books. Fun.

I think this is the one that will go on the plaque.

His fave :-D

And this was the humungous bee (big as my thumb!) that made us decide to take a picture in another spot.

And the selfie! Ha! He's so fun!

"Who the Lord calls, the Lord will qualify."

Thomas S. Monson

Taylor received his call in May and opened it on May 25th - After a very long wait, and traveling to send off 2 cousins, and saying goodbye to many friends who left on their missions this summer, it was finally, almost, Taylor's turn to go.

We are so very grateful for all the family that came into town, and all the friends who were there to support Taylor as he spoke in church and to talk with him at the open house afterwards.

I loved his talk, which was on teaching by the Spirit. He explained to me, that as he had been studying the scriptures, and thinking about the topic, and praying over the week or two previous, that he would jot down feelings and thoughts that he had that came together as his talk over a period of time. It was very sincere and personal. He told me later that he felt strongly that he hoped the Spirit would be there while he spoke because how can you give a talk about teaching by the Spirit if the Spirit is not present. He need not have worried because the Spirit was there. Taylor is very, very humble and teachable, he has studied enough and sought the Spirit enough to know that it is not an 18 year old boy that goes out on a mission and converts souls - he is the messenger and it IS the Spirit that converts those who are ready. He also said this in his talk. It was beautiful. I know he will work hard and do his very best in all ways while he is on his mission.

We missed our Brittany. She is on bedrest at 6 1/2 mths pregnant. Jaxon was able to hold his phone on his chest and Skype the whole talk during Sacrament meeting. So she was able to watch it while it was happening. LOVE Technology. We didn't tell the Bishop - Ha ha. Do you love the Pareu (men's skirt) he is wearing in this picture and the Tahitian tie?!