Letter #27 (Feb 8th, 2012)

Hey all,
Yes! We are fine!... it was only richter 5... not like 7or 8. We had just finished district meeting in Jagna and were walking to the mercardo to get lunch... and then the ground started moving under my feet!!! We were all soo confused at what was going on until we all stood still and looked at the power lines and buildings all shaking around... then we were all like "earthquake!"
The only damage was on Negros, or so we got told by a member... but all the misisonaries are okay, as far as we know.
Thank you for the package... it was great!
The new area is great... now... We had a few problems to start out with. We have done well so far after starting out with almost nothing. We turned up to the house to find it needed some serious repairs which we have already organised with the owner, and we will be ordering some things for the house through the Strouds as well. We then found the area book in desperate need of attention. There are a few progress records for the weeks but they provide little information. So we have begun to work closely with the members. They are all eager to help with the missionary work and all want to help the missionaries. We have 1 family of investigators that we met on monday, and they are showing great interest already. Brother B showed great intrest in the Plan of Salvation and they are willing to listen and have us go back and teach. We have had success with the members, achieving 10 lessons in two days, as we went out with members to teach less-actives and recent converts.
My new companion Elder Tolentino... He is great! We are going to have a great time and recieve much success from the Lord, I can just feel it! I love studying the 12 week program with Elder Tolentino as I learn so much from it and from my new companion as well. One thing I realised is that us foreign missionaries have so much the advantage, as we get 2 months in the MTC. We get to study a lot more and get used to the schedule and not being at home before we even reach the mission. But I am confident that Elder Tolentino will do just fine.
Hope you enjoy this next week and i will tell you more wonderful interesting things next week.
Miss you all,
Love you,
Elder Taylor Addison Cox

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Terri here:On Monday 6th Feb, 2012, there was an earthquake in the Philippines in between the islands of Negros and Cebu, Taylor is on an island further over, called Bohol and as you can read from his email, that they didn't feel it like where it hit.

Letter #26 (Feb 2nd, 2012)

Hey all,
just a short email cause not much really happened this week.
I got transfered... still on Bohol... just the other side, in Valencia.... now part of Tagbilaran zone. And I'm training! so I'll have an "anak"
We are re-opening the area too, so we will be working with the members of the branch over there.
I have been in Cebu city the last few days for a special meeting on Tuesday morning and Transfer meeting Weds morning and picking up the new missionaries Thurs arvo... so unya lang. This special meeting was with Elder Neilson. We received some great counsel and advice for our missions.
I will die if I get transferred to the city... It is crazy here... mayhem... the jeepneys are so confusing ad the alleyways are mazes of housing.
No pictures this week, cuase we are running out of time for email.
Just like to say, love you all and I will update you all next week on what is happening in my new area with my new companion, my anak!
Love you all,
Elder Taylor Addison Cox

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Letter #25 (Jan 25th, 2012)

Hey all,

Not much has happened here this week... we had a poor attendance this week at church as well... only 35 or so and no investigators. But at least we still had our recent converts and they are preparing to go to the temple soon (hopefully march).
I have been reading from "The life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his Apostles" and have gained a much greater insight into the life of the Savior and have come to know Him a lot more, strengthening my relationship with him. It has given me a great knowledge which will keep those Catholic and Baptist pastors on their toes... jejeje!

I dont know if i told you last time but these last couple of weeks we have been getting fed a lot more by members in the ward and receiving all sorts of food products to take home with us... the people are so kind and loving and such an example to me that despite having so little they are still willing got give so much.
We continue to have great success here despite the hardships and being punted this last week with noone home, but we know that the Lord is watching over us and he continues to bless us with success. We have just recently met two individuals who have definitely been prepared to receive the message of the restoration of the gospel and have shown a real great desire to learn about the gospel.

Miss you tons,
Love you even more,
Elder Taylor Addison Cox

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Terri here:Just a short email this week. :(