THINGS ALWAYS LOOK BETTER IN THE MORNING

Things always look better in the morning.  Or in this case, the afternoon!  Last night we asked the mission nurse to find out why the scans had not been performed and when they would take place.  She called this evening and said somewhere along the lines (due to so 3 doctors, Taylor and herself) being involved, that there had been some miscommunication. 

Taylor's platelets are low, but his platelets always run on the low side.  Same with his enlarged lymph nodes.  The fungal infection is common with missionaries serving in humid areas.  The scans were not run because the oncologist believed he was to run an MRI only and wasn't sure it needed to be done.  So that is why the CT didn't happen.

We are still not happy about the scans not being done, but are more at peace with the other things. 

Within a few minutes of receiving this information, we received an email containing a picture of Taylor's district.  It was taken by someone who was friends with a former missionary who served in the are where Taylor currently is.  She sent the picture to her friend, who then sent it to a friend, who sent it to a friend, who then sent it to us.  Taylor looks good.  Even like he may have gained some weight.  (Which would not be happening if the cancer was back.)

We know that the Lord is watching over us and our missionary son.  We know that he is mindful of what we can handle and that he sent these tender mercies to ease our minds this day.   

HAPPY 100TH DAY ELDER TAY!

The only thing that got me through the night (besides prayer) was knowing that today Taylor would be opening his 100th day care package and hoping and praying that it left him feeling loved and happy.

100 days doesn't seem like that long.  Unless you look at it in the perspective that there are still 630 more left until we see Taylor again.  There are days that I don't think I could possibly miss him more than I do. But those feelings ALWAYS fail in comparison, to the fact that he is where he should be!  That I wouldn't want him any where else and that I couldn't possibly be more proud of the work he is doing!

Thank you to the 112 people who contributed to the 100 reasons why we love Taylor book!  Happy 100th Day Elder Tay!

WARD FAST AND DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS

After receiving Taylor's last two emails, we have been worried.  We have planned to fast for him today ever since we found out about his testing.  As the day wore on yesterday, we felt like he needed a little more help than just our family of five could offer.  We notified our Bishop mid day about our concerns, but he didn't get the message until 8:30 p.m.  Within 30 minutes emails and phone calls went out and we were blessed with the love and support of the Harvest Hills 7th ward.

Taylor's appointment was set to happen mid morning.  Having gone through labs and scans with him more times than I care to count, I knew the process may take all day.  Shane and I decided if we hadn't heard from the mission nurse by 5:30 MST we would give her a call.  When we did, she didn't have any information.  She hadn't heard from Taylor so she said she would call him and call us back.

This is what we were told.  Taylor's platelets are low.  He has enlarged lymph nodes in his back which may be causing the pain and he has some sort of fungal infection.  Low platelets and enlarged lymph nodes are good signs that his cancer may have returned.  We were devastated! 

We were also told that the Dr. did not perform the MRI or the CT.  It wasn't clear as to why.

WEEK 14

    I am doing good this week. Besides being nervous and what not about my appointment tomorrow, I am doing well.  I hope that it isn't just a big waste of money where they just say that I need to see a chiropractor or something dumb like that because I have tried everything that I can to get it fixed.  I know that whatever happens is what needs to, but I hope that it's at least something that wouldn't be a waste of money. 

    I didn't tell you anything about the doctor because he didn't really tell me anything. He said he doesn't know what is going on but that he would try to get things set up with the oncologist so that we can get this taken care of.

 

   Thanks for all your help and I will call Sister "R" today and ask her to check the things that you have informed me of.  I am really hoping that it all gets worked out because I don't want to be held back any longer.  That being said, I still have been working as hard as I can.  My companion has taken good care of me and has made me rest when I really needed to.  You know me and how I always try to do more than I can.

 

    Thank you for the encouraging words and what not.  I actually kind of do feel like it is cancer of some sort. To be honest, I am scared for what the outcome will be. I know my work here is far from over but I am worried because I feel like my health is hindering the work and I feel bad that I am bringing my companion down because we aren't able to work the whole time.  But that being said, I am giving it my all and I am doing all that I can for what is going on. I hope that tomorrow will solve everything and that I can stop stressing out.

 

    Thank you for being such a great mother and knowing exactly what to say to me.

 

   I am working really hard and doing everything I can to fulfill my purpose and I definitely have been helped a lot by the Lord. There have been times where I have been in super pain but we needed to teach a lesson and I would just go into the lesson knowing that I will have the strength that I need and be able to do what I need. I remember one time in specific that I was really hurting but I went into an appointment that we had and as soon as we started talking, the pain was taken away and we were able to have a very spiritual lesson.  I can definitely feel all the prayers and I know that wouldn't have happened if I wasn't doing the Lord's work and having faith that he would help me out.

 

    The work is going great! We have an investigator with a baptismal date!  The baptism is for *****. Don't get too excited because we don't know how it's going to  turn it but we have the faith that we can dunk her soon.  LOL.  She still needs to take that step to change so that she can be baptized.  But
 

      As for Halloween, I don't know what we are going to do.  We also have to be inside before dark but we might just make a big dinner and study and watch church movies or something like that.

 

      I have been trying really hard to consecrate myself to the work and it has really helped.  Besides my family, the thing I miss the most is music.  Yes, I have an MP3 player with music but it just feels like it's all the same.  But I am working on that.  Of course I am an easy going guy so I don't really struggle with being homesick yet.  The thing I DON'T miss would probably be the drama from high school.  

 

    Thank you for always looking out for me and being the AMAZINGLY AWESOME Mom that you are! I love you so much!

    

    Thank you so much for everything sweet Mother! I love you!

 

    Love,

    Elder Davis

LETTER DATED OCTOBER 22, 2013

First off I want to apologize sincerely that I wasn't able to take a picture of myself with a Happy Birthday sign to send in my email! :(  I feel really bad cuz I didn't get your letter until after I had already done emails.  I am really sorry mother!  I tried to send you something but I didn't have enough stamps or the right postage.  I feel so limited and lame!

This week I gave a talk in sacrament meeting.  That was fun.  I also went to the doctor of the mission to try and speed up the process.  It went ok.  I hope that things will speed up so I don't have to worry about this anymore.  It is really stressing me out.  Supposedly, Dr. Evan's is going to get in contact with Rady's to get things in order. 

For P-day we are doing beach volley ball at a park.  (I will probably just spend the whole time writing people though.)

As for my district, no it doesn't feel different at all.  But I'm glad that we can spend 6 more weeks serving together.  I doubt the weather will change so I will probably always sleep in the front room.  As for what we keep in the bedroom, just our clothes in the closet and that's about it.

As for recipes, I have no idea what to have you send.  I don't know what I'd be able to make.

My sheets and pillowcase are treating me well.  I LOVE them!

We haven't seen *******since I last talked about him.  It's pretty sad actually.  He's hard to get to return appointments with.  We are hoping to talk to him again soon and hope that he'll act on what we gave him to do last time.  Regarding *****, she came to church with us on Sunday!  It was awesome and she seemed to enjoy it.

As for by back, I was very straight with President and I am doing all I can to speed up the process.  I fell like it can't wait until next month.

When I study every morning, it's mostly bouncing around because I try to study with my investigators in mind.  But I do study my patriarchal blessing most every morning.  It's amazing how much I learn every day!  As for the color coding, something they've suggested is that we mark each reference to Christ in yellow, his words in orange, his attributes in blue and doctrines and principles in green.  I have tried this but it tends the mark the heck out of my scriptures.  I haven't figured our my specific marking technique yet.  I will let you know when I do.

You have no idea how much the thoughts and prayers mean to me.  I really have been given strength that  I could not have on my own.  It has been hard with my back the way it is.  But I have learned a lot and have been able to do a lot from all of the prayers.

Music wise, President Clayton outlawed pretty much anything that has a guitar (electric) in it.  He says that if it doesn't invite the spirit, it's not worth listening to. 

I love you with all my heart!

Love,
Elder Davis

HEALTH UPDATE

After receiving Taylor's email I was at a loss.  He saw a doctor but didn't tell me what the doctor said.  He wants me to have his records sent to the hospital.  What hospital?  I emailed him back hoping for a response, but didn't get one.  I put a call into Missionary Medical to see if perhaps they knew where I needed to have the records sent.  They called the nurse in Taylor's mission.  She then called me.  After speaking with me and hearing the info Taylor gave me, she laughed and said, "I better call your son, Sis. Davis and then call you back."  So she did. 

Apparently Taylor saw a doctor Monday.  He did an x-ray on Taylor's back and didn't see anything out of the ordinary.  He would like Taylor to see an oncologist next week.  Sis. "R" will get the appointments set up and let me know when they are.  I had already filed the correct releases with PCMC long ago so they can send whatever they need to wherever they need to and Sis "R" is working on that. 

WEEK 13

My back is pretty much the same. I am learning how to deal with it so that's good.  I was able to see a doctor yesterday about moving up my appointment so hopefully that will help it out. The way we can speed up the process is by having Dr. Barnette send my records to the hospital and to just try to get my back and the cancer check up done by the same doctor at the same time since a cat scan is what I need.

   

My week has been good. We are doing well with our investigators and ***** actually came to church on Sunday so that was great! Plus I gave a talk in Spanish in sacrament meeting so I hope that didn't scare her away from the church. Other than that, things are going well and I am really loving it here.

 

My companion and I are really working hard to find more people to teach.

 

I have  no idea what we will be doing for Halloween. Yeah Halloween is interesting for missionaries, so we will see.

 

As for Thanksgiving, I have a feeling that I am going to be in this area for a while because everyone else in my district has been here forever and they will get transferred before I do. They wouldn't want to put 2 new missionaries in the same area cuz that would be chaotic here in Spanish work.

  

I am super jealous that you get to hold babies! That's one thing that I don't enjoy about missionary rules cuz I can't hold babies or anything like that. Oh well. 

 

Today, we are emailing right now, we shopped before this, and then we are going to go the stake center for zone sports and writing letters. Yes, I am loving having my Nike's!! It is nice because in the mornings my shoes get wet because of the grass from morning work outs so it's nice to switch between pairs of shoes.

 

I love and miss you so much and I know that I am only as good as you say because I have such great parents like you and Pops that have taught me well.

 

Love,

Elder Davis

LETTER DATED OCTOBER 15, 2013

I cannot believe that it's October already!  This year has really flown by and it will continue to do so.  I am sorry to heart that it is cold there already.  But Utah weather is good.  It actually rained a lot here today! Shocking, huh?  Things are great down here in San Diego. Poway is great.

I am driving now and will probably be doing so for the next six and a half weeks.

The investigators are doing ok.  We are really trying hard to help **** so she can finally get baptized.  She is so close, she just needs to take that leap of faith.  We have a "new" investigator named ******.  I say "new" because he has investigated before but never really wanted to take the discussions further than one lesson.  But now, he asked us to keep coming by because he wants to become closer to God.  He's a great kid and I know he'll be baptized after we can teach him.

The temple was incredible!  I got to go with practically our whole zone and on top of that, I got to see the new video and do work for someone who was a Davis!

It's crazy that Jenny will be so close!  That's only a few miles from my apartment! 

Thank you for the delicious treats and the wristbands.  I am very luck and grateful to have such an amazing mother! :)

I love you with all my heart! I hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,
Elder Davis

WEEK 12

(I made Tay promise he would send at least one picture each week.  Um... I meant from the current week.  But we will take what we can get!)

    Things are going good. My interview went well too. President says that we will have my back looked at when I go in for my other checkup so that we can just kill two birds with one stone. I have found ways to work through it and still be able to get a lot done.  My zone leaders hooked me up to a physical therapy machine and that helped A LOT.  I have thought and prayed about it and I am going to see if I can get everything set up sooner. I have prayed a lot and I can't seem to come up with a straight answer if it is something serious or not.  I will see what I can do to get it taken care of. 
     
    Yes, I am still getting along super well with my companion and my district. I also feel and know that this is where I am supposed to be every day.

    I received letters from Paula, Logan and Michelle, Nichole, and the Kings (Stephanie's parents).  They really meant a lot to me.

    

    I am good on medicine for a week or so, so it will work out perfect cuz I'll get the new medicine next week.   :) 

 

    Glad to hear that JoJo is having fun as well. I can tell by his letters that he is growing up fast! Tell him that he better stop cuz he is to remain my LITTLE brother!

   

    Um, to be honest, I have not seen any weird stuff down here. The only thing I can think of is that one of the sisters ate a baby octopus the other day and it was pretty funny.  I (so far) haven't eaten anything that I haven't enjoyed.  The food has been great and I have really enjoyed it a lot. 

 

    I do my laundry at my apartment complex. There is a laundry room that I am able to use with some pretty sick machines. (And yes I only use Tide.)  I actually have gotten compliments on how white I keep my shirts and how they smell good!  That's what happens when I have a momma that teaches me right :)  

 

    I am actually loving the weather! I don't think I will get sick of it at all.

 

    Things with investigators are good. We have a new one and his name is *******. He's explained in my letter that you'll get this week.  But ****, actually asked us to teach her more and she is starting to progress pretty well. She committed to reading the Book of Mormon and to pray about it too. We are also getting a lot of referrals and potential investigators, so we'll see what happens soon.   :)  You have no idea how much it means to me that you pray for each of them. 

    

    Today we found out who's getting transferred and this time, no one from our district is getting transferred! Crazy, huh? 

 

    Other than that, things are great. I love and miss you more than anything and I appreciate everything you have done for me. 

 

    Love

    Elder Davis

WEEK 11

     I am doing great. This week has been super awesome. My companion and I have seem some pretty sweet miracles. We got to watch conference as a district at the stake center. Sadly there were no investigators that came but we had a great time and I received some "SICK" revelation.  You'll be happy to know that some families fed us and they said to tell you that they took good care of us. 

 

     It was sick to go to the Temple!!!!!! The name I was given to do the endowment for was a DAVIS!!!! It just made the experience that much better. Plus, I got to see the new video and work in the "Most Beautiful" temple on earth. It really has been awesome and I will never forget it. 

   

     Thank you for the package! I love it and will make great use of all that is in it.  I love it when I get even just a letter sent from home.  I love receiving letters from home and from friends. I also feel better when I know what is going on at home.

   

     The work is going good.  My back has started having problems again and I am sure that is not because of the bed or growing. That being said, I am worried about it and am going to talk to President about seeing the doctor tomorrow.  Other than that, we are doing great in Poway. I am doing great with the language and we are getting a lot of work done. The only thing that isn't so good is the problems with the back.

 

     I am glad to hear that things went so well with conference. Everyone in the stake center was like, "Holy Cow that's Elder Davis!"  It was pretty funny. I am kind of surprised that I was on TV.  I wish they would have taken that picture when I was smiling or something.  I loved conference and I am glad that you got my package. I was worried that it wouldn't get there or something but it's good to know that it made it there. 

 

     I am super happy and having a good time down here in San Diego! I have interviews with the President tomorrow and I am really excited.

 

     I love and miss you so much and conference made me think of you a lot, but it was good for me. I am sorry if this email seems short but I am super slammed with things today and I need to hurry so we can make our appointments.

 

     I love you more than anything in the world and I will never cease to be grateful for all that you have done for me.

 

     Love,

     Elder Davis

IT'S ELDER DAVIS!

Immediately following the first session of LDS General Conference today, a local television channel aired a video about the Mexico City MTC.  Much to our surprise we saw Taylor!  So exciting!

We also noticed him in a few other shots that maybe other's might not have.  So grateful for those distinctive ears!  

 We love our missionary!

 

LETTERS DATED OCTOBER 1, 2013

Momma,

I am sorry to hear that you and Scoob were so sick.  I hope you are better by now and are happy and what not though!

It's sweet that the new CD is already selling so well!  I can't wait until the Spanish one comes out!  Please be sure to send a few down here for us Spanish missionaries! :) I want you to know that the sisters are very grateful for the CD's and they say thank you! It was awesome to be able to give those to them!

Glad to know things are okay with my scans but please keep me updated. 

Ok, now about investigators...Right now we have about 3 investigators.  The rest of the people that we teach are either lest active or members.  We are making some progress. 

One of our investigators is (name).  He is **** and lives in an apartment about **** minutes away.  He is so prepared and ready for the gospel.  He has come so far but we just have problems with him  *******.  We really hope we can change this this week and set up a baptismal date.  I know this guy will get baptized.  I hope I can get him there SOON.  He is ready and I know it.  We just need to see him again and extend the invitation.

Next one of our investigators is (name).  She is a really nice lady with an interesting situation.  She has (children) and a few family members that live with her that have been baptized and she is DEFINITELY ready for baptism.  The only problem is *****.  It's quite sad really.  But we have seen some real progress and ****** is being softened.  We've had many a powerful lesson and we have prayed hard and we both feel like she will be baptized at the end of next month.  We hope and pray it will happen. 

Our other investigator is (name). She is a lady that we have done service for a lot  and we feel like she is progressing really slowly.  My companion and I have decided we are going to give it all we've got this week/month and are asking everyone for help so please keep us in your prayers.  We really feel like we are going to have a baptism this week and we REALLY want it.

As for packages, I bet it is probably expensive and hard sometimes, so please don't send one every week.  I am perfectly fine with just a letter. :)

I love you with all my heart!

Love,
Elder Davis



Fasha,

I think it's great that you are having testimony building experiences and that you are able to share them with me.  Thanks for sharing that with me as well as the talk!  Me and my prideful self were feeling a little let down because my companion and I went down to the mission office today because it was our turn and I couldn't find any mail for me. (Pathetic I know!) But luckily I found your's amd Mom's letters so that was good.  Plus, it was just what I needed.  Thank you for it because it really lifted my spirits.

Pops, I want to thank you for your great example.  I've learned a lot from you.  Especially in the last few years.  I really look up to you for how often you go to the temple.  I hope to go to the temple frequently with you when I get back from my mission.  Thank you for your amazing example.  I miss you more than you could ever know.  I love you Pops!

Love,
Elder Davis

WEEK 10

I am sending pictures today in the mail. Please make sure that you get them from Colton. 

 

My week has been good but very busy.  It was sad. We actually had to drop an investigator because he wasn't progressing and he was trying to fight us the whole time. I will explain more in my letter.  We don't have any new investigators this week but we are going to set the town on fire and get a baptism this month I know it! We will have two new investigators by the end of the week I'm sure.  

 

I am feeeling a lot better about the Spanish. Of course it's still not perfect but a lot of people are saying that I am doing better than anyone they have seen with my experience, so that makes me feel good. The Lord really is helping me. 

 

My back is doing alright. It's kind of the same lower back problem that Daddy has sometimes but I saw a doctor and he showed me a bunch of stretches that will help my back heal up and they are working miracles!  They said the pain might be cuz the radiation and stuff and I might be growing a little so my body is being a little stretched out I guess.

 

And don't worry I am totally fine. We are going to kill it this week.

 

The names of the Missionaries in my District are: me, Elder Karlinsey, Hermana Diaz, Hermana Nielsen, Hermana Capareda, and Hermana Thompson.  They are all super awesome.  I actually was asked by Hermana Diaz and Capareda to give them a blessing this past week and it was way cool. I love giving people blessings. 

 

We are planning to watch conference either as a district/zone at the stake center or at an investigators house.

    

We hardly ever have time to make anything for dinner so I have been just making simple things like pasta and wieners and stuff like that. 

 

My companion is the designated driver and will be until the end of next week. Then it switches to me for 6 weeks. SUPER NERVOUS! 

 

My best experience this week was that I got to give a blessing to those two Hermanas that I had talked about previously. I gave them both blessings and it was really cool cuz in the mission, we are counseled to ask who we want to give the blessing by what the spirit says. That being said, before each blessing, we said a prayer and everyone in the room felt that I should give the blessing and I thought it was really cool how we were all in tune with the spirit.  So, I gave Hermana Diaz a blessing and it was SUPER powerful. I wasn't talking at all. I was just moving my mouth and Heavenly Father was just speaking through me. It was amazing and I will never forget it.  Then, the next day, Hermana Capareda asked me for a blessing and I gave her one and the same thing happened. I have never felt so good and close to the spirit before.

 

Plus, we had district meeting this week and it was super spiritual as well. Normally the District Leader - my companion, just talks about what he is prompted to teach about and we take notes and what not. But this week was different. He turned to me during the meeting and said, "Elder Davis, I have a feeling that you need to say something." It was crazy cuz I did. I talked for a bit and it was really cool cuz it turned into a discussion and I KNOW that the spirit was there strong.  I don't remember exactly what I talked about but I mentioned just our purpose as missionaries and how we are doing well but we should be more excited to get out there and do the work. I also told them how ELder Karlinsey and I pray for every member of our district specifically by name and what not and that we are all here in this specific mission, zone, district, and area for a reason. And we need to work together and what not.

 

It felt cool to be given the floor for a while cuz I feel so small since I am the young one sometimes. But now I feel like I really have a place and I fit in more. I felt bad though cuz the sisters started crying while I was talking for a bit. It wasn't because I said anything mean though. I guess they just felt the spirit. Cuz I know I did.

   

I have no idea how long I will be in Poway but I hope it's for a while.

 

I want you to know that I look forward to hearing from you every Tuesday the same! I love you and hope you have a great week! Until next time.

 

I love you so much!

Elder Davis