WELCOME! This blog represents some of the activities or interactions with our amazing ARIZONA PHOENIX RETURNED MISSIONARIES 2011-2014 and some of our current family activities! Thank you, The Taylors
Some things never change...as in Scott photo-bombing or taking selfies with my camera when we are with missionaries...
These are the last shots of our missionaries when we were at at the WEST CAMPUS over in Raintree Apartments and Wyview Terrace.
We are adjusting, but we really loved the small community there!
Elders Gomez, Stoker, Coob=mbs, Me and Scott, Elders Lohberg and Lindstrom
All headed to Mexico.
Sisters
Hancock, Sarvey, Nation, Ence, Me and Scott, Elders Bushman, Hansen,
Messenger and Sewell. Headed to CA Santa Rosa and NY NY City South.
Sister Bishop who lives in our neighborhood in Provo, friends with Braden, headed to Tempe AZ!
Sisters Gardner, Pulley, Elder Payne, Us, Elder Kimber, Sisters Jones and Bowler.
Headed to CA Santa Rosa and NY NYCity South.
US, Elders Adams, Gage, Aguirre, Jardon, Berry and Macinnes.
Headed to Mexico Missions.
Us, Sisters Evans (From our stake here in Provo), Muggleston, Kilgore, Johnson, Petit and Riddle.
Headed to CA/LA, DC South/ TN Nashville/ OK Oklahoma City.
Us, Elders Day, Southwick, Jack, Seversike, Jensen, Sisters Bishop, Morse, Christensen, Doty, Day and Woods.
Headed to Tempe and CA San Fernando.
Each Sunday, the missionaries from the MTC get to walk to the temple as part of their Sunday activities. They love it!
This past week, our current missionaries:
Front: Me, Sisters Reidhead, Campbell, Welch and Chambers.
Back: Scott, Elders Perez, Marchant, King, Scow, Guthrie, Branson, Glenn and Beeston.
Headed to CA Santa Rosa and NY NY City South.
Us, Sisters Andelin, Foster, Berger and Kurta. Elders Elder, Allen and Moore.
Headed to AZ Tempe and CA San Fernando.
Scott posing them for a panorama shot...
Our entire branch right now!
We LOVE working with missionaries at the MTC! We get to teach basic doctrine, help them adjust and just LOVE THEM as they prepare to serve.
We are so blessed!
And, the panorama! Beautiful December day by the Provo Temple!
SOMEONE had the bright idea to hike up to a HOT SPRINGS in the middle of the night in the freezing cold...(not saying who:)
Let's just say that we were invited and thought it sounded interesting.
Sam Stanley, Alisa Baumgartner, our daughter Breanna, Sister Taylor and President Taylor were up for the challenge.
We drove up Spanish Fork Canyon and up Diamond Fork towards the trailhead...about 8PM.
The trouble was, the road was closed about 4 miles from the trailhead which meant a 4 mile walk on the paved road before even starting the hike.
Wouldn't have been so bad but it got snowy and icy after a while and it was cold without tree cover to block the wind!
We kept a really good pace just to keep warm!
One of the main reasons we came was to enjoy the night sky and it did not disappoint!
The sky was BEAUTIFUL! We would stop every once and a while just to admire it and look for where Orion was then.
Once we hit the trail (after walking FOREVER!!)
we then enjoyed the night trail.
We were walking uphill most of the time, not extreme, but near hillsides where snow had rolled down all on its own to create some really interesting formations.
This one was just laying there after rolling down the hill. YUP, its a SNOW HAT!!
Sam tries it on for size!
I saw this little spiral snow roll and it looked just like a ROSE...so Alisa added a stem and a couple dry leaves and this is how it turned out.
AMAZING!
After hiking FOREVER once again...we smelled the strong sulfur smell and knew we were getting close.
We finally arrived at the hot springs and somehow got out of our hiking clothes and into the warm water...it was slimy but wonderfully WARM!
We had some adventures with what we thought was someone's lost shirt or sock scaring us in the water...
...and when we finally pulled it out to toss it, we realized it was plugging the pool and all our warm water was now draining to the pool below! Ooops!
Our next adventure was trying to change clothes in the dark without freezing to death.
We all got changed and it was time to head back down.
I think the main thing that kept us going was thoughts of going for hot cocoa when we got down to the valley!
But it WAS beautiful! We enjoyed the company and had such fun chatting as we walked...trying to warn each other of icy spots and helping others each time someone fell.
The night sky was AMAZING too!
At the bottom of the trail I tried to place my camera on a post and do a timer shot...but we could not see at all, pitch dark, so it turned out really funny! We could not see where the camera was pointing at all!
We booked it the next 4 miles to the car, getting spooked once by a large animal apparently sneezing?? near the road. Scary!
After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the car, got the heater going and drove our stiff little bodies...stiff from 13 miles in the freezing cold!!! Got to Flying J and went in for hot cocoa...and as soon as we were in the warm store, we all started shaking uncontrollably. It was pretty funny! I think this was about 3:00 AM so we were exhausted but satisfied we had done something tough and beautiful.
Can't wait to hike this one once the road opens to the trailhead. It will be amazing in the spring, but we are ready to let it rest for the winter! THANKS ALISA AND SAM!!! Happy Trails!!
We started off November by hosting a BRIDAL SHOWER for 5 of our darling RM Sisters!
Now, I am not in the business of planning to do showers for all our adorable Sisters, but if they need a place in town to meet, I am certainly opening our home!
This is what happened...Christina and Dani wanted to hold a shower, so we offered the use of our home...(and chocolate fountain etc)
It was just so fun to hear them all tell about how their sweethearts proposed, and about their dating history.
What I am loving is the kind of guys these mission daughters are choosing...they are down to earth, all around GOOD GUYS! We have met all but one of them and we totally approve!
Here are the blushing brides to be!
Maria Garcia
Lexie Pickett
Michelle Summerhays
Jennica Anderson
Alisa Baumgartner
The weddings range from November to April.
Everybody pitched in to make a great tray of goodies for a NIGHT AT HOME! Looks like a lot of fun!
We had a pretty good spread of food too! Can't go wrong with fruits, veggies and of course...CHOCOLATE and lots of it!
Not looking too sure about whoever took this picture...
...but VERY sure about this one! These are daughters that we know and LOVE forever!
BEAUTIFUL in every way!
Top to Bottom:
Jennica
Alisa
Amy
Jessica
Bobbie (and baby due soon!)
Maria
Dani
Natalie
Lexie
Christina
Michelle
Sister T
The following Sunday, we hosted our second DINNER CALENDAR DINNER!
We are in a new schedule at the MTC and do not get home til about 3:30, but we pulled it off! Thank heavens for crock pots!
Here Matt, Scott and Landon check out the Mission Flag.
Scott Weston had to take off a bit earlier than the rest so we got a shot with him. So good to catch up with him!
And here is the rest of the crew:
Matt Hilton, Blake Northrup, Landon Bangerter, Jeff Griffin, Me and President Taylor, Amy Hudson who served before our time but was brave enough to sign up to come eat! Loved her!
A couple nights later we broke out nachos for a couple of late night visitors...because they waited til we got home from the MTC one night!
Welcome to Michael Kellett and Adams Dodd! They had just completed a road trip to AZ and were still glowing. We get it. There is nothing like going back to something that means so much in your life! (Notice I forgot my MTC tag and look like I am still on the mission:)
I forgot when I went to the sealing of JENNICA ANDERSON that I would get to see a couple of our RM Sisters!
I was delighted when Alisa Baumgartner and Sam Stanley came in!
This is outside the new OGDEN TEMPLE. It was just beautiful and the sealer gave great advice...I love sealings!
I also love seeing the couple when they come out of the temple. They look SO HAPPY! They are well suited for each other!
We finally got our turn for photos with the bride and groom!
We made our second trip back to AZ since our release July of 2014.
Last month we flew down for the Phoenix Temple Open House...and this time was for the Dedication.
We are lucky to have a flight from Provo to Mesa. Looks old school, right?
We arrived Friday afternoon and had a lovely evening with former Phoenix Mission Presidency Members.
The Matsons from our old ward hosted it and it was just delightful!
We realized that Katie matched the flowers in the family room...
Taylors and Morris'
3 sets of former Phoenix Mission Presidents!
Taylors, Becks and Gills. We have the last 9 years covered between the six of us!
Becks with Lopez and Morris'
Lopez, Gills and Morris'
And finally, Lopez, Becks and Morris'
Can you tell the Morris have served FOREVER?
Here were the treasured tickets we were blessed to be able to receive.
DEDICATION
CULTURAL CELEBRATION
Saturday evening we attended the Cultural Celebration held at our son's old high school in Peoria SUNRISE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL!
As we came in to find our seats, we were able to greet our dear friend Ed Janulis, who lived near the mission home and was baptized by President Taylor a year after we arrived. What a blessing to be able to serve at the Temple Open House and Celebration! He has a strong testimony of this service!
We also met our dear friend Diane Broderick whose family was in charge of the props for the celebration...a HUGE undertaking that they did SO WELL! It was impressive in every way!
And...of course we met up with some of our Mission Sons and Daughters!
Sisters Brown and Jackson
Elder Enkhjargal
Elders Frost and Hall
The missionaries were stationed outside the fence of the football field to watch the performance and be ready for their part in the program.
We hustled back to our seats as President Thomas S Monson, President Uchtdorf and Elder Oaks took their places in their stand.
This is what the field looked like with over 4300 youth performing! It was so impressive and the Spirit was so strong!
If you want to watch the whole thing, here it is!!
I loved how the whole thing started with reference to the POOLS OF LIVING WATER which is from our MISSION SCRIPTURE! "And in the barren deserts there shall spring forth pools of living water, and the parched ground shall no longer be a thirsty land." D&C 133:29
Cultural Celebrations celebrate the history of the area the temple is built in.
Arizona was founded by the Hohokum Indians so this was the starting point for the celebration.
They went through the history of the developing of Arizona and the
LDS culture as it was a strong influence in the settling and development
of Arizona.
We learned the 5 C's of Arizona...
Copper Cotton Cattle Citrus and Climate
We had the tribute to the 40's, 50's and modern day music and dance.
The great Mexican culture was celebrated and was a beautiful and colorful dance.
Each branch of the Service was honored as they celebrated the war years.
Our own President Morris was there and joined in as the Air Force was honored.
The costuming was spectacular! We know how many wonderful people spent months creating and serving to make both the Open House and Cultural Celebration come off so beautifully!'WE THANK THEM ALL!
The flags that they carried were held together to make a large flag...it was really cool!
The force for good of youth that choose the right was enforced by the warriors from the Book of Mormon coming down into the crowd as early day soldiers.
Cute 50's dancers.
A tribute to the educational opportunities that are available here in AZ for all youth.
And then our own missionaries came onto the track and up on the stage singing "CALLED TO SERVE."
Here is a VIDEO taken from the track and you can hear them singing and see individuals better. Thats our kids!!!
At the beginning, President Uchtdorf told the youth that they added 5 more C's to the original 5 C's!
Creative
Caring
Cheerful
Courageous
Cool
And they truly did!
It was a wonderful tribute, and great opportunity for the youth to strengthen their own testimonies as they practiced and performed together in the presence of a prophet of God.
Everyone wanted to get as close as they possibly could as the Prophet left the stadium.
I got to hug my dear neighbor Dana, Ed's wife, and wonderful convert neighbor. We love and miss them!
We got to see a few more missionaries after the performance.
This one was dear to my heart as he came back to the mission after we had left, so I got my goodbye and hello hug from him tonight!
I think Elder Safford was glad to see us too.
Or maybe not?
We had fun meeting new missionaries who we will only get to know as they come to reunions while the Griffins are still serving! They are all wonderful!
I found a safe spot below Elder D Jensen where I knew I would not block anyone...he is so tall!
WE LOVE THESE GREAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR LEADERS THE GRIFFINS! We testify again that they are all where they are supposed to be right when the Lord needs them!
Sunday we got to attend the last session of the temple dedication. It was a sweet experience for us! The promises of the temple are sure. As we are obedient to the sweet commandments of the Lord, those promised blessings play out in our lives...especially having the Spirit to guide us as we attend His house weekly for Sacrament and as often as possible to the temple!
As we were leaving, your great missionary men were coming to move all the chairs out of the temple and get it set up for sessions starting the next morning at 7 AM.
We happened to be there as the authorities exited the temple...I did not get to my camera quick enough, but Elder Bryan is tall, and took it for me and got this great shot!
We waited til about everyone had left and then got permission to take a traditional shot we like to take at temples that are dedicated...by the CORNERSTONE.
Of course, the missionaries followed suit, so we got some shots for them.
As we walked to our car, we saw two more Elders we had not seen yet but were glad to see! Elders Hamilton and Parks!
That night we had a wonderful get-together with all our former office missionaries in the area and President and Sister Morris.
They all shared their experiences and special experiences of working on the temple Open House. It was such a sweet meeting!
The Elcocks and Rodgers show the very cool CHOCOLATE NAIL given to them by Porter Brothers for their service on the Open House. We devoured it immediately after!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is here to bless our lives and make them sweet...busy, but sweet!
We are grateful for eternal relationships formed as we served in Arizona! May the Lord bless you all!
