Update from New Mexico

Here's Elder Garner and his new companion, the tumbleweed.

Kidding!

I'd poke fun, but I think we have one of these growing in our backyard. Maybe we'll take a photo next to our own and send it to him.

Actually, he's been put in a tri with Buddha!

Nope, kidding again.

Elder Garner is still serving with Elder Crawford in Roswell, New Mexico.

From him: "No, I haven't been abducted yet, and no we are not teaching any aliens."

He says the work is slow but his own growth has been tremendous. Sometimes that's just as important for a missionary. He said this is the hardest he has worked on his mission and the Lord is trying to teach him what's most important to focus on.

They've definitely run into some antagonists, but Taylor has his head on straight. From a letter: "We are representing Christ out here, doing His work, of course we will face some of what He did when He was here."

(He means here as in on the earth, not here as in Roswell. Just so we're on the same page.)

He just relies on the words of Dory:

He's quoted that twice recently. Adorable.

Here are some random updates:
- He and a few other Elders sang in church! Cute!
- He startled us all when he mentioned new additions to the Book of Mormon. That didn't sound right. Turns out he meant new EDITIONS. Very different.
- He learned to play dominoes from some gang members. The guys were nice and invited them over, offered them a beer...which was politely declined. Then the guys said that if the Elders are going to be in the hood, they've got to know how to play dominoes. Now Taylor is a pro.
- The same guys invited him and Elder Crawford to a BBQ. How nice! The guy hands Taylor a plate with fried chicken, potato salad, and something Taylor didn't recognize. Turns out it was grilled bologna! Taylor must have looked confused because the guy laughed and said guys living in the hood can't afford steak! And Taylor said it was all delicious.
- He said in spite of what people told him, he misses his family more each day. In a weird way I'm glad - it means he likes us! He's doing great and loves his mission, it's just hard to be away when he's always been so close to us. We'll be right here waiting to pester him when he gets back!

He hasn't been able to email photos; my dad scanned his hard copies for blog infamy.

Hence the dated Santa photo. He's still so cute, I can't leave it out!

He's come so far, and he's got plenty of adventures ahead...

Just keep swimming, Tay!