We've Arrived!

We want to report to you, our dear friends of the 16^th Ward: 

We have arrived safely, soundly, securely in the Philippines MTC.  We are becoming a part of the woodwork, the walls and the paint.  Today, we drove out a bit in Metro Manila where there are 20,654,307 people.  We must have seen at least that many cars.  It is not only petrifying but mortifying to find our way around the streets!  But we have 2 years to get oriented if we can. 

We are happy and thrilled with our opportunity to serve here.  We have missionaries who come here from all over the Philippines, from Mongolia, from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia,  India and Pakistan.  They are every bit as good as those who come to the Provo MTC.

Of course we must learn to speak all of those languages!  (No, Just kidding!). 

We love them, we are humbled by their sweet disposition and dedication to the gospel.  The Church is growing and marching forward.  While we may not be very good correspondents, we want you to know how happy we are and how much we love you. 

Love,  

George & Debbie. 

Our Email Address:  george.taylor@ldschurch.org

Debbie's Mom's Obituary

Bonnie Jean Liedtke Wagstaff 1929 ~ 2011 

Bonnie Wagstaff passed peacefully beyond the veil on January 19, 2011. She was born on the 23rd of January 1929 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Verda L. Snyder and Max Paul Liedtke in a family of eight children. Bonnie was educated in the Salt Lake City Schools, and graduated from West High School in 1947. She was sealed to her eternal companion, Douglas Stillman Wagstaff, on June 27, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised their three children in the Salt Lake Area. Doug and Bonnie resided in St. George, Utah, during the winters for the last 20 years. Bonnie was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and found particular happiness working in Church Education. She worked as a receptionist for 15 years with many people in the Church Education System including Elders Henry B. Eyring and Jeffrey R. Holland . Surviving Bonnie are her husband and three children; Debra Sue Taylor (George Terry), Douglas (Tug) Bradley Wagstaff (Rosalie), and Craig L Wagstaff (Patricia); 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her brothers Paul Liedtke (Barbara), Larry Liedtke, (Carol), and her sister Linda Hoskisson (Cliff). She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; Wanita(Gibb) Hill, Elwood Liedtke, Jerry (Angie) Liedtke, Carma (Don) Hunter. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday January 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sandy Crescent Stake Center 10945 So. 1700 E. Sandy, Utah. Friends and family may visit Friday Jan.21, 2011 from 6-8:00 p.m.in the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 So. and Saturday one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Condolences at Larkincares.com.

First Week

The Taylors left for the Philippines a week ago Thursday.  They were only in the MTC for four days.  So sad to break it to you.  I wish they were still here too.  I'm thinking about going to the funeral  to support the family.  I'm not completely sure if I can go yet.  Debbie just sent me a quick message saying that she wanted to come home for the funeral, but her dad didn't think it was necessary.  She did say a final good-bye to her mother before they left and that it was really sweet.  Debbie said she can feel her mother's presence and is doing well.  I think she could still use our prayers and emails.  Tracy told me the other day that Debbie has to have the missionaries out exercising  in the parking lot by 6 am every morning because that is the only space they have to exercise and the parking lot fills up at 7!  She has been teaching them badmitten, however you spell that!  I can just see her little energetic body and hear her yelling over the crowd and showing them how to play!!  What a fun lady!!  
----Written by Jenny Risenmay in an Email to me.