Elder Talley

4-26-2010

2010-04-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

"This past week was a really good week, probably one of the coolest on my mission. We saw a lot of success this week. Yesterday I had to give a talk in church, it went well. But the coolest thing was, is that we had 7 investigators in church! 7! I have never experienced that on my mission yet, it was awesome. At the beginning of the meeting there were almost more investigators than members. It was awesome. We also found 5 new investigators this week too. A part member/L.A. family came to church that haven't been to church in 3 years. 3 of them investigators. Then we had a married couple come, the Yosma's, then Br. Osele and Stephen Muller. It was awesome.
Things are going really well here in the Branch. It is really exciting to see. The members are realizing that there is success in Switzerland, and we keep trying to help them notice it. The Lord is blessing us so much in His work. If you do your best He does the rest!
This week on Friday we had an exchange with the A.P.'s (Assistance's to the President) and I was in their area. Elder Stucki and I went to the mission home at like 10:15 at night to change around their laundry and we noticed that Pres. was in his office. So we went in, went to change around the laundry and noticed that it was all folded and done already. So we went and asked Pres. if Sister Matern did it. He told us that he did it for us. The he said "Elder Talley, did you hear about the success story that you are partially responsible for?" "Uh, no Pres. I haven't.." "Well Elder Talley, it turns out that when you were in Solothurn you and Elder Kunzler gave a Book of Mormon to and investigators mom. (Jamie's) then her Aunt came and visited from the Dominican Republic, saw the Book of Mormon, read it, took it back to the D.R. got baptized and has been a member since December 09." (Matt's cousin Alex Fuchs is serving in the Dominican Republic, comes home May 13th.)
I was shocked, I had no idea what to say, and Elder Stucki was just standing there with his mouth hanging open. President always has to tell me, "Elder Talley, Sie wissen nie passieren wird!" or in English "Elder Talley, you never know whats going to happen!" I guess he always was right, it just took me awhile to believe him, but now I do. We really don't ever know what the Lord has in plan, or what might happen in the future or who it will affect, but we will...It was really a humbling experience that I will never forget. I am grateful that I was allowed to experience it.
The Zone is doing really good, actually amazing. At the moment we have 9 baptismal dates, that is truly amazing. I am not boasting, but when we took over the Zone things weren't doing so well, we have improved in everything. It is so exciting to see the missionaries are excited and expect success, we have to CREATE IT. Things are going well. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father, that He allows me to be a part of this." Elder Talley

P.S. Matt has more pictures to send so be looking for them to be posted!

3-8-2010

2010-03-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

"Hello! My Sunday was really good, we had two investigators in church. The weather here is insane, last Monday it was amazing and we played soccer in short sleeves and shorts, two days later it snowed a ton, now it is better and the snow is melting thankfully. Our investigator Murat should be getting baptized on the 27th of March!! The Lord has been blessing us so much in our work here, it is amazing, and I am way grateful for it. I am way busy it blows my mind. I am doing really well though. I love you all so very much. Elder Talley

3-1-2010

2010-03-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

"The investigators are doing really good. In the time of two weeks we have found 5 new investigators, so that is good. The Indonesian family that we found last week is doing way good, esp. the daughter. She came to church yesterday and brought a friend with!!! Murat and his father also came to church and had such a good time and felt the Spirit really strong. It was a way good Sunday." Elder Talley

2-22-2010

2010-03-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

"This past week has been a really good one, we had Stake Conf. and it was all of the stakes that are German speaking for Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Pres. Uchtdorf spoke to us in German! It was simply amazing. It was so powerful and gave me strength to keep going. I can't even really explain it. So we found a family to teach! The mom comes fro Indonesia, she can speak way good German, her husband was Swiss, he died about a month ago. She has a daughter and a son. This morning we also met with a guy that I talked to on the Bahnhof (train) a couple of weeks ago, he is way sweet! His name is Andy. We taught him the first discussion and gave him a Book of Mormon. He is going to read the Book of mormon and seems excited to learn more." Elder Talley

Feb 8, 2010

2010-03-13T17:56:00.000-08:00

"Murat the new investigator from last week is doing great, he wants to find out if it's true! He is so spiritual it is awesome. So, I learned something way sweet in church. I don't know why I have had the privilege of being around 70's so much on my mission, but a member in our branch was also a 70. His name is Elder Koch. He is awesome and I love when he teaches me. He was talking talking about Noah and the building of the Ark. Said he...As Noah was building the Ark people were laughing at him and calling him crazy. They mocked him because he said a flood was going to come. But, when the flood came and the rain wouldn't stop and they were half waist up in water, they probably got a little nervous. And they probably went to Noah wanting in the Ark, they now wanted to get in the exact thing at which they had mocked Noah for building, they were now about to die from the exact thing (rain) that they said wouldn't come...When we compare this to us as missionaries or members (of His church) it gets really good. As missionaries we get mocked and laughed at, we get told that these things we preach will not happen. But one day they will be begging for the exact thing that we tried to give them, the exact thing that they laughed at, that is ETERNAL LIFE the greatest of all the gifts of God. I thought that was a pretty good thought. The Church is true, and eternal life is why we do this.
I love you all." Elder Talley

Here is an Interesting E-mail!

2010-02-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

My world has been flipped upside down!!! As of the 1st of July 2010 when Pres. Matern goes home the Switzerland Zurich Mission will be dissolved! It will be no more! The First Presidency has been praying about it for a while now, and this is what the Lord wants. Our mission will be merged with the get ready... I will give you a hint. It is where Dad served.. Yes, the Munich Austria Mission! Crazy!! I don't know if that is what it was called when he served there though. I could have the chance to serve in the same areas that he did for my last 5 months! It is going to be insane! The Swiss Government has really been cracking down lately, I mean really... Last week another missionary got sent to the states, they kicked him out like Elder Schults. Another one almost had a close call. As of May Switzerland will not allow any American Missionaries here! The ones here can stay but no new ones. I am freaking out, because about a month ago I had to go to Zurich to re-register to be able to stay here, they took my Swiss I.D. card that allows me to work here and said they would send it in 3 weeks. They should have sent it a week ago but it hasn't come... So hopefully I get it soon! That would be crazy if I got shipped to America! My new Mission Pres is Pres. Condie. He came out last June, and has been over in Austria. The future is so uncertain right now it is crazy! The work is going good though, the members are getting excited. They always praise us and are expecting to see great things, but so are we! The work in Dielsdorf is really coming along, it is exciting. Last week we found a new investigator. His name is Murat, he is about 22 and can speak French, English, and Turkish. He already had a BoM when we doored into him, he said he read in it prayed and felt good. This was all before he ever met missionaries. He has been prepared, it is exciting. I am doing well, I get to go to the Temple in a week, I am so excited. There is so much power there, so much strength. I need it! I love you Mom!
Elder Talley

2010-02-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

Pictures

2010-02-07T17:40:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures Matt has taken.

December 8, 2009

2010-01-17T20:13:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we had Zone Conference, It was really good. President made fun of me, because we did a white elephant gift exchange and someone packed candy in a pair of socks. And he told the person to smell them and said if they stink then they are Elder Talley's! He's a funny little man, I love him so much haha. I don't know where I would be without him. Oh guess what, on the 21st I have to go to Zurich to get my eyes checked, I am slowly going blind. (Matt's dramatic way of saying "getting near sighted") At the beginning of my mission in the field i noticed I couldn't read things my comps could read, now I can't read a lot of things on signs etc. So I have to get my eyes checked, an who knows maybe I will need glasses. That would be weird. The work is still kinda slow, our investigators just don't make progress towards baptism. But, we did have 4 people in church tow weeks ago which was amazing. We just need to look for our nickel and not always concentrate on the 100 dollar bill. I am happy and health and excited to have another year of serving or Lord.

These are two of Elder Talley's companions. On the right is Elder Farnsworth, his second companion in Switzerland. On the left is his golden, Elder Kunzler, they just recently finished serving together in Solothurn.

Here are some pictures from his adventures in Switzerland.

November 20, 2009

2010-01-17T19:55:00.000-08:00

Thursday we were supposed to have an appointment with a lady that was a referral from the Elders in Solothurn. So we went to the Church and waited, the time came and she wasn't there. We were starting to give up hope that she would come. There was a member there from the Biel Ward, so we asked him if we could give a spiritual thought. So we gave him one. then I got a phone call, it was Frau Schmid! She said that she was on her way, but was lost. so we cleared up where the Church was and then a couple minutes later she was there! My prayer was definitely answered. So we started to talk to her, and I noticed that she was going through a tough time. And I felt that she needed to hear about the Atonement. So I read her Alma 7:11-12, " 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities." then I bore her my testimony about the Atonement and our Savior. She got all teary eyed, then asked if Jesus knows what she should do and I said yes, He knows you personally and wants to help you. He loves you so much. The Spirit was so strong in that room, it was amazing. The whole appointment was just amazing. She wants to read the whold BOM and we also gave her a liahona, the one about Jesus. She is excited to read them. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed us with this experience. I don't know what will come from it, but I am just grateful for the opportunity I had to share with her my testimony that Jesus is the Christ and He is our Savior and we can only truly be happy though him. I am so grateful for this knowledge.

November 9, 2009

2010-01-17T19:33:00.000-08:00

From an E-mail:
Mom, I don't feel so good. I just got an 3-mail from Woody, today is his last p-day and he goes home in 3 days..i am now starting to realize the reality of what is going on, when i got my mission call over a year ago Woody hadn't even been out a year yet. he is now coming home and in 3 weeks I hit my year mark. Sure, I know a year is a long time still, but when I look back the time is just disappearing and I can't do anything about it. I never thought that I would get to this point on my mission, but now it is here and I don't know what to feel. I feel like just crying. This is my one chance to serve my Brother and my Savior Jesus Christ like this, and it is slipping away. I have a big lump in my throat right now just thinking about it all.

Matt meets and artist Oct 12, 2009

2009-10-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

Transfer calls were on Thursday, and we are staying together. So that is good. This last transfer was one of miracles, it truly has been amazing. We have seen so many cool things. This last week we found a new investigator. Her name is Renu, she is from Thailand, and she is an artist. We doored into her, and she let us in. She said she only had 15 minutes. So we went in and drank some tea (herbal) and ate cookies, it's cold outside. We went in and started to chat, then we talked about the church, ect. Then I asked her if she painted the paintings on the wall, she said yes. They were way cool too, I told her I was going to buy one from her when I get home. Then downstairs and she came up with two paintings that were way awesome. I thought she was just going to show us, but no she told us to take them. So we did, and I was so excited, it is a way cool painting. Then we talked more, her husband came home he is Swiss, and we talked more. Then when we were leaving I asked her how much she would have sold the two paintings for, she said 2,300 individually. My mouth dropped, I told her we couldn't take them, but she insisted. I guess she has two art galleries, and has been invited to NYC. Then she invited us to dinner this coming Friday. I am so stoked!

October 5, 2009 Know that I am well

2009-10-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

In our Zone we are doing something called "Mission Possible" There are 20 missions we are supposed to accomplish before the end of the transfer. One of the missions is to give out two Book of Mormon's. Elder Kunzler and I had already given out one of the two, I was praying that we would find someone to give the book to and I would know just who would take it. We walked by tons of people, we walked through a carnival, and didn't stop one person. This whole time I was praying to find the right person. Well we ended up in front of our apartment and hadn't stopped one single person. But I wasn't going to give up, so we started to walk down the street, and got to a point where I stopped and asked him (Elder K) what way we should go. He looked around for a minute and then said that there was someone coming up behind us, so I said well we might as well talk to one person! As we were walking up I was praying so hard that we would be able to talk to them and give them the book. Oh, this was at like 9 at night too. I walked up to her and said "because of this book we came to Switzerland, this book is called the Book of Mormon, when you read it and ask God if it is true you will get an answer that it is, You will come nearer to your Heavenly Father, and know that he loves you. Can we give you this book?" She said YES! The we talked more, got her number and she asked where the church was! It was truly a miracle that we had both been praying for. When we got inside I said a thankful prayer. Another "mission" was to tell the First Vision story 5 times, we had to do it one more time, it was late and we were getting rejected left and right. I felt like we should go across the street, seeing how the only people were over there. So we went and I saw a lay smiling way big, so we went up to her. And she said you're the Mormon aren't you? In English. So I said yes, you know us? Then we started to talk and turns out that she lived in England and that her husband is English. But we talked about a ton, I told the First Vision in German since she could speak it and I can't do it in English. (strange) I could feel the power of it and I could tell she felt it...They were both so nice, and the husband's friend is a Mormon in Utah. It was just a really good experience. I love being on a mission, I love the gospel and it is true. Know that I am well.

Solothurn

2009-10-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

My new "golden" companion is Elder Kunzler. After meeting him and taking pictures we ate some of Sister Materns delicious food Mmmmm. Reminded me of when I came in, except now I was actually talking and could understand it all. haha. Then we were off to Solothurn. We got in, unpacked a little, then we were off on our way o a family that wanted to meet us and tell us a little bit about the ward. They were funny, they were joking around saying in Swiss German that E.K. didn't like the food, and thought that they were crazy for eating it and stuff. They were just joking around and I couldn't help but smile, because I can understand Swiss German. Next we went to a meeting with the Bishop. That went well, we talked about what he expects of us and what we expect of him. On Friday we planned, that went really well, I just called a bunch of people, old investigators, new, less actives, and we set up ton of appointments for the coming week. It was sweet! Saturday we had a street display to pass out the fliers for this celebration we are having in the ward. It was amazing, we passed out more than 400, which is pretty darn good for it having to do with the church and in Switzerland! It was way good. We met a member who was confirmed by a "golden" Dale C Lloyd (My Moms cousin). I also met a member on the street as we were going to Bahnhof. His name is Ben, he is way cool, he was born in Switzerland but moved to none other than West Valley City when he was 1! He knew where we live, and he graduated from Granger! Way crazy...Sunday was really good, the ward is legit. They all gave testimony of missionary work. They are so ready to help. After church I spoke with Ben again. He asked if I knew a family named Remund and I said ya...Kylie Remund! Andit turns out was way good friends with her sister, and I was way good friends with Kylie. Insaine! After church we did some streeting, that was really good. We gave out more fliers, and something really neat happened. I saw this lady a little ways away and I felt like I should go and talk to her, but I thought right after no, there are people coming my way to talk to, So I ingored it...Then a second later Elder Kunzler aske me if he could go talk to her! well, I failed following the spirit. But he went and talked to her for a long time. I'm glad E.K. chose to follow the spirit...lesson learned. I love you all oh so much. Elder Talley

2009-10-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Mom, the blog is looking a little lame! Elder Talley Oct. 5, 2009
I will repent and update the blog tomorrow when I have Matt's e-mails with me. For now I will just say that all is well with Elder Talley and the work is going well. (It would help the blog if he would send his mother more pictures to post!)

New mailing address

2009-09-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Send mail to:
Elder Matthew Talley
Schweiz Zurich Mission
Hermesbuhlstr. 4
4500 Solothurn
Switzerland

Going New Places

2009-08-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well hello there...Last week was pretty intense to say the least..Wednesday I was in the Temple which was way needed and such an amazing experience. I love the Temple! Then on Thursday we got transfer calls and... drum roll...I am leaving Pratteln. It is kinda hard to believe, since I have been here for 7.5 months.Now I am going somewhere new. Solothurn to be exact. My new comps name is Elder Kuntsler. I have never met him. Actually right now he is in the MTC...Did I mention that I am traning?! I can not beleive it! I am kinda flipping out to be honest. I am very nervous...I am going into a totally new area with a golden (Greenie). Kinda intense... I am going to have to rely on the Lord and his help, without him this would be impossible. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and help Him in any way I can. The(Pratteln) ward DID NOT want me to leave! haha, I guess they love me or something. I am going to miss them a lot...Solothurn is a way cool city I have done exchanges there. I met one family, the Joders, they are awsome. Tschuess, Elder Talley

Happy 20th Birthday Elder Talley!

2009-08-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

"It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to...But I don't feel like crying at all, I have noticed how much that I am really loved and it is amazing...Boy this week has been interesting, ups and downs. But still a really good week. We had a lot of appointments this week, which was nice to have, it makes the week go by faster. We met with Richard 3 times. First he came to church last week, then we did service for him and I sweated off about 10 pounds. (I lost a lot of the weight I gained when summer came...Schade) (hard) and then we had a big night where we were going to give him a baptismal date. We went to a members house and watched the restoration DVD. Then the member bore his testimony and helped answer questions that he had. Then Elder Jacobsen bore his testimony and then it was my turn to give the date...I could really feel the spirit talking through me, it was beautiful, it was perfect. After I asked Richard if he would get baptized he smiled and put his head down. Then he looked at me and told me he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the church is true, but he is stuck on the idea that more than one church can be true and that his is. Baptisims are what we are sent out here to do, but maybe somethimes at the moment it isn't the most important thing. Richard is closer to his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than when we started to teach him, he has so much more knowledge now. He is happier and that is important. I don't doubt that one day he will accept the gospel fully and be baptized. I have been trying really hard to get a good relationship with the members so that they will trust us and help us in our efforts to find the people that are ready. And it has been paying off! We have gotten 5 referrals this week alone, and that is really unheard of. Elder Jacobsen said he has gotten more referrals here this week than he has his whole mission. So thats pretty sweet.
I hurt myself every week somehow...Last week during soccer Elder Jacobsen and I ran into each others shins as I was trying to steal the ball from him and I got a hugh bump and bruise and my scar peeled up a little bit. It was intense. Oh and the week before a member kicked my big toe and it bruised up nice and good. Well this week no different, I was defending the goal and I charged another Elder, Elder Hodges and he slipped cause I scared him and slid into me then somehow he collided with both my feet and messed them up pretty bad..My big toe on the R foot has a weird bruise on the bottem and a blood blister on the top, and the other toes hurt. Then the L big toe the nail got bent back half way and is not feeling too well! Hopefully this next week I won't hurt mayself..haha.
So far my birthday has been really nice, which I am grateful for. I am no longer a teenager woot woot!" Elder Talley

Just who is Elder Talley following?

2009-07-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

Still in Pratteln

2009-07-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

Matt has a new companion, "Elder Jacobsen, he is a way cool kid. I am really excited that I can be here in Pratteln, we have got a lot of great things going on here. Heavenly Father and the Lord have been blessing me in so many ways it is truly unbelievable. I have been reading a lot up on faith, it is really interesting." Matt will be 20 on August 3rd, he say's " kinda crazy that I'll be 20 soon, no longer a teenager! A Happy Birthday to you Matthew!

Bern Temple

2009-07-27T20:40:00.001-07:00

2009-07-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

With Elder Walsh

2009-07-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Matt was able to see Elder Walsh from the Geneva Mission. They were in primary together in the Manhatten Ward.

more from Elder Talley, told you he'd put on weight!

2009-07-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

Serving as a missionary and what was he thinking!

2009-07-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

Switzerland is Beautiful!

2009-07-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Alex Grutter's Baptism

2009-07-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

I'm way honored to be here!

2009-06-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

Alex Grutter was baptized on Sunday June 14th. Way beautiful... Elder Farnsworth and I were the witnesses and that was a really neat experience for me. It was such a beautiful thing to see him in white and standing in the water, I will never forget it. Once he came out of the water he gave Brother martin a long hug, and I could hear them both sniffing. Which of course made me an emotional guy to start getting teary eyed. It was really just a beautiful experiance and I am honored that I could take a little part in it. Such a blessing. I didn't even really do anything, but none the less it was beautiful and I am glad that I could be here for a part of it. He changed his life for something amazing, mega cool!
Things are going really well, I can tell that I am growing in so many ways. I can now see why they say the mission prepares you for marriage. My companion and I get along, but I have to execise patience a lot lately. I'm grateful to be out here, I love it. Way awsome expericane.

2009-05-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

So we all had a good chat with Elder Talley on Mother's Day. It was so good to hear his voice, and know that he was still the same old Matt just improved. He was missing American candy, Skittles, Starburst, Reeses, Sour Patch Kids...he said you could only eat so much chocolate?! I can't understand. I sent him a care package, cost a fortune! If you want to, just send one in a prepaid small flat rate box 5 3/8" X8 1/2" X 1 3/4" up to 4 pounds. Of course letters are his favorite thing to get. Today we got a email saying that the baptism they had set up for Alex Grutter failed, but it was re-set for June 14th. He just has to attend church two more times. Matt has "been really busy, which is totaly fine. I am doing really well over here in Switzerland, I love it. In only like a week I'll have been out for 6 months, kinda cool, gell (huh)? I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and his beautiful blessings! I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to serve Him, it is hard at times but it is worth it."

2009-04-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

I do a lot of things for service, pretty much whatever besides babysitting. A couple days ago we re-did a members food storage for them. We do service a lot, I love it. Herr Oertle is doing really well, he loves to come to church and to meet with us. He is reading from the Book of Mormon. So Sunday we finally got to see the last session of Conference. We had to wait a week because of the time difference, they have to record it onto discs then replay it. What an amazing session! I loved it! It was so much focused on the Temple, and in my reading I've been reading about the Temple and how important it is. I wish that I could go more..The Temple is the only way to happiness..Well, combined with other things in the gospel of course... Elder Talley

2009-04-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

From a letter dated March 25th. I got your letter today, the one with all the quotes and scriptures to study. Way good! That is the one thing I want to work on, having a taste of the faith of Joseph Smith. He was simply amazing. And that story about the food, way cool! I want to gain faith like that. It's something I'm working on and that I need to be better at. Along with prayer. I've been working on making it a communication. I love the power and comfort of prayer. I may not be able to speak with you but I can always have a conversation with my Heavenly Father. And without fail every time it works. I want to become an instrument in the Lords hands.
Yesterday we got an Easter card from Matt...Happy Easter! I hope you guys had a really good one. A family in the Ward invited us over for the day. The wife made the meal for me specifically! It was way good! Then they gave us desert twice. We had a good talk. I invited their son to sport (sports at the Ward) He is inactive. He said he would come, he is way cool! The dad was so grateful that I did that. They live in Germany, that was my second time in Germany. On the way home we went on the Autobahn it was way cool!!! We missed our exit so we had to go into France to get back home. The Lord is blessing us a lot. I'm enjoying myself. It's beautiful. Read Luke 24. I love you, Elder Talley

2009-04-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

Just a few parting thoughts...

2009-04-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

One of the seven mice we killed in our apartment.

2009-04-15T21:08:00.000-07:00

Elder Talley on the prowl.

2009-04-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

My first companion and trainer: Elder Irick

2009-04-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

On my way to Switzerland!

2009-04-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

My first companion: Elder Matthew Schultz

2009-04-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

2009-04-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

2009-04-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

Missionaries in the making.

2009-04-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

Working hard BEAUTIFUL Sucess

2009-03-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

Matt is working with several couples a family and a few singles. He is keeping busy and loving the work. He says; "Boy has it been a week or what!! We have been working so hard and have had BEAUTIFUL success! Matt is so grateful for his "Companion Elder Farnsworth we are going to do some great stuff with the Lords help!"

Staying in Pratteln

2009-03-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well I heard from Elder Talley!...Sorry I'm so late...We just barely got time to do e-mails. We went to Shilthorn today. It's an amazing mountain with 360 deg. view of the Alps! It is so beautiful!! The Lord sure created a beautiful place! Can you imagine how it look after it becomes Celestial? AMAZING! So now for the news...Last Thursday was transfer calls and guess what?? I'm staying here in Pratteln! I'm way excited. There are changes though; I'm getting a new companion! Mty Trainer is going to a different area and I'm staying here with one of the Elders from the other companionship in our apartment. His name is Elder Farnsworth, he is way awesome. He is from Cedar. (Utah) I'm really excited; I know we will work really well together. I have been working with a man Herr Oertle alot altely. He says we have so much love for him, and it is true! I love the mission life, it's wonderful. I love the Gospel and all it brings into our lives. Did I tell you about the 7 mice we have killed in our apartment? Sick! We killed 3 in one night within 2 hours...haha awsome eh?

2009-03-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just logged on and no new email from Elder Talley...could be that it's transfer day? I'll check again later...

Working Hard!

2009-03-14T17:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't published any of Matt's emails lately...I'll try to catch you up to speed...The lady they were hoping to teach had another man from her church at the next lesson. They explained that they didn't want to argue but to share, so they are no longer teaching her. The church they meet in has a basement where Sunday School is held in a BOMB SHELTER! Matt say's "you have to walk through a way thick wall with a vault looking door! It's kinda cool." President Bednar went to Switzerland..."It was amazing I felt the Spirit a lot and it was all so great! We have a new investagator, his name is Herr Oertle. He is so cool. He has so many questions about the Gospel and seems really interested." On March 9th Matt wrote..."Well this past week has been really good! We worked really hard, I already have holes in the bottom of one pair of shoes...We've been walking alot. Oh and another thing...My shirts were altered too small because the arm's aren't long enough and when I bend my arm the fabric becomes weak and I have 3 shits with holes in the elbows now...Crappy. I tried sewing them but they just broke again plus I suck at sewing." (Can you imagine Matt Talley wearing anthing not perfect?) We had an appointment with Herr Oertle...I have a lot of hope for him. Yesterday we taught a 7 year old girl she is cool it was a really good experiance. (she is a mebber) well not yet she is getting baptized. But I was way nervous but the Lord blessed me so much and helped me and apparently I did really well. I love the Spirit! I love serving the Lord. It's most definitely a lot of hard work. Physically and mentaly...Yesterday was a very intense day, we walked and walked and walked and walked and walked oh and we walked some more! Plus we ran 2 miles yesterday morning! So I'm getting plenty of exercise, but I've gained around 18 lbs. on my mission so far, so that's pretty sweet...A meber family commented to the other Elders in our apartment that they have never seen an Elder eat as much as me...but they loved it! So that's cool, plus the people get offended if you don't eat all the food." Well that it for now I expect a new email on Monday....

2009-02-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

So I had my first lesson! It was with the lady that I doored into my first time dooring. And funny thing she invited her preacher! My first lesson and she brought her preacher! It was pretty cool. I think it went pretty well, I think she felt the spirit. And she made out another appointment so now we have a new investigator!!! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I love the Gospel so much. The Ward here is amazing, they have such an amazing fire for missionary work it is amazing. I love them already. So I'm in Bern right now and it is beautiful!!!! It's phenomenal!

Loving Switzerland!

2009-02-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

Switzerland is a ton different from America that's for sure...the culture, the people just everything. I love it! My apartment is very nice. It is one of the biggest in the mission. For a transfer (6 weeks) they are trying out four missionaries living in it. So that's pretty cool that there is another companionship in our apartment with us. They are both way cool elders. One of them likes to cook and clean so that's nice. I love speaking with the people, they react so different. They are very nice at first, but once they find out who you are they all of the sudden hate you. It's kinda funny. Our Ward feeds us so much. we actually just got back from a lunch appointment with a lady in the Ward. The food was AMAZING but I had to eat soooo much, no leftovers here! So the first door I knocked we ended up getting and appointment out of it. So that was pretty cool! I'm excited for it. Love, Elder Talley

2009-02-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

I have arrived in Switzerland in safety. The flight was good and I feel awake. My first area is Prattein and it's in the Bern Stake! My companions name is Elder Irick, I meet him tomorrow.

I'm on my way to Zurich

2009-01-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

I leave February 3 rd for Switzerland and arrive in Zurich on February 4th!

Jan 15, 2009

2009-01-17T16:18:00.000-08:00

I've been learning a ton of German, the Lord is blessing my life in so many ways. I know that without the Spirit I couldn't learn as much as I have. I can already give the first lesson all Auf Deutsch and I can kinda have random conversations. It's so amazing speaking German. It's actually kinda hard to talk about the gospel in English...I keep thinking of the words Auf Deutsch! I love it! So testimony is the strongest thing we have...It is amazing and the people can really tell if you are sincire. Today at the Temple I sat down next to a man in a wheelchair and we started talking and he asked me whre I was going for my mission. I told him Zurich Switzerland and he started to cry! And then he pulled out his name card and said "My family is from Switzerland" it was amazing...we talked a little about it and he was very emotional the whole time. It was so cool. I can't wait to get out of the bubble(MTC) and start doing some major missionary work. I know that the church is true, I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Everything is true! That's pretty much all I can say... Elder Talley

2008-12-14T16:24:00.001-08:00

Nine days in the MTC

2008-12-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

So my companion is name is Matthew Schults he is so awesome. He helps me out a TON. So I've been here 9 days now and this is the point time fly's by. Or so I hear. I can't wait until I'm able to speak German fluently. It will be a stress off my back. Then I'll have other things to worry about, of course I know that this is going to be worth it. Heavenly Father has strengthened me so much over these past couple of days.... Today is my first P day and so far i've gone to the Provo Temple and now I'm doing laundry and actually didn't ruin my clothes!! I'ts amazing!! So the temple was much needed, I love the feeling there and it's helped me out somuch! Luckily I get to go every week!...I know the Lord will bless us if we are faithful, That's the thing though, we can't lose faith in the Lord. Matthew Dec. 11, 2008

He is at the MTC!

2008-12-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

Putting on his name tag.

Posing in front of the famous MTC sign.

Officially an Elder!

2008-12-02T21:06:00.000-08:00

Tonight at 8:30 pm, Matt was officially ordained an Elder for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We are so proud of him!