Sunday, June 30, 2013
Pt. 2
I thought you might enjoy this poem Claudia wrote this morning.
It has been a very busy week. But it has been enjoyable because of the young missionaries. We have had the chance to meet all of the missionaries in special zone conferences for them to tell the current mission pres goodbye. We leave to pick the new pres in an hour. Monday we officially open the new mission office. There is still much to be done to have everything functioning as it should but we are close. Most things left are things we have to wait for SLC on with all of the new missions.
We will move into our new apartment next weekend which is only 3 miles from the new office. It is actually a condo and is quite nice.
We love and miss you. The gospel is true and this is an amazing work.
- Elder Taggart
Not A Poet
Today I saw the Army of Helaman in a different light
I watched the Generals and the leaders who took those boys to fight
They looked ordinary---from the world's point of view
But a closer look would show you the scars, and not a few
These old warriors have felt defeat,stress,and fatigue
These warriors have scars from life's battles and intrigue
They have raised their families, had careers and led the ranks
In wards and stakes and branches before they joined these ranks
They have seen the hand of God work wonders in their lives
So joining once again seemed natural in these strifes.
The surge of missionaries is wondrous to behold
Yet the surge of these veteran warriors needs mention,though they're old.
Their hands are knarled, they walk with limps and some have problems of the heart
Yet when the youth need help or more support they are the first ones at the start.
With experience and memories they proceed to lead the youth
From the ranks of the office where they hold to right and truth.
This army surging forward is handsome, young and strong
But today I saw their support group who have battled for so long.
Their suits are cut much wider, their hair is filled with gray.
I'm grateful for this army I was allowed to glimpse today.
I watched the Generals and the leaders who took those boys to fight
They looked ordinary---from the world's point of view
But a closer look would show you the scars, and not a few
These old warriors have felt defeat,stress,and fatigue
These warriors have scars from life's battles and intrigue
They have raised their families, had careers and led the ranks
In wards and stakes and branches before they joined these ranks
They have seen the hand of God work wonders in their lives
So joining once again seemed natural in these strifes.
The surge of missionaries is wondrous to behold
Yet the surge of these veteran warriors needs mention,though they're old.
Their hands are knarled, they walk with limps and some have problems of the heart
Yet when the youth need help or more support they are the first ones at the start.
With experience and memories they proceed to lead the youth
From the ranks of the office where they hold to right and truth.
This army surging forward is handsome, young and strong
But today I saw their support group who have battled for so long.
Their suits are cut much wider, their hair is filled with gray.
I'm grateful for this army I was allowed to glimpse today.
Transfers
I know I sent a message only half baked. Sorry. These last days have been amazing. I had never been to transfers.....only these transfers were the last ones before Pres. Woodbury arrives. It was a sad time for some, knowing they will not see these missionaries again on their mission. It was sad for Pres. And Sister Fenn because they are losing half their children. They went from having 250 missionaries to 150. But 26 new missionaries arrived Monday and another 30 arrive next week. The logistics is staggering . We have two Senior missionaries in the office who go out looking for 18 new apartments....in areas where we are opening up new areas or doubling the number of missionaries in a given ward. I have picked up vehicles twice now and it is quite the sight to see 6-9 brand new cars drive off a lot, paid for, ready to be assigned to some 18 or 19 year old who may have never been in a brand new car before. Beds.....where do you find 26 beds for the incoming missionaries? We go to the storage units and get blow up mattresses for them to sleep on.
The missionaries come into the office to exchange the phone that goes with the apartment or trade cars for a different area, especially since ours is being divided. We fixed veggies, chips, water,pretzels and just watched them disappear. Missionaries are ALWAYS hungry. We tried to meet and greet as many missionaries as we could. They thought it was funny when we said we were new too. One young missionary from Ghana was touched that Bruce wants to go to Ghana on our next mission. He came up to me later and said, " I am sorry you will be in the other mission. I feel something special when I am near you, a special spirit, like my mother." I told him I would be honoured to be his mother and that in five years, he will probably be a bishop in his country. Outstanding youth coming out right now.
At the end of the day, three sisters were broadsided and Elder Taggart had to deal with his first accident. They were not hurt but the car sustained $7,500 worth of damage. Scarey. Elder Taggart will be just like a doctor....his phone has to stay on 24-7 for just such emergencies.
We have had dinner at Pres. Fenn's house several times in one week. They are gracious hosts and know how to put on a good meal. I don't know how she does it. She can be at Zone Conference all day, come home to 16 for dinner and pull off a great meal. Pres. Fenn has a "green egg" he likes to cook everything in.
We are still in temporary housing until we are completely trained. I did get to go to 4 storage units and pick out my furnishings.....retro/ghetto is what it will be. A yellow overstuffed chair, a crushed velvet blue rocking chair, a beige couch, lamps to be determined. The bed will be the one we sleep in now and it is a good queen bed. I found a bookcase, two retro black night stands,and best of all.......a big fan. I am a happy camper. Sister Fenn commented on us not having dishwashers. I said it wasn't so bad because we only have 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 spoons, etc. it doesn't take long to dirty them all so you wash them after each meal to make sure you have enough for the next meal. It is a simplified life and you don't miss all the stuff. I told Elder Taggart it is like starting all over in our marriage.....hand-me-down furniture and all. We eat well, our office is nice, we are together, the church is true, we love the youth we are working with....what more do you need?
We pick up the transfer van tomorrow and deliver the new presidents car to his house also. He arrives Saturday so our p-day will be a little short. We are excited to meet him and serve with him. The people in the office have a lot of stress yet we laugh all day, at our mistakes, at our lack of skills, at the dumb jokes. It is a good place to be.
I was touched today when I called Sadie for her third birthday. Her dad told me, " Sadie was playing with her friend and her friends grandma. She told them her Grandma Claudia was on a mission.....in Chicago.....and she rode in taxi cabs.......and she had to get shots before she could go on her mission........and " when I get big, I'm going to go on a mission too." That made my day. I hope each one of my grandchildren can serve a mission.....a selfless few years where you just give back to The Lord. What a blessing to be here, now, keeping baptisms entered on the computer, thanking the Fed Ex driver with a basket of goodies(my idea) for delivering 36 boxes of Books of Mormon yesterday, attending transfers where we saw complete strangers embrace and sit together....excited to be companions in sharing the gospel, attending zone conference today and serving the lunch to these hungry missionaries.
We love you, we miss you, but we are happy where we are at,doing exactly what we are doing.
Share a smile with someone.....better yet, open your mouth and share your testimony.....and I'll enter the baptism on the computer:)
Love,
Sister Taggart
The missionaries come into the office to exchange the phone that goes with the apartment or trade cars for a different area, especially since ours is being divided. We fixed veggies, chips, water,pretzels and just watched them disappear. Missionaries are ALWAYS hungry. We tried to meet and greet as many missionaries as we could. They thought it was funny when we said we were new too. One young missionary from Ghana was touched that Bruce wants to go to Ghana on our next mission. He came up to me later and said, " I am sorry you will be in the other mission. I feel something special when I am near you, a special spirit, like my mother." I told him I would be honoured to be his mother and that in five years, he will probably be a bishop in his country. Outstanding youth coming out right now.
At the end of the day, three sisters were broadsided and Elder Taggart had to deal with his first accident. They were not hurt but the car sustained $7,500 worth of damage. Scarey. Elder Taggart will be just like a doctor....his phone has to stay on 24-7 for just such emergencies.
We have had dinner at Pres. Fenn's house several times in one week. They are gracious hosts and know how to put on a good meal. I don't know how she does it. She can be at Zone Conference all day, come home to 16 for dinner and pull off a great meal. Pres. Fenn has a "green egg" he likes to cook everything in.
We are still in temporary housing until we are completely trained. I did get to go to 4 storage units and pick out my furnishings.....retro/ghetto is what it will be. A yellow overstuffed chair, a crushed velvet blue rocking chair, a beige couch, lamps to be determined. The bed will be the one we sleep in now and it is a good queen bed. I found a bookcase, two retro black night stands,and best of all.......a big fan. I am a happy camper. Sister Fenn commented on us not having dishwashers. I said it wasn't so bad because we only have 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 spoons, etc. it doesn't take long to dirty them all so you wash them after each meal to make sure you have enough for the next meal. It is a simplified life and you don't miss all the stuff. I told Elder Taggart it is like starting all over in our marriage.....hand-me-down furniture and all. We eat well, our office is nice, we are together, the church is true, we love the youth we are working with....what more do you need?
We pick up the transfer van tomorrow and deliver the new presidents car to his house also. He arrives Saturday so our p-day will be a little short. We are excited to meet him and serve with him. The people in the office have a lot of stress yet we laugh all day, at our mistakes, at our lack of skills, at the dumb jokes. It is a good place to be.
I was touched today when I called Sadie for her third birthday. Her dad told me, " Sadie was playing with her friend and her friends grandma. She told them her Grandma Claudia was on a mission.....in Chicago.....and she rode in taxi cabs.......and she had to get shots before she could go on her mission........and " when I get big, I'm going to go on a mission too." That made my day. I hope each one of my grandchildren can serve a mission.....a selfless few years where you just give back to The Lord. What a blessing to be here, now, keeping baptisms entered on the computer, thanking the Fed Ex driver with a basket of goodies(my idea) for delivering 36 boxes of Books of Mormon yesterday, attending transfers where we saw complete strangers embrace and sit together....excited to be companions in sharing the gospel, attending zone conference today and serving the lunch to these hungry missionaries.
We love you, we miss you, but we are happy where we are at,doing exactly what we are doing.
Share a smile with someone.....better yet, open your mouth and share your testimony.....and I'll enter the baptism on the computer:)
Love,
Sister Taggart
Sunday, June 23, 2013
June 23
We arrived in Chicago at 1:00 PM on Thursday and went right to work. We actually didn't get to our apartment to settle in and go grocery shopping until 8:30 that evening. We are both on a crash course to learn our duties. Right now there are four senior couples in the mission office. But on Wednesday this week the Crooks and the Taggarts will go to the new office to get everything set up since the mission splits next week. That gives us only two more days to figure out how to do everything before being on our own.
I will be responsible for the vehicle fleet which includes making sure the missionaries service them as needed, inspecting them at zone conferences, ordering new vehicles, selling old vehicles, coordinating the repair for damaged vehicles and making sure that any payments related to vehicles gets taken care of, picking up new missionaries and dropping off returning missionaries at the airport. We found out this week that the Church has spent over 67 million dollars on new vehicles since the first if the year with the creation of 58 new missions. So getting 18-20 year olds to care for and maintain a new vehicle will be a challenge I am sure. Some of them have never driven a new car and perhaps never will again in their lives.
Sister Taggart will have responsibility for making sure referrals get processed, recording baptism info, coordinating zone conference and other meeting meals, ordering all of the mission supplies, transfer updates, letters and other correspondence to missionaries, new missionaries packets, etc. all of this will require her to fall in love with the computer, which you all know is not her passion. But I am sure she will be awesome.
We love the senior missionaries. We have met over 18 of them now. Their assignments include office specialists, employment specialists, welfare specialist, member leadership couples, FM specialists and a new women's auxiliary specialists. We had a fun dinner with the senior missionaries on Friday night. We get together as a group once a month for that.
We are temporarily in an apartment vacated by an employment couple because we can't move into ours until later this week. So we are still just living out of suitcases. It will be really nice to get settled so we don't have to do an archaeological dig every time we need to find something.
Yesterday was our P-day so I was able to wash the thousands of bugs off the car. After driving almost 1,900 miles, there were many who gave their life trying to make it past our car.
The young missionaries are awesome! We met about 15 of them this week as they were in the office to get a new car, swap a car so theirs could be repaired or because they were AP's working on transfers which are on Tuesday. We have 26 new missionaries arriving tomorrow morning. We will take six vehicles to the airport to transport all of them and their luggage. Friday we picked up 9 new vehicles and had to drive them 45 miles to the office; tomorrow we pick up another 5 new ones. The young missionaries are so full of life and energy. They are a joy to be around. One of the treats of being on the office will be being able to meet every missionary either as they arrive or as they depart in addition to times at zone conferences, etc.
Our new mission president arrives on Saturday this week. We have dinner with the current mission president and his wife this Thursday evening plus a mission conference on Thursday and Friday. I am convinced that we will be very busy. I have also come to realize that whether you are teaching a lesson, working in the office or one of the other various assignments, it is all necessary in order for the work to move forward. We are excited to be part of this tsunami that is taking place in missionary work.
The gospel is true, our Father in Heaven knows us and loves us and is mindful of our needs, desires and challenges. If we will trust Him we can do anything that He needs us to do. We love you.
Elder Taggart
I will be responsible for the vehicle fleet which includes making sure the missionaries service them as needed, inspecting them at zone conferences, ordering new vehicles, selling old vehicles, coordinating the repair for damaged vehicles and making sure that any payments related to vehicles gets taken care of, picking up new missionaries and dropping off returning missionaries at the airport. We found out this week that the Church has spent over 67 million dollars on new vehicles since the first if the year with the creation of 58 new missions. So getting 18-20 year olds to care for and maintain a new vehicle will be a challenge I am sure. Some of them have never driven a new car and perhaps never will again in their lives.
Sister Taggart will have responsibility for making sure referrals get processed, recording baptism info, coordinating zone conference and other meeting meals, ordering all of the mission supplies, transfer updates, letters and other correspondence to missionaries, new missionaries packets, etc. all of this will require her to fall in love with the computer, which you all know is not her passion. But I am sure she will be awesome.
We love the senior missionaries. We have met over 18 of them now. Their assignments include office specialists, employment specialists, welfare specialist, member leadership couples, FM specialists and a new women's auxiliary specialists. We had a fun dinner with the senior missionaries on Friday night. We get together as a group once a month for that.
We are temporarily in an apartment vacated by an employment couple because we can't move into ours until later this week. So we are still just living out of suitcases. It will be really nice to get settled so we don't have to do an archaeological dig every time we need to find something.
Yesterday was our P-day so I was able to wash the thousands of bugs off the car. After driving almost 1,900 miles, there were many who gave their life trying to make it past our car.
The young missionaries are awesome! We met about 15 of them this week as they were in the office to get a new car, swap a car so theirs could be repaired or because they were AP's working on transfers which are on Tuesday. We have 26 new missionaries arriving tomorrow morning. We will take six vehicles to the airport to transport all of them and their luggage. Friday we picked up 9 new vehicles and had to drive them 45 miles to the office; tomorrow we pick up another 5 new ones. The young missionaries are so full of life and energy. They are a joy to be around. One of the treats of being on the office will be being able to meet every missionary either as they arrive or as they depart in addition to times at zone conferences, etc.
Our new mission president arrives on Saturday this week. We have dinner with the current mission president and his wife this Thursday evening plus a mission conference on Thursday and Friday. I am convinced that we will be very busy. I have also come to realize that whether you are teaching a lesson, working in the office or one of the other various assignments, it is all necessary in order for the work to move forward. We are excited to be part of this tsunami that is taking place in missionary work.
The gospel is true, our Father in Heaven knows us and loves us and is mindful of our needs, desires and challenges. If we will trust Him we can do anything that He needs us to do. We love you.
Elder Taggart
My First Full Day in the Mission Office
When we got back, all of us soaked (and four got lost) I processed the packages for missionaries, put their Ensigns in the 23 new missionary kits, copied forms, ordered supplies from SLC, put together 10 New Area boxes for when the mission splits. We had arrived this morning at 8AM and it was now 5:30 PM and I am ready to curl up in a ball and sleep for 24 hours. No, that is not what they do here. We piled into a van, drove 35 miles and all the senior missionaries in Chicago had a lovely sit down dinner at the home of a couple. The rich people who live here are on a Nauvoo mission and just turned their furnished house over to this missionary couple to live in and entertain in. We see consecration over and over here. We left before the games because we had to meet our new landlord at our new mission office to fill out forms for our new apartment. Hopefully we can move in within the next week.
Thought for the day: this is the Lord's work, and it is work. Missionary work requires a huge network of support. Opening your mouth to preach the gospel is part of it. Paying for new cars for 18 year old missionaries is part of it. Taking care of that fleet of cars is part of the work. Finding apartments for missionaries to live in is part of it. Entering baptisms, referrals, and making sure the missionaries get their mail is part of the work. Taking the load off a mission pres. So he can spiritually motivate missionaries is part of the work. Some have felt an office support meant they were not a real missionary. That is not the case. What I do facilitates moving the kingdom of God forward as much as the missionary who knocks on doors. It is all good and it all moves the kingdom forward.
I know we are in the right place at the right time. It is taxing and tiring but I fall into bed after scripture study knowing I have given another full day to God.....with the best companion. I see things here that make my testimony so much stronger. I love being in the service of God full time....working. Pray I can keep up the pace. Your prayers got me through today.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Does This Look Like a Happy Face????
Love,
Sister Tired
Mt. Rushmore
Long day today but I learned several things. The Badlands of South Dakota aren't so bad.....in a car......with air conditioning . Kind of like Bryce Canyon....shallow and faded. Custer Park in S. Dakota is like NW Trek in your own car.....at your own risk. We saw bison, antelope,donkeys,prairie dogs by the dozens, a golden eagle and lots of windy roads. Half the roads we traveled today are closed part of the winter. Don't ever try to find dinner in Kadoka, South Dakota.
Two quotes for the day....when we were looking at Mt. Rushmore, a little girl of about six said, "Daddy, why aren't they smiling?" Then at about 7:30, I called my brother Bryce, who lives in Iowa, and he said....."may I ask what you are doing in Sioux Falls?" Guess that isn't the way they drive when they come to Utah. Off again. This is a very big country.
Sister Taggart
Tragedy sometimes ends well....
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Custer Park So. Dakota - a NW Trek in your own car.
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Did you hear the one about the jackass in traffic?
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Crossed the Wide Missouri
Tragedy sometimes ends well....
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Custer Park So. Dakota - a NW Trek in your own car.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Do I put on my name badge for a fire alarm in the middle of the night?
Wonderful first day driving to our mission. We decided to retrace the pioneer trail so there would be no whining when we get to Chicago about the apartment, computer, traffic, bedbugs, etc. Martin's Cove was OK except for the older sister missionary who guided us. It bugged me that she had 1 1/2 red fake fingernails that pointed to all the tragic portraits of that handcart company. Not cool. Then she said, " I hope you don't want to tour the Seminole ruins or pull a handcart because I don't like to be in the sun." OK. I'm allergic to computers too but "I will go and do..."
We assured her we have pulled a handcart so she could sit in the shade and chill. I am realising the missionary guide influences your experience at these sites . Too bad we have had doozies at Liberty Jail and Martins Cove.
Driving across Wyoming gave me such an appreciation for what all pioneers went through. Independence Rock.....one of their landmarks.......there are lots of rocks out here. You just luck out when you find the one with names on it! Where do you find water and how long can animals survive eating sagebrush? Our only disaster was the clothing rod holding all our clothes for the next two years broke. Nearly scared us to death.
So we eat dinner, have our companion study, drop into bed dead tired from a long day in the car......all of a sudden, after we were both fast asleep, the fire alarm goes off, loud and clear. We get up, start dressing as quickly as we can, and then comes the question......do we pause to put on our name tags. We represent the Church and must have that badge on whenever we are awake and dressed. But in a pinch, do you waste precious moments in a burning building? It turned out to be a false alarm, probably a prank by a teenage boy they said. Hmmmmmm, now my thoughts go back to my teaching seminary days and I knew some of those boys!!! Lol
- Sister Taggart
We assured her we have pulled a handcart so she could sit in the shade and chill. I am realising the missionary guide influences your experience at these sites . Too bad we have had doozies at Liberty Jail and Martins Cove.
Driving across Wyoming gave me such an appreciation for what all pioneers went through. Independence Rock.....one of their landmarks.......there are lots of rocks out here. You just luck out when you find the one with names on it! Where do you find water and how long can animals survive eating sagebrush? Our only disaster was the clothing rod holding all our clothes for the next two years broke. Nearly scared us to death.
So we eat dinner, have our companion study, drop into bed dead tired from a long day in the car......all of a sudden, after we were both fast asleep, the fire alarm goes off, loud and clear. We get up, start dressing as quickly as we can, and then comes the question......do we pause to put on our name tags. We represent the Church and must have that badge on whenever we are awake and dressed. But in a pinch, do you waste precious moments in a burning building? It turned out to be a false alarm, probably a prank by a teenage boy they said. Hmmmmmm, now my thoughts go back to my teaching seminary days and I knew some of those boys!!! Lol
- Sister Taggart
Wyoming
Martin's Cove
Devil's Gate
Independence Rock
Monday, June 17, 2013
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Saturday, June 15, 2013
The Map
Honestly....we barely survived today. We tried to be in bed and to sleep by 10:00 PM last night but what do you do when your brain will not shut down? This whole experience is surreal. Here we are, two old people, in the same place our children were and hundreds of youth we have known. Did we ever really believe it would be possible to retire and afford to be here ? Several retired after we did....like April....and here they are, called and ready to go to new assignments.
We saw and hugged Paige Oliver and Rachel Clair today.m so good to know they still remember us and want a hug. The food is great and we are putting ourselves on a diet tomorrow. It is like a cruise ship where everyone wears name badges. The mission president told us he has to remind these 18 and 19 year olds that this is not EFY or Youth Conference, they are here for a much more serious purpose.
Titles....when do I get to call Bruce Bruce? I called him Bishop for four + years, I called him President for 17 in the stake presidency and as YM Pres. For 2.......and now I am supposed to presto chango and call him Elder Taggart? He is having a hard time not calling me Claudia too.
Have you ever heard a missionary choir of 1100? They practice a hymn for 45 minutes before a fireside and it sounds like the MoTabChoir. I love it. We sang hymns as prelude music tonight and I got choked up. 3000 young Elders and Sisters and 101 Senior missionaries singing hymns like Press Forward Saints or Battle Hymn of the Republic and I just lost it. Why am I so blessed to have this marvellous experience? They call us the crest of the wave and if I can stay alert through classes and meetings and more classes and exercise and lines......wow......I get to be part of this wave.
Today was intense. We paired off.....investigator or missionary and had to invite people to come unto Christ......not forgetting to ask "will you" questions, and bear our testimony, and recite promised blessings, and try to cover every point on that doctrine that is in Preach My Gospel. We have been doing this with neighbours for years in Seattle but these investigators are sometimes hard nuts to crack. Stress!! I would sometimes look at Elder Taggart with a "help" look. Oh yes....and we couldn't look at the book. No problem, right, we all have that memorized!
Tomorrow we get investigators from the community.
Elder Callister from the Seventy was our speaker tonight. It was nice. We got home at 8 PM, looked at the boxes, and decided to sit and e-mail. We are exhausted. We have made so many friends. Ate dinner with our dentists receptionists brother tonight. Small world. Taggart Foster talked to us again about Wyoming Taggarts.
We love it here. We are more excited than ever. We hope we can keep this pace for two years. The work is hastening. We can definitely feel it. Love to you all.
Sister Taggart
We saw and hugged Paige Oliver and Rachel Clair today.m so good to know they still remember us and want a hug. The food is great and we are putting ourselves on a diet tomorrow. It is like a cruise ship where everyone wears name badges. The mission president told us he has to remind these 18 and 19 year olds that this is not EFY or Youth Conference, they are here for a much more serious purpose.
Titles....when do I get to call Bruce Bruce? I called him Bishop for four + years, I called him President for 17 in the stake presidency and as YM Pres. For 2.......and now I am supposed to presto chango and call him Elder Taggart? He is having a hard time not calling me Claudia too.
Have you ever heard a missionary choir of 1100? They practice a hymn for 45 minutes before a fireside and it sounds like the MoTabChoir. I love it. We sang hymns as prelude music tonight and I got choked up. 3000 young Elders and Sisters and 101 Senior missionaries singing hymns like Press Forward Saints or Battle Hymn of the Republic and I just lost it. Why am I so blessed to have this marvellous experience? They call us the crest of the wave and if I can stay alert through classes and meetings and more classes and exercise and lines......wow......I get to be part of this wave.
Today was intense. We paired off.....investigator or missionary and had to invite people to come unto Christ......not forgetting to ask "will you" questions, and bear our testimony, and recite promised blessings, and try to cover every point on that doctrine that is in Preach My Gospel. We have been doing this with neighbours for years in Seattle but these investigators are sometimes hard nuts to crack. Stress!! I would sometimes look at Elder Taggart with a "help" look. Oh yes....and we couldn't look at the book. No problem, right, we all have that memorized!
Tomorrow we get investigators from the community.
Elder Callister from the Seventy was our speaker tonight. It was nice. We got home at 8 PM, looked at the boxes, and decided to sit and e-mail. We are exhausted. We have made so many friends. Ate dinner with our dentists receptionists brother tonight. Small world. Taggart Foster talked to us again about Wyoming Taggarts.
We love it here. We are more excited than ever. We hope we can keep this pace for two years. The work is hastening. We can definitely feel it. Love to you all.
Sister Taggart
We Survived
The MTC experience is over. We have been in our new home for the past two days frantically trying to sort through remaining boxes to determine what needs to go to Chicago, what needs to be in the basement under climate control and what can stay in the garage. We took two more carloads to Deseret Industries. A young man there said he wished we were going to his country.....Sudan.....but no missionaries are allowed there yet. With this "hastening" they kept talking about in the MTC , I will be looking forward to more countries opening.
Week two tried every last drop of patience and stick-to-it I could muster. Computers have never been my thing. We were told we would receive help from sources not felt before. So I sit down to the computer and I am expected to write letters from the mission president with attachments, log transfers and move photos of the missionaries to their transfer areas, print address labels for all the outgoing missionaries for the month.....and sort that information with a program existing on the computer, enter baptism information and send it to SLC, print up a newsletter with the presidents message, clip art, birthdays of missionaries for that month, etc.....figure out how to do financials, car reports, VISAs for foreign missionaries,......the list went on and on and on for four days. My first inclination was to bolt and send them a letter saying they had made a big mistake putting me in an office with a computer for two years. But alas.....I knew the computer in our new house isn't totally hooked up, we can't get the old printer to recognise the laptop or the old computer, the hotspot we bought can't run our old computer to even exchange information from it to our new laptop.....can you see a pattern here??? And yet off I go to Chicago to "help" move the work forward by manning a computer for two years.
We sat at lunch with a couple from Oregon one day, who had been assigned to Texas to teach Institute. They were terrified. I shook my head in amazement. What an easy mission that would be. So The Lord continues to stretch, try,and test in areas we are weak in to make them strong. I told Bruce if this works out and doesn't kill me, I'm coming home and finding work in the computer industry. Kidding.
On the home front....we got mirrors in our bathrooms Thursday night at 10:00PM. Try getting ready every morning with a mirror the size of an encyclopedia. Another trainer at the MTC approached us to live in our house for two years. I had just spent the night before unpacking boxes until 2:30 AM and couldn't face reversing that process the next night. We declined. I feel bad but I hurt worse so body pain won over. Our sod should be laid Monday right after we leave. It may be dead when we return.
The associations in the MTC were amazing. We felt a loss as some would leave early for their fields of labor. Many sold homes and left their things in storage. Some let children live in their homes. We all have health issues at this point. Many we're serving, hoping The Lord will bless the hearts of their inactive children while they are gone. One guy retired and wasn't even sure what his retirement check would be....but they are headed to the Kirkland Visitors Center for eighteen months. Our sacrifice seems small when compared to some.
The incoming group of Sr. Missionaries was only 80 this week so our group still holds the record. The incoming young missionaries totalled 800 this week. The logistics would blow your mind but because the Lord is in charge it all goes smoothly. We only waited in line in the cafeteria one day in 13. When they needed 20 more computers to teach us, they were there and hooked up by the following morning. When they run out of room for a devotional, they head over to the Marriott Center.....a line of marching missionaries 2000 strong from one direction, 1000 strong from the other campus.....singing Called to Serve as they go. So how can I whine about my computer skills? I am what The Lord has to work with so here I go!!!
We have stake conference Sunday. Appropriate, I thought. We will walk to the Alpine Tabernacle here in American Fork. So close to our new home. In two years we will appreciate that.
We said goodbye to Paige Oliver before she left. We saw Sean Nichols in the copy Center. We have tried to interact with grandchildren when we could. We met a young Elder who said he was going to our mission that last day. His face lit up when we said we were going to his same mission and would meet him there in July when he gets there. It is easy to love these youth.
Well.....Bruce is out in the garage digging and I will be out on my ear if I don't get busy. We love you and will Return with Honor in 22 1/2 months.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Week two tried every last drop of patience and stick-to-it I could muster. Computers have never been my thing. We were told we would receive help from sources not felt before. So I sit down to the computer and I am expected to write letters from the mission president with attachments, log transfers and move photos of the missionaries to their transfer areas, print address labels for all the outgoing missionaries for the month.....and sort that information with a program existing on the computer, enter baptism information and send it to SLC, print up a newsletter with the presidents message, clip art, birthdays of missionaries for that month, etc.....figure out how to do financials, car reports, VISAs for foreign missionaries,......the list went on and on and on for four days. My first inclination was to bolt and send them a letter saying they had made a big mistake putting me in an office with a computer for two years. But alas.....I knew the computer in our new house isn't totally hooked up, we can't get the old printer to recognise the laptop or the old computer, the hotspot we bought can't run our old computer to even exchange information from it to our new laptop.....can you see a pattern here??? And yet off I go to Chicago to "help" move the work forward by manning a computer for two years.
We sat at lunch with a couple from Oregon one day, who had been assigned to Texas to teach Institute. They were terrified. I shook my head in amazement. What an easy mission that would be. So The Lord continues to stretch, try,and test in areas we are weak in to make them strong. I told Bruce if this works out and doesn't kill me, I'm coming home and finding work in the computer industry. Kidding.
On the home front....we got mirrors in our bathrooms Thursday night at 10:00PM. Try getting ready every morning with a mirror the size of an encyclopedia. Another trainer at the MTC approached us to live in our house for two years. I had just spent the night before unpacking boxes until 2:30 AM and couldn't face reversing that process the next night. We declined. I feel bad but I hurt worse so body pain won over. Our sod should be laid Monday right after we leave. It may be dead when we return.
The associations in the MTC were amazing. We felt a loss as some would leave early for their fields of labor. Many sold homes and left their things in storage. Some let children live in their homes. We all have health issues at this point. Many we're serving, hoping The Lord will bless the hearts of their inactive children while they are gone. One guy retired and wasn't even sure what his retirement check would be....but they are headed to the Kirkland Visitors Center for eighteen months. Our sacrifice seems small when compared to some.
The incoming group of Sr. Missionaries was only 80 this week so our group still holds the record. The incoming young missionaries totalled 800 this week. The logistics would blow your mind but because the Lord is in charge it all goes smoothly. We only waited in line in the cafeteria one day in 13. When they needed 20 more computers to teach us, they were there and hooked up by the following morning. When they run out of room for a devotional, they head over to the Marriott Center.....a line of marching missionaries 2000 strong from one direction, 1000 strong from the other campus.....singing Called to Serve as they go. So how can I whine about my computer skills? I am what The Lord has to work with so here I go!!!
We have stake conference Sunday. Appropriate, I thought. We will walk to the Alpine Tabernacle here in American Fork. So close to our new home. In two years we will appreciate that.
We said goodbye to Paige Oliver before she left. We saw Sean Nichols in the copy Center. We have tried to interact with grandchildren when we could. We met a young Elder who said he was going to our mission that last day. His face lit up when we said we were going to his same mission and would meet him there in July when he gets there. It is easy to love these youth.
Well.....Bruce is out in the garage digging and I will be out on my ear if I don't get busy. We love you and will Return with Honor in 22 1/2 months.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Monday, June 10, 2013
Week One Survived
That which does not kill us makes us stronger.....right? It would have helped if we had been all moved in without one more box to unload. It would have helped if we were on site. At that, this has been one spiritually saturated week. Tomorrow 134 senior missionaries come into the MTC and top our record breaking group by 33 missionaries. We are now called the tsunami of missionaries and not the wave. It is awesome to be part of this great work right at this time. I must say a few things about Utah.
1. It is hot....but it is a dry heat.....a fact I will appreciate more when I get to the humidity of Illinois.
2. The MTC is staffed by 5,000 people. 2,000 of those are paid staff to fix meals, teach, clean the facility etc. the other 3,000 are unpaid volunteers who come from their various communities to be Branch Presidents of the 200 branches here or Sunday teachers, or support staff. It is amazing to me that there are 3,000 missionaries here and 5,000 people to make sure our experience here is amazing.
3. We went out to eat at Olive Garden Friday night and the staff were tripping over themselves to make sure we had a good experience ....this black name tag is like magic in Utah. They appreciate us and the sacrifices we are making. The manager came to our table with a slab of chocolate mouse dessert on the house. Guess we looked malnourished or something. Then we stopped at a fruit stand on the side of the road and they forced free produce on us. We paid but they insisted we take extra. Talk about special treatment.
4. Our children and grandchildren have helped us for hours to unload boxes and set up our home. They have also respected this sacred stewardship at this time and allowed us space to have the MTC experience. Other couples have told us of late night phone calls from adult kids who want mom and dad home to help in their crisis. Thanks, kids, for being who you are.
5. Living without a frig stinks but at least we have a freezer to make ice for the cooler and to keep ice cream in.
6. What a treat to be here and share this whole experience with Rachel Clair and Paige Oliver. The energy is contagious and we have needed it.
7. You don't share your life experiences here or church callings or anything. We taught one lesson to less actives and they said afterward..."you two are naturals. You must have both been teachers." We have prepared for this all of our lives and it just feels right. It isn't scarey if you let the Spirit take over.
8. Part of our group have left. The Fredleys left for Mongolia where he will be the branch pres. And she will be the primary pres. The Murrays will leave for Nauvoo for their second mission. He will handle the horse teams that pull the wagons. The Mcintyres leave for Mexico City, then Fayette, N.Y., then Rome, Italy. His mission papers were stamped Ex. Con. We have laughed about that all week. He is 58 and in construction. They will work on Exhibit Construction in all of those places. We will be opening up a new office in Chicago for one of the new missions. They say office couples are at a premium right now. How exciting. We have grown to love each one of these couples.
9. Lest we judge Utah Mormons harshly....they make up 40% of all the senior missionaries here right now. When Elder Holland was here he had the senior missionaries stand up and he said to the young missionaries, " Now they are living the law of consecration." (This wasn't this week)
10. I have learned the importance of choosing your companion wisely because seniors are together their whole missions, 24/7. Bruce has been so kind to get my drinks at meals and clean up the trays. Giving discussions has been great. We just seem to know when the other one should speak. It has gone so smoothly. Scripture study is fun with a companion. We started the Book of Mormon again last night.
I'll close with my favourite quotes for the day.
" Senior couples provide a stability, maturity, and experience non18 or 19 yr. old can have yet."
" You are not taking two years off from life.....this is real life with a capital RAnd L."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
" welcome to the work of angels. You are those angels." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
We love what we are doing. One week to go and we drive to Chicago. Someone is there for us to love and teach and bring them closer to their Savior.
Love,
Sister Taggart
1. It is hot....but it is a dry heat.....a fact I will appreciate more when I get to the humidity of Illinois.
2. The MTC is staffed by 5,000 people. 2,000 of those are paid staff to fix meals, teach, clean the facility etc. the other 3,000 are unpaid volunteers who come from their various communities to be Branch Presidents of the 200 branches here or Sunday teachers, or support staff. It is amazing to me that there are 3,000 missionaries here and 5,000 people to make sure our experience here is amazing.
3. We went out to eat at Olive Garden Friday night and the staff were tripping over themselves to make sure we had a good experience ....this black name tag is like magic in Utah. They appreciate us and the sacrifices we are making. The manager came to our table with a slab of chocolate mouse dessert on the house. Guess we looked malnourished or something. Then we stopped at a fruit stand on the side of the road and they forced free produce on us. We paid but they insisted we take extra. Talk about special treatment.
4. Our children and grandchildren have helped us for hours to unload boxes and set up our home. They have also respected this sacred stewardship at this time and allowed us space to have the MTC experience. Other couples have told us of late night phone calls from adult kids who want mom and dad home to help in their crisis. Thanks, kids, for being who you are.
5. Living without a frig stinks but at least we have a freezer to make ice for the cooler and to keep ice cream in.
6. What a treat to be here and share this whole experience with Rachel Clair and Paige Oliver. The energy is contagious and we have needed it.
7. You don't share your life experiences here or church callings or anything. We taught one lesson to less actives and they said afterward..."you two are naturals. You must have both been teachers." We have prepared for this all of our lives and it just feels right. It isn't scarey if you let the Spirit take over.
8. Part of our group have left. The Fredleys left for Mongolia where he will be the branch pres. And she will be the primary pres. The Murrays will leave for Nauvoo for their second mission. He will handle the horse teams that pull the wagons. The Mcintyres leave for Mexico City, then Fayette, N.Y., then Rome, Italy. His mission papers were stamped Ex. Con. We have laughed about that all week. He is 58 and in construction. They will work on Exhibit Construction in all of those places. We will be opening up a new office in Chicago for one of the new missions. They say office couples are at a premium right now. How exciting. We have grown to love each one of these couples.
9. Lest we judge Utah Mormons harshly....they make up 40% of all the senior missionaries here right now. When Elder Holland was here he had the senior missionaries stand up and he said to the young missionaries, " Now they are living the law of consecration." (This wasn't this week)
10. I have learned the importance of choosing your companion wisely because seniors are together their whole missions, 24/7. Bruce has been so kind to get my drinks at meals and clean up the trays. Giving discussions has been great. We just seem to know when the other one should speak. It has gone so smoothly. Scripture study is fun with a companion. We started the Book of Mormon again last night.
I'll close with my favourite quotes for the day.
" Senior couples provide a stability, maturity, and experience non18 or 19 yr. old can have yet."
" You are not taking two years off from life.....this is real life with a capital RAnd L."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
" welcome to the work of angels. You are those angels." Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
We love what we are doing. One week to go and we drive to Chicago. Someone is there for us to love and teach and bring them closer to their Savior.
Love,
Sister Taggart
First Week in the MTC
Mom and I have just spent an amazing first week in the MTC. I am so exciting to be able to serve with my companion and experience all of this with her.
It has been a week that has been filled with lots of class time, study, stress over teaching, unpacking boxes and long hours. But we have really had a wonderful week. Our young teachers have been wonderful and very helpful. In fact we were so touched by one that we offered him the opportunity for he and his wife to live in our house for the next two years. They declined the offer though so our house will remain empty while we are gone.
The Spirit has been amazing and we have felt His presence and help as we have taught. I actually think we can be a dynamic teaching companionship as long as we prepare for and rely on the Spirit. I believe this will be one of the most rewarding things we have ever done; particularly together.
The energy, enthusiasm and power of the young Elders and Sisters is catchy. We are excited to join them in inviting people to come unto Christ and receive the blessings and joy that come from striving to be like him.
We talked to the couple we will be serving with last night. They have found us an apartment that they say is quite nice. A welfare missionary couple just left and the mission president told them to give us all of their furniture, etc. They left a crock pot, pot/pans and other misc. stuff so we are excited and relieved.
We will train this week Monday-Thursday on things we will specifically be doing in the office. We have Friday-Sunday off and then will leave for Chicago on Monday, the 17th.
We love each of you. I testify that the Gospel is true, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson are prophets of God. We all have a loving Father in Heaven; we are his children and he knows us and loves us.
Have a great week. Love,
Elder Taggart
It has been a week that has been filled with lots of class time, study, stress over teaching, unpacking boxes and long hours. But we have really had a wonderful week. Our young teachers have been wonderful and very helpful. In fact we were so touched by one that we offered him the opportunity for he and his wife to live in our house for the next two years. They declined the offer though so our house will remain empty while we are gone.
The Spirit has been amazing and we have felt His presence and help as we have taught. I actually think we can be a dynamic teaching companionship as long as we prepare for and rely on the Spirit. I believe this will be one of the most rewarding things we have ever done; particularly together.
The energy, enthusiasm and power of the young Elders and Sisters is catchy. We are excited to join them in inviting people to come unto Christ and receive the blessings and joy that come from striving to be like him.
We talked to the couple we will be serving with last night. They have found us an apartment that they say is quite nice. A welfare missionary couple just left and the mission president told them to give us all of their furniture, etc. They left a crock pot, pot/pans and other misc. stuff so we are excited and relieved.
We will train this week Monday-Thursday on things we will specifically be doing in the office. We have Friday-Sunday off and then will leave for Chicago on Monday, the 17th.
We love each of you. I testify that the Gospel is true, that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer, that the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson are prophets of God. We all have a loving Father in Heaven; we are his children and he knows us and loves us.
Have a great week. Love,
Elder Taggart
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Called to Serve
No, I am not going to but you every day but today was historic. Today the MTC welcomed 900 new missionaries....the largest group ever to report on a Wednesday. After lunch we went out to watch their arrival. They came in groups of 100 every 15 minutes. It was orderly, few tears were shed, escort missionaries helped each one, one on one, with their luggage and finding their rooms. Yes, Todd, they still do dork dots. We didn't get them but the young missionaries did. We watched as Paige Oliver escorted another Sister to her room. We saw Rachel Clair at lunch. I have never been more proud of the youth.
One car had five boys in suits and a mother and father in Sunday dress. They were dropping off the oldest son for his mission and all of the rest of the family dressed up for the occasion. What good parents to honour this call like that. I think I shed more tears than the real families.
Boy is it good to be going out on the crest of this wave!!!
We gave our first discussion to "investigators" today and it was easy. I guess we really have been preparing for this all of our lives.
Unloaded 10 boxes when we got home. I dislike that part of our life right now. I'd love to pitch it all.
Love,
Sister Taggart
One car had five boys in suits and a mother and father in Sunday dress. They were dropping off the oldest son for his mission and all of the rest of the family dressed up for the occasion. What good parents to honour this call like that. I think I shed more tears than the real families.
Boy is it good to be going out on the crest of this wave!!!
We gave our first discussion to "investigators" today and it was easy. I guess we really have been preparing for this all of our lives.
Unloaded 10 boxes when we got home. I dislike that part of our life right now. I'd love to pitch it all.
Love,
Sister Taggart
We Are Missionaries
Yesterday Bruce and I were set apart as full-time missionaries. Bishop Larson had been concerned that no one in Utah would know us or what we had accomplished or who we had been in Washington. We met the stake president minutes before he layed his hands upon our heads and I am here to tell you.....Heavenly Father knows who you are no matter where you live and serve. The setting apart blessings were amazing and he could feel our spirits and we felt his. He is a worthy conduit for our Heavenly Father to send his blessings through. A side note.....his counsellor is the brother of Bruce's youngest brothers wife. ( did you connect that?). Small world.
Today was our first day in the MTC and we are the biggest group of senior missionaries to ever come through. There are 101 of us and we will cover the globe once we get out in the world.....Mongolia, Russia, a teamster going to Nauvoo, several going to the Phillipines, one to the Dominican Republic, one to Federal Way, Wash to open up the new mission office, several to SLC, Japan, Australia, Scotland, Missouri,Mexico on a construction mission where he will oversee the building there, London, Georgia, Colombia, Halifax, Peru, Alaska, Martin's Cove, and yes....Chicago, Ill.
We made friends immediately...the couple from Gilbert, AZ. , who had to delay their departure while their 42 year old son in law died of pancreatic cancer. What faith. All of us have made sacrifices to be here but the Spirit is strong, the work is literally surging forward, and what a blessing to go out with all of these new young missionaries.
At lunch we saw a cute little blonde hurry toward us and Paige Oliver nearly knocked me down with her hug. It is good to be recognised and loved. Robert Munk served us our lunch and it was good to see the youth still strong in the faith. Seniors are pampered and much appreciated. We only went to 3:15 and then we got to come home to do our homework in Preach My Gospel. It is good to have companion study with my hubby. About time we get to serve together again.
Seniors can be separate, swim, dress down at home (with badge still on) and attend cultural events where they serve. One couple was told by their president to bring their snorkel gear because he would take them out when they got to Australia. Some seniors swim for exercise so there you go. We also don't have a curfew but they know we will all be in bed by 10 PM anyway.
We love you. We miss you. We hope to represent you well. We unpack a few boxes each night. Who cares if we leave boxes in the middle of the floor.....we have a greater work to do. We love the Gospel. We are excited to move forward with whatever The Lord has in store for us. I was blessed that the "challenges of the mission would come easy to me". Much to look forward to.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Today was our first day in the MTC and we are the biggest group of senior missionaries to ever come through. There are 101 of us and we will cover the globe once we get out in the world.....Mongolia, Russia, a teamster going to Nauvoo, several going to the Phillipines, one to the Dominican Republic, one to Federal Way, Wash to open up the new mission office, several to SLC, Japan, Australia, Scotland, Missouri,Mexico on a construction mission where he will oversee the building there, London, Georgia, Colombia, Halifax, Peru, Alaska, Martin's Cove, and yes....Chicago, Ill.
We made friends immediately...the couple from Gilbert, AZ. , who had to delay their departure while their 42 year old son in law died of pancreatic cancer. What faith. All of us have made sacrifices to be here but the Spirit is strong, the work is literally surging forward, and what a blessing to go out with all of these new young missionaries.
At lunch we saw a cute little blonde hurry toward us and Paige Oliver nearly knocked me down with her hug. It is good to be recognised and loved. Robert Munk served us our lunch and it was good to see the youth still strong in the faith. Seniors are pampered and much appreciated. We only went to 3:15 and then we got to come home to do our homework in Preach My Gospel. It is good to have companion study with my hubby. About time we get to serve together again.
Seniors can be separate, swim, dress down at home (with badge still on) and attend cultural events where they serve. One couple was told by their president to bring their snorkel gear because he would take them out when they got to Australia. Some seniors swim for exercise so there you go. We also don't have a curfew but they know we will all be in bed by 10 PM anyway.
We love you. We miss you. We hope to represent you well. We unpack a few boxes each night. Who cares if we leave boxes in the middle of the floor.....we have a greater work to do. We love the Gospel. We are excited to move forward with whatever The Lord has in store for us. I was blessed that the "challenges of the mission would come easy to me". Much to look forward to.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Sunday, June 2, 2013
You Are Hereby Called To Serve....
Chicago, Illinois!!
Report for the MTC on Monday, June 3, 2013. 23 Months. Office specialists.
Big Announcement!
Bruce and Claudia's big announcement that they were going to go on a mission!
Taggart Reunion, Summer 2012, Talent Show
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