My First Full Day in the Mission Office

Who ever dreamed there could be so much to do to keep a mission going.  This morning I did mail to be forwarded to missionaries, recorded baptisms, entered referrals so they would get a call back from a missionary (this mission has had over 800 year to date), then the 45 min. Drive in the "transfer" van.  10 mission couples drove 45 miles to pick up 9 new vehicles from a dealer in Fox Lake.  Yes, I have now driven 45 miles on Chicago freeways in a car that only had 2 miles on it when I got in.  I stuck to Elder Taggarts fender like glue......and it was pouring down rain with thunder and lightening.

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