Step away from the recliner and nobody gets hurt

In Alma 29:3 we read....." For I ought to be content with the things which The Lord hath allotted unto me."  I have tried, but this week when another Senior couple vacated, leaving 2 perfectly good recliners, I couldn't be content. They were new, ( as in, not out of a storage unit) they matched my couch, and I had visions of reclining with a good book for the winter.  So when the Elders stopped by our office at the bank to get keys to the storage unit.....pounce.....we were down in that parking lot in a jiffy.  As my competition, I only had Sister Crook.  She is younger and bigger but I'm faster.  We then began the "mine,mine,mine" game and I came out a winner.  A recliner, 4 more butter knives, another paring knife, and two beautiful lamps, tall enough to shine over our couch arms.  SCORE!!  Yes, I have become a scavenger.  It nearly killed me helping Elder Taggart carry the recliner into our pad....through four locked doors and a couple of tricky turns.  Crooks did much better than we did.  They are used to lifting bales of hay....and smart enough to recline the chair before getting to narrow doorways.  Out with the Mother's Lounge chair rejected by some church and in with my prized recliner.  Ah, but the sad reality is----when do I have time to sit in a recliner?  Funny, huh?

I want you to have a glimpse of some of the funny/sad parts of our mission this week.
"Elder Taggart, do we have to count miles we put on our car going to and from meetings?  Those are half our miles and we heard we could deduct them,"
" No, miles are miles.  You have 1200 per month in your area and need to keep it to that."

"Sister Taggart, could you order me the Missionary Gospel Library.  I would like to study that."
(Jesus the Christ,Our Heritage,True to The Faith, Our Search for Happiness)
"Elder, I order supplies for the mission.  I'm not supposed to order personal items.  Could you have your mother order those and send them?"
" She is not a member and is very anti."
"How about your father ?"
"He's not a member either."
"I'll order them for you."
He is 19 .  It's $12 out of his food money, which is a lot .  I'll order them and pay for them out of a special account we have for such needs.  I have already mended a pair of slacks for this Elder.

"Elder Taggart, our car has issues.  It jerks and has problems accelerating.  Our apartment is possessed and I'm scared of driving on these freeways." (She is 18, this is her first time out of Utah, and she has already been moved because her last apartment was possessed.). The accelerator problem----turns out to be her hesitant, shakey right foot.  Companion can't drive.  She is from Italy and doesn't have a license.  You would have been touched listening to "Grandpa Taggart" talk through her fears with her.

One area closed this week and two Elders removed because their new apartment is on the border of two rival gangs.  Poor Elder Crook, trying to find good apartments.  Who knew?
With street names like Lake in the Woods or Blue Island or Park City....sounds like a dream vacation, right?  Not in Chicago.

"Sister Taggart, we are calling to report on our referrals. OR Sister Taggart, could you send us an updated list of our referrals in this area to make sure we haven't missed any?"  They are 18 and 19.

Call from Salt Lake referral center----
"Sister Taggart, we have a HQ referral from Aug 6, who hasn't been contacted yet.  He speaks Mandarin Chinese. Can you get your Mandarin speaking Elders on it?"
"We are a Spanish speaking mission.  We have no Mandarin speaking Elders."
"Where is the nearest Mandarin Branch in Chicago?"
"There is not a Mandarin Branch in Chicago."
"How about Chinese members in his area?"
"He lives in a heavy Black/Hispanic area.  Four Elders have assured me they have no Chinese in either of their wards .  North Chicago has many Chinese and also West Chicago but not South Chicago." ( I'm thinking, where are Ted and Audrey when I need them?)
"I guess we'll continue teaching him over the phone from headquarters."
Our mission president is considering asking Salt Lake for a set of Mandarin and a set of Mongolian speaking missionaries.  Our Polish sisters are kept busy teaching Polish speaking people.  Who knew?

An Elder, who has 4 weeks left before he goes home, cornered Elders Taggart and Crook for an hour to ask them, "How do you know ?" ( he comes from a broken home). How do you select a career but mostly, how did you know when you found "the one"?  Again, Elder Taggart became a loving Grandpa and quoted Steve Taggart's 3 questions:
"Are we compatible?"
"Does she make me want to be the best I can be?"
"Can I reach my heist potential with her?"
Then he counseled about a wife who has the same priorities and how important a wife is in your ability to serve The Lord."
"Elder, has the Spirit prompted you here on your mission?  Don't you think he will do the same when you go home?"
I LOVE ELDER TAGGART !!!

So as we peeled carrots together last night and each of us had our own paring knife---life is good.  Keep it simple.  Don't get caught up in the non- essential.  Scavenge a bit.  You'll be surprised how happy you can be.

Love,
Sister Taggart

God Whispers

This video is my message for this week. Please take time to notice the Lords hand in your life and know that He knows who you are and what you are dealing with. When you shut out some of the noise of the world it is easier to see his workings in simple ways. Love you.
Elder Taggart

Cast Your Bread Upon the Water and It Comes Back Quarters

I just have to say, what a wonderful birthday you made me have.  Social media has its pluses.  To be here in Chicago yet to feel your love from all over creation was most gratifying.  Thank you for remembering the old girl.  Last night we had dinner with the Yans and again I was reminded of why we love the Northwest and all the friends we left there.  I cried over the quarters you all sent.....over $80 worth....should see us through our laundry for the rest of the year and into the next.  What you accomplished is that every time I stick a quarter into the washer or dryer, you will be in my thoughts and it will make me smile.  Bet you can't do that with your laundry.  Quarters came in special containers ( that once held baby teeth collections....Andrea) from special sources (Jeremy Halverson's coin collection...since he is in Africa doing his laundry in a bucket) and from many good friends.  Yans were weighed down with 20 lbs. of extra weight in quarters.  So fund to read your cards and think of special memories I have made with each of you.  Shanda, your quarters and check will keep missionaries in pants.  Thank you.  Some of you chose to do ten dollar bills instead to replenish the birthday card supply. ( Doug and Jen) What a clever idea to sent empty cards so I have the cards too.  Loved my "cup of cheer" from Brian and Billie.  It will get used as soon as weather cools down.  A special letter from a special daughter with lots on her plate (Allison)  Phone calls from each of my children.  Box of balloons (Natalie) with a memory of Grandma from her family members as I popped the balloons.  What fun I had. Also a special email from a special sister and brother.

Prelude to a week of looooooooooong hours.  36 new missionaries arrived Monday.  We had many glitches this time and I went crazy over some of them.  14 came from the Mexico MTC and one had left his insulin pump at the Mexico airport.  How do you do that?  After security would you not put it back on like you would your shoes?  That incident made for a frantic mother who blamed us, phone call after phone call to airports, airlines,personnel in every department, etc.  we had missionaries leave backpacks, several coats, bags, bedding and then a day later....when they are 2-3 hours away call and see if we would drive it to them.  We have said more than once this week, " remember, they are 18-19 years old".....then we take a deep breath and do what we have to do.  I told one Elder to deal with it when he complained about his apartment in a safe area, that had been completely remodeled inside.  He didn't like walking down the hallway to get to his door.  He has been out for months now, should know the drill, and should know you make an apartment your home not move into what you had at home.  Our one Elder from the hood got moved to the country and is having a hard time.  " where are the people?"  " How do you street contact in corn fields?"  We did training at 8PM Monday night and came home and baked brownies for the next dinner, ironed shirts, and did a sink full of dishes.

Should have stayed in bed.  Tuesday was a full day with transfers then dinner at the mission home and testimony for outgoing 7 missionaries.  And did I mention in that two days the president had to interview every incoming and outgoing missionary?  We count our lucky stars that is not our calling.  A mission president and his wife have to be the energizer bunnies...going non-stop.  We can just love missionaries and not have any responsibilities they have.  We had 40-50 missionaries in the office Tuesday to pick up supplies.  I had new area kits put together for them and a buffet in the conference room so they could have something to eat before driving to new areas.  That saves on their food cards and helps them know we care about them....a piece of home as Sister Bradley calls us.  We got home late that night too.

WE GOT A FRIG IN THE OFFICE !!!  It was free, it was furry inside, it was filthy, but it is full size and it works.  We spent hours cleaning it and it still smells of Clorox but when we need to keep milk or a veggie tray cold, we can now.  Our president saw the before and the after and couldn't believe we would go to the trouble to clean up such a mess.  Free frig,requires some labor!  We may get a "new" recliner this week as a couple is moving out and have two in their apartment.  Good thing I was four parts scavenger before coming on this mission.  That means I can swap out my "mothers room rocking chair" that throws you on the floor if you sit on the edge of it for a trusty recliner.  I love living retro ghetto with my best friend.

My missionary miracle this week.  We got another Polish sister, a sister from Italy, and several from South America.....here to serve while they learn English.  These Elders go home and are much more useful for the Church because they speak two languages fluently. ( Note Pres. Uchtdorf next conference). Anyway, I was assigning referrals on the computer Wednesday and saw we had a referral that spoke only Polish.  I thought, " wouldn't it be neat if she happened to be in one of the areas we have a Polish sister?"  As I assigned her area and then looked at my notebook to see who would teach her.....there was Sister Bradley and Sister Olenjniczak.  A coincidence?  I don't think so.  Gods hand is in the work, even in the details.  We see this over and over .  One of our Hispanic sisters got assigned to an area only to find the Bishop of her ward is her third cousin.

I wish you could see the faces of our delivery people as they deliver 20 boxes of Books of Mormon.  The postal people call us their job security.  We talk to all of them about the church, missionaries, mothers who love to send packages and letters.  It makes them smile.  I made an assignment yesterday to Elders in Buffalo Grove to go to a hospital and give a Priesthood blessing.  The Elder had only been out 4 days.  He wanted to know how to get to the hospital.  I was on Google Earth so I could tell him.  He wanted to know why I didn't assign the missionaries closer to the hospital.  I explained Sisters couldn't give Priesthood blessings.  Oh, yah.  What a sweet phone call I received just before entering the restaurant last night.  He was returning and reporting so I could call an anxious wife in Missouri.  The blessing had gone well.  The man was nervous for the upcoming surgery but calmed by the blessing.  I thanked this new Elder for using his Priesthood to bless the life of someone else.  Then I realized why God uses 18-19 year olds to do his most important work.  How old was Joseph Smith, Nephi,Moroni, Samuel, David?  A reminder of how important our work in our homes must be.

We are off to a lawn party at the church today and building tours.  Should be fun.  Mentor a youth.  Speak to them at church.  Praise their good works.  They are our future.  But as a parent, make sure they return and report.  And if they have an insulin pump, make sure they know how to reconnect it.

We love you.  We miss you.  We can't express enough gratitude for your prayers, love, and support.  The Church is true.  It would have to be to save it from all our human bungles.  Keep the faith and share your testimony.



Sister Taggart/ Illinois Chicago Mission

Transfers

On Monday we had 36 new missionaries arrive; 22 sisters and 14 Elders. This is the largest group to ever arrive at the same time in our mission. In addition to the mission 12 passenger van, I had to rent two other vans just so we could pick them all up. We also used the president's car and the truck and trailer. It is so fun to see these new, young missionaries so full of energy and enthusiasm ready to tackle the world.

On Tuesday we had the transfer meeting where all of the new missionaries found out who their trainer would be and what area they would serve in initially. Because most of the sisters were English-speaking this transfer as well as the last one, many sisters who arrived just 6 weeks ago became trainers to brand new missionaries. We had almost 100 missionaries at the transfer meeting because of all of the areas that were changed. 17 new areas were opened up to accommodate the new arrivals. I assigned 12 brand new Chevrolet Cruzes to areas as well as shuffled 5 other cars so that higher mileage cars could be assigned in the city rather than in rural areas. I also assigned 17 new cell phones to areas.

Monday morning I went to Costco and bought $140 of snacks, veggies, etc so that when the missionaries came into the office after the transfer meeting on Tuesday we would have something for them to eat before going out to their new areas. We had 2 veggie trays, a cheese platter with crackers, a big bag of tortilla chips and two bottles of salsa, potato chips, peanut butter pretzels, snack mix, pudding cups, mixed nuts, granola bars and misc other things.

Most of the missionaries stopped by the office Tuesday afternoon to get supplies, etc for their areas. The last ones left at 6:40 pm and everything edible in the office had disappeared. The last 10-15 in the office were also given some Mentos and Airheads (thanks Linda G) because they had waited so patiently. We then went over to the mission office for dinner and a testimony meeting with the missionaries who were returning home on Wednesday.

We love having the missionaries come into the office. It gives us a chance to visit with them, to feed them something (young missionaries are always hungry whether they are male or female), and to encourage them as the work is challenging at times. We also enjoy being able to surrogate grandparents to them.

We had three late nights this week. By the time we got home on Wednesday night we had already put in 39 hours and were wiped out. And we hadn't put in as much time as the other couple in the office. Two of the missionaries coming in from Mexico misplaced their international papers and so were not allowed on the flight with everyone else. So they were put on a later flight. To make a long story short, the other couple went to the airport to pick these two up; their flight ended up being delayed. Once they arrived, the two of them just sat in the airport waiting for someone to come get them. Meanwhile this couple had paid for parking three times so they could search the terminals, they out 60 miles on the van circling the airport and finally found them sitting in a corner talking to each other at about 1 am. I don't know why they didn't have the sense to step outside to see if someone was there to pick them up. The other couple finally got to bed at 3:30 am after delivering these two late arrivals at there destination for the night.

None of the senior missionaries set their alarms on Wednesday night and no one showed up at the office until after 9:30. What are they going to do, fire us?

Our son, Todd, sent us an article this week showing that Chicago is officially the most dangerous city in the United States. At least there are more murders here than in any other city. There were 500 murders in Chicago in 2012. New York had 419 and was the second most murders. But the population of New York City is almost three times that of Chicago. This was very comforting news, NOT! While driving 86 miles yesterday just to run some mission errands, I noticed that 705 people have died this year so far in freeway accidents. They have reader boards on the freeway that keep a tally of those. There are typically 1,000 freeway deaths per year and about 30,000 injured in freeway accidents. So now you know why Sister T refuses to drive in Chicago.

I an glad we had a relaxing weekend last week, just the two of us because it seems like that was a long time ago now. We really do love our mission and each other but transfer week is always long and crazy on senior couples. Our old bodies just don't bounce back like they used to.

Have a wonderful week. Make time to smile and say hello to people. Invite others to know what you know about Christ and his gospel that brings such joy, happiness and peace into your life.

We love you,

Elder Taggart

New Cars and More

Hi,

When you are busy, the time really flies by. I can't believe It has already been another week since I wrote. I will try not to repeat anything that Sister Taggart already shared in her email.

We finished up the last of is round of zone conferences. This one was in Valparaiso, Indiana which is almost a two hour drive South of where we live. I love watching the young missionaries train each other on improving their teaching skills. Many of them are becoming powerful teachers.  Because the stake president or one of his counselors attended this time, the president asked each missionary to introduce themselves, tell where they are from, which area they are serving in and how long they have been out on a mission. It was amazing to hear many say, I have been out for 4 weeks or to hear their trainer say they had been out for 10 weeks. They are arriving far more prepared to serve.

We picked up 6 more Chevrolet Cruze cars on Friday so I now have 12 new cars to use to open up 16 new areas on Tuesday. I also have new phones for each of those new areas.

Sister told about us going into the hood to have dinner with two Elders we have grown to,love as grandsons. I marveled as we arrived to see the two of them standing on a corner surrounded by about 5 people inviting and teaching about the Restoration. One was handing out Books of Mormon and pass along cards while the other one was making teaching appointment and writing them down. The previous week see two had 1 baptism, 4 member present lessons, 10 new investigators and 25 potential new investigators. They are absolutely fearless. When I grow up, I want to be just like them. 

My sweetheart and companion had a birthday yesterday. So I used some Marriott points and we have spent Friday and Saturday night in downtown Chicago. We had fun walking all over (at least 7 miles Friday night and yesterday) seeing the sights, shopping and talking with people. We were exhausted last night after ending the day having a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite Chicago restaurants, Rosebud Steakhouse. I have eaten there many times whIle being here for candy conventions. As we walked yesterday, I told Sister T that I just realized we had known each other for 55 years. I love her so much and am thrilled to be her companion both here on a mission but more importantly through the eternities. I hope we are allowed to enjoy many more years together on this great creation called earth.

I am grateful for the role that each of you plays and has played in our lives. We love life and love you. We are happy because of the truths we know and try to live. Take time to reach out to someone who doesn't know what you do about Jesus Christ and the marvelous of happiness. Obedience to His plan is the only way to true joy and happiness. Have a great week.

Elder Taggart

Let Us Know How We Are Doing

We have 38 missionaries coming in on Monday.  Elder Taggart has rented two more transfer vans just to pick them up.  I have been ordering supplies like crazy....800 English Books of Mormon, 400 Spanish, pamphlets galore.  We are opening up 16 new areas.  But that is not the half of it.  In October we get 40 more missionaries and the whole process will be repeated.  Being the "look ahead and be prepared" type person I have always been, I got on my computer to order supplies for the next wave.  I had ordered over 650 items to the tune of $1300 when it came to check out time.  I pushed the same buttons I have been pushing for three months but what to my wondering eyes should appear?  They wanted my personal credit card to pay for the order.  I'm all about consecration but really?  So after several failed attempts, I called Salt Lake.....after all, they know me by name by now. After being transferred to four different people to figure out what my computer was doing, my computer told me due to inactivity, my session was ended and I lost the whole order!  Then the call to Salt Lake dropped....probably because she didn't want to hear the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth that went on after that.  Some days are like that.  Ten minutes later there was an e-mail from SL wanting feedback on their global help system.  Do they not know me by now?  You don't ask me for feedback after you take so long you make me lose the order AND hang up on me.  So I gave them feedback.  I may be on my way home soon!

Picked up 6 more cars this week.  My leg was paralyzed by the end of the drive.....from tension.  Love this Chicago driving.  Elder Taggart ask Salt Lake if they could find a dealership closer to our office.  Not going to happen.  Once they build a relationship of trust, they stay loyal....even if it takes 7 people 3 hours of driving.  We now have 12 to open up new areas with new missionaries.  Do they realize how lucky they are to get a brand new car?  Probably not.  When we got back to work we ordered Chinese food for the missionaries.  No wonder they love us!

I have mended more pants, rebuilt some of them, hemmed skirts and pants, replaced zippers, and on and on during our four zone conferences.  It feels really good to perform a service they can't do for themselves.  I'm happy to do it.  One missionary is on a bike and I literally had to reinforce and rebuild his pants.  I said he needed a new pair.(he is from Guatemala) he said, "oh, Sister Taggart, now they will last for the rest of my mission."  I asked him how many months he has left.  He smiled and said,"18". Faith, hope, and a big patch!

We ate dinner in "the hood" one night this week.  We invite missionaries to dinner every week and this set was told by their zone leader they couldn't leave their zone.  So we took a Thanksgiving dinner on the road....into the hood.  When we got there, they were out on the curb, surrounded by 5-6 people, preaching the gospel.  They were so grateful, loved the half melted jello and especially the 2 pies I had made.  Then they keep the leftovers.  I love it.

Today was my 63 birthday.  Elder Taggart booked two nights in the Marriott downtown Chicago to celebrate.  It took our date night, our p- day, and we'll be to church tomorrow.  We walked and walked until we had gone 5 miles total today.  It was a perfect day.  We love Chicago and I recognized so many places from our many years here for conventions.  Filenes Basement is closed.  I nearly cried.  I loved that store.  I love the Magnificent mile.  We walked along the waterfront.  We ate a Chicago hotdog.  I was determined to hand out ten pass-along cards.  The first woman rejected me.....I mean a total reject.  I felt sad....but still determined.  I started to use my birthday, "Hello, it's my birthday today.  Will you accept a gift from me?"  I handed out cards, met people from all over, had several Mormons come up to us because of our badges, and met lots of Husky fans from Seattle.  I took pictures for a wedding couple from India, pictures of people in front of the bean, and pictures by the seashore.  That opened the door for a conversation.  Street contacting can be hard, fun, challenging,and rewarding.  Missionary work is work.  But it was a really fun birthday.  We ate dinner at Rosebud Steakhouse and I had the perfect piece of halibut.  Elder Taggart knows how to show a girl a good time.  We have known each other for 55 years now and we are still having fun together.

Transfers Monday mean I start Where's Waldo again and I think every six weeks will be a repeat.....we'll see.  Love you.  Miss you.

Sister Taggart

What is a Dark Load?

This week, like all weeks, flew by but also crammed a weeks worth of hours into every single day. Three Zone Conferences....which means we haul all the boxes for that zone to whatever church it is held in, do training for part of the meeting, help fix the lunch and serve it, I mend slacks or skirts for an hour or so, Bruce inspects cars, we help with the clean up and then hurry back to the office to do what normally takes us 8-10 hours in just 4-5.  Then we hurry home to do missionary meetings, home teach less actives, or go shopping for the next dinner for missionaries at our apartment.  It is exhausting.  My saddest moments this week....mending pants for Elders that are threadbare.  I know they can't afford new pants and I know I must make these sturdy enough to ride a bike 15-20 miles a day for another 6-7 months.  My funniest moment this week....Elder Taggart was training them how to use the new car kits he has put together for every companionship.  There were two white towels per kit, one to wash and one to dry each car.  Then he explains they are to put them in their laundry with their dark load and not with their garments.  One Elder pipes up and said, " what is a dark load?"  In the economy of an Elder, there is only one load a week....thus the grey garments they all bring home. Lol!

We got our last hepatitis shot this week and I forgot to tell the pharmacist not to put rubbing alcohol on the site.  I reacted horribly with itchy bumps everywhere he put the alcohol.  Such a dumb mistake but it meant I was on Benadryl every night and slept soundly. 

Another loaves and fishes story: we had three big loads of laundry this week but not enough coinage (common theme around here). When we went to the partial roll, not only did we have the needed $6.75 in quarters, there were quarters left.  Then one of the dryers was unavailable, which saved us $1.00 so we can do laundry this week too.  I know, such a small thing to you but we appreciate every quarter.

We had two Elders come to Thanksgiving dinner Wed. Night.  We buy two roasted chickens from Costco, fix potatoes, stuffing, a veggie platter, gravy, and I had baked two pies the night before.  These Elders have been out their whole mission eating Mexican food and they really crave home cooking.  I laugh.....Costco is my home cooking because I don't have a wife home to fix the dinners while I am at work.  They ate and ate and ate and then we sent all the leftovers home with them, which made them friends for life. This week we have another set of Elders coming.  They save their miles and ride bikes so they can use car miles to come to our house for dinner.  A small service I can give the hungry Elders here.  One Elder challenged us to give away 10 pass-along cards this week.  Within two days I had spoken to and given away two.  We don't get out much so I have to take advantage of every opportunity we have.

Our Gazelle arrived so we will now hopefully get in 30 minutes of exercise daily.  It is hard to fit it all in but we feel the need to stay in peak condition.  A side note, my arthritis is almost gone....at least the pain I used to feel daily.  My fingers type a good share of the day, I am up and down constantly in the office, and I am unloading and lifting literally hundreds of pounds of books and supplies weekly....not to mention mailed boxes we lift and carry into buildings for the missionaries.  I am grateful for the relief from pain, especially when I sleep.  Another mini miracle.

Three stories...while serving dinner in downtown Chicago, I visited with a convert.  She said she would do anything for the missionaries.  Her father was a Methodist minister.  When she investigated the church, he was anti- to the max.  She felt she had found the truth so she joined anyway.  He gave her a bad time for years about being associated with such a church.  She smiled and loved him anyway.  On his deathbed, she tried to call many from his congregation because he wanted comfort from those he had served.  No one came.....not one person.  Finally she called the missionaries.  They were there within 15 minutes and gave him a beautiful blessing.  He was finally at peace and ready to make the transition called death.  He died 15 minutes later.  Se said, " I will do anything for the missionaries.  They brought me the gospel and they came when I really needed them."  These poor, poor people as far as worldly goods, but what good solid saints they are.

We went to the baptism of two of our favorite Elders....because they made it a point to invite us.  The man being baptized was a former gang member.  These Elders say their biggest challenge in teaching investigators in " the hood" is that most of them have murdered, several times.  Then the process can't move forward.  We drove for an hour, arriving in the worst part of Chicago I have been in thus far.  You have to ring a doorbell to be let in the church building because of the area of town it is in.  It has to stay locked even when meetings are being held.  This African American convert had the sweetest eyes and humble countenance.  He realized there could be grave consequences from gang members but he proceeded anyway.  The Relief Society room was filled with ward members.  They usually only have 60 people to sacrament meeting and here were most of that number on a Sat. Afternoon.  The baptism was sweet, then he had bought a new white t shirt to wear afterwards.  What a blessing to witness the mighty change that can and does take place in people's lives.  The two Elders then needed a ride home.  We helped them clean up the refreshments they had furnished and then got in the car.  They usually ride their bikes, a 10 mile distance, to this building for meetings.  As we drove closer to their apartment they warned us to lock our car doors and not to make eye contact with anyone on the street.  They said we were now the only white people in "the hood".  One of these Elders is from the Phillipines and the other from Sandy Utah.  Neither one of them grew up with a father in the home.  They have baptisms almost weekly.  In two weeks they will be baptizing a Phillipino family of 5.  They are fearless.  They are happy.  They are bold.  I can't forward their mail to them because their landlord steals it.  But they press forward with faith.  As we dropped them off they told us to get out of there as quickly as we could.  We had some tense moments as we got stopped at lights and at one bus stop where a man approached our car.  I was chanting " avoid eye contact, don't approach our car, avoid eye contact, don't approach our car."  I wanted to go back and pick up those two Elders and bring them home with us.  But this is their assignment and they are servants of The Lord on Gods errand.  I love our missionaries.

The third story.....we had stake conference this weekend.  Our missionaries couldn't come to the Sat. Night session unless they brought an investigator.  Three sets of sisters walked in with investigators.  They are awesome.  To make a long story short, we ended up taking one of the investigators on a building tour after conference.  He was extremely impressed.  We then gave these sisters a ride to the mission home because their ride had gone to the hospital during that session.  As we got to the mission home where they were staying, the President came out and asked if the Taggart's would come in and stay awhile.  Sister Woodbury was at the hospital with this sister missionary and the Pres. Couldn't be alone in the house with these sisters.  He soon got a message from his wife to come to the hospital with Elder Taggart to give a Priesthood blessing.  We were there until 11 PM and didn't get home until 11:30.  When the Pres. Expresses gratitude for the Taggart's and their dedication and availability, we know he loves us.  We are oh so grateful he is the President and we could go home and sleep the few hours we had left.  He now had 4 sister missionaries at the home and his wife would nurse the one sister all night.  The next morning, today, Sunday, we received a text about something we were to do at stake conference.  There are 40 missionaries in this stake serving and during the intermediate rest hymn, all of us marched up the two aisles to sit in the choir seats.  I just lost it.  To be part of this group is such an honor for us.  To be part of the "hastening" is a blessing.  The Stake President then used us as a visual aid for the rest of the conference.  He pointed out that we are not here to have members assist us in missionary work.  He said we are a resource to help members with the missionary work.  The monkey was placed directly on the back of the members.  He said our job as members is to invite others into the lifeboats we are in.  We need to extend our oars to save those floating in dangerous, shark infested waters.  He is a good man who has caught the wave and is extremely helpful to us.  We love President Scott.  I ask ElderTaggart how it felt, his first stake conference sitting on the sidelines.  He said it felt good, right, less stressful.

Sweet is the work.......sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.  We are experiencing both.  You can too.  Be a little more bold.  You don't have to go to " the hood" .  Do it in the safety of your own neighborhood or store.  Invite.  Offer people an oar to get into the lifeboat.  We have been blessed with this message....now go and share it.

Love,
Sister Taggart

Hastening the Work

Hello from Chicagoland. Here are some highlights from this week.

We had 3 zone conferences this week so we have been on the run. But we have also been able to be with all but one zone of missionaries. I believe I mentioned last week that was putting together a car kit for every mission vehicle. Well this week we were able to it one in each car of three zones. The kit includes a bottle of Windex, a bottle of soap, a container of Armorall wipes, a bucket and two rags. My hope is to raise the standard of cleanliness of mission vehicles.

We picked up 6 new Chevrolet Cruzes this week and have another 6 to pick up this week. Those 12 will be just enough to open up 16 new areas next week when another 38 new missionaries arrive.

The Lord is really hastening the work of salvation of souls here. Just three months ago there was only one mission here, now there are two; there was about 150 total missionaries, by the end of October there will be almost 500 here in the Chicago area. He is preparing the hearts and minds of many people to come unto Christ and receive the gospel in their lives.

In D&C 88:72-73 the Lord says, "Behold, and lo, I,will take care of your flocks, and will raise up elders and send unto them. Behold, I will hasten my work in his time." He is sendings many elders and sister missionaries to help in the work of saving souls.

He is mindful of the world we live in and the influence that Satan is having on the hearts of the people. As Satan hastens his work of making people miserable like unto himself by enticing them to use their agency to choose that which will not satisfy nor bring joy, the Lord is also hastening his work which is to 'bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man'. He is doing that by flooding the earth with this great wave of missionaries to assist in inviting all to come unto Christ and find joy and peace.

Our mission scripture is Alma 26:22 which says, "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls unto repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."

We are seeing many miracles as we set aside our fears and open our mouths to invite others, who desperately need the gospel of Jesus Christ, to hear the message of the restoration and come into the fold of Christ.

We attended the baptism of Relundus Washington yesterday. He has been affiliated with gangs in the past. Two humble, young elders came across him and invited him to come unto Christ. He has made major changes in his life to enter the waters of baptism. Yesterday he looked so happy as he was baptized and was surrounded by about 35 who came to support him in his decision. We have adopted these two young elders as grandsons. Neither of them has a father who knows Christ or who goes to church at all. They have both been drawn to us and we love being around them. We are having them to our place this week for a good, home-cooked dinner. They said they would love to have Thanksgiving so the woman I adore will lovingly fix such a meal to include even pies.

We dropped these two young missionaries off at their apartment which is in South Chicago, in the hood, probably in the most dangerous area in our mission. They are young and fearless. Before getting out of the car they told us not to make eye contact with anyone as we drove back to the freeway. We really see the great chasm between the haves and the have-nots. We see multi-million dollar estates and the lowest of living conditions. The contrasts are amazing. Those who have need the reminder to share what the Lord has blessed them with and to open their hearts to welcome those who are not so blessed into the fold of Christ with loving arms. His gospel will lift, bless and changes lives so that people want to work hard to lift themselves and improve their lives.

We had a powerful stake conference this weekend. The theme was becoming deeply converted disciples of Jesus Christ to hasten the work of saving souls. The messages were inspired. I will admit that, after 17 years of being up front speaking, etc., it felt a little weird to be sitting in the congregation listening. We were nourished and uplifted. I am excited to be in the trenches rather than the one who is in charge.

I love being a missionary! I encourage each of you to pray for opportunities to talk of Christ and share his message; then to be unafraid to share how He has blessed your life and then invite others to know who he is. I promise that he will bless you to know what to say and you will find the experience to be very rewarding. I testify that God does live, he knows each of us personally, Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, our friend and redeemer; the scriptures have the answers to all of life's questions and challenges; prayer is our opportunity to commune with our Father in Heaven and express our gratitude and seek his guidance and blessing; there is joy, peace and happiness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a blessed week and share how the Lord has blessed your life. We love you.

Elder Taggart

Chicagoland

Hi,

 

Boy do the weeks seem to just fly by. I guess that means that I am really getting older or that I so busy I just don't notice time. I prefer the latter.

 

I now know why our letters from our kids as they served missions were so short. All week you think of things you would like to share. But when you finally sit down to write, your mind goes blank and you can't remember most of those things.

 

We have zone conference with 5 zones this week so we will be on the run. But that means we will get to be with the young missionaries and feel of their spirit and hear of their experiences. We do look forward to being around them. I am required to inspect all vehicles at zone conference. In addition to that, I will do some on-going training regarding vehicles, safety, etc. One of my frustrations has been what little care the missionaries seem to give the cars they have the privilege to drive that were purchased with the "widows mite". So yesterday, Claudia and I bought all of the things necessary for each car to have a cleaning kit in it. It includes a bucket, not only to use for water but also to contain all of the cleaning supplies in the trunk, a bottle of Windex, a bottle of soap, 2 rags and Amoral wipes to keep the dashboard, etc. looking nice. We had 4 baskets of stuff at Dollar Tree and another basket full at Walmart. Neither of these stores is my favorite but they are close and have good prices. Each kit only cost $6.65. I am hoping that since they won't have the excuse of not having things to clean with or not wanting to spend food money to clean their car, I will see improvement. I also purchased a tire pressure gauge for every car.

 

We also purchased some incentives for the cleanest vehicles and received a box of goodies from my old office that will come in handy as incentives. I plan to award three prizes per zone for the cleanest cars inside and out. Since we have a lot of missionaries on bikes and public transportation, I decided we couldn't leave them out. So I will have those on bikes write on a piece of paper how many miles they figure they rode in the past month. I also plan to have them put their name on a paper if they have worn their helmet every time they have ridden their bike. We will use that criteria to hand our some incentives. For those on public transportation I will provide a reward for those who made the most contacts while on the bus. We will see if this old man can help them step things up a notch by using the reward system. In total, I figure it will only cost $2 per companionship for those who are rewarded.

 

We had a landlord come into the office this week who is not a member of the church. There just happened to be three sister missionaries in the office when he came in. Before he met with the housing coordinator to sign a lease, they introduced themselves and asked him what he knew about the church. He started asking some questions and before he left the office they had given him a Book of Mormon and some pamphlets to read. They also scheduled an appointment to meet with him next week to answer some more of his questions. These young people are fearless, bold and amazing to be around.

 

As far as apartments goes, the housing coordinator has been very busy finding enough new apartments for all of the new missionaries coming in. He is currently working on finding an additional 16 apartments for the new areas that will opened up on Sept. 16 when 38 more missionaries arrive. I am actually glad to be over cars and phones because he has been going crazy.

 

The bishop in one of the wards we have been assigned to finally agreed to let us visit some of the less-active members to invite them to come back to church. He has been afraid to trust the missionaries to contact them because "they are often here for such a short time". Since we will be here for almost two years, I guess he figured we couldn't mess things up too much. As Claudia says, "What's the worse-case scenario, we offend them and they don't come to church? Oh, they aren't coming to church now, so what do you have to lose?"

 

I love serving with my companion! She is amazing. And she is becoming quite proficient on the computer programs that she has to use. I am glad that she is not afraid to ask me for some help occasionally. The other sister in the office could really use some help with the computer, but so far she won't allow me to give her any help. It is really scary when I know more about computers than any of the other senior missionaries serving in the office. But the Lord uses what we offer and what he has to work with and somehow the work gets done.

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ is true; prayer is real and brings many blessings from a loving Father in Heaven. The scriptures provide answers and direction to all of the questions anyone can have if they will just search them. The Atonement is a rich blessing in our lives to help us to move forward and beyond those challenges and weaknesses that tend to drag us down and hold us back. I am grateful for each of you and the example of Christlike behavior you have shown me. God blesses us in so many ways. Have a blessed week.

 

Elder Taggart

Laundry Laughing

After 40 years of owning a washing machine and almost that long for a dryer.....going to do laundry in a public place is challenging.  It hurts to have to stay dressed instead of laundering ALL the dirty clothes except the PJs you have on.  It hurts to have to unlock 4 doors to and four doors from the laundry. ( yes, we are safe....not on lockdown). It hurts to feed quarters into machines to the tune of $10 per week....white load, dark load, towels and sheets.  But the biggest kicker is what you come home with.  We were folding laundry one night and Elder Taggart holds up a pair of scanty panties and asks, "when did you start wearing these?"  We both laughed and laughed.  I said he had to take them back and he said I had to take them back and after three rounds, I dropped them in the trash.  Our office mate said that was dishonest.  I should have taken them back and left them on the counter.  Now we are back to the unlocking all the doors and the embarrassment of taking only them back and my feeling no one should be wearing that kind of underwear anyway.  So judge me.  I don't care.  I dropped them in the trash.  Now we are keeping score.  So far it is two pair of scanty panties, one sock, and a pair of PINK sweats.  We return now.....maybe a week later but we return.  We have only lost one sock....and no one returned it.  Go figure.

A couple of missionary stories.....the mailman came into our office this week and ask me what we did with all of these boxes and letters.  I had a chance to tell him about our missionaries, 200 strong by Dec. and how their parents lovingly send boxes regularly.  I then redirect them from the office to their Zones.  If we don't deliver them in meetings, their Zone leaders pick them up and deliver them.  I readdress every letter and sent it on its way.  He said that must be a daunting task.  I then explained that every six weeks, all the missionaries trade apartments, companions, areas, and it is then my task to try to figure out where they all are. I told him this is my mission and I do it out of love for these young people.  He thought we all came from Utah.  I assured him we had come from Seattle and the Crooks came from Wyoming.  He wanted to know how many hours we worked.  I explained it is usually 40-50 hours per week and we work for free and we pay all of our expenses while we live here.  His mouth dropped open.  I showed him our supply room, told him more about our missionaries, and some about our church.  He had once tried to deliver mail in the Chicago Temple and got in the front door but no farther.  I told him he could go there if he met a few requirements like baptism, etc.  his wife attended a temple open house while he was in the Navy.  15 minutes later, we parted friends.  He thinks our system is amazing for getting the mail through.  All in a days work.

We are going to a car wash tomorrow to deliver Popsicles , ice cream bars and snacks.  Our missionaries in this area have a free car wash once a month.  While they wash cars, they invite the owners to come into the cool church building for a tour.  There they give them pamphlets, a Book of Mormon, and a discussion.  Last month they did 50 and had several referrals from that.  I love our mission president and how he allows missionaries to think outside the box and go and do.  We think they deserve a cold treat this month so we will go support them.

Home teaching this week Elder Taggart was asked to give a Priesthood blessing.  She was amazed at some of the things he said.  She had them in other blessings but he told her to refer to those other blessings and "claim the blessings that were hers".  A single sister and her mom, both righteous women without Priesthood in their home.  What a blessing to have a husband who shares that gift so freely.

I love a husband who has always magnified his callings.  When he was a Bishop, he gave his all and tried to be the best Bishop and he was a good one.  When he was a Seminary teacher, he threw himself into the study and scriptures and tried to be the best seminary teacher....and he was.  When he became a Stake President he realized what a gift it was to love and serve others and he magnified that calling over and over....until he was an amazing Stake President.  Today, I helped him buy Windex (50 bottles) and dish soap (50 bottles) and Amoral and rags and buckets.  We had 4 loaded baskets at the Dollar Tree and another one at Walmart.  Then we put together car cleaning kits for our missionaries who drive "so there is no excuse when I expect their car to be clean."  But he also had his secretary mail a box of goodies.  Those will be rewards for the cleanest cars.  But what about those on bikes?  There will be rewards for wearing helmets and the most miles put on a bike.  There will also be rewards for those who are using buses.....for the most contacts in a week.  Everyone can win.  And thus we see, even the missionaries over cars magnifies his calling to bless the lives of others and help them succeed. ( one missionary when asked what the grand prize should be said, " dinner at your house". They are always hungry but they crave home cooked meals.

I love Chicago storms....within reason.  Tonight when we left work, clouds began to roll in and soon the sky was black.  Angry clouds.  We got into our condo just in time.  The heavens opened and huge drops of rain pounded for 15 minutes, complete with rolls of thunder and punctuations of lightening.  Then for 10 minutes it was a soothing rain.  Then it stopped.  Humidity gone.  Air clean.  Bugs chirping their gratitude for a nice bath.

The loaves and the fishes is real.  I had a notebook with cards and addresses before I left Utah.  I had put a couple of $10 dollar bills in it so I would be prepared until we got settled.  We have had 16 birthdays and there are 2 bills left.  Bruce didn't even know I had this notebook until this week.  We are counting it a mission miracle.  Not such a big deal to some but how does the money get there each month when I go to make out the cards for my family?  Another tender mercy....we have been retired 6 months and have not touched our retirement account yet.  This mission costs more than we planned on but The Lord is helping us to stretch our dollars.  We are grateful.

Well, must go.  I must clean the bathroom tonight so we can go to a car wash on our p-day.  The Church is true.  Prayers concerning the missionaries are felt by us every day.  You learn to love those you serve.  Don't just keep the faith.....share it.  One of our frustrations is working with ward leaders who want to do things the way they have always been done.  Think outside the box.  The Lord rewards those who take chances on people who are "becoming".  Be a blessing to the work and not a roadblock.  We love you and miss you.

Love,

Sister Taggart