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
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