Pain in the Neck

Hello from Chicagoland,

You are probably wondering why my title this week is pain in the neck. I woke up Wednesday morning with a stiff neck. As the day progressed it got worse rather than better. By Thursday morning I was in pain and very tight from my neck down to my rear end. So I made an appointment for a massage. She really worked my neck and back over but she could not get the muscles on the left side of my neck to release. This morning it is feeling much better but it is still stiff and sore. I have never had something like this that just wouldn't relax. So I have probably been a pain in the neck to Sister Taggart this week.

We picked up 7 more brand new cars this week. The car funny of the week: a young sister missionary called me and was quite concerned that she was missing the cap to two,of her valve stems. At first I appreciated her concern because I knew that she heard my instruction about checking tire pressure or she wouldn't have noticed it. I told her I would get her a couple but that it was perfectly fine to operate her car without them. She called the very next day asking I had those for her yet. I tried to assure her that they really only kept the valve stem clean. I am convinced that in her innocence she thought that without them her tires would lose pressure. I gave them to her zone leaders yesterday to get them to her. She apparently had also asked them about them. They being younger and perhaps not as wise and kind as you know who, told her that as long as she made sure her driving fluid was full the car would be fine. Oh the innocence and naïveté of some of these young missionaries. I love my job.

I helped Sister Taggart feed lunch to 45 missionaries on Friday and Tuesday we get to provide lunch for 135. For someone who really doesn't like to cook, as most of you know, she is doing a marvelous job. I am sure she will add many more details in her email.

I have never given a Priesthood blessing to someone before that was rejected by them. I had a first this week in that area. A lady we visit regularly asked me for a blessing which I gladly gave her. Apparently I didn't bless her with what she felt she deserved and she was quite upset afterwards. Oh the things we experience as we simply try to bless and lift those around us. I have now been praying that she will come to realize that the blessing she received was exactly what the Lord wanted her to hear. If the Spirit had not prompted me to say the things I said, I would not have done so.

My personal highlight of this week has been the opportunity to sit with my sweetheart at the feet of prophets and apostles of the Lord, Jesus Christ and listen to inspired counsel and direction at general conference. I am so grateful that a loving Father in Heaven loves us as much as he did his children in Old Testament and New Testament times in that he has provided prophets today to show us the way just as he did in times of old.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings such peace, joy and direction in my life. I am grateful every day to know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer, my friend and Advocate with the Father. I know that God lives and knows us individually and cares and provides for our every needful thing as we draw unto him in humility and gratitude. May you feel of His love and blessing in your life this week.

Elder Taggart