This week was transfer week. 33 new missionaries, names to learn, supplies to pass out,letters of verification of address to send, training on how to fill out a baptism certificate correctly and on and on and on. I think we are getting the hang of it. After the first two days (the arrival and then departure) we had put in 28 hours and stopped counting for the week. Seriously, this is a job with many overtime hours and I'm hoping our family at home is reaping many blessings for our service. We also had Elder Martino and his wife in town for 6 days. Who planned that? So we had two zone conferences back to back amid passing out cars to new missionaries, etc. That meant two huge meals for 100 each day and the wards came through and it was a huge relief to me. I have learned to not panic if I never hear from the Spanish wards ahead of a meal. Nine times out of ten they come through beautifully.....the one time they don't......well, that means hungry missionaries. What can you do? I thought of packing 10 loaves of bread and a couple of jars of peanut butter but my companion said you can't serve that to a General Authority so oh well.
In the office, we did have a table set up after transfers....my deal. The other office couple keeps threatening to help but so far we go to Costco, haul the food home to prepare it, haul it back to the office, and then clean up the aftermath of 60 missionaries having a "little something to eat." Along with veggie platters, crackers and cheese, chips and salsa, puddings, and bowls of orange wedges (a whole case) we brought a bowl of tuna,dressing and pickles and made sandwiches as fast as we could and the missionaries devoured them. That was an afterthought for our lunch after everyone left but I did open 4 cans of tuna and there was lots for others to share. So it was a hit, the missionaries didn't leave the office hungry,and they know we love them.
Elder Martino was wonderful.....lots of good ideas to help the missionaries be more efficient working with the wards. He used Alma 8 through 12 with Alma as the missionary and Amulek as the ward member who helps with lessons. Now I will jump ahead to one of our wards, because they are the perfect example of how it is done. I will call him Sam. His name came in as a media referral that I sent on to two sister missionaries in one of our wards. They went to visit him. He was ready for baptism but his wife was anti and his little children too young to care. Sam has only one leg because of an automobile accident when he was three years old. He is a sharp guy with a lot on the ball but the sisters knew he needed a few more lessons and time, hopefully to calm his wife. He has been progressing for about two months, having lessons every week.....in the home of a member each time....8 different members in this ward. They have had his family in for FHE or dinner or just a lesson. His wife totaled their car a couple of weeks ago and then the members started giving him rides. He was baptized Saturday. His wife refused to come but he felt compelled to move ahead because of his strong testimony. Two brothers from our ward wore white because they weren't sure how they would get him in the font, etc. Sam is about 6'2" and uses crutches all the time but that day he thought he could just hop into the font. It was the most touching scene. Everything went off without a hitch. He bore a strong testimony after his baptism and he was so happy. The mission president had all the people in the ward stand who had helped in any way. The Relief Society room was packed and almost every person in the room stood. Either they had invited him into their home, taught a lesson, fed them a meal, or given him a ride. The support system he has going into this new venture is huge. We picked him up Sunday morning because the car they had been using had been removed by a sister-in-law who didn't want him to be confirmed. Didn't matter. The ward members will always be there for him.(we did it because it was such short notice, none of the ward members were home.....they were all on their way to church)
Fast forward to our other ward. A little boy, about 7 stood up to bear his testimony. He told of a hard time in his life. His 3 year old sister stuck one of his legos up her nose and they had to go to the hospital to have it removed..."and the hospital didn't even give my lego back!" It wasn't the trauma of having his little sister in the hospital. They didn't give his lego back. The Bishopric was laughing (silently) and the rest of us were trying not to crack up.I love little children.
We were reproved by our mission president this week during zone conferences. One of our outgoing missionaries had a "suit burning" in the parking lot of one of our Chicago buildings. There were 25 missionaries there to watch. The only problem was, there were many from the Spanish Branch in the building who saw the whole thing. Turns out, most of them can't afford a suit, or tie, or nice white shirts. They work two to three jobs just to pay rent and put food on the table. The mission president suggested we do as Christ would do.....if we have a tie to burn at our 6 month mark, donate it to one of the Branches. If we have a white shirt to burn at the year mark, donate it. If you have a suit to burn, donate it. Most of these members will never own a suit so what kind of example are we setting when we ungratefully burn these things. The President did it with much thought, humility, and love and I am sure we won't witness anymore of that nonsense.
As the cold weather sets in, we have more and more car problems. I hope my companion survives the winter. The sisters call before church like they expect him to bring them our car or something.We have no spare cars again and several missionaries who need cars before winter because public transportation doesn't exist in their areas. Our counterparts in the office found 14 new apartments in 6 weeks and now get to turn around and find 6 apartments before our Dec. transfer. His job is the pits. So we continue on....another day, another dollar.....oh wait, we aren't getting paid for this. We are up to 200 missionaries, 10 of which have come in the last 90 days. Many are home sick. I asked my companion the question, "Are we not homesick because we don't know which place to be sick about? Our new home is in Utah but we have never lived there. Our old home is in Renton but a big dog now occupies that space. Chicago is home for now and I can honestly say homesickness hasn't been an issue, yet."
Two missionaries got on the train last month and stood at the front of the car they were on and held up a Book of Mormon and said," We are here to find the elect. We will be talking to each of you to see if you are the elect." Talk about courage. We also had two Elders learn this week that there are "silent cars" on the train. They didn't know that but they were soon told. An Elder had his mother die last week of breast cancer. He is staying and is stronger and more obedient than ever. I know if you get a letter to Elder Dizzle and file it under D in the mailbox, it won't be taken. If you file it under G it will. We drove to Buffalo Grove on our P-day (after the baptism) to see the autumn leaves. They are spectacular in the Midwest. We have heated floors in our apartment. Who knew? When we come home from work each night the temp. is 85. We have waited two weeks for the problem to be fixed. What do you expect for $900 a month?
So life goes on. We love you. Try to be missionary in your ward. Invite someone into your home. You never know who you may influence. The Church is true. The hastening is real and will happen with or without us. It is a good time to be a missionary. Have a great week.
Sister Taggart
Illinois Chicago Mission
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