Yes, Chicago has been in a bit of a deep freeze this past week or so. We have had several days where the temp was in single or negative digits as we have left the warmth of our little apartment to head to the office. With the wind chill, every day for at least ten have been -5 to -18. Even with my extra fat layer for the winter, that is just plain cold. Yesterday was the first day with a temp as warm as freezing. And today, the high is again only 16. We got 4 inches of snow yesterday and it is supposed to snow again later today. It's so cold, you can't even make a snowball out of it.
With the cold temperatures, I have replaced 7 car batteries this week on cars with 40,000+ miles. I have also replaced tires on 12 vehicles to make sure the missionaries can be safe on slick roads.
Monday we received 19 new missionaries and on Wednesday we had 9 return home. 7 of those had completed their mission here; the other two went home for medical reasons. One of those is having surgery tomorrow morning to remove a 7 lb. tumor in her abdomen. Hopefully she will come back out after she has recovered.
It is so exciting to see new eager and enthusiastic missionaries arrive. We get to great them straight from the missionary training center, provide some training a car, cell phone and a mini iPad and then send them off to their area to begin their service here. I think the sweetest part of our service is being able to be grandparents to 200 young missionaries who often just need to know that someone cares and is willing to listen to them.
By Wednesday of transfer week, we have already put in about 40 hours because we are up late Monday night having dinner and providing training for the new missionaries and up late on Tuesday night to have dinner and a testimony meeting with those who are heading home on Wednesday morning. Now that we have been here over 6 months, it is difficult to see the ones who are going home leave. They have now become ours and though we are excited for them to go home to family and friends, it tugs at your heart-strings to say goodbye to them.
For those who are somewhat hesitant to get on Facebook, let me just say that some amazing things are happening as we continue to learn how to best share the gospel of Jesus Christ using social media. We are teaching people in Russia, Germany, India, Africa, Poland, China, Mexico, Canada, and in at least 25 states in the US. That is all in addition to many who are being taught right here in Chicagoland face to face as well as on FB.
The Lord has said, "I will hasten my work in my time". Now is that time and He is making it possible for many more people to learn about His Son, Jesus Christ. It is exciting to play just a small part in all of that.
We are looking forward to a visit from the Ekins family this week. Randy is doing his residency as an ER doctor in Ohio and that is only 6 1/2 hours from us. They will spend 4 days with us and we are excited to hear the laughter and excitement of children in our home here. We are actually going to take a couple days off from our office responsibilities and see some sites and have some fun in Chicago.
As children sang two musical numbers in church today, I realized just how much I miss my grandchildren! I've decided that the biggest sacrifice we are making while serving here is being away from our children and grandchildren. We love them and miss them, but know that this is where the Lord needs us right now.
The warmth in spite of the cold comes from knowing that we have a Father in Heaven who knows us and loves personally; we have an elder brother, Jesus Christ, who gave his life that we might have hope and a way to return to our heavenly home to enjoy the eternities together with family and friends. I know that he whose birth we celebrate this season is the Savior of the world, he is the great Jehovah, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. He is the babe born in humble circumstances in Bethlehem, the promised Messiah. I know that He lives, that he knows us and loves us and that as we learn of Him and strive to pattern our lives after Him, we will have joy and happiness in this life as well as in the life to come.
May you feel His love and warmth in your homes and hearts this Christmas season is my prayer for each of you. Have a great week!
Elder Taggart
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