HAPPY NEW HEAR!
We had a wonderful Christmas. We enjoyed either a Skype session or a phone conversation with each of our kids and their families which meant we spent most of Christmas day talking or watching grandkids parade their gifts before us. Technology today is marvelous to allow you to stay connected even when far apart. Brianne (Hermana Ewell) is serving a mission in the Dominican Republic so we didn't get to speak to her, but she was able to Skype with her family.
My favorite gift was a treasure chest full of memories with grandpa/grandma/mom/dad from our entire posterity. Each of them had written memories on strips of paper that were rolled up in a nice treasure chest. Thank you Andrea for spearheading that and also for typing all of their notes. There must have been 150-200 notes in that chest. We spent a couple hours reading all of them. They caused laughter, tears and lots of reflections on memories made with those we love. Those notes will be read many more times in the coming years.
We enjoyed a delightful visit with the Ekins family just before Christmas. It was so fun to have children in our apartment and to be able to do crafts, baking and singing together. I know that Claudia will share far more details on their visit so I will say no more.
It was my privilege to sing a solo in church last Sunday. A sweet young missionary accompanied me. I do enjoy singing and it was a treat to be able to do so to hopefully enhance the worship service just prior to Christmas. Something about music really helps me to enjoy and get into the spirit of Christmas.
Yesterday in a quiet moment, I was reflecting on the events of this year. It really has been a whirlwind year or so. I was released as the stake president after serving In the stake presidency for 17 years. That was bitter-sweet; I have enjoyed being able to sit with my sweetheart in church but I really do miss being able to serve the wonderful people of the Renton stake. I retired 10 months ago; I dearly miss the wonderful people I worked with for many years, but I don't miss the business or the pressures of work. We sold our home in Washington in only 4 days and had to scramble to find a new home in Utah before leaving on our first mission for the Church. We closed on our new home in Utah and had just 4 days to move in before starting our mission. We have been in the greater Chicago area for 7 months now and are loving the people, the diversity and all the things to see and do. I will withhold judgement for now on the weather here.
I have found there are many good people wherever you go. I was touched by the goodness of many of you and others who helped to make Christmas bright for many missionaries who rarely if ever get anything from home. Sister Taggart was a rock star as she coordinated and orchestrated the making, gathering and distributing of gifts and cards for about 65 of these young people. Thanks to her vision and the help of many, there were no missionaries who didn't have several cards and at least 2-3 gifts to open.
We have another 16 months left to leave a mark for good on the people of Chicago. We love you, we love the Lord and we love being companions in this work of inviting people to come unto Christ so they can find the love and joy that we share. I am grateful for that babe born in Bethlehem and for the power and influence He is in my life. As we charge into a new year, my hope and prayer would be that each of us would strive to know Him better and strive more diligently to be like Him in our journey through this mortal experience. He is the reason for all that is good in life.
Elder Taggart
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