We have 19 new missionaries arriving Monday and only 5 going home. This keeps happening--more in than out--and we will have 225 missionaries by March. That increases everything in my job, referrals, mail,supplies ordered, phone calls, and food to fix. I could probably open a restaurant when I get home--serving only those from 18 years old to 23 years old.
I have said at least 10 times this week, "I love my missionaries." I honestly do. Here we go;
An everyday phone conversation:
Elder " Hello Sister Taggart. We have a new referral for you and we even got the zipcode."
Me "Good, I'm ready." (He proceeds to give me the name, phone number, address, zipcode but
not the city) "Are there any notes you would like to include?"
Elder " They are really nice. We met them at the jail. They were coming out and we were going in."
Me " You're in jail? Don't tell me this is the one phone call they allowed you!"
Elder " (after a good laugh) "This is our one phone call. we wanted to get this referral to you so badly, we gave up our phone call to the President to try to get us out."
We do have fun with our missionaries.
No coincidences..............
I was given a message by Sister Crook . A Bishop had called from Hawaii with a name and address of a young man who was in his ward who lives here now. This Bishop was afraid this young man would fall through the cracks and become inactive. Would we find Elders to take him to the Young Single Adult ward and shepherd him until he got established? So I Google Earthed the address. He was in Chicago 1 but the YSA is Lake Shore---with two Sister missionaries. I didn't feel good about turning him over to Sisters. I felt better about the 2 Elders in Chicago 1. So I called them. The Elder wrote down the info and said he would be happy to contact him that afternoon. Meanwhile--Elder Crook called these same Elders to see if they could move furniture for 2 Senior Sisters ASAP. While writing my contact info down (at the church because they had just finished District meeting) another Elder was from Samoa. At closer glance he recognized the name. This young man on the paper had lived 16 minutes from his house in American Samoa. He wanted to know if he could make contact with him instead. After a phone call to me explaining the situation, I said absolutely!! When these 2 alternative Elders arrived an hour later, they were greeted by the Tongan, one LDS friend and 3 non-member friends.One of the non-member friends was having surgery the following day. He wanted a Priesthood blessing. The missionaries were able to give that service, invite them to church, and leave a message. What a blessing for everyone involved.
One of our new converts said Sunday,"I love the way this Church fills all our needs. A few weeks ago I was wrestling withy a challenge. In fact, I almost didn't come. When I came into Sacrament meeting, there was Sister Taggart giving a talk on tithing---the exact thing I was having questions about. She answered my questions and I decided to pay tithing. We help each other like that in this Church." We had 6 investigators in that class last Sunday. One sister from Haiti spoke only French. Bro. Kasanga, from the Congo, sensed a need and came into our class to translate for her. He translated the entire lesson. We help each other like that in this Church. One of our investigators is on date for baptism in Feb. She was a referral I sent.
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love being on this mission with my best friend. We are enjoying this experience together. I love my missionaries and the interaction I have withy each of them. It makes all of the sacrifices we are making worth it. One Elder was talking to the two of us about our marriage. I said, "I think every marriage should have a heart attack. It puts things in perspective and makes each day together a gift." I guess it sounded funny. He said he loves watching how our marriage works.
Our bathroom.....it will get put back together eventually and still look as old as it did before. We still have hot water, which I am grateful for.
Love, Sister Taggart
Thank you both SOOO MUCH for another GREAT recap of your adventures, spiritual experiences and 'coincidences'/'Tender Mercies'!!! Please keep them coming!! :) Love you guys!! :)
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