If you have someone in your family who is going to drive please teach them some basics of caring for a vehicle. Basic things like how to check the oil, the windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, tread depth (such as noticing that your tires are almost bald) and what safety precautions to take when driving in the snow and winter conditions. My week has been consumed by various vehicle issues and accidents related to winter driving.
We have had 5 accidents this week; 4 of them the fault of my missionaries. In one the Elders were going 55 on snow-packed roads and while trying to slow down over-reacted and ended up spinning into a big snow bank on the side of the road. They had to be towed and did $2,500 worth of damage to the front on the car. The same Elders called me the next day and asked if they could be reimbursed if they purchased some antifreeze. I said, yes but how do you know you need antifreeze. They said, because our heater is only blowing cold air. The problem ended up being an actuator that needed to be reset because their car wouldn't start and they needed to have it jumped. We had another car hit by a garbage truck as the missionaries were in their apartment studying. It almost tore the rear bumper off the car. We had 2 tire blow-outs from hitting potholes.
I had a group of 4 Elders say, Elder Taggart, our windshield washer isn't working. I asked them if it had washer fluid in it. Their reply, we don't know; how do you check that and where do we get washer fluid.
I replaced 6 cell phones this week, three of them snow-related. 2 were dropped in snow banks and 1 remained deposited there until the next morning because the missionaries didn't realize they had dropped it. Another one was dropped in a slushy parking lot puddle and was water-damaged. By the way, putting them in rice didn't resurrect any of them.
I honestly love these young missionaries but I am constantly reminded that they are 18-20 and have very little life's experience. So I patiently and calmly try to help them solve their dilemmas and then ask them how their teaching is going, hoping to hear something that will lift my spirits. And quite regularly I do hear wonderful things from them. I am reminded that the Lord has told us that by small and simple means He will accomplish great things. I then realize my own inadequacies and short-comings and then express my love and appreciation to young missionaries who are working hard, learning much and making a difference for good in the lives of many.
I can picture a loving Father in Heaven shaking his head at some of the dumb things I do and have done. And yet, He is patient, kind and loving towards me. So I am trying even harder to be like Him and be patient and loving with others who are working their way through this mortal journey just like me. I do know that all of the challenging and frustrating things of life are for our good and do give us experience to help us to grow. In all of those things, we can see the hand of the Lord if we take time to notice.
The cars and and the phones are just things that can be fixed or replaced; they really are of little importance other than to help,us accomplish what we need to. The blessing and miracle is that none of my missionaries have been injured in any of the accidents. For that, I am grateful.
My younger brother, Steve Taggart and a distant cousin Paul Taggart have both been called to serve as mission presidents staring on July 1. I am excited for them and proud of them. And I am also glad that is them and not me. I am very content to not be the one who is responsible for everything that goes on in a mission.
We have been blessed the past couple of days to have much warmer weather. It was a balmy 37 degrees yesterday and is supposed to be 43 today. The downside is that the 2 1/2 feet of snow is now melting and causing some flooding concerns. Mother nature is truly amazing.
As you deal with your busy lives this week, I encourage you to make time to notice the many blessings in your life. Miracles are evident all around us; we just need to pause long enough to recognize and appreciate them. May you have a week filled with tender mercies from the giver of all.
Elder Taggart
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