There are no snowmen in Chicago

I know why there are gangs, murders and violence in Chicago. They can't build snowmen. they get 40 " of worthless snow in a month and none of it can pack to make a snowball let alone a snowman. I am starting to feel violent too. It is so cold you can't breathe out there. The cars are caked with salt, snow and dirt. All the streets are lined with piles of filthy snow. The yards and trees are covered in the white stuff. But there has not been one snowman sighting. It is just a theory but I firmly believe if kids here could build a snow fort and have a good snowball fight, then build a six foot snowman with a carrot for a nose, there would be less violence in Chicago. But alas, all this snow is worthless. It just doesn't pack. No wonder everyone is angry on the roads, in their high-rise apartments, and as they  get on the train.

This letter will be a different format. I decided to give you a peek into the window of THE TRANSFER from my perspective.

* You get their names and photos long before you know exactly who this Elder or Sister is going to be.

* We gear up supplies. They will need new area supplies, a phone for their area, an Ipad for each missionary, and maybe a car. Elder Crook hopefully has a place for them to live--with furniture.

* The transfer board is moved around and kept under lock and key as Elders and Sisters photo cards are moved. A.P.'s are in then office more.

* Phone calls from Moms increase. Will she be safe in Chicago? What can I send ahead? Is he going to need a bike? Can he buy a warmer coat there?

* Our missionaries are told the Saturday before where they will be going. Thus begins the goodbyes to an area and people they have grown to love. And my mending pile builds up...the panic "I'm not going to be close to her and have access to her sewing skills as frequently."

* We get an arctic snow. A storm dumps 8" in most places but 12" in parts of our mission.

* The night before 19 new missionaries come in, the new pick-up truck that pulls the trailer filled with luggage from the airport, is totaled in an accident. Three Elders walk away shaken up but not injured after a stolen car going 90 mph runs a red light, hitting another car into the front of the van. That call comes in at 9 PM and is resolved by 10:40 PM....on a night we both needed our rest before several looooong days.

* Instead of a day at the office to prepare----Elder Taggart is now driving the transfer van--hitching up the trailer to it and driving to the airport to pick up luggage.

*Missionaries come in two batches--one from the Mexico MTC the others from SLC.

* Elder M____, who is a Visa waiter for Brazil and was to be dropped off to catch his flight--is dropped off too late and misses his flight. A call to Salt Lake to make one for the next day.

* There has been an undercurrent of buying and preparing food for the incoming and outgoing missionaries and all the ones who will come to the office before departing to their various areas.

* The office has a lull the day before. The phones are quiet. It is like a pressure cooker in the office. Did I order enough of everything? When the Elders and Sisters show up, can I assist them quickly?

* We get more phone calls about more accidents. Hermana K------- has a near miss of a head on and her car must be towed. No one was hurt. Another miracle.

* We have training at the mission home. We always do ours on the night they arrive. We hope they are alert enough to "get it" after being up for 20 hours. Car safety, phones, baptism forms, referrals, supplies, mail, library letters of verification, areas, then Sister Woodbury takes them through healthy cards, etc. Their eyes glass over half-way through.

* Our tile is being done in our bathroom right now so we are down to 2x4 wall studs and insulation. Nice touch! Everything in the bathroom has to be transported to the bedroom each morning before we leave.

* They sing "Called to Serve and I can't sing. I am overwhelmed by the love I feel for these 212 young men and women. None were seriously injured in accidents. They are excited to be together.

* Transfer meeting. So many are honestly seeking me out for a hug or a handshake. I recognize all but a couple without looking at their name tags. Amazing after only 6 weeks with some.

* There are 2 companionships who don't have apartments to go to. Elder Crook is still working on it. We were out-bid on one in Chicago 7 last minute.

* Bruce gets a call at 8 AM. (when he is supposed to start the Ipad training) Another set of Elders has been in a bad enough accident the car had to be towed.

* We have two Elders going home early. One just wasn't prepared emotionally and mentally to handle the stress of a mission outside Utah. Please parents, put them on an airplane, take them to Disneyland where there are lots of people, show them a good world outside the boundaries of Utah. The other Elder knocked his companion unconscious. It required head stitches. Anger issues, I think. He has other obedience issues. We get the phone calls from parents to please keep them on their mission. Another Elder needs knee surgery. Others are sick with the flu.

* I get a phone call to have Elders go give a blessing to an 85 year old lady who was brought into the hospital last night almost dead. We have more than 100 hospitals....who do I call? Do we still have Elders in that area or are they Sisters now? Several areas had Elders and Sisters swap apartments so they can do car sharing--Elders with Elders/Sisters with Sisters.

* The look of anticipation on the faces of the older Sisters and Elders as the 18 new missionaries walk into the chapel. (one bailed out before he came) Which one will be my new companion? Can they cut it? Will we get along? Where are they from? Do we have anything but the gospel in common?

*The embrace as they are assigned. It touches me each transfer. I brought my eternal companion with me. These kids change companions every six weeks sometimes.

* One Elder loses his phone.....and his Ipad on the same day. He expects Elder Taggart to pull new ones out of a hat.

* There is a glitch in Ipad training because of server issues in Salt Lake. Not one of them could activate an Apple ID needed to get them going.

* Joey (our mailman) comes in with 50 boxes and 120 letters. The 30 nametags I ordered came in. 20 grabby Elders begin "mine-mine-mine". I assure them not one can be taken until I get names and record what they owe. Joey shakes his head in disbelief and says he is glad he doesn't have my job.

* I frantically make 4 loaves of bread into tuna salad sandwiches for all. I also put out veggie platters, orange wedges, chips, crackers and cheese, and pans of brownies. The feeding frenzy begins. They come, they eat, they leave.

* "Sister Taggart, do we have any children's Books of Mormon? Do we have the Book of Mormon in Ewe (from Ghana) or Arabic? Do we have large print Books of Mormon in stock yet? Can I have a DVD player? Do we have any pictures of Christ? Where are the baptism forms? Can I order a new name tag? I need two verification of address letters. Will you write them for me? Did my mom send my bedding? Do I have any letters in that pile of letters? Can you print me off a new list of my referrals for my new area? Are there any more sandwiches? " Sister Crook calmly sits at her desk and transfers phone calls to the three of us while I am "squirreled " all over the office, trying to do everything for everyone who needs something.

* Down the hallway---"Elder Taggart, I can't get my Ipad to work. Do you have anymore windshieldwasher fluid? What car can I drive since I wrecked mine? I didn't get a snow scrapper with a brush. Are there any left? Did you find an extra phone anywhere? My phone got dropped in a puddle, can I get a new one? Are we allowed to Facebook our old friends? How many miles am I allowed each month in my new area? Does my oil need to be changed? The loight keeps coming on.l Can I have a Smartie? (only if it will help.....take two)

* Our Elder from Equador gets his Extremely Urgent Express UPS envelope. Elder Taggart and I have helped him get all his info processed and faxed to BYU. The International Educational Research Foundation has given him a full-ride scholarship to BYU-Hawaii. I cried!!

* I get a phone call from a father. His son will be released tomorrow after serving honorably for 2 years. They haven't told this son they have been unemployed for some time. Can we find money somewhere to help him pay luggage fees to get his bags home? I assure him we will cover it--personally if necessary.

*Fed missionaries dinner Thursday night. Our ward now has us, one set of Elders and 2 sets of Sister missionaries.

*The outgoing batch of missionaries has 3 sister trainer leaders, a zone leader, and a district leader. It hurts to let them go home. We have grown to love them.

I am exhausted. We wonder why we fall into bed each night dead tired. Yet we are grateful each morning to wake up and begin the process again. I ordered supplies again to replace what they took. Our frig is empty again. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have lots of grandchildren waiting for that card. Crazy as it seems, we love the work. We love being with each other. We love serving. We love sharing our testimony whether it be to a missionary, a church member, a clerk at the store, or people at the bank. Joey says he will help me next transfer by telling them to back away from my desk. I doubt it. Know that we love you. Better yet, know that you have a Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves you. You are never far from their thoughts so keep in touch.

Love,

Sister Taggart