Monday & Tuesday was spent primarily on the phone with the IRS, social security, the bank, the FTC (Federal trade commission), financial adviser and the three major credit agencies. We also went to the police department to file a police report for identity theft. Claudia will elaborate on that. Oh and I also researched and then signed up for an identity theft protection service.
The good news is, it doesn't appear that anyone has done anything else with my identity. The bad news is, the IRS says I won't likely see my tax refund for 6 months. It apparently will take them that long to determine if I really am me. Brian sent me an article that was in the Deseret News this week about tax fraud identity theft and what a big business it has become. I am just grateful that our finances and credit cards are untouched; at least so far. Talk about feeling violated.
On a happier note; one night this week I received a phone call from two Sister missionaries at about 7:25 pm. You need to know that in the almost ten months we have been here, I have only had one phone call on my mission cell phone after 7 pm that wasn't bad news. So when that phone rings after 7, I always cringe before answering the call. These two sisters just called to say, "Elder Taggart, we just wanted you to know how much we love and appreciate you for all that you do to help the young missionaries." that call made my day.
On Thursday we had quite a few missionaries stop by the office after a meeting they had. They needed supplies, a new cell phone, encouragement and obviously a snack. Before they left several said to Sister Taggart and me, when we get married, we want a marriage just like yours. They then asked, so what is the key to a great marriage? I have been surprised how many missionaries have asked us that question. I find it interesting that there are 9 senior couples here serving and they ask us that question. We do have a great marriage but it is primarily because I have an amazing wife. But, since we do love these young people and want them to be happy in life, we try to give them a few pointers on things we have found to be very important. We have had several tell us that when we get home, they plan to stop in to see us since we will live so close to BYU's campus.
Yesterday, we went out to lunch with the fleet manager for Pep Boys and his wife. He and I have hit it off and he has met Sister T numerous times, so he called and asked if we could have lunch so that his wife could meet us. We had a wonderful visit and learned that our wives are apparently kindred spirits. We laughed a lot and they asked us lots of questions about our beliefs, family, what our missionaries teach, etc. His wife said she was excited to meet this Elder Taggart that she had heard so much about. During our conversation he said, in business occasionally you deal with someone you hope to stay connected to for the rest of your life. He then said, Elder Taggart, you are me of those people to me. I was blown away and share that only to punctuate that you never know who is watching you or whom you may make an impression either for good or bad. We will now do more with them moving forward.
We attended a baptism last night for a wonderful young lady. She had at least of her immediate and extended family there to support. None of them are members of our church but I know they felt the Spirit of the Lord last night. There must have been 110-125 people there to support her. She went to high school with a young lady in our ward here; they were never friends and hardly even knew each other. But she remembered there being something different about this girl from most of the kids at school. About 3 months ago she called this girl and said she wanted to know about her church. She has been loved and fellowshipped by many in the ward.
This ward we are serving in is amazing. They welcome and love anyone who comes and many are joining the Church in part because of the love and acceptance they feel from them. It is a thrill to be a small part of it all.
I am so grateful for the part each of you has played in my life. I am not rich as to the things of the world, but I am truly rich because of the people I love and because I know my Savior and feel of his love and blessings in my life. I love what I am doing even with a crazy winter. Have a faith-filled, blessed week.
Elder Taggart
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