First let me say that we thoroughly enjoyed Easter weekend! We had a very nice visit with Sister Taggart's brother Bryce and his wife Dana. I am ever so grateful for the empty tomb! Because of Him we have hope, we can change, we can repent and find forgiveness, we can try a little harder to be a little and know that it matters, we too will live again. And because of His love and grace, we will be enough after all we can do.
I decide to share a few stories about young missionaries that I experience every week. Here is the description one Sister gave of their car accident:
"As my companion and I drove to the Bishops house for an appointment, we delighted at the glorious rainfall. Suddenly, the situation became more bleak. The sky blackened. The lightning flashed before us. The rain fell harder and harder. Then, "POP!" we heard a solid object collide with the top of the car. "BAM!" another hit the hood. We realized to our horror that we were in the middle of a violent hail storm. It raged on as we drove and the hail came with more frequency and intensity. It escalated to the point that we could hardly see the road before us. We prayed that we would be protected by angels in the storm. Hail fell all around. We were almost entirely blinded by the deluge of rain and ice. We pulled over until the storm calmed to the extent that we felt safe to return to our journey.
And thus it was that the devil sent forth his mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwind, and all his hail and his mighty storm beat upon us, but it had no power over us, because of the rock upon which we are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if Elders and Sisters build, they cannot fail. Although we did have some body damage."
There were actually hail stones the size of ping pong balls. And it did $1,100 damage to the car. She asked me when I spoke to her if this would become a journal entry for me. I told her it would not only make a journal entry, but it would also make my weekly email. With delight, she said, "That makes my day."
At the end of each month, the missionaries are required to mail me a copy of their daily vehicle report (DVR) along with all of their gas receipts. I then have to enter their ending odometer reading for the month in the CARS system by vehicle. I frequently get notes from the missionaries either on the envelope or on a post-it note. I treasure these. Here is one from some Spanish-speaking sisters:
"This I'd the DVR and info from Jim's Collision, gracias! Your Spanish phrase of the day is: i tenernos nvestro carro! Which means, we have our car back! Yay!" I usually get a couple each month with my Spanish word for the day. I also get several saying, "we love you" or "you are the best" or "thanks for all that you do for us". I save most of them and post them on my board where I have a spare key for every car.
Here is a text I received yesterday. "So we accidentally dropped and might have run over our phone. It still works but we cannot see half of the screen." what should we do Elder Taggart?
A sister called me last night to tell me they had just rear-ended someone. After making sure they were ok, getting details of the accident and walking them through what they needed to do, this young sister asked, Elder Taggart, did any of your kids ever get in an accident? I replied yes. She then asked, "were you as calm with them as you always are with us when we call? I replied that I thought so, but my kids may dispute that. I do hope that I was.
I am so glad the weather has mad a turn for the better. I have been able to walk outside almost every day this past week or so. I have walked about 15 miles in the past 6 days and it feels so good! I am excited to shed the extra winter layer I added and let my body know that I do care.
Life is great; missions are hard work; I love my companion; I love the Lord and am striving to more like my Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope we can all be successful this week in just trying a little harder to be just a little bit better. I love and miss you.
Elder Taggart
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Still a Farmer's Daughter at Heart
What a fun trip to Clinton, Iowa to visit my brother Bryce and his wife, Dana. We are both in the geriatric group now so instead of running through fields knocking the seed-heads off dandilions, we sat and visited, walked along the banks of the Mississippi River, and ate wonderful meals. Bryce is the ward mission leader so our experiences involve working closely with missionaries and trying to build God's kingdom. Their ward is very small. Dana's home is filled with antiques and lovely quilts. Made me wish I could spend a couple of weeks piecing with her. Instead I went home with a few new patterns to try to make in my "spare time". Dane fed us like we were royalty. Their yard is serene, quiet, and has many trees. I saw a couple of red birds while there, my mother's favorites. She loved going to Bryce's. I loved watching the white pelicans on the river. They are an interesting yet beautiful bird. Bryce showed us the perimeters of where he works at ADM and told us about all the things they are making our of corn. It was pretty impressive. Sunshine, family, levis, and a break---just what I needed to move into our second year with new resolve. I must add that the drive to and from was therapeutic also. There is something about seeing acres of newly plowed fields ready to plant that soothes the soul. The smells and feelings of home on the farm came flooding back.
Meanwhile, back at our humble abode, the marijuana smells are gone. We were actually missed in our ward and several missionaries wondered why our phones were turned off. We were back in the office Monday morning ready for our week. Crooks and Abbotts both had children and grandchildren in town so we all had a break.
Right off the bat I was sending referrals to Mexico and Colombia and this month I have entered baptisms for people born in Vietnam, Spain, Alabama, Bolivia, the Philippines, Indiana, Illinois, Puerto Rico, Mexico,and Idaho.....all living here in Chicago. The gospel net is gathering from near and far.
Our granddaughter Brittany got her mission call to serve in the St Louis Missouri mission. She has 3 weeks of school and finals and leaves 31 days from the day she received her call. She will serve one mission over and one mission down from us. We have the midwest and Dominican Republic covered right now. Fun to serve the same time as these two beautiful granddaughters. We will miss going through the temple with her but we will be there in spirit.
I spent an hour in JoAnns this week and it was like transfusing new blood into my veins. With the coming of Spring, my mending basket has been filled to overflowing. I sew tucks in skirts that are too big, hem skirts by the dozens. sew slits closed that are too revealing and even did some weaving on a sweater that had 2 holes on the sleeve. I buy thread to match each item, use 5 yards on the item, and then have another spool of thread to store. Slacks are less complicated---black,brown,gray,beige,or navy blue.
I have helped Elder Taggart transport cars up to Buffalo Grove to be fixed and detailed so he can sell them. Now I'm married to a used car salesman. Sad thing is everybody who wants to buy one of these cars wants it for $1000 or $2000. The Church sets the price---he just sells the car. It has been beneficial for me to get out of my cubical and see Spring arriving.
My aha moment came while singing the words to "It May Not be on a Mountain High"....sometimes The Lord just needs us to drive cars, answer phones, sit behind a computer, hem skirts and mend torn slacks. It isn't exotic or exciting or rewarding every day. It is where we are needed at the time. A Sister missionary hugged me this week and said,"Thank you for your sacrifice of your new home, your grandchildren,and your life. We appreciate having you as our grandparents here. We need you. We love you. " So we get up every morning, say our morning prayers of gratitude, and move forward. One reward, studying the Book of Mormon with my companion each evening. We are going through for our 4th time and it is a treat to discuss different passages and feel of the sweet spirit that comes into our home because we are reading that book together. If you don't do so now, start a study of the Book of Mormon today. It will change your life.....and if your life doesn't need changing.....it will help you stay the course.
We love you. We miss you. As we miss more and more family events, we are grateful for our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives. His Atonement is for each one of us but we must use our agency to put it to play in our lives. Share your light this week.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Meanwhile, back at our humble abode, the marijuana smells are gone. We were actually missed in our ward and several missionaries wondered why our phones were turned off. We were back in the office Monday morning ready for our week. Crooks and Abbotts both had children and grandchildren in town so we all had a break.
Right off the bat I was sending referrals to Mexico and Colombia and this month I have entered baptisms for people born in Vietnam, Spain, Alabama, Bolivia, the Philippines, Indiana, Illinois, Puerto Rico, Mexico,and Idaho.....all living here in Chicago. The gospel net is gathering from near and far.
Our granddaughter Brittany got her mission call to serve in the St Louis Missouri mission. She has 3 weeks of school and finals and leaves 31 days from the day she received her call. She will serve one mission over and one mission down from us. We have the midwest and Dominican Republic covered right now. Fun to serve the same time as these two beautiful granddaughters. We will miss going through the temple with her but we will be there in spirit.
I spent an hour in JoAnns this week and it was like transfusing new blood into my veins. With the coming of Spring, my mending basket has been filled to overflowing. I sew tucks in skirts that are too big, hem skirts by the dozens. sew slits closed that are too revealing and even did some weaving on a sweater that had 2 holes on the sleeve. I buy thread to match each item, use 5 yards on the item, and then have another spool of thread to store. Slacks are less complicated---black,brown,gray,beige,or navy blue.
I have helped Elder Taggart transport cars up to Buffalo Grove to be fixed and detailed so he can sell them. Now I'm married to a used car salesman. Sad thing is everybody who wants to buy one of these cars wants it for $1000 or $2000. The Church sets the price---he just sells the car. It has been beneficial for me to get out of my cubical and see Spring arriving.
My aha moment came while singing the words to "It May Not be on a Mountain High"....sometimes The Lord just needs us to drive cars, answer phones, sit behind a computer, hem skirts and mend torn slacks. It isn't exotic or exciting or rewarding every day. It is where we are needed at the time. A Sister missionary hugged me this week and said,"Thank you for your sacrifice of your new home, your grandchildren,and your life. We appreciate having you as our grandparents here. We need you. We love you. " So we get up every morning, say our morning prayers of gratitude, and move forward. One reward, studying the Book of Mormon with my companion each evening. We are going through for our 4th time and it is a treat to discuss different passages and feel of the sweet spirit that comes into our home because we are reading that book together. If you don't do so now, start a study of the Book of Mormon today. It will change your life.....and if your life doesn't need changing.....it will help you stay the course.
We love you. We miss you. As we miss more and more family events, we are grateful for our testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lives. His Atonement is for each one of us but we must use our agency to put it to play in our lives. Share your light this week.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Lessons Learned
I have learned 6 lessons this week. I hope you don't mind if I share.
#1 Preach My Gospel says,"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry,frustrated, or anxious."
God tried to teach me patience by blessing me with six children. When that didn't work, He had me get up at 5 AM for 9 years straight to teach a total of 164 teenagers the gospel.(the number would be greater but I had many 2 years) When that failed he gave me 25 grandchildren. I was almost learning lessons needed when I landed in the midst of 212 missionaries. I don't become angry anymore. I'm working diligently on frustrated---especially where glitches in computers is involved. One of the Polish sisters missionaries said this week, "I'm glad they finally fixed our car. I was afraid I was going to go Polish on him." After 3 trips to the dentist this week, I learned a great deal of patience. My molar broke, he put a temp. crown on it. It broke so he got me in the next day to put another temp on. It broke within 24 hours. So I went on a liquid diet because of a raw post in the back of my mouth...thinking it would be the 2 weeks he promised. Out of the blue the dentist calls and says he's leaving town and wants to get the permanent crown on before he leaves. Could I possible come in on Sat. for that? So in 6 days I had 2 temps, 1 permanent, and 3 dentist appointments. Just lucky, I guess.
#2 This work is NOT mine. It is the Lord's work. My job is NOT to mess it up. I can only control myself. As I watch the problems with cars, Ipads, computers, etc., man could have stopped any progress if he was in charge. The company would have "gone under". But this is not man's work but God's. He allows us to be part of it to learn and grow. In the end, this work will continue to roll forward no matter what we do or don't do to help it. A baptism done in 2011 finally came through on my reports this week. She wondered why she had never received a membership number. Sat that it took a ward clerk to catch it, berate me for my failure to enter the baptism, and I wasn't even here in 2011!! All is well that ends well and I promise, this work will end well.
#3 Service to others requires effort and time from us but brings blessings and satisfaction found nowhere else in life. We are dedicated to serve 100% for 2 years on this mission. But there is service within the service and that's the part I love. After the baptism last night, two tired Elders were going to catch the train back to Buffalo Grove. With a train transfer, it would take them 3 hours. We were going 30 min. that direction to catch an Olive Garden dinner. I suggested we take them with us. These Elders aren't your dynamic leaders (yet), just sweet, humble servants. One had never been to Olive Garden. Imagine their delight when they got a 2nd meal to take home for Sunday dinner!! It was 1/2 tank of gas out of our way but what a blessing for us. After we got home I finished hemming the 3rd skirt for the day. Service inside of service. I love it.
#4 In every situation ask yourself, "What is it I should be learning from this? What lesson can I take from this? " This is a question our stake president asks. At Quincey's baptism last night, the chapel was full. He is YSA age. His convert uncle (with 1 leg) was performing the baptism. No one could get the folding doors to the baptismal font open. Fifty keys and not one of them worked. But the ordinance was performed anyway. Witnesses, his parents and brother, and a few others "saw" it. The rest of us "heard" it. A hundred lessons were there to be learned. Keys---if we aren't focusing on essential things in this life, our "keys" won't be the right ones to get us into the Celestial Kingdom in the next life. An ordinance is valid and the Spirit can be felt even when not seen. A ward family can be as "together" as blood relatives when they realize we are all God's children and we are all here to help each other. Keep going, there are many lessons we can take from every day event.
#5 Be careful who you follow. Where will it lead? One of the photos is me following Elder Taggart. I followed him driving two different Toyotas as we took them to be repaired so Elder Taggart can sell them. I follow only my Savior, ultimately, but it has been an adventure doing it with Elder Taggart by my side. Now a used car salesman too----who knew what I would be in for?
#6 Shopping and finding bargains makes me happy.We made a Salvation Army run, we found 7 "new" summer skirts for a total of $34. We're heating up fast---polar vortex only a memory now. I can make it because I have cool skirts to survive in.
The other photo I have sent is overkill.....not the focus of Easter. We are here to learn. I hope we have figured that out. Have a great week and may the tutorials be pleasant. We may not report in next week because we have permission to take a field trip to Clinton, Iowa for Easter to be with my younger brother and his wife. A much needed break that Senior Couples are able to take.
Love,
Sister Taggart
#1 Preach My Gospel says,"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry,frustrated, or anxious."
God tried to teach me patience by blessing me with six children. When that didn't work, He had me get up at 5 AM for 9 years straight to teach a total of 164 teenagers the gospel.(the number would be greater but I had many 2 years) When that failed he gave me 25 grandchildren. I was almost learning lessons needed when I landed in the midst of 212 missionaries. I don't become angry anymore. I'm working diligently on frustrated---especially where glitches in computers is involved. One of the Polish sisters missionaries said this week, "I'm glad they finally fixed our car. I was afraid I was going to go Polish on him." After 3 trips to the dentist this week, I learned a great deal of patience. My molar broke, he put a temp. crown on it. It broke so he got me in the next day to put another temp on. It broke within 24 hours. So I went on a liquid diet because of a raw post in the back of my mouth...thinking it would be the 2 weeks he promised. Out of the blue the dentist calls and says he's leaving town and wants to get the permanent crown on before he leaves. Could I possible come in on Sat. for that? So in 6 days I had 2 temps, 1 permanent, and 3 dentist appointments. Just lucky, I guess.
#2 This work is NOT mine. It is the Lord's work. My job is NOT to mess it up. I can only control myself. As I watch the problems with cars, Ipads, computers, etc., man could have stopped any progress if he was in charge. The company would have "gone under". But this is not man's work but God's. He allows us to be part of it to learn and grow. In the end, this work will continue to roll forward no matter what we do or don't do to help it. A baptism done in 2011 finally came through on my reports this week. She wondered why she had never received a membership number. Sat that it took a ward clerk to catch it, berate me for my failure to enter the baptism, and I wasn't even here in 2011!! All is well that ends well and I promise, this work will end well.
#3 Service to others requires effort and time from us but brings blessings and satisfaction found nowhere else in life. We are dedicated to serve 100% for 2 years on this mission. But there is service within the service and that's the part I love. After the baptism last night, two tired Elders were going to catch the train back to Buffalo Grove. With a train transfer, it would take them 3 hours. We were going 30 min. that direction to catch an Olive Garden dinner. I suggested we take them with us. These Elders aren't your dynamic leaders (yet), just sweet, humble servants. One had never been to Olive Garden. Imagine their delight when they got a 2nd meal to take home for Sunday dinner!! It was 1/2 tank of gas out of our way but what a blessing for us. After we got home I finished hemming the 3rd skirt for the day. Service inside of service. I love it.
#4 In every situation ask yourself, "What is it I should be learning from this? What lesson can I take from this? " This is a question our stake president asks. At Quincey's baptism last night, the chapel was full. He is YSA age. His convert uncle (with 1 leg) was performing the baptism. No one could get the folding doors to the baptismal font open. Fifty keys and not one of them worked. But the ordinance was performed anyway. Witnesses, his parents and brother, and a few others "saw" it. The rest of us "heard" it. A hundred lessons were there to be learned. Keys---if we aren't focusing on essential things in this life, our "keys" won't be the right ones to get us into the Celestial Kingdom in the next life. An ordinance is valid and the Spirit can be felt even when not seen. A ward family can be as "together" as blood relatives when they realize we are all God's children and we are all here to help each other. Keep going, there are many lessons we can take from every day event.
#5 Be careful who you follow. Where will it lead? One of the photos is me following Elder Taggart. I followed him driving two different Toyotas as we took them to be repaired so Elder Taggart can sell them. I follow only my Savior, ultimately, but it has been an adventure doing it with Elder Taggart by my side. Now a used car salesman too----who knew what I would be in for?
#6 Shopping and finding bargains makes me happy.We made a Salvation Army run, we found 7 "new" summer skirts for a total of $34. We're heating up fast---polar vortex only a memory now. I can make it because I have cool skirts to survive in.
The other photo I have sent is overkill.....not the focus of Easter. We are here to learn. I hope we have figured that out. Have a great week and may the tutorials be pleasant. We may not report in next week because we have permission to take a field trip to Clinton, Iowa for Easter to be with my younger brother and his wife. A much needed break that Senior Couples are able to take.
Love,
Sister Taggart
Because of Him
We had some awesome thunder and lightning yesterday. It never did rain as was forecast but I really enjoyed the rumble of the thunder. North of us, the storm produced ping pong ball sized hail. One companionship of Sisters informed me that their car had sustained damage from the hail. At least there wasn't anything they could have done to prevent that. Some Elders called me telling me that while driving their car to the body shop to get their recent rear-end collision repaired, they rear-ended yet another car. They said, hopefully it just damaged the part that was already damaged. Another companionship of Elders called telling me that they had hit the same curb while making a right turn that they had hit a week ago. This time it blew the tire requiring it to be replaced. I scratch my head at just how to train so as to prevent these judgement-lapse accidents.
For our date night on Friday, I took my sweetheart shopping. She has been a bit down this past couple of weeks and nothing picks her up quite like a shopping trip. Fortunately she wanted to go to the Salvation Army store; I personally don't like that place, but...love prevailed. She found 7 summer skirts for only $34. I even picked out two of them. She has been deliriously happy since.
The past two days it has been warm enough for me to exercise outside. Boy have I longed for that. I walked 5 miles those two days and am excited to hopefully be able to shed the winter fat layer. Coming out of hibernation into Spring is awesome. This morning early, I sat with the sliding glass door open, listening to the birds chirp. Do you know why you don't hear the birds chirp in the winter when it is so cold and snowy? It is because they are so focused on survival they don't dare use any energy to make a happy noise. I think there is a lesson here for us. Do we allow the stresses, pressures and hectic pace of life to prevent us from singing a happy song and notice the beauty around us? Do we allow work to be so all-consuming that we don't make time to enjoy those we love and the wonders of nature? I encourage each of us to take time to appreciate and enjoy those you love and the wonders of this great world in which we live.
As we go into this Easter week, I pray that each of us will pause to recognize and appreciate the many blessings and tender mercies we receive because of Him, the Lord, Jesus Christ. To assist you in that, I encourage you to go to Mormon.org or YouTube and view the 2 1/2 minute video the church has made called 'Because of Him'. I posted the link on my Facebook page this morning.
Because of Him, I know who I am and who I can become. Because of Him, I too will live again with those I love. Because of Him, we each can repent and change and become a new person through His Atoning blood. Because of Him, my life has meaning and purpose far beyond anything in this world. Because of Him, my life can hopefully be a light for others to find peace, joy and love. He is the reason for Easter. I testify that He lives and loves us beyond our capacity to fully understand. Because of Him, I pray that each of us will have a blessed week.
Elder Taggart
For our date night on Friday, I took my sweetheart shopping. She has been a bit down this past couple of weeks and nothing picks her up quite like a shopping trip. Fortunately she wanted to go to the Salvation Army store; I personally don't like that place, but...love prevailed. She found 7 summer skirts for only $34. I even picked out two of them. She has been deliriously happy since.
The past two days it has been warm enough for me to exercise outside. Boy have I longed for that. I walked 5 miles those two days and am excited to hopefully be able to shed the winter fat layer. Coming out of hibernation into Spring is awesome. This morning early, I sat with the sliding glass door open, listening to the birds chirp. Do you know why you don't hear the birds chirp in the winter when it is so cold and snowy? It is because they are so focused on survival they don't dare use any energy to make a happy noise. I think there is a lesson here for us. Do we allow the stresses, pressures and hectic pace of life to prevent us from singing a happy song and notice the beauty around us? Do we allow work to be so all-consuming that we don't make time to enjoy those we love and the wonders of nature? I encourage each of us to take time to appreciate and enjoy those you love and the wonders of this great world in which we live.
As we go into this Easter week, I pray that each of us will pause to recognize and appreciate the many blessings and tender mercies we receive because of Him, the Lord, Jesus Christ. To assist you in that, I encourage you to go to Mormon.org or YouTube and view the 2 1/2 minute video the church has made called 'Because of Him'. I posted the link on my Facebook page this morning.
Because of Him, I know who I am and who I can become. Because of Him, I too will live again with those I love. Because of Him, we each can repent and change and become a new person through His Atoning blood. Because of Him, my life has meaning and purpose far beyond anything in this world. Because of Him, my life can hopefully be a light for others to find peace, joy and love. He is the reason for Easter. I testify that He lives and loves us beyond our capacity to fully understand. Because of Him, I pray that each of us will have a blessed week.
Elder Taggart
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Mail miracle
Well, in the continuing identity saga, we witnessed a miracle this week. On Tuesday we received a tax refund check. It had our Washington address on it; the mail forwarding on that address expired six months ago. And yet that check found its way from Washington to Utah and finally to Illinois. The check was made out to me and another man who is obviously not my partner or spouse. When I Googled his name, it showed that he lives in Renton about a mile from where we used to live. I have many questions regarding all of this, but am grateful for divine intervention to have the check actually reach me. Unfortunately it wasn't my actual refund; it was the fraudulent one. But no one else can cash it now.
After several phone calls, I was instructed to void the check, write a letter explaining everything and mail it back to the IRS. They said the other name on the check was probably bogus though they promised to investigate. I was reminded that, unfortunately I would have to wait 180 days before I would receive my refund and then only after they were able to prove that I am who I say I am. I called the police to give them the additional information but haven't heard from the detective since the message I left him on Tuesday. I know they are busy, but really???
Our mission pick-up truck was totaled in an accident back in January. They told me they had ordered a replacement. When I called last week to find out the delivery status of it, they paused and informed me that they had forgotten to order it. So, even with a rush on the order, it will still be at least another 60 days before we will get it from the factory. Feeling somewhat bad, I suppose, they called me back and told me that I could put into our fleet a 2010 Silverado truck that the Facilities Management group gave me to sell for them. So, noticing two Fridays ago that the registration would expire on that truck on March 31, I went in to register it. After waiting in line for an hour, I was informed that it needed an emissions test before I could do that. On Monday morning, I took it in for the emissions test and after waiting in line for 50 minutes because it was the last day of the month, I was informed that it failed the test.
To make a long story short, I called 5 shops to get someone to fix it so it would pass. No one could get me in until Thursday. We picked it up on Friday, but too late to do the registration. I will go stand in line again tomorrow to get that done.
I have been shuffling cars around all week so that I can sell 7 of them. Now that I have taken those out of service, I need to get each of them detailed and have a body shop repair dents and scratches. Then I get to find buyers for those cars and handle all of the paperwork, etc. where is my friend, Tim Duffy when I need him? He's the one I have always trusted when I needed to buy or sell cars.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to General Conference this weekend. What inspiring and uplifting messages by our Church leaders. Many things to ponder and changes/tweaks in my life to make.
I actually do love what I am doing, who I am serving with and whom I am serving. I testify that we have a Father in Heaven who knows us and loves us. Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ, when lived brings joy, happiness and peace in The troubled world in which we live. Have a wonderful week.
Elder Taggart
After several phone calls, I was instructed to void the check, write a letter explaining everything and mail it back to the IRS. They said the other name on the check was probably bogus though they promised to investigate. I was reminded that, unfortunately I would have to wait 180 days before I would receive my refund and then only after they were able to prove that I am who I say I am. I called the police to give them the additional information but haven't heard from the detective since the message I left him on Tuesday. I know they are busy, but really???
Our mission pick-up truck was totaled in an accident back in January. They told me they had ordered a replacement. When I called last week to find out the delivery status of it, they paused and informed me that they had forgotten to order it. So, even with a rush on the order, it will still be at least another 60 days before we will get it from the factory. Feeling somewhat bad, I suppose, they called me back and told me that I could put into our fleet a 2010 Silverado truck that the Facilities Management group gave me to sell for them. So, noticing two Fridays ago that the registration would expire on that truck on March 31, I went in to register it. After waiting in line for an hour, I was informed that it needed an emissions test before I could do that. On Monday morning, I took it in for the emissions test and after waiting in line for 50 minutes because it was the last day of the month, I was informed that it failed the test.
To make a long story short, I called 5 shops to get someone to fix it so it would pass. No one could get me in until Thursday. We picked it up on Friday, but too late to do the registration. I will go stand in line again tomorrow to get that done.
I have been shuffling cars around all week so that I can sell 7 of them. Now that I have taken those out of service, I need to get each of them detailed and have a body shop repair dents and scratches. Then I get to find buyers for those cars and handle all of the paperwork, etc. where is my friend, Tim Duffy when I need him? He's the one I have always trusted when I needed to buy or sell cars.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to General Conference this weekend. What inspiring and uplifting messages by our Church leaders. Many things to ponder and changes/tweaks in my life to make.
I actually do love what I am doing, who I am serving with and whom I am serving. I testify that we have a Father in Heaven who knows us and loves us. Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind. The gospel of Jesus Christ, when lived brings joy, happiness and peace in The troubled world in which we live. Have a wonderful week.
Elder Taggart
The best two years of my life?????
I had a discussion with the other two sisters in the office this week. Neither one of them are serving 2 years. One is here for a year and the other one is here for a year and a half. They both agree this is the best 2 years of their lives. I could not even begin to agree. It is a good part of my life but at this point in our lives....it better not be the best 2 years. We have been married, had our babies, held church callings galore, worked closely with youth, found our niche in life, had highs and lows of health issues, careers, and on and on. If you happened to be a Stake President or seminary teacher or nursery leader or gospel principles teacher, you already knew what it was like to give basically your whole effort for years. Interesting perspective to think this is better than having and raising 6 children.....or dining with General Authorities.....or treking with over 100 youth for 30 miles. So don't expect me to say these are the best 2 years of my life. It is good to consecrate 100%, to be with my eternal companion 24/7, and to associate with 212 amazing missionaries....yet the longing for children and grandchildren never leaves my heart.
We had to close one apartment this week because of marijuana use in the 4 apartments surrounding it. Funny, this week we discovered our suspicions were correct, the guys above us (who come on their deck many times each day) are also marijuana smokers. We had to close our glass door one night because of the "sort of skunk" smell. The AP's laughed when we told them but didn't know for sure if it was marijuana. We never find a cigarette butt and we are directly below them. It will be interesting when we turn on our window air conditioning units to see or smell what blows in. If my letters change drastically, you will know I am being affected.
We had missionaries to dinner twice this week. The Sisters were 30 minutes late on Mon.and the Elders were 35 minutes late on Thursday. Does no one know you are not supposed to be late for a dinner appointment???? I watched one Samoan Elder single handedly eat 1/2 a 9x13 pan of funeral potatoes, 4 slices of ham, salad, 2 scoops of ice-cream and 1/2 dozen cookies. I'm not sure his food budget is enough.
I assigned 111 referrals this week with the Provo Referral Center working part of the time and down a good share of the time this week. I am trying to learn patience.....still. They always apologize for my inconvenience. It's my job so it is more than an inconvenience.
I arranged with Salt Lake for a Book of Mormon to be sent to the Correctional Facility in Indiana. I broke my back molar on Friday.....eating nothing. How fair is that???
My miracle of the week was a call from a sister missionary who had a referral for me to assign. A 58 year old man had called her to see if he could learn more about our church. A pass-along card with her phone number on it had landed on his doorstep. She lives on Sheridan next to Lake Michigan. He lives smack in the middle of Skokie. (three miles away as the crow flies) The Elders I assigned went to visit him that day.....and they discovered he was a man they had met at the library before. He agreed to come to General Conference at the church Sunday.
People are being prepared and placed in our paths. We just need eyes to see and hearts to discern. So as I am under a new dentist's drill tomorrow---share the message of hope with someone.
(also catch Bruce's letter on our blog as we had another amazing miracle happen this week regarding our identity theft)
Love,
Sister Taggart
We had to close one apartment this week because of marijuana use in the 4 apartments surrounding it. Funny, this week we discovered our suspicions were correct, the guys above us (who come on their deck many times each day) are also marijuana smokers. We had to close our glass door one night because of the "sort of skunk" smell. The AP's laughed when we told them but didn't know for sure if it was marijuana. We never find a cigarette butt and we are directly below them. It will be interesting when we turn on our window air conditioning units to see or smell what blows in. If my letters change drastically, you will know I am being affected.
We had missionaries to dinner twice this week. The Sisters were 30 minutes late on Mon.and the Elders were 35 minutes late on Thursday. Does no one know you are not supposed to be late for a dinner appointment???? I watched one Samoan Elder single handedly eat 1/2 a 9x13 pan of funeral potatoes, 4 slices of ham, salad, 2 scoops of ice-cream and 1/2 dozen cookies. I'm not sure his food budget is enough.
I assigned 111 referrals this week with the Provo Referral Center working part of the time and down a good share of the time this week. I am trying to learn patience.....still. They always apologize for my inconvenience. It's my job so it is more than an inconvenience.
I arranged with Salt Lake for a Book of Mormon to be sent to the Correctional Facility in Indiana. I broke my back molar on Friday.....eating nothing. How fair is that???
My miracle of the week was a call from a sister missionary who had a referral for me to assign. A 58 year old man had called her to see if he could learn more about our church. A pass-along card with her phone number on it had landed on his doorstep. She lives on Sheridan next to Lake Michigan. He lives smack in the middle of Skokie. (three miles away as the crow flies) The Elders I assigned went to visit him that day.....and they discovered he was a man they had met at the library before. He agreed to come to General Conference at the church Sunday.
People are being prepared and placed in our paths. We just need eyes to see and hearts to discern. So as I am under a new dentist's drill tomorrow---share the message of hope with someone.
(also catch Bruce's letter on our blog as we had another amazing miracle happen this week regarding our identity theft)
Love,
Sister Taggart
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