Calm amongst the storm

This week screamed by because it was so crazy busy. On Monday the president asked me if I would attend all 4 zone training meetings and inspect every iPad. So, with the help of Sister T at 3 of those, we looked at 209 iPads. We checked Facebook to see if missionaries were following family and friends back home and to see if their news feed looked missionary appropriate. We checked iMessages and photos as well as Area Book. This all had to be done in a two hour window. By the time we finished, my eyes were shot from staring at a small screen.

Fortunately most missionaries are being obedient in using this technology to enhance their ability to invite others to come unto Christ. There are/will always be those who will push the boundaries and go around the guidelines. The biggest need for correction is to have missionaries unfollow family and friends back home. If they see everything that's happening back home, they have a difficult time not getting homesick. They also have difficulty focusing on the work they are called to do here.

Sadly, some have been sending iMessages and FB chats to friends and family frequently. But now the president knows about those and can deal with the disobedience so they can succeed and grow.

I also trained the 32 District Leaders after each zone meeting on inspecting vehicles. They have asked me to make sure that every vehicles gets inspected every month. I'm good but there is no physical way I could go from top of Illinois to the bottom of Indiana to inspect cars every month and be able to accomplish anything else. So I will have the District Leaders do that for me. Then I will only have to enter the inspection information on every car into the CARS system.

I sold another car this week. Perhaps there is a second career budding when I get home haha.

Yesterday, which was my P-day (day off so to speak), my phone went crazy with missionaries calling to tell me that a message popped up on their iPad telling them they needed to change their password in 60 minutes or they would be locked out of their device. It would have been nice to know this would be happening in advance. So after several calls, I sent a message out to the entire mission with a new password for them to enter into their device to unlock it.

I also prepared dinner for some Elders last night since Sister Taggart was under the weather. We had a yummy roast with mashed potatoes, a Cesar salad, rolls, squash and homemade brownies and ice cream for dessert. Sister T did make the brownies on Friday. I served her a plate in the bedroom do she wouldn't contaminate anyone haha.

Sister Taggart mentioned the crazy storm we had on Monday. I've never seen it rain so hard for so long. Nor have I seen thunder and lightning coming so frequently and striking so closely. A companionship of Sisters drove too fast through the water that accumulated quickly and then parked where the water level rose high enough to come in the doors of the car. So their car had 4 inches of water in it and also wouldn't start. Obviously they called Elder Taggart to solve their dilemma. The car is in the shop now being dried out and fixed so that it will start.

The calm in the storm this week has been being able to see every young missionary in the mission and to visit with them a bit. We do so love them and appreciate their love and enthusiasm even though they at times do act like typical 18 year olds. The real calm every day comes as we are able to spend time studying the scriptures and conversing with Father in Heaven through prayer. That calm gives me strength and resolve to press forward in faith. I invite you to spend time in the scriptures and in prayer getting closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the one who changes hearts and makes all things possible ultimately.

Elder Taggart