August 17,2014
Dear Family and Friends,
Monotony of the job. Most jobs are that way. Wake up,show up, keep up, go home and start over again the next day. Our office continues to run, however, this week we could have had some real territory disputes. In the beginning I felt like more than my fair share was dropped on my desk. I soon learned how to balance my time, juggle my assignments, prioritize essential with less important, and just "git her done." Now our "office manager" has nothing to do except
answer the phone (and 9 X out of 10 the phone calls are for Elder Taggart or myself) and prepare welcome and farewell packets. This week she started blurring boundaries as I heard her taking orders for supplies, trying to handle a referral herself, and going through the mail before bringing it to my desk. I've done all these things capably for 14 months so what am I to do? The problem is when you blurr the lines of responsibility, how can you be sure who is going to get what done? I have learned how to bite my tongue and spit blood. It is irritating especially in light of them extending their mission a few more months. Most of the time she reads novels or does crossword puzzles quietly at her desk so we will manage to keep harmony in the office.
My biggest stress this week was altering a dress for our president's wife to be worn in their son's wedding line. She has no time to shop so she ordered a dress online. When it arrived it didn't fit well. So I was asked to work my magic and make it fit. No sweat, right? I have never seen a dress made as beautifully as this one. The lining was even lined so not one seam showed! Chiffon on top of sheer polyester on top of lining! I can do this, right?....and if not, oh yeh, she won't have time to mail order another one. She also wanted a lined jacket's sleeves shortened one inch. Five hours and three fervent prayers later it was done. I was blessed with insights I never would have thought of. The final fitting was a perfect fit and the wedding will be this week. Whew!! Those made articles #105 and #106 I have done since starting my mission. Thanks Mom, 4-H, and Barbie clothes for teaching me all I know about altering clothes.
We had Nicole Halverson Sofe and family here for part of a day. We were happy to see them, provide our luxury floor bed, and catch up on our Renton friends. They were continuing on to Washington D.C. for a job and adventure. Yvette (2) was fun to watch and play with. We went for courtyard walks and even found a firefly or two which fascinated her.
We said goodbye this week to the Sister Sisters. Two widowed sisters from Colorado and Utah left comforts of home and family to drive in downtown Chicago daily, find the lost and forgotten, and make a difference in many lives. They will be missed. They are my heros. We received a new couple this week. They are from Oregon and have arranged and planned for years so they could leave their two handicapped children to serve this mission. He has been teaching himself Polish and has already found Polish people to teach the gospel. There are many amazing people here.
Elder: "My name tag just got run over by a car! Don't worry, I wasn't attached to it."
Sister: "Can we drop this referral. He just wants Hermanas. He has put his name in the referral system 6 times and if he gets Elders, he says he's not interested. He only wants Sisters and he creeps me out." Drop him, Danno.
We sorted 2000 invitations into piles of 15, then put them into Zones. We have a General Authority coming in September and preparations are starting now. Guess who got assigned the night dinner???? Yup---me. Dumb luck, I guess.
We spent part of our P-day selling car #9 yesterday. Elder Taggart could sell just about anything. Salt Lake was sending a truck to pick up all our used vehicles and now there are only 2 left. Oops!!
Our gal above us continues her marijuana summer. Though cool enough this year to leave the door open, most nights we have to close it because of the smell. We also opened our 3rd door this week and were face to face with a motorcycle "gangster." Seems the "lady" at the other end of our hallway has a variety of guy friends. We see much of the world here. We also hear Anika at the end of the hall practicing the piano. It sounds like a honky tonk piano but to hear a child practice gives me hope.
Elder Taggart and I finished the Book of Mormon together last night for the 4th time. That also gives me hope. God lives. He loves us all---the gal down the hall, our marijuana smoker, the 6 year old Anika, and me. He has a beautiful plan that if we follow and live by, brings us as much happiness as we can handle. I know this to be true, as one Elder put it this week, "I pinkie promise, Sister Taggart." Try reading the Book of Mormon straight through and then watch General Conference in October. You will know it is true and you will feel the Spirit through the words of His disciples in October. Have a great week. We plan on it.....except for my tongue.
Love,
Sister Taggart
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