I am amazed to realize that summer is already winding down. Most kids go back to school sometime in the next two weeks. We have had a gorgeous summer here this year. It has only been above 90 three times this year and the humidity has been quite mild. Without having any grandkids or little children close-by we don't hear much of the excitement, fear and anticipation of a new school year.
On Monday night, we enjoyed a visit from Nicole Halversen Sofe and her little family. They were making the long drive from Seattle to Washington DC and needed a place to crash for the night. It was very enjoyable to visit and particularly to have a cute, little two year old in our home.
Other than that, it has been a pretty typical week of problems with cars, cell phones and iPads, most of which could have been solved without my help by just applying common sense. But then I remind myself that most of these young missionaries are 18-19 and really have very little experience in life. So I am grateful to be needed and able to help.
I sold another car yesterday. I met two young men from Indiana on Friday night to show them the cars we have. Originally they were gong to meet me at 4:30, but due to traffic, etc. they finally arrived at 6:20 and I got home at 7:15. I then met them again yesterday afternoon to do all of the paperwork and receive the check. So our date night and preparation day had numerous hours consumed, making it a weekend of hurrying to just get the essentials done to be ready for next weeks arrival of new missionaries and transfers of others.
In the continuing saga of our tax refund check; we received notice from the IRS that they received my paperwork back in July indicating that we didn't receive our refund they had mailed. They said that if they find out that refund check hasn't been cashed, we should see a replacement check in 45-60 days. If someone else has cashed it, it might be another 6 months before we see it.
One night this week, I received a phone call from a young sister missionary we have grown to love. She has struggled much of her mission with some health challenges and homesickness. She said, "the mission president is busy and I have already bugged him too much, so I called my favorite senior missionaries for some advice and encouragement. Earlier she missed the wedding of her sister. This week she found out that one of her brothers is getting married this fall and that her younger brother has decide to go on a mission. So she was really struggling with the tugs to be home for these family events, etc. The two of us talked to her for over an hour. We encouraged her but also told her how hard it is even for us old people to miss important family events and just the hugs and laughter of little ones. Life as a missionary is very hard at times and most at one point or another ask themselves why they are doing what they are doing. Fortunately at the end of our conversation, Sister_______ told us that she loved us and that she now knew that she needed to dig deep and finish her mission here. We do love these young people and hope that our involvement in their lives is helping them to know they are loved, that they can do hard things and that this work is bigger than any of us.
I have been reminded many times while serving here that a loving God is involved in the very details of our lives. Sometimes at the moment of trial or frustration, we might not see His involvement, but as we take time to reflect, we notice and acknowledge that He knows and sees all and that He will always be there to help us. Ofttimes His involvement almost goes unnoticed unless we pause, ponder and reflect. If we don't slow down occasionally, we are at risk of noticing His involvement in the very details.
This week, I encourage you to slow down, pause and reflect to recognize His love and involvement in your life. He loves us and cares about deeply about every detail of our lives. Open our heart and let Him show you how much He cares. We love you.
Elder Taggart
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