First, let me give a shout it to my amazingly wonderful wife and companion, Claudia, aka Sister Taggart. Happy, happy birthday to the best companion anyone could have! I have known her for all but 8 of her birthdays which is now quite a long time. I do love her so.
The week started out with great news from the eye doctor. Neither of us have cataracts or any signs do glaucoma. My prescription has not changed and Sister T's has improved to the point that she no longer needs glasses except to read. Cheap dollar store cheaters work just fine for that. So that was a woot woot as the younger set would say.
Most of the week we have had cold air coming down from Canada so it has only been in the 50's most days for the high and it has gotten down to the low 40's at night. I truly hope that this isn't a sign that this winter will be even worse than last.
Missionary calls or mishaps this week - All reminders that they are young and lack experience.
Elder Taggart, we left our car window down last night and someone stole our gas credit card. What should we do? I wanted to say, cry, pray, or walk for the next week; you live in Chicago and should expect that if you leave your window open and inviting. But the soft side of me prevailed and I told them I would cancel that card and issue them a new one.
A missionary was messing around and put his "U" shaped bike lock around his neck and locked it. He had been having difficulty getting it to unlock. Well he couldn't get it to unlock, so after trying numerous times and also having his companion try to block it, he slept that night with it around his neck. The next morning he knew he couldn't go out with that around his neck and he definitely didn't want to call me or the president. So he says that he went back in the bedroom, said a prayer asking for help and the lock unlocked.
Two weeks ago, a missionary called and told me that he had lost his iPad at a zone activity at the church. I told him that before I would replace it, I wanted him to check with his zone leaders and all the other missionaries who were at the activity. I didn't hear back from him, so I assumed that he had found it. Well this week, he did call me to tell me that he had just called his zone leaders and they had his iPad. Why would he not check sooner or why didn't his zone leaders let him know sooner that they had it.
We had a mission conference on Friday with Elder and Sister James K Hamula of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy. All of the senior missionaries had dinner with them on Thursday night at the mission home. We had a total of 28 there for dinner. Sister Taggart was in charge of planning the meal, making assignments, and then we prepared and provided the meat. We cooked 6 ribeye roasts in a roaster for 8 hours with her basting them every so often. The meat was tender and tasty and we had a wonderful evening together breaking bread and visiting with each other.
The conference on Friday was just what we needed to have our spiritual cup filled. Our batteries were recharged and our spirits lifted so that we can continue to press forward with enthusiasm and energy. That night a special fireside was held for investigators, recent converts and any who are returning to church activity. Because the parking was not adequate at the building it was held in, we prepaid for parking for cars at an auxiliary parking lot .6 mile for the building. I got to be the shuttle van driver; making the trip from the parking to the building and back about 10 times both before and after the fireside. After that, I transported 4 missionaries back to their apartments. I finally arrived at our apartment at 11:50 pm, tired and more than ready for bed.
We had stake conference this weekend here. Based on some Facebook posts and messages Claudia has received, I realize that the wonderful people of The Renton Stake had their annual day of service to beautify and makes life better for many in their community. I have fond memories of those experiences and miss having been able to work shoulder to shoulder with you.
We are richly blessed and having a great experience together. We love the life we have chosen to live, though we do miss each of you. I encourage you to have the faith sufficient to open your mouth and share with those around you how blessed our life is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have a rich week.
Elder Taggart
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