Joy in the Journey

"Adam fell that men might be; men are that they might have joy." I taught the Gospel principles class today and the lesson was on the fall of Adam and Eve. We had a great discussion and after the class an investigator who has been coming for many weeks came up and thanked me for the lesson. He said he had never heard the story of Adam and Eve told that way and he really appreciated the perspective. Thanks to modern revelation, we know that both Adam and Eve should be thanked for the difficult decision they made to partake of the fruit. Had they not done so, none of us would be here and none of us would know joy and sorrow, health and sickness, pleasure and pain. None of us would have children and the multitude of opportunities to learn, grow and enjoy this mortal life. Had they not made that choice, which was always part of Father's plan, they would still be lounging around in the garden being provided for.

A 2012 Ford Fusion was totaled this week after two Sisters made a left-hand turn in front of on-coming traffic causing almost $7,000 damage to our car and almost $6,000 to the other car. Fortunately all involved were ok, with none sustaining any major injuries. Sadly for those Sisters, now neither one of them can drive because the companion had already lost her driving privileges for a similar accident the first time she drove. So they are now on bikes until the president can make a change of companions for both of them.

Thursday we came out to our car to go drive a car to the body shop to be remove dents and scratches so that I can sell it. To my surprise, my car wouldn't start; nothing but a click, click, click when I turned the key. Fortunately some Elders were at the office so I had them give me a jump. After getting a new battery, we were back on the road again.

As the Elders pulled up to my car, I noticed a dent/crease in the hood of their car. When I asked about it, the two of them looked at each other with that look of, oh no, we've been caught. It seems after District meeting this week, the Elder who was backing the driver up, jumped on the hood after he had backed his companion up. This Elder is maybe 4' 10" tall and weighs maybe 100 lbs. dripping wet. And yet, he out a nice crease and dent in the hood. I believe the hood will have to be replaced. "...the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth to the very center" they were both remorseful and apologized when I saw them at church today.

As we walked into church today, a man from the ward who met earlier looked at us and said, "Taggart, do you know Wayne DeMeester from Redmond, WA?" It is such a small world in the church; his father, Wayne, and I served as bishops of different wards at the same time. This young son looks so much like his father, it took me back many years to when we both served. Remember who you are and what you stand for because you never know when you might see someone who knows you or knows of you.

I wouldn't have seen this man, except we were at the church an hour early for choir practice. The choir started practices las week for the Christmas program. I must say, it is really fun to not have a responsible calling that makes it so I can't sing in the choir. I am loving it.

Our oldest grandchild returned from her mission to the Dominican Republic this last Thursday night. We had a nice phone visit with her on Friday. We are thrilled for the experiences she has had and the people she has met as she has served. Her life will never be the same because of the experiences and growth she had on her mission. We love you Brianne and wish we could have been there to welcome you home. Missing family events with children and grandchildren is the hardest things about serving a Sr. Mission. But we are being blessed and so is our posterity because of our willingness to consecrate this time to the Lord. Hopefully they all notice the blessings and miracles that are taking place.

Make time this week to notice the blessings and miracles that are around you every day. Take time to find joy in the journey, regardless of where you are in this journey of life and the journey of becoming more like the Savior. We love you.

Elder Taggart