Change

I continue to marvel at the change in a person's countenance, behaviors and outlooks as they embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and begin the journey of becoming more like him. When good people make Christ their focus and begin to ask themselves before making any decision, what would Jesus do, they become a different person and their heart is changed forever. Seeing, and at times, being a part of that process is exciting and rewarding.

The two of us had a quiet, but enjoyable Thanksgiving together. Claudia spent 6 or so hours sewing on the mission quilt, so I prepared the meal and did the laundry. I enjoyed being able to hear from most of our children in one form or another. I am so thankful for each of them and their families; we do miss being able to be with them right now, but know that there are blessings waiting for each of them because of our service, if they will have the faith to claim them.

I can't sit down to a Thanksgiving meal and not reflect and be so grateful for life and the extension the Lord has given me to linger here to enjoy so much of life. As most of you know, I had my first heart attack 21 years ago on Thanksgiving day. And just over 20 years ago, after the second attack, the doctors told Claudia that I only had 6 months to live. Obviously they didn't know the Lord's capability to heal a 'broken heart'. How grateful I am for the detour he has allowed me. Many choice life experiences have been enjoyed in that time. I wonder at times if he is pleased with what I have done in those years as a very imperfect man just trying to be more like him.

We see change in the weather and things around us as we begin the Christmas season, one of my favorites of the entire year. I am so appreciative for the reason for this season, our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the healer of broken hearts and lives. As we apply the healing balm of his Atoning sacrifice and it's enabling power to heal, lift and bring change, we can press forward with hope. Oh how I love his message of peace and love and this season when most of the world shows forth greater love and caring for others.

We decorated the Christmas tree and starting playing Christmas music yesterday. We are well into preparations for some presents, etc. for 40 of our missionaries who rarely, if ever get letters or packages from home. It's fun to see their faces light up as they have something to open even if it's not from home.

The mission president told me on Friday that our mission complement would be going down over the next 3-4 months. We currently have 202 young missionaries, but the wave has crested and the number of new missionaries available and ready to come serve is going down. So by March or April, we will be down to 160 or 170 missionaries. That change will be just the reverse of what we dealt with when we first arrived. Instead of scrambling for enough cars and apartments to accommodate new arrivals, we will be getting rid of cars and closing apartments as the number returning home will exceed those coming out.

Change is constant in our lives. We can either embrace it, hang on and enjoy the ride, or we can let change leave us behind. I have found that as we are striving to know and do what a loving God wants us to do, most of the changes are for our good and help us to stretch and grow even though at the time we may not want to. Enjoy the change in the season and look for opportunities to make changes for good in your life and those around you.

Elder Taggart