Before I write anything else, let me wish each you a very Merry
Christmas and a fabulous 2015! We love you and think of you often even
though we have very little contact with most of you these days.
It
was a crazy, busy, Christmas-prep week. We had 8 new missionaries
arrive on Monday, which meant Elder driving the transfer van and trailer
to the airport to pick up luggage and then to the train station to pick
up bright-eyed missionaries after their train ride from the airport to
downtown, seeing a few sights of the city and a train ride out of the
city toward the mission home. The Abbotts did their training on Monday
night because the new arrivals are pretty beat that first night. And
since their training doesn't involve that is life or death physically
and spiritually, we changed the order of the training.
So
Tuesday morning, the Taggarts were at the church building bright and
early to be prepared to pack 1 1/2 hours with training on referrals,
baptisms, supplies, name tags, mail, packages, car safety, iPad set-up,
policies/procedures, cell phones and just a good old pep talk before
they head to their areas. We hurry back to the office to make sure that
lunch, packages and mail plus a warm welcome await them as they stop by
the office.
Tuesday night, we leave the office and head straight
to the mission home to enjoy dinner and a testimony meeting with the 11
missionaries who would be returning home. That is always a wonderful
evening but it is also difficult to say farewell to missionaries we have
grown to love and whom we have served our whole mission with. They are
like grandkids and we know we will miss them so, just like we miss our
grandchildren we left behind.
Wednesday we make sure that all of
the sub for Santa boxes (49) are sealed, labeled and ready for
delivery. The Taggarts and Abbotts worked very well together to make
sure all of this happened. That night we went to dinner with the
Abbotts, Gripmanns and 4 Elders. The Chinese food was wonderful and the
conversation enjoyable.
Every day packages and mailed arrived
for missionaries from family and friends. I sorted the packages and
typed labels for the mail most of the week so that Claudia could work on
other pressing responsibilities. We had almost 250 packages arrive and
close to 400 letters and cards. I must say, my typing skills have been
sharpened. In between, I replaced a few iPads, prepared others to be
used again, handled 4 more accident claims, replaced 3 cell phones and
sold a car.
On Thursday and Friday, Elder Abbott and I held the
office down while our wives helped prepare and serve lunch for 4 zones
who were having the special Christmas lunch, meeting and trip to the
temple.
Thursday afternoon I started to feel a bit under the
weather. Since then, I have been fighting the grundge that has been
going around; fever, chills, sinus issues and coughing. I. Laughed so
hard Thursday night, my back and ribs just hurt on Friday. But DayQuil
and NyQuil have come to the rescue. And today, I was able to sing with
the ward choir for the Christmas program.
We look forward this
week to being able to talk or Skype with kids and their families. The
Eakins family will also arrive for a 5 day visit on Christmas Day. We do
realize that we are greatly blessed in so many ways and count among
those blessings our friendship with each of you. We are blessed with
family, both immediate and extended, with the richness of the gospel of
Jesus Christ, with our love and companionship and the privilege of being
here.
We live in a world of chaos and many challenges. But amid
all of that there is hope because of Him whose birth we celebrate this
week. The message to this song we sung is calming in a troubled world.
The name of the song is "All is Well", written by Michael W Smith and
Wayne Kirkpatrick and arranged by John Leavitt.
All is well, all is well, Angels and men rejoice.
For tonight darkness fell into the dawn of Love's light.
Sing al-le, sing alleluia.
All is well, all is well. Let there be peace on earth.
Christ is come, go and tell, that He is in the manger.
Sing alleluia.
All is well, all is well. Lift up your voice and sing,
Born is now Emmanuel, born is our Lord and Savior.
Sing alleluia, all is well.
Challenges
and struggles come into every life, heartache and sorry too. But
"because of Him" there is light in a world filled with darkness; there
is hope in a world of despair. "He is The Gift"! As we strive to know
Him, we desire to serve others. As we serve others, we grow to know Him.
Because we know Him, we love others and desire to be more like him and
to help others to know Him through who we are becoming. May your hearts
and homes be filled with the spirit of Christ this Christmas. I know
that He lives and loves each one of us. He is the way to joy and
happiness in this life and in the next to come.
Elder Taggart
Sunday, December 21, 2014
We are Chicagoans and we may die of exhaustion
December 21, 2014
We are in Chicago, murder capitol of America. What comes next shouldn't surprise me. My reaction to it should. Last Sunday we had gone to bed at 10:15, normal for us. Elder Taggart is asleep in 3 minutes--normal for him. (He says it's because he has a clear conscience) I lay awake and process--the day, the week, the conversations, the upcoming day. It can take hours. Our window is open because everyone around us has heat set at 80 degrees and we are like an oven. (we close our window between 6:15 & 6:30 A.M. when the marijuana smoker comes on the deck above to smoke her first doobie for the day) I hear 5 "pops" in a row.
"That's a gun shot."
"No. Probably something else. If it is a gun it's low caliber....probably a 22."
POP...a bit louder.
"That was a gun."
"Maybe that was a gun."
POP....even louder and closer.
Elder Taggart,:Now that was a gun. We will wait a minute and hear sirens."
Me, "No we won't. We are in unincorporated Glenview. The police never come here. Besides who will call them?"
"Somebody will. Go to sleep."
And he does. I lay awake thinking it was really close, our window is open, and WE HAVE BECOME CHICAGOANS!!!!!
In Relief Society the president matter-of-factly asks if anyone can feed Sister _________'s birds and cats while she is in the recovery center after surgery. "The birds are her last connection to her son who was shot awhile back so we need to keep them alive." I will never get used to the violence here. Ho-hum, it's just part of their lives.
This week has tested me in many ways.
# 1 The quilt will not be done before Christmas. My body gave out. After 70 hours of appliquéing hands and skyline and words, then putting it together and trying to tie and bind a king-sized quilt in 2 12 hour days, my hands,shoulders,neck and back screamed--ENOUGH!!! The President was amazed I just stopped before it was done but I can hardly lift my arm to use the mouse of the computer. 50 hours a week at the office, then 70 hours in 3 weeks (after hours) on this quilt were too much. And guess what.....life goes on. I will finish it before I go home, at my pace. The panic, "Transfers are tomorrow, can you fit 8 more hands on?" let me know the President just doesn't "get it." Once it is bound and tied and full of 224 hands, you can't keep appliquéing on more hands each transfer. The quilt is full. Enough is enough.
# 2 Transfers on top of the quilt on top of all my sub-for-Santa on top of my day job have nearly buried me this week. Packages at Christmas bury me 94 on Mon--36 on Tues--20 on Wed--40 on Thurs--43 on Friday. We have to log them, label them by zone, then shelve them. We mingled our 49 boxes for missionaries who never get anything and voila--it's Christmas. Two Elders, different days, literally grabbed the box with their name on it, jumped up and down, and whooped "I GOT A BOX. IT HAS MY NAME ON IT." That made it all worth it. Inside they would find candy, a gift card, fleece scarf, popcorn ball, chapstick, 2 ties, 2 pr. of dress socks, a journal, a nice pen, snacks and a flashlight. Not extravagant but a box full of surprizes just for them, thanks to many donors.
So when two moms call and say, "did my son get his box?" I want to laugh. Their son gets a box monthly and like I know, once I leave the office, who got a box that day. We got 233 boxes in the mail this week and literally hundreds of letters to be readdressed. I just process and shelve (with help from my companion and the Abbotts this week) I don't memorize who got what. So transfers add a luncheon and training on Tues, Elder Taggart picking up luggage at the airport and picking up missionaries from the train station. Dinner and testimony meeting Tues. night for the outgoing 11, with tears. We have loved these missionaries for over a year and a half now and we hate to see them go. (the Utah ones plan parties at our new house when we get home!)
# 3 Thursday and Friday of this same exhausting transfer week we have Zone Christmas lunches, party, and temple trip. Sister Abbott and I are at the mission home setting up, cooking, doing dishes, then a fast turn around when the first group of 24 leaves for the temple and the group of 24 comes from the temple for lunch. So we clear off tables fast, set up fast, and fix and feed the next 24. We do this two days in a row for 4 Zones--2 hours in the office--3 hours at the mission home--4 hours at the office. (And why isn't the quilt done?) I have felt tired before but now I understand complete exhaustion. But we have p-day on Saturday....right???
# 4 We go to a baptism on our p-day for a referral. She is a mother of 3, dared to put her name into the referral system for a Book of Mormon and now she is a Mormon. She looked so radiant and beautiful as she came out of the baptismal font. We were there with 10 other missionaries who serve in Westchester. We met Annette Bowen's (Bellevue South Stake) brother who lives there but will soon move back to Issaquah. He bought a log house on a river there....our dream.
We hurry from there to the office so I can get a jump start on the week next week. Why am I working on my p-day??
# 5 How many missionaries who love us and give us thank you notes amazes me. Many moms trained their sons and daughters to express gratitude and some days that is the only thing that keeps us going. These young missionaries are amazing. They are fearless. But they express a need for the hugs and encouragement we give. They express gratitude for our long hours of service to them. They thank us for our sacrifice. Their encouragement reminds me I too can do hard things and though I don't have their youth, I still have the promise: Matt. 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
So we keep on keeping on. We hope each of you have a Merry Christmas with family. Remember the reason for the season. We love each of you and pray for you daily.
Sister Taggart
We are in Chicago, murder capitol of America. What comes next shouldn't surprise me. My reaction to it should. Last Sunday we had gone to bed at 10:15, normal for us. Elder Taggart is asleep in 3 minutes--normal for him. (He says it's because he has a clear conscience) I lay awake and process--the day, the week, the conversations, the upcoming day. It can take hours. Our window is open because everyone around us has heat set at 80 degrees and we are like an oven. (we close our window between 6:15 & 6:30 A.M. when the marijuana smoker comes on the deck above to smoke her first doobie for the day) I hear 5 "pops" in a row.
"That's a gun shot."
"No. Probably something else. If it is a gun it's low caliber....probably a 22."
POP...a bit louder.
"That was a gun."
"Maybe that was a gun."
POP....even louder and closer.
Elder Taggart,:Now that was a gun. We will wait a minute and hear sirens."
Me, "No we won't. We are in unincorporated Glenview. The police never come here. Besides who will call them?"
"Somebody will. Go to sleep."
And he does. I lay awake thinking it was really close, our window is open, and WE HAVE BECOME CHICAGOANS!!!!!
In Relief Society the president matter-of-factly asks if anyone can feed Sister _________'s birds and cats while she is in the recovery center after surgery. "The birds are her last connection to her son who was shot awhile back so we need to keep them alive." I will never get used to the violence here. Ho-hum, it's just part of their lives.
This week has tested me in many ways.
# 1 The quilt will not be done before Christmas. My body gave out. After 70 hours of appliquéing hands and skyline and words, then putting it together and trying to tie and bind a king-sized quilt in 2 12 hour days, my hands,shoulders,neck and back screamed--ENOUGH!!! The President was amazed I just stopped before it was done but I can hardly lift my arm to use the mouse of the computer. 50 hours a week at the office, then 70 hours in 3 weeks (after hours) on this quilt were too much. And guess what.....life goes on. I will finish it before I go home, at my pace. The panic, "Transfers are tomorrow, can you fit 8 more hands on?" let me know the President just doesn't "get it." Once it is bound and tied and full of 224 hands, you can't keep appliquéing on more hands each transfer. The quilt is full. Enough is enough.
# 2 Transfers on top of the quilt on top of all my sub-for-Santa on top of my day job have nearly buried me this week. Packages at Christmas bury me 94 on Mon--36 on Tues--20 on Wed--40 on Thurs--43 on Friday. We have to log them, label them by zone, then shelve them. We mingled our 49 boxes for missionaries who never get anything and voila--it's Christmas. Two Elders, different days, literally grabbed the box with their name on it, jumped up and down, and whooped "I GOT A BOX. IT HAS MY NAME ON IT." That made it all worth it. Inside they would find candy, a gift card, fleece scarf, popcorn ball, chapstick, 2 ties, 2 pr. of dress socks, a journal, a nice pen, snacks and a flashlight. Not extravagant but a box full of surprizes just for them, thanks to many donors.
So when two moms call and say, "did my son get his box?" I want to laugh. Their son gets a box monthly and like I know, once I leave the office, who got a box that day. We got 233 boxes in the mail this week and literally hundreds of letters to be readdressed. I just process and shelve (with help from my companion and the Abbotts this week) I don't memorize who got what. So transfers add a luncheon and training on Tues, Elder Taggart picking up luggage at the airport and picking up missionaries from the train station. Dinner and testimony meeting Tues. night for the outgoing 11, with tears. We have loved these missionaries for over a year and a half now and we hate to see them go. (the Utah ones plan parties at our new house when we get home!)
# 3 Thursday and Friday of this same exhausting transfer week we have Zone Christmas lunches, party, and temple trip. Sister Abbott and I are at the mission home setting up, cooking, doing dishes, then a fast turn around when the first group of 24 leaves for the temple and the group of 24 comes from the temple for lunch. So we clear off tables fast, set up fast, and fix and feed the next 24. We do this two days in a row for 4 Zones--2 hours in the office--3 hours at the mission home--4 hours at the office. (And why isn't the quilt done?) I have felt tired before but now I understand complete exhaustion. But we have p-day on Saturday....right???
# 4 We go to a baptism on our p-day for a referral. She is a mother of 3, dared to put her name into the referral system for a Book of Mormon and now she is a Mormon. She looked so radiant and beautiful as she came out of the baptismal font. We were there with 10 other missionaries who serve in Westchester. We met Annette Bowen's (Bellevue South Stake) brother who lives there but will soon move back to Issaquah. He bought a log house on a river there....our dream.
We hurry from there to the office so I can get a jump start on the week next week. Why am I working on my p-day??
# 5 How many missionaries who love us and give us thank you notes amazes me. Many moms trained their sons and daughters to express gratitude and some days that is the only thing that keeps us going. These young missionaries are amazing. They are fearless. But they express a need for the hugs and encouragement we give. They express gratitude for our long hours of service to them. They thank us for our sacrifice. Their encouragement reminds me I too can do hard things and though I don't have their youth, I still have the promise: Matt. 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
So we keep on keeping on. We hope each of you have a Merry Christmas with family. Remember the reason for the season. We love each of you and pray for you daily.
Sister Taggart
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Tis the week before Christmas
I love this season of the year; I mean the Christmas season, not winter.
Though this winter has been very mild so far. We hit 52 degrees today
and we have had only about 1 inch of snow so far. I am grateful for for
the lights, the music, the overall increase in generosity and caring and
most importantly, the reason for the season. Our Savior, Jesus Christ
is the reason for the season, He is the gift.
For a couple of months, Claudia has been coordinating a sub for Santa for 49 missionaries who rarely, if ever get a letter or package from home. It has been heart-warming and tender to witness the generosity and love of many people who have sent things to be included in packages for these 40 Elders and 9 Sisters. On Wednesday, 5 of us put all of the boxes together in the conference room. We had so many who wanted to help that we actually had to turn some people down and suggest they help another worthy cause.
Later this week will start special zone conferences for each of the 8 zones to help them prepare for and enjoy the Christmas season. The packages we put together will be labeled and taken to these conferences along with all the other packages that families have sent. We are hoping these will just blend in with those sent from home and make it possible for everyone to have something to open.
We had the ward Christmas party last night. It was a Hawaiian theme so everyone was encouraged to come in Hawaiian attire. We had a BBQ'd pig, chicken, salads, rolls and dessert. They asked me to be a Hawaiian Santa. Each of the children were encouraged to bring some canned or packaged food that could be given to a near-by shelter. It was fun to talk to each of the children and hear what they wanted for Christmas. I only had three little ones who absolutely didn't want to sit on Santa's lap. We have so grown to love the people here and the children have helped us to not miss our grandchildren so much.
I had the privilege of singing "Star of Bethlehem" as a solo in church today. One of the Sister missionaries serving in our ward accompanied me and did a beautiful job. I love Christmas music, the fun traditional ones but most importantly the ones that have a great message about the Savior and His mission on Earth.
Our Utah posterity got together last night for our tradition of singing Christmas songs as a family. We missed being there, but loved hearing and watching the video they posted singing one of our favorites in 4 part harmony. Next year, we will be there to add to the chaos and fun.
8 new missionaries arrive tomorrow and 10 return home on Wednesday. So this week will be full and busy. It will be exciting to welcome the new ones and sad to say farewell to those going home.
I am so grateful for the influence that Babe from Bethlehem is and has been in my life. I know that He lives; he is the light and the life of the world. Embracing His gospel and living as He would have us live, is the pathway to happiness and joy. May each of you feel of His love and spirit in your homes and families this Christmas season. May your homes be filled with laughter, love and memories with those you love.
Elder Taggart
For a couple of months, Claudia has been coordinating a sub for Santa for 49 missionaries who rarely, if ever get a letter or package from home. It has been heart-warming and tender to witness the generosity and love of many people who have sent things to be included in packages for these 40 Elders and 9 Sisters. On Wednesday, 5 of us put all of the boxes together in the conference room. We had so many who wanted to help that we actually had to turn some people down and suggest they help another worthy cause.
Later this week will start special zone conferences for each of the 8 zones to help them prepare for and enjoy the Christmas season. The packages we put together will be labeled and taken to these conferences along with all the other packages that families have sent. We are hoping these will just blend in with those sent from home and make it possible for everyone to have something to open.
We had the ward Christmas party last night. It was a Hawaiian theme so everyone was encouraged to come in Hawaiian attire. We had a BBQ'd pig, chicken, salads, rolls and dessert. They asked me to be a Hawaiian Santa. Each of the children were encouraged to bring some canned or packaged food that could be given to a near-by shelter. It was fun to talk to each of the children and hear what they wanted for Christmas. I only had three little ones who absolutely didn't want to sit on Santa's lap. We have so grown to love the people here and the children have helped us to not miss our grandchildren so much.
I had the privilege of singing "Star of Bethlehem" as a solo in church today. One of the Sister missionaries serving in our ward accompanied me and did a beautiful job. I love Christmas music, the fun traditional ones but most importantly the ones that have a great message about the Savior and His mission on Earth.
Our Utah posterity got together last night for our tradition of singing Christmas songs as a family. We missed being there, but loved hearing and watching the video they posted singing one of our favorites in 4 part harmony. Next year, we will be there to add to the chaos and fun.
8 new missionaries arrive tomorrow and 10 return home on Wednesday. So this week will be full and busy. It will be exciting to welcome the new ones and sad to say farewell to those going home.
I am so grateful for the influence that Babe from Bethlehem is and has been in my life. I know that He lives; he is the light and the life of the world. Embracing His gospel and living as He would have us live, is the pathway to happiness and joy. May each of you feel of His love and spirit in your homes and families this Christmas season. May your homes be filled with laughter, love and memories with those you love.
Elder Taggart
Ho ho ho
December 14, 2014
Another
week has blown by. This week was literally half mission and half Santa.
The tasks in the office have to be done regardless of what else you may
have. Referrals are up because missionaries are on public
transportation so they see and talk to many more potential
investigators. In layman's terms, that means my phone is dinging with
texts from missionaries all day long. I then take the texts, enter them
into the referral system and then look at maps to assign them to
missionaries to be taught or given a Bible or Book of Mormon as
requested.
Mountains
of mail is how I describe mail at this time of the year. It warms my
heart. We are averaging 60+ letters a day and 30 packages a day. That
will double in the next weeks.
Transfers
are this coming week so we will sadly watch 10 leave and will gladly
welcome 8 new, wide-eyed missionaries. That involves a lunch at the
office, training, and a testimony meeting. As the longest serving office
couple, we feel like the bridge that connects some of the gaps. All is
well in the office and we love it.
The
office came alive with wrapping gifts and distributing gifts into 49
boxes---full to overflowing this year. My heart is warmed by the
generosity of random people who email me and way "Would 30 new ties
help?" "May I provide Christmas for these 9 Elders who have been my
son's companions?" "We want a family in Chicago. Can you give us some
ideas?" So from Meridian, Idaho come winter boots for a family of 9.
Hundreds of dress socks flow in from our ward here. Journals and scarves
for Sisters appear. Gift cards for each of the 49 for fast food which
total hundreds of dollars. I orchestrate the process and am thankful for
this task that makes the Christmas season come alive.
Elder
Taggart sure made a fun Hawaiian Santa at our ward Christmas party last
night. Santa hat, wig, beard with a Hawaiian shirt, rolled up Dockers,
and sandals.....check. He was originally supposed to collect food in a
big red bag from each of the children for a food bank but as soon as he
sat down the children lined up to sit on his lap and spill their secrets
about what they really want for Christmas. I pulled the Bishop aside
and said this was a breach of mission rules....kids sitting on an
Elder's lap. The Bishop calmly said, "He's Santa right now, not Elder
Taggart." It was a fun evening, except for the 3 baby girls he made cry.
(see attached photo)
The quilt won't be
finished tomorrow and I may need extensive massage therapy when it is
completed but the President gave me permission this week to solicit the
help of Sister missionaries so at least the tying won't be a solo
effort. King sized is too large and this project has taken up our small
apartment for a month now almost.
And
thus closes another jam-packed week. We love what we are doing. We look
forward to Christmas with the Eakins. It will be good to have children
in our apartment for a few days. We appreciate this season, the music,
the feelings of love and generosity, and most of all our Savior. Have a
great week and look for all of the tender mercies around you. I'm sure
you can find at least one a day. We love you.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
The Weightier Matters of the Kingdom (2)
Here is Claudia's email. The
highlight of the week for me was the baptism of the family of 7. They
are a beautiful family and were so excited to enter the waters of
baptism and come unto Christ.
Elder Taggart
The Weightier Matters of the Kingdom
Dec. 7, 2014
Why am I counting Mondays? Let me share this last Monday with you.......
Phone Call 1"I am moving from Arizona to Chicago. I will arrive tomorrow morning. Can you have 4 missionaries there to help me unload my truck?"
Phone call 2: "Sister Taggart, what is my Social Security number?"
The mailman arrives bringing 70 letters to be readdressed and 150 Ensign Magazines to be labeled individually, separated by zone, bundled together to be taken by Zone leaders to each missionary.
Phone call 3: "My son is coming to your mission. He is my first missionary. How do I set up an account for him if his account is now with a local credit union?"
Phone call 4: "Sister Taggart, I need to order more name tags."
Referral System: someone needs to meet missionaries at the library and not at her house. Her parents would not understand. Find the missionaries and call them with a heads up.
Phone call 5: "What does my daughter want for Christmas? She comes home in February so I wanted to buy tickets for her and her companion to a museum. Which one is best? Which one would they enjoy?"
Phone call 6: "My name is Sister _____. I am mailing a box of Christmas decorations today. How soon can you get it to my daughter? Tell her to open it as soon as she gets it."
Phone call 7: "Sister Taggart, did I get a letter today?" (no) "How about yesterday?" (possibly)
"Who was it from?"
Phone call 8: "Sister Taggart, there is a person in Mexico who needs a blessing today. I know the name of the man and the hospital and the zipcode. Could you e-mail all the missions in Mexico so they can find him?" I could but there are 33 missions in Mexico and it would take me all day. I ask him to get me a few more clues---like the name of the city in Mexico. My first attempt failed but that mission emailed me the correct info--Guadalajara Mexico Mission--and the man received a Priesthood blessing.
30 boxes arrive in the mail. Three are marked DO NOT OPEN TIL CHRISTMAS. Are you kidding me?
Text: 12 more referrals for me to enter into the system and assign to missionaries.
Text: Do you have a good sugar cookie recipe? I need it for our baptism.
Abbotts leave the office. A landlord doesn't understand why we don't have missionaries stay forever. Why will this Senior Sister go home in Dec. and another one come in January?
Phone call 8: "Sister Taggart. I have a missionary serving in your mission. Could you give me the name of a family in Chicago that our family can sub-for Santa for?"
I work on referrals. I assign some to Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, the Philippines and one to Mexico, with the name of the city.
A couple comes in to bring me 2 baptism forms. I trace their right hands so they can be on the quilt I'm making. They leave in January and I'm starting to feel like there is a mass-exodus of Senior missionaries out of the mission also.
And so my time goes. nothing earth-shattering, just a live person on the other end of the line.
Yesterday we went to a baptism of epic proportions. A family from Liberia, mom, Dad and 7 children. They live in a one bedroom apartment and are grateful for "all they have" and to be living in this country. The 16 yr. old daughter had been baptised 2 years ago....now today, there sit 7 of her family in white, waiting to be baptised. They are baptised by one Senior missionary from Oregon and 3 Elders. (one from Nepal, one from Montana, one from Sandy,Utah) We have an investigator there who has had several lessons and is trying to decide if baptism is for him. Our German Elder explains things to him through the service. Tears fill my eyes as the parents are baptised first and as in Mosiah 18:11, the children "clapped their hands for joy." That usually doesn't happen in our baptism services but it was so appropriate today. They were baptised in birth order, down to the youngest little girl. It was an awesome experience. The only one of the family not there was their 18 year old daughter. She had been baptised 2 years ago but Chicago has not been a good influence on her and her choices have taken her away from the gospel.
So I close with three questions:
1) What are the weightier matters in your life?
2) Am I an influence for good in what I do daily?
3) What direction are my everyday choices taking me?
Have a great week.
Sister Taggart
Why am I counting Mondays? Let me share this last Monday with you.......
Phone Call 1"I am moving from Arizona to Chicago. I will arrive tomorrow morning. Can you have 4 missionaries there to help me unload my truck?"
Phone call 2: "Sister Taggart, what is my Social Security number?"
The mailman arrives bringing 70 letters to be readdressed and 150 Ensign Magazines to be labeled individually, separated by zone, bundled together to be taken by Zone leaders to each missionary.
Phone call 3: "My son is coming to your mission. He is my first missionary. How do I set up an account for him if his account is now with a local credit union?"
Phone call 4: "Sister Taggart, I need to order more name tags."
Referral System: someone needs to meet missionaries at the library and not at her house. Her parents would not understand. Find the missionaries and call them with a heads up.
Phone call 5: "What does my daughter want for Christmas? She comes home in February so I wanted to buy tickets for her and her companion to a museum. Which one is best? Which one would they enjoy?"
Phone call 6: "My name is Sister _____. I am mailing a box of Christmas decorations today. How soon can you get it to my daughter? Tell her to open it as soon as she gets it."
Phone call 7: "Sister Taggart, did I get a letter today?" (no) "How about yesterday?" (possibly)
"Who was it from?"
Phone call 8: "Sister Taggart, there is a person in Mexico who needs a blessing today. I know the name of the man and the hospital and the zipcode. Could you e-mail all the missions in Mexico so they can find him?" I could but there are 33 missions in Mexico and it would take me all day. I ask him to get me a few more clues---like the name of the city in Mexico. My first attempt failed but that mission emailed me the correct info--Guadalajara Mexico Mission--and the man received a Priesthood blessing.
30 boxes arrive in the mail. Three are marked DO NOT OPEN TIL CHRISTMAS. Are you kidding me?
Text: 12 more referrals for me to enter into the system and assign to missionaries.
Text: Do you have a good sugar cookie recipe? I need it for our baptism.
Abbotts leave the office. A landlord doesn't understand why we don't have missionaries stay forever. Why will this Senior Sister go home in Dec. and another one come in January?
Phone call 8: "Sister Taggart. I have a missionary serving in your mission. Could you give me the name of a family in Chicago that our family can sub-for Santa for?"
I work on referrals. I assign some to Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, the Philippines and one to Mexico, with the name of the city.
A couple comes in to bring me 2 baptism forms. I trace their right hands so they can be on the quilt I'm making. They leave in January and I'm starting to feel like there is a mass-exodus of Senior missionaries out of the mission also.
And so my time goes. nothing earth-shattering, just a live person on the other end of the line.
Yesterday we went to a baptism of epic proportions. A family from Liberia, mom, Dad and 7 children. They live in a one bedroom apartment and are grateful for "all they have" and to be living in this country. The 16 yr. old daughter had been baptised 2 years ago....now today, there sit 7 of her family in white, waiting to be baptised. They are baptised by one Senior missionary from Oregon and 3 Elders. (one from Nepal, one from Montana, one from Sandy,Utah) We have an investigator there who has had several lessons and is trying to decide if baptism is for him. Our German Elder explains things to him through the service. Tears fill my eyes as the parents are baptised first and as in Mosiah 18:11, the children "clapped their hands for joy." That usually doesn't happen in our baptism services but it was so appropriate today. They were baptised in birth order, down to the youngest little girl. It was an awesome experience. The only one of the family not there was their 18 year old daughter. She had been baptised 2 years ago but Chicago has not been a good influence on her and her choices have taken her away from the gospel.
So I close with three questions:
1) What are the weightier matters in your life?
2) Am I an influence for good in what I do daily?
3) What direction are my everyday choices taking me?
Have a great week.
Sister Taggart
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