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.
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