Sunday, January 11, 2015

Glad to be me in spite of myself

Greetings from Chicagoland. We got more snow this week and it hasn't gone anywhere until today because the highs most days this week have been in single digits. Today is balmy, about 32 degrees. Who ever thought you would be excited for it to get up to freezing?

We had a young man from our ward here leave this week to attend Utah State to begin his college studies. He has some challenges socially that have prevented him until now to leave home. He is 21 and after spending 6 months living with an uncle's family in Utah, he and his parents decided he might be able to handle being on his own. Last Sunday I told him that my ancestors had a connection to that school. When his mother dropped him off, they told him to go to the TSC. They didn't know what that stood for. Before she drove away, he came running out of the building excitedly to tell his mother that is was the Taggart Student Center. She told me today how grateful she was that he had made a connection to something familiar that calmed him before she drove off. Who'd of thought that a connection to Taggart would calm and assure him.

Claudia's knee has been causing her much pain lately. After X-rays and an exam this week, the doctor told her that her right knee is bone on bone, thus the pain. I was impressed with him as he explained the possibly options, etc. which ultimately will be a knee replacement. The next morning, he gave her a cortisone injection, which as of today has relieved much of the pain. Hopefully we can buy 4 months of minor pain and have the surgery after we get home in May.

We had the two young Elders who are living right next door come give her a blessing. I have given her 100's over our years of marriage and we felt it would be good experience for them. Elder Warner gave her a beautiful blessing. Now we press forward in faith to finish our labors here.

Hey, how about those Seahawks? I just has to give them a shout out.

We had 7 accidents with mission vehicles this week, so you know what I have been doing. I haven't figured out how to get them to think and to have their brain engaged in what they are doing as they drive. The majority of the accidents continue to be due to not paying attention, lack of judgement or lack of experience.

I was asked to give a blessing today to a sweet sister from Mongolia. They are quite new to the church and thus have not had much experience with those things. So I walked her husband through doing the anointing and then I sealed and gave her a blessing. They are such humble people so full of faith and are here to get an education so they can go back to Mongolia and make a difference for good.

I am grateful for all the Lord has blessed me with and for His trust in me. I love being part of this great work and appreciate all the good people we are meeting as we serve. The gospel is true, a loving Father in Heaven knows us personally and is aware of our every need. He is indeed involved in the very details of our lives. Take time this week to see His hand in our life. We love and miss you all.


Elder Taggart

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