Happy New Year!!! Sorry we didn't write over the holidays. We had Ekins here and wanted to enjoy every minute withy them.
Christmas away from home is never easy. We had activities to participate in, gifts were finally all delivered, yet there was a yearning to be with family. The Utah and Texas branches had both texted singing together so we briefly got a peek into the window that was our lives and will be our lives. After 2 years away we were grateful they only included 1 song each so it wouldn't hurt so much. Now my vent on Skype.....I dislike it intensely. We know our computer works well with Skype, we did a whole fireside with it......can't say the same for our kids' computers. We got 4 minutes of viewing a 1 1/2 year old grandson we haven't seen since we got here 1 1/2 years ago. One daughter the sound worked but not the picture,one son the picture worked but not the sound. One daughter had a 5 second sound delay so they spent the whole time pointing at us and laughing. The son who Skypes us regularly had no issues with technology. Thus the less-than-fulfilling visit with children on Christmas.
Ekins arrived in time for Christmas dinner in the evening and it was celebration time. They drove 8 hours from Ohio on Christmas Day to be here and we were grateful. We had great conversation to get caught up, had good food, played games, and relaxed for 5 days. They were able to sleep in the empty apt. next door so there was plenty of room to spread out, do crafts, etc. I think we got more sleep those 5 days than on our whole mission. Ellis would wake up early,, slip out their glass door and into our glass door to help Elder Taggart make breakfast. Fluffy pancakes, muffins, omelettes, with hot cocoa and Cutie oranges. Each day was a new creation. Ellie was so proud she had grown taller this year and didn't need to sit on the counter to help. We watched Night at the Museum before going to the Field Museum and it made the adventure that much more fun. (except our dinosaur bones didn't move) Alas, they had to leave and we came back to reality.
The quilt is nearing completion thanks to helping hands. Our office looks so empty now that boxes are cleared out. My life in the office is much the same....175 letters to readdress my first day back. Who does the letter addressed to Z-DUBS belong to? "Who in Chicago speaks Ethiopian, Sister Taggart? We have an investigator from Ethiopia." Some Elders were checking out my new phone case and the next thing I know, their "selfie" of themselves is my new
screen saver! This life either keeps you young or ages you rapidly!!
Our bonus came when our Elder from Ecuador had a layover in Chicago and the Taggarts and
Abbotts took him out to dinner in Hispanic Chicago.
He has had 1 semester at BYU-I, carried a 19 credit hour load, and got a 4.0 while also serving as the Executive Secretary in the Bishopric. He said he was not a student before his mission but now he finds it easy. His enthusiasm for life and gratitude were contagious. We laughed and enjoyed the common experiences we have had in Chicago. He will be a Church leader someday in Ecuador.
We have snow and it has turned cold this morning. No complaints. We have had a Seattle winter up til now. We loved receiving cards from so many of our old friends and family. Feels good to reconnect with your lives.
We press forward with hope and gladness. As we see each new batch of missionaries arrive, full of hope, our hope in the Church's future increases. We feel gladness as we meet with outgoing or released missionaries because they have blessed our lives. We laugh as we think of 400 extra grandkids we have grown to love and care deeply for.
That which does not kill you makes you stronger. I will be a much stronger person than when I came.
We love the gospel. We love being missionaries. We have grown to love Chicago and the people here. May we all feel the need to share what we know to be true with those waiting to hear our message.
Love,
Sister Taggart
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