We Had a Baptism - My First!

Hi Everyone,

As you probably figured out I wasn't able to write yesterday! We had to help a new mother in our ward and her two little kids move into their house. It took about 2 hours, which took up our e-mail time. It was only me, Elder Campbell, and a youth from the ward unloading a U-Haul, hence the 2 hours.

Elder Campbell and I are pretty sure our bathroom has black mold that is covered up with clear scotch tape. We are also pretty sure there are deadly bacteria in there. Why, you may ask? Well, we cleaned our bathroom, scrubbing hard, trying to get rid of all its deadly diseases. Then, a few hours later, my nose began to itch. I just ignored it and went to bed that night. The next morning I woke up with my left nostril puffier than a  marshmallow. At first I just thought it was a zit, but after two days of my nostril being completely closed I realized I had caught some deadly disease from the bathroom. Turned out I had a nasal infection. Everything was fine though since I had a right nostril. I got some antibiotics from the mission doctor, and now my nose is as good as new. But, is it a coincidence that I got a nose infection after I cleaned our bacteria infested bathroom? I THINK NOT!

Oh yeah, remember last week how I told you about Abinadi? Well, This week we had a couple of potential investigators come play basketball with the ward, and we were able to play with them. Abinadi was there and I was guarding him. Abinadi tried to shoot a 3 pointer in front of my face but I blocked him. I don’t think many elders can say they played basketball with Abinadi and blocked him. Brother Wilson is an awesome guy. He puts up

with me, and he makes me feel a part of the ward. He is always looking out for us!

So, this past week we had a baptism – my first! He is a young man, 21, named Trevor John A. Trevor was so prepared to join the Church. He is already going to the temple this week to do baptisms for the dead for his deceased family members. None of his family are LDS, but they came to the baptism and are now investigating the church where they live on the south coast of Massachusetts. Trevor has a presence that makes us all want to be more Christlike. You feel the spirit when you are around him. We also have a baptism scheduled for March. She is one of the most brilliant young woman I have ever met! Her name is Leanne N. and she has such a bright future ahead of her. We were talking to Leanne and asked her “What excites you the most about being baptized?” She replied, “Always being able to have the Holy Ghost with me. I know the Lord has prepared me for this my whole life." At that moment, I realized I had done absolutely nothing. The Lord does everything. We were only instruments in his hands as we taught the Gospel to Leanne. I can’t express what an honor it is to be the Lord's instrument in this work. It truly makes me realize how much larger this work is than just us.

Elder Tait

So, Who Else is There to Meet?

Hi Everyone,

So this week has been more fantastic than the ‘92 USA Olympic Basketball Dream Team! There were some mornings I woke up feeling like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, but mostly Michael Jordan. This week I have been able to get better acquainted with ward members and, oh boy, do we have a great and interesting ward!

Today we went over to a member’s house, Brother Harry Wilson, who is around the age of 60, to do P90X (the workout program). Brother Wilson is ridiculously in shape and fit and did the workouts better than Elder Campbell and I. BUT - here’s the best part. I kid you not when I say that Brother Wilson looks exactly like Abinadi. I am not exaggerating. I will send a picture of him next week. He even has the white beard! ‪ So here we are in Abinadi’s basement doing P90X. Forty-five minutes into the workout I can barely do one pull up. Then, I look over to my left where we have Abinadi busting out 25 pull-ups like there is no tomorrow - at the age of 60.

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‪So after P90X, we helped Brother Wilson make breakfast. So guess what Mom and Dad? I don’t just love reading the Book of Mormon. I love being a part of it! I did P90X in Abinadi’s basement. I worked out my thighs and calves with Abinadi, and yes, Abinadi made me breakfast. I don’t think that’s a story most missionaries could tell! I mean I have been able to meet Danny Ainge and Abinadi, so who else is there to meet? Well, that question is the perfect lead-in to my next section. ‪

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So, who else is there to meet? I need to meet people who are ready to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I KNOW I have been placed here to find them.

‪I’ve witnessed the truth of this as I’ve talked to investigators this week.

There is a family in our ward, the Williams, who we have become well acquainted with. I feel so loved and at home when we are over there having dinner, and the conversations at their table are always so uplifting. The whole family is LDS except one member of the family, Jackson. His name is really Jackson. Jackson is in his early 20’s and he is honestly such an extremely cool guy. He is very relaxed, chill, hard working, and down to earth. If I wasn’t a missionary, Jackson and I would for sure hang out together and be good friends.  The Williams are extremely family oriented, (which just makes them 100x cooler) so Jackson still comes to church even though he has not (yet!) been able to accept the LDS faith.

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‪So we were over at the Williams this week and we were talking about how the Catholic Pope is going to step down, and how Catholics must be feeling about this unusual situation. Jackson then asked, “Well, how would you feel if President Monson stepped down and left?” At that moment I was instantly flooded with the Spirit and I felt my tongue was loosened. l responded back:

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‪ “I would be devastated, but that will never happen.  You may ask, ‘Well how do you know, you’re not President Monson,’ but Jackson, I would not be here right now if I didn’t know that President Monson will never step down. He will be our Prophet until he passes away and then another prophet will be called. The Lord has given us prophets to lead and guide us and he has promised us they will never let us down or lead us astray. I know President Monson and any other prophet after him will never step down, and I’m serving a mission right now because I know this.”

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‪I felt like the Lord’s instrument as I talked and it was amazing. I made a bold statement, but a true one as well, and it helped me realize my purpose – to help people know about and follow the Prophet because he will never lead them astray. We were able to have a great conversation. I love the Williams. They will always be my friends and I cannot thank them enough for their kindness to me.

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‪The Lord gives us guidance through his prophets. I know this is part of God’s plan for us during our time here on Earth. As members this truth is easier to understand than for those outside of the church. I can say that during that conversation my testimony of Thomas S. Monson, and all the prophets from the Holy Bible to the Book of Mormon to these latter-days, increased in great magnitude. I know if I follow the prophet I will never be led astray.

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‪Elder Tait

BYU Legend - Danny Ainge!

So before I go I forgot to mention a crazy story!  So, after the transfer meeting in Boston, and before we made the drive to Amherst, we decided to stop and get some pizza in Belmont.  So, we stop at a place called Gino's Pizza.  Now, remember I have been out in the field with my new companion for one hour.  So, we are eating our pizza when a tall man walks up to us and puts out his hand saying, 'How are you doing, elders?'  I wasn't looking at him as he held his hand out, but as I was putting my pizza down I was shocked to hear him say, 'I'm Bishop Ainge.'  Yes, Danny Ainge is a bishop.  Yes, I shook his hand. Yes, he owns the Celtics.  Yes, I met him.  I was going crazy!  When I landed in Boston I told myself I wanted to meet Danny Ainge before I left.  I met him in the first hour!  Not too bad!  Like a dork, I asked to shake his hand again!  The BYU legend lives!

1st Companion in the field. Elder Campbell from Arizona

President and Sister Packard

I Know This is Where Heavenly Father Wants Me to Be

Hi Everyone!

I have arrived safely in the field! The area of Boston is beautiful. When I arrived here I was able to meet my Mission President, President Packard. Absolutely brilliant man. He interviewed me, and it was a spiritual, strengthening experience. President Packard is an amazing man.

The day after we arrived we had scripture study with the assistants to the President, and then "in-field orientation" on the streets of Boston, which means we went into the city to do some street contacting. It was tough! But I loved the challenge! My companion from the MTC,  Elder Rogers and I, got caught up talking to a drunk hobo for 10 minutes. The hobo's name was Juan, but on the streets they call him "CoCo". Coco was unfortunately too drunk to stand up on his own, so we kindly helped him up. We tried to talk to him about the gospel, but he would just go on crazy tangents about birds. We kept on trying to politely walk away, but CoCo wanted to talk to us. He kept on telling us he loved us.We gave CoCo a pass along card and he said he would spread the word. Go get 'em, CoCo!

The next day we were told where we would be going. We went to the church house right across from the Boston Temple in Belmont. We all sat in the Relief Society room waiting to hear about our assigned companions and areas. I was assigned to be with Elder Campbell and work the Amherst, Massachusetts area! It is an hour and half away from Boston. It is a beutiful area. The college University of Massachusetts is here, which means there are some young single adult wards,  but Elder Campbell and I are assigned to work with the Amherst Family Ward! There are about 100 regular members who attend every week!

Elder Campbell is sweet! He and I have gotten along great! He is teaching me so much and is helping me become a better missionary! We are going to do amazing work together!

So, we made the drive from Boston to Amherst. On the way there Elder Campbell was concerned that the ceilings in our apartment would be too low for me. I thought nothing of it at the time. Our apartment is in the basement of an old Jewish lady named Judy. Her dog Chloe is always barking! So, we entered our apartment, and I kid you not, the ceiling of the basement is 6 foot 8 inches tall, and I am 6 foot 6 Inches! There are some parts of the basement that are lower, so I've hit my head about 20 times and probably have 3 concussions!  At least the shower's water temperature is consistent! But then I hit my head on the ceiling of the shower. I feel like Buddy the Elf  when he tries to shower in the elf shower. It's funny.

Then we had two days of lockdown due to Blizzard "Nemo" It wasn't too bad but it still kept us trapped in our apartment for two days.  On Saturday we shoveled snow for about 10 hours. Turns out snow is heavy! We shoveled Judy's snow so Chloe could run around and do her business outside. That Judy!

So yesterday, Sunday, was great! I was able to give a talk on recognizing the Spirit, and I was just so happy to be there in the Amherst Ward! I was able to introduce myself to so many members and I can not wait to work with this ward in doing missionary work. Yesterday we were able to bring our investigator Leanne to church! She has a baptismal date set for next Saturday!

Elder Campbell and I have 3 baptismal dates set up in the next 3 weeks! It's great! But we still have so much work ahead of us.

I would like to say that I KNOW President Packard sent me to serve with Elder Campbell in the Amherst area through the promptings of the Holy Ghost.. I KNOW this is where Heavenly Father wants me to be. I KNOW I have a purpose here in this mission and 23 months to accomplish it. I KNOW why I am here. I KNOW this chruch is true. I KNOW God lives. I KNOW He lives!

Elder Tait

Hello!

My second week in the MTC has gone by quite fast.  I have not yet died from the showers here! I forgot to mention last week, I broke my glasses in the first 5 minutes of my gym time. It was no big deal because it was my back-up pair to my back-up pair. I was able to fix them but they break again every once in a while.  I pretend to get emotional when that happens, and it's hilarious to see the Elders' reactions to me. I eventually tell them I'm just kidding and we have a good laugh.  This week I have progressed in learning about missionary work and understanding the doctrines of the gospel. It is still difficult at times to stay focused. We have an African-American missionary, and his name is Elder Bourdeau. He is from Haiti, and has lived in Atlanta, Georgia the past three years. He is hilarious! So, one time I am having some personal study time and trying to find some scriptures to share with a roleplay investigator. Just as I settle down and get focused, Elder Bourdeau comes bursting in with two packets of purple Kool-Aid his roommate sent him, and he would not stop talking about it! I couldn't stop laughing. He was about to make some, but when he realized he needed sugar, he became very sad and depressed. Elder Bourdeau is a funny man. He spices up the MTC. 

I land in Boston next Tuesday, Febuary 5th, ready to preach the gospel! I can not wait -  the MTC does get old after a while! Another funny story was I saw Sister Egbert at lunch one day. I told her she was a beautiful daughter of God, then Sister Jenkins came over and told me that Elders do not talk that way. Sorry Sister Jenkins! Won't happen again! I promise! I love seeing Elder Rich and Elder Bartschi. It is great being able to talk to them and see them doing so well. Elder Bartschi's Spanish is  excellent. Elder Rich's as well, and he is now a District Leader. It is great to see my friends doing so well here at the MTC. They will be excellent missionaries. Speaking of friends, I need to hear from Jacob Sigler, Drew Garner, Jahren Makanoa, Ryan Bybee, Jacob Tingey, Ryan Tingey, and Jake Trost! Those punks need to write me! I want to hear from everyone! I love getting letters! Well, I only have 30 minutes here and I'm getting funny looks, so it's time to close. Oh ya – Drew Garner is going to ROME, ITALY! Drew will be an awesome missionary! My boy Drew making me proud! That little punk better write me! Well, I bid thee all farewell until next week! I love my religion. I love being Mormon!

With love,

Elder Tait