"I Walk by Faith, Not by Sight"

I woke up today feeling so great - even better than being in a Disney movie! I woke up and I felt more joy than Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah after converting the Lamanites. It’s that kind of day today! 

Mother! I am feeling better! It's been interesting with this sickness. It's a roller coaster of coughing mucus and throwing up, then having a great day! It's been funny. I have learned a lot of lessons from it. So, we have not moved into the new place yet, but I will explain more about that. I have been able to have fun being sick! When people ask me if I am sick I stick to the classic line, "Oh yeah, don’t worry, it's just a rental." I am sure you are rolling your eyes right now. I apologize, but it really has helped to make the best and most fun of an unpleasant experience.

It was great to hear from Elder Ballard, but it was a little difficult because I was not feeling FLASHLIGHT! [Inside family joke] But I was able to write down everything and anything that he said. It felt great being able to hear him speak.

So, last week I gave an update about where we are residing. We are hitting a minor road bump right now. So when Elder Henson of the mission office called Judy to let her know we are leaving things took a spin. Elder Henson is a man with a soft heart, and Judy told him she feels safe, protected and spiritual when we are living with her. I do not know the legitimacy of Judy's statement, but Elder Henson gave her a chance to clean up the black mold and see what happens after that. Judy came and talked to us, and asked ,”If I clean up the black mold will you guys be happy?” I told Judy it would probably be best for her house, and yes, I had been feeling a little bit under the weather. Judy told us. “yeah I know you're sick, I will get a guy out here to clean the mold and everything will be good, right??” I can not judge but I struggled to feel the heartfelt concern Judy had for us. So the mold inspector came and it turns out he will have to do a total reconstruction of the bathroom. There is mold behind the ceilings and underneath the floors - everywhere. It made sense that the mold was under the floor. I was questioning why the tile floor felt like carpet. So the lease is not up until August. So we thought we would be living here until August. I was able to start thinking of how to put this fuzzy black mold to good use. Mother, I was thinking of knitting my precious mom a nice black mold sweater! And don’t worry mom, I heard black mold never shrinks, so the sweater will always fit! But then one of the greatest men ever stepped in. President Packard. President Packard heard about our situation, and as soon as he heard about it, he immediately called us. I talked to him and told him the situation. So he told us this - he understands that Judy feels safe with us, but doesn't factor her opinion in to our situation. He told me if living conditions don't change in a week, and if I am still feeling unhealthy and the mold problem isn't fixed, "I don’t care if we have to pay for two apartments, we are getting you boys out of there, your well-being is all that matters."  President Packard is the best and most caring mission president. I sincerely felt like he was looking out for me like a father. Breaking the lease to the apartment is another problem on top of everything else. So, Elder Campbell and I are going to use our best judgment, and try to focus on what's going to be the best for the area. So we will find out in a week whether we stay or we go! Judy makes me feel somewhat like a hostage. I get scared she will come at me with her yoga mat or Frank Sinatra records. Yes, I am being highly dramatic. At the end of the day, we will use our best judgment, and it doesn't matter how awful the apartment is, as long as the Lord’s work progresses.

Mom, I am glad I am able to recognize my issue with pride, and I am currently challenging and humbling myself as I work on it. I realize it is simply because I need to rely on the Lord a lot more! I sometimes unconsciously have this attitude of “ok, I can do this better or I can do it myself.” I never say that to myself but when it comes down to the true source of the problem that is what is occurring. I need Elder Campbell and I need the Lord. Every time I feel myself slipping into this mindset I tell myself ,”I walk by faith, not by sight.” I know I need to be in tune with the spirit to be that missionary I know I can be. I am growing stronger, but I know there is so much more room for improvement! It’s like eating an elephant one bite at a time.

I feel my family's prayers. I feel your prayers. I just feel your love. I can't tell you how much my family means to me and the excitement I have to raise my own. I love you so much! Have a good week! I am going on a hike this P-day! Stoked! Love you! 

Elder Tait

"You Can Now Say You Shook My Hand"

So I don't have that much time to write today so I will try to make it fast - like a Jamaican sprinter. These are probably the biggest two things occurring right now: First, many of you know how much I love my apartment! Who doesn't love the refreshing smell of black mold in the morning as you shower and hit your head on the ceiling? Well it turns out we will be moving out of here. We don't know when, but it will be soon. It turns out I have had a mold related infection for 7 weeks, which has caused a few sick days and some other “unnatural” symptoms. We have ward members and a senior couple, the Jueskches, working diligently to get us out of here. The mission office and President Packard are on board and momentum is building!  We looked at a few apartments and it looks like we will move into a loft apartment in a downtown area! We would live right above a retail store. The mission office and the Jueskches are finalizing the deal. Problem is, Judy is a feisty one! Last time the Elders tried to move, they did everything we did,except work with the mission office and let the Mission President know. The Elders told Judy they were moving and she immediately called the Mission President in tears and the Mission President, (not President Packard at the time), called them and told them they had to stay. We haven’t broken the news to Judy - it will be tough. It's not natural though, feeling like you're being held hostage in the basement of an old Jewish lady. It happens. When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter where we live, whether it’s nice or a little run down. Just as long as we can feel the spirit.

Second big thing is we had a special Mission Conference this week! Elder M.Russell Ballard of the Twelve, Elder Christens of the Seventy, and Brother Eyring, an Area Authority, (President Eyring’s son), came and talked to the Massachusetts, Boston Mission! It was awesome to be able to hear them speak. What was unfortunate

though is the meeting was held in Weston and you could only go if you lived no more than 1 1/2 hours away - we barley missed the cut off - so we watched it televised. Elder Ballard made it clear to only come if we lived in the limits. President Packard stressed it too. I realized I would get more revelation and inspiration from the meeting if I stayed and watched it televised than if I went and disobeyed a simple rule given by an apostle! I knew watching it televised would be more meaningful and I would be able to receive answers to help us progress in the work out here. And that's exactly what happened. Yes, it would have been great to shake his hand, but it felt good knowing I had been obedient and I knew the Lord had blessed me for it. The magnitude of that compared to a handshake was incomparable. Elder Ballard though was funny at the beginning. He told all the missionaries who were watching it televised to stand up. So we stood up. Elder

Ballard made Elder Christens and Brother Eyring stand up. Then Elder Ballard told us to shake hands with him and the other two via the broadcast. He said something along the lines of, "There, you can now say you shook my hand." It was a great meeting. Well, more work ahead!

Until Next time! 

Elder Tait

Ain't NOBODY Got Time For That!

So you may be wondering why I am writing on Wednesday. It's because I have survived my first transfer! Whenever there is a transfer week, we shift our P-Day to Wednesday.

So I heard my man, RYAN BYBEE got his call to BRAZIL! YES!! I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW STOKED I AM FOR THAT KID. Brazil is where that kid needs to be, most certainly. Man, the days of riding scooters, longboarding, throwing water balloons at cars, (which no one should ever do because it is against the law), lending him my shirt to put on his leg when he got that huge gash jumping from a dirt hill on a bike into a pond. Yup, Ryan Bybee knows how to make it happen, and Brazil needs him more than ever! Someone get that kid to write me!

My week was great! Just a couple of minor road bumps! I have had a cough since the 2nd day of living in our apartment, and the cough has just gotten worse as time has gone by. So this week I was passed out for two days with body aches and a mad case of the chills. We stayed at the Springfield Elders' apartment because our car was in the shop getting repaired from a previous Elder's accident. So, since I was passed out on NyQuil and Advil, and we had no car, we decided  to stay in Springfield. It saved us a 30 minute drive from Amherst to Springfield, and we had an extra set of Elders at night to help tame me when I woke up all delusional from the NyQuil.

So that killed 3 days. The next few days went great! I got better, and

we were able to teach with the spirit to our investigators, members,

and less-actives. For about 3 days I felt so remarkably in tune with the spirit. I was able to receive inspiration in my prayers on how to show the people of the Amherst area how much I love them and to teach them what they needed to hear. I was able to go into the houses of people, including families, and I truly felt Elder Campbell and I were able to teach by the spirit, and be examples of Christ.  So you may ask why only 3 days? Because I am starting to feel under the weather again! What up with that!? I am sure the sickness and cough will go away because it's just a rental. I think I've got Bronchitis,and ain't NOBODY got time for that! 

Also we had companionship exchanges yesterday with the Ludlow Elders. I was able to roll with Elder Langford for the day, and show him around the Amherst area while Elder Campbell went to Ludlow with Elder Stradley. Elder Langford is the best! He truly is the Golden Child for having the most amazing laugh. Just this deep vocal vibration, but with a gentle soft touch, like lavender. You can't resist smiling. Elder Langford is from Colorado, and was called to the Boston,  Massachusetts mission to speak Cambodian! Crazy! But here?'s the sad

part - the Cambodian speaking part of the Boston Mission died! There wasn't a large enough population of Cambodians to keep it up, so now he's an English speaker. You never know what's going to happen on a mission. Anyway, Elder Langford and I certainly could be, as the kids say it these days, "Brothers from another Mother."  The companion exchange was just like a rocketship, it was LITERALLY a blast!

The greater news is we were able to set a baptismal date this week with one of the most delicious people ever. Adam B for March 30th! Adam B is 21, and he has such a generous and friendly personality

that he is constantly radiating. People like Adam B give me

greater hope for this world, and missionary work as well.

So, I got to go -

Love you mom and dad!

This Week Has Been Great!

Hi Everyone! 

This week has been great. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I feel that I am making no sacrifice at all. I have been given the chance to share a message of happiness, and the only way I have been given this chance is through the example of my faithful parents, family, grandparents, and most importantly, the example of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.

     In the past week Elder Campbell and I had the chance to host a

mini-missionary who goes by the name of Jaret J. Jaret J. is the type of guy who is the life of the party! Jaret J. knows how to get down to business! Anyway, Jaret was with us for two days, just to see what missionaries do. I do wish that I'd had this opportunity prior to my mission. Anyway, we had a great experience with Jaret. Elder Campbell asked him where he wanted to go on his mission.? Before Jaret answered, I asked if I could ask another question first. Jaret nodded so I proceeded to ask him ?WHY he wanted to go on a mission.? This question prior to my mission was a difficult one for me to answer sometimes. But once I understood the principle of WHY we go on mission?s it changed my attitude significantly about missionary service. We got home that day and Elder Campbell and I were checking the area book when we heard Jaret making a ruckus in the kitchen. So, we go into to the kitchen to see Jaret making enchiladas! JARET! We love you!

     Also, I need to say I absolutely have the best family ever, because

they sent me my TYPEWRITER this week! I felt as good as an anteater at an ant farm! Also Grandma Dunn sends me the best letters! GRANDMA! Also, my heart is filled with love towards my Grandma Tait as she draws closer to leaving this life. I have been blessed so much by the examples of my grandmas. Before I close I do need to say I received LITERALLY the cutest letters from my little Dunn cousins. They made my day! Well, so long everyone. I'll be in touch next week.

     Oh, and happy birthday to my Annie Banannie Nutcake of Love! Go get that license you little sassy tiger you!

Elder Tait