The Foxboro Fab 5 Were Born

We’ve got ourselves something major going on here! I found out I was blessed to have the opportunity to stay in this area for another 6 weeks. I rejoiced and exclaimed “Hosanna!” for being able to continue serving here. But the news got even better.  I also found out that I was going to be in a trio again! Then, when I thought things couldn't get any better than that - just like Billy Mays on the Oxy Clean commercials -- there was more! We found out that Foxboro was also getting Sisters! YEAH! Then instantly, as if it was destiny, the Foxboro Fab 5 were born.

You remember the 1991 Michigan Wolverine's College Basketball Team? They were all big and bad with their "Fab Five", and even though they were good they don't compare to what’s going on in Foxboro! Check it! We have Elder Flory, from Walsburg, Utah. When this kid swims he makes Mark Spitz jealous. Then we have a legend of the Massachusetts Boston Mission, Elder Cooney from Bellevue, Washington. Then, there’s Sister Gledhill from Utah State and Sister Badham, from Bountiful, Utah, who complete the Foxboro Fab 5.

We’re going to do everything it takes to serve the Lord and fulfill his will. We have been able to work together and seek to continue building the Kingdom everyday. I can’t describe the joy in my heart when we see others keep commitments, repent of past transgressions, and lighten their loads, as they turn their burdens over to Christ. As we continue to seek and perform God's will I can promise that he is preparing a way for us to accomplish his tasks, even if we, ourselves, think they’re impossible. 

My desire is for all have to have a great week, and to turn towards the Almighty  for guidance.

Elder Tait

When We Teach, We Learn Just As Much

Man, I can't believe Annie will be turning 17 this week!  When she was 7 and upset with us she would chase Hillary and me with a baseball bat! She has grown and matured so much since then – it makes me proud to be her brother!

I’m extremely excited about doing the Visitor Center editing! Can't wait. I need to pray for help in magnifying my talents for the building up of the Kingdom. I can't tell you how much I love President Packard. I can't wait for you to meet him. I am excited to do this video. I am only able to do these things because of you and Dad! You guys invested so much time, money, and lack of sleep to allow me to grow. I can't imagine the stress I put you through during those late nights of video editing. (Especially Dad.)
.
We have been trying to help fellowship a less-active woman who was baptized nearly a year and a half ago. She's losing her testimony slowly, and we were speaking to her at her door (couldn't go in because of the chaperone rule), and the discussion became a little heated. She was calling the church members ignorant if they thought this was really the only true church. We asked her if she thought we were ignorant. Then we asked her about what Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith in the First Vision. She answered, "Join none of the churches because none of them were true." We then asked if she thought Jesus Christ was ignorant. She told us she wanted to stop talking about it and it was time for us to go. Before we left we wanted to leave with a prayer. We will often ask less-active members to pray, then all of us simultaneously bow our heads and we don't say a word until they pray. This has always worked, but this woman did not appreciate it. She started to swear at us, saying things that were nowhere close to being Christ-like. Regardless, we could have been more Christ-like. We all learned something that day. 

When we teach, we learn just as much. It’s easy to forget that we are asking those we teach to make difficult commitments to follow Christ and his commandments. They are completely changing their lives to accommodate what the Lord wants. It’s the basic principle of faith that helps those who are learning to live the gospel, and it has helped me to learn as well. At times the commandments of the Lord can be difficult to obey, but obedience can become easier as we start to understand the bigger picture of our lives’ purpose. 

We can all struggle with finding the faith to follow Christ's commandments, mostly because of a lack of understanding and the false notion that happiness will come from not obeying the will of the Lord. I hope we can be true and faithful to the bigger picture. Enduring at times can be difficult. We need to ask ourselves what we may be struggling to have faith in, then take it to the Lord in prayer, asking him what we can do to strengthen our faith in that area. I promise you our prayers will be answered through the tender mercies of the Lord.

On another note, I encourage you to watch this new Mormon message. It brought peace to me. I would try to write what President Uchtdorf says but I’ll let him do the talking.  I hope I can be an example like the big brother in the video. We rise to the occasion and grow when we don’t take offense and admit we are in the wrong. It is an act of humility. Frustrations will come, but the blessings are rewarding for those who are meek and humble. Jesus Christ was accused of doing horrible things, yet when he was on the cross he asked his Father in Heaven to forgive his accusers. Wow. It gives me goose bumps whenever I think about it. Let us all strive to be like Christ. 

Have a fresh week! Catch you on the rebound!
Elder Tait

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3267475157001&cid=HPWE030514340&im=true

Current District

This young man raced in the Pinewood Derby with one of Elder Tait's cars
from his own Derby Days!