Short letter from me this week. We couldn't e-mail yesterday because we had no computers. Spending a quick 40 minutes to do so now. Went to the temple yesterday and it was such a powerful and peaceful session. It was an emotional and spiritual experience. Also, for some odd reason, I felt like I should ask Elder Laurent (who was also at the temple) for a priesthood blessing and we were able to go into a room there, and he gave me a blessing that I needed to hear at this time! Things are going great! I love you mother! Have a great week.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Went to the Temple!
Short letter from me this week. We couldn't e-mail yesterday because we had no computers. Spending a quick 40 minutes to do so now. Went to the temple yesterday and it was such a powerful and peaceful session. It was an emotional and spiritual experience. Also, for some odd reason, I felt like I should ask Elder Laurent (who was also at the temple) for a priesthood blessing and we were able to go into a room there, and he gave me a blessing that I needed to hear at this time! Things are going great! I love you mother! Have a great week.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Stay Vintage!
I know that Heavenly Father has called us where we need to be as we serve a mission or even serve in life. He’s blessed us with talents and the capacity to bring forth his marvelous work - no matter how unqualified we may feel.
President Henry B. Eyring speaks about the emotions of being burdened down with many tasks, but also how to be released from that bondage:
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone."
How difficult it would be to represent the Lord without accessing the help he eagerly and anxiously waits to bestow upon us? We have all felt overwhelmed at times with callings to serve the Lord. But as President Eyring said, we have access to more than our natural capacities and that is due to the atonement of Christ. We are not alone. Jesus Christ died so we have this opportunity to serve him, and come to know him. What a selfless act. When we serve faithfully in callings we are showing we understand the Saviors atonement and what it means to minister to others. When I feel inadequate as a missionary I try to remember the peace and serenity I felt when I was called. I remember I’m not teaching others about my testimony - I’m teaching and helping them to know Jesus Christ for themselves. This often lessens my feelings of inadequacy and reminds me that I am not alone.
I had the opportunity this weekend to be the Lord's instrument in baptizing and bringing someone to Christ. Seeing the joy the gospel can bring to others is what allows us to know that Christ lives. Being able to see a couple who will now be sealed in the temple one day is what gives me hope. It's what wakes me up in the morning. It's what makes me want to work every single second. It's what inspires me to be the best I can be as a servant of my Heavenly Father. This is because one man took a leap of faith and committed to come unto Christ, and enter the gate to salvation. The week continued to get better as I was able to talk to my family yesterday, especially my mother. It was great to see you Mother! I strive everyday to exercise my faith in Christ and his infinite atonement. I hope you all have a great week, and stay vintage.
Elder J. L. Tait XII
President Henry B. Eyring speaks about the emotions of being burdened down with many tasks, but also how to be released from that bondage:
"There will be times when you will feel overwhelmed. One of the ways you will be attacked is with the feeling that you are inadequate. Well, you are inadequate to answer a call to represent God with only your own powers. But you have access to more than your natural capacities, and you do not work alone."
How difficult it would be to represent the Lord without accessing the help he eagerly and anxiously waits to bestow upon us? We have all felt overwhelmed at times with callings to serve the Lord. But as President Eyring said, we have access to more than our natural capacities and that is due to the atonement of Christ. We are not alone. Jesus Christ died so we have this opportunity to serve him, and come to know him. What a selfless act. When we serve faithfully in callings we are showing we understand the Saviors atonement and what it means to minister to others. When I feel inadequate as a missionary I try to remember the peace and serenity I felt when I was called. I remember I’m not teaching others about my testimony - I’m teaching and helping them to know Jesus Christ for themselves. This often lessens my feelings of inadequacy and reminds me that I am not alone.
I had the opportunity this weekend to be the Lord's instrument in baptizing and bringing someone to Christ. Seeing the joy the gospel can bring to others is what allows us to know that Christ lives. Being able to see a couple who will now be sealed in the temple one day is what gives me hope. It's what wakes me up in the morning. It's what makes me want to work every single second. It's what inspires me to be the best I can be as a servant of my Heavenly Father. This is because one man took a leap of faith and committed to come unto Christ, and enter the gate to salvation. The week continued to get better as I was able to talk to my family yesterday, especially my mother. It was great to see you Mother! I strive everyday to exercise my faith in Christ and his infinite atonement. I hope you all have a great week, and stay vintage.
Elder J. L. Tait XII
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
A Small Taste of Persecution
I apologize for missing the last couple of weeks here, but non-stop fun and hard work have been going on! The merciful hand of the Lord has been so apparent everyday as we try our best to minister to others.
This last week we had a great opportunity to have a small taste of "persecution," like the Apostle Paul felt as he preached the Lord's Gospel in the most hostile situations. “The Book of Mormon” musical has hit the streets of Boston and we have been asked to stand outside the doors an hour before the show to invite others to actually read the Book of Mormon. As we saw hundreds of people flood in we received reactions from polite to not so polite. People thought we worked there and kept asking for help. We unfortunately were not able to help them find their seats. “Sorry lady! Can't help you there, but we can help with answers to life’s questions and Heavenly Father’s plan for us!” It was a great opportunity to grow our faith and testimony and stand firm for the truth in a somewhat hostile environment. There were a handful of great people who were sincere and we were able to have great conversations with. I enjoyed it immensely. I don't know when I'll have the chance again to stand and invite others to hear about Christ and His restored Gospel, as they are entering to watch something that does the exact opposite.
Also, this week, we were able to teach our favorite 75 year-old investigator, Frank. We arrived at Frank’s house and he came out to greet us. We then went to enter his house, when we realized Frank had accidentally locked himself and us out of the house. We figured we would be able to get in through the garage door, but it turned out Frank had forgotten his garage code. We sat there for about 10 minutes trying to jog Frank's memory for the garage code. As this was going on, I went to rub my eye and the left side of my glasses (the part that rests on the ear) suddenly fell off! So here we are trying to keep Frank under control and help him remember his garage code, while I am over playing Velma from Scooby Doo trying to fix my glasses. So, we finally get into the garage! Then, we tried to get from the garage into the house, but that door was also locked. So, Frank began to express his frustration with unpleasant vocabulary. I wasn't able to see Frank's facial expressions while this was going on due to my blurry vision. Frank then asked me to kick down his door. I told Frank earlier in a lesson that we were here to do anything for him, however breaking down the door into his house was not something I’d expected. But, if it was going to help Frank progress and allow us to have a lesson with him, then it needed to be done. Before kicking down the door, I first had to find it. After identifying where it was I used all the inner Haitian Ju-Jitsu in me to kick it in. We were successful. Frank was happy. We had a good a lesson. And now we have to get Frank a new lock for his door. But the good news is we were able to have a lesson!
I don’t know what time I will be calling on Sunday. I am assuming around 4 to 6 pm Las Vegas time. We’re having dinner at 5. Exciting news – a man the Lord gave us to teach in Foxboro has asked me to come and baptize him. I will be going down this next Sunday to Foxboro to do this. I'm excited. This man has a sincere desire to be sealed in the temple with his wife as soon as possible. How could that not make anyone happy?
Things here in Lynnfield have been great. Mother’s Day is this week, and I just can’t describe the joy you have brought me Mother. You are my best friend. You are always there for me. The love and prayers I have felt from you Mom are what keep me motivated to work. Without you I don't know where I would be. You are the best example to me. I look forward to one day being able to have a wife that will show the same love and care that you show dad and us. I can't wait to Skype with you this Mother's day and be able to tell all this to you in person.
Love,
Elder Tait.
This last week we had a great opportunity to have a small taste of "persecution," like the Apostle Paul felt as he preached the Lord's Gospel in the most hostile situations. “The Book of Mormon” musical has hit the streets of Boston and we have been asked to stand outside the doors an hour before the show to invite others to actually read the Book of Mormon. As we saw hundreds of people flood in we received reactions from polite to not so polite. People thought we worked there and kept asking for help. We unfortunately were not able to help them find their seats. “Sorry lady! Can't help you there, but we can help with answers to life’s questions and Heavenly Father’s plan for us!” It was a great opportunity to grow our faith and testimony and stand firm for the truth in a somewhat hostile environment. There were a handful of great people who were sincere and we were able to have great conversations with. I enjoyed it immensely. I don't know when I'll have the chance again to stand and invite others to hear about Christ and His restored Gospel, as they are entering to watch something that does the exact opposite.
Also, this week, we were able to teach our favorite 75 year-old investigator, Frank. We arrived at Frank’s house and he came out to greet us. We then went to enter his house, when we realized Frank had accidentally locked himself and us out of the house. We figured we would be able to get in through the garage door, but it turned out Frank had forgotten his garage code. We sat there for about 10 minutes trying to jog Frank's memory for the garage code. As this was going on, I went to rub my eye and the left side of my glasses (the part that rests on the ear) suddenly fell off! So here we are trying to keep Frank under control and help him remember his garage code, while I am over playing Velma from Scooby Doo trying to fix my glasses. So, we finally get into the garage! Then, we tried to get from the garage into the house, but that door was also locked. So, Frank began to express his frustration with unpleasant vocabulary. I wasn't able to see Frank's facial expressions while this was going on due to my blurry vision. Frank then asked me to kick down his door. I told Frank earlier in a lesson that we were here to do anything for him, however breaking down the door into his house was not something I’d expected. But, if it was going to help Frank progress and allow us to have a lesson with him, then it needed to be done. Before kicking down the door, I first had to find it. After identifying where it was I used all the inner Haitian Ju-Jitsu in me to kick it in. We were successful. Frank was happy. We had a good a lesson. And now we have to get Frank a new lock for his door. But the good news is we were able to have a lesson!
I don’t know what time I will be calling on Sunday. I am assuming around 4 to 6 pm Las Vegas time. We’re having dinner at 5. Exciting news – a man the Lord gave us to teach in Foxboro has asked me to come and baptize him. I will be going down this next Sunday to Foxboro to do this. I'm excited. This man has a sincere desire to be sealed in the temple with his wife as soon as possible. How could that not make anyone happy?
Things here in Lynnfield have been great. Mother’s Day is this week, and I just can’t describe the joy you have brought me Mother. You are my best friend. You are always there for me. The love and prayers I have felt from you Mom are what keep me motivated to work. Without you I don't know where I would be. You are the best example to me. I look forward to one day being able to have a wife that will show the same love and care that you show dad and us. I can't wait to Skype with you this Mother's day and be able to tell all this to you in person.
Love,
Elder Tait.
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