Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone! I have been overdue in sending a letter about what in the world I am doing here - so here are the highlights of this week.

First off - serving with Elder Halling and Elder Vecchi is the best. There is no other way I would want to end my mission than with these two Elders. We have been having a real hoot. Good. Clean. Wholesome. Fun. The Calvert, Tait & Associates way. Also, being able to serve around 2 dedicated Sister Missionaries, Sister Zickella and Hermana De Leon, has been another big blessing.

For Christmas Eve we went to the mission home for dinner. We re-enacted the nativity and did a white elephant gift exchange! We were the 3 wise men. I don't know if it was wise to make us the wise men but you know what, we enjoyed it regardless. The nativity part was a blast. We were all in ridiculous clothing, and there was even a camel costume there. The fishbowl missionaries took home the best gifts from the white elephant. We snagged up squishy sand, a make your own snow packet, and a tranquility fountain. 

Christmas was fantastic! In the morning all of the senior couples got together and made the younger missionaries breakfast. Had a great Skype with the family! I love you guys so much and I am excited to see you, but I have bittersweet emotions about leaving. Alas, this time comes for everyone! Only thing I can do is focus until the end, and remember who I am serving when I put my name badge on every day. Regardless, it was great to speak with my family and I was thrilled to be able to share a spiritual message with you at the end and also for you to be able to Skype a little bit with Daniel. It’s a long story, but due to a unique position I’m in, I have been blessed with the opportunity to end my mission in Scotland where I’ll baptize one of the finest men I’ve met, Daniel Coleman. That man has real character. 

After the video call we went to a member's house for dinner! It was really nice of them to have us over. By the time we were finished eating we were  ready to hit our beds. I had a good night’s sleep. I enjoy sleep.

Saturday we did service in the temple, helping out in the laundry. I love being in the Boston Temple. Being there, even if it’s just doing the laundry, brings me so much peace. That day had been set aside for all of the recent converts in the mission to go do baptisms for the dead. The goal was to have over 100 recent converts there with their own family names. There were over 100 there, but only 95 had family names! So everyone is scrambling to make another trip before January. Really exciting though. Since there were so many people there the laundry was hectic. They kept running out of jumpsuits and towels. But we came in and took care of it. 

This has been a great week and I am excited for what every day this next week has in store for us! 

Elder Tait

With Elders Halling and Vecchi at the Boston Temple

 

       With Mission President, President Packard

My Mission Has....

The Sisters' letter?

Mom, you know sometimes it’s hard to sit down and write a letter, so I just told the Sisters to send me what they wrote and I can send it to you and you can take whatever you want from it and put it on my group e-mail/blog. Thank you mom. I love you.

Sister’s letter:

Sometimes miracles are barely noticeable, and really can only be appreciated in the after math. These kind of miracles happen to me everyday.

But sometimes, miracles are ... really noticeable. Like the miracle that happened in this mission during the month of November. Let me fill you in ...

So, background knowledge: The 5 states that make up our mission are all on the "Top Ten Least Religious States" list. Also, New England has the lowest number of Mormons per capita in the country. But the members who are here are so strong and faithful, and when President and Sister Packard got to the mission, about 20 - 30 people were baptized every month.

Now, we are not a numbers oriented mission. Never once the entire 18 months that I have been here has anyone ever told me my numbers were too low, or for that matter, ever praised me for high numbers. We just care about working hard and giving our all and relying on the Lord. But since the Packards have come, baptisms have pretty much doubled, with between 40 - 45 baptisms a month, our all time high being 49.

But, the Lord's work is hastening, and President felt like we weren't reaching our full potential. So this month, after a series of events including an apostolic blessing from Elder Holland, a visit from Elder Lawrence, and some serious spirit and drive going on in the missionaries, we set the goal for 70 baptisms in our mission in the month of November. I don't know how to describe what's been happening here the past month ... it's like every one is on fire. Everyday we would hear stories about miracles happening somewhere, in addition to seeing it ourselves.  People all over the mission who had been meeting with the missionaries but were too scared to commit suddenly had a change of heart. People were literally committing to be baptized and then 2 hours later the baptism would happen. Every single prayer that each missionary has offered this month included a plea for the Lord to bless and watch over these people preparing for baptism. Each of us sacrificed something specific for this month in an effort to show the Lord we were serious about this.

And guess what? Yesterday we found out the total number of people who were baptized this month. 

100. 100 people.

From Elder Tait:

"Elder Halling is the best! He wants to be here and he has helped me with my Creole!  I am also in a trio with Elder Vecchi!  There was a missionary who didn’t come out of the MTC so President made us a trio and it is the best!"

Old....

New....

The Digital Mission

Thank you for your e-mail! I love you Mom. You are the best. I loved hearing about Halloween. It looks like nothing has changed! Plum Hollow is still Plum Hollow! 

And what in the world is going on with Baby Babushka! I jumped out of my seat because I just couldn’t believe that was the Baby Babushka. What in the world? She is growing up!  And also it was great to see Annie and Berkeley together. How is Berkeley doing? 

The Digital Mission is doing great! We are making headway! Yesterday was the first time a person was baptized into the Church who was found through MBM proselyting efforts! His name is J---- K----! He is from Uganda. The Boston Digital Mission found him online and we sent him the address to the Church there. He went on Sunday, met the missionaries, and came back two weeks later with a baptismal date! It has been great.

We also had a General Authority come and visit our mission. His name is Elder Larry Lawrence. He is actually a convert in his 20's. His story was great - simple but powerful. He gave a great talk and our mission is excited to work harder! We want to be fully consecrated missionaries. 

Sister Gledhill and Sister Zickella are the best! They make life great in the Fishbowl. They plan the meals out for the week and tell us what groceries to get and we all help cook at the church. They are also hard workers.

I am glad the sisters are sharing missionary opportunities in Relief Society, mom! This is important. When the Relief Society sisters stand up and share their experiences you need to write down who shared and who it involved, then give this info. to the missionaries so they can follow up on it.  

Love you,
Elder Tait

The Hand of the Lord

My mind draws a blank about what to write, even though there’s been a lot going on!

First off, I had another experience bumping into a native Hendersonian! I had to go on a quick exchange this week with Elder Kerr from our zone. 
He had a dinner appointment set up with a couple named the Sabey's. So, we arrived at the Sabey's and Elder Kerr and I were ready to have a great time. Brother Sabey was putting the finishing touches on dinner and we were waiting for Sister Sabey to come home from work. 

So, we started shooting the breeze with Brother Sabey - asking where he was from and what he does and having a swell conversation. So, then he asked us the same questions. I told him I was from Henderson, Nevada. He said that was where his wife was from. He asked me if I knew any Messinas. And I was like "What?!" I turn around and see their wedding picture, and sure enough there is Danielle Messina in the photo. What are the chances?! She came home -we talked about people we knew and just had a real hoot. It was one for the books. The chances of that happening! First it was Tatum, now Sister Sabey. The list will probably keep going!

This week I was privileged to be challenged to read The Book of Mormon and highlight any tender mercies that occur. Seeing how merciful the Lord was in helping Nephi complete such challenging tasks helped me understand how we can identify His tender mercies. They can come at any time in our lives. I have found through personal experience that they are easier to identify when we are struggling. The process of exercising our faith to overcome our struggles helps us   see the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father. 

Tender mercies can be looked at as signs that God is still there for us, and even though our challenges aren’t going away, it's his way of telling us we are doing what he wants of us. Tender mercies help us identify God's love, and are there to give us energy to keep moving forward.

I invite everyone to take a moment and think about the hand of the Lord in your lives. I promise you, you will be surprised at how much He is there for us. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Elder Tait

I Love Serving Jesus Christ on a Mission

In my previous area, Lynnfield, Calvert & Tait and Associates were blessed to have the opportunity to teach a woman named Caroline. She was very humble, patient, and willing to learn. She understood that she could seek and find answers from God for herself. We actually had to bid farewell to Caroline because she was going to Ireland for a foreign exchange program. This was a tough pill to swallow for Calvert & Tait and Associates, but we were happy because we got permission to Skype with her while she was gone! So this week I had the opportunity to teach Caroline on Skype! Elder Calvert was not able to attend, but I know he was there in spirit. Being able to Skype with Caroline was a miracle. She was still glowing with the Spirit of Christ. We were able to talk about how the exchange program was going, and her studies and her life in general. She is such a sincere person! We were able to talk about God's love for us individually, and how The Book of Mormon can answer our questions. Hearing about her recent experiences just confirms to me the truthfulness of the Gospel. We are going to try to teach her again later this week!

This week was a tough one for the Massachusetts Boston Mission. We have lost two great legends. Their two years of service have come to an end, but I know they will continue to build up the Lord's kingdom wherever they are. 

Elder Campbell's 2 years are up! I can't believe it! My first companion when I came out and now he’s gone! Where is the time going? I love the kid so much! He was the best trainer a goofball like me could have asked for. It was bittersweet to bid him farewell. He taught me so much. I am grateful for his patience and love, even when I was probably difficult to get along with at times. Those times in Amherst will never be forgotten. 

As if seeing Elder Campbell leave wasn’t enough, I also had to bid farewell to the man, the myth, the legend himself - the one who Superman calls when he is in danger - the ever elusive, the dynamic, my Haitian Brother, the one and only ELDER ANOFILS. We lost a true legend this week! 

I was privileged to work with Elder Anofils for 4 1/2 months. Those were some of the best months of my mission and even my life. I could go on forever about everything he has helped me with and done for me. For one, he helped me to start learning Haitian Creole, (thank goodness there are a lot of Haitians in Cambridge to keep helping me along!). He also gave me a better perspective of how great life is. He helped me realize the strength we can have when we put our whole hearts into serving Jesus Christ. He taught me to appreciate the simple things in life. I had so much fun with him. Elder Anofils is the youngest of 7 children. He is originally from Haiti. When he was 8 years old his Father, who was working in the United States to save money to move the family here, passed away. Elder Anofils actually never met his father. He left to come work here before Elder Anofils was born. When growing up in Haiti Elder Anofils only finished the 1st grade because he had to work to earn money for his family. He didn't see a car or telephone until he was 10. He saw things growing up that no human should see - let alone a child. Needless to say he did not grow up the way I did. He came over to the United States with his family when he was 12 years old and was put into the 7th grade. You know how hard that must have been? He didn’t know a word of English and was thrown into the 7th grade with only a 1st grade education. Look where he is now. He’s a high school graduate and is going on to college.

What impresses me the most though, and makes me look up to him so much is his conversion to the church. He was 13 years old and living in Florida when he met the missionaries. In Florida there is a large Haitian population, so there are Haitian-speaking missionaries who serve there. He met with them and as he described it, he just knew it was true. He was 13 and he knew it was true. He woke up every Sunday and was picked up and driven to church by a Young Men leader.  At first they drove in silence because of the language barrier. Church was mainly in English. He has no idea what was being said! But he just knew it was true! He said he could feel it! He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and continued to stay active, learned English, turned 19 and, despite all odds, both financially and spiritually, served a mission. He gave two years to the Lord. To come from nothing and still give everything you have to the Lord is amazing love and dedication.

What a great blessing and example he has been in my life. He will always be one of my best friends. The most spiritual moment we had together was when I got a phone call from him 3 months ago. He told me he had found his father’s name! He kept on saying over the phone, "I found my fathers name! I found his records!" I will never forget it. He said, "Tait, I want you to be baptized for my father." Tears filled my eyes and 3 weeks later I was baptized for Elder Anofils’ father in the Boston Temple. I know I’ll continue to learn from Elder Anofils’ example of serving the Lord and putting Him first in our lives.

So, we were walking through Harvard’s Law School campus this last week when I saw a girl, maybe 20 yards away, walking towards me. We kind of kept looking at each other when I heard her say, "Jackson! Is that you?" "Tatum Gormley!?” I was freaking out! The one and only Tatum Gormley! [School friend of Jackson & Hillary] I couldn't believe it. She’s going to Harvard Law – how cool is that?  She was just as cool as ever. We stood at the corner of the intersection talking for a few minutes and catching up. I was able to get her phone number and maybe we’ll go to lunch one of these days. It made me smile hearing the first three digits of her phone number: 702. 


I apologize for the novel, but I am can't express how much I love serving Jesus Christ on a mission.  Working to become more of who my Heavenly Father wants me to be brings me so much joy. I love you family! Remember you are always in my heart and on my mind. I know families are together forever! Keep the Tait name strong and golden!

Catch you on the flip!

Elder Jackson Loren Tait the First

The Digital Mission

Mom! Got your e-mail! YOU ARE THE BEST FOR SENDING THE FOOD! I can't tell you how much I needed that! I love those loaves of bread. They keep me alive in the morning. When I got here I was 201 pounds and right now I’m 198. At this rate I'll weigh less than Babushka!

Elder Reeve is getting transferred to Revere! Crazy huh? He's going to a great area. An Elder Graff is coming in to be my companion. I am doing all right! Things are moving along! I work in the Longfellow Park Chapel, and we work in this room the members call the "Fishbowl". The walls are all glass. In the Fishbowl there are 2 companionships, so 4 of us working full-time on the digital mission. Elder Reeve (soon to be Elder Graff) and I are together and we cover the Longfellow Park 1st Ward. The second companionship is Elder Worthington and Elder Benedict and they cover the Longfellow Park 2nd Ward. Since we basically don't proselyte, we have a normal proselyting set of sister missionaries, Sister Platt and Sister Klecker, who cover both Longfellow Wards. They cover the regular proselyting and teaching during the day while we are in the Fishbowl doing online proselyting.

So, as the digital mission leader, I am in charge of the missionaries in the Fishbowl, as well as the part-time digital missionaries across the mission. Elder Reeve is one of the humblest guys I know. He's always willing to work together to get things done. Everything has been great! This is the Lord's work and I need to remember that. President has set a goal for us to have 10 baptisms by December 15th! There’s no way we’ll have 1 baptism without the Lord leading and guiding us. It is an exciting challenge! I am currently chatting online with about 7 solid people. We’ve had some great conversations on Facebook, which will hopefully lead to teaching them the discussions through video chat.  I have other people I’m keeping in touch with, as well.  Please pray for all these people.  I know you don’t know their stories, but I need the family to pray for them.  

I love you Mom!

Elder Tait