The Hastening is Happening

Elder Tagg (Back Left)

Hi Mom! 

This week we finally got a new investigator! But he dropped us... So now I'm back to zero! Ha ha you are right about what you said about numbers not counting. The truth of the matter is that when the members don't help us we have no choice but to go looking for people on our own. Right now "THE HASTENING" is happening, and according to our church leaders, it is the biggest thing to happen in the church since the restoration. But it WILL NOT happen without members. I like how you are doing your own missionary work in Maryland.  Just remember, this Gospel is for more than just your friends. The people you invite can be anybody, and if they say no, then just offer to be their friend and that's all you can do.

Love 

Elder Tagg

Hi Dad,

Ha ha how often do you go behind Mom's back? That's so funny and I can't wait to try the Alphasmart! *The Alphasmart was Mom's idea we totally tricked Nathan into wanting one by presenting it from his Dad "without letting Mom know" worked like a charm* It sounds really cool. So I made a discovery, and that is that the mission is turning me into a redheaded version of YOU. Seriously my ADHD is receding, and I find more joy in just sitting down and reading my scriptures or studying. I'm reading Jesus the Christ now. It's really good. Also I have found that I am a lot more motivated to work out now and have been seeing major results.  I think the reason why I didn't like to work out before so much was because it didn't seem like it made a difference. 

Anyways, I love you, take care

Elder Tagg.

*Back and forth letters from his siblings*

Dear Nay,

(This is A) How are you? How is it in the field? I'm doing great. In the Harry Potter series I am on the fourth book. I'm not sure if you have read it, but it's great. The K's visited us and it was a lot of fun. We mostly played air hockey (you know Z? I beat him and he is older then me!) Today was the primary program, and I played 'Family's can be Together Forever' on the violin, but I think I messed up. Maybe you can show me how it's done when you get back.

Luv ya and miss ya!

Your sis,

 A

A,

I remember Harry Potter! that was MY generation's favorite childhood series. You beat Z? Nice! Put those Ks in their place haha. I've messed up in front of people before. Nbd. (no big deal).

Nathan

Dear Nathan

I hope you are serving good people. I gave a talk about my family today in church. I saw this music video called "What Does the Fox Say?" and at the end a pretend fox stands up and sings "bud ump ump beway da." Mom wants to dress up like one of the fox dancers from the video for Halloween. I like her being that but Audrey says she will be embarrassed. We are eating pizza right before bedtime. We are having fun I hope you are having fun too.

Love you,

E

Dear E,

I love to hear from you! yeah I've heard about that video... don't eat pizza right before bed.

Nathan

Dear Nathan

I hope you get your visa soon. I love you and I miss you. I just ran the last meet of the season and I got my PR which is 21:02 which is disappointing because it's only 2 seconds away from 21:00 flat. I have a question for you of great importance. Which is better? Pancakes or waffles?

Sincerely, 

Your red head brother

D

Dear D,

Pancakes or waffles can both be better or worse, young grasshopper.

Nathan

Next Transfer- Brazil

Hi Mom,

So I don't have too much time right now, but I will be able to email you more later on today. I do not live in Mill Creek. I live in Anacortes.  Mill Creek is where the missions P.O. box is. So yeah, maybe I can use the Jamba Juice gift card later. I feel good. So yeah, the fact of the matter is that I have my visa, but the church is probably waiting until the next transfer to send me out. My testimony is growing. I am getting along. Yes I am obedient.

Talk to you more in a bit. I have some photos that I want to send to you. I baptized yesterday.

So this past week has been odd. The zone got cut in half and we have no investigators. All I have been doing is tracting, and I have the most contacts in the mission, but I still have no investigators. I talked to a really drunk guy last night. He took a Book of Mormon, but only because he was drunk.

Thats all folks,

Elder Tagg

PS Oh yeah! Happy Birthday to Evan.  Here is my present : )

PPS Dear Eliza, you are awesome.

My Mission is a Blessing

Hi Mom,

First off, I just wanted to let you know that when I say 'I have nothing to say', its because I really don't. Please stop bothering me about that... 

So yeah, about that whole "group message" suggestion? Yeah, not gonna happen. I have already made up my mind not to ever do that because it's too impersonal. Frankly, I don't really give a darn about the blog and it really doesn't matter to me. I will write people who write me, bottom line. 

So, about that recent investigator, her name is H and she's way awesome. Elder D (who just left by the way) found her one day by knocking on her car window when she was parked at the beach. He then referred her to us and Elder M pretty much converted her. Elder M is another visa waiter going to Sao Paulo South. He's a transfer ahead of me, its all good though. Anyways that's H. We are baptizing a girl named C on Sunday and she asked me to do the baptism which is awesome! I hope they don't send me away before then.  Yes that's right, this will be my second convert and my first ordinance! I'm so excited! I'll send you a picture :) C is like 6'2" and she is literally the smartest investigator we have had so far. 

The other day I did a baptism invitation on a doorstep contact. Yeah, it was awesome. 

During general conference they said that if all members start to do missionary work (like they are supposed to), we will have millions of new members by Christmas. So go do missionary work, it will only happen if everybody finds people.

Yeah so I got a few opportunities to talk with some native spanish and portuguese speakers, and I understand them perfectly. It's pretty sweet, I almost understand the spanish better, haha. Anyways my teacher in the MTC went to Portugal on his mission and he kind of taught me how to speak with a European accent, which is harder for spanish speakers to understand. Maybe my time in the republic of Brasil will straighten me out. 

This whole transfer has been crazy. Being in a four pack is nuts! I feel like I'm married to like three other guys... its weird.   

I am super glad i decided to serve a mission :) It has been such a blessing in my life so far.


Working out every day has really payed off. Lol. But seriously I'm starting to really look like a beast. The insanity workout is super tough though. This morning I kind of hurt my back doing it.  I'm pretty sure Missionary Me could totally beat up Pre Missionary Me, like hands down. 

Oh I'm not getting transferred (one of the benefits of being with the zone leader is that I know what's happening way before it happens)  but I'm staying here in Anacortes while one of my companions, Elder M, is going to another zone. Since I've almost got my visa I'm really not sure what they will do with me... 

Things are going great :) Im really starting to get antsy for Brazil though... it's really starting to wear on me. that being said, I know that I am here in Washington for a reason and that this is where I am supposed to be.
Com Amour,
Elder Tagg

The Beast Himself

Turn Around

Hi Mom,

So this week we saw a big turn around as far as success goes. I had my first baptism.  In the photo (left to right, Me, Elder M, K her fellowship-er, H the person getting baptized,Elder M, Elder R, And Elder D.  He is the missionary who referred her to us he goes home in 13 days... (I'm the tallest person in this photo by the way). Also, I personally put another investigator of ours on date for baptism on the 13th of October. I thinks she is going to ask me to baptize her, but I don't know. Also, literally 2 hours after this photo was taken, we found another investigator. So things are good. I'm having a lot of success and I'm also really starting to bulk up. My waist size has gone down and I'm on the 2nd to last hole on my belt now...but yeah that's my life right now.

Elder Tagg

pi

Numbers Low

Dear Family,

I miss you guys and I love you guys, and yes I was serious about not liking the nickname Elderson. It is seriously stupid.

I have been having a rough week as far as numbers go. We had to drop James and Hailey is becoming shakey as well.  We had to move back her baptism. However we have a dinner tonight with Caityn and she's solid but we haven't found anybody new lately.  People here are so hard hearted. 

But I'm still happy. I really appreciate Audrey's and Eliza's letters.

I love you, 

bye

Nathan

Weight Update

Hi Family, 

I'm still in Washington. I don't really have much to talk about. There are just a bunch of crazies out here. Seriously, I ran into a guy who claimed to be a prophet and to know all things, and to understand all things... Except the book of revalation. He didn't like that book. 

Why are you taking a parenting class? Aren't you pretty much done with your parenting? That's weird.  Dad- why are you asking all them questions? My trainers are Elder Moncur and Elder Rencher. Elder Merrit is still a greeny, he is only a transfer ahead of me. I am keeping my Portuguese up. I have two people scheduled for baptism this month. I'm fine financially. Why do you ask?  I'm doing a workout called insanity every morning, and I'm drinking protien shakes. I'm definitely stronger than when we last met. When I got to the MTC I weighed like 180, and then I started dieting and lost five pounds. So when I left the MTC I weighed 175. I wouldn't be surprised if I weighed like 185-190 right now though. Gettin' yoked. Whatevs. Wow Drew's fast now. But I'm strong. I can't wait to whip Dad when I get back. It'll be so easy!

Elder Tagg

1st Week in the Field

Hi Family, 

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm doing great here in Washington. I'm In a four pack with elders Moncur, Rencher, & Merrit. Elder Merrit is a visa waiter too going to Sao Paulo Brazil. We have a lot of good investigators right now.  The people are way wack, but if things go right, we could get six baptisms this month! The standard is 1.  Mission life is fine. I gotta go now.  Anyways, here is a picture of me at the airport (back left).

Elder Tagg

Sis Green and I at the MTC

To Evan: YAY I loved AP Phychology. Yes I have had a lot of good investigators. They are way crazy though. Yesterday this guy kept talking to us for like fifteen minutes without us even saying anything. Washingtonians are really interesting.

To Drew: O my gospel Drew. Dr who is way wack. you are such a time lord. but anyways, on my pdays, I like to do stuff. 

To Audrey: Yay Audrey! You da best. Making crafts and stuff? That's way cool. just don't let all that power consume you..... thas bad. Love ya

To Eliza: I miss you too! stay in school!