Better News Next Time

Nathan's letter this week was pretty much a downer.  Pray for him and hope for a better letter next week.  He is struggling with his companion and with the numbers expected of him.  I'm sure the language is also a barrier to his progression.

He does say that he knows his entire mission will not be this way and that he refuses to baptize anyone without making sure they are truly converted first.  He takes missionary work very seriously!  He misses the Washington Everett mission very much.  It's a big adjustment right now.  Hope to post something better next week!

Elder Tagg's Mother

Life's full of problems

About a Dog Bite

Hello
My son is Elder Tagg from Maryland. He had very little time to write to us today but has reported a dog bite. This is his first week in Brazil.

My concern(knowing my son), is that he did not think anything of this event and may not think it needs any attention. He did not elaborate on any details. I don't know if skin was broken. I wonder if someone there can reach out to make sure good judgment and care was implemented. I will worry much less if I could be filled in on this situation.

He said he was fine. As a mother I would like a second opinion please.

Thank you
Sister Tagg

Dear Sister Tagg,

First let me say that we are loving Elder Tagg.  He is very obedient and dedicated and having a good attitude while everything feels so strange at first.  I saw him yesterday at the temple with his companion and other companionship that lives in the same house.  They are all good young men serving in a very humble area, but also receptive to the Gospel.  We expect good things to happen with them serving in this area.

Immediately after he was bitten by the dog, his companion called me to report it.  I then talked to  Elder Tagg.  He reported that no skin was broken, nor did it rip his pant leg.  However there were teeth marks on his leg.  I told him to wash it well with soap and water, put antiseptic cream on it, and get a rabies shot just to be safe.  One of his roommates knew where the clinic was for that, so he was able to get him there.  I think all will be well.  They know to call me if anything changes.

Thank you for your concern and prayers, and for sharing your son in the service of the Lord.

Love,

Sister Tanner

Mom,

This week went well. My companion is still a challenge, but I'm teaching him. We had a guy the other day tell us he kills robbers so he was not interested.

There is a problem here in Brazil. This year 30,000 people were baptized in Brazil. 28,000 of those are already inactive. The whole system here is set up to get as many baptisms as possible as fast as we possibly can. In the United States I learned a lot about the importance of a baptism. Baptisms are more rare out there and so the missionaries are really humbled, and every new investigator is a gift from God. However here it seems that the  people are nothing more than numbers. It's not our mission president's fault. He is doing everything he can to get ´´real conversion.´´ He is following the advice of the 70.  Now im not rebelling against my leaders. I believe that the standards they set are inspired, but no one is infallible.  It seems that what's happening in Brazil right now is that we are ultimately condemning  people.

I will try my best to reach the goals they set. But if this mission ever makes me lower my standards, and start baptizing just for the numbers, I´m leaving. Going home. I will not allow myself to fall into this illusion of numbers.

About the dog bite, first of all you should maybe stop texing my friends for information. its weird, so stop. Second of all, I'm totally fine and you should stop worrying. If you hear about something that happened, please don't be that steriotypical worried mom. I'm a grownup now so I can take care of myself.

also, do missionary work!

Love Elder Tagg

Stories I Can't Tell

Dear Mom,

I have a lot of stories I can't tell right now because I only have ten minutes.  We had a temple trip today and P-day is almost over. So I will write more next week.

Elder Tagg

Elder Tagg at the Sao Paulo temple!

Sister Green and Elder Tagg (from his MTC district)

(A day later I received this letter from Elder Tagg...)

Hi Mom,

So yesterday I went to the temple and that's why I couldn´t email much. But the zone leaders gave us time to do it today.

Anyways, my trainers name here is Elder Sousa and he is Brazillian and he speaks 0 English. He has been a missionary for only two weeks longer than I have so this is going to be interesting... We are finding our situation really challenging.  Our work ethics do not really match up.  I have already had to chap my tiny Brazillian companion´s hide a few times...(joking). Here they call apostate missionaries ``fubecas`` not sure how to spell that. but it translates literaly to ´´pile´´. So yeah, Brazillians are funny.

I really kind of miss the United States though. Because here I feel like I am not using my brain as much... it's just too easy to get investigators and the issue is finding out who really is ready to make covenants with the Lord. So far I haven´t found anybody that I think is ready for baptism. It kind of stinks. Maybe when I master the language better it will be easier. 

My portuguese is pretty good. Whenever people find out how long I've been here they are always suprised at how well I am able to communicate. There are missionaries who have been here for three months who don´t speak Portuguese as well as I did when I first came out. So I have really been blessed in that regard. 

Take care,

Love Elder Tagg

Elder Gasser holding an I heart Elder Tagg sign.  He was Nathan's trainer in his last area in Washington

Thank you for Sharing your Son

Dear family of Elder Tagg,

Two days ago we were so excited to finally meet Elder Tagg.  We have been anxiously anticipating his arrival for some time now.  We loved him immediately and know that he will be a wonderful missionary.

I am sending a photo of him with us and with his wonderful companion, Elder J. Sousa.  I will also send hard copies of these in the mail, but that can sometimes take several weeks to arrive.

Thank you for sharing your son in this great work of sharing the Gospel.

Love,
President and Sister Tanner

I Know What I am

Hey Mom,

Thanks for the flight info... WHAT THE FETCH?!?! Eliza is loosing her baby fat! She looks so different! But anyways yeah, here is my pants inventory; I have one pair that I fixed and they will be fine... I have another pair that I'm wearing right now and they'll be fine, and I have one pair that still has a rip but I don't think I'll fix them because they were very restricting to start with. They are just not tailored very well. Then I also have my 2 pairs of suit pants which I really only wear with my suit. I also have 2 Haggar brand pants which say they are my size but they are LYING. They are like Goliath pants. if you are going to send me pants go for black... because I only have black shoes and other colored pants are only really cool if you can color combo it with your belt and shoes. I would very much appreciate it if you could send pants.  Don't go for the "loose" look. Try for a more tailored style. I already have some rather baggy pants. As far as sizing goes, if it fits Dad, it fits me. I have also grown about a half an inch in the field but Dad and I are essentially the same. 

On second thought, I will go pants shopping today with the money on the USAA card.  I do not trust the internets. I think I'm going to leave those Haggars behind because they are useless to me. I won't be gaining weight while in Brasil, so don't I worry about compensating for potential waist line increases. I'm on the smallest loop on my belt right now because of the Insanity workout I've been doing.

But anyways, I'm still in Washington. I'm with Elder J on an exchange right now because his companion is going home due to some issues. We get transfer calls today and so things are switched up a lot. I respect Elder J more than I respect almost anybody. Both his parents are dead, and he weighs about 280 pounds. He's shorter than I am, he knows he's overweight. He had to loose 60 pounds to serve his mission. He is such a stud I love the guy. He's our DL. 

This is our district... The older guy next to me is standing on some books. 

He's not actually tall at all.  The other guy next to me is Elder S.

Talk to you on Monday!
Elder Tagg

Hey Dad,

Yeah so I have to answer your question about iPads. The fact of the matter is that missionaries are coming to the field more and more prepared, and matured for missionary service. The Lord knows his children and he trusts his missionaries with this resource. What elder Zwick may have said about iPads is probably either misinformed or has been received wrong. So, the church is not even sure if they are going to do the whole iPads thing. They have selected a few "test" missions to try it out on. I know that there are a few in California. But anyways it will only be missions within the USA and other first world countries. Brazil wont get it yet.

The details of this are that each missionary will receive their own iPad, and it will replace their area book, daily planner, etc. It will also enable electronic proselyting, which is truly a HUGE step and a big innovation for the church. It is true that there is the opportunity provided for being lazy and slothful servants.  The fact of the matter is that was there already and really this changes nothing but provides another opportunity for disobedience. That being said, my understanding of this is that the iPads will be running a slightly modified OS, (nothing against warranty, it will still BE an iPad) that will not allow free search of the web, and will be restricted on other ways as well.

All in all I agree that it is a big step and that some will use it for disobedience, but all I have to say about that is that the Lord is separating His wheat from His tares, and I already know what I am.

love 

Elder Tagg

Can you spy Elder Tagg? He's hiding in the branches!

Elder Manly

Wow Dad those are some very impactfull quotes. I especially like the third one about "future spouses" yeah we have a joke where if you drop a b.o.m. your future wife gains X amount of pounds. I dropped my quad once and my comp was like "Awww dude that's like 5000 pounds man... You just dropped all 4 standard works..."

Haha ok Mom, that really made no sense. Anyways HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!  I know I couldn't email you yesterday, so I figured you would be furious with me. I fixed my own pants this week! For whatever reason the crotches in TWO of my pants BURST (just call me manly). I think it's because my thigh muscles are getting bigger. And no, I don't need bigger pants, I'm just getting shredded beyond comparison and there's nothing you guys can do to stop me MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Anyways, I ripped my pants and then I fiked it. :) I also ate a raw potato. yeah I found out later that raw potatoes are actually slightly poisonous, so yay. It was gross, but it was funny we got in on video (I can't send you videos though).

so there is a good chance that I will be flying out to Brasil soon (Sunday or Monday) and I have no clue how much money I have on either of my cards. (alls I know is that Ihad about 600-700 on my panda one when I left and I have been spending about 20 bucks a week with it. I spent 60 bucks at the beginning of the mish for luggage). So really I have no clue. The church recommends that we have about 200-300 dollars for emergencies, and at least that much when flying. Ido not know how much I have on the Benjamin card so could you please inform me? Also, if you could make sure that I have enough I would appreciate it. :) More money, more problems.

Oh yeah, I thought I told you to stop calling me Elder-son. 

I was serious.

sincerely, 

Elder Tagg

Scatting Elder Tagg

Dear Mom,
So last night we got a call saying that Elder M was getting E.T.'d (early transfer) and so he left this morning and we got Elder S. the reason was because another Elder was going home and Elder M was called to take his place.

Elder S is another visa waiter. He's like the polar opposite of Elder M. We gonna whip him into shape. I'm a transfer older than him.

We have been seeing a drop in numbers this week but an increase in results, which is awesome.

So I don't know how much longer I'm going to be here, but I really don't care.  I'll accept what the Lord chooses to do with me.

Elder Tagg.

Hey Dad, 

So I think its really cool that Evan is visiting campuses. That wasn't too long ago for me... yeah there really isn't much to do in Rexburg but hang out with people and do whatever is going on that night up at the campus. Most people who I knew who would show you guys around are on missions..  There is one guy I can think of named J. I think that's how you spell his last name but he might not be on track right now.

Nathan

(From Youngest Brother) 

Hey Nathan,

how is it going? I bet you were excited  when you heard about your visa.  I heard C got his too.  Any way I've been practicing my skat; Zoowapp da kap daddy skidilybeebopdaboop.  Do you like it?

See ya later,

D

(Nathan's Response)

Bro, I SPEAK skat.

*ahem* skittlybeebob durangdurangdurangdurangdurang dowow. dobop? tingitytong-ting-togg.

confounded!

Nathan