Want More Emails

HEY MAHOAYEAM!

Yo yo yo yo yo yo so I'm trying to remember stuff that happened and stuff, but it's hard to remember with two languages taking up space in my head... OH yeah so trasnsfers came in and I'M STAYING!!! What else? What else? Yeah I'm on fire, I'm on fire. I'm just writin' what comes into my head... Lemme ask my comp what happened this week.

Oh yeah so we had p day da missão! (mission), and also we had nova força! (new force) and a bunch of other meetings.

We have got a TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON of baptisms coming up. With any luck we'll have about 6 this next transfer. It's gonna be the top of the CHAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We taught a lot this week. Found a lot. Called a lot of repentance. Ah, the life of a missionary. 

Oh but I do have one request.... Do you think you could get some of my old friends to start writing me? I don know, maybe Noa, Greg, Michael, friends from church also. I just want more emails.

das all!

Love

Elder Tagg

Elections in Brazil / Imma Teach Lula!

Dashing Elder Tagg

Hey Mam!

To answer your question about my violin opportunities, a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to tune a violin for a guy at a music shop and I did a little pluckin' to see if I still had it. But it was a really crappy violin, so I'm not sure if I still have it. Violins are rare here in Brazil... One time a guy came to the doorstep with a viola and I got to tear it up on his doorstep a little. Another time when I was in the United States serving, there was this Asian guy who was a violin teacher who let me work my magic on his steel strings for a tick. In the MTC they had 2 violins of fairly good quality that I played on p day. Elder Merrick and I got to play together then. I think he's in Fortaleza right now. He and I were stand partners in college and we both got called to Brazil around the same time. Other than that, I ain't played a note.

Yesterday was elections day here in Brazil. There were millions... literaly millions and millions of papers on the streets. Ridiculous. I found out this week that the ex president of Brazil (his name is Lula) lives in my area! And that he accepts visits! Imma teach Lula. Elections here in Brazil happen every 2 years. and the offices which are up for debate rotate every 2 years. This year the offices that were voted upon were; President, Governor, Senator, Federal Deputy and State Deputy. So there were 5 elections. President is the only one that is a nation wide vote. The rest vary based on the state. And there are various Deputies that will win. The number of Deputies depends on the size of the state. I think that Sao Paulo has like 80 or something. So it's a lot more voting all at the same time. It is a lot more wild than voting in the USA.

There is one guy that won the spot for Federal Deputy 4 years ago and he was re-running this year named Tiririca. He won more votes than any other Deputy in the history of Brazil. He is ridiculous and has no political opinions at all. He dresses like a toddler in his commercials and people vote for him because he is hilarious. He promises nothing but at least he does what he promised! His campaign slogan is (translated) "Fed up with politics? Vote for Tiririca!" I think I would probably vote for him :)

Anyways I loved conference. This was already my third conference on the mission. Whu-oh. I don't know if you guys noticed it but there was big 'follow the prophet' theme. They were talking a lot about changes and modern revelation. I thought that president Monson was going to announce a big change. But then when he didn't I realized that our prophet is really starting to look old.. and he was even kind of mumbling when he spoke. His final testimony was also different, like he wanted to say or do something that he didn't... maybe I'm the only one who noticed these things, and maybe I'm crazy.. but when the choir started to sing the last song about loving the prophet and about how he would be in our hearts forever, I think I figured it out; I think our prophet is sick, maybe even dying. When my ex-mission president got up to say the final prayer (go Tanner!) my suspicions were confirmed.  He prayed to "prolong the life of the prophet." I don't think President Monson has many days left.  Maybe you should keep this on the down low... but if this next April Elder Packer is presiding, you remember who said it first! 

But anyways my investigators are doing great I'm expecting baptisms this month. Please pray for LEANDRO!

Love Elder Tagg

(another letter- same day)

Hey whadup Dad?!

I hope your lovin life! Because it's SHORT! So this was my third conference on the mission. Yeah. that means in six months, I have less than six months left on the mission. 

I have a scriptural question for you. Who is Ariel? Also, who is Raphael? if you can answer please do.

Oh yeah, here are some pictures that I forgot to send to Mom.

Love Nathan

Pensive Elder Tagg

Distracted Elder Tagg

Unforgettable Week

9/22/14
So I will start my email this time by answering your questions instead of forgetting. So actually, I have had Dad's ties and the side bag (which I love so much. Thank you!) for almost 2 months now. 

Yeah... sorry about that one.

About my companion, he's legit. His training has been relatively easy. He reminds me a lot of Evan. They even have almost the same birthday just one year apart. (His is on the 7th) so they are both the same horoscope. I still haven't trained an American yet. I've only had 2 transfers on my whole mission where I haven't been training. and I have only passed through stakes. if that doesn't make sense please tell me.

This week was unforgettable for me. In good ways and bad ones. I ran into a total of 3 (3!!!!) of my four recent converts from my last area. Each one was a very emotional experience that was completely unexpected.

Elder Tagg taught this talented artist.  His name is Matheus

Pretty scary how accurate it is

A finished product of Elder Tagg

(so after seeing these photos posted by the artist on Facebook I commented to Elder Tagg that I was surprised at how nice the halls of the church building looked.  Here is what he said in response to that...)

Hmm. did you think that the churches here are like, made of clay and bamboo or something? whaeryathinkin?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

It's been a while since I sent you guys some pictures!

 (and the following photos just make me laugh... what sillies)

This one is my favorite.  why bother?

9/29/14

Hey Mom,

So life here in Baeta Neves is going well and we are having success. (Finally)

My companion is doing great and we get along really well. 

So I think I'll start this email off with a miracle and a half. Our mission has a goal of 410 baptisms in four months. And the goal of the first month was 75, and statistically it was looking like we wouldn't make it. But we did. We hit the goal on the head! 75 baptisms for September. BOOYEAH!

(Elder Tagg pushed send on accident here and for about 15 min I thought this was all I would get this week... then this arrived)

Woah Im not really sure why I sent that email in the middle of typing, it just seemed like an amazing finish so I pushed the send button. 

But this week we were super blessed! We have a ton of people lined up for baptism this month and they are all looking pretty firm! (which is good because its been a while since I've baptized) 

But I can't really think of anything to say right now... I'm stoked that Evan is going to the priesthood meeting. It looks like he's ficando firme! (getting firm)

But for my Christmas package, the only think I need is... I don't know

Love Elder Tagg

Two Letters

9/8/14
HEY MOMMA

So transfer calls came in like 2 pm on P day and I'm staying, training and líder de distrito de novo. (leader of new district). Elder M. Pereira went to Santo André! And my first son on the mission, Élder V. Ferreira got transferred to Eldorado! My birthplace! (aka his first area in the mission). I found out that my recent convert there is now the ward mission leader! WooooooooooooooohooooooooooooOOOoooooo!!!!!!!!!asdfsdkfjlçqahwergipheqv

Alright. But anyways My new companion now is Élder Bazante! He's from Pernambuco! That's the same dang place as my first son (the first missionary he trained) on the mission! He's from Recife, so he's already used to big cities and stuff. He is going to be a great missionary. IMMA TRAIN HIM RIGHT!

So if you want to know about people that we are interacting with, heres one... our Bishop. he is like 33 years old. He's legit and does a lot for the work. So yesterday a kid asked me to baptize him because he was turning 8. His parents are not members, but his Grandmother is. So it was a ward baptism. We got in the water and then all of a sudden the Bishop had us wait for his Mom to arrive. So we waited. We were in the water for a good 7 minutes before his Mom got there. Then we baptized him. Luckily the water wasn't TOO cold.

But anyways after the baptism we had lunch in the Bishop's house.  It was a good day.

Love you guys!

bye 

Elder Tagg

9/15/14
AY MOM

So I don't know what video you guys are talking about seeing as I made around 36841485682842564963253524861458145 of those thangs. 

This week has been good. We had 18 new investigators. (That is a lot) which means now we have a total of 30 investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I'm a little loopy right now. 

Ok time to be serious n stuff.

The other day we were waiting at the cemetery for the Sisters to arrive so that we could go to lunch because I didnt know the way. Then this craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy guy came out of nowhere dressed in all white. He stopped in front of me and looked at me for a minute. Then he asked for a card. I gave him my last pass along card that I had at the moment. It was a picture of Jesus coming out of the tomb. He looked at it for a while and then mumbled a few things that were difficult to understand and put the card back in my shirt pocket, and said, "Jesus Christo não ajuda" (Jesus Christ doesn't help). He was clearly wasted. He started to stumble away and I called after him "sabe que não ajuda? aqueles bebidas que está tomando" (that alcahol doesn't help). He turned around "JUDAS???" "JUDAS MATOU CHRISTO" (Jusas killed Christ) He cleary was out of his mind. Then he started bouncing around. Then the Sisters arrived.

So that's all for this week, I have to go.

Love Elder Tagg

Baptism Goal

Hey Mom 

So today is the last day of the transfer and we still haven't gotten our transfers. Blarg!

But this week was amazing! It started off with a DAY LONG mission wide conference with Prez. A lot of changes were made and a goal of 410 baptisms for October November and December was made. We can do it I know! that is a lot though... The mission has never baptized that much before. that's like how much we get in a year.

then I had a division with the LZs I went to their area with Elder Mealy who is LEGIT! He was in zona rude ramos with me when I was there. He was Elder Witham's comp in the MTC! and T.Olivera went with with M.Pereira. He was also one of Witham's comps. Weird.

But my comp is doing MUCH better. He has improved a TON with me. My second son in the wilderness. 

LOVE
ELDEER TAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG.

Totally Crackalakin

Yo Mohm

So dis week was like totaly crackalakin!

Anyways. so yes I did read your whole email. As to question about if the Kirbys can come down with you when you come to get me, yes. The answer is yes. It will never be no. I have no clue if there is a rule against them coming. But fer real I don't think there should be a problem with them coming down if you guys are already coming. As for your question about when, that is a little more complicated. So the thing is that I am not planning on extending a whole transfer, just a few weeks... it all depends on when R gets sealed. 

So In my head this is how it's all going to happen... my last transfer happens, I will be put in a trio or hang around with the secretaries for a few weeks, then I go to the temple with President or whatever companion I'm with at the time and I meet up with R for his sealing. Then you guys meet me in the celestial room with R. then President vai me desobrigar (releases me?) and we can do some visits and stuff and then we go to the airport and then you guys take me home. 

So the soonest that this could possibly happen would be the 13th of July because that would be one year after R's baptism. So if I were you guys I would just put that as the date of travel if it ends up being another week or so that would just be you guys's time to do some touring. But we won't know until we start getting close to that time. 

But yeah I have a meeting with President tomorrow so I will be sure to talk to him about all this jazz.

Love

Elder Tagg

PS (when I caught him online I asked him to tell me about his week, this was his response..) Oh yeah sorry Mom.

So this week has been great we worked hard (well at least I did...) and we got work done. and I got an amazing jacket from a member! It's from the world cup of 2010! And its authentic! Team brazil used them in all their entrances!

Your Firstborn in the Wilderness

Dear Mom

So this week was rather normal. I renewed my covenants, walked a lot, ate rice and beans. Stuff like that. This area really has a lot of untapped potential.

So I think it's time I explained my area a little bit better... So my area has the shape like unto a giant hourglass - which makes it RETARDED to navigate. Many precious hours are lost walking from one side to another. On one side is this gianormagous favela called Esperança - witch is so big its actually several favelas put in one. There's plenty of hills and gangs and drugs so that's dandy. We have a lot of investigators that do not progress there. The other side of our area has a ton of buildings and suburban areas, and the capela. we are trying to get out of Esperança and into this area. It's a tough transition and our success has been slow, but once it opens up right it'll be gravy.

But that's were we are at right now. Pretty dang exciting.

Love vocês! (you guys)

Élder Tagg

Artwork by a convert.  He hasn't given it to Elder Tagg yet