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

                                             

Tall Baptism/Short Eternigator

Hi Mom,

Don't you wear that fake arrow through the head headband saying "I've had a headache all day" thing every single Halloween?

So this week was awesome. We had the highest numbers this transfer.  We have two new investigators (C and J), one progressing investigator, and all this other junk. So C is not actually YSA but we are still teaching him (with permission) because he goes to the YSA ward. His daughter is A and she was baptized about a year ago and she's going to BYUI now. Now he is interested in the church. J is a guy we tracted into. He's African American.

I went on exchanges with Elder J in the Anacortes 1st ward area. They have an investigator named V, she's from Vietnam, and she is literally like 4 feet tall and when she shakes your hand her fingers don't even reach the edge of your palm. anyways she's an eternigator (ask dad for missionary lingo) who just hasn't stopped drinking coffee and smoking and so basically, Elder R and Elder J and I just pretty much got her to commit to quitting everything and working towards baptism on December 7th. She's doing well with it so far. We gave her a priesthood blessing.

So last story. Last night the power went out and pretty much we didn't really care. Then we were going to do companion prayer and go to bed. Right as we started praying, the lights came back on after being off for about an hour. So yeah, we thanked God in our prayer for the lights! haha.

Love Elder Tagg

PS A scripture for you in return;

2nd Kings 2:23-24

Dad,
WAAASAP? So no I don't have the Alpha-smart thingy yet, but its probably in the mission office in Mill-Creek. Next time I'm down there, I'll pick it up.

That story of yours about the young brain cancer patient sure was intense. I can't even imagine what that's like. try sharing the gospel with him.

So here are some picture of my first official Baptism that Mom wanted. By the way I gave that other redhead in the photo a haircut. So yeah, that was my first time doing that too.

My First Baptism.  She was 6 ft 2!

The other day I pulled prank on my companion by hiding bread all over ALL of his stuff. I even like tacked to the ceiling above his bed so that he would find it. I also did all this random stuff. Then I wrote him some Haikus to mend our relationship. :)

Dear E (younger brother age 17),
Oi meu Irmao, como vai?

So yeah I don't understand what your last sentence said but if was anything about you being able to take me after the mish BE PREPARED TO BE TAKEN DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as Dad would say.

Oh, and I could lift the tall woman I baptized easily because i'm a man.

Nathan

HI A (little Sister age 10),

I am doing great in the field and yes, I HAVE been to Field of screams. It's not scary.

No, unfortunately we aren't allowed to dress up :( we have to be in by 6 on Halloween.

I have read 5 of the Harry Potter books and I have seen all the movies. :)

Love Elder Tagg

Dear E (little sister age 6),

You Rule! Don't let anybody ever tell you otherwise. Are you going to be a missionary one day?

Love Elder Tagg

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.