LAST LETTER!!!

Hola Familia y Amigos! WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW

This is my last P Day. Well kind of. Once my family gets here every day will be P Day ha-ha. Wow I can't believe it. This week was awesome. We worked super hard. We went out and visited a bunch of recent converts from about two years ago. We got a lot of new people out to church and to reactivate. It was really exciting. I just kept forgetting. We would make appointments and I would just full on forget that I won't be here for them.

Sunday it hit me. That was really embarrassing. We were sitting in Sacrament meeting and a less active family came in. We have been visiting them for a while and to see them all walk through the door made me SO HAPPY!! I started thinking about what we would share with them on Saturday and then I realized I won't be here Saturday. I just started crying and I couldn't stop. Seriously all throughout the santa cena I was just bawling. So embarrassing. Our mission president just happened to be visiting our Branch. He probably thinks I'm nuts ha-ha. I was able to pull it together and share my testimony, crying, but at least I was somewhat under control.

I'm going to miss this a lot. I love seeing people change. I love the happiness that the gospel brings.
This week we had an AMAZING experience with Berta. So Berta has been having a really tough time since her baptism. Which happens to a lot of recent converts. Every time we would go visit her she was so angry with her ex husband, the anger was just eating her up inside. She said that she was praying and praying and didn't feel like God was listening to her and she doubted that God even loved her or cared. Obviously I was concerned so we visited a lot these past weeks. We would come, listen and share a message, but nothing was helping.

So Tuesday we were on our way to visit Berta. To get to her house you have to pass through a really poor part of town. The houses are literally shacks, with dirt floors and plastic or tin roofs. In this neighborhood there is a member. Her name is Gaudencia. She is 70 years old and got baptized a little less than two years ago. She is in a wheel chair and lives by herself. We decided to stop by and visit her. As we visited with her I was SO IMPRESSED. If someone has reasons to be depressed its Hermana Gaudencia. She can't walk. She lives by herself. Sometimes her family comes to visit her and sometimes they don't. She goes days without having food. Her circumstances are just heart breaking. But her audited is AMAZING! She has the most amazing smile. She talks about when the Elders built her roof for her, she talks about all the blessing she has. She loves the lord and the gospel. When Gaudencia first got baptized the members were really great about coming, visiting and taking her to church, but about six months after her baptism she got really sick and had to move to Lima. When she moved back 6 months later it seems the branch just kind of forgot about her. No one comes to pick her up for church. As I listened to her talk about how much she wanted to take the sacrament my heart broke. But you know why it broke, because she was so positive. She didn't complain, she didn't curse the members for not coming, for not caring. She just humbly said that they all must be very busy. I couldn't hide my tears. I thanked her for her example and promised that we would bring her to church on Sunday. After that amazing visit we went over to Berta's house.
There was Berta again. Cursing out her ex-husband her situation and even God. I prayed. What can we do to help her. Then it came to me. Let's go. I want to take you somewhere. We took her to visit Gaudnecia and than Hermana Arora who both live in very hand circumstances, have terrible health, but amazing testimonies. I unofficially assigned Berta to visit these two sisters twice a week. This week when we came to visit her it was just to pick her up and take her to visit someone else. Sunday we also had her take Hermana Gaudencia back home after church. Sunday night when we went to visit Berta we found a completely different person. She was all smiles and didn't have a single negative thing to say. She said that taking her mind off of her own problems, visiting someone and taking from their good examples has helped her realize that she has many things to be thankful for. She told us how excited she was to visit these Hermanas and she also told us that she had a new goal of waking up early on Sundays so she would have time to bring Hermana Gaudencia to church. She finally got it. The joy that comes from living the gospel and DOING the things that Christ would do.
That's what it all comes down to. I mean she was reading, praying and coming to church but wasn't happy. Why? Because it's not enough to know how the Saviors stories. You have to live them. You have to do as he would do. That's when you really feel the joy that the gospel brings.

I don't worry about Berta going inactive. Not now. Now she gets it. I know if she keeps service as a part of her life, she will never lose her way. We taught her about temple work Sunday night and she is really excited. After the lesson she told me that if just helping Hermana Gaudencia take the sacrament one time made her happy, she could only imagine how happy she would feel to help people receive saving ordinances like baptism. At the end of the month she is going to go to  the temple with the Branch. Alfunso will as well.
This time here in Chancay has been such a blessing. Not just here in Chancay but here in Peru. There is a joy in the gospel that you don't find in anything else, and if you are reading this thinking that you don't feel a joy in the gospel then I can say without doubt that you are not fully living it. Like Berta you may be going through the motions, but when you really take the time to do as the Savior would do. You can't help but feel happy.
I know that God lives, The Jesus Christ is his son. I have never seen them, but I feel it. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's restored Church on the earth. I know that if someone follows the teachings found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon that they will find a joy beyond words. I testify that Families can be forever. I know it. I love it.

I'm sad that this part of my life is coming to an end. I will miss being a missionary. More than I thought I would. But I know that ending my mission doesn't mean I have to stop doing what Christ would do.
I love you all! It breaks my heart to know that soon I will be leaving Peru. But I am extremely excited to see you all again.

Thanks again to Bradi for posting all my letters and pictures on my blog.  You are the best!
I love you!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

Pictures

April 29, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos.

Wow we are getting super close to the finish line. Crazy. This week was good. Called people to repentance, preached the gospel. You know all that good stuff.

We are teachings Bertas son, Jerson and his girlfriend Geradine. We got to the house the other day and he asked us a question. He has his ears pierced and always has an ear ring in his left ear. He asked us if it was o.k. for men to use ear rings. We said no, and before we even explained he reached up, took his ear ring out and then looked at me and asked why. For me it was such a great example of faith and obedience. Him and his Girlfriend are working on getting married and I know once they do they will make AMAZING members of the church.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm trunky. Well in some ways I think I have always been "trunky" I have always joked around about boys and dating and all that jazz. I'm sure none of you are surprised by that ha-ha. I'm still working. So I'm not that type of trunky who thinks, yeah I'm gong home so they stop looking for new people. I want to leave my area in good shape for the next Hermana who comes in. But I can feel my heart getting distant. I don't feel really invested in anyone or anything because I know that I won't get to see the end. It's not to say I'm not working because I'm trying to. I'm just not getting attached.
I can't wait to see my family. That's probably why I'm o.k. with finishing my mission.  It's going to be hard. But nothing compares to my family. I'm 100 percent sure that seeing my mom again will be the happiest moment of my life.

I'm scared to leave my converts. It's like when you leave an area, but worse. I wish I could take them all with me and keep visiting them and make sure that they are doing what they are suppose to be doing. At  least there are things like face book and email that make it easy to keep in touch with people.
This week we also had a conference with two members of the 70. We were together with the Lima Central Mission. I ran into my companion from the CCM. Hermana Cartagena.It was crazy to see her again. She was happy to see that I can finally speak Spanish ha-ha. Also ran     into Janaes roommate again. It's a small world.

Well. . . That's about all I have to say. I know lame right. Soon I will be home. CRAZY. Sounds like the 26th is my home coming talk. Mark that one on your calendars.

Love you all!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

Pictures

Hermana  Cueva and me with Berta's baptism

Me and my new companion, Hermana Bendixen

Me and Hermana Bendixen do a service project

April 22, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

WOW!!! Where is the time going! This week went by crazy fast. I feel bad for my companion we had to go to Lima twice again this week due to a choir practice and mission conference and with immigrations we might have to go again. It's frustrating because I only have a little bit of time left here as a missionary and I don't want to waste it in the Z Bus but what can you do. I just hope she is having a good mission experience. I worry I'm not teaching her enough. I'm just trying to ease her into everything. I remember my first months were SO overwhelming trying to do mission work and not understanding a thing. So I am really just trying to help her learn and give her a few small responsibilities. But then again I think I might be doing too much and when she gets her next companion it will be like a smack in the face. I just really want to ease her into everything.
Even though she claims that it's not happening, I think the culture shock is starting to set it. The way men treat us is REALLY bothering her. Not to mention how everything starts late ha-ha. She keeps saying she wants to buy a watch and I keep finding ways to not let her.  Maybe that is terrible but I know how North Americans are ha-ha. I know how I was and my watch breaking has been the greatest blessing because I have just learned to chill out . We are suppose to help the culture of the church change and get things started on time. But its poco a poco we can't change the whole culture of Peru over night.
Funny story of the week. Which might only be funny if you have lived in Peru. So side note. In Peru there are these people that have bicycles that have carts in front of them. Then they go around with a megaphones and sell the stuff they have in their carts. Some people sell fruits, tamales, recycled garbage ha-ha. But they all go around with mega phones shouting out what they are selling. So the other day someone passes by our house selling stuff like normal and I hear Hermana Bendixen shout from the other room, and she sounds scared. "Hermana Taggart! There is a man with a mega phone yelling at our house!" ha-ha I got a kick out of that. I'm just getting too use to Peru.

Oh yeah today made me laugh as well. Being with a new North American has shown me just how much I really have let myself go. She still puts on makeup everyday and spends time picking out what she is going to wear. Whereas I just put on whatever and I only put on makeup if I believe we will be taking pictures ha-ha.
I feel like the different between a North American with 2 weeks in the field and 18 months is best shown by what happened this morning. We left and then two seconds later we both realized we had to go back to the room because we had both forgotten something. She had forgotten her name tag . . .and I had forgotten to put on deodorant. Ha-ha I have really been here too long.  I've got to get myself back to the states and back to real life while there is still hope.

In other news my mom informed me that about 10 people got engaged this week! No worries that didn't make me trunky or anything. Man alive! But I'm super excited for everyone. I had a nightmare the other night that I came home from my mission and all my friends were in coffins, I told an Elder about it and he told me it's because subconsciously I know that all my friends have socially died ha-ha. Well I hope when I get home you all ditch your husband's for a night a revive yourselves socially.

All is well in our area. We are teaching a new girl names Gasmina. She is wonderful. She could possibly be ready for baptism before I go which would be exciting if she is. But I'm not going to rush her. I really don't like when people rush baptisms just to have one more number. For me every convert is a HUGE responsibility! I believe if we baptize people just to have one more baptism but they don't understand what they are doing or aren't ready to make the commitment that they are making and they fall always we as missionaries will be somewhat responsible for that. I just think it's a balance. For me the most important thing is that Gasmina gets baptized and stays an active member of the church, but if that happens before I leave or after doesn't matter to me.

We are also teaching a few young couples that are preparing to get married. It's the same thing. I might not get to see them get baptized but I'm happy that they are repenting, learning and growing spiritually. One day when they do get baptized they will be amazing strong families in the gospel.
I'm just trying to finish strong. Stay focused (which is hard at times) and teach my companion the ropes of missionary life.

All is well.
I will see you all VERY SOON!
Love you all!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

April 15, 2013

Hola famila y amigos! Como estan!

This week was crazy! Let's start with Monday. Surprise baptism! Berta was suppose to get baptized on Saturday but seeing as Hermana Cueva was leaving we decided to try and up her date. She accepted. I was thrilled because I knew this baptism meant alot to Hermana Cueva.

Tuesday I went and picked up my new companion. Yup North American! Hermana Bendixen from California. She is wonderful. She is a BYU Idaho Theater Major. She doesn't speak Spanish but she doesn't let that stop her. I've been impressed that she will go up to people and contact even though she can't say much more then how are you. We get along really well. I am just trying to find a balance of speaking Spanish and English with her. Enough Spanish so she learns, but then enough English that she doesn't have an emotional breakdown ha ha. I mean every American learning Spanish has to have a language break down at some point, but I figure the Lord has us together so that I keep working hard and so that she doesn't have that break down just yet. I love training. It just keeps me so focused!

Wednesday we had interviews with the president. He told me that he was really sad that I would be leaving. A lot of new Hermanas will be coming in and he wished I would be here to train. He also said that the whole training sister thing that he has me doing,  is going to become an organized calling like a female assistant. After words we had a leadership training and honestly for the first time I felt really sad that I am finishing. I guess I have always thought about finishing my mission as the time when I get to see my family. So I have just been excited. But Wednesday I realized that I won't be a missionary forever and it made me really sad. I just feel like it would have been fun to stay longer and see everything that will be happening with all these young girls coming in, but sadly I'm missing that wave. Its o.k. though. I hope that when I go home there is a calling waiting for me. I just want to keep working in whatever way the lord wants me to work.
Friday we went and did a fun service where we picked rotting oranges in an orchard. You better believe that, that soon turned into a huge orange fight. My companion wasn't too thrilled about it ha-ha. I don't know if I just have too much time hanging out with Elders or it's that little tom boy inside of me but I was having a blast running around making war cries and chucking rotting oranges at people haha. Good times.
Training a new north American is hard. Mostly because I don't know how to help her. My first 4 months I was with someone who DID NOT speak English so there just wasn't an option. I learned Spanish. But it was really lonely and stressful at times. So I am glad that I can speak English with my companion so she doesn't have to deal with that lonely or stressful feeling, but I don't know if I am doing her justice because it will happen. But I believe the Lord has us together for a reason.
Well I got to run!

Thanks for all your love and support. I'm not trunky or anything but I will be seeing you all in just about a month! AAAHHH!!! I can't wait! Get ready to party!
Love you all
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

Pictures

April 8, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

So lots has happened this last two weeks. Sorry I couldn't write last week. My companion got sick and we live 2 hours out of Lima and then in Lima it's another hour and a half to the hospital which makes getting sick a REAL big pain! We were traveling all day and I didn't get to write.

The most exciting thing that happened last week is that we did an Easter egg hunt for a ward activity. They loved it! Peruvians don't do Easter egg hunts here. We found plastic eggs but not the kind we use .  We had to cut an opening with knifes ha-ha, but then we stuffed 500 eggs with candy and hid them all over the church. It was hilarious. They all loved it. The Elders asked how they could help and I told them to dress up as Easter bunnies and they did. What good sports.  It was great fun.

This week we went to the temple and we watched general conference. So it was just TONS of spiritually.
We just found out that my companion is getting transferred and I will be spending my last month in the mission training. I'm excited to train. Its lots of responsibility but I'm fine with that. I need it so that I don't trunk out my last month ha-ha. But from what her last name is, it sounds like she is a  north American. . . wow. . . Never thought that would happen to me. I'm a little nervous about helping her with her Spanish. It was tempting enough with Hermana Anderson to speak English when we both knew Spanish really well. Imagine with someone who doesn't speak Spanish ha-ha it will be good. At least I can help her ease into the culture shock.
The only thing I feel bad about is that Berta is suppose  to get baptized this Saturday. . . my companion has been here through all of Bertas conversion and she deserves to see her baptism. So we are going to try and work some last minute magic and get her baptized tonight. She is ready! She just needs an interview. I'm all about last minute baptisms because my companions are leaving. It worked with Hermana Anderson and Alfunso and it will be great with Hermana Cueva and Berta.

My mom said that the singles ward sent me letters and asked if I got them. . . I'm so sorry. I haven't. I don't know how long ago they were sent. Hopefully they get here, Sadly Peruvian mail is not that reliable there are several things I have never gotten.

We have a new investigator named Amilcar. We meet him contacting. We was reading a novel in a park. (Which I have never seen in all my time in Peru.) I just had to go talk to him. We contacted him and told him that we wanted to give him a book to read. I told him that it was my favorite book and that I had read it over and over again. He was super excited. Free book ha-ha. He is a good Kid,19years old.  Really open minded and interesting on his ideas of God. I love how he prays because it sounds like he is making a phone call. "Hello God, It's me again Amilcar, How are you?" I mostly love that he asks God how he is doing.
Basically all is well. I'm happy and healthy. I had a down spell in March but with a nice fast and prayer I was able to buck up, put on my big sister missionary skirt and I'm ready to work super hard and go out great!

I love you all! I'll see you soon!
Love Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

New Pictures

 Our "pioneer trek" that we did as a branch. Which included walking along a busy highway. It was actually hilarious because instead of crossing a river we crossed a four lane highway. Equally dangerous ha-ha. But along the sides of the roads here in Peru there are these little houses,  they are actually mini capillas. If someone dies getting hit by a car or in a car wreck on the road their family builds one of these.

View from the hill where we finished our pioneer trek of two hours ha-ha

When we made Mexican food as a district. It's fun to meet people from all around the world. I feel like I will finish my mission with friends in just about every part of South America

A "sweet" that they make here in Peru. It looks like Carmel but don't be folded It's actually baked beans all mashed up in a cream form and they eat it with bread

Me and my companion in front of a Flower Carpet. They line the streets with these and then they carry different Saints or Maybe a statue of the Virgin Maria or Jesus on their backs. They walk down the streets and trample the flower carpets

March 25, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week. . . oh this week. Mamma said they'd be weeks like this, they'll be weeks like this my mamma said ha-ha. Its fine sometimes there are just hard weeks in the mission. Berta went through a bunch of personal family problems this week and stopped reading and praying and blew us off for her baptismal interview so she didn't end up getting baptized. We finally found her Saturday. Like Hermana Anderson always said Satan is a Jerk. He knew Berta was happier than ever and all was going well and she would get baptized without a problem so he sent her drunken ex-husband to make everything complicated. But it will be fine. Mostly I just feel bad for her. The gospel isn't just for when times are going good. I felt bad for her because at the time  where she NEEDED the most help she pushed the Lord away. But she will be alright. She came to church and is feeling better now.

That was one really good thing about this week. Sunday EVERYONE came to church. Wow that was a tender mercy from the Lord after all the spiritual punches in the stomach Sunday was a tender mercy.
This week I learned a lesson. When you have a spiritual prompting. Write it down, or act on it immediately. When I was with Hermana Anderson we did a contact in a Taxi. Nothing spectacular. We were going to go visit her but then Hermana Andersons dad got sick and we went to Lima early and we never visited the contact. This last week there was like 5 times where this woman came= to my mind and I thought, yeah we will go visit her. Tomorrow we will go visit her. After this appointment we will go visit her, but then I would forget. FINALLY when we were planning on Wednesday night she came to my mind again. So I told my companion we HAD to go visit this women because she had came to my mind SO MANY TIMES. We  went and when we found her she says "Oh that's nice of you to come but yesterday the Elders knocked on our door. They visited us yesterday and are coming tomorrow."

This was one of the many spiritual punches of the week. I was happy that the Elders followed the spirit and were lead to this family, but I felt about two inches tall to know that the Lord had to send someone else because I hadn't paid attention to a spiritual prompting, but it's alright. It's something to learn from.

Tomorrow I reach 17 months in my mission! It's crazy! I can't believe it.
Basically all is well. This week was tough, but its o.k. When you have a bad week that means that the next week even if it is just good,  will seem great in comparison ha-ha.

I love you all.
Love Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

March 18, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos.

So I got shafted in the computers this week and mine didn't work for like 20 minutes and now I'm getting started and my zone leader wants me to get off so I'm going to trying to make this short and interesting so I can stop getting the evil eye ha-ha.

This week was good. Berta is preparing for baptism.  We found an amazing new couple. They need to get married first which is SUCH a head ache in Peru. I took for granite how easy it is to get married in the states. For heaven's sake in Vegas I think they have drive through wedding chapels. Here it cost a bunch of money  and you have to do a bunch of medical tests, it's a real head ache. But we are going to make it happen and they will get baptized hopefully at the end of April.

This week my funny story is that week long argument my companion and I have been having about whether or not cold water makes you sick. People in Peru think that  drinking a soda with an ice cube in it gives you a cold. She got sick this week and was blaming it on the cold water we drink. I told her that it probably had something to do with the thousands of DIRTY hands we shake every day and then her not washing her hands before eating ha-ha. It cracks me up that of all the things that are dirty here that we touch she thinks the ice cubes did her in ha-ha.

Mom told me that my cousin Kelli is sick. I know she reads my blog so I just wanted to send my love and let you know that you are in my prayers. Everything is going to be alright. Trust in the Lord. Everything is going to be alright. I love you Kelli. Thanks for your letters and your support. You really are in my prayers.

O.k. well now that I'm crying my zone leaders eyes aren't shooting fire like before, but I better go.
I love you all so much!
Thanks for your love and support
Love Sadie

Pictures

Me with Hermana Atkinson (Janae's college roommate)

Me and Hermana Cueva (my new companion)

 Me with my my hurt hands

March 11, 2013

Hola familia y amigos!

This week was a good week. Berta came to church on her own. She is reading the Book of Mormon and is Super excited to get baptized! Really she is such a blessing from the lord.

Last Monday the craziest thing happen. I ran in to Janae Jacksons college roommate! What a small world! She is serving a mission in Lima Central but they came to Chancay to see the castle that is in our area. What are the odds or running into someone you meet from Provo Utah here in Peru. CRAZY!

So epic story for me life. Today. I Sadie Jean Taggart. Taught someone how to put on makeup! Can you believe that. I can't ha-ha but I did. My companion had NEVER used eye liner or mascara.  So today we went crazy. The women here don't use make up but when they do its extreme like blue eye shadow or things that look fake. So I taught her about just enhancing her natural beauty with some brown eye liner a little bit of eye shadow and mascara. If my hair straighter hadn't exploded a couple months ago we would have gone really crazy, but alas.

So I officially have two months left till I get home. . . I just want to let you all know that I will be buying souvenirs for those of you who were awesome and wrote me ATLEAST ONCE during my mission. It takes about a months for letters to get to me. Long story short . . . If you want something from Peru you best get to writing me ASAP!

Oh last story from my week. We did a bunch of games last week including a wheel barrow race. But the ground was so hot that with the friction it burned huge blisters on my hands.

Time is short today! I love you all!

Love Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

Pictures

Good bye dinner for Hermana Anderson

Me and Hermana Anderson with Alfunso at his baptism

Alfunso's Eternal Family!!!

 a service project where we basically moved a huge mountain of sand fun fun

March 4, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

Wow. So this week was . . . fun!  We spent a lot of time in the streets knocking on doors. I'm not sure what was up with this week but everyone keep ditching us. It was the last week of summer vacation here and NO ONE has time for the Lord when time to play in the sun is running out. Sunday was so sad. There were only 65 people at church. It's sad that sometimes even the members of the church don't get it. We did find an amazing new investigator named Berta. We were finishing up a few hours of contacting and knocking doors. and SHE CONTACTED US: It was wonderful. She said that her sister in law is a member of the church and she has always loved how happy her family is. She said she feels really distant from God and wants to change that.
We taught her all week. She came to fast and testimony meeting. She loved it. She accepted a baptismal date for the end of the month. So All in all that's good.
We just have to find more priesthood leaders. The Branch here is hanging by a string with only few worthy priesthood leaders.

I hope my blogs are still interesting. I don't feel like I have much to say this week.
Things are going good with my new companion. She is just really shy. We made a goal that she would at least walk up to people and ask how they are. But it's funny she will ask how they are doing and they will respond and then she just looks at me terrified You would think that she's the one that doest speak Spanish ha-ha. But it's all good. Sometimes I forget that not everyone likes to be the center of attention . . .how strange ha-ha.

Well I got to run. I love you all!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

February 25, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos (Why do I always write that in Spanish, I don't know)

This week was crazy. It was a lot of fun because it was so different from any other week I have had in my mission. I feel like I went on a mission vacation of shorts ha-ha. Monday was Hermana Andersons last day in Chancay. We went to the Hare Krishna's (it's a religion from India that has a temple here in Peru) It was super fun. Brought out the hippie in me ha-ha.

Tuesday morning we had Alfunsos baptism. IT WAS SO AMAZING! I have never seen a happier family It was SO GREAT. I really don't have words. He was so happy everyone was SO HAPPY! It was such a spiritual experience. The best thing is that ever since his baptism his family has been so loving. Him and his wife sit next to each other and they hold hands. AH! It is the biggest change that I have seen in someone after a baptism. I'm so happy for them. Like President Torres said. This really wasn't just a baptism, this is an eternal family!

Tuesday through Thursday I was with Hermana Anderson saying goodbye to her areas. It was lots of fun. We went to a really expensive restaurant. I ATE CEVICHE!! It's a Peruvian dish. Its raw fish. Well they just put fish in Lemon and it "cooks" the fish, but not ha-ha. So its raw fish, lemon, onions and cilantro. It actually is really good. That surprised me.

Friday I got my new companion. Hermana Cueva. She is really sweet. She has 4 months in the mission and is still a little lost. I look at her to teach and she just looks and me terrified. But when she does testify its super powerful! She has lots of potential. I hope I can help her reach her potential and become the powerful teacher that she can be.

We found some really great people this weekend and I am excited for everything that's going to happen.
So that was my week. I'm happy, everything is going well.
Tomorrow I reach 16 months in the mission! AH!!!

I love you all!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

February 18, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos! Estän listos por un milagro!

This week was an amazing week. We went out and did work visits which were really fun. You know, I really like making calls. They make me work harder. I'm excited. Doing work visits is really fun. I love getting to know all the Hermanas and all the areas. I learn from what they are doing and it also pushes me to work harder and do all that I know how to do because people are looking up to me. So this week we worked with the Hermanas in El Olivar. Worked hard and ended the day with Ice Cream and Ex Boyfriend stories ha-ha (it was valentines day after all.)

But the real story from this week is about Alfunzo! We have been working with him and every lesson has been SO SPIRITUAL! He has been progressing but the only thing he lacked was prayer. He just wouldn't pray to ask the Lord if this really is the true church.

Well Saturday we found out that Hermana Andersons Dad is sick and needs a Heart Operation ASAP. He wants her to come home as soon as possible so that she can be there. So she is going home a week early. Which means she wouldn't get to see Alfunzos baptism on Saturday.
So last night we went to teach Alfunzo. We watched the Joseph Smith movie. The long one. I remember that for my Dad, it really helped him know that Joseph was a true prophet of God, when he seen the suffering and persecution he had to endure. Afterwards we read parts of Alma 22 and invited him to get on his knees and ask the Lord if it was all true. He did. He prayed and the spirit was SO STRONG! After he finished praying we all just stayed there on our knees. I looked at him and he just smiled with tears in his eyes and nodded his head yes. I asked him Alfunzo, Is it true. And he said "Yes. I can feel it." Then I invited him to change his baptism for this Tuesday (Hermana Andersons last morning in Chancay.) He was a bit surprised at the change, but he accepted. He wants us both there.

It was SO BEAUTIFUL!
The Lord answers prayers. I have begged and prayed that the Lord would help us find at least one person so that Hermana Anderson could go out baptizing and he did.
Alfunzo's family have been praying for 16 years that his heart would be softened and it has.
I'm so excited for tomorrow. This isn't just a baptism, this is an eternal family.
So Alfunzo is getting baptized tomorrow in the Morning. Then we are heading back to Lima so that Hermana Anderson can say goodbye to her converts, buy stuff for her family ect. and then Friday I will be coming back to Chancay with someone new. Who knows who. I feel a little guilty that I won't be able to work all week. But it's also going to be a blast to do all the fun end of your mission stuff with Hermana Anderson! PARTY!

That's about it for my life. We have some great people that we are teaching and March is looking like it's going to be a great month! I'm going to follow Hermana Andersons good example and go out working hard. I want to see more miracles before May comes along!

Love Always!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

February 11, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

What a crazy week. Good news is that we have two people preparing for baptism on the 23rd! Whoot, bad news is its still really up in the air. I pray that all will go well. Obviously the most important reason is because baptism is necessary for their salvation, but also because the 23rd is Hermana Andersons last Saturday in the field and I REALLY want her to finish her mission baptizing and happy as can be.
She doesn't want to go home. Which makes me feel bad. It's not my fault my friends and family are amazing and I miss them like crazy.

Alfunzo and his wife had a huge fight which just about stopped him from getting baptized. We went over and had a big long scripture filled chat and were able to get things under control. But afterwards we were really worried. We were talking about how he really doesn't have a testimony that he more just wants to get baptized for his family. So then we were talking about why he doesn't have a testimony if he has months and months of lessons. So then Hermana Anderson in a moment of genius says "Are we sure that the Elders taught him lesson one (the restoration of the church)" at first I thought, obviously he has months of lessons how could they have not . . . then I thought on no. We called the elders and well . . . they never taught him about Joseph Smith, about the Plan of Salvation about ANY of the commandments. They just taught him about the Book of Mormon and Baptism and then every lesson after that was just the same thing, oh elders.
It's alright, we are starting over again. I think it's helping a lot. He is starting to gain a testimony. Yesterday he realized that his salvation was personal. It was a big leap.

Things are going well. Just working hard.
Ok the zone leader is breathing down my neck, so I better go!

Bye! love you all!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

New Picture

Picture is of us with our snickers bars. Remember my story of saying sa-ti-si-fi-es.

February 4, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was interesting. I would say that it was tough but then Sunday came around and we had an AMAZING lesson, it basically turned around my mood about the whole week in general
This week we have been searching for those 400 inactive members in our ward. That has been fun. Lots of them have moved, died or joined other churches. Anyone who doesn't think Home Teaching, or Visiting Teaching is important should have to serve a mission in south America so you can see how easily people fall away when no one is there to help them. Most people when they first go inactive just need a friend to invite them back again and they come the next Sunday, but after years and years of not hearing from anyone people get bitter. Moral of the story! DO YOUR HOME AND VISITING TEACHING!! ITS IMPORTANT!!!

Sunday we had a lesson with Alfunzo. Alfunzo reminds me of my Grandpa Pete. Not really how he is, but more his story. Everyone is Alfunzos family are members. EVERYONE! His wife, his kids, his grandkids. Not just members but active, temple going members. They have been members for the past 16 years, and Alfunzo has been ditching and rejecting missionaries for pretty much that whole time. A few months ago the Elders were able to make progress with him and they started teaching. They have been teaching him for a while and he has made a lot of progress, but not to baptism. When we got the Chancay the Elders handed him over to us, they felt like we could help him and his wife work out some problems because that seemed to be what was holding him back. Since then we have been kind of tag teaming Alfunzo. We teaching him with his wife, they teach him alone, Something like that.

Well this week the Elders had some crazy Health problems and were in Lima all week so we took over visiting Alfunzo. Saturday he taught us how to cook Pollo Broster! Que RICO! Sunday we had a lesson with him and practically the whole family. We were worried at first. Lots of little kids were running around and it was hard to maintain a spiritual environment. We talked about how we can become more like Christ. There were lots of long silences as me and Hermana Anderson searched in our souls for inspired words and questions. But at the end of the lesson we found it. The fear. He knows the church is true and he knows that he needs to get baptized. He is afraid of letting his family down. He cried. He told us he wants to get baptized. He just wants to do it right. We invited him to get baptized at the end of this month. He accepted. Maybe some of you might be thinking that it's too far away or something, but I know it was right. I know Alfunzo is going to be serious this time and I KNOW he will get baptized this 23rd of February.
That night we talked with our Branch President who is also his Son in Law. He said something that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. He told us "This isn't a baptism, This is an eternal family." I have thought a lot about that.

You know I wonder who were the missionaries that taught my Dad, or my Grandpa. I have no idea who they were. I know that both my Dad and my Grandpa got baptized after seeing the good example of the ones they loved. Just like Alfunzo. I know that his daughters loving testimony that she bore yesterday penetrated his heart in a way like never before. But I wonder who these Elders were. I wonder if they realize that their "baptism" wasn't just a baptism and their "convert" wasn't just one convert. They helped our family become an eternal family. I don't know who they are, but I am very thankful for the part they had in my family's life.

I know I'm such a sucker when it comes to Dads, but Alfunzo is really special. Yesterday he realized something. I think he has always known that HE should get baptized, but yesterday when we talked about how we can become more like Christ and what our lives would be like if we were more like Christ I know it hit him that his choices effect his family. He cried and told us that he knew he was letting his family down, that he needed to spend more time at home and less time in the streets, that he needed to learn to be more Christ like and loving with his grandchildren. I think yesterday he finally understood that becoming Christ like (first through baptism then after through the commandments) would bring him and his family more happiness. That's why I know he will get baptized.

I remember when I was little my Dad let me down once. It was something small but as a child I was really heartbroken. That day my Dad took me out to lunch and asked for my forgiveness. I remember hugging him. He looked so sad. A Dad never wants to let his children down.
That's the same look I saw in Alfunzo yesterday. He gets it now. He won't let his family down. Because Alfunzo getting baptized isn't just about Alfunzo getting baptized. It's about completing a family an eternal family.

I am SO thankful for the family I have been given.
I'm thankful for a Father who loves me, who played with me when I was little, who talked to me when I was older, I know my Dad always had my best interest at heart.
I am thankful for my Mother. My angel mother who has always been such a good example to me. I'm thankful that she stayed up late to talk to me and always helped me chose the right but without obligating me.
I'm thankful for my Brother Shay. I wish he had made better decisions in his life so we could still be together. But I trust that the Lord is just and merciful. I know he is alright.
I'm thankful for my Brother Seth. He always made me feel like I had to live my life right. Like there wasn't an option of making big mistakes. I think that always helped me.
I'm thankful for my Sister Haley. For always letting me come along. She has been the greatest example to me. I've seen how much she has changed and her family since they have come back to church. Her example for me is a testimony builder that this gospel blesses families.
I'm thankful for my Sister Alison. For her fun personality that fills the room, and for those talks we had about what I deserve. She never lets me settle for less.
I'm thankful for my nieces and nephews, my Aunts, Uncles and Cousins who have been there for me my whole life.
I'm thankful for the friends that I have who are so wonderful that I could consider them family.
My Family is the greatest gift God has given me. I am so thankful that families can be eternal. I am so excited for Alfunzo and his family. Because this isn't just a baptism. This is an eternal family.
Wow. . . . I'll be surprised if anyone reads this because it goes on forever. I just love this. I love the gospel and I love families. I sure do miss mine, but I'm thankful that in these 18 months away I've been able to be part of helping others.

The Gospel is true. God Loves you! You are all amazing.
Love Always.
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

January 28, 2013

Hola Amigos y Familia,

Another week here in Chancay. I'll be honest this week was one of those tough ones. We are teaching an AMAZING girl named Treysi. We meet her when we contacted her and her parents. They all agreed to listen to us but when we came the parents didn't want to but they wanted us to teach their daughter so we did. She didn't believe in God, or she just wasn't sure. She hadn't had positive experiences in her Church and just didn't feel like she had ever had a spiritual experience. We started teaching her and she did everything we asked her to do. She read,  prayed and it a few short weeks yeah she had her answer. Every time we have come to teach her we try and teach the whole family we always set up the next appointment with her mom to be SURE that they will listen as well but they never will. Well now Treysi wants to get baptized and her mom is freaking out and won't let her come to church because she thinks we worship Joseph Smith and all this insane crap that she would no isn't true if she would just LISTEN TO US!!! The last time we went to teach Treysi her mom lied and told us she wasn't there, but we had just spoken with Treysi and knew her mom was lying. Poor Treysi, she REALLY knows that his is true. I know I talked once about being nervous about baptizing teenagers without their parents because they go inactive and what not, but Treysi really has a testimony she keeps all of her appointments,  all of them! Her parents make me so mad, but its fine. We told them that we wanted to come and watch a movie about Jesus and that we were going to bring cookies from the united states (yes we have stooped so low as to bake them cookies just so they will listen to us) Hopefully they will, I know if they just listen and see that we are Christians and we don't do anything weird and we try to live a Christ like life style they will be fine.

Other down side of this week was the grossest service I have ever done. I have moved heavy rocks, sand, painted houses, built houses, but this week we offered to help someone clean up their house, they accepted which shocked me because no one ever accepts help with house work, so we show up and the women literally has 300 socks that she can't find the matches to and they are all DIRTY nasty futbol socks, so we rummaged around in dirty socks and underwear then after an hour we had found all we could and we got up and she says oh yeah I have one bucket more and comes down with the other 150 socks! YUCK!!!!! I think instead of washing her socks she has just been buying new ones, wears them like five time and then throws them into a basket. It was gross. I kept telling myself that if Christ were here he would do it. Washing dirty feet and sorting dirty socks is pretty similar right ha-ha.

So my Sister is sending me a countdown of how much time I have left. I'm not trying to get trunky or anything but oh my! I have 15 months in the mission. In just a few months I get to see you all again! You all better believe that Autumn and I have already started planning a Peruvian Party for the first week when I get home! It's going to be a blast! Clear your calendars now!

Well I love you all! Thanks for all your love and support!
Love Sadie

Pictures

P Day at the Beach (no we didn't swim, just played)

We made brownies for the Elders but we didnt have a mixer, so I just did it the old fashion way, mixed it with my own two hands haha

January 21, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos! ¡Que tal?

So I shouldn't complain about not getting letters because this week I got some. I'm just a cry baby, you all haven't forgotten about me after all. Well some of you have ha-ha but there are a handful of faithful people that are awesome.

Things in Chancay are going well. We are teaching a lot, but we are still having a hard time getting people to come to church. I think people are just use to changing their religious point of views to fit whatever life style they want to live, and they want to Praise the Lord and love Jesus but never go to church. They have created a religious reality where that's o.k. . . and it's hard to change that. But I know we can do it. We just have to help them have spiritual experiences so that they want to come to church because they want to have more of those experiences. Guess that means we just have to follow the formula in Alma 17:9 more praying more fasting so we have teaching with more spirit.

This week we had a super spiritual run in. We were walking around. All our appointments had fallen though, the contacts were going nowhere and we got to a fork in the road and we looked to the left and the right and we both felt like we should go right. As we walked we saw someone and before even talking to her I knew she was a member of the church. She came up to us and explained that she was from Lima but had a feeling that she needed to visit a friend here in Chancay. On her way she had this feeling that she should bring the missionaries to his house but didn't know how to contact them. When she got out of her taxi she saw us from a way off and was worried we would turn the other way, but then we turned right. We went with her to meet her friend. Her prayer was answered and hopefully his as well. Little miracles to be thankful for.
All is well. I really hope we have success this next month. Its Hermana Andersons last and she is SUCH a good worker. So diligent she really has her whole heart, mind and soul into this work. She deserves to see the fruit of her labor her in Chancay.

I love you all!
Thanks for being awesome!
Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

January 7, 2013

Hola Familia y Amigos.

How is life! Things are going great here in Chancay. I love working with Hermana Anderson. We don't waste any time. We are just running around like crazy, learning the area and getting new people to teach. Chancay is different than Lima. It's a lot easier to get into houses. Now when we get in we have to make the decision if we really are going to come back or not, because some people are happy just to have someone come and talk to them about Jesus but they have no desires to change. But its good. We invite people to get baptized in the first lesson and you can see who has the desire to progress and who doesn't.

Last P Day was AWESOME! We went to some random mountain that is green! There were plants and trees and birds! I really felt like I was at home. We road in the back of a truck out to a mountain and then we went HIKING! I was in heaven!

Funny story for the week. Well there are these roosters that live behind our house, and they think that the sun rises at 3 in the morning. All week were dying. Seriously they didn't just squawk. It was the most intense screaming I have heard from an animal. So by the end of the week I told Hermana Anderson that I had to get ear plugs. The only problem is that neither of us knew how to say ear plugs. So we went to a pharmacy and explained what we wanted and the clerk says. "Si tampons!" Which if you can't tell means Tampons ha-ha. And I'm thinking what in the world. My Spanish must be terrible because I was talking about something to put in my ears ha-ha. Then she explained that in Spanish Ear plugs are called ear tampons. . . you better believe we got a good laugh out of that ha-ha.

Spiritual moment for the week. We went out teaching lessons with a recent convert. Recent converts are wonderful. Sometimes they will say some interesting things. In the church we speak another language. There are terms and phrases that we only use in our church. When people ask you how long ago you got baptized you would respond. "I have ____ years as a member." and when they ask how long you have been on our mission you say "I have ____ months in the mission." so we go out with this recent convert and someone asked her how long ago she got baptized and she responded "I have six months in the mission." At first I thought, oh she should have said as a member, then I thought about it. Really members are the example they really are what brings people to the gospel and keeps them there. They are the Lords hands here on earth. Everyone one of us is a missionary. So I guess Leanor was right, she does have six months in the mission.

So just to remind you all. I have four months left. That is sufficient time to write me a letter. I don't want you to all think, yeah she is coming home soon, I'll talk to her when she gets back. Four mouths! Don't forget about me!

I love you all!

Hermana Taggart

January 14, 2013

HOOOLLLAAAA!!!!!

How are you all doing! Have you all forgotten about me? I haven't heard from anyone in almost a month! Shame on you. I still have 4 months left ha-ha.

Things in Chancay are good. This is a fun area to serve in. the people are friendly and we get to teach a lot.  In Chancay the members are SO good about coming and helping us and the people are friendly. I'm defiantly not in Lima anymore ha-ha. the only problem is getting all these nice people to come to church. its summer here and we live close to the beach. .. . everyone forgets about Jesus when the sun in hot and there is beach nearby. It's alright now, we have found families I'm excited. I want to bring a whole family to the gospel so badly!

You know I really like being a missionary. I hope I finish my mission like Hermana Anderson. She is such a hard worker. She made a goal to NEVER take a nap in her mission, and she never has. . . wish I could say I was that awesome, but I'm not ha-ha. She is a good example for me. I think before I thought I might just finish off trunky like all the elders in my last zone did, but she has shown me that you can finish working hard. So that's what I'm going to do.

I really am forgetting English, today I saw a Snickers bar and on the back of it, it had a word. I read it over and over again and then I had to ask Hermana Anderson, what word is this and I started reading it out loud pronouncing it in spanish, she looked at the bar and laughed at me, "Hermana Taggart, that's English, it says satisfies." .. . . ha-ha how embarrassing I can't even read English any more. I hope my mom is correcting these emails before they get on my blog. I wonder if my words are even coming out right.
Life is going good. just living it up, enjoying the mission. Working hard and trying to bring people to the gospel and keep them there.

I love the mission!
Love Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

Pictures

Christmas eve Snow ball fight

Christmas PJ's

Oh and Remember that short I wrote about the Moto Taxi driver who use to give us a hard time till we talked to him. That's him. Daniel.

Saying goodbye to Aracley and her family.

December 31, 2012

HOOLLAAA Familia! Saludos desde Chancay!!

 

This week was CRAZY!! Monday was Christmas Eve! We had an awesome P Day. Since we couldn't have a real snow ball fight we did one with balls of flour. It was awesome. The Elders loved it. I'm pretty sure it went down in history as one of the best P Days ever. In the night we did Noche de hogars with La Familia Espinoza y La Familia Delgado. We ate a ton. I ate some nasty turkey intestine that left me sick all week. But aside from that, Christmas eve was awesome. Afterwards we went over the Hermanas house and spent the night. In Peru sleeping on Christmas is impossible. At twelve everyone is shooting off illegal fireworks! It's awesome. I'll be honest it puts any fourth of July firework show to shame because its EVERYWHERE! We had a lot of fun. The Hermana in Tungasuca live on the 5th floor so the view was awesome!

 

Christmas I got to talk to my family! It was amazing! After talking to my family we waiting around for Hermana Venegas Mom to call. . .. and she never did. It was super Heart Breaking. She was too busy Christmas to talk to her own daughter. She called the next day while we were studying. Poor Hermana Venegas.

 

Then Wednesday in the night we got an unexpected phone call from the Mission office. Emergency Transfers. I got sent to Chancay with Hermana Anderson!

 

I had Thursday to say goodbye to everyone. Over all I was excited to leave. I was ready for new doors to knock and most of all to get out of LIMA! But it was hard to say goodbye to my converts. Mostly the Familia Espinoza. Anderson and his family. Wow . . . I didn't just cry I bawled like a Baby. It was embarrassing. I really love their family so much. I wish I could always be there to make sure they go to church and keep them on the right track. But you can't be a crutch. There comes a time where your converts have to do things for themselves. Obviously I will write them letters every now and then, I just hope and pray that they will keep doing things right. This family means the world to mean. I just want them to be happy and I know that living the gospel is the key to true happiness. I know they can do it. I know they can.

 

Friday afternoon we headed off to Chancay. It's a little town about 2 hours outside of Lima! ITS SO BEAUTIFUL! It's has trees and fields. It's close to the ocean. Literally the beach is in our area. (Which would be a lot cooler if we could swim ha-ha) but it's beautiful. The air smells like the ocean. The people are SUPER friendly ever women we talk to will say things like "mamita preciosa angelita." ha-ha its REALLY different from Lima. In Santa Isabel I couldn't sleep at night because of all the drunks with loud music outside of my window and here in Chancay I can't sleep because our neighbors rooster thinks that the sun starts rising at 3 in the morning ha-ha.

 

Seeing as me and Hermana Anderson are new to this area it's a little crazy. We get lost ALOT! We also share the area with the Elders. Which is interesting. I've never done that before. When we got here they handed us over a bunch of single moms that they are teaching and said if we have men that we don't think we should visit or it might be a problem we can hand them over to the Elders.

Hermana Anderson is my companion which is fun. We have been in the same zone for the last 6 months and she is one of my good friends. We get along great and seeing as we come from the same culture we don't have any of those fun culture shocks like you do at times with Latinas. I do worry a little bit about our Spanish. We basically always speak in Spanish but if she doesn't know how to say something and I don't know how to say some things we just get kind of stuck. I think we will be fine but our vocabulary won't grow like it does when you are with a Latina.

 

Chancay is a really wonderful ward. The members that are active are great! They give you references like there is no tomorrow. I have received more references in days here in Chancay then I did in all my months in Santa Isabel. The only problem we have is the number of inactive numbers. Chancay has on average 80 members in the Sacrament Meetings, but there are close to 500 members in total. . . . OUCH . . . . Hermana Anderson and I have decided that we are going to work with the Ward list and try to complete and reactive families because 80 out of 500 just isn't good. And out of that 80 there are like 15 maybe 20 priesthood holders. Lots of room to improve. It's odd for me because I have always served in Areas where there aren't baptism. That really isn't the problem here in Chancay. The problem is the 400 people who got baptized 5-20 years ago who aren't coming to church.

 

Today is New Years Eve. We are planning on going somewhere fun and doing a BBQ. I'm pretty excited! We are the only Hermanas in our zone. . . which is kind of boring. But its o.k. Wow! I feel like this is the longest email I have written in a long time, but seriously this week has been CRAZY!!

I don't have much to say about investigators yet. Basically the Elders handed over some single women and two families that have been teaching for months and months but aren't progressing but they feel like they can. I'm excited to get to work! I just need to learn the streets. This area is much bigger then Antares, San Felipe or Santa Isabel. It's going to take some time to get use to.

 

I hope all is going well. Don't forget to write me.

Les Amo MUCHO!!

Con Amor, Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart

December 23, 2012

Hola! Feliz Navidad!

Can you believe it, second Christmas in Peru, but really it's more like the first because the last one I was in the CCM.

Christmas in Peru is different. There is no snow. Lots of really cheesy Christmas decorations. There isn't really Christmas music. I mean there are those kids songs translated into Spanish, but CHIRSTMAS music doesn't exist. That really is a shame. Traditions in Peru for Christmas. Well the kids stay up all night. You know in the states how we tell kids to go to bed or Santa won't come. Yeah that doesn't go here. Everyone is up ALL night with fireworks, salsa music. They open their gifts at midnight. Also the people here don't put the baby Jesus into their nativity sets until midnight on Christmas because they say that the Baby Jesus hasn't been born yet. They also stuff you full of PANATON!! Its fruit cake! I can handle a slice every now and then, be we are talking about days and days of Panaton! YUCK! Oh and despite the fact that its hot here they drink hot chocolate. Anyhow that's some Christmas fun facts for you. I haven't actually lived Christmas yet, but that's what they tell me is going to happen.

This week . . . my companion got bit by a dog, and she got bit good. She had to get stitches, and since she got bit in the leg the doctor told her she couldn't walk till she got her stitches out. So guess who was stuck in the house all week again! Ugh. Perhaps I didn't learn what I was supposed to learn the last time my companion was sick. Poor girl. I know she wants to work. I think the Lord is teaching us both something.

But thankfully Hermana Venegas has so much faith that if she can't go find the baptisms they come and find her. Friday a less active member came to the talent show we did. She has two children that aren't baptized and she really didn't want them to. But then on Friday they stole from a bunch of the members. The mom talked to the bishop, she is in over her head. He suggested she let us come visit and see if we could help. He sons are really sweet, but they are naughty. It's not their fault nor their moms. She is a single mom, her husband abandoned them a few years back, she doesn't have any family in Lima. So she has to work all day. Which leaves her three sons who are 11, 9 and 7 home alone all day. She sends them to school at eight and then she comes home at 1 in the morning. Basically her kids are just left to run around the streets of Peru. After the hole stealing incident she talked to her boss to change her hours. She now is working from 4 in the afternoon till 1 in the morning. Not ideal but it gives her more time with her sons. The pay cut though is going to be really tough for her.

It was cute though. We taught her sons about baptisms about keeping the commandments and her nine year old son said he wanted to get baptized. So I asked him why, and he said. "When you do bad stuff, you become a slave to the Devil and he will say stuff like you should rob that person and then you do it and you are sad. But if I get baptized I get to have a friend, the Holy Ghost and he is going to say, No don't rob that person, and then I won't rob them and I will be happy." ha-ha it was adorable to see how he understood the lesson. Her Eleven year old son was baptized when he was a baby so his little seven year old brother asked why he needed to be baptized again and before we could even answer Benny the eleven year old says "I don't even remember making any promises the first time, so I've got to do it for reals this time so I remember my promises I´ve made." It's even sweeter when you can hear their little voices talking in Spanish. I love teaching them. It's an adventure teaching them in a way so that they will pay attention. Lots of pictures. Short lessons and a game at the end that has something to-do with the lesson. It really tests my companions patience teaching them. Maybe its because I'm hyper active with a short attention span, but I love it.

Basically all is well here in Peru. I'm defiantly missing you all this Christmas season. But not too much, really seeing as there is no snow and no family it's not Christmas. I'm excited to get to talk to my family tomorrow!!!!

Have a Merry Christmas.

Kiss someone under the mistletoe for me.

Love you all!

Hermana Sadie Jean Taggart