Independence!

A Day for Independence
The 4th of July in the United States is Independence Day, Commemorating the U.S.'s birthday. I can't help but think of how independence has so many meanings. It has always been our goal as parents to have our children able to be independent. Able to rely on their own abilities and decisions to successfully conquer the challenges of life. I am proud of our son's independence as he radiates success in his actions and decisions. There may be issues of dependence on others physically, but he is truly one of the most independent minded people I know.

Bathroom Make-over
Our daughter Elizabeth is also independent minded. She spent the past week here at our place doing a bathroom make-over. She did a new tile floor and discovering the sub-flooring was a disaster replaced it with two layers of new wood and then a concrete board underlayment for the tile. She borrowed a tile saw and cut the tiles, mixed the grout and did the whole job on her own. (Gloria and I mostly watched in wonder). She takes pride in her work and learns as she goes. Whadda-girl!

Independent Grand-kids
It is a delight to have Grand-kids who like their terrific parents are learning to make right decisions and love to help. It was so fun to watch Joseph work and play with them all week and watch how much they love to help out. It is wonderful to see how much they love to read scriptures each night as a family and love family prayer.

Freedom Comes From Obedience
One of the crowning principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that true freedom comes from obedience. It is ironic that to be truly independent of the World you have to learn to be truly dependent on God. True obedience brings the complete capacity to choose joy, happiness, and spiritual liberty. One of the greatest joys of life is seeing those you love independently choose to do good, to give service without thought of reward and to bless the lives of others because they can. THAT is true happiness and true independence!

A New Family Blog

Welcome to the New Taggart Family Blog

For the last 4 1/2 years Tim has been editing the family blog at http://www.josephtaggart.blogspot.com/

Joseph has declared his independence and will be managing his own blog now. The family blog will continue here.

Billy Johnson, One of the Pioneers of the Church in Africa
Tim met Billy Johnson last week when he filmed his testimony and experience for a video history of the Africa West Area. What a thrill it was for Tim to meet this great man!

"Joseph W. B. Johnson was converted after prayerfully reading the Book of Mormon in 1964. He relates that following his conversion “one early morning, while about to prepare for my daily work, I saw the heavens open and angels with trumpets singing songs of praise unto God. I heard my name mentioned thrice: ‘Johnson, Johnson, Johnson. If you will take up my work as I will command you, I will bless you and bless your land.’

Trembling and in tears, I replied, ‘Lord, with thy help, I will do whatever you will command me.’ From that day onward, I was constrained by the Spirit to go from street to street to deliver the message that we had read from the Book of Mormon.”

When the missionaries arrived fourteen years later, there were already many unbaptized congregations that Brother Johnson had organized, identifying themselves with the Church. Some of these early converts later rejected official membership in the Church, but many accepted it. A foundation had been established upon which later missionary work would build with increasing success." See a great article on him here: Steadfast African Pioneer

Summer Celebration
Joseph had friends over last this week for a barbecue to celebrate the beginning of Summer. It's great to finally have some warm weather and be able to enjoy the outdoors. Joseph's schedule continues to be highly charged all summer with school, internships, research and helping out at the Utah Health & Human Rights Project. He is enjoying everything thoroughly.

Lambert Family Reunion
Saturday was the first Alma and Mollie Lambert Family Reunion in many years. Tim's mother's family is a wonderful group and everyone enjoyed a great time together. It was fun to see everyone and get reacquainted. Gloria and Tim enjoyed visiting with Keith Barlow, one of their EBM missionaries who married Tim's cousin Fred Lambert's daughter Chantelle. How awesome is it to be connected to such great people in so many ways. Tim got took a family photo of them(on right).

West Valley YSA Summit

Last week Tim had the opportunity to speak at the YSA Summit for the West Valley area. There were over 1200 attendees. His topic was: The Solution to All Your Problems: Using the Atonement in Everyday Life. It was a great opportunity. Here is a link to their site: YSA Summit

Dinosaur Adventure
One of the highlights this week was the adventure to the Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park. What a blast for the grand-kids. They loved the giant life-sized dinosaurs in the beautiful outdoor setting. Grandpa had fun taking photos as usual.