March 28, 2011

March 28, 2011

Dear fam

I just did the pictures to make sure there is enough time to get those to you. (I will load some pictures soon . . . there were some fun ones)

I'll add little Kam and Sister Bliss on the prayer list. Thank goodness for the gospel and Christ so life isn’t as rough and is much easier with Him in our yoke.

Yes this week is transfers. Elder Orton is leaving and going down south to Fairmount. It’s the lowest (most southern?) the mission goes.  I am getting Elder Peterson from Rochester 5 ward.  He is coming from one of the highest baptizing areas in the mission.  So I am glad to get the area moving even more!

I did get a letter from Tabitha and also Joe Bower this week. I wonder if the problem is from AZ to the mission home. Sister Braun has been calling when she gets the mail and I have gotten all of it. Not sure what to do about this junk of a problem.  (I've had 3 letters returned, hopefully the problem is fixed - if you had a letter returned, just send it to the mission home again, it should find it's way to Eagan)

Hopefully here soon we have some child convert baptisms. Ray nelson got his exgirlfriend and  his current girlfriends permission for the kids to sit in on our lessons and also to be baptized much later. But with the sprit we hopefully can do it when the kids are ready, it still may be a while.

Tuesdays are district meetings and we normally go out to get some food but since Elder Mortimer (zone leader) is leaving we decided to have a bbq for him since he is a farmer kind of guy. There was a lot of food and a lot of fun. Elder morty sure did cry a lot. I hope I am not like that - didn’t cry when I came out, won’t cry when I go home. Elder Kinikini my trainer is going home on Wednesday.  He is the assistant to the president so I have been able to call him a lot and receive some help from him, it’s going to be different for a little bit not having him there to help me out.

On Wednesday we got 4 more freaking inches of snow. Our cars were grounded, so we went out on our bikes. Elder Orton’s bike broke and so we walked for about an hour back home. Wednesday was a long day lots of walking, walking and more walking.  I kinda felt like a pioneer but one having proper clothing… they were total beasts back then : )    On Wednesday night we had some sort of incident, we still aren’t sure what happened, but our under carriage cover for the car broke off on Thursday. When we drove it in (to the repair shop) they said it would only be an hour but we where unable to leave for 3 hours – 3 hours of doing nothing!  But we got some new tires as well. I guess Minnesota has as legal requirement on how bald tires can get.

On Saturday we were able to witness Mark Deah's baptism. At first he wanted Elder Miller to baptize him. Elder Miller suggested me and than I suggested Elder Katoa. So Elder Katoa drove out as well. It was a nice family kind of reunion.  Mark looked so happy that he was doing it. he couldn’t and said he wouldn’t stop smiling.  However it was kind of sad no body from his family showed up.  He has very little, if any support.  He can either be very great member or go less active. Hopefully he stays strong.

At district meeting on Tuesday, Elder Wardle challenged us all to go to a different church - Lutheran Catholic or something, that way we can understand what its like for investigators to come to our church, and also to build our testimonies of the restored gospel.  Since there is a Lutheran church on just about every corner, we went to one of those. It reminded me of when we went to auntie Laura’s and uncle Alfie's church. How are they doing?

This week was kind of a bum week for lessons.  A few canceled on us but we also were able to get a few appointments with some member referrals. I am so happy and exited we have some more people to work with!  Being inside teaching and not outside tracting is a huge blessing.  Hopefully with Elder Peterson we can continue to build the kingdom and also our teaching pool : )  well gotta run love you all

elder baker

17 transfers 5 down 12 more to go

 I paid my ticket over the phone because I figured it would be a little more secure. Hopefully it was. It only charged $145 and some cents instead of the $210 I thought it would be. I called some officers and the ticket place to make sure it was all good and dandy. so far all is well.