March 5, 2012
dear fam,
The baptism was really good. On the missionary side there was a little junk to work though. On Thursday we were told there was a mandatory specialized training Sunday at 4:30. rough stuff because the baptism was planned for 5. We made some calls to move the baptism, no luck because there was 6 non-members that where traveling to see it, didn’t want to mess it up just so we could be there, but the non members would miss it. The zone leaders called "elders you have to be at the training" I said no, a little while later assistants call and said move the baptism to be there, again I said tried that won’t work... finally president called by this point I was a little upset, but president was . . . hey don’t worry about it, go to the baptism don’t worry about the training. It was good. There was about 75 people in attendance, great turn out on people and the sprit. a few teary eyes :) the picture is of Julia right before the baptism. the baptizer is her older brother Josh who is 19 and is thinking about going on a mission when he is 24 or something...
I didn’t get any engagement pictures-invitations, in fact I haven’t gotten any mail for 2 weeks... if anyone has sent anything, there must be a black hole somewhere.
Tuesday was zone breakfast; it was up in Apple Valley. We left our apartment at 6:10am and didn’t get back till 9:30ish, with only one appointment, boy it was a long day but a good one. We got a few future investigators, and peanut butter and jellies for lunch and dinner and did a move in some flipping cold rain. It was 33 degrees and it was raining. The move took about 2 hours with all the help. Sometime during the day I lost my planner aka my brain, such a mess!
Wednesday I did some research on athletic scholarship; I don’t think that is going to work, going from missionary fatness right into athletic body. Plus I couldn’t figure out how to do it ; )
that seems to be all the exiting stuff.
We taught 17 lessons, on our way to 20 :) had some interesting lessons but all went well.
On Sunday before the baptism we went out with President Naatjes like normal and we stopped by a former who Elder Sned and I went by a week ago and she said not to come back, but by Sunday her heart was softened she let us right in had a great chat. She was praying that we would come back and to help her out in her crazy situation. Divorce, that’s such a mess and it seems like about half the people have been in a divorce or are separated right now, so sad. If we can shed some light on the situation and help her out, which we did than I’m glad to be put there.
Thanks for sending up some AZ heat. We are supposed to hit 55 degrees this week. I am pumped and exited for that!
hope all continues to go well
love
elder baker
March 12, 2012
dear fam,
Some weeks seem to be mellow but this week seems to be a unique, and not sure why. I am sorry to hear about the kidney stones jAnn. Now that you have a lot of lemon juice made up maybe the girls will serve you some to help not get those nasty things again.
I did get one package the one with the stamps and Jake and Erica’s wedding
announcement. Nothing else yet.
The planner popped up, thank goodness. Elder Sned doesn’t write everything like the address’ to people that have said come back. I was very thankful to find that so those people didn’t fall through the cracks.
That’s really exiting about John (Gilbert). Are they still in Mammoth? Hopefully he will get to go to the temple a lot before he goes to the field. Some missionaries that don’t get the opportunity or don’t take advantage of a temple close by really pay for it out in the field, being restricted on how often they can go.
mom you can’t be that old where your body doesn’t work. (oh yes I can!)
Only 14 lessons this week, but 6 of them were member present. The area was shut down for a day because I was at a leadership training all day, but all is well. We were able to pick up some awesome people this week. People who were truly rock bottom or very close to it … confused not knowing where to turn, really sad situations. I know I haven’t been though divorce or a brother committing suicide or living with the guilt of abandoning your kids because drugs were more important at the time … I know I haven’t been though any of those things but I’ve seen people struggle with not knowing about the Atonement. Being able to teach them brings peace to me and to them. I also know that!
The district seems to be reacting positively to what I have said so far. It’s all been over the phone. Tomorrow will be the first district meeting and I am pumped. We are talking about contacting and how to up the quality of that. Particularly by asking better questions and showing that we are there for the people we talk to. For example, being personable and talking about things that are outside the gospel … things that tell about the person inside, like bikes, basketball, mud all over the car, etc to connect with the people and then to share the gospel. President Clements showed a carton showing the humorous side of knocking
doors. There are two ducks standing at a door with a human opening the door. The ducks ask “have you ever thought of being a duck?" We don’t want to appear as ducks but rather normal people that love Christ. We’ll talk about personal study and using that time wisely not just time sitting down and enjoying the chair.
No investigators ready for baptism yet, but there are some that have some great potential if they get their end in gear and come to church. We are trying to get the members to invite the investigator and say "I'll come by at 8:30 to pick you" rather than” would you like a ride?" I am convinced that if we can get them to church that everything else will fall into place much easier than if they don’t.
Nobody to church this week... we will hopefully get some next week with a new goal on how to get them there if we can get the members to be that bold.
Elder Sned is doing good. He asked me to write his sister so I did. She is dating this guy and has been for a few months. She is 18 I believe and the guy is 18. Any who, game plan is to get to be her friend and hopefully get her to see the other side of the picture about not talking about marriage before time is right. This guy is going to be gone for 3 years. The story about Neisha and I has been helpful - get people to think about it and take dating easy. Particularly one youth has changed his life around, all from a simple story and how it stinks in the end.
It’s been very warm the last few days, up in the 60's. A lot of the snow is gone and the grass is starting to turn green. I am pumped for the heat. Probably at the end of the transfer I’ll send home my winter gear that is in good shape and ditch the rest. No sense in lugging that baggage around.
One door stuck out to me this week … we were stopping by this less active part member family. great family and this will put a smile on your face. We knocked on the door, all the lights are off outside, the inside is dim. A woman comes to the door, the non member wife. She quietly says "missionaries are here do you want to talk to them?" to the member husband. He said no. She now opened the door and says "sorry guys it’s just me tonight, no one else is home..." bla bla bla. Really upset me. People think doors are sound proof, guess what? they aren’t, not even in the slightest! all is well I am thank full for the experience and being able to know what I know and how it can change people that are willing to sacrifice for something better.
What should I do with the college stuff? what where you able to figure out
at the open house kind of thing?
well good week. I am excited for the one to come great stuff planed out
love
elder baker
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