May 21, 2012

dear fam,

  

It was really goodish week.(I've never heard that word before ... have you?)  Our teaching hit really low. Alot of the new investigators that we found are now in the former category. Really sad but if the investigator isn’t willing to commit and change than it isn’t worth the effort on both sides...

We do have a date set, who will be baptized in August 11. She is 30s and has a 9 year old daughter. The mother is a lot like grandma Jo.  Making a living off making her own things. She does tons of crafts, earrings, dream catchers, towels etc...  her house is packed. We taught her the word of wisdom (wow) she doesn’t drink coffee, or alcohol because she is allergic to so many things. She drinks a ton of tea. We traded her tea for the herbal tea. Rather expensive stuff, but totally worth it.

One other investigator that is 30. He dislikes reading and so he listened to the BofM. He committed himself to come to church once he had finished that. Last week he came to church and loved it. He was unable to this last week because family down in Bloomington wanted to see him. Anywho ... I have come to realize that a lot of investigators if they dont know the person that is joint teaching than the lesson doesn’t go as well. When they do know the joint teacher and have the title of friend. Joint teachers that are friends or are at least just willing to shake a hand at church and say "hi I am so and so" makes investigators and the missionaries happy. If members want to see baptisms in the congregation they have to be willing to step out of their comfort zone a little bit. Plus missionaries should be calling members and setting it all up, so it does happen.

We had really good finding this week. We had an average of about 3.5 people each day say come on back. The standard of excellence is 2 a day.  We have changed our contacting instead of just going for them to say come back we are trying to weed them out to see if they are willing to listen to lessons and come closer to Christ. So many people are willing to listen or to say yes but only a few people are willing to change.

There was one night this week. my stomach was out of control and I just wasn’t feeling very good and I was letting the situations of a few difficult things get to me. I was rolling around in bed so I finally just got out of bed and said a prayer. Then I got back in bed and slept really well.

Whole week elder Watkins and I have been able to go to bed early (10:30) and wake up at 6:30. it’s been a nice week of "rest" 

Today is transfer day and well... tons to do.  I am staying and elder Watkins is going to Hudson, Wisconsin to be a zone leader there. I am getting elder Wixom who I have been serving around this last transfer in the ward. Right now is Elder Veni's companion. I will be training him, taking over the area, and the zone... bring it on :)

These pictures are from elder Watkins camera, keep them safe

hope all is well in az. heard a few days were over 100 already :) (Just rub it in . . .)

love elder baker