June 11, 2012

June 11, 2012

dear fam,

There’s nothing really worth while I like or need at the moment. (I asked him what he needed for his birthday) Time is a little more on the short side in the field. Car and apartment smell goods would-be nice. There’s something about missionaries and stench, it is just everywhere. That would be nice, something sweet smelling.

I will be going to the temple I believe Tuesday the 14 of August. What kind of questions should I ask?? (The temple president asked him to come and meet with him when he goes to the temple, so I told him to think of some questions he would like to discuss with Pres. Hugh) I’ll for sure take some time to think about it if there is time to think and be semi selfish with my time ;).

Elder Wixom and I have talked quite about FEEL. After we invite investigator, LA, or missionary and there’s a follow up generally the follow up is "did you do_____?”  We are now adding an additional question of "how did it make you feel?" We have had some positive feed back on such a simple change. The spirit often times speaks to the heart creating a feeling, and if there’s only the intellectual side and there is no pointing out of the spirit than ... well the commitment wasn’t used to the fullest. simplify and intensify

Monday traveled to Thunder Bay. We started late and ended late unfortunately no time to walk the beaches or site see, but we got up there fine. Thunder Bay is a state of emergency. The suage (poopy water) (hahahah, this made me laugh!) backed up and flooded majority of the people basements. Extremely disgusting! A few homes have been evacuated because of the severity of it all. 

Tuesday we cleaned the basement out. The smell was horrid. It got about a foot and half flooded.... simply gross. moist air carrying the scent YUCK!!!

Then it was time to clean up, and guess what?  Those that had the backup flood also do not have hot water. We warmed up a pot of water and used that. I felt like we were at scout camp with limited amount of warm water.

I went with Elder Mead, fun missionary he has been out for about 9 months. He reminds me of me when I was out that long still a little intimidated by leadership and not really talkative. I did a lot of the talking. Canadians are prideful thick headed people! we taught 3 lessons and it’s been a long while since I have been that bold with nonmembers/less actives.

Wednesday this time around I went with Elder Hudson. If you can remember he was in Cottage Grove for my last little bit in Eagan.  He served with Elder Potter. We had a great friendship than and continued to build it. Early on in his mission he had a rough time, wrapped around this girl... its amazing to see that missionary life is tons of phases. Each phase is a little bit different but generally the same, if that makes any sense at all.

We started our journey back to Minnesota and got some "presidents choice" chips, they are flavored like hamburgers, ribs, chicken, etc and they do well at duplicating the flavor but rather interesting. 

We meet with Sister Bilbaina in Grand Mari. A solid member that converted a few years ago but her husband hasn’t quite yet. She is sooo awesome, her zeal and dedication as well as sacrifice. Solid member. She fed us subway and we did our best to fill her with happiness. 

Our phone didn’t have service within Tbay... it was no funn to call all the missionaries and to try and get things figured out ah, the frustration. It was not fun so next time we are going to have one of the district leaders be "acting zone leader" while we are up in Tbay so we don’t have a mess like that again.

Thursday we prepared for zone conference all day. It made me feel ... really good. Originally we had planned to talk about boldness and balance in finding, the area book, members, tracting, (service) but came to realize that wasn’t what training was suppose to be on. We trained on effective finding and effective teaching. It turned out well and it actually turned into a discussion where each missionary trained one other.

(this is a picture of the Zones in the Minnneapolis Mission.  Rhett's zone is the brown color.  The picture needs to be turned upright.  You can see Lake Superior and how the zone wraps around the lake.  The top square part is up in Canada and that's where Thunder Bay is.  Their Zone is huge!)

Friday did Zone Conference. All went well. President had an experience like Elder Wixom and I. He changed one of his trainings around. Talked during one training about Alma 5 … if ye have experienced the song of redeeming love, can ye feel so know? was the focus.

The assistants did an exchange with us, unfortunately I had not been feeling well since Wednesday but there was no room to slow down. Saturday I slept all day. no kidding all day.

Sunday was good 5 investigators to church.

well I love you all

elder baker