a pretty good week . . .

June 18, 2012

dear fam,

Thanks to all for the letters and package. It was fun to open read, smell and eat :)

I thought of Joyce and her love for cows. This was out on the point. (He sent a picture this week of a bunch of cow stuff.   Panal Park is what it’s called. It was defiantly a great conversation starter. She wasn’t exited about the Book of Mormon.  I asked for her permission and away we went. I haven’t heard from Joyce for a while... hope all is well.

This week was a pretty good week. We had some great finding, both in the less active members as well as the future investigators. We were able to have elders in the area every day and it was defiantly an improvement. Plus there was no abnormal craziness that happened … double good. Every day was a full nights rest and ready to go in the morning. It’s been a blessing, also amazement. Elder Wixom isn’t pulling his full weight which is frustrating. I follow him with a garbage can. Some people are not taught to clean up or if you’re bored than to go do something. Thank you mom and dad for teaching me to go go go and work.

Wednesday was a good one. Elder Checketts is a new district leader and doing well. I was a little nervous at first but it all turned out much better than I thought. The elders are responding very positively to him. He loves and encourages them and when it comes down to business he gets them right in the gut yet he also expects himself to work. Great missionary and has been out a year. He came out with Elder Mower who I trained. I found some sad news about him.  Last or two transfers ago he went home :( not sure for what but he went home.

One of the lessons this day was with an investigator who is changing and growing. He admitted at first he accepted the book of Mormon because he thought that we would go away. He did not know that he would be going to church because of a desire. Rather interesting how that works :). Lately he has been going though the motions’ and not searching for a spiritual conformation.  We talked a little about Enos and how he cried and how he wrestled. It was an intense lesson that I hope got him to thinking a little more about change and listening to the sprit.

Thursday we had the midmonth zone leader conference call. When we did the accountability thus far for the month it was good to say that we have 5 date sets and many more coming. There was a week or two with Elder Watkins where it was 1 or 0 I forget but it was nooooo good. I’m thankful that it’s turning around. Every night we call a team in the zone and pray with them.

There was a RS get together that we had not a clue about. One of the investigators was invited to the meeting by someone, rides where arranged and all was well. We didn’t know about what was going on till about 4 hours before the meeting.  We get a text from the member who had arranged to give her a ride. She asked us to find a different ride. I was very willing to do it. It was rather frustrating though. I spent an hour on the phone and talked to several sisters who where unwilling or not able to help. Bless the last sister we called, she wasn’t planning on going. After a few seconds pause she said “Elder you know what, I’m going to go and pick up your investigator." I was so happy. but yet frustrated that the member who had arranged the ride did not follow though.  I texted her and updated her on the situation. Her text back wiped away my frustration. “Thank you elders I could not have done it".  I did not know all the situation behind the scenes. All I was, was the messenger. I shouldn’t need to ask questions or feel like there has to be a reason that I need to know, but to be like Nephi knowing that it’s a good thing and just do it. Simple as that.

Fast forward a little bit. This morning I studied out on the point on the beach with my shoes off. It felt nice. I read part of Jesus the Christ on the temptations of Jesus during his fast. The word "if" and how it was full of doubt. Coach Lindsay never enjoyed that word. Now I understand. "I wrestle demons of doubt..."   Don’t need to add more doubt than there needs to be. Press on and endure

Time is short, seems like whenever I have a lot to say there’s no time. Hope all is well thanks again for the love this last week

Love,  elder baker