Marathon: So this past Saturday morning, our Zone was requested to volunteer at the local yearly Idaho Falls Marathon that started right next to the Snake River. We got there about 7:00 in the morning, and the job that Elder South and I received was to fill water cups for runners to take after they finished the race. It was amazing how many things happened during the next 2 and a 1/2 hours. I saw a missionary who used to serve in the Johns Creek Ward and recognized me, a lot of people from my old area, and also met some people who had never met missionaries and had a good first experience. One of the most interesting ones was a Man from London, living in New York, and who came all the way to Idaho for this Marathon. He was very very grateful we were helping out, and it was fun to serve. We also got a t-shirt and a water bottle for running. It was fun, and just something different that happened within the past week.
Exchanges: This past Tuesday night I went on Exchanges with our Zone Leader, Elder Chamberlain. I went to his area, and it was a fun day. We were just busy all day, but one of the cool things that happened was some service that we did in the morning. We did some service at this return missionaries parent's home, and this RM's grandpa had over 130 snowmobiles. He had 4 old trailers, and about 4 old cars too. He was a super collector, and he had some really old snowmobiles. We also had about 6 presidency meetings that day, with the Sunday School, Young Womens, Relief Society, and it was amazing. We shared what our mission president has shared with us, and that is how full-time missionaries and member leaders can work together. After the Ward Council creates a ward mission plan, each quorum and auxiliary prayerfully selects those who are ready to change and receive their next ordinance, and then they prayerfully learn how to reach out. This was something taught to our mission president from the Apostles on how to get the work progressing with Members and Full-time missionaries together. During this exchange, we also had my 3rd meal of Fried chicken that week. A quick thing about mission meals for us. Most people think that we get spaghetti and lasanga and pizza all the time, and so they come up with something that doesn't fit into that stereotype, and for this past week. 3 people fed us fried chicken. They were all very wonderful, and I am excited after my mission to feed full time missionaries. Sorry my mind is all over the place today on the email!
Patience: Over the past week and a half I have been working on having patience with myself and my conversion process. I invite you all to read this talk by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin about Patience and how we need it to be joyful.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1987/04/patience-a-key-to-happiness?lang=eng
District Meeting: This past District Meeting was absolutely amazing. We first talked about finding and setting goals and making plans effectively. About the time that the instruction about Goals and Plans finished, our Mission President and his Wife came into our district meeting (they needed to interview two of the missionaries in the district) and the cool part of district meeting started. We discussed, counseled, and selected upon district monthly goals for the month of August. In the past these goals haven't really meant anything in our mission, but that is changing. Every member of the district put in their opinion, and we just felt this spiritual power push us after we prayed over those goals as a district. The only thing to do now is to work hard and pray as much as we can, so that we can have the faith in Christ necessary to have miracles happen in Accordance to the Will of God.
Transfers: Now for the news that everyone wants to know. I am getting transferred. I am leaving Elder South in the Oakland Valley Branch and am going to the Mesa Branch in Ammon. I am joining Elder Chojnacki and I am becoming a Zone Leader. I haven't changed areas in the past 6 months, and I am excited for a lot of change. I know that things will happen in this new area that will help me grow, the people grow, and will be hard. Change needs to happen, and when it does, we change, for good or for bad, as we choose to follow Christ or not. Thank you for all of the support during this area from everyone, and I'll keep going strong in my new area.
Sorry for the scatter-brained email today, but lots of things are happening. More next week!
I love you all and thank you for your emails and support, prayers and love.
-Elder Baker
Pictures:
1. A Model A that a less-active member had
2. Blue Angels
3. Temple trip with the Olivas
yes - Carson took the picture this way
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