The Holy Spirit

It was a fantastic week. Elder Estrada and I are getting along really well and are working hard and having success. Area's going well, members are great, and there are lots of great things happening.


Olivas: On exchanges this past week I felt the impression to go visit the Olivas, our current investigators that are the parents of Izzy Olivas, who I taught in my last area. I almost didn't act on it but made the decision to turn around, and right as we pulled up I saw Izzy getting out of the car. His whole family was there and it was great to see them as well as follow up with his parents. They have had some hard things happen and so it was a real help to them as well. The olivas (parents) then came to church again. They are progressing really well and are getting to know the members of the branch better and better. God knows where people are and as we follow the promptings of the Spirit will be able to help a ton of people in ways we can't even imagine. 

MLC: We had MLC this past week and we got there an hour earlier than normal to set up our smartphones. It took a while and because about 15 people were trying to use the wifi at the very same time. After we got a lot of that done most of the meeting was about how to use the technology. It all centers around our purpose as missionaries, which is "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is what using smartphones revolves around. We get to use them to teach and contact investigators, work with members, all sorts of stuff. All of the missionaries receiving these phones right now are pioneers. It should be a lot of fun.

Other miracles: One of the other cool miracles that we had this past week was for me to just see and learn more about some of the basic principles of service and love. We've been meeting with a lot of the past and current leaders in the branch to discuss about where the branch has been and what is stopping the success. We have heard a lot of opinions from the members, but a lot center around the need to reach down, love, and serve the individual and help them see their worth. Teach them how to serve and then work side by side with them. Do not deny calls to serve from the Lord, and go where you are needed most. 100% Home and Visiting teaching shouldn't take a miracle to do, it is something that is already part of a calling from God that each member has received. Service brings a lot of blessings. It brings us closer to God and fills us with Love and peace.

This is the Lord's work on the earth. Give it all that you have.

Love,
Elder Baker