Baker, Justin

What's up guys!! Holy cow it feels like it's been forever since my last email with everything that's been going on! On of the coolest things happened last week during our Tuesday night devotional. I didn't realize that every Tuesday night we get to hear from either a member of the 12 apostles, a member of the seventy, or an ecclesiastical leader from here at the MTC! So I sit down and they announce that we would get to here from brother Johnson of the seventy and his wife! He shared an amazing message about "How understanding the covenants we make and the ordinances we partake of, will bring power into our lives to overcome the temptations of the world.". The spirit testified to me of the truthfulness of his words. Through his message I have begun to gain a greater understanding of the importance of the partaking of the sacrament each week and the blessings it brings to our lives.      After the devotional on Tuesday, every day kind of has the same schedule, w...

What's up everyone! I just finished my first week here I'm provo. It's pretty crazy being surrounded by thousands of missionaries every day, but I love it. Tagolog is super hard but I'm coming along. My companion and district are both super awesome. I've seen Braxton almost every day here which has been great. One thing that I've loved has been the gym for sure hahaha. There's lots of good ball here! The food is kind of wild but it's alright. But on another note I've learned so much about the gospel here and I'm loving it so far. Also I haven't figured out this whole email thing yet so this is a reply to my last email which is weird but it works. Alright, love ya'll and I'll send one next week!  

Your uncle Ryan picked you up from the airport in Salt Lake City and you were able to go out to eat with your cousins and spend some time with your aunt and uncle and cousins. I am grateful you had that time with them. This afternoon your uncle Ryan took you to Chick-fil-A. Where are you mentioned you might not be able to eat very much as you were a little bit nervous :-) totally understandable. You were to arrive at 12:45 at the MTC. Your uncle Ryan dropped you off into the loving and capable hands of the other missionaries.

Lethbridge Airport It was an early morning as we took you to the Lethbridge airport. We arrived shortly before 6 AM and got you checked in. JD, Lucy, Geoff, and Layla showed up to wish you well and show their support. We hugged you and sent you through those doors. Once we started to drive away, a wave of emotion hit me in the car. I felt an immense sense of gratitude that you have chosen to serve a mission and are worthy to do so. I feel gratitude that the Lord has watched over you and guided you throughout your life, but in particular this past year. We are so grateful for your example, and willingness to serve. You are a dynamic personality in our family and will be missed extremely! But we couldn’t ask for a better place for you to be.

What’s up everyone!? This past week has been good but kind of exhausting with lots of classes on zoom every day. I’m excited to get to Provo and get started there!  More emails to come! 

You gave your farewell Sunday morning. You spoke on how following Jesus Christ brings happiness into your life. You did a wonderful job and spoke from the heart. That evening we had an open house where many friends from our community, ward, coaches, friends from high school, came to show their support for you. It was a wonderful turn out and a wonderful evening. We have been blessed with such great friends who support you.

Raymond, Alberta, Home MTC, August 7-14, 2023 You were able to serve in the temple for two weeks prior to starting the home MTC and being set apart. Serving as an ordinance worker was a very spiritual experience for you. In your farewell talk , given on August 13th in the Raymond fourth ward, you indicated how much serving in the temple increase your understanding and testimony of the covenant in ordinances. And that these experiences with strengthen you and your testimony, as you brought the gospel to the Filipino people. This week we have already seen subtle changes in you. A softening and increase in spiritual desires. You have loved getting to know your district and participating in the classes. Having said that you did not love sitting in our hard chairs four hours a day :-) we were fortunate that Nichole Anderson was able to get a nice office chair for you to borrow, which I think made a huge difference for you. With some of your free time this week you’ve played basketball and w...

8:30 pm We arrived at the stake centre to find that Dallin Bissett and the Miller boy had been set apart as Missionaries and they were waiting in the foyer. We went in with President Chipman and he spoke with you first separately and then we gathered together as he sent you part as a missionary.  He blessed you with the gift of tongues as you dedicated yourself to the study of the language. He offered your father and I the opportunity to bear our testimonies, and he also asked you to bear your testimony. You testified to the strong desire you have to serve a mission, and that you have been guided by your patriarchal blessing and other spiritual experiences that have made it clear that you were to serve a mission. The spirit was very strong as you shared your witness of your call and your testimony, and willingness to serve the Lord.