Tender Mercyyyy

    Yooo! What's up everyone!? Sorry no email last week, my email was a little messed up for a bit but don't worry! We got it fixed. But wow these pasy 2 weeks have been amazing. I'm going give a little statistical recap of both weeks and the highlights of each as well. 

    Alright, so March 26-April 1 was a grind! My companion and I made a goal, before we come back to the apartment,  we need 5 Lessons and 3 findings. We wanted to reach as many people as we could. We also ended up having exchanges in a different area, so that kind of messed with our goals. But me tell yaaaaa'll!! The Lord truly does love effort. Every day we were able to exceed our goals. We came back drained, but we saw the hand of the Lord guiding and pushing us throught each day. We ended up having 31 Lessons and 36 findings. It was a testimony building experience for me, in that Heavenly Father knows who is ready and will guide you to those who are willing to listen!! 

    The biggest and most unexpected thing of the week was our friend Tricia. We found tricia about 3 weeks ago while doing our Whiteboard Activity. We followed up with her and set up an appointment. Tricia is so cool ya'll, we were able to teach her about the restoration, Joseph Smith, and we gave her The Book of Mormon! After the Lesson she said " I'm reading this tonight and I'm coming to church tomorrow!". Like what?? We were so stoked. And guess what....... She actually came!!! After church we went over to her house to teach her and bit more and answer any questions she might have. And wow. She actually read the introduction to The Book of Mormon! We talked about why the sacrament is necessary and about the Priesthood. Then she said " Elders, when is the earliest I can get baptised?" ..... TOMORROW!! Hahaha joke lang joke lang, I wiiiiish! Wr told her, earliest would be April 27th! She got really excited and also a little nervous haha. She said that might be a little too soon. I told her, she definitely does not have to rush into it. We'll go as slow or as fast as she is comfortable. We did end up putting her on date for the 27th though!! So we ended off the week with a miracle for sure. 

    This past week has been awesome as well. We are kept the same goals to push us! We had 2 exchanges this past week too. We had one in our area and the other in the other Elders area. We have had a really good week!! I think we're around 30 findings and 20+ lessons. Setting goals have been key to focusing our efforts on the work. I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've had here on my mission to testify of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He truly is the way the truth, and the light. 

   A little side note, Tricia came to church today (I'm writing this on sunday night) and then came and worked with us later!!! What in the world!? She's way to cool hahaha. 

Spiritual Thought

 Alright ya'll. This is originally different from what I was going to do before, but I felt prompted to be a little vulnerable. I just listened to Elder Alexander Dushku's talk he gave on Saturday morning. He spoke of rays of light that build our testimonies. I was then prompted to write down those moments in my life that have been critical in me gaining a testimony. Here are just a few

Rays of light that have built and are building my testimony

☆ the pure joy and peace I have felt when I have repented

☆ the love and support of my parents through out my hard times

☆ the Spirit that testifies when I am sharing my own personal witness that the Atonement is real, and Jesus Christ loves me and He loves you

☆ the pure love of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that filled my whole soul during Moroni's Quest

☆ Learning a new language and preaching the Gospel in a different tongue

☆ The freeing feeling of choosing my savior, even when it's hard

☆ my Patriarchal Blessing. And the hope it gives me

☆ The example of my seminary teachers

☆ the specially tailored moments of testimony that I have given to others here in my mission. In most instances, I think it helps me more than them. My love and testimony of Jesus Christ grows through expression to others.

☆ My past Bishops and Stake Presidents

☆ Mom and Dad

☆ the moment in Gethsemane, when Jesus did it, Just. For. Me.

    These are just a few I could write down before tears filled my eyes. As I thought about and remembered those tender moments, I felt the embrace of my Father in Heaven. He knows me. And He knows you too. I know that is true. Thanks for reading the end ya'll. It means alot. Let your lights shine. If any of you want to shoot me an email, feel free!

Peace 

Elder Baker