1 Nephi 17:50

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! I truly hope that this holiday season has been a time of rest and spiritual re-focusing. This past few weeks were great! A little slow due to the lack of appointments but we got good work done. If any one needs anything they want to update me on, just shoot me an email!

      Last last week was of course Christmas. It was interesting. It was good for sure! I just find myself thinking if its true when others say that Christmas on the mission is special. I think I was a different kind of special for me. I realized how impactful small but intentional service can be during the holiday season. 

   I also saw how much I really love my family. Each one of them has a special place in my heart. It might sound cliché but that is the best way I can describe it. These special places have always been there. Throughout this Christmas season, I have felt gratitude for the amazing brothers and sisters that Heavenly Father has let me learn and grow with. I hope that throughout my life moving forward, they will see and come to know on a much more personal level of how much I care for them. 

   I'll talk a little about this past week. It was new years! We actually found that people were generally open to talking to us...... cause we were doing a "survey". We honestly just introduced ourselves and asked if they'd be interested in being part of a new years survey *not a lie* and they said yes!! We got to know a few really sweet people who really love the Lord. But the truth is. It's gets a little tough when you figure out they go to church with the methodists, which is a 20 second walk down street. The proximity battle is a real thing people. 

    That was basically our week though! We had transfers as well and I'm staying here in Caliguian with my favorite current companion, Elder Pilar! Hahaha he's actually such a great Elder. We have tons of fun and are working well together. We had the opportunity go experience a tender mercy this past Sunday as well! 

    We got to the church 30 minutes early after visiting one of our friends. She had told us she were coming and we thought we were set!! For the past little bit we've been struggling with getting people to follow through with coming to church. They'll read and pray but they have a hard time coming to church! They'll even agree to baptism but church is still a hard thing for them! We were hoping today was going to be different. We waited. And waited. Until we were told sacrament meeting was about to start. No one had come. Fast forward, right after the first hymn, four of our friends walk through the doors!!!! Sister April, Sister Gigi, Sister Christine, and Brother CJ!! We were so happy. What suspense hahah. They will be baptized in February!

Spiritual Thought

1 Nephi 17: 50

50 And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

   I read this earlier today in my personal study and just loved it. Nephi was a stud. Even though his own brothers tried to tear him down, he stuck with the Lord. I know that we can trust in the Lord just like Nephi did. Sometimes we feel as though the things asked of us are hard. Like Laman and Lemuel. However, we can choose to follow the example of nephi and rely on the Lord and His promises. By exercising our trust through action, our testimony and pure knowledge will strengthen.

I love ya'll and really want what is best for you. Please don't forget to say family prayers and read a little from your Book of Mormon. It will bring peace. We all need that peace. Email me if you have any questions or need some prayers!

Peace 

Elder Baker