WEEK 29 XIZHI: The one where I answer the questions that people are asking because apparently everyone is confused and I don't know why because I felt that I explained things in the other email but that's okay I love it.

Well. 

I am still in Taiwan. 

I still spend everyday on the streets talking to everyone. 

And I am still just too incredibly handsome for the world. 

Welcome back one and all too the best time of the week and that's this time right now! Because no matter which part of the Corona virus ridden world you are a part of you still can have the joy of reading an email from me! Me! ME! MONEY MAN! 

Yah, Corona virus don't stop these from coming so today is a special stay at home special episode for all of those out there who I call my friends.

So yah, update on everything. Taiwan is the safest place in the world right now. And so we are staying here. Nothing has changed other than the super 帥 addition of facemasks! But I still go out and talk to people.

Now, that doesn't mean that everything is normal. 

This week has been rough for us too. Just because we get to still be normal, all of my friends have all been sent home. My heart and prayers go out to all of those missionaries who this is affecting. Whether you are back in your home, or stuck in your mission. Whatever it is, I pray for and love you all! We know more than anyone about God's will being done! We are the plow in his hands! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

That felt so patriotic. 

But, people just don't want to talk to us anymore. 

They didn't in the first place. 

But now it's worse. They will just not talk. 

And everyone who set up with us this week just stood us up.

So it's been kind of rough in that sense. But every day is a miracle for me here. After being told we were going and then not, it's just that way. 

Luckily for me though. There's a funeral coming up. 

*annoying 8th grader*

But but butt Elder Baird! How is that a good thing!

*throws table*

*does backflip*

It's a good thing because we were asked to play the piano at it! Which means I get to practice the piano! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo! 

I'm way happy about that. 

But it may also be one of the weirdest experiences of my life. Cause of the bingdu there can only be 10 people at the funeral. 

Two missionaries and a bishop. 

Now there can only be 7.

And so we are performing in front of 7 people. It's gonna be weird.... 

But I get to play the piano.

Let's talk about McDonald's. So I said previously that McDonald's will play Christian music sometimes. 

And you know how you can feel the spirit when 2 or 3 are gathered together and stuff? 

Apparently that works at McDonald's too. 

We had a lesson with a guy on Monday night and he said he wanted to meet at the Golden arches. So we went and we taught him the first lesson and at the end when we asked him to pray the spirit was just so strong! It was sooooo cool! 

Even though we were in this super loud and smelly McDonald's we still felt the spirit. It was cool! 

Anyways, something funny. Definitely had something Elder Uchtdorf was trump. That was funny. 

Anyways then Sunday happened. 

We woke up that morning tired. (that's most days on the mission). And we saw a message from our lesson for the day that she was cancelling. 

So we were like. Dang. That was like our only thing today. 

However we did have one potential. 

So we called him to confirm and he said no. 

So then our okay day went straight to nothing. We were kinda hopeless for the day. And during daily planning we were just like whatever. We have 0 things to do today. Let's just get to P-day.

And so we decided that we were going to walk 2.7 miles to a Starbucks waaaay out there. Do language study. And then walk back.

Around noon though we get a text from Kelly, she's basically my new mom cause my old one is in quarantine, and she asked if we wanted hamburgers for dinner. 

My companion and I literally started to cry. We had something to do. And then we got another set up with a different member for that night. It was such a great miracle. 

Anyways, then we started our walk for language study. And it was chill. 

But then we got there and the Starbucks was packed! So we were like, whatever. 

And so we kept walking to try and find a 7/11 to do our study in. 

And as we were walking we just got two setups! It was crazy!!! Miracles were falling from the sky!

It ended up being a real good day. So that was pretty good! 

Then P-day happened, that's today, and we did a super cool hike that went through like a cave thing and then I could see the ocean because I think I live on a tiny island in the middle of a giant ocean. 

I think so... 

I don't remember... 

Well who cares. 

Anyways, Elder Ray is 帥。

芮帥

Elder Brady's so cute. 

Also he likes this new song and he wants everyone to watch it. 

Go to gospel library, videos, inspirational messages, and then Come Unto Jesus. 

I don't know why but he's watched it at least 20 times since yesterday.

He recommends it. 

Anyways. 

I'm running out of things to talk about and I'm done with typing on my phone. 

I love you all! Be sure to use your free time effectively and email me! 

Love, 

Elder Baird 

最帥長老

BREAKING NEWS:

There's a new way to hear all about Elder Baird time in Taiwan! No longer do you have to scroll back through all my emails during your daily "Have to read something that Elder Baird wrote" fix! 

Thanks to the hard work and countless hours of a mother who is too nice there is now a new way! 

https://elderspencerbaird.blogspot.com/

Click on the link above and you will be taken to an internet blogging platform that will have all my letters and pictures in one place! As well as added pictures and videos never before seen! So there you go! Invite all your friends as well! The more the merrier! 

If you'd like to support the blog please send all your love in the form of a package to the address listed on the blog! 

Something About Socks! 

A quote from Elder Ray 

--

Diligence is doing the same thing over and over and over again no matter how bad you don't want to, because it's what you're supposed to do. 

--

I think that's kinda how life is. 

Bye :) 

Horse

Lion

Pink

Taiwan won

Monkeys

Cool

#boysdancetoo

Flex

The squad

Scenery

WEEK 28 XIZHI: AN INTER-MISSION *almost*

Hellooooooooooooooo everybody!!!!!

It's Elder Baird and I just got off the crazzzzzziiiieeeeesssst roller coaster of my life!

Let's start this one off with an apology, I'm aware that I didn't finish my email last week, I apologize for that. I'm sure it was kind of confusing and kind of rushed.

So, I will apologize by making this email exxxttrrraaaa long.

:) 

And don't worry Roman. I was only scared for half an hour. Then we ate some ice cream and all was well. Skull kid would definitely make a good addition though... A very good one indeed. 

Wow it has been a week. A whole entire 7 days. Full of things. That I'm about to write down. Unless I don't want to. Then I won't.

Anyways the week started off pretty normally. Elder Brady and I bought some flowers and pretty soon we were growing a mango tree. So that's pretty nifty! 

Also, we have a recent convert who works at a vegetarian restaurant. And he asked us for help translating his menu into English. And so for two meals we've gone there and eaten realllly good food while we make up English names for these dishes. 

Nutty Pesto Pasta has got to be my favorite. 

It's been way fun. Maybe I will do it as a profession... 

After a good Pday Tuesday happened. 

After Tuesday followed Wednesday. 

And then Thursday! Crazy how that works. 

And then it was Friday! And on Friday I started really focusing on learning how to write Chinese Characters. So my language study is way fun now! I'm just squiggling at a paper for an hour just cause that's how this language works. 

So fun. 

Then we went home for some lunch and then I almost threw up. 

No because of my lunch. It was good. I'm loving chicken everyday! I feel great! 

But yah.

No, not because of food, but because my life turned upside down. 

We were sitting there and then all of the sudden we got a voice message from our Mission President. 

So of course we start to listen. 

"Well Elders and sisters, I'm sitting here with the new missionaries and I had a meeting with the Area Presidency and I figure I should let you know what's going on. The USA just raised the threat level of the virus to a level 4 which means they are telling all citizens abroad to return. There is a HUGE possibility in the next few days all Americans will be returning home. So everyone tonight needs to back your bags and throw away everything you will not be taking home with you."

This was why I was almost throwing up. 

I was going back to America, to sit in my room for 2 weeks. To then be sent to somewhere else in America to sit in that room for forever until this whole thing blows over. 

To be honest I was devastated. 

And so the whole day we were just like, welp. We going home. And since everyone I live with is already going home soon they were like, whatever, here we go! 

So the day was quite a waste. I have never been more anxious in my life, like I could not stop fidgeting and I was just on edge just waiting for the news that we were going home. 

That night though I came to terms with the fact that the real reason I'm here is to serve God. And so that's what I was going to do. So I was ready to go. If that's what God wanted that's what I would do. 

So I woke up the next morning just feeling awful and having absolutely 0 motivation to do anything. So I didn't. 

Lol. 

Then as I was getting ready for the day we got another message from President, "Elders and Sisters. The Area Presidency has decided that they will start systematically sending home all missionaries effective immediately... 

This however does not include Taiwan. 

We will be staying and continuing as normal until further notice." 

And then all the sudden I was staying again. I was shocked. 

So was the whole mission. 

Like Elder Ray had literally thrown away everything he owned. And now he has another 5 weeks. Lol. 

But I was so confused. I wasn't going home. I had prepared myself a little too well to go home XD and now I wasn't. 

Obviously I was happy in staying but I just didn't understand at all. My mind was a wreck. Like the coaster had done backflips and corkscrews and then it just ran straight into a wall and blew up. 

But I'm staying! 

Woo! 

*golf clap*

I'm so excited that I'm still here. Obviously we could still go home any day, but for the time being we won't. And so now everyday that I'm out is a miracle. It's another day I didn't think I would have. 

I heard something from an Elder recently who was talking about why he was on his mission and what his purpose was in being here, and why he was happy. 

And what he said was fascinating. He talked about the scripture "look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not."

Such a great motto to live by. 

But not only that he talked about how we are representatives of Christ. We are literally here for him. And he said that the people we meet, this may be the only time in their entire LIFE that they will be able to feel Christ reaching out to them. And so we have to be the part. We have to be happy for them. Because Christ would be. We are literally the only chance that they may ever get to be reached out to. 

And I loved that. It hit me so hard. We really have to be examples. 

But not just the missionaries. 

We all have to be examples of the Love of God. 

So that's kind of my invitation for this week. Figure out how you can be a better example. So that others can see you and feel that. 

Missionary work is for everyone. It's Member work. 

I love you all! 

Have a good week! Stay inside! And use your toilet paper sparingly! 

Love, 

Elder Baird 

Something about socks. 

We had such a cool miracle just because of an example. 

(I don't remember if I already told this so... Yah) 

We were sitting in a Starbuck and all the sudden this lady walks up to us and in perfect English says "can I discuss something with you?" 

We were shocked, but obviously said yes. 

She then told us that her brother had just been baptized into our church and she had some questions. 

So we talked with here and set her up to meet on Sunday. 

So yesterday we met with her and it was the most amazing lesson that I have ever had in my life. The spirit was sooooooo strong. She was so prepared and she just talked about how much she had seen her brother change and that she wanted that and that happiness too. 

And so she wants to keep learning. All because of the example of her brother. 

Her brother didn't invite her.

She saw his example and though some miracle saw us at a Starbucks. 

So be an example! 

Pictures! Woooot! 

Cool

A dinner a Member made us. Love her! 

We got toilet paper bois

Snoopy! 

Good meme

Basically a replica

An amazing pizza from that vegetarian restaurant

Chewbacca plant

I'm so stylish

WEEK 27 XIZHI: "Jesus work is done, Satan is victory"

No, I'm not quoting myself. Someone else said it. I just thought it was funny. 

HELLOOOOOOO AND WELCOME ONE AND ALL!

Today is a charity stream. So please send all donations and I will be sure to read out all comments as posted. 

Anyways, do we have stuff to talk about this week. And by talk about, I mean I will just tell you all my thoughts and you will be patient and read because you love me :)

Sooooooo anyways..... This week was pretty normal. Nothing really special happened. Although, the McDonald's and KFCs are all playing Christian music cause that's just what happens here in Taiwan. 

Why? 

Because, Christ is the best. 

Also, they have a glasses brand name called Helen Keller glasses. 

I don't really see the point. 

Maybe I'll figure it out in hindsight. 

I mean, the year is 2020.

And here we come to the point where if you aren't on Roman's email chain you will be confused. Sorry. 

For the record. Autocorect isn't a thing. Secondly for the record. You made us not friends first by not responding to my email or video. I thought it was very good, but instead to respond you just sent it in your big group email. Looks like our 6 years really did nothing. 

But also, remember that time you were playing Zelda and you kept falling of the jump course so you attacked the wall for 10 minutes straight? Good times. 

No, it's when I DONT drink my mushroom juice I have problems. 

So anyway, let's talk about my new best friend. 

Elder Brady! 

Now introducing,,,,, Elder Brady! From the small town of Morocco and the larger state of Tooele I give you Utahs youngest MASTER GARDENER!!! 

Never before has someone loved the people as much as he loves plants. Sunflowers are his favorite plant. 

Only because it's yellow though. 

黃病。

Anyways, Elder Brady is literally a professional gardener. He's been doing it since he was seven and his dream is to own his own farm. 

He's like scary good at it. So we definently went and bought plants today and we are going to grow them. So that will be way fun! 

Elder Brady is going home next transfer, so I will be 'killing' him. 

For those of you following along at home that puts me in the oldest apartment in the mission. 

Elder Ray dies this transfer. 

Elder Young and Elder Brady die next transfer. 

What does this mean? It means that they are trunky. Which means I am trunky. Which is okay, cause trunky is funny.... I guess..... 

It also means I'm going to inherit a lot of ties. 

Also, Elder Hughes and Elder Nelson also both die next transfer. So like everyone I've known on my mission is dying. So that's kind of sad. 

But that's still 3 months away so no need to worry about that!

吧

Anyways, let's get to the good part! 

Let's get around to the subject of this email.

So church. It's done. For the time being, but it could be for several months. We know that we've got a month at least down here, who knows about the rest of yall, but people are kind of freaking out. 

But... Why? 

Now I was going to go into a giant thesis about all of my thoughts on this subject and I had resources from conference talks and stuff that I had found and it was going to be very good.

But. 

Instead of writing my email I just ate $400 worth of sushi. So I haven't really had a ton of time... So you get the brief version. You have been spared. Count your blessings. 

(cause we're trying to be grateful, remember?) 

So I really don't think that this should be a big deal. Now it is. Church is shut down. But if we have all followed the Prophets council 100% effectively, we would be fine. Because they have been preparing us for this. 

Now obviously we can't be perfect. That would be too hard. 

But if you look at the last 3 years we have been being prepared for this. 

You look at President Nelson's very first focus and it's all on personal revelation. Not learning from the church. Personal revelation. 

Then they combine the elders qourum so we are more combined. So we can support each other easier. 

Then they add ministering. A program independent of Sunday church worship to build up the souls of our fellow members. 

Then they reduce church by an hour and give us the best book of all time so that we can more fully bring the gospel into our lives. 

A home centered, church supported, learning system. 

And guess what? The training wheels are gone now. So now we all have the choice on what to do. We can choose to take this opportunity and learn with our families, or we just have more time to watch basketball.

Oh wait. 

PSYCHE! 

There is no basketball, so might as well do the whole church thing.

#ruddygobertshouldgetdefensiveplayeroftheyearbecauseheshutdownthewholeleague

So yah. 

I hope you will all take this opportunity and use it to the best of its opportunity.

Anyways, it is 6:30 and if I don't send this now then I am a bad missionary. 

Love you all! 

Have a good time. 

Elder Baird. 

WEEK 26 XIZHI: Well.... It's just like my highschool relationships all over again...

And... 

I'm getting a new companion... 

Again. 

For the 4th time. 

I don't think this has happened to anyone in their first 4 transfers.

4 transfers

4 companions

3 houses

2 areas

1 cor... Happy missionary!

"winters a good time to stay in and cuddle, put me in summer and I'll be a... Happy Snowman" 

So yah, Elder Fang is leaving. And Elder Brady is coming in! More on that next week. But this is a companion that Elder Hughes used to be with and I'm way excited!

Cool right? I guess it is. I'm just kind of ready for something normal. And I should hopefully be with Elder Brady for 2. And then he will die. 

Oh that's right. 

It's war over here. 

People are dropping like flies all around me. 

Not cause of the virus, just cause the 3 elders I'm going to be living with are all going to die. 

Elder Ray. He dies in 7 weeks. He's the love of my life that's not Roman. Or... Elder Siepert... Go ROMAN!!! 

NOW. SPEAKING OF ROMAN. 

a) I'm rooting for you man. 

b) 

OKAY. Sorry that I'm busy and haven't answered your questions. But I was going to. BUT THEN SOMEONE had to answer them first.

So.

Who would win. Wolverine or Baby Yoda? 

Baby Yoda would win of course. Like obviously. It's flipping Yoda. Who cares if he's a baby or not. It's Yoda. All he has to do is cut of the lil dogs head. And wolverine doesn't have the same healing factor as Deadpool. So he cannot heal a decapitation. So. Easy. Yoda wins. The power factor is easily calculate and with the force and a Saber its just too easy. So yah. Yoda wins. 

Who would win. Elder Baird or Elder Fang. 

Well... Which one. Well, one of us is surviving. So. The battle has been fought. Battle has been won. 

I am on top. 

Next. What is the best tie?

First, someone who is colorblind cannot ask and then answer this question. So yah. No. The correct answer is pink. So yah. 

"so I-ii-ii can't stop. This guy-uy-uy up top, say your last writes cause it's over."

So yah. Don't @ me. 

Love you man. 

So anyways. We hiked Angles Landing this week. And just like everything American in Taiwan it's very Taiwanese. But it's as close as I'll be getting and it was a fun hike! 

Then we had a pretty normal week. Nothing terribly exciting. But I did have a cool experience. 

I woke up one morning and things were going pretty good. But as the morning went on I started to get more and more sad. Not sure why. But it just was happening. And so I was kind of just freaking out and so I was like I have to mediate. 

So I mediated. Did a little thing from the calm app. 10/10 would recommend. 

But then I started to feel a little better. 

Then I read in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 2. 

20 I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another. 

And that's when I realized that I needed gratitude in my life. 

I then started to focus on gratitude. I started listening to lots of talks about gratitude and it really started to help! And I've been loving it! So I encourage you all to listen to "Greatful in Any circumstance" by Deiter F Uchtdorf.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?id=title1&lang=eng#title1

I would give my insights, but I'd rather you listen to it yourself. 

But gratitude has been my focus and it has made me feel a lot better! 

As well, this week officially marks 6 months! Wednesday to be specific. Or... Most of yours Tuesdays. But yah. So that's cool.

Hmmmm, what else has happened... 

Honestly it was a pretty chill week. Nothing too crazy. 

EXCEPT last night when I kneeled down to pray and noticed something was wrong with my bed. (see picture for details)

I just love my two trunky friends. They're the best. 

Other than the fact that I just beat everyone at Monopoly *dab* it may be a problem that I'm way good at decieveing people... But hey! That makes me a good missionary? Just not in the right way....? I'm not sure. But I won. And that's what matters. 

Also we got treated to a buffet by Joseph. And it was a looooooot of food that you could just keep ordering and ordering. 

Oh also!!! 

I forgot! 

Somebody that I taught in my last area just got baptized! I didn't think he would but now he is! I'm still trying to figure out the whole story, but as of right know I just know that I taught him and now he's a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! Woot! 

Yah, I'm running out of time for my email, and I'm running out of things to say.... So I'm just gonna stop talking before I say something toooo stupid. 

I love you all! 

Elder Baird 

Also, for those of you who may have been offended by my subject line... I still love you. Most of you. 

:) 

Okay just kidding, but I had too. It was too good. Please don't hate me and please remember to send me emails :) 

Something about socks! 

I litterally am out of time, so please just read the talk for the something about socks, I'll tell yall my favorite part right here though! 

I don’t believe the Lord expects us to be less thankful in times of trial than in times of abundance and ease. In fact, most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude

I know this is true. We need to be grateful in Any Circumstances. And yes it's hard. But we have to try. 

Thanks!

Also I realized that I talked about the hike in my last email already. 

Whoops. 

I forget you know? Just so busy so sometimes it takes a while to answer questions and stuff *cough cough*

Monopoly! 

Great food! 

My bed

Beautiful Elder Ray

A year ago for my ballroom friends! We killed it back then!