WEEK 55 MUZHA: "Can 142 get their food so we can move on please?"

-Elder Fyfe

What's up guys! It's time for another email! 

So yah we are sitting at a food place and basically they put up the number and 142 was up for forever and so it wasn't moving on. And Elder Fyfe and I just want our food. 

But we are 148

Hey we on 146 now

I love the waiting game. 

147!!

We are so close! 

I'm starving. 

Anyways let's talk about the week. I like haven't lived at home this week. I've been on soooo many exchanges. So I didn't live at home for like 3 days. It was kind of exhausting and nothing happened in our area, but that's okay. Life just be that way sometimes. But they were really good exchanges and I was able to learn a lot about 

148!!!!

Be right back. 

Well, I got my food. Ima eat really quick. 

*munch munch slurp burp yum*

I'm back. 

And I'm home now! Just got done with some awesome basketball! Cause that's what elders do on P-days right? 

Anyways, this week was good. Nothing really to report. Like my journals were all super short this week because there wasn't a ton that went on. We are still just going along! Visiting with LAs trying to get our friends to meet with us. And in general just trying to tell people how amazing Jesus is. 

Speaking of. 

Do you guys realize how amazing Jesus is??? Like he is literally the best. Like we could literally do nothing without him. So we aught to be really thankful for him. 

Like without him this life would have no purpose. We wouldn't be able to live again. And we wouldn't be able to be happy. This like would be quite miserable. But luckily God loved us enough to send him. And so he died for us. 

But how does that actually help us? 

Well, let's give an example.

So I was a little depresso espresso this week. Just not super feeling it. Not feeling like I was doing good as a missionary or doing stuff right cause I wasn't seeing any results or anything. And while yes we aren't here to get results. Results are really nice and definitely help the mental. 

But I was feeling down. So I took it to the Lord in prayer and scripture study. 

Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 'Those who are faithful in keeping my commandments will be encircled in my arms of love"

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land!!!!! GOD BLESS THE USA!!! 

(sorry, the tabernacle choir at temple Square just started singing this song, and I just need you all to know that I am proud to be an American and can't wait to defend her!) 

But I didn't feel super great. But I was keeping the commandments??? Confusion? I think so! 

But I went on with the day and in language study that day I was reading in Alma 28 (I'm reading the book of Mormon in Chinese right now for language study) and I got to verse 8 which just says, 'this is an account of their sufferings and misery and all the rejection they faced everyday and their lack of success and their sadness and depression even thought they were doing the Lord's will and the account of all these terrible things that happened..... 

AND

Their Incomprehensible joy'

And I was filled with Joy. 

Just completely encircling me. Just like the Lord's arms were around me in love. A fulfillment of promise. And I got my fire back and got ready to keep going! 

Cause it's hard guys. It's hard to get up every morning and know, I'm not going to be dry for the next 12 hours. People are going to decided to accept the wonderful Jesus Christ. 

But we can still do it! 

Because Jesus Christ came down to earth and suffered for each one of us, he can help us get through this life! He's already done it for us, so we just need to lean on him. And that is what makes it so hard when people don't accept it. And everyday people are just like, I don't need Jesus. And I just want to grap them by the shoulders, slap them into sense, and tell them very forcibly that they do, in fact, need Jesus. 

Because their lives mean nothing without Jesus. But they don't know it! And they don't want to hear it! 

But they need to know! Jesus died for them too. And they deserve to have the opportunity to worship him for his sacrifice. And Jesus deserves their thanks! And I want to help people turn to him! 

And guys, that is why I am here. I'm learning so much about how to live with someone and not get annoyed. I'm learning how to be a better person. I'm learning how to love the scriptures and become closer to God. 

But that's not why I am here. 

These people deserve the chance to worship God. Not some statue on their kitchen table. But the Father of our souls, the creator of our body's, and the ruler of our earth. They deserve to know. 

So I'm going to tell them. 

And most of them are not going to listen to me. They will turn their head. They will walk (or run) away. And it will be hard. 

But I know that there is someone out there who will want to learn about our Savior lord and King. And so I've got to go find them. Because they deserve it. 

And guys. There are people all around you who deserve to know this as well. Everyone needs to know that they are nothing. But that through Jesus we can become something! In fact, we will be able to become like him! 

So share it guys. 

It's not hard. 

And yes you may get rejected. 

But Jesus was rejected by almost everyone he came in contact with. Up to the point where one of his closest friends rejected him with a kiss. One of the most intimate signs of love was used to betray the trust of the one who loved us more than life itself. 

He was rejected by his own people who strung him up on a cross and nailed him to it. 

He was rejected by his chief apostle not once, not twice, but three times! 

He was rejected so that we could live again. 

So shouldn't it be our joy to be rejected for his name? 

And they need it. So SHARE! Just mention his name and say that you love him. And let it go from there. And if they don't want to talk about it, then they aren't ready yet and just keep loving him! 

Well folks. I need to go put some dinner on the stove. Gonna make some Asian flavored pork tacos! Yum! 

Almost as num as the Toblerone bar I am eating right now. 

When I started I was like, I'll eat like half of it now. 

And it's gone now... So that is kind of sad. But it was yum! Money well spent. 

Love you all so much! And I hope that you all can grow in love for our Savior and Redeemer, our Lord, Jesus Christ! 

Elder Baird

Something about socks 

(see above) 

Pictures

Our next door neighbor was like, your job is hard, let me take you to lunch. And so he took us to this suuuuuper nice restaurant and I got a Margarita pizza! 

We found a colorful bridge that we can text people at

Margarita pizza

I did it. I can go home now. Mission accomplished. Found a Corvette in Taiwan

When you walk into the bathroom after your companion has used it

This is a fun job I am sure

A dragon

In Taiwan this what you do. When you cut a pomelo you cut it into a hat. So this is me wearing the pomelo hat

The LIT-strict

My sister and I on video call

WEEK 54 MUZHA: Into the storm wall

Hello my fellow realm jumpers! Welcome back to another exciting email from the daily life of Elder BAIRD

This week will not be near as amazing as last week's, but it may be equally short. I'm somehow becoming expert at doing nothing all P-day and then running out of time to write emails. So for all of those who have emailed me and I still haven't responded, I am sorry. I love you all. 

For those of you who aren't writing me personal emails, I'll repent if you repent. 

So let's get started. I saw a hatchback Lamborghini and it was amazing and I don't know what Lamborghini gets that Porsche doesn't get but it looked so good. And Porsche hatchbacks just make me want to throw up when I look at them. So there's my two cents. 

So as we were biking to interviews with President on Friday we ran into a wall. We were making a left turn onto this road and before us is this wall, right on the road. Not one of bricks. No, something far worse. 

I knew what that wall was. I knew all about it. In fact I consider myself an expert in the field of storm wardenry. I have read all the books there are on the subject of highstorms and I knew that before me was a Storm wall. 

On one side (my side) the sun was nice and shiny. On the other side though, wind and rain like nothing else. 

However we had to go through. 

So I pulled on my goggles and we started forward. 

We hit the wall. 

And I didn't stop laughing until we made it to President's office. We were instantly drenched. Everything. And I couldn't stop laughing. It was so much fun! So definitely recommend going through storm walls. 

INTRODUCING HAROLD!

Yes Harold is extremely amazing and handsome and cool. 

Yes Harold is a duck. 

I got an email from my friend a while back about not putting rubber ducks in your car because they will melt. So of course I got one for my bike. He is amazing. I love him with all of my heart. And that is a lot. Approximately the size of my fist. So that's pretty cool. 

What else happened this week..... HMMMMM..... Think think.... 

Oh yah! We had a new friend come to church! It was our first time meeting with him and he said he would come to church, so we called up one of our friends and was like yo, can you sit by this guy during sacrament? 

Of course the member said yes. And so Sunday rolls around, our friend shows up, introduce him to the member. And they walk into the chapel together. 

When we walk in I find out to my surprise that the member is passing the sacrament that week. And so there is our new friend on his very first time at church sitting right by him in the sacrament row. 

Now this isn't as weird in Taiwan as it would be in America, but it was still odd. 

Then we sing the sacrament song. And then the people passing the sacrament stand up. 

And our friend, seeing everyone next to him standing up, starts to stand up toooo!!!!!!!! I was like NOOOOOOO this is not good!!!!!! 

Luckily our friend told him he didn't have to stand up really quick. 

I couldn't stop laughing. Of course in my head cause Sacrament. But still. 

Yah, I've got to head out now. So see yall next week peeps. 

Keep heading through your own storm walls! 

Until next time

Stay frosty

And eat meat. 

And keep grinding. 

Love, 

Elder Baird.

Here's some pictures. 

A video 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SpSm4mkrZoW5GnAJ9

Somehow my comp fell asleep like this. Legend. 

WEEK 53 MUZHA: Another..... Birthday?????

That's right my dudes! Your boy just had another birthday! Your son is one year old today. He's got something he'd like to say. He's been practicing all day! All right! Take it away!

People people! 

My name is Spencer. 

And I'm an Elder! 

And I wear this tag just to show it!

And I, just turned one. 

You can write your scriptures but they ain't like mine! (what!) 

I speak Chinese and share the gospel with my partner! 

I use the scriptures and the power of the Father! 

I'm gonna do this for a whole nother year! 一二三 here we go!

So yah. A year ago today a tiny little 18-year-old entered the MTC. Not knowing that what he was about to experience would change his life forever. 

And as much as I would like to keep going on in an awesome cinematic style of telling about the past year in print format... 

I have 15 minutes till I need to hit the send button. 

So. It's been a year. And as you can probably tell my emails are suffering. 

And that is really sad for me and my mom. But I'm sure it makes the rest of you quite happy. I have one friend in particular who I heard even complained once about the length of my emails. And not to point fingers our anything, but let's just call him M. Hughes. Or Mitchell H. 

This man is one of my favorites. 

But since my time is non existent I will just tell you the story of my birthday! 

This story is a little graphic. Not recommended for all audiences. 

It was a beautiful Wednesday night. I was finally half way through my mission (guys it's been a year! How crazy!) and we were knocking LA doors up in the beautiful mountains of Taiwan. 

As we were knocking in the middle of nowhere I had a little conversation with my stomach that went like this. 

Me:      

Stomach: Run

Me: Why...? 

Stomach:

Me: Oh Shhhhhhh

Me: ELDER SUN WE ARE LEAVING RIGHT NOW! 

I hopped on my bike so fast, and was just screaming in my head. This is not happening. No. NO! I am not shating myself on my year mark! 

But guys.... It was coming. And I was in the middle of the mountains!!!!! At the top! There was nothing around me! But I knew there was a store at the bottom. 

So using all of my mountain biking knowledge I hopped on my bike and sprinted down the mountain. I'm sure my companion was like "He is going to die!" 

I was passing the motorcycles and cars on the road I was going so fast! 

But I pull up to the store and scream "WHERE IS THE BATHROOM?"

To which they reply 聽不懂

So I sprint to the gas station that they point at across the street. I'm running red lights and cutting off cars and I finally get there and throw my bike down and run to the bathroom. 

Or run as best as I can while I'm trying to keep everything inside of me.

But it was coming. 

And there I was. Almost to the bathroom. When I had the realization. I was going to shat myself on my year mark. 

I threw open the bathroom door and to my HORROR! IT WAS A SQUATTER!!!!!!!!! 

GUYS! MY INSIDES WANTED TO BE MY OUTSIDES AND GOD GAVE ME SQUATTER!!!!

But what choice did I have?????? I'd only used a squatter one other time in my life and that was 3 years ago in China! 

But it was my only hope. 

It was that or my pants. 

And somehow, by some miracle. I made it in time. 

God is good brothers and sisters. 

God is good. 

I wish I could watch everyone's faces as they read this story. I bet so many of my relatives are going to be like, "I thought that this boy was an elder! How could he tell this story?" 

But I was laughing so hard guys. It was quite the experience. 

So yah. 

I decided to tell the story! 

Another story. 

The keys got locked inside the house again.... But somehow our temple recommend saved us. It was just the right size to fit in between the door and pop it open. 

Guys, always carry a temple recommend. It will protect you from Sin and from the off chance you leave your keys in your house.... 

That's today's something about socks. 

I literally have to hit send like right now. 

I promise I'll write a good email someday. 

Love you all muchly! 

Here's some pictures! 

Elder (has not pooped his pants) Baird

We went to Taibei 101 today. Yay tall building.

WEEK 52 MUZHA: The week Taiwan was on fire

This will probably be my shortest email ever. 

So Taiwan is on fire. Not like Cali or Utah. But because it's the holidays. No not Christmas. It's the holiday where everyone spends money to buy fake money so they can burn the fake money. Not sure why they don't burn the real money cause it's the same thing... 

Anyways it's a really weird holiday week... But that's okay. 

Ummm... Yah I spent today playing the piano and talking with peeps. Also I've eaten incredibly healthily today. I had cola gummies and cheesecake for breakfast. And mango shaved ice for lunch. 

Yah this week's was pretty uneventful. I'm pretty happy though. Focusing on visiting LAs is way fun.

I got to play the piano in yesterday's fireside which was fun! 

Yah... Sorry... No time. 

But also I'm hitting my year mark in 4 days which means that the amount of my people who are actually reading my emails is closer to 0 than it is to 5... So I don't think it really matters. 

But here's some pictures! 

Love! 

Elder Baird 

Scenery 

Some of the stuff Burning 

My good friend Elder Xu has gone home! As you can see I am very sad. 

Oh English 

More burning 

A member gave us a labor day dinner! Hot dogs real root beer! Chips! What a nice lady! 

Cheesecake???? 

Mango ice

Photo bombed 

Chair picture. You sit on as many chairs and transfers you've done.  

Last day with the bois

Frisbee! 

Zone Conference