WEEK 84 TAIPEI/TIANMU: Something about Hair

Hello everyone! I am back again after a week of absence. Lets just get right into it starting with the subject line! Everyone loves a good subject line especially when it has a great story behind it! So I am going to explain that first!

So remember how last time on Elder Baird's letter where we did comp study with a 70? Are we all there? Well, that was last week. And on Wednesday I get a text from Sister Peterson saying, 'Hey, Elder Homer really liked all the things that you shared and that he was really impressed. He also told us to tell you to get a haircut..... So... When you do that send us a picture so that we can send the picture to him so that he knows you did it!' So needless to say I got a haircut. I didn't think my hair was that long, maybe I just hadn't done it well, regardless I got one and so now I'm looking suuuuper good ;) I guess. They sent the picture to him, to which he responded, "Tell him it looks great" So yah. Pretty crazy. Maybe it was just a test? Like Abraham and Isaac. Elder Baird and his hair. Honestly, my hair is up there in things I love in this world so who knows!

Anyways, P-day involved basketball. Because my companion likes basketball. So we played basketball. It was pretty fun. My skills are improving. Yay!

Tuesday was District Council. I talked about weakness and what weakness really is. And how faith overcomes it. I'll put some of my thoughts in the Something About Socks section of this something about hair email! 

I then went on exchanges with Elder Pond which was a wonderful time! It is probably our last exchange together seeing as how the transfer is almost over. That is quite sad... But it is life and it is okay. 

Had some lessons with friends over this Tuesday to Wednesday period. It was fun to teach with him again and for both of us to just try and help these people that we were working with. That is what we're doing! 

(I'm out here grinding (okay okay okay what!) I'm out here grinding, all I do is work, all I do is work (what!)) 

If you get the reference you're my favorite. (Unless you're Roman, where if you don't get the reference you are no longer favorite).

So that was Tuesday and Wednesday. We had a killer English group in that time as well! I love teaching English! 

Thursday I stayed home till 4 in the afternoon. Just wasn't feeling it. Felt like just being a disobedient missionary for the day. So I was. 

Just kidding. One of our roommates was sick. So I stayed with him while the other two elders went and taught lessons. Good personal study time. 

Then we hit up the office, our lesson canceled, so we stayed there and I worked on a video for Facebook cause yay! 

Kind of felt like a throw away day. Which is really sad. I hate feeling like I'm wasting time. But sometimes it's just the way the cookie crumbles. Or the way the dumpling bounces as they say it here in my part Asian land. 

Then Friday brought a meeting with Facebook people to fix some stuff on our page. Went well. Went long. Finished my video. Ate dinner with an LA. Met with a friend. Met with a potential who is now a new friend. And tried to meet with our wards missionary council but they forget that we had set up a time so it didn't happen. 

Saturday brought us moving our ward mission leader's apartment for 4 hours. He had a looooooooooooooooooot of big plants that we hauled down 4 flights of stairs. Into the trunk of our car trying not to kill them, and then to his new house. 

Then played some ping pong with some friends. Ate some food. And that was basically our day! 

Sunday was 4 hours of church and some studies. Reports. And all the other good things. And of course partaking of the sacrament which is the most important thing you can do in a week. Emailing your missionary friends is like number two on that list though. So remember that. 

And that was the week! Honestly not a ton happened. And I feel like I can do a looot better. And so I'm glad that I can repent and try again next week. The Atonement is amazing folks. It truly is. 

Also, I read a poem that Elder Holland references in his latest conference talk. And it is way scary. You should check it out. (Both the talk and the poem. Both are good. One is doctrine and the other is about a scary pied piper.) 

So yah! Thanks for reading this! 

If you've read it this far then 

I love you! 

Elder Baird

Something About Socks. 

Here is my note from Ether 12:27

It is a little long

The pictures are under it I swear (well I don't swear cause swearing is bad, but I promise) 

Some thoughts on weakness. 

So as I read these verses, there are a lot of thoughts in my head. 

The first thing we notice is that Moroni is humble and has seen his weakness. He is mortal. And because of that he is imperfect. That is his weakness. He is imperfect. And it manifests in his ability to write, or his lack thereof. 

In verse 25 he says that "when we write we behold out weakness" 

When he writes he sees that he is not perfect, this is not because he is not a good author. No not even close. Moroni is not worried about being a good author, keeping his storyline consistent (it's history) using the correct parts of speech or making it interesting. No it is none of these things he worries about. 

He worries that because he is imperfect, the gentiles will see these words and not be converted. He worries that he is not good enough to be the vessel that the Lord needs. He has been commanded by God to write these things, and he realizes that he is not perfect and has no possible way of perfectly writing these things down. It is impossible. 

That is the weakness. 

So he sees his weakness and instead of being mad about it (something I am too good at) he humbles himself and turns to the Lord. He doesn't go and take ancient plate engraving classes, he goes to the Lord which is the only place we can go if we want help in overcoming weakness. 

And that is when we get to verse 27, one of the best and most instructive verses in the Book of Mormon in my opinion. 

"And if men come unto me (Moroni already has) I will show unto the their weakness (singular nor plural. This is the weakness of being mortal, not weaknesses that are manifestations of our mortality). I give unto men weakness (not weaknesses) that they may be humble (we each have the choice once we see our weakness of if we turn to the Lord or not); and my grace (divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ) is sufficient for all men that humble (turn to) themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me (trusting that God exists and will help), then will I make weak things (our mortality) become strong (verse 37) unto them."

What an incredible verse! And we learn so much. We learn that we are designed to be imperfect, and that because of that we are designed to turn to God so that we can be made like him. 

The chapter goes on to talk about how God is preparing mansions in heaven for us. And that because of this, we can have a "more excellent hope" not just hoping for a better world, but hoping for a mansion in the kingdom of God, and working for that. That is a lofty goal! 

Then it talks that God has done all of these things because of his charity towards us. It is the charity that allowed him to do all of this, prepare the mansions for us, and to lay down his life for us and take it back up and atone for our sins. That was all charity. That was the pure love that Jesus had that we HAVE to tap in to. 

The Lord then finishes off this amazing teaching moment by teaching Moroni that, in the end, it doesn't matter if others have charity or not. What matters is that he after seeing his weakness, seeing that he was mortal and imperfect, turned to the Lord and worked on overcoming the natural man. The natural man is our weakness and enemy to God. (Mosiah 3:19). And that when, through the grace of God, we have overcome the weakness, the natural man, we "shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the palace which [he has] prepared in the mansions of [his] Father." 

After we have overcome the natural man through turning towards God and using his power, we then in turn can become clean, receive our inheritance with Christ, and eventually become Gods ourself. Putting aside all weakness. Putting aside all imperfection, and becoming unto ourselves "the fountain of all righteousness" (vs 28)

So yes, I have weakness. God has shown me my weakness and I know I am an imperfect missionary. And so now I have to turn to the Lord in everything. I have to turn to him and use his grace and charity so that I can become more and more perfect, even until that end. That is the goal in all honesty. So that at the end of it all, when all is said and done, I can become strong. 

I want to be strong. 

So let's kill the natural man.

Pic with my lizard

Another lizard pic

A lesson!

Pic with a pretzel? The only pretzel place I've ever seen in Taiwan

WEEK 83 TAIPEI/TIANMU: Mission conference???

Hi guys. It's me Elder Baird. I'm on the phone with Elder Pond. He is distracting me from writing this. But that is okay. We still love him. 

Okay, we are back now. And that is what we like. 

So starting with P-day we played basketball. I wrote in Korean which is very hard by the way. Met a guy on the street who said we could meet. He didn't show up later. 

Then Tuesday was the start of our mission conference. 

Okay so we just had an earthquake, that was pretty lit. My companion was like are you feeling this? And I said what? And then I looked over at him and saw that like everything was shaking. Don't know how I didn't feel it at first. It was pretty big. 

Anyways back to the email. Tuesday! Mission conference! ~

So our mission conference was all over Zoom with Elder Homer from the 70. He is the president of the Asia area and he is great! 

So on Tuesday we had an MLC (mission leadership council) where he just talked to us about what we wanted to do with our lives and how to make the mission better. It was some solid inspiration ngl. 

Then we had a night devotional with everyone. We just introduced our companion and that was pretty fun. 

Then I had a very very interesting experience. We were in a lesson with an LA member and we were talking about family history work and missionaries in the spirit world. 

And all of the sudden I had the strongest impression that Jake Smith was in the spirt world preaching the gospel as I spoke. And I just started to cry as I told this to our LA friend.

For those of you who don't know, Jake Smith was a kid I did mountain biking with. We raced together and practiced together, were never really good friends, but didn't need to be. He was killed in a car accident while serving his mission. And that was a shock to me. And at that moment I knew that his calling had not changed. Just his field of assignment. And it was quite an amazing experience. 

I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and knowing that Jake isn't gone, nor is any other person that has passed away gone. The hope and peace that this brings in unreal! And that is why I am here. To help bring other people this hope and peace. The gospel is amazing. 

And if you don't believe it... I'm sorry, but let me know when you're ready to learn and I'll be there to love you and help you! 

Wednesday brought more mission conference. A session in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Adding to the office work and English group and the day was pretty much over before it began. -

We stole pizza from President's fridge. 

And that was it. 

I say that was it, but I learned soooo much from mission conference, but there's just no way to rewrite it down. 

Then on Thursday we had companionship study with a 70!!!! For some reason we were chosen to do comp study with Elder Homer. And we did! And it was so great to be with him and realize that he is just a missionary too. Just with a loooooot more experience! And knowledge. And everything. 

Well except hair. He's definitely lacking there. 

But it was great. Then a morning devotional. Then we pushed 500 Book of Mormons up the hill. 

Then night devotional where they showed us a video of President and Sister Peterson's life and family. Then I asked my mission president if he was trunky (he only has one transfer left) to which he said no. 

Then we had a lesson with same LA member and in it my companion spoke with the tongue of Angles as talked about in 2 Nephi 32. I just knew that he was speaking with the Holy Ghost and with the help of angels. Also another suuuuuper cool experience. Love the gospel. 

Then on Friday we had 3 devotionals where I learned a lot more. 

Then we had a great lesson with our only progressing friend. And then we talked to a bunch of people and I was full of faith going out cause of mission conference and no one set up but we gave a lot of people opportunities and it felt great! I love representing Christ. 

Do you know how much better it is to be happy as a missionary than not? 

A lot. 

Like a lot a lot. 

Then that brought around Saturday which was just yesterday, but I am struggling to remember... 

I ate a big bowl of Lucky Charms. That was nice. 

I ran a 5k

Oh yah we went to a ward Barbecue activity. Very different from American Barbecues. 

After that we did missionary work which is like my favorite thing to do in a day. 

And that was it. 

On Sunday we caught a lizard. 

He is really cute. 

I also listened to 4 homecoming talks which has to be a record I am sure. Positive in fact. 

We also had a family come to church that the sister's are passing off to us which is awesome!!! Yaya!!! 

I just killed a bug with Preach my Gospel. The power in that book is crazy. 

Then I spent the night working on a video that President wants us to send to the Homer's thanking them for the conference. 

I fell like my job is making videos. I'm getting rather proficient at it. Too bad I've only got 3 weeks left. 

Oh well. 

And yah that was pretty much my week. Hope you enjoyed your week as much as I enjoyed mine. 

Get out there and do something good for someone! It is funnnnn! 

Love you all

Elder Baird.

My dinner looks so happy!

The chicken tho

The zone!

Me lighting a Taiwanese BBQ

WEEK 82 TAIPEI/TIANMU: AND HIS NAME ISSSS ELDER HOLLAND!!!!! *du dude du duuuu, dude du dude duuuuu* the time is now ect ect ect

Wow~!!! What a crazy week! Let's talk about it. 

Que intro! 

*aggressively happy but intense music starts*

*sports broadcaster voice starts*

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and bois and girls, elders and brothers and sister, and other people who don't fit into these categories for whatever reason.... Welcome to Elder Bairds weeeeeeeekly eammil!" *Said like the price is right voice*

*trumpet rapture*

*snare frill*

"What has Elder Baird done this week? We will find out more, after the break!" 

--Advertisement starts--

*Sort of obnoxious upper pitched saleswoman voice*

"Have you ever been looking for true happiness? Do you feel lost? Are you not sure what you're doing in life? Hi, my name is Amanda Lauren and in my new book..." 

*Elder Holland leaps from the sky landing in a shockwave of commotion scaring everyone on set*

"You want answers to these questions?" He asks looking into the only, not destroyed by his grand entrance, camera, "Well, welcome to general conference" 

*insert dramatic conference preview here*

Yo it was GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! And let's just say it was a straight up blast! Dang, I've got no way to put my pages of notes into this email (well I guess I do, but my notes aren't really important to you, your notes are important to you. What the Spirit tells me and what he tells you are two very different things!) 

But I've got soooo many thoughts and feelings I just don't know where to begin!!!!

Oh wait, I do. 

Monday! 

Basically we just played basketball for like 4 hours...... My companion loves it, and I love my companion. So that is what we did XXXDDDDDD

Then we had a lesson that night with basically our only friend that meets with us... But we taught him about the Book of Mormon and just read with him and it was soooo awesome! Now he is reading and asking us questions and it is pretty awesome! We met him on the street like 3 weeks ago! And he is still meeting with us which is great! 

Tuesday brought a great personal study and an even greater comp study. I can't wait to do comp study when I get home ;) 

But it made for a pretty good day! Then we had the lesson that we prepared for in our super awesome comp study and because of how prepared we were it went awesome! This is a great principle in missionary work, but also a great principle in life. 

Elder Bednar teaches that not planning is laziness. If we just assume that we will have the spirit and so we can wing it we will fail. We will not do what God wanted us to do. We must plan. This is a principle God himself taught. In Doctrine and Covenants, Section 9 we are taught 

"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me (wing it) 

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right." 

What a great eternal principle. I love eternal principles. They make me happy :) 

So yah, prepare. We can rely on God for everything, IF we do our part. And that is a big IF

Wednesday was MLC which was pretty shnazzy. I like MLC's. This was my last one as an office elder translating which is kind of sad. I have enjoyed translating for president and so that was a lil rough. 

While I was sitting there, I had the opportunity to look at everyone. And I realized just how peculiar we are. Here we are, a group of 30 or so young adults. Listening to a not so young adult. In a country that a lot of them aren't from. Giving 2 years of their life when everyone else is doing things for themselves. Doing the most amazing work in the world. 

And as I sat there and pondered on just how awesome we were, I looked at every single person's face individually and saw the light glowing from within them, not the light of self, but the light of Christ inside of them. It was way way way way cool. I didn't look in a mirror, but I hope more than anything that the light of Christ is being reflected in me. We're kind of like the moon in that regard. The Son shines incredible light, but in a world of darkness it is only the reflection of that light that hits the earth. And so it is our job to reflect the Son's light into the lives of those who are in the dark. 

So how shiny are we? 

Woah. I just literally made that up as I typed this! That is pretty cool metaphor! Or is it a simile... Oh no.... 

More on the moon later. 

More on similes now! ~

So after MLC we had English group where I didn't know what to teach on and ended up teaching similes. It was way fun! I haven't thought about similes in YEARS but thankfully my grade school teachers all taught me exceptionally well which is something I am very grateful for! 

It was way good, but then it just turned into who can roast other people using the most creative similes. And I guess that is the world we live in. Who can roast people the best. 

How sad is that? 

But that is literally everything. 

So sad. 

We need the light of Christ in the world! Good thing we can do that! Oh and if we've been baptized we have promised to do it! How nice, we don't even need to decide, we already did! 

Anyways then Thursday happened. 

Yah it happened. 

We helped a member move for like 3 hours. 

Yah it happened

Then Friday was 6 week follow up which is a meeting where all the trainees who have been out for a transfer get together and get to talk about all the companionship problems they are having and we give them solutions on how to solve them. What a fun time! 

Then we had Saturday and Sunday. I'm going to but these two days together because they were basically one day of serious spiritual suit up. 

Guys, conference was great. Like wow. I was crying in the first talk. Well not crying. Just you know... Sweating from my eyes. But like there was water on my face. 

I watched conference on an IPad using headphones this weekend, using my phone and a Bluetooth keyboard to take notes. I am very grateful for batteries which allowed my headphones, keyboard, phone, and iPad to last all 6 hours of Saturday conference. 

I really liked watching with headphones though, it made it such an intimate experience, like it was just me and the speaker in the room. Everything they were saying was meant specifically for me. And that was way cool! 

Honestly I could say so much about conference, but in all honesty, yall have to watch it yourselves. But this is what I know. 

We have a living prophet on the earth today. That is President Nelson. He is the only person in the world that can speak for God to his children. I know this is true. 

God has given us the plan of salvation so that we can each find peace in hard times. And not just hard times, but excruciatingly painful heart wrenching times. It is the answer to those questions and problems. 

This is truth. And I'm so grateful for that. I hope you can all grow closer to the truth by listening to conference and finding correct eternal principles. It is the only way to do it. 

I love yall so much! Have a great week! 

Who was your favorite speaker at conference? Let me know! (By sending me an email) 

Elder Baird

Here's a poem I wrote about the moon. I wrote it a while ago, can't remember if I've sent it out before. Who knows 🤷‍♀️

Sometimes I look up at the sky

And see the moon look down on me. 

I wonder what he thinks of time,

I wonder all the things he's seen. 

He saw when man first learned to fly, 

And he saw the first time that I cried. 

But of all the things he's seen, 

What does the moon, think of me? 

He sits up there both night and day

He sees all things, their start and end. 

To him all things are shades of gray, 

A little garden for him to tend. 

To him up there I have no name, 

To him up there we're all the same

I'd say the moon and I are friends, 

But the moon, he just pretends. 

But as I look up at the sky

And see the moon look down on me. 

There's someone up there in disguise

Who knows exactly what I see. 

He knows the things that make me cry, 

He knows the things I hide inside. 

He knows exactly what I can be

Because, of course, he died for me.

I don't have very many pics this week...

A picture of the college next door planting a tree. 

Pizza we ate because I don't have any other pics

Snoopy cause I like snoopy

A screenshot of my alarm cause no pics