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