WEEK 89 XINZHU: It was a week for the history books. Not sure why but I'm sure I broke some record. Maybe most water stolen from the church? Who knows

Wow guys! It's going down today! Going down in the neighborhood and by going down I mean water levels! 

Yaaayyayay! 

You would think a subtropical island would be hard to run out of water. Well we have. And starting this week we are having shower restrictions which just sounds down right dandy. I mean personal hygienes, who really does that anyway? 

Well, for sitting around all day every day the week sure flew by. We are busy as busy can be. Little buzzy bumble bee missionaries. Good times! 

Monday happened. It was pretty fun! 

Then on Tuesday I did my first zone leader exchange! As a zone leader I get the opportunity to go on exchanges with all the missionaries! And so this was 1 out of 6. Feels good. I went down to Miaoli which is the furthest away you can get from about anything which is super awesome! 

So we basically just had a couple of lessons and then we did a lot of contacting. It was good times. I felt super led in some of our lessons and it was great. I love the spirit. 

That night I got a call from the STLs and they were like "yo the sisters near you are in quarantine you need to buy a thermometer for them" 

So the next day we basically spent the whole afternoon of our exchange biking around the sisters areas trying to buy stuff for all of them. Then we got to their address only to find out that it wasn't where they lived and that they lived on the other side of the city so we biked there and it was just a crazy time. On my first exchange I took my companion into the sisters area to bike around and go to their apartment. How crazy hahaha ha. 

Then we did English Group over Zoom and had a lesson. 

Then President called asking for Facebook advice. You may leave the office, but the office never leaves you I guess..... 

Thursday brought a lot of lessons. The first of these being with an older inactive catholic man who loves English, stocks, and talking. 

We talked a lot. About literally everything except what we wanted to. Hopefully next time goes better! 

Then we had our weekly planning session and I was just struggling focusing. It's been that way basically since I've gotten here. But as I was talking with Elder Gardner I was just talking about how my mind was being pulled everywhere and everything was new, being a zone leader, new area, going on exchanges, helping our friends, being stuck inside, covid, and just my head was everywhere and I didn't know what to do. 

And as I was talking I had the most profound experience where I was just stopped mid-sentence by the spirit and just shut up and was taught that I needed to be reading the book of Mormon more. And I just sat there for several moments just reveling in this spiritual experience that I just felt through me! Live everywhere just felt like I'd been stopped my a wall of comfort. Don't really know how to explain it, but as I told my companion the answer I had found he was just like "that was so cool to watch." Like he had just watched me receive revelation and he'd felt it. 

So cool. 

So yah guys. Make sure you're reading your book of Mormon. Like actually studying it. Trying to learn from it. And just letting it bring you closer to God. There is nothing better than coming to Christ. And that is a fact! 

Played some chess with Elder Gardner. I've been teaching him Chinese chess, and he's still got a ways to go hahaha

Friday brought up running in the morning. Running with a mask in 7 billion degree weather with 100 percent humidity is not fun. At all. 

But it was good to be out which is something that happens pretty infrequently with Taiwan in the state it is in. 

Then I read about the resurrection in Alma 11 and 12 and it was really great. I'm grateful that I will be resurrected and brought before God. I'm excited to show him that I did what I could, and that even though I wasn't perfect I tried. And I will plead to be cleansed by the blood of his Son. And because of my faith and because I endured to the end, I will hear him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant". 

And honestly I can''t wait for that day. It will be absolutely incredible. 

Then Maas, the application that makes missionaries phones not do bad things, totally went haywire and destroyed like everyone's phones and somehow I got dragged into all of it trying to figure it out. My phone was fine thankfully. You can leave the office, but I guess the office never leaves you. Hahaha love it. 

Then we had a mini mission conference where a bunch of people gave trainings on how to be doing effective missionary work during this special time. Presidents really trying to boost morale and it's working really well. Mostly because honestly people are doing more missionary work now then ever before which is great! 

I gave a training on less active work and it went pretty great! It was awesome that even though last minute they said I had to use Chinese I was still able to give my training. The gift of tongues is so true and very helpful. In just a year and a half I've become able to actually use a language that I could never use functionally before. What a miracle. 

Saturday was just a lot of lessons and contacting people so we could set up more lessons. I'm surprised we haven't run out of people to teach yet. Sadly we have very few friends. But with all the less active work we are doing it feels like a lot more than that. 

Guys. Go try to help with less active work. How great shall be your joy if you bring one soul. Bring one soul back is the same as bringing one soul in. And that's true. 

Anyways, I'm probably just going to leave this here. I've got really no desire to keep typing right now. I'm tired. Hahaha. Am I just going to be tired for the rest of my life? Like is that just a fact of the rest of life? Or does that end after the mission? 

I'm probably gonna be tired the rest of my life. 

What a way to liiiiive!!!! Hahaha oh I love life. It is so funny. 

Oh yah Sunday. I forgot about today. 

We had church in the morning on line which is always fun. Then we had some lessons. Ate some food cause we need to survive. And then at night we had 2 of the funniest lessons in my life. I have no way of describing them. One was with a guy whose been less active for like 3 years and has forgotten everything. And he is hilarious. Driest humor ever, Drier than mine even. Crazy. 

Then a lesson with a 10 year old kid. We were supposed to meet with the mom but then she just put her kid on the camera and walked away. So we taught him how to pray and I have never met a 10 year old that is more personable and just crazy and funny and smart and odd than him. We were laughing the whole time. What a time. 

And then I wrote this email. 

And then I wrote

Love, 

Elder Baird

And then I stopped

Pictures! 

Food adventures!

They worship the devil? 

Mask on goggles on

Do you see the spider???

Lesson selfies

Lesson selfies

Picture with quarantine sisters 

Church selfies

Meme

Lesson selfies

WEEK 88 XINZHU: Did someone say quarantine???

Wow, What a week. Wow what week. Wacky week. Wacktastick week. 

So like this week was crazy. I just didn't even know what was going on other than Covid

So covid has taken a turn for the worse in this little island on the southern side of China. As in, we are basically just in our apartment. Which sucks. 

We can still go outside, but people don't want to be outside and so they don't like talking to people while outside. So it just doesn't work out very well. So we have switched on to the good old internet way of teaching the gospel. Stay tuned! 

So Monday for Our first P-day in Xinzhu we basically went to Costco and because of trains and stuff we took like 3 hours round trip and so that basically was the whole day. So not much to say there. 

Then the power went out country wide (scary) and luckily our area wasn't hit but we texted everyone we knew if they were okay and got soooo many conversations started with people who would never respond to us so it was kind of a miracle. 

Honestly, pray for Taiwan, Between random country wide power outs, water shortages and stoppages, country wide power company computer failure, and and increase in the virus forcing everyone inside and to wear masks while in the car on penalty of being fine 15000 kuai we are in a rough place. People are scared. Thankfully we are sharing peace! 

Too bad still sooo many people don't want it. That is okay though, we will keep trying! 

Tuesday brought our first district council which was semi effective. Being a zone leader at district council is weird because you are like the leader of the district leader who is the leader of you because you are in his district and it is all just very confusing. Much like the song "I'm my own grandpa" If you haven't listened to it and you are not serving a mission right now, I highly recommend searching it up. You will probably have to have subtitles. It is hilarious. 

Wednesday brought MLC. Now this is the 5th time I've attended MLC, but the previous 4 times I was always in charge of translating, and for anyone who has done on the spot translating before, it is really hard to ingest what the speaker is saying because you are spitting it out so quickly in a different language. So being released from this duty MLC was a lot more fun and uplifting, and just a better learning experience. Although I miss my translating days, I'm definitely way more happy being outside.

I say outside, but honestly this past week I've spent more time inside than I ever did while in the office, and so that is kind of an odd thing.... Oh well. 

Anyways, after NLC we had exchanges with the APs which was fun! Since I've lived with the APs for the past 5 transfers, wasn't that odd. Especially since we spent the whole time in the chapel. So hahaha lol XD got 'em

We then had Thai food for dinner! And guys! I finally found a Thai restraint that kind of resembles Thai food! For some reason none of the Thai food in Taiwan tastes Thai. But this one kind of did! They even had green curry, granted it wasn't spicy which I don't understand, but that is okay. 

Then I went with my AP companion Elder Liu and we actually went and visited his parents because I am serving in his home ward so that was kind of cool. Could you imagine knocking your own parents door on a mission? That would be odd.... He loved it though! 

Then we had Thursday. I almost got my goal of 100 pushups in 4 minutes. Sadly I didn't. Only 92. But we will get it soon! 

I love setting goals. Preach my Gospel talks so much about setting goals and having a vision. I recommend going and read in it in chapter 8. You probably won't. But at least I invited you. 

Then I did something I thought I would never do again as a missionary. Drive through the McDonald's drive through. We don't have a car down here cause we aren't the office. But the APs actually had to drive down here, so we just took the car and got McDs for lunch. That was fun! 

Then we were teaching a returned missionary and then half way through he told us we had offended him and weren't teaching him right and said he had to leave. Agency folks. 

Then we had an awesome lesson with Tom and he is wanting to improve so much and so we talked about weakness which is something I love talking about especially as I keep learning more about Ether 12!

Friday brought a day of stuff. We met with a guy who we thought had given us a referral. So we get on the call with him and are like, How is Rick. 

Who's Rick? 

The friend you wanted to introduce to us... 

You mean Jessica?? 

Guys we got the name and gender COMPLETELY WRONG!!! It was hilarious! 

So that was awkward. Then we ask how she is and when we can meet her and share with her. And He's like... But she's already a member... 

And we just died laughing, it was one of the most embarrassing things I had done with a member. So 丟臉 (throw face) 

Then we had like 4 more lessons. 

I think I've taught more lessons in this week than I did the whole entire time I was at Tianmu. That is not saying much... But still! It has been crazy! We have had so much to do being stuck inside and to be honest I'm going a little crazy! There is soooo much! And we are having like 8 lessons in a day and back to back and trying to keep everything straight and it is all very new and not easy. 

 But that is okay. It's not supposed to be easy. That's what Elder Eyring's mom said at least. (see his conference talk which I'm too lazy to quote here) 

Well lots of lessons on Saturday. Went outside once. That was fun. Called a ton of people. Ripped apart frozen meat. I mean just all the things a normal missionary does in a normal day. 

Sunday was today, or is today, or I guess was yesterday by the time you read this. While I guess it will be Sunday when some of you read this eve though it will be Monday for me. Living in the future is hard work! 

We had stake conference online. That was interesting. Technical problems. We actually had a lot of those in our lessons today. That is okay. Kinda. 

We speak the entire day inside. Didn't leave once. Big rip. Going crazy. 

We actually had some great lessons today! We had one kind of great Bible bash. There is nothing that gets by blood going in missionary work as much as Bible bashing. Like people just slandering the church makes me mad but I can push it off. But when it comes to Bible bashing oh boy give me some heart medication cause Ima need it! 

Hahaha it wasn't that bad. I just love the Bible and don't love it when people misinterpret it. But that is their prerogative and I know they feel the exact same way about me. 

Anyways I'm running out of time and need to get this out so this is the end! 

Love you All! 

Bye! 

Elder Baird

Something About Socks

I literally gave two awesome invites, read PMG 8 about goals and the mysterious quote from conference. They're great! 

Pictures! 

Being inside all the time doesn't make for a lot of pictures.

Me in a lesson

Practicing characters

Me on the surf turf from also 3 years ago

One of me in an ugly shirt from like 3 years ago

Me in a lesson

WEEK 87 TAIPEI/TIANMU AND XINZHU: *insert explanatory title here*

Gonna be honest, it has been one heck of a week! It has been so crazy that I have not journaled once this week. And that is sad. But. It is what it is. 

I honestly have so much I could say, but not sure what to. We will start at the beginning. 

Monday was a good day. We fed pigs and goats cause that fun. I also got to feed a duck, which if you've ever had a duck eat food out of your hands, you know what kind of experience that is. 

The things that we get to learn in the mission field are once in a lifetime, aren't they. 

But it was a good time. I got to hear the story of one of the sisters we serve with and how the gospel has changed her life. She grew up in a terrible environment to be honest. Divorced dad. Older sister left the house to get away from life. And just her. She found love in her local young women's group, and because of that it has taken her to the mission field. 

I had no clue she had the kind of background that she told. And was blown away by the fact she was here. I would never have guessed just looking at her. But that's why they say. If you treat people like they are always going through something hard, you'll be right over half the time, if not all. 

So yah. Monday was good! 

We then Welcomed some new missionaries who are doing MTC in our mission. That was pretty cool. That involved us being at the office all night. Good times. 

Tuesday and Wednesday passed by in kind of a blurr. Between finishing all of the projects that I was working on (cause I was leaving) and training the new guy (also cause I was leaving) and just worrying in general (once again, also cause of the whole leaving thing) Time flew by. 

I did get most all of the projects I've been working on done. A few music videos and design the pamphlets we hand out to people. Honestly. My 6 and a half months in the office flew by. Like honestly so quick. I've been through 5 APs and 3 office elders while I've been here. That's a lot. And then it was my turn to leave. 

Packing was a pain in the butt like it always is. I'm pretty sure that one of my bags was 80 pounds lol. Don't know how that is getting on the plane. 

The plane. 

Woof

So then it happened. Thursday. The day of moving. 

It started off with craziness. We woke up and I finished up all of my packing. We then get a call from my favorite Elder Pond saying "ELDER BAIRD WE ARE GOING TO MISS OUR TRAIN WHAT DO WE DO????????" to which I say, "Why are you talking in all caps?" it was odd. 

So we then grab all the tickets cause Elder Miller also was gonna miss his train. Now the problem is is that they were going very faraway, and if they missed their train it would mean other people wouldn't have companions and it would be a mess. 

So we get to the train station hoping to meet up with them. The train was coming in 20 minutes. And they were 15 minutes out. 

Then there was traffic. Train comes in 15 minutes... They are still 13 minutes out. 

Then the train got there in 5 minutes. And they were 10 minutes out. 

We prayed. 

And when we got to the train station we found out that the train had been delayed. When I heard that I just felt this jolt kind of go through my body, just knowing that this was from God. Somehow. Hours before he knew the situation that would happen, and he knew that the train would be delayed. And he knew we would all be running around like headless chickens and knew that it would be all good. 

God's Plan

God's plan

Ey! 

I feel... Okay that is enough. 

So then I had breakfast for the last time with the Petersons. Sad. Then I said goodbye to everyone I've worked with in the office for the past 6 months. These senior missionaries have become some of my best friends. And that was hard. Then I was driven to the train station with my companion and said goodbye to my old companion. Also sad. 

Just lots of sad. 

And then began the adventure of life being a zone leader with Elder Gardner. And let's just say it has been a 127894 degree turn. And if you turn that many degrees you get real dizzy. Trust me. 

First we had a train ride down to Xinzhu. My new area. And it's out there guys. Not as much as Hualian, my first area, but close. The first and last. Both out of the city. Pretty great! 

We spent the whole time on the train planning! An hour and a half. It was great! 

We then had sooo many lessons just that day and did so much. We also met Tom. More on him later. 

Once we got to the apartment I knew we were going to have to do some rearranging. Beds needed to be moved. Stuff needed to be cleaned up. And I was ready to go. But first had to do missionary work. 

Guys it was so awesome to mount the bike again and just go crazy! We immediately started getting ready for the zone vision and what we were going to do to help everyone out. Being back in the work has felt so incredibly amazing. I loved my time in the office. But it felt great to be out. And not just out, but busy! 

Then we knocked out cause tired from work. Feels the best. 

The next day was Friday. We had a lot of lessons and had WPS. Weekly Planning session. I learned about all of our friends and we talked about what we were going to do to help then. We talked about basically everything. Then we got with the STLs and discussed our zone vision. We received some great inspiration and put together a plan that we think will be so great! Our zone seems to really be behind it so that is great! 

More lessons and stuff. And it was a rap. 

Then on Saturday Elder Gardner and I just talked about what we wanted to do as a companionship this transfer. And it was awesome to see how in tune we were and how in sync. We both have the exact same goal. To be a consecrated missionary. And we are both willing to do whatever it takes to get there. And both wiling to help each other out! 

And I am so grateful to be companions with him. We both want to be sooo busy and Elder Gardner is keeping us busy. When we are just talking, we are either getting to know each other better, or we are talking about how to help our zone or friends. And I love that! These past 3 days have felt more like being a real missionary than any other time in my mission. 

Now that is unfair. Because what I perceive as being a missionary is not actually what being a missionary is. I've been a missionary for the best 20 months and been fine. But being busy and so focused is just the best. 

We then found out that church was shutting down. 

In the bast 3 days Taiwan has had 500 covid cases. Which doesn't sound big to all yall Americans. But to go from 0 to 500 in just 3 days is terrifying. And everyone is way scared. 

Church is shut down. You are not allowed to be in groups larger than 5 people if you are in Taipei. And literally everywhere is empty. There is a lot of fear. 

It was also really hard for us missionaries, even though we don't live in Taipei and the place we are is suuuuper safe. We are still not able to contact people. President has told has to stay home or at the church and call. And this a huge shift from just 3 days prior when everything was normal. And was a blow to zone moral. 

But we were able to find a way fro everyone to take the sacrament on Sunday which was amazing and really helped out! We are taking it like champs and moving right along! 

We took sacrament on the roof of a members house with a bunny. A new experience. But one never to be forgotten since I was able to bless the bread in Chinese. Being able to worthily bless and partake of the sacrament is one of the best things ever! Highly recommend! 

We then got to meet with Tom. Tom was met on Friday. He was riding his motorcycle. We were late. Still decided to talk to him. He prayed with us on the street. And set up. We met with him on Sunday and told him about Jesus to which he responds, I would love all of my guilt and shame to be washed away. I feel like they've piled up on me. 

So we shared about baptism. 

He said he'd like that. 

But he didn't want to make a goal at that time and that is okay! We are working with Tom! He told us though that he really knows that his can bless his life! Guys we've hardly taught him everything and he already knows that this is the way to improve!!!! So amazing! I have seen soooo many miracles in the past 3 days and it has been awesome! This is the life! 

And then covid. 

But we don't let Satan stop us! No we don't! 

Anyways I love all you guys, hope yall had a fandidilitastic week and eat a real Costco hot dog for me! Yay! 

Love, 

Elder Baird

Something About Socks

As I've been with Elder Gardner I have felt the spirit in our lessons so strongly. Mainly manifest in the fact that I don't know what I should say, and as I speak my mouth is filled and I bear powerful testimony that I didn't even know I had. This happened with Tom as I bore testimony with power and authority from God about the saviors atonement. I didn't know what to say, but what I said was incredibly powerful because it was the words of the holy ghost. 

God loves his children enough to allow me to use my mouth to help them. And he gives me the words. That's how great his love is. Go and give it a try! 

WEEK 86 TAIPEI/TIANMU: An email for my mother because she said today is all about her

Hey peeps! I decided to P-day today and talk to my mom cause Mother's Day. Sooooo. Rip this will be short.

It was a good week!

I got news that I'm moving to Xinzhu!!! This is where I wanted to go and the best of it all is that I'm with Elder Gardner!!! Probably the most consecrated missionary in the mission! I'm so excited to learn from him for the next 6 weeks as I learn my last area. It's weird knowing that I'm going to my last area. But I'm so excited for this change and to go be a real missionary again!

However this week was pretty great! We did some audio and video recording. I recorded my first quarter and piano vocal solo piece. Bought a super nice audio interface to do. And had a great time recording music videos.

And also

Yah, honestly I'm just gonna end it here! Hahaha having to much fun! We went and pet pigs and ducks and goats and stuff.

Here's a note from my journal. It's about charity which is great! Here it is!

Love you all!

Elder Baird

Moroni 10:20 Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.

   21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.

I've always wondered why these 3 were so important. Why they were so linked together and what their point was. I've always been confused.

But I got it! A little.

Charity is the pure love of Christ. If we do not love our fellow men then we cannot enter into God's kingdom. We can't. It's a commandment to love others.

But if we didn't believe that God exists, would we go out of our way to love people? The natural man does not have charity for others. Is not willing to sacrifice for others or give money to others unless he gets something out of it (recognition or praise)

But if we have faith that God exists and loves us we will be willing to sacrifice for others. If we believe that Jesus sacrificed everything for us then we will be willing to pay it forward to others.

People who don't have faith in Christ don't believe that it is because of Christ that we have everything.

As well, we have to have hope in eternal life. We can believe in God, but if we do t hope for eternal life, or hope that we can achieve it, we won't work for it.

This is how faith hope and charity are linked! Can't believe that I've finally learned about this! 終於了！

WEEK 85 TAIPEI/TIANMU: RIP Harold the Duck

It's been a rough week. 

Love, 

Elder Baird

Didn't fool anyone? Yah probably not, I don't think I'm physically capable of writing and email that short. 

But it has been hard! I guess I should explain it... 

Harold has been my best friend for about 8 months now. He has gone everywhere with me. He is super cute and yellow and wears a pink helmet and I love him very much. 

And he is no longer with us. 

I don't know what happened to Harold the duck. One minute he was here, the next minute he was gone. Where to is the question on everyone's mind. And I just know he's in a better place. 

I am sad that he will no longer accompany me on my bike trips. But there is always a time for everything we love. 

And that is why it was a hard week. 

Other than that it was still kinda a hard week, granted the other stuff was more real than losing a plastic duck. But I really did love that duck and it meant a lot to me. One of my old companions gave it to me. 

However, sometimes life is hard. I wrote something about it. It will be in the bottom down with my socks. 

I had interviews with President. I really love him a lot. 

Thursday was an "over-dayer" as in, we didn't leave the office. Big sads. I was way hyped to go out the next day and so some good work. 

Then my companion was sick and we stayed inside all day again. 

And that is life. Sometimes dreams are only dreams. But it's better to have good ones than bad ones. And I'd rather have dreamed and lost than to never have dreamed at all (that was faintly poetic) 

Hahahah

Haha

Ha... 

Ha.. 

Yah... 

I got to watch to people I met get baptized. 

About 5 months ago I received a phone call from a guy who wanted to come to church. I said "yes" (duh) and he came to church with his girlfriend. We did a chapel tour, they went to church, we got 2 new friends and it was a huge miracle. They were suuuuuper interested. Like the guy, Hank, had already finished the pearl of great price before he came to church. Why he started with the pearl of great price we may never know. But that is how interested he was. 

We found out they lived in the APs area so we passed them on over. 

And he and his now wife got baptized on Friday. 

They got married in the morning and then baptized that afternoon. And I was so happy for them! It was amazing to see them make this Covenant with God. And how willing they were to do so. 

And it was a huge miracle for me because guys! I did nothing! I literally met them once and then passed them off and they got baptized! I did literally nothing!!! And that made me so happy! Cause I did exactly what God needed me to do which was to answer that phone call 5 months ago so that this could happen. 

So cool. 

God can do his own work. But thankfully he lets us participate so we can learn. And I am so grateful for that! 

Saturday brought some cool miracles in personal study. Just some good help while I was feeling low. God is really good a that. It's like he loves me or something. It's like he loves everyone *question mark*

Oh yah

He does. 

On Sunday we rode our bikes along the river for like 40 minutes. It was pretty nice. Also good church. Had some good learning things. Had a great fast. 

Then I had rice for dinner. 

Cause I live in Asia

Then we had our monthly recent convert fireside. And that was my last one being in charge of tech and setup and stuff. 

Kinda sad. 

But that is the way of life. 

Life life life

I actually could go for some life. Eat a bowl of life for me will yah? They don't have good cereal in Taiwan (shout-out to my parents for sending cereal to Taiwan for some reason (probably love) I love them (and by parents, I mean mom, my dad thinks I get too much help from them, thankfully my mom has a soft heart) 

Yah, not much else to report on. 

So that is it! 

Love you all! 

Elder Baird

Feel free to send me an email. I won't mind. 

Something About Socks (notes from study)

Never mind, I'm not gonna copy my notes. Here's a great talk that I really love. I learned a lot from it.

The Privilege of Prayer

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/10/the-privilege-of-prayer?id=title1&lang=eng#title1

Have a good time!