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!
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