Elder Baird's Something About Socks: WEEK 95 XINZHU: A week of.... Well.... Normalcy? Can that be said of missionary work? It was a normal amount of crazy?

Dang. That was a fast one. Let's just get to it!

Monday was a great day.

Basically we just went to Costco and I blew my MSF like one does at Costco. I then worked on the puzzle and played some board games with the compiono (said in an Italian accent)

Then we met with some young men that we are helping get out on missions, it's probably one of my most favorite things to do. To see these young men who will be going out soon, one leave in August, and just helping them get ready and knowing how awesome the time is going to be for them. It's amazing.

It makes me sad that I did like hardly any prep. We meet with these guys twice a week. I had never met missionaries before my mission. Maybe once when I was young they came over for a couple minutes, but I have no recollection of any interaction. That is something I regret, but now I can help other people and it is great!

We then hung out with the traveling assistants, they came to have a sleep over. It was pretty fun.

And that was the day!

Tuesday I forgot to write in my journal... I was on exchanges and the elder needed to talk, so we talked. It was a good day though!

Wednesday was great because we started the day waking up early and playing Frisbee! Again playing Frisbee with a mask is kinda the worse. So I didn't. And it was just a goooood time.

Then we had a meeting with all the mission leaders and I started feeling anxious because we weren't doing as good as we should be doing, and there was a lot to change and I was like oh noooo, but after the meeting I realized... This isn't scary, this is an opportunity! And when I made that change in my head I felt great and ready to go! So do that, it' S cool.

Then the Elder made me super good Taiwanese fried rice, he's like a pro cook.

Had a good English Group. Talked about English things. I'm pretty good at English guys, not prideful or anything,

Then we got one of our new friends to come and meet with us. It was so good.

Then I finished the puzzle I'd been working on. Finished it in 8 days about. Felt pretty good about that. Not like the good old puzzle days with Mitchell where woody sat on the table for forever until McKay went and finished it XDXD

Good times.

Thursday was a cool day.

Why?

It had been exactly a year since I got on island for the first time. Crazy. That year went by soooooo fast.

There were a lot of good times!

There were also a lot of not Good times.

But why else was this a crazy day? Well I also got my flight plans, signifying I have less than one month left on island. Let's just say that's not my favorite thought or feeling ever.

We try not to think about it. Like ever.

Then we met with a guy who was soooooo funny. He had terrible English and it was the only language he wanted to use, both Chinese and Taiwanese were attempted. He just kept yelling into his phone "CHINESE BOY CHIIINEESSES BOOOOYYY" at my companion cause he couldn't remember his name.

Let's just say that didn't make my companion very happy who is very stalwart in his taiwanese citizenship. Oh well.

We won't be teaching him again.... Sad.

Then we had an LA who said he would give us ice cream if we sang him and old Chinese song.

So we sang the song.

Video below...

Still waiting on the ice cream

Friday was good. I finished 3rd Nephi and this time through I really felt like I came closer to Christ. Something that I have been doing this whole entire mission process, but it felt so different reading his own words. I love scriptures. And Jesus. And being a missionary.

We then met with a guy who was definitely playing a game of league of legends while we were talking with him..

It made me realize how much I had changed since the beginning of my mission. I probably would have done that to. So grateful for the mission clarity to give up video game addiction hahaha. Don't do it kids. It's just like drugs.

Well not exactly...

But kinda!

We then had Thai food for dinner. Called a bunch of people.

Saturday was good.

We got to go do service at a members farm! It was so awesome to be outside and just messing around in his farm. We got to help him make a pizza oven! Super fun, now I want to make a pizza oven!

Then we helped a friend overcome the 1 Nephi 4 dilemma. I think we did it!

Then we had lunch with a member.

Met with a grandma

Helped two other young men prep for their missions.

Made some macaroni vegetable thingy for dinner. It was way good!

Met a new friend.

Then we went to a members Brazilian pizza place to fold pizza boxes. It was a lot of fun, and one of our friends that we haven't seen in a long time came! So amazing!!!!

It was really fun, we then got to be in the kitchen for a little bit and it reminded me of the gold old days making pretzels. Except I think pizza is cooler.

Then they made us Brazilian pizza and boiiiiiiiiiiii it was good! Made me happy!

Sunday was church. Lessons. More lessons. More lessons.... Food?? Ummm.... Calling people...

Yah, we had one guy that we met with and the spirit basically took over and we invited him to be baptized and he accepted a date! This is the first date I've set in this area so that was an awesome miracle!!!! Did not expect it, but God did, and so that is why he stepped in!

Yah, honestly this week was pretty normal. Nothing to crazy. Lots of lessons. Lots of fun. Lots of staying inside.

Oh yah, they extended the quarantine another two weeks. So if in two weeks we re opened I will have one normal week left on the mission.... Oh well! Make the most out of it!

(I'm actually loving this version of missionary work, it is a lot more affective!)

Anyways, Love you all!

Elder Baird

Something about Socks

So.... Since nobody took me up on giving me so advice on how to fast better (cmon guys) I decided to do my own study. Like every good missionary I was reading Preach My Gospel, when I came across this line. "When we fast and pray with faith, we are more receptive to receiving answers to our prayers and blessings from the Lord."

Then the spirt taught me this "To make my fast effective I need to pray for my needs throughout the fast, not just at the beginning and then wonder when the revelation will come."

And that is my insight on how to improve my fasts. Thank you personal revelation and study!

Yay!

Pictures

Video of us singing!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QV7nKUGCavL5vuzV9