Elder Baird's Something About Socks: WEEK 98 XINZHU: That's all Folks.... (Is he legally allowed to say that?)

Is this the real life?

Is this just fantasy?

Caught in a landside,

No escape from reality

These lyrics are about how I feel right now... As I'm sitting here trying to type this, I really don't know what to type. 6 days from now I will be on a plane... Ending the greatest adventure of my life. The mission experience has been incredible and it's just amazing. And I don't really know why it has to end.

Well, I know exactly why it has to end. But I feel like it has come too soon. The whole first part of my mission I felt that 2 years was incredibly long, and to be honest, I didn't actually believe it would end. Yes that sounds stupid, but once you start on the mission you really feel like you will be there forever. Even now I don't feel like it can end. And that has been the struggle with this whole week. My brain telling me that I'm leaving. But my spirit not wanting it to end and my soul not believing that it actually will.

And yet here I am.

If you thought going on a mission was hard, you should try going home from one. It is excruciating.

I've pondered a lot about why it has been so hard this week. And it is because of one thing, and one thing only...

I love it.

I genuinely love the mission and my time here with my whole being. Nothing has been better in my life than this. I feel like I can use Elder Hollands words when I say that there could be no one more changed by their mission experience than me. I am new. I am more like Christ. He has spiritually begotten me in these past two years. And I will never be the same.

Because I will never stop changing. The mission has made me dedicated to a cause so much bigger than myself. The cause of Christians. The cause of God himself.

And it's ending...

It's basically over...

The next time you hear from me will be my homecoming talk (if you come (which you should (yes you reading this right now, I'm talking to you (yes even if you feel like you don't know me (yes even if you live far away (there is a Zoom link (yes this is a lot of parentheses)))))))

I finally understand what the first presidency meant when they said "The Lord will reward and richly bless you as you humbly and prayerfully serve Him. More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among His children"

I remember reading this at the beginning of my mission and hating it. Mostly because I thought it was a lie because I wasn't happy. But as I gave away myself. As I forgot myself and went to work. I have found happiness. And that is because I have found Christ. And I have done everything in my power to help others find him too.

And guys... I wasn't perfect!!!! I was far from it. Maybe one of the least perfect missionaries there has ever been. But that is okay! That is no problem. God isn't expecting us to be perfect. What he does expect us to do is be humble and prayerful. And what does that mean? Well, let's look to the scriptures! 2 Nephi 32:9

"But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ. That he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that the performance may be for the welfare of thy soul"

If we were perfect, God would be unable to show his power in consecrating our efforts. I believe that God has consecrated my mission to the welfare of my soul and the welfare of the souls of others. People I don't even know, but because of the grace of God, I have been able to help.

Wow. Guys. Well. Heres the last week....

Monday. Went to the mall. Played some Chinese chess with my culture trainee. I kicked his trash. He's new so it's okay.

Then I got to Testify of Christ. And I felt the spirt. It's like it's true or something.... Man I've come so much closer to him... How many times have I said that now?

Dang, this is gonna be a rough email for everyone to read. Super sappy and cryie and spirity. Welp. Oh well.

Tuesday we woke up at 6 to catch a train to my last zone conference. Wow. Crazy. I was doing the conducting which was pretty fun. I'd never conducted a meeting before so that was a fun experience. Then I got to give my dying testimony (hopefully President Peterson doesn't read this part, he doesn't like us calling it that!)

Then we tried to catch a bus that didn't ever come because it doesn't exist I guess? That was rough hahaha. A couple of good lessons followed.

Wednesday was fun. I've been getting my companions to do Sally up with me throughout the day. It is a lot of funnnn. Helped a member move houses.

Oh yah! We dropped to level 2 which means we can do stuff with members!!! Guys!!! I got to see members face to face this week! That is a true miracle.

Then we played some ping pong cause Asia.

Thursday I didn't write my entire journal so that is awkward. But I went on my last exchange! Wah! Crazy. It just happened to be with the first elder that I went on exchanges with 3 months ago when I started zone leader. So that was cool.

So we took the hour long train ride down to their area. Picked up the elder I was going on exchanges with. Turned around to take the hour train back.

We were almost to our station when we got a call from the other elders telling us that THEY still had the keys...

So we turned around. Took an hour train ride back. Just to grab the keys, and take the hour train ride home.

Let's just say, that was a lot of trains!

Friday was my last weekly planning session. Then we went to a place to get drinks on our way to the police station (don't ask) and we asked for drinks without tea.

So of course they gave us drinks with tea.

I've probably broken the word of wisdom more on my mission than off.

Not probably. Hahaha, I never had tea until I was a missionary..... Probably shouldn't say that out loud. Maybe I should delete this line... Well?

I guess I didn't delete it in the end. Oh well. Don't blame me for my circumstances of my situation.

Then 3 of our lessons canceled on us. Let those pigeons fly*

Saturday brought early morning Frisbee with the squad. Then we met with Sean. And guys the lesson was incredible! Easily one of the smoothest in my mission. And that is because we had planned, prepared, and were worthy, so that when we started teaching we had the spirit.

And he set a baptismal date. How incredible is that????

Then we ate lunch with a member (YEEEEE) and then helped another other member move.

Then we went to bishops house for dinner and there was a lot of people there because it was also his son's farewell party because he is leaving on his mission. It was fun to talk with him. A young man about to embark on this 2 year adventure, and one on the brink of the end. He's gonna Do amazing!

Then we got transfer calls!!!! And I'm moving home! Who woulda thunk!

Then Sunday was good. I prayed more during my fast like President recommended, and I felt good about it. I recommend it too!

We had good studies and some good lessons. We were pretty busy honestly. A couple different meetings, and then a dinner appointment! In person! It felt so great to see people again. Then we came home and had 2 different coordination meetings because we cover two wards now and it was just altogether a pretty good time.

And that was the week. The last full week of the life of Elder Baird....

I feel like if I keep typing I'l just continue to talk about how sad I am. The week has been pretty hard mentally. But that is okay. So I'm just going to end it here.

I love you all! Please come to my homecoming so I can see you guys in person!

I believe in Christ. He is my King. My Savior. And my friend. It is because of Him that I left, and it is because of Him that I'm still here. It is because of Him that I want to live the rest of my life following Him. He is the rock of my testimony, and every day he become more and more the rock of my life. He is the Christ. He is Jesus of Nazareth. Born in a stable. Jesus the Jew. Killed on a cross. Jesus the Messiah. Resurrected in Glory. Jesus the Christ, sitting on the right hand of God.

Go and follow Him. For two years I have pointed others to Him. And I hope I have been able to point you, yes you reading this email, to Him. That is my purpose as a missionary, and the purpose of my life.

Love you,

Elder Baird

Something about socks

This week is a quote from my amazing mother.

"it will be a week of many lasts...it's the only way to open the window to many firsts"

She was right when she sent this to me. And I think this is how I want to live my life. A last is just the beginning of a new first. Let's live life like that.

The Zoom link for my homecoming

https://zoom.us/j/75804600491?pwd=eVpBb3BlN3RISHpLMXVJS3VkcW1wUT09

Pictures