Elder Braden Baker: The days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel like days

The weeks are going by so fast. Transfers are so much fun. I am starting to settle in well and I am learning the area here in Bangalore. We have so much work to do which is awesome. I love it because teaching is so much fun and the members are great and the people we are teaching are also doing great right now. The more appointments we can get in a week, the faster the weeks go by. It's like I can't get a hold of the weeks. Sunday nights are like a shock each week. My companion and I were getting home from a late appointment Sunday night at like 10 PM and both of us were like, "what the heck, tomorrow is P-day!!"

So, we had MLC this week which is Mission Leadership Council and we got to meet with the new mission president and his wife. The training we received was so good! It was awesome because President and Sister Thomas just came from the MTC. Their MTC is the mission president seminar which is three days straight with the Prophet, The First Presidency, and the twelve apostles. So, the training we received was pretty much straight from the prophet. No big deal. We learned about changing the culture in the church, the mission, the home from a "rule-based checklist" to a more true disciple based culture. Are we living the gospel and keeping the commandments because we need to check that off of our list or is it because we love God? We also learned about spreading the missionary work through the ward members because every member is a missionary. Heck, we don't even wear our tags here so we are like the same.

We are visiting as many members as we can and really building the trust to work in unity. It is going great because most of the people we are teaching are members friends and family which is great because they are progressing. One really cool blessing happened this week for us because of working with the members.

So, when I first got here I was trying to meet the members. I talked to one family and got to know them a little bit and we made a good relationship pretty quick. They know Tamil, I know Tamil. They like America, I am from America. They like baking, I'm Elder Baker. hahah lots of other things as well. Anyway, I made an appointment to visit their home and meet with them! They said sure and were excited to have us over. I told my companion and he was like, "who??" Turns out this family has been inactive for 10+ years and felt like they should just come. They were so happy someone talked to them and wanted to come to their home. We went to their home and got to know more about the family. We thought we were just visiting a member family but we came to find out that he two kids, a 19 year old daughter and a 13 year old son have never been baptized but they said they want to!! Oh, it was a good shock.

I am just so grateful for our Heavenly Father that loves all of His children on Earth. He knows exactly what needs to happen on Earth and who we need to meet. I am grateful also that I followed the direction of the spirit and talked with this family. Once again a testimony and example that God knows His children and has a plan for them. God's Plan is the best plan. It is up to us to live that plan though. It's not up to me whether you follow God's plan and I don't know how you will end up but I know the answer lies in your hands! Just consider the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments. Mosiah 2:41

That's all I have time for this week everyone. I love and miss you all. OH, I forgot to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July. I almost forgot because that is not a thing here in India obviously. No parades, no fireworks, no barbeques, no family games. It was just a normal ol' day for us. Bangalore is really treating me well though. The weather, the work, the people are all great. I know I am exactly where I need to be in my life rn! I am happy and that is all I can ask for.

I love you all. Love, Elder Baker