Elder Braden Baker: We Found a Lost Sheep

This week went by really fast because on Tuesday and Wednesday I was on exchange with Elder Idso in his area and then on Wednesday night, the assistants came to go on exchange with me. So, Thursday and Friday I was with one of the assistants on exchange. That was an awesome experience to be with them and learn from them. We also had some more miracles and the work is just going well right now in Hyderabad! I am even more excited for this week though because we have Zone Conference and Bashira's baptism!!

I was on exchange with Elder Idso this week. First of all, It was TOO much fun to teach a lesson to someone who spoke good English and my companion knew the doctrine well and is a good teacher also. It's been a little while since I had that. Anyway, we taught a powerful lesson about the priesthood authority and how to receive the gift of the Holy ghost. At the beginning of the lesson, I was asking some pre questions to get to know them. The lady was just straight bragging about her church that she has been raised in and showing us all her stuff from her church. By the end of the lesson, the spirit touched her and she got quiet and said, "Elders, I have been going to church for the last 30 years and hearing the scriptures and the messages and then just simply coming back home. I've been doing this for 30 years and never received the holy ghost." So, I invited her right there to be baptized and receive it by someone holding the correct authority. She accepted. She and her son came to church Sunday and she set herself a baptism date. It felt good to have someone understand true doctrine and be ready to act on it.

Another miracle that happened while I was on exchange in this area is that I found a lost sheep with the help of the Meacham family. So, my friend back home got his mission call to my same mission which is pretty crazy so we were excited about that. Turns out his sister Sydnee served in Washington D.C. and while she was serving she found an Indian online and taught him and introduced him to the gospel and then referred him to the elders. He was taught and baptized but they lost contact with him. When they found out I was in India, they gave it a shot to tell me his name. I asked where he lives and they said Hyderabad! The very next day, I had an exchange to go to 3rd ward that I had planned 3 weeks ago. I went with Elder Idso and we had an appointment in this guys same area. I called him, and told him that I know Sister Meacham that he met online. He was excited that we called and came and we met him! Turns out he went inactive because his work transferred him a while back and he was working every Sunday. He still has a testimony and reads the Book of Mormon. Just 10 days ago, he moved back permanently to Hyderabad. That's right when I called him and met him. He was excited to come back to church. The whole timing of everything was just amazing for me to talk with the Meacham's the day before I was going on exchange in this guys area that had just moved there permanently and was ready to come back to church. We found a lost sheep. Shoutout to Sydnee and the Meacham family and the Elders that taught this brother. Obviously a bigger shoutout to God, the one who organized it all and has a grand plan.

This week I was studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I don't feel like English is sufficient for me to put into words the atonement. It is the single one thing that makes everything in life worth it. 2 Nephi 9:6-9 explains what would happen if there was no atonement. We would be cut off from the presence of the Lord, we would be damned but "O the wisdom of God" to have literally a perfect plan. The Atonement is the perfect and only way to save all mankind from death and sin and be able to progress, to feel hope, and most importantly return to our father in heaven. There is so much more but I am grateful for a God that has such a great plan and Jesus Christ for his atonement.

I love you all and will see you next week!

Love, Elder Baker