Well, I like to stay busy and lately I've felt like I haven't had any time to even think about sitting down and taking a breath. I have so much on my plate right now, I find myself taking the travel time on a local bus to try and plan and make the zone conference agenda and so many other things. Right now, I am trying to do so much and I wish I could just do a better job at all of it. In my last area, I could focus all my time on the people and I absolutely loved it but now I have so many more responsibilities to worry about. It's great, I love the work and I love to stay busy, I just wish I was better at it.
Well, I'll tell you why this week went by so fast! Last Monday night, Elder Clawson and I traveled to the other Zone leader's apartment and stayed the night there. Elder Idso and I taught a lesson to a sister named Sravanthi. She has been wanting to be baptized but has so many problems in her life. The biggest one right now being her parents wanting to force her into an arranged marriage. She was struggling with some other things also but still wants to be baptized. So, Elder Idso and I taught such a good lesson!! The spirit was so strong and we talked about the doctrine of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We talked about the constant companionship and peace and guidance and love she can receive. We realized that she needs the Holy Ghost more in her life. She said that she loves the way she feels when she meets with us and when she comes to church, but it doesn't last with her all day. We promised her that if she would be baptized on Saturday, that the trials and temptations she is receiving from Satan will go away and she will start feeling peace in her heart because of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Sravanthi decided right then and there that she was going to be courageous and follow her heart and be baptized and confirmed this week. So, Sravanthi was baptized and confirmed on Friday! After months and months of her telling about her trials and worries and struggles, she texted the day after her baptism and said she feels peace in her heart and happiness. That is the promised blessings of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Tuesday, Elder Idso and I flew to Bangalore for MLC and it was such a fun trip. We had so much fun talking to people in the airport and plane and learning so many things at MLC. We have big plans for this Bicentennial year. We plan to do a big "Hear Him" open house tour in our church next month that pretty much will be teaching about the restoration and Joseph Smith's first vision. We are really excited. Also, we talked about a lot of other good stuff about the mission and missionary work. Tuesday is when the Corona Virus was confirmed to be active in India. The first day, there were like 3 confirmed cases and by the next day, there was over 30 I believe. After MLC and as we were leaving the mission home to go to the Bangalore airport on Wednesday afternoon, one of the workers in the mission home ran upstairs and said, "Hey!! There was just 7 confirmed cases of corona virus in the Bangalore airport!" As our cab driver is packing our bags in his car to take us to the airport is downstairs. Well, we still went to the airport and we stayed safe and nothing happened(so far). Everyone was wearing masks and being careful. The airport was screening a few people. At one point, I just simply sneezed and about 20 people gave me the dirtiest look.
The last half of the week was super busy!! I was running around town because I had to attend some stake meetings to plan for our bicentennial event with the stake high council. The only problem is that the stake center is over an hour away. Also, I planned and presented our zone meeting on Friday and also.have been planning our zone conference which is this next week. While I am planning and taking care of all these things, I still have to take care and love and teach the people in my area! On top of that, I am supposed to be training Elder Clawson but feel like I have just been dragging him around to all of this stuff and I'm always on the phone hahah. Ohhh, I hope he doesn't think his companion is junk. I love Elder Clawson by the way!! He is doing sooooo much better this week. Not gonna lie, the first few days in India were rough but he is doing great now! He has adjusted this week and made a ton of progress. He is loving our work and loving the people and we are getting along and having a great time together. I'm excited for this transfer.
Well, the last super awesome thing that happened this week is that Vijaya accepted the invitation to be baptized!! She is the sweetest lady ever. Her daughter actually recently returned from her mission. I started serving in India with her like a year and a half ago. She had just come from the MTC when I got to the mission home in Bangalore. We served together in Chennai for awhile and then again in the Rajahmundry zone. Now, I am serving in her home ward and have been teaching her mom the gospel and now her mom wants to be baptized!! Super cool. The first day I came to India and met her in the mission home, I would've never thought that I would be in her home teaching her mom and helping her to get baptized but here we are a year and a half later and that's what is happening!!
Okay, I lied. One more thing!! Bashira has been the best little member missionary ever. All she talks about with her friends is her love for the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel. She invites people left and right to come and see our church, to come and learn about the true church with the correct authority. People are coming too!! This week, she brought her friend Sirisha and we taught her with the help of Bashira. She has too strong of a testimony and conversion story. I wish I could take her through the rest of my mission. Hahah I feel like Sirisha might be baptized, I'll let you know more next week!!
I love you all so much and I appreciate the love and support and prayers and everything. It means so much to hear your feedback and thoughts about my experiences. They are changing my life for the better. My testimony grows each and every day.
Love, Elder Baker
Selfie with Bishop's family and Bashira
Elder Clawson paying for a share auto as we get out at the metro station
All of the women in my ward because Sunday was Women's day! Happy women's day!
Ahhh, good airplane food. Every missionary here knows about the Paprika Chicken Tikka Sandwich.
We had to get a picture with this guy at the airport! He had the coolest beard. Turns out he was a famous guy that teaches yoga and spirituality. They were so cool and calm.
We flew with the flight attendants in training so we got a picture with all of them.
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