What a great week it has been!!
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| Kangaroos Anyone? |
Monday afternoon Sister Gonzales, Sister Trego, Sister Roberts
and I went to see KANGAROOS! It was so fun! We went to a place called Cardinia
Reservoir Park. About 4:00 pm heaps of kangaroos started coming out of the
bush. They are such cool animals. I was able to get within about 10 feet of
them and we took lots of pictures. We even saw one with a joey in its pouch!
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| Look at the cute joey |
On Wednesday night we had another lesson with an investigator.
He is slowly learning more and progressing but at the same
time it's really hard. He can't accept the fact that he might be wrong about
something so it's hard to know how to help him. He's been meeting with
missionaries for almost a year now. We are really praying for him to know what
the next step with him is. Yesterday in Ward Council they decided we will all
have a fast for him next week that he will have a change of heart and a miracle
will happen.
On Thursday we had interviews with President and Sister Maxwell
as well as some training from the APs. President and Sister Maxwell are so
amazing. They care so much about all of us as missionaries. It's like having a
set of foster parents out here. The APs did some awesome training about working
more with the members. We are doing a lot more to get the members involved in
the work, especially after the leadership broadcast. Our mission goal for this
quarter is 163 baptisms. Our motto is "Members are the Key 163."
Unless the members help the missionaries, our success is limited. As missionaries
and members work together as a team the success doubles. Our ward is really
doing a lot to step up and assist us more in the work. We went to Ward Council
on Sunday morning and everyone was so helpful and encouraging. It is so wonderful
to have support and help from the ward members. In Texas we didn't really have
that and it made things really hard (especially since we weren't allowed to
tract there).
This weekend we had four laurels from another stake staying with
us for their mini-missionary weekend. Sister G and I had two other sisters with us. They were awesome. They had a go get 'em attitude and
worked really hard. We were able to go on splits on Saturday all day with them
and we got so much work done. It was great!
Yesterday was the best day of my mission so far because NAOMI GOT
BAPTIZED!! Her baptism was last night and it was beautiful. She looked so
happy. We had a lot of support from the ward at the baptism too which was so
awesome. She is a completely different person than when I met her 16 days ago.
The first night when we were in her home I saw a sadness and emptiness in her
eyes that broke my heart. But now if you look into her eyes there is such a
peace, hope and happiness there. She was truly prepared by the Lord. I never
thought someone could be ready for baptism so quickly but she truly was. Every
lesson, every commitment we gave her, she just drank everything in. She is
amazing. It was such a wonderful night. Her sons came to her baptism and I know
that they felt the spirit. I am praying that they will have their hearts
softened and have a desire to know more of the gospel and follow their mom's
example.
One thing I have been really working on this week is having
patience, especially with myself. There's a quote by Sis. Holland that I have
been really focusing on in which she said, "Have the courage to be
imperfect while striving for perfection." I'm not perfect and I have been
beating myself up lately for little mistakes. I think I expect more out of
myself than anyone else does sometimes. So I have been focusing on having
patience with myself and letting my imperfections become a catalyst for growth
and change instead of becoming a roadblock.
It sounds like it's been Hotter than Hot there. Everyone keeps
telling me summer here will be really hot but we will see.
Phillip [Lauren’s brother who just left for
the Lima, Peru MTC on Wednesday] - Remember
that serving others will help you in all aspects of the work. I know that even
if you don't know completely what to say, rely on what you do know and the Holy
Ghost will be able to speak through you and touch the hearts of the people. I
hope you are loving being a missionary.
Well, I think that's about it for this week. I love you all and
pray for you every day.
Love y'all HEAPS!
Sister Baker
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