Melbourne Mission Moments 10/06/14
I can't even begin to tell you how
surreal it feels to be here at the end of my mission. It still hasn't hit me
yet. I can't believe it has been 18 months. My last full week of missionary
service couldn't have been better. It wasn't because we had huge success or had
any huge miracles happen. But it was because I felt such a love for the work
and the people. We didn't achieve a lot of our goals and we had more
appointments fall through than I think we ever have. But, we kept working. I
was so determined to not let Satan get to me and make me feel discouraged. I
think that I appreciated every moment of this week more than ever. I felt the
guidance of the spirit as we knew exactly where to go or what to do. It has
been such a good week.
On Monday I found a quote by Spencer
W. Kimball. It says, "To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes
on this Earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble
calling... She has been placed here to help enrich, to protect, and to guard
the home--which is society's basic and most noble institution." As I read
this, I thought about how grateful I am to know that I am a daughter of my
Heavenly Father. Also an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for being a sister
missionary. Sisters can work miracles. I don't say that to boast but because I
know that it is true. We are able to get into hearts and homes that Elders
never would be able to. I've seen people open up to us and completely change
their lives.
Tuesday we were at MLC all day. I am
so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend MLC during my mission. I
always feel so uplifted and feel such strength from being around so many
incredible missionaries. As I looked around the room, I realized that it was a
room full of people who are true friends. I am so grateful to have served with
such amazing missionaries who I know will be friends forever--whether we stay
in close contact or not. A few highlights from MLC:
- You have to
make deposits in another person's emotional bank account in order to have
credibility with them.
- We have to
turn every conversation into a gospel conversation.
- It is
impossible to overstate the influence of the Book of Mormon in conversion.
- The single
most important thing a missionary can do is to let go of who he thinks he
is and become who he really is.
- If
missionaries will become master planners, they will baptize twice as many
people because Heavenly Father will trust them with people.
At the end of MLC, they had the four
missionaries who are leaving this transfer bear their testimonies. Man, it's
hard to talk about your mission and not get emotional. When we left MLC we had
to drive to the airport to drop off the Tassie STLs. It's a good thing we left
early to get them to the airport because our GPS went crazy and we were going
who knows where! But we got them there in time!
Wednesday morning we were able to see
J and N. That afternoon we had district finding. I was with Sister A knocking
on some doors. In an hour and a half, we got invited inside three times! After
that we had a lesson with K and B and taught them the Plan of Salvation. That
evening before dinner, we stopped by a less-active's home. She was so happy to
have us there. She wants her 3 sons to be baptized! We're not sure if the
father will allow them to but we're going to start teaching the boys,
nonetheless. We invited them to come to church on Sunday and they actually
came!
Thursday morning as I was reading 1
Nephi 4:6 about Nephi saying he was led by the spirit, not knowing before what
he was supposed to do, I realized that has been a theme of my whole mission. We
plan every night and I never feel an overwhelming sense of where to go or what
to do, but thoughts and ideas come to mind and we write them down. Usually I
can't distinguish whether it's my thoughts or the spirit. It's not until the
next day that we go out and do that I can see that it was heavenly inspiration
coming as we planned the night before.
After studies we had our zone
meeting. I've been in such a great zone these last few transfers! I was able to
give a "departing testimony" again and I just cried again. Then the
closing song was "God be With You Till We Meet Again." Man did that
get the waterworks going. Those are the moments that it has felt real that my
mission is coming to an end. We had dinner with Aunty and Uncle K that night. I
love them so much. I have met some of the most amazing people in Australia! I
feel so blessed.
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| Last dinner with Aunty and Uncle K |
Friday morning we got permission to
go into the city and go to the Victoria Markets. We went with a couple of YSA
in our stake, B and B. They just got engaged last week which is so cute! But it
was so fun to go with them! And the markets were so fun! I got some really cool
stuff that I'm excited to show you! After we got back, we picked up one of the
Laurels and went to have a lesson with K and B. We taught the 10 commandments
which was good. K is a bit hesitant about getting baptized. I think that she's
mostly nervous, so we're slowly helping her along. That evening the L family
took us to dinner. They are the most beautiful Samoan family that I love so
much!
Saturday morning as I prayed to start
my personal studies, I prayed to know what I could do to make the most of my
last full day of missionary work. (I knew that Sunday would be crazy with
church and meetings and things so Saturday would be our last full day.) I
opened up the Ensign and read the perfect talk by President Utchdorf. A few
things that stuck out to me:
- "Discipleship
is the pursuit of holiness and happiness. It is the path to our best and
happiest self."
- "External
circumstances don't really matter or determine our happiness. We do
matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are in
charge of our own happiness."
- "It's not
a race, it's a journey. Enjoy the moment."
- "Sometimes
in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find
joy in the journey."
- "Let us
resolve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances."
It was exactly what I needed that
morning. As I left the flat, I was determined to be happy and to really enjoy
the day. And I did. It was such a good day! We were able to teach several
lessons in the morning and in the afternoon we did a lot of finding. We met so
many people who wanted to have us back. Each person we talked to just seemed so
prepared. And I loved every moment of it. That evening we went to the chapel to
watch the General Women's Broadcast which was a perfect way to end the day. I
felt such a love for the temple throughout the meeting. I am so grateful to
live in Utah where we have temples so accessible. I felt strongly that I need
to make sure I go to the temple weekly when I am at home. Tomorrow morning I
have the opportunity to attend the Melbourne Temple one last time which I am
really looking forward to!
My last Sunday was one of the best.
When we arrived to the chapel, Brother and Sister B from Churchill Park were
there. They had come to a baby blessing in the ward the meets before us. It was
so good to see them! They ended up staying for our Sacrament meeting so they could
hear my testimony which was so nice of them. Sister B has been my second mum in
Australia. She has so much love to give and I so enjoyed being able to see
them! The K family also surprised me and came to the ward. Oh how I love them.
They are such a special family. I have no doubt that they are part of the
reason I needed to come to Melbourne. D just cried and cried when she hugged
me. They are doing so well. They are taking the temple prep class. I can't wait
for the day that their family gets sealed in the temple. I want to be there. We
also had 3 investigators come to church and several less-actives that we had
invited! The testimony meeting was such a good one. It was such a wonderful day.
After church we spent time visiting people who have meant so much to me in this
ward. I am so grateful to have Tarneit as my last area. The people here are so loving.
I have been so blessed.
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| The K family -- I love this family so much! |
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| Me and my companion with Tarneit ward members! |
I can't believe my mission is coming
to an end. It has been the best 18 months of my life. I am so grateful for this
exact day, 2 years ago when President Monson announced the age change for
missionaries. I will never forget that day. It changed my life. The mission has
been the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding. I have
met so many incredible people and have had so many amazing experiences. I have
changed. I have become so converted to this gospel. Of all the things that I
have learned there are a few that particularly stand out:
- Heavenly Father
is really our Father. He knows us and He LOVES us. I have felt that love
in such significant and powerful ways. I know that He hears and answers my
prayers. I have come to understand His love just a little bit better as I
have looked into the eyes of complete strangers and felt sincere love for
them.
- Change IS
possible. And it is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Before
the mission I knew what the Atonement was but now I know what it feels
like. Anyone can change. I have seen it in myself and in others.
- My plans are
always plan B. Heavenly Father's plans are so much greater than my own.
His plan was for me to serve a mission. And I'm so grateful that I was
able to realize that was his plan for me.
- The Book of
Mormon is true. I have read it more on my mission than I have in my entire
life. I LOVE that book. I know that it is true because I have prayed and
gained that knowledge for myself.
There are so many other things that I
have learned but I would never have time to share all of them. I can't say
enough how grateful I am for the mission. It's so bittersweet that it is coming
to an end. But, I know that Heavenly Father still has plans for me. There are
things for me to do and become that I can look forward to.
Thank you for all the love and
support that you have given to me. I never could have done it without you. It
means so much to know that I have a wonderful family at home that supports me
and backs me up 100%. I can't wait to see you all in a few days. It
doesn't feel real.
Love you all heaps and heaps and
heaps!
Sister Baker xxx
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