In Sacramento!

Sister MJ Baird and her MTC companion Sister Koller - photo credit to Patrick Twomey

President and Sister Jardine  talking to new missionaries - photo credit to Patrick Twomey

New California Sacramento Missionaries arriving
- photo credit to Patrick Twomey

Hey all!!.  

Life in Cali is surprising COLD. Yes, the temperature is higher, but man I am still freezing! Getting her was fun. I slept the whole plane ride, out like a light. Seeing my Mission President for the first time was amazing. We were walking down the escalator and he was there with his wife just waiting for us. They already had so much love for us. Upon arrival, we took pictures and talked for a bit and then went to the mission home. 

President Jardine speaking with new missionaries

President and Sister Jardine and all the new California Sacramento Mission missionaries
- photo credit to Patrick Twomey

They gave us food and then sent us straight into interviews with the Mission President. He was so kind and loving. I was first, thanks to my awesome last name, but hey it was good. He is so inspired. Barely knows me and out of the blue, he says you're a leader aren't you? He didn't know me, but he could tell. I’m not a huge leader, but I think I am a little at least. It was amazing. I got to tell him why I went on a mission and we just talked. 

Sister Baird and her companion/trainer Sister Anderson

Getting my trainer was awesome. I was the first sister to be shown who my trainer was. The cool thing in this mission is that they don't assign you who your trainer is until after your interview with President Jardine. When the assignments are made for who your trainer will be, that is when the trainers find out who they are training. I was the first sister who was assigned, so of course, I had everyone as an option. Well, besides the Spanish sisters. My trainer is named Sister Anderson and she is from Oregon. She is super nice! 

I've already been in a lesson, short but we set up a return appointment - so that was amazing. I love it already. Worked out this morning, yes worked out. I know it’s crazy. Bought food for the first time today. That was fun. 

I will hopefully have more details about life next week. I love you all so so much.

Until nexr time,

Sister MJ Baird


SIDE NOTES:

Sister Baird has been assigned to labor in the Folsum area. She'll be serving in the Folsom 2nd and Folsum 4th Ward in the Folsum California Stake. She lives with a member of the church. I'm attaching a copy of part of her mission boundaries and I've outlined in yellow the area she'll be serving in to start!

LAST WEEK IN THE MTC!

In order, top row R to L: Elder  Willoughby, Elder Horman, Elder Fowler, Elder Quinn
Middle row: Sister Megan Baird, Sister Koller (her companion!), Sister Christensen, Sister Brown
Bottom row: Sister Hatch, Sister Leavitt (went to BYU-Hawaii!), Sister Rushton

Sister Baird standing in front of the infamous 'World Map' that is at the MTC
where all missionaries stand in front of to get their picture taken.

Okay, so I know last week was my first week in the MTC email, but turns out it is my last preparation day in the MTC! Next Sunday, during the middle of the night, I will be flying out to Sacramento!! I can't express how excited I am to be in the field. Teaching real people, it is going to be so amazing!! Well, I am officially acting Sister Training Leader with my companion, which means we are the oldest in the zone. When the heck did that happen? We also get the second batch of newbies on Wednesday since I have been here. Time seriously flies by when you are doing the work of the Lord. 

One of the cool things we do here at the awesome MTC is TRCs. It is where we teach two investigators for a week, with 3 or 4 appointments. They could be real investigators or members of the church, we don't actually know. Buttttt, with the two we had last week we got both on date for baptism and we got them to agree to meet with missionaries in their actual areas in case they were real investigators. Oh the feeling of bringing the gospel to people is amazing!! I love it so incredibly much!

Sister Koller and Sister Baird

This week it is going to be short, because seriously an hour is just so stinking short.

My companions name is Sister Koller. She is from the Cash Valley area here in Utah. My district has four sisters going to Sacramento, myself included.  A trio of sisters going to the Houston South Mission, one set of Elders going to Washington Kenniwick Mission and the other set going to Arkansas Bentonville Mission. I am sorry for the terrible spelling that just went on. - (Dad corrected!) We are so incredibly close and love each other so much. it is definitely unusual for so many of us to be going to different places, but we know that we were put together for a reason. This district is inspired. The Lord is amazing.

Sister Baird's MTC District

I love the MTC. To anyone going in soon, please remember that it truly is about your attitude! Next time I email, I will most llikely be in CALI!! 

If I don't respond to you personally please know I want to, but with the time I am given sometimes, it just is not possible. I do love getting the emails throughout the week. I love each and everyone of the them. Hearing about you and your lives. It inspires me to keep moving forward. Stay wonderful.

And some advice from Elder Holland about sharing the gospel. Don't be afraid to open your mouth. By staying quiet that is you allowing satan to bind your tongue. It definitely gave me a new perspective.

Also met two missionaries going to the CHICAGO WEST mission. I was so excited. 

Alright all!! Until next time.

Much love always,

Sister Megan Baird

Carys Bott (friend from BYU-Hawaii), Sister Baird
and Elder McKee (MJ's friend from BYU-Hawaii - who was in the MTC at the same time as her.

Sister Baird and Sister Koller

  

Sister Koller and Sister Baird 

Sister Baird in front of the Provo Temple in Provo, UT

Elder Fowler taking a selfie with Sister Koller and Sister Baird (other Elders I don't have names for.)

Sister Megan Baird with Elder and Sister Baird - obviously a picture was taken b/c they share the same last name!

So, those of you in the Rockford, Illinois Stake will know these two! Of course, Sister Baird had to take a picture of their plaque!

Sister Emily Peterson and Sister Baird
(A dear family friend that arrived at the MTC the same day as Sister Baird and she is headed to Mongolia for her mission.)

It's already been a week??

Hey all!!

Okay, hopefully I don't forget anything. Someone once told me that once you get to email everything fades away and you never know what to write. Well they were right, good thing I made a list. 

I figured I should start with when I got to the MTC. It was so incredible. My family and I actually beat the rush so we did not have to worry about anyone rushing us. That was so nice. They were kind enough to take pictures for us. They walked me inside and I sat on a couch. I was officially there. As some of you may know I have constantly been trying to find someone going to my mission who is speaking English...well!!! First person I sit next to, nice young Elder going to my mission speaking ENGLISH! Who would have thought. We got our name tags, and let me tell you, I could not stop smiling. I was officially a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, inside and outside. I could not get the smile off of my face. They brought us to the classroom and the learning began. The amount of learning and progression that has taken place in just a week, is not humanly possible. The only way is truly by the spirit. I can promise you that. The Lord is definitely helping us. 

So part of the organization is being in a district, which is basically the class I am in and become super good friends with. There are three districts in a zone. I don't know if that made any sense, but I tried. In my district we have four elders, and seven sisters, yes a trio is there. Four of the sisters, including myself are going to sacramento Calfornia and we are all english. I truly could not have asked for a better district. We are all different, but are a little family. we love each other so so much. Every night we end our daily planning by counting our blessing, or going around each naming a blessing or two from the day and then praying as a district. We are all so close, it is amazing. 

One of the most amazing devotionals we got to watch this Sunday was called Character of christ by Elder Bednar and it was AMAZING. I would say watch it, but it is only shown in the MTC. Go on a mission ;) It was truly amazing. One of the biggest things i learned from it was to turn outward and not inward. We need to fight the natural man and not let it win. it is going to be hard, but with the Lord we can do anything. We need to stop being so focused on ourselves and truly focus on others and loving and serving them. 

Of course this will come as no surprise, but I joined the MTC choir. Oh my flip. It is amazing. the spirit there is unlike any other. there is no way a group that large should sound that good that quickly. I get to go up to a high A and that of course makes it that much better. Oh goodness, I just love it. 

On Sunday we also got to take a walk to the Provo temple and it was beautiful! I saw a guy who was 7 feet tall. Yes I got a picture with him, no I can't attach it because I have no idea how to get pictures from my camera on here.. Sorry? Maybe I'll be able to figure it out eventually. this was almost the moment I got to see the wonderful Sister Pratt, but I won't go into detail, just know it was amazing.

So some cool news, and sorry this is getting so long... but I am an Sister Training Leader for my district! They are eqivalent to zone leaders, but the sister side :) That was so kind of them to ask my companion and I, well assign I guess. I think others may have done a great job, but I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in such a position and so many people. I love it. My last week I will become acting STL for the Zone I am in. 

Okay last thing for this week, I wanted to let you all know that I can read emails throughout the week, I just can't respond until Tuesday during my hour of email. i will do my best to reply, but please be understanding, I don't have much time. You can also send me dear elders, which are basically like sending me letters, but you don't have to do anything but send it in and it is free. They print them off and give them to us the same day. So please write and send emails. They definitely keep me going through out the week. I will try to keep next week shorter! I guess I just had a lot to say. I love you all so so much and miss you more than you know, but I promise you that this is where I am meant to be and where I need to be. I know this church is true without a shadow of a doubt and that continues to grow stronger every day. I love you!!

Much Love Always,

Sister Megan (MJ) Baird