Roller Coaster of Emotions

Well hey there beautiful souls!! 

This has been quite the week, and regardless of how it ended, it was still a good week!! 

I took notes so this would go more smoothly!!

First, we had the incredible blessing of four new investigators this week. It may not be Brazil level, but hey I am pretty excited about that number. Our Zone is hitting all time highs for new investigators or friends right now. Woot woot for breaking records!! Now, a fun update on how fast things go in missionary work. 

Here is the path for these four new investigators for the week:

Investigator #1

Excited to learn and accepted a baptismal invitation. Then, chose to back pedal and would not accept date or come to church. 

Investigator #2

Referral that we received from another set of missionaries. We had a return appointment scheduled, and when we showed up, she said she did not want to learn and that we did not ever need to come back.

Investigator #3

Got a return appointment and taught a lesson over the phone. 

Investigator #4

We set up a return appointment and had a solid lesson and even extended baptism. Had a super excited yes! Had a second super solid appointment and she accepted the date of May 19th for baptism!! They received a solid confirmation about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon from God. Texted us later that night indicating what time the baptism would take place. Sunday morning before church we received a text from saying that she wanted nothing to do with the church and basically to leave her alone.We managed to convince her to meet with us one last time and are working on scheduling it. So, yeah - one week can make a world of difference. 

However, overall the work is going well here. Mike continues strong and we are finding the elect. Kristin, the one who got married on the 21st, is on date for May 12th and continues to go strong. We are so excited for her. 

We did get to attend the baptism of a YSA named James. She is so sweet and she is now dating our investigator Seven!! We are uber happy for them. It has been a long journey for James, but she is so grateful for the gospel in her life. She is an inspiration to all. 

Sis Baird, James, and Sis Van Valkenburg at her baptism!

Sis Baird, James, and Sis Van Valkenburg at her baptism!

I also got to go on exchanges with the wonderful Sister Maldonado. She is such an incredible young missionary and I love learning from her!! Such a sweetheart. 

Sis Maldonado and Sis Baird selfie!

Transfers will be shared on Saturday night and apparently that may likely decide who will get to 'kill me off' here in the mission field. Pray for them!! 

Much Love Always, 

Sister MJ Baird

Can you say busy?

Hello beautiful family and friends of mine. What a joyous week it has been!!! 

There has been quite a lot going on over here in the great state of California, and now I get to update you on what exactly was going on!! I'll try to keep this on the shorter side, but there was a lot!! 

Lessons: Heavenly Father has some incredible plans for the Fair Oaks Park and River City YSA wards because we have been giving lessons like crazy, which, as a missionary, is a HUGE blessing!! 

Zone Conference and other meetings: We had the amazing opportunity to have Zone Conference and an additional meeting with some missionaries with Elder Patrick Kearon, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. He was hilarious and said exactly what I needed to hear. I know a lot of people probably felt this way, but I felt as thought it was all for me during those meetings. 

Sis Tenney (former companion) at Zone Conference

Sis Tenney (former companion) and Sis Baird at Zone Conference

Sis Baird and Sis Root at Zone Conference

Baptism: This week we had the honor to be able to witness Mike enter into the waters of baptism. It was so exciting seeing him just glow as he was there. His wife is a returning less active Member of the Church and she was even at church on Sunday and is looking forward to coming with him every week. Pictures to come in the following email as usual. 

Sis Baird, Mike, and Sis Van Valkenburg - ready to enter the waters of baptism!

Mike and his wife!

Mike and his family w/ Sis V and Sis Baird

The missionaries w/ Mike before his baptismal service. 

Wedding: We also got to attend a wedding for one of our investigators. I loved getting to be there and a part of it. We ended up being the ones to consistently refill the food and drink, but it turned out wonderful and I was just grateful that I got to go. 

Kristin, our investigators wedding.

Kristin, our investigators wedding.

Temple tour: We then also got to go on a temple tour this week with Seven and another person getting baptized, James. They were awesome. We got to sit in the waiting room with them and really just pray and talk to God. At the end, for an update with Seven, he did decide that right now he does not think it is the right time for him, but that he does think it is the right path. He is wonderful though and we are definitely excited for him and his future. James is wonderful as well. She will be getting baptized this coming Saturday. She is not our investigator, but we are so excited for her. Also a miracle that happened at the temple!! 

James, Seven, Sis Van Valkenburg & Sis Baird

Sis Baird, Seven, & Sis Van Valkenburg

Sis Baird, Seven, & Sis Van Valkenburg

James, Seven, Sis Van Valkenburg & Sis Baird

So backstory, we originally had planned to do the temple tour with Seven and James in the afternoon, but Seven ended up having to reschedule for the morning. Well, we did a lesson in the church next door and then went inside to the waiting room. Well as I walked in, I see a handful of missionaries I don't recognize, so naturally I ask what mission they are from, and they say Roseville. Well, as soon as I look in front of me, there is Sister Ward!!!!! I quickly go hug her and well, don't let go for a while. A few minutes later walks in President Ward!! Turns out that it was the session for the departing missionaries this transfer. I could not believe I got to see them. For those who are less familiar with Missions and stuff, seeing people from other Missions, let alone another Mission President just doesn't happen very often. Yet, there on the one common ground we have, I got to see them. A face of home. It truly was a huge miracle for me. I know it was all in God's hands, otherwise I would have never seen them. 

This was just a small glimpse into everything that went on this week, Life is great. I am happy. And I love being a missionary!!

Much Love Always, 

Sister MJ Baird

Deborah and Steve

15/18th of the way done!

Surprise, I hit one month older this week!! 

I hope you all have been doing well, because that would be wonderful. By the way, I would love to know what is happening in all of your lives. Life is crazy and goes fast and I want to be able to be up to date :) A lot happens in 15 months!! 

Alright, so for the week it was a good one and miracle packed!! 

We started off with having interviews with President Hymas this week - I love interviews with President. Sister and President Hymas are seriously like your parents on the mission, I have no idea what I would do without them. It was a little strange to think about the fact that this was my last regular interview with them. When you are in your final transfer, you get a 'departing interview', not a regular one. 

We then had exchanges with Sister Searle and Sister Workman. I got to be with the amazing Sister Workman.

 

R to L: Sis Baird, Sis Workman (on exchanges) and Elder Newton

On exchanges with Sis Workman.

We got to help each other with being bold and talking with everyone. She is an incredible missionary and has only been out for 4 months!! 

We did manage to get through the week with no unexpected team ups, so that was a plus side!! 

We then had such an incredible weekend!! On Saturday it was "game day" and did everything we could to get people set to go to church on Sunday. It took a lot of correlation and prayers, but it worked and turned out amazingly!! On "Pay day" or Sunday, we had the miracle of FOUR investigators at church. 3 of which are on date for baptism!! One was a new investigator we found on Friday!! Two days later he was at church. ALL of them were given rides by members. We seriously could not do this work without the members. 

Mike is still on date for the 21st, which will be this upcoming week. Kristin is still on date for the 12th of May and her wedding is this Saturday!! Lastly, Seven is still on date for the 5th. However, please pray for him if you are willing.

L to R: Sis Baird, Sis Van Valkenburg, Mike (our investigator) and his daughter.

Life is moving fast, but I am happy. I love being a missionary.

This coming week is going to be a bit crazy, but oh so wonderful. Can't wait to tell you about it next week. 

Much Love Always,

Sister MJ Baird

Sis Baird selfie w/ Sis Van Valkenburg

Selfie w/ Ward Mission Leaders address - note the 'Angel Moroni'

Fun w/ Sis Childs! 
 L to R: Sis Childs, Sis Maldonado, Sis Clifford, Sis Baird & Sis V

Fun w/ Sis Childs! 
 L to R: Sis Childs, Sis Maldonado, Sis Clifford, Sis Baird & Sis V

Selfie w/ Sis Clifford and Sis Maldonado

The Great Coloma Illness

What a beautiful day it is, isn't it?? The sun is shining, so why not be full of joy!!

This week we quite a week. It seems, all my weeks are turning into weeks like that. 

Well I guess I will start with Tuesday!! On Tuesday Sis Van Valkenburg and I had a meeting with some of the other missionaries in the mission, and I got to see the wonderful 'daughter' I was with in El Dorado - Sister Rowley.  She is seriously such an incredible missionary. If you get the chance to meet her one day, it will be well worth it. If she is reading, so sorry. I just love bragging about the ones I love. 

Sis Baird and Sis Rowley (previous companion)

Well Tuesday night took a turn for the not fun. I ended up getting some awful food poisoning. We thought it was from the Cafe Rio we had for dinner, but we don't think it was, but Mom and Dad - I am never eating there again. When you get sick both times after attempting to eat there, you tend to want to never go again. Anyway, we end up finding out on Wednesday night that about 13 or 14 other missionaries were affected by food poisoning as well. Common denominator?? COLOMA. So yep. We all got the food poisoning from the food there and turns out it was not Cafe Rio. I was just the first to get hit. Much better now though!

On Thursday Sister Van Valkenburg then got sick, and Sister Clifford ending up needing to go to the Urgent Care for a DOUBLE ear infection. It was craziness. Sister Maldonado spent the good part of the day with Sister Van Valkenburg and I spend the good part of the day with Sister Clifford. By Friday evening, we were doing much better. 

On Friday evening we were able to do team ups with Sister Searle and Sister Workman. They are wonderful. I got the chance to be with Sister Searle and she is incredible. I have so much to learn from her!! 

Sis Baird and Sis Searle on team ups.

Other than that all week, we managed to have some amazing lessons!! Mike is still going strong. We had quite the bitter sweet moment on Sunday, when he went to get church clothes instead of coming to church. They ended up feeling pretty wiped out from it. They are older and his wife is super fragile in health. Next week for sure!! 

Seven is doing amazing as always. He had an amazing spiritual experience, then had a great lesson, probably the hardest but best one yet, and then was in church on Sunday, sharing about the incredible experience he had. We are seriously so proud of him and how far he has come!

Well, sorry this was a longer email. I guess that is what happens when I actually plan what I am going to say. Woot woot for being prepared. 

For those who had continued to read, thanks for staying loyal. Don't miss your chance, you have only 10 weeks left to send me a letter and email. It isn't too late! ;)

Much Love Always, 

Sister MJ Baird

More precious than gold!

Hey all!! 

So this week has been a blast!! 

Sister Van Valkenburg is amazing and I am so grateful to have her as a companion! She is from Utah, and is hilarious.

 

Sis Van Valkenburg and Sis Baird twinning it up!

Sis Baird and Sis Van Valkenburg - her new companion.

She has been out on her mission 6 weeks less than me! Our first full day working together we were able to put 2 people ON DATE!!! 

We have this awesome investigator in the YSA ward named Seven, yes like the number, and he is incredible. He is already in 2 Nephi and loving it. He even watched two whole sessions of conference!! We are aiming for May 5 so we are hoping that works out! 

The other on date is Mike and he is the husband of a less active who we are hoping to have come back to activity. The previous sisters found him and I guess he said it is time for my wife to go back to church and I am coming with her this time. AMAZING. He is super solid and we have set the date of April 21. 

We then also got to have some team ups which was fun!! I got to teach a lesson with the amazing Sister Clifford and then got to have Sister Maldonado with me to watch conference with Mike! Sister Van Valkenburg was sick, so we needed some help. It is always a blast to be with brand new missionaries. \\

Then today, as per tradition, I got to go to Coloma!! It is a place up in the way North of our mission and we get to learn about some history and pan for gold. I found 3 pieces and 3 pieces of fools gold. It was a blast. I got to spend almost all day with the wonderful Sisters Wong, Brown and Koller!! Love those sisters. 

The other amazing part of this week was conference. Now, as a missionary, this conference was by far the most stressful conference I have ever had. And I realized that this conference was a lot of "churchy" or "mormony" words in it, and when you are thinking of your investigators, it tends to stress you out. But it all turned out well. As a member of the church, holy molies, it was incredible. 

I want you all to personally know that President Nelson is the chosen prophet on the Earth today. He leads the church only by guidance from our Father in Heaven. I know this is Christ's church on the Earth, and I know that Christ lives and will one day come again. Today while learning of the gold rush, there were pioneers who decided to turn their backs on the gold because they knew what was far more precious and that was the gospel of Jesus Christ and their families. I would have done the same. 

I love and miss you!

Much Love Always,

Sister MJ Baird

Sis Baird, Sis Van Valkenburg, Sis Maldonado and Sis Clifford trying to get bikes on the bike rack.

Sis Clifford and Sis Maldonado

L to R - Sis Van Valkenburg, Sis Baird, Sis Clifford and Sis Maldonado

Saying goodbye to Sis Richins and the "Hermana's" on transfer day.

Sis Baird and Sis Clifford - team up.