Faithful instead of fearful

Hello!

Oh man. What a week.

First of all...yesterday Taylor was....BAPTIZED AND CONFIRMED!!!!!! Yeahhhhhhhh!! Haha I was laughing reading mom's email about not rushing Taylor into anything and that conversion takes time.  Not that that is a laughable matter, because it's not, but it was funny or I guess more ironic that when I was reading that paragraph he has already been a confirmed member of the church for almost 24 hours.  Just FYI...in the WA-TAC we invite people to be baptized after the first lesson.  Hard and fast rule.  We invite people to be baptized on every church tour.  We even invite people to be baptized at the door.  We are baptism focused missionaries.  Not baptism number hungry missionaries.  But ones that understand our roles and do everything we can to bring people to the Gospel.

So rewind the clock to yesterday morning.  We had a mission wide fast for our 200 baptisms for the month of October goal.  I fasted for that and I also fasted for Taylor.  The adversary as you all know works so hard the last days, hours, minutes, and seconds to keep people from going through with their baptisms.  Taylor had shown up to church yesterday and seemed fine.  There were a few minutes between the time he arrived and the time that sac mtg started so we took him around and introduced him to people.  I later found out during the meeting that it really freaked him out that people I introduced him to that morning already knew his name before he even met him.  I told him that they were just excited and happy for his baptism.  He felt a lot of eyes on him even though there really weren't.  He has ADHD so he is kind of anxious/nervous in general.  He sat sandwiched between Sis Holman and I on the pew along with the senior couple missionaries and Brandon, our other investigator.  It was ward conference and the entire stake presidency was there along with several stake leadership people.  He couldn't figure out why everyone was "voting." I told him that the members of the ward were sustaining people to their callings in the church or basically showing their support of them and their callings.  Babies seemed to have been particularly noisy that day.  Lots of kids fussing.  I looked down to see Taylor's leg bouncing up and down.  His face looked drained of color and I thought I saw him wipe some tears from his eyes.  I passed him a note asking him if he was ok.  He said that he just felt really nervous.  I told him that it was ok to feel a little nervous, but that he shouldn't feel fearful because everyone is in support of him no matter what.  5 minutes later he jumps up and climbs over 4 people in our row to literally run to the bathroom with his hands over his mouth.  I asked Elder Finnegan to go in the bathroom and check on him if he didn't come back in a few minutes.  A few minutes went by so Elder Finnegan went to check on him.  Taylor came back about 5 minutes after that and said that he had thrown up and is going home.  Oh my goodness...

When you have an investigator go running out of sac mtg to go throw up because he is so nervous, you become nervous.  Elder Finnegan took him home even before the meeting was over.  Worry struck my mind.  I became filled with doubt.  I doubted my ability to calm his nerves.  I doubted my teaching.  I doubted that I had prepared him enough.  I doubted myself.  I doubted and became discouraged.  It seemed like Satan was working on me as much if not more than he was working on Taylor.  A rain cloud accumulated over my head and followed me around the rest of church.  I didn't even rejoice in the fact that our other investigator, Brandon, had come to church.  I was so distracted and distraught over Taylor.  Was this baptism going to happen?  Just as I thought "Well at least it hasn't been announced over the pulpit" the counselor conducting sac mtg announced the baptism over the pulpit.  Hm.  The look on my face as I discussed what had happened out in the halls after the meeting made it apparent that I was worried because a lady in the ward thought that maybe the baptism wasn't going to happen. 

I realized though as I was continuing my fast that day was that I was fearful instead of FAITH-FUL.  I was doubting not only in myself but I was doubting in God and what He could make happen.  We left the second ward we attend during the second hour so that we could check on Taylor.  Brother Hew-Len had noticed Taylor had run out and looked sick so he offered to come over and give him a blessing.  Taylor declined the blessing because he said that he was feeling a lot better.  I felt such a sense of relief.  I decided that right then and there the Lord was looking out for Taylor and for me as well.  So I decided that I needed to show my faith.  So we did our 5-7 at 3pm that day.  We did our full-time finding like we are asked to do when originally I thought that we should just skip it because we didn't have the time.  We faithfully went out finding, knowing that if we did all that we are asked we would be blessed.  And we were.  Not only did we find a potential investigator that agreed to come on a church tour, Taylor was ready and excited to be baptized.

The baptism couldn't have gone better.  Guess what?  I was the chorister.  Hahaha it was so scary!  I have never lead music IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.  But I practiced with the pianist like 5 min before everyone started arriving and it worked out ok.  We had such a good turn out.  About 30-40 members from the ward came out to support Taylor and be there to witness his baptism.  Sis Holman gave the 10min Restoration talk and our ward mission leader conducted the meeting.  The YM president and one of the YM gave the talks on Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Elder Jenkins, our district leader, baptized him.  Taylor asked for him to baptize him because Elder Jenkins is from HI and Taylor felt connected to him in that way.  Even more so than the other boys that were his fellowship throughout the lessons.  It was the neatest thing to witness.  This was the first baptism that I saw from start to finish.  Meaning that I was there when we found him at the door, when we took him on a church tour, when we invited him to be baptized, when we taught him the lessons, when we reinvited him to be baptized, when we dropped by his door at night to just say a prayer with him or read a scripture with him if he had a bad day, to the time that he entered the waters of baptism to follow his Savior Jesus Christ, and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive gift of the Holy Ghost.  What an honor and a privilege.  A humbling and gratifying experience to be apart of the very start of someone's journey back to Heavenly Father. After the baptism there was awesome fellowshipping going on.  Sister Hew-Len and Sis Finnegan stepped up and made refreshments to encourage lingering and conversation after the service.  Worked like a charm.  Taylor's parents got to know so many people from the ward, many of which were in attendance at the baptism are also in their neighborhood.  Addison, Taylor's 13 yr old sister who usually never talks, surprisingly came and in a dress for that matter.  I asked two of the YW there to introduce themselves to her and they totally hit it off.  Instant BFF's.  Hahaha.  Now she is gonna start coming to mutual.  Score.  Basically we are hoping to bring his Dad and his girlfriend Christy and her two kids into the church so that this can be a family unit.  If they are baptized by December I could possibly see them sealed by the time I end my mission. 

The day started as a lowest low so that when it ended it ended on the highest high.  It was such a joyous experience.  I love bringing souls unto Christ.  Brandon, our other investigator is getting baptized on the 9th. Wahooo!!!

We met this guy named Tim when we were out finding this week.  I felt impressed to use the picture of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist at the door with him.  Did I ever tell you about how our zone started doing that?  It is an excellent, I think genius, finding tool that our own Silverdale zone started.  We basically bring a part of the church tour right to their door.  We asked Tim, a 41 yr old single navy man, if he had ever seen that picture before.  He said no. We taught him what was going on and the doctrine of baptism.  that Christ was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" or to fulfill all of God's commandments and to set the perfect example for us to follow him.  He said that he had already been baptized in the Baptist church.  We taught him that Christ taught of two baptisms.  Baptism by water and baptism by fire.  We explained the Gift of the Holy Ghost and what it meant to receive it after baptism.  We told him that it sanctifies us.  Cleanses us.  It acts as a guide, comforter, protector, testifier of truth.  We asked him if that was something that he wanted.  He said he was at a loss for wards.  To make a sweet story even sweeter we invited him on a church tour to hear more about the message that we shared with him and he accepted.  It was scheduled for two days later and he was going to follow us down to the church after we met him at his apt.  Sure enough he was ready to go with jeys in hand when we knocked on his door first thing Saturday morning.  Ok....THIS NEVER HAPPENS.  But that day it did.  It was a miracle.  Mac, remember him?  My first baptism in the mission.  He came and was the fellowship on the tour.  Next thing you know it we invite him to baptism and he accepts instantly.  We ask him why and he said because I want the peace that you told me about at my door two days ago.  I suddenly felt prompted to relate an analogy of the baptism by fire through the Holy Ghost again to him.  Even though we had already told him and even though he had already accepted a baptismal date.  I said, Tim, I don't know anything about welding but I would imagine that the baptism by fire works like a welder.  It puts the once hard, firm, immovable metal through an intense heat.  Making it pliable.  The heat causes there to be a glow, a sheen to the metal.  It becomes pure.  New almost.  That is what the Holy Ghost does to us.  It helps shape our lives for the better.  Makes us glow.  Shine.  And feel new.  He stared at me.  "Why did you give that explanation?" he asked.  "I don't know," I said.  It just seemed to make sense that way in my head as something you would relate to.  Turns out he is a welder in teh navy.  WOW.  Talk about inspiration from the Holy Ghost.  That totally helped seal the deal and he is getting baptized on Oct 16th!!  Miracles in Silverdale.

Welll on a different note my companion is the BEST.  I love her.  We get along so well!!! Not even get along but we genuinely have so much fun together.  We laugh all day everyday.  When you can have fun with your comp, the work doesn't feel like work.  It is so awesome.  I am giving her more opportunity to take the lead in teaching situations of not spoon-feeding her as much with things but really helping her gain her footing and style as a missionary.  She is reserved but not.  She has opened up a lot more because she has become totally comfortable with me now.  She just needs to get to know the ward a little more and we will be golden.  She is doing great!! Couldn't ask for a better greenie.  I love it.

The luau was a success by the way.  We had abou 350 people there!!! Lots of nonmembers and less actives came out for it.  Sadly I didn't dance the hukilau.  My comp never learned it and I didn't want to do it without her.  I regret it though.  Oh well.  I recorded it though.

Well we are working hard and seeing miracles.  I have the life.  Being a missionary is the best.

Love you,
Sis Baylon

one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work!

Hello everyone!

This was a stellar week.  And a wet and cold one at that.  But as far as missionary work it was a great week.  My greenie, Sis Holman, and I worked really hard and our efforts paid off.  She is a trooper.  We were asked by Pres Weaver to do seven 5to7's a week when he got to the mission.  Tracting seven days a week is tough stuff.  Even just logistically and schedule wise.  We have two wards we attend on Sundays so we are in church and meetings from 8am to 4-4:30 pm every sunday.  So to tract directly after church takes a lot out of us.  We are tired and starving.  But I knew that whatever we did our first week of the transfer, her first week of her mission, would set the precedent for all of the folowing weeks and transfers for the rest of both mine and her missions.  Yes, its hard.  But just like a lot of other things I am asked to do are hard, I am obedient anyway.  So the same applied to seven 5-7's.  I never accomplished that with Sis Mills.  I guess we didn't have enough faith to.  In a talk titled "Desire" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks in this last General Conference he said the following: "Our desires dictate our thoughts and our thoughts dictate our actions."  And then from that point on I believe that our actions shape our habits and our habits shape our character.  Desire is relative to our faith.  Bottom line: Greenie Faith is a force to be reckoned with.

So we didn't have any nasty meals this week.  The Hew-lens, the ones from HI, are our new best friends. I called them up and asked if they could feed us when a dinner appt fell through.  Brother Hew-len in his best pigeon english said, "Shuuuurre, come ova!!"  We had stew, rice, some macaroni type salad in it with Krab, cantelope and Tillamook ice cream.  They sent us home with a container of Butter Mochi or as they call it "Buttamochee."  We go over there for shave ice too.  They are the best family!  Our whole meal calendar is booked for September.  The members love feeding us. 

Sis Holman and I set up 6 church tours this week!!! Well, 3 for this past week and 3 for this next week.  This past week only one of them went through and that was Taylor's parents.  Oh my goodness. Talk about a spiritual experience.  First of all, they both showed up.  Showing up is a feat in and of itself.  I don't know how many times I've waited by the church doors like a puppy at a window waiting for people to arrive for a church tour.  Only to get dogged.  Pun intended.  But anyway, they came!  So in everything we do and everytime we teach in the WA-TAC we make sure there is fellowship there.  Someone from the ward that is an instant friend or connection in their newly forming gospel network.  We were needing fellowship for this church tour and we thought of Sis Thompson who happens to live on the next street over from them.  We called her an hour before the tour and asked her to come.  She said she picks her kids up from the bus at 3:45 so 4:00 would be cutting it close.  Then she was like "You know what...I'll just pick them up and we can go to the church straight from the bus stop."  AMAZINGGG!!! Member missionary in action!!  So she was great fellowship on the tour.  Christy knew her already from a lesson that she had come for and the Spirit was just there.  We taught and discussed a lot about the Savior and his Atonement when we were all sitting in the chapel.  The chapel, I'm telling you is the conduit for the Spirit to just illuminate a person.  Christy at one point started crying.  Long story short not only are they both allowing Taylor to get baptized but Christy is planning on bringing the entire family to church.  MIRACLE.

So two days later on Thursday we go over to Taylor's house to teach Lesson 3: The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We brought the Finnegans as fellowship because Elder Finnegan is retired Air Force and Taylor eventually wants to join the airforce.  The lesson went great.  Spirit was there.  Christy was sitting in and totally getting in to it.  Dang it, we should have put her on date to be baptized!! Still kicking myself about not.  Sister Finnegan bore great testimony about her conversion story in Scotland.  I asked Sis Holman before we went in to teach the lesson if she would be the one to recommit Taylor to Baptism.  She said that she would and she did!!  OH man the greatest feeling ever.  So much joy to see someone that you found at the door learn the Gospel one step at a time and to make a decision to follow the Savior's example and to be baptized.  So he is getting baptized on Sunday!!  So when Taylor didn't show up to church, nor did his family, yesterday we got a little worried.  We went over there yesterday evening after our dinner appt to see how he was doing.  There was a great deal of heaviness about him and his head was hanging low.  Its a long story but I got down to the root of it all and asked Taylor if he believed the Book of Mormon was true.  He said that he didn't know (AHHHHHH that is devasting to hear).  I asked him if he has been reading it everyday and if he has prayed about whether or not it is true.  He said that he hasn't been reading it lately and that he has not prayed about it being true.  So we had him read with us the challenge in Moroni 10:3-5 and extended the invitation to read about the BOM and then to ask God for himself if it was true and that if he did that, sincerely wanting to know, that God would reveal the truth to him by the power of the Holy Ghost.  So yeah...I have to have faith that this baptism will go through on Sunday.  We set up his appointment to get interviewed for baptism this Wednesday.  We are going to DPC. (Daily Positive Contact) Every day this week.

Oh man...ok. So this is crazy, awesome, stinky miracle.  Yes, a stinky miracle.  Like it literally stinks.  So we had an appt fall through, a church tour actually, and we went to the person's apt after they didn't show up.  They forgot and invited company over so we rescheduled for a different time.  So I decide that we should spend an hour tracting the rest of the apt complex.  Boom, the first door we knock.  So we are walking up to this door and on the side of the apt building we see a bunch of stuffed animals and toys in the window.  Perfect they have kids.  Families = the dream of every missionary.  Knock on the door.  We hear screaming of small children inside.  The door flies open.  "Seriously?  Seriously right now?  Mormon missionaries.  You have got to be kidding me right now."  That was the comment that we were greeted with at the door by a woman named Maggie.  We hadn't even said a word at that point.  She is standing there hair a mess.  Bra straps hanging out.  Baby slung on her hip with its mouth covered in dried spaghetti-O's.  Bags under her eyes.  She just looked like....a hot mess.  No sooner than we could say another word were we greeted by three other children.  All 5 yrs old and under.  Two of which have severe autism.  Wow.  She has a lot on her plate.  She said that everytime she is right on the verge of a breakdown.....she runs into missionaries.  Rather, missionaries run into her.  She said that she usually sends the missionaries away but today she wasn't going to.  A good 5 minutes had gone by of her telling us how "creepy" missionaries are for always popping up in her life ever since she was 16yrs old.  We didn't even give her our names, we just asked her if she needed any service.  She lets us in.  Oh myyy goodness.  Someone call the CPS.  No joke, she was like "I hesitated letting you in because you'll probably go call CPS on me."  Um...the smell of urine and fecal matter was ripe.  Yeah....at first I thought that it was just from the large floppy eared bunny that was hopping around on and off his "pee pad" that is typically found under elderly patients at hospitals.  The kitchen was an explosion of old food and dirty dishes.  It was disturbing.  But! We are missionaries.  We don't get grossed out by anything right! Wrong.  It was hard to stomach it.  She goes on to tell us the craziest stories and experiences she had throughout her life with the Mormon church and particularly the missionaries.  She said she typically really likes missionaries but some of them have been "crap-tastic."  By the way....she is EXTREMELY sarcastic, roots for team pessimism, is a convert to Judaism who attends Silverdale Baptist church where she likes to go "muffin muggin'" as she likes to call it.  Basically show up to their events, hear a little sermon, and get a free muffin or two afterward. HAHAHAHA my email will never quite capture the extent of crazy this lady is.  Crazy cool though.  Speaking of capture...when we went back the next day to give service in the form of helping her clean her apt I may or may not have scooped up a human turd ball.  Sorry for those of you with weak stomachs.  I had asked if she had a broom.  Nope.  Dustpan.  Nope.  She hands me a stack of papers.  A cell phone bill and a parent newsletter from her kids school to sweep in the kitchen.  Soon after I am handed my cleaning device I sweep a pile of junk from under the dishwasher.  Lo and behold I won the contest for whoever could get grossed out the fastest.  She basically asked us to take them on a church tour.  We scheduled it.  We waited.  They never came.  LAME!  Hopefully it was only because the brakes on their van went out.  Seriously though.  Their breaks were busted so we got them some C-Clamps from our ward mission leader so that they could fix it up and come on a church tour.  In the mission its called WEIT-ing.  Whatever It Takes.

I found this quote while studying in the chapter about Christlike Attributes in Preach My Gospel about Dilligence:

"I have often said that one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work!  If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit, if he gets the spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy.  There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry.  Work, work, work- there is no satisfactory substitute. " President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Rest assured we are working hard in Silverdale.  I am trying to be the best missionary and the best trainer for my Greenie.  We are just loving the work and loving the people we are serving and that is why we are continuing to see miracles!

Love you all,

Sis Baylon.

''i am training!!!!!!"

Hi everyone,

So good to hear from you all this week.  Was that kind of read to open up the email I sent last week and read that I had a hard time coming up with things to say?  For some reason the spirit was confounding my mind.  My tongue was tied and I had no idea why.  We got back in to the car after I sent off my extremely brief email and I started crying.  I told my companion what happened and how confused and frustrated I was.  She said that the same exact thing happened to her!  We both felt like everything we were typing in our emails were pretty superficial just "we did this..and we did that..." kind of accounts of what happened in the week.  I told her that the last week of the transfer was proving really hard for me.  I was feeling like there was something big looming above me in the air.  An unseen pressure that was becoming increasingly heavier.  I felt really overwhelmed, but I didn't know why.  All of a sudden there were thoughts that filled my mind that I wasn't that great of a missionary.  That I didn't know enough.  That I didn't have the faith that I felt like I had.  It was the strangest experience.  All of these random thoughts just came pouring in my head at once.  It became too much.  Sister Mills suggested that I get a Priesthood blessing, but I said that I needed to go be by myself for a few minutes and offer up a prayer to my Heavenly Father for some much needed comfort and guidance.  We were in the church parking lot.  I walked to a patch of shaded grass and sister Mills waited for me in the car.  I offered a vocal prayer and poured out my heart.  Big, heavy tears fell down my cheeks and dotted my shirt.  After I had divulged my thoughts, feelings, needs, wants, and expressed my gratitude to Heavenly Father I felt an immediate sense of relief.  I felt excited again.  Hopeful.  Positive. Happy. Ready to get back out there and do the work.

So it did but at the same time didn't surprise me when President called later that week to tell me that I was going to be made a trainer.  Can you believe it?  I am TRAINING!!!!!! Hahah this greenie is training a greenie!  I am sitting next to her right now at the library here is Silverdale.  So transfers were yesterday (Monday) which is why I didn't email yesterday.  So for the next 6 weeks, my third transfer in the mission, I am still in Silverdale!! It is crazy that I have only been out for 2 transfers and I am already training.  There was a legendary sister in the Mission that a while back had trained her second transfer, so she was training when she should have been getting follow up trained.  So for me to be training during my third transfer is right up there with her in craziness. I did not expect or anticipate training this soon in my mission at all.  So much pressure. So much responsibility.  So  much expectation.  So much patience.  And that is all just for trainers in general, let alone a greenie trainer!! When President called to tell me that I was training I felt instantly so nervous.  Sister Mills in Silverdale was all I had ever known.  We worked so well together and worked so hard to build the area.  We had been through a lot together and we were seeing the fruits of our labors this past transfer and couldn't wait to experience more miracles in this next transfer.  Sadly, they transferred her up to fix up an area in Port Angeles.  We had gone on Labor Day up to Forks, WA to do the Twilight tour (I know....we are embarassing.) But it was so fun.  You all are jealous.  Anyway, you have to drive through Port Angeles on the way up.  Sister Mills was like "Man, this place is a hole!"  Haha be careful what you wish for. Boom. You'll get transferred there.

So yesterday when we were at the transfer meeting, they gathered all the trainers together in the hallway for the traditional "run in when your name is called to get your son or daughter (elder/sister greenie)."  So much excitement.  So much buzz.  I walk into the hallway and everyone was like "What??? you are training??? you just got here."  I seriously felt like I was in the locker room of a championship team.  People that had seen victory and loss together and were seasoned players.  Now they were gearing up for the fight of their lives and getting pumped before running out into the stadium.  And then the camera pans over to me.  The waterboy.  Who looks and feels a little (and by little I mean a lot) out of place.  Haha.  But it was cool though.  Everyone said I can do it.  President obviouslt thinks that I can.  And my Heavenly Father and Savior know that I can do it, too.  I was so nervous but when my name was called I ran in to get my greenie and was met by a 5'9 lanky hipster from Mesa, AZ.  Her name is Sister Taylor Holman.  Hahah she waaaaaay chill.  She wears bracelets and rings and feathers.  We like all the same music.  And she likes to shop!! Score.  Sister hated shopping.  It killed me that she would even put a 10 min cap on the time we spent in Target.  So it's great to know that now I could browse if I wanted to.  But training has been awesome so far.  It definitely puts you on the fast track to growing, stretching, and learning.  It runs on humility, diligence, and obedience.  Basically, if you are obedient and follow the Spirit at all times, it is the fool proof method for becoming my best self.  My best missionary self.  Best companion self.  Best disciple.  Best self all around.  I feel like I can see my area with all new eyes again.  The eyes that I came out into the field with.  That everyone is a possibility for a baptism and that miracles will happen.

The Sleeping Giant, that was Silverdale has been stirring and now I know it will stand on its feet this next transfer.  We have been working pretty regularly with Taylor, the 16 yr old boy from HI.  He was on-date to be baptized but because he is a minor he needs parental consent.  That is where the plot thickens.  His parents are supportive in the sense of giving him rides to church and allowing us to come over and teach him, but they are not too keen on the idea of him actually changing his lifestyle and making long-term commitments.  The progress that Taylor has made so quickly and his love for the Gospel was not anticipated on their end so I think it has definitely taken them by surprise.  It's frustrating to hear that they want him to "shop around" for other churches but I can see where they are coming from as parents.  So to help them better understand where we and Taylor is coming from, we are taking both of his parents on a church tour today later this afternoon.  To let them see where Taylor goes on Sundays and hear more about what he learns.  My companion  hasn't even been to our church building before, let alone given a church tour and we have appts until our appt with them.  So.....I have a large responsiblity in the success of the church tour.  It will be a make or break moment for Taylor.  No pressure...

Grody food story.  So....I have come to the conclusion that I do not really have a liking for Samoan food.  At least the food that I have tried.  I always feel awful when I am offered food of this time drinks that I just have a hard time swallowing.  We were at our recent converts house the other day.  The mom offers us something to drink.  Our options are water and pineapple juice.  I never have been a fan of liquid  calories so I just ask for water.  But she gives me pineapple just anyway cause my comp asked for it. Big mistake.  Umm it was thick and white and creamy with chunks of pineapple in it. Hmmm.  Not exactly sure what "carnation" is but I think it is sweetened condensed milk or something of the sort, because that is what the mom said was in the drink when I had asked.  Yeah I took like 2 maybe 3 sips at the max and the only liquid that was swallowed was whatever fit through the cracks of my teeth.  But a good food story....shave ice!!! Remember the Hew-lens?? The family that has been in HI almost my whole time in the mission?  Well they are back and we became instant friends.  They invited us over for dinner once but we already had an appt but they dropped off food at our house anyway.  Lau lau, Kalua pork, rice, poi, and guava cake.  Tasty.  Speaking of tasty our long anticipated ward luau is finally approaching.  Our ward council has been planning this for months and we have been inviting our investigators, less actives, and recent converts out to it.  We were even raising a pig just for roasting that Bro Elkington and Bro Hew-len were going to do.  But the pig must have heard the plan and started skipping meals or something cause its only 100 lbs and it needed to be 200lbs to feed all the people that will be attending.  But this is the best part: a professional hula group is coming and performing at it and guess what.....so are me and my comp!! Hahah sis Hew-len is part of the dance group and she is also in the Young Women presidency so she asked all the YW to participate and she got permission to teach us the Hukilau!!! Haha so I learned it the other day with Sis Mills and now Sis Holman will have to learn it.  Its way easy and fun so it should be way fun to perform it.

Have I told you much about my favorite companionship ever, the Finnegans?  They are the military relations senior couple missionaries for our stake and the Bremerton stake and truly have been a God send.  My first transfer in the area it was so hard to be able to get on base to reach all of our member, part member, and less active families on the base because we didn't have people that could take us.  They help us out so much and it has been the biggest joy to serve with them.  Sister Finnegan is a convert to the church.  She joined the church in the "old country" as she calls it.  In other words, her homeland of Scotland.  Elder Finnegan just retired as the MTC bookstore manager.  They are from Orem, UT and are my grandparents away from home out here in the mission.  Whenever we have a really rough or hard day we go over for a cookie or just to talk for a bit.  They are the greatest.  They have all married kids, grandchildren, and even some great grandchildren.    We had a satellite broadcast from SLC for our stake conference this past weekend with Elder Packer, Elder Holland, Elder Snow of the Seventy, and Sis Dalton from the General YW Presidency.  One interesting message that was shared in the adult session on Saturday night (which was not broadcasted) was how much the church needs senior couple missionaries.  We need you and we need you now.  You know who you are that I am talking about.  Just plan on going and everything will work out for your good so that you will be able to go.

Well, my time on the computer is running out.  As always there is always so much to say and not enough time to say it.  I am working hard and praying for miracles.  I have come to realize the power and importance of having the Spirit with you at all times and in all things and in all places.  If there is anything in your life that is keeping the spirit from dwelling within you, change it.  And change it now.  It is precious gift to be given the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Let it be your guide.  Your comforter.  You protector.  Your friend.  There is a scripture my comp shared with me in John 14:16-18 about the Holy Ghost.  Look it up!

Love you all,
Sis Baylon

i know that my Redeemer lives

I don't know why, but this is the ONLY thing I could think of to write this week.  I have sat hear for nearly an hour and have deleted everything I have typed or not been able to type anything that felt right to say.  Except the words to this beautiful hymn. Play the song as you study the lyrics.

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to bless me with his love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”

I know that my Redeemer lives. The question is...do YOU?

Love,
Sister Baylon

everything good comes from God

Hello everyone,
 
Kimbo, I just wrote you today!!

So good to hear from everyone this week.  I did not get ONE letter in the mail this week.  Oh, wait I take that back.  I got a letter from Daryl Farnkoph from the ward.  So nice of her to write to me.  I still am so happy for her that her husband, John, was able to get baptized.  Whenever I have attended a baptism or I have had a baptism for an investigator I feel so much joy.  Not even for me or for the other missionaries because we worked hard to see this happen.  But because the person being baptized has been brought closer to Christ and now they get to feel what I feel everyday.

This past week has been so awesome and this next week should be just as great.  I get to be apart of my first "shifty" or I guess most people know them as "exchanges."  Where an entire zone or district swaps companionships and areas within that zone or district.  So basically everyone rotates and shuffles around for teaching/learning/experience purposes.  So the neighboring Bremerton zone is doing a shifty and they want their set of sisters to be able to participate.  Since sisters can only swap with sisters and lucky for them our zones are very near eachother, we could help them out by agreeing to swap with them.  So I am going to B-town!  So exciting haha.  I'm seriously just going like 3 miles away but I'll be spending the night at their place, driving in their car, seeing their investigators, etc.  So it's kind of like a baby transfer.  Except you get to come back to your area and comp.  Sister Mills is staying here and they will bring her the greenie that just came to Bremerton. 

Ugh.  This has been the week of nasty old granny food.  Guys, I seriously was dry heaving at the dinner table.  I was sly about it though so I don't think anyone noticed.  One day we were fed by this recent widow in the ward.  Sister Mills actually ate at her home with her husband the first week she was in the area.  She warned me that the food might be on the "mushy" side.  Not much has changed.  Mushy central.  I never in my life had experienced green jell-o with...wait for it....wait for it....CABBAGE.  Yes, you heard correctly.  Green jell-o w/cabbage.  Gag.  Then we had these ridiculously mushy carrots that were served in this like orange jelly glaze.  Oh man, my stomach is turning just thinking about it.  Then we had this chicken noodle casserole.  Followed by gummy rhubarb pie. MMM!!!  The next day we had another meal with an older lady in the ward.  Sketchiest kitchen ever.  Things stacked and cluttered on the counters and stove.  Open containers of things everywhere.  Just not exactly up to Health code.  We had burnt pizza and Crook neck squash.  It was like 50 times worse than that burnt pizza Grandpa Ted ate at the hospital.  Just black.  The cheese was cardboard.  She scooped about a gallon of yellow goopey squash on my plate.  Gulp..... I basically just mashed it up on my plate and then just swallowed it down with some room temp orange flavored SunnyD.  I may or may not have scooped some of the squash back into the bowl when she got up to get the phone.  Shh...don't tell.  The next day we ate a family's house that are siliac.  They can't eat anything with gluten.  They also are allergic to nuts, dairy, soy, and fish.  Basically what can they eat? Oh they can eat vegetables.  Lots and lots of vegetables.  Oh want some more peas? ok here is 4 ladle full.  Want some more Brocolli? Oh here let me fill a cereal bowl of it for you.  You don't look like you have enough caulliflower Sister, Let me scoop you some.  Save me!!! I have never had so many heaps of soggy steamed vegetables in my life.  I thought that week of food would never end.

Mom, Brother Elkington knew every single person in your pictures!  He was so excited.  A good number of those people were his first cousins or close family friends.  He said that you looked vaguely familiar.  He didn't go to BYUH he just grew up in Laie but he went to school actually in California on a football scholarship.  I forget which UC school it was.  I can't wait to tell him that you got him a shirt he will love it!!!

This week we spent some time studying mormon.org.  We are allowed an hour a week to study the website, watch video clips on it, and know what all is featured on the site so we now how to use it with teaching opportunities.  Have any of you reading this checked it out lately?  If so, that's great! If not, why not??  It's SOOOO user friendly and they totally redesigned it so that it actually looks interesting and not such a visual eye sore.  Dad, there is this video you would love.  It's under the section "Our People" and then there are a bunch of different videos about different members of the church.  If you scroll down to the very last one click on the video about a guy named Steve Brouggy.  I believe he is from New Zealand and he races motorbikes.  They have so many really just inspiring and amazing stories of members from around the globe, from all walks of life that tell their story from an interesting perspective.  There is even a video on a  cute Japanese girl with the last name Adachi and she's a high school senior.  I would invite all of you to make a member profile on Mormon.org.  You can decide what you want to write about or what you want to share, but it is a great way to let the world know and our communities know who we are and who we are individually.  Puts a more relatable and recognizable face to the Mormon name.  Here are some notes I jotted down after watching a few of the video:

-There is a point in our lives where we have to have God.  Because we have nothing else.

-God has given us everything that we love.  That inspires us.  That gives us energy.

-Life shouldn't be sad.  You can always find the upside and the humor in everything.

-I'm still young.  I have a chance to change.  To be better.

-Good things take time. 

-Whatever I do, put 100% into it

-Do I give my best to everyone else, so that when I go home my family gets my leftovers?

-If I believe in God, how can I possibly become depressed?

-If you are weak on the inside, you won't last for any time at all

-I will come to understand who I am and who God is through adversity.

-Everything GOOD comes from GOD

-The most happiness we can experience is often found within the walls of our own homes

-Embrace challenges rather than avoid them

I know that they are pretty fragmented and sound pretty cliche but if you watch the stories and lives that coincide with these basic mantras and principles, there is real power to these words.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  The Gospel is beautifully simple, and simply beautiful.  How many times do we complicate our own lives with things that are of really no importance?  I know it is hard for many if not all of you to have an hour of personal gospel study each morning, but if you can designate some time with the scriptures, or the Ensign, or even writing in your journal as you eat your breakfast in the morning, your day will be less likely to unravel.  I love my personal study time in the morning and cherish that hour that I have designated before I begin my work day by being able to invite and feel the Spirit.  I can totally tell a difference in lessons with investigators or other members when I either have or have not done a very good personal study that morning.

This week I have had to learn a lesson with forgiveness.  Forgiving others.  Forgiving myself.  Allowing the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to take over where my own idividual shortcomings end.  I love Elder Holland.  I read a talk he wrote during one of my personal studies and he said that "Forgiveness was the key to the meaning of all the suffering [ Christ ] had come to endure."  I don't know why, but there were 6 different people this week that told us that they were victims of sexual abuse as a child and how they are still dealing with the aftermath of those events.  There is so much hurt and mistrust and sorrow in their eyes as they each told us their stories.  The people and the places and times were different, but one thing was the same.  That it was not their fault and that the Atonement covers them too.  The innocent that was wronged just as much as the guilty that had wronged them.  A big hurdle they have all had to jump was not only forgiving the perpetrator, which sadly was usually a family member or friend, but they really struggled with forgiving themselves.  Feeling like somehow it was their fault.  President James E. Faust had said, "Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in."  I would invite all of you to take a look at today, this past week, this past month.  What are some things you could ask forgiveness for from God?  From others?  Who are some people you could forgive?  What are some grudges you have been holding on to that you need to let go?  I have seen the power of forgiveness though Christ's Atonement work miracles in my life.  Burdens and guilt carried for me.  Sorrow and pain erased.  He loved you enough to die for you,  He loves you enough now to want you to live through Him.

Love you all,

Sister Baylon

spirit, power, boldness

Hey everyone,

Glad to hear that everyone is doing well.  I got so excited to hear that Grandpa Ted was going to write me an email but then got way bummed when there wasn't one from him in my inbox.  Hmm, maybe he hasn't gotten around to it yet.  Man...This past week has been interesting to say the least.  Remember how I mentioned that Sis Mills and I were going to be trying our best to be exactly obedient?  And that we were pretty sure that biggest hurdle we were going to have to jump with obedience would have to do with leaving a member's home on time? WRONG.  This past week has been the week of failed appointments and so much ANTI-mormon sentiments.  Where to even begin.  It seemed like the first two weeks of this transfer were just steem-roller weeks.  We saw baptisms, we found people to teach, we gave church tours, basically everything that we could hope for in missionary work.  We were on such a high that the test, we found out, was to be able to carry that same momentum despite major opposition.

The adversary held nothing back this past week.  Particularly at the door when we were out finding.  People had such hate in their eyes.  Looking at us like fools, people that didn't even deserve pity.  Fools for believing such "garbage."  For believing in a "ridiculous science-fiction story."  Scoffs and scorns that "we were out wasting our time when we could be out doing something to better the world, because clearly [you're] just making it worse."  It hurts to hear words like this.  To feel someone's spirit trying to attack and antagonize and demean ours.  I guess I experienced a microscopic percentage of what Christ endured almost every day that he walked the earth.  The lesson or point that I feel like Heavenly Father wanted us to learn was to be obedient "at all times and in all things and in all places."  To "stand tall in crying and in suffering" as put by Elder Holland. 

Earlier in the week, we had a training by one of our zone leaders (and one of my favorite elders in the mission) Elder Topp.  He spoke on the topic of attitude.  That our attitudes really are an indication of our faith; our trust in God.  He shared the story of Abinadi in the Book of Mormon and how he returned to the wicked people he was crying repentance to, even after they had kicked him out of the city.  Paraphrasing, he said, "Touch me not! For I still have a message to deliver.  God will spare my life until I am able to deliver this message! "  He had so much faith, such an unbelievable attitude as he is being tormented and ridiculed and had his very life threatened and he still stood tall in his suffering.  You all know the story reveals that in the end Abinadi is ultimately killed but he valiantly bore witness and testified and warned the people of their fallen state.  That when he had completed his mission he had said in Mosiah 17;19-20 "Oh God, receive my soul..."  I hope that by the end of my mission, when I have the opportunity to attend a session in the temple with the other missionaries that I will be going home with, that I can turn over the mission to the Lord in His Holy House.  That I can say "Oh God, receive my [mission].  That I did all that I could with the time given.  I served this mission for thee.  I hope it is acceptable."

Something really great happened this week though.  It was the shining star amongst several dark nights.  Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve apostles came and spoke to the Tacoma and Seattle missions. Nearly 400 full-time missionaries gathered in the Federal Way stake center to be instructed and inspired by someone so close to the Savior.  The first two rows of the chapel were reserved for the sister missionaries and my companion and I arrived early to guarantee the best seats.  I got to sit within 7 feet of an apostle!  How powerful of an experience to one day be enduring mockery and ridicule on someone's porch to not even 24hrs later to be addressed in the flesh by an apostle of the Lord.  That really the person that should be felt sorry for is them.  They who rejected the glad message that is the Gospel.  Not me.  That they were so far from the truth, with hardness in their hearts, when at one time they knew.  That they had agreed to the Plan that the Savior put forth and that they came to earth wanting to return to Him.

Here are a few notes from his address:

- He said that as much as he wanted to say that he came just to see us (the missionaries) he did not.  He came to address the Bishops, High Priests, Ward Mission Leaders, and Stake Presidents.  The church is growing so rapidly, that it needs more Priesthood holders, specifically Melchezidek priesthood holders.  This is totally the case in our YSA ward.  With Rob, our ward mission leader getting married, there is an opening for that calling.  With such few Melchezidek priesthood holders in the ward to begin with, it doesn't help that most are going back to school for the fall semester.  The others are either aaronic priesthood holders are if they do hold the higher priesthood they are not worthy.  Bottom line;  We need more priesthood leadership.  Did you know that 75% of stake presidents, 66% of bishops, and 60% of Elders quorum presidents are Returned missionaries?

-He mentioned the Broadway show that has caught the world's attention.  Every bus stop, taxi cab, and building marquee had THE BOOK OF MORMON plastered to it.  He said the church's public affairs office in Manhattan has never seen more inquiries than as the time following the broadway show.  The world is becoming more aware of who we are.  Of the power we hold.  The Lord expects a lot of me as a full-time missionary, but he also expects a lot of the general members of the church.  Now is the time to be opening our mouths and bearing witness of the truth.  To help bring the less actives back in to the fold.  To strengthen our recent converts.  To invite our friends, family, and neighbors.  To cause a mighty change of heart of the people in the world today.  He stressed the importance of unity in the church.  To be part of a team that works together with the SPIRIT, with POWER, and BOLDNESS. 

-He reminded us that the Head of this church is not Thomas S. Monson.  He is merely a designated Holy messenger.  The head of the church has been and will always be Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite scriptures that I read this week during personal study is in Alma 29:1-2 "Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of my heart, and that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people...Yea I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

That is my prayer for my mission.  For all of you, I hope that you could stand before someone and know that you have a testimony of the living God.  Of Jesus Christ.  That the boy Joseph Smith beheld a vision.  That the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  And that there is a prophet on the earth today.  So that when you are ever put in a position where that testimony could be questioned, that you can stand in faith, immovable in the Gospel.  Make your testimony solid if it isn't today.  Elder Holland counseled, "May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not only in word and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear."  I know that  "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life." (Helaman 5:13)

Love you all,
Sister Baylon

Finding joy through loving service

Family!

Ok so I switched it up today and actually read your emails before I started typing mine.  Good thing I did, so many good things going on at home!! Scott, that is so awesome you are making it big with the video production skillzz of yours.  Keep it up.  All those hours fiddling around on iMovie are paying off.  That's so great that Dad sat in with the elders.  Are you so excited the missionaries are meeting with you each week??  That is so cool, I wish I was one of the missionaries coming over.  Haha I loved hearing that there is a ginger elder serving in our ward.  Wait, which on is Elder Cazair? The one from Montana or the one from Rigby, ID?  There was a whole district of elders that I was in the MTC with me that were heading to Carlsbad and got sooooo excited when I said that was my home mission.  They were like "Who's your family?!?! Tell them to feed us!!!" haha. So keep your eye out for some hungry greenies.  There are a few really missionary-minded families here in the ward.  Just awesome supports to us.  So make the Baylon family one of those for the missionaries in our ward.  There is family full of 5 boys that have us over all the time.  Whenever we need anything, we know who to call.  This morning we went over there to wash/vaccuum our car, work out, got fed a hot breakfast, and left with groceries.  They are the best!!

This week was so amazing.  We had our miracle baptisms with the two Samoan sisters.  We were afraid that there wasn't going to be anyone coming, because the girls are super shy and don't talk much at church and with their mother being less active and their step-dad not a member, their parents don't know anyone in the ward besides us as the missionaries.  Our prayers were answered, people showed up in droves!! It was truly amazing.  The primary president came and welcomed Angelina (10) with a special blanket to represent the "Comforter" as the gift of the holy ghost.  The Young Women President came and presented Kimberly (12) with a white fleece scarf.  Kind of a teen-version of the blanket her sister got.  There was even a couple women that volunteered to do a musical number with a piano/cello duet of "Come Follow Me."  So beautiful.  The Bishop's wife and her kids came along with several other families in the ward.  They wanted the baptism in the middle of the week in the middle of the day so we were having a hard time rounding up Priesthood holders that could make it.  Brother Elkington took work off so that he could come! Amazing.  He gave a talk on receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and just knocked it out of the park.  He brought his son, Noah, and afterwards said that he and his son had the greatest time.  The new senior couple elder and sister came and even President and Sister Weaver.  It was the dream team.  I gave the talk on the Restoration and could not have had it go any better.  The entire room was listening, including their non-member step-dad.  Their mom was even in tears.  Now we are going to start working with their 11 yr old brother that was baptized in their uncle's ward in Bremerton and start getting him back to church.  Eventually, we want to start teaching their 9 yr old brother that hasn't been baptized yet.  They invited us over to house afterwards for a Samoan feast. Yowza.  I felt like a minnow going up against a pack of hammerheads.  They can pack food aaaa...wayyyyyyy. Dang.  There were like 5 kinds of barbecued meat, potato salad, rice, chop suey, steamed bananas, and of course custard pie.  I was the only one that didn't take seconds or clean my plate.  One of their uncles jokingly gave me a hard time about it.  I could never make it as a Samoan.  He said that he lived in Torrance for one year and attended a Samoan ward there.  What ward is Grandpa in? He said they have a ton of family in Long Beach.  Remember that big Samoan gangster from the Italian Job movie?  Totally his cousin. 

Saturday was one of the best experiences of my life.  We got special permission from President Weaver to accompany the YSA ward on their annual trip to Shaw Island in the San Juan islands to help these 7 retired Catholic nuns who run a 400acre farm.  The islands are way outside of our mission boundaries and we are the first ones to ever get permission to go.  Making us the first LDS missionaries, first Sister missionaries, to ever step foot on that island.  Sweet!  Just getting there was an adventure in and of itself.  We all met at the church building bright and early at 4am.  From there we caravaned to Kingston about 40 minutes away where we boarded a ferry that took us to Edmonds.  From Edmonds we got off and drove an hour and 15min to Anacortes.  From there we took a ferry to Shaw Island.  Talk about the edge of the earth.  It was the most beautiful ride.  We passed a place called Orcas island.  Total Free Willy status.  The crazies thing happened.  When we finally made it to Shaw island and were walking off the ferry, we noticed that our group of 38 people looked smaller than usual.  By the time we could start getting a head count, the horn blew and the ferry headed back out to sea.  Yikes.  13 people did not get off the ferry and would have to sit tight for another 3 hours until the ferry made its way back to Shaw island on its round of stops.  Talk about a parable to teach by.  The U.S.S. Bridegroom came and went and 13 virgins were left. Hahaha.  We were shocked they were that unaware.  The nuns came and picked us up in this huge 15passenger van that had clearly seen better days.  It was gutted out without seats or seatbelts so Bishop didn't want the sister missionaries to be without seatbelts so we rode with him in his car while everyone else piled in.  It was about a 3 mile drive to the farm and we saw maybe 2 houses.  Less than 200 people live on the island, but there actually are several members of the church that live there as permanent residents.  Guess what? They have sacrament meeting over the phone! Haha there are so many little islands and very few members, there is not a church building that is close enough that they could all meet at.  I'm not exactly sure how digital church works but I thought that was crazy.

So we get there and are divided up into groups that are assigned different jobs around the farm.  The nuns LOVE THE MORMONS.  They said that groups come up occassionally to help out, but the Mormons are the only ones that show up to work.  And to work hard.  It's true though.  I've never seen so many hands go up when Mother Superior asked for volunteers to clean the chicken coop.  Talk about a crappy job.  Ha. Get it?  Anyway, bad joke. There were actually a few nonmembers that came up, but we were asked by the nuns to not proselyte while on the island.  So while we were not able to verbally proselyte, I would say that we were able to by our actions and attitudes.  I had my doubts the 20-somethings would be less than eager to give up their sleep, time, and free Saturday to do hard manual labor for some old ladies dressed in head-to-toe Habits.  But I was so wrong.  Smiles and laughter all around.  Shy kids coming out of the woodwork, being outgoing and friendly with others.  YSA's branching out and speaking with people they normally don't while bonding over their assigned jobs.  So awesome.  Everyone just exuded happiness.  Truly "finding joy through loving service." (I was assigned to speak on that topic the next day at church)  These two nonmember sisters volunteered to help stain a wooden walkway, benches, and deck so Sister Mills and I didn't wait a second to volunteer to go with them. Hahah we were not doing our duty if we didn't at least try to teach the gospel in some way or another.  There were these two slightly older women that came with us to show us what to do.  Their names were Maryanne and Martha and when I looked at them I thought, "Man, I swear I've seen you at Trader Joe's back home or at Swami's or something.  Turns out they were from Pacific Beach.  Haha and I met a kid that is interning there who is from Vista but he went to the Grauer school in Encinitas.  Sister Mills never ceases to be amazed by how many people I meet that I know, have mutal friends with, or have things in common.  By the end of the day we were EXHAUSTED.  We didn't get back to our apt by 9:30.  Right on time for curfew.  Mom, they had a ton of one-man outriggers on our ferries.  There was a huge inter-island race going on that day.  I felt super cool when I the only one that knew what they were.

So part of our extensive series of recitations that we recite as a mission is our mission motto:

Faith is the power.
Love is the Motive.
Obedience is the Price.
The Spirit is the Key.
The Restoration is the Message.
Members are the means.
Christ is the Reason.
Baptism is the way.
Joy is the reward.

I thought of this idea at the end of last transfer to pick one of these concepts from our motto to make the theme for each individual week of the transfer.  The first week was Faith is the power, second week was love is the motive, and so for this week it will be obedience is the price.  This week we will be making extra efforts to achieve our goal of being exactly obedient.  In the MTC, our teacher told us that "obedience brings blessings; exact obedience brings miracles."  I couldn't agree more.  Obedience predicates everything.  One of the hardest things for us to be obedient about is only staying an hour in a members home so that we can start our 5-7 tracting time right at 5.  That two hour block of time should be consecrated specifically for dedicated finding.  I do not find it ironic that our meal calendar is completely signed up for this week.  Everyday this week we have a meal.  Heavely Father is putting us to the test to see if our faith to be obedient is really as strong as we think it is.  I know that if we can adhere to our goal this week, we will see miracles.  An elder at our zone meeting last week gave a training on confidence.  To be confident we need: Faith, love, skill, and boldness.  He also said that when we don't have confidence we can't be urgent about the work.  So if I don't believe that by fully utilizing 5-7pm as prime time to be out finding, I won't be urgent about the work and consequently the Lord will not want to bless me with his prepared people to be taught.

I truly have come to love my mission.  I love being a missionary.  I love bringing the Spirit in to people's homes.  I love teaching and learning from those I teach.  I love, love, love personal study.  I have truly come to love the scriptures and I know that they are the word of God.  I love saying 50 bazillion prayers a day.  I invite all of you to take more time for the Lord and I promise you will see your world open up.  As will the heavens as "He pours out blessings more abundantly upon you."  It is so easy to be happy when you have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with you.  Nothing can get in your way.  Nothing can bring you down.  It's easier to love other people when you first love Christ and our Father in Heaven.  If you are not happy, if you are not content, if you are lonely, if you are lost, kneel in prayer.  Ask for His help.  Then open your scriptures and he'll speak back to you.  The most common way He'll answer our prayers is through others.  Be the answer to someone's prayer by going out and doing good.  Serve and you will always be happy. 

All my love,
Sister Baylon

although the road to the temple is steep, it is the only road i wish to travel

Hi family,

Sorry I am emailing you all a day late!  We came to library yesterday to email and for some reason the email site would not work for me but it worked for Sister Mills.  I was so frustrated and annoyed.  So I just had to sit there while she got to email and use the computer.  But no worries I had forgotten my list of things to email home about so I have them with me now to email you.  Plus, I got the package that you sent me in the mail so I was luckily able to call Wells Fargo and sort out the issue with my credit card.  The lady I spoke with on the phone said that they will submit the claim to the company that charged my card and they have 60 days to respond.  So until then they temporarily refund my card.  So it will be a while before the issue is finally and hopefully resolved in my favor.

Last week was the best week of my mission.  I got to go to my favorite city ever, SEATTLE!!!!!  for our ward mission leader and his fiancee's sealing.  It was the neastest experience I have witnessed on my mission thus far.  As I watched these two recent converts to the church kneel across the altar in the temple where they were sealed as husband and wife for time and all eternity, my role and responsiblity as a missionary came full circle.  Missionaries had found Robert tracting less than two years ago and now he was being promised the greatest blessings he could receive here on earth and in the life to come.  He was able to bring his now wife into the church and they faithfully waited until she was able to go through the temple.  They are both the only members in their families so the sealing room was packed with members from the bishopric, endowed members of the ward, and 6 sister missionaries.  Their wedding reception was very modest and simple.  But the pure love for each other and their love for the Savior was so radiant.  They didn't have the fanciest decorations, or the most sophisticated food, or even the most elegant crowd of people that gathered to support them, but what they did have was the kind of testimony and conviction that is needed to have the dilligence and faith to recognize being sealed in the temple was the only option.  I only hope that whoever I marry will respect, honor, and cherish me like Rob does Carolyn.  That my husband will love the Lord like Rob does.  He has only been a member for 18 months but has just excelled in his callings and role in the church.  They had a wedding picture frame that the guests could all sign and I wrote, "Rob & Carolyn, If everyone had a love and marriage like yours, the world would be a better place to live."  I know that my sights are set only on the temple and although the road to the temple is steep, it is the only road I wish to travel.

Our baptism with Nolan was great!! True YSA style.  People were late, the talks were a little...animated.  Some of the moments could have been a tad more reverent.  But at the end of the day, there was so much love in the room and the Spirit was there.  Nolan was confirmed on Sunday and this coming Sunday will be interviewed to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. 

We have our baptism for the two Samoan girls this week also on Thursday!!!! We set a goal as a zone to baptize weekly and we are totally meeting our companionship goal so far!!  President Weaver might even drive up for the ordinance.  I am giving the 10min talk on the Restoration and Brother Elkington is going to try to take off work so that he can come.  It is going to be great! It's crazy that their mother is less active and their step-dad is not a member but they are both extremely excited and supportive of their baptism.  Their step-dad is home for the week from Alaska where he is gone for months at a time as an Alaskan fisherman (Deadliest Catch style).  That is why we are having the baptism midweek, he really wants to be there and will be gone on Sunday.  Plus he wants to cook us all Samoan food to have after the baptism.  Apparently he is a really excellent cook so I'm excited to see what he'll make. The girls' auntie is currently in the hospital and the step-dad asked us if we would go visit her and say a prayer with her.  She is currently pregnant and there have been come complications so they are hospitalizing her.  Stepping foot into a hospital was a little hard. The same smells and equipment that I had become all too familiar with these past few months with Grandma, all came flooding back when we went to visit her.  But I knew that this time I carried the mantle of God with me as a missionary and I was there to administer to the sick.  She is a member in another stake so she had been given a blessing.  We chatted with her briefly and said a quick prayer with her and her husband.  The girls' family is extremely shy, so it was no surprise that her auntie's family was too.  We heard back later from the girls' mom that their auntie really appreciated our visit.  Brought me a lot of joy.

We have little fake callings in our zone.  Prayer pope (someone that gets to pick who says the prayer) the Holy High-Fiver (someone that gives everyone encouraging high-fives) Miracle Man (someone that you call when you have a miracle happen that you want to share with the zone.  So I am the stewardship scribe.  I get to make the stewardship board at zone meeting and fill it out.  All of our different stats, numbers, and goals for the week.  I also have been self-appointed as the zone baker.  I love baking for everyone.  It is something that I get to do that I really enjoy, plus it makes everyone really happy.  So far I have made chocolate rolo cookies, oreo truffles, german chocolate cupcakes and this week I am making muddy buddies.  I try to make things that are relatively cheap and don't recquire a lot of cooking equipment and time to make.  Our district leader even offered to have the elders help pitch in to pay.  So far I have been able to make treats with what we have lying around our kitchen but if it ever comes to it, I might take him up on his offer.

One of the hardest things on the mission....eating when I'm not hungry.  Sometimes when we stop by members homes they are like "here! eat!"  It is usually just after we have eaten or when I am totally not in the mood for eating.  One time, when the member wasn't looking I scraped some of my food on to Sis Mills plate and she helped me eat it.  The sisters in the mission are doing a health/weight loss fitness program for the next 3 transfers.  It was initiated by Sister Anderson who works in the mission office.  She has gained 18 pounds on the mission so she wants to lose 1 pound/week for the next 18 weeks that she has left.  We are supposed to call in our progress each monday....yeah....we haven't been doing too well.  I love treats too much.  Luckily, I haven't gained any weight.  In fact, I have actually lost some.  There is no way that I would be able to work 15 hour days without the help of Heavenly Father.  There is just no way.  So I could probably be better at filling my body with better fuel.

Last night the new military senior couple missionaries, Elder and Sister Finnegan, invited me and sis Mills over for Family Home Evening. (They work primarily on base with all the navy and military members).  Elder Finnegan used to work as the guy in charge of the MTC bookstore so he has copies of almost every devotional and speaker that has ever given a talk at the MTC.  Last night we watched a recording of a member of the Seventy, named Lynn G. Dobbins.  He spoke on how we can better understand and perpetuate the conversion process for our investigators.  He asked what is our biggest hope as missionaries after we teach a family or an individual the lessons.  Naturally, we all think: BAPTISM!!!!!  Wrong.  Baptism is the third principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We should hope that our investigators FIRST have FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Because after the missionaries are gone, after ther baptism, after they start attending the ward for a while, if they do not have a foundation in the Gospel that is first built on faith, they will eventually fall away.  Ever heard of an anagram?  It's a word or words that can be scrambled around to have the same letters form a new word.  He put up the words: THE EYES.  The anagram that he made was THEY SEE.  Then he quickly said that this is not true.  That seeing is not believing.  That you cannot gain a testimony through our five senses.  How many times did people in the scriptures see an angel, hear the word of God, taste manna from heaven, feel the tangible gifts from God and so on an so forth and yet STILL DID NOT BELIEVE?  Read these scriptures (3 Nephi 1: 11-13, 22 and 2:1-2)  As missionaries we should not be holding their hands through their conversion process where we are the ones leading them solely, pulling or dragging them to the Christ.  Instead, we should be taking their hands and placing them on the iron rod, where they can then (with our support and encouragement) learn to lead themselves.  Because if we didn't plant their hands there, when we leave, they will be in mists of darkness (Read 1Nephi 8 so good!)

I encourage and invite you all today to read the Book of Mormon.  To read with a sincere heart, with real intent.  Did you know that if you were to read just 5 pages/day from the Book of Mormon you could have read it 3.5 times in one year?? 3.5 times multiplied by however many years we will live = lifetime of knowledge and increased insight from the word of God.  It has brought so much more understanding and recognition of how much my Savior knows and loves me.  Individually as a child and daughter of God.  It is the best conversion tool I have as a missionary for my investigators and I know this, because it has been the best conversion tool the Lord has given me in my personal conversion.  Start today.  The rest of your life and the happiness you can have await you.

I read this quoteby Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and thought I would leave them with you:

" Faith is for the future.  Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there.  Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "High Priest of good things to come" (Hebrews 9:11) "

I love you all and hope that all is well at home.  Dad, yes I get your emails and love them!  Have you received the cards I've sent you.  I'll write you another this week.  Good luck with everything as you head back to school, Mom.  You too, Scott and Jill.  Love you guys.

Sis Baylon

start of the second transfer...

Hello family,

Guess what? I am staying in Silverdale!  Yesterday marked the start of my second transfer in the mission.  I had no idea what or where my transfer assignment was going to be and I was dying on Saturday waiting for the phone call.  Usually the AP's or the President make the calls from 8:30-12:30 am so I figured that I would know at least before our whole zone went out for lunch at 12:30.  The Saturday before the end of the transfer has been nicknamed "Seattle Saturday."  It basically is in reference to the inferiority of the neighboring Seattle mission and how compared to the WA-TAC they don't really do anything.  Kind of ironic in that the Seattle mission actually idolizes us here.  President Weaver said that he is changing the name to "Sowing Saturday."  A day that we can still sow gospel seeds and not waste time, even when to us the transfer is seemingly over.  I was mentally checked out and secretly hoping that I would get transferred.  I felt like this past transfer has been a time of a lot of learning and experience and I hoped that I would be able to take what I've learned here and then asked to apply it in a totally new area with a totally new companion, ward, etc.  But at the same time I had a feeling in the back of my mind that I would be staying.  Not only to learn a lot of lessons that I totally still need to learn here on the mission, but that there are people here waiting to receive me.  There are prepared children of God that I have been sent here to find.

So when 3 o'clock finally rolled around and we still hadn't been called, I got really nervous.  I assumed that I would be staying and I assumed right.  AP Berger called mintutes later to inform both Sister Mills and I that we would both be staying here in the Silverdale zone.  When I heard the news, the Spirit confirmed to me that this is where I am supposed to be at this time.  That the missionaries assigned to this zone are the best missionaries that could be here at this particular time.  Today we had our weekly zone meeting and I received further witness that I was kept here for a reason.  We got a new Zone leader, Elder Coronado, an elder from my MTC district, Elder Pagano, a 300 lb. Hawaiian as my new district leader, Elder Jenkins, and a painfully shy/awkward greenie that came in yesterday, Elder Cook.  They all came from really successful areas and brought with them such a great intensity and fire to do missionary work and to see miracles here in Silverdale.  There are zones throughout the mission that have reputations.  For high baptizing, low baptizing, good wards, bad wards, etc.  They all, myself included, feel like we can boost our zone to become the next "Lakewood" or "Tacoma" zones, which happen to be some of the highest baptizing and powerhouse zones of the mission.  I like to think of Silverdale as a sleeping giant.  Greatness that has been laying dormant for so long and needs to woken up and when it does it will explode.  We set a goal as a companionship that we could baptize 5 people this transfer with the hopes of 6.  Personally, I think that we can baptize 6 people. 

At the start of this transfer it was really hard for me to have the faith to find.  To believe that there are people that are in search of the Gospel and that are waiting for me to bring it to them.  That I can knock a thousand doors and invite every person I meet on the street, but if I don't believe that the Lord has prepared some of His elect for me to find, that I will not find them.  One particular day, I felt like I needed to pray and ask for the faith to find.  No joke, we found like 5 people to teach or atleast come back and talk to again just within the 2 hours of finding time that followed that prayer.  I remembered that "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called by Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13)  It is part of our 4 recitations that we declare every zone meeting and at every gathering of the mission.  Words and phrases that proclaim our identity, role, and mission here as the Lords servants in the Washinton Tacoma mission.

We found this 84 yr old man named Andy Tuttobene.  He is a retired navy lieutenant and a widower of 5 years.  He lives alone.  Wakes up at 10 am makes breakfast.  Goes to the commecery on base to grocery shop.  Comes home.  Eats dinner.  Watches TV. Reads the paper.  Goes to bed.  We had knocked on his door one day and he said that he wasn't interested in the church but that he said that he had a lot of respect for the Mormon faith and its people.  That he could not think of one bad thing to say about the religion or those that practiced it, but graciously declined our offer for a church tour or even help to do some service for him.  Two days later we get a call from an old man saying that two young girls came to his door and offered him help and that he woke up feeling like he should call them.  He was so impressed by our appearance, demeanor, and offer to help that he felt like he could call us and asked us to come over and meet with him.  He was looking for someone to do some light housework and to "look over his shoulder."  Being that he lvies alone and that he has no friends or family in the area or I think even living, that he feels very lonely and does not know where to turn for some company or help.  We earned his trust in 30 seconds on his doorstep and said that he would like us to come over and visit him once a week in exchange for some refreshments.  We have seen him twice now, left him with a Book of Mormon and have tried to introduce different aspects of the Gospel but he feels like he is too late and too old in life to start having a religion.  We told him that it is never too late and that we know of a way that he could be with his wife again one day and how he could find peace and not feel so lonely while he is still alive on the earth.  This peaked his interest but quickly grew exhausted when we invited him to come to church and how he could find so many answers to his questions there and to receive revelation.  He basically wants maximum results for minimum to zero effort.  I felt so sad for him in that moment as we ate gelato in his living room.  That he had completely forsaken the idea of seeing his wife again or being happy because he was old and too tired to start doing something new.  It made me feel peace to know that my Grandpa would never be like Andy Tuttobene.  That despite losing his beloved wife that he KNOWS and BELIEVES he will see her again and that they can be together forever.  That he has meaning and purpose still in his life today and that he does not have to feel alone.  That he has so many family and loved ones and friends there to "look over his shoulder" and to comfort and uplift him.  The gospel is so powerful and beautiful and I feel sorrow for those that need it so badly but cannot recognize that they do.

Another tracting miracle that we found is a 16 yr old boy named Taylor.  We were tracting this street that was totally dead.  Hardly anyone was home or at least no one opened the door for us.  We saw like one car drive by in like 2 hours of finding and just seemed like there was not a living soul to be found.  Knock on this one door and Taylor opened it.  He looked like he was maybe 13 so we asked if his parents were home so he left the door to go get his stepmom.  She comes to the door and we invite her to church and so on and so forth.  She said she wasn't really interested but then motioned to somone that apparently was listening from behind the door to come talk to us.  She said "Taylor, you've been looking to go to a church.  Here, you should be talking to them."  He steps out from behind the door and we get to talking.  He moved here about 2 months ago from HI and is here living with his step mom.  He used to go to church as a young kid with his grandma in HI and has even attended an LDS church a couple of times.  We invited him to a mutual activity that was happening that night at 6:30.  The young men were helping a disabled man in the ward with some yardwork and that it would be a good opportunity for him to meet boys his age that would be starting school with him at the high school in the fall.  Hesays "yeah sure, maybe."  We tell him to just give us a call if he changes his mind and we leave to go knock more doors.  That all happened at 6:05 pm. We are across the street about to knock on his neighbor's door and at 6:21 see a mini-van pull out of Taylor's driveway.  I look at Sis Mills and go "Do you think he is going to mutual?"  Without waiting another second we run to our car and race to the church on the chance that he might be.  En route to the building he calls us and said he wants to go to the activity and was on his way there. MIRACLE!!!!!!  No joke by 6:35 he is with several other boys pulling out brush and Scotch broom in the yard of a man he has never met.  He loved it and wants to go camping with the young men this month.  We are going to try to put him on date to be baptized this week!!!

Speaking of baptisms we are having a baptism this Thursday!! So this 21 yr old guy Nolan had been baptized two years ago but never came back on Sunday to get confirmed and receive the gift of the holy ghost.  Thus, it is considered void since it has been so long.  So he approached our ward mission leader like a couple weeks ago and we have been meeting with him a couple times and he does not want to wait to get baptized so we are doing it midweek.  So rad.  We have two baptisms scheduled for the following week, too, with two Samoan girls that are part of a less active family.  We are starting the transfer off so strong and will be halfway to our transfer baptism goal!!

I am so excited for Friday because we got special permission to attend a temple sealing for two members of our YSA ward!!!! He is our ward mission leader and they are both recent converts within the past year-year and a half.  We are driving with a member and taking the ferry to Seattle and then drive to the temple in Bellvue.  This will be the first sealing I have witnessed and could not be more excited.  Some of the missionaries that taught and baptized the two of them are still in the mission and are coming too.

Ok, I could not end this email without sharing a dog story.  It's way scary too.  Ok so we got this feeling that we needed to leave this one neighborhood we were tracting and to go to another street.  So we are driving down a street that a ward member lives on.  We were going to park at their house and then walk down and tract the rest of the road.  Good thing we didn't because we would have been attacked by these two giant dogs!!! We were driving along the gravel road and I look in the left side mirror and see this pit bull running after us at full speed.  Just completely exerting it self to get to our car. We are probably driving like 15 miles an hour.  When it catches up to us it is barking and jumping up to the driver window so I just start freaking out.  Slobbering all over the glass and was just trying to bust through the car and rip us to shreds.  Next thing you know a giant brown bull mastif comes up to the passenger side and starts jumping up on the passenger side and just about gives sister Mills a heart attack.  I try driving forward but the pit bull kept running in front of the car or trying to jump on the hood and the bull mastif is just ramming itself against the side doors.  We literally trapped and being attacked by the devil's dogs no joke.  They harassed our car and would not let us go for like 15 minutes until finally I decided I was just going to gun it and if I was supposed to hit them I would but that hopefully I wouldn't.  They kept up with the car at 25 mph!! crazyyyyyy.  We could have died if we had gotten out of the car.  When we were finally able to escape and pulled over we got out to look at the car and there were gobs of gooey sticky slobber streaked along the door panels.  Heavenly Father was definitely protecting us that day.

Well I hope that everyone is doing well and keeping busy.  Write to me!  This address will be good for another 6 weeks so you won't have to send mail to the mission home.  Jordan Miles, if you are reading this I don't have your address.  Write me again or email it to me at sbaylon@myldsmail.net.  All others, thanks for writing me and I am trying my best to write you all back.  If you get a chance read Mosiah 4:9-10  it has been one of my favorite scriptures to share with peope that we meet with and teach. 

Love you all!

Sis Baylon

an unwavering testimony of the plan of salvation

To my beloved family and friends,

This week has been a week of miracles.  Of tender mercies.  Of prayers answered.  Of confirmations from the Spirit.  Of healing.  Of prayer.  One specific miracle that has blessed my life this past week has been the discovery that I, in fact, have an unwavering testimony of the Plan of Salvation with Christ's Atonement being at the center of that plan.  On Saturday morning I woke up and prepared myself to attend a funeral that was being held at our church building for a less active boy that drowned in the local lake.  Although we didn't know the family it seemed like an opportunity for us to offer service and support as the missionaries in the area.  When we decided midweek that we were going to attend the funeral we had to cancel our highly anticipated plans to go with our entire zone to Bainbridge Island to watch a free showing of the church movie, "Legacy."  A member on the island owns the theater and offered it as a fun activity for Pioneer Day weekend.  But we thought that the funeral would be a more effective use of the Lord's time and that we should go to that instead. 

However I was surprised to wake up feeling that we shouldn't go.  We had already cancelled our ride with our district leaders that were going to take us and we had already commited to attend the funeral.  But I felt really uneasy and told Sister Mills I don't think we should go.  Luckily, our 10am appointment with a recent convert cancelled on us, freeing our schedule.  We got in the car and made the 40 min drive to the island.  The sky was cloudless, perfectly blue.  The sun was shining and for the first time in a long while I felt warmth.  The drive was picturesque.  Just absolutely beautiful driving on winding forest roads overlooking the beautiful sparkling Puget Sound.  Mount Rainier was visible in the distance.  We ended up having a wonderful time.  I never thought that while on my mission I would be sitting in a movie theater with popcorn on my lap, happy as a clam.  There was a high level of excitment as myself and all the other 15 missonaries squealed with delight to be there.  There was a Pioneer Day BBQ that followed.  Life was so good.  I was so happy and content and just feeling that there was nothing that could bring me down.

So when we received an unexpected call from Sister Weaver and the mission President, I assumed that the day was just getting better and better.  I absolutely adore the Weavers and any time I can see them I am beside myself with happiness.  They exude Christlike attributes.  They were coming up to Bremerton for a baptism and wanted to see us while they were up here.  We rushed to meet them at our church building, gladly leaving the BBQ early.  The last few relief society sisters that had helped with the food at the funeral were cleaning up as we arrived.  They said it went well but understood that we couldn't come.  President and Sister Weaver arrived minutes later and greeted us warmly with hugs.  We proceeded to sit in the RS room and I began to wonder what we would be talking about.  Maybe we were going to be briefing them on our area.  Or an emergency interview.  I was not expecting what was said next.

President Weaver turned to me and wasted no time letting me know that Grandma Margaret had passed away.  I can remember my response was, "Ok, I understand."  The moments that followed were a teary blur.  I was not overly emotional or hysterical but I sat there a bit frozen, looking around at the tear filled eyes that greeted me.  Sister Weaver immediately hugged me and held me there for a while as we cried together.  She told me in my ear that Mom had spoken with her earlier the previous evening and that there was no way that should could tell me the news in any other form than in person with a hug ready for me.  In that moment I realized that this was a devastating blow and I had a few moments to decide how this was going to effect me.  We had a teaching appoinment in 20 minutes and the Weavers were going to be leaving to attend that baptism.  I had to choose to let this tragedy devastate me.  To allow myself to be crippled and lose all energy.  Or I could draw from my faith and testimony that she is alright and that I will be alright too. That my knowledge of death and the Father's Plan of Happiness can sustain me at this time.  President Weaver asked if I would like a blessing and I graciously accepted.  What a once in a lifetime opportunity to receive a blessing from my mission president, but also an opportunity for healing and strength that comes from the Spirit through the hands of a worth Melchezidek priesthood holder.  He blessed me with comfort and peace.  For the strength to be able to carry on.  For the energy restored that will surely be drained from me.  He blessed me that I will have an even stronger witness of the Atonement and that this will be an even powerful witness that will have converting power with the people I will find and teach.  He carried on and said some very beautiful, simple, yet powerful promises and words that I know helped get me through the rest of that day and evening.

It really wasn't until yesterday, Sunday, that I was able to even stop for a moment and acklowedge Grandma's passing and allow myself to feel sorrow and to cry about it.  I decided that morning as I was on my knees in prayer that I needed to fast that day.  To fast for comfor and peace, but also for a confirmation of my testimony of all that I knew and believed about this mortal life and death.  About the life hereafter and the power of the Atonement and knowledge of the resurrection.  I strongly reccomend keeping a fasting journal.  I have  notebook designated specifically for fasting.  I write about why I am fasting and all the questions I have or whatever I am in need of or seeking.  And throughout the time that I am fasting I record all things that I felt were revelations, inspirations and things that were answeres to whatever I was fasting for.  So by the end of yesterday I had scriptures, hymns, thoughts and mentionings in other's prayers that were all things that helped me find what I was looking for.  That lended me the peace I was seeking. 

One thing that I found to be extrememly revelatory to me was a collection of scriptures that I found during sacrament meeting.  In the Doctine and Covenants 76: 50-70 lists the Glory and Rewards for exalted beings in the Celestial Kingdom.  These brought great peace and comfort to me knowing that she was far too great for this life and the condition that she was in. 

v. 55 They are given into whose hands the Father has given all things--

v. 59 Wherefore all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's

v. 60 And they shall overcome all things

v 62 They shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever

v. 63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign..

v. 65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.

v. 66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.

v. 67 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels...

v. 68 These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.

v. 70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all...

I know without a doubt that all of these promises and blessings pertain to her.  I know that she is deserving of the highest place in God's Celestial Kingdom and she is reunited with her loved ones.  Before President Weaver gave me the blessing he asked me to briefly tell him about my relationship with Grandma.  I told him that from a very young age I felt that she was an example of someone that lived her religion and her testimony.  That she could stand before the judgment bar and say that she had done her very best and endured to the end.  That she was truly an example of the believers. With tears in his eyes, President Weaver said that was the highest honor that I could pay anyone and that I will be strengthed from her as my own angel in Heaven.  Sister Weaver said that everything I stated about Grandma right then is her biggest hope and wish that her grandchildren could someday say about her..

With yesterday being Pioneer day, I couldn't think of a more honory Sunday to think about a pioneer in my own life.  While she didn't cross the plains to the Salf Lake valley she fearlessly forged a path of righteousness and faith for all those that followed her.  She taught me how to be obedient and how to love the Lord.  She taught me how to pray sincerely and how to rely on the Savior for help and for guidance.  She taught me how to be a better person, a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter, a better student, a better member of the Church and made me want to be a missionary.  I owe so much of who I am today to the living legacy that she left me with.  I felt that each time I do something good, each time I serve, each time I bear my testimony, each time I reach out to someone in love, in the name of Christ, I am honoring her.

I know that it was a tender mercy from God that I had fun that Saturday morning.  That I didn't have to attend a funeral only to be told soon after that there would be a funeral in my own family.  I know that He is mindful of me and that as one of His missionaries I am able to be extremely close to the Spirit.  On Friday morning, the morning that she passed,  I was at a Filipino woman's house that we had miraculously found tracting helping her sort through her two deceased daughter's personal possessions.  They were 21 and 22 years old and both unexpectedly died of cardiac arithmia.   She had not touched their things for seven years, since the day that they died.  I felt extremely close to the Spirit that morning as I bore powerful testimony of the Plan of Salvation with her in her garage.  I told her about Grandma Margaret and the knowledge that I have of His plan allows me to be ok.  I told her that we pray to find people like her. That it was no coincidence that two girls the same ages as her daughters happen to show up on her doorstep the morning they received the coroner's autopsy they had been awaiting for over a year.  We cried together and offered her support and told her of the comfort and peace that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I think that I must have had Grandma's spirit with me helping me find the words to say as I spoke with this woman.  She allowed herself to grieve and wants us to come back and begin teaching her the gospel.  Everyone we had met that week while tracting had all had experiences with losing a loved one.  I truly feel that we had so much success with them because I was able to be so close to the Spirit as Grandma Margaret's life was slowly drawing to a close.  I feel her around me very strongly.  I know that I do not need to worry about her anymore.  Tell  Grandpa that I love him so much and that everything will be ok.  That he can still have joy in this life and that we will see her again on the other side of the veil.

I want to bear my solemn witness that this life is a probationary state.  A time for us to prepare to meet God. I know that this seperation is only for this life and that I will see her again.  I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ.  That He lives.  That God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he loves me.  I know that all grief, heartache, injustice, sin, sorrow, and pain can me made right and lifted through the Savior's Atonement.  I know that there are still things to hope for and things to be joyous about.  I know that there is a life free of pain and suffering or wrongs and evil and it is the life eternal.  I know that I am working toward the same place that Grandma so faithfully has made her final resting stop.  I believe in prayer.  In honest and sincere pleading with the Father, we can receive the peace that we all so desperately need.  I know there is a work here for me to do and that I can and will face the future with faith.  That I will be a pioneer here on my mission for people that are preparing to meet me and for me to find them.  Keep pressing foward.  Keep believing.  Keep the faith.  Keep trusting in the Lord.  Keep Positive.  I love you all so much.  This gospel means everything to me and I know it can for you, too.  Cleave unto Him and he will carry you through this time.  I love you all so much.

Sister Baylon