A last minute blessing. 6-24-2019

 P-day in Aburi. This is an abandoned helicopter that was left there from about 50 years ago.

 This last week was another week like usual. To be honest, it was super hard at first because we just weren't seeing any progress with anyone. No one was answering their phone or sticking to the appointments we set. On Wednesday, we didn't get to proselyte in our area, because we went on an exchange with the AP's. That really helped to lift my spirits though. I was with Elder Bennion and he was asking about our area and how we can improve our teaching skills. I told him that I honestly didn't know what to do. He then had us sit down at the chapel and we did our companionship study on something which was quite different. He drew a circle and wrote three words inside and I am attaching it below for you all to see.

He explained that in life, we focus to much on the what. For example, the Word of Wisdom has certain rules to protect us but too many times we focus to much on the WHAT or the HOW and forget the WHY. Then he asked me, "Elder Baird, do you feel that the people understand why you are teaching them or do they only understand what you are teaching?" Let's just say, I had a rude awakening. I realized that I was more focused on the what and not the reason why we are here. SO let me just say, I really was impressed with Elder Bennion and his lesson that he gave to me because it touched both as a missionary and personally. I really, really thank him for that.

The next day was zone conference, and it was a very good and spiritual discussion that we had with President Keyes. We talked a lot about how we can better feel the Spirit and also the ways we can feel the Spirit. The thing I took away from the lesson was that too many times we confuse the Spirit with our own thoughts and we begin to doubt if we are receiving revelation. Well, as the scriptures say, if it inviteth to do good and to come closer to Christ, it is of the Spirit. I really started to evaluate myself and asked, "Do I feel the Spirit more than I think??" And the answer is yes! We all do! The annoying thing is that we don't even know! SO every time that you have an impression to do good, act on it! It is the Holy Ghost! :)

Proselyting pictures. 

The last thing that happened was on Saturday. Friday was honestly a pretty slow and boring day and it was quite sad because I felt so spiritually uplifted on Thursday and then to have Friday fall apart just made it really difficult to keep my head high. But we had decided to make Saturday a great day. And guess what? Things didn't work out much. It was really quite hard. I was disappointed and I was feeling bad. We went to go and try to visit some members to elevate our spirits. We went to go and teach a recent convert about the first vision to make sure that he completely remembers it. At first he didn't remember a thing. But afterward you could just see his face light up because of how good he felt after hearing the message of the restoration again! That made my entire day, because he seemed so happy to learn again.

Then after that, we went to go and teach a young girl named Bella who we have been teaching for a short time. She is showing some real progress. While we were teaching her a young boy walked by and he asked if he could join our lesson. So, of course, we let him! After the lesson, we asked him how he felt and all he said was this. "I know this is true. I really, really do." We asked him how he knew and he said, "Well look at the story of how Joseph Smith got the Book of Mormon. An angel revealed it to him and we know that God is the only one who can send angels to reveal things like that. So from that I know it is true." My jaw almost hit the floor with his answer. Like wow. I was shocked that he understood so well. I will tell you that I felt the Spirit in that lesson. It testified to me and it testified to him. 

I love this work. I really do. It comes with hardships. Sometimes I am tired and feel lazy about going out, but as Elder Bennion taught me, don't focus on the what, but the why.

Sincerely,

Elder Baird

Elder Smith playing his guitar.