MY LAST EMAIL..... 9-30-2019

Well I will just start off by telling all of you that this had been some of the best two years of my entire life. It was full of hardships, trials, but also a lot of joy and happiness came from it. The time here really wasn't long enough. We all say that good things must come to an end. This ending really was hard for me to experience. This past week has been a mix of so many emotions as I have made preparations for returning home. Even though I have been doing that, we were still able to find some success throughout the week.
 

Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the confirmation of Sister Janice whom we baptized last week. To make the day even better, I had two of the girls from Batsonaa that I baptized come to church to see me give my last talk and testimony in Ghana. As I was giving my talk, I was overwhelmed with such love and  appreciation for all the people I have met and served here. I didn't cry, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't choking on tears. I had such a hard time holding my tears back. I think the people in the congregation could tell that it was hard for me. It's not easy saying goodbye. Leaving my family was hard, but to be completely honest with all of you, it will be harder leaving these people that I have come to accept as my new family. I always knew that I will see my family again, but I didn't think about that many of the people I met here (that I think of as my family) I may never see again. That makes this an even harder goodbye. All I will have is a memory of the miracles that have happened here. 

The last lesson I got to teach was last night to a man named Eric. We invited our member Brother Joshua to come and help us teach the lesson because he is friends with him. Our lesson was solely on the Book of Mormon and what it contains. We began simply by explaining the history of the book and how we got it. We explained the blessings and power that come from the Book of Mormon as you read it. At the end of the lesson, Eric said that he was so impressed and that he is so excited to continue reading the book to know for himself how it can bless him. After he finished speaking, I left him with probably the most heartfelt testimony I have ever given of the Book of Mormon. Leaving that lesson made me sad because I realized I won't have the opportunity to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon as a set apart servant of the Lord who was tasked solely with the purpose of teaching the gospel. It was a hard pill to swallow as I thought about it, but brother Joshua said something so profound to me, he said, "Elder Baird, it is our job to continue building the Lord's kingdom on this earth in various callings and positions in the church throughout our lives." SO I realized, this isn't the end, but it's only the beginning. Because I have served here for two years I now have the tools in me to be able to continue sharing the gospel. I may not have a tag, but I still have the Spirit and His word within me. 

I want to thank my family and friends who have all read these letters and followed my mission these past two years. I have felt divine strength from beyond the veil and I know that it came because of the prayers given on behalf of me and all of the other missionaries in the world. I want to leave my testimony to all of you along with my personal witness that Jesus is the Christ. He is our Savior. He died for you and I so that we can be resurrected one day  and we can live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane so that he can know you and I personally. Because he knows us personally he is able to help us with his Grace which is the strengthening power of Jesus Christ.  We have trials in this life for a reason, and that reason is to help us become strong and deeply rooted in this gospel and in the faith of our Savior. I know that this is the Lord's church and it is once again established on the earth. NO other church has the fullness of the gospel like we have. The priesthood is indeed the power of God and we can perform miracles in our lives and in the lives of others if we honor and use that priesthood correctly. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on this earth and only through study of the Book of Mormon can a man or women draw closer to our Savior and Father in heaven. This is my testimony, I say it in the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you all do. Continue being disciples of Christ and help build his kingdom. 

Sincerely,

Elder Baird