Hey y’all, what a crazy week it has been!! Lots of things have happened. We had our second zone conference with all the White Mountain Missionaries. Man, that was a great experience. There have been many changes in our mission. We had about 50 missionaries who were here temporarily and have now been reassigned to their original foreign mission. Many of our friendships have been uprooted within the last couple of weeks as many of our missionaries are in new areas. I was looking forward to spending Christmas in Vernon but now I’m in Show Low. The Lord is in charge, and I will make new friends here. This is my first Christmas away from home. We have many traditions such as gathering as an extended family on Christmas Eve and reading the Christmas Story in Luke 2 and caroling and eating Baldwin traditional treats like Church Windows (chocolate / marshmallow / coconut cookies), toffee, and milky way bread. I will be home again but for now I am enjoying Christmas in the mountains of Northern Arizona. Zone Conference helped us focus on the importance of Christmas and how our service here and now can make a big impact in the lives of those around us.

This first week of the new transfers brought some unique experiences. Upon arriving in Show Low and meeting my new companion Elder Epperson, I was contacted by a man who was infatuated with my Facebook page. He says he is deeply religious and he wanted to talk about everything with me except for the Gospel message which I am ready to share. His great interest in us is evidenced by his many phone calls and texts.  I wish I had all the time in the world for everyone, but I’m here to share the birth, and life, and ministry of Jesus Christ. Hopefully, this man will become more receptive to our message at some point; in the meantime, I’ll go where the Lord directs me. And there’s no better time to be on a mission than during the Christmas season.

Throughout my mission, I have already seen many miracles. Today on my first Preparation Day in Show Low, I was at Walmart looking for some sharpies and a nice gentleman in his 30’s ask me: “are you looking for sharpies?” And I told him: “Yes I am looking for some.” All of the sudden he goes searching in his wallet and pulls out a $20 bill; at which point, I wanted to say to him: “Sir there is no need for you to give me this.” But before I could convince him otherwise, he had already walked off farther into Walmart and disappeared. WHAT A BLESSING THAT WAS! I am so grateful for the good people of Arizona who show their love towards the missionaries. This blessing may seem small, but there are plenty of them every week and they add up. The Lord looks out for his missionaries!

I testify that Jesus – the same who was born in a humble manger in Bethlehem – is the Savior of the world.  At this Christmas season, I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate His birth and to honor the faithfulness of many of those around Him. He is the true miracle of Christmas!

This time of the year is the time for all of us to look for those who may not have family to be around this christmas.

 In 2nd Nephi 26:3 it says: “And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection; and great and terrible shall that day be unto the wicked, for they shall perish; and they perish because they cast out the prophets, and the saints, and stone them, and slay them; wherefore the cry of the blood of the saints shall ascend up to God from the ground against them.” 

This Scripture talks about the sign of Christ’s Birth. It is because of him that we celebrate Christmas. This is a special time of year where we open up our love and kindness towards others. I invite each of you this Christmas to find someone who may be spending Christmas alone because of the covid conditions we are in at this time. I also invite you all this Christmas Day to reach out to your friends and family to ask if they need any service.

Thank you all for the blessings and prayers 🙏 I pray for you all each day that you all can find peace and love.

I love you all and Wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅🎄❤

WITH MUCH LOVE AND GRATITUDE,

ELDER BALDWIN