Howdy Y’all!

This week was an amazing spiritual experience for me. We visited so many families. We have continued to teach people who are interested in hearing our message.  Among them are some whose last names include Baldwin, 😲 😳. It’s Crazy!!! So many Baldwins live up here in Snowflake Arizona, and I don’t even know if I am related to any of them. I will soon find out though.

The 4th of July was a blast 💥 🎆. I am grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy in our country. Long ago, an early Church leader named Brigham Young taught: “The Constitution of the United States is a glorious standard; it is founded in the wisdom of God. It is a heavenly banner; it is to all those who are privileged with the sweets of liberty, like the cooling shades and refreshing waters of a great rock in a thirsty and weary land. It is like a great tree under whose branches men [and women] from every clime can be shielded from the burning rays of the sun.”

My companion and I attended a 4th of July Rodeo in Taylor, Arizona! We had permission to go because we were with some friends who are learning about our Church. The Rodeo is an exciting and dangerous place. Sadly, while we were there, we watched a bull rider fall and get trampled. The bull began to dance on the cowboy’s back, but the amazing thing is that all his friends came to his rescue.  Hopefully he will be fine. Good friends can save our lives in many different ways—not just at the rodeo, but in other places. Rescues are often spiritual too.

We also saw the Show Low American Flag Calvary come into the arena to begin the rodeo. Those guys can ride fast!  It’s crazy in my opinion. Sunday evening, we watched fireworks with the Mulder Family. They have a store where they sell fireworks. Let me tell you that the fireworks they sell are like no other.

During the week, we brought a children’s Book of Mormon to one of the families we are teaching. They seem very interested in taking the missionary lessons. They have 5 kids which is awesome because that means 5 more testimonies can begin to be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for all you do for me. I pray for you and hope you will be richly blessed as I continue serving my mission.  I love you all and have a blessed week! 💛✌️ 😎

Last but not least, a quick SHOUT OUT to my cousin DIEGO HIDALGO who will be leaving for his mission soon. Diego, I want you to know I love you man. I am so proud of you for making the decision to serve. You will love it, I promise you!

Buena Suerte!

ELDER BALDWIN

p.s. Included in the below link is a classic talk from a more modern prophet named Ezra Taft Benson who was both a spiritual giant and a great patriot.