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co ma być to będzie!!
Dearest friends and family, This week I’m so full of gratitude! For the amazing people in Gdańsk, for the mission, and for wonderful family and friends! I spoke in church yesterday (my theme was the Come Follow Me lesson for this week) and I loved these verses from Phillippians 4: “4 Rejoice in the Lord…
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Prophets, Poetry, & Ping Pong
Halo halo cześć!! This week was another good one! We finally finished watching conference this week and WOW. All I can say is that God has things to say to us today, and I am so grateful he speaks through prophets. I had written down a couple of questions to think about as I listened…
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It’s Windy and Cold in Gdańsk, Nevertheless…
Dearest friends and family, Hej cześć!! This has been such a good week 🙂 I already love Gdańsk and I love my new companion, Siostra Emett! She’s so much fun! This week: – Met M!! She’s a student at one of the universities here and is absolutely the sweetest. We talked about the Creation of…
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On to Gdańsk – Ancient Baltic Seaport
Dearest friends and family, It’s been a good long while since I’ve sent out a group email! This week we had transfers, and after 6 wonderful months in Poznań I have been transferred to Gdańsk, which is situated right on the Baltic Sea!! Gdańsk is one of the most northern parts of Poland and I…
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Temple Night in Poznań
I wanted to first say thank you to all of you for the love and support I feel from back home. The letters, e-mails, and thoughtfulness you regularly extend to me is now and will forever be greatly appreciated. I have hit an important milestone on my mission – I have now been serving in…
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A Change of Season
I don’t have a ton of time today, but it’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote a group email and I just wanted to update you all! I am still in Poznań and it is still absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Fall is on its way, and the weather has been cool and rainy this last…
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Doing It All vs. Doing My Part
We recently received a silly video from Elizabeth, in which she simultaneously plays the piano, conducts a hymn, and sings in the choir. Her video is a great metaphor for any of us who are trying too hard to do too much without properly renewing ourselves. Should there ever be instances in our lives when…
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Seeing with New Eyes
Dearest friends and family, It’s been a busy week! We’ve had area book meetings, I attended a Catholic mass for the first time, our progressing friends are still progressing, the sun is shining, and it’s a great time to be a missionary! This week I want to share a few things I learned as I…
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“This is What Keeps Me Going” – a Homeless Woman’s Story
Dearest friends and family, Hello! I can’t believe it’s already been a week! This week has been a total whirlwind and I can’t believe it’s already Monday. We are BUSY BUSY BUSY here!! This week: Met with O and A. They are the nicest mother and son from Ukraine, and we’ve been meeting every week…
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Music, Miracles, and a Visit to Malbork – Home of the Teutonic Knights
Hejka cześć!!! This last Saturday we received transfer calls, and the news is in… I’m staying in Poznań, and my new companion is going to be Siostra Eberting and she’s coming up from Katowice and I’m so excited!! This week has been on full of MIRACLES. I am so grateful to be a missionary and…
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co ma być to będzie!!
Dearest friends and family, This week I’m so full of gratitude! For the amazing people in Gdańsk, for the mission, and for wonderful family and friends! I spoke in church yesterday (my theme was the Come Follow Me lesson for this week) and I loved these verses from Phillippians 4: “4 Rejoice in the Lord…

Dearest friends and family,
This week I’m so full of gratitude! For the amazing people in Gdańsk, for the mission, and for wonderful family and friends! I spoke in church yesterday (my theme was the Come Follow Me lesson for this week) and I loved these verses from Phillippians 4:
“4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
No matter what, we can always find something to be grateful for! 🙂

This week:
-One of the people we’re teaching decided they want to get ready to be baptized and we set a date!! We’re so excited for them!
-We received a referral to visit a hospital and visit the sweetest lady there. She loves God and we got to share our favorite scriptures from the Bible and the Book of Mormon about Christ’s love for her. She really resonated with the scriptures we shared and was so excited to take a Book of Mormon and learn more!

-We had zone conference this week all about setting better and more faith driven goals–if we can believe it, God will achieve it! I know this is so true, in missionary work and in life! I heard once that we tend to achieve just under our goals–low goals will always mean low achievement, but high goals motivate us to be better and really achieve our potential so we can become who the Lord knows we can become😊

Love you all!! Kocham was tak mocno!! ❤️
Siostra Baldwin
Pics:
1. Survey Street contacting!
2. Zone conference
3. ZUPA

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Prophets, Poetry, & Ping Pong
Halo halo cześć!! This week was another good one! We finally finished watching conference this week and WOW. All I can say is that God has things to say to us today, and I am so grateful he speaks through prophets. I had written down a couple of questions to think about as I listened…

Halo halo cześć!!
This week was another good one!
We finally finished watching conference this week and WOW. All I can say is that God has things to say to us today, and I am so grateful he speaks through prophets. I had written down a couple of questions to think about as I listened to conference, and every. single. one. was answered.

I am so grateful for conference and for the opportunity to gain new perspective and insights on life, faith, and everything in between. If you want to watch conference, you can find it at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org. You can also find and study talks from conferences throughout the years!!
For our advanced English class this week, we had a poetry night! Everyone brought They’re favorite poems and we read and discussed them. Some were spiritual, some were funny but all were so good!
A favorite of mine:
” this is a subtle truth; whatever you love, you are.”
-Rumi


We also had a ping pong tournament this week that ended being SO successful!! So many friends we invited came!!
I love you all❤️ I hope you have a wonderful week!!
Siostra Baldwin
Elizabethinpoland.wordpress.com


pictures:
1. Lechia Gdańsk’s BIGGEST FAN
2. Quote from conference!
3. Found my favorite childhood book in polish
4. C.S. Lewis is very popular here!
5. All Bundled Up
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It’s Windy and Cold in Gdańsk, Nevertheless…
Dearest friends and family, Hej cześć!! This has been such a good week 🙂 I already love Gdańsk and I love my new companion, Siostra Emett! She’s so much fun! This week: – Met M!! She’s a student at one of the universities here and is absolutely the sweetest. We talked about the Creation of…

Dearest friends and family,
Hej cześć!! This has been such a good week 🙂 I already love Gdańsk and I love my new companion, Siostra Emett! She’s so much fun!
This week:
– Met M!! She’s a student at one of the universities here and is absolutely the sweetest. We talked about the Creation of the world and about life before we came to this earth—when we lived with our Heavenly Father. It’s one of my favorite lessons to teach and one that I feel so strongly about—God does know us, and he has specific, beautiful, and glorious plans for each one of us!!!

-Two cute ladies stayed after our free English class to learn more about the Book of Mormon. We were only going to read the first couple verses of 3rd Nephi 11, where Christ visits the Americas, but they were so excited and wanted to read the whole chapter!
-If you haven’t checked out the new Book of Mormon videos yet, you’re missing out!! They are SO GOOD! They come out every Friday (there are 3 of them so far) and each one is between 15-25 minutes long. Gorąco polecam!! You can find them at churchofjesuschrist.org!
-Got to help with ZUPA (making food and giving it out to homeless people) here!! SO MUCH FUN

Also, a quick thought for this week: I’ve been thinking a ton about Nephi 1:1, a verse that I’ve read probably hundreds of times.
“I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days.”
That nevertheless stood out to me so much this week! Nephi understood better than anyone that sometimes the Lord asks you to do what seems like literally impossible. Sometime life is hard. And yet, Nephi recognizes that through it all, the Lord has been so present. And I think that’s so important–to always remember the nevertheless in our own lives!!!
Love you all!
Siostra Baldwin

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On to Gdańsk – Ancient Baltic Seaport
Dearest friends and family, It’s been a good long while since I’ve sent out a group email! This week we had transfers, and after 6 wonderful months in Poznań I have been transferred to Gdańsk, which is situated right on the Baltic Sea!! Gdańsk is one of the most northern parts of Poland and I…

Dearest friends and family,
It’s been a good long while since I’ve sent out a group email! This week we had transfers, and after 6 wonderful months in Poznań I have been transferred to Gdańsk, which is situated right on the Baltic Sea!!

Gdańsk is one of the most northern parts of Poland and I understand it gets quite cold here in the winter. The weather is already starting to turn. Since some of my ancestors come from the coastal Netherlands, I am going to experience firsthand what life is like living on the coast of northern Europe. Early this morning, I took a 3-hour train ride northward to the Baltic coast. I was warmly greeted at the train station by Elder & Sister Bridges (the Senior missionary couple), the Elders, and my new companion Siostra Emett!! I am so grateful to be here 🙂

Gdańsk is beautiful!!! Not only is it the largest Polish trading port, it played an important role as one of the world’s capitols for the amber trade. I look forward to learning the unique history here.



My last week in Poznań was fulfilling—we held our cultural activity at the Palmiarnia, a kind of greenhouse in Poznań where they grow all kinds of tropical plants straight from the Amazon rainforest. It’s the coolest thing!! They even have an aquarium section with piranhas and all kinds of tropical fish.

Also this weekend, we participated at Zupa, which of course is the service project where we help prepare and give food to homeless people. We had a great time! One of our members Brother Martin—who is an officer on the U.S. military base here in Poznań was able to join us. We helped the Zupa staff wash dishes, prep the food, we taste tested the soup (traditional polish pickle soup. YUM!!) and then we went to the train station to distribute the food.

Afterwards we went to a Korean restaurant for my last dinner in Poznań. We experienced an amazing coincidence (or tender mercy!) when Brother Martin who served his mission in the Philippines and who speaks Tagalog, noticed one of the cooks whom he had by pure chance met elsewhere. The cook being from the Philippines also spoke Tagalog and Brother Martin invited her to Church while speaking in her native tongue. And she is so excited to come!! I think it is wonderful how one person from the United States might serve a mission in the Philippines and then be assigned to work at a military base in Poland. Another person from the Philippines would come to work in Poland in the same city as the military base. And God can put it all together! To me that was just another example that God is so present in every part of our lives!!!

I will miss Poznań. The memories I have made are profound and the growth experienced was what I needed. I look forward to staying connected with all my friends here, celebrating their life events, and keeping updated as the Church continues to make strides here.



And finally, I wanted to share one of the scriptures that stood out to me this week. I appreciate the power of true principles to help us make sense of our lives and give us the ability to change our lives for the better.

I love you all! I hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Siostra Baldwin
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Temple Night in Poznań
I wanted to first say thank you to all of you for the love and support I feel from back home. The letters, e-mails, and thoughtfulness you regularly extend to me is now and will forever be greatly appreciated. I have hit an important milestone on my mission – I have now been serving in…

A glimpse of our weekly Daddy / Daughter chat I wanted to first say thank you to all of you for the love and support I feel from back home. The letters, e-mails, and thoughtfulness you regularly extend to me is now and will forever be greatly appreciated. I have hit an important milestone on my mission – I have now been serving in the Poland Warsaw Mission for a year as of this past Thursday. I expect to return home in the Spring and have been forever changed by this experience. It is highly probable that this is my last week in Poznań as transfers are coming this weekend and I have been here for quite a while. I am grateful for the many friends I have made here.
Here are a few highlights from this week:
We were walking home from teaching English and it was already dark, and we saw our friend Pani Lidia walking up the street. She’s the sweetest little 94-year old babcia who we always see walking up and down the street near the chapel. We always stop and say hi when we see her. We were getting closer to her; and all of a sudden, we saw her stumble and fall! We ran over to her and started checking her to make sure she was okay. She fell on her wrist and it looked like it hurt. She kept on insisting she was fine, but we recruited the help of a really nice guy who was also walking up the street and helped her get up a couple minutes later. We walked her all the way to the apartment and she really wanted us to stay and have some tea, but we had to get home! She invited us to come back soon though. Before we left, though she kept on telling us she just needed to eat more cabbage so her wrist would feel better haha!
-Met M, the coolest blogger mom who lives out in a beautiful little foresty Polish village an hour from Poznań! She is wonderful, and we’re going back this next week to meet her kids :)))


– Had zone conference! It was fantastic. I love learning how to do missionary work better!!!
– We had TEMPLE NIGHT (Noc Świątyń), the event we’ve been preparing for the last couple of weeks. Basically, churches of all denominations all over Poznań (and in several major Polish cities) had open houses where the public could come visit. Ours was big success! Lots of people came, and we shared our knowledge and testimony on the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Plan of Salvation, and the Book of Mormon. So many people took copies of the Book of Mormon!


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A Change of Season
I don’t have a ton of time today, but it’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote a group email and I just wanted to update you all! I am still in Poznań and it is still absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Fall is on its way, and the weather has been cool and rainy this last…

I don’t have a ton of time today, but it’s been a couple of weeks since I wrote a group email and I just wanted to update you all! I am still in Poznań and it is still absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Fall is on its way, and the weather has been cool and rainy this last week. Here are a couple highlights from these last few weeks-
– Someone I was teaching when I was in Katowice got BAPTIZED!!

– Ola and Babcia(my polish grandma) came to visit us in Poznań this week❤

Started volunteering at a new service, Zupa na Głównym where we sort clothes and help make food every week for the homeless 🙂
-the BOOK OF MORMON videos are coming out!!! They’re going to be amazing–keep an eye out for the first one being released on Sept 20!!
This weekend we were in Katowice for legal work, so we got to take a 6-hour train down and back and wait at the legal office for 6 hours! But luckily all went well😊

Here’s a few thoughts!
And quote for the week: “Some books are to be tasted, others swallowed; and some few to be chewed and digested.”
I have this written in my Księga Mormona because it reminds me how important it is to read and study out of the best books!!!
1. Tosia was in Poznań😊
2. The Katowice sisters and us in Katowice!
3. Ola❤️❤️
4.kebab! Yum! -
Doing It All vs. Doing My Part
We recently received a silly video from Elizabeth, in which she simultaneously plays the piano, conducts a hymn, and sings in the choir. Her video is a great metaphor for any of us who are trying too hard to do too much without properly renewing ourselves. Should there ever be instances in our lives when…

Historic Downtown Poznan We recently received a silly video from Elizabeth, in which she simultaneously plays the piano, conducts a hymn, and sings in the choir. Her video is a great metaphor for any of us who are trying too hard to do too much without properly renewing ourselves.

Should there ever be instances in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by the demands of life to the point that we feel run down, Elizabeth reminds us that we don’t have to do it all, we just need to do our part. We need to take better care of ourselves by seeking out support and counsel first from the Lord and then from those trusted, qualified individuals around us. Isaiah affirms this principle (Isaiah 40:31):
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
King Benjamin counsels (Mosiah 4:27):
“And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.”
It’s hard to believe Elizabeth has been gone for a year. The journey is more than halfway done. Good job Elizabeth!




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Seeing with New Eyes
Dearest friends and family, It’s been a busy week! We’ve had area book meetings, I attended a Catholic mass for the first time, our progressing friends are still progressing, the sun is shining, and it’s a great time to be a missionary! This week I want to share a few things I learned as I…

Dearest friends and family,
It’s been a busy week! We’ve had area book meetings, I attended a Catholic mass for the first time, our progressing friends are still progressing, the sun is shining, and it’s a great time to be a missionary!
This week I want to share a few things I learned as I read the story of Ammon, one of the great missionaries in the Book of Mormon! Over the past several weeks, our mission has continued towards our goal of reading the Book of Mormon in 40 days and as I have done so I have seen it with, what feels like, new eyes! I learn so much every single day! So here goes:

How to be a Great Missionary (or in other words, how to make and achieve high goals): Observations from Ammon’s mission to the Lamanites
- Be prepared. (Alma 17:2-3) If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear! And as a great missionary I know once said, ‘proper prior planning prevents poor performance!’
- Be patient. Consistency is key. (Alma 17:11)
- Look for opportunities to share your talents. (Alma 17:29)
- Be an expert. Give the things you want u do your very best! (Alma 18:3)
- Remember your purpose. Don’t get distracted. Be humble. (Alma 17:25)
- Be wise, but harmless. Be an example. (Alma 18:22)
- Always be ready to teach simply (Alma 18:24)
- Use your connections (Alma 20:14)
- Be BOLD! (Alma 18:24)
- Always be grateful (Alma 26)

I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and for the Bible and for the great lights they can be in our lives. God speaks to each of us differently—and I know and can testify that He has answers for you! When we want to speak to God, we pray. When we want him to speak to us, we read the scriptures! They are literally the words from His holy prophets directly to us. And yes, the times may change, but God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! God’s love for us will never change, and He has important things to say to each one of us! If you aren’t doings so already, I encourage you to start reading the scriptures daily, even if it’s just for 5 minutes a day! Even 5 minutes can make a huge difference.

I love you all ❤️ Thank you for your continued love and support!
Z miłością,
Siostra Baldwin
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“This is What Keeps Me Going” – a Homeless Woman’s Story
Dearest friends and family, Hello! I can’t believe it’s already been a week! This week has been a total whirlwind and I can’t believe it’s already Monday. We are BUSY BUSY BUSY here!! This week: Met with O and A. They are the nicest mother and son from Ukraine, and we’ve been meeting every week…

Dearest friends and family,
Hello! I can’t believe it’s already been a week! This week has been a total whirlwind and I can’t believe it’s already Monday. We are BUSY BUSY BUSY here!!
This week:
Met with O and A. They are the nicest mother and son from Ukraine, and we’ve been meeting every week to help them work on English and then teach them the gospel. In the couple weeks that we’ve met, they have gone from knowing little about the Bible, to starting to have an understanding of why the Bible and the Book of Mormon are so important, and how prayer can change our lives. I am so excited for them!
Met with M and talked about the importance of family and good friends. She’s absolutely wonderful and is still reading the Book of Mormon daily. And this last Sunday she conducted one of the hymns at Church during Sacrament Meeting!

So, we have a new service opportunity here in Poznań called Zupa Wolności, where the people in this organization get together and make soup and other foods at someone’s house. Then everyone goes to the train station and gives the food to homeless people for an hour every Sunday. The last couple of Sunday afternoons we’ve been going to the train station to help serve the food and talk to the people there, and it has been one of my absolute favorite parts of Poznań yet.
Yesterday, while we were at Zupa Wolności, we met a woman named Laura from Scotland who has been homeless for the last several months. She shared her life story with us and as she shared some of the hardships she has had, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming love for her. She has been literally physically, spiritually, and emotionally beaten up many times, and yet she keeps going. And after everything she’s been through, at the end of her story she pulled out a little crumpled up picture of Jesus and said, “this.. This is what keeps me going.”

Our faith is Christ can literally carry us through anything life throws at us. I know that Jesus Christ knows us individually. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to be happy. And I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has provided us with a plan to find true and lasting happiness. Life is not easy, and we will get knocked down over and over again, but every single time we get knocked down, the Savior is there to help us get back up and keep going. He loves us endlessly. In Jacob 4:7 we read:
“The Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know by his grace that we have power to do these things”

We, by ourselves, are weak. But the Lord has endless grace and mercy for us. And I know and can testify personally that He will pick us up when we fall. As we trust Him, He will help us see beyond what we ever thought was possible. I love this gospel. I love Poland. I love the people here. I love my Savior. And I love you all!!

I hope you all have a wonderful week. ❤️
LOVE,
Siostra Baldwin
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Music, Miracles, and a Visit to Malbork – Home of the Teutonic Knights
Hejka cześć!!! This last Saturday we received transfer calls, and the news is in… I’m staying in Poznań, and my new companion is going to be Siostra Eberting and she’s coming up from Katowice and I’m so excited!! This week has been on full of MIRACLES. I am so grateful to be a missionary and…

Hejka cześć!!!
This last Saturday we received transfer calls, and the news is in… I’m staying in Poznań, and my new companion is going to be Siostra Eberting and she’s coming up from Katowice and I’m so excited!!
This week has been on full of MIRACLES. I am so grateful to be a missionary and to get a front row seat to God’s hand in the lives of so many people in Poznań. God’s love is so powerful!!!
A couple happy moments/miracles from this week:
-A week ago Sunday, Sister Godfrey and I played a duet Beautiful Savior in our Poznan Sacrament Meeting. I love the inspiration and strong Spirit that flows through the playing of sacred music and I’m so glad to have played one last duet with Sister Godfrey before she returned home.

-On Thursday we only had one man come to English class.. We were a little disappointed until he said “Honestly, I already know English. Can we just talk about the Gospel?” We ended up talking about the Book of Mormon and the Bible for an hour and half, and he’s excited to learn more!
-Meeting with M and N, not being able to teach the original lesson, but them coming with us to service and then to the chapel where we had a impromptu chapel tour… they’re the absolute best ❤
-The new service opportunity we have here giving food to the homeless every Sunday (I’ll have to write more about it next week because it’s AMAZING)
I love you all SO MUCH and I hope you have a wonderful week!!!
XOXO,
Siostra Baldwin
Pictures:
1. VEGAN FOOD!!!

2.From our trip to Malbork, the castle near Gdańsk. Malbork was originally built in medieval times and was the headquarters of the Teutonic Knights of Royal Prussia. The Teutonic Knights are a militaristic Catholic religious order that was known as staunch proponents of Christianity.






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Hola a todos!
This week went very well. Happy Mother’s Day Week!
My Mother is the light of my life. I am where I am because of her love and encouragement! She has taught me what it means to put God first in my life. I love you Mami!!!
Words of Wisdom about Motherhood:
“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling…it is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.” Elder Neil L. Anderson
“Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us.” Sheri Dew
“What Mothers do is an essential element of Christ’s work.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of Motherhood.” Elder M. Russell Ballard
“There is no limit to what a woman with a Mother’s heart can accomplish.” Julie B. Beck
I don’t know where I would be without the knowledge that families are forever. This goal begins with the Mother who brings children into this world and teaches them right from wrong, to always put God first, and to serve those in need. Mothers are the most important part of a family. They are the ones who nurture and help the family grow into becoming the family Heavenly Father wants them to be.
We are preparing this week for a baptism. This will be the first baptism I will attend in person on my mission! Zoom is not the same! 😊 What an experience it will be to see the joy of this young friend to experience what it’s like to have the Holy Ghost with him always. In 3rd Nephi 11:33 it says “And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.” This scripture is so true! If we want to return to our Heavenly Father, then we must take the first step which is to get baptized.
I encourage and invite each of you to reach out to the missionaries where you live and take lessons from them because what we teach is something so cool and so powerful that it will change your life forever!
I like the quote by Marcus Aurelius: “What we do now echoes in eternity.” Now is the time, my friends, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy it brings into our lives. Share the good news that Jesus is the Christ!

Thanks for everything that has been done for me while I have been out here serving! I love all of you and hope this week is a blast! STAY SAFE OUT THERE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Buena Suerte tambien! ❤
May the good Lord bless you all! ✌🙏✨❤ Until next week!
Elder Baldwin
Mothers are Important
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HOLA A TODOS! What a week it has been! Am I right? A lot of changes happened this week in this part of the vineyard.
Change #1: To begin with, this week I hit my 7th month in the mission field! Isn’t that Crazy? I have been out for 7 months already and I have been able to see and experience much. I have sweet memories of people, places, and situations that remind me of what I am about and who I am becoming.

Change #2: On transfer day, Tuesday April 26th, I saw my companion, Elder Walton leave for his new assigned area. We spent 3 months together seeking out people to teach, visiting those who called upon us to receive a blessing, praying with those whom we visit regularly and who feed us, and discovering new places during our P-Day (preparation day). I enjoyed his leadership as a District Leader, and his friendship. As I saw him leaving I became a bit sad. 😥 I didn’t know that these two transfers would teach me so much about love and how to care for someone else. Thank you “Compa”!

Change #3: I was also excited to receive a new companion. His name is Elder McBride and he has been out in the mission field for 20 months. I am impressed with the language skills he has gained while serving out here. A mission can do a lot for one person. It’s Crazy!!! I am grateful for the chance to have a companion who has been out here 14 months longer than I have. He comes with a lot of experience and because of it I have already learned so much from him!
Change #4: With this new transfer I may get to drive now because I know the area. I will enjoy this very much.
Change #5: One thing I have learned while out here is to become a hard worker. My perception of hard work has definitely changed! Hard workers earn joy and happiness and that is what I have today because of the choice I made to serve a Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I like to call it the BEST TWO YEARS because it is true, these are the best two years of my life! My life continues to change everyday as I serve. I am grateful to my sister Elizabeth, who served her mission in Poland, for her example of hard work. She just recently achieved a high ranking status at BYU Provo Utah, where she was picked to be on the BYU EMT (Emergency Medical Team). Isn’t that so cool? At least I think it is. She works very hard and is achieving her dreams. She continues to save lives—as a lifeguard in her youth, and now as an EMT. She is one of my heroes! Just like my older sister, I am also saving lives here in the mission, spiritually speaking.
It’s so much easier to make the right choices when you are doing good for other people, so I invite you to do good for other people and find joy and happiness. Change your lives for good, change your heart, change your perspective, and turn to the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I love you all and please please please send me emails, letters, stickers you name it! 💗 love you all and hope this week is a blast!
STAY SAFE OUT THERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY!✌
“The Only Constant in Life is Change”
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Hello y’all! From the dusty, desert streets of Scottsdale, Arizona!
This past week was our last week before missionary transfers—#5!
To finish off this past transfer, I gave my first talk in Spanish in the Camelback Spanish Branch. I was quite stressed about it because it required much more preparation than talks I had given before. I was surprised that my speaking assignment was a minimum of 10 minutes. I took 12. I practiced it in Spanish, and it seems to me that the talk went very well. A few members came up to me afterwards and thanked me for my efforts and the message. All the members here are super kind and sweet to us. I have felt at home ever since I started serving here. My assigned topic was: “Member/Missionary Team Work,” which is the best work there is! I spoke about how members can assist missionaries in the work of the Lord.

Some of the ideas I shared include:
- We need everyone to help!
- We can’t do this on our own.
- Members are a key element in the processes of conversion and retention.
- Members and Missionaries make a powerful team.
- Members/Missionaries (together) can reach out, give service, invite and share.
- The Spirit speaks to us in many instances.
- Feeling overwhelmed is natural but remember what Elder Uchtdorf said: “The Lord has never required expert, flawless missionary efforts. Instead, “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.” I also quoted President Thomas S. Monson: “Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together to labor in the Lord’s vineyard to bring souls unto Him”
I know that if we work together, the Lord can work with us to bring many more souls unto Jesus Christ. I encourage each one of you to reach out to the missionaries in your area and go on visits together. I know we can make this happen. I have a strong Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it can change lives. I know that President Nelson is a true prophet of God. I know The Book of Mormon is true and testifies about how we can find peace and happiness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As a missionary, I want to better myself and become even a greater disciple of Jesus Christ.

We have also continued teaching and our young friend says he is ready for the next big step! HE IS READY TO BE BAPTIZED; MAY 7TH IS HIS SET DATE!!! We have also continued talking to Jr’s mother. And she wants him to get baptized on the same day as his friend. Isn’t that just so exciting!! This week we will be working on preparing for those baptisms.
I am so grateful for the time I have spent on the mission so far. I have learned many different things. This week my mom taught me to make Green Mexican Salsa! Also, my companions have been great teachers to me. For example, my last companion helped me expand my understanding on how to communicate with members more effectively.



It has now become my turn to lead this area! It’s kind of nerve racking! All the work we have put in has to continue on to reach out to those who are interested in learning about Jesus Christ. I am grateful again for the service and love you all have provided for me. You are all in my prayers 🙏❤. Thanks for being Awesome! and have a good Week!

Love you all and Buene Suerte!
(Good luck)
Elder Baldwin
Tasty Green Salsa & My 12-Minute Spanish Talk 🌶
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This past week was a long week. We have continued teaching those who are seeking to learn more about the Gospel. Our young friends are always excited for our next visit. That’s how we should feel about Jesus Christ when He comes again.
This world is in turmoil right now and it needs all the love and support it can get. Easter Sunday brings that love. We had a wonderful Easter here in the Camelback Spanish Branch. Everyone who attended was so happy to get back together and celebrate. The joy I feel when I am around the members of the Branch is immeasurable. Some of the children ran up to my companion and me and were like ” Oh!! The Elders Are Here!” That made me feel very welcomed. I can truly see that I have made a big difference in the lives of these members of the branch, and they have made a difference in mine. I honestly feel at home.

I have continued to learn a lot while I have been out here. Patience has been on my list all this week. Daily situations demand patience. Not easy, but necessary. Some experiences cannot be readily shared but I am grateful that we have President Smith to help us navigate our mission.
As we celebrate THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, let us remember that it is because of Him that we can find peace and joy in this life. I really like the scripture (John 11:25.) “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” This scripture promises that death is not the end. It encourages me to become a better person and teach those who would like to be taught the same principle I am learning.

Thanks to all of you for the love, care and support! I would not be out here with out the encouragement I received and will continue to receive! I LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU ALL! ❤💙💜
BUENE SUERTE!
ELDER BALDWIN
EASTER THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!
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Family and friends!

What a week it has been! Learning and growing to become a better person is well worth it! We recently had one of the Twelve apostles, Elder Neil L. Andersen, speak to us in person here in the Arizona Scottsdale Mission. It was a mission-wide gathering. All the missionaries from the Mountains and the missionaries in the Valley got together to hear one of God’s chosen apostles.

What he taught was very meaningful to me. He thought that staying in an area for awhile is good sometimes up to 6-8 months because it will help us get to know the members very well. When you get to know the members well, you develop relationships of trust, and you can serve better because you learn about their real needs. He also taught us that learning the names of all the young men and women we serve is important because we are helping mentor them, and hopefully—through our example– encourage them in the right direction and even to serve a mission.
Recently I heard that we are going to receive the visit of another apostle of the Lord. We do not know who it is though. I hope is President Nelson! Wouldn’t that be a cool story to share? Indeed! I think it would. If he comes this will be my second time to be in close proximity to the Prophet of God!!! So exiting!

My cousin – Jared and I walking into the Conference at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas The first time I saw the Prophet—President Nelson– was back in November 2018. He came and spoke at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Sister Wendy Nelson, his wife, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, and Elder Adrian Ochoa, a General authority Seventy and his wife were also present. We traveled from Dallas to San Antonio and attended this meeting with family and cousins. The youth were allowed to sit very close to the podium and my cousin Jared and I were seated on the third row. When the meeting finished, President Nelson walked next to where we were sitting and literally, he was like two feet away from me! I remember him shaking the hand of a child who was seated in front of us, and I wanted to shake his hand too. What an eventful experience that was for me! I was so excited to see him so close to us!

When I was in the Primary, I used to sing the song “Follow the Prophet”.
“Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; don’t go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet, follow the prophet; he knows the way.
My testimony is that by following the Prophet, we too can win spiritual, physical, and mental victories against the adversary. I know the Lord calls prophets, and when we listen to their words and act upon what they ask us to do, we are blessed.
Elder Walton and I have continued teaching Bro. Gonzalez. Learning the principles of the Gospel is important. Before anyone can be baptized, we always make sure they understand the first principles and ordinances of the gospel which are: Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We plan to review them again this week with him. His baptism is planned for April 16 the day before Easter. I think that is a perfect time to be baptized, so family can invite friends and relatives to witness this ordinance and partake of the Spirit of the Lord.
Thanks for all the love and support you all have shown me. If you would like to write any personal emails to me my email, send them to: Joshua.baldwin@missionary.org For letters send them to:
Elder Joshua S. Baldwin
Arizona Scottsdale Mission
6265 N. 82nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
THANKS SO MUCH Y’ALL AND HAVE A BLESSED WEEK! 🙌🙏💕


An Apostle Visits our Mission
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This week was quite interesting. We had General Conference, we met a lady in the laundromat, and we found our apartment door wide open.
General Conference: This past weekend we enjoyed listening to the General authorities of the church. It was awesome. For me, the general theme was: “Continue to preach the Gospel.” I really liked President Nelson’s talks: “Preaching the Gospel of Peace, The Power of Spiritual Momentum, and Now is the Time. In his Sunday morning talk, President Nelson focused on encouraging the youth to serve missions because the mission field is a learning ground.
The talk from Elder Dallin Oaks was also very interesting as he spoke about the family and the stance of the church on marriage: “we affirm that the family proclamation, founded on irrevocable doctrine, defines the kind of family relationships where the most important part of our eternal development can occur.” I find great comfort in knowing that this doctrine will never change.
These talks taught me a lot. What did you learn from General Conference?
Lady at the laundromat: We began talking to her and she asked us about our teaching. We shared with her the Book of Mormon and she rejected it immediately. I find that many people will flatly say: “The Book of Mormon is all a lie” without haven’t ever read it. I wish people would take the challenge to read it, as I have done it and ask God if it’s true. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Moroni, a prophet from The Book of Mormon invited all to read, ponder and pray.
“Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (The Book of Mormon, Moroni 10:3-5)
The invitation is for all of us. You too can find out as you read, ponder and pray if the book is true.

Finding our apartment door wide open: Upon returning from one of our regular days, we found the door of our apartment wide open. My first thought was to check if anything was missing. Luckily everything was there. I was concerned mainly about our bikes because they were just right there leaning against the wall. I was also worried because one of the Sister’s bikes was stolen recently. I feel the Lord protected our place, and I am grateful for that.
The mission has taught me to work with others and it has shown me that not everyone you meet will want to talk to you. A mission is a tough time, but in the long run blessings will be given to you and your friends, and family for serving. Also, the mission has taught me how important the family is. I feel I love my family a lot more. Being away from the family for 6 months has given me a different appreciation for all my family members. I am planning to spend more time with family when I return home. I am looking forward to enjoying family relationships more. I know I am going to be a different person. I am planning on spending my time engaging more on activities.
We have continued teaching our young friends and are still working with Jr to get him baptized. His mom works all week so it makes it difficult for us to set a baptism date for him. He does sound like he is interested though.
I love being a missionary. The lessons learned out here are valuable. I am grateful for what I have learned. Thanks for all you guys do and continue to do your best.
Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There’s safety for the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you’re pursuing;
Let God and heaven be your goal.
(Choose the Right. LDS hymn #239)
Buena suerte amigos.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson is my Mom’s favorite Apostle! 🕶 Mission Possible 🕶
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“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:20)

Hello family and friends,
This week was a very great experience in the mission. Although It’s been hard being out here away from family and friends, I have been able to find many reasons to feel happy. It’s been a wild ride these past 6 months learning and growing and meeting new people. I have learned so much! It takes a brave young soul to decide to go and step away from his/her family for two full years and decide to serve. Because I have been out here, I have seen numerous blessings for my family and friends.
I would like to share with you some of the things I am learning:
📜 Talking to people more openly
📜 Asking for help when needed
📜 Experiencing the joy of serving others around me
📜 Making good friends for a lifetime
📜 Understanding that not everyone will want to listen to you
📜 Knowing that missionaries are truly Christ-like people
📜 Gaining comfort with being on my own for long periods of time
📜 Speaking Spanish more regularly
📜 Knowing that God loves me and that He works on His own timing and not mine
📜 I HAVE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE WHOLE WORLD, WHO GOT ME TO THIS SWEET POINT IN MY LIFE


Many great things happened this week. We have continued to teach our 9 yr old friend. We had scheduled his baptism on April 2nd not realizing that General Conference was that weekend, so we pushed it back a week. We have planned his baptism for April 9th. So exciting! The lesson we taught him this past week was on Temples, and obtaining a Temple Recommend (permission card that Church members use to access the Temple and its accompanying blessings. The card is given to those who demonstrate their faithfulness and commit to honoring their covenants with God). He asked us: “How can I get one of those?” We sadly told him he has to wait until he turns 12 years old, but I’m sure he will continue preparing for that special day. We also have continued to try to teach other people, but they worked all week long and it’s been hard. This week we plan to involve more members of the branch to help with these families.
WHO IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEKEND???? because I sure am! Come join me in watching the Prophet of our day speak about how you can find peace and happiness in this HARSH world we live in!
I am grateful for the Mission experience I have been able to have, and the friends I have made. 6 months is a big step in this stage of my life. I sometimes wonder what would have been like, if I had not chosen to serve a mission. I am grateful for the positive impact my parents and family have had on me. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THESE NEXT 6 MONTHS! And the joy and happiness they will bring to me, my friends, and my family!
Thanks again for all the love and support ❤ I love you all and wish a blessing of protection as I am out here serving at this time.
P.S. GENERAL Conference Here we Come!! 🥳🎉🎊
BUENA SUERTE!!

PRESSING FORWARD!
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I am finally out of my Teen years! I have waited so long for this to happen!! I had a great birthday thanks to all of you who wished me a happy birthday. Thank you for the cards, the gifts, the food, the cake and all your love. My mom told me this would be a special birthday for many reasons, and she was right! Having a birthday in the mission field is different, but great! I enjoyed the day thoroughly!!!!!!


This week I was able to ride my bike more and I enjoy that. I had my bike shipped from home and I feel great. Also, this week we had a lesson with our young 9-year-old friend. This kid is promising. He is super excited to continue learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy and happiness it brings.
My thoughts about death and the resurrection have continued to linger in my mind, and I am grateful to know that after we die, we go to the spirit world where we wait until it is time to be judged according to our desires and service here on Earth. Our family members that have passed on are there in the Spirit world learning about the gospel and waiting for us to join them. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:18-19). Missionary work is organized in the Spirit world. Everyone is learning about faith, love, covenants, baptism and more. This knowledge brings great joy into my life.

I am grateful for each one of you and for the knowledge that I am loved while being out here during this difficult time in our world today. The world is an interesting place! I had some experiences this past week while we were out riding our bikes that show what I am trying to say.
🚗 A car drives up to the apartment complex where we were at, and a guy rolls down his window and asks my companion and I if we have any candy. I said, “no we don’t.” Then I thought about the CTR rings, and I thought that it would have been hilarious 🤣😆 to give him a ring as candy! (CTR rings are commonly worn in our religious culture as a reminder to ‘Choose The Right.’)
🚙 Another guy gets out of the car and walks up to us and starts saying, “man, I love you guys. I don’t believe what you are teaching is true, but I call you guys my “brothas” in the gospel. Then he says “Hey, that name tag you guys are wearing does not mean a thing! Take it off.” I am there watching him and he continues to say “they are brainwashing you guys.” He continues talking to us and points to me and says “I’m older than you and you’re older than him.” In my mind I think: “Wow! this Dude got it right.” He then talks about the Book of John and I ask, “you mean the Book Of Mormon?” and he says “no, the Book of John”. He gets super close to my face and I think “OK, please God make this fast. If he punches me make it quick.” Luckily he did not. Five seconds later he says “ugh” and walks off into the distance of the apartment buildings. Truly, this experience tested my ability to stay calm in an unpredictable situation, but I was reminded that Heavenly Father watches out for us.
My foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is firm. I now know for sure that this Church is true, that the prophet is truly a prophet of God, and that he is our friend here on earth. I encourage and invite all the family to take time out of your day to read at least a chapter or two out of The Book of Mormon, and you will feel the joy and happiness it brings into your lives. I LOVE ❤ YOU ALL! and THANK YOU again for the BIRTHDAY CARDS, LOVE, and SUPPORT!
P.s A big shout out to my Mom And Dad for all they have done for me and the love and support I have received from them! ❤💙💜
BUENE SUERTE ESTA SEMANA!!!

My 1ST BIRTHDAY in the Mission Field!
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“LIFE is good when you find happiness in all things.” – Elder Baldwin

What’s up y’all!
This week has been a great week. This is the end of my 3rd Transfer! I am literally coming up on 6 months of my mission. It’s surprising to see how fast time flies when you are in the work of the Lord for the right reason. During this week we visited and taught a few people. We had the two boys we are teaching, and their families came to Church again this past Sunday. It was a blessing to see them and their families learning about the Restored Gospel. Isn’t it wonderful to invite friends to come and partake of the Sacrament each Sunday? I am grateful to have that opportunity. We had exchanges this week and as usual, we had interesting experiences. So, we are riding our bikes and a guy sees us and yells: “LDS GANG!!! YEA!!!!” I started to laugh. 😅 It made my day hearing him say that.


Every week in the mission has its own special experiences. This week back home my family attended the funeral services for my dear Uncle Gene. He was special to me. He supported me in my Boy Scout journey by helping me fulfill the requirements to earn merit badges. He shared with me his love for trains, he taught me how to refinish wood, and he was a great example of determination. He experienced many hardships while serving our country in the Navy, and he was one of the few who traveled to the North Pole in a submarine. I love Uncle Gene and will miss him.
As I expressed my condolences to my Tia Elia, I felt impressed to share the scriptures found in The Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 40. In this chapter, the prophet Alma wrote about “Christ bringing to pass the resurrection of all men—The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection—All things will be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the Resurrection.” I am grateful for this knowledge and the hope that brings to my soul. To know that death is not the end, brings me peace. I will see my Uncle again one day thanks to Jesus Christ our Savior.


As I shared my love with my Auntie Elia I quoted the following “there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works” (Alma 40:21). I was able to bear my testimony that I know this is true and that Uncle at this time is in good company with my Abuelito Salva and Grandma Betty who passed away a few years ago and Achilles—my cousins’ dog, whom I loved so much. I reminded my Tia Elia that now Uncle is free of physical pain.

I am grateful for the Fowlks family, for giving me the opportunity to share my love. 🙏❤. My thoughts and prayers go out to them at his time. It is of most importance to always know that we are not here on this earth forever. We are sent here to learn and grow and complete a purpose which is to become more like God the Father and his son Jesus Christ.
I wish I were there to support the family, but this is not the time. I am about to hit my 6 months mark this March 27th. Can y’all believe that! I remember just barely getting off the plane to meet my Mission President and his wife. I am grateful for the time I have had to be out here. This experience is shaping me into the person I would like to become. Life in the mission is hard but the friends you meet and people you talk to help you grow and achieve greater things in life. Thanks for being the best and continue to do so. I love you all and talk to you soon 💛

Striving without Shrinking
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Hola a todos!!!!! This week was awesome because I had an up-close-and-personal encounter with Heavenly Father’s and Jesus Christ’s creations. Yesterday on P-Day (Preparation Day), we went to the Phoenix Zoo, which is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. It was amazing to see all the awe-inspiring animals our Father and Christ have made. One of my favorites was the Bobcat. It’s mind-blowing to me to see how each animal has its own personality. I enjoyed my visit tremendously and left the zoo feeling grateful for this opportunity to enjoy myself.


We have continued teaching a few kids. Last week we taught The Plan of Salvation lesson to a small family too. As I finished talking about the three kingdoms of glory, I asked Damion, the kid we are teaching the following: “So is Baptism something you want to work towards?” He said “YES” with great excitement! In my whole entire life, so far, I have never seen such an excited child want to have the blessings and be baptized to become a follower of Jesus Christ. Every time we share with him the principles of the gospel, he explains to us that he loves Church, and that he learns a lot as well. I am so happy for him because he is having the opportunity to enjoy the company of the Holy Ghost constantly as he continues to learn how to pray, read the scriptures and obey the commandments.


We are all in many ways just like Him, we are children of our Heavenly Father learning about prayer, scriptures, commandments, and all His creations. The Mission is a great experience to have because it gives you the opportunity to remember who you are and share this knowledge. Also, the mission field is a place where you learn how to steer clear of negative things, feelings, thoughts and actions as you focus on serving and sharing the pearl of great price: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46). I invite you to CHOOSE to come out and SERVE those who have not had a chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for and pray for each one of you! It’s so good to get letters from family members and emails as well. It brings me great joy to know that there truly is a loving Heavenly Father and that He has given us the blessing to return to Him through the merits of Christ our Lord. Thanks for the love and support ❤
BUENE SUERTE MI FAMILIA!

Finding Joy in God’s Creations