Weekly Email (February 3, 2020)

Yesterday was my first day as an official missionary, and I cannot begin to express how different this is than the MTC so I do not think I will. I am no longer able to just ask if I can speak English to people because they do not know it at all. Everything is just perfectly disorienting. I cannot even figure out how to change the keyboard to English so I can type can{t correctly with an apostrophe. 

My companions name is Elder Whitmer, been out 20 months, and is apparently the largest missionary in the mission, like an NFL linebacker and of course is a gringo as well. Yesterday we were transported to the mission home at around 5 in the morning and at 12[30 or so our new companions came. 

Now I am serving in the Laderas de Villa mission zone which is in Lima, so Im still stuck in the city, but more like suburbs than skyscrapers here. The dogs are still prevalent and Im starting to learn a different language other than English or Spanish, the missionary language. Planning in the MTC didnt really mean anything, we were just told what to do but now we have to, or rather my companion has to tell me what we are doing but now we have terms like dying in the mission, being born, moms, dads, weird symbols that mean baptisms and attending church and who knows what else, that was just the first day. 

I am also limited to an hour a day to be on the computer now, so believe me when I say Im not trying to be rude by not replying to emails, Im just trying to struggle through one general email with the time I am given. I still greatly appreciate any communication from home or really any english words at this point. 

Its difficult already this mission of mine, cried for the first time in over ten years last night, but I think that after 3 or 6 weeks Ill be right as rain, todo bien. I am still trying to send pictures, worry not, I shall. There is much to see here and many relatos to say. We teach who we can here, if not people, then the dogs. 

The song I Hope They Call Me On A Mission, rings through my brain every other minute, although Ive said it before, there is still a reason Im supposed to be here, and I have faith in that, because if I didnt, I would be on a plane home as soon as possible. I wish you all the best with your endeavors. Ill see you at the tree. 

The In{peru}ving missionary,

Elder Baird 

I'd first like to thank everyone for their emails, and just to say that for the most part, that initial drop into nothingness is over. I love my area, my ward, companion, zone, district, everything. Some people must be praying for me.

As far as experiences go, we walk a lot. In the lessons we teach, I've started teaching small parts, and inviting people to baptism. 

This tiny amount of time on the computer is beginning to annoy me. I have so much I want to say, so many people to thank, so many experiences to share, but even now after reading emails, I have, como, three minutes. Next week I will do my best to respond to the emails I received this week because they were eye opening and thank you to everyone for their words of comfort.

I bore my testimony in sacrament this Sunday about the Book of Mormon, probably the most important book in my life. 

Accidentally called my spanish, "basura" which I thought was trash, but is apparently slightly stronger here, whoops. The Spanish is coming along.

I attached some pictures of outside the stake center, my new companion, my clothes after we did service of sanding paint off of a room, and a group photo of my last day in the CCM. I'm still getting the hang of this thing. Thanks again everyone for your emails, I'll do my best to respond next week.

Sincerely yours,

The in"peru"ving missionary,

Elder Baird