Still Alive (October 5, 2020)

 Well I know that it has been a while since I last wrote an email but here I am again. I apologize to those that read my past emails and have been waiting on one, and to those that don't read my emails, you've probably been fine. 

I would like to begin with a few large updates. I had the opportunity of baptizing two people this past month, Luna and Jorge. Their story is interesting in that they basically contacted us through their grandma. She was visiting from Mexico and was determined to see her grandchildren baptized by the time she went back. It was amazing to see their progress as we began to teach them. They were pretty much the perfect students, took notes, asked questions, and best of all, preferred English. After talking with President, we found them able to be baptized much sooner than most converts because of the special circumstances that they were in and I baptized both of them last month. 

The baptismal service only had 8 people in attendance due to the special circumstances of our day and age, but I would not have changed it. To see these two children decide to follow our Saviors example and thus be examples for their parents of choosing the right, was an amazing experience that may have been blunted by a larger congregation. They are amazing individuals. 

There are two more people that I would like to talk about, starting with Epifanía. We have been teaching her for about a month now, and she is very open to our beliefs, but struggles with reading. She lives with her entire family in a small apartment but still finds time to talk with "her elders". She has an amazing soul, and I do hope that she begins to keep the commitments that will bring her closer to God. 

The other, Giancarlos. What an interesting individual. Giancarlos was in an accident that almost killed him fairly recently, but has been meeting with us for about three weeks now. The first time we ever talked with Gian, we did most of the talking because he could not speak very well, but just on Saturday we met with him again, and let me tell you about the miracles of God. He was in a coma for a while and couldn't even walk a month ago, but now he is reading the scriptures and praying with us. I strive to have the will of Giancarlos. 

The next update is that for the past three weeks, I have been in a trio. Elder Stephen's joined our ranks as a reassigned missionary from Perú and has been quite the companion so far. This guy hunts elk and shoots bears up in the mountains of Colorado every year, so New York has been a bit of a change for him. But then again, so was Perú for the both of us. He has a drive to go out and do, which I hope to gain once this Covid problem is taken care of, and is doing his very best with the Spanish language. 

Moving on to the more spiritual aspect of this missionary email, I wanted to tell you all a tale from last week. We had chosen to spend part of our preparation day going once again on the Staten Island Ferry, because Elder Stephen's had not been yet, and after the ferry we all got Subway and stared at the city skyline for an hour or so. What I wanted to tell you all about was an interaction we had with a woman while getting Subway. Now, we as missionaries do not usually blend into crowds very well, we are not supposed to. So, it was no surprise that someone recognized us as missionaries and came over to talk to us. This woman started telling us about some Elders she knew and how she supported the things that we did, talking about how she likes to see people doing "the Lord's work" and even asked us to pray with and for her, so my companion said a prayer which of course was a bit awkward standing in line of a Subway, but to each their own. 

Now reader, I am sure you think that this is the end of the story, that we said our goodbyes and left it at that. I am sorry to say that you would be wrong. 

There was only one person working at the subway, a young man, probably no older than ourselves, who was preparing all of our sandwiches and I might add, doing a very good job of it. Throughout this entire experience with this woman, between the compliments she was giving to us and the declarations of her faith in Jesus, she was also berating the young man behind the counter on how poor of a job he was doing. Asking for a free cup of ice, wanting to be served before anyone else in line, saying things like "he probably not going to give you a full scoop of ice" and such things, acting like she was to be his priority, instead of the people actually buying subway. 

You might say, Elder Baird, that's just how some people are, or maybe she had a bad day, why judge her? 

I know I am not supposed to judge, but I just found the whole interaction to be very hypocritical. How could someone who is speaking with the missionaries about the many blessings from God she has received and about her faith in Jesus Christ, be so blind to the way that she treats her fellow man. How could she speak of Christ, but not act like him?

It brought to my mind the experience of Joseph Smith when he was told by God that the other churches of the world drew near to him with their words, but their hearts were "Far from me". 

It also brought about a bit of personal reflection. I, as a missionary, teach other people about Jesus Christ, and invite others to become more like him. Am I trying to be more like the Savior? Am I preaching to others truths but not living them myself? 

In a world that is in the midst of a war of words, ideas, and beliefs, should we not speak louder with our hearts, and less with our mouths? I would hate to see our world crumble in unbelief, though I fear that that is where we are headed if those that know the truth do not seek to share it. 

I have decided to live the way I preach, even though I am not perfect. I invite my also imperfect fellow man to do the same. And for heavens sake, be nice to the people that make your food. 

Con mucho amor, 

El Nuevo Missionero

Elder Baird