I'm Back!

Hey all!
I'm back in Utah, safe and sound. Just thought I'd let you all know that I'll be speaking this Sunday at church...Sorry, I don't know all the details right this second, but if you Call me or email me I'll Get ya the information if you want to come...

photographybystacie@gmail.com

So I'm here just trying to adjust...its weird.....

-Stacie

Last Letter!

Baker Family:
Hey, How's it going? Sorry for last week's letter. So the Garcia Family (Huge miracle) accepted a date. Well, the 3 girls did. Then that Sunday they cancelled out. It's a "good" reason though. They want to be baptized all together in Arizona. 7 is better than 3! But we haven't been able to find them since. It's sad. God will get mad at them. This was their 2nd chance! But how big of a miracle will it be for the missionaries over there. They want to be baptized and have already paid tithing. I would love a miracle like that.
Hey, I know Dad's sick and all & you're praying for him, but can you pray for Michelle Enciso. She's going to Chula Vista to "re-start", but she has to pass Border Patrol. She's really scared. I'm nervous too. I've hooked her w/the members over there for when she gets there. But passing is the obstacle. Could you add her to your prayers. Bonita Alston the lady with cancer passed away on Wednesday. She is a huge miracle. I'll have to tell you about some day. I am very grateful to have met her. We're still just working hard, looking for miracles. We are teaching Ramona again. She talks to us like we are babies. We are still working with Graciela's family. I love them. We are also teaching Michelle's little sister, Sharon. It's sorta a crazy situation, her mom is nuts & her dad is scitzo & on parole. Members are concerned about us. But in all honesty, they need the "good experiences" & the contact if Sharon (13yrs old) is to be baptized. Anyway, I'm good, working hard- Oh I don't know if you remember Jesus or not (Jesus & Patty from Spring Valley)? Well, last weekend Jesus got baptized! 8 missionaries later! It was cool though. Anyway...
Hna Baker

7 Days...

Just wanted to let everyone who has been following Stacie's mission through her blog know, that she will be returning with honor from the California San Diego Mission on Tuesday, November 24th. She will be speaking in the Farr West 3rd Ward on Sunday, November 29th at 1:00 PM. We are in a different building than we were when she left. The address in 1745 N. 2300 W. The easiest way to find it is to turn West off of 2000 W. on 1800 N. then turn left on 2300 W. The building will be in the West side of the street. (If you are getting off the freeway, get off at exit #346, turn West, and then North at the light). Hope to see you there! We will also be getting together at the Westwood Village Clubhouse 1111 N. 2000 W. after visit and eat!

11-08-09

Family:
Hey: Just thought I'd write to you really quick because I doubt if I'll get a chance this "P-Day" because we're going to San Diego for a wedding. I don't really want to go so, I'm going on exchanges to work... It's just a crazy schedule... so just in case... I'm good... I'm alive.
I'll try to write next week better.
Heart/Hna Baker
P.S. I slammed my thumb in the car door.
P.P.S. We got the Garcia Fam to say yes to a date! 21st Yay!
Laura (mom) Laura (hija 13) & alexandra (11) Stephanie (7)
Ricardo (dad) is in Flagstaff, Ricardo & Andres son's aren't on board yer, but hte girls isi!

I got an Email from Stacie

-Silvia: Thanks for the Update!! CONGRATS EMILY!! I'm so happy for you!!!
-Mailee: Thanks for the note, Its good to hear from you! I hope you're all doing well.

Christy: Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I heard you had another baby too... thats
cool.

11-02-09

Hey Family,
How's it going? Well, we are starting something cleaver out here in the desert. We are going to help members make Mission Plans. Yeah, it's cool. We are all pretty excited about it! We're going to spread it through mission too. You should do it too. It's what the gospel is all about you know. So work has slowed down again. I talked Sis. Nielsen into praying for a natural disaster. (to humble people) we'll see what happens I guess. We are still working w/Juileta- she's not progressing though. Rosalee Rosas, we're still trying to teach her but there are always a billion people there. The Garcia fam... they were set on coming to church yesterday-but didn't show up. And now Marta has locks on the gate! Satan really does not want these people to get baptized! Such a jerk he is! We had a pretty lame week. No one was home- our #'s were ridiculas. So after Dia de los muertos people should be home. The mission is at the worst it has ever been since Pres. D came. (for baptisms) We had a bunch of people we could get w/dates but we can't find them! It's stupid the ways the devil works. This week is going to be amazing though. Know how I know? When we have bad stuff happen it's because something really good is going to happen. Like a baptism- the entire week right up until the second they step in the water- anything that could go wrong will and I can testify that it does. Therefore I know that this week will be a good week. Big things are going to happen. So pray for... The Garcia family, Juileta Durazo, Dora, Rocio & Leticia Beltran, the Garcia's in Holtville & Rosalee Rosas. How did all the surgeries go? School? Work? Glenn? Grant Platt?
Hermana Baker
On the envelope... We felt a good size earthquake today! Keep praying for that natural disaster!

Note for Christy!

Hi Christy-
I'm doing really well. Enjoying every minute of serving. There really is nothing better than this! Hey, Mom said you had another baby huh? That's cool!
Hna Baker

Note for Mailee!

Hey Mailee!
Good to hear from you! How's it going? I'm doing really well-
What's new with you?

10-26-09

Family-
Thanks for another random package Mom! It's always funny to see what you've put in them. I've eaten almost all the packing peanuts! My Compi thinks I'm weird. And thanks for the green tea gum & chapstick. Hey Mom... did you know that green tea, and black tea and ice tea are against the Word of Wisdom? Interesting huh!...
:-) ...I'm just teasing you a little bit, I thought it was funny though!
NOTE FROM THE MOM... I had a coupon for gum- buy one get one free- So I was at the register looking for that particular brand and I saw red and green- my brain said- fruit and mint. So I grabbed one of each without bothering to get out my trusty reading glasses to actually see what I was picking up... Okay- now you know! I really am OLD! I didn't even know there was such a thing as green tea gum! :-)
I had typed a good email today but the stupid computers wouldn't send, then it started re-starting & I lost it all... So I'll try to put it all on paper. Okay, last Tuesday was cool. We went by to the Garcia's (Calexico- Sis. A's miracle- she taught them in Chula they moved & found us here) Well we went over and spoke outside the door for a minute and Laura was talking and telling us everything that's been going on... They only have beans to eat. They are getting evicted from their apartment, No $$, no jobs- 5 kids in school, their car was stolen in Mexico and no gas in the 2 seater. Their circumstances are looking pretty grim. So we know they need a lesson 2- The Plan of Salvation. And that was what we had planned on teaching them. So I asked if we could come in. We taught TITHING and the Power of the Book of Mormon. It was super powerful- Super intense and the spirit was strong!
I promised them if they payed tithing they would be okay. And the more they read the BOM the more blessings they would receive. It was SO COOL! Well, they didnt' have $$ to even pay tithing. The Bishop bought them a food card so they'll be okay. Then on Saturday they had a yard sale and sold $45.00. On Sunday guess what they did... Payed $5.00 tithing to God! Yeah! They payed tithing! HUGE!! Okay, do you get that this is HUGE! The boys will be comming next week because of Lilliana Ortegs (RM she served in Utah) The whole family of 7! Pray for them okay? They are super close to accepting baptismal dates.
The whole camera thing, I really appreciate everyone's concerns and prayers and everything. But I really am okay. It's sad, but I'm not sad. Or it's sad that it happened, but life goes on. I've learned a lot from this experience. 2 Nephi 9:14 has been what has helped me a lot though. It states clearly that we will be restored unto a perfect knowlege, of our joys and experiences... Now most us us hear the word "perfect" and we think sinless or free of error. But if we look at the hebrew word for perfect, it means whole or complete. Think about that- What really matters is the "big picture".
Jose and Isabel came out this last weekend... I arranged for them to teach a finance class. Then the Bishop bought them a hotel and asked them to speak in church Sunday! It was so nice! They told their story and spoke, it was so cool. Then as I was talking to them, I found out the that they are doing amazing! Geneology, teaching classes @ church- Jose has 2 callings- assistant to the Bishop and assistant to the EQ Pres. They are so happy! It was relly good to see. Dora stayed the night w/her boyfriend so she didn't come to church. Neither did Julieta
:( We'll get them though.
Well, I gotta go- lots more to do
-Hermana Baker

10-19-09

Wow! You would not believe the week we've had! Well, my compi, Hna Alcantara got transferred. Shocker! We thought it was me. My new companion is who I was with for my day in La Rama before I got ET'd out here. She's cool. But ... miracles...
In Agusto there was a border patrol who got murdered in Campo. Shot 8 times his wife & two kids were left. So we got a call from a lady in El Centro. Her neighbor's husband had passed away. She had been praying to know when to send the missionaries by. Well, she felt like now was the time. So she calls us with the referral. We went and it was her! Rosalie Rosas. We answered a lot of her questions and she wants to know more!! Super cool huh! And the Garcia Family from Calexico, (Sis. A's miracle family) is still super excited! And they aren't moving until December!! Huge miracle! Pray for them a ton okay! Rosalie Rosas & Garcia Family in Calexico. We are still teaching Julietta Purazo, our 'blessing homes' miracle. We just got back from the Sand Dunes. It was fun. Right after we got flu shots, I started getting sick, but I used all my Lamanite Rituals & potions and I am healed! They really do work, no joke! I guess that's it!
Heart/Hermana Baker

10-12-09

Querida Familia Mia
Well, this week's letter will surely be more uplifting than the last... But for reals- we squish ticks all over the floor @ Maria's.
So, we love the trailer parks. The more run down, the better. And we found one in Holtville! So we planned it in, and went back... We start knocking and no one is answering. The End... No I'm just kidding... So some lady finally answers and we start- (In Spanish) "We are representatives of Jesus Christ and we are here to bless your home". So she looks at us for a minute and my comp. says: Can we come in? So we go in and we are standing there trying to figure out how to start the conversation, when she looks down and back up at us and she begins to cry. We hadn't even said anything yet! My companion & I look at each other like what's going on... and she starts to tell us: "It's that... I was just on my knees praying to God because I know there is something more, I have this empty space in me, and I don't know what to do." As she was praying, we knocked on her door! She said: "I know God answers prayers, but that was fast!" It was really cool. The spirit was so strong! We began to talk to her, and get to know her, and find her need and question of the soul. We went back the next day and taught her the Plan of Salvation. She said it answerend many questions that she's always had. It was so cool! Her name is Julieta Durazo. This wednesday is transfers. I know there will be a change, just don't know what. Because we both have the same time... Rumor has it that this weekend Bonita split! Finally! 3 branches! I got to talk to Isabel and Jose' for a second the other day. They are so good! Such a miracle! Jose' got the Melchezidek Priesthood and was interviewed by the Stake Presidency for a calling! That means he could probably be in a Branch Presidency! How cool huh! She told me all about the miracles and challenges they are having. Ruben Gonzalez also (I think) got the Melchezidek Priesthood. So cool! It's so surprising that there are people here that are actually looking for my camera. I can't really do anything. But there is a member, Dave & Sandra Despain that are my angels. We do a NDH well FHE because they are english, on Monday at their house to less actives and a couple of sensitive cases- (Teresa - husband just died & Bonita is dying from cancer- will be any day now) But he has a calling w/pull in the church- so the Bishops all talked about it in Sac. Meeting. It's in Bulletins and Bishops are going to a few people's homes and confronting people! Bro. Despain said that he is offering a reward - He even went to the church and dug through all the trash. The El Centro Elders did the same. They also went through every cupboard and drawer at the church. It shocked me to hear all this. All I said to Bro. Despain was could you keep your eyes open for... my stuff. I even told him I'll give the person the charger and a blank memory card if they just give me back the jump drive and other memory cards. I always keep my bag with me- the one time @ the church I leave it- look what happens! I keep all the cards together because the Elders apartment got robbed (we live in the same complex) and when we got home the same day, our door was wide open, so I figured that was, you know, safer. He said that everyone is praying... It's crazy because I'm pretty much helpless. So I've moved on. (Sorta) But it shocked me. So mom, if you are in the mood to write a Thank You card, The Despains deserve one. That's for sure. They met Bonita when she moved here from Alaska. They started (she was inactive) as home & visiting teachers, but it just goes to show what the Gospel in action really does. He is now the treasurer of the will. He is helping their family incredibly. Jessica and Hanna, Bonita's daughters are going to need them. The Despains & Teresa Owen took Bonita to the temple 2 Saturdays ago and she did the work for her grandparents and some other family- She was running hard all day. When she got home she went to bed, and hasn't gotten up since. She said she just couldn't go and face her family without doing their work. They said she's finally letting go. She is so strong! I'm grateful for the time to get to know and teach her.
So... The Gospel is true and true Gospel in action makes miracles!!
Go & Do!!
Hermana Baker
She also send a sticky note with the Despain's address.

10-05-09

From an E-mail...
Hey- so you'll find out in the letter, but I got robbed 8...(
It makes me super sad. They took all my pictures from my entire mission. I don't even care about the camera, but I can't replace those pictures.
It was a member of the church that did it too... at church... there weren't kids... there weren't teenagers... all adult member of the church... SUPER SUPER SAD.
The Letter...
Hey Family,
Well this sucks- big time. :( I got robbed. Spring Valley was 100 X more ghetto than here! Yesterday at conference at the stake center! I usually never leave my bag anywhere. I always have it with me. Well- I set it down in the chapel to go into the gym and eat really quick between sessions. No one was even in the chapel. Well, they stole my camera and ALL the pictures from my ENTIRE mission. From my cards and on my jump drive that had pictures & missionary documents on it. They took my drivers license & credit card out of my camera case and put them back in my bag. but took the most important things to me. The only things that cannot be replaced. :( Makes you want to throw up huh... Me too. It's really depressing. At first we thought it was a missionary playing a joke- Nope! I had a whole bunch of new ones I was planning to print and send home today. So look on line for it or something- it was three - 4gig cards & a kodak camera M340 10MP in a black case & a 4gig jumpdrive. From El Centro, Calexico, Brawley or Imperial California.
Mom- Do your thing - Go get them!
Those pictures are my everything! Another thing: On Tuesday we were out running and the next thing I knew I was waking up on the ground in a lot of pain. I guess I blacked out. I've got a few bruises and scrapes and I can move my shoulder again, so that's good. Mom-Jen go find the pictues please! You always get your way. Something crazy was that we were the only ones w/investigators at conference. And they left after teh first, so it was probably a member, even after such a great conference. It's so SAD- My entire mission- even before. Ben's graduation from college was on there. MOM Go get them! - We had the miracle, Garcia family made it to conference and they loved it! It was awesome. Okay bye- Mom go get em! do your thing!
Heart/ Hna Baker 8...(
Guess what else: We were at our investigators home trying to get her to understand the importance of not just going along with it- but praying & knowing, when we look at the floor and there's ticks everwhere! I mean EVERYWHERE!!!
Maria even got us a hammer to squish them on the floor. So we did for like 20 minutes. She said she'd pray...
Funny huh! Oh, thanks for the pills and the candy. We all thought it was fun. The squirt guns caused a war between me and my comp. It's finally starting to get cold now. Yay! How's dad?
On the envelope... The world is messed up! Almost 3000 pictures & videos!

Please pray for whoever took Stacie's stuff to have a 'mighty change of heart' and somehow return it to her. They can keep the camera if they want... just give her back her memories! I know this is really, really hard for her. They could have beat her with a big stick and not hurt her as bad as this is. I've notified the Bishops in the area, left messages for them, one called me back. He'll let the others know and make announcements in wards on Sunday. I've also notified the mission President, and I've looked on Craigs list & ebay- Not for sale... I think they probably wanted the camera for themselves, not to sell but who knows. Any suggestions? Please let me know!

09-28-09

Querida Familia Mia
Hey- How's it! So last week was awesome! Tuesday we went to the Temple on P-day. Long drive, but cool. Then when we were at the biblioteca doing e-mail - 2 little girls came up to my comp & says- "Do you remember us?" She had taught their family a year ago in Chula Vista. They were struggling financially, so had to start working a ton & lost contact w/ the missionaries. But they were golden. So turns out they moved out to, of all the places in the world - the worst economically- Calexico! We had just dropped their Aunt, Maria Vacensueca & they saw our names on a card there, so they've been looking for the church! There's a miracle for ya. And Jenoveua - ooo - she's one of our investigators in Holtville- she's sharing the gospel already. We've actually gotten into a few homes from her. Super cool! I'm trying to learn how to play the piano again. I'm bad. I'm stoked for conference. Lots of miracles!
HB

09-22-09

Hey, how's it going?
Happy Birthday Ben
Ummm- On Saturday we felt an earthquake. It was way cool. We were knocking a door it was a wavy one~~~~ Not ^^^^ or =-=- anyways it was fun. (you will have to guess what her little drawings were from what I could find & type!) Now it's the talk of the town. No super cool miracle stories this week. We woke up super early today to drive 2 hours to go the the Temple- now we just got back & it is my day to drive- so I am super tired. 2 hours there and 2 hours sitting, and then 2 hours back... So I'm tired. What's a CABG? I haven't thought of 'medical terms' in a long time. Anyway, thanks for all the letters.
Heart/ Hna Baker

09-14-09

Hey there, how's it going?
Well... another Sunday with no one at church and the poor Garcia family is going through their own trial of faith. They were out of town 3 Sundays ago, so they missed church. Then the next Sunday, school had started and all the kids were sick! Missed church again. Then yesterday we were expecting them for sure... Their van broke, no transportation left. Because a couple a months ago Alejandro got in a rollover accident and their car was totaled. They are struggling financially as is everyone else. But their trial of faith is tithing. I have seen miracles from it, especially in such hard times right now. The valley (Imperial Valley) has the highest un-employment rate in the nation & it's worse in the summers because the fields are closed. The economy here is basically held up by the Mexicans that come shopping here. It's hard to help people understand that God doesn't need their money - but they will be taken care of if they give it to Him. Even harder when you have no vehicle, empty cupboards & pantry, needs for a family full of kids going to school & the sickness that comes with that. We went over yesterday after church. Laura had allergies that were really bad. She doesn't have money to pay for medicine, their kitchen chair was broken and Alejandro was trying to fix it while we taught them the story of the 2000 stripling warriors. It's hard to see and not be able to do anything. This is a great test of faith for many people. Elder Grow
(70's that spoke at Stake Conference) said that is the reason there is no temple in TJ, or Mexicali, (Northern Mexico) One of the very best things about being a missionary is being able to promise blessings as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ. He will fulfill!~ Heavenly Father is humbling his children with the economy right now. The more obedient we are and the more we sacrifice for him, the more blessed we will be. He will take care of us in such hard times. He gives us challenges so that we will depend on Him. We have to learn this lesson! Pray for the Garcia's will ya? Man - we got caught in a massive sand storm the other day. We get them every so often, but this one was the worst yet, and we were outside! No rain, water, cold, nothing like that, just hot strong wind and lots of sand from the dunes. It's sorta like getting sand blasted. What a mess! But it was fun! So we went tracting this apartment complex in Holtville the other day. Playing with this new idea- "Hi, we're representatives of Jesus Christ, we would like to bless your home if that's okay with you?" We met a cool girl named Jessica. We are really excited about her. She's from L.A. - Awesome! We just had another really good zone conference. Really good! We finally get it! Big things are happening in missionary work around the world and we were the guinea pigs for it! Oh we got the new bible!! Yay! The Reina-Valera 2009, LDS edition! The 2ND most correct book on the earth after the Book of Mormon! Watch for it in conference in October. We got it! YaY! Sis. Donaldson brought us all three vita-lites this time. She came teaching with us over Youth conference (stake) weekend and got dehydrated and heat stroke, so we got more vita-lites. Really funny! Well, I guess that's all....
Hermana Baker

Also with this letter...
~Time Line of the Great Apostasy~
0 AD- Savior is born (5 years later changed to zero)
30 AD- Saviors earthly ministry
33 AD- Jesus Christ establishes his church, is rejected & crucified. His apostles are now in charge of his church.
42 AD- Peter calls Linus to be the Bishop of the church in Rome & establishes it.
43 AD- Paul goes back to Rome. Bishop Linus' church had gone apostate. Paul calls a different man named Linus to be a deacon over the church. (There is confusion with the 2 Linus' being one person)
64 AD- Nero, Leader of Rome, has Linus the deacon killed. The authorized church in Rome, disappears. The Christian church under Bishop Linus' church still existed.
70 AD- Jerusalem is destroyed
78 AD- The church in Rome receives a letter from one of it's members about how it is a "universal church". They decide to be called "The Roman Catholic" church.
96 AD- The Book of Revelations is written & John the Revelator disappeared to Patmus. The rest of the apostles were killed.
101 AD- The apostasy was complete in the world.
320 AD- Christian live (Apostate Christians) was hard
320 AD- Nicea creed was announced. The emperor Constantine held a council at Nicea to discuss the trinity. Church & state are now together. This begins the rein of Popes.
785 AD- Empress Irene is in charge & holds the 2ND Nicea Council. Commencing Idol worship. (Roman history & Catholic history are the same because Catholics were the roman government - they are the same history)
900 AD- Pope Joanna (woman) got pregnant & disappeared. (Lutheran church has physical evidence that there was a woman pope)
1100 AD- There were 3 popes at this point in time. They excommunicated each other then went to war with each other, to prove who was the true pope.
1200 AD- Printing press was invented. Pope innocent 3rd "Boss Pope" fought in a lot of wars, needed money to fight so he invent the "sales of indulgences" or to pay to have sins re-mitt ed.
1300 AD- Cultural revolution in Europe, the renaissance. (the printing press had people influenced, they began questioning until then only the elect could read full)
14921492 AD- Columbus sets sail
1515 AD- Martin Luther, Augustinian monk (one of the highest offices) disagreed wit the sales of indulgences. Nailed 95 grievances to the door of the church in Germany.
1515 AD- The reformation starts.
1523 AD- Martin Luther is excommunicated & the church puts out a warrant for his death. A group of reformists, also not in agreance with the church, hid M. Luther, and made him (either this or death) be the hero of the Lutheran church.
1534 AD- King Henry the 4TH wanted a divorce. (in the church, divorce is not permitted) The church denied his request, so he starts the Church of England (Today known as the Episcopal church) & gets a divorce from his wife.
1540 AD John Calvin a follower of M. Luther didn't agree with some of Luther's ideas. he started the Huguenots. Now known as the Presbyterian church in Switzerland & France.
1560 AD- John Knox in England didn't agree with Calvin or Luther so he started the Puritans.
1565 AD- Bartholomew Day
1620 D- Puritans come to America, Columbus invents a new nation.
1776 AD- Declaration of Independence to King George... A new nation is born. The revolutionary war, won the British by Gods intervention.
1781 Ad- War ends.
1785 AD- Philadelphia began writing constitution
1787 AD- Signed constitution
1805 AD- Birth of Joseph Smith
1812 AD- War of 1812 (beat British again)
1817 AD- Carl Marks born in Europe. The opposition raised his leader. (700 million communists)
1820 First vision, the restoration begins- the only time the church could possibly survive.
1830 AD- The Church of Jesus Christ is re-established (that day, the patent office was closed. They said that they had already invented everything) The saints & the church were driven to the Salt Lake Territory, not a state.

Since then, more progress has been made on earth than in the previous 5000 years.
Why 1820? Because this was the only time the church could possibly survive.

My spelling as you can see is still kinda bad, so you figure it out. :-)

09-07-09

Family-
Hey how's it going? This week has been sorta crazy. Monday (last Monday) we found out the center of the world is in the mission. So we went w/ the Elders "exploring" in the desert. Turns out there is nothing here, so we went to the view tower & hiking around again. It was free for us this time. Then on Tuesday we added this cool lady named Ana Maria in Holtville. We were looking for formers & she invited us right in. She's looking good so far. Wednesday morning as we were leaving, I was taking our trash out, so the bag was in my hand as I locked & closed the door, we never came home in the day, so at 9:00 PM we get home & the door was wide open. No one was inside and nothing was missing, so we just thought I didn't close it tight. Then Thursday we were at a dinner appointment w/ the Elders & they said the repairman for the apartment building complex robbed them last Wednesday. Hmmmm makes me wonder... Oh last Monday we saw a guy that had jumped & was crosing through the desert. Border Patrol was everywhere looking for him. Oh transfers came and I & Sis. Alcantara are still together out here in the desert. We are the only companionship that didn't change. It's crazy, we started our missions together & never thought we'd ever be companions it was just a joke. We're the oldest sisters in the mission, they are never together! Well we've been together now for 3 transfers. Pretty cool eh? Ummmmm, the other day... I had a big bowl of cereal for breakfast, then my comp comes out in the study and says, "ummm... I think the milk is bad..." Ya know, I thought it tasted funny, but I'm a missionary, ya just eat it anyways. Pretty gross! But things are good, we're going to try & focus more on Holtville this week. Okay - cool beans - that's all. I think...
-Hna Baker

08-31-09

Baker Family,
How's it going? We are going to go to the center of the world today. Cool eh? We had Stake Conf. this weekend, it was good. Pres. came so did Pres. Olsen (Temple Pres.) & Elder C. Scott Grow of the 70. Really cool guy. Conf. was really good. They all came out on Sat. & Sis Donaldson had nothing to do, so she wanted to come teaching with us. So on Sat. we took her with us. During the meeting on Sat. night she ran off the stage... sick... She got heat exhaustion. We felt really BAD! I even thought ahead to prevent it, brought her water & she had the front seat with the air conditioner, she still got it though.
I think I have a bunch of skin cancers from the sun - it's on my forearm like the one that was on my arm before. and I'm trying to decide if I want to go to the DR. now or later. Probably later. We found a cool young family while looking through formers. Carol is a member, but Jose isn't. She & her family want to come back to church! (although they didn't come yesterday) But they are excited! It's cool. They live in the same apartment complex as the Garcia's from Holtville! I LOVE HOLTVILLE!! Transfers are this week, we'll see what happens. I sorta want a change, but if not it's all good. It's fun to get a new area, but it's fun to stay too. Missionary work is just fun! It's been cloudy lately - you think that would be a good statement for here, but it's not - it doesn't make it any less hot, just adds a lot of humidity.
Pray for Maria Velarde - she's less active because she's old and sick. She has everything against her right now. Besides her kidney failure & everything else, they just found some sort of bug or worm in her skin. She's so nice & has a strong testimony. It's just really sad. Pray for her would ya. All the Garcia's say thanks for the package. Anitza didn't want to share & Angel loved destroying the box. They were all super excited! Thanks. Anyway... I don't really have much more to say.
-Hermana Baker
On a sticky note stuck to the letter... 3 Nephi 17:7 He says: Bring them- not let them come. HOW MANY HAVE YOU RESCUED TODAY?

08-24-09

Hey Family,
Wanna do me a favor? Pray for our mission... We need it... Satan is a JERK. That's all I have to say.
We had sister exchanges - so we got to go into San Diego for a couple of days. It was so nice & refreshing. I learned a ton. Missionary work has changed so much. It is progressing so fast! They are filming the new Preach My Gospel DVD's in Chula Vista w/Sis. Zaldivar & her companion until December. Pretty Cool! Remember Sis. Fitzgearld (The one I was training a while back...) She went English. Crazy Huh! There has been so many changes.
So far our teaching is Jorge. He's been taught for 38 years. Talk about an Eternal Investigator! We re-found him while whitewashing this transfer. We are super bold with him. I mean incredibly super bold! We can't seem to find people that will progress. We find a lot of people one time & can't ever find them again. We are working on some things to really get them. There are no excuses why the work can't progress out here like, or even better than San Diego. Everyone speaks Spanish! Everyone! I go shopping in Spanish here- Even Walmart. It should be better just because it's 120 degrees - That means nothing- It should be better. It's going to catch on fire soon. There are NO EXCUSES! Soon You'll get letters full of miracles - Trust Me.
This morning we went out exploring just the 2 of us to a rock viewing tower thing. It was cool. We could see the entire valley. There were some "Indian Caves" and some animals some Pioneer people carved in the mountain. Pretty cool. A fun little adventure. Maybe if you're lucky I'll send ya some pictures sometime- Maybe.
The Garcia kids were confirmed yesterday. It was really nice. They are so good.
-Hna B.-
**On the envelope- How many people have you rescued today?**

08-17-09

Hey Fam:
The baptism yesterday was nice. Alejandro got the Priesthood & baptized Alex & Adrian. It was really cool. Okay... So we were using one of the new methods for finding that we learned. It's super hard & a little awkward but it invites the spirit super fast and strong. So, vale la pena. (don't ask me... I don't understand it, I just type it!) Anyways, we are talking to the old man and it was going really well. We were trying to find his question of the soul and his need. We are so excited because the rest of our attempts sorta bombed. So we were doing good, then his big dog comes up- so I'm petting it through the fence, while my companion is talking. The next thing I know, his leg lifts up and he WIZZES all over me!! I tried to jump back, but it was too late... All over my skirt, my shoes and all over my leg. I tried to not cause a distraction, but the old man saw and pointed and laughed. So that was the wrecking ball that knocked that attempt down! I'm not sick any more ~ I finally got the last (that was in my lungs) to go away. What else... My comp. got thrown up on by baby Hna. Baker (Anel) They all insist on calling me Hna. Anel and her Hna. Baker. My companion and I are still praying for a big earthquake. Hopefully something will happen soon - super soon!
Anyway... I guess that's all I have to say... Have you given any referrals to the missionaries today?
Hna. Baker

Note for Emily!

- Emily---
Elmo loves Emily... So things are great here. Super hot, but great!
How's it with Sky being in the army and all?

08-10-09

Hey, Howz it goin'?
I'm still here en la valley w/Hna Alcantara. Not letting any miracle pass by. Aug. 16, 2009, Alex & Adrian Garcia will be baptized. By Alejandro, their Father, who will receive the Priesthood the same day! Yay! Laura & Alejandro got baptized 6 years ago, but went inactive after 1 month. Alejandro met some member in the hospital & she game us the referral! Yay! Huge miracle family. They all think the 4 month old baby, Anel, looks like me, they call her Hna Baker & Me, Hna Anel. Just because she is fair skinned & has colored eyes. I have had so many people on my mission compare me to their fair skinned neices and babies, it's pretty funny. The other day we were looking for Maria, (one of our investigators) as we were getting out of the car, border patrol swarmed the street. So we went up to her house & she lived in the back of the house, so we were comming and a border patrol entered the yard so we said Hi, and walked past- then my comp turns to me going to express excitement about what was going on, & there was another one coming right at us! They were everywhere!! So as she turned away from me to look forward.... she walked right into this hugh upside down cactus tree! Whopped her right in the head. So funny! She was okay- no worries. It was so funny though. Also another LA little girl we are teaching, 8 years old is getting baptized the 16th too. We just received some really cool training on how to do "finding" - super hard, but awesome!
So things are good.
Heart/ Hna B.
On the letter is a sticker, "Built "Frijolero" Tough. (like a bumper or window sticker)

Message for Adrienne! 08-10-09

ADRIENNE--- HEY HOW'S THE LAB? I IMAGINE THAT LOTS HAS CHANGED, WHATS THE NEWS THERE? ARE YOU STILL THE WILD PARTY ANIMAL THAT I LEFT? WELL STAY SAFE, AND
TRY NOT TO DO ANYTHING DUMB...JK...I'LL PRAY FOR YOU TOO!

Message for Emily! 08-10-09

EMILY--- YAY! YOUR HAVING A BABY! THAT IS #12 SINCE I'VE BEEN GONE! I'M GOING TO CALL YOUR BABY... BABY NUMBER 12! CONGRATS! AND YOUR BACK IN ROY HUH- YOU JUST CAN'T SIT STILL! GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU! I HOPE ALL IS WELL. I'M PRAYING FOR YOU!
Hna Baker

08-03-09

Familia Mia,
Thanks for all the pictures of the kids. My pen just exploded all over me. :( I just got it this morning. We (us & E. Hull & Ernst) had to clean out the other Elders apartment. EEEWW! Because they pulled them out of the desert. But I found it in there & it broke all over me. The Garcia Family is doing great. Here is something funny that just happened. I made OJ popsicles last night from a big jug of OJ that we bought-- She just came in and asked me (w/ a popsicle in her hand) MMM! Where did you get the oranges to make this? She's so funny. Alejandro & Adrean have dates set for the 16th. WaHoo! They're amazing! We got a referral in Holtville from Temple Square. (Those are rare & Good) Yay! So we were excited. - Go in, and they had an awful experience. They were super upset that they couldn't go inside the Temple. (several attemps made- they were escorted off the square) He just wanted to "teach" us. It was a major let down. But right after that we went to the Garcia's and it made everything okay. We are also teaching a lady named Emma. She's sorta crazy- I think she does witch craft, but she's cool. She's a social worker & goes and takes people's kids away. Our teaching pool is still small, but we have a feeling that there will be a natural disaster soon. Not just us, lots of people! Yay! We're making mangoniada's with chamoy... MMM! It's good!
Okay Bye! Hna Baker

07-21-07

Bueno Querida Famila Mia,
We had the Garcia Family at church. They are such a huge miracle! So we pretty much don't have a teaching pool. Then the Garcia family talked to a member from the El Centro Ward... Laura & Alejandro Sr. were baptized about 6 years ago. But after about 1 year they went inactive. Well, they moved to Holtville and were looking for a church. Alejandro met the member in the hospital & wanted the missionaries to go by again. So the Elders from the ward went by but didn't speak Spanish, so... since we have Holtville, (No other missionaries wanted it) We have the Garcia family. Laura, Alejandro- Alejandro Jr. is 13, Adrian Isaias 9, Andreas Moises 6, Anitza 4, Angel 2, Anel 4 months. Alejandro & Adrian Isaias are going to be babtized. They loved church! Finally someone at church! It was really good. We had a sand storm the other day. It looked like a thunderstorm, but it was clouds of dirt. Pretty funny. Umm, the people from the church headquarters- pretty intense. They are re-doing the MTC and they wanted to watch us and get our opinions on what they could train them to do even better. Stuff like that. It was pretty stressful. Let's just say that! Then we had the mini MTC to train members on Wednesday. (Mon. & Tues. were days with the MTC people. We were so shocked. 40 people showed up to the mini MTC. And the members are starting to get excited to do missionary work! The difference here in the valley is already starting to show with the members. Leadership is going to have to catch up with us because we are not stopping. Umm I found a quarter on the ground the other day, that was a cool miracle. Hey did you know that the penny changed? It's not the same on the back. Did Bri have the baby yet? Next Tuesday is transfers. We'll see what happens... I'm sick again. It's not very fun. I talked to the Dr. and he's prescribing me something. I have ear infection, sore throat, & my body hurts like I have the flu & a fever. Not fun. It's so hard to teach people when you don't have a voice. You know the movie Tremors? That's what this place reminds me of. We're still praying for a natural disaster, something to humble the people here. :)
Good Stuff! Hna. Baker
Mom, thanks for the shirts, they're perfect!
P.S. I just checked my e-mail- Okay, thanks, but I didn't put that name on my lists!
**Briana, Ben's wife had their baby on July 17th. A darling little girl. They are naming her Aubrey. (6lbs 3 oz. 18 1/2 inches). Stacie had been sending them her choice of names for her.**

07-27-09

Hey-
I'm still here in the Imperial Valley with Hna. Alcantara. Which is fun. But I have a 'new' area. Calexico East. They pulled the bike Elders out so we gave the ZL our area because it was so small & we are white washing Calexico East. But we still have Holtville (we got it in the firstplace, because no one else anted it :) that is where miracles happen! So at church yesterday, the GArcia family came! Guess where they are from??? Holtville! So it's this beautiful family of 8! Alejandro & Laura are the parents. We've re-activated them- sorta. We really didn't do anything, & alejandro (Alex) & Adrean will get baptised. Anitza, Angel, Anel & Andreas are all too little still. But this family is amazing! The members love them. Well, so far we haven't had any natural disasters around here. I don't know if I told you or not- but the mini MTC that we did, got the members stoked. We were eating dinner with the Garcia family in Imperial and we didn't even have to ask for referrals. The Hno. gave us one at the beginning & when we were sharing our spiritual thought from,PMG (Preach My Gospel) the Hna. gave us one too! It was so cool!
Oh, remember Kate Holt? (Soley's sister) Baptized! Finally! In El Centro. I talk to their grandparents every Wednesday at District meeting & they said this Saturday. So the 25th. Yay! What else... Oh the pigeons here are dumb. Super Dumb! Their brains are like taco meat. They do this funny dance and run and skip. And they only fly if it's their last resort. They walk everywhere. We went down to the border shopping today & to the Santo Tomas. The swap meet by our home. Didn't find anything good though. It was too hot. But I did buy a jungle book toothbrush that plays music. Yesterday at church Los Garcia De Holtville had to leave after Sac. Meeting because they have visitors, but Alex stayed! The 13 year old stayed by himself at church! They are so good! Thanks for all the stuff you've sent- It's helped a lot. I'm feeling better, but still sick. The pills I have to take are like the size of a quarter. I'm not a very good letter writer, or speller. Sorry. Mom & Dad, I promise no matter how old & crazy you get, I won't put you in an old people home, and I won't sent you to Holtville. There is a lady that her kids sent her to Holtville, & she's old & has dialysis 3 - 4 days a week, super sick & super lonely. That's all she talks about is how sad she is. But we go visit her. So don't worry, I won't send you to Holtville. Sis. Alcantara & I are pretty stoked that we're still together. We are super amazed. We never even imagined we'd be together for 1 transfer, let alone 2! It's fun, We are also going to put an ad in the newspaper here- All about us.
Andale Pues- Hna. Baker

07-13-09

Hi-
Mom, I mean like proselyting shirts. Thanks.
Well, Herlinda isn't going anywhere. We are still working really hard to try and find people and be creative, but nothing is working. Our district, E. Virrueta & Gardner, Us, E. Hull & Jensen are all praying for a natural disaster to humble the people. Maybe like a flood or something. We'll see I guess. A charla fogenera is a fireside. We went out "hiking". (it's different here- you just drive then wander around) today I went to the sand dunes where they filmed Star Wars w/ Jabba the Hut. Too hot to go play though. And we went to a natural oasis. I'll send pictures. Could you do us a favor and pray for a natural disaster here too? It's for a good cause. Transfers are next week. So we'll see what happens. Oh- So church headquarters are sending some (?____?) (I'll see if Jenn can read that word) to SD Mission to watch us teach and give "special training". 10 companionships in the mission have been selected. Ha Ha- we have 2 people coming here! And they want us to teach in English- so we have to go try and find some people for this. If not, they'll watch us in Spanish. I don't get why they chose us! But it's on Monday night and Tuesday night. And they are going to plan with us too. Anyway, we don't have a teaching pool right now, we're just doing a lot of finding. Hna Baker

Note for Tanya! 07-13-09

NOTE FOR TANYA
Hey good to hear from ya- My mom sent me your wedding picture announcement. I think- pretty much everyone I know has gotten married and/or had kids since I've been gone- Pretty weird! But congrats! How's life? What ya been up to?
Hermana Baker (aka Stacie)

07-06-09

Hola Querida Familia Mia!
Feliz 4 de Julio!
No one here did anything- I saw some fireworks, but I think they were in Mexicali (Mexico). We got up at 4:00AM this morning to go to the sand dunes before the sun came up. It was pretty fun. We came back home & went back to sleep. When I went to bed, it was 101* (at 10:30PM last night) when I woke up at 4:00AM it was 88*, so we has to go that early, because the sand dunes heats up more than that. Well, Herlinda & Lazaro forgot about church, even though we went before church started to remind them- so her date got pushed back to the 19th. And Rosa Maria- her mom told her that she'd already been baptized, so she couldn't come to church with us. She lost her date. :( We just dropped everyone in our teaching pool because they weren't progressing and last night we found out that there are big wigs from the church that might be staying with us to supervise the work and give us special training. :Z
Every time we go to Herlinda's I have to convince her that I speak Spanish. ¿Peeky panish?, She always asks- In like the middle of the lesson that we've been teaching IN SPANISH. I have a hard time not completely dehydrating in there, 1. I sweat my guts out because they won't turn on the A/C or a fan because it's just not warm enough for them, and 2. They say the most random things, like peeky panish, or we had to explain "don't kill & stealing from the 10 commandments. She really wants to steal candy at the store, & it's okay to kill un pollito. They are this old couple 80's going insane- it's fun! This transfer went by so fast. Me & Hna Alcantara are always having a blast.
Hna Baker

E-mail note to Sylvia! 07-06-09

Silvia: en que parte de arizona estas? Mi companera tiene un hermano serviendo en Mesa
Arizona. Su apellido es ALCANTARA. Bueno gracias por su correo electronico me da gusto
eschucharte. Ojala que todo este bien contigo. Y estoy acustombrandome a este calor poco
a poco. El otro dia era 102 grados y a mi era fresca! jajaja. Poco a poco! Nunca
imagine que iba hacer compras en espanol en mi mission- pero aqui en calexico- hacemos
todo en espanol. mi companera es de la Republica Dominicana- estoy aprendiendo mucho
espanol!
Como Estas? Como estan tus ninoS? ay, todavia rara para mi.

E-mail 7-06-09

Just FYI so you understand why she wrote the answers. I teach the CTR 7 class in Primary, and our lesson last sunday and next sunday, are about missionary work. I had our class write Stacie letters, and I sent her some of the questions they were asking while writing to her. Here are her answers...

Here are the answers and stick this on the blog please.
ANSWERS:
1. YES IT IS VERY HOT
2. I LOVE MY MISSION
3. I SPEAK SPANISH MOST OF THE TIME
4. I HAVE TAUGHT TONS OF PEOPLE.
5. I LOVE MY COMPANION TO PIECES
6. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT BAPTIZED ANYONE BECAUSE I AM A GIRL AND DON'T HAVE THE
PRIESTHOOD. BUT I'VE HELPED A LOT OF PEOPLE GET BAPTIZED.
7. I AM ABOUT 10 HOURS (driving) AWAY FROM UTAH
8. I LIKE MY AREA
9. I LOVE LEARNING HOW TO BE A MISSIONARY
10. I LIKE GETTING LETTERS
11. MY FAVORITE COLOR IS GREEN
12. WYATT IS RIGHT ABOUT THE GIFT OF TONGUES. THERE ARE SO MANY MIRACLES THAT COME WITH HAVING TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE AS A MISSIONARY. THE GIFT OF TONGUES IS REAL

Mi testimonio:
Dios vive, Jesus es el Cristo y esta es su iglesia. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es un
libro sagrado y contiene la plentitud del evangelio aqui en la tierra. Yo se que Jose
Smith fue un profeta de Dios en la tierra. Y por medio de el, tenemos la iglesia que
Jesucristo establecio cuando el estuvo aqui. Dios restauro de nuevo la autoridad o sea
el sacerdocio para nuestro beneficio, para afectuar las ordenanzas de salvacion. Tenemos
profetas en la tierra, profetas vivientes, tal como los de la biblia. Milagros son
reales. Yo se que esta es la iglesia de Jesucristo. Esta es la senda y no hay otro
camino hacia el. Yo testifico que El plan de salvacion es real, que Nuestro Padre
Celestial llama profetas, que el nos ama y que nosotros tenemos que hacer nuestro parte
aqui en la tierra. Este evangelio me da felicidad. Un gozo eterno, que nadie puede
quitar.

Mom-here ya go- Not sure when the next time I'll get mail will be- maybe tuesday, thats when we have interviews. We woke up at 4 am this morning and went to the sand dunes before it got hot. I'll send pictures sometime.

Thanks for the popsicles they saved the day! And sunscreen doesn't really help out here. I went and bought 85 SPF- we'll see- I still am pretty much a walking baked potato. My skin doesn't even help- my meat is cooking and my skin is just like to add flavor!

Just FYI...

Stacie would really enjoy hearing from you if you are following her mission thru her blog. Jennifer has it set up so that if you leave her a message thru a "post", it sends to Stacie as an e-mail. So if you have a quick minute... send her a note! :-)

06-29-09

This week we got a postcard-
Well- I said it all in the e-mail to Mom. Bye Heart/Hermana Baker
P.S. Send me pictures please

This is the e-mail... (Let's see if I can copy & past again!)
The bad thing about that with the pills is that We don't have a mailbox key. :) So
I'd rather get them late than never at all. Just get them to the office I guess- Its not like I'll die with out them- I'll just feel like I'm dead. ja ja ja. It should all be fine. Thanks for all that!
(The pills she's talking about are her Thyroid pills, I pick them up and mail them to her each month)
Liz is really cool- she always took good care of me, it was always a relif to be in her home especially when... well yeah.
We had the Charla Folgonera last night-absolute ZERO stake support and few members showed up. but the ones that did!!! WOOOW! they really loved it- they caught the missionary work fire and are going to start helping us!(I don't know if i told you, the old mission pres. sent all the disobedient missoinaries here, so the area has major problems. He told us at zone conference and the spirit testified that he sent his best out here right now to change things.) So we got a little momentum going now and we aren't going to slow down. The members will start to jump on and push with us, and the ward leaders and stake leaders are going to have to, if not, they'll get left behind! Pres also said that he has spoken with "THE BRETHEREN" about our area. He can't say much, but he told us not to worry and we'll have "air supportvery soon". how do ya like them apples!
A coulple days ago I got pulled over by..............border patrol. it was really
funny.
I left spring valley on fire- they have tons of baptisms lined up, it was sorta bitter sweet to have to leave, but they don't need me anymore. This place needs help so I know I'm supposed to be here.
Sis. Alcantara and I have a blast all day long, and its so refreshing to only have to focus on problems in the work, finding solutions and working. ITs really nice. I don't know if i told you or not but we were in the MTC at the same time, and we'll finish together. Anyway!
Oh- Schallen is engaged...she's my companion that went and visited you when she finished her mission.
So... I think thats bout it.

06-22-09

Bueno- It's HOT, Really HOT. & What is with all the random letters, and who wrote their going to South Dakota? My skin doesn't really have a chance to stop burning. Do I have a fever? No it's just my burning flesh. Could you send me some nicer "T-Shirt" style shirts, but nicer, so I still look like a missionary. Thanks. So, we are having a blast & working hard- because there is a lot of work to be done here. Especially with the members. We pretty much are running 2 shows. Out in San Diego they do the monthly charla & it's a huge success to get people doing missionary work & for investigators to learn. So Sis. Alcantara & I decided to get them started out here. We got it approved by Pres. D and I had to type a proposal for the stake Pres. and propose it to them and they laughed in my face. It's so irritating! Members are so confused as to what missionary work is- it's not that we've been out knocking on doors all day so we're hungry! No No No. So we are proposing this idea & he laughs in my face. So I said- Well I'll get this first one up and going & you all can take over after that. So I called Pres. Pastran! He's over the charlas in SD. Well we area making it big. Pres. Pastran is going to speak- Pres. Donaldson is even coming! We are making it BIG- Hopefully the mission will just take it over. (Pres. Pastran is willing) But all of us missionaries are trying & working to pump everyone up & getting members to invite their friends. The work here will never progress if the members here don't open their eyes. The paradime has already shifted. So needless to say we have a lot of work to do.
People's spanish is even so different here- It's like I'm learning Spanish all over again.
Remind me sometime to tell you about E. Virduetta/Hna Hernandez story. Super funny
Heart/ Hna Baker

Letter 6-15-09

Well Familia- I'm in the desert. (Calexico) with Hermana Alcantara. I never thought either of these would happen, let alone at the same time. But it's great! I love it! We are having a great time & working hard like I said in the e-mail. (Mom, print it off so Jenn or you can put it on the blog) So at transfers last Wed. we got a packet w/ our names on to do a survey. Well Sis. Nielson & Whitley were still together- on the label - I was w/ Hna Alcantara. But Pres. changed it last minute & I went w/ Sis. Nielson to the branch. Then Thursday I packed up again because I was emergency transferred to the valley w/ Hna Alcantara. Anyway it's a huge long story.... Anyway... Calexico remindes me of out West. We have lots of fields then little towns scattered about. Until you go to "downtown" it's pretty much Mexico / Asia, more Mexico. Border Patrol evrywhere. Gloves & rope hanging off the fence... It's fun- I feel like I've gone to a completly different mission. I like it.
We are pretty much white washing & starting over w/ everything. so we have a lot of fwork to do. Pres. Packer the old Mission Pres. sent the disobedient & rebellious missionaries out here. So the entire valley isn't progressing yet. Now Pres. Donaldson said he's sending the best PMG Missionaries, the ones who will get the job done. So we've got work to do. We've got a lot of ideas about this place.
Heart/ Hna Baker

E-mail Monday June 15th, 2009

Here's an e-mail we received from Stacie. I am going to copy and paste it, so I hope it works!
I saw cows and windmills- I went to the golden acorn casino ( to use the bathroom
and buy a gateraid) I went down to the border- Got checked by border patrol on the way to
the temple and things like that!

Well I finally got transfered---First well its a long story I first got transfered to San
Diego...working in the imperial branch (Celestial Kingdom from what other missionaries
say) with sister nielson as my companion. So I went over and started unpacking setteling
in...Then durring companion study the next day Pres. Calls and said "how did you
enjoy your stay in la rama?" i said "its been nice"..."well pack your
bags, your being emergency transfered out to the desert, your new companion is Hermana
Alcantara!!!" So I re-packed and we left. I am in Calexico in 120 degree weather no
clouds and scarsh shade:) Not joking. Its pretty much like yost. Its about 1.45hrs away
from the actual city. I live about 3 minutes away from mexicali (just over the border)
there are border patroll everywhere and along the fence there are gloves hanging off and
ropes and stuff from when people jump over. I'll write ya some pretty cool stories. Its
like a completly different mission! But I like it out here- we are pretty much white
washing because ther is no one and this is hna alcantara's 2nd transfer out here so we
both don't know anything. People don't open there doors here- because its so hotttt-they
don't want the heat to get in their house! We're trying to figure something out to trick
them.
Oh before I forget...We only get mail every other monday (because its so far from the
office) so make sure pills get here asap.But we'll still do email every week. oh and why
are they calling him "TY"? thats hmmmm weird...what does everyone think of
that?
Hna alcantara and I were actually in the mtc at the same time but she's from the
dominican republic- so she spoke spanish ya and didn't have the gastar time en the mtc
like I did. So its been a joke between us our entire missions that we would serve
together (Very unlikley to happen...because of our time) wel now look - together living
every sisters dream for the past 10years- Serving in the Desert. There are big things
happening - We've got pres.d's permission to start charlas out here ! so we have big
ideas and this transfer is going to be full of miracles. This moring we went to
salvation mountain- some dude's car broke down in the middle of no where so he decided to
build a 8 foot monument that that says "god is love"- well he went crazy and
has lived there for the past 24 years and is building this enormous mountain of stuff
like that- I took pictures so Ill send a bunch this week. It was interesting. We are
having a blast out here though working our guts out to get the area progressing and to
get the members to start doing missionary work! They think Missionary work is just
feeding us-! I would rather have a refferal!! So we are going to get this work out here
to be member driven. BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING! What name did ben and bri choose? do they
need me to write more? I can...Anyway...I have a list of stuff I could use out here:
popcycles-100,000 spf sunscreen-Popcycles-popcycles-100,000 spf
sunscreen-popcycles-100,000 spf sunscreen-
I can't thinkd of the restd so i;m going to write it in the letter.


Oh everyone thinks there is going to be a big earth quake

June 8, 2009
Hola Familia Mia:
Well- It's looking more and more like this is going to be my last P-day in Spring Valley. Tomorrow will be my last day- sorta bitter sweet. I love Spring Valley & Bonita 3rd, but it will be fun for a new experience & I'm ready for a change in companions, so that will be nice. I will miss Spring Valley though. Liz Walker will be bringing some boxes by soon, when she goes to her cabin. Mom she said she will call you. Spring Valley is prospering- It is all in the Lords hands. Querida Familia Mia! I am excited for the change! My companion just got an e-mail - Her sister has the swine flu! It's sorta funny. Maria & her 2 kids came to church (to the classes) on Sunday! I am so excited for them! And get this - Sams's family is taking the lessons! E. Law says they are close to getting dates. But that's basically it for now. Hna. Baker
P.S. We washed the car and the shirt is great.
P.P.S. Happy Birthday Jen & Dad

Spring Valley 04-13-09

Spring Valley 02-02-09

06-01-09

Hola Querida Famila Mìa:

Buenas Dias-Well Soley got baptized and confirmed this weekend. It was so weird-We went to the sacrament meeting in english-so weird. The dude that gave a talk-related the gospel the scotch tape, the he was telling a story and talked to his cane like it was a person in the story. I think I'll stick with Spanish.

So we had exchanges on Friday. It was really fun and refreshing. I went to Downtown and worked in La Rama Imperial. We also had interviews-Pres. asked me the dreaded question about 'time'. He said I'm going to be transfered-I told him to pray about it and I'll go and do where ever the Lord calls me to go. It's sort of a bummer that I won't be here to open the Spring Valley Branch.

We are going to start teaching Kate, Soley's sister (Soley is a triplet, her brother got baptized a while ago)but Kate wants to learn now. So that's good-we're also teaching 2 amazing families! They'll be baptized soon! On exchanges we added 8 potential investigators and got some baptismal dates-and it was really fun. So I'm excited to be able to get a new companion and a new area. There will be a lot of people surprised to see me gone, but whatever happens will be fine.

They've opened the curtain and filled the overflow ever week this transfer. It's so cool to see because when I first got here we barley (I THINK SHE MEANS BARELY, NOT BARLEY) filled the middle section in the chapel-now we don't even fit. This is such a great work!

Hna. Baker

5-25-09

Hello Family:

How are thou? Don't know if I told you last week. Lucia backed out of Baptism yesterday :( as a matter of fact, she asked us to not come back :(. But I got a big goblet necklace out of it!

Anyway, Soley Holt (english) is still good to go for the 30th.

We are coordinating San Diego and Tijuana Mission efforts now. Hopefully Concepción was able to make it to church down there this weekend. If not-I don't know what we're going to do with her!

I can't believe how fast this transfer went. It's already week 5!

Hope all is well, thanks for todo (EVERYTHING/ALL)

Hna. Baker

5-18-09

Querida Familia Mìa-

Well José and Isabel got baptized-It was really cool-The were so happy. And saturday we went to the temple. There were 7 members going for the first, 3 of the were less active when I got here! It was so cool! I'm not a crier-but as Ben would say-Niagra Falls Franky Angel-I guess I could say Fuentes de Niagra, Angel Frankoso. It was was really cool-words can't really describe it-it was such a treat for me-and get this-Hna Gonzalez-remember her-Me and Sis. Howarth baptized her family-she went back-it was so cool to see all these people in the temple in the temple-it truly was a little peek into the Celestial Kingdom. Everyone (well, almost everyone) was bawling!

The baptism went very well. Because José had a pacemaker put in-he couldn't do it normally because he can't pull on his left arm. So Pres. D. said (oh-he baptized them) "Well, you can lay your hands across your chest (like you are dead) Because baptism is a symbol of atonement, you know, death, burial, and the resurrection-Tons fo symbolism. It was by far the coolest! Very Powerful. They didn't quite get how cool it was. But it was awesome!

Lucia changed her mind and doesn't want to be baptized anymore-She is like an infant sometimes. Going from nice-sane-lady to a temper tantrum throwing 2 year old. So we'll talk to her again and either baptize her or drop her. She game me some pretty cool bling though.

Soley Holt is still good for the 30th on her baptism. Things are moving right along though that's for sure. But all in all-things are going well. Miracles are happening and it's a great time to be a missionary.

Enjoy the pictures

<3 Hna. Baker

5-11-2009

Hey Family:

So I just talked to you last night (ON MOTHER'S DAY). Don't have too much to say-Thanks for the Swine Flu package. Pretty Lame/Funny. Things are good-I'll send pics next monday. Good talking to ya-Ty sounds like he's getting big.

I guess that's it really.

We went up to Coronado Island today. So not a ton. I'll write more & better next week.

<3 HNA. Baker

Pictures from 3-2-09. Still in Spring Valley

5-4-09

Hola Querida Familia Mia,
Last week- Body World - If you don't know what it is, it's peoples donated cadavers donated to some guy who cuts them up to show anatomy in different positions. Pretty cool - Okay - so for the phone call- just ignore the e-mail. Jose & Isabel might be getting baptized, we have church from 9 - 12(1) & Sis. Fitzgeralds family will be in church from 1 - 4 maybe we'll call at 5 & have the baptism at 6. Maybe the baptism will be at 5 and we'll call at like 6 or 7. Well, who knows- all I can say is it will be after 5. Good Luck. Sorry I can't be more specific but yeah-
So Jose & Isabel their miracle story (being dead and brought back to life) well they've already come to church 4 times & are super ready to be baptized. So we went over on Saturday and they just kept throwing all these questions at me- They want to go on a mission now- oh and I said "I have a question for you, will you read this verse - Alma 7:15?" So they are praying about the 10th. I'm pretty sure that it might go through. Maybe - Soleys date is now the 30th of May. We fasted w/ Concepcion this weekend - To find a way to be able to come to church. (For Luis to let her) We'll find out Tuesday what happened. We went to the Macfabon's for dinner on Sunday & I took away all her coffee it was fun. A lot of our investigators just "disappeared" so we're going to look for them & some more.
So this Sunday was Stake conf. They were "supposed to" announce the split of Bonita 3 but still haven't. So I'm giving up hope with that one. Oh, I'm still in Spring Valley.
Plan on the call at 8:00 my time, I think 7 yours.
(Heart) Hermana Baker

4-27-09

Hola Bonita Familia Mia,
Solo Quiero Decir Gracias Muy rapido por todo que han hecho para mi durrahte mi tiempo aqui en San Diego El servir una mision es el mejor decision que jamas he hecho en mi vida entonces quero agradecerles pro todo su apoyo.
(Hey, I didn't write it, I just copied it, and if it doesn't make sense, it's because her writing is a little hard to read sometimes- and I don't do Spanish!)
HEY-IT'S JEN NOW, HERE'S WHAT IT SAYS: "I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY FAST. MY TIME HERE IN SAN DIEGO SERVING A MISSION IS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE. I WANT TO THANK ALL FOR THEIR SUPPORT." I THINK THAT'S THE GIST OF WHAT SHE SAID.
Well this week as usual was llena de milagos! Get this, Jose & Isabel came to church on their own! & to a charla fogenera for the stake! Yeah! They are still trying to figure out why Heavenly Father sent them to us. So we'er going to give them the Why- Who- What- When- and Where- on our appointment this week! Concepcion still wants to get baptized but Luis won't let her go to church because he thinks it's too soon - so we need your prayers! This comming Sunday the rumor is that they are announcing the split- Thsy want to call us the Blossom Lane Branch- LAME! I like Spring Valley Branch, but whatever. Today we're going to go to Body World a traveling exhibit or frozen body parts- So I'm excited.
Soley's mom is sorta being "silly" & won't ler her get baptized yet- She decided they needed to go out of town & that we can't see Soley until the 2nd of May.(The day before her scheduled baptism) :-) English work is not like Spanish work. Anyway, There is such a huge difference in teaching English people & Spanish people in English. I don't know what else to say-

April 20, 2009

hola Familia Mia,
Ok so I'm at the laundry mat watching my clothes spin in the dryer bigger than I am. Here are the miracles of this week. Isabel & Jose were supposed to be out of town this weekend but surprised us and came to church! They stayed for the classes and loved it! They took notes and everything! Wednesday we're going to go read Alma 7:9-15 with them! and give them a little pressure... still not sure if Concepcion was able to go in TJ yet.but we're going to see her Tuesday. Did I tell you she got her answer--- she was praying (specifically about the Book of Mormon & Jesus) and she told me she felt really warm and happy! Then she told me her brother in Utah is learning about the church too!
Wahooo! Soley Holt is still set on the 3rd for Baptism. Sam's family came to church yesterday! Yeah! We're going to do a Noche De Hogar with them this week...
Finally! May 3rd is also Stake conference- do you know what that means? They are making branches! Finally!
Yesterday @ church they opened the curtain for the 2nd time! Huge!!! Today we're going to Chula to get the oil changed in the car - we'll go do something w/ the Chula sisters... Oh, remember Sophia? I talked to her sister the other day. She said she'd been going to our church in Mexico. We'll try to baptize her when she comes back! MILAGROS - Yesterday we had a carne asada @ the SErvins w/ the Elders & the Medina's from Lemon Grove. I love those 2 families. Anyway... things are all good. It's getting hot. Yesterday it was 99 degrees. Transfers are next week, so we'll see what happens.
(heart) Hna Baker
P.S. Yeah, I got the package- after Easter, but it's great, thanks!

April 13, 2009

Familia,
So sounds like my letters get there late or you're all just slow - Transfers are here again, we'll see what happens. They're splitting the ward this transfer (comming) too, so hopefully I'll stay! Anyway sounds like Ty is getting pretty big & talking a lot. So Concepcion is doing great! We teach her in a busy car fix garage place. But she loves the Gospel & the Book of Mormon - W're going to commit her & Jose & Isabel this week! How was your Easter? Grous Creek? Conf? Sounds like you're all keeping busy. Thanks for the letters and packages & KNEE HIGHS! Perfect timing- We go through them so fast. Yesterday Maria Ballows granddaughter got baptized! Huge miracle! And @ E. Zaldana's baptism, everything was falling through as usual- so I had to teach during the intermedio - suirprise - but that's the life of a missionary I guess. Anyway we're still working hard. I can't believe how fast this transfer went by... Yeah, I remember Chase Nelson. He played baseball. Anyway... Thanks for all the letters & packages.
We taught 15 lessons this week. Getting closer and closer to the 21 that E. Perry has asked we get. Oh Sharp sent that paper so I'll get it in the mail hopefully tomorrow. (Scribble, scribble) (Nevermind) But things are good.
Hna Baker

Email from Stacie 4-27-09

Sylvia- Como Estas? Todo aqui esta buenisima! Me encanta ser misionera! Los Milagros
Jamas cesan, Dios es tan bueno! Tengo una pregunta...Tuviste tu bebe? no pude recordar
si estabas emberazada o si era alguien mas...:) andale pues tengas una buenisima semana!
Te Quiero mucho -HNA. Baker

San Diego #39 4-6-09

Hola Bonita family Mìa:

Conference was awesome! E. Telxeria of the 70 that spoke-was here not long ago on a mission tour. Very nice guy. Very smar! And E. Holland's talk-wow-. During the break some members and I had a Jalapeño eating contest. I'll send pictures.

We've had miracles galor!! Soley has a baptismal date of May 3rd. Hopefully it will go through

Then we have a huge miracle with Isabel. I don't believe I told you about her yet. We taught her lesson 1 a couple of weeks ago and taught her how to pray. So after that lesson we couldn't find her. Well we swung by to give her a book of mormon and she was on her way out, so we gave ehr the book and once again wasn't able to find her...well, we swung by on saturday and found her finally! She lets us in and says 'hasn't anyone told you what has been going on?' So we go sit down and her husband is on the couch across from us bawling his eyes out. So she starts to tell us the story. A couple of days ago after we gave her the BOM-they were in bed one night and he woke her up with like a scream. He had a heart attack. When she realized what had happened, he had been dead for 10 seconds. So she prayed (as we taught her) and did CPR (she had never done it before, keep in mind CPR is not a resucitation tool) and he came back to life! The Dr's said he had three clogged arteries and whe she did CPR it knocked one of the clots loose. Drs said he shouldn't have come back to life...she calls us her angels. She says it is because of us, that he is alive. The are both stoked to know we have a prophet. Huge miracle! God is os good! So...things are good-We have 12 investigators right now and a whole bunch of futures.

hna baker.

San Diego #38 3-30-09

Hola familia mìa:

Todavìa no tengo nada a decirles porque nadie me escribo en las semana pasada ojála que todos esten bien. Todavìa estoy trabajando duro y luchando para exito. Hemos estado enseñando a muchas personas pero nadie vinó a la iglesia ayer. ¡Que Lastima!

Quienen oìr (leer) una historia chistoso pero verdad...bueno...recibimos una referencia para un hombre se llama José Cruz para traeree la peliqula cordero de dios. Entonces buscabmos la dirreción y me dì cuenta que era una garage micanico para arreglar carros. Entonces pasamos y hablabamos un poco con 3 personas, José, Luis, y Concepción. Enseñabamos la primera Charla Allá y les comprometemos para ser bautizados, en el momento. Allá en el garage con la ruido do la calle atras y todo. La primera vez por todo! ¿Verdad? Nos dijeron-no pero todavìa trabajamos con ellos. Oh-Liz Walker va a pasar la casa (suyo) pronto para dejar una caja de cosas mìas que no uso mucho. Oh, El Elder Moon se fallecio (se murio) El era un misionario viejo serviendo aquì con su esposa. Estamos tristes por eso.

Okay, I'll write in english-I got all your letters today, sounds like you are doing well...that's good to hear.

(SORRY IF SOME OF THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE...<3 JEN)

I STILL DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO TELL ANYBODY BECAUSE I AM WRITING IN LAST WEEK. HOPEFULLY ALL IS FINE. I'M STILL WORKING HARD AND STRIVING FOR SUCCESS. WE HAVE BEEN TEACHING MANY PEOPLE BUT NO ONE CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY. TOO BAD!

THOSE WHO HEAR (READ) BUT A REALLY FUNNY STORY...WELL...WE GOT A REFERECNE FOR A NAMED JOSE CRUZ TO BRING A LAMB OF GOD MOVIE TO. THEN WE WENT TO SEARCH FOR THE ADDRESS AND REALIZED IT WAS A CAR GARAGE (MECHANICS SHOP). THEN WE TALKED A LITTLE AND WENT WITH 3 PEOPLE: JOSE, LUIS AND CONCEPTIóN. THEN WE TAUGHT THE FIRST AND COMMIT THEM TO BE BAPTIZED AT THE TIME.BACK IN THE GARAGE WITH THE SETREE NOISE AND DO IT ALL. THE FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING! REALLY? THEY SAID NO, BUT STILL WORKS WITH THEM.

OH, LIZ WALKER WILL GO HOME EARLY TO LEAVE A BOX OF THINGS OF MINE THAT I DON'T USE MUCH.

OH, ELDER MOON DIED. HE WAS AN OLD MISSIONARY SERVING HERE WITH HIS WIFE. WE ARE SADDENED BY THAT.

Hna. Baker

San Diego #37 3-23-09

Hola Querida familia Mìa:

Well transfers came and went. Everyone pretty much 'knew' I was leaving Spring Valley...Sis. Urban was so sure she didn't even buy groceries...tuesday night the phone call from the zone leaders came, Sis. Urban picks it up and with a huge grin on her face and the Zone leaders tell her...she's getting transfered! ha ha ha She was so ticked! So I'm still in Spring Valley and within the next 1-2 weeks we'll get branches up and moving too!

Bri is having a girl eh...I had one too. I named her Hna. Fitzgerald (Hna. Fitz for people like Sis. Baker and Mexicans because it's hard to say...) Yep, I'm a mom. She's from Payson, Utah (Miss Payson, yup she's a pagent girl) Pretty col-We're having fun. He first day, on the way home, we saw 2 different store robberies (shop lifters) and a crowd of mexican men looking for work attacking a moving van.

I'm working her pretty hard-we are having lots of miracles. Tomorrow is zone conference, i'm super excited for that! Pres. Donaldson slways gives us good stuff-oh guess what. Yesterday at church we opened the overflow!!! That has never happened before! YEAHH!! The elders told me they (Pres. Snodgrass) are thinking about 4 branches now! Crazy! I don't know how that's going to work, but we'll do it.

There's a webstie (I'm at the library) in front of me that I just read completely wrong- sandiegoatwork- you'll get it (SANDIE GOAT WORK) I feel dumb. Well, I don't really have more to say to you.

Oh, Soley is going to get baptized soon. She's 13 and a part member english family (they requested sisters, she's from the Bonita 1st English ward)but that that will happen soon.

k bye

Hna. Baker

San Diego #36

Bueno Querida Familia Mìa:

This is the last week of this transfer. We find out who leaves tuesday night at 9:00, then at 10:00 wed. we go to transmers and go...So we'll see what, where, and who happens then. So my companion is getting a hair cut, and I'm sitting here watching this lady. Her client is balding, and she's talking to him like she's a docto-writing him 'perscription' shampoo saying all these technical terms and he says, 'so it's Rogain' and she went off on him...super funny. Let's see...your week has been exciting sounds like. So it's a girl?

We go tracting a lot...a lot. Working a lot and getting refferals from members with the Lamb of God DVD. Turns out people don't even know Easter even has anything to do with Christ. So we are gently reminding everyone we can :)

Hna. Servin had a boy! It's exciting, yet, super weird. My very first transfer w/Schallen-we found out she was pregnant. So I've been here through the entire thing. Tues. morning we're going to go over and serve them (mainly to see Hugo)

So as i'm sitting here-watching all these "normal" people, I've realized how weird I really am. I'm doing everything I can to not listen to the music~I used to be into all these hair things-now I don't care at all what I look like. I'm looking at a wall of products and it all feels and seems oddly familar, but weirding me out big time. I'M WEIRD.

Hna. Baker

San Diego #35 3-9-09

Familia Mìa:

¿Disfrutaron los fotos que mandé in la semana pasada? La capill (en el bautismo de Sam) estaba llena!) Muy buena vista. Mì compañera compró una vela y tengo miedo porque ereo que ella esta tratando de quemar nuestro aprtamento con el fuego. Iba escribir toda la carta in español pero madre se enojó la ultima vez-entonces tengo que practicar ingles...

DID YOU ENJOY THE PHOTOS I SENT LAST WEEK? THE CHAPEL (AT SAM'S BAPTISM) WAS FULL!!! VERY GOOD VIEW. MY COMPANIOIN BOUGHT A CANDLE AND I'm SCARED BECAUSE I THINK SHE'S TRYING TO BURN DOWN THE APARTMENT WITH FIRE. I WOULD WRITE ALL OF THE LETTER IN SPANISH BUT MOM WAS ANGRY LAST TIME, SO I HAVE TO PRACTICE MY ENGLISH.

For my birthday at 6:30 am, Los Gonzalez called me (Mexican tradition) to wake me up and sing to me. (I was already awake) Then Ricardo called and sang to me, and Pres. and Sis. Donaldson called. We had dinner w/the Borja's, Hna. Busby, and Hna. Gonzalez snuck over earlier and dropped off a cake and jello and gifts. The best of all was that it was exchanges :)

We worked super hard all day and it was fun. Sis. Purziani came here. Carol and Vivian Labarol came up and we did spilits (sorta) and blitzed the area. So it was good we added a bunch of potentials too-we were just out in the streets talking to everyone and knociing all the run-down apartment complexes. But it was good-a very refreshing day. Sam was comfirmed sunday, he's very happy-he's thinking about going on a mission :) He was super excited for the tie mom. He says thanks...He gave me a hug he was so excited...awkward...Anyway he was grateful! Tonight we are going to the Malfabon's for a b-day dinner...menudo...I didn't tell anyone about my b-day, only the Gonzalez (because they asked) Mexicans love to party...it's just a fact, and I just wanted it to be a normal day, to just work, so this is all from me not tellling anyone.

They think they are going to make Bonita 3rd ward into a ward and 2 branches within the next 1 1/2 weeks! That's also transfers, so we'll see what happens. It will be like a Spring Valley branch Lemon Grove and San Diego Branch (in a school) and National City and Bonita ward. So it's exciting.

Oh, I also got phone calls from people in the office (the ones that sort the mail) for my b-day too, they thought it was funny.

Anyways...Thanks
Hna. Baker

Here's the Deal Friends:

I GOT AN EMAIL FROM STACIE ON MONDAY AND THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS:

Hey...So for your convenience... You can put a post or something on the blog that
says...

I'm (you) really busy, (says Jennifer), If you bother looking at the blog reply or
something.

Because if no one even looks at it you can just stop doing it...and not waste you time.

OK bye

SO FIRST OF ALL-I REALLY DON'T MIND UPDATING THE BLOG, IT JUST TAKES ME A LITTLE WHILE TO GET CAUGHT UP. ANYWHO-JUST FOR STACIE-HERE'S MY MESSAGE:

FOR ALL OF YOU THAT FOLLOW THE BLOG, I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU COULD PUT A COMMENT ON THIS POST, LETTING ME KNOW THAT YOU ACUTALLY ARE FOLLOWING ALONG ON THE BLOG. THAT WAY IF NO ONE COMMENTS, I WON'T FEEL AS BAD FOR NOT UPDATING IT AS MUCH AS I SHOULD. BUT IF YOU DO COMMENT, FEEL SPECIAL BECAUSE I'LL KEEP GOING JUST FOR YOU! :) I'LL CHECK IT FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND SEE IF ANYONE POSTS...

LOVE THE ONE AND ONLY jen

Spring Valley #5 Pictures

San Diego #34 3-2-09

Well Family:

March is here and I'm feeling the heat and my missionary tan is coming back. On saturday we went to the swap meet. Pres. Donaldson told us to be creative in our finding efforts-so-us and the englsih elders got a booth and swap-meeted it up. We met lots of interesting people...but it was successful. We might do it again next weekend. We need lots of bright shiny clutter to get people's attention though. Every since I've got here me and all of my companions have always joked about going to the swap meet, so I just lived every Spring Valley sister's dream! People here are serious about this-most people that go-do it for a LIVING. Serious business.

Sam got baptized yesterday! The whole chaple (STACIE'S SPELLING) was full-not just of people-but of investigators! It was good.

Ruben Gonzalez did one of the baptisms (3 people got baptized, not just Sam) But Ruben did it!! He was so excited-whe it was over he looked over at me and gave me a big thumbs up! Melissa wanted me (no one else) to take her to the bathroom-so we did and she went in the stall (remember she has Down Syndrome) and started dancing and singng at the top of her lungs "My Maria" and "Whoo-oo" over and over for like 15 minutes before she finally went to the bathroom, the she didn't want to wash her hands and was adament about it! So I raced her-she won and rubbed it in my face the rest of the night. People kept coming into the bathroom adn when we came out-everyone turned and looked. Pretty funny...

Thanks for all the post cards-there is NO WAY I am writing back to all of them! Just tell them thanks.

That's about it I guess. Thanks for the package

Love, Hna Baker

P.S. Los Gonzales mandan muchos saludos! (THE GONZALES' SEND MANY GREETINGS!)

P.S.S. Mom-turns out I can see better when I wear my glasses! So I just use them in the day too. Just driving pretty much.

Thanks for all the stuff!

Thanks to All!!

STACIE SENT HOME A THANK YOU CARD. HERE IS WHAT IT SAYS:

Thanks for all the B-day wishes everyone-even those of you that I don't know...

and thanks mom for doing it all. It was funny.

-Hermana Baker

P.S. Show this to those that want a thank you card...

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH STACIE'S BIRTDAY POSTCARD THING. WE SURE APPRECIATE IT! IF EVERYONE SENT THEIR POSTCARD-SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST 170 POSTCARD FOR HER BIRTHDAY!

San Diego #33 2-23-09

¿Cómo estan bonita familia mìa?

Happy B-day yesterday!! Well---We go tracting a lot. We were reaping a little of the fruits this week. Next week will be better. So they are making plans to make 3 branches from my ward! It's finally happening and we're supposedly getting a truck load of newbies this comming transfer to help open up some areas! If sister Howarth was here, we would both cheer!

Send some pictures of Ty would ya?. And for a b-day gift you can send me knee highs (skin colored). I go through them fast---not as fast as before because I fixed my shoe with glue!!

Yay-we found Rocio-well, I'll tell you, we went to our ward temple day. First let me tell you how I got there-Freeway driving-125 to the 94 to the 5. Let me tell you how I got back-5 to the 8 to the 805 to the 94 to the 125 and got off on Jamacha Road to to find Rocio. Well, she wasn't there for our appointment :(. So I was writing a not and as we were turning around to walk away-she pulls up! Yay! So she was sick and would have called but didn't have our number. Bu she invited us in so we talked a little bit, prayed, and left with another appointment. So we are excited for her

-GET THIS-The APs just called and asked what time our Sacrament meeting starts...normally that would just be weird, but Pres. Donaldson has been having meetings galore with Elder Cordova from the 70 and they are splitting the ward Bonita 3 into 3 branches. I just realized I just said that already. But it's exciting!! Espring Valley Branch!!

Well, I don't have anything else to say!

-Hna Baker

Do you still put stuff on that blog? (TO ANSWER HER QUESTION-YA, I DO...)

Jenn-Glasses are only because I can't see singns (I THINK SHE MEANS SIGNS) well enough to read them. You win blindy!

Way to go on winning Jazz tickets-All sorts of blessings come from sending your sister on a mission eh?...

Thanks for the pictures.

San Diego #32 2-16-09

Hola Querida Familia mìa:

So I realized I forgot to write a "real" letter last week... (SHE JUST SENT HOME A BUNCH OF BILLS) Sorry...but I'll do it now...So Sis. Howarth is gone. Another one bites the dust-It's always hard to send your companion home-especially when they don't want to go! Schallen and Hna. Howarth were definitely the hardest. But Schallen came back this weekend (again). It was fun to see her. We really had good experiences.

Anyways, enough reminising my comp. Now is Sister Urban. I'm still in Spring Valley-It was funny to see everyone's faces at transfers when Pres. said I wasn't trining. I almost started laughing.

Right now we only have 1 investigator w/a baptism date. His name is Sam. Really cool kid. He's 15-getting baptized Marth 1. His favorite topic in school is history. Sam is friends with the Rameriz Family, so they brng him to church and he wants to get baptized. So we are teaching him. That simple...He's trying to get his family to come to church with him!

Leticia is doing great. In church yesterday, they talked about missionary work and she loved it! We have been trying to get her to do missionary wrok for the past while but she says no-in church yesterday with out her realizing it, she went up and started fellowshipping an investigator!! If Sis. Howarth was still here we would have cheered! But she's not, so I rejoice in my heart. So Leti is doing great.

Robert...Well he's super excited to go do baptisms for the dead this weekend...in the temple! We are working with Leti too. Robert always tries to stump me with his "Bible Questions" which isn't hard since I'm not studying the bible right now-so now he's going to write Pres. Donaldson (who has studied the bible in HEBREW) and try to stump him. But he is doing great on his soccer team. Reading the Book of Mormon and Bible every day.

The Gonzalez Family: Ruben got the Priesthood yesterday! He is stoked about family history and their family are going to the temple this friday to do baptisms. Melissa is great most of the time. She calls me 'Dude' or 'Hna. Bakery' or 'Mana'. Findencia is always running around with the other young women or the ward. Teresita-well, I taught her thumb wars, so she's pretty good now. Let's me win every once in a while :).

We are teaching Ruben Contreras (Martha-Member). We go study the Book of Mormon with him, and we "sneek vegetables into his rice" by teaching him priciples that are in each chapter we are studying. It's pretty fun and challenging. Like when we studied 1 Nefi(STACIE'S SPELLING) 2 & 3. We taught obedience 10 Commandments. Wow, follow the prophet and 1 Nefi 1 we even taught parts of Lesson 1 with the Restoration. He's very very slowly progressing. But it is good practice.

The rest of our time is pretty much filled with tracting, jumping out of the car and chasing after people as they run away-to see if they want the hear a message about their Savior. Parking lot contacting as soon as it warms up. Park contacting! We're getting a lot of refferals for the English missionaries...they love it when we go tracting. We did knock a street and a lady said yes-she wants us to come back on saturday at 1:00 to teach her family! Her name is Rocio. That is a phrase that every missionary wants to hear!

Oh, ther is a cool old lady named Aurora Laurean that is blind and in a wheel chair-but super active member of the Barrio 20 in San Diego that we go read with every week. I'll send pictures. Anyway, she lives by herself pretty much-in a side apartment by her son's house. We go read to her, it's fun.

Yesterday, Maria Eva Ballow's Grandkids got baptized! She was IN-active an after Schallen left I didn't know any members, so we went down the ward list, found her, and at first she wasn't nice to us at all, but we kept trying and she reactivated into the english ward -so that she could take her grandkids-the elders found them at the English ward and taught them without knowing that we were working with them until we all showed up at an appointment one day. The whole spirit has change in their home. Jaqueline, their mom, likes us now! She's being reactivated by the elders now too! It's amazing to see how the Gospel not only blesses families, but changes them completly. There really is a huge difference in them, and it's not something that can be faked either.

Last week I was so sick, I completly lost my voice for 3 days...Lemme tell ya-that makes missionary work tricky...but members loaded me up with all kinds of sick tasting tea and I feel better and my voice is back. I took pictures of that too.

That's crazy about Becky and Calvin getting another kid. Send pictures.

Anyway...I guess that's pretty much it.

-Hna Baker

No Pictures for a Little While

Hey guys

Sorry for the news, but our scanner isn't working so I haven't been able to post Stacie's pictures. If you want to see them, you can just come on over to the house sometime. Hopefully we'll get our scanner working, but until then-no pictures :(

San Diego #31 2-2-09

Hola familia mia:

Pues-todavua estoy aqui in Srping Valley. I'm still here in Spring Valley, sending another companion home, after all, that is what I do best. That shouldn't happen again for a while since me, Hna Alcantara and Hna. Whitley are now the oldest in the mission (for spanish sisters).

Transfers are changing now too. We'll get a call tuesday night to say if we need to come to the meeting w/bags packed, then wednesday morning, we go to a chapel and Pres. will tell us who our comp. is and we go. So it's already a given that I'll go, but until the moment, I have no idea who she'll be...Kinda exciting.

Every ward in the entire world is now required to provide missionaries w/lessons-we are required to teach. So the idea is members in wards (auxillaries) each give 5 people to teach to the missionaries. So that's 15 and missionaries are to find 5 as well, so world wide, that's 20 lessions, every week...Well our ward hasn't quite caught on yet and our mission just raised our standard to 21. This last week Sis. Howarth and I worked our guts out and we got 10 lessons (not bad for no progressing investigators) but not good enough.

Let's see...Moises is an investigator of E. Bomsta in Lemon Grove-He had been teaching him for the past 6 months. Last sunday, he went to the baptism of Aldo and Sis. Howarth and I went up and talked to him, ended up commiting him for baptism for the next sunday (yesterday). Well, He did it-He got baptized! It's crazy because we didn't say anything to him that the elders hadn't already said. So thats a pretty sweet meiracle. It's fun to be super bold w/othe people's investigators because we can be bold to an extent w/ours.

I guess that's all

Love, Hna. Baker

San Diego #30 1-26-09

Hey-

Well, big things are happening in the CaSD mission. E. Teixeir from the 70 came and did our mission tour and spoke to us. It was fun, I learned a lot.

It looks like i'll be in Spring Valley for another transfer if not the rest of my mission. The area has pretty much died-so we are doing a lot of finding right now.

Every one here tells me about the snow there, it's funny because we are back up in the 80'snow Today's been chilly but for the most part, the weather is good.

I'm getting my eyes checked today and probably glasses so I can see at night time. Yay...

K, so I got back, I have to get glasses in ten days. If you are lucky, I might wear them in some pictures.

-Hna. Baker

San Diego # 29 1-19-09

Familia Mia

We went sight seeing all over San Diego w/Liz last week. Then today we played death volleyball with the Tongans. They like hit the ball really hard. Most of the time in the direction of your face. So Pres. changed the way transfers are. We don't know where we are going, until that day, and well, this transfer I'll be killing my companion. The 4 oldest spanish sisters are leaving, then it's me, Sis. Allantara, and Sis. Whitley as the oldest. And well, Pres. already told Hna Allantara she's getting the temple square sister. Hna. Whitley was english switched to spanish...then a greenie. So that is my guess, but who knows-I'm never right anyways.

Wanna hear something funny...I already knew for a long time that Bri was emberazada (pregnant). Funny huh? Marilyn Kirby writes on her envelopes 'my favorite hermana' rather than my name-so the office has to open them and guess who it is for.

Winter is over (I still feel like I'm waiting for fall...) But it's back in the 80's

-Hna. B