This past week flew by! We had a training meeting and interview with
the mission president in Laramie, so we had to wake up earlier to
drive the 3 hours there. I slept most the way, which was awesome! We
got there and I had my interview with President McMurray. It was a
good interview! He just asked me how I was coping with the new
missionary lifestyle. I said everything's fantastic! Then we had a
long training meeting, which was really spiritual! It was so nice to
see Elder Judd again! We'll be companions someday, I know it!
After our meeting we headed to Casper to start exchanges with the Zone
Leaders. So I stayed with Elder Shepherd in Casper. For the next
2-days I was in Casper! Elder Shepherd lost his driving privileges so
I was driving the whole time! They just barely got a brand new Toyota
Sienna mini-van! So I was driving that, it was way nice! They serve in
the YSA Ward so it was really cool to visit with people my own age!
Connecting with them is so much easier! The one bad thing that
happened during the exchange was that, I got pulled over for the first
time in my life......... Haha not cause I was speeding don't worry!
So we were using a GPS, and it kind of lead us through a cement
factory warehouse place, which we found out was private property....
So we were driving through and at the other exit I saw a car, and I
just knew it was a cop. So of course it was and he pulled me over.
So he came up and told us we were trespassing and I guess you can call
me a sweet talker, but I apologized a bunch and talked myself out of a
ticket! :) also I know that Heavenly Father helped soften the cops
heart, he was really nice through the whole thing. So that was
exciting, then we got to this guys house we were headed to...... So he
is a veterinarian and loves to save dogs. And of course he has some
of my favorite kind of dogs, 6 pit bulls. So they were psycho and as
soon as we sat down they jumped on our backs and licked us till our
shirts were completely soaking wet! After we tried to teach him with
all the dogs all over us, we left smelling like wet dogs! It was so
nasty! It was pretty solid first exchanges though! I learned a lot of
stuff from Elder Shepherd!
So let me tell you a little more about Riverton! The members here are
super nice! They love to feed us, have us over to help with service,
and getting to know us! They make me feel like I'm at home, which is
way nice! It has been raining the past 3 days, it is super pretty and
cool when it rains! You can also see mountains in the distance, so
it's not too flat! We have a Walmart in town, and Taco Bell so I don't
need anything else! Overall I love the area!
So we are at the Wind River Casino the other day with the Zone
Leaders. We ate at the Buffalo, it's a super good food court. So I
guess a member is the CEO over it, and we were talking to him. After
we ate he came over and paid for our meal, he's a super nice guy! We
also attended an Arapahoe Indian Pow-wow. It was a super neat
experience! All the cultural dances were way cool and people were
really nice to us, everyone knew us! Being noticed was way easy,
because we were the only white people there, and I was about 6 inches
taller than any other person there! I had about 100 Natives ask me
how tall I was, and if I could dunk it. A lot of them wanted pictures
with me for there snapchat stories too, so I got my picture taken with
a ton of people! It helped get our name out there, a lot of little
kids asked why we had the same first name, we just laughed and had a
good opportunity to teach them! It was a cool, experience!
One cool spiritual experience that we had this week was when we went
blitz finding with some other elders. It is when we go on splits and
go tracting on the same street, so we can have more effective
tracting. We ended up getting 6 return appointments and we taught a
lot of lessons. One in particular stood out to me. We met this lady
named Christy from Ogden. She was helping her mom move her stuff to
Utah. Anyways, she started talking to us, and she said when she was
going through a hard time in her life, she tried to turn towards our
church, but nobody would help. So she turned to another church. We
bore our testimony's to her and said that God loves her, and she
started to cry. She said she wished that we would have been there
during her hard time, I said sorry that we weren't, but God will
always be there for you. You could feel the spirit so strong! I feel
like we touched her, and I bet she might try coming to our church
again.
I love missionary work! It is so awesome! There is nothing more
satisfying than bringing somebody eternal salvation, and actually
having them accept it and start to progress! I love the feeling I get
whenever I teach a lesson! I love you all and hope you have a
fantastic week!
Love,
-Elder Bailey
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
8/29/16 | What a week!
This first week in the field has been so crazy! So many
things have happened! First off, we left the MTC at about 4:30 in the
morning, that feeling was incredible! Only being in the MTC for three
weeks was definitely long enough! I loved the MTC, I loved the spirit
there, being surrounded by so many people with the same mindset,
learning how to teach more effectively, and making so many new
friends. Overall it was awesome!
Anyways, we left the MTC early that morning, I was the travel
leader for our group so I had all the boarding passes and trax tickets
with me. A bus drove us over to the front runner station in Provo and
sent us on our way. It was nice to see the Timp temple and our
beautiful mountains one last time before I left. I couldn't stop
thinking about all of you guys, all the memories that I made, I can't
wait for more to come! So we made it up to the SLC Airport. I handed
out all the boarding passes and we got through security. I also saw
Carson McCracken saying bye to his family! He was happy to see me.
We all split up to find pay phones. It was so nice to call home!
Talking with you guys made my day! So glad we could catch up, I love
you :)
So at the gate I saw Derek Butters chilling in a chair! So we
talked for awhile, took some pics, and sat pretty close together in
first class! It was nice to see him! Us missionaries in first class
were treated like kings! There were three of us in first class, Elder
Campbell, Sister Bertha, and I. It was so nice actually having leg
room!
It was nice to finally meet President and Sister McMurray!
They are the nicest people, and are really down to earth! I talked to
them a lot while we waited for the other missionaries to come in. So
we got to the mission office around 2:00 and they fed us lunch. We
went through all that orientation and introductions. Then we were
assigned our areas and trainers! Well, first they said that the
missionaries going to Wyoming had to leave early so they announced
them first. I was assigned to the Riverton, Wyoming area, with Elder
Ma'ake as my trainer! The highest I can get in my mission! Elder Judd
got assigned to Casper, Wyoming so we got to ride for the five and a
half hour drive up there. We had a lot of time to talk on our way up
there. So we stayed the night in Casper, I ended up having to sleep
on the floor, seriously the hardest floor I have ever slept on....
Elder Ma'ake and I woke up very sore.
So let me tell you about my companion. He is the shortest Elder
in the mission, and I am the tallest! So we stand out a bit. So far
we have gotten along very well! He has been an awesome trainer! He
can't drive though, he lost his driving privileges cause he went over
90 miles an hour.... So I drive us everywhere in our Nissan truck. As
for Riverton Wyoming, it is kind of flat..... But I guess a little
pretty! My area covers the Sunset Park Ward, Pavillion Branch, and the
Dubois Branch. I haven't been to Dubois yet, it's an hour and a half
northwest. So that is the highest you can get in our mission. We
taught a lot of lessons this week, especially my first day! My first
full day, we taught eight lessons and I placed two Books of Mormon! It
was a really cool experience teaching real people, instead of role
plays.
I had the coolest experience while we were tracting for the
first time that day! So we prayed and chose a street to knock. After
we placed the first Book of Mormon we knocked the rest of the street
with no luck, we were headed back the way to the car, knocking the
other side of the street, when we saw a man pull up in his driveway.
I knew immediately that we needed to talk to him. So I told Elder
Ma'ake that so we headed his way, but as soon as Elder Ma'ake saw that
he was a cop, he said "no way we're talking to that guy! So I
listened and we just said hi, and knocked the next house. No one
answered, and as soon as we closed the gate I told him that we needed
to talk to that cop. So we headed back and knocked on his door. He
is so Golden! He answered and I introduced ourselves, we found out
his name is Randy, we shared a message on the first vision. We asked
him if he thought it was crazy that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ, but he answered "not at all! If you have enough
faith of course it could happen!" So I invited him to read the Book
of Mormon introduction and he said yes. We set up a following
appointment. I can't wait to teach Randy! I would say my first day
was a huge success!
Well, who knew that I would already be bible bashed! Yes a
"born again" man told us his story, said he hated people who bashed on
other religions, and then told us our whole church was false. Proving
it with his bible. Kind of hypocritical I guess.... So we listened,
tried to get out a few times, but didn't bash back. The craziest
thing of it all was when he pointed at me and said "Elder Bailey, I
can tell that you're a sinner, and that if you don't repent and be
born again, you're going to Hell." Hahahahaha, I almost started
laughing! So that was interesting.
The rest of the week we had other great lessons, and we got fed
by member every single dinner! I guess the members in Riverton love
the missionaries! We also had a baptism this Saturday in the Pavillion
Branch. I'm not counting that for me cause I had never taught him,
but his name is Joe Lanham. It was really cool to see his baptism and
confirmation the following Sunday. It helped me reflect on my
baptism!
Last thing, so our apartment is kind of crappy, we live in the
basement of a old house. The ceilings in most of it are only 6' 5'',
so I have to duck most of the time. The bed is really comfy, but it's
too short. And the bathroom is pink..... Haha overall it's nice
though.
I was reading in 1 Nephi 9 the other day, and it really helped
me know why it is so important to be strictly obedient. It is a
really short chapter, so I want you all to read it! Ponder it and how
you can apply it in your lives! I know if you do it will strengthen
your testimony!
Sorry this is kind of long! There was just so much to tell you
guys. Hope you all have a fantastic week. (Some guy showed us all of
his guns so we took pics with them!) Love you guys!
Love,
-Elder Bailey
things have happened! First off, we left the MTC at about 4:30 in the
morning, that feeling was incredible! Only being in the MTC for three
weeks was definitely long enough! I loved the MTC, I loved the spirit
there, being surrounded by so many people with the same mindset,
learning how to teach more effectively, and making so many new
friends. Overall it was awesome!
Anyways, we left the MTC early that morning, I was the travel
leader for our group so I had all the boarding passes and trax tickets
with me. A bus drove us over to the front runner station in Provo and
sent us on our way. It was nice to see the Timp temple and our
beautiful mountains one last time before I left. I couldn't stop
thinking about all of you guys, all the memories that I made, I can't
wait for more to come! So we made it up to the SLC Airport. I handed
out all the boarding passes and we got through security. I also saw
Carson McCracken saying bye to his family! He was happy to see me.
We all split up to find pay phones. It was so nice to call home!
Talking with you guys made my day! So glad we could catch up, I love
you :)
So at the gate I saw Derek Butters chilling in a chair! So we
talked for awhile, took some pics, and sat pretty close together in
first class! It was nice to see him! Us missionaries in first class
were treated like kings! There were three of us in first class, Elder
Campbell, Sister Bertha, and I. It was so nice actually having leg
room!
It was nice to finally meet President and Sister McMurray!
They are the nicest people, and are really down to earth! I talked to
them a lot while we waited for the other missionaries to come in. So
we got to the mission office around 2:00 and they fed us lunch. We
went through all that orientation and introductions. Then we were
assigned our areas and trainers! Well, first they said that the
missionaries going to Wyoming had to leave early so they announced
them first. I was assigned to the Riverton, Wyoming area, with Elder
Ma'ake as my trainer! The highest I can get in my mission! Elder Judd
got assigned to Casper, Wyoming so we got to ride for the five and a
half hour drive up there. We had a lot of time to talk on our way up
there. So we stayed the night in Casper, I ended up having to sleep
on the floor, seriously the hardest floor I have ever slept on....
Elder Ma'ake and I woke up very sore.
So let me tell you about my companion. He is the shortest Elder
in the mission, and I am the tallest! So we stand out a bit. So far
we have gotten along very well! He has been an awesome trainer! He
can't drive though, he lost his driving privileges cause he went over
90 miles an hour.... So I drive us everywhere in our Nissan truck. As
for Riverton Wyoming, it is kind of flat..... But I guess a little
pretty! My area covers the Sunset Park Ward, Pavillion Branch, and the
Dubois Branch. I haven't been to Dubois yet, it's an hour and a half
northwest. So that is the highest you can get in our mission. We
taught a lot of lessons this week, especially my first day! My first
full day, we taught eight lessons and I placed two Books of Mormon! It
was a really cool experience teaching real people, instead of role
plays.
I had the coolest experience while we were tracting for the
first time that day! So we prayed and chose a street to knock. After
we placed the first Book of Mormon we knocked the rest of the street
with no luck, we were headed back the way to the car, knocking the
other side of the street, when we saw a man pull up in his driveway.
I knew immediately that we needed to talk to him. So I told Elder
Ma'ake that so we headed his way, but as soon as Elder Ma'ake saw that
he was a cop, he said "no way we're talking to that guy! So I
listened and we just said hi, and knocked the next house. No one
answered, and as soon as we closed the gate I told him that we needed
to talk to that cop. So we headed back and knocked on his door. He
is so Golden! He answered and I introduced ourselves, we found out
his name is Randy, we shared a message on the first vision. We asked
him if he thought it was crazy that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ, but he answered "not at all! If you have enough
faith of course it could happen!" So I invited him to read the Book
of Mormon introduction and he said yes. We set up a following
appointment. I can't wait to teach Randy! I would say my first day
was a huge success!
Well, who knew that I would already be bible bashed! Yes a
"born again" man told us his story, said he hated people who bashed on
other religions, and then told us our whole church was false. Proving
it with his bible. Kind of hypocritical I guess.... So we listened,
tried to get out a few times, but didn't bash back. The craziest
thing of it all was when he pointed at me and said "Elder Bailey, I
can tell that you're a sinner, and that if you don't repent and be
born again, you're going to Hell." Hahahahaha, I almost started
laughing! So that was interesting.
The rest of the week we had other great lessons, and we got fed
by member every single dinner! I guess the members in Riverton love
the missionaries! We also had a baptism this Saturday in the Pavillion
Branch. I'm not counting that for me cause I had never taught him,
but his name is Joe Lanham. It was really cool to see his baptism and
confirmation the following Sunday. It helped me reflect on my
baptism!
Last thing, so our apartment is kind of crappy, we live in the
basement of a old house. The ceilings in most of it are only 6' 5'',
so I have to duck most of the time. The bed is really comfy, but it's
too short. And the bathroom is pink..... Haha overall it's nice
though.
I was reading in 1 Nephi 9 the other day, and it really helped
me know why it is so important to be strictly obedient. It is a
really short chapter, so I want you all to read it! Ponder it and how
you can apply it in your lives! I know if you do it will strengthen
your testimony!
Sorry this is kind of long! There was just so much to tell you
guys. Hope you all have a fantastic week. (Some guy showed us all of
his guns so we took pics with them!) Love you guys!
Love,
-Elder Bailey
Thursday, August 25, 2016
8/22/16 | Last week in the MTC!
So to start off, Elder Holland was a rumor..... but we did have Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson speak to us! She apologised for not being Elder Holland, so that was nice of her! She spoke on how missions are the training ground for life. I believe that this is so true! All of these things I am learning in the MTC and what I will learn on my mission will help me be a better person, husband and father, and be a better brother and son to you guys! She shared a scripture that was helped me a lot, Genesis 18:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?". I challenge everyone who reads this to ponder this concept. It has helped me understand many different things here in the MTC.
I also had a cool experience in class this past week. Sister Nelson has been a good teacher, but sometimes she is kind of mean! Which makes sense now.... I asked her in the middle of class how she was doing, and she almost started crying. I guess she was going through a tough break-up.... So we all talked to her and she has been better. Anyways, she bore her testimony in Japanese. It was one of the strongest testimonies I have ever heard! Even though I could only pick up a few words here and there, I could feel the spirit so strongly. It was cool to see how the spirit speaks more through spirit to spirit, rather than language.
My other teacher, Brother Debeikes, shared a quote from Brigham Young that states, "The task ahead of me, is never as great as the power behind me." I think that this will help me so much throughout my mission, especially through tough companions. My teachers have taught me so much and have helped my testimony grow! It is so cool to see my testimony grow everyday.
This past sunday was a cool devotional as well. It was by the Nashville Tribute Band, they are all LDS guys from Nashville, and they sing Gospel songs. It was really funny because it was pretty much a country concert in the MTC! We had the largest choir in MTC history too! All 1,704 of us sang with them for some songs! It was really cool! I am so glad that I decided to do the choir! Elder Judd and I sing randomly throughout the day. We are both pretty good if I do say so myself, but our companions are tone deaf...... They just come to the choir for moral support! I love the guys in my room, and my district! It is going to be weird leaving them soon.
Well I hope everyone had a great week this past week! Love you guys! Thanks for the support!
-Love,
Elder Bailey
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
8/16/16 | Second week!
It has been such a crazy week! I can't believe I only have six more days in the MTC! Time has been flying. So many things have happened in the past week the days are honestly starting to form together. Lets start with last Tuesday nights devotional. It was a an awesome devotional, and no one was expecting the speaker, Elder Anderson from the quorum of the twelve talked to us! He talked to us about "hunting" for the opportune investigators on our missions. It was incredible! The spirit is so strong here in the MTC, it is the strongest I have ever felt it, and singing in the MTC choir has been such a blessing. It has helped me stay focused and feel God's love for me. Our devotional this past Sunday was by Brother Judd, he was a professor at BYU, a super cool guy, that was really in tune with the spirit. He talked about pressing forward in the Gospel. I'm just super excited for the devotional tonight, rumor is that Elder Holland is coming! It is going to be such a blessing to hear from him. Hopefully the rumors are true!
Our classes these past few days have been pretty long but really helpful! I feel like I have grown so much spiritually these past two weeks. It is really awesome to see the changes that have happened in my life. We have been teaching pretend investigators as well as some non-members, and the thing that has come easiest to me is getting to know the different aspects in their lives. I think that it is a blessing from Heavenly Father to be good at this, everyone else in my district wonders how I feel so comfortable. It has really helped me become a better preacher of the Gospel in the past few days. I am so grateful for that.
The most eventful thing that happened this week was on my temple walk. I saw the Judd's from our stake, they were so excited to see me. Sister Judd was so happy to send a picture to you guys! Then I was walking back to the MTC, and I heard someone yell "Austin!" I turned around to see Frank running at me with the biggest smile on his face! It was so fun to catch up with him, he said Duke has been really hard, but he's loving it! All of my district was in awe of him, it was hilarious. I was glad I saw him. It is so crazy to see all of the people I know here at the MTC.
Thanks for all the letters and packages that all of you have been sending me! I really appreciate the support, a lot of missionaries in my district do not get this much support from family and friends, and I couldn't be more grateful for that! Like in 1 Nephi 8:3, "...I have reason to rejoice in the Lord..." I do have so many reasons to rejoice in my Savior, I love you all, and miss you!
Love,
Elder Bailey
P.S.
Going to the temple this morning at 5:30 was a fantastic experience as well. Going to the temple is such a blessing, especially when you are cooped up in the MTC for this long everyday! I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple. I can't wait to have the Fort Collins, Colorado temple finished when I arrive in my mission soon! (my companion didn't want to go, but I'm the Senior Companion, so I said we were going :)!) Love you guys!
P.S.
Going to the temple this morning at 5:30 was a fantastic experience as well. Going to the temple is such a blessing, especially when you are cooped up in the MTC for this long everyday! I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple. I can't wait to have the Fort Collins, Colorado temple finished when I arrive in my mission soon! (my companion didn't want to go, but I'm the Senior Companion, so I said we were going :)!) Love you guys!
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
8/9/16 | First Email!
There is so much that has happened in the last week!! I don't know if
I can explain it all but I'll try! Thanks everyone for all of the
support and love so far in the MTC! It's been such a blessing knowing
that I am being prayed for and being missed and home. Some Elders here
don't have such fantastic homes, families, and friends that love and
care about them! I'm one of the lucky ones that's for sure!
Let's start with my companion, his name is Elder Campbell, he is so
awesome! He is very spiritual and loving in every study, practice
lesson, and class that we have. He's from Las Vegas, and his dad is
not a member but his mom received her endowments with him before going
on his mission. He has such an awesome testimony of the Gospel, it has
helped me a lot. He's a little socially awkward..... But I bring it
out of him!
In my room theirs only four of us elders, there's usually six but we
got way lucky! It makes our room seem a lot bigger than it would have
otherwise. We room with Elder Judd from Las Vegas and Elder Mickelson
from Grace, Idaho! We are all really good friends so far. Our
district is pretty sweet at well! We have eight Elders and four
sisters, four of us are going to Fort Collins, four to Gilbert, AZ and
the sisters are going to Charlotte NC, we have all become very close
and our classes are always very spiritual!
It has been a Lone Peak reunion here! My companion and district kinda
hat it when ever five minutes in saying hi and hugging somebody! I
have seen so many people I know, and every exercise time I play
basketball with Spencer White! In the MTC, we are all-stars! It is
honestly so fun to just destroy other people at basketball! It's
helped relieve some stress.
It has been pretty rough waking up at 6:30 every morning, I'm not
gonna lie! But I think staying strictly obedient has helped me so
much! At night when my room and district goes to bed, other than
elders are goofing around and being way noisy out in the hall. Some
nights are worse than others, but I can tell a huge difference. I feel
like my testimony and my ability to recognize the Spirit has been
tripled since I got here, every devotional, every class, being on
campus, everything is spiritual if you have your heart and mind in the
right place!
On Sunday we had an incredible devotional by President Matt Holland
about Joseph Smith, it was so awesome! And of course being a part of
the choir helped feel the spirit so much more! President Holland is
such a great speaker! We also went to the temple this morning, it is
such a neat experience being a missionary and attending the temple! I
loved every second of it!
It is weird to think that just week ago was my last night at home!
Being in the MTC is such a different atmosphere! I honestly forget
that I'm in Provo most the time! I am so grateful for the family and
friends that I have at home! Being supported has really helped me get
through those tough times in the first week! I miss you and love you
guys a lot and have loved the dear elders I have gotten so far! Talk
to you guys next week!
-Elder Bailey
I can explain it all but I'll try! Thanks everyone for all of the
support and love so far in the MTC! It's been such a blessing knowing
that I am being prayed for and being missed and home. Some Elders here
don't have such fantastic homes, families, and friends that love and
care about them! I'm one of the lucky ones that's for sure!
Let's start with my companion, his name is Elder Campbell, he is so
awesome! He is very spiritual and loving in every study, practice
lesson, and class that we have. He's from Las Vegas, and his dad is
not a member but his mom received her endowments with him before going
on his mission. He has such an awesome testimony of the Gospel, it has
helped me a lot. He's a little socially awkward..... But I bring it
out of him!
In my room theirs only four of us elders, there's usually six but we
got way lucky! It makes our room seem a lot bigger than it would have
otherwise. We room with Elder Judd from Las Vegas and Elder Mickelson
from Grace, Idaho! We are all really good friends so far. Our
district is pretty sweet at well! We have eight Elders and four
sisters, four of us are going to Fort Collins, four to Gilbert, AZ and
the sisters are going to Charlotte NC, we have all become very close
and our classes are always very spiritual!
It has been a Lone Peak reunion here! My companion and district kinda
hat it when ever five minutes in saying hi and hugging somebody! I
have seen so many people I know, and every exercise time I play
basketball with Spencer White! In the MTC, we are all-stars! It is
honestly so fun to just destroy other people at basketball! It's
helped relieve some stress.
It has been pretty rough waking up at 6:30 every morning, I'm not
gonna lie! But I think staying strictly obedient has helped me so
much! At night when my room and district goes to bed, other than
elders are goofing around and being way noisy out in the hall. Some
nights are worse than others, but I can tell a huge difference. I feel
like my testimony and my ability to recognize the Spirit has been
tripled since I got here, every devotional, every class, being on
campus, everything is spiritual if you have your heart and mind in the
right place!
On Sunday we had an incredible devotional by President Matt Holland
about Joseph Smith, it was so awesome! And of course being a part of
the choir helped feel the spirit so much more! President Holland is
such a great speaker! We also went to the temple this morning, it is
such a neat experience being a missionary and attending the temple! I
loved every second of it!
It is weird to think that just week ago was my last night at home!
Being in the MTC is such a different atmosphere! I honestly forget
that I'm in Provo most the time! I am so grateful for the family and
friends that I have at home! Being supported has really helped me get
through those tough times in the first week! I miss you and love you
guys a lot and have loved the dear elders I have gotten so far! Talk
to you guys next week!
-Elder Bailey
7/31/16 | Farewell dinner
We had a hotdog bar, cookie salad, pear salad, watermelon, and a bunch of yummy desserts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)