January 27

Dear family and friends,

This past week has been another great week. We had a lot going on and were super busy, but we like being busy, so it's been nice.

Last Monday we went to the temple open house with a nonmember in the area. I think he really enjoyed it, and I loved going through it again. It's just as beautiful the 2nd time. I can't wait to go again! Haha. We also had a new member lesson with Bethany, and that was awesome. We retaught her The Plan of Salvation, and she really enjoyed the lesson. She's doing so amazing and is trying so hard to be a good example to her mom, dad, and brother who are not members. She's a great example to me and I'm grateful for everything that she has taught me.

On Wednesday we had exchanges, so I left my area for the day. That was fun. I was still in Queen Creek, so I didn't go far, but it was a nice change of pace. We visited a lot of people, and I loved all of them. And then that night we went to help make the costumes for the youth for the temple cultural celebration. [For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a big celebration they'll have on March 1, just before the temple is dedicated. It's going to be super awesome. All the youth in the area are involved, and that's 13,000 youth! They're all learning different songs and dances and will get to perform them on the 1st. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm super jealous of them. Haha.] But it was really cool to get to help with the costumes and contribute in some small way.

Thursday was interesting. In the morning we had 3 lessons scheduled, but only 1 of them ended up working out. And we ended up dropping the guy as an investigator. He just wanted to show us why we were wrong and wasn't willing to listen to anything we had to say. He was also super creepy. Right before we left, he told me that if I was 35 years older, he would want to court me. Needless to say, we won't be going back there. But, then we got to go work at the temple open house, so things definitely improved. I love working there. Being so near the temple is so amazing, and I love talking to people after they've been through it to see what they think. They all love it and have a great experience. I also got to see a lot of our ward members there volunteering as ushers and tour guides. That was pretty fun. Plus we get to see some missionaries from Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale missions, and it's fun to talk to them. A lot of them have iPads though, and I'm quite jealous of that. We're supposed to get them in the next few months though, so keep your fingers crossed. Haha. We're also supposed to start using facebook. We'll see though, I'll believe it when it happens. Haha.

Friday we had weekly planning, probably my least favorite part of the week. I hate planning. I know it's important and very helpful, but it's so long. Haha. But I'm trying to have a better attitude because things really do go so much better when we plan well. That afternoon we had a lesson with Linda, which went really well. We taught the Plan of Salvation, and she loved it. And she's excited to keep meeting with us. I really hope she accepts the gospel, she'll really love it. And then we had dinner with a less active family, which was amazing! And we had a new member lesson. It was a really great day.

Saturday we were at the open house again, which was great. It's quite tiring though. After standing for 6 hours my feet and back really hurt. But it's so worth the discomfort, because it is such an amazing opportunity.

And then yesterday we had church. That was really great. I learned a lot and really enjoyed it. Other than that, though, it was a pretty normal day.

So yeah, that was my week. And this week will hopefully be just as busy and amazing. We get transfer calls next Monday so I'll let you know what's happening then. In the meantime, just send any mail to the mission office.

I just want to leave you with this quote from President Thomas S. Monson:
"My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith!"

I love and miss you and hope you all have a great week!

Love Always,
Baylee