May 26

Dear Family and Friends

Happy Memorial Day! It's so weird to think that holidays still exist. They just feel like any other day on a mission. haha. Except it is Pday so we get a little break.

This past week has been pretty great. We've been busy working hard to get to know all the members in the area. It's crazy how many members are packed into such a tiny area.

School got out for everyone last week, so it's already more empty than it was just a week ago. People here like to leave for the summer as much as possible since it's so hot. Haha. I don't blame them though.

It was basically an average week filled with missionary stuff. Biking around in the hot sun, getting all sweaty and gross, and talking to people about Jesus Christ. It may not sound fun, but I really do love it. It's the only time in my life that I'll feel ok about being so sweaty all the time, because I know it means I'm out working hard and doing my best. Haha. And since it's getting so hot people offer us lots of water, so that's always a great way to talk to people. Haha.

We have an investigator Michelle who is so amazing! We got to meet with her this week and it was so great. I love teaching her. She's reading the Book of Mormon and she loves it! She loves coming to church, and she has so many sincere questions. She's so genuine in searching for the truth. And she's so sweet. I feel really blessed to have the chance to teach her a little bit. It's a great experience for me.
We also got to teach our other investigator Maria. She's also doing great and has a lot of great questions. She's super sweet. I feel lucky to teach her as well.

Oh! We also got to go to the Gilbert Temple for the first time since it was dedicated. That was incredible. I really love how beautiful it is. We got to go up and see the sealing rooms too, which was incredible. They're so pretty, and I've decided I want to get married there. Even though it's probably completely impractical. Haha. I got some pictures, but don't have time to send them this week, so I'll send them next week.

The only other really exciting thing that happened this week is that we both got to speak in one of our wards yesterday. Which is the 4th time I've spoken since coming out. Haha. I don't mind it too much, but hopefully I don't have to speak that much once i go home. Haha. I spoke on sharing the gospel and I used a lot of Elder Ballard's last conference talk which was called "Following Up". It was one of my favorite talks. And there was something from it that I wanted to share with you all.
He says, "Brothers and sisters, an you imagine the impact if family and friends included things they are learning from their personal study of Preach my Gospel in their letters and emails to their full-time missionaries? Can you picture the blessings that will come to families when they know and understand better what their sons and daughters will be studying and teaching on their missions?"
So I wanted to share with you some of the things that I've been studying, and if you'd like to share things with me, that's be great too. I've been studying The Commandments in chapter 3 and this morning I read about Praying Often. I loved some of what it said, "Through daily prayer we receive divine guidance and blessings...We should also pray with "Real intent," which means we are committed to act on the answer that we receive." I loved that because it caused me to think about my daily prayers. How much thought do I put into them? Do I really intend to act on the answers Heavenly Father gives me? And I want my answer to be yes, of course I'll act on them. But I've realized that means I need to put more effort into my prayers. I want Heavenly Father to see how much I really am grateful that He is there and hears our prayers. So I'm going to be more focused on my prayers from now on and try really hard to have real intent as I pray.

Well, I've gotta get going, our time's almost up, but I hope you're all doing well. Have a wonderful week! I love and miss you!

Love Always,
Baylee