Baptisms make it all worth while. Elder Mendez with Veronica and Elder Bair 
A self portrait
Ward missionaries with Elders Mendez and Bair
Elder Bair taking a nap with a new friend.Monday, August 31, 2009
Pictures 2 (August 2009)
Baptisms make it all worth while. Elder Mendez with Veronica and Elder Bair A self portraitWard missionaries with Elders Mendez and BairElder Bair taking a nap with a new friend.
Pictures 1 (August 2009)
Finding time to do service for others.
Elder Bair (right) with Elder Waldo
Trying my hand at bowling
Finding time to study
My deskTuesday, August 25, 2009
A True Shepherd (08/25/2009)
Why hello there. Things are going well here and the weather is great too.
The baptism of Veronica ended up happening on Sunday instead of Saturday. They wanted to move it to Sunday because they wanted to announce it in Sacrament meeting. So all went well. Elder Mendez baptized her and did really well despite being very nervous. The bishop confirmed her. He said he wanted someone from the ward to do it so that’s why he did it. The ward seemed very excited to finally have someone baptized that seemed to be in for the long haul. Next up, her husband.
On Saturday there was a lady we taught in Toppenish named Maria Ojera who was baptized. I don't know if I have mentioned her before but we worked with her for weeks and she finally decided to get baptized. Her son was also baptized.
On Thursday I got a call from the Elders in Walla Walla that a guy that we tracted into, probably my last week there, has been coming to church for weeks and is getting baptized I think this Saturday. I am really excited to see the fruits of my labors starting to pay off a little more.
Well we received some news on the temple this week. We are only allowed to go every other transfer. I guess the temple is so busy they don't have room for us.
The other day we went to dinner with this family that live way out in Timbuktu. I was asking him about the farms and what not and I learned that most of the people that grow alfalfa here are shipping it to Japan. I guess it is pretty easy to just put it on a truck and take it to the Columbia River and ship it to Japan. I thought that was pretty interesting though.
Another thing I noticed is these people have such big lawns and the men are farming six days a week. So most of the time, the wife has to mow the lawn. It is just riding lawn mowers but I thought that was interesting. Oh I forgot. We mow this non-member lady’s lawn every week so I get to ride one every week. Then she wants us to burn her weeds so I get to walk around torching weeds when I am not riding the mower. I need to get a picture.
Well that’s about all I have. I just want to end with a story I call "A True Shepard"
Since right about the time Veronica was getting serious about baptism there was a lady who moved back into the ward named Mayela. She had started coming to the lessons with us before she had been back to church. She became good friends with Veronica and has really helped us with getting to know Veronica's true feelings about baptism. Well, she has been getting Veronica to church and has found her daughters some dresses and different things like that. Well this last Sunday we were in the Spanish branch and Sister Poulson got me. She said that Veronica was not at church and she would go get her but her cousin, who is not a member, was at church and she did not want to leave her. So she asked me what she should do. I said well if I can go with another Priesthood holder and we can go get her. She says “great, I will get my husband to take you guys.” So we hop in the car and go get her. She was making lunch for her husband, but she said she would come when she was done. I said well Sunday School starts in 30 minutes so if you don't come, someone else is going to come for you. She said okay and we left. Well she came on her own and had a great time and was baptized that day. That is what I call a True Shepard.
Well I better run. Have a great week.
The baptism of Veronica ended up happening on Sunday instead of Saturday. They wanted to move it to Sunday because they wanted to announce it in Sacrament meeting. So all went well. Elder Mendez baptized her and did really well despite being very nervous. The bishop confirmed her. He said he wanted someone from the ward to do it so that’s why he did it. The ward seemed very excited to finally have someone baptized that seemed to be in for the long haul. Next up, her husband.
On Saturday there was a lady we taught in Toppenish named Maria Ojera who was baptized. I don't know if I have mentioned her before but we worked with her for weeks and she finally decided to get baptized. Her son was also baptized.
On Thursday I got a call from the Elders in Walla Walla that a guy that we tracted into, probably my last week there, has been coming to church for weeks and is getting baptized I think this Saturday. I am really excited to see the fruits of my labors starting to pay off a little more.
Well we received some news on the temple this week. We are only allowed to go every other transfer. I guess the temple is so busy they don't have room for us.
The other day we went to dinner with this family that live way out in Timbuktu. I was asking him about the farms and what not and I learned that most of the people that grow alfalfa here are shipping it to Japan. I guess it is pretty easy to just put it on a truck and take it to the Columbia River and ship it to Japan. I thought that was pretty interesting though.
Another thing I noticed is these people have such big lawns and the men are farming six days a week. So most of the time, the wife has to mow the lawn. It is just riding lawn mowers but I thought that was interesting. Oh I forgot. We mow this non-member lady’s lawn every week so I get to ride one every week. Then she wants us to burn her weeds so I get to walk around torching weeds when I am not riding the mower. I need to get a picture.
Well that’s about all I have. I just want to end with a story I call "A True Shepard"
Since right about the time Veronica was getting serious about baptism there was a lady who moved back into the ward named Mayela. She had started coming to the lessons with us before she had been back to church. She became good friends with Veronica and has really helped us with getting to know Veronica's true feelings about baptism. Well, she has been getting Veronica to church and has found her daughters some dresses and different things like that. Well this last Sunday we were in the Spanish branch and Sister Poulson got me. She said that Veronica was not at church and she would go get her but her cousin, who is not a member, was at church and she did not want to leave her. So she asked me what she should do. I said well if I can go with another Priesthood holder and we can go get her. She says “great, I will get my husband to take you guys.” So we hop in the car and go get her. She was making lunch for her husband, but she said she would come when she was done. I said well Sunday School starts in 30 minutes so if you don't come, someone else is going to come for you. She said okay and we left. Well she came on her own and had a great time and was baptized that day. That is what I call a True Shepard.
Well I better run. Have a great week.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Baptism (08/18/2009)
Well Veronica had her baptismal interview this week. She did it with the zone leaders and all is good so she is set for the baptism on Saturday. Elder Mendez is going to baptize her and I think I am going to confirm her.
The weather had been pretty nice actually. Friday night we went out and I was actually a little chilly. There was a storm that cooled things off quiet nicely.
The people we live with are out of town for two weeks so their daughter is taking care of the dog. Well the dog is very bored as you can imagine so she has been coming down with us and even jumped into bed with me one night. After a night of wrestling with her and flashbacks of Rex, I decided to bring her bed down. She has slept in there since but it hasn't been great for my allergies.
Well the last missionary that was in Connell had been there for nine months and had accumulated a lot of things. Well he had left a lot of shoes. And I discovered them so I have a lot more shoes! It is quiet nice. I have nice black shoes to wear to church instead of my Rockports that I have that are beat up.
Since in Connell there are only about three places to eat out and none of them are a chain like McDonalds, there is no place to waste your money. So from the $135 that we get each month I still have $100 left. It is nice. I don't know what I will do with it though.
I have counted my ties and I have over 50. I am trying to beat Scott’s record. How many did he have?
How is Westin? How did you get that name? I want to go to Disneyland when I get back so lets start planning that.
Well I better run. Sorry this letter is short. We did a lot but I just don't remember it all. Have a good week.
The weather had been pretty nice actually. Friday night we went out and I was actually a little chilly. There was a storm that cooled things off quiet nicely.
The people we live with are out of town for two weeks so their daughter is taking care of the dog. Well the dog is very bored as you can imagine so she has been coming down with us and even jumped into bed with me one night. After a night of wrestling with her and flashbacks of Rex, I decided to bring her bed down. She has slept in there since but it hasn't been great for my allergies.
Well the last missionary that was in Connell had been there for nine months and had accumulated a lot of things. Well he had left a lot of shoes. And I discovered them so I have a lot more shoes! It is quiet nice. I have nice black shoes to wear to church instead of my Rockports that I have that are beat up.
Since in Connell there are only about three places to eat out and none of them are a chain like McDonalds, there is no place to waste your money. So from the $135 that we get each month I still have $100 left. It is nice. I don't know what I will do with it though.
I have counted my ties and I have over 50. I am trying to beat Scott’s record. How many did he have?
How is Westin? How did you get that name? I want to go to Disneyland when I get back so lets start planning that.
Well I better run. Sorry this letter is short. We did a lot but I just don't remember it all. Have a good week.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
You wont believe it (08/11/2009)
You won’t believe it, I am actually staying in my area with my companion for a second transfer. This is very weird but I am very excited since we have so many things that are cooking right now.
Now for the updates.....
Veronica came to church again. Her fellowshipper told us that she seems nervous and may need another week so after talking it over with Veronica we are moving that baptism to the 22nd of August. She seems ready but nervous. But who wouldn't be. I am excited and can't wait to watch her take the plunge.
The Rodriquezes are still ready to go for the 22nd. We are going over there tomorrow to talk about the wedding license and make the last-minute plans. They seem ready to do it as well.
The Mendozas are ready to go for the 29th still. They have kids that are their age so that is really good. The dad who hasn't been to church in about 10 years or so, came on Sunday and you can tell he was touched. Their mom is still shady but we will worry about her later.
Elder Hafen came and spoke on Wednesday on the atonement. He gave an awesome talk as you can imagine. One joke he shared was hilarious. I will relay it to you (he was a very funny guy).
A sports reporter goes up to a large football player after the game on a turf field and asks him if he likes turf or grass better. The football player things about it and after a while replies, I don't know, I have never smoked turf.
He was a hoot throughout the day.
The reasons I asked for the shirts is because we got two different types of fabric and one is very hot and stiff and so its makes it uncomfortable.
The pictures in my camera got deleted because I was playing around with my camera and I hit format memory card which I found out deletes all of your pictures.
My suggestion for “Preach my Gospel” is to read chapters 3-6. It doesn't matter the order but those will help you guys the most as members. The whole book will help but those are most church-oriented while the rest is more missionary-oriented.
Well have a great week and keep praying for the missionaries in your own wards by name.
Now for the updates.....
Veronica came to church again. Her fellowshipper told us that she seems nervous and may need another week so after talking it over with Veronica we are moving that baptism to the 22nd of August. She seems ready but nervous. But who wouldn't be. I am excited and can't wait to watch her take the plunge.
The Rodriquezes are still ready to go for the 22nd. We are going over there tomorrow to talk about the wedding license and make the last-minute plans. They seem ready to do it as well.
The Mendozas are ready to go for the 29th still. They have kids that are their age so that is really good. The dad who hasn't been to church in about 10 years or so, came on Sunday and you can tell he was touched. Their mom is still shady but we will worry about her later.
Elder Hafen came and spoke on Wednesday on the atonement. He gave an awesome talk as you can imagine. One joke he shared was hilarious. I will relay it to you (he was a very funny guy).
A sports reporter goes up to a large football player after the game on a turf field and asks him if he likes turf or grass better. The football player things about it and after a while replies, I don't know, I have never smoked turf.
He was a hoot throughout the day.
The reasons I asked for the shirts is because we got two different types of fabric and one is very hot and stiff and so its makes it uncomfortable.
The pictures in my camera got deleted because I was playing around with my camera and I hit format memory card which I found out deletes all of your pictures.
My suggestion for “Preach my Gospel” is to read chapters 3-6. It doesn't matter the order but those will help you guys the most as members. The whole book will help but those are most church-oriented while the rest is more missionary-oriented.
Well have a great week and keep praying for the missionaries in your own wards by name.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Here we go again! (08/04/2009)
Since Friday, we still have been busy. Saturday, we had a five-stake meeting, the whole south east of Washington and parts of Oregon, where Elder Perry from the area authority came and spoke about utilizing the ward mission plan and missionaries and stuff. It was for all ward council members so it was really neat. It was fun to see at church the next day how everyone was excited about it and ready to get missionary work moving. Hopefully it stays that way.
Then tomorrow, we are having Elder Hafen from the First Quorum of the Seventy coming to talk to us. That should be exciting.
Well, Sunday, Veronica came to church and seemed to really enjoy it. It was fast and testimony meeting which is always a little stressful for missionaries and investigators but every one said that it went fine. We weren't able to go because I have to play the piano in the Spanish branch. She still has questions about being baptized but she is still good to go for the 15th
Then last night, we were over at the Mendoza family’s house. The parents are members but inactive and we have been trying to get them to go. The dad has been trying but hasn't been able to. But two weeks ago the kids came. They have twin 14-year-old boy and girl and then an 8-year-old boy. So last night we went over and taught them the first lesson. It was really good for their dad and the spirit was really there. We committed them to be baptized on the 29th of August and they said yes! It was awesome, the spirit was there and you can tell they all felt it.
So the 15th, 22nd and 29th of this month are all going to be very busy with 4 baptisms and a wedding.
Well some other exciting news is that, everywhere I have served, the kids will always speak to me in English, but here, they actually speak to me in Spanish, it is great. And also, for the longest time I had a fear of talking on the phone in Spanish. I don't know why it is just hard, but I finally got over that. So now, it is just sharpening my skills in anyway I can.
The other day, all of my pictures on my camera got deleted. I had sent a lot to elder Cavaness though so I should be able to get those back. But the pictures may not come for a while...sorry.
The other day we went to this house to eat and the rug in the entry way was the same one we have under the kitchen table at home, at least it was there when I left.
Mom you asked about the Temple. You have to make an appointment to come in. There is only one Endowment room too. I have been thinking about getting some temple pants because they only have five that you can borrow and they reek of chlorine. Also, I was wondering if I could go to JC Penny’s and get some new shirts. Just a couple, because I have 2 different types of short sleeve shirts and one is not very comfortable, it is really hot. The other is a lot more breathable.
The other day for the sacrament hymn, we got mixed up on what I was playing and what they were singing so that wasn't too good.
Well I better run. Keep praying for me and all of the missionaries throughout the world. This work is more important than anything. Have a great week.
Then tomorrow, we are having Elder Hafen from the First Quorum of the Seventy coming to talk to us. That should be exciting.
Well, Sunday, Veronica came to church and seemed to really enjoy it. It was fast and testimony meeting which is always a little stressful for missionaries and investigators but every one said that it went fine. We weren't able to go because I have to play the piano in the Spanish branch. She still has questions about being baptized but she is still good to go for the 15th
Then last night, we were over at the Mendoza family’s house. The parents are members but inactive and we have been trying to get them to go. The dad has been trying but hasn't been able to. But two weeks ago the kids came. They have twin 14-year-old boy and girl and then an 8-year-old boy. So last night we went over and taught them the first lesson. It was really good for their dad and the spirit was really there. We committed them to be baptized on the 29th of August and they said yes! It was awesome, the spirit was there and you can tell they all felt it.
So the 15th, 22nd and 29th of this month are all going to be very busy with 4 baptisms and a wedding.
Well some other exciting news is that, everywhere I have served, the kids will always speak to me in English, but here, they actually speak to me in Spanish, it is great. And also, for the longest time I had a fear of talking on the phone in Spanish. I don't know why it is just hard, but I finally got over that. So now, it is just sharpening my skills in anyway I can.
The other day, all of my pictures on my camera got deleted. I had sent a lot to elder Cavaness though so I should be able to get those back. But the pictures may not come for a while...sorry.
The other day we went to this house to eat and the rug in the entry way was the same one we have under the kitchen table at home, at least it was there when I left.
Mom you asked about the Temple. You have to make an appointment to come in. There is only one Endowment room too. I have been thinking about getting some temple pants because they only have five that you can borrow and they reek of chlorine. Also, I was wondering if I could go to JC Penny’s and get some new shirts. Just a couple, because I have 2 different types of short sleeve shirts and one is not very comfortable, it is really hot. The other is a lot more breathable.
The other day for the sacrament hymn, we got mixed up on what I was playing and what they were singing so that wasn't too good.
Well I better run. Keep praying for me and all of the missionaries throughout the world. This work is more important than anything. Have a great week.
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