Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The guilt.....


So I opened my email this morning like I do every morning and there was 2 new emails from Quinn, the problem was I had not emailed him....oh the guilt!!! I usually wait until the week I know he is going to email (once every six weeks....) so the news is fresh and interesting. But I got busy with Thanksgiving and my mom being here and put it off. All day Sunday I kept thinking I should sit down and email Quinn, but I thought it was the end of this week that he would be emailing. So he's been to Port Vila for Zone Conference, checked his email, wrote us, had all his meetings, some activities and checked and wrote us again with not ONE email from his family!!! Here is some of his news and just so you know---Miracles are happening in the lifes of these missionaries.

'Mother, Father and all who want to hear:

Just so you know, I write you guys good letters so you think I've completely changed...but I am exactly the same: negative, argumentative and lazy....no, I'm just kidding mom. I really have changed. The work is good. Tanna has 3 branches. When I was transferred here the missionaries that served in this area told me to only work in 1, it was easier and the other branches were too far away. I did that for awhile and work was slow. I decided to ignore that advice work in all 3 areas. We are now getting about 4-5 referrals each week, averaging about 18 investigators at church and the Lord has truly blessed us for our to desire to stay busy and not taking the easy way out.

Please remember to do daily scripture study and family home evening, no matter how much Kenzie and Easton complain. I want Kenzie and Easton to understand the importance of the Book of Mormon and Family togetherness because I never did, but I do now. I am following President Monson's 3 tips. 1. Learn from the past. 2. Prepare for the future and 3. Live in the present. The mission is AMAZING. I have learned so many good habits from flossing, to making my bed, ironing and reading the scriptures and not judging others, hard work and the pure love of Christ! I am so grateful for all of you and the examples you have set for me. They are each different but everyone important. I have learned that happiness comes only through obedience to the gospel and the commandments.

We had zone conference yesterday and President Baxter of the Seventies was here. It was the most amazing conference ever and they taught us exactly what we needed to hear. If we open our mouths the Lord will be with us. The only bad thing was I was translating for the missionaries and I did not get to write down a lot of notes. Before conference I prayed for the ability to be able to translate everything and do it clearly and be able to keep up with the pace or speed of those talking. Prayers are truly answered, and I was. President Baxter came up to me at the lunch break and gave me what I call 'a side hug' and asked how translating was going and what my name was. I told him fine and my name and he said Baxter is Baker in Scottish and that we must be family. After the meeting Pres. Baxter sat with us missionaries under a tree and answered all our questions. As he left he gave us all hugs and to me he said, "It was great to be here with you. I love you and will miss you." It just felt like I had been friends or family forever. It was a special moment. I love being a missionary."

Love Elder Baker


Baby Kenzie




(See---MIRACLES DO HAPPEN and I know they are happening in Tanna, Vanuatu.)

7 comments:

SANDERSON / MCCONKIE FAMILY said...

Hey, Lori let me tell you "YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT ALL!" The part I like is they tend to remember all the times YOU DID IT RIGHT & the rest they understand when they are parents themselves. I love the pictures!!!

Cassidy said...

That's a good letter! I'm glad you posted it. I love hearing how Quinn is doing

Mindy said...

What an inspiring letter to hear from your child. What a blessing to have a missionary out in the field, recognizing the lessons he is learning. Thanks for sharing, Lori.

Tyler - Danielle - Emree said...

Baby Kenzie is adorable!

Peggy Dee said...

What a great letter! The missionary program is truly inspired. Lose yourself in service and you will find yourself. Quinn is an inspiration!

lysh said...

No one's perfect! It will make him appreciate the ones he receives even more!

Neighbor Jane Payne said...

Youch. I feel your pain from the guilt from here.

He sounds great. I'm proud of him.