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Save the Trees and Pray Always
Sestra Baxter
December 28, 2015 -- "I'll write more next week."
So we are all taking turns using the computer in the church to email because the library is closed. So I thought I would hurry and send this, but I'll write more next week.
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December 21, 2015 -- "Every week is the BEST week."
Ahoj to some of the greatest humans living.
Wow, I don't think I could ever express how much I love being a missionary--ever. It is hard, like is so hard, but it is 10000000% worth it!
This past week was a full one. We knock doors. (Yay. Throw back to the wa-tac fam.) We English class contacted. We family history contacted. We did Christmas survey contacting. We did building tour contacting. We set up about 10 lessons and had about 10 cancel. I just learn a phrase for each contacting we do and just repeat it. If they try to talk to me I shake my head "Yes," if I feel the good vibes. I shake my head "No" if I don't feel the good vibes. Ha ha. Then sometimes I just end up testifying about Jesus or The Book of Morman or Joseph Smith, or how the Gospel strengthens families because that's all I really know in Czech and that's all I really know in English! 
This week my companion and I made our way over to Brno one of the bigger cities in the Czech Republic because while my companion was waiting for me with my Visa she was serving in a trio with the Brno sisters and had a baptism. This meant I got to see RACHEL PECK a girl from my home ward before she left for Utah. If that wasn't inspired from Heavenly Father, I don't know what is. It was so good to talk and catch up! The baptism was awesome, and I also got to see Rachel give a wonderful baptism talk. Brno is quite the city. My companion thinks I will serve there, and I would be pretty okay if I didn't. I like my smaller towns with more trees.
Along with going to Brno we went to TREBIC which is my favorite place ever. We get to go over there twice a transfer on Sunday and twice a transfer on work days which is 9 weeks because they wish they had sisters. One of the ladies I was able to skype there in the MTC, and she said I would probably never serve there because they just have Starsis. But it is my life long dream to serve there. (Whatever my life long dream was before I changed it last.)
Little did I know in the MTC I was Skyping with one of the most SOLID members in the Czech Republic! Her husband was first baptized and baptized his whole family which is like 30 people. Then whoever comes into the branch is family. Like even Sestra Holland was told "our home is your home." And they stuffed us full with Cukrovi (the best cookies ever) and other food. Even one of the oldest members in the Czech Republic gave me her mother's shoes!
One of the most heart warming things I have experienced on my mission was that branch having their special Christmas church program. We all partook of the Sacrament, and then they had the Americans (us the missionaries) sing "The First Noel." Right after, we were put to shame with the group that came up after us. They were like a professional band with violin, bass, recorder, and piano. But really they were all just a way good family that could sing and play together. Then the children acted out the nativity in Czech. By that time I was bawling. I don't ever think I realized in my whole life that there was somewhere half way around there world a branch of people in a tiny building celebrating the life of Jesus Christ on their own. Having the same sacrament, and they could feel the same spirit.
That is a true testament to me that Jesus Christ is not only our Savior and Redeemer but the world's. I feel so honored that I get to serve him and study his life and actions everyday. I hope this year He is the center of your Christmas because He should be the center of our lives. And when you remember him, also remember that you have brothers and sisters from all over the world that speak different languages that live in different circumstances that are doing the exact same thing because He is the best human to be on this earth!
Save the Trees and Pray Always
Sestra Baxter
December 14, 2015 -- "WOW! Literally Ahoj from the Czech Republic!"
Dobry den,
Oh my goodness I am here. Like in Czech. It's so happy. I can't even put into words what it is like!
But before I left I had my first baptism. It was the GREASTEST THING EVER! Jim got baptized. He was just one those people you said, "Jump." He said, "How high?" He had done some things in his life that were probably considered the worst of sins ever, but he was able to make a full 180 degree turn in his life through the atoning sacrifice. ( I have forgotten how to spell most english words, and there is no auto correct, so I'm so sorry.) He is one of my favorite people ever, and I think he might be for the rest of my life! Oh my goodness there is nothing happier, I am pretty sure, than helping some one to the waters of baptism and to turn their life to the Savior. (I don't know maybe having a family is? Ne vim I am not there yet.)
Visum Story: Okay so Sestra Sasser, Sestra Henderson, and I were walking this beautiful road doing our 5-7 knocking doors. If you looked up you there was this canopy of pine trees and then there was a fence lined with Christmas lights. Then our phone started ringing. It was our mission president. I had been waiting for this call for six weeks! I was going to Czech! I almost fell to me knees. I was so happy, but yet so sad! I loved Washington. I love where we lived. I loved the people I was able to teach and meet! But it was my time to go!
I traveled with one of the starsis that did get his visa and was in my same mission to the airport. When we were traveling to get on the plane, we saw Starsi Husdson then Starsi Merril who were both serving in different missions but waiting for their visas. We had no idea we were all flying out together. It was so happy. It felt like Alma and the sons of Mosiah were meeting again after their first mission!
It felt like a pretty fast flight into Amsterdam from Seattle. We had a two hour layover for our connecting flight. We were listening to everyone speak and saying "Do you think that is Czech?" Sadly, if it was, I am pretty sure I am only catching about one word out of people when they talk for about eight mins. Like I am pretty sure I might leave this place knowing twenty-three words, but it's fine I think.
Anyways, I met my companion, Sestra Holland. Wow, she is so cute, and she knows Czech--like what??? She is from Ameriky and knows Czech! She is so patient with me. I think due to a lot of my prayers I spent before the mission praying for my trainer hah.
Well there was a point this week where I questioned every thing I've ever learned and ever know. Do the Czech people need what I am teaching? Do they even want the invitation I am extending to them? Thanks for the scriptures in 3 Nephi Chapter 15 and the awesome branch members of like sixteen. It was reassuring to know that every people in every place need to become part of the fold of Jesus Christ! I know Heavenly Father loves his children in every land. I feel so honored to be serving in such a beautiful place with beautiful people. This place is nothing like i've ever experienced before in my 19 years. I am pretty sure I am living in a fairytale with way good food.
Well anyways, though I don't know Czech, with the help of Sestra Holland, Heavenly Father, and me, Jihalava West is going to start making their 180 degree turn to Jeszis. Mark my words. Ha ha.
Love you all your the best!
Keep trying your hardest to keep the earth green and to pray everyday and every night and read your scriptures! Okay.
Oh my goodness I am here. Like in Czech. It's so happy. I can't even put into words what it is like!
Visum Story: Okay so Sestra Sasser, Sestra Henderson, and I were walking this beautiful road doing our 5-7 knocking doors. If you looked up you there was this canopy of pine trees and then there was a fence lined with Christmas lights. Then our phone started ringing. It was our mission president. I had been waiting for this call for six weeks! I was going to Czech! I almost fell to me knees. I was so happy, but yet so sad! I loved Washington. I love where we lived. I loved the people I was able to teach and meet! But it was my time to go!
I traveled with one of the starsis that did get his visa and was in my same mission to the airport. When we were traveling to get on the plane, we saw Starsi Husdson then Starsi Merril who were both serving in different missions but waiting for their visas. We had no idea we were all flying out together. It was so happy. It felt like Alma and the sons of Mosiah were meeting again after their first mission!
It felt like a pretty fast flight into Amsterdam from Seattle. We had a two hour layover for our connecting flight. We were listening to everyone speak and saying "Do you think that is Czech?" Sadly, if it was, I am pretty sure I am only catching about one word out of people when they talk for about eight mins. Like I am pretty sure I might leave this place knowing twenty-three words, but it's fine I think.
Anyways, I met my companion, Sestra Holland. Wow, she is so cute, and she knows Czech--like what??? She is from Ameriky and knows Czech! She is so patient with me. I think due to a lot of my prayers I spent before the mission praying for my trainer hah.
Well there was a point this week where I questioned every thing I've ever learned and ever know. Do the Czech people need what I am teaching? Do they even want the invitation I am extending to them? Thanks for the scriptures in 3 Nephi Chapter 15 and the awesome branch members of like sixteen. It was reassuring to know that every people in every place need to become part of the fold of Jesus Christ! I know Heavenly Father loves his children in every land. I feel so honored to be serving in such a beautiful place with beautiful people. This place is nothing like i've ever experienced before in my 19 years. I am pretty sure I am living in a fairytale with way good food.
Well anyways, though I don't know Czech, with the help of Sestra Holland, Heavenly Father, and me, Jihalava West is going to start making their 180 degree turn to Jeszis. Mark my words. Ha ha.
Love you all your the best!
Keep trying your hardest to keep the earth green and to pray everyday and every night and read your scriptures! Okay.
December 8, 2015 -- "Sister Baxter arrived safely today."
Dear Baxter Family,
We want you to know that Sister Baxter arrived safely today, and she seems extremely happy to be here. We love her already and have been
praying for this day to come. It is wonderful that everything worked out with her visa. She will have p-day on Monday, so she will email you and tell you all about her first week in the Czech Republic. She is serving in the town of Jihlava with an exceptional companion. I am attaching a couple of photos of us with Sister Baxter and the other elders she came with today. We hope you are blessed as she serves this mission! Please call or email us if you ever have a concern or question.
With love,
Sister and President McConkie
+420.777.977.717 (sister)
+420.777.877.767 (president)
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