As Sestra Baxter's dad and the administrator of this blog, I feel like I have to do something to bring some official closure. I guess I will do that with a link to a video that Sestra Baxter created herself about coming home.
Signing off.
Co že? (What?) --The Hardest Day of my Mission -- 13 March 2017
Ahoj,
Let's just start out with, "I am so thankful." Like my heart is overflowing with
happiness. I have had the best mission for me. If I didn't trust Heavenly Father before the mission, I trust him 100 percent now. He is so wise, so all-knowing. I feel like He knew exactly what and who I needed.
Some of the missionaries ask what is like having to go. I say "Like torture." Because you are like so torn in between two worlds, two peoples, two lifestyles. I think I will be able to say this Wednesday will be the hardest day of my mission.
But on the other hand, it was so so so wonderful looking back on the setting apart blessing I received and to see every blessing fulfilled. I just couldn't help but cry realizing how merciful God has been to me. I truly felt like D & C 84:88 has been what I have felt on the mission.
This past week my sweet Sestra Peterson and I were able to travel with Sestra Kunčikova to Prague to get here Patriarchal Blessing. She is sooo darling. She is 67 and still rides her bike everywhere and seriously and been a huge source of my happiness in Pardubice. She told us not too long ago that we needed to come over and she had a question to ask. She said, "I have been praying like I do every day, but I need to receive my Patriarchal blessing, and I need to do it now and with you two. So we got permission to travel to Prague. We didn't know if we would be able to listen or not, but she wanted us in the room. But she said she did that so we can be witnesses here on this earth and for the eternities, for the blessings she received. I can honestly say it was the most beautiful blessing I have ever heard. Such a bright future she has ahead of her. So many blessings I didn't even know would be possible. I truly realized how merciful and patient God is for his children and how eternal and wide is His view. Wow. It was such a source of hope and brightness for me and my view on these people. Sestra Kunčikova told us after that she has been a member for 21 years and she has been waiting 21 years to receive her blessing so that we could be there. I thought it was interesting that Sestra Peterson and I were born 21 years ago. I am just so so beyond grateful that everything else in the last 21 years has allowed me to serve to be here, where I needed to be.
I know that our Redeemer lives and that is how I feel God's great love for everyone. Jesus Christ did something that we could never do for ourselves. I know change is a possible thing. I think back to Tim Brown and Kiki. They are so different. Even I truly feel like a totally different person. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real; it works; and it is made specifically for us. It's the connecting factor to God, family, friends, nature, anything. It has been the utmost honor wearing Christ's name physically on my heart. And I know it will always be there spiritually.
I am so thankful I can be a missionary forever and feel the spirit forever like my mom wrote me today. I feel like this last month I have already received more revelation for investigators in the future. Wow! I just love everyone. My dad said my heart can stretch enough to hold that love for the people here and everyone who has been a part of my life before that.
I guess I will see you soon. I can't even believe it, and I am so excited (:
Let's just start out with, "I am so thankful." Like my heart is overflowing with
 |
| "The Last Supper" |
Some of the missionaries ask what is like having to go. I say "Like torture." Because you are like so torn in between two worlds, two peoples, two lifestyles. I think I will be able to say this Wednesday will be the hardest day of my mission.
But on the other hand, it was so so so wonderful looking back on the setting apart blessing I received and to see every blessing fulfilled. I just couldn't help but cry realizing how merciful God has been to me. I truly felt like D & C 84:88 has been what I have felt on the mission.
And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also,
for I will go before your face.
I will be on your right hand and on your left,
and my Spirit shall be in your ¨
hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
I have witnessed so many miracles I could never ever deny the existence of God. I know He is there. I know He just waits till we let Him take control and that is when we start to see success, that is when we feel that pure joy, and that is when you understand the great and beautiful plan of our loving Father in Heaven.
I know that our Redeemer lives and that is how I feel God's great love for everyone. Jesus Christ did something that we could never do for ourselves. I know change is a possible thing. I think back to Tim Brown and Kiki. They are so different. Even I truly feel like a totally different person. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real; it works; and it is made specifically for us. It's the connecting factor to God, family, friends, nature, anything. It has been the utmost honor wearing Christ's name physically on my heart. And I know it will always be there spiritually.
I am so thankful I can be a missionary forever and feel the spirit forever like my mom wrote me today. I feel like this last month I have already received more revelation for investigators in the future. Wow! I just love everyone. My dad said my heart can stretch enough to hold that love for the people here and everyone who has been a part of my life before that.
I guess I will see you soon. I can't even believe it, and I am so excited (:
--
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself...
S Láskou,
Sestra Baxter
Sestra Baxter returns home from her mission
Thursday, March 16, 2017.
Her homecoming will be at the Paradise 4th Ward Chapel,in Paradise, Utah
on March 26, 2017 at 11:00 am.
"A letter from Libor" -- 06 March 2017
Sestra Baxter did not send out a public letter this week. So here is a letter and some pictures we received today from a Czech member, Libor Doležal.
* * *
Good morning Mrs. Baxter,
Your amazing daughter, Sister Baxter asked me to send you photos.
My name is Libor Doležal. I come from the Czech republic, Region of Pardubice, where she is serving last days of her mission. I have been a member of the church for 2 years. I know that meeting missionaries changed my life and learning gospel is the best thing. I am thankful for that and for listening to the message of the missionaries.
I am happy that I had an opportunity to meet an angel sister Baxter last summer at Priest mountain close to Karlštejn Castle.
She is a great and amazing woman! She is an example for all the people in the Czech republic. I will miss her!
I am happy I can send you photos: Priest mountain, Karlštejn castle, Liberec, Sychrov castle, Náchod, Hradec Králové, Prague and Choceň.
I am wishing you and your family a good time!
Best regards,
Libor Doležal
Tak, pro vas (So, for you) -- 27 February 2017
Čau
Okay. So, there are quite a few times as a missionary where you feel like you are in the exact place, at the exact right time, among the exact people you need to be among. This week was such a blessing because it happened. Of course, it's happened more than once. But we were able to hear it from people who actually said to us in their own words that it was "Thanks to God" that we were here.
I will start off the First story about Sestra Kunčikova. She is about 70 years old and has been a member for 20 years, the missionaries actually found her while she was drunk. Now she is literally one of the biggest lights in my life and to all who have seen her riding on her bike and singing hynms through Pardubice. She has been wanting to receive Patriarchal Blessing but has never known the right time. She called us last week and asked if we could come over. She said, I know it's time to get my Patriarchal Blessing, and now we have a patriarch in Prague. So I need to know if you two can travel to Prague with me to receive it. I got really sad because I didn't know if Prezident would allow us to travel out of our area, but we decided to call him and let her ask him. He was literally the best because he said, "Yes!" But she told us she was praying one night and "I got a feeling that I really needed to receive it now, and I really need to travel there with you two." I have not stopped thinking about that since. It was such a precious moment. I love her so much.
The other time is with this new investigator named Vladmir. When Sestra Peterson was feeling a little under the weather I started to do some calls and ended up talking to him for like 20 minutes about and everything. He is 80 and his English in unbelievable. After that call, he was sick for while, but he finally called us when he was feeling better. To our meeting, he brought us chocolates, so kind! We started to go into our lesson, and he told us a little bit of what he knew about Mormons. Then he said that his mom used to tell him the story of when the seagulls came into Utah and ate all the grasshoppers to save the crops? Sestra Peterson and I both thought that that was so unusual. Haha. And that he was like living on the earth when that happened? And what Czech mom knows that story or thinks to tell her kid that story? The second thing is he saw the Book of Mormon, and he told us, "Oh wow. The Book of Mormon!" We were like, "What do you know about this book?" He said, "Well, how do I put this? I know that it is true." We were like, "Oh my goodness. Who is this guy?" The next crazy thing he said was, "A lot has been on my mind lately. Two friends of mine have died in this past month. So I think it's pretty great how God sent you two here to meet with me." That was it. We were like WHO IS THIS MAN? It was so wonderful. He said maybe we could come have fruit tea with his wife sometime this week.
Wow. I am so beyond thankful I can be here. I am so thankful I made the decision to serve a mission!
 |
| Sestra Reilly Manners (on the left), a former companion, visited Czech this week and sent these pictures |
Okay. So, there are quite a few times as a missionary where you feel like you are in the exact place, at the exact right time, among the exact people you need to be among. This week was such a blessing because it happened. Of course, it's happened more than once. But we were able to hear it from people who actually said to us in their own words that it was "Thanks to God" that we were here.
 |
| "I Love You." |
I will start off the First story about Sestra Kunčikova. She is about 70 years old and has been a member for 20 years, the missionaries actually found her while she was drunk. Now she is literally one of the biggest lights in my life and to all who have seen her riding on her bike and singing hynms through Pardubice. She has been wanting to receive Patriarchal Blessing but has never known the right time. She called us last week and asked if we could come over. She said, I know it's time to get my Patriarchal Blessing, and now we have a patriarch in Prague. So I need to know if you two can travel to Prague with me to receive it. I got really sad because I didn't know if Prezident would allow us to travel out of our area, but we decided to call him and let her ask him. He was literally the best because he said, "Yes!" But she told us she was praying one night and "I got a feeling that I really needed to receive it now, and I really need to travel there with you two." I have not stopped thinking about that since. It was such a precious moment. I love her so much.
The other time is with this new investigator named Vladmir. When Sestra Peterson was feeling a little under the weather I started to do some calls and ended up talking to him for like 20 minutes about and everything. He is 80 and his English in unbelievable. After that call, he was sick for while, but he finally called us when he was feeling better. To our meeting, he brought us chocolates, so kind! We started to go into our lesson, and he told us a little bit of what he knew about Mormons. Then he said that his mom used to tell him the story of when the seagulls came into Utah and ate all the grasshoppers to save the crops? Sestra Peterson and I both thought that that was so unusual. Haha. And that he was like living on the earth when that happened? And what Czech mom knows that story or thinks to tell her kid that story? The second thing is he saw the Book of Mormon, and he told us, "Oh wow. The Book of Mormon!" We were like, "What do you know about this book?" He said, "Well, how do I put this? I know that it is true." We were like, "Oh my goodness. Who is this guy?" The next crazy thing he said was, "A lot has been on my mind lately. Two friends of mine have died in this past month. So I think it's pretty great how God sent you two here to meet with me." That was it. We were like WHO IS THIS MAN? It was so wonderful. He said maybe we could come have fruit tea with his wife sometime this week.
 |
| Reunited: Sestra Manners and Sestra Baxter |
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.... because if you will do this you will want to save the trees and pray always.
S Laskou,
Sestra Baxter
Don't Procrastinate the Day you Fix your Tooth -- 20 February 2017
Beloved Souls,
Today is such a great day? Is is not? I am just really happy to be alive. Today we have wonderful overcast skies, and it is great lighting.
We had exchanges this week. That is something I have truly missed this transfer. Sisters in this mission, though. They are just too good. I was able to be in Prague with Sister Cade like the olden days when we were together. We had a plan to visit this awesome less-active family right after our exchanges, so we just traveled around Prague with all my stuff. Haha. It was so fun though!
When I say "traveled around" Prague that means most likely by the means of the Metro because that is the best and most effective source of transportation. We love Metro contacting! Seriously you never ever know what kind of soul will be on the metro. We talked to moms, dads, children, people from every part of the world! And when you talk to them about subjects such as God and Jesus, it always makes it ten times more interesting. We had quite some successes. I think we were also really stoked to work really hard and fulfill our calling by talking to everyone.
We met with that family after a little bit of getting lost in Prague, and it was so wonderful. I have heard about this member family a lot from the sisters when I called in with them and from Sestra Manners who helped prepared them for baptism. We talked about being prepared and challenged them to start preparing for the temple. They truly have a desire for that, so it could not have been happier.
Well along with this exchange, we were in the office getting ready to drive to this member's with all the missionaries when a Starsi from my MTC group, Starsi Hymas, gives us a Snickers bars. I was eating it when I felt that my fake tooth was no longer in! I was like, "Nooo!" Hahahahhahahahhahah. I ran into the bathroom and Sister Cade followed me. Thankfully Preizdent's office was like two feet away. So we talked to him, haha, and laughed of course. I held my hand over my face, so no one could see me. Then they were like, "Okay we will try to get you appointment tomorrow. I was like, "What?!? We have to go to this members house to eat with all the missionaries." Prezident told me I didn't have to go and it would probably be best if I didn't. But I was like, "Well I still want to go." So we went with the 9 other missionaries in Prague to this member's home, and I just kept my mouth shut the whole time and did my "smile with no teeth." It was so funny.
Like the funniest experience even going on the metro home. I was trying to talk to people while covering the empty tooth space with my finger. Thankfully the next day we found a great place and got it fixed. So there is actually a moral to the story. Earlier, I had noticed my tooth was starting to fall out. So I told Sestra Pohořelická and she said okay go to this place in Pardubice. But like that was the last thing I and Sestra Peterson wanted to do. Hence, "Dont procrastinate the day you get your tooth fixed."
Solomon. He came to Church! Yay! He liked it a lot. He said it was a little different than back in Ghana where preachers usually give sermons. The coolest part about it was we had Stake Conference! He said he liked all the talks even though he couldn't really understand all that much because the translator wasn't working very good. He said the last speaker at sacrament meeting really seemed like he had a lot of spiritual power even though the headphones weren't working, he still felt the spirit. The last speaker of Sacrament meeting was, in fact, the Stake Preizdent, and yes he did a beautiful-good job, as well as everyone else.
We did some service and helped translate a blessing on a house for this member. It is so fun to watch Sestra
It was a great week it have been the fastest one I've had yet! I wish all of you next week, joy and fresh oxygen from trees.
čau
--
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself..ys.
S Laskou,
Sestra Baxter
Sled-stra Baxter -- 13 February 2017
Oh! My heart was singing loudly today! NATURE!
Ha ha. I wish we could contact in these forests sometimes. But also I feel like I would get way too distracted with the trees and rocks. Haha. So it's maybe better for me to be on streets where I don't really care. But this is the place where The Chronicles of Narnina was filmed. So happy! Besides this was a way cool day we had with the Bishop and his family.
 |
| Competing with City of Rocks? Maybe? |
Missionary work is going pretty great. Sestra Peterson is feeling a lot healthier, so that is wonderful. Sestra Peterson and I are so so happy about Solomon. He is literally so golden. I have never ever met someone so prepared. No problems with Chasity, and no problems with The Word of Wisdom. He still has on plans to be baptized on the 11th of March. We would say his only barrier is attending church meetings so you pray for him to come. He couldn't make it last week because he was in Prague. But he said for sure he is coming this next week. We are building out our teaching pool a lot and working with members which is pretty cool because it has been pretty cool and spiritual so far.
Here are some things to check out:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.... because if you will do this you will want to save the trees and pray always.
S Laskou,
Sestra Baxter
Is everyone having the best week ever? -- January 30, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Ahojte,
Is everyone having the best week ever? I hope so. We have had a great day. I
am just really trying to get my hands to work for me to type this, but it is pretty chilly. No fear, though. I have good gloves.
So missionary work has been a little sad this week because our investigator Jakub---who said the most beautiful prayer at the beginning of the lesson, and who does all of the commitments we give him---dropped us, and said he hasn't found the right faith. We were way caught off guard for that! After that, we met with our dearest investigator Emma and her son who is a member, Gabriel, and figured out they are moving to Plzen on the other side of the Czech Republic. we all cried but will be continuing to meet with missionaries. It was way sad. But on the flip side, we met with our investigator Solomon from Ghana and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he loved it and said he would start applying it in his life and is also praying for the the correct date to be baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God. So that's pretty wonderful.
I would like to testify that God know us individually because here is a story and another story as well. On Thursday, I kind of had a bad mood which was literally the weirdest like to be totally honest that is not normal. So we went outside to contact, and I tried to be as happy as possible and just smile so big and then we were in a hurry to go to this less-active's house, and we said "Good Day" to this lady. She totally turned around and thanked us for being here, thanked us for saying hi, thanked us for smiling, and then gave us hugs. Wow. I like way felt the spirit during that whole thing, and I feel like she was truly being an instrument in the hand of God at that time. I would also like to testify of that same principle because on Sunday, we were inside pretty much all day. Poor
Sestra Peterson got pretty destroyed at sports day, and so Sestra Pohořelicka advised that she should stay in. So I started calling, texting, finding, everyone possible. So I was calling some people that have been giving their business cards to missionaries and this one lady picked up and explained why it was such an awful time to call because she was busy, and her friend on Saturday had just passed away. In return, I tried to explain to her how is wasn't such an awful time to call but was truly timing from God because we know why we are here and where each of us goes after this life. I also said we are truly called by God to share what we know. So we would like to meet! I was pretty darn super. I am going to miss this calling so much.
Besides that, they are making quite a few changes to the missionary schedule.
For example: we plan in the morning; we can choose when we have companionship study. Lunch is 30 minutes and other things. It's like pretty different, but I think it will just take some time to get used to. I also will be able to catch up in my journal because we don't plan at 9 so that is pretty happy. If there is anything I can do for anyone you can let me know. Love you all! Stay way warm!
And a reminder to read your Book of Morman because it is written.... "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
--
Ahojte,
Is everyone having the best week ever? I hope so. We have had a great day. I
So missionary work has been a little sad this week because our investigator Jakub---who said the most beautiful prayer at the beginning of the lesson, and who does all of the commitments we give him---dropped us, and said he hasn't found the right faith. We were way caught off guard for that! After that, we met with our dearest investigator Emma and her son who is a member, Gabriel, and figured out they are moving to Plzen on the other side of the Czech Republic. we all cried but will be continuing to meet with missionaries. It was way sad. But on the flip side, we met with our investigator Solomon from Ghana and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he loved it and said he would start applying it in his life and is also praying for the the correct date to be baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God. So that's pretty wonderful.
I would like to testify that God know us individually because here is a story and another story as well. On Thursday, I kind of had a bad mood which was literally the weirdest like to be totally honest that is not normal. So we went outside to contact, and I tried to be as happy as possible and just smile so big and then we were in a hurry to go to this less-active's house, and we said "Good Day" to this lady. She totally turned around and thanked us for being here, thanked us for saying hi, thanked us for smiling, and then gave us hugs. Wow. I like way felt the spirit during that whole thing, and I feel like she was truly being an instrument in the hand of God at that time. I would also like to testify of that same principle because on Sunday, we were inside pretty much all day. Poor
Besides that, they are making quite a few changes to the missionary schedule.
And a reminder to read your Book of Morman because it is written.... "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”
--
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.... because if you will do this you will want to save the trees and pray always.
S Laskou,
Sestra Baxter
Pardubice, Česká Republika
"I have come to terms" -- 16 Jan 2016
There is a quote called I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I am a disciple of
Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down,
back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present
makes sense, and my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, sight walking,
small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position,
promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by
presence, learn by faith, love by patience,
lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace
is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my
road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,
my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought,
compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back,
diluted, or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy,
ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander
in the maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until
Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know,
and work until He comes. And when He comes to get
His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear.
This is just how I would love to do these last moments I have -- and the rest of my life.
I am so blessed to have had this time to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and serve Him. I know seriously everyday we get chances to choose whether or not we are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ or not. I have also realized there is always something better that we can do, to commit to follow Him. Let us not be satisfied in mediocrity. If we are humble and ready to listen, we have the ultimate opportunity to get advice from a divine being, the creators of this world. Oh how I love them. But oh how they love us!
I seriously love you all, and hope that you can all start to come closer to God and understand the role of his Son on our behalf, then be able to listen to the Holy Ghost to comfirm that which is true. Because Paul says it pretty well ... Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
dobrou...
Sestra Baxter
Pardubice, Česka Republika
"I am expecting" -- 09 Jan 2017
Dearest family and beloved friends, I am expecting.
I have news. I will get to train a sweet new sister in Pardubice. JSEM TAK ŠŤASTNA or "I am soo happy." My blessed Sestra Cade will be going to Prague with Sestra Hill and blending in. They will do so wonderful. They are both so bold, teach by the spirit, and, in general, they are such wonderful missionaries!
I really am excited (for my new missionary) I think her name is Sestra Peterson. She will be coming in at a time when all of our investigators are able to meet again because it is after that holidays.
We met with George with the senior missionary couple, the Holts, last week. He decided to have his family living in Ghana start meeting with the missionaries. And this other investigator named Jakub is seriously one of the most prepared investigators I've had on my mission. I am so thankful for life. I know God is real more than I have have in my life. My relationship with him is literally the best thing I have. I know He loves each of you and listens to your prayers.
Also any advice would be super.
SO MUCH LOVE I HAVE FOR YOU ALL!
--
I have news. I will get to train a sweet new sister in Pardubice. JSEM TAK ŠŤASTNA or "I am soo happy." My blessed Sestra Cade will be going to Prague with Sestra Hill and blending in. They will do so wonderful. They are both so bold, teach by the spirit, and, in general, they are such wonderful missionaries!
I really am excited (for my new missionary) I think her name is Sestra Peterson. She will be coming in at a time when all of our investigators are able to meet again because it is after that holidays.
We met with George with the senior missionary couple, the Holts, last week. He decided to have his family living in Ghana start meeting with the missionaries. And this other investigator named Jakub is seriously one of the most prepared investigators I've had on my mission. I am so thankful for life. I know God is real more than I have have in my life. My relationship with him is literally the best thing I have. I know He loves each of you and listens to your prayers.
Also any advice would be super.
SO MUCH LOVE I HAVE FOR YOU ALL!
--
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.... because if you will do this you will want to save the trees and pray always.
S Laskou,
Sestra Baxter
Happy New Year -- 02 January 2017
Sestra Baxter hasn't been able to write much, but here are a few pictures that have come through.
Šťastný nový rok.
--Rodina Baxter
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