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.”

-- 

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

Wow, this is the last 9 weeks I will be serving on my mission here--for the time being. I am sorry for the avoided replies about my return date. I am not totally sure of the date, but it will be around 9 weeks from now. Instead of feeling a sadness like before, it is now more like a motivating thing. Like I only have 9 weeks to help my precious Czechians. 

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! 

Thinking of one of my very greatest of blessings from our Father in Heaven: I am so blessed to have received such a light in Sestra Peterson. She is so wonderful and whenever she testifies to people on the street, it is way powerful! I couldn't think of a better way to end them with a zelenačka ("greenie ") with so much faith! By the way here is some information about her: she is from Layton Utah; she likes to play soccer a ton; she has three other brothers; and

she is way excited to serve. Also another random fact: I have already served

with all the Elders that are in our district, and two of the elders I started with in the MTC. They are way good missionaries and way inspiring so this transfer is set up to be the best, I think.

This week we were able to teach one of our members' mom. Her name is Emma. They are both from Romania, but due to not being able to find many jobs there, they ended up moving here. Gabriel and her son, 24, met the sister missionaries last year. We have met with him quite a bit because lots of people here speak Romanian. Shortly after he was baptized, he became a translator at his work. He said after he was baptized, he just learned Czech really quickly, Now his mom is meeting with us. His dad is also meeting with the missionaries in Romania. And we have met with some of his friends he felt are ready. Literally, he is such the missionary! I hope I can be like him.  

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!

-- 

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