Weeks 14 And 15!! - Transfer Calls And HXP

Ahhh hello everyone!!

Last pday was so so crazy and I didn't have a chance to write an email.  But so much has happened these past two weeks in the ZHM and I'm so excited to tell you all about it!!

Not a lot actually happened two weeks ago.  We had lots of good lessons and also had to drop some people that we were teaching.   It was so sad but we had taught them almost everything and they weren't keeping any commitments or coming to church, so we prayed about it and decided it just wasn't their time yet.  I'm hopeful for them in the future though!

Let's get into this week:) probably the best but also craziest week of my mission so far.  I think most of you know this already,  but last summer I went on an HEFY (now HXP) trip to Belize!!  I had the most incredible trip leaders and the most incredible life changing experience on the trip.  It because of my trip leaders and that trip that I decided to serve a mission.

Last summer Justin also went on an HEFY trip to Belize, only a different group and a different part of the country.   One of his trip leaders, Sarah, is leading the first group in Zimbabwe right now!  And I bet you know where this is going haha. On Wednesday our zone had the opportunity to go to the worksite and do service with HXP for the morning ahhhh!!  I literally felt like I was living in a dream.  Sarah and I had the happiness reunion and I for real almost cried when I saw her.  Later that night we went to the Stake Presidents house for dinner and a culture night with HXP and it was so fun!!  Goodbyes are the worst though.  Expecially HXP goodbyes.  They just rip my heart out.

Fast forward to Saturday morning...TRANSFER CALLS.  For anyone and everyone from district 16-A, this is for you! (Except Sister Treese.  She doesn't get this email so I can spill all the tea) As most of you know I have been patiently waiting (more or less) for my MTC companion and best friend to finally make it to Zimbabwe!!  And it's time ahh!!  She gets here Wednesday night and I could not be more excited!  So anyways, Saturday morning our Zone leaders call us with transfer news.  I am being transferred to Mutare ahh... Mutare is right on the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique,  about a 4 hour drive away from where I'm serving right now.  If I'm being completely honest, I thought the elders were kidding when they said that.  Then Elder Rich says "Sister Baker, there's more.  You aren't being transferred until Thursday.   Sister Treese is also going to Mutare so you two are going to travel together.  You'll be in the same district. "  LITERALLY WHAT?!  When I tell you I screamed.  

Sunday morning we head to church for Stake conference at our meeting house.  We're walking up to the door and I see none other than THE Sarah Handy running out the door.  The happiness reunion we never thought was going to happen!!!  We had Stake conference with HXP and the ward and it was incredible.   It was all about missionary work and two of the builders gave incredible talks.  President and Sister Judd were also there and gave powerful teachings!  Sister Judd talked about the temple and wow.  I miss being able to go so much.  And President Judd talked about preparing the youth to go on missions.  Towards the end he said "I have 119 missionaries in my mission, and they are incredible.   I love them so much."  He looked at us then he said that, he was crying and we were crying.   We were all a mess haha.  I have the most incredible leaders!  After Stake conference I was talking with President and Sister Judd about transfers and Sister Judd said "we know why we're sending you there, but you don't know the rest of the equation.  You and Sister Treese are going to be living together in Mutare.  We need you there together and you can help her adjust. "  I quite literally just started straight up sobbing.  Am I dreaming??!!  Anyways,  so stoked for Thursday!!  And this transfer:)  After that Sarah asked me to talk with her group about my experience on my trip and how it helped me decide to serve a mission.   We then took the cutest Polaroid picture and I'm obsessed haha.  Then the saddest goodbye again part 2:(

All in all this week was pretty incredible.   To finish I just wanted to share a powerful experience I had in my area the other day, and my testimony.  The other day we started teaching the mother of one of our recent converts.  We taught her The Gospel of Jesus Christ and at the end of the lesson she said "please keep coming, keep coming, and I want to know more about this book."  The book being the Book of Mormon.  So I pulled mine out and told her all about it and then bore my testimony on it and gave her her own copy.  She was almost in tears.  

I love the Book of Mormon, its my favourite book.  A few weeks ago I had a prompting to start over and read it cover to cover again.  I got a new Book of Mormon and have been reading it every single day, circling every name or reference to the Savior.  Through this experience I can truly say that I have come to know my Savior Jesus Christ.   Personal study is my favourite part of the day, and my testimony and love for the Savior has grown more than I ever thought possible.  This book truly is another testament of Jesus Christ and it has changed my life.  I would like to invite each of you to make studying the Book of Mormon a priority every single day.  I promise you that as you do this your love for the Savior will grow, as well as your knowledge and testimony of his Gospel.  I know that my Redeemer lives!  And I love him so so much.  I love this church and this Gospel, and I love the opportunity I have to represent him each and every day.

And I love you all too! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.  I love hearing from you!!

Sister Baker 

Pics:

- a poster with the Alberta Covid guidelines all the way over here in Zimbabwe haha

- polaroid picture, aka my favourite thing eva

- dinner with the sisters:)

More pictures with Sarah and HXP to come next week:)