May 23, 2011 Letter

I think it is so funny how much she misses home cooking! :) Not that I blame her, mama Bailey does make some DELICIOUS waffles and cookies (among everything else)! She is so lucky to be close enough to get them sent to her while they still taste good too. :) She is such a good missionary. I hated it when I had investigators who thought they were past repentance stage. I once taught a murderer in my mission, and even though his sin was so serious that we couldn't address it alone, you could still see the light of the gospel help him and change him. I hope her investigator doesn't give up--he doesn't realize how close he is to feeling the powers of healing found only in the gospel.

Dear Wonderful, Beautiful, Perfect Mother,

OK now wait a minute... WHAT?! Since when is Kimmy getting married, and since when is Marilyn's daughter Jenny sick? Say what?! Wow, you really threw me through a loop there! I swear, things go on and I have no idea. I hate being out of the loop. It is awful. But I like being a missionary, so that is good huh? I am sad I am missing Tay's wedding. I want someone to send me pictures so I can see how absolutely beautiful she looks. Where are they getting married at? She is so wonderful. I love my cousin! I miss her! I need her address so I can write her. But I really do want pictures.

As for more 20-year old investigators...not quite. But we did get a 17-year old. His name is Kaleb. He is pretty devout Catholic, but he wants to read the Book of Mormon and is amazed at how similar our churches are. There is hope for him most certainly.

I am trying to think of anything else exciting that went on. I am depressed that I missed all the really good food! Now you really are going to have to send me some Scotcharoos! I have been craving them something awful! I have been craving alot of food you make, like cookies and bread and waffles! Man oh man, waffles sound so good! With your homemade strawberry jam. Haha, wow I am pathetic, huh? Oh well, some day I will get to eat those. Just be prepared for that day... you are going to be cooking a lot. Oh man, German Pancakes sound good too! I think I might be alittle hungry while I write this to you!

Umm, lets think. We have had some tense moments this week as a companionship. Haha, it can be a little interesting. We always get over them so it's ok, no worries.

We taught Chris and Keith, and after we left Keith texted us and said that he has done some things he can't even forgive himself for, so why should God? We were like, "What?!" So we went and taught him the next day, and by the time we left I think he felt alot better. It is so sad to see some people without a testimony of the atonement. I think he is coming around. They came to a YSA fireside last night. Oh man...I realized how little I miss that stuff! It was on communication in marriage. It was a little interesting, but Keith and Chris met some guys and they actually liked it. I think it was good for them. I thought parts of it were weird. I forgot how weird YSA life is. Yuck. But I do miss my YSA leaders! Like Brother Dickamore and Bishop Ross and the Hones. I loved them!

Lets see what else...man I feel kinda lame. Sorry. It is hot here! Like really hot! I dont like the humidness. I am really not looking forward to August. Oh man, it sounds bad. Sister Quiroz said I can't complain because I only have to do it once and she had to do twice. But Sister Quiroz is from Houston, so she should be used to it ! Yeah, she is from Houston. How do you like that! Crazy she came here huh? She blames her mom. She said her mom prayed for it. See mom, you should have prayed harder. Maybe I would have gone to Tooele. And Sister Quiroz has requested that I tell you she is from Mexico and is teaching me spanish. Have JaRelle translate this: "Voy a llorar y vomitar." She taught me that after we ate one dinner and then had to go to a Chinese buffet, and then had to go teach. It was awful! I am learning so much! Haha, she is so funny. I love being with her.

Sister Crossan is really great as well. We all have alot of fun. Well, I love getting your emails mom! Paul said he thinks Tyson might have passed me already! What?! He needs to stop growing, so please tell him to stop!

I love y'all so much and I miss you lots and lots! I think you are the best mother in the world! I am so glad I have you! Thanks so much for all that you do!

I love you lots and lots!

Loves, hugs, and kisses,

Love,

Sister Bailey

Oh P.S. We played football last week with the elders and I played. And I caught the ball....twice! And I got other people out! Yeah, I have some skill. Not alot, but some! Love you!

May 16, 2011 Letter

May 16, 2011

Dear Wonderful, Most Amazing, Perfect Mom in the World,

Hi Mom! Well another week has come and gone. I was talking to an Elder (who is from Farmington!!) His name is Elder King and he said sometimes the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I agree with him on that. Some days are fast, but others seem so long, and then you blink and its Monday again. I don't know how that works out! It is so fun! It is crazy and weird and hard and sad and fun and happy and everything you can ever feel all wrapped up in one. Sometimes all wrapped up in one day! It is weird. I know the Lord really blesses us missionaries though. I know this because every day it's in the high 90's, there is a nice breeze that blows when I feel like I am going to die! He sure does love his missionaries!

Well I didn't even know Kimberley Hurst was getting married. That is so cool Tater Tot took the pictures; I want to see some of these infamous pictures! He is such an amazing kid. I miss my little brother! I miss all my family. I love y'all so much! I am glad that Lauren and Tyson are doing good! Is Lauren still loving cheer? What is she in stunting? How is her tumbling? Man, I wish I could be there to see her first football game. That is the funnest feeling in the world...well almost the funnest feeling in the world. I experienced the ultimate funnest feeling in the world the other day when 2 of my investigators walked into the church! And when Alita said she knew the church was true...man that is ultimate happiness right there. But cheering in front of a huge crowd with the football lights on...that is pretty fun! She is going to love it! How is Tyson doing in soccer? Is he still the star? I am sure he is. He is the cutest boy in the whole world! Tell him not to grow anymore, because I dont want him to be taller than me when I get home! I need at least one person in the family to be shorter than me when I get home! :)

Well, Keith and Chris came to church on Sunday! It was so fun! Hahaha, they looked so country. They both had their nice boots on, good jeans, and cowboy shirts. They didnt have anything else to wear. I was just glad to see them. Another funny story: So in ward council we share with everyone a progress record where we write down our investigators to let the ward council know how they are doing and how they can help us. We handed out the progress record and we were talking about it when I heard our Relief Society President turn to the Ward Mission Leader and say, "These are all men." And he said, "Yes." And she said, "And they are all single." And he said, "Yes." And she said, "They are all in their 20's." And he was like, "Yeah." And she said, "Well thats odd." Hahaha, we are just utilizing Chapter 14 of PMG--Flirt to Convert! :) No we really aren't, but it is kinda funny! They really are all single guys in their 20's. Funny day. Well maybe we will start finding some girls...we will see.

Well other than that I don't really know what else to say. Life is good down here in the Heart of Texas. I love being a Texan. Last night Sister Crossan and Sister Quiroz had walked down the hall while I was talking to someone (at church), and Brother Johnson was like, "Where are your companions Sister Bailey?" and I was like, "Oh man, they must have left me again!" And Bishop was like, "No worries, we will adopt you." I said, "Okay, I better write the President and let him know that he can't transfer me out of Hewitt!" They said, "Yep you better!" I love our ward. We have some great members. But I love y'all so no worries! I won't really let anyone adopt me! I gotta come home some time...it's just a long time away!

I dont mind seeing Sister Denham. I hope it doesnt make y'all jealous! If I can talk to y'all on the phone and be ok, I can see her. Now mom you can't come down here because I couldn't see you! I would have to hide in your suitcase and come home with you!

Well, I love you too much mom!!! You are the best mom and the most amazing example! Eat some extra tea party food for me...Sad day.... :( I want to eat good tea party food. Oh man! Oh well, maybe next time..ish... I miss you and love you lots!!! Your the best mother in the world!!

Love you!

Loves, hugs, and kisses,

Sister Bailey

May 2, 2011 Letter

I am so glad that her trio-companionship is going so well. I had a trio in the MTC and didn't enjoy it too much, so I'm glad that hers is going well. Her blessings from obedience are so inspiring to. It makes me think about how I can be more obedient to receive more blessings. I am with Kiley on being shocked that it is May already! We are going to be in Farmington next week during Mother's Day, so I can't wait to hear her sweet voice! I'm surprised she can only talk for 40 minutes though?... It used to be an hour. Oh well, I'm sure there is a reason for everything.

May 2, 2011

Dearest Most Wonderful Mother,

Wow, I am in shock that it is already almost Mother's Day. I am a little weirded out. I just got used to this email thing and now I get to hear your beautiful voice. Just be prepared, I might cry. I am so excited but so nervous! I don't know why I just am. I am excited to hear your voice. So I guess I will be calling you sometime between 4:45 and 5:30 our time, not your time. I think y'all are an hour behind us so it would be 3:45 to 4:30ish I think? I don't know. You will know. Be ready because we can only talk for 40 minutes max. President is really stressing that and we need to be obedient because I need alot of miracles! Speaking of miracles, we have seen alot this week! It has been amazing! Oh I guess before I get there y'all might want to know how the companion situation is going? It is actually going really well. I really love bein' in a 3some. We all get along really well and have alot of fun! It is nice to get along. I love that. Plus, I am already learning so much from them. It is nice they force me to talk. Sister Terry really liked to talk so I didn't have to do much of it, but they make me now. I guess it is good because I am going to have to learn sooner or later. We laugh alot and just have a good time! I am thankful the Lord is blessing me.

So this week we exceeded some of our goals! It was amazing! I was so grateful. So last P-day was crazy. We were so stressed packing for Sister Terry and getting the house ready that I seriously had no time to write anyone! It was insane; I thought I was going crazy. Then that night at 6:30 I realized I hadn't written Anna. I was devestated! I thought I was the worst Aunt in the world. I was crazy tempted to just write her a quick note even though it wasn't p-day anymore. I thought about it, but decided not to. She will forgive me...hopefully! All week I was a little sick about it. Whenever I would think about her, I would feel bad. But amazing things happened this week. We got 7 new investigators (more than I have ever received), we taught 19 lessons ( more than I have ever taught), and Sunday at church, I was so worried we weren't going to have any investigators when the doors opened and this lady popped her head in. I thought, "Wow she looks so familiar," and then I realized that is Troy and Sarah, our investigators! We had not been able to see them this week because they cancelled our appointment on Wednesday. Because of that, I thought for sure they wouldn't come. We hadn't even reminded them about it. But there they were. The loved Sacrament meeting, but had made plans for the rest of church because they didnt know how long it was. They promised they would stay for all 3 hours the next week and set up an appointment with us this Wednesday. It was the most amazing feeling. I smiled the whole time through sacrament meeting! I know these things happened because we were obedient. It sounds silly now feeling so awful about not writing little Anna, but I was so upset and so tempted to just write her. I kept thinking, "Well it is Monday night, its not like it's Tuesday. All day monday should be p-day anyway." But I didn't do it; I was strong and I really feel like the Lord blessed me because of that. I don't know if that sounds silly or not, but I do feel that way. The Lord blesses us when we are exactly obedient to all of his commandments. Sometiems we see people and they seem so happy even though they aren't doing what the Lord wants them to. I know that that happiness only lasts so long though. The blessings the Lord gives us for doing things even when its hard, or not the the cool thing to do, last forever. Just seeing Troy and Sara at church on Sunday made my whole week! No matter what happens, that will always be the happiest feeling for me! I have alot of faith they will be baptized though. The Lord provides! I think I have alot of prayers at home that are helping me out as well! Tell Paul thanks so much for putting my name on the Prayer Roll ( I know you do it too mom!) It helps me out alot and I see it.

Well other exciting news is...I don't know. My life is the same! I just keep on keeping on. I would never have thought it would be going this fast. Is anyone else in shock that it is already May? Doesnt it feel like January still and y'all just barley dropped me off at the curb and sped away as fast as y'all could? I think it does. Oddness.

Tell Grandma Edith thanks for the idea...I will give it some thought! She is so sweet! Haha and quite funny!

P.S I am sending a letter home with some pictures in it. Well I dont know what else to say. Things are good deep in the heart of Texas. Oh I know, did the Denhams tell y'all they are coming down here the end of May? I am having dinner with them the Friday they will be here. Hahaha, isn't that crazy! That will be weird but fun.

Well my dear, lovely mother, I love you way too much! I can't even tell you how much I love you and how grateful I am for you! You are an amazing example to me! I wish someday I can be like you! I love love love you!!!!

Loves, hugs, and kisses,

Sister Bailey

p.s. We'll Chat with you on Sunday.... :) I am excited mom. I love you! And don't forget its your day!