Tranfser 2 down (already!)

I can't believe her second transfer is already over! That one went by faster than the first! Even crazier--she will be in a trio?! I was in a trio in the MTC... not my favorite. It was hard to always mush three opinions into one when planning a lesson a giving a fair amount of attention and love to each companion, especially when you feel like you connect with one and not the other. I hope they are all very compatible and that the transfer goes smoothly. I'll be praying for her!

April 25, 2011

Dearest Most Wonderful Mother,

I think you are amazing. Yesterday in Church we had a lesson about gratitude and all I could think about was how grateful I am for my parents. Without y'all I wouldnt be on my mission. You support me in more ways then you know. Yes, financially you help alot...well more like everything :) (I'm a loser; I am sorry!) Your love and support means the world to me! I don't know why I am so blessed. I really wonder it every day. When I say my prayers and go through the list of my family, I am amazed. One, because it is huge..wow, I almost can't say anyone anymore. No one else is allowed to have more kids because our list is getting ridiculous! Just kidding, y'all can have more kids... just not 'til I get back ya hear! I have the most amazing family in the world. Every person in our family is amazing. When I talk about my brothers and sisters, I always call Eric and JaRelle my brother and sister and then remember I should clarify that they aren't blood related... that's why they could marry my siblings... that would be creepy if they were! But y'all are just like my brother and sister. Thank you so much JaRelle for picking Dave....and well E, you didn't really have a choice in the matter :) I love you Tosh!! But thank you family for being so amazing. Thanks for the wonderful examples y'all have been to me. I don't know where I would be in life if I didn't have my family. I can't tell y'all how much I love you!! It hurts!

Well I guess y'all are dying to know about transfers huh? I know I was. So Saturday rolls around and I was going to puke all day! Finally the night comes, and at about 10:00 we get a call from our DL. He said that they were switching things up and that the DLs were going to be giving the calls this time. We were like, "Ok sounds good, so where are we going?" He talked to us for about 10 minutes builiding up the supsense and then....started laughing! He told us he was lying the whole time and that President asked everyone to not give out transfer calls until the next day! Me and Sister Terry were so mad!!! I told Elder Clinger that I was going to punch him the next time I saw him and that I don't care if they send me home for it. I think President would agree with me! What a little brat huh? Elders...I don't know why they get leadership postions...dang priesthood! Well Sunday comes around and we finally got the real call. Sadly, Sister Terry is leaving... I am staying though. I will be serving in a trio... interesting huh? Sister Crossan and Sister Queros are my new companions. I hope we can get 3 beds in our room! It's going to be a tight squeeze! I am excited, but a little nervous! I know it will be fun! Sister Terry is super sad. She has been here for seven and a half months. One transfer away from half of her mission. So thats the news I guess...

I am way bummed I missed Tay's shower. I miss her! Give her a big hug for me! Did you give Aunt Gayle her letter I sent her? I miss my Auntie Gayle. I love her more than anything! I love all my aunts! I am a lucky girl!

Thank you so much for the Easter package! I loved it! I am crazy excited about that CD!!! And the Chic-Fil-A card! YEAH buddy!!!! I am excited. You are amazing mom! Easter this year was fun. I reallty got to feel what it was all about. It was such a fun experience, but I missed my family. I am so grateful for my Savior! I am grateful for what He did for me. Not only for his death, but for the knowledge that He lives again! What an amazing thing to know. We don't have to worry about death because we will all live again because our Savior was willing to suffer it all so that we can have it all. We are a very blessed people!

Well, I love you mom and as always, am grateful for your amazing example! You are the most amazing woman in the world!! I LOVE YOU TOOOOOOO MUCH!!!

Loves, hugs, and kisses,

Sister Bailey

April 18, 2011 Letter

I just love her stories. They make my Monday so much brighter. :)

April 18, 2011

Dear Wonderful and Amazing Best Mom in the World,

Sometimes Mom I miss you...alot. Ok, all the time. The trick is just going to work and it all gets better! This week is the last week of transfers. Wow another transfer come and gone I cannot believe I have been in Waco for 3 months. It feels like a couple weeks literally!

So we really owe Brett and Lindsay Denham. When I went to fill my Synthroid, they had a tough time. First, they filled the wrong kind and when I went to look at it I was like, "This is not my medicine." So they had to re-call Smith's and find out what kind I use. Apparantly we use the name brand stuff not the generic. When I went back to get it, they told me that they were out of the name brand and could only give me three and that I had to come back the next day (Tuesday). I said ok, and went on my way. That night we were talking to our District Leader ( P.S. I had to get my shoe fixed because the buckle broke. I did that on Monday as well, but couldn't pick it up till Tuesday), so I asked him if I could pick up my shoe because it was like 20 minutes out of our area, and he said ok. I then said, "Oh and I need to get my medicine," because Walmart is out of our area as well--by like one second. It is on the wrong side of the street. (We have to get permission to leave our area every time), and he said I couldnt pick up my medicine-- that I needed a member to do it! I was so mad! I could get my shoe, but not my medicine! It was ridiculous! But I won't murmur about my leader....:( Anyway, I called Brett and asked him if he would do it. I gave him my card and he did it for me. It was so nice of them! They were funny about it and said that it was weird too. Lindsay Denham is so funny and I really like her. It's nice to be around people who have served missions because they can relate. So we owe them big time!

This week our Mission President challenged every companionship to get 6 new investigators instead of 4. Sister Terry and I worked so hard! We saw alot of miracles and were really amazed. In the end we only got 4, but that is like 4 times more then we have been getting! We were so excited!

It is fun when you are in the right place at the right time. We went to see a previous investigator and when we got there, her next door neighbor was sitting on his porch. We said hi, and he mumbled hi back. We went to the door and felt so awful that we didnt talk to him! We resolved that if he was still sitting there when we walked back, we would talk to him. So we start walking back and he was gone. We were bummed. So we are getting in the car and I said, "This might be creepy, but should we go knock on his door." Sister Terry agreed that it was creeper, but we did it anyways. We knocked and he answered and we said that we were sorry for not talking to him, but that the message we came out to share is very important and that it brings us alot of peace, hope and happiness." We talked for a second longer and then he said, "I could really use some happiness right now." He told us about how he had an accident at work that left him with some problems and that he was just divorced. It was amazing. We left with a return appt. We went back the next day and gave him the Book of Mormon and he siad he would read it before our next visit. We were so excited! It was the most amazing feeling. That is the best high in the world.

We also had interviews with president this week. We were supposed to have ours at 10:15 so we got there at 10:00 and didnt leave til 3:45. Yeah, it took that long. But when I went in for mine, President talked to me for a minute and then asked to see my planner. He looked it over and was glad to see the goals. He then said that he had talked to Sister Terry and that he was going to test me because he figured I wouldn't know the answer to the question. He then asked me if my entire afternoon failed--all my plans and all my back up plans--what would I do? I said I would look at my goals. He said, "What? Why?" And I said, "Because we set those goals prayerfully and the Lord had a plan for us to reach them. He looked at me and smiled and said, "Exactly." Out of all the missionaries he had interviewed that week (9 zones--we were one of the last ones), we were the only 2 missionaries to get it right. We talked for a second longer and he said, "I am coming out there with you." He came into the room and there were only 4 other elders left with us and the APs. He took one of their planners and did the same thing and asked the Elder what he would do. He then said they had a list of people to see and a place to tract just in case. President looked at me and said, "Sister Bailey, what would you do?" I was so embarrassed I had to answer! All of the missionaries in the room were over a year old, and here I am this little new sister and I had to tell them. It was slightly embarrassing just because I didnt want to look like the snotty new sister. Oh well, what can you do? When President asks, you have to answer. It was funny to watch the Elders when President was in there. They are normally so chill and slow moving, but when President told them to look up a scripture they moved so dang fast! It was pretty funny!

On Sunday we gave a BYD ( Bishop Youth Discussion) where all the youth go to one of the bishoprics house and they talk about something. Last night it was missionary work. It was really fun and I think the youth liked it. We had a good time. I talked a little too much; that was a little embarassing...oops. Sister Terry said she didn't notice. Oh well, we live and we learn.

Wow, I told you alot, but it was a good week! Well, I love you too much mom! Give McKay a big hug for me this week; I have a feeling it is going to be a hard one! Tell Andy good luck and that he is going to be awesome! He will love his mission. Tell him to give his all and to forget about himself.

I love you so so sososososososo much! I miss you too!

Loves hugs and kisses,

Sister Bailey

April 11, 2011 Letter

Kiley is so clever! You will love her poem. She told me I couldn't post it... but mama Linda said I could ;) Who wouldn't want to read this clever thing! It's cute. She says it is awful, but I love it. I wish I could think stuff up like that!

April 11, 2011

Dearest Most Amazing Wonderful Mother,

I love your emails; they make me so happy! My talk went good I think...:) I spoke on Becoming What God Wants You To Be. I used the story from Elder Christofferson's talk about the little currant bush. I so love that story. I planned and planned for this talk, I wrote and rewrote! By Sunday I still had no idea what I really wanted to say, so I just wrote an outline and called it good. I was so nervous all Sunday! I thought I was going to puke! Our first speaker was Catolyn Dine. She is our ward missionary and so cute! I love her, but she is such a talker. It was her first talk ever! And she spoke for 20 minutes! They actually had to kick her!!! Haha it was so funny! But it was a great talk. I got up and the spirit helped me alot. Except I said, "Old maid," and the bishopric won't leave me alone about it! Oh well, what can you do? I am strange; sometimes I say strange things. Sister Coombs was there and I was so happy! She has a hard time coming to church because everyone asks where her husband is. But she came for us! She is so sweet and so giving. She is an amazing person.

We found some new investigators!!!! YAY!! It is so nice to actually have some appointments this week and not just a thousand stop-bys! I hate stop-bys. Just kidding, I love everything about missionary work.....:) I am trying to think of any fun stories we have from this week. We decided to try something new so we made up some zucchini cookies to take to former and potential investigators. We wanted to attach a note or something to it so, I ended up writing the crappiest poem you have ever heard! Here I will send it to you:

The cookie sat alone

upon the shelf so high,

he sat and watched and wondered

"when will I say good bye."

As one by one the others

began to disappear,

in his heart he felt

the slightest pains of fear.

The baker made me just the same

with milk and eggs and four,

the only difference is

the zucchini in my powder.

The days passed by and soon

the cookie felt despair,

until one day a man came in

"I' ll try that one up there."

I've never had this kind before

it seems a little strange,

but with one bite to his surprise

he felt his feelings change.

Why have I been so blinded?

I could have had much more,

If I simply hadn't minded

the name this cookie bore.

The moral of the story here

it's simply but its true,

don't turn your back to the unkown

because its strange to you.

Hahaha, yes, we did give this poem to a potential investigator. Can you figure out what it has to do with the church? Haha it is awful! Sister Terry keeps trying to make me feel better about it but....yeah.. JaRelle you are not allowed to post that awful thing!! So that was exciting. The cookies were actually good...surprising!

Umm, we did alot of stop-bys and alot of tracting. Things are looking up though! I am excited about this week. I have a good feeling about it!

We taught ALita this week and we asked her to ask in prayer if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She said she wouldn't promise because she doesnt like breaking promises. I asked her why she wouldnt ask, and she said because she needs to study more and decide for herself. That is so stupid! We told her she could ask and find out quickly or she can read and figure out for herself and take forever. Sadly, she opted for forever. I think she already knows her answer. She is afraid to pray because it will confirm it for her and then she will have to do something about it. We introduced her to a lady named Sister Dunford who was also born and raised Baptist. Her stepdad was actually a pastor. She was in her 50s when she joined. I think that she will be able to help out. Here's to hoping!!

The Dunfords also sent us to their son and daughter-in-law who are not members. The daugther-in-law answered the door and we talked to her for a while. She had some good questions. We tried to set a return appointment, but she said they were super busy but if we had something for them to read she would love to read it. Well I thought I had a restoration pamphlet..but I didn't. All I had was a restoration DVD. So we left it with her. She told us to come back and pick it up...so we weasled our way in the door with that DVD and now get to come back! That is good! She made it sound like they are searching for church... perfect timing for us!

Well otherwise I am doing good! I am still loving being a missionary so that is a perk! I can't believe we are already getting close to the end of the transfer. It is insane! Life does go kinda fast as a missionary!

I got a package from Aunt Nell. She is so sweet! I loved it so much and her letter was perfect! I will write her a note, but tell her thanks and give her a big hug from me since I can't really do that. I will write Aunt Gayle today too, but I am going to send it to you mom because I don't have her address!

I am so sad about Sister Simpson. I will pray for her family. I love my family so much! Y'all mean the world to me! I don't know what I would do without any of you! I think I would die. I really do have the best family in the world. I told the ward that yesterday! I tell everyone because it is true! I am a blessed person! I love you, love you, love you mom! You are amazing! Thank you so much for all that you do!

Loves, hugs, and kisses,

Sister Bailey

More Pictures from Kiley!

So here are some pictures for you! I hope they go through! They are mostly just pretty pictures of me in the bluebonnets! :) Bluebonnets are amazing! You should see the fields here! I have now experienced the 3 Bs of Texas: BBQ ( super good), Blue bell (amazing ice cream....I am not getting fat:), and Bluebonnets (they are so pretty, but its illegal to pick them and I really want to press one...I cant break the law though because I am a missionary!) Well I hope you like the pictures! I sure do love you! Oh and the dog in one of them is Gypsy! She is Sister Reihers Baby!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!

Love. Sister Bailey

The Way It Is

I've always heard there is something special about sister missionaries... maybe this can explain. ;)

THE WAY IT IS

THE MISSION PRESIDENT:

Leaps tall buildings in a single bound,

Is more powerful than a locomotive,

Is faster than a speeding bullet,

Walks on water,

Associates with God.

THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT:

Leaps short buildings in a single bound,

Is more powerful than a switch engine,

Is just as fast as a speeding bullet,

Walks on water if the sea is calm,

Talks with God.

THE ZONE LEADER:

Leaps short buildings with a running start and favorable winds,

Is almost as powerful as a switch engine,

Is faster than a decelerating bullet,

Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool,

Talks with God if special request is approved.

THE DISTRICT LEADER:

Barely clears a mud hut,

Loses tug-of-war with locomotives,

Can fire a speeding bullet,

Swims well,

Is occasionally addressed by God.

THE SENIOR COMPANION:

Makes high marks on the wall when trying to leap tall buildings,

Is run over by locomotives,

Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self-injury,

Dog paddles,

Talks to animals.

THE JUNIOR COMPANION:

Runs into buildings,

Recognizes locomotives 2 out of 3 times,

Is not issued ammunition,

Can say afloat with a life jacket,

Talks to walls.

THE GREENIE:

Falls over doorsteps when trying to enter buildings.

Says, "Look at the choo-choo!"

Wets himself with a water pistol,

Plays in mud puddles,

Mumbles to himself.

THE SISTER MISSIONARY:

Lifts buildings and walks under them,

Kicks locomotives off the tracks,

Catches speeding bullets with her teeth and eats them,

Freezes water in a single glance,

Knows God.

April 4, 2011 Letter

For some reason, General Conference always seemed to be so much better when I was on my mission. I think it's because I took lots of notes and thought of how to apply them to help my investigators. I should really try to do that still, now that I am home and apply to my family instead. Anyway, I loved this letter and Kiley's mentioning of the conference talks that touched her and especially her little discussion on the stories of Ammon. She is such a good writer! Reading this email was like, "Whelp, she pretty much covered the lesson for FHE tonight. Thanks Kiley!" I mean seriously, if she can just type stuff like that up from the top of her head, I can't imagine what her lessons that she actually prepares are like! She is such an amazing missionary... who loves her mom. :) I love her admiration for her mom. I would have to agree that mama Linda is pretty, darn amazing. I just hope Peyton and my other children will be able to say the same about me someday. Either way, Kiley is an amazing girl and I would be so lucky to have such a spiritual, sweet, and smart girl like her one day.

April 4, 2011

Dear Wonderful and Amazing Mother,

I am so happy for Lauren! I cannot even tell you how happy I am. Sister Terry thinks I am a little crazy.

This week has been good for us as well. I love conference! It was so amazing! When Elder Cook talked about women I thought about all the amazing women I know and you were of course the first one to pop into my head, followed by amazing grandmas, and the amazing women in our home and singles ward. I am blessed to have so many amazing examples. But mostly I am blessed to have you. When Elder Cook said that most women always say, "I wish I could have done more," I thought of you-- how you always give everything you have and then say, " I wish I could have done more." You are amazing! You don't just give because it is part of your calling, you give because that is who you are. You are the most amazing, selfless, and Christlike person I know. I could go through all the Christlike attirbutes in the PMG section and you have everyone of them. If I could be even a smidgen of what you are Mom, I would be the happiest person in the world. I don't know how I got to be so lucky to have you as my Mom. I tell Heavenly Father that every night.

This past week I read the whole Ammon story. I got so sucked in that I ended up spending my whole personal study reading it. Man, he was so amazing!! I want to be like that. One thing that really stuck out to me...ok there was alot...one of them was when it says, "And they did bear their afflictions with patience. (I am reciting this off the top of my head so it's not perfect.) It was not easy for Aaron and the rest of them. I don't think prison sounds too exciting, starving does not sound awesome, and being bound with strong cords sound horrible! I would probably have come home by now if that had happened to me. But they withstood it all in patience. How amazing. The other part I love is when Aaron is teaching the Lamoni's father. He asks them how he can have this great joy. He then proceeds to say that he would give up all he possess; he would give up his whole kingdom to know this joy. Later on as he is praying he says, "I will give up all my sins to know thee." The thought hit me right then...how lucky we are to have the gospel. Some people search and search and search for it. But how well do we know our Heavenly Father and our Savior? What are we willing to give up to know them? The king was willing to give up EVERYTHING. We always hear stories about how hard it was for the pioneers to leave everything they had in Nauvoo to cross the plains, and most of the time lose loved ones on the way. But Sister Terry read something to me and they said that the price they paid was worth it to get to know their Savior. Wow. I guess that has been my thought for the week. What are we willing to do to get to know our Savior?

So wasn't conference amazing?! Elder Scott made me so sad. I just felt sad for him. That is alot of love. The whole time I thought about my parents...man y'all are perfect! I am lucky to have you. I laughed at the talk about parenting and how with an easy child, you get parenting 101, and a hard child, parenting 505. You are the luckiest parents in the world because at least with me you only had to go to 101. With Dave and McKay its a different story... ;) I loved when he said, "Never let failure develop from an action to an identity." That was awesome. I loved President Uchtdorfs talk. Man, it was so good about not waiting on the Road to Damascus. They were all amazing! How lucky are we to be able to listen to the prophets.

Well Mom, I love you so much! Yes, I did get your package...YOU ARE AMAZING!! I loved it. I am wearing my new garments now and I feel so happy inside. I will attach a picture of me from yesterday; I am wearing one of those cute new shirts. I loved all of them and they will be perfect for summer! Me and Sister Terry walked 2 billion miles and got massively sunburned. We were sweating like crazy...come to find out the day we walked it was 95 degrees! CRAZYNESS!!! I felt better after I found out how hot it was. Sister Terry and I always think we can walk forever and a half away...then we get home and we just drop to the floor and down water bottles. It's fun though.

Well, I love you too much and I miss you!!! You are amazing mother! I hope you got that from my letter. Oh, one more thing...Don't hate me...BUT I have 9 days left of my Synthroid. :) I didnt realize until after you had sent the package...I am sorry! I know you are in Mexico so you won't be able to send it to me, but it will work out right? Don't forget how much you love me even when I am constantly making you do things for me... Jeez, I think I am way more needy than Dave and McKay were on their missions...sorry! I need to work on that.

LOVE YOU!!!

Loves, hugs, and kisses...and alot more hugs and loves!! And some more loves and hugs and kisses!

Love,

Sister Bailey