Photos With President and Sister Choi

 Sister Choi   Elder Baker   President Choi

Elder William Baker 9/10/2013

Elder Baker arriving in Seattle, WA with his MTC group and Mission President and Sister Choi

Exchanges

From an Email dated 9/23/2013

Last week was a good week... I went on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders his name is Elder Cramer and he is an awesome guy. We found this guy Adrian who seemed so solid and like he was looking for guidance and answers. While we were talking we committed him to be baptized and he said that he would (this was Friday). We then invited him to a church tour for Saturday but he didnt show =(. We also met this gal Cayman (mid to late 20's) who is awesome and said that if she came to know that its true she would be baptized but she is a professional singer and theater performer so she is busy =/ we tried to go see her again but they had company and were about to leave. Her husband is jewish his name is Gavriel who i thought would be a problem but he seems like a super nice guy and welcomed us back anytime. So im super excited to help Cayman and her family come to know the gospel. '

Lets see what else? We met this guy Mark during "Super Secret Sacred Finding Time"...its not really called that but thats what i call it. He seems super humble and is looking to strengthen his personal relationship with God and doesnt really like organized religion. Long story short he decided to accept our invite to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. So i cant wait to go see him again. Yeah thats about it. 

Havent had much time to actually teach any full lessons but doorstep lessons and things like that we have been able to do a few things with. 

Having fun, getting frustrated, and loving it all. 

We met this guy who only speaks pharsee and that was hilarious...we think he asked for a blessing for his legs (he was on crutches) but im not sure because well he only spoke pharsee. He kissed a picture of Christ that we showed him though which was interesting. We are trying to find a translator so we can teach him the lessons. 
Hope you are all doing well. I love you all...

MY FIRST WEEK...Excerpts from letters

From a letter dated 9/12/13

Hey!
   So the lst few days have been all about tracting & street contacts, but today we met with Bishop Gardner & we got lots of formers & potentials for tomorrow so that is gonna be way fun!
We walk so much cuz neither of us have bikes yet.  My feet are sore everyday.
Anyways learning lots. In the Lakeview Ward. About 600 members, I'm probably gonna have to speak in a week or two.  :|

Love,
Elder Baker

From an email on 9/16/13

"...we met with some people and now have 3 investigators which is nice. Craig, who seems like a super nice guy but is just incredibly busy. The Robinson family who we dont know much about but should be giving us a call in the next couple days. And then there is Brian who we went and saw yesterday and OH MY GOSH remember the part on The Princess Bride when Vicinni is talking with "The Man in Black" and the man in black is just like "truly you have a dizzying intellect"? yeah well that is exactly how i felt while talking to Brian because he just jumps all over the place and asks so many deep deep questions. But we are going to see him again so that is good. 

Umm yeah other than that it rained for the first time yesterday and i tell you we were miles from home and i got drenched!!! Like it was ridiculous but eventually we got a ride from this guy which i was incredibly thankful for because i had been praying for like 20 minutes that something would happen like a ride or no more rain or something. There was also lightning and thunder which was awesome. Iv never heard such loud thunder before in my life it was absolutely one of the coolest things ever." 

"OH! Thanks for the package. Very Awesome!"

First Night in Washington!

"Hey Mom,
   So I wrote you a letter but I haven't sent it yet.  Anyways I am here in Bellevue now.  My companion is Elder Hansen.  Umm what can I tell you that isn't in my letter?
We went out a little last night and talked to some people.  It seems like our apartment complex have all been talked to cuz most of them have Book of Mormons already. All the people that we talked to seem really nice, they are all Indian which is funny but they really are kind people.
Hmm nothing much else to say so far since I haven't done much yet ha,ha.
Well I love you and I miss you.
You should get me Dad's email so I can email him sometime.

I love you,
Elder Baker"

9/10/13
Dear Family,
    So 1st day in the field, I am in Bellevue.  I can't give you all the info b/c I don't know any of it.  My companion (Elder Hansen) & I got white washed into an area and currently there is no record book so...yeah.  Did some street contacts today, wasn't even bad.  I can tell it's gonna be fun.  We talked to this one guy & he was an interesting fellow who went to BYU but wasn't Mormon.  Anyways I wasn't sure but I think I love the people already.  That's all for today.  I love you & pray for you.

Love,
Elder Baker

A picture of Bellevue, WA. In French it means beautiful view.

Temple Ordinance Worker

As the time of my mission drew near I had the opportunity to work in the San Diego Temple as an ordinance worker.  Some missionaries in our Stake, awaiting their report date to the MTC, are extended this call to serve. It is a privilege to have this opportunity to learn the deeper meaning of the temple and the ordinances and covenants that we partake in within it's walls. This was great preparation for the mission field. Today my official release came in the mail.

                                               

I'm Off to Seattle, Washington!

"How do you like sleeping in?"
   After waking up at 2:30 AM we arrived at the travel office by 3:30 AM this morning. I was the lucky winner of the title of "Travel leader". Basically that means I am supposed to be in charge of tickets and making sure everyone is there.  We (about a hundred missionaries), with all of our luggage (which is a ton) boarded a bus, that took us to a train, that took us to another train, that took us to the Salt lake City Airport, that will take us to Seattle. That is a lot of tickets! Fortunately, I ended up not having to do much because they passed out our tickets as we arrived, so... other than a lot of switching transport, there was not much to it.
After bidding my loved ones farewell until Christmas, I boarded the plane to my two year destination!  I am excited and nervous. My testimony has grown a lot. I am looking forward to getting out into the field and applying all that I have learned!
Well... the plane is leaving!

My MTC Companion and District

Me and Elder Hodson

Stamos, Hodson, Prien, Savage
Mills, Me, Carpenter, Kelly

Excerpts From My First Letter

 Dated 8/30/13


"So it's Friday my first P-day & the internet is down so I can't email!!! It's so dumb. But I am having a great time. My companions name is Elder Hodson. He is a good guy..."

"I have only been here for 2 1/2 days & it feels like a week. A good week but still a week."

"We are all really good friends already..."

"The Spirit is strong here...that's what comes from being dressed up and doing personal study like 4 hours a day & class for another 6 hours a day. It's way different than I expected though. Everything we try and do is based almost completely on the Spirit, what we learn, what we teach, what we say, Everything!"


"You are all in my prayers and in my heart."