Exchanges

March 15, 2011

The week went by at normal speed, nothin special. My new companion's name is Elder Taylor from Colorado. I am moving today, and I don't know the address. Sorry. Put on my facebook not to write me anymore, cuz I think I am gonna get to Brazil soon. The kid Elder Van de Graaff filled out his online form 2 days before I did. He was in my district!!

Anyways, while eating at some poboy shop last week, I couldn't help but somewhat pay attention to the TV, which was on CNN. I hear about Japan and all that, it sounds pretty bad. Everyone eats it up down here because they all think the world is coming to an end. We got a thing in the mail the other day that said some "expert" caculated the end of the world to be on May 21, 2011. So, at least I get the Mother's Day call before the world ends.

I need a new journal really soon. I don't know what to do though, cuz I don't want you to risk sending it and then getting my VISA. Plus I have no idea what my new address is. But I got Katie's package, luckily! I happened to be on lunch break when the UPS guy delivered it. But tell her thanks! The pictures made my day! Those are some way sweet cuff links too.

This week was just weird. I taught such a senile old guy it was ridiculous. He didn't even know where he was. He didn't even comprehend what I said and talked about some "spiritual realm" he was in. Its such a unique plac here, these people have almost nothing, but they are so prideful. Our teaching pool really sucks right now, and it seems like no one will listen! I am being patient though. I feel bad for my new comp cuz when I leave (hopefully this week) he will be on his own in an unfamiliar city! I basically know this city in and out now, its weird. But one day last week I came across a member that goes to the singles ward that served in Floripa!! So we went on exchanges and he brought a bunch of pictures and told me all about it. I am so excited to GET THERE. It almost seems too fantastic to be real. But anyways, that exchange was fun.

I went on exchanges with Elder Frampton, my ZL, and did some spanish work!! I am not very good at spanish though and they don't understand a thing I say in Portuguese. But again, he was a really fun guy. He told me a story of a Master and his servant. The master told the servant to use a basket to transfer water to a tub from a nearby well. So the servant tries to do it, but a basket can't hold too much water, so he barely filled up the tub. By morning, the water that he had filled evaporated when the sun came up. He was sad because he wanted to please is master. He went and told him he failed and the master said, no you didn't look how clean my basket is! I liked the story because the apparent reasons we are doing something may not be the important ones. (like our purpose is to baptize, but maybe God has another purpose for being on a mission)

Elder Alencar has the worst allergies. I feel bad because his eyes are swollen and he sneezes like 20 times every hour. I was wondering why I don't have any problems?? It suprises me! But you didn't answer my question about my health genes! I wanna know!
So in your Ward callings do you have to go to any meetings outside of church, like ward council or something? We have to go to ward council, and its actually fun. Imagine that, the only source of entertainment to me now is ward council! I can't believe it. Its because my bishop is so funny.

One of the members that you are gonna have to meet is named ___. He has the most southern accent ever, and is the nicest guy in town. He reminds me of Kit. But on his birthday, (I called not knowing it was his birthday) he came on exchanges with us and said, "what better way to spend my birthday than serving the Lord." It was also a good birthday present because we went to a member's house for dinner. This lady is such a good cook, and made soo much food. It is said that there are only two rules for having a party in Louisiana. 1: have food 2:don't run out of food. Seriously! they make so much food its unreal! But as we were driving to our house after than meal I realized that the grass here went green overnight. It is weird, it is like fall because the leaves are falling off the trees but the grass is super green and the weather is pretty warm!!

So I went AGAIN on exchanges with Elder Thorup, the VISA waiter for Brazil. I have spent 1/4 of my time here in Louisiana in his area, so its basically my area. I know it just as well. But we got to ride bikes again, and as usual I loved it. We help the most outrageously loud man in the world move into his new house. His name is _____. He is a GIGANTIC african american guy and is a professional chef at LSU. He is so loud and laughs at everything its so funny. Its like a character in a movie that the director overdid because his behavior seems like it wouldn't be possible in real life. You gotta meet him, he lives in the first ward. Haha he is so funny. A really really good cook too!

I had a dream that we went to Lava Hot Springs the other night. I always loved that trip. I remember when I bet dad that a sign said something and he thought it said something else. I won, obviously, and he had to buy me a sword. I hope that tradition never dies!! I love it there! I remember going there and fishing with grandpa and the fish spitting the hook in my nose too.

Well thats all I've got this week. You gotta set up that picture website!! I have so many funny pictures, you guys are gonna die.


I love you and miss you. I can't wait to call!!!

Elder Baker