Nov 12

Hi mom!

This week has been absolutely incredible!  Last week we had Zone Confence with President Vellinga.  We learned a lot more about how to be better teachers, and be more simple and clear.  It has really helped in every aspect of our work here in North Alliance.  We have seen miracles all week long!!  For starters, we met with our investigator Jon, who lives with the C’s.  We had a great lesson with him!  He told us that he knew the Book of Mormon was true, and wants to push up his baptism date to January!  I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and is leading us to those who are prepared.  Jon is loving the lessons, and eating up the Book of Mormon!  The whole family came to church on Sunday as well.  Jon's fiance, Julie, came for the first time in 24 years!  They weren't the only ones who came to church also!  We have been working so hard with families in the ward, like the U’s.  Tom and Sandy U haven't been to church service in a long time, and seemed excited to be there.  I really love Sandy, she cooks like you, mom! 

President Kirk and his family fed us this week.  It was a fairly interesting dinner if I do say so myself.  They put on a big surprise dinner for the missionaries every once in a while.  This was the first time they have ever done it with sisters, and it was way funny!  There isn't much more I can say other than their family is fantastic! 

The only hard part about our week was knowing about transfers a week in advance.  We found out early because I had to go to trainers meeting, since I will be training starting tomorrow.  Sister Frampton has been here a full six months, and the ward was very anxious to know if she was going or staying.  Some were praying for her to stay, but everyone ultimately knew the sad truth.  She is leaving tomorrow, and I will be staying and bringing in the new sister here.  The nice thing about transfers is that we have had some of our most powerful lessons with people.  Our investigators and the members all really put their whole heart into the lesson because they can feel it may be their last with her.  I feel very honored to be serving in this ward where the relationship between the members and missionaries is so strong!  The work here has changed so dramatically in the last 6 months, and even three months.  I will be very sad to see Sister Frampton go just like everyone else.  I do know that the Lord knows what needs to happen here though, so the changes will be for the best.  I look forward to it!

I love you all, and am grateful for your support!  Thanks for all you do for me.

Love,

Sister Bakker

Nov 4

Hi!

On the way to church in Alliance

The weather can be kinda strange since it is pretty much always grey skies, you can never tell when we are going to have rain or not.  All is well here.  Karen is still doing great!  We met with her on Halloween and had a blast with her and Sue.  We also went and visited with Sister C, who talked us in to helping her pass out candy for awhile.  We actually couldn't do a lot of work on Halloween, so we resorted to just doing a lot of service. 

Sister C, Dani, S Frampton raking leaves

This week we had interviews with President Vellinga.  He is a really sweet man.  His famous question that all the missionaries here quote, "Do you love your mission?"  He has a big heart and is very genuine.  We have Zone Conference this week, and I am looking forward to that. 

We did get an amazing new investigator this week!  Her name is Kristen, and she is 22.  She is so sweet!  She really liked the restoration, and loved Mormon Messages.  She told us that she had been hoping someone would come by that night, and just before we had been earnestly praying for a new investigator to work with.  I love when our prayers are answered so quickly! 

Sue, Karen Dani and S Frampton on Halloween

I wish I had more time to tell you about this last week, but I will send you some pictures.  I love you all! 

Love,

Sister D.K.Bakker

Oct 28

Mom,

  

So we have had a great week!  We have been working hard, rain, sleet, or even snow.  It is starting to get pretty cold out here!  Mom, I don't think you would like the winter here.  The cold is simply different.  Sister Frampton has this crazy long down coat, which essentially looks like a sleeping bag with arms.  I may have to go that route soon.  I will wait and see for a bit and hope for a more mild winter. 

We taught Karen twice this last week, and she is simply incredible!  She talks to her daughters, who are also investigating the church in their own states, all the time.  Her daughter Ally is hoping they can be baptized on the same day.  How cool is that?  She picks up on all the lessons quickly, and is eating it up.  She is trying to get her masters degree right now, and she still is willing to make time to read scriptures and meet with us often.  She and Sue fed us on Saturday.  She cooks a lot like you mom, except she made Sue's recipe for goulash.  I guess it is a Youngstown favorite.  You would love them!  I will try and get a picture with them this week.  We are going over on Halloween to help with candy, and then teach a lesson.  We aren't supposed to work on Halloween (go figure).

We started teaching Mike and Bryce.  It was a super interesting experience.  Mike is the father of two sons, Kyle and Bryce.  Bryce is 16, and really wants to know more.  Kyle is 21 and has cerebral palsy.  They don't have a couch in their upstairs living room, or really any furniture.  So we brought a member with us, who has never been teaching in her whole life.  We were all surprised when we were invited to sit on the floor in a circle and share our message.  We really brought the power of the spirit into the room.  We talked a lot about the purpose of life, and Bryce opened up a lot.  He told us how his mom had died 2 years ago, and how they had been getting along since.  Bryce definitely is interested to know what he needs to do to be with his mom again.  Mike seems far more skeptical.  Hopefully our lesson will go well this week. 

Dani and Sis Becca Williams

We have been doing a mission prep class with some of the young single adults in the stake.  One of the girls just received her mission call for South Salt Lake, meaning she is going to come stop by and say hi to you all when she gets transferred into the Draper area.  If you meet a Sister Becca Williams anytime after December 4 or so, tell her hi.  I told her you would all feed her something tasty too...  :)  The meetings are going really well, and the kids are so excited to share the gospel!  The members are really trusting us!  We meet at President Kirk's home (which is really the greatest house I have ever been in).  I can't remember if I have told you about it before.  It is in an old grange home, and it is just a little ways away from their orchard.  Right now they have been producing thousands upon thousands of apples.  We have been doing service up there, and after they give us a fresh gallon of apple cider and a bunch of apples.  The apple cider is so good!  I wish there was a good way for me to send it home to you all so you could try it. 

Well as always, I love you all, and pray for you daily.  Keep Karen in your prayers and her date.  She is trying to receive her answer about the Book of Mormon right now. 

Love,

Sister Bakker