March 23

Where do I begin??   This has been one of the craziest most fun and most exhausting weeks of my life.  It has been go go go since the second I stepped out of the car but it has truly been amazing. 

(I am not going to go in order of how things happen, that is just way too hard.   I just want to share some the things that I've done and some of the things that I've got to experience that have been truly great.)

Ok, so one of the hardest things for me to get use to was the fact that we pray every 5 minutes.  It’s not the fact that we are praying but more so the fact that I have ran out of things to pray for ( which is a good thing because it has pushed me to say more meaningful prayers, so maybe I should say one of the best things)  Just an example of how things go... when I wake up in the morning, I  say a personal prayer, and get my hair done (10min) and then say companion prayer then finish getting ready(15 min) and then we say a prayer with the sisters in my zone, then we go to breakfast ,get the food and say another prayer….  Get the picture??   This is how it goes for the rest of the day, no lie.... But, like I said it has made me truly think about what I am doing and it has really made a difference in my prayers and my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  One of the coolest things is hearing prayers in different languages!! 

As soon as I rounded the corner, the day I got here, I saw Sister Bailey DeVries.  She ran over to me and about knocked me over, then of course the tears started rolling again, but this time because I was so so happy to see her and to be at the MTC with  a Jesus Christ nametag over my heart.   Then later that night, I got to see Sister Rachel Phillipot.  She is actually was in my zone and she was two rooms down. It was so fun to have them with me. They both left me but I’m so excited and proud of them.

The District is Great we have 4 Sisters and 5 Elders

 Elder Ikimau- He is From New Zealand and is going to Arizona 

 Elder Mann - He is From New Zealand Too and is Also Going to Arizona 

 Elder  Swallow- He is from Texas and going to Chicago 

 Elder Thiel- He is from  Wisconsin and he is Going to Chicago 

 Elder Balord- He is also form Wisconsin and he is going to Chicago

 Sister Graff-  she is from Californa and is going to Arizona 

 Sister Dominque she is from Mississippi and is going to Florida

 Sister Richensen  She is from Arizona and is going to Florida

 They are all great and they all have amazing testimonies, I have learned so much from each of them.  Their accents are so catchy and I am starting to talk like a black girl or so sister Dominques says.   She is great!!  She is a convert and has only been a member for a year and a half, but I truly think that she knows more than me. 

The spirit is so strong here and I just love been surrounded by it 24/7 

We are teaching 3 different investigators and it’s been really neat to get (for lack of a better term) to receive revelation for them, to see how the gospel has enhanced their life and how it truly blesses people. They all come for different backgrounds but they all are trying to find peace in their life and to have a relationship with God.  They are all amazing its cool to see how close and how much love you can feel for someone you just meet. 

The Temple Dedication was amazing this was the first time I heard someone pray for the missionaries and for me!!   It was so good!!  All of the MTC went to the 9:00 session.   I loved the message and as you all know I love temples so... 

the best part was singing Hosanna  and  The Spirit of God, seeing the white handkerchiefs and hearing the praises fill the room was Amazing !!!!  The spirit was sooooooo strong…everyone was crying around me...  

I love learning!!! I feel like I have been taught all these principles all my life, but I feel like I’ve learned so much since I have been here it’s unreal.

The elders from New Zealand remind me of Brodee so much!!!  They are always dancing just like him and they are always making jokes, so maybe I cursed myself but it’s been good and I haven’t even let them get to me.  I just laugh and all is good but their dancing though, it’s exactly Brodee!   He would love them. 

I am the only sister going to Chicago so that’s cool.... but I’m really excited

Mom, take what you will from this and send it everyone…more pictures to come.   I love you all!!  I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to put the name badge on everyday and to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Chris.   I LoVE YOu ALL 

Sister Kendrick!

email conversation March 23

Baylee:   MOM!!! do you have your phone on are you looking at your email !!! i have about hour and  a half to talk!!!!!

Anne:  I am!!!  I just barely looked at my email and sent Bree out to the mailbox!

Baylee:  ahhhhhhhhh..... Thank you for all the mail I Love Dear Elder its the Best!.. I miss you all but I am having a blast.  Its the best thing I’ve ever done.   It has just passed up Africa which I thought would never happen.  Having the name tag over my heart makes all the difference

Anne:  How are things going there?  Honestly??

Baylee:  I LOVE IT!!  I love learning!!  I love my zone!  It has been so great!!

Anne:   Where is your companion from?  Did you go to the temple today?  I'm glad you are enjoying the Dear Elder letters.  I didn't want to be obnoxious but I feel like I need to take advantage of it while I can! 

Baylee:  California.  Yes we did and if your want I could have the all the endowment names that we have, done in a week :) It was great

Anne:  I sent more names... You should have them tomorrow.  I will send more

Baylee:  Great how did Bordee do at his competition?

Anne:  He did okay....he didn't have anybody to compete against and he is going to move up any more levels this season so I don't think he tried very hard!  I know Melissa sent you a letter...make sure you send her a little note.  Who else have you heard from?

Baylee: Little punk !!! :) Are you still going to Vegas? ok i will send Melissa a letter is Ashley’s birthday this week or next ? Jacey wrote me a letter too and Shirley thank you for finding her address and sending her a letter

Anne:  You are welcome!!  This is the craziest thing!  I am so glad to hear from you!!  We are still going to Vegas.  That will be a lot more competition and it will be good for him!!  Ashley's birthday is tomorrow.  How is the food?  And how was the dedication?  Are you glad you are going to be there for conference?

Baylee:  the food is good i have a wrap for about every meal I’ve been really good about what I eat.... :)  The dedication was great it was sooooo good.  You can read about in my big email. Conference is going to be good but I’m more excited about Easter Sunday we are having someone big or so I’m told ... whatever that means because I feel like everyone that has come is big.

Anne:  Who else has been there?

Baylee:  Elder Gong from the seventy and Elder Bateman also from the seventy but he was just released or something 

Anne:  What does your new assignment entail?   (Sent her a picture of her “Honorable Release” from working at the temple)

Baylee:  hats Sooooooo CoooL ........ How is Bree?   Is she home?

Anne:  She was....she has been sitting here watching me act like an maniac.  She just went to Maggie's house.  She is doing good.  She is like the rest of you, doesn't show her emotions.  

Baylee:  I miss her so much!!!   I think everyone is sick of hearing me talk about my fam

Anne:  We love you!!  What part of California is your companion from?

Baylee:  Temecula

Anne:  Tell me about your new assignment

Baylee:  I am just in charge of everyone.   There was 12 sisters but four of them left.  It’s just what it sounds like.   I also have to do Relief Society and conduct ...... would you be opposed to writing a letter to a sister in my zone? Or have Bree draw her a picture

Anne:  Of course not....where is she from?   We can all write her!!  I'm so happy for you!!  Remember you didn't want to say a talk in the MTC?? I guess you are over that??

Baylee:  Mississippi.  She is a convert and she doesn’t have anyone in her family that is a member.  she doesn’t have a good relationship with her mom and.... if you just sent her a dear elder send it to the same thing as mine just address it to Sister Dominique 

Baylee:  Could you send me my personal progress strings scripture marker?  I think it is in my room but I don't think I have all the ribbons.  I left all the stamps I bought I think in my car… speaking of my car how is the sale coming along

Bryce:  Hi Pete!  Mom told me you where on here! Sounds like you are doing great.  I got your car all fixed at Charlies. It is over at Grandpa’s getting painted now.

Baylee: Send me a picture of how much it was.  My wisdom teeth are healing good. That clot came out and you should have seen it you would have freaked.   It smelled so bad 

Anne:  I was wondering about that...I just got a dental card so I will send it to you.  I hope you didn't share it with anyone!

Bryce:  This is dad. Hi... your car was about $250 . I am trading it out on work for them

Baylee:  I don’t have much more time 

Anne:  Love love love the letter!!!  And I love you!!!

Baylee:  I love you too!  Tell everyone I love them

March 16 MTC

Well, the day is finally here and what a day it was!  I wish there was a better way to send them off!  So much love and emotion in one day!  I want to thank all of you for your support.  I know each and every one of you have a special place in Baylee's heart and mine too!!  I appreciate your texts, your words of encouragement, your love and all the ways you have supported Baylee.  I will try to keep this blog updated as she sends me letters. 

Her address until April 4th is:

Sister Baylee Anne Kendrick
Apr04 IL-CHI
2005 N.  900 E.
Provo, Utah 84602

One of my missionary moms showed me this little gem:

dearelder.com

They deliver mail to the MTC every day.  As long as you have a letter written by noon, it will be delivered to her that day!!

Thanks again for everything!!