Aruba (15-18 DEC 2018)

More Christmas Decorations at the Airport

Since we arrived at the end of June, the Curacao airport has undergone some major renovations.  They have really done a beautiful job and President Baird and I have been very impressed at how they have gone "all out" in decorating for Christmas.  This Christmas Scene is right before you go through Security. 

 This time to Aruba we took our two APs with us.  Elder Durfee and Elder Buxton - they really help the mission run smoothly.

Elder Durfee, President Baird, Elder Buxton

(Just a funny little story I want to share right here.  Elder Buxton was transferred up just this last transfer to be an AP.  He is a remarkable missionary with a Love of our Savior and His Gospel that is contagious.  He is one of our Spanish speaking missionaries and is from Washington D.C.  He has served in many parts of our mission but most recently in Guyana.  In Guyana our missionaries are constantly being called "white boy" by people on the street.  Elder Buxton said to me, "Sister Baird, they would even call me "white boy".... I would just look at them like....really? "😂  I told them they must have been referring to his smile.)

Elder Richards & Elder McBride

In the Islands you are allowed to stay 180 days per year.  Elder Richards did not have enough days to finish out in Curacao so we had to have him come over to Aruba for a week.  He and Elder McBride worked so hard.  They got over 75 contacts that will keep the Aruba missionaries busy for awhile following up on.  Hot....tiring work but these two make it fun.  

Sister & Brother Lane Christensen
Here Visiting Aruba on a Cruise
He worked with Elder Jones & President Baird's Brother Brad
at Dominion Energy
another Small World story

Aruba Zone Conference

Back: Elder Buxton, Elder Jones, Elder Flynn, Elder Garcia, Elder Weiss, Elder Durfee
Front:  President Baird, Sister Baird, Sister Didier, Sister Poulson

Back: Elder Jones, Elder Flynn, Elder Garcia, Elder Weiss
Front:  President Baird, Sister Baird, Sister Didier, Sister Poulson, Sister Lindley, Elder Lindley

Elder & Sister Lindley always do such a wonderful job
with the Zone Conference Lunch!!  We were spoiled
this time with a full Christmas Dinner

Sister Poulson, Elder Weiss, Elder Jones

Elder Buxton, Elder Durfee

Elder Garcia, Elder Flynn, Elder Buxton, Elder Durfee

Elder Durfee, Elder Lindley, Sister Lindley

Sister Didier, Sister Poulson

Elder Weiss & Elder Jones

Elder Garcia & Elder Flynn

Elder Buxton & Elder Durfee

This Zone Conference we centered it around building Christlike Attributes.  One of my favorite quotes is one given by Elder Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:  "Christlike attributes are gifts we receive they are not something we "earn".  They only come by serving.  It is never about perfecting ourselves, it is ALWAYS about helping in the work and serving others.  It will never come by isolation.  Accepting and following the doctrine of Christ leads to receiving His attributes - pray for these gifts.  Combine faith and work....It is powerful!!  The more we become like Him the more we are able to help Him in His work."  We also talked a lot about setting and working for goals.  This will help in the mission as well as help our missionaries develop skills that will help them the rest of their lives.