Week 1

Hi everyone!!!!!! Mom if you could forward this to EVERYONE that would be great!! So my p-day is Tuesday just so you know. :) Man I can honestly say the first week here was the hardest thing I have ever done. Every little bit of me thought I wasn't going to be able to do this... I was just really home sick and nobody here speaks good English!!!!!! But, I just remembered what everyone said about waiting till Sunday so I kept waiting and every day got a little better! But, truly by Sunday it got a lot better. I read my scriptures AND PRAYED so MUCH!!! I finished 1st Nephi in 5 days haha. Within the first week I taught an investigator 3 lessons in Spanish! And I can pray and share my testimony in Spanish too! It really is awesome here! Once I got used to the food it got a lot better. But, I am so excited to leave the MTC and get to El Salvador already!!!! My companion's name is Elder Peck! He is from Lehi, Utah and we get along great!!! He is awesome. We share a dorm with two other companions...Elder Brown and Elder Iverson. They are so funny and we all spend so much time together!! The other companionship is Elder Rojas and Elder Perez and they are natives! They are HILARIOUS!!! The MTC is great...and once you get used to things it gets a lot better!!! I love you all and miss you so much!! a little thing for my family.... I think about you all everyday and hope you are doing great!!! I'll be sending letters soon but they are out of stamps right now!!! I'll send pictures too... I just have to figure out how to do it!! Hahaha! Well I love you all so much and I'll talk to you later!!

elder baker

Hi dad!! I sent mom the long email so read that. The first week here was so hard!!! I really wanted to just come home. But I made it till Sunday and it really is so much better!!! I went through the temple today and it was crazy in Spanish!! I love you so much!!!!!!!

Elder Baker & Elder Peck

The El Salvador Temple

He Made It...Safe and Sound!!

August 20th--Received my first email!

Hi mom! I’m here! The flight went well and there was a lady that saw me say bye to you all so she waited for me on the other side of security and walked me to my gate! Its been raining the entire time I’ve been here! When I landed I walked into the airport and almost hit my head on the roof of one of the hallways! haha There were a lot of missionaries there with me so it was nice to have others to do everything with! I’m about to go meet my companion and I don't have a lot of time to write you because I had some trouble getting into my account but if you could mail me my temple recommend that would be great! Haha you would think I would remember something like that! I love you so much and make sure to let everyone know I got here safe!! Its awesome here:) I'll talk to you later!!! I'll try to find out soon when my P day is!!! I've got to go though so if you respond I wont see it till when ever my p day is!! Love you all so much.

Tracking the Flight!

Tuesday, August 20th--still!

We weren't sure if we would be notified regarding his arrival to Mexico City or the MTC.  We pretty much had to rely on faith.  We did, however, track the flight!  It helped.  

We knew the flight arrived and our boy was on his way!

The Hardest Thing I Have Ever Loved To Do!

Tuesday, August 20th, 2013

It was time.  We woke Colten up, early on the morning of Tuesday, August 20th, 2013.  I don't think any of us actually slept well..if at all.  However, ready or not, he had an early morning flight to catch--non stop to Mexico City, Mexico, where he would enter the Mexico City Missionary Training Center.  He would spend the next 6 weeks learning things about himself he didn't know, finding strength he did not know he possessed, he would develop a love of the temple and scriptures that he had never before experienced, he would learn to turn to his Father in Heaven--because mom and dad wouldn't be right there to listen and help make it better, and would begin to learn the Spanish language.  But, first we needed to get to the airport and get him on that plane!

Joined by lots of friends and family, once checked in and at the gate, we waited.  

They laughed, joked, cried, shared stories, and simply spent time together.  

However, at the front of everyones' minds was the knowledge that he would have to say goodbye, walk away from his friends and family, and board a plane to Mexico City that would ultimately 

get him to El Salvador for the next 2 years of his life.  

Then...it was time to say goodbye.  

Tears flowed, but the Spirit was so strong!  

First the friends...

DJ

Seth

Brandon

They had done a group hug as each of them left...the circle kept getting smaller.

...and then they laughed!  Because that is what they do! 

Then it was time to say goodbye to his family...

Fred

Haley

Jace

Riggs

Gage

Grandma

Grandpa

Then it was time

...and I thought my heart would literally break!  

Then he had to turn and walk away...

...he didn't look back.  Can't say that I blame him.  

It was undoubtedly one of the two most difficult days of my life.  

There was a kind woman, waiting for him on the other side of the security checkpoint.  

She helped make sure he got where he needed to go.  

Bless her.  

Colten, I will miss you, everyday, for the next 2 years! 

August 19, 2013

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Colten and Mom were able to spend a chunk of the day together...finishing up the last minute stuff that needed our attention.  My sweet boy was exhausted.  While driving home, he fell asleep in the car...just like he did as a young boy.  I remember watching him sleep and thinking that was more than likely the last nap he would be taking for 2 years.  As tears rolled down my face, I was beginning to realize just how long 2 years was going to be. 

That afternoon, during some quiet time, Colten asked if he could give me (his mom) a blessing.  What an amazing experience it was, having my son lay his hands on my had and give me a blessing of peace and comfort.  I am not sure how I was blessed with such an amazing son!  I am so grateful I am the mom of Colten Bruce Baker.

That night, Elder Colten Baker was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  What a blessing to our family!  To have so many testimonies shared, followed by President Palmer giving him such a powerful blessing...the spirit was palpable.

Following the setting apart, Colten was joined by many friends that wanted 'one last chance' to talk, laugh, cry, share stories, and reminisce enough to get him through the next two years.

Colten took the time to send out one last tweet...