Last week was AWESOME. It started off with the 4th of July which I'll be honest, I did miss playing football and eating bottlecaps with the fam and laying on a blanket predicting what color the next firework would be, but we filled up the time with some parade contacting and service all day and then I just plugged my ears all night so I could pretend there weren't any fireworks happening in the world. :) We did get to see a couple trial fireworks before it really even got dark... but the morning was great! We got to go to the Yorkville parade with the Young family and we contacted tons of humans persons. Lots of not very nicers out there but hey, we had fun! We talked to a few families and I'll tell you what, it's so much easier when you have an awesome member to soften them up with small talk about "my kid is playing soccer at this place, yours should come!" Or " I couldn't believe they started the parade so late this year again, last year it was so hot! And by the way I'm a member of the church and you should come over for a fire at my house tomorrow!" They soften up (snap) that fast. Big thanks to Sister Young. We talked to a few super cute families, sister Vescovi and I would split and talk to people on our own for a while, and I noticed that she was stuck sitting next to this one lady... I walked over and sat next to them hoping this was a good discussion going on and the lady says to me "I want you to sing me the 2 by 2 song!" .... great. So there is This Book of Mormon musical that's super popular I guess, but it totally is just making fun of Mormon missionaries and they mix up doctrine... so everyone is running around like headless chickens thinking they know all about Mormon beliefs. This Book of Mormon musical thing is destroying everything out here... so I said "okay! The ants go marching two by two hurrah, hurrah!" ........ She didn't like that very much. Sister Vescovi's eyes got super big and everything got awkward real fast. 
we then went over to the hot dog stand after a few more contacts and talked to this super cool Polynesian man named Jamie! We ended up having an awesome conversation with him and gave him a Book of Mormon, and plan of salvation pamphlet! (AND then... you bet! I ate a hot dog with a bun on it! WHOOT WHOOT!!)
The rest of the week began and there was a lot to do to get Patrick's Baptism rolling. We made sure we got him fitted for his suit, I prepared a talk, we made sure everyone had the assignments done, I got to practice the cello a couple times for a musical number at the baptism, and we invited EVERYONE. I tell you what, you don't know the amount of craziness that goes behind the scenes of a convert baptism, but it is SO WORTH IT. Our awesome members were in full support! Between all of the baptism prep that week we found 2 new investigators named Lillie and Tina Jordan. They are the coolest black ladies EVER. They are older, Lillie being in her late 70's... from Alabama and straight southern hospitality with fried chicken and the whole bit. Lillie told us her life story from becoming a mom at 15 and picking cotton and corn in the heat all day... yeah she's cool. They had "two guys on bikes" show up 12 years ago and now here we were! We scheduled a return appt. And taught them the restoration and they LOVED IT. The spirit was so strong and they promised to pray about it and read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and we are going back this week! I can't even wait! The Friday before the baptism we went to the font to clean it... good thing we did because it was filled with the Beatles that pretended like they were dead until you got up close and then they would freaking SPRINT ACROSS THE TILE AND IT WAS THE SCARIEST THING EVER. I yelled for sister Vescovi to throw me a shoe over the glass and then probably looked psycho smashing all of these sprinting black things. We made it though, don't even stress.
Saturday finally came and everything went SO WELL! President and Sister Griffin came, President Bethel came, and we had 6 of our investigators come to the baptism!! The spirit was so strong, Patrick was baptized, he came out just Glowing. He truly did work hard for this and it all payed off. I was able to play the cello and everyone gave their talks and Patrick bore his testimony... everyone was just crying their eyes out including A* and it was just perfect!! After the baptism everyone went over to the Porter's for lunch and Patrick just fits right in.. everyone loves him so much and I couldn't be happier! HE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER! That night I got a call from bishop saying that he wanted me to play the cello for sacrament the next day too... so Patrick got confirmed by President Bethel (the man that interviewed him) and I played, and everything went so well! PATRICK FERGUSON IS A MORMON!! He just beams now every time you see him. Great is the work, and it's all so worth it.
This week we had a lesson with the S* family, a less active family who I just love so much. They have the genius kid who is 7 but can tell you the entire periodic table and all about these nasty cicada bugs that are here... they also have a younger son named E* who has special needs and is the CUTEST thing ever. We had an awesome lesson with them and they were able to feel the spirit again.. the kids loved it, parents loved it, hopefully they can start to come back.. I love them A TON. We went to the M* home again and shared with them the want a doughnut story, the spirit was super strong there as well and after we read it when went around and gave them each a doughnut asking them individually if they would like one. It was awesome. The mom softened up a ton and the older son (who was the reason they wouldn't join the church before, because he was pretty anti) LOVES IT. He kept saying how much he liked having us over and the things we shared. It was the BEST. We left them saying "we are having dinner with the Martin's in a couple days, we hope to see you there!" The mom then replied "OH. We don't care if we are invited or not we will BE THERE." Thank goodness they are the whole reason the Martin's have us for dinner right? AWESOME. MEMBERS. The next day we helped a CRAZY (good way)... meaning that she ca coos to her kids (kids meaning high school and 20) when she needs them to come to her and she is super loud and just all over the place lady move into her house... her name is J*. 
She is not a member, but a friend of another awesome member in the ward who had a blessing, and felt the spirit so strong! We got in the house and after folding MILLIONS OF TOWELS shared a spiritual message with her. We are scheduled back to one, help her, and are hoping to be able to teach both her and her 20 year old son M*, who has a friend serving a mission in Europe! We also helped another lady move who's motto is "when you REALLY sew, your stash is worse than the drug dealer's"... so you can imagine how that went. 
We had that dinner at the Martin's and it was so much fun. We taught everyone the gospel of Jesus Christ and made everyone have a partner and each companionship (they didn't know that yet) and principle of either faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, or enduring to the end, and they had scriptures and questions to answer. We ran in the house while they were having their companionship study and answering the questions and threw on mustaches and came out as SID AND TIM HARVEY with thick southern drawls and stories of our head mounts. We gave them our tags and each companionship had a chance to teach US. IT WAS SO AWESOME THEY LOVED IT! I'll try to get a picture of that one off... the things we do for the M* family. 
We had interviews with President. He is greatest person.. when they say you get your mission President for a reason, it's TRUE. He helps me out so much, and has the best advice all the time... all future missionaries, my advice is to get as close to you mission President and his wife as you can. He hinted that yes, there will be a change... I've never been more sad about it. I never want to leave Oswego less, but I guess we find out this next Saturday what's going to happen. Maybe he'll throw a curve ball or something... I'm so grateful for both of the areas I have served in so far. Team Elgin and Oswego for life!
We went to Plano the other day because we had 5 lessons back to back there... We went and showed up for the first one, not home. It was lunch time, so we had lunch at the CUTEST little taco shack ever. I have pictures of that one. It felt like we were in Mexico... There are neighborhoods in Plano that feel kinda like that so I have fun pretending I can speak Spanish and talking to people who literally ONLY speak Spanish... :) I love them! I so would love to be an Hermana. But alas, muy muy Blanca. We went to the next appt. And the next, and ALL FIVE ended up cancelling. We were like UH UH, WE ARE HERE FOR A REASON. We had spent all day in Plano, with no success. Right before we left we said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to help us find SOMEONE who needed the gospel in their lives... We felt like we should go back to the first appt. we went to, so we went and knocked the door again. The note we left was gone and two ladies came out! We have a return appt. :) THEN. as we drove down the road there was a group of guys on a porch I looked and thought about it.... the spirit said "YOU ASKED ME." We flipped around, got out and talked to them. They ended up being Hispanic as well and they were drinking, but the spirit was strong and we had the coolest experience. We went up and explained who we were and showed them a plan of salvation pamphlet asking about their families... the spirit took over from there. It's the coolest most spiritual experience when you bare your testimony by the spirit, not using your own words but letting them be Heavenly Father's, and watching the light in their eyes just GET IT. We gave them all Books of Mormon and have 2 return appt. To teach two of their families. THE SPIRIT IS REAL AND GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE. BE WILLING TO BE A PART OF THAT PLAN, AND YOU WILL KNOW HAPPINESS.
Last but not least, my favorite member is moving away... the " only chocolate chip in the cookie" as she calls herself.... my bff.... Betty Johnson. You know how you just click with some people? Its like you've known them for forever? That's her.
Hey. I love being a missionary if you didn't know. It is the most amazing thing I have ever done, I have never been so happy even WITHOUT the fireworks. Give your whole self to the Lord, let him show you what He has in store for you, and then work work work to make it happen. My testimony of that can be found in D&C 15:4-6.
4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.
5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.
6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.
As missionaries in Chicago we get to catch little fireflies in mason jars and watch them light up the room in the dark night... as servants of the Lord and members of His church, we need to gather as many of Heavenly Father's children as we can and keep them in our little jar of friends and help them by sharing our beliefs and being an example. When we do that, we soon find that we aren't just helping them, but they LIGHT UP OUR LIVES and THAT I can testify from experience, will be the most worth to us. How wonderful it will be to stand with them in the presence of our Father in Heaven and share with them the love that he has for all of us.
Living the gospel is the light of my life. LET IT BE YOURS. IT'S FUN! As we live the gospel with the attitude that the more we live it, better life gets and we can't get enough of it, others will find that light as well.
Matthew 5
13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said "I am the light of the world" AND "YE are the light of the world"
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let is shine! 
Love you all so much!
Love, Sista Bair
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