Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Guest Post: Sorella Baer

folks. Missionary work is the merriest thing that EVER happened. It's so wonderful. Dangggggg. 

I had the most interesting experience this past week. A member was closing a lesson with a prayer, and I had this weird mental flash-forward to the moment when I will get released. It was so bizarre. I like watched myself get released, and have to take my tag off. Goodness, it was so hard to watch. It made me so emotional as I imagined this experience one day ending. Yes, I still have a little under 6 months-- but it's flying. I just hope y'all know, that I love being Sorella Baer. Yeah, I guess being Kelsey Baer is pretty aight, but being Sorella Baer is soooooo much more rewarding. 

Ad esempio, yesterday we had a giant dirigenza (leadership) meeting with other ZL's, STL's and DL's. there are only 6 companionships of STL's and we have to travel all over Italy! actually, I'll get to do 3 exchanges each transfer in Bergamo-- shout out to Dev and his favorite city! Our mission has grown immensely with 243 missionaries. it's outta control. I got to see my homegirl Sorella McCann. World's best. I was so rejuvenated talking about what it means to lead; cioè to serve. All we do here is serve, serve, serve. We watched this video about Christlike attributes and two that stuck out to me were: submissive and servant. In these days, the only type of energy I attain is from the grace of Jesus Christ. He empowers me, and all I can do is submit to His will and serve Him. I'm 110% at His service, and I love it. Other missionaries can attest to this: but one of the sweetest experiences we have is that we never need to think of ourselves. Our entire mentality is about others. I love it, it's so special. 

The Lord is blessing me immensely. These past weeks have been kind of tough. Because physically, I'm starting to feel of the burdens and trials I've had to overcome in the past months. I was having such a hard time resting and sleeping at night. Satan had been exerting all forces to discourage and distract me. Mercy, it was tough. I remember telling my companion, ''I hate to say this, ma mi sento molto debole.'' which I means, ''I feel really weak.'' I then received the strongest impression to ask for a blessing. Which is hard for me to do, seeing as I've only done it one other time in the mission .I decided to ask Anziano Lovett, our Zone Leader, after the conference yesterday. As soon as his and his companions' hands were on my head, I felt relief. I felt lighter. Literally, physically, lighter. He promised me some remarkably sweet blessings and I can bear witness, as I always have, of the reality of Priesthood power. That turns boys into men, where they can use their hands, to fulfill His work. It was a really special experience. 

On to other thingssss, I have an Italian companion. And I adore her. Yes, obvs culturale differences exist. But I only love her more for it. She teaches me so much (not just about the lingua) and we love our little Pavia. She makes me laugh all the days and it's wondrous! I took to the amazing place with Siciliano food, because she's proprio Siciliana, and so I needed to see if it was as buono as I thought it was. Yup, she approved:)

We are working hard with less-actives, and we actually had one come to the church for the first in 15 years! it was incredible to see how excited the ward was to have her back. 

We're teaching lots of people, and are sempre in giro. AMO ITALIA! We're hoping to find more investigators, who can progress and have proprio un desidero d'avvicinarsi al Signore.

I'm so sorry. I don't even know how to speak english anymore. I'm ruined. especially with an italian companion! who knows what I say these days!

comunque. This work is so divine. I feel inexplicably privileged to bear His name, and do exactly what He would do if He were here. I love when others on the street recognize as ''different... with a light''. It strengthens me and reminds me that we truly are in this world, not of the world! we are called to serve, and set apart! how blessed we are! how great is our calling!

fate i bravi! go and hug my fam. make good choices. cheer on BYU with all of their sports (#imsigningupforclassesanditscrazyyyy) and please, please, make your relationship with the Lord and your family your TOP priority.

con tutto del mio amore,
Sorella Baer

p.s. I love you.
p.p.s. I'm CONVINCED that Italy has the best food and prettiest language. 

Friday, February 21, 2014

Mothers...

Well I think it is pretty widespread knowledge that I am a mama's girl. 
Literally, from the day I was born, I had this special connection with my Mom. I think it is safe to say that her and I were/are the best of friends. Today is February 21, and ya know, 29ish years ago, little Lori Lynn Hansen came into the world and started a legacy of righteous, and powerful womanhood.
So in honor of this marvelous lady, I am going to do a blog post all about my marmie. 

First of all, she is MARMIE, not MOM, due to a family favorite film, Little Women. She is our marmie. Marmie has always been there for us, whether it is holding our hair as the stomach flu makes it's rounds. She has always blessed our incredibly hungry family with the BEST food in the whole wide world. (including sending some of her homemade goodness to the MTC as we prepared to head out on our missions) 
Whenever Marmie comes home from the store and has bought us a surprise she'll walk through the door and yell,"WHO LOVES ME!". Literally, any of us kids knows that means Mom got us somethin' good. 

Mom has always been creative, making cards and handouts that make even the CEOs of ProvoCraft drool with jealousy. (yeah I just made that phrase up) 
Marmie sends hilarious pictures and quotes through text or email at just the right times of day. Seriously. It's awesome. 
I know sometimes we make fun of her, but she has amazing dance moves. This lady can rock. She can play guitar hero like nobody's business, she can dance, she's good at wiffleball, and she's just plain awesome! 

Now let me get a little more serious. Mom has been a rock through so much. She is truly an elect lady. She has stayed faithful through wayward children, sending three of her own off to Europe for 18 months to 2 years, she's put up with the stubbornness that seems to flow through our Baer veins. The thing that has struck me most, however, is how she has stayed strong caring for my Dad. This woman has seen the love of her life, fighting to stay alive...and she didn't waver. She was even strong for not just us kids, but friends, and visitors of all sorts. 

We have a family motto, "For ever, For Always, No Matter What" and my Mom has taken that to heart. She lives it. I know it most certainly CANNOT be easy for her to do all that she does, but I also know that this woman has so many rich celestial blessings in store for her. 

I love my Mom dearly, and I am so grateful to have had such a miraculous woman raise me, and be my best friend.
So, here's to you Marmie. Happy birthday!
I love you!


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Day One....again

Here's the thing. We're starting over. Again. Papa's ICU adventure is over, as most of you know. And he is now home. (which is still rather unbelievable to me) So we are starting over, again. Another new life.

As nervous as all of us were about this change, nothing could have been more fulfilling as the big "welcome home" we had. From my perspective, I was driving home to welcome Papa back, but when I turned onto our street, there were cars lining both sides of the road....yellow bows and balloons decorating the front lawn. As I made my way inside the house, bows and balloons did not stop! There were even signs and hearts everywhere, along with all of our loving neighbors who have taken such good care of us...

But the best sight, by far, was walking in and seeing Papa, in his rightful place....relaxing in his lazy boy. :)
Over the past three months, I know that as we have walked the halls of our home, looked room to room, we have wondered if Papa would ever return...would he be able to see the house decorated at Christmas again? Will there be an empty chair at Thanksgiving? These questions have been playing on repeat since day 1.

But on Monday, the 3rd of February, 2013, Papa finally came home. This is a modern day miracle people. We have witnessed so many, and this is another one to add to the "miracle cache" that we have as a family. So thank you, friends, family and supporters. We would definitely not have made it this far if it weren't for you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

With such fantastic news, you do need to be aware that Papa still has some serious stuff that he is working through. Because of the strokes, he has developed something called central sleep apnea. which prohibits him from sleeping without breathing assistance. So we had this guy come and bring him a machine called a VPAP which is like a temporary, non-invasive ventilator for when he sleeps. 
So we are working on that, and he is always on oxygen to help him with his CO2 levels. Aside for that, he still doesn't have a swallow, but we have people who are going to be coming and working with him on that. He is becoming increasingly independent in other areas as well. He as a walker to aid his walking. (obviously) A wheelchair for travel. Ummmmmmmmmmmmm and we as a family are trying to play brain/memory games to improve his cognitive abilities. So yeah, if you know of any good ones, let us know!

Thank you again for all of your help and support. We love you! Also, here is a sweet video that really touched my heart his week. 

Love you!
The Baers


Oh and some photos of the decorations!





Guest Post: Sorella Baer


NBD. PAPA BAER CAME HOME!!!! ahhh auguri! goodness sakes. miracles happen. I wish I could express how truly blessed I feel. Nope, can't sum it all up.

But my heart is sooooo full. Well folks. Other reasons, why my heart is so full?

uno. it snowed so so so so so hard this week! and Italians take the snow like champs. we're talking biking in the snow, while holding an umbrella (pic attached as evidence)... oh my I'm obsessed with these folks. Sor. Carter and I got stranded in some random paesino without a train, in the SNOWWWW. did we despair?! NOOOO! 

due. Xenia, our new convert, is the best person I know. She's literally going diritto al cielo. mamma mia, non posso lamentarmi!

tre. we had a zone conf yesterday, and I was reminded just how excellent our mission truly is! I love these people! with all of my heart!

quattro. I've never eaten better food in all of my life. it's fine.

cinque. I've never been closer to my Savior, and I LOVEEE being a missionary. Absolutely love it.

sei. Sor. Carter and I are teaching errbody! we're stoppin' errbody! it's so fun! We just love talking to everyone and giving everyone the opportunity! 

sette. I'll have a niece literally ANY DAY now. I can't handle it!

otto. I'm speaking the language of dreams all day errday.

nove. We're out teaching, 9 hours a day, and I love it all. We're reactivating quite a few people, and that is some of the most rewarding work! Sorella Carter and I both love people easily, and so we're able to transmit this love with many, and it brings the spirit subito. 

dieci. MY DAD IS HOMEEEEE.

basically, I can't focus on anything else right now. I greatly apologize! thank you everyone for all of the prayers and support. On behalf of the Baer family, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! 

grazie di cuore, i miei cari! non posso esprimere quanto sono grate per tutto ciò che avete fatto per me a la nostra famiglia, ma, spero di rendervi fiero di me cosi lontanta da casa. Sto servendo per voi, e per il mio Signore, chi io amo con tutto del mio cuore!

la vita è bella. folks. it really is. think about it:) please please serve each other! and go visit my family! I can't, so I plead that those of you that can, GO!

One last spiritual insight? our faith in Jesus Christ ONLY grows as we STUDY His word, and the LIVE it. Please read and feast deeply from the Book of Mormon DAILY. It's the only way that we can be protected from temptation, receive revelation, feel the Spirit, and in all actuality, qualify for heaven-- because we have been COMMANDED to do so. Couple scripture study with prayer, and the blessings of the Lord are ours. 


con tutto del mio amore,
Sorella Baer

p.s. I love you.
p.p.s. Pavia has the number one university in all of Italy! we're totally tappin' into this excellent resouce and finding people to teach! 
p.p.p.s. last week I went to Pavia's castle  and so a Monet exhibit. goodness. europe rocks.