Missionary Obedience

Written by Hoyt. H. Freeman-- Aug. 26, 2011

When I was in Toyota my first two transfers, we worked so hard and were so obedient.  It was when we were working our hardest.  We knew we had five weeks left in my second transfer, so there was time to find and baptize.  We worked.

I remember feeling really depressed one day and just thinking that our obedience and effort just weren’t working.  I felt that God was overlooking us.  I remember praying and getting a confirmation that God knew us and our efforts.  It was the next day we received a phone call from the Gurrs (office couple.)  They asked us to call a lady from the Philippines, a less active lady. 

When we called her, she was overcome with joy.  She didn’t think the Church was in Japan.  She then mentioned her daughter Veenalyn.  She gave the phone to her.  She told us over and over, “Baputesuma o uketai.” (I want to receive baptism.)  It was an answer to prayers.  She was later baptized and confirmed. 

This experience helped me to rely on the Lord.  The only success we can receive is from our Heavenly Father.  We must be obedient and wait on Him.  Surely we should do everything that lies in our power so we may see the hand of God.  This I know is true.  

So That We May Fill Those Expectations

Dear President and Sister Baird,

You have asked all the missionaries to write some life-changing experiences that we are grateful for. 

I remember once when I was in high school.  I was walking down the hall next to the lunch room when I saw a poorly aimed pop bottle on the floor next to the garbage.  As I came closer, I thought to myself, “I should pick that up.”  But my next thought was “Oh, it’s OK, it doesn’t matter.”  As I stepped over it, I realized my heart sunk a little, but I kept going.  

It was only 8 steps later that I heard a voice say, “Hoyt!”  I turned around to find Coach Kelley with the bottle in his hand.  He simply said, “Hoyt, I expected more of you.”

Those words have never left me.  It was in that moment I realized that people had expectations for me.  This caused me to ponder.  I thought instantly about the expectations God has for me and my heart began to sink.  It was from this moment I realized that God loves us.  

I came to learn that God has given us expectations so that we can grow and reach our full potential.  I testify that God loves us so much that he has sent his son Jesus Christ to accomplish the Atonement on our behalf,  so that we may fill those expectations.  These things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thank you, President and Sister Baird, for your love.  I can feel it and it strengthens me.  Thank you for having me in Toyohashi with Elder Cruz and Elder Pearson.  I love them and am so grateful for them.  Thank you for all you do.

Love, Elder Hoyt H. Freeman

January 2011 New Missionaries

Tonight, President and Sister Baird went and picked up 2 new elders at the aiport. Elder Tanida and Elder Gottfredson! They are both wonderful young men. We cannot wait to see the wonderful things they will be able to accomplish!

From left:  Elder Orme (AP), Elder Insch (AP), Elder Tanida, Elder Gottfredson,
President and Sister Baird,
Outside the mission home on the first morning.

From left:  Elder Gottfredson, Elder Tanida, President and Sister Baird

Elder Tanida (right) and Elder Freeman - Ise

Elder Takahiro Tanida is the only member of the Church in his family, but he loves them greatly and is very proud of them.  He is from Akashi, Hyogo, Japan, and was baptized in 2009.  After reading the Book of Mormon eagerly, it filled him with the spirit of God.  He is always willing to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"If there would be a "face" to this mission, it would be Elder Freeman.
He is just a wonderful example of what a missionary should be like."
(Quote from a great missionary who worked with Elder Freeman.)

Elder Gottfredson(left) and Elder Palmer- Nanao

Colleyville, Texas is home to Elder Kevin Gottfredson.  Elder Gottfredson
lived in Fukuoka while his father was a mission president.  He is 
a good cook, taking simple ingredients and combining them to form a 
more complex food that is enjoyable.

Elder Palmer has been called "a wonderful musician," by another elder.  

That elder also went on to say, "Elder Palmer was one of the 

best missionaries!  He was a miracle worker."