Welcome to Chile!

Dear Family of Sister Baer,

Sister May and I are delighted to inform you that we have welcomed Sister Baer to the Chile Concepción South Mission
We went to the Mission office for almuerzo (lunch) after welcoming her to Concepción. Enclosed is a photograph taken on that occasion in the Mission office. Later we had an orientation meeting in which your daughter met Sister Bazaes Loarte, her first companion and trainer. Sister Bazaes Loarte is an excellent missionary and was prayerfully chosen for this calling.

They are assigned to work in the Lebu Zone, in the Los Alamos 2 sector of our mission.

The initial mission experience requires many adjustments. The most important support that you, as a family, can give your missionary is to write regular strengthening and supportive letters. Missionaries anxiously await letters from home!
You can correspond with your missionary in one of two ways. She should have contacted you by email on her day of arrival through her church sponsored email account. It is the only email account she is permitted to use during her mission. If you prefer writing letters or would like to send a package, you may do so at the following address:

Sister Noelle Baer
Misión Chile Concepción Sur
Castellón 1063, Casilla 3560
Concepción, Biobío, Chile

Mail to and from Chile can be slow at times, but usually arrives eventually. Packages arrive most successfully when sent through the USPS Priority Mail. We discourage the use of DHL, UPS, or FedEx because of previous experiences.

We are grateful for the sacrifices that are being made by your family and by your missionary to serve the Lord at this time. We feel honored to serve as her Mission parents and will strive to help her have a positive mission experience.

Thank you for your prayers and your support.

Sincerely,
President Richard D. May
Chile Concepción South Mission

Estoy Seguro Po

Hi fam.

Quickest letter to say we arrived in Concepcion - the most beautiful place.
P day is Monday.

Toodles.
-Hermana Baer


Taken at the Mexico MTC, Sept 24, 2017

 Cousins: Lauren Baer, Noelle Baer, Stephanie Sorensen (serving in Riverside, California) 9/24/2017

What's the Bye Word Again?

This week, a brand new Elder visited with us to practice introductions in Spanish and at it was muy bienueno at the end he was like, "K cool, thanks a bunch, and uh, what's the bye word again? Adidas?" And we were like, "¿Adios?" and he was like, "uh, probably. Bye." Elders are pretty amazing. We're really grateful for their examples to us. Also, I thought this was an appropriate title for this week because it's the last week we're here in the CCM and next time you hear from us it'll probs be in CHILE!!??!!

But, this week was just like every other week in the CCM. Except for the enormous earthquake, and the fact that we're completely packed, and our district is having a Christmas Countdown, and also that so many other crazy things happened. But all just little different things.

Well, let's get to it, we know why you're all really here. Ya want the dirty about the earthquake. Well, there we were. Eating lunch. In the Comedor. Suddenly, it feels like someone is cutting their meat way too hard and shaking the tables. We all kind of quiet down, a bit confused. Eerie silence. then BAM Mother Nature is losing her mind and the windows are waving and then the sirens go off. Everyone jumps ups and leaves everything and runs out the doors. (Except that I defs grabbed my chocolate bar on the way out. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don't think I can apologize for that.) Hermana Ellis was muy scared, and it was very cute because in her panic she grabbed my hand for a hot sec. ;) We all ran outside to the designated safe areas, and it was so strange. The ground was moving, but all in different directions. It was kind of like being on a boat, or a moving vehicle, or something else, but it didn't feel real at all. It was like a weird dream. We spoke with some brand new Hermanas from Mexico, and they said it was very common in Mexico to have earthquakes like this one, and even more common in Chile. It's only Big, in Chile, if it's over 7. Something to look forward to.
Anyways, we stood outside for a long while then went back into lunch and the day went on like normal. Except that the new missionaries who were scheduled to arrive were now stranded at airports all over the place - some in Mexico, and some back in the States.

Again, we have received a witness of the Miracles of the Lord. We had a drill at 11 that morning, and then an earthquake at 1. Everyone knew exactly what to do and where to go (remember the weird green circle thing with arrows in that one photo of the road?). The 7.1 Mag earthquake here measured only a 5.1 within the CCM walls. Nothing was damaged or broken, everyone was safe, and I don't think we even lost power. Church is True. The Missionaries are praying for the people affected by the turmoils all around the world. We know that the Lord lives and loves His children very much, and we know he watches over them.

Okay, now for the rest of the week. The Boring Stuff.

-Our district is celebrating a Christmas Countdown (Sept 25 is Christmas). We made/scavenged a tree. It is perfectly hideous. Photos attached.

-We had Hot Cocoa, and Secret Santas - I got some flippin sweet shower sandals and three skittles. Today we will be taking photos for our christmas card - coming soon, and caroling later this week.

Noelle's & Lauren's tags - blue stickers mean they're in the last week

-We had to be packed today so we would be prepared for leaving Monday probably around 4:30 PM.
Our checked bags had to be under 50 lbs and the carry-on under 17. What a pleasant surprise. But again, miracles are real. My bags weigh 49.7, 36, and 17 exactly. I practically have room to spare! God is good. Except that we just have to live out of our suitcases for a week, and hope that the weight doesn't change much. Why do bad things happen to good people?

-We don't have our travel plans yet, but hope to send them your way soon.

-We have finished teaching our investigators, and now we just go to a billions of classes instead. what fun.

I think that's probably not all, but mostly just the important things. Probably. Wow. Thanks for reading all these words. they were a lot. Maybe too many.

See you all on the Other Side,
-Hermana Baer

PSYCH. MORE WORDS Photos:
1. It's fabulous in it's atrociousness.

2. I dunno if you've already seen the Facebook page, but this is kinda what the CCM looks like. Kinda.

3 & 4. Uh.... we work hard to look this good.

Thanks to Hermana Ellis for this classroom photo.

Thanks to the Mexico MTC Facebook page for this peaceful scene.

 

I'm Shook!

¡Hola, Padres!

Just so's y'all know, we experienced a 7.1 earthquake today during lunch. It was all very exciting, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow for me to tell you that I survived and some other juicy details about it. We're just supposed to spoil the surprise and let you know we are all safe here at the CCM. Spoiler Alert.

Toodles

 -Hermana Noelle Baer



This photo from the Mexico MTC Facebook page

 

Um.......Phenomenal?

This week felt like every other week. I don't think it was good or bad. Like most weeks here on the mission, it's a rull thrill - ups and downs. Super great fun/spiritual experiences and also so many times when I'm ready to not be a missionary anymore.

Sorry to say there just isn't much to report. Except that Mexico experienced its largest earthquake in 100 years. I guess you might say, it really.... shook things up around here. :}

I probs shouldn't joke about it because the entire planet is in turmoil right now. Know that the missionaries pray for the people all around the world everyday, and we are all very grateful for the prayers of the members. It's because of faithful prayers that Hermana Ellis and I didn't even wake up. Our empty water bottles didn't fall, and nothing in our house or around the MTC was damaged at all. In fact, the earthquake alarms didn't even go off here. I guess miracles are real, and the church is true, or whatever.

But there has been an awful lot of talk about all the events around the world - we get pretty excited to hear about what is going on outside The Wall. Here's what's going on inside The Wall:

• Our district set a new record for most bowls of cereal eaten: Elder Mitchell ate 17 bowls of cereal, Elder Souter had 14 bowls, and Elder Clare had 12. Every member of our district. We all (the remaining 6 of us) had a bowl of cereal out of respect and honor. That was a rather dangerous amount of cereal. It was also really kind of terrible to watch. 


• Our district set a new record for the most number of windows broken in the same amount of days. Just guess.


• Our district set a record for most cups stacked without falling. probably close to 23.


• Our district set a record for most new records broken/set. Also maybe most dumb challenges. 

Hermana Ellis and I are really great friends and also companions. She really is the best. She's a cosmologist and she always looks amazing. *see photos* She even cut my hair today! 6 inches off! it feels so healthy and happy. She's fun and always has great things to add to our lessons and study time. She's from Alpine, Utah, and lived right across the street from me last year. I didn't even know it. Small world.

I can't even imagine not having her as my companion, but we're almost done with our first transfer! ¡Que Extravagante! It will be weird to say goodbye. But I'm positive we will see each other again because we will both be living in Provo and also speaking Chileno.

Our investigators are doing so much better, and we're not really sure if it's because the Gospel has that effect on people, or because we're learning everyday, or because they just had pity on the dumb Americans.

I really love the Spanish language even though I'm pretty remarkably bad at it. Here's a spiritual tid-bit from our Rama 9 Presidente [Branch 9 President], Iván Betancourt:

"Remember that to be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous."

That's pretty neat.

Have some one photo. It's Hermana Ellis. She's really too fabulous to capture on film, but we did the best we could with what we had.

The bonus photo is Hermana Ellis at the CCM. I'm standing right behind the Camera.

Hasta luigi -

Hermana Baer

Did you die??*

Sadly, yes.

But I lived.

*title quote from Ice Age 3

Hi, I'm writing to  let you know that there was like an 8.1 earthquake last night here in Mexico, but we are all just fine. We didn't even wake up and nothing in our casa was affected. Miracles are real, or whatever. 

Don't panic. All is well. 

toodles

-Hermana Baer

The Bird Made a Poop on You

The third week in the CCM is very much like the first two weeks, but with slightly less confused wandering.

The good news is that I think we're learning some stuff about the gospel and also about Spanish. Who'd a thunk it.

This week, as we were sitting outside under the wet trees studying the Book of Mormon, I heard a little splat and looked over at Hermana Ellis, who was looking rather confusedly back and forth between the tree tops and a little white mess her dress. No need to keep anyone in anticipation, it was definitely bird poop. Straight up a rude little bird pooped on her. After cleaning up, we told our teacher, Hermana Espinosa, what happened and of course asked how to say it in Spanish. She told us it's "Pájaro hizo popó en usted" which translates literally quite nicely to "the bird made a poop on you."
Probably the funniest thing that we've said in Spanish intentionally. Also this. The Elders in our district have a little contest amongst themselves to see who can fit in the cupboards in the back of the classroom and also who can do it for the longest. Hermana Ellis and I wonder how dumb the Elders can get sometimes. We also definitely fit in all the cupboards, in case you were wondering. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ One day, we walked in as the Elders said they were running through a "drill." When asked what the cuss that was, they related their entire plan to us. While one Elder distracted Hermana Espinosa in the hall, the rest of the Elders would quickly hide in the cupboards, and when she came back she would be like: "Where es meye Elderes?" (or where is my Elders, in English). Man they were pumped. And they could get everyone in the cupboards in under 45 seconds. It was quite a sight. As respectful representatives of Jesus Christ, we couldn't just stand by and watch them do the stupid thing. So of course we asked how we could help. In the end, the plan was as follows:
One Elder distracts Hermana Espinosa in the Hall, the Elders quietly rush to their cupboards and we help them by making sure the doors closed on them - which may or may not have included using the door to really mash 'em in there good so it closed. Once everyone was in position, we would go outside under the pretense of needing water. and then walk in to be just as surprised as everyone else when all the Elders were gone. What a great plan. 

When the time came to do it, and the Chosen Elder said, "Hermana, can I talk to you for a sec in the Hall?" we all looked at each other like l:} It went swimmingly. The elders just scuttled into their places. Weirdest thing to see. Hermana Espinosa was completely surprised and confused. And we were like, "I dunno, Hermana, did they jump out the windows?" Her face was priceless when they all came out of the cupboards........Why are we even missionaries? 

But cereally, we are learning a lot and growing spiritually as well. We even have fun sometimes, despite the rules about being gospel robots.

The Good News of the Gospel really blesses lives, including mine. Sorry that this letter wasn't very spiritual, but it can be difficult to translate spiritual experiences to words. I'll work more on spiritual developments next week, and keep a record of the good spiritual things that happen.

ALSO AND LASTLY Have some photos of my unnaturally pale face! And also my beautiful companion. Also some other things.

1.The streets of the CCM 

2. Hermana Ellis and I and also a tree.

3. The District. (Elder Souter - the tall blonde in the back is going with us to Chile Concepcion Sur)

Also this photo sent to Mom by Lauren:  H Baer and H Ellis

Sisters and companions

Thanks, Mexico MTC facebook page!

Hermana Ellis, Hermana Noelle Baer, Hermana Lauren Baer, Hermana Robbins

30 August 2017 - Rice tacos. Every day.

For every meal. It's not that I'm tired of eating rice tacos, it's just that I never want to eat one again. Ever. 

Hola, Familia y amigos,

Thanks to everyone for thoughts and prayers. This week finds us all in good health.

This week went by much more quickly than the last few weeks. I think P-day makes all the difference.

Last Wednesday we went to the temple, and it was wonderful. I really enjoyed being able to take a little trip outside what the Missionaries here refer to as THE WALL. Because that's what it is. A giant, stone wall with barbed wire and stuff at the top. The CCM is like a tiny prison paradise. What a blessed place to be. 

In all seriousness, it was a very stark reminder of life outside the CCM and just how different it is from our lives in Utah and other places, as well as our lives with the light and knowledge of the Gospel.  (Week two and I'm already using missionary speak. Gross.) 

The temple here is the largest operating temple outside of the states, but it is still so small compared to Utah temples. It's also kind of smack in the middle of the city, just like, boop. A temple. It is very beautiful though.

This week in our lessons at the CCM, we got two new investigators, Gabriél and Amelia. Gabriel is like exactly the same as our last super *coughdifficultcough* awesome investigator. We were told that he was Catholic and had a wife and three kids and was interested to find out how the gospel could make his family more happy. We prepared a lesson on how the restoration allows families to experience joy together in this life and in the next, and making super great comparisons to families, like how God is our loving father who wants to hear from us just like a father love to hear from theiidr ks. We began our discussion with him by asking him about his family.

Us: Hermano, tell us about your family.

Him: What do you want to know?

Us: well, what do you like to do with your family? 

Him: Nothing really. I just like to play x-box and fútboll. 

Us:.... Well, don't you like it when your children talk to you, say thank  you...?

Him: Not really. I guess, I don't really like to spend time with them. 

Us:.......cool. Hermano, our message can bless your family. Do you believe in God?

Him: Who? 

Then he asked all sorts of wild questions about why Mormons are so rich and what is a prophet and why do we bother serving missions. I think he is just trying to fight with us. :( We weren't prepared at all for an encounter like this, which is eye opening, but also frustrating. 

Our other investigator is a wonderful woman who is a sincere investigator and goshdarnit we love her. She is helpful and asks great questions and we are really excited for her to receive the gospel. 

Hermana Ellis and I are progressing well in our Spanish ! Yay for being able to communicate. 

Missionary work is long and hard, but definitely rewarding. 

Okay. That's all. Great. Bye.

-Hermana Baer

P.S. Sorry for still no photos, but after the trial of your faith, you will receive the images you desire. 

Mom: Are your investigators real investigators? Or are they members who volunteer to come to the CCM to give you someone to practice on?  (All of my teaching opportunites at the Provo MTC were to really nice, clean-cut, garmet-wearing people who had "never" heard of the church before . . . )

Noelle: Yeah so the investigators are actually our teachers. We all love our morning, Hermana Maestra, but we all - the whole district - struggle to love and work with our Afternoon Maestro. It's nice because then our lessons can be directly related to how to improve.

BUT We will be really teaching people from outside THE WALL tomorrow. hah. hoo. oh no. 

 I love my Taos. they are my bestest shoes. Thanks for them.

I finally saw Elder Larkin - so a confirmation that he is still here. 

Hermana Ellis and I have set some major goals to be on time. Things are definitely improving. Progress. 

 

[responding to Dad's letter]

Yes, Hello, Hi.

Hurray for you and Evan singing together! I'll be sure to watch for you both. And also where you're sitting.... 

Thank you for sharing your spiritual thoughts. Sometimes I feel like the beautiful parts of the gospel get lost in all the training here at the CCM. 

I sure miss you guys and I miss Pasta too. 

This week, I feel like I got a small part of an answer about why the custard I have to serve a mission D&C 100: 3-8. I still really hate being a missionary, and I always wish I didn't have to do it, but this helped me a little.

We are headed back to the temple today, which is great, but also sad because I was kind of hoping to go later when my Spanish was better and also as kind of a last hurrah before leaving. but whatever. I'm not upset. 

Mexico smells weird, and I sure miss all of you.

toodles.

-Hermana Nol

23 August 2017 - Is this gonna be forever??

Dear Fam and Friends,

The CCM (Say-say emay) is a neat place. The weather is temperate and sunny in the morning and afternoons, and then in the evenings, it pours and we have massive thunderstorms. 'Tis the rainy season.

My Compañera is Hermana Ellis. She is one fly servant of the Lord. I'm really lucky/blessed to have been paired with her. God knew no one else would put up with my bizznizz all the time. She's a cosmetologist and went to UVU. She lived in Carriage Cove, with is right next to Branbury! Small world. She is super fun and we even get each other's movie quotes. 

Hermana Ellis and I are the only Hermanas in our district. The other eight Elders are doofs. We have a lot of fun and sometimes not a lot of studying on accident. :] 

The first few days at the CCM were. The. Worst. We were constantly late and always in the wrong spot and also none of the workers here speak English because of Mexico. On the very first day, some of the sisters in our casa said that this first day as missionaries was better than Christmas. I was like," :|    no."  I had the "Forget yourself and go to work" quote read to me over 600 times. I also might die of old age here at the CCM because it feels like an eternity or two has passed. 

But that's okay because it's a fast and VERY STEEP learning curve. Hermana Ellis and I taught our first investigator on Thursday, and gave the lesson entirely in Spanish. His name is Allen. Here are some lesson highlights from the past week:

Us: Hermano Allen, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptised by someone who poses the proper priesthood Authority from God? 

Allen: Si

Us: We will be holding a baptismal service September 12. Will you prepa-

Allen: Tres Semanas?? (Three weeks?)  No. I'm not ready that soon.

Us: Hermano Allen, we know you can be ready in three weeks, but this is you baptism, and it's important for you to be comfortable with your date. Will you pray to know what date is right for you?

Allen: Si. June 30. 

Us:......... Will you pray to know what day is right for you? 

Allen. Si. it is June 30

Us: :] okay Allen. 

Allen: Can I have a party after my baptism? 

Us: Si, if you want, there can be a little celebration.

Allen: Good, because I want there to be music, and food, and my friends, and cerveza (beer)...

Us: ......... :| 

Allen: Not in the church, of course Hermanas. That wouldn't be appropriate. 

Us: ..... We will talk about preparing for your baptism in our next lesson. 

What a bless-ed hermano. 

The food here is muy terrible. It has destroyed my insides. ....I have been betrayed by food... Also, I may have a worm. Some lucky people get them here at the CCM. If I do, it's name is Enchillada. 

The work is hard, and sometimes sweaty, but I have hope things can get better as we keep going. 

I sure miss y'all and also pasta and a little bit the internet and also Sweet, Sweet, Free Country USA, but this is an altogether different kind of adventure, and it's probably gonna be good.

Thanks to everyone for the support and for the letters, it makes our day when we get them.

See ya never. 

-Hermana Baer

[I'm sending this letter without pics but will send as soon as I can... sorry]

Thanks for all the letters! 

I think. Our District Leaders say we have them, but they never bring them to us because they forget them in their rooms, so that's a wee bit frustrating. 

They said they just had to read through them real quick, and then they'd let us know which ones were worth reading. 

Just kidding.

probably.

I'll send more goodies soon.

-Hermana Baer

[responding to Mom’s letter]

Please note, i would send more photos, but We can only use our cameras on P-days. :( Sorry. Also, maybe find out what kind of cord the other black camera just like mine has, because apparently it is different from the ones I brought and so I can't upload photos. :] Sorry. I'm trying to borrow another Elder's, but you know how Elders are..... 

OH YEAH. I would love it if you could send some photos of the family. Apparently, we needed them. oops. 

We are on our way to the temple today at noon, which should take the rest of the day. Prayin' for yall all the time.

[later]

Okay, the elders left and I won't be able to upload photos. 

Just know that I look even more pale and tired in mexico.

 

[responding to Dad]

Thanks, Padre. 

I love hearing familiar voices when I read. I don't know that I need the slippers, but maybe I might need a camera cord. This camera has a super tiny cord spot, and it doesn't match what I aspected... sooooo I'm gonna be borrowing one of the Elder's until I can't. heh. 

Hermana Ellis, my Compañera es muy great. We haven't had any problems yet, except that sometimes always and every single time we are 15-30 minutes late. One time, I was really upset because we were so late to a meal that everything had already been cleaned up, so we foraged for some stuff, but then it still took 10 minutes to eat and then we were exceptionally late to class and I was cheesed. I. HATE. BEING. LATE.

oops. I mashed my palms on the keyboard in rage and sent without finishing. 

Anyways, I hate being late, but I love Hermana Ellis?  I'm used to low maintenance living and making personal decisions to skip or give things up in order to be on time, but Hermana Ellis is not worried about that. She said in Highschool she was always an hour or more late and I said. "I believe it."  We are working hard to set goals to be on time. But she really is really cool. Also beautiful. 

Thanks for your letter. It was good to hear from ya.  I dig the SOS things. 

Bye forever.