Home Again, Home Again, Safe at Last!

By now I assume (I know, never a good idea) that you know Elder Holmes is home.  He returned with honor and a medical release. 

Don't worry, the red spots are gone, and Chicken Guinea is NOT the reason he came home, just a crappy parting gift from El Salvador!

He is skinny!  But don't you worry, Mama & Madi (and the rest of the family) are on the job.  He will be fat and sassy again in no time!
 
I sure love that boy (I KNOW! He is a man now, but he will always be my baby boy)! And his room looked like his suitcases ExPlOdEd for a day or two...  I am beyond proud of this Elder and the hard work he put in to overcome his recent struggles.  He is a great example of faith and hard work and I am sure his sacrifice is sufficient to the Lord and of course his mom (and family).

Welcome home Elder Holmes! Love you forever!

-Bailey's mom

A guy at the airport told us that this was the BEST missionary homecoming he has ever seen, and he has seen a lot of them... we are NOT reverent (no matter how hard we try)!

Search, Ponder, and Pray!

"I don't have time to get it checked?"  WHA?????  In his email to me he wrote... "I have red spots all over my body. So..... That's awesome." Awesome is NOT the word I would have used!!! I looked up Chicken Guinea, it seems to be chicken pox mixed with the flu... that sounds SUPER fun!

Gasoline in the diesel truck?  Hmmm that sounds familiar! He assured me that the truck recovered quickly. Ha!

I know he LOVES the temple, so I was happy to see those pictures!

He also wrote to me, "Being with the APs has been cool but I still feel like crap. I have been praying and pondering. I love that scripture you sent me from Justin. I am so afraid of coming home but that is what I feel is right."

The scripture he is referring to:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.                                                            
                                                                                                                                      -D&C 124:49

Chicken Guinea & Gas in the Diesel Truck!

November 16,  2015

I had changes this week and I am with the APs. We get to do lots of things that other missionaries can't. Plus we get a car. With cool things come lots of responsibility, we have had to wake up early tons and run around this country. We don't really have lots of time to teach.

 

 I think I have Chicken Guinea but I am not sure. We don't really have time to get it checked out but it will go away.

 

It looks like you are all having fun!

 

I love you all!

 



 

 Elder Flores, me, & Elder Agular at the temple

Elder Flores filling our diesel truck with gasoline!!!

Wait... WHAT?

Best investigator ever, he says.  Has lived with a women for 20+ years and she will NOT marry him, he says. He is being held back, he says!  Wait, WHAT?
Of course you know I will pray to soften her heart... anything for my missionary!

We have a car.  Best sentence so far (maybe). I may have laughed out loud when I read that.  The mission office looks nice.  I have asked for some "Fun Facts" but I still haven't got them... good thing that a picture is worth 1000 words. And I am SO glad that he likes his new companion!
If you can't tell, I love this kid! And I love that smile!

-Bailey's mom

The Best Investigator EVER & We Have a Car!

We found out this week that Carlos (The best investagator ever!) has lived with a woman for 20+ years and she will NOT marry him. He said he would talk to her but I am not sure if she will agree. Will you all pray to soften the heart of that lady. This guy has so much faith and such a good heart. He is ready for baptism but he is being held back.

 

I have emergency changes tonight and I will be with the APs. We have a car. Elder Flores is a really awesome guy and he is the lead AP.

I love you all and I hope you have a good week.

 

This is Alberto and Rosio. Alberto is a member and Rosio

is a hard core bible lover but we are slowly softening her heart.

 

In the Office

 

Elder Barwick - Photo Bomb!

My New Companion, Elder Flores

 

Let's Face It... He Likes Madi More Than Me!

I could pretend that I am sad that Elder Holmes likes Madi more than me, but let's face it... she's younger, cuter, smarter, and she is just plain AWESOME!  Well, she's NOT plain, she is far from that, but you know what I mean!  Plus as much as I hate to admit it, she has been far better at sending him letters and packages of randomness (his favorite, well, next to her). So I guess it stands to reason that he sends her more pictures of his cute face than he sends me!  In case you didn't know, when those Holmes boys give away their heart, it's forever!  So here are some pictures of our Elder (mine and Madi's) that I stole from her blog... 

 

 

This is a picture Madi drew of their first date together (I told you she was AWESOME)!

She sent him seaweed... because it tastes good? I wouldn't know but he likes it!

I kind of think this is his attempt to pretend like he is on another one of the many hikes they did over the summer before Elder Holmes flew away from us girls that LOVE his guts! Just a guess...

Our Display at the Cemetery???

It's a good thing I knew that they celebrate the "Day of the Dead" rather than Halloween in El Salvador (thank you Madi), or that might have worried me a bit! I was thinking that they would stay inside for a holiday called "Day of the Dead," so I was surprised to hear that they set up a display in the CEMETERY!!!  Oh my!
Going up one flight of stairs is enough for me and I have two legs, more proof that I am a pampered princess I guess! It is always amazing to me what people will do when they have a little faith!
I feel like we haven't heard about Orlando before... hopefully we will get more information about him in the future, and what is this about papers???
I like the view out his window, I guess all that rain is good for something... AND I find it ironic that he put rusty corrugated tin just like those roof tops up on a wall in his bedroom before he left on his mission!
I don't think he has played a lot of soccer, but lets face it, Bailey has always been willing to try new things, and he is usually pretty good at everything he tries, so I'm sure he is good at soccer too.
Last but not least... Thanks AGAIN for all the letters and pictures!  Anything that makes my missionary happy makes this missionary mom GRATEFUL!
-Bailey's mom

Our Display at the Cemetery & More Stairs Than a Mayan Temple!

 Hi fellows,

This week was crazy! We basically run from appointment to appointment some days, and others all of our lessons fall through. We have the coolest investigator in the world! His name is Carlos Jimenez and he rocks! He only has one leg and he climbed down the biggest set of stairs I have ever seen to come to church with us! Just imagine a Mayan temple times two. He is a really great guy. Orlando is still attending church but he doesn't have his papers yet.

Thanks for all the letters and pictures. They make me happy.

I love you all!

Our display at the cemetery yesterday

 

Out my window

 

 We play lots of soccer

Life's Lessons Are HARD! But Worth It!

People not keeping commitments... I feel like learning this is good training for being a dad.  For example, "Yes, I'll clean my bedroom."   -How many times have I heard that???

"Less rain this week" Well that's good to know, I've been worried that they would get a lot of rain on the outskirts of Hurricane Patricia in Mexico this week!

"I'm getting pretty pro."  There's the old Bailey! He is a master chef you know. Just kind of sad that I have to wait 663 days for him to make me some!

And how CUTE is his new friend? I want to squish her cheeks!

I feel like not being able to talk to people around you is another life lesson. I am always saying, "No one listens to the blonde chick!"  Although the people around me can hear me and understand me they are usually NOT listening. So I think if I were there in his situation I would probably be rambling on with no one understanding and it would be normal for me... who am I kidding? I would not like that at all!  Here's hoping the gift of tongues can make it's way to Elder Holmes in El Salvador soon.

So does anyone else think we are not getting enough information here?  One measly little paragraph is NOT enough for this missionary mom!  If he were here I would follow him around and pester him until he talked to me (no that didn't work when he was home either)!

Please send up a prayer, fast a little, and send my greenie missionary a little note when you can!

-Bailey's mom

My New Friend & I'm Getting Pretty Pro... at Making Papusas!

Hi Everyone,

I swear no one here can follow our commitments! They don't understand what they reject. Less rain this week so that was good. I love the members here! One family taught us how to make papusas. I am getting pretty pro. We made like 30 or more papusas. Spanish is getting better but I can only teach the gospel. I can't talk to people about normal stuff. I love that you guys are all hanging out. I am so jelous that you all get to hang out with Joey.

 

I love you all! 

 

My new friend

A member taught us how to make papusas

2 Months Down, 22 To Go...

Finally!  He answered a question I asked him!  His pillowcase IS ruined... don't worry I bought him another one, now he just has to wait the ridiculous amount of weeks that it takes the postal system to get it to him.  Guess I should send him a nice rain poncho too. Note to self: don't send hot chocolate in his Christmas package.

Love & Prayers,
Bailey's mom

It's Raining, It's Pouring, It's 1 Million Degrees... Hot Chocolate Anyone?

Hi,
It has been raining like crazy here! The first day I was here my umbrella was stolen and my other one broke on Monday. Lets just say I have been soaked all week. Lots of lessons and lots of bus rides. The members here are awesome! They would all do anything for us. I wish the people we teach could understand how important the restored gospel is for their salvation.
I swear everyone here drinks hot chocolate even when it is 1 million degrees outside. I am working hard and trying to have faith.
I love you all.

My pillowcase is ruined!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm....

OK, so by now you know I'm quite random with a dab of crazy (maybe more than a dab)...  anyway Madi sent me this pic that Bailey sent her last week:

"I just found this picture that he sent last week!  What the heck!  Is that his kitchen?!?!" -Madi

 

 

What the heck is right! Yes, yes I think this IS the kitchen.... hmmmm.

 

Also, we need some divorces & marriages then we'll get some baptisms????  hmmmm?

 

And then... two million dogs in the street that love to chase them? Is there enough room in El Salvador for two million dogs?  Hopefully I don't have to go down there to kick a dogs face for biting my son! Are there dog tazers? Is it ok to send a dog tazer to a missionary?  hmmmmm.

 

Saving the best for last... "The church is true!"  I LOVE to hear the testimonies of my children (nothing better)! And then the pics... that cute smiling face (Madi Approves)!  hmmmm ;)

 

Oh wait... one more; an excerpt from his email to me:  "when I am sweating my eyes out and walking for miles and miles I don't really have time to be sad."   It's hard to think of my boy being sad, but also, can you sweat your eyes out?  Is it possible?   hmmmm.

Lastly, make sure you check out Madi's blog  (http://madiriye.blogspot.com/)  because apparently he sends her more pics and more info than he sends me!   hmmmmm.

 

Love that boy!  #tendermercy

 

-Bailey's mom

 

 

 

 



Marriage, Divorce, and Two Million Stray Dogs!

(Elder Markham & I)

 

 This week has gone by so slow but so fast! The work here is going alright. We had to drop a family this week cause they dont keep commitments and it was super sad. I wish these people knew what they were denying! We need to get a few divorces and then a few marrigaes and we will have some baptisms. It is really hard and expensive to get divorced here but the Lord will help us.

   This country is so crazy! There are about two million stray dogs in the streets and they love to chase us! The people are so kind but they dont want to live the commandments. They all say they have a church then when we ask which one they just say a random church that they don't actually attend.

   I hope you are all doing good back home! I love you all so much and miss you! It is really hard to be here but I know it will get better. The church is true!

- Elder Holmes

 

(Service)

 

That's My Boy!

I was VERY glad to hear from my boy today! You can't imagine how happy it made me that he sent pictures (finally got his camera back)! With only 4 pictures, you can imagine how many times I looked at every detail; for example his new bed room... What the heck is up with his pillow?  At first I thought, oh my I hope that is his companion's pillow it looks like a small animal was slaughtered on that thing. Then after some reflection I remembered that we all wrote notes all over his pillow case with permanent marker that was obviously NOT permanent (Note to self... send Bailey a new pillow case)!  Then I notice the mosquito net over Elder Markham's bed and I think, 'didn't we get him a net?' and then I remember he couldn't find the one he wanted (so next note to self... put a net in the pillow case when I send it)! And then there is the mold on the bottom of the wall by the door (do they have Clorox there? Can you send Clorox in the mail?)  Of course the BEST part of the pic is my little big Elder with a real smile, taking a new room selfie looking healthy and happy and that makes my heart beyond glad!

Since he is a man of few words, I am trying to imagine his interview with President Vasquez. Two different languages and Bailey who isn't a big fan of being interrogated, luckily he is awesome and has his dad's charisma so I'm sure the President loves him (but not as much as we do), and I bet he is just as witty in Spanish as he is in English (oh that kid)!

And then, 'my first companion is white.'  WHAT? LOL! I have chosen to believe that what he meant was that he was glad his first companion speaks English... ha! I sure would like to know where in Northern America Elder Markham is from.  When I first looked at Elder Markham's pic I thought 'is he on a cell phone?'  Yup, he is!

I LOVE that a member cooks for them, that fact is good for a mom's heart.  Hopefully Bailey will share his culinary skills with them sometime as well.

I am glad he has a good trainer, that he loves to teach, and that Madi helped him get ready for his two year hike-a-thon!

By the way...  683 days and we'll have that kid back home so we can hug him and pester him with a thousand questions that he will not want to answer... but I hope he will.  Love that kid (yes, he will always be a kid to me)!

-Bailey's mom

El Salvador, Week 1... My New Companion is White!

 

Hi Family!

This week has been crazy! I just slept the whole bus ride from the MTC so nothing cool there. President Vasquez is so funny! He cant really speak English so our interview was interesting.
I am glad you are all spending time together. I miss you guys and I wish I could spend time with you all.
My first companion is Elder Markham and he is white. It was such a relief when I got a North American trainer. My first area is Santo Thomas, it is super safe and we have a member that cooks every meal for us. This place is very different but I like it. The people here are super humble and love missionaries. I taught my first lesson Wednesday and I realized I don't really know Spanish as well as I thought I did. We taught the Familia Ortiz and it was super hard cause only their son could read. I don't even know how many lessons I have taught now but I am getting better. We teach and hike all day. Thank you Madi for conditioning me to hike so much! There is lots of work here to be done.
I love you all. Have a good week.

Love,
Elder Holmes

And because Madi is awesome like that... she sent a excerpt from her Elder Holmes email:


This week has been really hard but really fun! It is super fun to teach! I love to teach but it is hard when you dont know much Spanish. The people here are amazing and so humble. My companion is really great at teaching and we are always on the move! I promise I am being safe and that you don't have anything to worry about. My house is alright but it is pretty dirty. The shower is luke warm if that counts for anything. We teach lots of families that really do want to be together forever.

 

 

 

 

The pictures came with no captions... I am hoping this is NOT his front porch. I wondered if it was a window, but there is no window frame... also wondering if the cistern on the roof with the hose coming down is his shower..  things that make you go hmmm

 

At first I thought this might be his new companion, but no, it's just a tiny lizard.... in the house!

 



So this must be the new companion... Elder Markham.

Mom's Need to Know!

I was so glad to get this letter and pics of my boy!  I was hoping they would let him call me to tell me he made it on Tuesday... it's Thursday!  Thank goodness for faith (how would we survive without it?)! 
I am laughing about his "smile", it reminds me of the pictures I took of him pre-Madi.  I am glad she is a photographer and a blogger, without her I wouldn't have any real smile pictures of him this past year.
Still not sure if his P Day will be on Monday, but I am looking forward to hearing his adventures over the past week.

-Bailey's mom

Looks Like He Made It (yes, I'm singing it)...

A letter from the new family...

Dear Family Holmes

It is a privilege and a great blessing to have your child in our mission,
thanks for the sacrifices they make to give the best of his life to the Lord and
his beautiful Missionary Work which will prepare the Second Coming of Our
Salvador, we know that they will find and we are the elect

eager to help them develop their potential.

We want to support them with their prayers and advice in this beautiful stage
their lives and know that they are the Lord at this time.

We are Missionaries of Jesus Christ and in Preach My Gospel and its
Authority convert, baptize and retain.

With President and Sister Love Vasquez

 

 

 

Yay for translator!

Service is the Answer!

So it took Bailey less than 6 weeks in the MTC to learn what I have tried to teach my kids all of their lives... we love who we serve (even annoying little brother types)! I'm sure this new found knowledge will be a great asset during his mission and for the rest of his life! Well done MTC, well done!
I'm not going to pretend like I am not just a bit apprehensive about the road from Guatemala to El Salvador... but with a little faith and a lot of mom prayers it should be all good.

He has 2 different addresses, one for letters and one for packages.  Apparently if you send him a package he may never see it, or he may get it with things missing out of it... I've been told that if you put Virgin Mary stickers on it, it will have a better chance of arriving in tact...

letter address:
Elder Bailey Bud Holmes
El Salvador San Salvador East Mission
Apartado Postal 3362
CP, San Salvador
El Salvador

package address:
Elder Bailey Bud Holmes
El Salvador San Salvador East Mission
Edificio La Centro Americana, Nivel 6*
Local 63 Alameda Roosevelt 3107
CP San Salvador, San Salvador
El Salvador

mission home phone # (503) 2525-6900

Also, I had to steal this pic off Madi's blog... because she is so cute and supportive of our baby Elder.

El Salvador OR BuSt! Week 6

Hi!

 

I hope everyone had a good week! This week has been good but I still miss you all like crazy! I have learned so much! Me and my comp are getting along really well. We have become friends and actually enjoy each others company! I will go to El Salvador the 29th and my Mom has my new adress! I am so excited to get out of here! My Spanish is terrible but I am ready to go! The Lord will help me! I hope you guys have fun at FHE! Thanks for all the love! I am not sure when my next P-day is! I love you guys! 

Elder Holmes

 

 

ALSO in an email to Madi he wrote:

Me and my companion are getting along really well! We decided to start serving each other as much as we can and we have grown to be really good friends! Too bad he is staying in Guatemala! I will have a new companion when I get to El Salvador.

Don't worry! I will be safe!  President Nelson promised that the Lord will protect us while we serve.  A teacher here just got back from my mission and he said it isn't bad. He said the news makes it sound 100% worse than it is. 

I started working out with Elder Langi (Utah State football player) and he is kicking my butt! Every time I want to stop he makes me think of you!