The Life of Sam Baird

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"I knew it!"

"Mom, I know what day it is? You're taking us to school first." 

"Yes, Sam, that is right."

"I knew it!"

Sam is a 42 lb. 6 year old boy who loves to ask questions. Not just any questions. He loves to asks questions that he already knows the answers. My favorite part of his questions is watching his smile as he says, "I knew it!" This isn't a loud, celebrated, "I knew it", but a soft proud, "I knew it!"

Sam also enjoys sharing the plans for the day. His explanation for a typical day would be "get cloths on, eat, brush teeth, go to school, get picked up, homework, play, eat dinner, bath, and naptime (bedtime)". When I put him in bed and pray for him, he will ask if there is school or church tomorrow? He will then tell me the whole days plan based on my answer.

There are 2 things I want to share of what I see God doing in Sam Baird's life. One, Sam is the first of our kids that will ask how I am feeling. He will then tell me that he is going to pray for me at school. When I get picked up from work, the first question Sam will ask is, "how was your day?" I might answer my day went well, pretty smooth, and he will say, "good, I prayed for you!" Sam enjoys spending time with God. Two, Sam has an amazing memory. I am surprised time and time again when Sam says, "mom, remember when..." He recounts stories of years ago.

I believe God will use these 2 gifts as he matures in his walk with the Lord. My prayer for all my kids is that God would help us as parents see how He has designed them in order to help them develop in their gifts. When I found out I was pregnant with Sam Baird, and he was going to be our 3rd son, I'll be honest and say I was disappointed. I really wanted a girl at the time. But I am so thankful that God knew our family needed Sam Baird, and have enjoyed every moment with him the last 6 years. His smile and love has many times kept my mind off difficult situations. He may be small, but he has a big heart. I am so excited to see how God will use him.

We have recently returned from pre-field orientation.  It was an amazing, inspiring time to hear from former and current missionaries. We feel so humbled to be a part of the Assemblies of God World Missions particularly Europe Missions. Our next step is raising our budget. We have been blessed by those around us cheering us on and supporting us. We could not do what God has called us to without a team behind us. If you believe you are to be a part of this journey with us, you can click here or on the "Donate" to the right.

Our AGWM Account # 2957363 The following are 2 ways that you can send contributions:
 1. Online - www.giving.ag.org
 2. By Mail - Checks payable to AGWM with our account number #2957363 and name.  Checks mailed to:
                    AGWM
                    1445 North Boonville Ave
                    Springfield, MO 65802-1894

Again, we thank all of you for your prayers as we continue to press on to what he has called us to!

Pre-field orientation camp

A smile that captures your heart

Past, Present and Future!

Past:

i

The Boys in Ireland - 2008

To share a bit of history of our journey, in 2008, our family packed up and answered the call to move to Ireland. At the time, we had 3 boys ages 4, 2 and 1. We went believing that we would be there for 2-3 years.  It only ended up being 7 months. Disappointment would be an understatement to express how we felt the day we returned to the states. For 5 years now, we have been praying and believing that God would make a way for us to return. During those 5 years, we have gone through more ministry training and pastoral classes to better equip ourselves. 

Present:

Baird Family - 2012

We both hold minister credentials now.  We even have added to our family...a little girl this time. While we were in the process of receiving our credentials, a pastor mentioned to us that we should consider applying to be Missionary Associates since our heart was to be in Ireland. We decided to apply and give God the opportunity to open the doors for us if it was His will. We received our approval as Missionary Associates just this month. We are now getting ready to go to pre-field orientation in just a couple of weeks in Springfield, MO. Our assignment is Limerick, Ireland and we will be serving under missionaries Brent and Lori Enget.

Future:
After our orientation, our goal for the next year will be to raise our budget. We have a set cash amount that has to be raised before leaving for Ireland as well as a monthly amount pledged. Our hope is to raise all our budget in order to leave for the field the summer of 2014. Randal has said to me all along that money has never been the reason why our road didn't lead back to Ireland sooner. He has said that God needed to get us ready (particularly him ready). I'm standing on his declaration that money will not hold us back. In the last year, God has moved in our family in ways that I never thought possible. Our dream is to serve in Ireland for 2 years as MA and then apply to be full-time career missionaries. There are still uncertainties in our story, but we choose to rely on the one who will complete our story.  

How Can You Help?
1. Please pray for wisdom and direction during this season in our lives. 
2. Pray for divine connections as we believe God to meet our financial goals. 
3. Prayerfully consider being a supporter to help us reach our goals.  You can click on "donate" to sign up. Our AGWM Account #2957363 or search under Baird. Donate
4. Pray for our children to transition smoothly.

May God richly bless you,
the Baird Family
(Randal, Kendra, Travis, Caden, Samuel and Katherine)