Can I just say it has been on CRAZY week?! It's been very good, I've
learned lots of things that I needed, but I also have had some crazy
experiences that caused a lot of stress. I loved Zone Conference! It was
just what I needed. I had had a hard week the week before it happened, but
everything I experienced leading up to zone conference prepared my mind for
what I needed to learn there. Many of the things I came across in my study
the couple of days before zone conference helped me prepare for what I
needed to do. The things I learned at zone conference just confirmed all
that I had learned in my studies. I love when that happens.
This week we had an amazing lesson with Sister Dangerfield, a less-active.
She is trying to decide if she wants to come back to the church or not. We
planned to share the Mormon message "Mountains to Climb" with her, but
hadn't planned anything else. I prayed in my heart to know what to share
after the video stopped. The spirit lead me throughout the whole lesson to
different questions to ask her and different scriptures to turn to to help
her. One of the scriptures I shared was from the list of scriptures Elder
Packer asked us to read in preparation for zone conference. It was John
15:16. I read some earlier scriptures before that one, that talk about
Christ calling us his friends if we keep the commandments. Then I asked
Sister Dangerfield if she wanted to be a friend of Jesus Christ. NO, she
replied. That through me off a bit, I didn't know what to say, but then the
spirit kicked in again and gave me the words to speak. That lead us to
finding out some of her concerns on why she doesn't want to come back. That
was probably one of the best lessons I've had on my mission. I felt so
guided by the spirit it was amazing. She ended up coming to church on
Sunday, probably because her brother who is an active member in B.C. was
visiting, but still she came and had a great time.
The craziness happened for Jordyn's baptism and the next day. Jordyn and
Sister Metzner (her mom) got in a car accident the morning of Jordyn's
baptism. That set them back and they were an hour late to the baptism, but
they were persisitent and did not want to postpone it. So Jordyn then got
baptized! The next day we helped out at the funeral for Jordyn's father. It
got canceled because of crazy family drama, but then was put back on 20
minutes before it was supposed to start. So we rushed over to help.
Everything was chaotic, but we managed to get everything set up. That was
the weirdest funeral I've ever been too. It wasn't like any other funeral
I've been too, more like a bunch of people getting together, sharing
stories, and eating food. Because of all the family drama, the tension in
the air was thick. You could cut it with a knife! I didn't want to be in
the gym where it was happening, and only was in there when I had to be.
Friday night after the funeral I was grateful to have a lesson with Rocio
planned to help me get back in the mindset of doing missionary work. We had
a great lesson with Rocio, where the spirit was really strong. Her heart
has softened since the last time I saw her when her and her family got
priesthood blessings. She recognizes the difference. She is making baby
steps, but they are big for her. I love to see her more willing to listen
to us. She came to the Women's General Meeting and loved it, especially
Elder Uchtdorf's talk. She didn't come to church on Sunday, but was going
to come to break the fast if it hadn't gotten canceled. We have another
lesson with her on Thursday.
My spiritual thought comes from a scripture I came across while studying
for zone conference it is in John 16:13-16. . .
* 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.*
*14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.*
*15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what
his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have
heard of my Father I have made known unto you.*
*16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.*
I love these scriptures for two reasons. Jesus Christ is calling us his
friends if we keep the commandments. I want to be his friend, how about
you? Then it talks about how We have been chosen by God specifically to be
here on Earth at this time, experiencing all that we experience. I know
Christ has chosen me, and he has chosen you. We can all be his friends if
we strive to develop a relationsip with him and keep his commandments. I
love this gospel so much. I know with all my heart that it is true. I love
you guys! Have a great week!
Love, Sister Barton
Pictures:
1. Me, Sister Koller, Jordyn, Sister Bogaert, and Sister Howard
2. Me and Sister Howard last night
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