Weekly Update February 16-22, 2015

So It's transfer week this week, but we won't know who is getting transferred until Wednesday. I feel that I will be staying in my area. I can't believe I'm going into my last transfer as a missionary. Time as a missionary is really short, but it will definitely change lives. My mission has changed my lfie. 

 

Some of you might wonder if you missed some of my weekly emails, but no you didn't. I didn't send any out because I didn't feel like I needed to. I had two reasons. 1. I didn't want to be getting trunky,or thinking too much about going home. 2. I didn't see any point to writing them because I don't know if they help anybody which was the purpose of them. I'm writing today to give a quick update, but don't expect something everyweek, unless you do want me to, then just let me know.

 

I have really enjoyed this week. We have been able to meet with a lot of people and do lots of service, well more service than we usually do here. We also had lots appointments fall thru, but that is usual for missionary work. The people we have been able to meet are doing really good. Benjamin is over 20 days sober and still doing great. He says it is getting harder because his mind thinks because he's been sober for this long, he can handle a drink, but he thinks about the consequences and turns to God in prayer for help to overcome. We haven't taught any of our current investigators this week, we tried to call them, but there was never any response. We decided yesterday to drop both Teho and Margot. Teho hasn't been willing to make appointments to meet with us and Margot called and told us she wants to go back to her other church and thanked us for the visit. It was really sad to do that, but I know that we can't waste our time trying to chase them when others who are more prepared are out walking on the street. We picked up a new investigator, Vi Valley, on Saturday. She went to the nativity pageant and felt moved by the spirit. She wished it was longer and wanted to know more about the church, so we called her and scheduled a time with her. She has lots of questions and is not afraid to ask them during lessons. She wants to read the BOM and some of her concerns are prophets and the sabbath day on Sunday. She is a tough cookie, but wants to know. She understands that God is the only person who can give her an answer of what to do.

Sister Jones and I are continuing to work hard in our area. We are trying to work as effectively as possible and do what God wants us to do. I know that miracles are going to happen soon. I know that this is the Lord's work and it can only be done in his way and time. I know the power of prayer is real because I have had many prayers answered this week. I love being a missionary! Being able to serve a mission has changed my life for the better and I'm truly grateful for God who has give me this opportunity.

Love Sister Barton

Weekly Update January 26-February 2, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

 

For me this week has been a big focus on the Book of Mormon. Many things this past week have increase my testimony of this great book! On Thursday we went downtown street contacting with the zone. We had a goal to as a zone give away 60 Books of Mormon. We gave away a total of 88, my companion and Sister Jones gave away 20 of those in a 1.5 hour time frame. I talked to so many people who at first were hesitant. They didn't want to take the BOM, but then I testified to them about how much it has changed my life. I said that even if they didn't read it at that time that having a copy in their homes would bring them much peace and comfort. It would bring more blessings into their lives. Then they would be touched by the the spirit and take it. I know that even if they don't read it now, they have it now as a resource that God can direct them to in the future when they are a little more prepared to accept his gospel.

 

With the members we meet and teach whether its a dinner appointment or just a visit to get to know them better, we have been teaching them about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Then at the end we give them 2 Books of Mormon to write their testimony in. One of them they give back to us and the other they give away. We will give away the one they give us to someone else. Everyone is pretty excited to do this and we are excited to see waht miracles come from this. It will be awesome! 

 

I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon and share your testimony of it with someone else, wheter it is a family member, friend, or random stranger. I know you testimony will be strenghtened if you do this. You will feel God's power stronger in your life and he will bless you with the specific answers you are seeking. I love this gospel. I know with all my heart it is true. This is the best work we can be doing, to share the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the light in this dark world. 

 

I love you all!! Have a great week!

 

Love Sister Barton

 

P.S. The weather has been nice and warm, in the picture you can see not a lot of snow! However it did snow on Friday and the rest of the weekend, but just a little, no more than a few inches. :)

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