Week 5

This week was very, very busy! Missionary life is stuffed full of lessons to teach and people to see, and when you run out of those things, it doesn't matter. You're still busy, because there's no going back to your apartment and spending the rest of your night chilling. Nope, we are out until 9 pm, even when we don't have an appointment or we feel like we have seen every single person we could think of. That sounds a little crazy, but it's when we make the effort to be busy and working hard that we see those blessings and miracles come.

I'll do a day by day this week, giving you a little bit about each day.

 Monday last: It was District P-Day! Hoorah. We went to a restaurant that's pretty famous around this area called Lambert's. It is known for its flying rolls. They throw their rolls at you to eat. Also, if you have a private airplane, you can land at the local airport and call them and they will send a limo to pick you up. Random much? Missionaries who go there also sign their names on a tie and then get to hang it up, so my district did that. I might send you a picture of it.

 After eating at Lambert's we went and had a birthday/going away party for Elder Bracken, our district leader, and Sister White. We played games. We played this game called Pterodactyl. You have to cover your lips with your teeth, and you can't show them or you're out. Then you make a pterodactyl noise. It was hilarious. I know it sounds stupid, but oh my goodness, it's so hard! Except three of the elders were so good at it. They did it for something like 10 minutes, and were getting really into it (flapping wings, getting in each others' faces...). It was so funny, because they all thought that they should wrap it up, but none of them wanted to lose.

 We ended the day with Family Home Evening at a members' home and they gave me a tag journal. A tag journal is one that you keep throughout your mission and all of the people that you meet or are close to are supposed to just write a little in it. So far Sister White has written in it, since she left Saturday (we're not there yet though).

Tuesday: We did a lot of walking today. That is probably going to be true for almost every day this week. That's what happens when you have limited miles per month and you start reaching the end of the month. We helped two old ladies jumpstart their battery! That was pretty fun. It's awesome to have these opportunities to serve. You know, a lot of times we see some people struggling or something, and we hesitate before offering to help, because it might be awkward or we are busy. As a missionary, you don't hesitate, because you are constantly on the watch for these service opportunities. I love it. Even when the person says that they don't need help, you are doing service by showing them that someone is willing to help.

We also taught Edna today. She sometimes has a hard time concentrating on our lessons because she babysits two of her great-grandchildren, but I think that she understood most of it.

 We went and visited a less active woman named Gerrie. We met her at a gas station the other day and she recognized us as Mormons. She invited her to come and visit her. She has been less active for a long time, but she misses the Book of Mormon. She also gave us some homemade pickles and salsa. The pickles were spicy and delicious. Apparently she does a lot of home canning and sells the cans and homemade jerky. She asked us if we like pickles, and we said yes. Sister White admitted to liking kosher, so she got to go pick out the can, and then Gerrie made us try the pickles there and then. We each took a bite, and then we made Sister White finish the rest of the pickle.

 Wednesday: Ok, so I didn't really write in my journal today, because it was a busy day. Here's what I wrote: "Today we sang 'I'm a Little Teapot' to the tune of 'If You Could Hie to Kolob.' We were standing on Ashley's driveway [she saw us just as she was pulling out and told us that she was running to the store. She told us that we could wait inside, but there was only a man inside, so we waited outside instead], waiting for her, and somehow we started singing that."

 It was also district meeting today. That's always fun. We went out afterwards and ate at Taco Bell--Yum Yum!

 Thursday: We taught Ashley a lesson on faith today. It was cool, because she had a friend there, Amanda, and Amanda was pretty into the lesson as well. She told us that she's been having a rough time lately, but she and her boyfriend have been looking for a church to attend. They also are wanting to get married! It's really amazing the way that the Lord prepares people to receive the gospel. We are going to go teach Amanda on Wednesday of this week. It's also exciting because Ashley and Amanda are friends, so they can hopefully support each other in learning about the gospel.

We went to CVS Pharmacy, which is the newest store in town. We got some supplies for Hermana White, because she was leaving, and then some free stuff, because it's their grand opening.

Lots of walking. We taught Hannah. I don't think I've told you about her. She's one of our investigators that is really interested and sincere about her desire to follow Jesus Christ. She is 20 years old, and has a son that is very precocious. The lesson was... interesting. Freddy Krueger was playing on the TV in her house. Obviously I didn't watch it but sometimes I would look over at Sister Richardson and catch a glimpse of some creepy dude.

 For dinner, I made Tikka Masala. It was good. I couldn't find coriander at Walmart, but I did find garam masala, so I just added extra of that. Over rice... Mmm.

Friday: I actually haven't written on this day either... Oops. Sometimes planning goes long. The good news is that we keep everything in our planners, so I can go back and write a journal entry. I will probably do that today.

 Today was another day where a lot of people cancelled on us. That happens a LOT. We taught Ashley, Abby, and an investigator that we have had a lot of trouble contacting. We were able to set a return appointment with her-- yay! Hopefully it stays solid.

We spent some time today getting Sister White ready to go. She sent a package home with all the things that she won't need in Argentina. I got her quilt, which I added on top of the blanket that I already bought. Now I'm ready for the winter!

Saturday: Literally every appointment we set for today fell through. Plus we had to say goodbye to Sister White in the morning. What a day. You know, I refuse to be discouraged, because discouragement is demotivating. But there are times when you are frustrated. This was one of those times. But good news! The scriptures have the answers!

 So, some comforting scriptures this week:

 D&C 18:15: "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"

Yup, I could spend my whole mission working and only bring one soul unto Christ. But then it would still be worth it. In fact, it would be more than worth it. I would gain incredible joy in the life to come.

 2 Nephi 10:23: "Therefore, acheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are bfree to cact for yourselves—to dchoose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life."

Cheer up! You can't make anyone else choose the right, but you can make sure that you are making good decisions! That's what's important. You can choose for yourself to have eternal life. I think I may have shared this scripture with you before, but it's a good one.

 I have also been studying Elder Richard G. Scott's talk from this conference: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

It's fantastic. I love the message that he shares. Part of repentance is dealing with the consequences of our choices! Just because we repent doesn't mean that the consequences will disappear. And one consequence is that you'll have that memory of the guilt, and Satan will try to prey upon that memory, to tempt you back into sin. But the Lord will help you overcome your weaknesses, and build up fortifications against the enemy. You just have to turn to Him. (See Ether 12:27 also).

Sunday: Edna came to church. I wish people knew how wonderful it can be to come to church! If they knew and fully understood the blessings, they wouldn't want to miss out.

I way geeked out at dinner. We were eating at a member's home, and one of the daughters is watching Stargate for the first time (she's just starting Atlantis now). Elder Tiegs, one of the Poplar Bluff elders, and one of the other daughters are both huge fans. So we discussed it. In depth. The merits of various storylines and such. I think Sister Richardson was a little bored...

We are working on getting bikes. It is so hard to stay under miles with driving our car, because our area is so big. So, we decided to try and get bikes. So, Mom, Chelsey, you can send me a bike if you want to send me stuff! [I AM KIDDING. DON'T ACTUALLY SEND ME A BIKE. I HAVE MONEY. I WILL BUY ONE]

I'm attaching some photos... the tie at Lambert's and some of our apartment. I don't know if I sent those to you already or not. I will work on getting more photos of me and my companions! I'll take some on Halloween for sure. The ward Halloween party is supposed to be off the heezy.

Quinn: Thanks for the letter for Parker. I think I'll give it to him tonight.

Lyvia: You were so cute at Homecoming. I can't wait to read about it.

Chelsey: I hope you are doing well in school and are loving learning about drugs. Oh, and thanks for the photos!

Owen: Why did you have a beard?

Mom: Enjoy yourself! Have a good time at work and I hope your Sunday School lessons are going well. Almost done with the Doctrine and Covenants!

I'm sure I'll remember a million things that I should have told you as soon as I finish the letter. I can't remember much more now. Every day in the mission field is just jam packed, even if that's just with walking and knocking. But I am good. Honestly, don't worry too much about me. There is something about being devoted 100% to preaching the word. You wake up thinking about your investigators, and you go to bed thinking about them. Obviously there's other stuff there too, but you are just focused. There's not enough time to worry or stress about the other stuff.

 Love you all! Keep up the missionary efforts. Tell me everything about your lives so I don't feel like I'm missing out :)

Sister Barret