Week 7

Day 55 in the wilderness of Poplar Bluff. We sought out rations today
and found a new form of transportation. The other missionaries call
them "bikes." It was nerve-wracking to purchase, but we managed to
wheel them out of Wal-Mart in one piece. We were warned that Wal-Mart
bikes might fall apart, but they were also cheap. We decided to save
our funds for a more important pursuit: finding clothing. After much
hunting, we snagged some skirts and sweaters for reasonable prices. It
had been many weeks since we last replenished our clothing, and I
found myself actually enjoying the heat of the pursuit of sales.

After reaching our shelter, we spent some time restoring our energy. I
made banana bread. We visited a local family who are members and they
fed us. We made our way back to our shelter and attempted to contact a
new investigator. She lives only a short distance from us, in a kind
of apartment. It was very dark, since there were no street lights or
lamps, and her door was in a recess and there was not a light over the
door. Then, as we were approaching the door, a house down the street
starting emitting a very creepy noise. Sister Richardson was freaked
out. We pressed forward though and I knocked on the door. No one
answered. So we returned again to our shelter and then rode our bikes
for the first time.

Day 56: We utilized our new forms of transportation and learned that
we are indeed out of shape. But they have saved us from using our car
as much and walking is really slow.

We taught two less active women today, one investigator, and one
former investigator.

It was Elder Tiegs' last day, since transfers are the next day!

Day 57: I believe that I am about 1/10th complete with my mission.
10%. It's crazy. That doesn't seem like that much, but wow, when you
think about it? It has not felt like it has gone that fast.

Sister Richardson has had problems sleeping. We're going to try to get
her some help from the mission president's wife. Sister Morgan is the
one in charge of the missionaries' health.

We taught Amanda today and it was AWESOME! Even though I couldn't get
a lot of the words out in an articulate way--I butchered certain
parts--the Spirit was still there. She's really interested in learning
more about the gospel. We hope that her boyfriend will sit in on the
next lesson. I extended the baptismal commitment (soft version) and
she said that, as she learns that these things are true, she will be
baptized. It's amazing how the Spirit can really make up for our
weaknesses when we are doing our best and working hard.

Day 58: Today we met our new district in district meeting. There are
now two sets of sisters and two sets of elders. Elder Vincent is the
new elder in Poplar Bluff (replacing Elder Teigs).

Day 59: Our mail drought ended today. For five days straight, we
opened our mailbox only to be faced with immense disappointment. But
today: O happy day! We received a package, and two letters--one for
each of us! The package was a candle (thanks Mom! also, thanks from
Sister Richardson).

Sister Richardson got her advice about sleeping: relax before bed.
Only write soothing things in her journal. Take Benadryl. Read boring
things.

Today was little hard. We found out that one of our investigators has
been doing some really bad things, and lying about it to us. She knows
that she shouldn't be doing these things, but she still wants to do
them. She wants to change and come closer to Christ... but at the same
time, she doesn't want to make the changes.

Which brings us to our spiritual thought of the week! I love these
scriptures from Matthew 9:

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold,
many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his
disciples.

 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why
eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole
need not a physician, but they that are sick.

 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance.

Now, the publicans were the tax collectors of the day for the Roman
Empire, and they were hated by the Jews. So when the Pharisees saw
Jesus eating with them, they were appalled. But Jesus used this as an
opportunity to teach both the Pharisees and his disciples. "They that
be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." People who are
satisfied with how they live, people who think that they are doing
alright: they often aren't going to see why they need the gospel in
their lives. But people who are struggling: with poverty, depression,
addiction, their families... these are the people who can recognize
immediately the blessings that come from changing their lives. These
are the humble and meek. Already on my mission, and I've only been out
for six and a half weeks, I've seen this. I'm here to follow the
example of Jesus Christ, and call people to repentance.

I'm also working on breaking some bad habits this week. Apparently I
say "you know?" a lot. So I'm working on stopping that.

Day 60: Great news! We met with Ashley today and she really wants to
be baptized! So we are planning a baptism for November 16! YAY! She is
so amazing and I'm so happy for her.

Day 61: One thing I've learned on my mission: hair picks up smells.
Especially cigarette smoke smell.

Stake conference today! A lot of talks on missionary work. President
Morgan was there, and he spoke, which was pretty fun to see.

All in all: a kind of slow week. But there are definitely amazing and
miraculous things happening in Poplar Bluff!

Keep up your own missionary efforts :)

Sorry my letter is a bit weird this week... Got to switch things up,
right? Haha.

Love you all!

Sister Barret