Week 71: Plot Twist....Surprise Ending!

Ha, just kidding. I probably will tell you the plot twist pretty soon here, actually.

So this week was pretty full of new things. New snow, new illness (an annoying cold. I've had a sore throat all week, and now it's transitioning to a runny nose. Only the second time I've been sick on my mission, and I do not cope well. I complain), new bishop (he's going to do a great job), new companion...

Wait, what?

Haha. Well, here's what happened. On Tuesday we got a call from the assistants (it's still an adjustment, getting regular calls from the assistants). Actually, we played phone tag with the assistants for about four hours, but eventually we got to talk to them, and they told us that Sister Martinez was going to be going to Glen Carbon IL to be with the STL there, because an STL was going home unexpectedly, and the STL there is going home in a week and they wanted someone to learn the area so that it doesn't fall apart. So Sister Martinez went there, and I got Sister Herdman (I think she's going to be my killer) and her past companion, is with two other sisters. Or more accurately, they're with her. And all these switches went down on Friday! So, from about Tuesday on, our life was fairly hectic. And it has yet to slow down :)

Oh, also, Thursday was Sister Martinez's birthday. I sneaky planned all sorts of fun stuff. We had breakfast with an investigator, a surprise birthday-themed district meeting, lunch at Olive Garden, dinner with our ward mission leader... It was great. It's hard to be sneaky when you're with someone 24/7, but I managed!

I like change though. I think I thrive on the challenge of adjusting to it. Sister Herdman is great. She's from Provo, and she loves missionary work and people, and is a great missionary. Like I said, I suspect that she'll be my last companion. No guarantees, of course. But I hope so, because I think that I have a lot to learn from her.

The latter half of the week really flew by though, because Sister Herdman and I went on exchanges to Jacksonville on Saturday, which meant that we had been together for less than 24 hours when we went on exchanges. Crazy! Haha. Seriously though, I'm being kept on my toes, which is the best thing for me, I think.

For my personal study this week, I have really been focusing (still) on the Atonement. I received a priesthood blessing a week ago Sunday, and one of the pieces of counsel I received was to study with a purpose. So I pondered what my purpose is while studying, and I decided that the greatest purpose I could have would be to strive to understand and apply the Atonement more in my life. Today, I was reading the definition of the Atonement in the Bible Dictionary, and this sentence really stood out to me: "The Atonement is conditional, however, so far as each person’s individual sins are concerned, and touches every one to the degree that he has faith in Jesus Christ, repents of his sins, and obeys the gospel." I loved that last sentence. The Atonement is applied in our life as we follow the basic principles of the gospel! There's no secret formula for bringing the Atonement into our lives. Have faith. Repent. Live the gospel.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Transfer calls are this Saturday, but I'd be pretty surprised if anything happened... You never know though!

Sister Barret

Week 70

Well, I just counted on the little calendar at the bottom of the screen, and I'll send 77 P-day emails total when all is said and done. That's... weird. Nerve-wracking. Exciting. Scary. All of the above. I've just been a bundle of emotions lately, and I can only imagine how that will continue for the next two months.

This week was a long week. Very interesting. I spent it all right here in Springfield, but we went on three exchanges. Tuesday, we exchanged with the Tuscola sisters, so a reunion with Sister Schwenke! We had fun. We had a chance to teach some lessons, including a really amazing one with the thirteen year old girl we're teaching, Adrian. We read a chapter of the Bible with her, and then said a closing prayer. Then as I stood up to leave, she asked "So, when do people get baptized?" I was a little surprised... okay, a lot surprised because she's been taught for quite some time and hadn't been progressing very much. But I answered that we normally teach some lessons, and then when people feel like they have received their answer, they decide on a date. So I asked, "Is that something that you'd like to do?" And she said YES! It was awesome. So we picked out February 21, and she's going to be praying about it. It's one of the greatest things on a mission: to see the Spirit working on someone so that they want to change.

On Wednesday morning, we received some bad news. Our bishop, Anthony Leggett, passed away. He had been battling colon cancer for a while, and over the last couple of months had really been struggling. The whole ward was affected. He was an amazing leader. You can actually read more about this, I think they have a Facebook page called "Fearless Leggett."

Thursday, we had our district meeting, and went on another exchange. This time I went with a sister who has only been out for about four months. There was an emergency switch (kind of like when I was with Sister Reed again) so she and her companion have only been together for a little less than a week. She was doing pretty well though, so that's good. It can be stressful to have so much change so quickly, but she really impressed me with her enthusiasm and readiness to jump in. I love the fire of new missionaries. They are ready to change the world, and they inspire me to do the same!

We actually had an interesting morning the next day together, because we had an appointment at 9:30. See, normally we don't take appointments before 10, but this was the only time that worked for her. So we went to see our appointment, which went well. She loved the plan of salvation! Then, because we were on the other side of town from our apartment, we went and did our companion study at Starbucks (I bought her a hot chocolate). It was a bit of a different sight: two missionaries studying in Starbucks :)

Went on another exchange, this time with a sister who has been out for the same amount of time as me. We had a really great lesson right before we switched back! We have been trying to meet with this potential investigator for a while, but she's always been gone or we didn't have time. But we finally sat down and she really is open and ready and willing to learn. I love meeting people who are searching for something more, because I know that the gospel will bless them with that "something" that they are missing.

After we switched back, we went to Bishop Leggett's funeral. It was a really nice service. He worked in the Department of Corrections so they had an Honor Guard there. It was beautiful. We sang in the choir that they put together, of a medley of "Our Savior's Love" and a children's choir singing "I Feel My Savior's Love."

And now I look outside and the snow is coming down! I'm just grateful it held off, I did NOT want to have to delay emailing :)

Being a missionary stretches you in different ways than you expect. And I am guessing that different missions stretch you in different ways as well. I think of my cousins, in Mongolia and Brazil, and I know that they have to be facing different challenges than I do. But the amazing thing is that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for all of us. We are placed exactly where we need to be in order to be shaped into the disciple that Heavenly Father will need us to be. We are placed where we can bless the lives of His children in the best way, whether now or in the future. And central to this plan is of course the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He made it possible for us to be able to learn and grow through all of the challenges, all of the heartache, all exhaustion and sadness and so on. If I come out of the mission with nothing else, I want to be able to say that I learned how to rely on the Atonement. If we allow Him, He will place His yoke on our shoulders. We will be guided day by day, through the Spirit and through the words of the scriptures. And we don't have to bear any burden or face any day alone.

Sister Barret

Week 69: Hallelujah...the Sun is Shining!

Welp, my camera is officially broken. Not that either Sister Martinez or I took any pictures this week... Turns out we're both really bad at that.

We had a pretty great week this week! We had quite a few lessons, and the investigator, Lori, who came to church last week set a baptismal date for February 7. She has some challenges to overcome: she works every other week right now, and she has a lot of health issues. But she is super determined to do it! She loves the church, especially Joseph Smith, and she really desires baptism. She's been reading the Book of Mormon, and I think that it has really helped her out.

The tough thing this week... We were supposed to go on two exchanges, but instead we ended up going on NONE because of what we'll call "unforeseeable circumstances." Not our fault. But now we'll be going on three this week, which is always stressful. Especially because the way it shook out, I'll be staying in Springfield for all three of them. It'll be hard work, but I am looking forward to spending time with the sisters! That's definitely the best part of being a sister training leader.

Sorry, I don't know why I'm struggling with knowing what to write about this week! It was just an interesting week. Lots of ups and downs. Tuesday was an amazing day. It was one of those rare days on a mission where literally everything works out! It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you feel on top of the world. Well, it doesn't happen often out here in the Midwest. I don't know how it works out in other missions :)

A less active that we've been working with for a while came to church this week! That was really neat. She's been a member her whole life, but never really converted... Honestly, we don't even know why she came this week. We're planning on visiting her soon and hopefully help her make this a habit!

We found a new investigator who has been an investigator before. She is planning on feeding us lunch today. I'm nervous... She asked if we like fish. So, I might have to just grin and bear it...

Um....

Yeah. I don't even know what else to say...

We had a great Martin Luther King Jr Day! P-day is so very relaxed when you don't email :) We went shopping, and sight seeing in downtown Springfield, Sister Martinez got a haircut, we washed our car and did a LOT of cleaning. Which was nice. Early spring cleaning, you could say?

In my personal study, I've been reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning again (with the mission, by next General Conference). It is always so good. I love the power of that book. I've been reading with an eye on revelation, since I'm preparing to receive revelation at Conference! I loved this verse from 1 Nephi 18:3: "And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things." It made me think of the temple. When we go to the temple, in a spirit of prayer, the Lord will show us great things. He will help us to understand Him, and our place in His great eternal plan. I am so grateful that the Lord is willing to teach us.

Lots of love,

Sister Barret

Week 68: You Know It's Cold When....

...you get in the car and say "Wow! It's 14 today! Sweet!"

...your hands and face are super chapped from the wind

...you've experienced -30 windchill

...32 degrees feels toasty. Who needs gloves?

Yeah. We had a couple of really, really, really cold days this week. WHY DIDN'T THEY SEND ME BACK DOWN SOUTH FOR THE WINTER???

Just kidding, I love Springfield! But it was very, very cold. This may be disgusting, but I've never experience actually having your nose hairs freeze when you breathe in through your nose! That was a new one. (Calvin and Hobbes, anyone?)

Other than the SUPER COLD WEATHER, it was a great week! I wish I had some pictures! I didn't take any this week. Sorry. I'll repent and do better this week on that... 

Monday night, it snowed as we were heading to our dinner appointment. Actually, this week, I've gotten quite a bit of experience of driving in wintry conditions. It's great! One of my goals for this winter was to learn how to drive in snow. Life skills you learn on the mission! Sister Martinez is a little terrified for her life, especially when I remind her that this is pretty much the first time in my life that I've ever driven in snow, but a little healthy fear is good for the soul, I think.

Tuesday and Wednesday, we went on exchanges with the sisters in Rantoul. That was fun! I had visited Rantoul last transfer too, so I got to see a couple of people that I had met the time before, and meet some new ones! It's always a good experience to visit a different area. If I have one favorite thing about being a sister training leader, it's being able to spend time with sisters that I normally wouldn't get to spend time with, and visiting areas that I normally wouldn't get to visit.

Thursday was our zone conference! It was so much fun. Our zone carpooled up to Champaign's stake center. Sister Martinez and I organized a "pre zone conference breakfast party." :) Because we had to meet at 7:30 to get to Champaign in a timely fashion. This was my last zone conference in the mission, which really made me sad to think about. These meetings, where we get together with a lot of missionaries, and lift one another up, really bless your life as a missionary. Sister Martinez and I did a training on the power of the Book of Mormon in conversion, which went really well. The bulk of our training was people testifying of how the Book of Mormon has deepened their testimony of Jesus Christ. The Spirit was super strong. The whole mission is going to be reading the Book of Mormon together by next April General Conference, which is really exciting. Reading the Book of Mormon is the best! :)

Of course, another one of those moments... I'll be home by April General Conference. I keep having these moments where it strikes me anew and I turn to Sister Martinez and I'll say something like, "Is there really only one more transfer after this before I go home?" or "Is it already Week 3?" I think it weirds her out. She probably thinks I have a terrible memory ;)

Friday, we invited two of our investigators to be baptized and they accepted! Then one of them came to church with her three kids! (the other one was sick). Another lady, Lori, we've been working with a long time. She is so great. Amazing testimony of Joseph Smith. And she came to church, for the first time, even though she had been in the emergency room until 1 am that morning. She was determined to make it though, and faith really does bring miracles! And prayer. The power of prayer is real.

So, a good week! Tough times, for sure, but that's okay. We don't appreciate happiness until we experience sadness, and so forth. Opposition in all things is a good thing.

Lots of love,

Sister Barret

Week 67: And A Happy New Year!

Speaking of New Year's, I am resolved to do better this week :) Budgeting my time and all that. I think the problem with the computers at the Lincoln Library is that it automatically updates your amount of time if there is nobody waiting for a computer, so you get way comfortable and think that you have lots of time... and then you are given a notice "5 minutes until you have to get off!" :P 

Anyway, this week was pretty darn good! It was transfer week, but whenever you stay with your companion for the transfer, and you don't go to transfer meeting, it doesn't even feel like transfers. So I have to remind myself that it's a new transfer!

We found three new investigators this week, and they all have pretty cool stories. 

The first is a woman named Krystal. We met her when we were out street contacting the day before Christmas Eve. She asked us if she could borrow our phone because she had missed our bus, and we ended up talking for a few minutes, and it turned out that she has been looking for a church and she said that we could come visit her in her home! There is no such thing as a coincidence ;) She missed our first appointment, but this time we were able to sit down and introduce the Book of Mormon and talk about church. She has the cutest three little kids... 

Then, that afternoon, we were out contacting less active members of the church, and we met a family where the mom was baptized back in 2010. She said that the two reasons she hasn't been to church much lately are "procrastination and transportation." Sounds about right for a lot of people! But better that than "I don't have a testimony anymore" or "I was offended." We have started teaching her 13 year old daughter though, and we're excited about that!

And then, Sister Martinez and I had an awesome experience driving home from our Missionary Leadership Council (MLC) actually. We had just left the Highland sisters' apartment (because we carpooled) and grabbed dinner at Subway, and we were deciding where to go next: home, or to try this potential that lives kind of far out from Springfield. And I said, "You know what? I'm super tired, I have a huge headache, and we haven't even thought about what we're going to do for exchanges. Let's go home and exchange plan instead of trying this potential." Sister Martinez said okay, and then we prayed over our food and before we started driving, and I just felt the Spirit say, "No, Sister Barret. Go contact this person." We finished praying and I turned to Sister Martinez and said, "Well, I just got super rebuked. Let's go see Kelly." And we did, and it was amazing. She is so prepared for the gospel: she's looking for more peace and for the truth. She accepted the Book of Mormon and the baptismal invitation. I am so grateful for the opportunity on my mission to have these experiences of recognizing the promptings of the Spirit.

Springfield is a great area! The biggest struggle we are having right now is helping these amazing people who want to get baptized to overcome addictions/fears/problems that are holding them back. We have several people who are just on the edge... the brink of coming into the church. They'll get there though! I have faith! 

At MLC, we had a really great training on goal setting. I've been thinking about my goals for this upcoming year, and really pondering what I want to accomplish. It scares me a little bit... This time last year, I knew exactly where I'd be at the end of 2014: Here! On a mission! So my New Year's goals were all about becoming a better missionary. Now, who knows what'll happen in the next year? I definitely know this much: I am going to do everything I can for these last couple of months of being a missionary. I can't believe how quickly time really does fly.

Sorry that I failed to get any pictures of our New Year's Eve! We spent it at our ward mission leader's mom's house. She made us lasagna, and we just hung out and enjoyed the evening. It was a good night. And then I slept through the New Year. 

I hope you all are enjoying the start of your year! 

Sister Barret

Week 66: Merry Christmas to All!

A little late, maybe, but hey, Christmas all year round! Or at least until the end of the year, which is only two days away! So maybe it would be more appropriate to say "happy New Year's Almost!"

Just got told I have five minutes until being kicked off... sorry for the abrupt ending...

We went and visited Lincoln's Tomb on Christmas Eve. The people of Springfield are really proud of Lincoln!

​

Thanks for the presents :)

Great week, slow for the work, but I made it through! Remember, He is the Gift! I'm so grateful for the power of the Atonement!

Lots of love,

Sister Barret

Week 65

Sorry, this is going to be a short one. I got the email this morning that my grandpa passed away yesterday, so I haven't been moving quite as quickly through my emails, and we're at a public library this week instead of the university. But I'll just share a few scriptures and such that have stood out to me this week:

Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

"Immanuel" means "With us is God." How comforting! God is with us. That is what the gift of Jesus Christ means to me. When He came to the earth, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, dwelt with mortal man. And after he ascended to His Father, He sent His Spirit to be with us, so that we can always be comforted and guided. Christ can be with us. And where Christ is, miracles follow. 

"Ours is the responsibility to be worthy of all the glorious blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for us." -President Monson, in the priesthood session this last General Conference

I forget sometimes how many glorious blessings Heavenly Father has prepared for each one of us in heaven. Do we remember our divine destiny when we make our daily decisions? Do we realize that the things we do now show whether we will accept the gifts that God is preparing? We're the ones who stop Him from showering blessings on us.

And of course, one of my favorite scriptures, about the real gift and meaning of Christ's birth:

"Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." Alma 40:11-12

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Love

Sister Barret