Hi Everyone!

Thanks for keeping me updated on everything, I love hearing from you all. The Christmas package got here on time and it is Great! Thanks to everyone for that. Hailey sent me cupcakes too, they were seriously the best things ever. She takes the prize for best cousin, Love her. We only get 20 minutes today because it's Christmas and everyone gets to email, so I have to keep it short. I'll hand write you again tonight. As far as the scripture for the plaque, probably either 3 Nephi 5:13 or the DC one I showed you, Mom. You pick. I just heard from Russel M. Nelson this morning which was really cool. He and his wife spoke to us along with the MTC President. Elder Nelson's message was great! The message was basically about Spiritual gifts and how the Atonement is the best gift the Savior has given us. It was really awesome. Early on in his talk he talked about rumors and wanted to put them to rest. He specifically mentioned the 3 year China mission and said that it was absolutely not true, so that was pretty funny. Next week I'll be able to send you some pictures and talk about some of the cool people I've met here in the MTC. Last night we watched A Christmas Carol and tonight we get to watch It's a Wonderful Life. You can probably guess that I am excited about that. I certainly wish I could watch it with my family tonight, but there's no place I'd rather be than here, because I know that it's what I'm supposed to be doing. I want you all to know that I have a sincere testimony of Jesus Cristo. He is our Redeemer and Savior. On this special day remember why he came to the Earth and the kind of life he lived. I love him and am forever indebted to him. There is definitely a great feeling of responsibility and humility being a representative of him and his church. We have his gospel and a living prophet on the Earth that speaks for him. We are so blessed! I'm very upset with my siblings, by the way. I know it's only been two weeks, but I'd still like to hear what's going on. Send me some letters. It'll make me feel popular and loved ;). I love you all so much and will talk to you soon. Eu amo voces!

 

Elder Will Barker

Family!

 It's so good to hear from you! I'm sorry I haven't been able to get on the computers to Email until today. Tuesday is my P-day, I don't know if you got my written letter yet, but I sent one. It makes me so sad to hear that the girls are sick. Tell them to get better for Christmas break! So, for now I'm supposed to only Email my family, so tell everyone else to send me written letters or use Dear Elder. I sent the addrress in my written letter if you don't have it still. The mail key for SUU is on the Hyundai keys I believe, and you are right, I need my Patriarchal Blessing and I was also wondering about a casual belt, I forgot that too. Everything else has been pretty good so far. The MTC has been a great experience already. They keep us busy all day and I love it. I've learned so much Portuguese in the last few days, it's ridiculous. My companion's name is Elder Bowers, he is from Idaho and he's a great guy. He and I are already on our fourth lesson with a mock investigator named Fernando. We've been teaching him in Portuguese the whole time. We seriously taught him on Friday, when we had both only been here two days. It truly has been amazing, I know that I've already had some big time help in learning the language. My district is really cool, a lot of good guys. We get along well. My branch has some really awesome guys too. They welcomed us in right away. I met both the Elders from Orem that the Hamblins' knew, and Elder Bascom lives two doors down from me and is in my branch. I have also seen Brady a lot (though we're not in the same branch), Kolton Olson, Steven Wentz, Elder Taylor from Lyman, and some others that I've recognized as well. My Branch Presidency is rock solid. They are all amazing men. President Hodges is the President and Brough and Bartholemew are his counselors. They have given us some lofty goals, but certainly attainable. We are to read the entire Book of Mormon in our time in the MTC starting from the Introduction. If anyone wants to try to do it with me, go for it. I'm in 2 Nephi 16 today if you want to make it a fair race. They only give us 30 minutes on the Email, which is ridiculous, so I have to hurry. They food has been great, I've made a lot of friends, and had a lot of fun. I was pretty tired the first few days and today was the first day I've been able to nap, but I stopped feeling bad for myself on Sunday night when I heard Elder Holland's talk that he gave on Thanksgiving here at the MTC. It was So powerful. I felt like he was talking to me and it really opened my eyes. It was called Such a Time as This if anyone wants to get their hands on it. It opened my eyes to so many things and certainly strengthened my testimony. The spirit was just pounding me all day, and then we went and watched that talk right before bed and it hit me so hard! I know that Christ lives! I am his servant and this church is true. His atonement is real and we can feel the power of it in every day of our lives. Remember what he has done for us! I love you all and I'll try to write soon!

 

Love, Elder Barker 

 

DROP OFF DAY................

Well things didn't go quite as planned, his travel visa to Brazil did not come in time, so he did not fly out on December 11 to the Sao Paulo Brazil MTC.  We got word from the missionary department that he was to report to the Provo MTC on 12-12-12.  He was a little disappointed, but I was kind of glad, it gave me one more night with him, and it makes this year's Christmas package a little easier to send to him.  He was set apart Tuesday, December 11th at 8 p.m. and then was up until about 1:30 a.m. packing, (a little procrastination) he did have a few distractions with friends and family coming to say their final goodbyes.

 Wednesday morning, 12-12-12, at about 8 a.m. we (the 8 of us) headed for Provo.  We stopped at Kneaders and had some yummy all-you-can-eat french toast and pancakes for one last meal together.  Isaac and Jim, Paula, Emma, and Luke met us there to say some more goodbyes.

 

 

 

 Next came the drop-off.  It was sad, I was holding back the tears, not 100% successful, causing a lump or two in my throat.  His siblings shed some tears, and even Will's eyes were wet.  Goodbyes stink!  Really though it was good, I wouldn't want him anywhere else, he is ready and anxious, and I am so, so happy for him to begin this adventure, and to go preach The Gospel. I know he will be the best missionary and the people he will meet and teach are lucky to get him.

 

 

And he's off!

The Farewell.....

Sunday, November 25th, was the big day.  The church was as full as I have ever seen it.  It was a little overwhelming, to see all that love and support for Will.  The program was exceptional, two of Will's favorite people, Joel Hefflebower and Garth Wagstaff spoke with him, and Riley and Bridger Thomas performed a musical number with the guitar, "I'll go where you want me to go..."  After we had a luncheon, soup and desserts, we were a little concerned about having enough, but it all worked out, thanks to the best family ever! We figured there were about 200 people that came to eat.  It turned out to be a great day!

 

Will and Ashlyn

 

 

 

Hailey, Megan, and Kenzee

 

 

Hailey, Will, Hailey, Will, Hailey, and Will

 

 

 

SUU Buddies

 

 

Eddie, Will, and Diane

 

 

Will and Alec

(sorry had to steal from instagram)

 

Will and the Johnson's

(Love Robyn's comments, and all of them!)

 

The Call..................

Will's call came on July 12, 2012, he was on his way to a baseball trip, and dad was out of town! So he took it with him and then met us at the Buckner Family Reunion to read it, and some of the Barkers joined us to hear the news.......

"Dear Elder Barker:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil Sao Paulo Interlagos Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, December 12, 2012. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language."

 

12-12-12!

 

 

Such a long time to wait! Will had a great attitude though and was able to go to SUU for a semester, learned a lot and made some great friends.