Monday, October 21, 2013

So, we´re four hours ahead now instead of three. And... We spoke in church yesterday. It went a lot better this time. Everyone understood what we were saying and everyone is getting more excited about missionary work!

President Pinho got super excited after General Conference and we have a new program that we´re going to apply. It´s based on the talk that M. Russel Ballard gave. Estender a mão para apenas um entre hoje e Natal. Que presente maravilhosa para o Salvador. It means to extend a hand to at least one person from now until Christmas. What a marvelous gift for the Savior. Elder Ballard said that If everyone in our wards and stakes invites at least one person to talk with the missionaries, we will help millions of people join the church.

We´re going to pass by the houses of all of the members now and ask a lot more referrals. I´m inviting all of you to extend a hand as well. In our family alone it would be 6 more people in the ward, if you don´t count Zoe. It will be awesome!

I feel great satisfaction in the service of the Lord. There really is no feeling like it. Even though sometimes we don´t see the results we want, I sleep well at night.

Is Bridger getting excited for his Birthday? Happy birthday B-ridge! (much warmer than the happy birthday he gave me a few years ago) Happy birthday, jerk. I think it was over a Frosty at Wendy´s that he got upset.

Love you all!

Elder Barker

Monday, October 14, 2013

Hello Family,

Thanks Mom for the updates and information. You´re the best. This week was good. I´ve still been thinking a lot about conference. It´s been a lot warmer lately and we had some cool rain storms. Yesterday we were just walking down the street and it was a hot, muggy day and in less than 3 seconds it was pouring rain. It came out of nowhere It was kind of crazy. We didn´t have umbrellas so we just waited it out a few minutes until it stopped and then it was just hot and muggy again.

Remember that family I said that we found at the end of that really long day? Well they went to church that week, went to conference (and watched the rest on line), and went to church yesterday too. They´re a really cool family. The ward loves them too. There baptism could be this Saturday, but the dad, Nelson, has doubts about the Book of Mormon, so we´ll see. I´ll keep you updated. But their names are Nelson, Adriana, Jessica and Guilherme.

Not much more to report on... Saturday was Day of the Children. All the kids get a bunch of candy and toys and stuff. It was also the day of one of the catholic saints. Nossa Senhora Aparecida. I don´t know what it is in English.

 

Anyways, I love this work and I´m grateful to be a part of it. I´ve really been blessed with amazing experiences. I´ve witnessed a lot of crazy things and a lot of miracles. I´ve learned a lot in these few short months. Talk to you soon!

Elder Barker

Monday, October 7, 2013

Bom Dia Familia,

Mais uma semana! 

We weren´t transfered, so we´re happy about that, everyone in hour house will continue the same for now.

 I was shocked to hear about Beverly. I didn´t even know she was sick. I had sent her a letter, but I don´t know if it got there in time. 

Man, conference was awesome. We went to the stake center for the sessions. The sessions were live transmission, so we watch at 1 and 5. And we (missionaries) watch the priesthood session the next day at 6 am, because it goes to late into the night on Saturday. Members can watch on the internet, but a lot of them went to the stake center too. They had a room in English this time, so that was cool. President Pinho prefers that we watch it in our own language (me too). All of the talks were awesome. I don´t know if it´s because I´m on the mission, but I think I learned more at this one than any other conference. I felt the Spirit testify of all of the speakers. And I felt an especially strong confirmation when President Monson spoke. I love our Prophet. I learned so much. I took notes and I´ve set goals to apply the teachings in my life, one of those being to memorize the  Articles of Faith. Something so simple, why don´t I have them memorized? We should know the basic beleifs of our own church.

Did you like (or even notice) Ulisses Soares? He´s from São Paulo. He spoke in the first session about meekness and controlling our temper. It was really good. And the President of my Area gave the closing prayer of conference, Claudio R. M. Costa. Pretty cool.

Anyway, I was truly inspired. I am excited about my mission and excited about life! We are members of the church of the true living God. We need to share this knowledge with EVERYONE. I liked the talks about missionary work and member missionaries. Work with the missionaries and invite friends to hear the marvelous news of the gospel. All too often we selfishly keep the gospel to ourselves, because of fear, lack of time, or lack of faith. Invite EVERYONE, and at least give them the opportunity. 

I have a testimony that the one true path to happiness is holding firmly to the iron rod (word of God) and keeping His commandments for the rest of our lives.

Having put our hand to the plough, we can never look back. Luke 9:62.

I love you all and pray for you always.

Elder Barker