ADIOS ESPANA ... I WILL TRULY MISS YOU

Week #76

What a weird moment to think that after 18 months I am finally going to be face to face with you all again very soon. The week hasn't even started and I have already cried a few times. This week is going to be full of tears, but happy tears to see everyone again as well. It still feels unreal to thinK that you all are going to be here so soon. I can't really wrap my head around it and I probably won't until Im at home after a few weeks. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself without the stresses of the mission. 

I don't really know what to say on my last email...I kinda feel like I'm trying to write an obituary for when I die haha. But I guess what I really want to say is thank you to everyone. Thank you for the cards and emails and pictures and just all the prayers that have been said on my behalf in the last year and a half. I know I wouldn't have been able to get through this without your love. I feel spoiled at times because of how many letters and emails I have gotten from everyone. It really makes me feel loved. I know that I have had so much support and that is what has kept me going through the hard times. I hope that I have been able to represent the Barker name and Christs name in a way that pleases all. And of course I'm happy to represent  the Alamo 2nd ward!! 

It's definitely bittersweet to be saying goodbye to one life and saying hello to another. Just another transfer though right? As I sit and think about past year and a half, it has given me every emotion you can imagine. But the biggest emotion that I have felt is love. Love is the base of everything. Without love, nothing in this world would happen. So again, thank you for your love. 

Alright if I keep going I'll just start crying here at the computer and that's not really what I want (because then I can't see the screen and it just all becomes a big mess). I thought I'd just remind you of some good times this last year and then maybe you all can reflect on your year as well.

-pepper spray in the face (that's a good one)

-Speaking spanish like a boss!

-baptisms and changing lives one area at a time

-companions (both good and not so good)

-too many emails to respond to

-bed bugs (that's a good one too)

-learning more about myself than I ever thought possible

-coming to know my Savior and what that really means

-growing a real testimony of the gospel

-LOVING THE PEOPLE OF SPAIN
-and of course all the not so tasty food

It's been on crazy year! see you soon!!

Adios España...Hello California

con amor,

(for the last time) Hermana Barker

We had a girls party with some of the Beehive girls in class so that we could invite Enya (an investigator) to meet some of the girls. we danced and sang and ate a lot of candy! It was really fun!

Ivonne and her family.  They fed us every week.  Their daughters obviously did not want their picture taken.

And a great surprise!!! This Sunday right before sacrament meeting in walked Eduardo from Tarragona with my mini missionary Hermana Caicedo!!! It ws soooo fun to see them and they got to stay a little and we got to catch up. It was a great last surprise. Thanks to them for coming to see me and making it a great Sunday!

WEEK #75
Wow what a strange feeling! I only have one more email to send you until I see you in person!! Can you believe that because I sure can't! I just received an email from Hermana Porter. She was my companion in Martorell and she is from my same group. She just got home because she has to start school and her email made me laugh. She said "Stay in Spain!" It was funny. It's all starting to be real every day. We are now making mission plans for February and it's starting to freak me out!! We have been talking a lot about New Year's goals and everyone talks about things they want to do in the mission and I'm making plans and goals for what I want to do at home...but don't ask me what those goals are because I'm still trying to figure them out!

I hope all of you had a great Christmas and new year season. We felt the love of the members here. They fed us a lot! But that should be no surprise anymore...I don't want to hear any chub jokes when I get home alright?! :) I still can't believe that you all are going to come and get to meet the people who I have come to love so much. I have been making plans with everyone and they are all excited, and so am I of course. This last week we had my final zone focus (a meeting with the missionaries of the Valencia zone) and I had to give my 5 minutes of what the Lord has taught me. Let's just say I did really well...until the end when I broke down like a little girl. This whole mission thing has really made me a softy...get ready for some tears when I get home, both happy and sad ones. As I was thinking about what to say, it was hard to find only 5 minutes of what I have learned. This year and a half has been one of so much growth and learning, both personal and relationships with other people. It's incredible how much I still had to learn and still have to learn in the future...we really are never done learning. 

Well the truth is I don't have much for you all. I'm sorry for Tay and Court who have finals...I don't miss that at all, but I totally know how they feel when I try to study this book that I got for Christmas...best present ever :)  I'm working on it though. Let's just all pray hard that the test goes well because I think the only thing that's going to help me is the power of God. 

I'm doing great and am happy as always. The work is moving and every day is something new. I have become so close to these members here in Castellón. It's going to be hard to leave them, but I'm ready to start the next chapter in life (or I'm just trying to tell myself that so maybe it won't be as hard). I'm really excited to see all of you though and especially to hug and kiss little baby Mason!!! I'm going to speak to him in spanish all day so that when he gets older we can have secrets together!!! Get ready Mason here I come!!

Sorry this is kinda short and boring...I'm not really sure what else I have for you all. well...um...thats all folks

Love you all!!

Hermana Barker

 

 Priscilla leaves on her mission this Tuesday!! She's going to be a great missionary. At her farewell her mom spoke and ! just started to cry because it reminded me of what mom said to me. She said the same things about how she knows there is no better place that Priscila could be now than on a mission and of course she's going to miss her, but she knows that it's right for her right now. It always gets me when I hear moms talk about their daughters on missions. I just always think about my own mom telling stories about me and I just feel so special. LOVE YOU MOM!

 

New Years in Castellon

 

WEEK #74
HELLO!
Well truth is I don't really have anything new for you all. (normal considering we just talked like 3 days ago). Christmas was good. It was much quieter than last year, but it was nice to just be calm and spend time with some of the families here. We got invited to do Secret Santa with the JAS (single adults) in our ward and that was fun. It was weird to be at a JAS activity as a missionary, but it was nice of them to include us. It's weird because I've been here so long in Castellón that I am starting to feel just like another member, but with a very different life. It's fun though because I feel so at home and so accepted. I feel like I can ask anyone for help and they would all be willing to help at the drop of a hat. There is nowhere else I would have liked to end my mission but here in Castellón.

Skype was definitely very different from the other times. I just don't know what really to say to you all because all I have to talk about is the mission and I don't want to bore you. Sorry if it was boring. It was the highlight of my week though to see Mason, even if he cried when he saw my face! I'm telling myself it was his way of telling me he just can't wait to see me and he gets emotional thinking about it...so no worries. :)

Well really I don't have much for you. I have my last reunion with my zone this week where I have to share what I have learned...I already am planning on crying because I know I will! Yesterday we ate with Priscilla. She is leaving in 10 days to go on a mission to Madrid. We were talking about missionary life and I started to cry! The truth was that I was really just jealous of her because she has a whole year and a half ahead of her to have these experiences. I'm really excited for her though and I know she is going to do great things out there in Madrid!

OH the best surprise of the Christmas was that Sara Arce from Tarragona came here to surprise me!! She got in on Friday afternoon and came out with us all weekend to our citas! It was so fun to be with her! She has been a great support and she brought me lots of chocolates...what more do I need?? It was a great surprise and we had so much fun being missionaries together. Her brother served here as well so he got to come get her and I got to see Elder Arce again. The cutest part was when she said thanks for letting her do her missionary service because being a real missionary would be hard. I just laughed and agreed that it is hard, but it's worth it.

Missionary Stocking and Christmas gift from Sara

Well I wish you all a happy New Year. One of the things we have been doing this week is we have invited everyone to make two goals: a spiritual goal and a personal goal; but not just to make the goals, but also make the steps needed to accomplish those goals. I want to invite you all as well to do the same. Whether its reading the scriptures every day or working out 4 times a week. Think about something you want to change and actually DO IT!! love you all and ill see you soon! Can't believe I only have 2 emails left!!!! it's crazy!!

con amor
Hermana Barker

Hermana Barer and Maria

Hermana Barker and Hermana Solos

Christmas dinner with Melani, Shirli, Ana and Maria

Rachel got to Skype with Rita, her friend from Castellon who is a missionary in Chili.

Only 4 weeks left ......

WEEK #73
Well first off, FELIZ NAVIDAD or BON NADAL in Catalan :) I really can't believe that a whole year has passed already! It's insane to think that a year ago I was just starting to get the hang of the mission thing and of the spanish language and now I'm trying to prepare myself to come home. It's incredible how time flies and how many blessings and miracles I have seen in this last year. Christmas really is an incredible time of year. I love being home with my family and spending time together, but I think I have finally learned what Christmas really is, here on the mission. I have finally spent a Christmas as Christ would have; in the service of others, and let me tell you it's incredible. Christmas in the mission is hard of course, but it's so rewarding to bring families closer together and to see the joy on people's faces from something so small as brownies or a Christmas carol. It has really opened my eyes to the true meaning of Christmas.


Well I know that this week has probably been a crazy one at home getting everything ready and making plans. It's been crazy here too. It's incredible how many blessings the Lord was holding out on until my last 6 months of the mission! Maybe it was just because now I'm finally ready for them. We had the opportunity to finally see Jonathan enter the waters of baptism...and let me tell you it was incredible! I have been fighting with him (or for him) for 5 months now. All it took was a change of heart. He is incredible. He is facing hardships right now from all his friends who tell him he's crazy for joining the cult, but he is so proud to be a member of the church. He tells everyone! It's so cute to hear him talk about how much the church has helped him find real happiness. Just last night he said, "I'm just so happy you know?? and I don't understand because I have like no friends anymore and I do nothing at night, but I'm just so happy and I can't deny it! I smile all the time!" it was so cute! It's been a Christmas miracle that's for sure!

We also had my last zone conference yesterday and it was definitely bitter sweet. There are a few people in my zone leaving with me in January and it was a hard time for us. At the very end of the conference President Pace goes around and shakes everyone's hands. When it was my turn, like always, he had tears in his eyes and said, "Hermana Barker you have had a great mission. Your Heavenly Father is proud of you and I will never forget you." I just lost it and another Hermana and I just cried. All the Elders were making fun of me, but I didn't care! I know I'm going to just be a mess when I say goodbye to people, so just get ready for lots of tears!


This week was a special week and they are just going to keep coming. I got to sing in the zone conference and also in the primary program.  It was so fun to be back in the primary again for a day. It made me really miss my sunbeams who are no longer sunbeams at all!! I know these next four weeks are going to fly by. I can't wait to talk to you all in two days..I don't really know what I'm going to say, but just get ready for some screams when I see Mason!

Have a great Christmas and remember to share the gift we have been given. Love you all and see you very soon! Get ready to help me out of my awkwardness that I know is going to pass.

FELIZ NAVIDAD CON MUCHO AMOR
Hermana Barker

ps tell Brother Rutledge thank you so much for the Christmas card. That was very thoughtful of him! And tell everyone else thank you for the support and love. Tell grandma and grandpa bob thank you for the oreos...they know me sooo well :)

Ward Christmas party.  We were Mrs Claus and an elf. We did Rudolf in a rap with beatbox with the Elders in our district.

This brother makes paella for all the missionaries every Christmas and it is the best paella!

WEEK #72

HI!!!

First I have to say...HOW CUTE IS SANTA!! Oh my gosh I died when I saw the pictures. Santa is the best! He looks so happy and like he loves his job. And Mason looks just as cute as ever! I wanted to sit on Santa's lap, but seeing as he's a man, it's not allowed this year. Next year for sure haha. Don't worry mom about the Christmas package (we sent a small Christmas package this year knowing she would have a large wish list of items to purchase in Spain before we head home).  I don't have room for more stuff anyway so it's perfect. And plus the best Christmas gift is going to be having you all here soon! I seriously cant wait. I mean I may have cried the other day when a returned missionary was giving her homecoming talk and was talking about taking off the chapa (badge). She said it was the hardest few words she has ever had to listen to when the stake president told her to take off her chapa. I can't imagine life not as a missionary, but it's gotta happen at some point right? You'll just have to forgive me ahead of time with the awkwardness :) 

I'm so sorry to hear that Hermana Mahe is leaving. That's amazing that you have made such an amazing connection with her. I would love to meet the sister that has impacted my family so much. She sounds like an amazing girl. Keep writing her mom. The smallest messages really can affect someone. And keep loving the sisters. It really means a lot to us when the members take us in as their own. Then it's not as hard to be away from home...especially during the Christmas time. 

As always I'm doing great! Jonathan unfortunately couldn't get baptized because last minute he got called in to work and if he didn't go they would have fired him. That's been one of the hardest struggles here. People have to work on Sundays or they don't have jobs. But he is getting baptized tomorrow! He told his boss last week that this week he won't be able to work because it's "the week for God. He has important things to do". It was so funny and it just showed how much he has really changed. You will have to meet the crazy Dominican Jonathan when you come. He's great, and someone I have put a lot of time and love into. 

Things are going strong here still in castellón. This last weekend we had the festival of choirs in Valencia...it was awesome!! I got to see EVERYONE again! It really made me feel good that people still remembered me from Valencia (even though when I first arrived in Valencia I didn't speak a lick of Spanish haha). It was a big party and there were so many besos haha. I got to see Mama Africa and the Mambos and Obispo and everyone. Rosemary and Manuel moved back to Bolivia so I didn't get to see them. It was fun though to see how much everyone has grown and how much I have changed. They all commented on my Spanish so I'm hoping that's a good sign. It seems like just yesterday I was there though. They all said "wow how fast the time goes!" I was like "you're telling me"! It was great though and a fun little last hoorah!

The mission is still incredible. I wouldn't trade this time for anything. Every day I learn more and every minute I see blessings in my life. If any youth are reading this and trying to decide if they should serve a mission I would say, "DO IT". Its incredible. Yes its hard and there's a lot of tears, but it's worth it to see the change you can make in someones life. And it's worth the change you can make in your own life. Pray and search with real intent and I promise the Lord will guide you on where you need to go and what you need to do. Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith :)

Well not much else is going on. Its cold and raining here too. And Christmas is coming!!! Love you all. Stay warm and remember that the most important gift you will ever get came not in a box or from the internet; it came in a humble stable. Christ is the best gift you can receive. Give back this Christmas.

Alright enough of my missionary speech! love you all and laugh and smile often!

con amor,

Hermana Barker

No transfer! I Will Finish My Mission in Castellon. YEA!

WEEK #71
You definitely said right...this week FLEW by!! I can't even begin to describe how I'm feeling about being in my last transfer. The truth is it doesn't feel any different. I am just working hard and I'm still the same missionary. The only difference is that every person keeps saying "wow you're almost done"...as if I didn't know that!  It's okay though because it's CHRISTMAS!!! They finally turned the lights on in the streets and everything is all ready for Christmas. It's great!!! Really though I'm freaking out that I only have 6 weeks left. If it goes any faster than this last 6 weeks then I may just crawl under a rock.

This is Sarah, she just moved to England this week.  I was super sad

This week was good though. We had a lot of good lessons and Jonathan came to church!! He has his interview tomorrow and his baptism on Thursday. Let's just pray all goes well. It's been a long and tough 4 months with him, but so worth it. His change has been inspiring. He's incredible and so ready to make these changes in his life. It's been incredible to watch him choose to change. And it's also been incredible how the gospel has impacted his life. He is going to be a great member I just know it.

Truth is I can't even really remember what happened this week.  It's all going into a blur. Today we went to a castle for the last hurrah as a district. It's kinda been weird because Elder Westfall and I have been in the same district for the last 8 months...almost half my mission. It was definitely weird to see him get on the train. Now we have a trio of Elders so we will see how that goes as well.

We threw a baby shower (I bet you've seen pictures already) for Maria Laura's mom on Friday night. It was super fun! Not many people came, but we played games and I know she appreciated it. Also we had stake conference in Valencia and I got to see so many people again! It was awesome. And you better believe I've already made plans with a bunch of them. Get ready to eat a lot and hear a lot of different accents!!! I'm SO EXCITED for you to meet all my Spain family from the last year and a half of my life. There  are some amazing people here.

Well I don't really have much else for you. But I'm happy and healthy and ready to work! Ill see you in 42 days! 

Con amor,

hermana Barker

ps I wanted to share something from an email I got from President Pace this last week. This was a response to my weekly email that I sent him:

"Of all the things in your list for which you are grateful, this one really hit me: "Overall, I am grateful to be Hermana Barker."

You should be grateful to be Hermana Barker! You are terrific and it is good that you are comfortable with who you are... comfortable in your own skin, so to speak. That is a great way to be. Not arrogant, but at peace. I like it, and I really like serving with you in El Faro."

Mom and Dad, my Christmas package was delivered!  (the last package we sent sat in the mission home for 4 weeks before someone brought it to her)

On P-day we went exploring an old castle

WEEK # 70
HI!!

It looks like all of you have been busy this week with Thanksgiving and family get togethers! So fun! I can't believe that November is already over though. If December goes just as fast, I might cry! The table looks incredible mom!! Seriously beautiful! And you did it?? Superwoman! I can't wait to see the house...truth is I'm forgetting small details...like the color of our front door, but no worries. You better leave the Christmas decorations up as long as possible...aka until I get home :) I can't believe that Mason was blessed! How special. It's crazy to think that all this is going on and I feel like real life is on pause. Sometimes I forget that you all are still moving and living life, Sorry! It makes me happy though to hear that all is well and everyone is safe and happy. I couldn't ask for a bigger blessing in my life right now.

 As for Thanksgiving, it was great! Wendy and Herlan (a couple from the ward) invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. She said she wanted to make the Americans feel special. It was super cute. We ate well and we shared what we were thankful for. We made apple cider and the Elders made Apple pie. We had a lot of fun and I was very grateful for Wendy and Herlan and their love and desire to make us feel special and at home. It was a very special day. Also as thanksgiving was passing, I was very grateful for the family that I have. The more time I spend away and with other families, the more I realize how amazing my family really is. Thank you for always supporting me in my dreams and goals. Thank you for always loving me even when I was difficult (which I still am by the way :) Most of all, THANK YOU for being the best family anyone could ever ask for. For raising me in this gospel and helping me find my faith in God.

Our American Thanksgiving Dinner made by Wendy and Herlan

Hermana Solos, Hermana Barker, Prescilla who is going on a mission in January, and Wendy

Wendy and Herlan

 Well the rest of the week was a little more difficult than usual because it was raining. Here they don't like the rain at all. The minute it starts raining no one leaves their houses....so as a result, we had lots of fired citas and lots of walking in the rain to do. We somehow always find fun things to do though so it wasn't too bad. Jonathan is officially set for the 12 of December to be baptized! He is changing more and more every day and it's incredible what the gospel has done for him. He even wrote a song about his change and the Mormons.

 Every email I write I panic a little more because I realize that it's down to one of my last emails...the time is just flying by. We have transfers next week and if I get transferred for whatever reason, I will cry haha. There is nowhere else that I want to spend Christmas than right here in Castellón. (or maybe Martorell). We will see what happens though. It's amazing how much is still happening here in Castellón every day. We are seeing more and more miracles every day.

Story of the week isn't a miracle but its a small tender mercy that the Lord gave me this week:
Juan Carlos (the recent convert) is so amazing. Every day he is more clean and more prepared. He is working towards receiving the Priesthood right now and he is really fighting against the temptations of the world. Anyway, he is just so cute and sooooo happy and nice. Every prayer he says, he mentions his "angels". His prayer this week really touched me when he said, "Padre gracias por mis angeles. ¿Que tienes allí? ¿Una escuela de angeles?" (translation: Father thank you for my angels. What do you have up there? A school of angels?) And then he just laughed and kept going with his prayer. It was SO cute haha. He really has made an incredible change both inside and out. He looks cleaner and dresses nicer and is always willing to help with everything. He is the type of person that makes the hard days worth it.

Well truth is I really don't have much else for you. I'm happy as always. It doesn't even feel like the time is going until I sit and think about it. I miss you all, but not enough to end yet haha. I hope this week brings blessings and love in every minute. I want to challenge all of you, just like dad challenged me, to do something in this last 6 weeks that will be worth sharing when I get home. Give a gift of the gospel for Christmas, or share your testimony of the family with a friend. LOVE YOU ALL!!

Elder Westfall and I have both worn out the soles of our shoes

con amor,
Hermana Barker

ps did the missionaries end up coming over for thanksgiving??

 pps what color is masons room??