I Know that I am Blessed in my Life with so Much .........

Week #22

Hello family!!! This week has been great! I thought Christmas was going to be a lonely time, but it was truly amazing! The members here are so welcoming and we had people sign up in November to invite us for Christmas. The weird thing about Christmas here is that it's not very big. It's not like America at all. They eat a lot (but thats normal) and they sing. The whole lights and Santa and all of that though is lacking a lot. It never really felt like Christmas for me. Idk if thats a good or a bad thing though. Maybe that made it easier to handle. Anyway, it was great. We ate shrimp and fish and oysters...all of my favorite things :( We sang ALOT :) and we gave out a lot of brownies...the coveted food here in Spain.

I really am so privileged to have the family and friends that I do. I recieved so many letters and gifts it was amazing. My piso mates were a little jealous, but I shared so don't worry.Sso here are my thank yous:

-thank you Hall family for the card and update! I'm glad all are doing well. Tatiana I'm sorry I'm so horrible at emailing back but I promise I will! or I will write back because I have more time for letters than email!

-thank you Larson family for the letter as well! It was great to hear how the family is doing! You all look so happy! I hope Erika is doing well and loving Arizona! I have no doubt that the people love her.

-Grandpa Bob and Grandma Daisy. The candy was PERFECT! I love American candy and thank you for thinking of me! I am so blessed to have grandparents who care so much about everyone in the family

-Tiffany VB. your hair looks so cute! Thank you for saying hi! I hope life is well! I'll write soon

-Bracken...idk if he has already left, but if not tell him I say good luck! I know he is doing the right thing and he is not going to regret his decision to serve The Lord.

-Kelli and mark thank you for the card! It was so cute! you all really are my best friends, so the card was perfect!

-Grandma Bev! I finally got your package. It was so perfect!! The pomegranate chocolates were the best thing ever! I may have already finished a bag even though I just got the package today! haah. The gloves and scarf are beautiful!Tthank you for thinking of me and always being there for me and my family.

I truly am blessed with all the love and support I have from everyone. I know that I am blessed in my life with so much. I am grateful that I have this time to share some of my blessings with the world. Thank you for everything and all the kind words I receive every week. You all have no idea how much your words mean to me. 

As for this week it's a little crazy. Hermana Alatorre has 3 intercambios which means I am in my area all alone. I am going to work with Sara (anorexia) this week to try to build our area. It's a little dead right now. It's sometimes nice to be the one to say where we're going and all that. It's just a little bit of fresh air :) Also we have zone enfoque this week and it could be my last one in Valencia. We will find out on Saturday night about transfers.

Some good stories about this week...I ate stomach! It was awful! haahah. We ate an authentic Ecuadorian meal. I finished it all first and then asked what it was. That was the best decision I ever made! The texture and flavor was something that I wouldn't mind never having again! hah but it was an experience.

This week is dia de reyes which means more food and more parties! I don't know how I haven't gotten fat here. It truly is a miracle. We eat more than I ever have in my life. And still I hardly ever know what I'm actually eating! 

The miracle for this week.. when Hermana Alatorre was on intercambios, Sara and I knocked buildings...for 2hours...bleck! Anyway, we found a woman named Mari Nieve from Equatorial New Guinea. She let us in and we taught about the Book of Mormon. As we were talking, she slowly started telling us about her family and life. By the end we had found out that her Uncle and Aunt are members. She hasn't been to church ever though because her husband thinks it's a waste of time. She had so much interestt though and invited us back. She was truly a miracle because I had prayed that morning to let us find someone while we were knocking doors. Prayer really does work. We don't know what is going to happen because of the husband, but it was a miracle none the less. 

I hope you all are doing well. I'm super jealous about all the football and things!! I really miss sports to be honest. Today we played frisbee and every week the elders are impressed that a girl can play sports. It makes me laugh. Of course its all the Elders...and me, whats new there? Hermana Alatorre doesn't like to play, but it's nice that she lets me play. Its my one day of the week to forget the world and just run and relax. (We asked Rachel about playing football "Soccer" on pdays because she loves soccer but she said that soccer has been banned in their mission because too many missionaries were getting injuries playing on pdays).

I miss you all and I am so glad I got to see your faces. Rosmery and a family from my ward saw the pictures. There are now people in my ward following my blog as well! It's going world wide! So I get to see it every once in a while. Can you send the link to me though? Well I love you all and I hope you have a good New Years with lots of love and lots of miracles. I will talk to you in 2014!!! 

Con Amor

Hermana Barker

Photos coming soon!

Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.

(Note from mom - I apologize that my computer is not formatting her letter correctly)
Week #21

Hello my most amazing family ever! (side note.if spaces are missing its because the space bar is not working right. Sorry in advance!) I can't believe its already Christmas! I don't know about home, but it definitely doesn't feel like Christmas here. There's not many lights, and the trees are all FAKE! Yea awful I know!  I don't really think I'll have time to be homesick this week though because we have 2 eating citas every day on the 24, 25, 31, 1, 5, 6! It's going to be the time to get fat that's for sure! I'm scared because I can't eat all of it! Wish me luck!

I am more than excited to see your beautiful faces on Skype in TWO DAYS!!!  It's going to be so great.  I wish we had more time but we will make the most of it.  Are Kelli and Mark going to be there? I really hope so.  We checked the skype and computers yesterday and so all should work out. It'll be around 7:40 to 8:15. I hope you're right dad 

and that mom is sitting there waiting for me! I cant wait!!!!

I'm glad you fed the missionaries. It really is nice to get a break from the missionary life and eat with members. 

Thank you for doing that. I know they appreciate it as well. What is the name of the Elder from Rexburg? I bet they
are learning a lot in Oakland! I can only imagine how different it is for both of them!

Thank you for all the kind words for Rosemary. She is doing great! She and Manuel are progressing so much. They 

are super excited for Christmas!  They have invited all the missionaries from our ward (6), the obispo and his wife, 

some menos activos, our investigators, and some neighbors! It's going to be a party for sure! The only thing we 

have to bring are brownies. Brownies are a real prize here. They love them. The thing is the brownies are no where 

near good as the boxed brownies from Safeway. If only they knew. 

The ward party was a lot of fun. Of course the real party didn't start until after we left. (Rachel and her companion 

ward Christmas party)  Everyone participated. The obispo was very pleased so that's always a good thing. We had 

to leave at 10 of course, but we found out the next day that everyone stayed until 3 in the morning!! My ward knows 

how to party!  They said they danced and sang and had a great time. If only I weren't a 

missionary for that night haah. 

This week has been a little boring because hermana Alatorre was sick. we spent a lot of time in piso and I spenta 

lot of time studying and reading the scriptures.  It's a blessing and a curse to be stuck in piso all day!

We had intercambios this week so hermana Rhodes came to spend a day with me. She is awesome!  We didn't 

have a lot going on in terms of citas, so we went caroling. We found 3 new investigators from it! The only problem 
is we haven't had time to visit them because we've been stuck in piso....It's aweful. haha but intercambios was 
good. It gave me a fresh start again.

Random side note...in South America it's rude to smell the food. I found that out last night when I smelled 

something that Manuel made before I ate it. He was not happy with me. But it's all good  because are best 
friends. So just so everyone knows...DONT SMELL THE FOOD! 

Tay I'm so happy for you and your blessing! It sounds like it was beautiful! I knew it would be. You have a heart 

and spirit of gold. Make sure to read it often. I try to read mine at least once a week. It is great way to remember 

your worth as a child of God. 

(For more information on a Patiarchal Blessing click here www.lds.org/topics/patriarchal-blessings)

Well since I get to talk to you on Wednesday, I guess theres not much else to say!  This week is going to be so fun 

and I really am so excited! I love eating with the members! They are awesome.

Remember that this is a time to celebrate Christ and all He has done for us. Luke 2:14. That is my scripture to all 

around the world! Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Con Amor!

Hermana Barker

Feliz Navidad!

Back to the Path of God .....

Week #20



Helllloooo my favorite people in the world!

I surprise myself every day with how much I miss you all. I talk about my family all the time and I show pictures to everyone!  But don't worry, I'm focused on the work, but I'm also bragging about the coolest family ever! As you can see by the pictures, Rosmary got baptized on Saturday! There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, but it was a beautiful baptism none the less. Manuel  bore his testimony at the end about how he saw the Elders out one day and decided he needed to come back to church. He then went on to say that through the Elders, he and Rosmary found three angels: Hermana Tuttle, Walker and Barker. It was so cute. He looked right at me and said that I have been a great blessing and angel in his life to help him get back to the path of God. It was beautiful. I finally can say that I have a recent convert! It's great.

Manuel, Hermana Allatore, Rosemary, Hermana Barker

Manuel, Hermana Allatore, Rosemary, Hermana Barker, Hristo

Manuel and Hristo.  Manuel wanted a scripture case and Rachel found him one.

As far as the Bulgarians, don't worry. Hristo is AMAZING! 

(When Rachel sent us a letter about these 2 Bulgarians showing up at church on a Friday asking for help and Rachel and her companion were the ones helping them, it made us a little nervous.)  He doesn't understand Spanish very well, and yet he is at every meeting, every activity, every devotional trying his best to pay attention and listen. He is a great member of the church. We found out this week that he has no family. His parents both died when he was younger and his wife's family doesn't like him because he is poor. He told us in broken Spanish / English that he was grateful for the  church and for his "parents" Rosmary and Manuel. He calls Manuel "papa" its so funny! He's great so don't worry.

The Wardells leave tomorrow. It's so sad, but they are excited to get home. Thank you for sending her the email mom. They both told me about it. That was very nice of you. If you could, could you find a way for her to get the weekly emails? That would be great. (Brother Wardell has been on a sebatical in Spain and have been  Rachel and her companions American family away from home.  They returned to the states on Dec. 16th.)

I received the package! It was awesome, thank you so much! I put the presents under our little tree and it makes it feel so much more homey in our piso. Hermana Alatorre was very grateful that you sent her something as well. Thank you for that. We have permission from president to eat as a district at houses for Christmas and for New Years. We have 2 meals each day on 24, 25 of December and the 5, 6 of January for their Three Kings Holiday! (The Three Kings Holiday in Spain is really where they open their presents.  Christmas day is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.)  idk how I am going to eat all the food! I may die haha. It'll be so fun though. I am excited for Christmas. 

Rachel requested we send Fruity Pebbles.

The companionship is going. It's not the most fun, but it is the most obedient I will probably ever be on my mission. Hermana Alatorre is a great teacher and she really loves the work. The only problem is she doesn't know how to have fun while working. Slowly though, she is cracking and I am teaching her how to have fun. She tells me every day how good I am with members. I love watching her teach, she is so fluid and they are captivated every time. It truly is amazing. Sometimes it's hard because I don't do much teaching. I don't talk much during lessons unless I tap her so she knows I want to talk, but it's ok. It is showing me what not to do as a senior companion. 

We are seeing miracles however. On Friday we got a call from man named Julian. He said we had given him a target (missionary card) and that he wanted to be a missionary so he decided to call us. We were shocked! So yesterday we went to visit him. We thought it was a younger guy, because neither of us could remember talking to a Julian, but when he answered the door he was about 35. He said he had read the card and wanted to find out how to be a missionary. We gave him a lesson  at the door and gave him a Book of Mormon. He told us he was going to read it and that he would be at church next Sunday at 10. We never told him what time church started, so he must have really read the card. We also made a return cita with him and he must have reminded us 6 times what day and when. He asked if we were really going to remember or if he needed to call us. He was doing our part! It was truly amazing! HE CALLED US! Hermana Alatorre said it's the first time in her mission that someone has actually called from the tarjeta! It was truly a miracle that we had been looking for, keep Julian in your prayers!

Well there's not much else to talk about. Hermana Alatorre and I put together a Christmas program for our ward dinner this Friday. Hopefully all goes smoothly. The good thing is that she does take my ideas to heart. I have a lot of ideas for the ward, but sometimes I don't know how to put them to use. She helps me make my ideas a reality. The program hopefully will be an idea that turns out well! 

Spanish is coming along great. I understand a lot more than I can speak, but slowly I am getting there. Hermana Alatorre is a great help. She can explain in English too which is great because then I actually understand why a sentence is structured how it is instead of just memorizing phrases. It is great. 

As for Skype, yes it would be at 8pm. between 7:30 and 8:30 probably.  Will that work  for Mark and Kelli as well? I can do it later or maybe earlier  if needs be. We have a dinner appointment but they know we have to leave to Skype so let me know. I know there will be tears from my end too. I tear up just thinking about hearing your voices! love you all! 

Thank you to everyone for all the emails and  letters I receive. I really feel the love and support form everyone. Did you get my letter for the young women? Also can you ask grandma and grandpa if they got my card? thank you!

Feliz Navidad! Love you and miss you all! 

Con Amor

Hermana Barker

SHE HAS A FECHA!!!

Week #19

What an emotional roller coaster this week has been! I think, actually I KNOW that this week will most definitely be the most emotional week of the mission. Let me start off with the small stuff and then I'll build haha.

Well first I'm sorry for not writing yesterday. We had our zone Christmas conference! It was great! Elder Glenn is our zone leader. Last conference he asked Hermana Walker and I to sing with him. This conference he asked me to sing with him again. He is realy good. He is studying music at BYU, so I was honored to sing with him again. We sang some song, but I can't remember the name. But it was beautiful. At the end of it, President Pace stood to shake our hands and he had tears running down his face. It was a very amazing experience. My favorite part was when President Pace was talking about having a "White Christmas"....at first we were all like um what? It hasn't even rained here let alone snow. Good try President. He then went on to explain that what he meant by a "White Christmas" was to make sure our Christmas was pure like snow. White with our spirit and white in baptismal clothes. I really liked that and it hit me that I really am here to do the Lords work and I have been called by God to serve His children.

So to start off this emotional week, we had a lunch cita with our bishops wife, Sonia, and a young woman preparing to serve a mission. Her name is Zarahemla. Anyway, we ate and had a great time. Then it was time to share a spiritual message. I was reading in the Liahona (a church magazine) the other morning and there is a talk about how Christmas is the best time to share the gospel because everyone is in good spirits and its a great time to give gifts. I decided that was what we were going to share with them. We started talking about how it's scary to share the gospel with friends sometimes because we may get rejected. I know though that if we share the gospel with love for the people, it can never be rejected. It may change anything in their lives at that moment, but they will feel of your love. Zarahemla and Sonia both started crying and by the end I was crying as well! It was an amazing experience. Also, Zarahemla has prepared 10 Books of Mormon with her testimony to give to friends this Christmas. She is going to make a GREAT missionary.

So before I get to the good stuff, I should mention some of the struggles I guess. Basically I know that this transfer is going to be a great learning time for me. Hermana Alatorre is great. She knows what she is talking about and she loves this work. The only problem is, we are very different people. Elder glenn told me I'm losing my sparkle. I am determined to not let that happen. This week I have been trying very hard to serve Hermana Alatorre and love her as much as possible. Hopefully we can work together and see miracles that I know we can see if we work together. It's ok though, every companion is here to teach me something and I am going to learn a lot from her.

Now the best news yet! So the second emotional day was the best emotion I have felt yet on my mission. I can't remember if I talked about the Bulgarian guys who showed up at the church last week.  (Rachel actually relayed this story in a letter she sent to us this week.  Here's the story:  Two weeks ago we were at church on a Friday for for a consejo (meeting) with Isaias our ward mission leader. These 2 men walked into the building and tried to talk to us.  The problem is that they are from Bulgaria and speak little English or Spanish. It turned out that these men were working in the fields to earn money and the man who owns the fields ripped them off.  They worked for 3 months and only made 30 Euros!  Then, the man kicked them out.  They had no where to go, so one man, Christo, searched for the capilla (chapel) online.  He had been baptized in Bulgaria last February.  He told his friend they should find the capilla because the church would help them.  We got them some food and figured out some things for them.  We also found out that Christo has a 7 month old daughter and a wife in Bulgaria.  The craziness doesn't end there, Manuel, as in Rosemary and Manuel,our investigators, happened to be at the church and heard what was going on.  Manuel offered his piso for them to stay until they can get back on their feet.  It was so sweet.  Manuel said he doesn't have a lot of money, food or anything to offer but his couch.  Christo's friend isn't a member so we requested pamphlets and a Book of Mormon in Bulgarian so we can get his friend baptized while he is here.  It could happen!)   Basically for the angel Cristo, Rosemary can now be baptized.  He really is an angel sent from God for us and for Rosemary. Because now he is their roomate, and that means that Rosemary is now considered roomates with Manuel. (Rosemary and Manuel lived together and were told in order to get baptized they needed to live in separate pisos.  With money sparse that was not a possibility, so they moved into seperate rooms in their piso, but that still wasn't enough).  Anyway, long story short....ROSEMARY IS GETTING BAPTIZED...ON SATURDAY!!!!! We had a lesson with her and at the end I asked if she wanted to be baptized. She looked at me and said of course I do, but I can't. I then looked at her and told her we have permission from obispo (Bishop) for her to be baptized. She looked at me and threw her arms up and started bawling. Then I started bawling and we had a crying moment. It was amazing!!! She is my first investigator, and now my first baptism. She asked me to sing at her baptism as well. It's amazing what hard work and determination can do. Rosemary has had a strong enough testimony to push through 3 months of pain and trials just because she knows the church is true. I don't care that it has taken me this long to get a baptism, because she is the perfect baptism and the perfect way to start out my work.

Well I don't think anything can top that news of Rosemary. It really is the best feeling ever to see someone be completely converted to the Lord.

So last couple things...Christmas day I get to skype with you all for 40 minutes. We can decide a time together. My companion has already spoken to her family and she is skyping at 8 our time. I'm not sure what time that is for you, but if that time works that would be great. I'm not sure what all your plans are so let me know.

Also mom, thank you So MUCH for the Christmas tree of my sunbeams. I may have shed a few tears when I opened it. It's hanging on my wall! I really loved it! And thank you for the songs! I have listened to them for the last hour while I emailed! I love them. I do have a way to listen to cds if you still want to make one for me :) You sound beautiful as always. Also, grandma and grandpa! Thank you for the package. It came today and I am so excited to open it...for Christmas of course. I sent you a card last week so hopefully you get it soon! It's not much but I thought it was fun.

Sorry this is so long. I guess a lot has happened this week. Definitely some good and bad tears, but nothing I can't handle. I can't wait to see your faces on christmas!! Probably some tears will be shed then too! Sorry I didn't write back to everyone this week. It was a little shorter time we had. Thank you though for all!! I love you all and miss you so much. I'm so jealous of your Christmas decorations. The central square here is super decorated! It has a huge tree and everything. Other than that not much is decorated. People have trees, but they are super small. Its definitely different from America, but its fun to see all the different ways things are celebrated in different parts of the world.

Well, love you all and miss you more than you know!!! Be sfae and have a great week full of love and laughter and sharing the gospel! Remeber what this time really is about! The Lord has given us all and we must be thankful for all we have. Remember that no matter what comes our way, we are strong enough to overcome because we have a Savior who overcame death for us personally. I know he knows and loves every single one of us individually.

Con Amor,

Hermana Barker

Thanksgiving in Spain ..........

Week #18
My beautiful family!!!!

The pictures look awesome! It looks like you all had a great time in Florida!!! I wish I could have been there, but Spain is pretty cool too so I guess thats ok. thats crazy that Parker Itow is home already! I can't believe he is done and going back to Idaho.  That'll be fun though. Mom, I love all that you shared about the missionaries there. I love to hear other missionary stories so that is awesome. 

As for Valencia....it's the same old same old. Hermana Alatorre is great. She knows a lot and she is teaching me a lot. I think though that I am going to teach her as well. She likes to take charge, but thats ok cus I'm kinda just a go with the flow anyway.  This transfer is going to be interesting though. It's definitely different from the last one thats for sure. Hermana Walker definitely was the best companion I may ever have on my mission. I know though that i can make any situation fun so nothing is going to stop me from having a fun time on my mission as well. 

So a couple random things about Spain...mandarins are a huge thing here!! Everyone works in the campos and so we receive mandarins almost every day from people in the ward! It's awesome! 

Also there are stores called "chinos" everywhere around here!! They are the best thing I have ever seen!  They literally have everything you need for super cheap. When we need something but don't know where to go, everyone always says "togo to a chino". I think im going to miss them when I get back to America! 

Also about Thanksgiving....we weren't allowed to go to the Americans (Brother and Sister Wardell) house

because they had missionaries from their ward go...soooooo my Thanksgiving was very interesting. We were in piso all day because hermana Alatorre wasn't feelign well. She slept for 6 hours!!! Let me tell you a piso with nothing to do is sooo boring for 6 hours! There is a picture of my thanksgiving to follow so dont worry! haha. So to say the least Thanksgiving was...great ha.  Also, the Wardell family leaves in 2 weeks! I'm really sad because I have gotten so close to them! They are great! She said she was going to email me for the rest of my mission. Do you still talk to her mom?  (The Wardell's are from Arizona but brother Wardell has been on a sabbatical in Spain).

The Wellers - my American family in Spain.

My Thanksgiving dinner - Yum!

We do have plans for Christmas though! Rosemary and Manuel (our investigator and menos activo) invited all the missionaries in our ward over for christmas dinner! She was so cute. She was talking about what we wanted for dinner and if she could get a recipe for something American that she could try and make for us! It was so cute!!! I love them so much! idk why I havent sent a picture of them yet, but I will i promise! 

Also, tell the primary thank you for their pictures and letters! It honestly made my day!!!!! I loved them so much!

Well not much is happeing yet, but I know things are waiting for me! I am ready for Christmas and the different customs. Everyone says that I am with hermana Alatorre becuase she is training me to be a trainer. Everyone thinks that I will be training really soon and then I will be a sister trainer leader in the future. Who knows what will happen, but I am ready to learn all I can. I know people are in my path for a reason, and i am ready to find people who are looking for me. I love changes and learning and growing, so I'm pretty sure a mission is perfect for me.

As for Christmas I don't realy know anything yet. I hear we call on Christmas day, but im not sure how it all works. I'll try to figure that out soon for you. I do know we will skype, so make sure all the skype stuff works ok!? It's getting colder down here for sure. Nothing too bad though. It has only rained once in Valencia since I have been here so it's been super nice. 

Elder Silva carved my scripture cover for me.

Oh as for the packages dad, there just small things for christmas. Everything inside is wrapped with names on them so you can open the envelopes. I couldn't not send you something!  Sorry if they're kinda lame...especially you and Mark. It's too hard shopping for men and finding small things that fit in envelopes ahha. but enjoy! 

I love you and miss you so much! Honestly the holidays aren't the same without family, but Manuel and Rosemary are like family now so I guess that counts! Be safe and know that you're in my prayers always!!!l

The Flores family.  We have FHE with them often.  They are from Bolivia

Making Gingerbread houses

Con Amor,

Hermana Barker

TRANSFERS ........

Week #17
TRANSFERS!!!!!! 

So first of all, dad that was a great idea about including you both in one email so I started that this time. Second of all, the kitchen looks beautiful!!! I love the country style sink! Third, Harry Potter land looks awesome!!! I hope it was worth the hassle! The flight out to Florida sounded miserable! Glad I wasn't there...but actually I really wish I was haha. I'm super jealous of that and that you are in SHORTS in november! Its definitely starting to get cold here. My peacoats keep me warm though....SPEAKING OF PEACOATS!...I think I left my hoods for my peacoats in my room mom! If by any chance there is a cheap way to get them to me that would be awesome. If not don't worry. It's not a necessity. I have umbrellas and things too.

I'm sorry that you have had such a crazy week dad, but thank you for taking the time to email me still. I love emails from all of you. they literally make me cry...literally! Tay and Court are SLACKIN! Just kiddin its ok I understand...I'll just keep crying myself to sleep ;) haha.

Well this week was kind of sad. I really didn't want to say goodbye to hermana Walker. We are so different, but I don't think there will be a more fun transfer on my mission. We were always laughing and smiling and the members love us! I think the reason the members love us is because we are always laughing. They love the fact that we speak spanish and then when its wrong we just laugh at ourselves. Not to pat my own shoulder or anything, but many missionaries have told me that my strong point is definitely with the members. Our eating schedule was FULL this month. That's the first time it has ever been full for the hermanas! I just love the members and the kids! Its the best!

Anyway, back to transfers. Hermana Walker is going up north to Burgos. Sadly for her she is leaving 

the hottest part of the mission to go to the coldest part of the mission...sorry about it hermana! haah. But just watch, that's where I'll be headed too. So Hermana Alatorre is coming to be my companion. She is from Mexico and she speaks 4 languages fluently. I have heard that she is a very hard worker and I have heard the word "intense" a lot lately....hopefully that's a good intense! I am excited though to see new ideas and learn from new people. The work is hard here and hopefully she can find new ways to teach and to talk to people. She only has two transfers left, so I am excited to work with someone who is experienced. Also, I am going to make her speak spanish to me so that my spanish can excell this transfer. OH also, she's the sister trainer leader which means that she goes and teaches other companions as well once a week. There will be a lot of traveling for me this transfer and a lot of one day companions. It'll be fun though. Im excited for a fresh start!

Before I move on, I have to share a short story about hermana Walker. Every Thursday we have weekly planning and companion inventory to talk about our strenghts and problems and places we want help. This week was more of a reminiscing about our transfers. Anyway, we got to the part 

about complimenting your companion (it's in the book) and hermana Walker looked at me and said, "you just..." and then the tears started to flow!  It was so cute!!  She said that she saw so much potential in me and I have taught her how to have fun while still working hard. It was the cutest compliment she could ever give me. She's so awesome!!

So one weird thing about Spain...I try to look for one interesting thing to tell you every week. This week is about superstitions. So everywhere we go they don't let us put our bags on the floor. Finally I asked someone this week why that is. Apparently, it brings bad luck to put your bag that has books or money in it on the ground. They believe that it is disrespectful to the authors of the books. Also, they think that your money will be wasted if it is on the floor. Idk, it's a little weird if you ask me. The first Sunday I put a hymn book under my chair, and I thought this lady was going to bite my head off!!! She freaked out! Now I know not to put anything on the floor just to be safe. 

Now to the spiritual. So we have been meeting with Manual (menos activo) and Rosemary 

(investigator) since I got here. They are awesome!!!! At first Manual was having struggles with different things. As we have taught and met and formed an amazing relationship with them, he has become a new person!  In the last 6 weeks, he dresses nicer, he cut his hair, he comes to EVERYTHING!, and he is our best friend. It's such a difference from when it was like pulling teeth 

to get him to even participate in the lessons or come to church. It's people like him that is the reason I am here. It's not a baptism or anything, but I have seen the difference the church has made in someones life. Their relationship is stronger, and he is working towards going to the temple for the first time. I am amazed every day at the blessings and miracles I see in my life. That is the reason I am here. 

Well there's not much else in my life right now. I love it here and I wouldn't change it for the world! This mission has changed my life, but definitely for the better. I am ready to keep working and stamp my name in the Barcelona mission! 

I love you all and hope all is well!!! I sent some goodies in the mail so they should be coming soon! Be safe and remember that the Lord is on our side in all things as long as we trust in him.  Also,

 I heard a little thing from Tanya Hall today. "Remember your REPS...read, exercise, pray, and scripture study!

CON MUCHO AMOR!

hermana barker

Little Miracles Here and There .........

Week #16

I JUST LOVE YOUR EMAILS!!! The pictures literally make me so happy! The one with the Sunbeams made me tear up a little bit! Thank you for that mom! 

I took a picture of Rachel's primary class this past Sunday.
They are holding her Missionary Plaque.

Also dads birthday looked like a hit. The 50 sign was so cool! That was a great idea! I hope everyone had fun! I can't believe my dad is so old now :)  Just kidding dad, you're still so young.

 Also, I loved the picture in front of the tree. It's beautiful! Christmas is coming so soon. 

1st Christmas tree sighting, Nov. 11th, 2013
Stanford Shopping Center
Couldn't resist taking a picture.

We're already planning for baptisms in December...that is if we get any. We have to plan two weeks ahead for the date because investigators have to come to church at least twice. So the next baptism date for new investigators is now in December! I honestly can't believe its already December. The time is flying by! We have a little christmas tree in our piso...of course...  (Like father, like daughter.  Rons favorite holiday is Christmas. There have been many road trips in July with Christmas music blasting from the speakers)

(Merry Christmas con Amor, Hermana Barker Y Walker)

We found this Christmas tree under my bed!

Mom to answer your questions...if there's any way to hold out shipping your package until next Monday, I will know if I will be staying or not. We find out about transfers on sunday night. Most likely I am staying, but there's always a chance that could change. If you need to send it this week though, i would say send it to the mission home just to be safe. also, if you haven't sealed the box yet, could you possibly throw some floss in there? Weird request I know, but the floss here is the worst thing I've ever seen!  I would just love some nice floss.

We don't really have thanksgiving here, but we might be going to the Wardells. She is the lady you met through the mission moms page. She really is the best! She is so awesome and loves having us over...or at least we think she does. It's hard though because they now have sisters in their ward, so she is supposed to invite them over instead. 

 I had to send a picture of the "poop" that is all over the streets in this city.  It smells so bad here in Orriols.

I wish pictures had a smell!

This is a hallway in an apartment complex that we went to.
As we walked in we saw "gypsies" trying to break into an
apartment that had a chain on the door.
"Gypsies" are everywhere.  You have to be careful that
they don't rob you.  Crazy!      

Well this week is the same as always. Little miracles here and there, Lots of turn downs on the metros, and great members! A little miracle that we witnessed this week is named Delfina. There is this little old woman named Antonia who can't come to church because she can't walk very well. We go visit her often becasue she loves to sing hymns with us. So this week we went to visit her. The problem was, no one was answering the outside door. Side note: the pisos work like this. There is one main door and you have to ring the door you want and they have to open the main door. So anyway, no one was answering the main door. we pushed the door and it happened to be opened. when we walked in, Antonia was sitting on the stairs outside of her piso (more like slouching against a wall in a ball). We asked her what happend and she said she forgot her keys and the lady that takes care of her wasn't home. So we decided to sit and sing with her on the stairs. We sang Christmas songs and hymns with her. Then we called the lady that takes care of her and she said she was going to send someone over to pick her up. So after about 3 songs, Delfina walked in. She asked if we would sing one more song with her. We then shared a little message and left our name and got her name and number. She said she would love if we could come sing at her house sometime because she liked the way that our songs made her feel. Who knows what is going to happen with Delfina, but we saw a small miracle just from the hymns and helping someone in need. It was amazing.

So now for a funny story....We have a lot of Nigerian people that we work with. The problem is, they don't always understand or retain the information we give them. There is this one however named Wisdom. Wisdom is the best. He teaches the English Gospel Principles class for all the Nigerians. Anyway, we met with him this week to help him with his lesson. His lesson was about family history and genealogy. He starts of by telling us, "I am supposed to teach about family history and gynocology..." Hermana Walker and I almost lost it!!! He said gynocology about 15 more times throughout our lesson and we didnt know how to correct him! We just hope he didn't say it during his lesson on Sunday! It was hilarious though! It definitely made us laugh so hard after!  (I cant believe they didn't correct him.)

Well its finally starting to get cold here. I love it all.  I love everything about the mission. Slowly things are happening. I can't believe it has already been almost 4 months. The time really does fly here. I hope you are all having as much fun as we are having. The old men here are the nicest. They always kiss our hands and call us guapas, so dont worry, my self esteem is still good haha. We did get called Amish again today but thats ok. It makes for a good laugh. We also went to a flee market today. They are everywhere and they are the best!!!

Hermana Barker Y Nakken.  Hermana Nakken
serves in Ward 3

Well I love you all! I think abou you all every day! I hope you are doing well and loving life and making the best of every situation. Remember, there are no ordinary situations or ordinary people!  

Con amor,  Hermana Barker

Herman Barker Y Hermana Walker working hard.

Traditional Spanish Attire

Dad 'm so gald you got my package! I didn´t know what to get you for your birthday and I found it and thought of you. Also it was cheap to send so that was a plus! Im glad you liked my letter. I'm sorry it took me 21 years to actually talk to you and write you. I'm sorry that I'm a girl and I let it get the best of me hah. But I really am grateful for all you have done for me. I hope your surprise party was the best ever! 

Don't worry about me. I'm doing great. We have a few investigators every now and then. Usually they just don´t progress, or they just kindof disappear. I am teaching though and we are having a good time doing it. I'm still learning every day. I promise I am doing well though so don't worry about me. I'm getting my spiritual fill, and I am helping people. I know I havent had much sucess in terms of baptisms or investigators, but im having a lot of success in terms of learning and helping and growing. We are having a lot of chances to serve and make the relationship between members and missionaries strong for the next group of missionaries in this area. I love my mission so don't worry :)

Love you dad! I pray about you every day and you're always in my heart. Our picture is on my wall that I look at every morning while I study. Thanks for your email answering my questions. There will definitely be more coming. I am learning a lot I never knew before...so I hope you're ready. By the way, your spanish was awesome! Bien hecho por un hombre viejo. :) 

te amo! 

hermana barker

CUCARACHAS!!!!!! (That means cockroaches in Spanish)

Week #16
CUCARACHAS!!!!!! (That means cockroaches in Spanish)

That title has a story I will tell later. Just wanted to get your attention that's all. Now that I have it, I'm so glad you had fun on your trip! I loved the pictures! Hearing all your stories and all the fun I'm missing makes me a little homesick, but I love it all so keep it coming! I want to know all that is going on with everyone and everything.  I'm gald you had the chance finally to get away for a little bit. Happy birthday one last time dad!

Welcome to the HIGH COUNCIL DAD!!! You're going to be awesome!  I can't believe you got a ping pong table!!!!! I'm sooooo jealous! You better not be sick of it by the time I get home! We are going to have family competitions all the time! Really though that's awesome! How's the kitchen coming by the way? Is there any progress made?

 

So here are some odd little tidbits about Spain that I have yet to mention:
-There is no carpet anywhere!! I didn't realize I would miss something as little as carpet, but I really do! The dust just collects everywhere!

-I'm definitely going to have second hand smoke when I come home. It's like a game trying to avoid the smoke clouds on the calles! streets

-I had horchata…don't ask what's in it cause I have no idea....but it was gross!!! Hermana Walker couldn't finish hers so I had to when the woman was in the other room. It was terrible. It's not the first time I have had to finish something for Hermana Walker though. We also had leche del trigo...literally wheat and hay with milk. It was HORRIBLE!!!!!! also we had this apple juice sauce stuff that was just disgusting, to put it shortly. The drinks here are a little hard to handle. And now I have to handle it for two people! haha

-CUCHARACHAS!!!!!!! if you dont know what that is then youre a lucky person! Cockroaches are everywhere! We went to Rosemary and Manuel's new piso, and they lifted up the matress and literally 50 cucarachas ran out of it! I wanted to die! Hermana Walker screamed haha. It was so funny and they're HUGE!! They are in the church kitchen too, so gross. Everyone is always like "no pasa nada" like it's no problem, don't worry about it haha. Let me tell you, I worry about it!! Luckily we don't have any in our piso yet.

-Last one, Spain is in the scriptures! Romans 15:24. I thought that was pretty cool so I wanted to share!

(Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey; and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.)

Well as far as the work, we saw Beto again today. Beto is the 18 year old boy we were meeting with when I first got here. He said he would try to come to English class and he actually showed up this time! It was a miracle! He doesn't really have interest in the church still, but he has a lot of questions so that's a start.

Also, Viviana the girl with lukemia, told us her parents don't want her taking discussions until she is 18. it was really sad for us, but I have no doubt in my mind that she will be baptized some day. 

We are still working hard and making relationships with the members. We passed around calendars for eating citas this week, and the elders hate us! We have all the days filled up and the Elders is only half full! They said we're the worst because we're just cute little girls hahaha I think it's funny.

Well not much else is going on. Kel if you could add people on facebook that wuold be awesome. People keep asking why they can't see my page ha. Also, Stia from Australia said she wrote you a message so you can check if you have time! You're the best!!!

I hope all is well with you. Be safe and have fun and know that I love you all with all mi corazon!!!

con amor

hermana barker

Dad,

I'm so glad to hear that you had a good birthday! I bet it was so nice to get away for a while. Mom sent me pictures and it looks like you had fun! I can't believe you got put in high council still. That's awesome and in girls camp too! You lucky man! Actually I'm really jealous that Tay and Court get to go to camp with you. I wish I could have had the chance to go with you. 

I was talking to Elders about football today so thanks for the heads up cause they were shocked when I knew about Stanford and Oregon! I'm making a good name for myself with the whole pac-12 connections.

I can't believe Cal High won, good for them. And poor court...should have gone to San Ramon ;) How did Bracken do with his talk? Is he getting excited for his mission? I love thinking back to when I got my call and the months before when I had so much time to prepare myself.

Hermana Walker and I have already planned our after the mission visits. also, how far is it to Portland from Danville?

love you old man :) 

hermana barker

Here is a  little look into my life in Spain,

Train station where we spend a lot of time.

 The view from our apartment.

Our wall of inspiration.

Messy but with 6 girls in 1 apartment we do our best.

3 hours of study each day.

Our Kitchen, no CUCHARACHAS YET!