A Week of Ups and Downs ........

Week #9

Los Malos y Los Buenos…   (the bad and the good)

This week has been a week of ups and downs, it's been a roller coaster ride for sure. First to reply to some of the things in your email, I am so glad people see the blog! You work so hard on it and I could never thank you enough! You're the best mom ever! That's awesome about Chelsea! I hope she is doing well. When I read what Mrs Keller wrote about the missionaries I may have teared up a little, but that's no surprise ha. That's so sweet of her!  A mission definitely isn't a walk in the park, but it is so rewarding.

Thank you for all the support from everyone. I can truly feel the love on the hard days. I hope everyone knows they are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I'm glad you're not too worried about me. It definitely is true that the Lord is on my side. Everyone I meet is an angel in some way. It's amazing what the Lord can do. I have seen so many small miracles that could never happen without the Lord's help.

Now for the week, basically this week started out rough.  We had zone conference and guess what? President Pace (the Barcelona Mission President) came up to me and said that President Edgren (he is the Mission President in Poland, and he is a long time member of our church here in Danville.) says hi! They had a presidency meeting with all the presidents in the missions of Europe and he was there! President Edgren said they were lucky to have a sweet shining star like me in their mission. It was so cute and such a tender mercy in this hard week that we had.

LOS MALOS:

The bad this week was rough. First of all we had 15 citas (appointments) fall through…that's like most of the citas we had scheduled. We spent a lot of time trying to find things to do. It was rough because you feel worthless when you're just standing around.

Also we had an investigator drop us. idk if I told you about Beto. He is 18 and he had so many questions and was so concerned for his brother and hell and all of that. We met with him a ton the last two weeks and then he didn't show up to an appointment. We called and called and finally he answered. He said he wanted to talk to Hermana Barker so I talked to him. Basically he said I really like you guys and the help you give me, but it's a waste of your time. I don't want your religion. I have too much going on in life and I need to figure that out first. I asked him why he wanted to talk to me and he said cus he trusts me the most and thinks I would understand. It was bittersweet. I told him if we see him on the street he still has to say hi and he said of course. It definitely was hard though. We talked to a member about it who had come to appointments with us and he said it just wasn't Beto's time. Beto needed to learn a lot more before he was going to accept the gospel.

LOS BUENOS:

Where to start? We met Rosemary and Manuel this week. idk if I said anything about them so sorry if I repeat. Basically she's GOLDEN! She is so willing and so ready and asks us every day when she can be baptized. The only thing is, Manuel is still married to a woman in Bolivia...awkward right?  He is a member from like 15 years ago and saw the missionaries on the street and told them he wanted to come back to church. It was awesome, so we are working with them. We talked to them last night about finding their own places for the time being so that's what were trying to do now. Hermana Tuttle said that every golden investigator comes with their problems and I can definitely see that now. We are shooting for October 5th to be her baptismal date if they can find places to move. Keep them in your prayers for me!

Also, the Elders had a baptism this week and Elder Perez (our district leader) asked me to give a talk about the Holy Ghost...IN SPANISH! So I gave about a 5 minute talk. It was awesome, but I was so nervous. Also Rosemary and Manuel were there so it was cool to bear my testimony for them. When I asked Elder Perez why me he told me it was because he wants me to push myself. He knows I can learn fast and he wants to help. It was super cute. 

We also had preparation day today and we went to the ciencias…they're science buildings in Valencia. We went hampster ball running on the water. It was solo hard, but so fun. I have never sweated more in my entire life! I like prep days though, they are super relaxing. 

Well that's about my week. I'm slowly learning to rely on the Lord in all things and to really believe that it is on His timing that things happen. It's hard but rewarding. Also, my quote for the week is, ¨there are no ordinary people nor ordinary situations¨. It's in my Patriarchal Blessing. I thought it was perfect for right now. Not one person we meet or teach is ordinary. They all came to us for some reason. I thought that was a great way to look at things.

I hope you are all doing well. I miss you terribly, but its almost been two months! can you believe it? I am halfway through my first transfer. I love you all and pray for you every night! Be safe and remember who you are...and Taylor and Courtney, don't kiss boys :)

all my love,

hermana barker

ps. can you send a message to Sammy Jo Smart for me and tell her happy birthday! I'm a day late, but there was nothing I could do. Also tell her to email me because I don't have her email!! She's the worst! haha but I love her. Please and thank you!!

(the words in Blue are linked to pages that further explain their meaning.  Just click on the word and you will be taken to the page.)

Two P-days in the field! Can you believe it?

Week #8 

Two p-days the field! (preparation days - every Monday is a p-day for missionaries.  These are the days they can do personal things like shop, email, explore the city, laundry etc.) Can you believe it? It's crazy how time works, it's fast, but slow.  I don't even know! I made a list of all your questions and some are answered in my letter that I sent yesterday so if i don't answer some in this email, that is why.

For travel we took the train everywhere. We woke up at 5am (Madrid) and took a 3 hour train to Barcelona and then I took a 2 1/2 hour train back to Valencia (two days later). It was a nice little nap time so I didn't mind. The trains are super fast and pretty comfortable. 

4. As for the lugage....it is great except for one of my wheels broke, so now it only rolls one direction, but it hasn't given me any problems. I still get around just fine and the elders are well trained. They help every time they can so it's super nice. You're the CUTEST with the blog! I was able to look the last week when you attached it and you do such a good job. The map is so cute! I just love you mom! You're seriously the best. The pictures you saw were our group up on the castle in Barcelona. We are a huge group, but it was so fun. 

The other picture is all my roommates. We all live in one piso, but we never really see them except at night. They are super nice though. The picture is from Hermana Zimmerman, she worked at the temple as well. She is so cute.

Speaking of nudity mom (reference to a story in her email last week), breastfeeding is so common here. It happens everywhere, at church, on the metro, at appointments! It was a little weird at first, but now I don't even notice. idk if thats a good or bad thing!

I'm glad you all are safe with the fires (Mt. Diablo fire)! It looked pretty bad out there! I can't believe that all happened. Is it super hot at home right now or something? Thanks for the pictures, they're the best! I feel like I'm closer to home than I really am.  Tay and Court looked HOT on the first day of school! They are reppin the Barker name just fine :) its super weird to see Tay standing in front of MY car but I guess it's ok. 

I also asked about Hermano Sanchez, but I haven't heard anything about him. Tell Brother Laney I'll keep an eye out for him though definitely! and tell the Laneys they were right about loving Spain! It's awesome! I can't imagine being anywhere else.

How are Josh and Jacob doing? and also Hermanas Larson and Orgill? are they doing well? It's hard to keep up when I am far away. 

Well so far this week as been good, nothing too crazy. We are teaching a family (I can't remember if I mentioned this so sorry if its a repeat) but it's the mom and her four kids and they came to church this week! It was awesome. She is so different and happy from the first time I met her. I love this gospel so much!!! We have a couple of investigators and they are all difficult in their own way, but I love all of the ups and downs. I'm sorry this email was shorter. It's been a long day and I can't remember all wanted to say. 

Here is my usual schedule just so you know:

7:30 wake up and work out

8-9 get ready eat...

9-10 personal study

10-12 companion study and training 

12-2 citas (aka appointments)

2-4 medio dia aka siesta or eating citas with members 

4-10 more citas

10-11 tomorrow planning

11:30 bed

It's pretty routine and does get a little boring, but I'm always busy thats for sure. Personal study is super hard because it's right after I wake up and I sometimes struggle to stay awake, but that's never going to change.

Well I am good and hot and tired, but so good. I love and miss you all so much and every day I talk about you guys! I am so glad everyone is safe and healthy and I am glad Tay and Court got their letters! Hope they liked them! Tell everyone at church hello for me and tell all my primary kids I love and miss them!! Oh and tell January that I miss her family and I am hurt that I haven't heard from them!! :)

con todo mi amor

hermana barker (su hija)

Another email from a total stranger .......

September 13th, 2013

Dear parent of a missionary in Valencia, Spain,

My wife and I are temple missionaries in Madrid, Spain. We recently took a weekend trip to Valencia. When we went to Church on Sunday (September 8), we talked to your missionary and took pictures of him/her (attached). I am with the two young Elders; my wife Beverly is in the picture with all the sister missionaries and a member of the church from Nigeria.

We remembered most of these young missionaries from when they attended the Madrid Temple along with the other missionaries at the Madrid MTC.

It was so fun to see these wonderful, enthusiastic missionaries and to feel of their great spirits! We wanted you to know that they are doing well.

Best wishes,

Elder Scott Zimmerman

Sister Beverly Zimmerman

Orem, Utah

My first area is ..... Valencia

Week #7
Sept. 9th, 2013

Oh my gosh it seems like it has been forever since I have heard from or talked to you!!! So right now I am sitting in a little internet cafe in VALENCIA! I am right in the city. It's the most southern zone in our mission. This last week was all a blur. We had three days of training in Barcelona where we learned and proselyted and I got my first real reference on the metro. We definitely hit this mission and they were not ready for all of us! (The Barcelona mission went from 24 missionaries in August, which had been their highest number of missionaries in a few years, to 48 missionaries coming in with Rachel in September).  All the missionaries (in the mission home) were so suprised by our numbers. Also, we have 6 trios in our mission because of all the sisters so...I am in a trio. My trainer, hermana Tuttle  has been out for 6 months and the other sister, hermana Walker, has been out for one transfer. They are teaching me a lot though and my Spanish really isn't that far behind. I was asked to bear my testimony yesterday and elder Glenn, our zone leader, told me my Spanish was a lot better than most new missionaries, which was super nice to hear. 

Our area is the ghetto of Valencia, which means that most people are Nigerian and speak like broken Spanish and English. We're not allowed to contact them on the streets because they have had problems with the Nigerians joining the church to get money and support. It's a hard area to serve in. Also, we dont have many investigators but I will change that! haha

So some stories from this week.

We were in a mans home teaching and I turned to look out the window whiched looked into the room of another man. I was just zoning out a little and all of the sudden the man dropped the towel that was around his waste. It was quite a suprise! I was shocked! ahha but it was really funny. Apparently most of the sisters have seen things they don't really wanna see around here, and now I understand what they meant by that!! 

There was a baptism on Saturday so I already got to see my first baptism! It was very cool to see and hear the stories of the missionary and of the woman. I cant wait to have that same experience!

Last night we had some time before we had to be back in Piso, so we were walking around Orriols, which is also the ghetto. I haven't really seen much in terms of miracles or even people interested in the church, so I had prayed yesterday morning to let me see a tender mercy today. As we were walking around trying to find someone we could visit, a young boy yelled to us and told us to come talke to him. I had no idea who he was but the sisters started freaking out. This boy is named Beto. He is 18 and they had first contacted him on the street but haven't been able to get ahold of hiim for 3 three weeks. He said he lost his phone and has been hoping that we would come find him on the street! We met with him and he had tons of questions and he seemed so excited. He also said he didn't want to pray so I told him I would pray but next time he would have to pray. When I finished my prayer he looked at me and said, can I have a turn now? So he prayed! It was so awesome and exactly what I had prayed for in the morning! pray is amazing. I pray more now than ever and I love it and I know the Lord listens to everything we say!

So a little bit about my companions. They are both 20.

hma Tuttle is from Utah and she is a sister trainer for Valencia as well as my trainer. She is super bubbly and her Spanish is awesome.   She is really nice and answers all of my questions. 

hma Walker is super sweet and has the kindest heart.  hma Walker is from Texas, she's so cute. We

I am so glad to hear that Jacob and Josh are doing so well!! Thats awesome that the Barkers are taking over! Keep me updated on Joshs' experiences. Jacob and I email every once in a while and he makes me laugh. 

As for my spanish, I just have no confidence in my abilities.  I can understand a lot and I can speak its just slow. my district is impressed though so thats a good thing! I know it'll come and it already has. For only having one year of Spanish I think I am doing pretty well. I can definitely hold my own for the most part!

I am sorry if I left out any unanswered questions. Email me questions about anything. I am doing great so don't worry about me. How is your health mom? and your new principal? I'm glad school is going well for Tay and Court! I wish I could have been there on their first day, but send me pictures whenvever you can!! 

I love you all and I love this gospel so much! This mission is really pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and talk to everyone about the gospel. It's amazing how much I have already learned. I cant wait to have experiences and stories for you!! 

Oh and how did I forget!!! Last night we had our first eating cita (eating appointment). This may be too much information so you may not want to include it on the blog! haha but basically I almost exploded. So apparently it's really rude to not finish food if they put it in front of you. So yesterday we went to the Mambas house. First she brought out tomatoes and I love tomatos...NOT!!! and I had to force those down. Then she brought out this onion soup that could have fed 3 and it was just for me, so I forced that down. By this time I had already undone my belt once and we still had two more courses!!! So next was this egg pea sausage dish which was pretty good but I was so full!! So I forced that down and undid my belt again. Then we had this desert that was like a rice pudding. It was so good but I was so full that I didn't even really taste it. The family clapped for me when I finished it! Then I got back to the apartment and almost threw up! It was so gross. I didn't really sleep and my stomach was dying all night! I wanted to cry. And that's not all...  We have this cita every sunday!! How am I going to do this every week?  Also we get fed every day but Monday and Tuesday! I guess that's why it's called ¨fat and happy in Valencia¨. Kel looks like your wish of me being fat might come true! We run three times a week and do p90x the other days so hopefully that will work. 

So anyway, I love it and I miss you more than Iwould have ever thought possible, but I am so glad I chose to serve a mission. The look on peoples faces at church and when we talk to them is amazing. I love the Lords work and I am so blessed to be here in Spain where the church is starting to take off. I wouldnt change any of this ever! I am so grateful for this opportunity!! love you all!! 

todo me amor!

Hermana Barker

PS if you sent anything to the mission home it might take a while for me to get it but here is my new address! 

c/Fontanares 1,2

Valencia, Espana 46007

Rachel says there are cats all over and wants to bring one home to Kelli.

HOLA BARCELONA 09/03/13 - 09/05/13

My first view of Barcelona - "I think I'm going to like it here"

ADIOS MADRID 09/03/13

Hermana Barker & Hermana Bangetter

Hermana Barker & Manuel, her chess playing, Spanish Abuelo (grandfather) affectionately, not literally.

Herman Barker & the fun Elders

The typical MCT (CCM) photo

Rachel Arrives in Barcelona, Spain ....

Week #6
Tuesday, September 2nd 2013
Rachel left Madrid at 5:40am via the train to Barcelona.  Here are the new missionaries reporting to the Barcelona, Spain mission on Sept. 2nd, 2013,  with President and Sister Pace.

(Sorry the picture quality is not that great   I copied them off the Mission home page)

Last Letter From Madrid .......

Week #6
Monday Sept. 2nd, 2013

Hi dad, I only have a minute but I emailed mom too. Thank you for all of your words and letters. They mean everything to me! Tomorrow I will be on a train to Barcelona at 5:45 am so I'm not really sure what else goes on tomorrow.  I love you and hope you are doing well! I love to hear mission stories so if you are ever bored feel free to write me stories! Love you dad! Thank you for always believing in me!
con amor
hermana barker

Hi mom! Don't worry its totally ok. I hope dad forwarded the message I sent to you. Well today is my last day in the MTC so we had a chance to write real quick to families. One quick story. I said bye to Manuel this week at the park and he gave me a scarf to remember him by. I also told him that if my family came to pick me up and we had time we would come find him and he told me if he's not dead he will be sitting on the chess bench waiting for my arrival!! It was so cute!

Anyway I hope you are doing well and school is going well for Tay and Court! Tell everyone at church hi! Tell January that I haven't gotten an email yet! What kind of sister in law is she?? Love you all and miss you mucho! the next time i email will be from barcerlona! adios!!
besos y brazos
hermana barker