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!

Happy Birthday to the Best Dad Ever !!!!

Week #15

HAPPY 25 BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST DAD EVER!!!!! Don't worry I won't give away your re50al age in this email :) I wish I was there to celebrate this big event with you! I hope you have an amazing time with mom! Know that we're celebrating for you in Spain as well!!! LOVE YOU DAD!!!!

What a week!

This week was pretty crazy with the Halloween party and trying to use a missionary budget to throw a party for three wards!! haah But we pulled it off pretty well if I do say so myself. People were amazed that there were decorations! Everyone had a good time too. Not many people came in costume because they thought it was weird! Anyway, we had English Halloween music and games and lots and lots of food. That's the good thing about Spain. No matter what activity it is, people bring food. It's not always great food, but it still gets eaten in a matter of minutes. I think it was a success. 

Herman Barker Y Hermana Walker

Isaias Ward Mission leader and his girlfriend

The Bishop and his wife

The Elders helped too!

Caesar lookin' Cool

Funny story about Halloween, we were on our way home from the party and an old lady was outside the metro handing out pamphlets. She looked at me with this cute little smile so I took one to make her feel good about herself. As I was sitting on the metro looking at the Halloween pamphlet she gave me, I realized it was an anti-halloween thing. It talked for 4 pages about how the people who celebrate Halloween have demon souls and that they are allowing demons to possess them! It went on to say how we must repent now and stop the demons from taking over! It also talked about how it started in America and so America must be run by demons!! hahaaha I laughed so hard! I had my little pumpkin headband on too and it was obvious that I had just come from a Halloween party! No wonder she gave it to me! Party pooper!

As for life…it's good. It's hard right now because we don't have a lot going on so I have more time to think about life and family. We're hanging in there though, and slowly we are helping the ward members in the work. Not much more has happened with Rosemary, but thank you for your prayers. She also told me to tell you all thank you! She said she didn't know Americans were such nice people...apparently we have a reputation here haha. 

So you keep asking about my ward and I keep forgetting to write about it. Well there are 6 missionaries in the wards, 4 elders and 2 hermanas. There are 3 wards that meet in our capilla (chapel). It's a small chapel though. It has a big room, and then a few small rooms. I'll take pictures when I'm there next. The wards are pretty small, but they have those very active members so it's good. The ward LOVES Hermana Walker and I. They always say how cute and happy we are. (or at least that's what I think they say! They could be saying anything they want because they talk so fast sometimes I don't know what they're saying!) As for my Spanish, it's getting there. I understand enough so that I can have full conversations with people which is exactly where I should be right now. I really love this area. It's amazing and the members are amazing. The primary has about 20 kids, and the youth has about 4 that come every week. We have been working with the youth to get them to come back, and slowly but surely they are. We have a ward mission leader. His name is Isaias. He seriously is the best! He is in charge of the single adults for the stake, and the mission leader. He does so much for us. Right now we have 2 ward missionaries, but they don't have the means to travel so it's hard to work with them. They aren't in our area, so we don't really use them much. We still have 6 sisters in our piso.  We're not home much so we don't see each other that often. They just don't really know how to do dishes...and it's gross! haha I'll send pictures of my piso next week too.

Also, theres a kid who isn't in my ward, but he is best friends with all the missionaries. Hermana Walker and I meet with him once a week to read in the Book of Mormon and just help him. His brother is a member, but he has struggles with...like everything. Right now he has a baptism date for the 23rd so keep him in your prayers! He's like our best friend out here! He makes me laugh so hard. He's from the Dominican Republic so half of what he says I don't understand. His accent is crazy and he uses street slang with everything. He speaks to me in broken English though so we get by! 

I can't remember if I said this last week, but we went to the market!!! Here are some pictures for you.

Chicken anyone?

It's amazing what you can buy here!

Yes, you can even buy SHARK!

Looks delicious 

 Well not much else is going on. We're still working hard, talking to everyone on the streets. We're still singing loud and dancing in our piso at night. Hermana Walker and I have a lot of fun together so it's good. As for Christmas, I really don't need much. Just FRUITY PEBBLES! idk why but I am craving them so much! Mostly I just would like food. I know it's expensive to send things here though so don't worry about sending anything. My clothes are holding up. My shoes are doing alright. Oh actually, I would love some of the dr scholls foot inserts that you cut to your size. They are awesome but I only have one pair of them. Other than that I am doing just fine so don't worry about me!

Our staples, Paella

and Crepes

 

I'm going to send pictures of our piso (apartment) and the capilla (church) next week. I don't have any on my camera right now. Our piso is not the nicest thing ever, but it does what we need it to. 

I really hope you have an awesome time on your weekend away with mom! (It's Ron's birthday this week) Where are you all going? I wish I could be there for your big birthday! Just know that I'm thinking about you over here in Spain. I love you dad!!! 

con amor

hermana barker

I love you all! I sent letters so I hope you get them soon! I want to see Tay and Court's costumes if they had any! Be safe and know you're in my thoughts and prayers! l

con amor,

hermana barker

Dad, I seriously love your emails. They always make me so happy! I am so glad the girls in my class didn't forget about me!  I really miss my little class.

(Ron saw Rachel's four year old primary class in the halls and showed them her missionary plaque. He asked if they remembered who it was and one of them said "that's Rachel"  Another stared at her picture for a while then looked at Ron with her cute little face and said "I really miss her")  I have a picture of them hanging on my wall. Also, random but could you send a picture of my plaque to me so I can see it?  I'm glad to hear that you enjoy being a missionary parent as much as I enjoy being a missionary. Right now it is hard, but I really do love every day. Even if I just help inactive people come back to church, I will feel like I have succeeded.

I'm going to send pictures of our piso (apartment) and the capilla (church) next week. I don't have any on my camera right now. Our piso is not the nicest thing ever, but it does what we need it to. 

I really hope you have an awesome time on your weekend away with mom! (It's Ron's birthday this week) Where are you all going? I wish I could be there for your big birthday! Just know that I'm thinking about you over here in Spain. I love you dad!!! 

con amor

hermana barker