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??

WEEK # 69
WEEK #69
HELLO AGAIN!

Another week down and the time just doesn't stop flying. I feel like just yesterday I was writing my last email and all the weeks are blurring together.

As for Castellón, it's doing great. I really love it here. The work moves forward every day. Hermana Solos and I work hard together and we are always focused on what we're doing (when were not telling jokes and dying laughing). She is great and she is so quirky and fun. MIRACLE: Jonathan came to church this week. He walked in with a white shirt and tie and everything! It was so awesome. And he just kept saying "I'm flippìng out, everyone is just so nice and I just feel so good". After he said that he had found his family. It was so awesome! His baptism is going to be in the first week of December we hope. There are some complications with stake conference but he will be baptized soon. Let's just hope I don't randomly get transferred for my last transfer and miss his baptism! But he really is a miracle. He has done a complete 360 and you wouldn't even recognize him from before. Its incredible how much the gospel and finding faith has changed his life. We're working hard...Time may be flying fast, but I'm working harder than ever.

Hermana Barker, Maria Cristian who is leaving soon to serve a mission in England, and Hermana Solos, my companion.

Also this week we had the amazing opportunity to hear from Elder Quentin L. Cook of the 12. He came for a stake conference in Barcelona and we were invited to a special conference for all the missionaries. It was incredible. And my favorite part was that he was so normal. He was telling jokes and laughing and it just made me remember that they are just normal people like us. It was a very spiritual experience. The most spiritual part for me was when he said, "Because of the sacredness of my experiences, I won't tell you about them, but I will tell you that I am a witness of Jesus Christ. I KNOW He lives and that He is the head of this church." At that moment I knew that he had experienced very sacred and incredible things and that he truly is a disciple of God. It was incredible. 

Truth is I'm sitting here sweating and tired after a long day of sports with the zone and my brain is slowly shutting down...good thing I have another 3 hours to work right? haha but I really don't know what else I got for you all. I am loving every minute of the mission. Of course I'm sad to pass another Christmas here without my family, but don't worry. I have my Spain family with me. That is sooo awesome that you are inviting the sisters over for Thanksgiving. A woman named Wendy invited us over for a real American Thanksgiving. She's so cute and sooo much fun! She lived in Utah for a little bit and has some of the cutest kids I have ever seen. She's hilarious and has been a really special part of my time here in Castellón. We are definitely spoiled here. I really hope I get to pass Christmas here. I would be sad to leave now. But I'll go where The Lord wants me to go...right?

Love you all. Don't worry about me, I'm doing great! Keep being the most amazing family ever and keep Jonathan in your prayers! LOVE YOU!!!

Con amor,

Hermana Barker

On P-day last week we went exploring abandoned houses!

                                  

WEEK #68

Well as you can still tell I am loving my time here in Castellón. There are so many good things happening, but also the adversary is working hard here. We have seen some great miracles though and I really can't wait for Christmas!!! It's going to be so fun! Maria Laura and I haven't made cookies yet, but we will. (Maria Laura sent a Facebook message asking for a cookie recipe).  She loves talking to you mom. She said you guys are now best friends haha. She's cute though and she helps us a lot. We will send pictures when we make the cookies! 

Hermana Solos and I are doing great. Shes a hard worker and every night she says that she is learning a whole new side of missionary work that she didnt know existed. So that makes me feel special. She is crazy and fun and we are always laughing. As for staying skinny...I  have no idea how I pulled that off. I mean my body is definitely soft now haha but I've managed to keep from getting big. It's been the biggest miracle on my mission, just kidding. But I think the Lord knows that I don't have money or time to buy new clothes so he let me stay small enough to fit into my clothes still.

That is insane how many people from the ward are getting home and leaving! The Alamo ward is rocking the mission world! That's what I like to hear! Im so excited for all of them! It's the best decision they could have made at this time in their lives! Tell them that they have my full support and I'm here to answer any questions as well that they might have! 

Well of course I have to include a miracle from the week. This week is a miracle named Jonathan. So Jonathan, I think I wrote about last week. He is crazy.  He though, has  had one of the biggest changes I have ever seen. When I met him three months ago, he was going to parties every night and was no where near living a life of purpose. When we talked to him this past  Saturday, he brought a box of all his earrings and gave them to us as a sign that he really has changed. It was so funny.  The best part though was when I asked him what made him change. He looked at me and said, "YOU". Then he went on to say that he remembers about two months ago when we were talking to him and I apparently was pretty strong in my words. I told him that he said he wanted a different life, but wasn't doing anything about it. I also told him that when he's serious to call us because I'm not going to waste any more of  my time or the Lords time. I said that if he really wanted to be a good dad for his daughter, he needed to start now, not in 10 years. And apparently I said  a lot more. The truth is I really don't remember all of that, but he said that it really hit him and made him realize that his life had no meaning. He said in that moment he started to change and since that day he hasn't drank even one beer. He said sometimes you just need someone to tell you how it is and for me that someone was hermana Barker. It was a really sweet moment for me. AND I KNEW that one day my sassy and strong personality would do some good for someone haha. But he is getting baptized in December and it is gonig to be a very special baptism for me.

Sorry that was kinda long. As you can tell though, I have taken Castellón by storm and I am not backing down to anyone. Hermana Solos just backs me up with her power and so we are a pretty good team. We have met a lot of good people and are still meeting more. I know that good things are just around the corner. Oh also, yesterday Marius passed the sacrament for the first time!! It was great to see that. It really made me happy to see how much he has grown and how much he still is growing. 

Well love you all. Soon enough I will be looking at your faces over skype!!! It's really weird to think that we are already planning for December in our planning sessions. I can't even believe it! The time is just flying by! Well have a great week full of love and happiness!!!

Con Amor,

Hermana Barker

ps what do you put in the normal box brownies...i still have a bag of them but I don't have the directions to make them haha

Our new capilla (chapel)

This is one of the cities in our area, right on the beach.

This is for you mom, I know how you love sheep!

WEEK #67
Hi! I'm so glad that you all liked the video. (Rachel sent a happy birthday video to her dad) I wanted to do something special and the card just wasn't doing it!  I know it was short and not really anything, but I'm glad it made a little bit of a difference. I owe you much more than that dad for all that you have done for me in the last 22 years of my life. I hope your birthday was great!

Poor Tay!! That's so sad! I'm so sorry...but finally I wasn't the only one that got hurt in high school!  Just kidding. (Taylor got hurt in her soccer game this week, had to leave the game to go to the Er). I hope that it heals fast and nothing too serious so that you can play in your last game. If not, just have fun yelling at people from the side line! You still look cute though! :)

You can say that again about how time is flying! We are already planning for the end of November and people in the ward are already fighting about where we are going to go for Christmas dinner!  It's so weird. And last zone conference they were talking about the end of December and I started to freak out a little bit. It's getting so close and the more I try not to think about it, the more it comes up. But don't worry. I'm still focused and ready to work. It's getting a lot colder here though which sometimes makes it harder to find people because no one is outside when it's raining. We are slowly finding people though. There have been miracles happening every day. People are starting to find us...good things are happening. 

Speaking of good things, we are teaching this guy named Jonathan. He is from the Dominican Republic and speaks faster than anyone I have ever met, but I can understand so its a miracle! But when I first met him he was so far from baptism. I really never thought that I would even see him get close. We met with him after not seeing him for a month and he had changed COMPLETELY! He stopped drinking and smoking. He stopped going out on the weekends and he started to read and pray. He said that one night he decided that he was wasting his life and needed to get it together. He is 27 and has a 2 year old daughter. He said he realized he needs to be the example for his daughter. He set his own date of baptism!!! It is for the end of this month. He is really showing a change. He tried realy hard to get to church on Sunday but his grandpa is in the hospital and his mom had to work so he had to go take care of him. It's incredible though how much someone can change when they finally have the desire to change. I hope that he can continue on this road and change his life for good. 

Also there was one day this week where I was struggling a little bit. I was so tired and cold and there was nothing happening. All of our citas had cancelled and I was just ready to sit down. As we were walking to go find some old investigators, I said a prayer in my heart. I just asked Heavenly Father to put someone in our path that will at least talk to us. I apologized for my bad attitude and started to talk to whoever was in front of us. Well we get to the door and no one answers. As we turn to go, the family walks up. It was the family that we were looking for! They said that the missionaries just stopped coming by and they lost contact. They asked if we could come back on Monday to see them and to continue teaching them. It took no less than 3 minutes for my prayer to be answered. It was incredible! At that moment I knew that nothing happens in missionary work if we don't want it to. I try every day even when I'm tired to keep a good attitude and continue working. Some days are harder than others, but there is always something to be grateful for and something to rejoice about. We are blessed.

Random story: We decorated for Christmas and Halloween on the same day!  We found a baby Christmas tree and baby pumpkins. We carved them and stuck them in our piso! You can tell there is not much to do in Castellón on preparation days, but it was fun and we got to celebrate a little bit. 

Rachel's pumpkin is the one with the crooked smile.

Also random story: Hermana Solos trips more than I have ever seen anyone in my life. Every other step she is falling down haha. So if I ever write that we are at the hospital it is probably because she broke her ankle or something. Just so you can get to know my companion a little more! Well there are so many other miracles that I could write about but I don't have enough time. You'll have to wait. I can't wait for you all to come and meet the people that have changed my life forever. And to hear me speak spanish!  You heard a little bit but that was just the start! I am so grateful that I have people in my life who put the idea of a mission in my head. This has really prepared me for the future and for experiences I am going to have. Thank you family for always supporting and loving me. Thank you Bishop Orgill for being there for me to help prepare me for this journey. And thank you to all of my family and friends that have supported me through it all. I couldn't do it without you all!!!

Have a great week and always remember to smile and love every minute!!!

Con amor,

Hermana Barker

        Service

WEEK #66

HALLOWEEN!! How much I miss it! Here it's very small and hardly anyone dresses up. They think it's all about zombies and vampires and witches...no fun costumes, but it's okay. We were working anyway! But your costumes were great! I have the best family ever! Seriously when I saw the pictures of Halloween I laughed so hard!  The Christmas Story costumes killed me and mom you look GREAT! As in like skinny mini! And your queen of hearts costume is incredible! How creative of all of you in the office. I'm impressed. (Heidi and Ron dressed up for Halloween as little Ralphie in his bunny costume and the leg lamp from The Christmas Story movie and Heidi and her office at work dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland) And of course the little owl was soooo cute and he totally has a Barker nose! (Kelli's new baby Mason was an owl for Halloween) I saw that from the first picture you sent me! And Tay and Court looked better than I ever did at homecoming!

Well this week has been great. There have been so many miracles going on. I am so happy to have the chance to work a little more here in Castellón. I knew my work wasn't done. For one, we have been finding a lot of new people to teach. Just today we had a good discussion at the flea market with some men that are Evangelists. It was an interesting discussion. Also, we had the open house for the new capilla (chapel) here in Castellón and we were able to meet a lot of new people and many of them came to church yesterday! The members are definitely starting to realize that the missionaries are bringing people to church and that we are working hard. We are getting more and more people who are introducing us to their friends...I know miracles are waiting in these next few weeks.

As for my new companion, Hermana Solos...she is incredible! We have different personalities, but we mesh really well. She is so strong and has such a desire to work. She is going to go really far in her mission. And it was really cute because the other night she thanked me for being like a second trainer and showing her a different side to missionary work. She said that the way I teach is very different from what she has seen and it has made her realize that we can use our personalities to touch the hearts. It was a great little pick me up for me and it really touched me more than I think she will ever know. I'm really excited though to work with her. Also weirdly enough she looks like she came straight out of the Garr family. She looks like a mixture of Sam and Tasha. It's really weird sometimes when I look at her because it's like I'm staring right at Sam!  Her Spanish is great already so we are going straight to work. No trunkiness for me! (Trunky is a term for missionaries that are close to going home and think more about packing their trunks than doing the work).

Well I just want to write about one little miracle this week. At the open house we met a woman named Angela from Australia. She is a member that hasn't been to church in 15 years. She walked in the the church and instantly started crying. She said that she moved to Spain when she was 15 and has just had struggle after struggle. Her life is so difficult and I can't even imagine the hardships that she has had to go through. But she walked in and said she instantly felt peace. She said she could remember all the good memories of being a child in the church and that this was exactly what she needed in her life. She is so strong and she is so incredible. Just talking to her strengthened my testimony about how no matter where in the world you are, you always have a family in the church. It doesn't matter where you come from, who you are, or what is going on in life, everyone can find peace and support within the church. It was a great experience. 

As you can tell the fire is back...it was never out, but it was getting low. The mission is all about ups and downs. I think I'm more prepared for whatever is going to happen in life. I have been through a lot, but as the mission winds down, I realize how much I have grown and changed for the better. The experiences that I have had here will forever change me and be a part of my life. I can't wait to see what these next three months have in store for me!

I love you all and hope that this week brings blessings and love!  And I hope that Grandpa Ron has a GREAT 35th birthday this weekend!!! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to send you anything but know that I'm sending my love and we will just have to have a daddy daughter date when I get home! LOVE YOU!!!

Con Amor,

Hermana Barker

Ps: mom you should look at this song for Christmas...I think it would be really cute to sing with the primary or the young women... it's called "First Lullaby / Silent Night" by Hilary Weeks. Every time I hear it I just imagine you singing it!

Pss: what color is Mason's room? I want to get something but I need to know the colors Thank you!!

and my adress is 

C/ Vicente Blasco Ibañez 36. 3H

Castellón, España 12005

WEEK #65

Wow I don't even know where to start...first of all this transfer has been crazy. Should I make you wait or tell you now? Alright I'll tell you...well it looks like I'm going to die (that is how missionaries describe finishing the last of their mission) here in Castellón!!  Hermana Wallace left to San Sebastian. I got a new companion named Hermana Solos. She is from Minnesota and she just got out of training. She is fresh and ready to work. My testimony really grew this last week when I realized that the Lord really was listening to my prayers. He knows exactly what I needed to end my mission right. I'm excited to work with Hermana Solos and I'm excited to stay here in Castellón. I can't wait to spend Christmas here with all these crazy people! So a surprise of transfers that's for sure.

I'm trying mom to always have a smile on my face. Truth is I feel myself getting more and more tired every day, but don't worry I'm still smiling and talking to everyone. I love the mission and the more I think about coming home the more sad I get. I mean I miss you all, but I don't want to leave yet! It's going to be a weird adjustment home. That's so awesome about the sisters (we have great sister missionaries in Danville and love having them over for dinner). I hope they feel loved and welcomed. My attitude about missionaries has changed completely. I'm so glad you are close to them and help them. I know that means a lot to them. More than you will ever know. I'm glad you get to see all the pictures that the JAS take here (The JAS are the young adult group in the church where Rachel is serving.  They take pictures with Rachel all the time and post them on Facebook so we get to see her almost every day!  We can tell they love her). They are big "Selfie" and Facebook people, but that's good. It's easier for me because then I don't have to send so many pictures home to you all. The JAS are awesome here though and they accept me just like one of their own. They help us a lot as well with our citas and our investigators. I couldn't ask for more. It's definitely weird without Rita here, but I know she's doing great things in Chile. (Rita was one of the young adults in Spain who because a very close friend to Rachel, but she just left to serve a mission in Chile).

Well as for the work here, it's going. We have some great people. This week's miracle was that Gustavo came to church alone!! Gustavo is married to a recent convert who is struggling to come to church herself. Gustavo doesn't really talk much so we don't really know where he is with all the religion stuff. This Sunday though, he showed up. When I asked where Luz was he said, "I came alone?...is that not allowed?"  I just laughed, but was so excited for him. I know he is super close to baptism he just needs to accept it and see it for himself. The best Christmas present would be to see him get baptized...keep him in your prayers. 

Also Christmas is already starting here. Because they don't have Thanksgiving, they jump straight to Christmas. IT'S AWESOME!!! I'm already listening to Christmas music in piso...my poor companion. Also, we get to go to Valencia for the stake Christmas celebration and I'm so excited! I'll get to see everyone again! It's going to be great. I also realized that I started my mission in the Valencia stake center with my very first testimony and I'm going to end with my last testimony in the exact same building...how many missionaries can say that?? That's super cool. It really is a blessing to end my mission here. I'm so excited for this next 3 months and all the miracles and blessings we are going to see. 

Well that's really all I have for you today. A fresh start is exactly what I needed. I'm ready to get working and to find those people who are waiting for ME and my personality...get ready Castellón!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Hermana Barker

WEEK #64
 Hello family! Can you believe that from tomorrow I have three months
left...really it's kinda crazy! This transfer went so fast and I can't
even imagine the next two...it's starting to really scare me. What
am I going to do with my life? Just kidding I'm not that crazy..yet.

Well it looks like it was an eventful week in Danville with choir and
homecoming and the cutest little grandpa Ron ever!! Seriously that
picture brought tears to my eyes. I knew you were going to be the best
abuelos ever! You better save some love for my kids one day in the far
future! Courtney looked BEAUTIFUL!! Seriously how come I never
looked so good in high school...call me the ugly duckling of the
family, just kidding but really Court...so hot! Be careful dad!
And Tay you gotta love that choir show. Choir is definitely different
here in Spain. I'll leave it at different. I do miss choir though
a lot actually. More than I thought I would. Enjoy the runouts this
Christmas! And tell Mr. A hi for me!

Well as we speak Rita or Tamy is being set apart as a missionary!
(Rita is a young women in Rachel's Castellon ward.  They have
become very close friends).  We had her farewell on Saturday night and
then last night we talked to her for an hour. She is so nervous, but
excited. It was awesome to remember the feelings of a new missionary
again. She really has become a great friend and of course I'm going
to miss her, but I know she is going to change so many lives. She is
a great spirit and a special daughter of God. So proud of her and all
the youth in Castellón. This makes a total of 7 missionaries in the little
ward of Castellón! It's incredible what is happening here!

Transfers are in a week. I really have no idea what is going to
happen. It really could go either way. I could stay one more or I
could leave now to end in another area...who knows. Truth is I would
love to stay in Castellón, but at the same time I love changes...well
see.

So this week was pretty uneventful. We had to go to Barcelona for one
day...long day of traveling (6hours in a train) to do my paperwork
again because I was illegal. But it was fun because it was a giant
reunion with everyone! It was so fun to see people I haven't seen in
forever! I also got to be reunited with HERMANA WALKER AND GITTINS!!
they are serving together! so jealous. It was fun though to catch up
and see how everyone was doing. Hermana Walker goes home in
December...so weird!

Well really there is not much else going on. We are working on finding
new people and picking up the work here in Castellon. We also started
running twice a week. Its nice because we live in front of the park so
we have a perfect place to run. I can't wait til you get to come out
and see where I've been for the last year and a half!! 90 days can you
believe it!??

Love you all! Have fun on halloween and eat a lot of candy for me! I'll
tell you all about transfers next Tuesday.

Con amor
Hermana Barker

TIA HERMANA BARKER .........

WEEK #63
AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I honestly just cried for 5 minutes staring at Mason. 
(Kelli and Marks baby boy was born Oct. 7th.  Mason is the first grandbaby 
born and the first Barker boy! making Rachel an Aunt)
He is so cute!! His feet are HUGE! Honestly it feels a little
surreal for me because I haven't really been a part of it, but you
better believe that I am going to hold that baby for 3 days without
letting go when I get home (unless he poops...that's not my job :)  Really though,
 I count our blessings that all is well and everything went smoothly.
Kelli remember all the details because in three months you're going to
have to remember it all and tell me step by step so I can relive it
with you okay? I know he doesn't really open his eyes much yet, but show Mason my
picture so that he knows who is favorite aunt is going to be! Sorry
Tay and Court. I honestly can't put in to words my emotions right now.
I'm sad I'm not there but I'm also so happy to have a little baby!!!! Of
course people here showed me pictures the day after. Marius saved
pictures on his phone to show me! It was so cute. Every time I see
baby clothes I just want to buy them all. The clothes here are soo
cute! Enjoy every minute you have with him and give him a big hug for
me!

Well I didn't really hear about anything else but Mason haha but I hope
all else is good. The decorations for Halloween look great court! I
was going to do a Halloween party here but I don't know if I'll be here
and they are already having a stake party in Valencia so this year I'm
off the hook.

This week has been just like the rest. We are working hard to find new
people. We had a great cita with a man named Grimaldo. He has a lot of
questions and he just doesn't understand why there are so many
religions. He always looks for the bad when he reads and when he
listens. This week though, we called him out on it. He said he wanted
an answer but never felt like he was getting one and that he didn't
really feel like the book of Mormon had anything for him. I told him,
"Well if you really want an answer you're going to need to open your
heart because right now you're searching for a closed heart and you
won't find anything that way. If you really have a desire to find the
good you have to look for it. It's not going to pop out and hit you in
the face. Open your heart to us and to the scriptures and I promise
you will find something you've been looking for." Then Hermana Wallace
asked him to be baptized. The spirit was sooo strong and he didn't say
yes, but he said he would read with an open heart and look for the
good. Then he started naming things that he actually liked about the
church and for once he wasn't arguing. He was listening with an open
heart. I know that he will one day change and feel the spirit. It was
a great lesson though and the spirit was definitely at the head of the
lesson. Change of heart...its sometimes the hardest part.

We are also working with a man named Jonathan. He wants to get
baptized, but he won't keep his commitments. He always has excuses for
why he can't read or come to church. I know he has the desire...but
until he acts, he won't change. Little by little we will get there. He's
Dominican and sometimes he talks sooo fast that neither me nor my
companion can understand him hah. He's funny though and he's ready to
change...he just needs to want it more than the things of the world.

There are some good things happening though here. Transfers are on the
28th and I don't know what's going to happen. I only have two more
transfers so I really don't know what President is going to do. It'll be
interesting though to see what my fate is for my last two transfers. I
think I'll have one more area...but you never know ha. 100 days?! That's
nothing! But you better believe that's 100 more days of miracles and of
working my butt off before I go back to the real world. It's slowly
starting to hit me. Rita leaves next week and I'm going to be so sad
when she goes. She really has become one of my best friends and I just
want the best for her. She's going to be an amazing missionary.

Well really that's all I have for you. I'm still just shocked as to the
fact that Kelli and Mark are parents...what the heck?? You're not old
enough yet! haha just kidding,  it just seems like yesterday that you
were at BYU-I with me. Time flies and things change, but everything is
changing for the better. This transfer has really opened my eyes to
how much I really have changed. Things that used to be no problem now
bother me alot...especially with obedience and work attitude. The work
has just come to mean so much more to me and this transfer has really
made me see just how much it means to me. And how much each one of
these people mean to me. I want all of them to just know what I know
and that I can be with my family forever. My family...you all...are so
important to me. The more I teach about families, the more lucky I
feel to have a family that is so close and so willing to put God in
the center of the home. I LOVE YOU ALL!!! especially little Mason! AHH
so crazy! haha

CON TODO MI AMOR
Hermana Tia Barker