the Lord is trusting us and we need to trust in Him as well....

Week # 12

TRANSFERS!

I am so sorry I forgot to tell you all that I don't email until Tuesday during transfer week.  Don't worry, I'm safe and happy still! Tay looks BEAUTIFUL as always! I'm so sad I missed her first dance! Did Court go to hers? (Rachel is referring to Homecoming.  Taylor and Courtney are at different high schools so their dances are on different nights).  I'm so glad to hear everyone is well and safe. I pray for you all every night one by one. I show your picture off to everyone I can because my family is just the most beautiful thing ever!  Tell everyone thank you so much for the love and support. It's amazing to know that people are cheering me on both in this world and in the spirit world. I know I have angels watching out for me everywhere I go. D&C 84:88 its my favorite! And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face.  I will be on your right and and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

I teared up when I read that josh is doing so well! He is an amazing missionary and I had no doubt that he was going to tear up Pennsylvania! The Barker missionaries are doing work around the world! I love it! 

As for me it's the same old stuff. Citas fire (appointments cancel) every day and we are still eating A TON! No weight gain yet, but I definitely am losing all my muscle. I work out every morning and Hermana Walker calls me her personal trainer. It's awesome. As for transfers...it's a crazy time right now trying to figure things out. Hermana Tuttle got transferred to Barcelona so Hermana Walker is now my trainer until I am done with training in 6 weeks. It's a little scary because both of our Spanish is at the same level so we are definitely going to have to push ourselves. Sometimes neither of us understand so we just laugh. I'm excited though because it shows that the Lord is trusting us and we  need to trust in Him as well. It's going to be a hard, but so rewarding transfer. I know many miracles are in my path right now and I am going to do all I can to find those miracles along the way. 

A couple things I haven't written about yet about Spain:

-there's no carpet...ANYWHERE! I hate it. I never thought I would miss carpet but I definitely do. our piso is always dusty and dirty because the dust has no where to go. 

-this last transfer we had three beds in one room which was crazy. I took a picture but the computer I am on isn't working to upload pics so I'll send them as soon as I can

-we eat a ton of rice...and other unknown meats. I haven't eaten anything that was really gross...yet!

-this next transfer there are going to be 6 girls in our piso until they find a piso for the new sisters. We are getting 2 new Hermanas for ward 3 and they don't' have a piso yet...6 girls should be interesting for sure

-last thing, the men in Spain have no shame...it makes things a little awkward but we never have a dull moment haha

As for the serious stuff. We have citas fire every day. What I have come to realize though, is that no matter how many times our citas fire, we always see a miracle out of it. We either find people on the street who we wouldn't have talked to otherwise, or we meet with a member family and find out that its exactly what they needed that night. A mission really has made me open my eyes to the miracles all around us. I never realized how much I took for granted before this. I have never been so grateful for my family and friends and the church.  I have never been so open to seeing the Lords hand in our lives. I could never do this without His hand every day. There are times when I know I shouldn't understand what is being said because I don´t know the words, but I somehow understand everything. I know that is only possible through the Lord. 

Also, if you all could keep praying for Rosemary that would be amazing. She is so ready, she just needs a little push. You are all in my heart and prayers all the time.

Also, mom I got both packages! Thank you so much!!!! My companions were like, your moms the cutest! I just nodded and said of course she is! Where do you think I get it from? :) haha love you all with all my heart! I will send pictures as soon as possible. I'm sorry if I didn't email everyone back this week. We don't have the full time to email this week because of transfers but I appreciate every email! They mean the world to me. 

With all my love from Valencia!

Hermana Barker

OH ps: if you send packages, they have to say Hermana RACHEL Barker so that I can prove It's me. I know it's weird but just future references! LOVE YOU ALL UN MONTÓN!!!!!