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