Well first I'm sorry for not writing yesterday. We had our zone Christmas conference! It was great! Elder Glenn is our zone leader. Last conference he asked Hermana Walker and I to sing with him. This conference he asked me to sing with him again. He is realy good. He is studying music at BYU, so I was honored to sing with him again. We sang some song, but I can't remember the name. But it was beautiful. At the end of it, President Pace stood to shake our hands and he had tears running down his face. It was a very amazing experience. My favorite part was when President Pace was talking about having a "White Christmas"....at first we were all like um what? It hasn't even rained here let alone snow. Good try President. He then went on to explain that what he meant by a "White Christmas" was to make sure our Christmas was pure like snow. White with our spirit and white in baptismal clothes. I really liked that and it hit me that I really am here to do the Lords work and I have been called by God to serve His children.
So to start off this emotional week, we had a lunch cita with our bishops wife, Sonia, and a young woman preparing to serve a mission. Her name is Zarahemla. Anyway, we ate and had a great time. Then it was time to share a spiritual message. I was reading in the Liahona (a church magazine) the other morning and there is a talk about how Christmas is the best time to share the gospel because everyone is in good spirits and its a great time to give gifts. I decided that was what we were going to share with them. We started talking about how it's scary to share the gospel with friends sometimes because we may get rejected. I know though that if we share the gospel with love for the people, it can never be rejected. It may change anything in their lives at that moment, but they will feel of your love. Zarahemla and Sonia both started crying and by the end I was crying as well! It was an amazing experience. Also, Zarahemla has prepared 10 Books of Mormon with her testimony to give to friends this Christmas. She is going to make a GREAT missionary.
So before I get to the good stuff, I should mention some of the struggles I guess. Basically I know that this transfer is going to be a great learning time for me. Hermana Alatorre is great. She knows what she is talking about and she loves this work. The only problem is, we are very different people. Elder glenn told me I'm losing my sparkle. I am determined to not let that happen. This week I have been trying very hard to serve Hermana Alatorre and love her as much as possible. Hopefully we can work together and see miracles that I know we can see if we work together. It's ok though, every companion is here to teach me something and I am going to learn a lot from her.
Now the best news yet! So the second emotional day was the best emotion I have felt yet on my mission. I can't remember if I talked about the Bulgarian guys who showed up at the church last week. (Rachel actually relayed this story in a letter she sent to us this week. Here's the story: Two weeks ago we were at church on a Friday for for a consejo (meeting) with Isaias our ward mission leader. These 2 men walked into the building and tried to talk to us. The problem is that they are from Bulgaria and speak little English or Spanish. It turned out that these men were working in the fields to earn money and the man who owns the fields ripped them off. They worked for 3 months and only made 30 Euros! Then, the man kicked them out. They had no where to go, so one man, Christo, searched for the capilla (chapel) online. He had been baptized in Bulgaria last February. He told his friend they should find the capilla because the church would help them. We got them some food and figured out some things for them. We also found out that Christo has a 7 month old daughter and a wife in Bulgaria. The craziness doesn't end there, Manuel, as in Rosemary and Manuel,our investigators, happened to be at the church and heard what was going on. Manuel offered his piso for them to stay until they can get back on their feet. It was so sweet. Manuel said he doesn't have a lot of money, food or anything to offer but his couch. Christo's friend isn't a member so we requested pamphlets and a Book of Mormon in Bulgarian so we can get his friend baptized while he is here. It could happen!) Basically for the angel Cristo, Rosemary can now be baptized. He really is an angel sent from God for us and for Rosemary. Because now he is their roomate, and that means that Rosemary is now considered roomates with Manuel. (Rosemary and Manuel lived together and were told in order to get baptized they needed to live in separate pisos. With money sparse that was not a possibility, so they moved into seperate rooms in their piso, but that still wasn't enough). Anyway, long story short....ROSEMARY IS GETTING BAPTIZED...ON SATURDAY!!!!! We had a lesson with her and at the end I asked if she wanted to be baptized. She looked at me and said of course I do, but I can't. I then looked at her and told her we have permission from obispo (Bishop) for her to be baptized. She looked at me and threw her arms up and started bawling. Then I started bawling and we had a crying moment. It was amazing!!! She is my first investigator, and now my first baptism. She asked me to sing at her baptism as well. It's amazing what hard work and determination can do. Rosemary has had a strong enough testimony to push through 3 months of pain and trials just because she knows the church is true. I don't care that it has taken me this long to get a baptism, because she is the perfect baptism and the perfect way to start out my work.
Well I don't think anything can top that news of Rosemary. It really is the best feeling ever to see someone be completely converted to the Lord.
So last couple things...Christmas day I get to skype with you all for 40 minutes. We can decide a time together. My companion has already spoken to her family and she is skyping at 8 our time. I'm not sure what time that is for you, but if that time works that would be great. I'm not sure what all your plans are so let me know.
Also mom, thank you So MUCH for the Christmas tree of my sunbeams. I may have shed a few tears when I opened it. It's hanging on my wall! I really loved it! And thank you for the songs! I have listened to them for the last hour while I emailed! I love them. I do have a way to listen to cds if you still want to make one for me :) You sound beautiful as always. Also, grandma and grandpa! Thank you for the package. It came today and I am so excited to open it...for Christmas of course. I sent you a card last week so hopefully you get it soon! It's not much but I thought it was fun.
Sorry this is so long. I guess a lot has happened this week. Definitely some good and bad tears, but nothing I can't handle. I can't wait to see your faces on christmas!! Probably some tears will be shed then too! Sorry I didn't write back to everyone this week. It was a little shorter time we had. Thank you though for all!! I love you all and miss you so much. I'm so jealous of your Christmas decorations. The central square here is super decorated! It has a huge tree and everything. Other than that not much is decorated. People have trees, but they are super small. Its definitely different from America, but its fun to see all the different ways things are celebrated in different parts of the world.
Well, love you all and miss you more than you know!!! Be sfae and have a great week full of love and laughter and sharing the gospel! Remeber what this time really is about! The Lord has given us all and we must be thankful for all we have. Remember that no matter what comes our way, we are strong enough to overcome because we have a Savior who overcame death for us personally. I know he knows and loves every single one of us individually.
Con Amor,
Hermana Barker
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