TENDER MERCIES EVERYDAY .......

Week #26

Hello once again

Can you believe that I’ve been out six months? The time is literally flying by. I guess I'd better get started on the missionary work...just kidding! I’m way ahead on that! It’s amazing how many little miracles we are seeing every day in this area. We may not have huge life changing things happening, but we have tender mercies every day. Here are a few of them for you...they may not mean as much to you all, but they are a huge tender mercy after having been walking around all day in the cold and rain! haha

-2 people showed up to English class because of the targets (pass along cards)..that has never happened to me! That’s amazing!

-We met two new people this week. One of them is named Lucia. She is older and is very religious, but doesn't go to church any more because she doesn’t believe in what their church is teaching now.  She thinks her church has been too corrupted. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she said, "so when are you coming back to talk about this book? I’m not going to read it for nothing am I?”  So now we are going back Tuesday! She’s hilarious and such a spit fire...my kind of person!

-We knock doors every day. Usually we don’t get anything.  Yesterday though, we found a woman named Pilar and her son.  She is working right now, but she told us to come back next Saturday to talk to her! She said she is super Christian and goes to church all the time. She said she would love to talk about God and His teachings. 

- There are little things like that every day. We are working hard with menos actives (less active members) too. I realized something this week as well. I think my mission is going to be of more reactivating than baptizing. Hermana Porter told me I just make a good connection with the menos activos. We have had 2 menos activos come to church who haven’t come in years. I think I found one of the reasons for my mission. Of course I wish I was having baptisms every week, but reactivation is just as important and rewarding. Seeing the change in people is a miracle and a blessing to me.

So as for Matthew and his baptism...we met with hm on Monday to talk about everything. He said that he still wants to be baptized, but he’s not ready. He said before he wasn’t really taking everything seriously. He was not being honest with us when he said he was praying and reading. He told us though, that he knew that baptism wasn’t a joke. He wants to be a person that is baptized and then is a strong member for the rest of his life. He doesn’t want to be baptized right now and then three weeks later never come again. It’s a really good thing, and it actually gave me more peace. He is an amazing kid and he really wants to change.  He told us he wanted to marry a girl from the church! It was so cute. So right now we are working on building his testimony and hopefully he will be baptized soon. We have a lot of people we are working with. They all just have one reason or another as to why they can’t be baptized yet. I know that we will see baptisms here in this area though. Martorell is blooming and I’m lucky to be a part of it.

As for Raul (the ten year old boy in my branch, and new best friend), he is hilarious!  He told me this week that I was like the big sister he never had. He’s so cute. When we were walking down the street, he put his arm around me and just walked with me. It was so cute. He really is like a little brother. Once again, my best friends in the ward are all the little kids haha. There’s not many, but they are so cute! They remind me of my Primary class...which I miss SO MUCH!!!

Interesting things that happened this week. I finally ate paella mariscos. AKA paella with all kinds of seafood. It had fish and squid and muscles and gumbo...with the eyes...and all other things of the sea. It was interesting to say the least haha. I am getting really good at eating any and everything that is in front of me. One family thinks I’m pretty funny because whenever we talk about food that I don’t like I say "que interesante". I didn’t realize that’s what I did until they asked me what I thought about a certain food and I just made a face and said "que interesante". Now every time I see them they say that to me and laugh. They are so funny. 

Also, I think I found the Spanish word for energetic or "sassy". They don’t really have a word that means sassy, but I have been told that I am "loca" in a good way, about 4 times now in Martorell. Apparently I am the craziest sister they have had in this area...that doesn’t say much though because I'm only the 5th sister to serve here. Hermana Porter just laughs every time they call me loca. Oh well I guess it’s a good thing,

I hope :/ .

Well not much else is going on. We have Stake Conference this weekend so that should be fun. We are working hard and I think I found my nitch. Hermana Porter calls me the bad cop and she’s the good cop. we have this way of working with people where I am the fuerte (strong or forceful) one and she’s the amable (friendly or nice) one. It seems to be working though. People like us and we have a good flow. I have realized that being fuerte and amable  kind works for us. Who knew that fuerte would be what some people need? 

I’m always glad to hear that everyone is doing well. You never tell me much though! I want to hear the good the bad the funny...alll of it! The story about Justin Beiber and Courtney and drag racing made my companion and I laugh so hard! That was hilarious Court! haah A girl from our ward told us he was in jail, I just didn’t know why. (We don't normally tell Rachel about current events but Courtney had a funny take on the situation, which we thought Rachel would enjoy).

Miranda (Koutz) told me that you all emailed her. That’s great. Thank you for not only supporting me but being a support to everyone. I am so lucky to have the family I do. I know I say that a lot, but I think I’m just now realizing how much I really am blessed. You all are amazing!

I loved that quote mom it was super cute and did you look at the song about "bless my son"? It's perfect!

(This is the quote I sent Rachel this week - when I saw it, it totally made me think of her  

and all my other sweet sister missionaries serving) 

Dont' Shine so others can see you.

Shine so that through you, others can see HIM

Well I love you all and miss you all mucho! We went to Barcelona today so I’ll send some pictures. We went to the market in Barcelona and then we walked to the port. It’s beautiful!  Well that’s all I got for you today. Love you and talk to you next time!

signing off con amor

Hermana Barker

Christopher Columbus Monument

This is all candy made to look like fruits and vegetables and hot dogs?

Barcelona Market - amazing fruit

Anyone for Sheep's head?  Love the tongue hanging out. Or how about some cow or sheep intestine, there's plenty to go around.

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS A T .........

Week #25
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS A TI !!!!!!!!

I can´t believe my little baby sister is 15 now! In 6 months you are going to be driving!...I'm glad I'm not going to be home for that! (haha just kidding). I hope you have had the best birthday week ever, and I say week because it sounds like you've been a little spoiled for your birthday...as you should be :) I wish I was there to celebrate and give you a giant hug, but I'm sending love through the computer. Just hug it real tight and now I'm doing the same!! I wish I could dedicate this email all to you and tell you all the things I love about you, but I think dad and mom want to know a little about whats going on...so I'll get back to you Coco!

First I just want to say I'M SO PROUD OF YOU! ¡SÍ SE PUEDE! It means yes you can mom! That's amazing that you have made that goal! I'm glad it took a little bit of mission power to get you to do it...or I like to think it was because of mission power! I give you all the credit though. I'm seriously so proud of you. (I am giving up drinking my cherished Dr. Pepper this year - may not sound like a big deal but it is for me).I wish I could say the same, but it's kinda the opposite here. Everyone drinks soda because the water is feo! So now I'm stuck drinking soda that I dont even like.(Rachel hates any kind of soda and never drinks it), I'ts ok though. I'll drink enough for the both of us mom. haha. But really I am so proud of you and I know dad is as well. Keep it up because I know you can do it!

Martorell is great. I need to take pictures because some of the areas are so Spanish you would love them mom! There's a lot of history in the old part of Martorell. It's not our area, but I'll get pictures. Also, the capilla is smaller than Valencia, but it's good. We sang with the elders on Sunday. Rumor has it that there is a video floating around Facebook somewhere...it was so bad though. We had to start over! haha but it was funny. Also I had to give a talk. Luckily the time was low so my talk was short and sweet. And now it's over with and I dont have to do it anymore! haha or so I hope. It was good though. 

Our baptism got moved to this week because Matthew had to go out of town, but keep praying for him. It's hard as an 18 year old to change your life, but we are trying to keep him confident in himself. He is a great kid though and he really has a strong testimony. We have found a lot of potential people to teach this week as well. Also, there are a lot of part member families that I want to focus on. The members in  the families are menos activo, so we are working to help them all. There is a lot of potential in Martorell though and I am excited to do something with that potential. 

I made a new bestie. His name is Raul. He is 10 and he's a member, but his mom isn't. We are working hard with her though. Raul thinks hermana Porter and I are hilarous and he always tries to wrestle us. He is super sassy and has so much attitude, but he's so funny. We have a lot of fun together. Last time we went over, he gave me a bruise from what he calls "karate"...more like trying to push pressure points that he doesn't know where they are at so he just pushes random spots on my shoulders SUPER hard ahah. its fun though. One kid in church called me a jungle gym for the kids...its kinda true haha. I just love all the kids though! They are so fun and they don't make me nervous about my Spanish! 

Well we are working hard, and we are having a lot of fun doing it. Today we went bowling as a zone and it was super fun! I beat everyone in the zone...pretty good I know haha. Now we have to go clean piso for clean checks tomorrow...wish us luck!!! 

I love you all and I wish I was there to celebrate with you all. I'm super jealous about the Globetrotters!! (Ron, Kelli and Mark went to see the Globtrotters on Friday night).I want to go so bad! People invited us over for the Superbowl...they were going to special order it for us. Sadly we don't have permission to watch.

Well, have a great week and next week I will have pictures...I always forget to take my camera. I think we're going to Barcelona next week though so I will for sure take my camera. I love you bunches and talk about you all the time! Court have a great birthday, but don't get to teen on mom and dad!! They still need their little baby! 

con amor

Hermana Barker

I LOVE MARTORELL !!!

Week #24

Hello Hello Hello!

For some reason it feels like it’s been forever since I wrote you. I think it’s because I am in a new area and last week was a little slow. There was a lot of information all at once, and I was tired! BUT...I LOVE MARTORELL! It’s so cute! Its little and we walk everywhere. It’s definitely colder than Valencia. I can actually see my breath sometimes! The work is good though. We have a baptism on Friday. His name is Matthew. He is from Nigeria and he is 17 years old. He has the strongest testimony and is trying to teach all his friends about the church right now. He told me that Hermana Porter changed his life. Even though he is not really my investigator, it was so cute to hear him talk about Hermana Porter like he did.

Which brings me to my next topic…Hermana Porter. She is great! She is a lot like me in the fact that she has fun with the missionary work as well as works hard. She has a great relationship with everyone and is always smiling. We have a lot of fun with the members and investigators. Hermana Porter was in my district in the MTC, and she came into the MTC already speaking some Spanish. She was amazed at how far my Spanish has come in the last 6 months though. She said from where I was at in the MTC, she thought she would be way ahead of me, but we are pretty even. She understands better sometimes, and she knows more words, but our teaching and our bearing testimony is very equal. She is a great companion. I know that we are going to see a lot of success in this area together. The Lord is definitely looking out for me right now.  (Hermana Porter has been out for the same amount of time as Rachel.  6 months on January 24th.  Hermana Porter has been in Martorell since leaving the Madrid MTC < MTC = Missionary Training Center > in September, so she knows the area and people well).

Well as for some information about the area...You were exactly right with the Google search! (I went on Google Earth the other day to see what Rachel's new area looked like.  We were able to do the street view and go right to her apartment.  Ron noted some landmarks in his email to Rachel and she verified that that was indeed her apartment building we were looking at). The yellow "fire hydrant" is a mailbox for outgoing mail. It’s where I put all the letters I send to you and it is right in front of my piso! The church is to the left and up the road called passeig de Catalunya. It is small, but so cute. There are about 50 active members. Hermana Porter said that in the summer there were as many as 80 people. We have some great investigators already and we found 4 new people last week that we are going to teach this week. I really am excited about the work here! We have another baptism date for the 25th with a man named Godson, but he has to move out of his apartment first. We are praying that everything works out. We are going to work really hard this week to find everyone in Martorell that needs this gospel. There are a lot of less actives and part member families, so we are going to work on that.

Some Mormon definitions regarding "Wards" and Branches" what we call our local church congregations:

Our local congregations are called wards (or branches for smaller congregations). They are organized geographically and members attend a ward or branch near their home. Because in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all the teaching materials are consistent throughout the wards and branches, a person will be studying the same lessons no matter where in the world they attend church. The spiritual leader of each ward is called the bishop (or the branch president for branches). He is a member of the congregation who has been asked to serve as a volunteer in this position. A group of wards forms a stake, and the leader of a stake is a stake president. “Stake” is not a term found in the New Testament, but is taken from Old Testament tent imagery in which the “tent,” or church, is held up by supporting stakes (see Isaiah 54:2).

A ward or a branch is a community in which members develop friendships and help each other. Members try to follow the teachings of an ancient prophet who taught that when we are baptized, we are “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and “willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:8-9). Through service, members lift one another’s burdens and express their love.

 There is a woman named Cristina who has a son that is baptized. He is 9 years old. She has been investigating the church for about 7 years now. She just has things she doesn’t want to change in her life. From the minute I met her, I felt different about her. I knew we needed to focus on her. This week we are going to work hard with her and figure out what really is keeping her from being baptized. There is just something in her eye. It is almost like a plea for help. I never have felt what I felt when she was talking to me. I know that Hermana Porter and I can help her. So this week our focus is Matthew, Godson, and Cristina. 

Every two weeks the missionaries are in charge of a "Noche de Hogar" (Family Home Evening) for the branch. Last night, we did a reinactment of Lehi´s dream (To read Lehi's dream click on the link: www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8). We set up an "iron rod" of rope throughout the whole church. We had tempations, like parties, money, and food. We also had a room of darkness. At the end of the rod, there was the tree of life. About 20 people showed up and it was amazing. President Rodriguez of the branch told us that it was the best activity he has seen in a while. He also said that the branch was going to be talking about this activity for years. it was great. There was a woman crying as well. I am definitely going to use it in the future! 

Well I bet there are a thousand things I forgot to include, but I can’t think of them right now. Our piso is super cute! I miss all the families of Valencia so much! I think about the Mambos and Rosmery and Manuel all the time. It’s almost like I left my "family" all over again. The good thing about the mission, and the church, is that no mattter where I go I will always have family. I love this gospel and the changes it makes in people’s lives. 

Well I love you all and miss you as always. I am so glad to hear you are all doing well! I am doing great and loving life. i don’t have any pictures yet, but i will get some to you soon. 

Hey one last thing! I keep meaning to send this to you all but I forget every time! It's a Book of Mormon challenge and it is awesome. I'm more than half way done with it for the second time. I think it would be awesome if you all made time for it if you can. It has really helped me to understand better the stories of the Book of Mormon. The dates aren't right because I forgot to send it, but  every monday starts the next chapter! I invite everyone to do it as well!! For those of you reading this blog who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, if you have heard about the Book of Mormon and were wondering what it is all about, take the challenge!  (You can read it online at www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng)

Buenas suerte!

LOVE YOU!

Con Amor,

Hermana Barker

If you have questions about the church or what we believe go to mormon.org and type in your question in the search box for answers.  Or you can email me directly and I would be happy to answer your questions.  rachel.barker@myldsmail.net

Adios Valencia, Hola Martorell

Week #23

 Hola from....Martorell! 

Martorell is a tiny little pueblo about 40 minutes outside of Barcelona. I just got here and the piso is so cute! I love it! and to top things off, my companion is awesome!! It's Hermana Porter from my MTC district!!! We spent 6 weeks together in the same piso and district! I am honestly so excited. I’m excited for a "new" start and to meet new people. It's also a branch of about 100 people. It’ll be interesting to be in a branch instead of a ward. Also, I went from one of the biggest areas to one of the smallest! All the changes are exciting though. Transfers really are awful though because my bags are as big as I am! Luckily there are Elders and friendly people of Spain to help me. There is a lot of work going on right now in this area too, so I’m excited to jump right in to things and see a new way of mission life. I know Hermana Porter and I are going to have a lot of fun together!

As for a few more shout outs from Christmas...

-Tasha Petroff is engaged??? Congrats!! That’s so exciting!

-Tanner Kirk and Russell Reeve your Christmas card made me laugh so hard. Thank you for including me in that!

-Thank you Newsom and Anderson family for including me in the Christmas cards as well. It’s always fun to hear how everyone is doing and how the lives back in Danville are.

-Aunt Michelle the card was so cute! I loved the quote and the pictures. It was a beautiful display of Christmas and the true meaning.

Well as for last week, it was Dia Del Reyes which is the holiday of the three kings. Here they have Christmas, December 25th,  which is more for toys and games from Papa Noel. Dia Del Reyes is when the Three Kings come to your house and bring gifts that are more valuable like clothes or money or things like that. They have a huge parade and fireworks and a pastry that they eat. Whoever finds the "king" inside their piece of cake is the king and gets to wear the crown for the rest of the day. Elder Sorenson won the crown. 

Rachel doesn't usually take photos of food in her mouth.  This is the Spanish Tradition of the 12 Grapes on New Years Eve. The tradition consists of eating a grape with each bell strike at midnight of December 31. According to the tradition, that leads to a year of prosperity.^[2] In some areas, it is believed that the tradition wards away witches and general evil.^[2][3]

It is a very cool thing to see and be a part of different cultures and to experience holidays in a different way. I haven’t even had time to be homesick because there has been so much going on! The members really spoiled us! I really am going to miss the members so much in Valencia! I have never been so spoiled in my life. The eating citas really aren’t going to happen anymore. The rumor is that Valencia really is the only place where the missionaries get fed every day. The only thing about that is last week I ate stomach....it was interesting to say the least! I love trying new things though. OH and we did the grapes for New Years, but we did it with the California New Years at 9am because we were asleep at 12pm. So I kind of celebrated with all of you!

I have already made so many memories on my mission. There are families that I am not going to ever forget!!! I love this mission.

The Gordillo Family

Hermana Sonia - Bishops wife

The Mambos Family

Rosemary & Manuel

I 

 Some memories are a little different though ha. Last week we were knocking doors because we needed to find new people. At one door a young guy opened probably about 18 years old. He was on the phone so he took the card and shut the door. As we were turning to walk away, he opened the door, crumpled the card in my face, and threw it at my feet. Why did he need to waste that effort? Just throw it in the trash next time hombre! haha it was funny. Then as we were looking for open doors of the buildings, Hermana Alatorre was telling me a story about how she was contacting one time and none of the doors were open. She yelled into the sky saying something like, "God I have faith, I'm cold, and we’re doing your work. Please let this door open.”   As she finished saying that, the door clicked open. The crazy thing about this is, as she was telling me this story, the door she pushed as an example to her story CLICKED OPEN!!! It was so crazy! At that moment that I realized that God has a sense of humor. Door contacting is my favorite because I never know what is waiting in store for me behind the door. I really love it. 

Well there’s not much else to talk about haha. Last week was a little crazy. Hopefully I will have so many new investigatores next week to tell you about! Mom I have a song to look up for you. It is called Bless My Son. I don’t know who sings it, but it makes me cry and I think of you every time! Also, I loved the pictures of the Rose Bowl. It looked so fun! Wish I could have been there! I emailed Miranda about her mission and she told me she goes to the MTC again tomorrow for 3 weeks and then shes headed back to Florida! She is excited and ready. I am so proud of her and her courage to go back out. She is such a great example to so many people. 

I really loved skyping all of you! People in my ward commented on the pictures! They thought the pictures of the skype were awesome! Good work Kel for putting them up there. 

Also, my bishop’s wife told me I have to come back with my family so she can meet the people who raised such an amazing daughter! good work mom and dad :) 

Well I love you all and can’t wait to hear from you next week. I’m glad everyone got my letters! My new address is 

Avenida de Montserrat 59-61 1,2

Martorell, España 08760

Con Amor

Hermana Barker

More photos of the people I love!

Iona Gordillo

My best buds - Benji & Belen Mambos

It's hard to say goodbye!

Mama Africa

Our Missionary Cheer

District Missionaries

CHRISTMAS in VALENCIA (PICTURES)

One of our Barker Christmas traditions is that on Christmas Eve everyone opens one present which is always pajamas.  We sent Rachel and her companion each a pair to open on Christmas Eve so Rachel felt like she was not missing out on our traditions while she is away.

Rosemary and Manuel hosted Christmas dinner for all the missionaries in their ward (there are currently 6 missionaries serving in their ward).  

Look at the size of those shrimp.  Rachel loves eating seafood that still has the head and eyes intact.  YUM

 

 

Rachel has told us that Brownies are a coveted dessert in Spain but that our boxed brownies are 1000 times better.  I still can't convince myself to send her some $1.00 brownine mixes because it will cost me $50.00 to send them.  Who am I kidding.  I'm sure I'll be sending a box of brownie mixes soon to Spain!