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
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| Christopher Columbus Monument |
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| This is all candy made to look like fruits and vegetables and hot dogs? |
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| Barcelona Market - amazing fruit |
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| Anyone for Sheep's head? Love the tongue hanging out. Or how about some cow or sheep intestine, there's plenty to go around. |
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