First of all I am so overwhelmed by all the love I have received today. I honestly just sat here and cried as I read all the emails from everyone. I have never felt so much love in my life so thank you to everyone. I wish I could personally email everyone back today, but it might be a while. Just know that you all have made me so grateful for what I have. Thank you for everything.
I think this birthday was probably the best birthday I have ever had, EVER! Manuel was baptized and it was the smoothest baptism ever. He was early and had a big smile on his face. After, we asked how he felt and he said he felt better and new. He is a little weird old man, but he has changed my life. On Sunday after his confirmation we were telling him how happy we were for him and he looked at me and said, "why do you have so much love and care for me?" I told him it was because he was special to us and he looked down and quietly just said, "oh thank you so much." It was awesome. It was a perfect moment on my birthday.
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| Manuel is baptized on Rachel's 22nd birthday. |
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| Rachel calls this the happy dance. |
I honestly don't even know where to begin right now. First of all thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the package. The oreos are awesome! I didn't even know there were so many kinds of oreos!!! and thank you Grandma Bev for the email letter. It was beautiful and I am so glad to hear that you are happy and active and doing well!!! Kelli and Mark I got your card and the card was so true and so perfect Kel. Thank you for thinking of me. I'm sorry I'm the worst and didn't send anything. It's been so crazy here!
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| Love from Home |
So this week was quiet, but so good. We have been working hard with Manuel and everything paid off. Also, we have been working with a woman named Jackeline. She just lost her husband three weeks ago and moved here to live with her aunt who is a member. There is something really special about her. I don't know why, but I just feel a connection to her. We have already made a bond with her that is really strong and I know she is going to really love the gospel. She is an amazing woman.
As for my birthday yesterday...I was so spoiled. The President of my rama (that is a branch, her church congregation) put my birthday in the noticias of the program...after church one woman came up to me and said that I must be real special because the president never puts birthdays in the program. So that started it all. Everyone said happy birthday to me yesterday. Then we went to Eugenia and an investigator's house for lunch and they had a cake and cookies and presents for me. Hermana Oli from the ward bought me a shirt and wrote a super cute card. She told me to tell you thanks for raising a daughter like me. We played games and had so much fun. Then the Elders and Hermana Tyler gave me a present too. Its a jersey from the world cup last year of Barcelona with my name on it!!! It's so cool and I'm pretty sure it was super expensive! It was so cute.
After that we went to a noche de hogar (family home evening) at the family Orihuela. I am super close to them and they call me their adopted daughter. They gave me a scarf and necklace and bracelet. It was so cute. and they made me a cake. I was definitely well taken care of yesterday so don't worry. I guess you could say that i had a great 22nd birthday. And it's crazy to think that a year ago I opened my call and now I'm 8 months into my mission!!! The time is flying and its a good and bad thing because i feel like i still have so much work to do, but I'm excited to see everyone at home again and give hugs to people again!!!
Well I could go on forever about how much love I feel right now and how many emotions I am feeling, but I won't bore you. We have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to find. I am catching my missionary fire and nothing is going to stop me. The change that I have seen in people is amazing. I am so honored to be a part of it and to share with people the happiness I have from this gospel. I have never been happier in my life and I know it's because the Lord is by my side always. My testimony has never been stronger and I know it will never fade away. I love this gospel and I know that the Lord lives and that He is guiding us in all we do. His hand is outstretched and He is just waiting for us to take it. Thank you for showing the love of Christ and being examples to all. I love you all so much there aren't even words to explain!!! Have an amazing week.... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!!!!!!
CON TODO AMOR PARA SIEMPRE,
Hermana Barker
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