Funny. Miracle. Spiritual.

 

Helping a member setup for Christmas...

 Hi family and friends!

This week went by in 2 seconds but also so much happened. I think I'll just make a list of stories cause that's the only way to share everything. 

Funny things

-So we started this new finding idea to ask people what they're thankful for as we're tracting. We have a chalkboard that says "I am thankful for..." and we have them write something. We usually introduce ourselves and they're about to say nah not interested but we explain what we're doing. We have them write something then we take a picture of the board (with them too if they're down) and will put it together to show at the church sometime next weekend. The goal is to get people to talk to us a little more and eventually get them into the church building for a casual thing! Okay enough background. So this lady was not happy to see us. She was about to close the door until we asked what she's thankful for. She said the Catholic Church. We asked if she wanted to write it down and she said sure. She wrote "being in the church that Jesus himself established-the Catholic Church! Know your bible" haha I had to hold back my laughter. We asked if she wanted to be in the picture and she said no. Then slammed the door, haha I love people.

-another funny one was actually a cool experience. He opened the door with crutches and a huge cast on his ankle. We asked what he's thankful for and he said health insurance. He wrote it down and it made for a hilarious picture. We talked to him for a minute and he said he would want to come to the church to see it. Yay!

Miracles

-So with this thanksgiving board we have found a number of new investigators. For many of them I think it just took hem a second to see that we were normal people and want to do good for the community. This opened them up to listen to part of our message and invite us back to share more. One lady wanted us to come back when her family was there! Another couple that just moved here wants a copy of the Book of Mormon. A sweet college aged girl has been looking for a church close by to attend. We met a father who realized he has met members of our church before who shared part of the message. He wants to learn more. We are so excited to see the blessings that are coming from this idea!!!

-We also had a cool experience with this older guy. This was on Wednesday and the focus we had for the day was talking to people about family history. He would hardly talk to us at first, but we ended up having a long conversation about temples and family history work. He invited us back for after thanksgiving. SO PUMPED

-So a few weeks ago I was studying in preach my gospel and did a personal activity in the Finding section. It was talking all about former investigators. Later that day was our weekly planning session! I felt so strongly that someone that was dropped in the "not keeping commitments" section was ready to act on the message. We put some people in and didn't have a ton of luck.. until a few days ago! We were in the neighborhood of one who we didn't get to earlier that day. We had a few extra minutes so we looked at our map to find someone to see. Two of them were met fairly recently but claimed to be too busy to even read the restoration pamphlet. We went by and caught them home! The guy told us they had read the pamphlet and wanted to learn more. They are looking for truth right now. We extended baptism and he accepted! So excited to teach them this week. 

-Our zone has had a focus of extending baptism this transfer. I want to be humble about it, but sister Bohner and I have been on fire basically. I've realized that extending baptism-even at the first contact- is the best and easiest way to establish our purpose and find people prepared for the gospel! We've seen lots of miracles and are looking forward to see where these miracles will go.

-Basically my whole mission (and probably every other missionary) I've had the goal to really rely on the spirit in all things. We had a lesson on Monday with a less active member who is coming back to the church. Let me just say she is the most inspiring and amazing person ever. So we were teaching her about eternal marriage or something and I kept getting the prompting to ask if she's had cool experiences with the priesthood. Finally I followed the spirit and she told us about a promise in her patriarchal blessing that she would be able to recognize some people she knew from the pre earth life. She told us how she had an experience last time we were teaching her that she knew she recognized Sister Bohner from that. It was a very touching thing and it was so cool. Thankful the spirit was able to work through me to help them bond even more! Yay the spirit!

-We have this investigator who has like 14 cats. We had a lesson with him on Saturday and he felt the spirit so strong. We taught the restoration and shared the first vision. After the first vision was quoted, he said it made him feel HAPPY! Wahoo! Boom. That's the spirit. We helped him see that and he is excited to continue to learn and grow!!!

Spiritual things (don't skip over these cause they sound boring.. they're cool k)

-We had zone conference this week! WOWOW I am so stoked we get to have them each transfer. We talked a lot about a lot of super helpful things to apply to the area. This is what got us thinking for the new and creative finding ideas!! I got picked on to give a talk, answer questions, and participate in roll plays. Haha learning experiences?

-We were so privileged to see the Light The World video... OH MY GOODNESS it is so so so good. Everyone go set a reminder on your phone to look it up first thing on the 25th when it comes out. Wow. If you haven't heard much about it look it up. It will be on Mormon.org on Friday. There's super awesome service ideas to do each day that are so simple. I already have my 25 ways over 25 days mapped out! Do it.

-We were also so blessed to have interviews this week! Wow, President Daines just knows exactly what to say to help you learn from him and the spirit. I learned so much I'm going to apply to the area and to myself personally. So excited to see things continue to progress. Both him and Sister Daines told me that I adjust to things super easily and they're glad I haven't had major challenges yet. But they both said that bigger challenges are ahead... AH I guess it's a growing opportunity right?! Lol pray for me.

-Since it's thanksgiving here's a thanksgiving scripture! D&C 78:19 "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM POWELL, LOVE YOU ALL. 

Sister Barnes

PS transfers are next week (I KNOW, HOW IS IT ALREADY TRANSFERS?!???) so pday will be Wednesday. Sister Bohner is done with her mission and peacing out so I'll get a new companion. Probably will stay here in Powell!  News to come next week.