The Final Weekly (Dec 13)

Hello everyone! 

This week was incredible! I can not believe my mission will be over and I’ll be home in a few days. I’ve had a few people ask which area/part of my mission/companion was my favorite. Since is hard to choose favorites, I wanted to share why I loved each area!

Athens with Sister Blaser! Being trained here by Sister Blaser was the best. The bottom corner of the mission down in the Appalachia. The rolling hills. The green trees that we got to see change in the fall. Biking millions of miles on the bike path. Rednecks, hippies, farmers, druggies, and everything in between. Ohio University, one of the highest ranked party schools in all of Ohio. The tiny ward that was barely not a branch. All our tender mercies and funny moments. Athens has a special place in my heart. 

Powell with Sister Bohner for her last transfer, then training Sister Flora! One of richest areas in the mission. Middle of winter. The freezing rain! Christmas treats from every member because they loved us. All the kind people in their giant homes. The matching lights on everyone’s trees. Experiencing miracles even in a “hard area.” Biking in the snow just for fun.

Marysville with Sister Hansen then Sister Hall! Marysville is the town of miracles. I spent all three transfers here in awe at God’s preparations that he had done here. Spring time. When it started to warm up. The battles with the Bible Baptist Church. Country and farm land and run down in town. Mill valley with a member on every street. Honda! Everyone there worked at Honda. Laughing every second of every day with Sister Hansen. Meeting my best friend and soul sister, Sister Hall. President Daines told us we were companions before this, in the pre earth life. 

OSU with Sister Andersen, Sister Johnson, Sister Edmunds, and Sister Harisay. This place is a whole different mission. Oh man I loved it here. 8:00 dinners. Saturday night football games means Saturday night weekly Planning. Parties starting Thursday nights. Riding the COTA!! Being able to always be talking to someone. Relating to people my age. The Dabbs. Finding miracles in the dumping rain and humid heat with Sister Andersen. Being with Sister Johnson for her last transfer. The trio! Follow up training Sister Edmunds after I took her on a crazy exchange a few weeks before. Being with Sister Harisay who helped us not be too crazy! So many incredible friends made there.

Riverside finishing Sister Herrera’s training. Being in the ward with people I know. Fulfilling my dream of a bike area. Biking in the snow and horrible wind. Finding a ton of new investigators and leaving with a stacked area book. Living next to “little Provo” where half the ward lives. Being with a million young married couples and getting life advice from them.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! 

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple twice. Once with the other missionaries who are leaving this week, and the other time to be Bianca’s escort. It was so amazing both times. I love Bianca and I’m so proud of the progress she’s made since I met her last year :). 

I am so thankful for the time I got to serve in The Great OCM. This place is very special to me and my memories are dear. I have loved getting to know my Savior by feeling the love He has for people, reading the Book of Mormon, studying His life, understanding the plan which He’s central to, feeling His spirit guide and protect me, and spending countless hours on my knees in prayer. 

God is real. Jesus Christ is our Savior. The Book of Mormon is true. This is the church of Jesus Christ. The experiences I had on my mission are priceless. I would not trade it for the world. Deciding to serve and accept my call was he best decision I have ever made. If you’re considering going on a mission, do it. It will change your life. It changed mine. 

I’m scared to come home but I trust that God has a plan. I’ll see you all soon! If you’re a missionary, I’d love to keep hearing from you! Send me your weekly emails at emilylime6@gmail.com. Email me personally too, I will email back! If you know what a 74 update is, watch for that soon. 

I love you all! Thanks for your love and support that carried me through my mission. I could literally feel your prayers. 

Thank you. 

Love, 

Sister Barnes. 

Pictures

Helping a random man put up his lights. We rode by and had an awkward 15extra minutes before dinner. He said yes when we offered to help. 

BIANCA

the whole gang 

We wrote light the world in the snow

Steve came to church and he’s my favorite human. A small child took this HQ pic

The Gulkers

We were far from home and didn’t want to bike up a billion hills. We caught the bus and I almost cried to be on a COTA again. 

Our district caroled at a nursing home. 

No hands on this cool bridge over the freeway

Ohio or Snowhio?