Constantly Changing

Dear Family,

Yet again we had transfers this last week and i'm so sad to say.. I transferred, BUT I am still on Palawan so that's awesome! I thought for sure I'd get put back in the Mainland. I am now in Puerto Princesa Branch 2. I was in Branch 1, but now I transfered to a different area with a different branch, but it is really close. I am still a Sister Training Leader and my companion is Sister Laug Laug. She was the Sister Training leader with me last transfer, but instead of kabahay STL's she is my companion now so that's cool. It has been a little rought transition for me though because I really put my whole heart and soul in working in Branch 1 and honestly it was really really hard the first transfer because we had no one. No investigators, nothing. But now in Branch 1 we were going to have Janella take her leap of faith into the waters of baptism in 2 weeks in September as well as Sister Susan and Stacy and Laarni.. ahhh there are just so many we helped prepare and now I have to  leave them all and I feel like right now that is the story of my life in the mission. I am what you call a planter. I plant the people and then get transferred right before they are harvested. It honestly has been really really hard for me to leave the people of Branch 1 as well. I got so close to all of them and now i'm still close to the area, but in a completely different branch and everything... so it's been a little tough, but im sure i'm going to love Branch 2 just as much as i loved branch 1.

 It's going to be a little bit harder tho because our area is huge, we have hardly any investigators, and I have to memorize the area soon so we can go on exchanges and I can know where to go  in our area. Not to mention we got two more sisters on Palawan so the stress is real, same with the drama. But honestly I'm learning a lot and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here. Can you believe it 10 months and I am in my 5th area. hahah It's awesome. I have also been on Palawan ever since I got done with my training. So I think I'll be here forever which is fine with me because I LOVE PALAWAN. 

As this transfer has happened and as I have struggled to adapt to a new branch and a new area it really made me think about change. One thing I like that mom said to me in her email is, "One thing about a mission, it is constantly changing and teaches you to adapt to your circumstances constantly." It's so true, being on a mission everything is constantly changing. One thing I really noticed on my mission is that as soon as I get comfortable, with my branch, my people, my companion, etc.. I get transferred. The Lord wants us to change. He wants us to grow and to become better and the only way we can do that is if we stretch and adapt to our circumstances. It is really hard for me to move to different areas with different people all the time because i really grow to love them. Like honestly if someone would of asked me before my mission if I ever thought I would've loved these people as much as I do I honestly never would've thought I would. But I do, I love my people. They are so sweet and kind and each member, investigator, less active, or even the random friends we make on the street have a special place in my heart and it is so hard to say goodbye... luckily I am still close and get to see them often. I also will be able to attend the baptism of Janella on September 17 :) So I am so excited for that! 

So as hard as change is, I really know that it is for our benefit. I have prayed really hard these last couple of days to understand the reason for me leaving my area and starting new again. Every single area I have been in I have known that I have been in that area with my certain companion for a specific reason. I love knowing that Heavenly Father is mindful of each one of his children and he wants each one of us to be happy, but he also wants each one of us to change and to grow.

I'm so excited for this next adventure. I know this transfer will be hard, but I know that with the Lord's help and guidance I can do anything. I am blessed to be a missionary. I love this work and I love being out here in Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines. I know this work changes lives for the better and I know that it has is constantly changing mine as well. I love you all. Continue onward and upward on the path of righteousness. Read the Book of Mormon, Chose the Right, and be happy. 

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton

Ps these are some pics of my bdayyyy aka BEST BDAY EVER!! :) 

Pss Also something cool for you to know is Elder Lopez (an elder from my batch) is now my new district leader which is cool and Sister Holzworth is a Sister Training Leader now as well which means.. I GET TO SEE HER THIS WEEK AT MLC IN MANILA!! I haven't seen her since December so lets just say i'm a little bit excited. Anyway I love you all. Have a great week cuz I always do!

The Most Important Days

Hiiiii again!

What the heck I cannot believe I am actually 20.. I AM SO OLD.. blahhhhh hahah but first of all i just want to say thank you thank you thank you all for the birthday wishes. I really think this is the most love i've ever felt on my birthday. Yesterday the whole branch sang to me and this morning I received many texts from investigators, members, and other missionaries and the couple missionaries Elder and Sister Adduru took me to lunch and made me a cake. And members are throwing me a "surprise" party later tonight.. but I kinda accidentally know about it. But let's just say this has been an awesome birthday. So thank you all!! 

In two days is transfers and we will find out what happens. We found out on Friday that my companion Sister Tekanene will be training!! So that's awesome and I am so excited for her, but we don't know if she will be transferring or if I will. This sounds terrible, but I really hope it's her not me. Because our area is finally doing well and things are progressing and Janella came to church again and is so prepared and our other new investigator Susan came to church and really wants to change her life. and wow, just all these really great things are happening and i'm not ready to leave yet... but if it is the Lord's will that I move to a different area.. then I guess I will accept it and keep on doing what I do. haha I'm so so so happy in this area tho and I really love it and I don't want to leave yet.. 

It's crazy how much I really love the people here. I LOVE THEM. I literally cannot even think about leaving or it makes me want to cry so i'm going to die if I really have to leave already... After so much hardship and so much work, it is so cool to see the blessings that come. It just shows what can happen and how much more your love can grow for people as long as you just continue to love, help, and serve. I love my mission. 

I remember something President Ostler said to me earlier in my mission, he said, "There are three really important days in your life. The most important day is your birthday (TODAY :) haha), Then the day you find out why you are here, and then the day you do something about it." These are the three most important days in our lives. When we are born into the world to start our journey here on Earth. Then the day when we actually find out the real reason we are here. To prepare ourselves and to use our agency to make choices so that one day we can return to our Heavenly Father, and then to act. To actually DO. To make the choices and do the things that we need to in order to receive the blessing waiting for us.

I have already been born. I have already learned why I am here. Now, here on my mission I am doing something about it. That is my favorite part. Every day I get to continue to teach people and find those seekers who are ready to hear why they are here so they can do something about it. I get to do. I get to be apart of this great change that is happening all around me and to me as well. I love it. I love helping people act. Helping people commit themselves to Jesus Christ. 

That was the coolest thing about our investigator I was talking about before Susan. Susan is amazing. She hasn't been to church in more than 15 years. We found her two weeks ago and started teaching her. She is very open and is really interested in our message. She has many hard things in her life tho and many things that she wants to change so that she can be closer to Jesus Christ. There has always been something different about Susan tho. And it is because she is a doer. She acts. She commits and she acts and it is awesome. She doesn't just say, "yeah i wanna change, but..." instead she goes and she does and she is trying to do everything she can to change. She has a long way to go, but she is amazing and wonderful because she is willing and is ready to change her life. 

One thing I have found out about me here on my mission is I like doers. I like people who say they are going to do something and then they DO it. Many times we find the people who are the exact opposite. They say they will do something, but don't. They chose not to act. I like to call these people "next time na lang" because that is what they say. next time this... next time that... That is not how it should be. Make the time now. This is the time to change and to be better and to be happier. I'm so grateful for this mission. I'm grateful for the things I learn and for the many many relationships I get to develop here. I love my people here in Puerto Princesa. I hope with all my heart it is not my time to leave, but if it is.. well that is okay as well because I'm sure the next place I go will be great too. 

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes and for the nice things you have said to me. I love you all with my whole heart. Thanks for all you do. Remember to be happy and chose the right and help others who are having a hard time doing just that. Just do it huh? Love you all.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton  

10 MONTHS

Family,

So at the end of this week I will be turning 10 months in the mission and then the next day I will be turning 20 years old. So now I just have one question.. HOW AM I ALREADY 10 MONTHS?!?! I don't really know how to feel because I love and miss all of you and I still have 8 months here in the mission, but I'm sorry.. I never really wanna come home. hahaha not to be rude or anything, but I love love love my mission. Like for real I don't think I've ever loved something more in my entire life. I just want to stay here for ever serving Heavenly Father's children here in the Philippines. I really really love it here. 

Everyday I learn something new and apply it to not only be a better missionary, but to be a better person. The one thing I really have learned on my mission is to not complain. I remember one thing Grandma Karen said in one of her letters to me at the beginning of my mission was, well first, "Welcome to the lone and dreary world" (that was clever) but then she goes on to say something about an article she read. It said something like, "Remember you can't control your circumstances, but you can control your attitude." I remember reading this and really pondering about it and thinking how I can be positive in ever situation I am in. One thing I really remember is to not complain. Really, if you think about it, complaining gets you know where. The only thing that comes out of complaining is the people next to you get a headache because you are annoying. haha But really I can't stand complainers. I just think to myself.. okay if I want something to change in my life. If I really want to have  better circumstance or situation, what do I need to change? How can I change to better my situation? What can I do? I really think it is so important for all of us to have this outlook. I know that in these last 10 months on my mission I have complained A LOT... but I also know that in many cases I took the higher road and decided to not dwell on the negative, but to focus on what we can do to change to make it more enjoyable and a more positive situation. 

This week has really strengthened my testimony in the principle of looking at the positive. Not going to lie, when I first came to this area in Puerto Princesa I kind of thought it was a little hopeless... I wasn't really sure where to start and there were so many problems and challenges that we had to face and sometimes I really felt like I was facing them alone. The first transfer was really rough, but I knew we could change this area to be a golden area. An area that was on fire where all the other missionaries would love if they got sent here. So I insisted on making it just that. Of course with the help of my happy, cute, positive companion Sister Tekanene we were able to make a glimpse of that happen.

I can officially say our area is now on FIRE. Everything that was a challenge at the beginning when we first got here has reversed and is actually a positive to our area. Not at all means is our area perfect. There is still a lot to do, but It is really really progressing. We were able to have 3 investigators come to church yesterday, 3 really really progressing investigators who I know will get baptized within the coming months. AND we were able to find a family last week who are real true seekers of the truth. 

I can truly testify that through positivity and obedience the Lord bring blessings and miracles to our lives. The Lord lead us to find Sister Janella and she is amazing. She is 15 years old and honestly do you remember in my farewell talk when I was talking about finding my friend? Well... I found her. She is amazing and is so prepared to receive the gospel in her life. As we teach her I see her spark growing, her testimony becoming stronger, and her desire to follow Christ illuminate. I honestly cannot express how much love and gratitude I have for her and for missionary work. Being missionaries we get to witness the greatest thing of all. The atonement of Jesus Christ change individuals and families. We have a front row seat and it is the most beautiful thing. Although it is hard, I know that it is worth it. I know that there is no point in dwelling on the negativity and complaining when life is short and there is so much beauty. Look for it. If it's too hard to see, then you need to change something in order to see it more clearly. 

I love you all with my whole heart and soul. I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church here on Earth. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ in this last dispensation. I know that we have a living prophet who leads and guides the church now named Thomas S. Monson. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can have eternal life. If we will be faithful and true to the commandments of God. I love you all and I invite you to look at the positive in life. Continue to read the Book of Mormon and share this beautiful gospel to those who are lost in this world. Thank you for all you do. CTR and be happy. 

Love, 

Sister Barton 

Our Willingness

Dear Family!

This week has been such a great week. I was able to attend MLC (Missionary Leadership Counsil) in Manila this week. And WOW it was amazing. I've always heard about MLC from other Sister Training Leaders and Zone Leaders, but I never realized how awesome it really is. It was one of the most incredible meetings of my whole mission. The spirit was so strong and just to be able to attend and counsel together as leaders of the mission was so inspiring. So Sister Laug-Laug and I attended that and it was, obviously, really really great. Another reason why it was so great is because I GOT TO SEE MY NANAY!!! I was able to see Sister Tiongco (my trainer) she is a Sister Training Leader too and she goes home so soon... August 24th and she's gone. Ahhhh it makes me so sad because honestly I love love love SIster Tiongco. Time really flies, but I'm excited to see what happens in the next phase of her life. So going to Manila was a great awesome spiritual experience, but the next day of course we flew back to Palawan and now back to work :)

Ahhhh I really love love love everything about my mission. Honestly. Even the hard times when I just wanna fall on the floor and cry because of the disappointments and the hardships. I love the good times, the bad times, the stressful times, the chill times, everything, I love it all. I know that everything I go through as a missionary and in my life has a purpose. I am here in the Philippines serving a mission for a purpose and I am ready and WILLING to give everything to my Father in Heaven and My Savior Jesus Christ because I know what he can make of me is a million times better than what I can make of myself. 

One word I found myself thinking about this week was the word willing. I really love this word. I think it can apply to everyone in so many different ways. I have been really pondering this last week about how I can become a better missionary, a better individual, just all around a better person. I feel like I have changed a lot in the last 9 months for the better, but I really want to change more and I realized the diference between the people who change and become better and the people who stay the same and never seem to change, is their willingness. Are we willing to give everything we have to the Lord? Are we willing to keep the commandments and our covenants with Heavenly Father? Are we willing to be the person he wants us to be? As I was contemplating these questions I really just kept thinking about my own and other people's willingness. 

We all have that one person who is a great example in our life who we really look up too. We look up to them because they are humble and willing to do anything and everything for the people they love. One of my biggest examples or role models of course is the one and only mother of mine. I think the reason why mom is such a good example to me and someone I really aspire to be like is because she is willing. She is willing to counsel with the Lord and do what he would have her do. Just like in Alma 37:37. We all need to do as that scripture directs in order to have our will be inline with the will of our Father in Heaven. 

You can tell who the people are who are willing to change. Especially being on a mission. The people who are willing to change and are willing to follow the Savior's example are the ones who come to church to partake of the Sacrament. They are the ones who forgive and listen to others counsel. They are those who are so willing they always have the Spirit with them because without the Spirit they have no direction. Being a missionary it's interesting to see who is willing. Even watching the members. Through the course of my mission I have seen one family in particular who decided to become less active. They slowly stopped coming to church. They slowly stopped keeping the commandments and choosing the right. They slowly let Satan in their life and it has hurt and saddened their life so much. 

Sorry to drag this on, but for some reason I was really inspired to share the word willing with you haha weird impression, but I know that as we go throughout life WILLING to take on the trials and WILLING to let Jesus Christ help us every step of the way. And as we are WILLING to change, then Heavenly Father WILL help. The atonement WILL heal us because we are WILLING. 

I love everything about this work. I love being a missionary and I love being able to serve these wonderful people here in Puerto Princesa. I love you my family more than you will ever know. I love being apart of changing lives and helping people come closer to Jesus Christ. Thank you all for being willing and for helping me. I love your support and I love your letters. I am really sorry if sometimes I don't have much time to respond, but know I print letters out every week and read them throughout the week. I love them and I love you. Thank you for all you do for me and for this gospel. You are all amazing so chose the right and be happy while doing it :) 

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton 

ps. One of my favorite things about my mission is still all the little kids.. :)))

CONGRATS!!!

FAMILY!!!

First let me start off by saying CONGRATULATIONS TO JENSEN AND HIS NEW WIFE!!! Ahhhh that's so awesome and I am so happy for the both of you. I actually celebrated as well so don't be feeling bad I wasn't there cuz I had really good cake. haha :) I also got to spend a night in a hotel because our water broke which was awesome!! We had Air conditioning and hot water so that was just a plus (pic at the bottom) Then today we went to this place called 100 caves and it was so awesome! (pic at the bottom) haha but really I had such a good week. 

I also got to go on my first exchange as a Sister Training Leader and that was awesome. I am learning so much from the other sisters and I love helping them and serving them. Thing are getting better and better everyday. Of course things are stressful sometimes, but the Lord is showing us so many tender mercies. 

 

This week for Sister Tekanene and our area was good. We worked really hard and are trying our very hardest to help this area. We have hit some hard trials but it's not discouraging, just disappointing. It is just really hard when you put so much time and effort into someone and then they use their agency and chose another path... but I can really see the Lord helping us in everything we do. No effort is wasted and I see that more and more as I am here. I feel very excited to see how our area will grow in these next couple of months. I really feel like because it is so hard right now and we seem to be hitting a lot of speed bumps, something great is coming. In a lot of stories we read in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and even with Joseph Smith, right before the miracle or something amazing happens, Satan comes before. He plays his tricks and comes tempting trying to get you to be unfaithful to our Savior Jesus Christ. But as we withstand him and never yield to his temptations, then that is when the miracles happen. So I am excited to see what miracle is instore for our area soon. 

We have seen so many tender mercies in just this last week. Wow, we were able to find out that one of our less actives, has a daughter who is almost 8 and wants to be baptized, which is great. Now, we can focus on the family and getting them back to church as well as teaching the daughter and her husband, because he is not a member! So that was an amazing surprise. We taught them on Friday actually and then on Sunday she actually came to church with her three little kids. So that was a big tender mercy from the Lord. 

Of course there are good and bads in every area, but I think the Lord is really trying to teach me how to look at the good. Seek out what is really important and look for the positive. As well as to always be faithful to Him. These last two months I have been here honestly haven't been the easiest. I could look back and think about all the negative things and the things that went wrong and how hard it has been. But one thing I know, I have been truly faithful and I have been trying the very best I can ever single day. 

I love this work. I love being a missionary.  I'm asking the Lord to help me do His work every single day. I love being here and I love serving my Savior Jesus Christ with all of my heart. I love Sister Tekanene and I love that I was called to serve here. Not only the less actives and the investigators, but everyone. Members, strangers, my companion, the other missionaries, but everyone, I am here to serve everyone and I really love it. Thank you for everything you do for me family. I love you all and I'm glad we now have a new addition to the family :))))

sorry it's a little short cuz I ran out of time, but I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton