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
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