Best Weekend of my Whole Life

Dear Family,

This week has been one of the best weeks of my whole mission/ whole life! Seriously, the power, spirit, and all around greatness felt this past weekend has been truly unforgettable. I feel so blessed to have had the experience with Elder Bednar and to have really gotten myself physically as well as spiritually prepared before his arrival. 

It was so amazing having Elder Bednar come and speak to our mission. On Saturday we were able to have a mission conference with the whole Manila Mission for like 4 hours with Elder Bednar. That night we were able to watch on a broadcast questions and answers with the area presidency and Elder Bednar. Then on Sunday because we are in Makati Stake, we were able to have a special Elder Bednar conference with the whole stake. So it was literally like a weekend with an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. HOW COOL IS THAT?! Ahhh it was honestly so spiritually great that I feel absolutely exhausted. After this email I am going to spend the rest of pday watching 17 miracles and sleeping hahaha but really it was so so great. 

Being with Elder Bednar especially the first time when it was just all of us missionaries in the Manila Mission was so different. I kind of figured that he would just kind of lecture us and tell us how to be better and learn more and pick on people and do things like that, but it was so cool the way he did it. He literally talked WITH us, not AT us. It was so good. He started off by saying, "Okay Elders and Sisters, are you ready? Let's get to work." Then he literally had us talk to him and he asked questions to us and we asked questions to him and it was literally one of the greatest things that I have ever seen. 

I have so many things I want to share with you from things I have learned over this last weekend, but one thing that really impacted me was to always be an agent and act by faith. He was talking to all of us and telling us how we aren't objects. People can't make us feel any certain way or make us do any certain thing. Because we have agency we are agents and we act for ourselves and we must always do so in order to learn and grow. He kept saying that as we chose to do the simple things in our lives like pray, read the scriptures, attend church services, serve, attend activities and institute, etc. we are acting. We are choosing to change and to always follow the will of the Lord. One thing he said that I absolutely loved was, "God will bless you to do things you'd never imagine." As we strive to do His will and be more like Him through our choices, he will bless us. He will bless us way more than we can or could ever bless ourselves. 

He also helped us learn what acting by faith is and what it means. That when we pray and have the intent to act on the things we pray for it is way more predictable and way more powerful. He compared it to OYMing or "opening your mouth" aka talking to everyone. If we pray to have power and amazing words to say to people, but we never actually act and talk first, it will never happen. We must first act. We must first open our mouths to people and then our mouths will be filled. It was so good, because I've never thought about it like that. Even with things like getting a job. You can pray to have help to find a job and things, but if you just sit in your house and never act or go out and look for one of course God cannot help you. But as you go out and act and seek for a job, God will help you and lead you to what you need at that time. It was so good and I just feel like I received so much guidance and revelation for the rest of my mission and for my future. 

As many things as I learned of the gospel and doctrines and things, the one thing I will never forget is the way I felt. The power and holiness of Elder Bednar was so amazing. I can literally testify and tell you that he is a man called of God. He is a true witness of Jesus Christ. I knew that before this past weekend, but actually having Him speak with us and seeing Him face-to-face and feeling his spirit just confirmed what I know to be true. 

The Spirit I have felt this past weekend will never be forgotten. I feel so blessed to be a missionary for the Lord Jesus Christ, to serve him everyday, and to know that I am clean, pure, and worthy to do this work. As we embrace the gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can change each day. That is the greatest part. If we make a mistake which we are going to do many many times, we have hope. We have the chance to repent even for the smallest of things so that when the great day comes we can stand at that judgement day and know that we are clean and pure to enter the celestial kingdom. This weekend I felt celestial moments. I'm grateful to be in the Philippines and to continue to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. How grateful I am to be a servant of Him. 

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton

1.A selfie taken from Riveca Mesa hahahaha 

2. LOOK HOW MANY AMERICAN SISTERS THERE ARE NOW!!!! When I started the mission there was literally just me and now there are 6 of us! ahhhhh it's so great :)

16 Months...

Dear Family,

Uhhhhh I don't know what's happening.. i'm going to be 16 months tomorrow and it's kinda freaking me out to be honest. Luckily since I don't come home for a little longer than that I have a little bit more time here in this beautiful country. I can't tell you how beyond blessed I feel to be able to have the opportunity to be serving here in the Philippines. It's so amazing. Literally everyday as I am here I just feel so grateful to be here. I really love this place. It's kind of weird you'd think i'd still remember a lot about America, but to be honest.. I don't remember much. I was watching a conference thing the other day and it showed the Salt Lake temple and things and I was just amazed at the beauty of the temple and the mountains and just Utah. It's so beautiful, the Philippines is beautiful as well, but just in a very different way. 

I want everyone to know that I am doing okay. I appreciate all the prayers and things, but know that I will be okay. President Ostler gave me strict counsel on what to do to be healthy and strong. So as long as I follow the counsel he gave, I know I will be okay. 

It's actually amazing how many blessings we were able to see this week even though we were so busy. This week we had Interviews with President, taught in two different zone meetings, and had exchanges, but even with the busy week we were able to see miracles happen in our area. A lot of the time this week when we weren't at meetings or super busy, I was resting. We still worked, but I had to rest a lot as well, but Sister Baldelomar and I testify that the Lord really blesses those who follow the counsel of their leaders. We didn't have much work, but through the couple lessons we had and with the Spirit we were able to see six of the Lords children show their faith and attend church on Sunday. Many of them were new face investigators brought by the memebers and it was just so amazing. I feel so grateful for the love and mercy of the Lord. 

Two of those investigators who attended church were Romel Mesa and Ronilo Mesa. The Sons of Sister Mesa. They have always acted really amazing in the lessons and super knowledgable and spiritual, but they just had a hard time coming to church and really acting on the message (that's why they didn't get baptized with their other family members) But on sunday, they showed their faith and they both came to church, Romel for the first time. It was really awesome to see them and I feel so grateful for their willingness to act and accept the gospel in their lives. 

I'm really hoping this will be my last area. There have been so many people the Lord has prepared in this area to accept the gospel and I just want to do everything I can to see this area really grow and all of his children here accept the gospel one by one. Sister Baldelomar is so awesome as well. We are literally like the exact same person. We have some differences, but we are so much alike it's insane. Sometimes we will even be standing the same way or the way our face looks is the same, and we both think the same things are just hilarious and we will laugh so hard at stupid little things that are so funny to me and her. It's so great. Ahhhh I am like praying with my whole heart she is my last companion and this will be my last area. She is really great and we just get a long so well. It's these types of companions who are the best types of companions.

This week I was really pondering about how important it is to be obedient. I was thinking about my duty to "rest" and it just made me think about how the Lord really will make up the difference. Whatever we lack, he will always be there to help. In the Bible Dictionary it says, "The Lord rewards his obedient children according to their faithfulness" Some of the greatest examples ever of this are Joseph, the Son of Jacob, and Nephi. They are both so exactly obedient to the Lord and do everything he asks of them. I think the reason why Nephi is at the beginning of the Book of Mormon is becuase he is one of the most obedient, faithful men in all of the Book of Mormon. 

These two just really inspire me. I feel like I have learned what exact obedience really is, especially being here on a mission. I know that as we are exactly obedient to the commandment, the Lord can't help but pour out the blessings to us. It's so wonderful. One quote that I really love is, "obey first, understand later" I think if we all make this our moto, we cannot fail. Sometimes, well a lot of the time, at least for me, I don't understand why some commandments are the way they are, but I know that as we obey first no matter what the commandment it, we will be blessed. 

I'm so extremely grateful for the commandments. It all just makes sense. Heavenly Father wouldn't send us here without any instructions. He created us, he knows what tempts us, he knows what we need to do in order to return to Him. One helpful tool he gave us was the commandments. We are actually so blessed because of all the things he has given us to help us return back to Him; the scriptures, prayer, prophets, leaders, and one of the most important, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful that we have a loving Father in Heaven looking out for us all. 

"I want to be the best I can, and live with God again."

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton 

Random

Hello everyone,

well this letter may be a little short, because i'm not feeling so great today... Mom knows why. But this week has been really good. I have a NEW COMPANION! :) her name is Sister Baldelomar and she is Filipino. She is absolutely wonderful. Honestly, she is the cutest person ever and she is just so sweet. She has only been out for 7 months and she is now a STL with me. I think she just might kill me in the mission (meaning she will be my last companion). We have had some really great times this last week. 

1. Before the transfers we went to Ocean Park and it was awesome. I almost felt like I was in America again. We went and saw sharks and fish and stingrays and lots of fun things. A man even showed us some sweet magic tricks haha it was a really great day. We took a lot of pictures (sorry for the overload mom.. dropbox is not working haha) but it was a really chill relaxing day.

2. Sister Kumari went to my old area in Palawan and she is going to do some great things over there. Sister Holzworth also got transferred to my first area so that's cool. And guess what... Elder Zesiger (the one who left utah with me) He is now an Assistant so how cool is that. Man, my batch is rocking it. 

3. Sister Baldelomar and I actually got lost several times because our area is huge. Which was kinda just awkward for me considering I have been here for like 3 months and I still don't know the area that well... it's fine. haha but we really have had some really awesome times. I think Sister Baldelomar and I will do great things together in this area this transfer. This week is going to be insane... we have interviews, two zone meetings, and exchanges :) patay na ako. 

4. My MTC teacher came to my ward so I got to see her. She now says i'm a lot better at Tagalog haha she's in the pic at the bottome. haha

Lot's of random things happened, but the one thing I am really learning at this time in my life is how important it is for us to take care of our bodies. I have had some things happen to me that are a little rough and President Ostler and I have talked and he was explaining to me how important it is to keep our bodies healthy. How our bodies literally are not our own. They are Gods and they are temples. Just like how temples have to take some times to get cleaned it's the same with our bodies. We need to take the time to take care of our bodies and keep them clean and functioning. 

I've realized that sometimes I think I am made of steel and that I can do anything, but the truth is I am just human and as much as I want to do it all, I cant. It's been a little bit of a rough week with some health things occurring, but I know that as I continue to trust in the Lord everything will be okay :)

I just want to express how much I love my mission to all of you. I am so grateful for everyone's support of me coming on this mission. I remember when I first decided to serve a mission some people were "shocked" which hurt a little, but most people were supportive and extremely helpful. I feel so grateful that I made this decision for myself. 

I literally think the reason I came on a mission at the beginning was so that I could change myself and my life for the better. Which if you think about it, that was a really selfish thought. But I really think that I am here to serve. I am here because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and because of the role it has played in my life, I can now share that with others who have no clue. I feel so grateful to be on a mission. To be able to learn and grow in the gospel and through experiences. 

I know this church is the only true church on all the face of the earth. This is literally the church of JESUS CHRIST. The church that he established when he was on the earth is now on the earth again and it is this church, restored by Joseph Smith. I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God. I know that because of Him I am lucky to now have the restored gospel in my life and I now have the opportunity to share it with others. I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are living beings who love us so much. They want us all to live righteously and make good decisions so we can return back to their presence. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and when we read the Book of Mormon we can receive a witness of its truthfulness. Because of the Book of Mormon we literally know more about Jesus Christ and his divinity, life, and power than anyone else on the face of this earth. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for the experiences I get to continue to have. I love this gospel with my whole heart and soul. I will always be a disciple of Jesus Christ and i'm grateful to be His follower. 

Thank you for the prayers, the love, and the beauty you bring into my life. I'm so grateful for you all. Thank you for being you. Remember how much I love you.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton

PS. Happy Valentines Day!

Blessings on top of Blessings

Family!

This week has been such a blessing. Hence the title "Blessings on top of Blessings". I have felt so grateful for everything that the Lord has blessed me with and for all the miracles and little tender mercies he gives everyday. One thing that I have really learned is that if we are exactly obedient and completely faithful the Lord can't help but give us blessings. So the ipinakamagandang blessing we witnessed this week, was the baptism of the Mesa Family. Maria Victoria, Ronillia, and Riveca Mesa were all baptized this week and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.

We were fortunate enough to find them at the very end of November through talking to them on the street.. now a couple months later they made a covenant with the Lord and are now official members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's that amazing. We have been through so much with the Mesa family. Many laughs, lessons, prayers, tears, spiritual confirmations, and so much more. This family means so much to me and they are so close to my heart. There is still a lot of work to do to get their whole family to accept the gospel and someday enter the waters of baptism, but this is a very great first step. I know the Lord is pleased.

I remember as I was watching them enter into the baptismal font their faces just being so excited and ready to be clean. After each of them were baptized you could see it on their faces and in their eyes that they were changed. They literally accepted the gospel and it changed their whole life. How grateful I feel for each one of them. I remember talking to Victoria (the Mother) after her baptism and she just said, "Sister Barton, i'm clean." 

She has such a sweet spirit. It radiated before she was baptized, but oh how much more it radiates now. It's so wonderful to be apart of such a great work that brings people so much joy and salvation. 

As we were attending MLC this last week I really felt such a great impression to always constantly seek for the Spirit. How it is so important to have the Spirit with us at all times. Not just in lessons, or when we want answers, or when we feel the need of the Spirit. We need to literally seek the Spirit to be in our lives every second of every day. We are in constant need of the Spirit and it's promptings and it's teachings to each of us every single day. It was a really nice impression. I know that sometimes I seek for the Spirit to be with me when i'm teaching or talking with an investigator, but I realized I need to seek the Spirit when i'm talking to anyone or doing the simple things so that I can feel the Spirit and seek that love every day and at every time of my life. 

I know that because of the Spirit the Mesa family was baptized. I know that they were willing and prepared by the Lord to hear the message and act upon it. I feel grateful to be a missionary and a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I know that when we have the Spirit with us, anything is possible.

I'm truly grateful for this work. I'm grateful for inspiration and revelation received from the leaders of the church. I love being a missionary and working everyday to bring lost souls back home. I love my savior Jesus Christ, I love His teachings, and I especially love being His servant. 

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton