18 Month Mark

Dear Family,

Happy Easter Yesterday. What a wonderful day it was to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The time that he truly overcame death for each and everyone of us to live again. I feel so blessed to know that we have a Savior and he is Living. It is so wonderful to know that Jesus Christ is the one who leads and guides this church today and that he is the one in charge. He is the perfect example who has a perfect gospel. I feel so much joy and so much happiness because of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I love sharing it with everyone everyday. 

There is this thing in the Philippines called "Holy Week". Holy week was last week. It is the week right before Easter Sunday and it is something that the Catholics here really strongly believe in. They have statues everywhere of Jesus Christ and his death and him being resurrected. There are crosses everywhere, candles, and much much more to remember Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

As much as all the statues of Jesus Christ and interesting songs and things were very different and a little bit scary to me, it made me feel grateful to be serving here still. Even though the people here might have a little bit of a different way celebrating Easter, I have found that they are always basing everything off of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is everything to most of the people in the Philippines. You can't walk down the street without seeing some sort of picture of Jesus Christ somewhere. I feel so grateful to always be reminded of Jesus Christ even if here, it's a little bit different of a reminder. I get to know who Jesus Christ is to me and that because of Him I will be able to return to Heavenly Father and overcome death as well. How marvelous and beautiful does that sound? 

The testimony I have gained over the Last 18 months of Jesus Christ has been stronger than I could ever imagine and I know that because of coming on a mission I will be different my whole life. I will always have a lasting testimony of the doctrines and principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as who Jesus Christ is to me and how much I love him. 

I turn 18 months old on the mission this Friday and oh how weird that sounds to me. I can't even believe I have been here for that long and that shortly my mission will come to a close... 

I feel so grateful for the decision I made to come on a mission and to change my life. The experience's I've had and the lives I've seen changed because of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ I will never forget. 

I was reading the other day about the life of Gordon B. Hinckley. In a talk he gave to youth about going on missions he said something to young men that I really loved. He said, "Young men, I hope all of you are pointed in the direction of missionary service. I cannot promise you fun. I cannot promise you ease and comfort. I cannot promise you freedom from discouragement, from fear, from downright misery at times. But I can promise you that you will grow as you have never grown in a similar period during your entire lives. I can promise you a happiness that will be unique and wonderful and lasting. I can promise you that you will reevaluate your lives, that you will establish new priorities, that you will live closer to the Lord, that prayer will become a real and wonderful experience, that you will walk with faith in the outcome of the good things you do." 

Are those promises not the most wonderful promises anyone can receive. Elders or Sisters, regardless of gender, I know that anyone who goes on a mission will receive these amazing promises. A mission is not easy. In fact, it's by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but after going through these last 18 months I would never chose not to go on a mission. I feel so grateful for this mission. I feel grateful for the things I have learned and for the testimony I have gained. My life is changed for the good and for the better because I decided to serve a mission. 

I am grateful to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the souls I get to help save everyday by testifying and teaching the words of Christ. My mission is just the beginning and I know that I will always serve for the rest of my life. I will strive to be exactly obedient to His commandments and will do all I can to be the person he needs me to become.

Thank you all for your prayers, words of encouragement, sacrifice, and everything else you have done for me over these past 18 months. My soul is filled with joy and gratitude for each one of you and for the time I've had to be a missionary from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thank you. I will see you all very soon. 

Mahal Ko Kayo,

Sister Barton 

Ps. Filipino's are very talented people, this man went grocery shopping and I thought there was no way he would be able to get all his stuff on one motorcycle.. sure enough, he proved me wrong. :) "It's more fun in the Philippines!"