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 

Weaknesses and Trials to reach the Promise land

Family!!

This week has been an awesome week. We were able to have interviews with President Ostler to receive guideance, revelation, and inspiration and boy did I receive it all. We were able to have interviews as well as classes and we taught one of them which was awesome cuz whenever you teach you learn so much more. So that was really cool.

One of the things that is awesome about interviews is learning what we as missionaries need to change to become better. To become the person Heavenly Father wants us to be. To realize we are nothing and need to change. One thing I noticed about myself this week is that I have been enduring my mission. Which really sucks. I have been going through all the hard things and challenges in my mission and I have just been enduring. Even with my companion right now I've been thinking how I just need to endure until the transfer, then the transfer came and it turns out I am still with her and at first I honestly thought, "okay, I just need to endure until the end of August, until the next transfer" but, honestly during interviews I really had a really strong impression to stop. Stop the negative thinking, stop the put downs, stop thinking things in my head that are just making it worse. Instead, I need to seek and look for the positive. I need to recognize my own weaknesses and change myself before I expect others to change. So on Wednesday night I actually apologized to my companion. I just said I am sorry for the person I have been and I will strive to change and strive to help more. I have been really looking for the things she does right instead of the things she does wrong and honestly it has changed my outlook on things a lot. She is really awesome. Honestly she is a really amazing person. I know Heavenly Father has a specific plan for her here on her mission. I can learn so much from her and I am, especially about being humble. She is such a humble person. Just this last week by reflecting back on how much more I enjoy our companionship and how much more unity we have because I am looking at the positive sides.I really do love my companion Sister Tekanene. If you guys met her you would love her too and know exactly what I am talking about. She is beautiful inside and out and of course there are times where we don't get a long and it is hard, but by looking at the positive and reflecting on how I can change it has really changed my outlook on everything. 

Ether 6:4-12 is honestly a really great scripture passage. I challenge you all to read it and apply to yourselves. I have done this and it really helps when you are going through hard times or struggles or just the challenges of life. So read it huh? :) 

I am learning that enduring without enjoying really sucks. I kept looking at the hard things that was happening and how I just need to endure, but I shouldn't just be enduring my mission, I should be enjoying and learning and getting stronger because of the trials and be praising and thanking the Lord for each trial and test he is giving me. I have learned a lot this week personally. And I just thought I would share my thoughts with you about what I am learning on my mission. So enjoy don't just endure. 

This week was really cool too because we were able to also talk to Brother John Edwards, he is the Australian in our ward. He was able to go to the temple to do baptisms, his endowment, and his sealing for the first time. He was only baptized a year and a half ago, but he is a huge example. We talked to him about his experience and wow. He is an amazing man. He really is the definition of humble. He continually said "I never would be here if it wasn't for God. God has lead my life ever since I was a boy. I have been through a lot of hardships, but everything was well worth it because of the temple." It was a really cool experience talking to someone who has had a really hard life, but looks for the joys and praises the Lord. 

Thank you for everything you do family. You are all so great and I am so EXCITED FOR JENSEN AND QUINCIE TO GET MARRIED!! Ahhhh so when the going get tough keep on keeping on huh? haha Just kidding. Enjoy your marriage don't endure it hahaha I love you both and i'm excited for you. So remember to chose the right and read the scriptures and be happy. I love you all. 

Mahal ko kayo, 

Sister Barton 

9 MONTHS!!

Family!!

Okay I officially turn 9 months on thursday... soooo that's CRAZY!! Everyone says the first half will go really slow and the last half will fly by, but I feel like the first half flew by so i'm kinda freaking out about how fast this next half is going to go... but whatever i'm not thinking about that so neither should you ;) haha

This week has been great! I'm glad you got the pictures of my cool adventure on a boat. It was actually kinda funny because we were trying to go to a place called 100 caves, but the tour guide man lead us to the wrong place that was bawal for us to do as missionaries.. so we ended up just having to go home. But it was fun because we got to ride on a boat so that was cool. haha :) Palawan is beautiful. I really hope I never get sent back to the Mainland. I really really love being on the islands.

I also realized that the life being a Sister Training Leader is so much more stressful than I thought. I thought they were just the sisters who kinda looked over the other sisters, which is true, but there are SO many more responsibilities that are required of us and it is so stressful, not to mention I am still in the same difficult area, with my same foreigner companion, but going on exchanges a lot and having different things I have to do everyday... haha it's rough, but it is a neat experience and I am thankful for the opportunity I have to serve as a Sister Training Leader. I think I am really going to learn a lot more on how to lead, which will be good for me now and for the rest of my life. 

This week I had a really awesome experience with our investigator Marjourie. It is difficult to teach her sometimes because she does live with a Less Active and she only wants to go to church if she has a friend and the members are really busy and seem to have every excuse in the book as why they cannot work with us.. so it is difficult. Marjourie is also very busy so it's sometimes hard to find time to teach her. 

On Saturday night we got punted hard and we had a prompting to go to Marjourie's home to see if she was there. Once we reached the house we saw a lot of alcohol, men, and smoke. So we decided maybe it would be best to try another day. As we turned around, surprisingly we found Sister Marjourie and her Mom sitting on a bench across from their house. We greeted them and asked them if we could teach them. They brought over some chairs and we just taught them there. As we started though, there was so much worldly things going on around us it was honestly really hard to feel the Spirit. The TV was on in the house next door and music was playing really loud and drunk men were singing and there was just a lot going on around us and it was hard to focus. So as we were singing the Opening song I said a prayer in my heart. I remember specifically asking Heavenly Father if he would remove the distractions around us, so that we could share the important message we had planed to share to them at this time. About 3 min after I had closed my prayer, all the lights and power went out. Boom. No music, no tv, no distractions. We had to use the flashlights we had with us in order to see, but honestly it was a really amazing spiritual lesson. It really strengthened my testimony as well that Heavenly Father does answer prayers. 

It just goes to show Heavenly Father answers prayers in his own way. He has all power and He will do anything. All we have to do is ask. It was a really spiritual experience for me. To know and to see the power Heavenly Father has. To even see how mindful he is of each and everyone of us. Some may just think it was a coincidence that there was a brown out, but I know it is because Heavenly Father cares. He cares about that one simple lesson we wanted to share to Sister Marjourie. He cares about each person individually and their growth. 

The experiences I have each day on my mission are unforgettable. It's so cool to see how much I am growing and changing. I keep hearing about all the things changing over there in the US, but things over here in the Philippines are changing too. The small amount of missionaries in the world are making a HUGE difference. I feel blessed to be apart of it. It's only been 9 months and i've changed so much for the better. I'm still myself, just a better version and I still have 9 months to change and become an even better person. 

So here is to 9 months down and 9 months to go. 9 months more to experience, to grow, and to become the person Heavenly Father wants me to be. I love you all with my whole heart and I am grateful for all you do for me. Thank you for your example and for your love. Remember to share your light and do what Jesus Christ would want you to do. Be safe and Be Happy.

Mahal ko kayo,

Sister Barton 

Keep on Keeping on...

Family!!

Hi everyone, first of all I just want to say I love you all so much. Like truly I feel so blessed to be apart of this family. I have grown up with loving parents who helped me become who I am today so really just thanks. I love you all with my whole heart. Seeing some of the people here in the Philippines has really opened up my mind and my eyes to the way some people are raised and the way some people live and it is just really sad.. It actually kind of breaks my whole heart.. So thanks Jay and Tina for being the best parents alive :)

Sooooo TRANSFERS!!! We found out transfers yesterday! (for some reason I always find out early...) But last night as we finished planning I receive this text from President Ostler, "Sister Barton, after much prayer, you are being called to serve as a Sister Training Leader. The other Sister Training Leader will be Sister Laug-laug. You will continue to be companions with Sister Tekanene but you and Sister Laug-laug will do exchanges with the other sister and will teach zone meeting together. You will also come to MLC together while Sister Tekanene and Sister Laug-laug's companion work together. I know you will do a marvelous job. Love, President Ostler"

So I have been called to be a Sister Training Leader!! I'm so excited, but i'm kind of freaking out because It is a really big responsibility and I'm not quite sure if i'm ready for it. But if the Lord thinks I am, then I guess I am. Sister Laug-laug is in my kabahay (she lives with me) So usually the Sister Training Leaders are companions, but this time it is Kabahay so that's a little weird. I'm very excited tho and I know I will learn a lot. 

This week has been really good. I don't have much time because we had an activity and it ran really late, so I will email more next week, but I had amazing experiences today and I feel blessed for the many tender mercies and miracles Heavenly Father shows me everyday. 

I love being a missionary and I love you all so much. Thanks for the example you show to me. I will email more next week, but remember to chose the right and be happy! 

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Barton