8-17-15 Forever Families

Hey Team!

Wow. It's been a great week! I hope that's been the same for all of you!
For our district activity this week we went to this place called CreAsian.  Asian food is the best. I wish I could have it every day but sadly, it's not cheap. It was really good!! Pictures are included!!!
We started teaching this family who live in the ghetto part of town.  They are pretty poor.  The Mother is this awesome lady who is a true caregiver.  She has five biological boys but has at least five other kids who consistently come in to her home and she feeds and loves them.  She is really awesome.  She was baptized nineteen years ago but has been inactive for the last 17 years.  But she really loves the Gospel and has always wanted her family to be taught.  So, we are teaching her husband, three of her sons and then one of her sons friends.  There's a 10 year old, two 15 year olds and a 23 year old.  Antwan, the fifteen year old son is the most prepared out of any fifteen year olds I've ever seen to receive the Gospel.  His mom told us he was reading The Book of Mormon in class. Yeah. He is a beast! So we had invited them to church and for the first 30 minutes we were disappointed. But. at 9:40, in walks the whole clan.  It was quite a miracle.  So, this has taught me two things. First, our Heavenly Father is always preparing people to receive the Gospel.  He is giving each one of us experiences that are helping us come closer to him. He is preparing the people. Constantly. Second, it is so powerful what potential families have.  This has helped me focus more on the eternal perspective.  So my challenge to those who want to accept is this. Go out of your way to focus on your family.  It doesn't have to be anything big.  Your family is so important.  God has organized the family for a reason and we can be with our families forever if we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. You were placed in your family for a very specific reason and you can bless your family with your specific skillset. So, do something for a family member that you wouldn't normally do.  If you need help with this, read The Family: A Proclamation to the World, it may inspire you to do something.

I love you all! Keep up the good work!

With Love,

Elder Barnett

Pic 1: our ghetto computer room. yeah, the computers hear are ancient.

Pic 2: The district at CreAsian!