The life on a mission continues to surprise and amaze. In all good ways of course. I love the hard work we get to do, I love the life we live but especially, I love the spirit we feel as a constant companion. It means so much more to me now that I'm on a mission. It's crazy how little I realize that I understood before I left on my mission. I look back and I realize, I didn't have a glimpse of what it meant to be a true follower of Christ. I mean, I still barely understand, but I do understand a lot more than I did before. I've been pondering a lot about what it means to serve with ALL your heart, might, mind and strength. Most of my life, I've just put the Gospel as a secondary item on my to do list. I've found that everything means a whole lot more if I put it at the top of my to do list. God wants us to succeed at life. But, we are not here on Earth to be successful, learn all that there is to know about science or become a professional athlete. Our purpose on earth is to, one, gain a body and two, do the things needed to gain Eternal Life. It's that simple. If we focus on those things, all other things fall into place. It works. It's so cool!
Yesterday I got my first......Flat Tire!!! Yeah, it wasn't too awesome. But, it was one of the very few disadvantages of bike. I really love biking. I have a pretty basic, Trek mountain bike. It's nothing special but so far it has not had a single, minuscule problem. It's been perfect. I love bike because we can get places almost as fast as a car, without the cost, without the confinement, and hey, we get a workout while we do the work! :P The best part is though, that we feel like we're more a part of Antioch now that we're not confined to the metal doors of a car. We feel more free and more available to talk to the people of Antioch. It's a lot more fun. So, biking is great.
This week we had a lot of cool opportunities to do service! We shattered cement pieces using a hammer, picked up trash around our apartment, and helped the Nomaosiagbons(yes, that's how we found out that it's spelled) with washing their dog and organizing their pantry. Every week we also do service at the Antioch museum where we do a lot with old pictures in these photo albums so that they can be preserved. It's pretty repetitive work but we have met some pretty cool people and seen some cool history of Antioch. We also get to go to what's called Loaves & Fishes where they feed a lunch to people who are homeless or struggling to get food on the table. It's pretty humbling to see people in such poor circumstances. But we get to help them lighten up their day just a little. So, this week, I invite you all to find an opportunity to serve. Service is sometimes the best way to share the Gospel. There is this website called Justserve.org where you can go to find opportunities to serve near to your home. So, here are two invitations. First, register at that website and look over the different service opportunities near you. Second, try to do an hour of unplanned service. So, rake someones leaves, clean up trash, write kind notes and give them to people or put them on people's cars, etc. You have the power to make someone's day so do it! Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are ONLY in the service of YOUR GOD."
I love you all. I wish there were more I could do to serve you. Keep up the good work in spreading happiness and cheer to all those around you!
With Love,
Elder Barnett
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