11-16-15 It's Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride!!!

Hey Everyone! 

I'm way short on time.  But it's for good reason!  Tomorrow is transfers and I will be going to San Francisco so I've got a lot to do.  Thank you for all the emails of support.  I'm sad that it may take a couple weeks to respond to them but I want everyone to know that I really appreciate all the emails! You're all so amazing!

Last Tuesday we got to go to the temple!!!! The temple is so amazing to say the least.  Everyone, go to the temple this week and feel of the spirit there.  It's so peaceful.  

I love the Gospel.  Life can get hard but through the principles of the Gospel we can all be strengthened to bear our burdens with ease.  I know Christ lives and he loves us so much. He is always there with outstretched arms to comfort us in times of need.

I love you all.

With Love,

Elder Barnett 

10-26-15 Trio Power!!!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry......I'm running low on time again...one of these days I'll be able to write longer...hopefully...

But, It's been an exciting week!  Last Friday we got a call from President and he asked Elder Arp if he'd be able to train a new missionary coming in.  So, on Wednesday we went to the mission home to pick up Elder Khamvongsouk(He likes being called Elder K)!  He is from Akron, Ohio and his parents are from Laos.  He was actually called Laotian speaking.  He came out earlier than expected because the MTC thought he still needed to learn Laotian but he's already fluent.  He was going to be in the MTC for 9 weeks but only ended up staying for 2.  We're really excited to have him in our trio!!!

When we got back from the mission home with Elder K we had a really busy day and in fact we had an awesome lesson with a father and son Joe and Dillon.  We invited them to be baptized on Dec. 5 and they accepted!!! We are going to be working hard to help them develop their testimonies.  Dillon is eight and he's really awesome. He has this cat that he just adores. Joe is his dad and he loves hearing from us and though he was a little skeptical at first, he's starting to trust us a lot more and so basically we're just really excited for them.

The scripture that was on my mind a lot of last week was Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." This is really powerful to me because we really are like lights in a world that is quite absent of light.  So, my invitation to you is to be a light unto the world.  This week, strive to bear your testimony in some shape or form to someone around you at least once each day.  You could do something as simple as smiling at someone to baking someone cookies to show them an act of service or if you feel comfortable, to bear your testimony in sacrament meeting.  But, bear your testimony to those around you! I love you all! Keep up the good work!

With Love,

Elder Barnett

10-19-15

Hey Team!

Sorry, I'm short on time.....

We were attempting to contact a former Investigator on Saturday and her daughter answered the door.  We ended up having a really awesome conversation about God with her, Erika and her daughter, Jolese, on their patio surrounded by tons of plants.  It was so powerful.  I love having spontaneous spiritual experiences.  We always need to be prepared because God could be just about to give us a spiritual experience at any moment.  As they say in Scouts, "Be Prepared!" 

As for a spiritual thought, I was studying in 2 Nephi 4 this week and I was struck by verses 28-30 and 34-35.  Read those and ponder what a blessing it is to have this Gospel.  What can we do to have more happiness about the knowledge that we own? I know that I need to smile more as I teach the message we have to share.  It is such a message of happiness. Remember, The Plan of Salvation is sometimes referred to as the Plan of Happiness for a reason! Always keep that in mind and strive to give that happiness to those around you! 

I love you all so much! You're all doing such amazing things! Keep it up!

With Love,

Elder Barnett