Happy New Year! Every year it is always crazy to realize that it's finally the year that we've been saying "next year" for!!! :P But anyways, 2016 is upon us and we are about to have a great year! :D Right???
This week for New Year's our district had a district activity here in Downtown San Francisco. We went to Lombard Street, Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown. So as I've said before, the buses are a lot of fun! To emphasize this here is a little experience. We were on this bus traveling to the Golden Gate Bridge and because of the holiday season and the immense popularity of San Francisco, the bus was completely packed. Somehow, I got a seat on the back row(everyone else was standing) and for a while we were just sitting in silence but then I saw that the people next to me were trying to figure out where to go and so I decided I'd try to help. We got talking and I found out they were from Ireland. They didn't seem interested in the Gospel but hey, Ireland!!! Then, I turned to the person on the other side of me and asked him what language he was speaking(I'm always intrigued by that and hey, it's an easy conversation starter). We got talking and he said that he speaks spanish but that they call it brazilian spanish because it's a lot different than normal. He said he's from Brazil!!!! I love San Fran, partially because of all the cool tourists that we get to meet! :) He said that he's Roman Catholic and that he has a strong belief in Jesus Christ so, I pulled out a card with the "A Savior is Born" message/website on it. He seemed pretty interested and very willing to watch the video. Then, he asks me, "what makes what you believe different?" Bam! Restoration! :P But it was cool because I got to teach a very simplified but awesome message about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a crammed bus on our way to the Golden Gate Bridge to a Brazilian who I will never see again in my lifetime. Isn't that such a cool idea? Though I won't ever know what happened to him, he may go back to brazil, watch that video, and, soon enough, he may get be baptized!! I don't know, I just think that that is so awesome that we, as followers of Christ are working in unity all over the world to bring millions back into the fold of God by one conversation at a time. So, long story short, the Gospel is amazing. :)
But seriously, I'm so pumped for this year. I know they're talked about a lot but I really do love the idea about having new year's resolutions! It is so refreshing to have a renewed sense of being able to restart and become a more Christlike, loving, determined individual. It's hard but it's so great! I have a couple resolutions that I'm determined to stay strong on. My favorite scripture of the past week has been Ether 12. I love the concept of Faith. Faith really can produce miracles! Act on the faith you do have and I promise it will grow stronger! I love you all. Have a fabulous week!
With Love,
Elder Barnett
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