CHRISTmas wooo

Monday: we had sisters p-day & I CHOPPED MY HAIR OFF! Yes Sister Barton now has short hair!! For sisters p day all the sisters in the zone got together and we did a gift exchange! It was way fun!!

Tuesday: Christmas Eve!! We had a lesson where we showed the chirst child video and that went so good the lady even started crying!! After we made SO many cookies & took them to people we were teaching and some members! It was fun and a good way to stay productive during the holidays!! A member in our ward invited us over to make a yummy christmas dinner with her & then we got to come home cook it and have a fun companion Christmas Eve party! It was so cute!!

Wednesday: CHRISTmas!! We were with members all day! The members here are so thoughtful and truly care for all the missionaries!! We went to a members home for brunch and they had stockings for all of us ohhh it was so sweet! We also played lots of games so i felt right at home!! We had dinner with some other members and i got to call my cute family! I truly loved christmas out here in the mission field! Being able to fully focus on christ has been a privilege and a experience i will never forget.

Thursday: we tracted a lot but not many people were home!! Its been weirdly warm here lately so we went to the park to contact & literally everyone in the town was there hahaah it was so good!!

Friday: we met with Bessy!! Bessy is an older lady who the sisters had been teaching but ended up dropping. She told us she had already been baptized twice but when we really emphasized priesthood power & how it is only found in our church she said that she doesnt think the man who baptized her had that power from God & we were like YES that is why you need to be baptized again!! It was really cool to see her start connecting the dots for herself! Hopefully she will continue to understand!

Saturday: we visited our friend Sue!! We have been to sues house many times but havent been able to get in contact with her because she wasnt home and we didnt have her number!! We decided to stop by one last time & she was home! We taught her the plan of salvation and she gave us her number so we could come back! It was a very good lesson and we know Sue is prepared!

Sunday: All three of us talked in sacrament meeting! It was so fun! Its not very scary to speak in the branch because theres a solid 20 people there haha but definelty good for the experience!! We tracted & visited some members in the afternoon/evening and that was really good!!

I am so blessed to be a missionary. I am so grateful for the opportunity i have to wear my saviors name on my chest everyday! I couldnt imagine being anywhere than on a mission right now because i know this is exactly where I need to be! I am so thankful for everyone who thought of me and reached out to me this christmas season and for all the support!! I love Y'all!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

Yeah for the Holidays!!

Hello everyone!! This week has been great!! So many hearts have been open because of the Christmas season and it is truly a blessing!!

Tuesday: we tracked soooo much! We decided to zone our area which means picking 2 hot spots on where we should spend our finding time!! Our zones we have prayed about are two really great places! On tuesday we already found 4 new people to teach!! Yes in one day!! That never happens in Blairsville! It was confirmed to me that we were in the right place and exactly where the lord needed us! We met a lady named Mary and this will most likely be her last christmas. She has many health issues and is very concerned about leaving her 3 kids! We were able to teach her the plan of salvation this week & wow i am so excited for her to come to know the truthfulness of the gospel!

Wednesday: CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE! I love love when we get together with other missionaries!! President Marsh gave an amazing training and ok hes awesome!! He has this list of unique gifts that the gospel brings that he has given all us missionaries!! He has now made it available on this websit so everyone go check out giftsofthegospe.scottmarsh.com

He also wants all of us missionaries to have a summary of every chapter in the book of mormon memorized so pray my brain will be able to memorize! PRESIDENT MARSH IS AWESOME!!
*Also random fact whenever we have some sort of meeting we have to drive an average of 2.5 hrs because we are in the straight boonies HAHAHA but it usually means lots of sleepovers so that can be fun!!

Thursday: We knocked tons and got to meet with a less active who made us dinner!! We shared a message with her and her husband who isnt a member & hopefully we can start teaching him!! We want lessoms wooo

Friday: we had exchanges!! Sister Venema & I went down to Cumming with Sister Stevens and it was sooo good! We were tracing and felt like we werent sure where to go so we prayed right in the middle of the street & we all felt so strongly to go the same way it was really cool to see the spirit put that confirmation in all of our hearts!
On exchanges i really learned how urgent this work really is! There is absolutely no time to waste and we need to include God and rely on the spirit in everything we do! Yes woooo

Saturday: we ended exchanges & then got to meet with a referral! The timing was perfect! Right when we showed up he was just getting home! We were able to talk with him and he told us he was actually planning on going to the Murphy branch tomorrow!! WOOO!! We did weekly planning at the cutest coffee shop that reminds me of Gilmore Girls so thay was fun!!

Sunday: Christmas Sunday woooo!! Ok our christmas program at our branch was a solid 20 minutes no one knew what to do so our branch president just got up and talked but whatever hahaha thats what happens when you're in a branch of 20 people!! Awe everyone is so cute here though! Im literally in a Hallmark Christmas movie awe!!

We taught a family tonight and the dad said "this sounds like my kind if church" im so excited for them!! They have been looking for a church but havent found one that feels right! Pray for them!!

I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas!! Dont forget the true meaning & if you do email me and ill remind ya lol or watch the Christ Child video because its SO good!! Ok Love You All & Be Happy!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton 

7 months :)

Hello everyone!! Guess what ive been out for 7 months & it feels like 2 so wooooo!!

I have loved my mission & im grateful for the experiences i have already had & im so grateful i get to have many more!! Here a little from my week!!

Tuesday: We tracted a lot and decided to write a bunch of cards and drop them off for the people that will be in the hospital for Christmas! It was really cute & i hope lifts up their spirits!

Wednesday: we had a lesson with Hughie who is a recent convert who hasnt been coming to church. We talked about the true meaning of christmas and how right now is the perfect time to rededicate ourselves to christ! As we were about to leave a lady (NAMED KELSEY!!) walked in and started talking to us. She mentioned how shes worried for her grandma because she never accepted Jesus Christ and now is passed away. Hughie looked at us with this HUGE smile on his face and kept saying "I can do it! I can do it!!" He was so so excited and said " I CAN BAPTIZE YOUR GRANDMA!!!" the lady was soooo confused and said "ummmmm, shes dead!" Hahahah Hughie went on saying he has the priesthood & thats how he can baptize her grandma!! Kelsey was confused to say the least but we had the chance to explain the spirit world to her and got to explain how we do baptisms in the temple hahaha she said she actually wants to learn more and said we could come over so thats good hahahaa it was definitely a crazy way to start teaching someone lol

Thursday: we did service & painted a room in a womens shelter! It was cool to be able to help out and serve!!
We had a lesson with a lady who hasnt been to church for a long time and she invited us back for dinner next week! We are excited & hopefully can get her & her family to church!!

Friday: we had the best lesson with Isabel!! Isabel is so awesome!! We taught her the restoration and she was so into it!! She was already to the next step while we were teaching and I was so happy i seriously couldnt contain it during the lesson!! Hahahah i was so happy & talked so much but i knew without a doubt what i was saying was from the holy ghost!! Iy was a great experience :)

Saturday: we taught a cute old lady that the sisters have been teaching for awhile!! Im hoping we will be able to get her to progress!! We also had our branch christmas party & it was so fun!! Our branch is so little we had a cute sit down dinner! We also wore matching christmas shirts so that was cute!!

Sunday: we had interviews with President and Sister Marsh! I could not be more thankful for interviews! They both truly care for the missionaries & i always come out feeling like a champ so YAY for interviews!! In the evening we went caroling as a zone & it was so fun!! Ive never been actually caroling & peoples faces were precious awe it was cute!!

Elder Bednar came wooo

Yeah for making it another week. At this point im actually happy for myself hahaha missions are HARD but SO GOOD!!

Tuesday: we tracted so much of the day!! A lot of the homes here are summer homes so it can be difficult finding people hahaha

Wednesday: we had a lesson with Josh!! We only spent about 15 minutes with him but it was really good!! We taught him the first part of the pos! He has very basic beliefs so im soooo excited to be able to add to them!
We had lunch with a member and also made some little bags for the homeless people in blairsville!
We also had institute and wow i love institute here with all the old folks! We read alma 34 and talked a lot about how the time to repent is NOW! Our attitudes, tendincies, desires, & intents will go with us into the next life so its important that we better ourselves now!

Thursday: we met with a member who has been long gone but showed up to church on Sunday! She is wanting to become more active and really strive to make it to the temple! She is so awesome and lives in a cute little trailer! (Never thought i would say a trailer was cute hahahah)
For the rest or the day we tracted and we met someone named Ray! He introduced himself as " hi im Ray, like a ray of sunshine" it was so cute and now you betcha im gonna name a little boy ray to be a lil ray of sunshine awe!

Friday: we tracted in the morning & then went to these cute pop up shops!! We talked to lots of people and one guy just kept asking us questions and questions because he was so interested in what we do and why were doing it hahah. In the evening the Murphy north carlolina sisters picked us up to go to rosewell to sleep over for Elder Bednar the next day!! It was so fun!!

Saturday: Elder Bednar came!! We first arrived and took a mission picture with him!! We all got in our position and then this big truck pulls up and Elder Bednar gets out & were all just watching! ya it was pretty cool! Then he walks over and gets in the pic and i was 6 people away from him so kinda close lol it was really special to have an apostle be able to come to our mission!! Elder Bednar didnt talk to us he made it more of a group discussion and had us all ask questions! Something i loved was he talked about ministering one by one & i loved that because Jesus Christ really did care for people as individuals and i have learned how important it is to truly care & love others! Wooo what a perfect time for me to be better at that then during the christmas season right?

Sunday: we did a light the world presentation for the branch to help members KNOW the light, BE the light, and SHARE the light! We had them watch the christ child video & YES i LOVE that video! We invited all the members to invite a friend to watch it with them in their home & i wanna invite you all to do that too!!

I love you all and pray we all remember the true meaning of christmas! Have fun & keep being you!!

Happy Thanksgiving woo

Hello!

Hi everyone its me again! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I am so thankful to be a missionary and for all the support I have out here. I am thankful for my cute family back home and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! Ok now heres how my week went!! Wooo

Monday: zone softball!!! I got to see Sister Graff & if that was a blessing for the week im not sure what was!!

Tuesday: we shared the Christ Child video with 3 people today! Its been so cool to be able to share it and watch the spirit enter their hearts. I would love for you all to watch it this week :) one of my favorite parts is when the wise men come to visit Jesus. He is so full of emotion & you can tell how much gratitude is in his heart to be able to be with the savior of the world. I know that as this wiseman got to experience christ so personally we can all do the same. Even though christ isnt right in front of us excepting Him and using His atonement is such a unique gift we can use to draw closer to him and feel that love, peace, comfort, and joy that he brings. I love my savior awe

Wednesday: we store contacted on the blairsville square!! Blairsville is VERY spread out so when we tract we only hit a few houses in a few hours hahaha so we decided to go to the little shops on the square & we talked to wayyyy more people & it was more fun!! So that was a good day!!

Thursday: It was so good to be able to talk to my mom on her birthday & to see all my family & their cute faces! My mom is so cute and wow im so thankful for her! Everyone tell her how great she is :) also for thanksgiving we had dinner at a members home and they fed us soooo much & even gave us all the leftovers to take home! So all great things!

Friday: we went to lunch with a member who took us and the murphy sisters!! It was so fun! We spent a lot of the day again store contacting on the square which i love :) 

Saturday: we tracted a ton!! We yellow pad prayed about where we should tract and I felt so strongly we should go to Ridge Road. We get there & its a definite 180° incline up hahahhhaha but dont worry we hiked & hiked & hiked & we eventually found a new person to teach so it was a challenge but worth it in the end lol

Sunday: there was a total of 20 people in our little branch today! We heard lots of stories from the little old people but it was kinda cute. We had a lesson after church with isabel! When she first met the missionaries she wanted to meet with them so that she could be apart of "missionary work"! Lol! When we met with her we were able to clarify what we do as missionaries and were able to teach her the plan of salvation! It was such a good lesson and she has so much potential! Awe im so excited for her!! We also tracted and went to the park! Its so pretty here so i love being outside & it hasnt gotten to cold yet so thats been a blessing!!

I love you all and hope you had a great Thanksgiving!! Gratitude is the best Attitude (hahaha i know cheesy but cute)

Whats the number for 911?? -lil rascles

Hello everyone heres a little overview of my week!! Love You all :)

Sunday: little did i know but this was my last sunday in the ysa branch. We got transfer calls sunday night & i got a call from the senior STLs saying i will be going to Blairsville & training two new missionaries!! I was so excited for a change but so scared to be training so cross our fingers this works

Monday: we packed the majority of the day and said bye to all our college kids we were teaching awe it was a real sad day.

Tuesday: TRANSFERS!!! we went to transfer meeting and rip my heart out leaving my bff sister Graff!!

I got my new companions & they are awesome!! Sister White is from SLC & has been out for 5 weeks & Sister Venema is from sugar city Idaho & is straight from the mtc!!

We drove to Blairsville & wow Blairsville is a literal Hallmark Movie town!! Its so so cute but so so small & in the middle of the woods!! Im so excited to be here for the holidays!

Wednesday: a member took us to lunch at this cute grill on a golf course awe it was so nice!! We also met Josh who is a new person we can teach so wooo! Also Blairsville is filled with old people so by the time i leave this area im going to adopt so many grandparents hahaha

Thursday: we went to lunch at this cute southern place with our friends who just want to "get to know us" hopefully they will want to learn soon!! But they are so sweet & southern!

We also made a visit to a less active couple & read the book of mormon with them!!

Friday: we tracted so much! Blairsville is very spread out & the houses are wayyyy far apart so tracting here is so different on campus because you literally have to SEARCH for people!!

Saturday: we tracted & our day was good but literally crazy!! For the past 2 nights we have come home to our apartment door unlocked & on the second night they made us call 911 and find a members home to sleep at because they said it wasnt safe sooooo... yeah!! Hahaha funny not so funny

Sunday: we went to church!! So as ive said Blairsville is the smallest town and theres this little branch of about 30 people with a good chunch of them being visitors hahah but the branch is real cute!! We taught primary & there was a solid 7 kids & thats the whole primary combined! Hahaha blairsville is definitely different but so so good! We also had a thanksgiving feast after church so that was yum!!

I love you all and I am so thankful for all of you & I hope you have a great Thanksgiving week & Happy Birthday to my cute mom on thanksgiving day! I am so so thankful for her!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

6 MONTHS 💓

Ok yes this week was so so good! & im so so happy & I hope y'all are too!! I love y'all!!

Sunday: we had spiritual sunday at the branch presidents house! President Bristol plays the guitar so we sang some hymns with him playing and had a spiritual thought and then roasted smores & did karaoke!! It was so fun & we even got to sing some songs sooo yes i love missiomary work!

Monday: We had a lesson with Tyler and talked about faith & repentance & how when we repent we are showing our faith because we are applying the attonement in our personal lives.
We also met with Nate!! We taught him the restoration and he had a lot of deep questions wow! At the end we invited him to read from the book of mormon and he said "of course I will! How else would anyone ever come to know if its true!" We were like yes exactly!!! hahahahaha

Tuesday: campus has been so slow lately because of the cold weather & we cant contact inside the buildings on campus so.... WE WENT TO THE MALL!! Yes contacting at the mall went great! Omg i got to look at cute clothes while talking people lol!!
One lady came up to me and said "cute outfit" then i turned around & (she saw my tag) & she said "ohhh i know you guys you came knocking on my door one day!!" We started talking & hopefully we can teach her soon!! Wooo!

Wednesday: highlight for wednesday was... Tyler who we are teaching came to institute!! Brother Rader talked about how important scriptures are and during institute tyler opened the book of mormon and read it during the REST of the class YES EVERYTHING WE WANT IN SOMEONE WE ARE TEACHING!!

Thursday: WE PUT TYLER ON DATE!!! We asked him to read 2 nephi 31 at our last lesson and he came with a lot of verses he loved! We started talking more about baptism & asked if it was something he would desire if he came to know the truthfulness of this gospel and he said OF COURSE! omg we were like yes woo when so yes hes getting baptized December 14th!! 

Friday: MY 6 MONTHS!! Yes everyone i entered the mtc 186 days ago whatttt time is soooo long and soooo short all at the same time!! I am so grateful to be a missionary and to have trials of faith everyday to grow me closer to thee! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY WOOOOO

Really though missions are so good and anyone thinking about a mission just take the huge jump of faith and go! I never thought I would be here but here I am and I'm so thankful for this opportunity! Also transfers are next week so p day might go a little crazy but stay tune for where in Georiga I end up :) LOVE YALL

xoxo, Sister Barton

Just me again :)

Hey everyone!! Another week in the mission! 

Monday: i spent the morning at the dentist but i should be done going there so yeah for me!! We had a lesson with Tyler!! He is very interested in learning and we are hoping that interest turns into interest in baptism lol

Tuesday: interviews with president!! Wow president Marsh is so awesome & everytime i talk to him he gives me a huge pump up and then i walk out feeling like i can change the world hahaha so its pretty awesome!!

Wednesday: they had a clothing swap on campus & yes you bet I wanted to go soooooo bad but unfortunately couldnt because it wasnt p day but you betcha i still watched everyone shop :) it was outside and really cute awe!
The highlight on wednesday was institute! We go every week and this weeks lesson was on repentance. Something i want to share is that repentance isnt just for people that are bad but its even for people who are good and want to be even better. I have a saying i think about often that helps me strive to be better "dont stop until im like Jesus Christ" (yes i wont ever be like him in this life) but it helps me remember to be better and better everyday and use repentance as a real time thing & everday gift.

Thursday: we taught Christopher! Ok christopher is so awesome hahaah he has this pokemon satchel that he wears everytime we meet & yes wow hes great!! Christopher wants to come closer to God and has a true real desire to learn more. He texted us this week and told us that his book of mormon hasnt left his night stand YEAH!!! We were so happy he is definitely prepared :)

Friday: It was so cold and not many people were on campus!! We were able to ride the bus so that was nice being able to find new was to do missionary work on campus!!

Missions are good but crazy!! To think i talk to random different people everyday is kinda a weird thought hahaha ive never talked to more people i dont know in my life hahah

Love You All & Stay Happy!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

Halloween week!

Wooo another week down! A long and short week all at the same time!!

Monday: we contacted a lot and met someone who we invited to church!! We are hoping so badly he will be at church on sunday!!

Tuesday: we contacted a lot of people on campus again and taught 2 lessons woooo!! We actually went on splits & i went with sister erskine! It was so fun to see how other missionaries do missionary work and be able to learn new things!!

Wednesday: zone conference!!! Zone conference was so so cool! President Marsh talked alot about trials of faith and how they are actually blessings because we can grow so much from them. He emphasized that we should be looking for ways we can test our faith and things we can do to grow. I loved it!!

Thursday: Halloween!! We had a great halloween!! As a zone we played volleyball and it was so fun! Definitely missed having the family party at the Reynolds this year!

Friday: the weather here has been so cold so we were pretty much freezing all day but we did service in the morning so that was a good break from being out in the cold

Saturday: we had service this morning & helped with "taste of Kennesaw" which is a fun event where resturants all set up and have little booth's hahah Georgians love their food!!!

Shorter email this week but i am doing so good!! Its starting to feel like winter in Georgia and im not sure how i feel about it haha but i love you all and stay HAPPY!!

Times going faster than a cheetah

Hello its me again!! Weeks just keep ticking and time is flying! Before you know it i will be home!!

Monday: i was able to go to the dentist and get my tooth fixed!! It was so cute because i told the receptionist to call my mom to have her pay and the receptionist was talking to my mom while i was right there ahhhhhh it was so so crazy i was like wait now just give the phone to me hahaha we had two lessons on monday so our teaching pool is slowly starting to get bigger so yeah for that!!

Tuesday: we contacted tons of people and like i said last week, we walked, and walked, and walked. Hahaha on campus we walk in literal circles all day but taking to new people so it makes it ok!

Wednesday: we had exchanges with the stls!!! I went with my old companion sister collins and it was so fun to be able to be her companion again for a day haha we taught a lot of lessons and i learned so so much from her.

Thursday: we did tabeling and then sister graff had a doc appointment so we spent the day in Roswell. Its fun for me when we go to the docs because i get extra study time and get free hot coco so its a win win hahaha

Friday: we had so many lessons yeahhh!! Our first one wasnt so good though hahaha we had a lesson with what we didnt realize was a basher!! It was very weird but we got through it! Welcome to the south lol!! Our other lessons all went very good and we are teaching some solid people!

Saturday: today is pday and a member is going to take us shopping so basically ill be in high heaven!!

Hope everyone has such a good week and enjoys halloween!! I am so grateful to be a missionary and i want to invite all of you to do one things this week to share the gospel. It could be talking to a friend, posting on social media, or even inviting a friend to your wards trunk or treat!! So many easy ways to spread the gospel! I love you all and keep being happy because life is way to short to be sad!

Keep being you wooo

Xoxo, Sister Barton

Walked and walked and walked

Hello all my friends I hit 5 months this week so wahooo!!

Sunday: we got transfer calls!!! Ahhh sister Graff and I are staying together and I couldn't be more happy for that! We are literally the same person and have sooo much fun together! We are now just covering kennesaw state university without the family wards so i had to say bye to all the cute families!

Monday: monday was crazy we had to get everything ready for tranfers because persident opened 3 new areas in our zone it was crazy!!

Tuesday: my 5 month mark wooo! sister graff and I got to go to transfers to pick up some sisters!! Ohhh transfers are so fun to see all the new missionaries and also the ones going home!! I got to see some of my friends and ahhh theres just nothing like transfers!!

Wednesday: to say we walked and walked and walked would be an understatement. Now that we are just covering KSU we stay on campus all day walking in circles and talking to everyone we can especially because we dont have a car.

Thursday: we had service with Donna aweee as you all know i love service!! After we had tabeling!! We have 3 new missionaries at ksu so it was fun to watch them table for the first time and get into the whole college campus groove of things :)

Friday: walked and walked some more! We met a lot of people and hopefully we will be teaching more people next week :)

Saturday: yeah for p day! We did service in the rain and loved that!! Also got to talk to my cute family in park city and i love you all!!

Have the best week and everyone keep being happy and if its hard to be happy find one thing everyday that makes you happy! LOVE EVERYONE READING THIS!

xoxo, Sister Barton

Read if you wanna :)

Sunday: General conference sunday! Wow I love love general conference. I had so many favorite talks but i think one of my top favorites was Elder Eyrings, he talked a lot about happiness and joy and if i know one thing without a doubt its that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints brings everlasting happiness.

Monday: we had a cute lunch appointment with a single elderly sister and ohhh it was so fun!! The older people here are so southern and so cute! Also a cute little tender mercy... We were walking on campus today and on our way back one of the campus buses pulled over and said "I see you girls walking all the time and I feel bad so get in!" It was so nice awe

Tuesday: we had interviews with president! One of the things president Marsh told me was when im yellow pad praying before i actually begin praying for things to pull up a general conference talk and just start reading and a lot of the time answers to my questions will be right there. Its been so cool to do it the rest of the week because i can honestly say every talk ive read so far has had something i needed in it. So cool!!

Wednesday: we went to the temple!! Wow the temple is so pretty and it was great to be able to go. I learned a lot of new things and they even changed a few things for missionaries in the temple!!

Thursday: we had lots of lessons with some people i am very excited for!! We are teaching a girl named TK who has very basic beliefs and i am so so excited to teach her more because she is so open! We taught her the resto and i shared the first vision with her and all she said was wow that was powerful!! It was so good!!

Friday: we taught Jerry and Bobbie who we met on tuesday!! They are this cute old couple that we found tracting! Its so cute they were so worried about us going around and knocking on strangers doors. A little part of me thinks they just let us in to make sure we are safe hahaha theyre awesome though!!

I am learning so so much about being a missionary and im excited to keep learning!! Missions are so cool because they bless so many peoples lives as well as my own. Love you all!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

General conference weekend wooo

Sunday: ohhh all the tender mercies of missionary work!! I met molly and dallin, the wrights who live in my neighborhoods cousins!! Oh how awesome it was to have a little tender mercy to remind me of back home!

Monday: exchanges with the stls!! Its so fun to be able to see different types of missionary work and different ways to apply what we are given!! I love being able to learn from other missionaries because there is so many ways to do the Lords work!

Tuesday: we finally taught Hayley again woooo! Hayley has had a very crazy up bringing with religion so wants to take things very slow!! She is very fun and i cant wait to watch her progress!! She has the cutest little twins and if you know me you bet i wanted to hold them the whole time! Darn for mission rules!

Wednesday: sister conference!! All the sisters in the mission got together for a conference!! It was very good to be able to see other sisters!! They had a clothes swap and you bet i got new clothes for free wooo!

Thursday: we tracked a ton and found lots of new people!! I love the mission and being able to meet all types of different people. Also we had a member dinner and they sent a pic to my mom so that was kinda cute!!

Friday: we taught a members daughter who just turned 8 but isnt sure if she wants to get baptized. It was so fun to be able to talk about how special baptism is and how this is a gift from heavenly father.

Saturday: general conference!! Ahhhh conference on the mission is the best!! I love being able to hear the apostles speak and hopefully be able to apply their teachings into my mission!

I am especially grateful for tender mercies this week! I have had many things reconfirm to me that i am supposed to he here in georgia and i couldnt be more thankful for that!
I LOVE YOU ALL

xoxo, Sister Barton

Yayayay

Another week in the mission field and i still cant believe im actually a missionary  most of the time I feel like im in a dream or something hahaha

Sunday: Yay for the sabbath! A member has been bringing her friend to church and this week we were able to talk to her and she said she was interested in meeting with us!! We are so excited for her!

Monday: half p-day!! We had zone softball and it was so fun!! President Marsh is always the pitcher and lets just say you better be doing your very best else he's not that big of a fan lol to say he LOVES softball is an understatement.

Tuesday: we are working with so many less actives right now of all different kinds of people! It is so fun to be able to see all the different ways people run their houses!! I am so grateful I was raised by the mother I was who established a house of order. I never really understood a house of order until my mission and wow i am grateful for all those mornings I was annoyed because my mom was cleaning and we couldnt do something fun. But now I get the WHY!! THANK YOU MOM!

Wednesday: we had a lesson with a converet Armando where we went over the institute lessons with him so he can have a good idea about what they're going to talk about in class that week. Armando is awesome and asked us how he can spend a day hanging out with the prophet! Hahaha so if anyone has any ins let me know lol

Thursday: we went tabeling and it was so fun!! Its kinda so weird because we are literally just stopping random college students who are my age hahahaha but I found 3 new people from it so i was very happy!! Also a YSA took us to the yummy college cafeteria to eat again so we are blessed!!

Friday: we spent the majority of the day knocking and knocking. Rejection is real here and very very few people will even let us open our mouths but its alright because it makes finding someone new even better!! I am grateful to be a missionary. Its not always easy but I can already see the blessings that come through missionary work. I am so grateful for all the support I have felt so thank you!!
Love you all!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

4th month mark!!

Sunday: I hit my 4th month mark wooo another one down!! The months are already flying and tbh its kind of scaring me hahaha I am loving my mission but at the same time its comforting to know that time on the mission acutally does move hahaha

Monday: we tracted a lot and found a few news so that was so awesome!! In georgia I feel like I can be in every country!! We will be in one neighborhood that feels like Europe where no one listens to us, they come to the door sees its the missionaries and then walks away then we go right down the street to africa where theres a bunch of kids and people outside that will listen to us and totally let us talk all about Jesus Christ!! Georgia is awesome but we definitely have got to find the right areas for that southern hospitality hahaha

Wednesday: Zone conference!!! Zone conference was so so good this transfer! We talked a lot about the urgency to get the work done. We need to have the urgency in our actions because are the ones doing the Lords work to prepare people for when he comes again! It truly was such a great reminder of how important this work really is.

Thursday: we did service in the morning and for lunch a YSA student at KSU took us to eat at the commons (their cafeteria)!! KSU is in the top 5 best college cafeteria food in the nation so it was pretty yummy eating there!! We had tabling and it was fun to talk to all the students!!

Friday: we taught Kaitlyn the plan of salvation and she loved the 3 kingdoms we are so excited for her and pray that she keeps progressing!! We are hoping she comes to church on sunday! Kaitlyn is very sweet and sooooo southern i love it!!

Saturday: p day woooo! I love being able to call my family and im so so thankful for the prophet who recieves revelation to guide and direct us! I am so so blessed and so so happy to be able to service for my savior jesus christ!!

Love you all and keep choosing the right!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

Shorter & sweeter

Sunday: such a good day because a ton of less actives that we've visited came to church!! After church we went tracting and knocked into a member who hasnt been to church in a very long time. He told us that he was just talking with his sister about family history and here we were at his door with info about family history! Pretty cool!!

Monday: zone hike wooo!! Hiking in Georgia is so pretty!! Ill send pics because it was so pretty and fun!!

Tuesday: we are teaching a recent convert who has had a rough time at church because she feels like she is leaving her old life!! She wants us to come and study with her so we are very excited for that!!

Wednesday: this day was full of tracting!! We went to institute in the evening & wow i love it!!! Everyone go to institute!! Someone i used to be teaching with the other KSU sisters was there and i got to see her so it was so good!!

Thursday: we tracted all day with no one to talk to! No one wanted to listen to us and it was all around a rough day. But my mom sent me a cookie from Twisted Sugar back home so that definitely made it better :)

Friday: we tracted all day AGAIN! The day started out a little rough but we prayed about where to track and ended up tracking an appartment complex where we met an 11 yr old boy maleak, 40 yr old man David who said we were an answer to his prayers, and the absolute cutest family that we would of missed if we weren't intune with the spirit. The spirit guides everything we do as missionaries and I am so so thankful to be able to hear and recognize it.

Our days are full of tracking with not many lessons but i know that if we keep being diligent in the work we will see blessings and miracles! I am so thakful to be a missionary and for experiences that confirm to me that the Lord trusts me to do his work.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK WOOOO

xoxo, Sister Barton

Set the fire alarm off 3 times whoops

Sunday: a less active we have been trying to reach since ive been here finally came to church and she wants us to teach her the lessons again!! Wooo ALSO WE GOT TRANSFER CALLS!! My new companion is Sister Graff and she CAME OUT WHEN I CAME OUT!!! so we are both still learning with eachother :) a little side note.... i met sister Graff before the mission and have always wanted to be her comp & now here we are!!! YAY BLESSINGS!

monday: we cleaned all day so we could welcome Sister Graff to the appartment!! I am so thankful for my mom who taught me how to clean because lets just say girls live filthy.

Tuesday: Transfers!! Got my new comp woooo! Everyone thinks we look like sisters! Omg for dinner we went to a members house and the mom answers the door with this shocked look on her face and goes "wooooow this is a whole different level of sisters! I've got to go get my husband" hahahhaah we get comments like that on the daily!!

Wednesday: we had a lunch and dinner appointment omg everyone loves to feed us here!!! We eat so much but were fat and happy so its ok right?? Hahaha we tried to bake this week and set the fire alarm off three times whoopps!! thank goodness they feed us else this house would be burnt down.

Thursday: we taught the cutest girl kaitlyn who is soooo southern!!! Sister Graff and I are hoping we can pick up on her accent hahahah we even asked her what we can do to get one lol!!

Friday: service!!! The food pantry is so fun and the people there are so cute hahah theres a lady that walks around and gives everyone a hug and kiss before she gets her food. I kinda hate it but kinda think its cute lol

Sister Graff and I are having so much fun together already and I am so excited to have so much work instore for us! We are still tripple covering so very busy!! I am very happy and hope time keeps flying tbh because I miss all of you!!!

Keep staying happy. Ive noticed in any situation we are given its all about our attitude and our perspective. I am so grateful for all the support I have felt as a missionary and love you all sooo much! Keep being you!!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

day to day of a missionary

Sunday: we had a very less active come to church and shes signed up to feed us so that was so sweet! Also a member brought his friend so church was all around awesome! Sunday was also sister austins birthday so we decorated the whole appartment and suprised her and went to the senior missionaries house who are serving in the YSA branch and had dinner and her favorite chocolate cake!! It was so fun!

Monday: we are spending so much time at KSU i love it! We have found so many people! last week we had 12 news!! YES 12!

Tuesday: we had our last district council awe kinda sad!! I made the one and only famous Barton hot fudge and everyone loved it! Thx for the recipe mom 

We taught Clara tuesday we talked a lot about faith and i told her that a mission was something i didnt want/was scared to do but that i felt so strongly that it was something Heavenly Father wanted me to do and that it took a lot of faith for me to take that next step. We talked about the blessings that come from baptism and the importance of taking that step. She told us that she wants to be baptized but us very worried about how her parents will react. Pray her parents will support her!!

For dinner we went to the Lenahans!! The best members! The ones who took us to a REAL italian restaurant, SUSHI, and this time they made REAL BBQ for us!! He said he spent all day cooking just for us!! Omg it was so nice and so yummy!!

Wednesday: We contacted so many people omg its so good! We taught one of our contacts from earlier in the week about families and temples and how through temples we can be with our family for all eternity. Its so special and something i love love teaching people because so many people believe it but then we ask how and they dont know. We have the opportunity to teach them the HOW behind it!! AHHH its so awesome!!

Thursday: we had tabeling!! Tabeling is where you set up a table (obviously) and we have a big whiteboard with a question on it. Our question was "what is your favorite Bible verse?" Then as people walk past we ask them to write their favorite bible verse! Its awesome because so many people get so excited to share! Some people just come up and write it!! Here in the south people love their Bible!! By tabeling we are able to talk about the verse they wrote and turn it in to talking about the gospel and what we believe!! I even had a guy come write one and as we were talking he said wait im looking for a church! And we were able to set a return appointment! Wooo!

Friday: we contacted all day and ended with a lesson with a less active. We taught her the FAT->FIT lesson (families AND temples -> families IN temples) and she loved it. We talked a lot about the work we can do for our families in the temple and invited her to find a name to take. She said she has no idea how so we now have the opportunity to set her up an account and help her find those names!!

My emails are long so if you are still reading this GO YOU! I am truly loving being a missionary and time is already flying!! I have already been here 109 days and it feels like maybe 10. I hope you all can find a way to be a missionary this week. We all have trials but a lot of the time I dont think we realize how blessed we are to have the knowlege that we do. So lets share that!!

Love you all soooo much!

Xoxo, Sister Barton

Crazy 2 weeks

To say its been a crazy two weeks has been an understatement. We went from someone we've been teaching on date to him dropping us. Awe yes my heart was very sad. But let me tell ya about the good too!

Aug 14: We taught boakai and he is progressing!! (my companions say) i never can understand him hahahah he is from africa and supposedly speaks english but let me tell ya i dont think its english. We have taught him three times and i always sit there just staring at him while words go in one ear and out the other. HAHAH but he's apparently progressing so thats good right?!

Aug 15: We had zone conference last week (ON MY 3 MONTHS MARK) yes wow it was so good. Its like a spiritual high and even though i still dont know very many people its so fun seeing other missionaries!! My two comps gave a training because they are STL's and they crushed it so that was fun to watch them!

Aug 16: MY OLD PEOPLE BEST FRIENDS TOOK US TO GET SUSHI FOR DINNER!! YES BECAUSE THEY LOVE ME!! Theres the cutest old couple in one of the wards we are serving in. They have traveled literally everywhere and they are soo nice to us!! They asked me my favorite food and took us to get sushi because its my favorite!! Cute huh?

Aug 18: Stake conference!! President and sister Marsh spoke!! Two times hearing from them in one week! Yes!! They explained our mission initiative to the stake and how we are so big on families he also explained yellow pad prayer and wow im just so excited to be in this mission!! We talk about families all day everyday and I LOVE MINE SO MUCH!!

Aug 20: MISSION MIRACLE!!! We were at FHE on campus playing 9 square and this girl comes up to me and says hey are you a missionary? And i said yes yes and she said i was in utah last week and went to Temple Square and I am very interested in learning more about your church!! Ahhhhh this is whay missionaries pray for! Actually this is what we fast for!!! We have met with her twice since then and the spirit is so strong when we teach her! Ahhh she is so great and im sooo grateful for people who are prepared!

Aug 22: we had exchanges with the hermanas! It was so fun to be with a spanish sister!! I love exchanges because you can learn so much different types of missionary work!! I also got to call Makell for her BIRTHDAY!! Happy Birthday Makell awee it was the best to call and be able to be apart of a happy day!!

Aug 23: we went on splits with a member who is going on a mission and we went to campus and talked to so many people. College here is way different than in utah!! There is sooo much diversity I LOVE IT!! So many cute girls with platform shoes and afros i just keep telling everyone they are awesome because everyone jusy owns who they are and its amazing!! hahaha that night butler creek ward had a game night!! They had blow up bowling, board games, and those blow up balls that you get into and hit eachother idk hahah! It was so fun and i honestly feel like butler creek is my second home ward its so awesome!!

Long long email but I am loving the mission! Being able to serve on campus has been a huge blessing and i never want to leave!! People are so open and will just talk to you about anything ahhh its awesome!! I hope everyone knows how much i love them!! And i hope you all have a great week!! Keep being more like christ everyday!

Xoxo- Sister Barton

About the mission life

Here we are! Another day and another week as a missionary!! So many times i think to myself "i'm actually on a mission wow" it still feel s surreal that im having all these experiences!!

Monday: ok backing up a lil... last saturday we met brandy.. this is how we met her...While we were tracting we ran into brandy. She was going around screaming and crying hahaha she was yelling because someone stole her aloe plant and she was banging on everyones doors screaming trying to find it. It was a lil sad but really funny. The second time we walked past her she asked what we were doing and we told her we were sharing a message about Gods plan for us. She says in this crying sad voice "can you share Gods plan with me?" We said YES and went into her home and she was crying so we just calmed her down BUT we got a return appointment for MONDAY so after p day we went and taught her the resto! It was so cool because every question she asked led to the next principle! We got a return appointment for TODAY so lets hope that goes good!! Awe brandy is actually so cute.

Tuesday: omg omg tuesday night the butler creek yw asked if i would teach them hairstyles and go over hair tips or their activity and let me tell ya I LOVED IT! To be back in my element was such a blessing! I love the butler creek ward!

Wednesday: we tracted all day! We met a guy who recited three poems to us at his door it was way funny. He was the highlight to my day! Oh we also went to institute for the YSA ward and i really enjoyed that! I got to fill my spiritual bucket!!

Thursday: vladimir didnt show up to our lesson and kyrees lesson fell through so that was sad. Hahaha funny story we had a dinner appointment that we CONFIRMED with the mom and we got there and the grandma told us to wash the dishes so we thought oh ya no problem we can help out! Then the little boy turns to my comp sis austin and says "ok you start making the mac & cheese" we were like wait what the food isnt ready? Hahaha we ended up making dinner for their family and then had to leave hahahah it was so random

Friday: we had a lesson with a lady named Diane that sis austin used to teach in a different area and got permission to keep teaching because she said she will only listen to her. Ya wow is right!! Diane is a very logical lady and shes one of those peopls that acts like they can see right to your soul omg it was kinda scary. But she said she liked me so were ok. Haha 

Saturday: tracting ALL day!! We met someone named david! We told him we believe that we should learn all we can about our families because god gave us families and we can recieve so many blessings through the family. We started to talk about living with our families forever after this life and asked him if we could set up a time to teach him more about this plan. (GREAT CLIFFHANGER RIGHT) We got a return appointment for sunday 

Sunday: we taught David!! We taught him the beggining of the plan of salvation and stopped at christs life on earth. I love love leaving people at such a great spot because then they so badly want to meet with us again!! Our lesson with him was great and he is very interested! We got a return appointment for tuesday so wooo!!

Monday: zone pday!!! We played softball as a zone!! It was fun to meet new people and just have fun!!

I am loving working hard and being diligent. Missionary work is definitely one of the hardest but definitely the most important and rewarding things ive ever done. Out here in the south many people have strong opinions about religion so being able to approach them by talking about families has changed everything! I LOVE MY MISSION!!
i hope all of you can find a way to talk about how families can be together forever with one person this week!!
Love you all!!
- sister Barton

Life changing events

Another week that flew by crazy how the mission life works!! A week full of life changing events as well as fun times wooo

Tuesday: we had the best member dinner ever!! The cutest old couple took us to an italian restaurant sister Trussell loves loves italian! They were so nice! They ordered a bunch of appetizers, we both got whatever we wanted, and dessert!! YES im even fatter than i was HAHAHAAH but yes they told us they wanted to reward us for our hard missionary work. It was so cute. Also the old man plays santa at the mall. Isnt that just the cutest?

Wednesday: we did service for a member! The dirt here in georgia is like clay and she is wanting a garden so we mixed the georgia clay dirt with normal dirt so she can eventually grow something! It was nice to help her out! After we went on exchanges with the senior STLs so basically sister APs!!!! I stayed in acworth with sister fowler and got to know her so much better! It was awesome!

Thursday: Sister Trussell and I had a transfer!! Sister Trussell went to UGA, and I am now in a trio with the STL's TRIPLE covering yes its crazy lots of hard work hahah

Friday: we taught Edward!! Teaching in a Trio is so different but so cool wow! I learned so much! Edward is so awesome and is only 9 we teach his grandma come follow me and he has recently been interested. He had a lot of great questions and participated so much more than our last lesson.

Saturday: we did service at the food pantry!! I was helping a lady with her bags and she goes "wow you're so cute! Are you amish?" HAHAHAH i told her how im a missionary for the church of jesus christ of latter day saints and then i realized i really did look amish that day so whoops hahaha

Our mission is very focused on families and temples! I have learned how to take the family and temple initiative and apply it into my missionary work so much more this week!! So many more people talk to us and open up because we start talking about families before anything else. It is so cool to be able to connect with everyone and talk about our families because I LOVE MINE!!

Sunday: Church!!! Yeah i love church omg!! & now triple covering instead of even double covering!! we get to talk and meet more people so thats awesome! 3 wards wooo!

Ok funny story so all the sisters in the zone came over sunday for a sleepover for sisters p day on monday! It was one of the sisters birthdays so we thought... lets make a cake!! We looked in the cabinet and there was what we thought was a cake mix! one white bag and one brown bag! We picked the white one and starting making the cake and the consistency was soooo off!!! We kept adding things and eventually just thought whatever lets just bake it!! It comes out... we try it... and my comp goes it taste like breakfast... HAHAHAHA it was made from pancake mix!! Omg omg dont ever make that it was so not good but so funny!! Probs a had to be there moment but whatever weird things are funny on the mission haha

The Lord is aware of each and everyone of us and remembering that has brought me so much comfort on my mission. He doesnt forget about us he trusts us enough to go through hard times so we are able to come out even stronger. HE LOVES US