Well fam, it’s been another very good week here in Colombia. We have worked very hard this week and it turned out very well.
As I said in the last letter we set a high goal to teach 35 total lessons during the week. It was tough but last night we managed to finish and taught number 35. It’s really cool to see how good goals can help you manage your time and focus on important things. We spent every free second last week looking for ways to help and teach people. It really helped us use ALL of our time working hard for the Lord, which at the end of the day is a very rewarding feeling even if all the people don’t progress.
As far as our investigators, we are about in the same situation. S and J, the two kids, are preparing for their baptism next Saturday and are already attending seminary every night with the other kids and seem to be very excited. Their dad always tells us yes when we talk to him but it is hard to follow through. Working with them should help him progress little by little.
Saturday we had a branch activity that was kind of a walking trip with the Relief Society (they planned it). Everyone met at the church at about 6 and walked to a place outside of town with activities planned and a restaurant etc. It turned out well. The branch unity has really improved tremendously.
I have learned a ton serving as the Branch President. I already said this but the Lord really has blessed me and helped me. There are always new difficulties and problems and trials that the members have and ask you to help them with. You never know when someone is going to call with a problem in their family or come in to talk with you. But it’s amazing how the Lord has helped me to know what to say to people and help them out.
Tuesday night President Hacking called me at about 10 P.M. which was a surprise and said "Want some good news? I just received an e-mail from your parents. You got accepted to BYU." I really have been blessed. I guess I will now have to give it some thought and prayer and see which college I should choose, but right now I’m leaning towards BYU. It seems to be a really good college and I would have plenty of friends that I have made in the mish that have encouraged me to go there. I know that it’s a great environment.
Well sorry if this is short but I am out of time. We are working hard and life is going great here. I love you lots and you’re always in my prayers. Any advice or extra info about studies is welcome. Thanks for everything. Till next week, Elder Barnard
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 15, 2010
Hello family,
Another week has come and gone. We had a good week and it looks like are going to bring some new members into the branch. All is going well with my new comp.
At the start of the week, my companion was having problems with his inner ear. It seemed to be swelling up and hurting him so they had us investigate to see if there was an Ear Specialist here. We found nothing so they told us to leave on Tuesday and take a bus to Bucaramanga to see the doctor there. Soooo we drove down, got to the clinic, my comps ear was already feeling better, they gave him some medicine and we came back home.
This week until the last few days the intense heat kept up but now we've had a few cloudy days with a little rain. We had some cool experiences this week. One night we went with Sister Ramirez to visit a young mother from the branch who was having some difficulty with their living conditions etc so we shared a message with her and offered to help in what we could. On the way out of the neighborhood we saw an open house and felt impressed to talk to them. We found a lady and her husband who were very receptive and happy to have met us. We watched "The Restoration" the movie about Joseph Smith and the first vision and the wife said she really felt a peace as we talked with them and that she had always had the same question about why there were so many churches in the world and which was the truth. So we left them the commitment to pray and ask if what we taught was true and we have another lesson tomorrow to see how it went.
We also have continued working with the Caballero family; we had a lesson on Saturday with them. We invited John (17) who always goes with us and is getting ready for his mission and Gina (another YM from the branch). We had a really good lesson and taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We got to the section on baptism and taught it and invited the daughter (Saira) the son and the dad of the family to be baptized on the 27th and they all accepted. The mom has been inactive for a long time but is now starting to come back. Unfortunately on Sunday the dad didn't come to church so we are going to have to work more with him but the 2 teenagers came and really liked it and bonded well with all the youth here so they seem to be sure for the 27th. We’ll have to work hard with them because now is when the most temptations always come but things are looking good and I am very excited to have such great people who are receiving the gospel.
Sunday was also another good day. The classes etc are all functioning very well. One of the speakers didn't come so I spoke again, but I had a few things prepared on faith so it went well.
I am getting along very well with Elder Moreno, he is a very good guy so we have made good friends and he has helped a lot. It’s amazing how fast the weeks go. The transfer is already half over! It could be that I only have 3 weeks left here. I almost hope I get to stay a little longer. Although it’s a sauna here I really have gotten to love the people here a ton and it’s going to be tough the day I get transferred.
After I finish this letter, we are going to go play basketball with some kids from the branch and then it’s back to the battlefield. For this week, my comp and I have decided we want to work harder than we ever have and we have set a goal to teach 35 lessons. So I’ll have to fill you in on how it went next week.
I really know the church is true, it’s amazing how much the spirit teaches you and inspires you when you study and look and ask for it. My testimony has grown so much here. Well I love ya lots fam, have a good week, be of good cheer. Elder Barnard
Another week has come and gone. We had a good week and it looks like are going to bring some new members into the branch. All is going well with my new comp.
At the start of the week, my companion was having problems with his inner ear. It seemed to be swelling up and hurting him so they had us investigate to see if there was an Ear Specialist here. We found nothing so they told us to leave on Tuesday and take a bus to Bucaramanga to see the doctor there. Soooo we drove down, got to the clinic, my comps ear was already feeling better, they gave him some medicine and we came back home.
This week until the last few days the intense heat kept up but now we've had a few cloudy days with a little rain. We had some cool experiences this week. One night we went with Sister Ramirez to visit a young mother from the branch who was having some difficulty with their living conditions etc so we shared a message with her and offered to help in what we could. On the way out of the neighborhood we saw an open house and felt impressed to talk to them. We found a lady and her husband who were very receptive and happy to have met us. We watched "The Restoration" the movie about Joseph Smith and the first vision and the wife said she really felt a peace as we talked with them and that she had always had the same question about why there were so many churches in the world and which was the truth. So we left them the commitment to pray and ask if what we taught was true and we have another lesson tomorrow to see how it went.
We also have continued working with the Caballero family; we had a lesson on Saturday with them. We invited John (17) who always goes with us and is getting ready for his mission and Gina (another YM from the branch). We had a really good lesson and taught about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We got to the section on baptism and taught it and invited the daughter (Saira) the son and the dad of the family to be baptized on the 27th and they all accepted. The mom has been inactive for a long time but is now starting to come back. Unfortunately on Sunday the dad didn't come to church so we are going to have to work more with him but the 2 teenagers came and really liked it and bonded well with all the youth here so they seem to be sure for the 27th. We’ll have to work hard with them because now is when the most temptations always come but things are looking good and I am very excited to have such great people who are receiving the gospel.
Sunday was also another good day. The classes etc are all functioning very well. One of the speakers didn't come so I spoke again, but I had a few things prepared on faith so it went well.
I am getting along very well with Elder Moreno, he is a very good guy so we have made good friends and he has helped a lot. It’s amazing how fast the weeks go. The transfer is already half over! It could be that I only have 3 weeks left here. I almost hope I get to stay a little longer. Although it’s a sauna here I really have gotten to love the people here a ton and it’s going to be tough the day I get transferred.
After I finish this letter, we are going to go play basketball with some kids from the branch and then it’s back to the battlefield. For this week, my comp and I have decided we want to work harder than we ever have and we have set a goal to teach 35 lessons. So I’ll have to fill you in on how it went next week.
I really know the church is true, it’s amazing how much the spirit teaches you and inspires you when you study and look and ask for it. My testimony has grown so much here. Well I love ya lots fam, have a good week, be of good cheer. Elder Barnard
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
Hey Family
It’s been another great week. We are in the hottest time of year here and it’s been... hot. The other day it got up to 107 and they said it "felt like" 116 with the humidity factor. So there has been plenty of water being drunk and plenty of sweating. But it’s always worth it when you get home and turn on the nice cold AC. This week we have made progress in both aspects of the work here and also had the Zone Conference in Bucaramanga so it was a good week.
We found a family to teach and found out that the mom is a member that has been inactive forever; all she basically remembers about the church is that she got baptized but never really went back. She was excited that we knocked on their door and to have us there. She said she really wanted her kids to have that type of influence in their lives and wanted them to go to church and stuff. The husband is a little bit closed but we are making friends with him and he will come around soon. The good thing is the mom and her daughter came to church and really liked it. The used to be “wild” youth of the branch made her feel welcome and took her to the class and talked with her and everything. We even got her signed up to go to seminary which starts next week. We also have found a few other families in our neighborhood to start working with so we now have some potentially good and progressing investigators.
On Friday we had the Zone Conf in Bucaramanga. Elder Gagliardi (My comp as AP) is now training to end his mission. The conference was really good. President Hacking talked a lot about obedience and how important it was for us to obey even the littlest things. We stayed the night in Real de Minas (My first area) where my first son Elder Larson (from Ogden) is now the zone leader and that always makes a dad proud.
The branch keeps on improving also. We had a very spiritual fast Sunday and lots of good testimonies. We got back up to 50 people again and our average for the year now is about 49 which is 10 up from what it was last year. The classes all turned out well but the biggest way I think the change can be seen is that the investigators felt good. Everyone welcomed them and chatted, they learned in the classes and the environment is just improved. We also had Priesthood executive committee and we are going to put emphasis on getting the home teachers and visiting teachers organized for good. Things are going very well with my comp and we are working very well together. The only problem is that he has something wrong with his ear and it’s like swelled up inside so we are going to have to go see a doctor tomorrow.
I have been reading the book of Mormon in every spare second to finish on time with the mission goal and it’s awesome. Every time you find new light and new inspiration from it. I am now about to finish Heleman and I’ve only need to read about 8 pages a day now to finish on time. I may have already said this but I want to invite you all to make sure you are getting your daily dose of scriptures. It really makes a difference when you have a good morning and a good study. My testimony and understanding of the gospel is growing tons. Before the mish I had my testimony because I felt it, but now I can express my testimony with scriptures and more understanding than I ever had, and at the same time I realize there is soooo much more to learn.
Well I love the fam; you’re in my prayers and till next week. Elder B
It’s been another great week. We are in the hottest time of year here and it’s been... hot. The other day it got up to 107 and they said it "felt like" 116 with the humidity factor. So there has been plenty of water being drunk and plenty of sweating. But it’s always worth it when you get home and turn on the nice cold AC. This week we have made progress in both aspects of the work here and also had the Zone Conference in Bucaramanga so it was a good week.
We found a family to teach and found out that the mom is a member that has been inactive forever; all she basically remembers about the church is that she got baptized but never really went back. She was excited that we knocked on their door and to have us there. She said she really wanted her kids to have that type of influence in their lives and wanted them to go to church and stuff. The husband is a little bit closed but we are making friends with him and he will come around soon. The good thing is the mom and her daughter came to church and really liked it. The used to be “wild” youth of the branch made her feel welcome and took her to the class and talked with her and everything. We even got her signed up to go to seminary which starts next week. We also have found a few other families in our neighborhood to start working with so we now have some potentially good and progressing investigators.
On Friday we had the Zone Conf in Bucaramanga. Elder Gagliardi (My comp as AP) is now training to end his mission. The conference was really good. President Hacking talked a lot about obedience and how important it was for us to obey even the littlest things. We stayed the night in Real de Minas (My first area) where my first son Elder Larson (from Ogden) is now the zone leader and that always makes a dad proud.
The branch keeps on improving also. We had a very spiritual fast Sunday and lots of good testimonies. We got back up to 50 people again and our average for the year now is about 49 which is 10 up from what it was last year. The classes all turned out well but the biggest way I think the change can be seen is that the investigators felt good. Everyone welcomed them and chatted, they learned in the classes and the environment is just improved. We also had Priesthood executive committee and we are going to put emphasis on getting the home teachers and visiting teachers organized for good. Things are going very well with my comp and we are working very well together. The only problem is that he has something wrong with his ear and it’s like swelled up inside so we are going to have to go see a doctor tomorrow.
I have been reading the book of Mormon in every spare second to finish on time with the mission goal and it’s awesome. Every time you find new light and new inspiration from it. I am now about to finish Heleman and I’ve only need to read about 8 pages a day now to finish on time. I may have already said this but I want to invite you all to make sure you are getting your daily dose of scriptures. It really makes a difference when you have a good morning and a good study. My testimony and understanding of the gospel is growing tons. Before the mish I had my testimony because I felt it, but now I can express my testimony with scriptures and more understanding than I ever had, and at the same time I realize there is soooo much more to learn.
Well I love the fam; you’re in my prayers and till next week. Elder B
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
Wow, it’s still weird for me to see 2010 when I write the date and now it’s already February! Time really is flying, I am loving life here where I am and we have had a very good work week. I was glad to hear that everything is going well with the family. I can tell that our family is being very blessed.
President Hacking called the other day to see how all was going. He said he knew I had a lot on my plate but that we were doing a good job and to keep working. He also said that they are planning to put in the first councilor as Branch President the first week in March. That is so exciting. I have one month left being Branch President which is good. It’s been such a learning experience and so far I feel like we have done a lot but at the end of the day these people are the ones to take charge. I know that there are only 3 branches right now but I hope and pray someday down the road that there will be a Barranca Stake. I would love to come back to Colombia to attend the first stake conference.
It was a very good week here in the Lord’s work. This was the first week with my new comp. He is very outgoing and bold when he teaches and contacts etc. Elder M is excited to work hard and talk to everyone and invite them to listen to us. So I can tell it is going to be a great help to have a motivated companion.
We found 19 new investigators this week and although it’s a given that not all (or many) will progress, I have faith that there are some "elect" in there and we will keep looking for the rest. We have a challenge in the mission to read the Book of Mormon before March so lately I have kicked it into high gear because I was behind but it’s been great and I keep learning tons every time.
We are now settled in to the new house and have spent the last few days getting to know all the neighbors. We have found a few investigators among them. We are set with AC in the study room and bedroom which is always great and we have a fridge, ironing board, stove and sandwich cooker.
Lately, I have been making crepes just like the ones we have at home. We found some maple syrup at the store and so we have been eating delicious crepes for breakfast. There is also a little cement soccer court by our house so we have been going in the mornings to jump and do exercise etc. I’m actually the same weight I was when I started the mission.
Sunday we had a great day in church. The good thing is that every week church is improving and the organizations are now working. They are planning their own activities and the classes and meetings are spiritual. This week I decided to visit the youth Sunday school and it was a good class. Yes, the same teenage kids actually listened to their teacher and had the spirit there and learned. I really love the people here. I am very confident that some of the new people that we are going to be bringing to church will be able to feel the spirit now and be able to progress.
Today for P day we went to David and Shirley’s and had a little barbecue and ate mashed potatoes and just rested. Tonight, it’s back to work - we have a family home evening and it’s off to start another good week of work.
I love you family, I am always grateful for your support. You’re always in my prayers. You said the young women sent a package several months ago, but it has never arrived so I hope that it was not stolen.
I will talk to ya next week, with mucho amor, Elder Barnard
President Hacking called the other day to see how all was going. He said he knew I had a lot on my plate but that we were doing a good job and to keep working. He also said that they are planning to put in the first councilor as Branch President the first week in March. That is so exciting. I have one month left being Branch President which is good. It’s been such a learning experience and so far I feel like we have done a lot but at the end of the day these people are the ones to take charge. I know that there are only 3 branches right now but I hope and pray someday down the road that there will be a Barranca Stake. I would love to come back to Colombia to attend the first stake conference.
It was a very good week here in the Lord’s work. This was the first week with my new comp. He is very outgoing and bold when he teaches and contacts etc. Elder M is excited to work hard and talk to everyone and invite them to listen to us. So I can tell it is going to be a great help to have a motivated companion.
We found 19 new investigators this week and although it’s a given that not all (or many) will progress, I have faith that there are some "elect" in there and we will keep looking for the rest. We have a challenge in the mission to read the Book of Mormon before March so lately I have kicked it into high gear because I was behind but it’s been great and I keep learning tons every time.
We are now settled in to the new house and have spent the last few days getting to know all the neighbors. We have found a few investigators among them. We are set with AC in the study room and bedroom which is always great and we have a fridge, ironing board, stove and sandwich cooker.
Lately, I have been making crepes just like the ones we have at home. We found some maple syrup at the store and so we have been eating delicious crepes for breakfast. There is also a little cement soccer court by our house so we have been going in the mornings to jump and do exercise etc. I’m actually the same weight I was when I started the mission.
Sunday we had a great day in church. The good thing is that every week church is improving and the organizations are now working. They are planning their own activities and the classes and meetings are spiritual. This week I decided to visit the youth Sunday school and it was a good class. Yes, the same teenage kids actually listened to their teacher and had the spirit there and learned. I really love the people here. I am very confident that some of the new people that we are going to be bringing to church will be able to feel the spirit now and be able to progress.
Today for P day we went to David and Shirley’s and had a little barbecue and ate mashed potatoes and just rested. Tonight, it’s back to work - we have a family home evening and it’s off to start another good week of work.
I love you family, I am always grateful for your support. You’re always in my prayers. You said the young women sent a package several months ago, but it has never arrived so I hope that it was not stolen.
I will talk to ya next week, with mucho amor, Elder Barnard
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