Letter #49

Hello my dear friends,

 

This week was a little slower than weeks previous, but it was still great. We were able to meet with all of the people that have baptismal dates which was very good! But other then that, we spent a lot of time looking people up and having them not be home! And then tracting and getting yelled at… you know the usual. Wow it is so cool hearing about everyone back home getting mission calls! That makes me so happy! Its like we are all this army going to battle together. I like to picture myself as the strong one in the front with the longest and best-designed spear out of the whole group. I am sure that the rest of the friends would have to agree on that one! You guys are all going to love your missions so much… this is the best decision that you could have ever made. I mean that with all of my heart.

The lessons and experiences that we did have his week were incredible. We met with jing twice this week. The first time that we met with her, she said that she was not very sure if she wanted to be baptized any more. She kept talking about how she just needs to be supported and how she is going through such a hard time, barley getting by every month. She said that it is too much to put on her plate right now. When she said that, it made it very clear that she did not understand the atonement, even though it had already been taught to her. It is hard to understand until you use it and apply it into your life. Not matter how hard I tried to tell her that these things were true and that they can help her, it just did not seem like she understood. I felt like I should give her a blessing. I explained what a blessing was and told her that I would like to give her one. She asked me if I was old enough to be doing something like this but then agreed to let me do it. Poor elder Dees had no idea what was going on!!! I suddenly just looked over at him and asked him to help me give her a blessing. With the biggest prayer in my heart, I laid my hands on her head and started the blessing. Shortly into the blessing, a dog ran into the room and started to jump on me. Followed by the owner of the dog trying to get him out of the room. We finished the blessing and I felt like I failed. I was really bummed and felt like the blessing was ruined. Jing said thank you, walked into the kitchen to make us dinner. We ate, said goodbye, and left. On the way home I had no idea what to think. I continued to pray for her… that something would touch her heart.

The next day I get a call from her daughter Xiao. She told me that her mom decided she wants to be baptized now. I was so confused, but told her that we would come over the next day to see what’s up.

The next day, I helped jing learn how to say things for her tai qi class in English. Then we started to talk about why now she wants to be baptized. She looked at the floor for a second and then started to talk. She said that it is touching how much that we care about her and how much we really just want to help her. She said that when we gave her that blessing she had a very peaceful, and good feeling. It helped her know that the things we have shared with her are true. She said that she is going through a really hard time right now and really needs help and she knows that heavenly father would help her. The spirit was so strong. I had no idea what to say. As a matter of fact, I literally could not speak for a few minutes! It has never been so evident to me how much that heavenly father loves his children. It is like he knows each of our needs then just interchanges all of us to help each other. I don’t know if that made any sense. But wow I am so grateful I had that opportunity. I really needed to learn that lesson. It is kind of like what I was saying with jing and the atonement… how she did not understand it because she had not used it. I feel like I always heard the words our heavenly father loves us, and even had things happen that have helped me understand. But now, I know for a fact and that part of my testimony will never be changed or budged.

Well I am sorry I kind of got carried away in that story. But it really was incredible. Well guys I love you all so much, and I hope that you are having great weeks. Keep doing everything that you are doing!

Love Elder Barton