Letter #57

Hello everyone!

Well this week was what we like to call a little bit of a tougher week. We spent a lot of time rolling up the sleeves and getting to work, but did not see much success. We had one guy that was willing to come up to the church though and listen to a lesson, which really in a sense makes the whole entire week worth it. Regardless of the challenge I still love street contacting. It is the best. I think the reason that it is so awesome is just indescribable. You see all of these people walking around holding in so much pain and sorrow, and it is so nice to walk up and tell them how they can lift those pains and sorrows. If only more people would listen to us when we talk.
This week a few of the people that I contacted a long time ago in Chinatown showed up and are going to be taught again, this really made me so happy! Elder Near and Elder Faulkner are going to teach them, because they are the ones that took over my old companionship, but I am still excited for them. I would tell you which ones they were, but I doubt you would be able to remember because it was such a long time ago. It is crazy how timing sometimes is everything in peoples journey through the gospel. Then at the right time people will decide that the gospel is right for them. I was thinking about the analogy that is often made between missionaries and fisherman this week, and realized that it is not always correct. Fisherman will often hall in many fish at the same time, using huge nets, and large machines. On my mission so far this has not been the case. We are also known as harvesters. Well during the time of a harvest, many rewards are reaped, and all at the same time. I feel that in some missions this is accurate. I know that many who serve in South America or other Spanish-speaking missions will see much success, kind of like the fisherman or the harvester. I feel like I am a hunter. Now I am not saying this to sound gnarly, or because it sounds cool, but this is really just how I feel. A hunter will work long hours stealth and swiftly searching for his prey. Some days he might not have any success but, when he finally does make his attack he feels a true feeling of success that cannot be described. I hope that everyone reading this understands that it is an analogy, I am not running around Chinatown with face paint on and a machete.
I loved conference this week! I got so much out of it. It is amazing how if we prepare ourselves to hear the word of the Lord, we really can receive revelation. There were so many talks that I felt like I was having a one on one conversation with the speaker, like it was directed right towards me. One talk that particularly stood out to me was by Dieter Uchtdorf. He talked about the people through out history who have not been written about. The people that just do what is right and willingly follow the word of the Lord. I thought about some of the people that are very briefly mentioned in the Book of Mormon. For example, the small group that follows Alma into the wilderness after Abinadi was executed, or the one person that was converted when Alma and Amulek preached to the Lamanites. What faith it took on these people's behalf. They were really true Christians. Elder Uchtdorf encouraged us to not worry about our reputation with man, but worry about our standing with God. He said that God does not care if we work in marble halls or stable halls, He loves all of His children the same. Compared to God we are nothing, but to God we are everything. Pretty incredible! What an amazing Heavenly Father we have.
I also wanted to say thank you so much for all the love I received for my birthday! That was so nice of you guys. I have to be honest; it felt so good to know how many people support me out here. I got amazing letters and pictures from the primary, I loved them all so much! I received some very nice letters from the Relief Society as well. It was so great to hear from all of you. I keep you in my prayers constantly. I really hope that all is still going well. I sure do love you all.
Well, it is time for me to go and spread the word! Have a great week, and I look forward to talking to you next week!
Elder Barton