HOMECOMING

Sister Barton is coming home! We could not be more excited! Please join us for her homecoming on December 27 at 9:00. The chapel is located at: 2985 East Creek Road (8115 South) Cottonwood Heights, Utah **Please note this is a different chapel as her farewell. Hope to see you all there!

I Still Have a Week People!

There were about a million pits and peaks this week. The peaks outweigh the pits so I'm just going to talk about those!! Every second was spent doing something or running somewhere. There was no time to breathe! It all started with another 3 day exchange! This time with sister Stebar and smith! Sister smith loves to cook and sister Stebar loves to do hair and make up. They were appalled that I don't know how to do any of these things so they attempted to teach me...it was rough. I survived though! Luke's baptism was on Wednesday. He was glowing! His girlfriend, Alex, gave a talk about conversion. In her talk she talked about how taking the missionary lessons has strengthen her just as much. When Luke bore his testimony he talked a lot about being accepted for the first time. He grew up with a really rough family. The ward is pretty much the first family he has ever had. Before his confirmation he couldn't sit down because of how excited and nervous he was. I've loved watching him grow. Jicell a baptism required a road trip!! A group from the ward drove all the way up to casa grande. Jicell literally leaped out of the water. It was a little mermaid moments. She couldn't stop crying or giggling. I've never seen someone so happy in my entire life! He grandmother and mom haven't shown any interest in the church until her confirmation. We have been fasting and praying for Jicell's family for a while. Our prayers were answered. Jicell's grandma wants to start coming to church! MLC was also this week. President and Sister Passey nailed it. Again! Sister Passey gave a training about teaching the role of Jesus Christ. The spirit was really strong as we talked about john 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." We talked about scriptures that support this verse. How Christ gives us life and light in abundance. You could have cut the spirit with a butter knife. I was in heaven! Another peak of the week was getting to see my Arizona parents!! The Beals drove all the way to Tucson just for lunch! Their visit was exactly what I needed! Seeing them couldn't have happened at a better moment. They helped calm so many fears and worries. They have stuck with me my whole mission! I couldn't be more grateful for all of their love and support. Everyone keeps telling me I'm going home....it hasn't really hit me yet. Probably because there is still work to do and I'm not stopping until I get to the airport. Serving a mission is the best decision I have ever made. I've been in a panic the last few weeks because I don't feel ready to go home. I'm not a spitting image of what I want to be yet. A wise return missionary friend reminded me that my progress doesn't stop here! This new change will help me progress just as much if not more. It's finals week at the u of a so everyone is pretty much leaving next week as well. I've had to say goodbye to some friend and there will be lots more this week. I can't believe I have one week so ware this name tag out! I love being a missionary with all my heart. I bore my testimony on Sunday about how all the Lord has ever asked us to do is be obedient, work hard, and trust that he is going to bless us. I think sometimes we make it too complicated. I love my heavenly father and my savior. I love the Arizona Tucson Mission. The book of mormon is true. Joseph smith was a prophet. The priesthood authority is back on the earth. God loves us so much! It's that simple. Thanks for all the love!! I'll email you guys next Monday! You da bomb! Don't do anything fun until I see you! Somebodies gotta keep me busy when I get back... -Sister Barton