Barberena- Week 91

Hello!

So this week was a blur... again.... Mainly because I had divisions twice this week.. and mum, they are about 24 hours:) But yeah-- had some interviews to do. I went with Elder Hammond (with a late night again... jajaja ) and an Elder Kwak in my district. Divisions always makes the week go by super fast.. and we had two this week! And this week we have interviews with the pres whips.... in Zacamil!!!! So I am going back to my mother land. :) But anyway,  I was really nervous leaving my comp alone in the area for the first two times in the same week... but he did great! He put a fecha down... so that was good news:)

I have had a little vertigo this week, but you know... whatever..

So I have some stories about some of our investigators this week... first with J, the counselor of the bishop came up and talked to us last Sunday about him and told us that he wanted to be baptized finally... he has come to church for like 8 months straight... jaja... I thought he was a member when I got here... jajaja! But anyway, this news of baptism boogies were new to us.. Because of the fact that we haven't been able to teach him for like two weeks... but yeah! So we went and he wants to be baptized on the 10 (mothers day here) and get married to his girlfriend on the 11 (his birthday) and get confirmed on the 12 (our mothers day) so sick whips! I don't really know what finally got to him.. but I guess miracles!

F he made a comment this week that was interesting... he was like I bet your super happy that you are close to finishing, but you still got some work to do... and I am one of them! jajaja" He went to church this week with his family and at least now his being honest with us and the cigarros... but he says that he might put himself in an institution to help him stop...

Natali (15 años,) one day some of the other elders of our district were walking through our area towards the border to try and find something to eat.... as they were walking, somebody yelled from their house "elders! come here!" so they went to go see que ondas... the person was a member of another stake visiting and wanted them to teach her niece.. so we have been teaching her and she now has a fecha:) super duper...

"It is impossible to please God without faith"

Supposedly the scoop is that flights are going to be fairly cheap here for the next three months... food for thought? In companies that are called "arianca" (TACA).. and spirit airlines... but you know whatever..

Dad, sounds like the whisky went great! It sounds like you slaughtered my time! jaja.. you are a stud.... fijese I haven't heard anything about the aims tuition thing... and yes.. I would love to live with those guys! that's cool that they were thinking about me and reserved me a room... tell them that I will most definitely take them up on that.

Mum, "I'm a lady! I'm a lady! which one of you is attracted to me?!"(king Julian)jajaja.... sounds like everythings going great! Mothers Day is coming up... what do mums usually like? We were thinking of doing something nice for hermana siguenza... because she has been like a mum for us in this area... what should we do?

Austin, I hope all is well! I hope that prom went bueno... I hope all is well with school! Finish up strong.. Study a lot so you can end good!

Ellie, sounds like the week was exciting! I hope all is well! finish up strong!

Brynn, I hope that this week goes well! And that science camp goes well! I love you!

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!!

Barberena- Week 90

HELLO!

First things first, Happy Birthday Ellie! Hope its a good one:)

SO this week was basically a blur... I mean... literally... I am always surprised at how fast the week passes. On Tuesday, we had divisions. I went with an Elder called Hammond. It was pretty fun. Sometimes on divisions, you stay up late telling stories.... that's how it was with us this week jajaja... Also, he helped me with a few of my plans and ideas for after the mission. So, prepare yourselves for something amazing:)

On Wednesday, we had a meeting for all the trainers and all the new missionaries.. That was way cool. And the day before, hermana Glazier called to ask about the nersh burts thing that we did a few weeks ago. She asked me how training was going and told me that I am one of the Elders that has trained most.. she also expressed that trainers lead the mission.. I would beg to differ.. but you know.. whatever... jaja! Anyway, that meeting on Wednesday was a huge machete.. I have so many things to change.. then on Thursday we had a zone conference, and that was a huge machete as well.. so all my good ties have blood on them now.. what takes out blood stains? jaja 

 

I talked a little bit with F this week.. its hard not to.. he cooks for us... jaja.. but he seems a little discouraged... maybe I was too hard on him.. but I will not excuse myself for what I said... but he said that if he doesn't get it under control in like 2 or 3 weeks, he will enter an institution to help him leave his vices. But I think he has a little more enthusiasm to keep going...I hope.

At the start of this last change, I had the goal to baptize every other week. We had people, families and everything was set to do it. As time has gone forth this change, it has not happened like that. I feel like my fechas fall left and right, even though a month ago, they were more than positive that they were going to be baptized. Sometimes I feel like and can relate to Alma when his only wish was to declare repentance with the sound of a trump as an angel would.

So the zone but the goal to baptize 7 people in every area the 22 of June. And one way to do it would be to fast every week... so we started yesterday.. I guess those guys will have to tell me if it all works out:) jaja..

So I found some answers to one of my questions that I have had for a long time... about dinosaurs... ask me about my ideas another time:)

So there were chambones in our area this week.. you should ask me about that one too sometime.. jajaj

Yesterday, I didn't teach my class of principios del evangelio and we went to the adult Sunday school class... the teacher is a super good teacher... at the end of the class, she asked everyone to write only the name of the person they could perform an act of missionary service to them... it really made me kinda mad that so many people didn't do it... and played it off as a joke.. and had some stupid excuse like " I have already tried." made me sad.

Then in the third hour, we went with the young men for our new assignment, and the lesson was on preparing for a mission.. freak.. it was so sick and powerful... bishop shared his testimony about his mission and whatnot... I want you all to know, that I would not trade these past two years for anything. For school, money, lo que sea la cosa.. I would not trade it for anything. Very few moments of my life have been so happy as these past two years.. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that you are focused on other people rather than on yourself.

David had an interesting thought yesterday. He compared our lives as a puzzle (of happiness) with a missing piece.. we all look for the piece and try to push whatever piece we can in.. it could be anything, cosas mundanas, whatever... but we will always come to find out that the missing piece is God. Mosiah 2:41.

Mum, thanks for the letter! that's cool that missionaries are coming and going left and right. But I want you to know, that I will not be one of those missionaries that always talks or talks openly about experiences from the mission.. they are all special to me.. :) (but Iwill tell you guys:)) Cool beans that everything went good with the boat, gym, and orange juice:) hope everything goes good this week! I declare in this moment that the day I return, I will drink a whole gallon of that orange juice! I love you!

Dad, hope all is well this week! and I hope you can finally beat my time at the whisky race! jaja... iIdon't even remember my time actually.. I think it was like 4 and a half hours of something.. but anyway, good luck this week! I love you

Austin, hope all is well! sounds like you are getting strong! and don't worry, I wont be weird... jaja... but yeah. We will do a whole bunch of locuras:) love ya bud

Ellie, congrats on making varsity! You are super cool.. don't worry about drama stuff... forgive and forget..

Brynn, sounds like this week was awesome and that the b day party was sick! have a great week! see you soon!

Barberena- Week 89

Hello! This week was super interesting. Good things happened and bad things happened.. I´ll start with the bad:)

We might need to drop a family that we have been working with for about 4 months. He has been struggling with the word of wisdom for forever as you know.  Its sad because we have come to love that family so much. We want them to better their lives. But we can only do so much, right? We had a lesson with them with the stake president and it went well..just keep praying!

With D, it started like a roller coaster trying to help him with his doubts and questions.. but this week was like moving from doubt to doubt... then he thought that he wasn't going to be able to find a job that gives Sunday off.. but finally did,.. then eternal marriage.. that was interesting... I had never taught that principle like a taught him... I told him of what kind of wife I would like. It was kinda an odd lesson... jajaja

So I find out again and again that secrets don't stay secrets for very long in the church.... jajajaja... I have only told like a few people about me leaving and like now the whole ward knows.. jaja.... also.. this really surprised me: The bishop knew that I went out with Elder Martino when I started my mission. Secrets don't stay secrets I guess.. jaja..

This week i ate a pupusa that i shouldn't have eaten and it made me sick for a day.. the pic attached is my "give me cancer now" face... I had to stay in the house for the whole day... I was hating life on the all day... but, I got a blessing from the bishop that night and I was back to normal the next day:) The priesthood is way more powerful than pepto bismal.

We also have a new assignment from the bishop to help with the youth in their duty to God booklets- that are way cooler than the ones that I used... but we are to interview the youth weekly about their progress in that thing... Its cool to have the bishop trust us so much... He actually asked me the exact date that I leave so that I have a little farewell. He is a good bishop.

This morning I finished Jesus the Christ. That book is 802 pages of pure knowledge and doctrine of Jesus Christ. I feel like I know Him and His apostles a bit more. Very cool experience to read.

So funny thing... I just got off the phone with the secretaries of the mish and they asked me what airport I want to be sent to... I told them I want to got to New York. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of... jajaja... but he said that he was going to buy them today:) That is super weird... speaking of immigration stuff... my comp had to go get legalized this week... I got to see all my indie friends, Elder Martin and Elder Winter... super fun elders...

"The secret of happiness is that we are the cause of it."

Dad, i am glad that everything is going good and that you guys had a good time in Cali! and that work is good and everything. Sounds like the boat is sick! One of my buddies here and I are thinking about trying to plan some kind of Lake Powell trip this summer... if its possible (a fellow cyclist as well) and then a big group of us for the summer of 2014.. Because only us two will be back for this summer... weird.. jaja! I love you pops!

Mum, sounds like everything went well for your late anniversary party:) Mission beach is a really cool place. and I think that summer house there would be sick whips my nic grips:) Anyway, also, my comps name is Elder Santos:)

Austin, congrats on you meet! that's pretty sick. Representing the Thornton name:) And thank you for sharing your testimony with me... reading and praying really does help a ton:)

Ellie, I hope all goes well with testing and tryouts this week! Ask Austin for his advice... he shared with me a cool story:)

Brynn, good luck with testing! read your scriptures before you leave for school! love ya!

Thanks for everything! You are all awesome!

Elder Thornton

Barberena- Week 88

Family,

So this week was a blur.... like lots of weeks.. but I guess I'll just start!

So there is this juice that has been out for a couple months with the flavor of a fruit called mandarina. Its like nectar from the Greek gods... its insanely rico. I would live off of it forever if it wasn't for the high fructose corn syrup.. jaja! There is also a natural fruit juice that I tried this week that tastes and smells like power bait. (you know, that fish bait stuff).. JAJA!

 

I get to stay in my area for my last change which is great.. I only wanted 1 of two things to happen in changes. I wanted to stay with Elder llamacponcca, or if they change one of us, for it to be me.. neither of them happened, and I am now training for the 5th time..... nuf said.. Training is probably the most stressful job of the mission.. but my new and last comp is from Guatemala. he is 18. but he is good! He should be a good comp.. He comes with a problem that all of my kids have come with.. he talks fast... jaja.. oh,,, and I am DL again from some reason...

I gave my raincoat to Elder llamacponcca.. He didn't have one and I knew that he would need one.. He was like a kid on Christmas... he was so excited. Small acts of charity bring happiness. He was really sad to leave. He was the only comp that I have had that we never fought.. never even argued. but, I hope he is happy:)

 

I got the Obama chip question again.. do you know anything about that?

These past couple weeks have been super super hot. I die. i die!, but whatever, I know that I only have to endure for like a month more and then I get relief in the AZ desert of triple digits.. jaja...!

So I don't think that I have been loved more by the primary girls in any other ward than this one. Its pretty funny:) One who knows that I am finishing soon said, "I'm not letting you get on that plane! see what happens if you get on that plane!" That made me laugh..

 

I got a letter from Lindsey and the Kilgrows! Tell them thanks because I am not going to worry about writing back anymore.. although I am still very grateful:)

We eat on Sundays with the familia Siguenza.. holy cow.. If you knew them, you would understand that that means that we didn't stop laughing the whole time we were there:)

I have a super original fun idea for a family picture... considering I assume that we will be taking one when I get back.. ask me to tell you about it in about a month:)

We taught about vicarious work with David yesterday.. that was interesting.. I thought that he would take it super well... but I was a tad bit mistaken... I hope it doesn't affect his fecha for this weekend.. pray for him porfavor!

Now for the momento that you have all been waiting for. GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! sick swips my nip grips.

First of all, I think my favorite talk this conference was by Pres. Packer. Just by the way he spoke and the form and format of his talk, I think that that was his last talk. I don't think he will give another.. I mean, those guys probably feel stuff like that.. that's the form in the which many general authorities have spoken in their last talk. His was awesome. His testimony was powerful.

Then, I was really surprised with the first woman that spoke, usually I feel that their talks aren't as good, but Elaine s Dalton's talk was sodding crazy powerful. I enjoyed the missionary work talks like Elder Nelsons, Pres Eyrings(especially) and also Pres. Monsons (gave him a high five in the scout jamboree). Elder Christofferson (shook his hand)is a sodding boss. les miserables I am interested to study. And also, so you know, Elder Falabella was the pres of Central America last year. I shook that guys hand as well:) And also, the captain Moroni of our days Elder Holland was sick.. 2nd favorite of the conference.

I thank God for a prophet. To guide us. we can have confidence in the words of the prophets because they speak the words of God.

Mum, thanks for you letter! Sounds like the conference was awesome. And congrats on finishing the BoM! you're a stud. That topic that they have given me is pretty dumb... definitely going to change that up a bit.. jajaj! What do I know about provident living!? All I know that is that I go to the pantry and there is food! jaja.. just kidding.. thanks for everything mum.. love ya!

Dad, sounds like we are part of a boat family again! I am glad that everything went well there.. I have some plans that I was working on today that I would like to run by you when i am back.. I don't think that I will have the hardest time adjusting, but you know... you never know! Thanks for everything pops! Wanna do leadville? (not this year.. but next year:)) thanks for everything and your advice! Sounds like the crit and the tour was sweet... one day I will be back on the bike. I love you

Austin, sounds like everything is going a lot better! Sorry for being hard on you.. I hope that you can get all that stuff figured out.. I am glad that you have figured some stuff out yourself. finish up school strong! love ya

Ellie, sounds like you are learning how to drive already. That's insane. Be careful!

Brynn, Hope everything is good! You haven't written in a while! have a great week!

Thanks for everything! Your the best. "have you ever had feelings for a nun?" (i saw a nun today on the way to the stake center and it made me laugh when I thought of that movie"

salu.

Elder Thornton

Barberena-Week 87

       Hello! Happy Easters! "first thing I learned out here. Missionaries are humans, and humans are            screw ups"

This week was good... it was hard work wise, but good! This week was the famous passion week. (or semana santa) Because of the high density of Catholics, its a pretty nation-wide thing.. which makes it hard to do work.. Highlights of the semana santa would be, the alfombras. (big murals of salt on the streets) mangos en miel. jocotes en miel. And toreja. Super delicious. Those are traditional foods of the semana santa.. and fish, but we didn't eat fish.. But anyway! Cool beans!

I went on divisions with Elder Kwak and every house we entered gave us food... I was stuffed.. semana santa spirit I guess.. but he did the interview of kevin, and he got baptized... pray for the rest of the familia so that he can stop smoking...

David, is not the guy with the sandwich... that's a mentally challenged guy that always asks us for a radio and hangs out at our cooks house:) jajaja.. he is an example, because he always is smiling. no matter what, he is happy:) Anyway, David set his own baptismal date.. for the 13 of April!! whoop whoop! That hardly ever happens... that the inv sets his own date.. swips skips my nick grips!

As I am going into my last change, I feel a lot of different things.. yesterday, I was thinking a little in church and I realized how little time I have left. And I got super sad. I got a bit teary eyed thinking about it.. I really love it here and don't want to leave... I mean, I do because I want to see you guys... but other than that, normal life stinks compared to this. As for changes, I would like to stay, but it is unknown.. I would like to stay with Elder llamacponcca.. but we will see. I kinda feel like Joseph Smith when he said "I go like a lamb to the slaughter but I am as calm as a summers day" jaja. I will really feel super sad the day I have to leave, but I know that we only have two years. I love this place.

We had a great lesson with Jorge. An inv that has been coming to church for 6 months (his daughter is a member) in which i expressed to him the feeling i have about returning home... he began to tell me about his life and the ways that he was able to endure through hard times in his life.. and he told me not to worry... so that's what i am trying to do I guess...Iam grateful for him.. he also wants to be baptized on his birthday on the 11 of may... but we are trying to get him to do it before.. but we will see:)

I am getting pretty good at making pupusas.. They come out as circles now... jajaja

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak in church yesterday. It was the first time that I have spoken on Easter. It was awesome and such an awesome experience to study the Savior life and atonement these past couple weeks. (I have about 200 pages left of Jesus the Christ) It was on the Atonement. And it was a bit of a machete.  Here is a quote "Es dificil de comprender de que los miembros de la iglesia tienen la audacia de no hacer lo correcto, como quebrar la palabra de sabiduria o la ley de castidad. despues de que Jesucristo paso por todo lo que hizo. ARREPIENTENSE!".. jajajajajajajaja.. It was a lot of love though.. so it wasn't a huge machete... ask me about that talk when I am back... it was cool:)

In the spirit of this Easter season, I will share my testimony. Something that I don't do that often in letters, but should.. anyway

I know that the this Church is the Church of Christ. He guides it. He leads it. He speaks with a prophet and He reveals that knowledge to us. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that Joseph Smith is he that revealed that truth unto us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and we get closer to God every time we read it. We learn more about the atonement every time we read. Christ is the promised Messiah. He is the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament and was born into this world as Jesus Christ. Through Him I find reconciliation. He is my example. My Master. My Lord. My King. My God. My Savior and My Friend. I love Him. I want to do the Things that please Him. He is the Lamb of God who was unblemished and sacrificed for the sins of man and to save us. He bought us with a price that was heavy. But because of His love we can be clean. "I would that ye should seek this Jesus of whom the Prophets have testified. in His Holy and Sacred Name, amen.

Mum, I am glad that everything went well this week. I am happy that you had a great day at the Randolph center. I love you! Happy Easters.

Dad, I hope all goes well this week. Hopeful the tour goes well and the boat hunt as well.. In my talk yesterday I compared the relationship that we have with the relation ship that Christ has with His Father. I showed the picture of us at the tour de mesa cycling thingy... and then talked about how I always followed you around the garage and the house as a kid trying to help and be like you. Then cited the scripture that says, "I don't do anything but what I see the Father do." and then started my talk.. Thanks for everything pops! I love you!

Austin, I am really glad that you were humble enough to take what I wrote last week in the spirit of which I wrote it in. I want you to have your call before I am back. OK? I don't care when the availability date is, but I want you to have it when I'm back.

Ellie, I am super happy that you also had a wonderful experience with  the Randolph Center.. I know that they love you for the service you gave. It is part of their nature to love.. the have no influence of the natural man. Thanks for everything! Ilove you!

Brynn, I hope all is well and that you also had a great time at that center. Keep up the good in school and finish strong!

I love you all! Thanks for everything!

TTT

Barberena- Week 86

Hello! this week was a blur... I really don't know what happened this week... jaja

We taught a lesson in that ward... they are not missionaries there because the ward didn't work.. this is what I wrote to the president about the subject:

With the permission of our leaders, and the stake president, we were invited to teach a lesson in barrio central. My comp and I did divisions. I went to central and my companion se quedo en barbarena. When I started the class, I could feel the pride of that ward. That they thought that they new all the answers. By the end, many had tears in their eyes and were ready to start to work. With the permission of the zone leaders and the stake president, we can only go there with a reference from the ward. And that is actually how that all started. We had a reference for that area and we met with the bishop of that ward to try and find it. Because supposedly it was really positive. Anyway, the point is that the bomb has been dropped in barrio central, and we are super excited to help the ward help themselves. They seem to have a great desire to work and they have become a little more humble. It was a success.

So we finished a preach my gospel to teach members this week.. It was going to be called sky fall, but I changed it to nersh burts. Its super cool and I am excited to use it.. I included a foto:)

David is progressing a ton.. he is that miracle that walked in our chapel about three weeks ago. He told us that he loves coffee and drank a bunch like every day. Yesterday we taught the word of wisdom. He said that he hadn't drank coffee since the first day that he come to church! Just a miracle after miracle after miracle with him.

As for the familia G.. the kid, kevin, is going to be baptized this week with his friend fernando, the son of hermana Claudia, the husband was doing so good!, but we caught him smoking the other day... Since then, he hasn't really talked to us about the gospel.. and he didn't go to church yesterday.. I have learned a lot about patience these past couple years... I really don't get mad that often.. but yesterday, I got really dissapointed with him.. I couldn't study after church for some buyuncada that he said.. but wow... today, forgivness! I will talk to him to see whats up. But, keep praying for him. picture of the family is included...

Also, the other picture with us on the couch is the familia Siguenza... they are a super cool familia that we have come to know... she has been teaching me about how to discipline my future kids... jajajaj! also Austin Ellie and Brynn if they ever are disrespectful to mum and dad...watch out! jajaja! anyway,

Dad, sounds like everything is good! For right now everything is good... how was the boat you looked at? Anyway... love you pops thanks for everything.

Mum, thanks for every thing.. I love you!

Ellie, sounds like things are doing good! love ya

Brynn, also things are doing good! love ya!

 SALU

TTT

Barberena- Week 85

Hello! Sounds like the week was awesome! Don't worry about not writing, its totally understandable.. I actually did not even expect you guys to write.. So totally no problem this week was good!

Monday, after I wrote, I saw my first bishop of my mission! It was super cool to see him, considering that he was one of the best bishops:)

Tuesday: We walked into the church courtyard to talk to the stake pres, and Tuesday's are the wards activities, as soon as I walked in, all the primary girls came running after me yelling "!torton!!!" they wanted me to play mika again... unfortunately we didn't have time.. some might say that a missionary shouldn't play and stuff.. but I compare my self to Joseph Smith---- who ALWAYS made time and played with children:) also, hermana Claudia came again to the activities. But still no luck on Sunday.

Wednesday, I went on divisions with an Elder Olivia.. from guate. we celebrated the new pope from Argentina a bit... it was fun:)

Thursday, we had a meeting with a bishop from a ward that hasn't had missionaries there for years. We talked about a plan to be able to help them in their ward.. I am going to their ward on Sunday to drop the bomb on them.. then in two weeks, we are going to drop another bomb on our ward:) I love months that have 5 Sundays.. Because usually we can teach them:)

Friday, we had a correlation with our bishop and we put some plans down for a preach my gospel but to teach members.. we called it sky fall with elder Mehr.. but it was just an idea... now it is a reality. :)

Sunday, our bishop called me in and put us on divisions and sent my comp to do other things.. and the 2nd counselor and the pres of the elders. We had a small meeting where we worked on some things. It really make me feel good that the bishop trusted me enough to help him. I have expressed before, our bishop is awesome. He is so good with problems and such. Anyway, it was really cool:)

Well there is a brief synopsis of my week! here´s more:)

quote of the week: "you don't have to bray like a jacka__ to be heard of the Lord" (Joseph Smith to someone who prayed with shouts and stuff..jajaja)

I got two comments this week that I look like Joseph Smith..(weird) and that I sound like I am from England.. because I don't have a gringo accent... jajaja

I usually say to my comp on a weekly basis; Oh Elder, one day I will make music again.. jaja

I finished the Book of Mormon again yesterday.. I love it... it is so true.. I believe that makes 9 times that I have read it.

In the Sunday school class that I teach, I taught with only questions.. the whole class! it was really cool.. it was difficult, but it was awesome. I learned a lot.. and I think that they learned a lot as well... the questions started easy, but got harder to answer as they went on... many times we know the lesson already.. we just don't know that we know it:)

This week we arrived at just the right time to give a blessing.. like super awesome timing. He got sick that afternoon and we showed up that night.. there are so many cool experiences like that in the mission.

News with the G family: They are set for the 30 of this month! that is, if he doesn't smoke from now until then.. he has been successful this week! Last week I had a one on one with him again and I spoke hard things to him.... but that sparked the fire again and he is doing good! incluso, He says that his sons are going to be missionaries as well.- they are a good family with a few problems, but they are improving.!!! And we are happy about that.

D, really shows uneasiness with trying to figure out if the church is true. Very similar to that of which Joseph smith probably felt.. But he will be answered.

Mum, sounds like the week was good! Please don't worry about not writing.. its really not the end of the world. jaja.. but I am Glad that spring break was good! That's cool that Summer is going on a mission.. I remember in high school thinking that she was gorgeous... but I don't remember... jajaja..also one of my friends from San Vicente also goes to her mission on the day I go home! jaja... I love you mum! salu.. Next week I will send fotos... I haven't taken any lately.

Dad, sounds like everything is good with you as well! Have you really not been on the road bike since last summer? your crazy! Also, I hope all goes well with the boat! I am pretty excited. I love ya dad!

Austin, stay fresh! I hope that all is good with track and such... keep in mind what is really important! love ya!

Ellie, thanks for the poem and stuff, keep being awesome!

Brynn, I saw pics of you! looks like you enjoyed the snow! I love you!

Thanks for everything! I love you all! salu!

Elder Thornton

Barberena- Week 84

 

 

          HELLO,

I am sure you guys are all busy with spring break and stuff.. so that's cool.. but this week was awesome! It was indeed a week of miracles.

On Tuesday we had a small couple of miracles. We are working with a less active mom with three kids. 2 at or above baptism age. She has never wanted to come back to church. But on Tuesday she came for the activities on Tuesday night. The kids had a blast and the mom also had a good time. I guess that's the first step to coming back right? Also on Tuesday night, we had a father and two sons that came to the activities and another single adult come. They had never come to church before so that was a good starter...  our members can talk with people and they are good at fellow shipping.:) Side note, all the primary girls like my eyes a ton.. So they always want me to play games with them... on Tuesday I played mika with them.. its like a Spanish equivalent of tag. But you play with some kind of object.. and you have to touch the other with the object.. and yell MIKA! hahaha

The church came out with some new announcements this week.. Now we can email who ever we want.. as long as the person is not within the mission boundaries. So if I were one to have had like 20 girlfriends like Austin, I could email all of them... jaja--- also, ipods are now allowed... but only if they don't have a video function... so only the shuffles are allowed... and that is on a world wide level. Too bad I am leaving soon.. jajaja...

So my investagator opened up to me this week.. he told me that he hadn't been honest about telling me that some days he had smoked... but he showed true concern about whether or not he was going to be able to give it up.. I talked with him and he has a new desire to stop smoking. He wants to stop... its just that he can't. But poco a poco. He feels frustrated because he is having such a hard time with it.

There is a competition in the mission for the cleanest house. So now, our house is super clean! jaja... I walked around barefoot for a while... jaja. Being on a mission in this country is like being on a camping trip for two years... jaja

I got a wedding announcement from Noah this week! He got married in December.. But I knew that:) Also a letter from Tina and Kerry Green.. Tell him thanks!

So remember when I was talking about a new project I am working on called sky fall? So I guess some guy in my bishops mission did the same thing! So now our bishop is helping us with sky fall:) (apparently that's the name of a semi new movie as well??)

The 25 question lady is doing a lot better.. shes poniendese gato.  She called and asked for material help on a class that she has to teach on Sunday..whoop!

Now that I am finishing up, (and I am not baggy in any way shape or form) I have been thinking about what I might say in my talk when I return. I am sure within a couple weeks, the bishop will have all the talks for may planned out and you guys can send me the topic:) Please and thank you!

This week we had a miracle walk in the front doors of our church. David, our new investigator, has been living in the area for about a month. He always noticed the church when he went by in the bus, and decided this past week that he was going to find out more about that church and go the next Sunday. He showed up really early, supposedly, (we didn't know. We were bringing investigators to church) Because he didn't know what time the meetings started. After sacrament meeting, we finally got to meet him and he stayed the three hours of the meetings. We then explained to him what we do as missionaries and asked for his directions and everything. Then he later asked if we could come by later that day. He had already read the folleto we gave him and was filled with great questions. We finally found an investigator of gold. Or better said, he found us. I believe it is a blessing of obedience. My comp and I have really been striving for that lately. But the Lord prepares people everywhere.

Hope everything is going great! thanks for everything! Have fun on spring break!

TTT

Barberena- Week 83

hello!!!

This week was great! We have started to work very close with the bishop and he has finally received the missionary work fire that we wanted him to have. We had consejo de barrio yesterday and the main topic was missionary work. Our bishop knows each of our investigators progressing and has asked the consejo to pray for each of them so that they can get baptized. The ward is planning two missionary activities this month and we are very excited. The main focus of the month of March is missionary work in the ward. We planned all of the topics of the talks to be given this month and all will have something to do with missionary work.

Also, the bishop was surprised that we are teaching mostly families. He was used to the majority of missionaries baptizing young men and women or children, or only individuals. It was gratifying to me that he noticed that we are teaching families and he has received the missionary fire that we wanted him to have. In other words, the bomb has been dropped. Mutilation of Satan. ... HE asked US when he could come out with us.. that hardly ever happens.

so good news... I am not DL anymore... WHOOP! I have been a leader for almost all of my mission and I am grateful for the chance to not be one and just work. According to the AP Elder Naylor, because the missions are dividing, the president needs to train a lot of new missionaries how to be leaders... so cool beans! I have thought a little bit about the positions I have had in the mission and thought about all the times I have trained. 4 times. I can count on one hand the missionaries that have trained as much as I have. I don't know why the president has so much confidence and trust in me.... and I dunno why the Lord has so much trust in me.. but you know.. whatever.

 Its super cool to listen to the spirit and learn that someone needs help. We are teaching another family that has a few financial problems... we have trouble finding them in the house because they get home late from work.. but one night we decided to go.. and earlier that day, they had received a notice that they were going to be taken from the house. So we have been trying to help them out a little bit and try and find a house. Hope they can find one in time.

We had a great lesson with the familia Gonzalez this week and with a former less active member that also had troubles with the word of wisdom. I think the member really like it! Because he took us out to dinner like 3 times this week and bought us an ice cream cake! jajaja! I think that it helped him realize that it is possible. still trying.. but has back tracked quite a bit... but we are all just trying and working and progressing.

That lady with the 25 questions.. I gave her her answers yesterday.. It really wasn't hard.. It took me like 15 min.. jaja.. but anyway, she got up and bore her testimony yesterday about charity. She really loved the lesson last week.. She talked about how she was able to put it into practice this week. I really enjoyed and was grateful for her decision to apply what she learned.. she said that she expected some great miracle for doing a small act of charity. But the true miracle she said, was the miracle of feeling that sensation that you helped someone. Its true. :) also, Veronica, my convert for this area bore her testimony for the first time. She did great:) Trembling a bit at the pulpit, but she did great.)

 

This week a family invited us over for lunch.. it was really cool to talk to them and get to know them... we learned about how they came to know that church etc.. They have a stand in the market... jajaja! so that's sick... that's a cool thing about being in the mission for so long... jajaja:) I really like their family because there are no secrets in their family.. A problem or sin of one, is a call of all the family members to help.. she had no problem telling me about her own sins and the sins of her family... because she and I both know that everyone makes mistakes and has that rebellious side sometimes.. I really learned a lot from the hermana.

Mum, take the number 531 and divide it into the number of days you have until general conference.. that is how many pages you have to read a day.. set a time where you will do it. and do it.. You can do it! Its cool that you are going to be able to talk with Jeff.. I definitely want to take to him when I have a little cash to start producing music:) I hope all is well! I love you!

Dad, I think i am leaning a little more towards NAU also. but, I don't have a GPA that high... but its alright.. I have actually been planning a little bit in my free time(which is close to none) about what I am going to work as when I am back.. making goals as to how much I want to make and how I am going to do it.  So that also, I can be able to do a few of the things that I want to do to follow and pursue some of my passions.. I will definitely share it with you when I am back in a couple months:)..thanks for everything dad! Get rid of those crocks.. jajaja. I love you!

Austin, I hope all is well and I am sure the blessing was awesome.. keep up the good work!

Ellie, sounds like you definitely had a fantastic experience with your blessing.. it will definitely be a treasure to you forever. Love ya!

Brynn. I am glad that you had so much fun this past week! love ya!

Thanks for everything! You guys are awesome!

TTT

Barberena- Week 82

HELLO!

This week was good...nothing much to report... don't really understand how fast time goes.. but you know, whatever.

Supposedly this week contained the last day for F to smoke, unfortunately, he has fallen... I really hope he really be able to drop it.. pray for him please! Yesterday we ate breakfast with them and afterwards we gave them a blessing. Then we all went to church together. I really hope he is able to stop!!

This week teaching tithing to an investigator was a little interesting with my comp.. jajaja! he mixed up the seven days of the week with the sabbath day and the 10 percent that you need to pay for tithing... jaja.. poor guy.. he didn't really understand tithing and was paying like 50 % before his mission. It was a real challenge to teach him that.. but we are working on it!

This week is changes... for once, I don't have changes! whoop whoop! Oh and happy birthday Rylee!

So we have been doing a lot of service. We helped the familia alferez, worked in an old abandoned building they were fixing up, and helping a member move like 3 days in a row. I like service.. didn't really like it before the mish..?? but its awesome now.. developing Christlike attributes!

So we had correlation for the first time since i have been here in this area! So that was awesome... its crazy how much that stuff works.. jajaja the bishop has a big vision of getting 13 youth on their missions in the next 18 months. Our bishop is really awesome... We had a ward council yesterday and he machetied a little bit.. and he was a little ticked about the gossip that has been going on.. then he used me as an example when I gave a talk like a month ago.. that he hadn't assigned me a topic, that I chose that topic because I thought that it was a necessity of the ward... I love that guy:)

Yesterday in church we had a few miracles. 2 members decided to go out early (at 7) to go visit less actives and invite them to church. We had 7 investigators there and 8 Less actives. It really made me realize how much the members help with Less actives. And how much potential the ward has. It was a small miracle.

President Packer once said, that the phrase most mentioned in the scriptures is "ask and ye shall receive." interesting right?

Mum, thanks for your letters and stuff! on Wednesday there is a mission conference and the changes so I should get my package there. Tell my bishop from Flag thanks for the letter and also Kerry Green. I love you!

Dad, thanks for getting me all set for school... sounds like the 24 hours of old pueblo was awesome! Today we played futbol and we played the old missionaries against the new missionaries... its weird to think that I am an old missionary! but yep... time is moving fast! I love you dad!

Austin, so, its obviously a decision for the Lord, but have you ever considered going to school for a semester so that you could get a little away from home experience? and if you decide to go to NAU, we could live in a condo together with some other guys and do all kinds of crazy stuff.. but obviously.. ask the LORD! He definitely knows the best path for you... love ya!

Ellie, segi divertiendote! todo suave todo playita:)

Brynn, me parece que tenes un amor secreto! pero no tan secreto! jajaja... los chicos son chucos.. no malgastan tu tiempo con ellos! jaja

Thanks for everything you guys! You are awesome!

SALU!!!!

Barberena- Week 81

Hey family! Sounds like everything has been going good with you guys. I would have to say things are going good with me too... I can now legally buy alcohol, even though I will never drink:)

 

This week has been a week of a few miracles. For one, I have lasted so long in this country alive. Another would be that I made it to 21. And probably most important is that the wife of a family with a fecha  has been having trouble dropping coffee. She stopped drinking for just 5 days. Then on the sixth day she was going to make a coffee. She made it, took a sip, and almost threw up. She said that she had absolutely no desire to drink anymore. The husband, who has had trouble dropping cigarettes. He has dropped it for days at a time (when before he smoked three packs). This week is the week planned to drop it for good, forever. I have faith that God will give him the strength to stop. He sure has given him a lot of help these past couple weeks. When we did that milk with lime and tobacco thing, he really hated it... it helped a little bit, but he still has a little trouble with it all... when I told him that Austin had given me the idea, i gave him the cup and he was like"I hate your brother" and started drinking.. jajaja! We are going to do it again today if it hasn't worked out.:) He really wants to stop, but for the nicotine, It makes it hard for him.

The multizona on my birthday was fantastic. Elder Mehr was there... he is so awesome. I feel like my faith grows just by seeing and talking to him. He is one of those guys that will be one of my best friends forever. I really learned a lot from that meeting. I had to clean my tie off a little bit because of the blood stains from the machete of the president. jajaja.. the meeting was on faith and obedience. I love multizonas.. in the next one, I will be sharing my testimony because it will be my last one.. that's a scary thought.

This week I had a chance to see what it would be like to serve in the states.. We were walking down the street and this guy like flies out of the restaurant and was like "ELDERS!" so we waved and kept walking on the other side of the street. Then he kept calling us and we decided to turn around and see what this crazy hooligan wanted.. Turns out that he was a member from California and he and his wife had emigrated like 30 years ago and were visiting for the first time in like 10 years.. So they bought us a soda and and ice cream:) I am sure that that always happens in the states:)

After that experience, I had an interview that I needed to do.. it was awesome... I believe that I conversed with you about how much I loved doing interviews... but just to reiterate, I am telling you again:) I love it... like I have said before, the best part of the mission is watching people change their lives. We don't convert anyone. we just have information and invitations etc. Its up to the investigator to act upon the message that we share.

 

 I have had a leprous finger these past couple weeks, (I FORGOT MY CAMERA... so no foto) put finally I talked to the nurse and she had to send a pic to the doctor of C.A. and finally I was instructed to buy some cream that has done some miracles. Its almost as good as the Catholics holy water... jaja! I have only used it for like three days and my finger is almost healed!

I always think that it is weird that I have dreams about people I haven't seen in a while... this week I had like three of the same person... she went to my high school and NAU... cool girl.. but thats weird??

I love helping people. Remember that recent convert with the problem that called us for like 20 min? Well she is doing better... I gave her two talks to read over the week and she really loved them.. it was Pres Eyring and Elder Anderson's talks from last Oct... I love helping people with their problems... Maybe that's why I want to be a doctor so bad?

So I dunno if you got my handwritten letter.. but now I am leaning more towards NAU again. .. The president has said time and time again that the Lord rewards preparation. So I have been trying to prepare. Now I am finding out that I could graduate in two years with just a few summer and winter classes at NAU, and even possibly add another minor (music). If I got to Utah, then it would be three to get the chem minor... but I dunno what the deal would be like for non resident applicants for the U of U med school... ??? plus with this new info de la abuela about renting out an apartment or condo in flag? That would be like way cooler as well...I dunno, I decided this week that I wasn't going to lose any more sleep over the subject as I have been doing. I am just going to have my plan and live it.. and if it changes, so be it... I think that studying it out in my mind is a huge part of the process of getting my answer from God to know what to do.. something that I didn't do when I first prayed.. (See DyC 9). .. but something cool about all that is that I have found some cool new stuff of my pat. blessing that I hadn't really notices before. And it has helped a lot... it is in the last sentence of the second to last paragraph.. (if you have a copy:))

Mum, I hope all is well! I haven't got the package yet because they didn't bring anything for the multizona, but I might go to the office today to see if its there, but we will see.. if not, I will wait till the changes... on the 20... like 10 days.. So we will see! my comp is super funny.. He does everything like me! He buys the same soap, same food, everything... its funny...jaja. I love you!

Dad, I hope all goes well this week and that the race is sick! I hope all works out with all the school stuff... what do you think about school and stuff? What would you do? I love you pops!

Austin, sounds like Sadie's was sick. That foto was super funny! jajaja.. I am sure that it was way fun:) Hows the mission papers coming? Started yet? love ya bro

Ellie, hope all is well! keep on keeping on! love ya.

Brynn, my birthday was good and quiet! Just had a missionary meeting and worked that night, something that stinks about growing up is that your birthdays end up just being another day..jaja!

I love you all! thanks for everything! you are all pretty darn cool!

elder ttt

Barberena- Week 80

Hey thanks for your letters! This week was good... It was like a blur... I can't even remember most of it.. asi que tal vez esta carta sea un poco corta...jaja..

This week was good..My comp is learning a lot... Although its still tough at times.. I am a little hard on him because its hard for him to remember, but he is progressing amazingly... he doesn't even have two years to be a member of the church! He was baptized on the same day as hermana Elizabeth. 19 of Sept 2011! So I am still firm, but less hard on him... I love that guy.. he is awesome... He is so humble and has a huge desire to learn. ... 

So this week, father of a member (who is our investigator) took us out for dinner... I have never had that happen and the person not get baptized... so that was good news! He is dating a member from illopango and he has been looking into the church for a couple months and he is loving it. He said he is looking to change his life a little bit... so that dinner of pupusas was very delightful. He told us a lot of cool stories about history and the world and his trip to Cuba. He said it is a really cool country... despite its political system... but you know, whatever.

I am tired of people telling me that they have already been baptized!!!!!

So this week after lunch, we had planned to go to a members house to see if they had prepared a reference for us... we got there and they were in the middle of hanging drywall in their house (an unheard novelty in this country!) But so we helped her and her family for like an hour... and afterwards, one of the members friends was there. And we were about to leave and she was like, "Elders! you`re not leaving are you? Teach my friend about the church!" so that was cool... kind of an Ammon experience.. where are you going!? Feeding horses kind thing.. jajaja!

We have a family with a fecha. They have lots of challenges, but they seem to be getting over those challenges because they have their eyes set on the goal of their baptism, and a happy and united family. I am so grateful for this gospel and the blessings it brings to families. Thanks for the idea to help them stop smoking!

 

So I have started teaching English once a week at the church.. that is a cool experience and it has something to do with what I want to do right after the mish to make some money.. but we will see! It has provided some teaching experiences out of it as well.

I got my new suit this week... its like a really light gray... like one of Austins suits that he used for one of his dances... :)its sick.. its like super slim.. I have expressed to you how they make their clothes here... its kinda europeanish??

Happy Birthday to everyone! Including me.... freak.. it hit me last week that I am almost 21,,, I am freaking old.... but I will be always a kid:)

Our Stake President this week shared a good scripture for macheting people for not doing home teaching... it was super good and really taught the importance of it all.. Alma 4:19

I have the overwhelming desire to make music... todavia.

So my favorite juice down here is de arrayan... its like nectar from the gods... anyway, yesterday a member gave me like two liters of that and I drank it all! I love it!

Dad, sounds like everything is going good with you! So I was talking with chepe alferez and I was telling him what you do for a living... he said that you might try working with big companies like Marriott all over the world. And make them mini golf stuff. Because they always have money and they are everywhere! I said I would mention it to you... so now I did...jajaja he used to work for Marriott...So it must be a little chilly up there... its bloody hot here.. jajaja! I guess that's good news that you sold the boat! What are you considering now? I have always liked those mastercrafts... and malibu... and nautige.. but you know... whatever! Keep doing the stuff you are supposed to be doing! I love ya pops!

Mum, thanks for everything! You are pretty awesome...I am super lucky to have such a good mum... My package hasn't come yet but I assume it will be here on Wednesday... we have a multi zona on Wednesday.. my b day! whoop! so hopefully it will be here:) I hope everything is going well! I love you!

Austin, good luck with throwing! You are a freaking stud... sounds like magic mountain was sick! Whats the theme for Sadie's?. Anyway, I love you bro! Keep up the good work!

Ellie, keep having that great attitude.. I really like that quote... We cannot control others or our circumstances... we can only control what we do and how we react...love ya!

Brynn, don't be nervous for poston, you are going to love it! I am sure you will be able to get some of the classes you want... you usually always do! I love you!

Thanks for everything! You are all awesome!

TTT

I forgot to shave my mustache today... its coming in nicely:)

Barberena- Week 79

This week has been filled with teaching my companion. I have had to teach him a lot of doctrine. He being a convert of only 2 years means he does not know a lot about the doctrine. Something that is super necessary as a missionary. I am sure you could only imagine the struggles of that. He has to learn the doctrine so that he can teach the doctrine... but we are moving along gracefully. I think a lot of the new struggles this round training has to do with the shortened time in the MTC. Only 12 days for latinos.

Happy Birthday Cannon!

This week we had a leadership training and I got to see all my best buds. Elder Winter and Elder Mehr. Elder Winter is now a zone leader in San Vicente! where I was before and by far one of my favorite areas. I love those guys. They are such huge examples to me.  Their faith is incredible and something I admire. .. I also learned a lot in the meeting and felt the need of changing lots of things I have been doing... its hard at times but you know, there is no comfort in a growing zone and no growing in a comfort zone.(cita from Tina Wilcox:)) A lot of the meeting was on time management. The mission is growing a ton.. and the mission needs better users of time. Before the missions capacity was around 160.. before I leave, it will be at 250. All due to the age change! (btw, so awesome that Mindy is going on a mission! the coolest women I know are leaving... and that makes them more cool:)) We also talked about the new style of district meetings that we are doing. It is patterned after the YM and YW program.. so it should be good!

We found a new kid of about 17 years old that is like super smart. He knows so many facts about history, science, the whole enchilada. His name is Daniel. He works with a member that has some buses. But hopefully we see some progress there! He is one of those guys that has just a huge desire to learn.

This week Fransisco had his first day without smoking! We did some service with him this week and he let me right down some recipes for some good delicious stuff! One of the things he taught us how to do was to make an avocado cream... it is insanely good. He is really funny. This week we walked around the corner and we saw him smoking. He saw us, looked at his cigarette, and threw it... it was super funny! jaja... He has gone from three packs a day to about 2 or 3 cigarettes...and, smoking wasn't his only problem... also coke... he said he had the desire to buy some this week, but he started making food that he really likes and ate it instead! withstanding temptation. :)

I sent a hand written letter today with some stuff and "pros and cons charts" I want you to consider for me... just plans and stuff. Lemme know what you guys think! Thinking in what would be best for me and my future:)  The Lord rewards preparation. If you fail to plan you plan to fail. Thanks!

Mum, thanks for everything!l You are really awesome. Thanks for always supporting me and writing me and making sure I am all good! I love you!

Dad, thanks for figuring out all that school stuff for me. yYu are pretty awesome as well.. time management is hard at times... but I think a lot of it is discipline. You got to discipline yourself and just go to the temple! Unfortunately its a lot easier said than done..love ya dad!

Austin, where those lyrics from Mike Snow? the song animal? I don't think we even had Mike snow on our computer before I left! but yeah, get some cool music! Beirut and Mike snow and arcade fire and grizzly bears and broken bells and whatever you can find! dude, you are freaking huge! Austin Thorlander. A model, idiot... jajaja! anyway, I love ya bro! Keep up the good work! And thank you for being friends to everyone. Those moments are always special.

Ellie, it sounds like you are having fun at school and stuff! I hope all is going well with cheer and stuff.. its hard at times. But I am sure you are learning a lot:) love ya!

Brynn, I hope everything is going well with you! I hope you are perusing your passions still! I love ya!

I love you all! thanks for everything!

TTT

Barberena- Week 78

Holy sod! My mind is blown! ASH IS GOING TO LONDON!!!! And way more crazy that she leaves the day I get back! With any luck, we will cross paths.. But who knows..but either way, she will be exactly where she needs to be:) I am super excited for her:)

So, the newest news of the week is, I stayed in my area, and.......I am training again. number 4... whoop. My future wife will be lucky if we have kids... jajaja! But anyway, my new kid is from Peru. his name is Elder Llamacponcca.. try and say that 5 times fast.. jaja! He is a cool guy and a pure Lamanite! his first language wasn't Spanish.. It was some tribal language from the Andes of Peru! jaja! President asked me this time to think of all the times I have trained and try and make this time training the best time I have done it...(i feel like my English is super bad... so sorry if this letter and future or past letters don't make sense..)

I actually ended up having lots of fun with Elder Ayala... .. I figured that instead of macheting him, I might as well be his friend first.. ya know? And that made all the difference...

We had a baptism of a family completed on Saturday and the family of the baptismal candidate was there and they had a good experience. Now one of the siblings wants to be baptized. We are blessed. the husband  baptized his wife and it was super super awesome.. very cool for my comp! Got to the country on Monday and baptized on Saturday! Hope it happens for him in that way for the rest of his mission. Lots of baptisms!

I have been studying PMG in depth these past couple weeks and I have found 2 errors in the translation of the manual. me la pico I really am learning a lot and am looking forward to learning more. I love gospel study!

lately, I have been getting kinda upset with snakes... why cant they just leave me alone like any normal person!?

I think that changes are absolutely inspired. For one, your companion. For two, the people you teach. Three, the members you meet.. like especially because I am so nervous to start the normal life, the familia A that has helped me put some plans in order to be able to not worry about stuff so much.. so many inspired things of the mission:)

So the familia G, our new cook came to church yesterday! So that was good news.. he still has problems smoking.. but we are trying to work through it.. I like to teach a lot with fotos of the fam... the father of the family told me that he is investigating the church for his family.. because he is envious to have the family that we have... he said that he could see that light and happiness in our faces and that we really loved each other... so we hope that they keep progressing con todo..

I feel like I have grown up a lot on my mission.. spiritually and temporally.. but that doesn't mean that I am not the same person. I just have a lot better idea of the person I want to be.. to be my own person. And not worry about the bandwagon effect.. and in a way, I have always been that with my taste in music and worldly things, but you know,, whatever. I just really love my life a lot and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be sharing the gospel, and deepening my love for this wonderful cause. I love you all a ton and have a great week!

Dad, I apologize, I have no idea about those user names and passwords.. but good news about the other stuff! Thanks for everything! You are great! I love ya dad.. keep training!

Mum,last weeks subject line: from the shins, Australia! we´ll see if you figure out this one.. the trick is to listen to the song and then think of me... not listening to it... jajaja! Anyway, thanks for everything and thanks for helping me with school stuff and what not.. I got a short email from Elder Trump today! hes doing great:) I love you and thanks for everything!

Austin, sounds like everything is going alright.. just remember that things are going hard because Satan doesn't want you to progress.. the 6 months before I left where some of the hardest parts of my life.. but it gets better. I promise. love ya bro... I cant wait to go to Lake Powell with you! It will be sick!

Ellie, thanks for everything, pictures look good!

Brynn, thank you for the very nice note... I am glad that you take my advice seriously and that you really try to smile... smile at challenges and smile and problems.. it helps everything!

Thanks for everything! you are all awesome! congratulate Ashlyn!

salu!

Elder Thornton

Barberena- Week 77

Hellos!

Sounds like this week went well. This week went by super fast. And on Wednesday we have changes... I would like to say that I doubt I have changes, but considering what has happened these last few changes, who knows!? It went well... it was filled with plans and goals for the rest of my mission and for after.. so in other words, I have been thinking a little bit more about home this week, which is less than fortunate.. but you know, whatever.

First off, I started exercising again! for one, I need to get back in shape to go home... in other words, boat shape, as grandpa would say as he is eating ice cream... jajaja...but I actually started to feel a bit better... my body still screams at me, but I feel better about things... so that's good! jaja

And on Wednesday, we had interviews with Pres. swips my nic grips snip swips. It went really well and I learned a lot. The subject was goals... he had us set goals for baptisms for this year... Considering I only have 4 months left, he had me make a goal from now until May. I had a goal that I thought was high.. It was 3 baptisms a month... but then he made me realize that I had a consistent goal, but not a growing goal. He wanted me to improve every month. so I changed my goal. jaja... Then he told me that he had only had like two years where he did not make more that year than he did the year before.. crazy right? So he taught me to try and plan and make goals for years and months to come. He also taught me about faith. He said that faith comes by doing great things. And we will be given faith from God. He gives great faith as a gift. So that was good.. jaja!

Then I had my interview with hermana Glazier. She asked me about what it means to be a preach my gospel missionary... then she said that she had heard from many people that I had a gift for teaching... and that i had patience... then I was like.....ME  what?! are you sure? I think that all of us think that we don't have patience.. but you know.. whatever... she was also impressed with my study technique in Preach my Gospel... she really knows how to make you feel good... jaja...

Investigator update: our new cook and his family have a lot of problems with the word of wisdom and chastity (the are not married). But yesterday we had a powerful lesson about those things and we are going to go over today to help them make some goals. They are progressing con todo.  The father has even said that he has smoked less since we have started teaching him.. so that was awesome... they are super awesome.. yesterday they brought up the subject of baptism and asked how soon they could be baptized... very cool

R, our neighbor, had not been meeting with us for about two weeks for his wife.. But this week, he talked with us and said that he was ready to start up the charlas again. So we are super happy for him.. he is reading the BoM with todo.

We have a baptism this weekend. V. She is married to a member and has come to church for a year.. just hasn't gotten baptized because of family problems.. but now she is ready! whoop whoop! good things are happening.

I got a bunch of letters from a handful of people this week. Mostly Christmas letters... I also got ours! cool fotos:) I also got a letter from Cristina Wilcox.... she is doing awesome. she went to BYU and the most exciting news is that Coldplay came out with a live CD and that Mark Mabry has started a restoration project. Should be super sick... I also got one from the Allen's with some letters from Scott. He said something that I had always felt but could never put into words. I have worried that I haven't changed much on the mission... but basically... I am the same old Tanner, just with a way deeper love of the gospel. :) same with Scott:)

Dad, sounds like things are going awesome! that's great testimony that when you do the right things, good things start happening! Sounds like this year will be awesome:) I love you dad and thank you for your testimony.

Mum, sounds like things are doing great at home!  Cant wait to be get some tia rosas for lunch like we used to do.. jaja... I don't have 80 ties quite yet.. but I have a few.. Elder Coy went home with 120. crazy... no chemistry with him and that girl before the mission. We didn't even know her! Sounds like the new teaching method is really cool... I would like to try it sometime.. jaja.. love you mum, you are the best.

Austin, you are a stud... I am sure throwing will go great. love ya,

Ellie, are you going to try track this year? It would probably be super fun:) And it sounds like you know fashion... you will have to help me dress and by clothes when I come back.. urdie? (urdy sp?) jaja love ya!

Brynn, it sounds like the birthday and Christmas extravaganza went awesome! I am sure that you have turned into quite the artist.. Is that still what you want to do when you grow up? You should totally take some art classes when you can:) love ya! cant wait to see you!

I love you all and thanks for everything!!!!

SALU

Tanner

Barberena-Week 76

HELLOS! So this week went super fast.... At times I think that the time goes super slow.. and then other times I think that it goes super fast... At times I think that 4 and a half months is a long time.. but at the same time, that is like nothing.... crud...

So one of the highlights of the week is that Elder Coy came from Guate to visit! When he left, he was pretty dead set on marrying someone that he had been dating for a while... But as the wedding date approached, he said that he realized that he hadnt really received an answer yet... so he cut it off with her and decided to write someone that we had met only one time in Zacamil... she was part of another ward... but long story short... he came to see her .. to see if there is any chemistry there... but he is doing great! It was really cool to see him.. I think he goes home on saturday..

We passed the new year with three families... but we did pass most of it with los alferez... they are a pretty awesome family.. super fun to be around. We bought them some paintings for the new year. (speaking of that, are you guys all good with the ideas that I had for all of you? to get you from here? lemme know! cuz I wont buy it if its not something you want..)

Some weird stuff has been happening... one night some drunk threw a rock through are window... Scared the living crap out of me... we saw a car crash like twenty yards from us... crazy.. and we saw a guy that was dead because he got hit by a car.. not the first or last dead guy that I will see in my mish.. jajaja!

We changed our cook.. so now we have better food.. its more mexican style.. its actually one of the families that we are teaching.. That makes it really nice because we eat and then have a lesson... today we went to eat and he was like "hey tomorrow can we talk about the gospel and stuff? because we havent talked about that in like three days! we are going to read tonight so we will be ready for tommorrow" So that is a total blessing in our lives.

I went on divisions this week with and Elder that has about 8 months in the mission.. I figured that it was time to let him in on a few tricks to teaching... because that's how much time I had when I started to change my whole approach to teaching.. i feel that if he would have been a brand new missionary, it probably would have gone in one ear and out the other, but he was really grateful and he is a great missionary.. a little bit different, but a great missionary.

los alferez have given me a few job ideas for like right after the mission that I could do to get things to get ready for school and to be able to do the fun things that I like to do in school... but we will see how that all works out... I definitely always need to have a plan...

for any new year, I feel that I always am about a week late to make goals.. so this week I have been thinking about goals for this year.. my top goal is to become more like Christ. So I will be trying and working hard to develop one Christlike attribute a week. I have always feared that my love of studying the gospel would fade when I get home... but like I said last week, gospel learning is about mastering discipleship.. not facts... so that is what I am going to do for these last couple months and for the rest of the year. I have some other goals, but those are that one is the most important I think.

Today was a little boring.. apparently my comp is illegal in the country... jaja.. so we had to get his papers all figured out in with a whole bunch of other missionaries... at least it was a little bit ok because a gringa hermana stratton was there and she is pretty cool. I was her zone leader in Santa Tecla.. We were the only gringos so we just kinda chilled... all in all super boring. But at the same time, its better to smile at things like that rather than get frustrated and whatnot..

Mum, thanks for your letter! sounds like things are going great there. Hope things are going to be good as you guys get back into the right schedule! I love you

Dad, sounds like your new years goals are great! I know that those small things like reading scriptures and going to the temple will help a ton... just follow through! I tell less actives a lot that: Christ did everything for us... bled from every pore and suffered both in body and spirit, and only asks a few things in return. Do you think that He asks too much when he asks to start studying 15 min of 24 hours in a day? That he asks too much when he asks for 3 hours of church of 168 hours in the week? Maybe five min of prayer a day? in reality, He does not ask much of us at all... I love you dad! Thanks for everything!

Austin, sounds like the Australian is pretty cool.. I remember that I talked to an exchange student from France the first day of school one year... she could hardly speak English, but she was super attractive...  I have always thought the french are attractive.. But you know... food for thought.. jaja! So when are you going to start/ finish the mission papers? lemme know! love ya

Ellie, sounds like things are pretty normal with you! Keep having fun, but keep the most important things high on the priority list!

Brynn, it makes me happy that you are so happy. Just remember to always be happy with the blessings that God has given you, even if you are walking around in a boot and it hits your other foot and you bleed. Its better to smile than get mad:)love ya

Thanks for everything! I love you all!

SALU!

TTT

Barberena- Week 75

Hello!!!!

First off, Happy Birthday Brynn and Grandpa!!!! WHOOP!

This week has been good.. I really only have like four days of stuff happening to tell you about... considering the events last week... but non the less... here it goes!

We have had some less than ideal circumstances and events with some of our investigators.. They were starting to get a little cold, but, other parts of the work are improving! We have found some good families that I feel haven a lot of pontential. And members of the ward are bringing friends to church... well.. two members.. jajaja!

Yesterday, was a fifth Sunday, so we had the opportunity to teach the lesson... bomb? exploded. We did the rip tear and this time was probably the most effective time that it was done. I felt bad... because it made a hermana cry.. she felt the spirit.. and it was awesome. Poor thing... jaja.. but one of my motto's is that if they don't feel something, they will never change. I also prepared a talk that I did not give in sacrament meeting... it had a little bit of the subject of gossip in it... it would have been good.. but you know... whatever.

We have had some good solid days this week.. Something I haven't had that in a while.. But other days with only one lesson.. its weird.. jaja.. But I can't complain! the Lord blesses us so much.

Also, some news I guess, the family A said that we could stay with them if we ever come back.. so that's cool... that would be hotel for free! jaja.. our plans for the new year are to pass it with them as well... but their are a few other families that want us to pass by. But we will see whats up!

I have been listening to talks of Bruce R. Mckonkie.. he was like a Jeffrey R Holland.. super powerful and super like right on the nail... super caval! I am learning a ton. I love learning about the gospel.. like I expressed to you guys, gospel learning isn't about mastering facts and information.. its about mastering discipleship. I hope I can continue that for the rest of my life.

tourist stuff:

typical shirt or jersey: $10

painting: $12

machete: $12

shoes for Ellie?? $15

backpack $25

and also for the suit thing... its kinda difficult for him to make one just from measurements that you would give me for Austin just because you have to try it on a few times before he finishes everything... so it might be a little tough... not sure what you want to do?

Thank you for all your letters and what not! Ellie, sick story about getting your answer.

Brynn, happy birthday.. thank you for having such a great attitude all the time... if I could teach you one thing in life, it would be to be happy with the circumstances that God has given you... press forward continually! I love ya!

Dad, to answer some of your questions, I remember thinking that you were blowing everything out of proportion with that whole situation before I left... but now I realize that anything more tranquilo would not have worked... so dad, you handled it all well... you are an awesome dad and I am so blessed to have been raised by you and mum... Thanks for everything and keeping me on the right track. I love you

Thanks for everything! Your are all awesome!

elder TTT

Barberena- Week 74

Hello! It was really cool to talk to you all! You guys are pretty awesome. I hope you guys had a great Christmas!

So new project; nersh burts. Small messages to people that live close to us on pieces of paper. Then telling them where to find us if they are interested in the message. And do one like twice a month. Nersh=nourished by the good word of God. Maybe one message will interest someone:)

ON Sunday there was a primary program, and it was awesome. I felt through the whole thing that I wanted to be like those kids. Become childlike. And put off the natural man and all my sins.

Last week the bishop asked us what we as missionaries would like from the ward. That was the first time that a bishop has asked me that as a missionary and it was awesome. Our bishop is a boss.

The Christmas dinner went well and I met a lot of less actives and people brought their non member friends.:)

As for the temple, it was awesome. I went with a few questions. Mostly about what to do with the rest of my life...  I thought mums comment about figuring it out here was a good idea...considering I am a lot closer to God and stuff... but what I have decided is to start a year off at NAU, then possible go up to U of Utah and live with grandma possibly?? And then do med school there. During that time, I will be learning to produce music with the help of Jeff and a few other guys that I have met that are doing that.... so that way, I will still be able to pursue my passion. Also, with school, what I said yesterday, but preferably morning classes:)

Mum and Dad, thanks for the stories you wrote and thank you for everything. you guys are pretty awesome parents and I am super lucky to be here in the mission with parents like you that support me and such.. thanks for everything! I love you! (saw Frank wall:))

Austin,thanks for your story,, that is so true! keeping the commandments brings peace of mind... 

Ellie, thanks for your stories, as for your question. you may try asking very specific questions.. if you want a specific answer, you have to have a specific question. You also might say something like "this is my plan and if its not whats right, let me feel bad about it." or something of the sort.. in my experience, that burning usually means yes.

Brynn, as for your question. Austin had a great answer to that.. people that keep the commandments have peace of mind. I have talked to so many people that feel guilt for things they have done, but they have no way to repent because the are members of another church. The only church that has the true doctrine of repentance is ours. Keeping the commandments brings happiness.. the happiest moments in my life are when I am keeping the commandments. I just had a huge realization today when mum told me about the word of wisdom. I think she looks a lot younger than people her age. And that goes for most Mormons. They all look younger than they are... its weird... well, I hope that helps!

I love you all! you're the best.

elder thornton.