Season 5 Episode 5: District Leader

Hello Family and Friends,

First off, I want to start off with a small apology for not  being able to write very much for the past 2 weeks. But, I hope this email is finding you all well. These past 2 weeks have been pretty crazy! 

Well, over the past two weeks have been working with a lot of people in Lotopa. Mainly, Risati(Baptized), Manamea(Next Saturday), Annie(Next Saturday), Luki&Feleki(Brothers, Today), Faleaniko(Today). These are mainly the people we have been working with. We baptized Risati on Saturday and that was a super awesome experience. He was a really cool investigator to work with. At first he was extremely defensive and not really accepting to what we had to share with him but, by the time we had reached the end of lessons he was telling us how there is nothing that can stop him from being baptized and he knew that this was what he needed to do. His wife Manamea will be baptized next Saturday so that will be exciting. After that the plan is to take them to the Temple and do Baptisms for the Dead. Luki and Feleki are awesome they are 10 and 12 and they will be baptized later on tonight! Love them to death! Annie is 16 and is Catholic. We took her to the Visitors center and she accepted to be baptized next Saturday! 

On Monday, we had our district meeting and the Zone Leaders told us that they got Transfer Calls. Well, I guess five weeks was long enough for me in Lotopa because I just got transferred yesterday to Fasitootai, Vailuutai and Satapuala and figured out that I would become the District Leader here. Right when things were getting good, I get transferred. But, everyone that has served a mission knows that, that is usually when you get transferred lol! My New companion is Elder Tauiliili. He is from Upolu. He is actually the same intake as me. He just went to the NZ Mtc. I have heard a lot of negative things about him but, I am just going to put those thoughts out of my head and see how things go. I know him and I have a work here to do and I am excited to do it with him. I have been with him for a day and he seems really good and has a desire to do the work. So, we will just see how this upcoming week goes haha! I am excited to be here! I know there is a lot of work to be done! We are just going to do the Normal and Get to Work! 

I really hope all is going well with all of you! I am always praying for you guys! Thanks for the emails and prayers! They always help! Love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Barton

Season 5 Episode 4: Trio

Hello Family, I will have to apologize because this email is going to be very short due to the fact that there are a total of five missionaries trying to email on one computer. However, I just want to let you all know I appreciate all the emails and the prayers. I am sorry I haven't been able to reply to all of you individually. These past two weeks have been very crazy. I will try my best to respond to you all next week. I hope you know I really do appreciate all of your emails though and I really do want to reply!

But, Just to give a quick high light of this week. We have been teaching Lausati and his wife Manumea this week! They are both very solid investigators! Lausati will be getting baptized this Saturday and his wife on the 5th of August due to the fact that she missed church! But, Lausati told us how much the gospel has been changing his life. I will be sure to include more about him next week. But, he is so solid and I love him and his wife!

I figured out the thing on my back is called a carbuncle in English! No idea what that is but, all I know is it hurt like Crazy! Praying that it will never repeat! What a nightmare. By the way I was in tears laughing when Nichole told me Mom was dry heaving when she watched the video. If I ever get down this week, I will just think of that! Wish I could have seen the reaction hahaha! By the way Congrats Nichole on entering or soon to be entering your last trimester! Crazy how fast time is going! Can't wait to see your giant belly lol! Mom, don't worry about sending any shoes! I am still going strong with the ones I have! Anyway, this week was a really great week full of tender mercies as usual! I love being a missionary! It is honestly one of the best things in the world! I sure do miss you guys but, this honestly such a great work! I know this last year is going to fly by! I am always praying for you guys! I promise I will respond to all of you next week! Go to go!

Only words of inspiration I have for you all this week! Btw I am in a trio right now! It isn't permanent. Just for a few days. He is a native. Elder Va'a Sioka. From Upolu. Oh, the last trio we were in with Elder Alaga. Yeah, he got sent home. Or is in the process right now. He was doing a lot of bad things. glad that is over though. Next week family.

Elder Barton!

Season 5 Episode 3: Half Way Mark!

WOOOOO OHHHHHH WERE HALF WAY THERE!!!!! (As of Tomorrow)

Can you believe it has been 52 weeks since you guys dropped me off at the MTC? Does it honestly even feel like it has been that long? We are now officially on the down hill slope. So crazy. But, what was even more crazy was this week. Here we go.

So, one of our investigators Vaigaau who is super solid sent us a text saying that he doesn't want to take lessons anymore. My comp and I were pretty shocked to say the least. We went over as soon as we could and sat down and talked with him. It ended up being a pretty emotional conversation and when it came down to it, he still wants to be baptized he is just afraid of going back to drinking and smoking after he is baptized. So, we were able to breathe a sigh of relief and now we are really focusing on the incredible power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and building him up to believe in himself! He honestly is such a solid investigator and I feel so much love for him and I continue to pray he will receive the strength necessary to quit drinking and smoking for good. I know he can. 

Second, We were in a trio this week with an Elder from Savai'i Elder Mulipola. It was pretty fun. It is always good to teach with natives. They always help me learn how to better interact with the Samoan people and teach them! Oh, right now Elder Olamaleva and I are covering five wards! A huge group of missionaries went home so we are covering these 5 wards until August! So much work but, #blessed because we have bikes.

Third, I got the worst boil of my life over this past week! Actually, it wasn't even a boil. The Samoan people call it Silae lagi. No idea what that is in English all I know is I was in extreme amounts of pain for the past week. It was popped 8 times and ruined 4 of my shirts and garments. I could barely sit through visits and I lost so much sleep because there was honestly no comfortable position. But, Early today Elder Olamaleva was popping it and we were able to pull out this big ball of pus. Which is the seed. Now I am feeling really good. Plus, this Old samoan lady went all witch doctor on me and starting massaging me with plants and stuff. I feel really good. Just beware all of you with weak stomaches because the pics and video are pretty nasty.

Fourth, I just wanted to share a little bit of my thoughts as I am now at my year mark. First off, I just wanted to thank you all so much for all of your prayers, emails, and thoughts over this past year. They have helped me so much and I am so grateful for all that you guys do for me. It is so crazy to think that I have been halfway across the world for a year in a place I never thought I would be. But, this past year has been so incredible. There have been so many up's and down's and all the in between's. However, I would say the most important thing I have come to learn over this past year is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ changes Everyone, Everything, Every time and With our Savior Jesus Christ we can look at the storm and smile. I have grown to know that God and His Son Jesus Christ Live and they Love us. And they want nothing more than for all of us to return to them after this life and to give us all the help we need in this life. I know His plan is Perfect. I am so grateful to be a Representative of Jesus Christ. I have grown to realize and still am coming to learn how special this calling is. Time is going by so fast but, I am so grateful for this gospel and all the blessings that come with it. 

I love you all so much and hope you all have a great week! Remember We are on the 365 day count down. But, don't worry your boy Elder Barton is no where close to be trunky! I will give %100 until the day I am released. I will continue to pray for all of you! We will talk more next week! Fa Soifua!

Elder Barton

Season 5 Episode 2: Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Well, this week was a really good week filled with Tender Mercies from the Lord. So, I think that is what I will share this week.

Tender Mercy #1

Last week we went to visit one of our investigators Su'ega. Our plans had fallen through for the last two hours of the day and we had received an impression to go visit Su'ega. When we got to her house, which we in America would compare to an house that no one should live in. Anyway, her power was off and she was outside trying to bathe 3 out of her 5 kids who are all under the age of 2 out of pipe. All the kids were crying. So, we gave her Husband(A very Shady guy) 15 dollars to go shop for the gas power. Once he left I went to work trying to calm the kids down and get them dressed while my comp followed Su'ega with a small phone light as she was trying to prepare the dinner for her kids. After a few minutes I had all the kids sitting on this small mat called a Fala. One of the kids I had in my arms as she was just crying. Finally Su'ega and my comp came back with 4 breadfruits and 1 coconut for dinner. I can't really explain how humbling this situation was but, I just had this overwhelming feeling of love for these people so I told my Soa that we were going to go and just do a small shop for the family with the last of our money for the month. We ended up just buying some crackers and things like that. When, we got back Su'ega's husband showed up and the power came back on and then we were able to share a really powerful spiritual thought. Also, 2 days ago we set a baptismal date for her! The 22nd of July. We just have to get her married to her Boy friend or separate them because, a lot of people in the ward thing that Su'ega can apply for a victim case. I will keep you all updated.

Tender Mercy #2

We have these two investigators Lausati and Manumea. They are married and have two kids. Lausati is extremely smart in the Bible but, once he was introduced to the Book of Mormon he was super confused and kind of apprehensive towards the Book of Mormon. However, as he accepted to the invitation to read it, he now loves the Book of Mormon and he is now on date for the 22nd of July. However, earlier this week Manumea told us that she doesn't want to be baptized on the 22nd of July because she doesn't feel like she is ready. Yesterday, we were teaching the Plan of Salvation and we got talking about the Atonement. The spirit was so strong and I have no doubt that he was present in that room last night. We ended up sharing Alma 7: 11-13 after we read together we both shared our testimonies and then I had a feeling to reinvite her to be baptized on the 22nd. But, I remember something President is always stressing to us missionaries. When we invite people to do things we say "Will you accept the invitation from Jesus Christ..." So, I did and she sat there for a minute and she accepted and promised us that she will do what she needs to do to prepare for the 22nd to baptized with her Husband!

A lot more things happened but, you guys already know, short on time. So here is a short list of other things, We went on Splits with Elder Tiatia, Ate pizza yesterday, Taught a lot of good lessons, and we are just having a really good time out here in Samoa. I hope you are all enjoying the 4th of July with each other! Next 4th of July I will be home! Hope you are all ready to get dominated in Badminton!  All joking aside, I hope you all know how much I love you guys and pray for you guys. I am so grateful for each and everyone of you. I am also so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I know it is a perfect plan and I know that through it we can all live together forever with our Father in Heaven and His Son. I love you guys and I hope you are all doing well! Hopefully I can hear from you guys next week! Shout out to Nichole to being the only one emailing this week! That is why you are my Favorite Sister!

Elder Barton