This week was pretty crazy over here in the Pacific. As you all probably heard, Samoa got hit by a few Earth quakes (Mafui'e) late Saturday Night. So, My comp and I were laying down just talking when all of the sudden, my bed started shaking! I wish I had a video to capture my companions reaction! He was so scared hahaha. Elder Chu-Shing is by far the funniest companion I have ever had. Anyway, it wasn't a super strong Shake but, the ground was definitely moving. Plus, us being right by the ocean my next thought was about a Tsunami and what the procedure was for something like this. Less than 10 minutes later we got a call from the Zone Leaders telling us that they were going to come and pick us up and the rest of the missionaries in our District and take us to a village called Aleisa! We got to the Chapel in Aleisa around 2 in the Morning and everyone tried to get sleep but, we were all just getting eaten alive by mosquitoes and to be honest I honestly didn't get one hour of sleep! We finally got back to our area around 8 in the morning and I was so tired. I told my comp that we would just go lay down for 30 minutes and then go to church which started at 9! I closed my eyes and the next time I opened them we heard the congregation singing the opening hymn! So, we hurried and rushed to get ready and were lucky enough to make it for the Sacrament! It was a pretty crazy experience! Luckily everyone was alright and it wasn't to serious of and Earthquake!
As for the work in this area, it is going really good right now. We are staying optimistic and continuing to search for people who are prepared by the Lord! We were able to set 2 baptismal dates this week for Mercy and Sale on the 25th! That was a big blessing and now we are trying to help them prepare for this date! Mercy has been a long time investigator but, she finally accepted the invitation to be baptized and to also get married to her boyfriend! I feel like something that has really helped Mercy is reading the Book of Mormon together with her! Sale is 13 years old and he lives with an LDS family but, they all have converted to another church. At first we were teaching his older Sister Taikerise but, her dad forbade her from coming to church and getting baptized. But, last week Bishop called us telling us that Sale had come to church and his parents want him to be baptized and to come to church as well! We are confused but, also grateful! We are going to talk with there dad tomorrow to see if we can also teach Taikerise as well! Hopefully all will go well! Our Stake President has really been pushing on trying to reach there baptismal goal for the year which means each ward has to get 7 more baptisms before the end of the year! This has really got my companion and I Fired up and we really believe that we can get 7 baptisms in each of the wards we cover! We know that this goal was set with Faith and we can reach as we all work together! It is pretty exciting for us as missionaries and we are trying to get the ward members to feel the same way! So, we are really praying for God to guide us to those 7 people so we can help them come unto this beautiful gospel and receive those blessings that God is waiting to bless them with!
D&C 101:36
"Wherefore, Fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full."
Man, the joy I have felt today has been pretty unreal! I can't believe there is a new addition to our family! I can definitely say that my testimony has been strengthened and my joy has been added too! Those pictures that you all sent have a lot of meaning to me! Our Fathers plan truly is perfect! Nichole and Jeremy, I am so happy for the both of you and for this wonderful opportunity you two have to raise a Son of God in a righteous environment! May God bless the both you and this new journey! I know you two will make great parents! This it Family! This is the Plan of Salvation right before our eyes! Beautiful right? So grateful for this chance to serve God and Jesus Christ and share this message! But, just like the scripture. Remember what we are working towards! The moments of joy we experience in this world are not even close to what we will feel when we return back to our Father in Heaven! I know this gospel is true! I love it so much and the Joy I receive from it is unlike any other! I love you all so much and hope you all have a great week! Send my love to Lil' Will!
Love,
Elder Barton!
