Season 7 Episode 8: The Finale

Hello Family and Friends,

I know I haven't emailed for the longest of times but, as my missionary service will be coming to and end this Friday I would just like to leave you all with my short and simple testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and His Work!

I know that God and His Son Jesus Christ live and are well aware of each and every single one of yous. He knows everything that you are going through right now and He Loves yous. I Testify to you all that Jesus Christ lived and He died for all of us so we could all have the chance to return back to our Heavenly Home after this life. With Him, His Son, and Our Families. Over these past 2 years I have seen literal miracles through the Atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind that He lives and He loves us. I have felt it for myself and I have felt it for others. He is there and He is listening. I have been so blessed over these past two years to serve the people here in Samoa. Although I may be leaving, my heart will always be here with these people. But, I have been even more blessed to Serve my Father in Heaven. I love this Gospel and I love this Work. I know that it is His. This Gospel can and will bless anyone who humble enough and faithful enough to follow the example and commandments of Jesus Christ. He Truly is Our Savior and I love him. I know that this world would be such a better place if we could just stop thinking about ourselves and starting thinking about others and how we could serve them and I will end my testimony with that as an invitation for all of you that are reading this email. I invite you all to look for ways to Serve your fellow man and I promise you that you will feel lighter and happier and God will Bless you! I love you all and I share this Testimony in the Sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Season 7 Episode 7: Coming to an End.

Hey Everyone!

I know it has been ages since I have sent a weekly email but, Just wanted to update you all and let you know that I am living, happy and I AM 20!!!! Our area has really started to pick up momentum! We were able to set 3 baptismal dates this past week with some awesome investigators! We are actually here in Apia today doing my last shopping! It is so weird. Opened my email today and saw my flight plans. Still doesn't feel real but, next week will all be talking in person..... how crazy is that.... We are here at the internet cafe and I printed off my itinerary and she asked me if I am going home and I told her I will be finishing next week and she asked me how my two years here in Samoa have been. I sat there for a second and told her that it has been the best experience of my entire life! I'm really just planning to give it my absolute best these last few days and before we know it our family will be back together again! I can't wait to share with all of you these experiences I have had in this area. Definitely the area I have learned the most in! I feel like explaining it in person will be so much better as well! I just wanted to let you all know how grateful I am for all of your support these past two years! Truly has been one of the biggest blessings of my life and I feel like I have grown so much! I truly love this gospel so much and I am so grateful for this gospel and this chance I have to represent Jesus Christ and bear testimony of his Atonement! This is His work! I will see you all next week! Love you and have a safe week!

Season 7 Episode 6: Photo Special

Season 7 Episode 5: Photo Journal

Season 7 Episode 4: The Deadline.

Hey Family!

Well, this week has been one for the books! So just a little run down on what happened last week. President Hannemann asked me if we could talk and to make a long story short he felt like I was needed here in Tanumalala! I was very excited because I really didn't want to finish my mission in the office haha! So we are in this program that trys to make a branch into a ward within in six weeks! Are "deadline" is on the 20th of May and we are working our tails off! There are two of us Elders and three of us Sisters! My companion and I are currently living in a fale Samoa or a fale o'o! I will get a picture next week!

We have been seeing Miracles left and right but, I can honestly say this has been one of the hardest areas I have ever served in and it is awesome! It truly tests us of every day and there is no way we can progress unless we have Faith in Jesus Christ and are being as humble as possible! We are feeling pretty positive that Tanumalala will have the numbers (150 Attend and 15 Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood Holders) by May 20th!

We are currently working with a Family of three Fata(Baptized), Anna(Baptized for school), and their daughter Faatoese(Investigator). We had an awesome F.H.E. with them on Monday and then Yesterday we went and did a small lesson about the Book of Mormon! At the End Anna told us that she was so grateful for the Book of Mormon and all the miracles she has seen since her family has been reading it. She was baptized at 15 so she could go to The church school here and after she was baptized she never went back. So everything is new to her. But, she wants to learn and understand more! She explained to us how her husband had a really bad smoking problem but, ever since he started reading the Book of Mormon last week, he hasn't smoked! Crazy the power that is in the Book of Mormon Their daughter is going to be baptized next week and we are so excited!

Junior will also be getting baptized next week! He is a very humble man of about 23 years old! He is really slow of speach and can't really explain his thoughts but, he understands and trys his best to answer our questions! Our Church starts a 9 and every Sunday he is the first one there at 7:30! He loves reading his Book of Mormon and is full of a happy spirit! He is so excited for his baptism and is always happy to read from the Book of Mormon with us!

We are working with a lot more investigators and Less Actives trying our best to convert them to Jesus Christ and get them back to church so they can partake of the Sacrament and feel of his love for them! Truly such a beautiful work!

2 Nephi 22:2 ran across this scripture this morning! Really loved it. I know that as we rely on God in all that we do, we will see his hand in everything that we do and he will guide us in all of our decisions! I have such a strong testimony of this gospel! I love this work so much and I love seeing people change BECAUSE of Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you are all reading the Book of Mormon every morning before you start the day! I promise you all that it will change all of your lives! It will set your day up and help you battle all that will come your way! I know God lives and he Loves us! He truly is watching over us! I know that our family can be forever! I love this Gospel! I hope you all have a great week and know that I am always praying for yous! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Barton