Sister Lisa Barnes

Nosotras somos misioneras de la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos dias. Tenemos una mensaje acerca de Jesucristo y como ha restaurado su iglesia en el mundo hoy. Podemos compartir esta mensaje con ustedes? Sooo...they switched me to Spanish speaking. K that's a lie. But I try to talk to Hispanics a lot and then I remember that I kind of don't know Spanish. So a Spanish elder told me to say those lines when I run into them...But problem....what would I say after they reply????

Mom. Okay, they are just blisters. My shoes are fine. My feet are awesome. I drink water. I eat food. I am healthy and strong. Don't worry bout me mother! I am not going to literally kill myself....that was just a figure of speech.

Dad. It seems like you are still crazy busy with all the kids out of the house! That's gooooood! Arizona looks like fun! and warm...

So more connections. There's like a bzillion and twelve connections that I have with people here, but here are some of the new ones! So remember how Amber and Derek visited Dallas? Well...It was actually here in Flower Mound! In my ward! Ha. and remember my friend Alec Fairbanks from Morgan? I went on a few dates with him, but he use to live in my ward here in Flower Mound before he moved to Morgan!

So my Sundays are pretty as well! We're at church from 7 AM to 4:30 PM because we cover two wards. So I definitely know what you mean! Mary came to sacrament again! We basically just need to ask her to be baptized but still haven't been able to meet with her! This week.

I gave my first training in zone conference last week. You're baby is growing up so fast! :) and I signed the movie consent form for the MTC training video. I hesitated because I remembered my big zit...Can't they just like...edit that out or something?

So wanna know some things about Texas? Football is kind of a big deal...but I kind of love that. I get talking football with some of the members here, but I still don't know if I like any of the Texas teams... and apparently band is a big deal. All the cool kids are in band. Since when did that happen? Every house with a school aged kid has a sign with whatever they do....band, drama, football, soccer, etc. They also tend to fly the Texas flag higher than the American flag... and the freeways are freakin' weird. All the moms and ladies have really short hair and everyone says ya'll. But other than that...it's basically the same.

So a few people have asked me if I'm fat yet...Eeo cough cough. Not yet, but I most likely will be soon. I was warned about the MTC so I was careful and I actually lost weight there but here in Texas....it's my worst nightmare.... If I am given one more box of girl scout cookies, I might just throw up. I am fat and VERY spoiled here in Texas. The members are very good to us and always make and give us desserts. Not like....a slice of pie, but a whole cake basically. That's the killer...I can't just say no. That's impolite! There's also a member who buys us fast food at least once a day and sometimes even twice a day. She even bought me a whole pizza and my companion a whole pizza. Worst. Nightmare. I think I look the same??? But it's only been three weeks... When I get home, I'm gonna be one of the nutty health people.

Yes, missions can be rough at times, but missions can be totally fun! Can I get an amen?! Whenever we make a mistake or get rejected hard core, we have learned to just laugh about it instead of being discouraged. It keeps us happy and determined. I love being here and I love being a missionary and I don't want that to change!

So a few things the mission has taught me! I think the mission is definitely preparing me for marriage and motherhood! Someone told me that the MTC should stand for Marriage Training Center....so true. But I have really grown to realize WHAT is important. My perspective has really changed. Another thing I have studying is about our will. The only thing that we can give our Father in Heaven that he doesn't have already is our will and our hearts. Sure I am here for 18 months giving up my time, talents, family, friends, school, and using my strength to help serve Him....but He was the one who has given me all these things in the first place! The only thing I can do, is to let MY will be swallowed up in HIS. After I studied this topic, there was a CES devotional right here with David A Bednar! The missionaries weren't allowed to go, but I watched it on LDS.org and you should too! But Elder Bednar talked about that very topic! and he asked if we had enough faith NOT to be healed. Usually it's the other way around! But would we have enough faith NOT to be healed if that was the Father's will?

Parents! I want to thank you for being so charitable! How ungrateful and selfish I always was, but my eyes have been opened and I am so thankful for all you have done for me, our family, and for the countless amount of others you have helped. I LOVE YOU.

The work is starting to pick up and I am so ready for it! This work is amazing and I challenge all of you to be missionaries in your own daily lives! This church is true and I know it! Love you all!

Sister Barnes JR