Girdin Up My Loins

Oh boy. Sister Ames told me to gird up my loins. Man! I can't believe y'all called the office!!...but I forgive you. :) Sister Ames was checking up on me everyday, but now since y'all shared the level of pain I can apparently withstand, I got her texting me all the time. But y'all don't need to be worried! I'm doing swell! :) I'm out working all day long so obviously I'm not dying. Just to give you a little update...the doctors didn't really tell me much...but I should know more after the MRIs, the EMGs, etc. I'm being taken care of...so please don't worry about me. :) I'll tell you more when I find out. But seriously, I'm not dying. I am loving being a missionary right now. :)

Sister Meiners literally cried every single day for a week up until transfers. I will miss her but I know she's doing amazing in the ghetto of Fort Worth! So my companion is Sister Trusty from Saratoga Springs, UT. She's a cute girl! She's young. Well I'm young...but you know what I mean. I am doing some follow up training. No training for me this time. Phew! :) Ha ha I'm still wondering when I'm going to have a follow up trainer. Anywho. She doesn't say too much yet...but I've turned into some kind of chatty cathy and it's freaking me out! I'm turning into a Texas Talker. Save me. But things are going well. Robin is still being baptized! (but it's now in September because she's going out of town). We have a few more baptisms that should be coming up! We have found some new investigators with promising potential! I just love being a missionary...I feel like I'm finally getting the hang of things. (Only took six months right?) ha ha but God has been giving me strength. And for some reason, I have been really bold lately. Like it's scaring me. Sometimes, after I say things I'm like "Where in the world did that come from?!" Maybe it's the spirit. I'm just not afraid about anything anymore. I know why I'm here. I know what I have to do. I know the people need the gospel. And I know the gospel is true. BE BOLD BUT LOVING...is my new motto.

Okay, I about DIED when I read about the wasp stinging Dad's tongue. Ba ha ha. "It hurt!" Oh Dad...rub some dirt in it. I HAVE heard of flyboards. I saw them on the news right before I left!!! They look freakin' sweet!!! I am so trying one someday. Wow way to make me jealous with the whole Idaho Burrito thing from Javiers. Urgh. and again with talking about the new temple video which I missed by a few days. Double urgh. (I obviously am still working on the whole "thou shalt not covet thing". I'm sure y'all did amazing in your talks! Y'all are so good at public speaking and teaching by the spirit. It's a good combo. I LOVE Autumn's dress! I was a little worried because I couldn't be there ;) but I approve!

I am giving a training tomorrow in Zone Conference on the atonement. I am so grateful for the Savior's sacrifice for me. I am so grateful for the redeeming power of the atonement, but also the enabling power. He gives me strength that I know is not of my own. He is with me, guiding me, and helping me. He understands what we are going through and how to help us, because he suffered it long before we ever did. I know that through the atonement, not only our behaviors, but our natures can be changed. and I know that "all that is unfair about life can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ." If anyone is struggling, please get down on your knees and plead for His help. He can not take your burden completely away, but he can give you the strength to overcome it. How great is our God.

Love y'all!!!!

Love,

Sister Barnes