61 degrees in South Jordan 2/18/2014

We sent Elder Barlocker a Mystery Package (Strange things we found @ $ Store!)...

I did get the package! haha It was a good one... I don't know if I wanna do the test though, I might be positive... haha But I like it! :)

 

I don't know why I use to hate cleaning out the cars... I love doing it now! haha And trust me, it is a lot more work to clean a missionary car ... haha I'm kinda looking forward to cleaning the cars again... haha

Well this week I had a really good experience when I was sharing a dinner message with one of my favorite families... :) I recently found a new favorite scripture one of our investigators really liked... :) 2 Nephi 33:6 It stuck out to me but I really didn't understand why... But after reading through second Nephi and pondering things, it has a really deep meaning to me... The scripture is a perfect definition of the Atonement: it's plain, it's true, and it is because of Jesus Christ we are saved! But the power that came from my mortal mouth somehow touched the family, and I have never had a message really touch someone like that... I gave the message, but the Holy Ghost taught... Taught both ends of the message... :)

So something else cool I have finally started to realize, I'm not so shy anymore... I still have my moments, but I finally see that I have changed in that aspect! :) Like now I can just strike up a conversation with almost anyone! haha And I like it! haha But I do have to have a reason to talk to them, I don't just go talking to anyone for no odd reason, that's just stupid in my book... haha But I have always wanted to see this moment... From the beginning of my mission, I always wanted to see myself change... And now I can see it in more ways then I ever imagined... :)

The Church is true! Christ is our loving Brother! God is there and He cares! I am more sure of that now then I ever have been... :)

This transfer is tough, but it'll just help me learn and grow... And hopefully the next two will be better - I hope... haha But that's crazy I only have two more transfers left after this one... :\ And today I only have 99 days left... Crap...

Well I love you all! Remember who you are ...! ;)

Love 

Elder Barlocker II

PICS:

1. Guess who that is... haha

2. A scripture cover I hand stitched... :)

3. Bet you can't do that! haha

15!!!!! 2/10/2014

 

-What's new Arizona?

Not much.. The weather is sure great! haha I wish it would stay like this all the time! :)

-How have you been lately?

I've been good......... At least I'm still sane and alive... This is a really tough transfer,

But other than that, I am going good... :) I have been studying the Atonement a lot lately and it has lifted my spirits and helped me live happier... :)

-Best day the past week?

I would have to say yesterday! We had the Sells sacrament meeting and it went great! Instead of having our ward mission leader conduct the mtg. we are now going to be doing that from now on! :) This is my second time conducting and getting everything organized, it is kinda fun... :) But we just had a good turnout and had some good messages... :)

 

-Spiritual experience this past week or two?

Just remind me to show you my study journal from this past week when I get home... I just had a good experience studying the Atonement... :)

-Bed bugs gone? YUCK!!! Makes my skin crawl!

Yup, they've been gone for a while now... :) I've been able to sleep tight and not let the bedbugs bite... :)

-I know I already asked but maybe you know...so what are your plans in 3.5 months?

Get a job and a car... That's as far as I've got... And school, after a bit... :)

-Newmont? SLCC?

Yes... :) And BYU-I is on the table too... :)

 

But things are moving along... :) A lot of people have been cancelling their appointments or just don't call back, but we are trying to get a hold of them... :) But it was just a big week of nothing to do and closed doors... But I have learned a lot this week, so I think it was good... :)

Okay,...I found friends out here that actually care... Sorry if that sounds kinda harsh, but it is what it is... :\ I have made some real friends out here that keep me going... :)

 

I am going to finish my mission strong! I've seen too much failure and disappointment, but I have a drive now that I have never had before... :) The Atonement is real! Christ did suffer and die for each one of us, and His Atonement fixes us, heals us, then continues to nourish us - as long as we are willing to apply it to each and every day of our lives!

 

I LOVE the GOSPEL!

And I LOVE ALL YOU!!!

Thanks for everything!

Elder Barlocker II

 

LIFE IS GOOD! 2/3/2014

Yeah this week wasn't the most successful when it comes to the work... But I did learn a lot about acting on promptings... :) It's something I never really did a lot before and didn't understand... But now I know what it feels like to not act on a prompting you know you should... It is a horrible feeling... But the satisfaction you get from fulfilling it, is awesome! :) It's kind of scary to think that you HAVE to act on ALL the promptings you get, no matter the circumstances... It's essentially God laying out a purpose for you and you have to do it! :) And once you can decipher what satan is trying to make you do and a real prompting, it is so easy; as long as we stay worthy of the spirit! :)

 

So not a lot went on this week... We had two days where we had to go down to the reservation! Those were the two most productive days! haha The ward leaders still think it's a waste of time going down there, ... But it's whatevs... I have a lot more success down there then closer to town, so I'm gunna do what'll touch the lives of more people... :) But our two investigators down there are doing awesome! One of them had a hard time reading the BoM, but we sat and read right through the first four chapters and he loved it! We left him with chapter five to read, lets hope he did! :) The other guy we are teaching down there has no problem reading the BoM! He in fact loves it! :) We don't ever have to give him reading assignments, he just does it! haha I think he is just about to finish up 2 Nephi, he hated the Isaiah chapters... haha don't we all... :)

 

But yeah, nothing much exiting happened... I honestly can't remember what else I did... I'll just have you guys read my journal and stuff if you really want the good stuff... haha :)

But I gotta get going... I'll try to respond to the letters this time {maybe in one big one}, but I'm looking forward to those letter! :)

 

Thanks for everything! You guys are awesome! :) 

 

Love you all!

 

Love 

Elder Barlocker for four more months!