July, 28
My goodness,
it is so good to hear from y’all yet again! I am too spoiled! It seems
like the week has been pretty superb out there! Let me have you digest some of
mine (chew before swallowing… It might be a choking hazard for children under
the age of 8)
Up #1: We got
our transfer news. Elder Rawlings and I will be remaining together in the Twin
Oaks Ward, but we will be receiving a new missionary on Wednesday! Trio
Training, the Tripanionship, the Trinity – Three in One, The Triple Double,
Trifecta, or some might say, the Three Stooges. It is going to be such an
exciting experience. We already had so much going on, but the Lord’s sees it
fit to stretch us some more! Six more weeks in the grand land of Decatur! Not a
place I would rather be! The work is going so well here!
Down #1: We
did some service for a member (raking leaves), and as we were doing that,
unbeknownst to us, we raked an anthill. Those things bite hard. Mauled by ants,
sounds like something you would see in a horror movie… or a really lame Indiana
Jones. I think we are both extremely glad that neither of us were allergic, but
we live to fight another day!
Up #2: Our
Investigator Couple, Rick and Tiny, are totally going to be getting Baptized!
They aren’t married quite yet, but they are ready to take the next step! We
prayed to find a family that would receive us a few weeks ago, we found and
started teaching them a week ago, and now they are marking their own baptismal
date on their large office calendar. A serious amount of miracles went into the
developing of their faith, but I must say the members are true disciples. A
member topped off their gas tank so they could make it to the Church and the
Employment Center. The ward took them under their wing, and we had the most
powerful lesson I have yet to have on the mission. Everyone was in one way or
another, in tears. We had two member families with us. We truly do have a front
row seat to the greatest miracle of all, seeing the Atonement change people’s
lives! They will be married soon, have already encountered opposition to the
church. It has to be true!
Up #3: We
were blessed with another incredible lesson with our Investigator, Jericka. It
was just us and her at a park table, but she summoned the power of Heaven, no
jokes. She usually says the closing prayers, but this time she felt urged to
say the opening prayer. It was warm outside and cloudy as well, but as she went
for the prayer, as she was praying about God’s love for her, and the guidance
he has given her, the sun totally came out. She was so moved to the point of
tears, as were Elder Rawlings and I. It was the kindest tender mercy, to have
Him let us know he was approving of what we were doing.
Well that is about a rap! Thanks for everything! The prayers, email,
thoughts, everything! I really do appreciate it! Let me know what I can do for
you! I hope to hear from you all soon! Have a super blessed up week!
Love,
Elder Dallan
Barnes
“She’s the
Scottie to my Enterprise.” Rick
“We are going
to be there at church! Even if we have to Flintstone the Car and push it there,
we’ll be there.” Rick
“When we put
God first, all other things fall into their proper place, or drop out of our
lives.” Ezra Taft Benson