Email: January 29, 2018 - Five Man Bike Race
Hello everyone! Another week gone. Only 3 more weeks till I'm out of training and officially done with 12 week (I despise 12 week). This week was also very hectic.
TUESDAY: We were finally able to get into the home of a less active member. They were converted about 5 years ago but they don't go to church anymore although they still have the faith. She has a son who is 8 that we are trying to help get baptized. Also, her roommate is not a member but is open to what we have to say. We had a new move-in member name Diego come with us. Some background on Diego. He is a convert and returned from his mission about a year or two ago. He is always willing to join us on lessons even if it is last minute. He is super awesome. Also, he wants us to help teach his nonmember mother. So, we gained a new investigator today.
WEDNESDAY: We had a lesson with Masaru and talked about his baptism date set for the 17th of February. We discussed some goals and plans as well as some requirements for him to be baptized and he is super excited to work towards it. We talked to him about his turning point and what made him suddenly become so open. He said it was the lesson we had 2 weeks ago where we only talked about prayer and the importance of it. After that lesson he began to pray and started to see all these changes in his life and he knows what we teach is true. He is GOLDEN. They also served us herbal tea. It was my first time having herbal tea and it wasn't that bad to be honest.
THURSDAY: Today we were finally able to meet with the Russells. The Russells are super nice. The father is a nonmember and has met with missionaries in the past about 10 years ago. He is willing to learn more, and he really wants us to answer his questions. He loves the LDS church and what we are about, but he wants a religion that checks all the boxes and that's what Elder Styer and I are trying to do. We were teaching the restoration and Elder Styer somehow brought up women and the priesthood and the way he phrased it made it sound super bad and just tried to speed past it. So, Brother Russell stopped us and back tracked to that. I thought Elder Styer dug us a huge hole. But suddenly the spirit went to town. My mind just filled with things to say and I just began to talk so the spirit can do its job. Somehow, we addressed his concern and answered it well and it was great that Sister Russell also chipped in and addressed the concern.
Our dinner appointment fell through and the Russells let us have dinner with them and we got to talk to them and know them better outside of a super heavy gospel conversation. I also had a prompting to visit Hector but we didn't have time
FRIDAY: Today was district meeting which is always fun. We set new goals for February. We went to Panera Bread for lunch because we had a gift card. But unfortunately, their gift card system was down, and we are out of missionary money so I had to pay for mine and Elder Styer's meal because he is completely out of money. We knocked on a potentials door named Hector and set a return appointment
SATURDAY: Today was crazy. First, we tried to contact a referral who wasn't home. Then we gave service to a member who took us to lunch after. Then we had our lesson with Hector and his family but Hector wasn't home, so we couldn't go in, so we rescheduled to later in the afternoon. We had a Visitor Center trip planned with Joe and his family, but they cancelled after we already made the trip up there. But we rescheduled that to next Saturday. We then went to contact a less active that lives in a village that has one of those security checkpoints. We had the security guard call the less active and tell them that the missionaries were there to see him. But the less active said that he didn't know who we are. So, the security guard wouldn't let us in and we were forced to turn around. We then went to Hector and his family and had an amazing lesson with them. Their daughter, Allecia, on Thursday (the same day I had that prompting) decided she didn't believe in God. Hector and Misty (Hector's wife) are super prepared and love to listen and learn and they especially want us to teach Allecia. Found 3 investigators
After that super powerful lesson, we had another lesson/dinner with Masaru. But in order to get Elder Williams to the lesson and work his Japanese magic, I had to trade places with him. So, I went down to the Lawndale area and was there for the rest of the night. So, the thing is, I did legs for my work out that day and then I had to go to a hilly bike area (my calves are still sore) but it was awesome for only 3 hours. We gave 2 blessings. Had dinner with the Lawndale 2 elders. Had a member give me a blanket and had a five man bike race with all the Lawndale Elders (don't worry I was second to last ;) ) but it was a lot of fun
SUNDAY: Today we had a regional broadcast. We were able to hear from Elder Narrsten, another member of the Seventy, who had an awesome British accent, the second counselor in the Primary presidency and Elder Christofferson. We also had our investigator, Joe, come to church. We were able to contact our investigator neighbors and teach their kids and found 2 more investigators. We also got in contact with a potential family.
MONDAY: Today has been chill. Elder Styer and I decided we can live another week without groceries. Also, we are doing am escape room. Reminds me of the good ole days with the boys.
Take care everyone!!
Elder Kyle Barton
TUESDAY: We were finally able to get into the home of a less active member. They were converted about 5 years ago but they don't go to church anymore although they still have the faith. She has a son who is 8 that we are trying to help get baptized. Also, her roommate is not a member but is open to what we have to say. We had a new move-in member name Diego come with us. Some background on Diego. He is a convert and returned from his mission about a year or two ago. He is always willing to join us on lessons even if it is last minute. He is super awesome. Also, he wants us to help teach his nonmember mother. So, we gained a new investigator today.
WEDNESDAY: We had a lesson with Masaru and talked about his baptism date set for the 17th of February. We discussed some goals and plans as well as some requirements for him to be baptized and he is super excited to work towards it. We talked to him about his turning point and what made him suddenly become so open. He said it was the lesson we had 2 weeks ago where we only talked about prayer and the importance of it. After that lesson he began to pray and started to see all these changes in his life and he knows what we teach is true. He is GOLDEN. They also served us herbal tea. It was my first time having herbal tea and it wasn't that bad to be honest.
THURSDAY: Today we were finally able to meet with the Russells. The Russells are super nice. The father is a nonmember and has met with missionaries in the past about 10 years ago. He is willing to learn more, and he really wants us to answer his questions. He loves the LDS church and what we are about, but he wants a religion that checks all the boxes and that's what Elder Styer and I are trying to do. We were teaching the restoration and Elder Styer somehow brought up women and the priesthood and the way he phrased it made it sound super bad and just tried to speed past it. So, Brother Russell stopped us and back tracked to that. I thought Elder Styer dug us a huge hole. But suddenly the spirit went to town. My mind just filled with things to say and I just began to talk so the spirit can do its job. Somehow, we addressed his concern and answered it well and it was great that Sister Russell also chipped in and addressed the concern.
Our dinner appointment fell through and the Russells let us have dinner with them and we got to talk to them and know them better outside of a super heavy gospel conversation. I also had a prompting to visit Hector but we didn't have time
FRIDAY: Today was district meeting which is always fun. We set new goals for February. We went to Panera Bread for lunch because we had a gift card. But unfortunately, their gift card system was down, and we are out of missionary money so I had to pay for mine and Elder Styer's meal because he is completely out of money. We knocked on a potentials door named Hector and set a return appointment
SATURDAY: Today was crazy. First, we tried to contact a referral who wasn't home. Then we gave service to a member who took us to lunch after. Then we had our lesson with Hector and his family but Hector wasn't home, so we couldn't go in, so we rescheduled to later in the afternoon. We had a Visitor Center trip planned with Joe and his family, but they cancelled after we already made the trip up there. But we rescheduled that to next Saturday. We then went to contact a less active that lives in a village that has one of those security checkpoints. We had the security guard call the less active and tell them that the missionaries were there to see him. But the less active said that he didn't know who we are. So, the security guard wouldn't let us in and we were forced to turn around. We then went to Hector and his family and had an amazing lesson with them. Their daughter, Allecia, on Thursday (the same day I had that prompting) decided she didn't believe in God. Hector and Misty (Hector's wife) are super prepared and love to listen and learn and they especially want us to teach Allecia. Found 3 investigators
After that super powerful lesson, we had another lesson/dinner with Masaru. But in order to get Elder Williams to the lesson and work his Japanese magic, I had to trade places with him. So, I went down to the Lawndale area and was there for the rest of the night. So, the thing is, I did legs for my work out that day and then I had to go to a hilly bike area (my calves are still sore) but it was awesome for only 3 hours. We gave 2 blessings. Had dinner with the Lawndale 2 elders. Had a member give me a blanket and had a five man bike race with all the Lawndale Elders (don't worry I was second to last ;) ) but it was a lot of fun
SUNDAY: Today we had a regional broadcast. We were able to hear from Elder Narrsten, another member of the Seventy, who had an awesome British accent, the second counselor in the Primary presidency and Elder Christofferson. We also had our investigator, Joe, come to church. We were able to contact our investigator neighbors and teach their kids and found 2 more investigators. We also got in contact with a potential family.
MONDAY: Today has been chill. Elder Styer and I decided we can live another week without groceries. Also, we are doing am escape room. Reminds me of the good ole days with the boys.
Take care everyone!!
Elder Kyle Barton
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My first official missionary meal (it humbled me a lot)
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| A banana car outside Hector's house |
Elder Barton, it sounds like you're having some great experiences and that the Holy Ghost is able to get through to you pretty well! Way to go!! Keep up the good work! Love, Your Auntie, Patrice
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