Jun 11 Latest Elder Barker Email

Subject: Four days and seven hours ago--------I wrote you last.

SO! not too too much to report on, Except For the fact that on

Thurs. We met our new mission president! He is so Cool and down to earth, and loving, and Guess what?! He looks like Agent Sunshine from West Wing, Or... What's his name in CSI... But you know who I'm talking about. It kind of makes me think of the time that Dad had an Army General who looked like Patrick Stewart and because Dad respected Capt. Jean luc-Piccard he transferred some of that automatically to his General. It was a lovely meeting with them. Boy, they've had some hardships ever since they accepted the call to be mission presidents. They must have some wonderful mission to accomplish. Why else would the adversary try so hard to stop them? anywho, Good Idahoan folks who love the lord and love each other and are willing to do what the lord asks of them. After the meetin' we had a lovely Curry dinner with the Former Boxer and his wife. She still hasn't read... Nor did she make it to church. oy... We tried talking to a bunch of people we needed to make contact with but with my temporary companion feeling pain in his back and with other people not being home, we didn't talk to too many.

Fri. Elder J. Took his English test to get a cool diploma thing that gives him college credit for English. (Hey! I speak English too. I want a cool diploma too!..) In the evening we had a great meeting with the Peruvian family with the daughter that says the funniest prayers: "Thank you for my cough going away- cause I don't like it. And also we had sandwiches and they were yummy and... yeah- in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!" Peru just beat Mexico so spirits were high. And hey! They read the chapter we gave them (Alma 34) Which talks a little about the purpose of life. But they didn't make it to church either! ARRRGH!

Saturday Was Hot. And we had wonderful meetings with wonderful people. I don't remember if I told you about the family that had us give their 13 yr-old daughter a blessing cause she was scared to go into her room? She felt that there was something not good there. Well we stopped by to remind them of church (they didn't come either) and to see how she was faring. Still scared. So we had a discussion on what might be the cause of it. ("Somebody going to the palm reader and inviting weird spirits home? hmm?") It was a good discussion.

Then we had dinner. And then our coordination meeting fell through. So on the way from the meeting that didn't happen, we got the impression to stop by the family that we stopped by last Sunday. Just as we pulled in the driveway he came out the door. "Speaking of the Holy Ghost! I had JUST said a prayer for help-- And here you are." So here's the deal: The day after we met with him, they had another argument and his wife headed off for her vacation early. So he's been all alone and has been going crazy! So we talked more about avoiding contention and such and then headed home. It's amazing how God orchestrated that meeting: Our Coordination meeting falls through, we get the prompt, and then we go, and Poof! He's just been praying about what to do next. cool.

Domingo- the pianist didn't show, so after hearing the first song A Capella I couldn't stand it any longer so I ran up and played the rest of the hymns for the meeting. Oy... my piano skills are shaky. BUT it was better than the Battle of the off-tune congregation. Yikes! Also I spoke on the plan of salvation--my favorite topic! I love it soooo much, cause it gives me the most hope! Too many friends who have passed on into the spirit world. Too many things that are unfair about life. How grateful I am for a loving God and a Savior who provided a way for us to see our loved ones again. And to be resurrected in our perfect and proper form. Maren- we have a date to go running together in the millennium! SO that was fun at church. Then after church we went to a baptism and "Oh! Elder Barker! We don't have a musical number... could you-" Yeah, yeah yeah. I see how it is. One good deed in church and then I never get to rest. -But I guess it's good to share your talents.

and now it's today. Hi!

I love you so freaking much! I hope things are going great!

YIKES! the time is flying far too quickly.

It keeps doing that you know...

I love you.

Catch you next week.

-elder barker

Jun 27 I just looked at the calander!

Did you realize what happened 167 years ago today?! The blood of Joseph Smith was spilled in a mobbing of Carthage Jail where was being held on false accusations of treason. "Long shall his blood which was shed by assassins plead unto heaven while the Earth lauds his fame."

Wow. This week was such fun.

Tuesday we were able to meet with Jean Luc Picard's older twin brother. apparently his new leg is not the right size so we helped him put on his old one. It was so funky seeing him without a foot. I mean- the prosthetic isn't a foot-foot-foot thingy, BUT when he disconnected it and all that was there was a wobbly Nub! It was cool and creepy and fun. We also met with the X-Boxer and his wife. It was a wonderful lesson on the importance of going to church as a family. (Unfortunately She hasn't quite been able to put that understanding into action yet... We'll keep trying.)

Then we ran to the church for a meeting BUT! We got Hi-jacked by Obispo to help him cook food for the youth. SO we made HOT DOGS WRAPPED IN BACON!!!!! Soooooo good- but sooo bad. (if you note there are more 'o's in the 'good' part of the comparison So I think that means that they are more good for you than they are bad- right?) Then we exchanged with the district leader because his companion, Elder Park, was in my area about a year ago and he knows the people.

Wed was fun because I was with Elder Park and everyone thinks we look alike. For a few weeks here people were mistaking me for him all the time. We were able to meet with a couple families that hadn't been taught in months and because Elder Park is magical we were able to set up times to go back and teach these families. Dinner was Muy picoso. And when it's spicy it always is a challenging situation. If I say, "WHOA! esta es demasiado picoso para mi!" They will think that I'm a Wimpy White Boy. But if I say, "Esta es perfecto, Que tipo de chile es? Chile de arbol? Ah Mi favorito." Then my mouth burns off and I can't talk for the rest of the day, and then next time they will put more chile in the food....

Thursday we met with one of the families from yesterday and, here's the deal, Sparky: It's sad when the people are converted to the missionaries and not the Gospel. Because as soon as the missionaries are transferred some people don't want to listen anymore. Oy... I hope that by my going by with Elder Park I somehow have made it into the "In" crowd. We also met a really interesting guy and taught him about the Restoration. He was in a coma for 11 months and died 3 times and now is trying to find a path of spirituality. Well sir! We are just the people to talk to! He was so receptive and accepted to learn more and It's GREAT! The one tiny little problem is that- he speaks English... So, That's a good thing for the English ward, but we have to keep searching for the honest in heart and the humble in the Spanish Genre. Oy...

Friday I was Back with Elder Jaquez! And it was weekly planning. and yeah... Friday was Friday. Not to many people were home or willing to listen to us.

Saturday was another one of those days. But hey- Mexico won the gold cup. so that's something.

Sunday was lovely. Church was uplifting, and Elder Mallo (pronounced Ma-show) and I did a musical number in sacrament meeting. We sang and danced to the tune of "there's no business like show business" - ha ha just KIDDING! I played the piano and he sang a fun version of an hymn. Uh oh now the ward knows I can play the piano- Now I'll never have a moment's rest at church. Then in the evening we had a couple lessons with some people. Elder Jaquez is so good. I just wish that I could speak Spanish like him. He says I have a Mexican accent. Oh well. I guess you pick up the accent of the people were you learn it.

I hope things are going good with y'all.

Thanks, as always, for your love and support. It really means a lot to me to have such great friends and family. I love you all.

Further up and further in!

Catch you next week.

-Elder barker

June 6 Old friends in new places

ello, hello, hello, hello!

Wow, the time is going by so quickly. Too quickly! GAAAHHH!!! (ahem*)

Well, To get down to the nitty gritty-

Tuesday we stopped by this young gal who we've been trying to contact for a while. But she really doesn't have any motivation to do anything at all. She has quite the acne problem and she is quite self conscious about it. We tried to talk to her about how God doesn't look on the height or worldly appearance of a person but looks upon the heart. But she still didn't want to think about letting us talk to her about the God let alone come out to church. It's so sad that our society puts so much emphasis on Looks. I wonder how many people would be active and helping in their communities if they weren't worried about how people would look at them?... This gal has a daughter who is... 9 months... maybe more. But she was just sitting there in her walker thingy and staring up at me sadly. SO I tried to pull my magic and get her to smile- BUT NO! she wouldn't even flinch! I Guess It's like they say, "like mother like daughter." Funny part though- when I decided to just give up and mirror the face that she was putting out to the world, She started crying! "AH HA! So you can dish it out but you can't take it huh?!" Man, she was such a baby. ;)

Wed we taught a lady on her door step but it was a little tricky because her home is actually a front for Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. I swear there were about 50 kids going in and out and asking how much the candy she has hidden in her closet costs. It's actually quite amazing. At first her home looks like a regular home but then a quick as lightning she opens the hall closet and it's like a secret magical room that is just overflowing with candy and chips and toys and do-dads. So... it was tricky teaching her.

Thursday- we had a meeting with this one family and the old Dad who pipes up every now and then actually said something quite profound, "Everyone you ask will tell you that their church is the only true church. How can you actually know which one is true? Are they all true, or are they all wrong?" Well hermano, that is exactly what we help people to figure out. AND the great part is that we'd rather people don't take our word for it. DON'T! Because it's true- I'll always say that the church is true ('cause it is.) BUT if you ask GOD then He can tell you if what I'm saying is true or not and if there is a true church on the earth and which one it is. Profound question, no?

Later in the evening we met with that one man I told you about who looks like Jean Luc Piccard and he said, "Hey! His Spanish is improving! The first time he came by and said a prayer I couldn't understand a word. But now, it's better."

Ha ha. that's nice to hear.

Friday was Friday

Saturday I was on exchanges with the district leader But EVERY person we planned to meet with Wasn't there! Oy.... I hate when that happens.

Sunday was a reorganization of the bishopric. So the guy who was acting as Bishop was released from his position and another was called to fill the position. AND Guess who is the New Bishop?! My Ward mission leader from my last ward! Wow. Small world, big stake. It's interesting to see how the Lord works. I'm excited to see how the New Obispo's energy will help the ward.

And now it's today.

Well, guess what?!

I love you!!!!

Thanks for your love and support and prayers on my behalf. things are going good and they're getting better all the time. a little better all the time (can't get any worse).

You rock my socks! Have a great week!

catch you later.

-Elder barker

A week and a half of Fantastic-ness May 5th

WOW! It's only been a week and a half but such cool things!

I must tell you everything!

No... there is too much darling: TOO MUCH!

(That is why I must show you---That is why you are here!)

Monday last: a woman came in to church with no pants who asked for to fill up her water bottle in the chapel. We gave her water, and some pants, but as we looked to find some food to give her, she vanished into thin air! Hopefully she isn't in the supply closet. That would be a shock during Sharing Time in Primary.

"Well kids, today we are going to use colored paper to- AAAAAHHH!!!!!"

ha ha ha. Weird.

Wed last: I picked up my suit from the dry cleaners and there was a man doing his laundry who said, "you guys are the Enemy!"

-What?

"I work for the Devil!" and with that he showed us the large 666 tattooed to his neck.

-oh. that's to bad.

"Naw man. it's a Heck of a lot better than working for God. But my work is hard, not like yours. All you do is knock on doors all day. I recruit! I'll probably find 7-8 people today who will stop believing in god and start believing in the Devil."

-hmm... that's interesting. Well, have a nice day!

Now, I share this story because I have found some things to be very true.

1. gas prices are way too high!

2. there is balance in the universe. I can't tell you how many times I have had an amazing spiritual experience that was followed shortly after by a nasty experience. And how many times I've had a run in with evil people and then balance comes through by having a great experience. The same is true of this fellow, because...

Thursday last was a wonderful conference with Elder L. Tom Perry! I love being in the presence of one of the Lord's Apostles. Wow. What a sweep of the spectrum!

Wed: servant of Satan and Thursday: Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It was quite the conference. He talked of many things. Mostly about how we have to help the world understand the importance of The Book of Mormon. Amazing meeting! He is a Man of God and a true Apostle of the Lord. (Do you know what that means?!)

Friday Prince William and Kate got married!

Saturday was a wonderful service project, Mormon Helping Hands style. Fun stuff. Cleaning up at a Cinco de Mayo festival.

Sunday was lovely.

Monday O-bin ladin began pushing up the daisies.

Tuesday was hot!

Wed was too.

and today is... today! HI!

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!! Ai Ai Ai!

Hopefully everything is good in your neck of the woods.

I love you all more than I can put down in words.

I hope you are happy and healthy and all that good stuff.

Things are going good!

AND IT'S ALMOST MOTHER'S DAY!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY

Ma ma! I love you!!!

catch ya all next Monday!

-Elder Barker

Didn't I just read the one he sent last Thursday?

(Yes, but it wasn't my idea to have Preparation day so close together).

SO! Happy Post Mother's Day! I hope your weekend was good. Mine was.

Thursday we went to the temple. Oh how I love the temple! I seriously could spend a whole day there. I wish I could. I'll just put that in my "things to do when I have time again" list. And then in the evening we taught English class. Fun fun. one of the students explained why Cinco de Mayo is so cool. And I didn't know that it wasn't Mexico's Independence day (shows how much I know): It is a celebration of a battle won by Mexico with the help of a Texan captain/general/leader dude. hmm.. cool.

Friday was lots of planning and then people weren't home so we had dinner at this Mother's Day activity. AND this one family that we invited to come actually showed up! Huzzah! So that made the day.

Saturday we had a couple great meetings. We met with a family that we had been trying to teach for a while who has a son who just got baptized in another ward and it was AWESOME! They were feeling the spirit so strong. And they understood everything that we shared with them and they have great desires to learn more! Hooray! I love LOVE Love it when people actually have a desire to learn! Spiritual progression is hard to motivate when one doesn't wish to me motivated. And then in the evening we met a family who has some good potential. So is was a good day.

Sunday was church and I called home! YAY! I love calling home! Good to hear your smiling voices.

And now it's today!

I love you so much! have a wonderful funderful week!

Thanks for everything.

Hurrah for Israel!!!

-Elder Barker

Happy Day after easter! April 26

Can you believe it?! 1978 years ago (if my math skills haven't failed me) Christ was resurrected! What a great thing to know! Yesterday our ward mission leader was sick so Elder Tinti and I got to teach Gospel Principles class and we had a wonderful discussion on the Atonement of Christ. How marvelous the promise of resurrection to every single person who ever lived or will ever live! Perfected and glorified bodies that will no longer see corruption or disease! HOORAY! One man in the class bore a wonderful testimony about how grateful he is that through the atonement of Christ he can be with his family forever. Great stuff.

Monday We went hiking. It was great! we saw a rattle snake and everything! I love hiking!!!!

Tuesday we met with this man who tells us that he has seen in vision, "La santisima, la beisima, la hermosisima- virgin de Guadalupe" Ok. cool. Have you read any from the scriptures that we left you last time? no? hm... and we had lunch with some less active members. Man! the salsa here is PICOSO! i think the chili de arbor is about the hottest chili I've tasted. Whew!

Wed I was on exchanges and we taught this one couple. It was funny cause they were so tired and bored, they were falling asleep while talking with us. And the lady had the hairiest arms I've seen.

Thursday was a training meeting for the district. Fun-fun. Tweety called us saying, "I have to meet with you! It's urgent!" -OK we'll meet.. what's up? "I got this paper from the mission office and I don't know what it is! We have to meet!" OK. (later) "What does it mean when it says 'Write your conversion story?" -It means to write how you came in contact with the church and you experiences converting. "Oh, OK." -anything else? "Nope. that's all." -Couldn't you have Asked us This Over the Phone?! ha ha ha. Funny guy. English class was fun too. This little luchador guy was trying to sell me vitamin supplements. HA!

Friday was weekly planning and CALI DOG LUNCH!!! I'm telling you- it's heaven in a bun. Bacon-hot dogs-onions-peppers-tomato-jalapeno-ketchup-mayo-mustard-amazingness... Ahhh so good. We met with The Angel's and Demon family. It's interesting to see how when one little doubt creeps in about not being able to keep fully a commandment of the Lord, it brings spiritual progression to a halt and we are back to square one to motivate them to take a leap of faith. Later we met with Tweety. He's so funny. He shared his written conversion story and testimony with us (the mission asks recent converts to send them in). Good stuff.

Saturday We met with a member from the ward who is struggling emotionally. We shared that the Gospel of Christ brings comfort to the wounded soul and when we turn to Christ we are never alone. We later taught a woman with her twin daughters, She wasn't too interested. Oh well. She has the Book of Mormon and she knows how to find out that it's true. She'll come around.

Well I hope that your week was wonderful and full of Joy.

I love you all!

Keep up the good work!

HE IS RISEN!!!

-Elder Barker

"what's new with me?" you say. Well... April 19th

Monday We played an awesome match of Ultimate Frisbee! Fun stuff. Tweety called us up and said, "Hermanos. can we meet up tonight?" -Uh sure... is everything OK? "Yes fine! I just want to meet up with you guys, for like 15 min at the chapel." OK!

So he gets there and we say, -Is everything OK? This was kind of last minute. "No, no. Everything is fine. I just wanted to be in the chapel. i feel good here." We started off with a prayer and then he looked up at a painting of Christ on the wall and started talking to it... "you always watch over my kids. You know what's going on. Thank you. You are the best." Ha ha. So we explained how we can pray anywhere and we don't need to pray to a picture to pray. funny lesson.

Tuesday was Interviews with President Watrous. So sad... That was the last formal interview with him. (sniff*) He bore his testimony of the saviour to me. WOW. So strong. "I know that Jesus is the Christ and I know what that means. Jesus, is a name that comes from Greek. In Hebrew it is Jeshua, or God saves. Christ, is also Greek. In Hebrew it is messiah, anointed one. Jesus is the anointed one. He was anointed in the pre-mortal existence. Someone had to anoint him. That was God the Father." So good. Later we had a meeting with Angels and Demons. The Father was like, "I'm ready to be baptized! i don't have any fear or anxiety or anything!" the mom on the other hand, "What happens if he's baptized and I'm not?..." hopefully she can gain a desire soon.

Wed. We had a lesson with Tweety and before the lesson I took down the picture. After the opening prayer he was like, "Hey... where's the picture?" ha ha.

Thurs was Thursday...

Friday We had a lesson with Angels and Demons. He was all excited about his baptism so we taught him a couple more commandments and set a time for the bap interview. Then we met with this Gal who had met with missionaries in the past and we talked to her and she really had read a lot of the Book of Mormon, it was pretty fun teaching her. Hopefully she'll be able to make it to church.

Sat. We went to the temple for a grounds tour. It went well. It was really weird though, because while there I saw two Men who had served in this mission with me who had gone home already. Weird to see them without Name tags... WHAT?! There's life after the mission?! anywho. after that we got together with Angles and Demons and The Zone leaders came and did an interview AND... He's going to wait for another week. He wants to be sure he can be able to keep the commandments and Because of economic stress he's not sure he can pay tithing. So we'll keep meeting with him and help him build the faith in God that even in tough times when we are obedient to the laws of God He will help us though.

Sunday was a Ward conference. Great stuff. Lot's of people were there who usually don't come, so that was fun to see them. Angels and Demons didn't make it though... and we weren't able to contact them by phone or in person... I hope all is well. Later we walked past this guy making carne asada who said, "hey I'm a member of the church! Come have some carne!" I can't turn down food- especially CARNE ASADA!!! But then after that we went to our dinner appointment and the lady of the house Pulled out four plates of food and set two in front of me and two in front of Elder Tinti... Oh dear... Elder Tinti said, " Come on elder! you can do it! it's all mental." So I stuffed myself to the rafters- no it was higher than the rafters. think Geese feeding until every time they lean over food falls from their mouth full. That was what it was like.

And today we went hiking again! And... that's all folks!

Thank you ever so much for all of your support. I need it.

I love you all more and more every day.

stay strong. Keep Cool. Smell sweet and EAT MEAT!!! Ha ha Just kidding.

Love you lots!

-Elder barker