Embrace the World One Hug at a Time

Well, friends, what a long week! August in Bossier is HOT. We can handle maybe an hour and twenty minutes out walking and then we have to take a water/air conditioning break. It's rough, folks. But don't worry I still love it! 

We are weeding out Central Park, the area we have been working so hard over the last month. People are finally confessing whether they are really interested/ready to receive the gospel, or if they were just being polite and they never want to see us again. It's great :) So far Stephanie, Sandra, Don, and Charles are progressing the most in that area, we have seen each of them at least two times and they are keeping their commitments. I'll let you know if anything amazing happens with them this week :)

On Wednesday we celebrated Sister Dobbins 9 month mark! She is halfway done! And she is not excited about it. But I am!! and I made her a half of a cake :) 

On Thursday I got bit by my first dog! Puncture wounds and everything! So I checked that off of my missionary experience to-do list and I hope it never happens again! We took a picture a couple days after, so it had started to heal. But you could see a bruise from every tooth and it hurts really bad because it is right on the back of my knee and I walk a LOT. 

On Saturday there was a baptism for Jacob, who was being taught by some Elders in my district. (that's two baptisms in two weeks for us!) We brought Sandra ant it was a really good experience for her, I think :)

I have seen and felt some miracles this week. Our investigator, Thelma, who is going through chemotherapy needs your prayers still! We are hoping that she is done with chemo and can move on to radiation. Shaun, the man who is struggling with alcoholism is still slowly improving! Keep him in your prayers. And Sunny is going through some medical problems right now and could use some prayers on her behalf. The cool thing is, all three of these people got priesthood blessings this week. And they are definitely being blessed in different ways, but with exactly what they need. Comfort, healing, strong wills, faith, patience, etc, etc. It's so cool to be a part of. 

Sorry this newsletter is a little less interesting, I think I have heat exhaustion or something. I just keep giggling with my companion and I think we might have finally worked ourselves TOO hard. Yall are the best, though, I truly appreciate your prayers and thoughts. Don't forget that letters make Missionaries' days! 

Have a blessed week!
Consider yourselves all hugged. 

xoxo Sister Bartsch

2305 Ovietto Lane
Bossier, LA 71111

The half cake Dakota made for Sister Dobbins for her 9 month mark!

A little white poodle bit Dakota on the back of the knee!

Sisters Dobbins and Bartsch with Sunny!