"Not Lucky.... Blessed" Someone's Front Porch

Hey Yall!

Is there snow where you are? If so, please appreciate it and maybe mail me some. 

So I have been in Mississippi for a week now. This area is very different from Bossier. There's the University of Southern Mississippi (where I am right now) that brings in a LOT more young people. During my time in Bossier, I could count on one hand the number of people I met that were my age. Also, this place is very, very wealthy. Lots of large houses and nice cars. Last night Sister Kelly took me on a tour of Cambrake- a huge community of mansions. It blew my mind. I have seen very few mobile home communities and small homes, which is where I have gotten very comfortable! So this is an adjustment. People in huge houses don't answer their doors to us very often. I guess I can understand, do they even hear my weak knocking?? Door-to-door isn't the most efficient way to share the Gospel in this area, but we do it anyway! Obedience brings blessings, right? 

This last week we spent most of our time helping out at the Stake Center! We had a two-night activity with over 200 nativities, videos, Old Bethlehem for the kids, and pretty musical performances. Coolest part: there was a combined LDS/local Methodist Church Choir led by the music director at USM. It was beautiful. Not as many people came as last year, but I certainly had fun! All the missionaries got to help out and it was a fun way for me to get to know the members here. 

I love Christmas. And the Thomleys in our ward have a CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. They donated a whole bunch of trees to the stake activity AND on Saturday they let Sister Kelly and I share Christmas pass along card with people buying trees. Of course we took lots of pictures. It was the coolest place! 

Despite all the adjusting to the area, responsibility, and companion, I have seen some serious miracles. Russell. Russell is our age and is living with his uncle's family who are members. Their grandfather had just passed away and the family had been struggling with the loss. He had come to church once before I got here and had asked for missionaries to come teach him! I got to be here for his first lesson :) Of course, all his cousins wanted to be a part of this, so the lesson was kind of crazy. They live in a trailer right now while they build a home, and there were brand new kittens and puppies all over the place! Even though it was pretty distracting, the Spirit was really strong. But Russell was really quiet. He listened carefully, though, and accepted a baptism date on January 9th! We left the lesson a little concerned about how noisy it got and how silent he was, but then he came to church! He stayed pretty quiet, but you could tell he was listening. Last night we got to teach him again. This time it was us, a Sister from the ward, Russell, and his uncle. He totally opened up, asked questions, and shared that right before his grandfather passed away, he told Russell that all of the problems we face in life can be solved by the teachings of the Book or Mormon. He told him to learn about it and read it. WOW. We got to teach him about the Atonement of our Saviour and all that it includes for us. 

Teaching about the Atonement is my absolute favourite. I love helping people feel Christ's love for them individually. I love hearing them share the times that they have felt His love and support in their lives. And I am always so grateful to be able to share my personal testimony of Him. The best thing you could ever do is build a relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. They are there EVERYday, not just on a really bad or a really good day. They love you always. If you allow them to be a part of you every day life, you will be able to feel their presence and influence easier when times are hard and especially when they are good! Learn to recognize them always, that's what I have been working on, and I am seeing miraculous changes in myself. 

I love the South, I love my companion, and I love being a missionary! Thanks for all your support!

Have a blessed week

Sister Bartsch

"Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- Christ's way leads to an endless hope" -Random President Olsen quote

Christmas.mormon.org