Stranger asks where I was born. Me: Canada! Them: Canada?? OYE! Me: Wait what?

GOOD MORNING!  


So time has picked up again and it hardly feels like a week since I write one-a-dees. But I will think really hard and share some news with yall.

FIRST MOST IMPORTANT THING. The Law family was baptized! Remember the family that we were able to deliver Christmas to? Yeah, them! Five of the beautiful kids were baptized and confirmed members of the Church. One of the little ones will turn 8 in a couple months, so we are hoping/planning a baptism for her and their dad in the springtime. Most of them didn't remember Sister Kelly and I, but they were wearing the necklaces we picked out for them. Little things like that make your heart happy, you know? The Spirit at the baptism was wonderful, lots of people were able to attend, and I'm sure they will remember that special day forever. How grateful I am to be down here with such wonderful people!

So Sister Kelly and I have been praying and I know lots of yall have been praying for this area. I'm super happy to say that we have been finding more work to do! As of yesterday our referrals nearly tripled! We have 14 people to go out and contact. And we are stoked. Thanks for prayin'!

We went on two exchanges this week, I think that's why time went so fast. I sure love these Sisters in the Hattiesburg Zone. I'm happy to be able to serve them. And I am learning so much about being friends with girls, it's amazing. This weekend is MLC! There have been a lot of changes in Leadership, I am excited to see familiar faces. The mission is slowly feeling more like home :D

Yesterday we held a youth fireside at our mission leader's home! All of the youth ages 16-18 came to talk about missionary work, how to prepare to be missionaries, and ask all of their curious questions. It was really fun. I was the least experienced missionary... So I was learning right along with some of the youth! But it was another reminder that I am actually really doing this and that I was once in their shoes thinking I never would.. I'm so grateful I am serving a mission, yall! I could talk all day about the things that I have learned about myself, our Saviour, our Heavenly Father, the Gospel, loving everyone, being faithful, having trust, it's incredible. It was an amazing feeling to share my testimony with youth who are considering doing this very thing! I will be praying that all who feel the prompting or the desire to serve missions DO IT. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but nothing else could have taught me what this mission has. So yesterday was a day of reflection on what really brought me here, how far I have come, and how much more I can become. It's exciting! I hope all of you can find something to do with the Lord's help. You will learn more than you expect!

I love every last one of you ❤ Have a blessed week!

Sister Bartsch

PS In case you didn't get it, that lady thought Canadians said OYE not EH. I've never gotten  that one before! 

The baptism of the Law Family!

It's a simple prank war, that's all.