Okay, Holy Ghost, come on down! -Rex

Us waiting in a Doctor's Office

I did it! Another week :) 3/7 days were filled with missionary work. 2 of the days Sister Nash was recovering from her food poisoning. The other 2 days we helped Sister Saunders get a sewing needle out of her toe.... THE STORY: Remember the sleepover we had last week? Sister Nash got all sick from Panda Express? Well, the sleepover was more legendary than we thought. Sister Saunders stepped on a sewing needle in our house on Sunday Morning, limped around until Wednesday, had an x-ray done (while on exchanges with Sister Nash), and found out it BROKE IN HER FOOT. Thursday Morning I went out to get them, took Sister Saunders to one doctor, then to another.. and they collectively decided that the needle is too deep to get out easily, and they need to do a full blown surgery Friday afternoon. SO we had another sleepover (much less eventful), she was put under and the needle was removed by a nice member of our ward. Then we took her back home later that evening. She is so tough, this was her first surgery ever, and all she wanted to do was get back out and work. Such a good example! Lots of road-tripping to and from Richton, good thing my mom sent mini eggs, and music, it was a fun couple of days :)

So I wish I had more missionary stories to tell yall, but my proselyting time was very limited.. We were able to teach Rex twice and he came to church for the fourth week in a row! We've taught him almost all we need to, and he is still fighting his answers to prayers sometimes. We pray he continues to progress, I have loved watching happiness change him :) Also, he referred us to his neighbor and we are going to start meeting with her this week!

If everyone could please pray that we will have a good lesson with Britney this week, that would be very helpful! She wants to be baptized, but her kids have been so sick. They're feeling better and we are trying to get back on track with them. 

While Sister Saunders was getting x-rays with Sister Nash, I was on an exchange with Sister Thompson! I love this girl. And we had a really good talk about why we are on missions. I love hearing Sisters reflect about this choice, their testimonies are so powerful :) As  I was telling her my story, I remembered a lot of things that I haven't thought about in a long time! To summarize, I am just so glad that I chose to serve a mission. There were a lot of things that could have kept me home, but here I am! HALFWAY THROUGH! I know without a doubt that serving this mission is doing more for me than anything else could, so I'm sure glad that the Spirit and some of yall kept me going. There are so many wonderful people in my life that I can't wait to thank in person! The power of prayer is real, I know that my prayers are answered! 

Tomorrow I am celebrating my 9 months since flying deep South, pictures will come next Monday!!

This week is going to be a great one, I can feel it :) I hope it is for you!
Have a blessed day!

Sister Bartsch

Southernism: "Up-air" or "up-pair" (still trying to discern) "down-air" 
Said in place of up there, over there, down there, etc. Somehow it is easier? 
"I went up-air to get a haircut" -Rex 
"Ya my work is down-air, dem flood waters came aaaaaaall da way up-pair." -Donny

I'm still working on it. 

It's as real here as I thought it would be!

Sis Saunders trying to keep a smile on her face.