Saturday might have been one of the best days of my mission. Absolutely nothing went as planned! I found out that Nicole's baptism was at 1:00 out in Columbia. I had taught her on exchanges a few months ago and I have been waiting for this day ever since! She still has my Plan of Salvation drawing on her fridge, and she says she is going to get it laminated. Anyways, we can't go to baptisms without an investigator. So we called EVERYONE (because we wanted them to feel the Spirit and learn and stuff, obviously. Not because we wanted to go) and guess who agreed? MISS KAYE. I'm telling yall, she is wonderful. We invited Dede to drive us out there and promised to buy her lunch. All Kaye wanted was a cold Coke. So we have 30 minutes until we have to leave, and we run to Five Guys. Guess who is working? Yolanda! Her daughters were the ones that gave me my whip dance lesson on exchanges in Hattiesburg. YALL SHE GAVE US FREE LUNCH, a wink, and a big hug. Being an STL and doing a bunch of exchanges has never paid off so well. Then Kaye calls again asking us to go without her. Somehow she agreed again (email subject line). We ate lunch with Dede, picked up Kaye, and drove the 40 minutes to Columbia with the windows down. Sister Nash and I were just beaming in the backseat. I hadn't done anything spontaneous in 10 months, it felt pretty good. The baptism was lovely. I was so happy we could be there with Nicole! The four of us almost doubled the people there, so we were glad to support her. After Nicole was baptized, the Brother conducting thought he was funny and said "anyone else want to get in?" I wish yall could see Kaye's face!! She ran. Man, I love her, and I laughed about that for a long time. Afterwards we got snocones and took her back home. She got out of the car and said "See yall ladies tomorrow!" We realized she had just invited herself to Church, and we all drove off in shock. She didn't end up coming, but it's okay :) I felt her testimony grow and I know that is uncomfortable for her. She needed some time. We finished Saturday off by going for Mexican Food with a cute family, and holding kittens. Good day. Yesterday Branden came to church! He was a referral from a member that we started teaching this week. We were on exchanges, of course, so Sister Nash taught him without me. He is a big guy with a huge beard and a 5 year old son. Super sweet and interested in the Gospel. I hope to have more news about him soon!
YALL I JUST FOUND OUT I AM A GRANDMA!!!! Sister Maughan is going to be the best trainer. I can't wait!
This week we began acting on the plans we've made to solve our ward's problems, help our Sisters find new people to teach, start the culture change in the zone, and change the reputation of this area. Things are going well, thanks for the prayers :)
On Monday night we met Jeremy in Kaye's trailer park. He seemed to know the Bible well, have good outlooks, and an interest in the Gospel. He's one of those people that refuses to call us by our last name and feels the need to tell us his opinion on every controversial topic. It's hard to get anything passed his head to his heart, if you know what I mean. It's hard to explain. But by the third lesson we were struggling with him not understanding what our purpose is and why we leave him commitments. For example he says "When I pray I just say thank you, whenever something goes right I say thank you. That is just how I pray!" and we invite him to begin forming a relationship with God! Talk with him, thank him for your blessings, but also ask him for help, guidance, and truth! He was kind of fighting us with stuff like this as we were trying to leave, and he just wasn't understanding. Sister Nash looked him in the eye and said "Jeremy, we invite people to change. (long pause) To come closer to Jesus Christ. Do you want to change?" He didn't give us a solid answer, but she sure got me thinking! I am so grateful for change! I have seen so many wonderful people change before and during my mission. I have had hope for change in myself and others my whole life. I love knowing that it is always possible through our Savior Jesus Christ. It's never too late! We are never too far! I invite people every day to make simple changes that will bring immeasurable blessings, and I have made those same changes in myself. I can't put to words how much happier I have become over the last 10 months. So, everyone, you know it's coming, I invite you to make a change! Do something more! Maybe that means beginning to pray, going to the temple more, or showing a little extra love to others. Tell your Heavenly Father you want to make this change. He will not only help you, but he will also bless you :)
Most Southern moment of my life. Kaye just got her riding lawnmower back from being fixed, she rode down to her big burn pile in the back of her trailer park so we could help with her bonfire. She sends us back to the trailer to get a rake and a HUGE dog broke it's leash and jumped on Sister Nash (she's ok) and so we woke up the owner and she came out in her pajamas to chase it down. 
Turns out the dog's leash was an extension cord.. so we all followed her with the cord, Kaye on the mower, and Sister Nash with the rake. I was at the back laughing so hard I couldn't hold my camera still to take pictures. I had to get a side shot of Kaye so you could see the Coke and the slippers, too. WHERE AM I? I love you all so much. Thank you for your sweet support :)
Have a blessed week!
Sister Bartsch
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