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| Kermit. Scuse my sweaty face. I hate when they squirm. |
🎶"If I could have seen the future, back a few years ago.. I wouldn't believe what was coming just down the road! I'm father than I ever pictured, I've done more than I ever planned. It's easy to see that who I'm supposed to be is in someone else's hands. 🎶
Yall, I have been a missionary for a whole year! Sometimes I have moments when I realize how far I have come, they hit me all at once and I am so grateful for everything that has contributed to me becoming who I am! I heard this song on Sunday morning and the beginning was perfect. That's all the sappy reflective stuff yall are going to get today :)
This week was great! It went by really fast. I got to proselyte a little bit in Jackson. It's a really rough place.. so we are really careful and we take a bodyguard! Megan Gordon. She is the sassiest person I have EVER met. But we make her cupcakes and she drives us to our referrals and appointments in the hood 😊
On Thursday we went to see Shontay! Sister Nash found her months ago! The Sisters have been teaching her and her daughters for a while now. She has committed to baptism dates several times and never felt ready for them. She has been taught everything we are supposed to teach her, so we prayed about it, and decided to talk about temples! We brought some pictures and discussed temple ordinances and blessings. In the middle of our discussion about eternal marriage, she pulls out her phone and starts scrolling and whispering to her 11 year old daughter Janaria. Something about "Saturday.. mornings.. what do you think.. no, too far?" I was sitting there thinking "awman, she's trying to schedule a return appointment so she can get us out of here.. alright, I can take a hint!" and then she says "how about August 6th for our baptism?" 'scuse me? She had been praying about being baptized and set herself with a date! We contained our excitement and agreed. She even set a time. She says all she has to do is find someone to baptize her, so there is a big chance she will move her date up :) so exciting! As we were leaving she said "it must've been all that talk about temples! mmmm!" The Spirit, yall. I'll try to get a picture with her and her girls this week :)
Finding at the park has become one of our favourite things to do! Even though we have to bike hills in the heat of the day, it's worth it. We've taught some moms while their kids are playing and I've been working on my talking to strangers and chalk art skills. Sister Lindberg and I even caught a Kermit!
We got Bible Bashed this week! That's when someone invites us inside to yell and argue at us :) We are taught to not contribute to the contention, but take the verbal beating, bear testimony, tell them you don't feel the Spirit, ask to say a prayer, and then excuse yourself. Every time I've found myself in one of these situations, I feel an overwhelming confirmation as we are leaving that what I am doing is right, what I am teaching is true, and that I am looking for those who have softened hearts, open minds, and prepared spirits. Bashers think they 'beat' me, but they do nothing but strengthen my testimony! Truth always wins :)
This week I started reading Revelation. I'm SO CLOSE to finishing the New Testament for the first time in my life :) I think lots of people share this concern, but people down here are especially scared of Revelation. One time as I was fixing to read a scripture this guy Joe said "woooooah now, this girl preachen' REVELATION? ight." and he sat forward and actually paid attention. Haha :) it's a crowd pleaser. Anyway, I've been kind of nervous to read it. So I printed a few study guides and helps to read along with it, learned a bunch about the historical context, persecution of the early Christian Church, the exile of John, and what some of the symbolism means. I started reading on Saturday and I LOVE IT. It's amazing what you can learn when you have the Spirit helping you. I've really grown to love my study time. One thing I love is all through the first few chapters, John tells us of the many blessings and rewards "he that overcometh" will receive. Things like the crown of life, eating from the tree of life, sitting with Christ on his throne, etc. I've been pondering what he could mean by overcoming rather than "he that repents", "he that keeps the commandments", "he that is perfect", or any other good thing! he that overcometh. I'll let yall ponder that one this week :)
I could keep going, but I'll just say that this weekend I felt like Lehi:
"..and he cast himself upon his bed, being overcome with the Spirit.." 1 Nephi 1: 7
I love being a missionary, I love everything I am learning, I love all of you that support me, and I love all the encouragement that comes from your prayers.
Have a blessed week! Work on overcoming your trials, temptations, and weaknesses.
I love yall!
Sister Bartsch
Photo captions:
#2 We helped out at a superhero birthday party for one of the less-active families in the ward! Sister Lindberg and I got to wear masks.
#3 We helped out at a superhero birthday party for one of the less-active families in the ward!
Sister Lindberg and I got to wear masks.
#4 Sister Lindberg, Love Her 💕
OH And Sister Nash came to spend the night with us :) I love her and miss her dearly. And I hate early morning pictures.
we went fishing! I didn't catch anything, though. I'm really not good at it. Even the times we went catfishing in hattiesburg I was bad! And yes, the thing got in my mouth a little bit. Elder Hartman pushed. naaaaaaaasty!
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