Sister Dakota Bartsch: Me: "Everything in Mississippi bites or stings!" Sherry: "Even the men!"

It's not easy being Mormon!

Ohhhhh I hope all of you had a blessed week because I sure did.

I wish I could tell you everything, but that would take too long and I know most of you skim anyway :)

Remember how I told yall about how huge my area is? And that we cover the Raytown Branch in the middle of nowhere? Well, the Raytown Branch President calls us last Monday and says that there is a lady out there who wants to be baptized and we need to come out and teach her the discussions. Her name is Linda. HALLELU-YER! So we planned a trip for Sunday. And of course we get asked to speak, that is how it works! Little did I know that this Branch building is ONE HUNDRED AND TEN YEARS OLD. It was so beautiful. A little white church in the middle of nowhere country Mississippi. I loved it. This was my first time attending a Branch on Sunday. Something about the one sacrament tray, the one Deacon in scuffed up cowboy boots, and the humble group of loving people really got me this week! It was a really neat experience. And they had a big potluck lunch after church. Yall, Southern food is so good. I can't even tell you.

Linda got really down on herself over the weekend, and decided not to come to church. She needs to quit smoking and that just seemed impossible. After the potluck, we fixed her a plate and went to meet her. This lady is so precious. She wants the blessings of the Gospel so badly. She wants to get baptized so much it hurts! But she had gotten so discouraged. I think it meant something to be reminded that God hasn't given up on her. We stayed and talked for a while and she has set a date to be baptized. I wished we could have had Sherry there to testify to her that she can do it, Sherry is 35 days smoke free!! I have seen so many miracles, and I have nothing but faith for Linda. Pray for her, please!

Speaking of Sherry, we lost that brilliant ray of sunshine to the Greenville ward!! She moved this weekend, and we miss her already. Pray for her to get settled and be safe!

God's love is real, everyone! I feel it every day. He has high hopes and sees nothing but potential in each of us. Keep praying, keep learning, keep improving!

LOVE YALL!
Have a blessed week!
And this week is the first day of fall. Happy fall, yall! (had to.)

Sister Bartsch