Dear Family,

Right after last week’s preparation day, things started to look much brighter. We returned home to electricity which was a big boost. Puns intended.

We had a great lesson with that French man who speaks Russian- Volodia. He has a hard time seeing the Book of Mormon on the same level as the Bible, but really enjoys meeting with missionaries. We wanted to teach him why the book of Mormon is necessary and I remembered something Christopher had told me about reading 2 Nephi 2 because it basically teaches the whole plan of salvation. We did and he just ate it up. I’m convinced that one of the biggest barriers for people and the book of Mormon is just the fact that they have never opened it up and read. The doctrines are explained so powerfully that it’s hard to misunderstand. Volodia got sick and was not able to come to church so we’re hoping to meet again with him this week—I’m going to give him the French book of Mormon I bought in the MTC.

The following day we had our first lesson with a 26 year old man named Dima, who had met with missionaries about a year ago. He’s a very cool guy, down to earth and into spiritual-ness. Mariana, a 21 year old member from the Lithuanian branch ran into him a few weeks ago and referred him, so we met together which is always great. I really love working with the members here—it really is the best and most effective way to do missionary work. Especially because when we knock doors, about 70% of the people we talk to and teach are Lithuanian, even though we usually speak to them in Russian.

There are 31 missionaries in Lithuania, 6 Russians: 5 of us in Vilnius plus one in Klaipeda. The mutli-language aspect here makes me wonder about how Christopher must have done Chinese missionary work in France; excluding the fact that there were probably not any Chinese members when he started—wow that would be a head ache. It’s a good think Chisos is a “rockstar”/stud!

The most exciting and miraculous news of the week happened on Monday after district meeting. We were talking about ways to “find through your own efforts” and it had come up how the 2nd bullet point in PMG is “Look for ways to offer simple service.” It’s interesting because sometimes it really looks/feels like doing service doesn’t completely fill the missionary “purpose” of helping people come to Christ through faith, repentance and baptism. But Preach my gospel definitely knows what its talking bout.

As we were walking into center after District meeting to contact in center, Brother Ginadi Ustanovich (who taught the family with us) called to see if we would come over and help him move his fridge. Seeing as we were just talking about offering simple service we said, “JEAH!” We went out, moved his fridge for 10 min, and taught him a lesson about service. We asked which friends he had who we could serve, and he just pulled out his phone and texted a friend from work to see if we could come over. While he was texting, I thought about the family with 3 girls who we started teaching only after missionaries had done a cleaning service project for them. I called them up to see if we could come by and they said we could come right away! Then later that day we met with Brat Ustanovich’s friend and will hopefully set up a time to meet up next week. Service leads to miracles.

The lesson with the family was great, we were just so happy to be there after thinking we probably wouldn’t go back. While we were talking, their Polish neighbor came in after she’d been sucking back on grandpa's old cough medicine. She was nice, but not all there as she got on her knees and started saying a Hail Mary in polish. It was interesting, and testimony building. But the best was when Angelika (the mother) basically bore her testimony of how our church is different and without icons and the members are friendly as they get together and say what they feel. Elder Briggs and I were so stoked. Apparently they weren’t able to come to church last week because they were out of town for a funeral, but they enjoyed church the week before—especially the middle daughter who wants to learn to read better in Russian so that she can sing the hymns (the daughters speak better in Lithuanian, but the mother is Russian). Ah it was so awesome. There are still plenty of things to figure out, especially because they live 23 Km away from church and it’s expensive for Brother Ustanovich to make the trip to pick them up for church (he said would totally be down for it if he could though—ah he’s incredible!). The alternative is 3 different bus tickets for 4 people (one way) which adds up really quick too. I know that we’ll be able to work something out but we’ll definitely need some help from above.

Transfers are next week and I’m thinking I’ll stay here in Vilnius. Better be! But we’ll be moving to a new apartment that’s more central to our area. Elder Klima and Berryhill are heading home in a week and it’s been awesome to work around them and learn from them. The members really trust and love them which has been a big factor in the last four baptisms (in the last 2 months) all coming from member referrals, 2 of which were middle aged daughters of part member families. There is another member’s 11 year old son with a date for early in March and hopefully the family we’re teaching will keep on keeping on, so the work is going forward!

I was asked to give a talk last Sunday in church and I chose to talk on how to find happiness. Last time I read through the Book of Mormon I kept a tally of these words: Happiness: 31, Glad: 37, Rejoice: 79, Joy: 115, Smile: 3. I’m a firm believer the people in the Book of Mormon were very happy. But the connection is clear between being truly blessed/happy and keeping the commandments, doing missionary work and trusting in the Lord.

If I could add anything to that list it would be eating, sleeping and communicating with family, but not necessarily in that order. Thank you for your great weekly e-mails; they are the best and so uplifting. Go Lady Axe! 24 and 0, Holy Moly! It’s great to hear Tigey’s season is coming to a happy ending and even the Ducks won a game! Wow, life is good.

Love, Elder Barnes #12