O PA

FAMILY,

Wowzers what a week!

Before I forget please make sure to tell the Brett Family thank you so much for the Birthday/Easter package! It arrived yesterday and I was amazed/surprised-- filled with everything a missionary needs—classy tie, Washington pancake mix, all-sorts—-keys to happiness and success. It even had things we needed that I didn’t know (a full court nerf basketball set which makes morning work-outs much more exciting.) Even the socks were a life-saver because our water-pipe situation is somewhat of a disaster. Well, we definitely still get clean water but you use one thing and the used water somehow drains out another way.. So flushing the toilet fills the bathtub when unpleasantries. But seriously, it’s getting better. I pray.

We definitely had a few answers to prayers this week. On Saturday before we went to call former investigators in our area book we prayed that someone would have the desire to attend church. Fifteen minutes after we finished, the wife of a man we called, called us and asked if it was ok if she could come to church. We allowed it. She arrived the next day with her husband, got to know and becomere-acquainted with some members and asked some really good questions in Sunday school. We’re going to teach them with a member this week so we’re excited!On Monday I did an exchange in Siauliai, about 3 hours by bus away from Vilnius.

The Russian population there is very small so I was with a Lithuanian companionship but it was really enjoyable and we taught both lessons in half Lithuanian, half Russian! Again anyone adult person speaks Russian fluently. On the way home I had Quinton (my camera) in my hand when I got on the bus, bad bad idea. When I got off the bus, he stayed because he’d fallen on the floor and rolled. Obviously, I didn’t notice till I got home which was unfortunately a little late. I tried to not make a big deal of it; basically it wasn’t the end of the world, just close. But seriously it helped me put into perspective what’s most important and I was humbled as I realized all the things that are so much more important. But in the end, I was still somewhat thrilled when another prayer was answered when we returned to the bus station today, checked administration, called several different people and got hold of the bus driver who just happened to be in Vilnius in an hour and had found the camera, and was willing to give it back. Yup, a miracle.

I reread a scripture in Mormon 9:31 that provided a theme for the last few days. I’ve been trying to give thanks for the realization of making mistakes, and it’s uplifting. It’s also much easier to forgive others when you realize that you yourself are very much not perfect and that this allows us all to learn and become wiser. I think that a possible key to the Savior’s wisdom was his ability to forgive and learn from others mistakes.

We had a few real sunny days (even went for a morning run!) but the snow has returned which brings beauty in its own freezing way. I really don’t notice the cold so much but it does seem to bring sickness, so we weren’t able to teach a few of our investigators. But we’ve got lessons set up with Dima and others so hopefully they’ll be at church this week too! Church is such a highlight.

I wish I would’ve remembered to say something last week but that’s exciting to hear about Cami headed to the MTC! I’ve done a feeble job of writing missionaries in the ward but if you could send Cami’s address that’d be great! She will be great, and will love the MTC. It definitely brings new challenges, but there’s so much support because it’s really hard not to feel the spirit there. That’s so exciting that our ward has so missionaries serving! This is for sure the Lord’s work. I’m looking forward to the exciting coming week. We have zone conference in Kaunas on Friday and it’ll be great to get some inspiration on how to help our investigators make steps. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and love.

I love you!

Love, Elder Barnes #12

P.S Picture: Lock Jaw. While knocking/yawning. Ha! But Elder Brimley is the man and helped me put in back. Crazy hunh?

I HAVE THE COOLEST SISTER IN THE WORLD

Wow what a week!!! It’s been an exciting one over here as it always seems to be but I think the activities on your half may have won this week. As most of you have said, usually your letters could be subjected “Basketball” but I think last weeks was more like “baskELYSEBALLER.” I am so proud of Elyse. Her humility, dedication and skills have always impressed me but the events of last week only further prove how incredible she is. I wasn’t even there but I got the shivers reading about it.

This week was filled with a few days of non-ordinary happenings that kept us on our toes and itching to do real missionary work at every free moment. We finished moving in the apartment last Wednesday, and have been unpacking whenever there99s free time, ha that’s rare. Last Friday in Riga was great, going back up there felt like home actually. Riga is beautiful. We talked about some of the goals in the mission (avg of 12 baptisms a month) and it was just neat to
see a more broad scale perspective on the work here.

The church is still pretty young here in the Baltics, but President Dance is doing an amazing job at helping the branches become as self-sustaining as possible. For example I’ve been playing piano for sacrament meeting the past month but President asked me to have a member play instead. The problem is that none of the members can play, yet. Actually a while back a member asked me to teach piano lessons so we started doing that as service once a week starting 3 weeks ago, even before President asked for that to happen! It’s coming slow; I remembered how tough it was to learn the piano from scratch. And honestly it didn’t help that the first 2 lessons I tried to teach the notes using the alphabet just translated into Russian. We learned that numbers are easier because he was counting the notes from C anyway, so it’s been an interesting experience and develops patience but is also really fun. The goal for the next few weeks is to teach him how to play 3 or 4 hymns one handed. Oh we would be so happy.

Our investigators are continuing to read and progress, which is great! Because last week was a little nuts, it worked out that none came to church (not so great) but we had a good lesson with the Ponovka family yesterday and I really feel good about them. We’re going out to them with Brother Ginadi Ustanovich tomorrow and I’m just excited, there’s nothing better than teaching the gospel to those that are humble and ready to accept.

We also are teaching a referral/ neighbor of a member named Galina. Her name is Natasha and she’s about 25, with a 6 month old daughter. Elders Klima and Berryhill taught her once before they left, and she’s come to church and activities and is about 100 pages into the book of Mormon! Not bad hunh? We were able to talk to her a bit last night (she was taking care of her daughter and so weren’t able to teach) but she’s so kind and happy and I’m really excited to work with her. The members here are just on fire about doing missionary work and it’s a blast because we’re teaching people who we’d never be able to find/teach without them. At the same time, when we are not with the members, there’s nothing better than talking with everyone! I’m convinced that’s how miracles happen.

Last week we forgot our keys at the teaching center and my companion was a little flustered because he thought they were lost, which frankly freaked me out a bit too, but I just had a feeling a miracle was on the way. While walking, we felt prompted to take a different path than normal and a few steps later ran into a group of French tourists. They were in a big hurry so I said a few broken words in French; they were surprised, laughed, smiled and ran away. At that point I was thinking that maybe that little seed planted was the miracle, but just wait. We’re about 20 meters away from the teaching center and a man walks by us. I nudge my still
somewhat flustered companion (this is a different elder by the way, not Elder Brimley) to talk with him and he does, somewhat reluctantly. But when I see the man is Chinese I couldn’t hold myself back. He told us his name was Shasha (Chinese accent for Sasha) and has talked to missionaries before in Kaunus but doesn’t read in Russian or Lithuanian, although he spoke a little in Russian. We got his number and brought a Chinese book of Mormon to a lesson with him the following week (last Sunday). Realizing his understanding of Russian was somewhat small, we had him read a few scriptures in the Chinese book of Mormon and ooh it was awesome. He sounded like Christopher!! Or vise versa. But I told him all about my studly older bro when we met on the streets and I thought that was part of the reason we ended up meeting with him. But as talked it was clear he really wants to read the book of Mormon and find an answer if it’s true. So he’s reading right now and we’ll teach him next week, but wow it was such a rush--

I’ll send a picture of Sasha Elder Brimley and me. Chinese people are the coolest. Especially Russian speaking ones!

Thank you for your love and support. Dad or Grandma Barnes used to say that all the time but it’s so true, family relationships are the best! I got the package for Valentines Day and LOVEd it. The all-sorts were gone in day, and we baked the peanut butter cookies and took them to the Ponovka family yesterday and they really enjoyed them. The ties are gorgeous! Elder Brimley was stoked. He thinks I'm spoiled, i just told him I'm loved. (difference being I don't ASK for anything I want and get it, but i just get everything I would like without having to ask.) Mom you asked what we eat and I wrote down this week’s menu so here you go: Tomato soup and grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches (toasted in oven...hmmm), Pelmeni (Baltic ravioli things) Lasagne, and Pizza (with the =0Acrust you sent us!) So we eat well! We usually do one meal a day at home around 3 or 4 which holds you over till the night. There are some Lithuanian Latvian dishes --Sepalini (sp?) Anything with meat and potatoes is local you could say. Pretty sure my weights not moved too much, but I’m definitely not as strong as Chisos anymore. He’s a beast!

OH and it was awesome reading the talk you sent! Understanding of God and his nature is crucial to obeying, becoming like and returning to live with Him. A question I like to ask people here is “who is God?” Almost even more important than whether or not someone believes in God, is what they understand Him to be. Frankly if the way I was taught about God was that he’s everywhere and nowhere and impossible to understand, I’m not sure if I would believe in Him either. But I know He did return his true church and teachings on the earth, through the prophet Joseph Smith so that every one of his children could have the chance to know him, and experience the blessings that come from living His Gospel. Jesus Christ has always been the Savior of this world, and I know the Restoration provides the way for every one of us to have immediate and clear access to his eternal atonement. What a joy to be in Lithuania and help others understand this!

I am a lucky guy,
Love, Elder Barnes #12

The day Elder Briggs left, and Elder Brimley and Shasha

GO LADY AXE!!!

FAMILY!

It’s not that all of you don’t already know (because you’re the ones who update me) but Elyse and the gang are tearing it up! SO good to hear, they deserve the success. And please don’t feel like I’m tired of basketball reports—it’s a refreshing break to think about all the hustle going on at home to get to games there and in Portland and all the friends and family coming to support, it’s so awesome. Make sure to give Grandma and Grandpa Sager a big hug from me. And Go Lady Axe!!!

There have been a few new changes here in Vilnius so I’ll update you quickly. First I have a new companion—Elder Brimley! Elder Briggs is in Riga, Imanta where he will serve with Elder Pratt (my MTC companion) who’s the new district leader up there and whitewashed into the area— ha I’m so pumped for them it’ll be awesome. I’ve served around Elder Brimley in Riga for one transfer and was really impressed by his Russian skills, humility and ability to just accept the Lord’s will. Elder Brimley is from Salt Lake (cottonwood) and has been out for a year and a half—get this in the last 7 transfers has served in 9 different areas, in 5 different countries. It might look like a “problem missionary” resume but it’s exactly the opposite, he’s a very obedient and good missionary, just one that’s run into a lot of problems! To make a real long story shorter: called to Rostov (bordering Older Brothers mission in Samara) had to come to Ukraine to renew visa, then had to come to Vilnius, then back to Russia, than kicked out of Russia for crazy charges of “teaching” illegally for English class, than to Tallinn, Estonia next to Riga, than kicked out of EU (visa stuff) to Ukraine, different mission than back here to Lithuania. Yeah… wow. In these places he usually didn’t know how long he would be there, and it ranged for 3 weeks to 3 months in each spot. But he really just keeps on keeping on with a smile and told me today he’s just happy to be somewhere doing missionary work. Yeah stud. I’m excited to serve together and learn from him! I took a picture of us today that I’ll send; I just wanted to get proof that we were together just in case he gets shipped off again quick. Just kidding.

But seriously work continues to fly forward. We even had to go through the messy process last week of looking for and renting a new apartment which we finally sealed the deal for yesterday, just in time. Only after some hard-nosed negotiations though, as they tried to rip of us off, ha I may not speak Lithuanian but I’m not stupid. I’ll send pictures of our new place next week but it’s right in the area where we knock (as opposed to center, on main street) so I’m really looking forward to being out there.

We had family home evening with the Ponovka family (with 3 girls) and it was great, they are so dang cute! The branch is doing a fabulous job bringing them in, and on Monday the new ward missionary (baptized 2 months ago) came out with us to teach. We’re also teaching Dima (26) who basically sees himself as Mormon (“Our Church”) and has said he just gets this same peaceful feeling every time he prays, and I’m just thinking yeah the church is so true.
We’ve gotta run and go sign out of our old apartment but thanks so much for your love and support. Time is starting to fly quicker than ever but daily I feel the support home. Seriously, you’re the best. I love you!

Love, Elder Barnes #12