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