NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

FAMILY!
Wow it was wonderful to talk with all of you! You all sound so smiley and lovely. It was a special treat to hear from Grandma and Grandpa Sager, and I’m so proud of the work they are doing in Nashville. While talking I realized how much I love all of you. It’s blatantly obvious how much the gospel has blessed our family. In his e-mail, Christopher talked about how God is good. I totally agree.

Well Sunday evening was raining miracles in Vilnius (maybe that was the Eugene influence that started the day!) We ended church with 6 lessons to teach in order to make the area standard of 15 lessons a week. We had worked hard earlier, but spending 2 ½ days in Riga cut down on proselyting time. We were able to teach a less-active member right after church and then a member invited us over for lunch and to give her grandchildren blessings. Big time bonus because we were able to teach, get a spiritual boost and not have to go home to cook. But we still had 5 new lessons to teach and everything previously set up had fallen through. I knew that could that can only mean one thing; God had a better plan. At least I hoped so!

So we went to teach another man, but he wasn’t home and so we knocked his dome with not much happening. It was a little before 5:00 and still light out so we decided to go outside and talk with people on the streets. The second guy with his “harmful Chinese dog” was interested. We walked with him to his home and taught him and his wife. We were going to leave and go back out to the streets but Elder Brimley suggested that maybe we were led here. We said a prayer, felt good, knocked on a door and taught 3 cool university students. This process repeated twice more, just substituting a cool 24 year old Russian guy and an 80 year old Polish man. It doesn’t even stop there. So we had one more new lesson to teach and 30 min to go, walked outside and taught an 18 year old kid sitting alone on a bench. We walked home in the clouds, humbly reminded how much this work is led by the Spirit. These ridiculously miraculous days don’t happen every day, but I guess it’s possible. Haha, maybe if we called home every morning… Just kidding. But seriously.

We taught Igor yesterday evening with Brother Gennadi Ustanovich and it went great. Brother Ustanovich is the best member missionary I’ve ever seen—he walks up to people20he doesn’t know and talks to them about the book of Mormon—he’s my hero. He actually drove us over to his non-member daughter’s apartment right afterwards and we set up a lesson for tonight. He just has the biggest desire and has seen the incredible blessings and changes that living the gospel brings. That’s basically all you need to be a missionary. Plus some heavenly help. Well I’m happy to be a Barnes. I’m grateful to be a member of this the Lord’s church, and to take part in His work which is ever-growing. We are blessed. Life is good! I love you! Thanks for your e-mails, prayers, smiles and examples.

Love, Elder Barnes #12

HAPPY DAY AFTER CINCO DE MIYO

FAMILY!!

The weather was been cooler this week but the work is on fire! That's corny but true.

We're in Riga again for the day so this will have to be the spark notes version-- but it's alright cause we'll get to talk voice to voice on Sunday Woo-hoo!!

Both Richard and Igor came to church last Sunday-- they are so awesome. I've been especially impressed with Igor who's been reading the Book of Mormon like crazy-- after two weeks he's somewhere in the beginning of Mosiah and understands well. We had a lesson with a member (of 7 or 8 years) and Igor mentioned that Moroni was Mormon's son and the member was like “really, I didn't even know that.” Haha, but the result of his reading really shows in the way he's changing. He was a heavy smoker a week ago and has cut way down and just has so much more light in his face, and even walks more energetically. Alright so I didn't see him walk a ton before but the point is he's becoming a new man. We brought him some copies of hymns last night because he was embarrassed that everyone else knew the words and he didn't. And he volunteered to sing the melody just to make sure he got it down (he plays the guitar). He did made up his own tune, but I kinda like it. It's so fun to see the gospel of Jesus Christ at work.

We've also had two new lessons this week with members, a rarity because the investigators are people we found contacting but members just happened to be in the right place at the time. It's fun to teach with members because the blessings of the gospel are so fresh for them.

Zone conference was focused on teaching and I really enjoyed it! I'm constantly reminded of what a balancing act it is to teach. I'm impressed that Mom and Dad taught/teach seminary and institute because you're teaching a wide range of topics from all over in the scriptures to a wide range of students, some of whom are maybe less than super interested. We've got it easy because we teach the same things over and over to individuals and or families. But it's neat to see how every lesson is different because when you listen the spirit really gives you the words to speak.

I also enjoyed all the letters and scrumptious package! The chocolates just disappeared and the peanut butter is going quick. And the memory cards, socks and pen are the best! You spoil me in love. And I love it. It was also great to hear from Bro. MacArthur, Gary, Gus, Geoff Derven, Laura Barret, some BYU buddies, Lori Walker, so if you bump into them tell them thanks and I'll try to get back soon! Which means the next few months... It's also been very fun to catch up on all the missionary updates from the 3rd ward army-- we're all over the place! My favorite is getting hearing about William who's about to get baptized as far as I know, but then by e-mail I hear that Jenny is already home! But I guess it's kinda like someone reading the book of Mormon for the first time and cheering Ammon and his brethren along only to realize that they are already preaching the gospel to people on the side. Speaking of families it's cool to hear the Sister Richeys are serving simultaneously and it sounds like Jeff and Alex are also serving with all their hearts. I still think that Jenny should write a weekly e-mail though because reading her e-mails is like taking a weekly happy pill. Ah again the gospel is just true, there's no doubt about it. Welp talk to you soon.

I love you!!!Love, Elder Barnes #12

Happy Early Mother's day-- if you call on Sat eve at 9:30 your time (which is 7:30 Sunday morning our time) that'll be perfect! “I'm waiting without patience” That's the Russian translation of I'm excited. I love Russian. And write down any questions because I'll just talk about random things otherwise! Which would be fun too. I'm also glad that Christopher and Bethany are swinefluless. And Married!