THE CHURCH IS TRUE

Dear Family!

Yesterday we had one of the worst moments I've seen followed by the best. Interesting how it works that way. We received a call from Igor Smirnov (with a
baptismal date for May 30th) in the morning and he was just acting off and bringing up doubts and concerns from out of nowhere. We brought brother Artus Fales, the oldest member in Lithuania (he's 40, but member for 16 years) to the lesson in the evening. At first Igor had all of the reading materials we'd given him and was trying to give them back. My heart dropped. The member, who's seen so many people go and come, lovingly told Igor to keep the materials and that maybe they'll be useful when his mind changes. It was pretty intense and I can't remember exactly what was said but it was clear that Brother Fales was led by the spirit in what to say and do. After about 5 minutes, Igor had calmed down and told us the list of things that had happened including friends at work, family members and non-active members giving him garbage and even threatening to never speak with him again, he was being accused for debts for previous renters, was worried about paying tithing and had some pretty crazy nightmares. Yeah, well at the end of the lesson Igor was back to himself, prayed, read scriptures, bore his testimony and had a huge smile. Satan tries, but in the end he's a big-time loser. We'll see what happens but one thing is for sure--
without God this work would just not be possible.

So that's it for intense miracles of the week-- other miracles include finding and teaching a cool 16 year old kid who's a basketballer, than going to his family's
a few days later and teaching his parents who would have not let us in if we were not already friends of their son. We also met a 22 year old Ukranian on the streets who's "looking for the right path," who's now reading and enjoying the Book of Mormon. We try to schedule in a chunk of time for talking with people on the streets every day and it's incredible looking back and seeing how we were led to meet and teach those whom we do. I'm beginning to better recognize the promptings of the spirit and how daily revelation is a reality. But just like we tell investigators over and over, unless we DO something to test our faith--miracles just can't happen!

Last Sunday we had District Conference when all of the members in Lithuania gathered
in Kaunus. It was great to see the strength of the members and missionaries I love. The best part were the talks given by President and Sister Dance, President Genadius Menataes (Grandma and Grandpa Barnes's hometeachee/district president) and Elder and Sister Senkans,(a Latvian member of the 3rd Quorom of the 70). All are very powerful and clear teachers who really have a love for these people. Another interesting aspect, that I think Dad will enjoy-- is the logistics of the languages. Each speaker, (or couple) spoke in a different language: english, lihuanian, and russian. That means for every talk, at least one person was translating, sometimes two. For the English and Russian talks some native members translated into Lithuanian from the pulpit and then for the Lithuanian and Russian talks a Lithuanian member and I took turns translating into English through a headphone system for all of the Missionaries (older couples who only speak english, most missionaries who'd dont speak russian, and a few who don't speak Lithuanian) and the Senkans family (with 4 kids) who don't understand Lithuanian. Ha! It really felt like an organized and righteous conference at the tower of Babel. It also made me appreciate the logistical nightmares of General Conference! But the church is so true and even when I couldn't understand the Lithuanian talks, I still knew they must've been true. I love the Baltics.

Well I hope you have a good week! I can't believe this past year has felt like one quick and long week. I'm thrilled and grateful to be engaged in the Lord's work. This is where I want and am supposed to be, God knows best! Like Dad said, I'm a lucky guy. I'm also looking forward to hearing about the mission calls of KC and Jenae -- whew this is the life.

I love you all so much. I know your prayers make a difference, because God hears
and answers them! Thank you.

Love, Elder Barnes #12