Week 77: God Loves You

 We all love Shadi so much. 

She came to church with us this Sunday!

 Hanging out with Shadi at the park. She is so awesome. (They made me jump into this empty pool. Haha)

 She didn't smile for the pic, but this is Virginia! She is awesome! We love her.

 Our area at sundown.

 Ballrad with Virginia!

Our Prep Day tandem adventure!

 

 I found out riding a tandem can have it's challenges.....=D

 Cool wall art near Joaos house.

Letter Home:

So last week started off with us getting to ride on tandem bikes for Pday! Me and Sister Call were all gung-ho to go and.....within the first five minutes we crashed. Hahah the streets of Portugal are crazy! There was a bus behind us and I panicked. Luckily Sister Call got away with a little bruise on her hand. I, on the other hand, got a bruised knee, and scratched elbow, hands, and hip. At least my face was saved, I need to be able to get married someday. ;)

The theme of this week is an amazing lady we met named Virginia! Last week when we went to the cute dance at the old folks home, she noticed us talking to all the old folks and she wondered who we were. So she came out of the building, despite her sensitivity to sun, and talked to Sister Call. She is so sweet, really white with really soft hands and a cute accent from Madeira. She is an older lady with a really sweet personality. She has trouble walking. The first time we went to her house, she was so excited to see us. When we said the first prayer to open up the lesson, i opened my eyes and she was just crying big crocodile tears. We stayed silent for a minute which is something rare for 3 experienced missionaries that like to talk. Then I took her hand and I said "God loves you. You are a special daughter of Him." She closed her eyes and gripped my hand surprisingly tight for an old lady. She started trembling and she whispered, facing the sky, "Thank you, Jesus." We continued with the lesson, and she said she felt something really special that she didn’t know how to describe. She said she saw a light. We continued on and taught the Plan of Salvation, which really applies to her since she had her husband and two children die in a car accident years ago.

Later on, my comps went to her house and they taught her the story of Joseph Smith (I was on a division with an Irmã of the ward. So I didn’t actually get to go) and during the lesson they showed her the picture of Joseph Smith and the First Vision. She stopped and said "I have seen this picture before. Last time, when the other servant of Heavenly Father took my hand, I saw a light. I didn’t know what it was. But I saw this image. I didn’t understand what it was, but now I know" She knows this message is true and she knows she has found the right path. She is so special and we know that it is a grand privilege to meet her. She is so committed and special and believes that we truly are servants of the Lord. I truly felt the power of the Spirit of the Lord in that moment when I took her hand. She is being guided to the truth by the family members that have passed away. Virginia is so awesome.

I love you all so much! Miracles happen in the true church of Jesus Christ.

Sister Barron

Week 76: Two Weeks Left =0

 Ballrad contacting people after church on Sunday.

 Why oh why can I not own one of these to drive on the BYU campus? I could probably fit four friends in the back. Maybe more.

This is Ariana. <3 Sister Ribero and I found her and she was baptized this week along with 2 others that I helped teach!!!

 I'm so very happy!

Letter Home: There's More To Life Then Boats

So this week was made brighter when I found out that 3 people that I have helped teach or found have been baptized. How awesome is that! (I only got the picture of one of them) I know that no effort is without purpose and that some people just take a little more time to accept the gospel. I love this message that we have and we are trying our best to share it with the most people possible.

So Ballrad had an awesome week, we did everything from Mom Dancing to writing songs to staying up really late talking (oops.) It is literally so hot here. Sometimes I think I am melting. Seriously, our house is like an oven. At night I just lay there without blankets and try to focus on the fact that I am not dying from heat. But it’s okay, at least it chilled off a little bit today. We have wonderful plans to go bicycle riding today, so that should be fun.

We took Shadi, our awesome friend, to an activity of the ward in Oeiras. We found out (unfortunately) that she lives in the area of another ward, so she won’t be frequenting Cascais. Luckily, though, our district leader Elder Smith decided that we can continue to teach her since she is a 16 year old young lady. But I really feel like it was the right decision, she really needs the Sisters. Especially now that she is going through some hard times. The activity was games with water balloons, and at one point she was going crazy, chucking balloons at everyone. Haha She is a feisty little one. I love her so much. We are excited for her baptism on the 30th.

I had the cool experience to go to Setubal and do a division with the Sisters there. It was so fun to see my baby, Sister Bravender, again. She is a total soldier and I loved seeing her. She reminded me to keep rocking out to Enya. Can do, Sister B!

The mission is so awesome and fun, and literally so physically exhausting. I think my body knows that the end is coming up because my energy is close to zero. But I know I can finish these last few weeks and THEN I can sleep haha.

Of all the random things I have accumulated on my mission (among them trinkets and trophies and thing a ma bobs), the most important thing I have accumulated is my testimony. Thanks guys, I will be majoring in cheesy declarations! But it really is true. I know this church is true. I know that the scriptures make a difference in our lives. When people decide to leave the church, the first thing they lack to do is daily scripture study and prayers. Everyone can do better. I feel it, when I am with doubt, I can read the words and my heart is softened and the truth wiggles its way in there. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He is the best big brother ever. I am so glad that I can trust in Him and His plan. The other day in the grocery store, we contacted an American man. He was a self-claimed Atheist. He said "There is NOTHING out there. I believe in none of it." and I said "So, would you mind if I asked you what the meaning of life is?" (That is a good question for all Atheists) and he said "The meaning of life is being on my boat and going to the beach with my wife. That’s it." there wasn’t anything we could have said to change his mind, but hearing that just made me really sad. He is so blind to the beautiful things that the true meaning of this life really has! I respect that he has his own beliefs and I hope that he really can find happiness on his boat. As for me, I pursue a happiness that comes from family, making bonds that will outlast death, and trusting that my Father in Heaven didn’t intend for us to spend our lives on boats, but engaged in good causes that will take us to the Celestial Mansion above.

I love you all! I hope you have a wonderful week! ONE MORE EMAIL TO GO!! Haha I will have to ponder and pray to make it a good one.

Loves

Sister Barron

Week 75: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!! MY FRIENDS!!!!

 I love these little three wheeled trucks!

 We went to a cute little party at an old folks home on "Sardines Day" These cute little ladies (both members of the church) danced for the celebration.

 Sister Call visiting with someone.

Letter Home:

Basically, all I have to say to any other missionary serving in Europe is...

 PORTUGAL IS THE BEST COUNTRY! WE WON THE EUROPEAN CUP!

And of course I didn’t watch the game, but I supported and yelled "Viva Portugal!" with the best of em. I definitely have mission country pride. Portugal is the best. So there. I love it all from the funny old people, to the millions of bakeries, to the cobble stoned sidewalks, EVERYTHING! And why am I feeling so sentimental? Because today during P-day we received a training for missionaries that are going home in 3 weeks. We talked about marriage, getting jobs, being in an interview, and making resumes. That is something that I haven’t thought about or worried about in so long! But I found myself in a mock interview in front of a bunch of other missionaries, and when the fake employer asked me what I had to bring to the company I was able to say:

"For a year and a half of my life, I did volunteer work for my church as a missionary in Portugal. I learned how to work under stress, work well with people of all different cultures, and meet and talk to strangers everyday. I believe I can work hard, I am dedicated and diligent, and ready to do my best."

What employer wouldn’t want to hear that?

This week we have continued with our divisions with Irma’s everyday. We found these AWESOME ladies from Brazil named Andreia and Cintia. They were a reference from a member, and they are so cool! They both came to church with us and loved it! They are marked for baptism on the 24th. Prayers would be lovely!

I have thought a lot about what I want to say to you all this week, but I hardly have any time, but I want to transmit to you all how I feel regarding something that the prophets have spoken out against over and over. Pornography. If you are a person who has an addiction to Pornography, because it IS addictive, I frankly invite you to STOP. It is a poison that destroys families and honestly scares me. I am willing to do whatever it takes to make my future home a pornography-free atmosphere. My children will grow in a home that is a safe haven from the world. I hope I can find a husband that shares these same feelings. If you are a young man reading this email and you don’t agree with my feelings about pornography, sorry Hun but this girl is not for you.

I love you all! I know this church is true. I feel it in my heart. I love other missionaries and I pray for their success and happiness. The mission is what you make it. Make it unforgettable!

Sister Barron

PS. In one transfer I will be at BYU! WHAT!!!

Week 74: Land Of The Free!

 Our "Murica" party that we had today. 

We went all out! 

 This is a little girl from the branch named Ana.

Ana and Arthur :)

 This is Irma Silvina. She is AWESOME and took us to visit 4 of her neighbors this week. That is some great member missionary work!

 This is our investigator Conceicao. She is so funny! This pose she insisted on can give you a glimpse of her personality. :) She has set her baptismal date! I love her!

 Look at this adorable carousel!!!! Our friend gave us a ride for a Euro and took our picture! #blessings

 Awkward Primary songbook pics. 

Who created these?

Letter Home:

So as a challenge of President at the start of this transfer, we have been going on splits with Irma’s from our branch everyday. It is so fun. Two of us will go and do contacts or go to another appointment and the other one with leave with an Irma and go visit other people. It is weird to not be with another missionary, but the people of this branch are totally stepping up to the challenge. We are having a ton of success and last week we had 8 lessons with member! Whoop!

Today as a district we had the most epic “MURICA” party you have ever seen. We totally went all out with decorations, American food, and a round of CAPTURE THE FLAG with water balloons at the end. It was so fun! Our chapel was the perfect playing ground because it has 3 levels.

This week we had dinner with an Irma from our ward named Irma Biggersson. She is Swedish and she speaks Swedish and English fluently. She is a totally active member of the church, despite the fact that she doesn’t speak any Portuguese. I always translate for her on Sundays and I love it, despite the fact that it is like my brain is being squeezed. I have a lot of pity for translators. That is probably one of the most difficult jobs. Anyways, Irma Biggersson is awesome because she has her own business that has to do with therapy with parents. She inspired me a lot and I think that maybe I want to study something like that. We had so much fun talking to her and asking her questions and picking her brain apart. How did she end up in Portugal? She told us about her awesome conversion story, when she was in Sweden in her 20s the Elders knocked on her door. She told them she was not interested, but they were really persistent. They didn’t give up on the first no. I really admire that of them. Little do they know that they have a highly active member of the church that married in the temple and has 6 children of the covenant. She said she was impressed how they were first her friend, and they didn’t push her too hard. She was baptized 8 months after that first interaction. She said it was easy to have a testimony but that she needed to sum up the courage to commit herself to make this life changing decision. I really hope she can come into contact with those Elders. It would make them so happy.

Me and Sister Call had a nice talk this week and decided that we have the most excitement to work right now in our missions than any other time. It doesn’t matter that we are ending our missions in 4 weeks. I love her so much and I hope that she knows that I know that she is totally capable of doing the impossible. If her mother reads my blog, I hope she knows that her daughter is a spiritual giant. She can do hard things!

I bore my testimony at church. So weird that it was my last testimony meeting. I spoke on the Atonement.

We are determined to find a FAMILY to teach. Father, Mother, and children. THAT is what the church is centralized on. By the way, parents, my comps determined that I look like my mother but I have my Fathers  eyes. Just thought you ought to know.

Love you all!

~Sister Barron