2nd week at MTC

*Okay this last week has been so amazing. It has been the hardest yet most rewarding week of my life.

I can only email once a week and that is Monday for me and when I do I only have 30 minutes. So I pretty much write everything before I get on and then just type it up. On that note, I can only write letters on Monday as well. So I write everyone back on that day. :) thank you for all the letters, dearElders, and notes I have received so far! It really brightens my day and helps me realize how much support and love I have. Thank you so much! :D

 

*Food for thought:

Doctrine and Covenants 76:69

"These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus Christ the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of blood."

In this scripture the phrase "just men" often is referred to as men who are good. Who are just in their dealings. But as I read it recently I viewed the phrase "just men" as people who are just human. We make mistakes. We are not perfect yet. We are just men.

This gospel is FULL of just men who have the opportunity to become better and be forgiven for our mistakes because of the love of our savior shown through his sacrifice for us.

 

*Another scripture that stood out to me this week is Doctrine and Covenants 3:3, "Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men."

I feel that scripture speaks for itself. Please don't over look it.

 

*President Boyd K Packer said this, "The spirit does not get our attention by shouting or shaking us with a heavy hand. Rather it whispers. It caresses so gently that if we are preoccupied we may not feel it at all."  This is amazing. How can we even begin to think that we are not receiving answers from the Lord before we stop to think if we are actually listening. I am trying ever so hard to be less "preoccupied".

 

*Yesterday and today have been really healing days for me. I have regrets about my past and it's hard to let go. It's hard when you have sinned, when you have made a mistake and other people still remember it. When other's thoughts interfere. For me it has been hard to forgive myself when others have their own perception. But I have learned that it's okay to let go.

Let it go. Accept that you made errors. Accept that you're not perfect and that people have been hurt because of you. Repent. Do right. Forgive. Then let it go. Let go of what people think of you and move forward. Promise yourself to do better - then do. The Lord's atonement is useless if we do not accept what he has done.

 

*I have learned so much this week and I again am humbled by the healing power of the Atonement.

1st week @ MTC

Something that is interesting to me is something President Welton (my branch president) said:

"This is where you are suppposed to be. You are not meant to be anywhere else."

This stung my heart because even though I have some really hard moments, I know that it is true.

 

Wow! Where to start!?!?  I have timed e-mail time. The countdown is at 28 minutes so I'm going to try to get this all in. :)

The MTC is different than I had expected. But I don't really know what I expected so it isn't good or bad.  I feel so blessed to be here.

I have two companions. Sister Pederson and Sister Beirman. We're the only Sisters going to Brazil right now so we are in a tri-companionship.

I have learned soooo much. I can already put sentences together in Portuguese! Isn't that crazy?? The language is hard and it's really frustrating at times, but we've bonded because of it. We've already been teaching an investigator, Hugo (you-goo) and he doesn't speak any english. He knows a few words, but not really. So we've had to teach him portugese by the 2nd day. Is that insane? No need to think about it... the answer is yes. The biggest thing I've learned with teaching in new language though is that we are not preparing our lessons to teach Hugo about the gospel. We are preparing the Lord's lesson's to testify of simple truth's to Hugo. We had a fireside last night in which the speaker stated, "The most importamnt 2nd language you can have is the language of the spirit." 90% of all the missionaries here are learning another language for there missions and we are all going through the same trials but the most important thing to remember is that my Portuguese may not be good enough, but the spirit IS.

Hugo is not going to understand the gospel by the facts we put into his head, but by the spirit we bring in to put in his heart.

 

We directed not to listen to personal music while at the MTC. This is because we learn so much that when we have personal time we need silence to help it sink in and feel promptings of revaltion by the spirit. And it is so true. But because of this when we sing hymns in meetings and such it is such a special experience.

Yesterday we sang "All is Well". Is that the title?

"Why should we think to earn a great reward? If we now shun the fight." This line knocked the wind out of me. Heaven is a great reward. Eternity is a great reward. How can I say I deserve any of it in times of selfishness or causual behavior about the Lord's commandments.

 

I don't know if my visa is coming soon. :( But I am content where I am if I need to stay here the full 9 weeks. Visa's are backed up to Brazil like CRAZY. Please write me!

I miss everyone!

 

Love Sister Barlow

Today is the Day

I can't believe it's here! Thank you to everybody who has supported me and shown me the love I have needed to get to this point. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life who are forgiving and caring for the mistakes I make. The gospel has given me the gift of repentance, understanding, comfort, and a plan. I cannot wait to share the restoration and proclaim the message, "He lives!".
I will post again as soon as I can!
Have a wonderful 18 months! I love you all! :D

The Night Before

Tomorrow I enter the MTC which is a nerve racking and exciting idea.

Sometimes I get really nervous, but then I think about why I am going.

For me it is in 1 Peter 3:15.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

We have Christ's restored gospel here on the earth and I am blessed to share it.

Christ lives.