Week 49: July 23, 2018 - First week in the Azores

Hey there from the islands!!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful week!!!! You all sound like you are doing so well!!!! That always makes me feel soooooo good to hear that!!!

Transfer day this Tuesday was pretty hard. It was so sad to say goodbye to Elder Gusmão and Elder Goff. They were such amazing missionaries and such good examples to me. We had our last hugs and goodbyes at the train station that we all meet at for transfers. I feel like my family gets bigger and bigger as I get more and more companions. They are basically my new family for the time we are together and after. Its always like a huge family reunion when we see each other again. I'm gonna miss them tons that's for sure.

The Azores are soooo cool!!!!! The first day we got here, we met up with Elder Fogg, my companion, and Elder Lewis, one of our zone leaders. We were a trio for the first few days. The first day here, we did some contacts and knocked a bunch of doors. The people here speak differently than the people from Portugal. They have a much thicker accent and cut a lot of the words when they speak. They speak Portuguese with a sort of Australian accent. The people here are super nice too!!! One of the members we visited had us come in and had a huge meal already made for us. I have felt so happy and comfortable with all of the members here. They are all just so friendly and so open. One of the big things here is farming. There are tons of cows and farmers here. Its so cool!!!! As we are walking the streets, you can see tons of farmland and cows and horses. Its always an adventure! The weather is pretty unpredictable too. It tends to rain out of nowhere and then get pretty hot and sunny. It hasn't been cold here which is pretty cool too. 

Elder Fogg and I have already had tons of opportunities to serve the people here. We have already given tons of blessings! The people here really need God! There are tons of less actives and our branch has few, but dedicated members. The first day at church, I got to pass the sacrament, was the only one to pass which was a first, and give the closing prayer. Next Sunday, Ill be giving a talk. Already feel super integrated! So cool!!! We also have this little neighborhood in our area called Rabo de Peixe, which translates to fish's butt. I think it gets that name because there is a huge fish processing factory right in the center. Smells great...like rabo de peixe. Hahaha! I actually got to see president in the mission office before I got on the plane, and that was the first thing he said to me about my area! It was super funny!!! I actually love it there. 

The people are pretty interesting, but there are a few that we pass by that are just amazing!!! We got to teach this one lady and her son about the Book of Mormon. She is less active, not because she wants to be, but her husband doesn't let her go to church. one of the hugest blessings I have seen that I have had is that all of our family are active members of the church. It is so hard to see divided families. We will be working to build the church a lot here in the Azores. There are so many opportunities here and people to teach are literally being thrown right at us! Its so exciting to serving here! My companion, Elder Fogg, is so awesome!!! We are already best buds!!! He is super funny and is super dedicated to serving the Lord. I have good feelings about our future together here. 

Love you all tons!!!! Best family ever!!!!

Elder Barton