Week 74(part 2): January 18, 2019

Hey there!!! Surprise!!!!

So, now that I'm working in the office, that means we don't have pday on Mondays; it'll switch each week. I hear it is usually on Fridays or Thursdays. Sorry about that.

It was an interesting week. Of course it was just Monday a few days ago, but there were still some pretty cool things that happened. Before I left the Azores, I called as many people as I could, pretty much the whole branch and some investigators, and thanked them for all they had done for me and encouraged them to keep being the awesome people they are. It was pretty sad; I'm not gonna lie. That island had been my home for a while. I had grown to love the people there. Our recent convert, Tiago, got to do a video chat with us and his member girlfriend, Inês, the second to last day I was there. We taught a lesson about the priesthood. At the very end, I told them the news that I was going to another area to serve. It got really quite and they both got super sad. Tiago was literally crying. To be honest, I didn't know how strong our relationship was until that moment. Tiago has a huge piece of my heart. I told him I had his email and number and all and that we'd keep in touch.

When I left, I flew by myself to Lisbon. I had a goal to give someone the Book of Mormon before I got to my next area. I remember getting into the airport and looking around, using my super spirit sensing power skills, to know who I should sit by. I saw a family and sat by, super smooth and all. I tried to start talking to them, but it was a little difficult. They kept talking on the phone and were stressing about missing their connecting flight. Our flight had been delayed. I then tried talking to another guy, but he sort of brushed me off. I sat down looking at everyone just sort of bummed out; it didn't seem like anyone was going to talk to me.

I saw a guy sitting across from me and decided I was just going to go for it. With a prayer in my heart, my mouth started to open. Just before I could utter a syllable, a lady sat right in front of me. I felt really good about talking to her. I introduced myself as a missionary and all and she said how she had already talked to a few missionaries and that a few of her friends were members. She said how they had already talked to her a lot about their religion. I asked her about the Book of Mormon and if she had read it. She said how she had read a few parts. She told me she liked reading. She had a huge book in her hand that she was about to read. I asked her if she had her own Book of Mormon. She said no. I asked her if she would like her own. She said yes and asked if she had to pay back. I said it was a gift of course. We went on to talk about the Azores and Portugal. It was neat to see how God put her in my path right before I was about to act. It seemed He was testing my faith and only put her in my path until I acted.

I got here in Lisbon and got to meet the new elders I'll be with for a while.

From left to right: Elder Hawkins, Elder Shriber, Elder Alder, Elder Hunter, and yours truly. We went to Bounce for pday today.

More pics:

Elder Hawkins is my new companion. He's super cool! I seriously love him!!!! He has been in the office for a super long time and will train me to be a new executive. I have a lot to learn. But it seems like there will be tons of opportunities to grow, which I am super excited about.

Love you all tons!!!! Thanks so much for your love and support!!!
Elder Barton

PS Thank you thank you thank you for the Christmas package!!!! It was so awesome!!! You guys made me smile and laugh so hard!!!! Ive already dug in to a bunch of the goodies ;) Luv y'all!!!!!