Week 79: February 23, 2019 - Fixer Attitude
Well, just another fantastic week gone by in the office! Sorry I didn't write last week. I feel awful about that. Our mission got super excited about the news from the first presidency that we can call home!!! There were a lot of different reactions that I didn't expect too with different missionaries here in Portugal. Most were super excited!!! A few were nervous it would distract form their work. I was one of those that got super excited!!! I always get so motivated after talking to you guys. I feel like you guys are working more closely with me while I am out here, and it also gives me and many others to get our families more excited about missionary work. But, I understand that with this, there is a limit. I've noticed many times where the spirit has told me I need to stop something or that it is enough to where it could lead me to do something bad or be distracted form something more important in the moment.
Anywho, it really was an awesome past couple of weeks. I got to see some people from the last areas I served in which was super cool!! I saw Rafael the other day!!! He was waving while we were leaving to drop some documents off. I jumped right out of the car and gave him a huge hug!!! It was so awesome to see him!!! That was something that brought me a ton of joy and a huge blessing from the mission!!!
We've also been doing a lot of documentation and residency work for all the missionaries. It's tons of fun going with them and getting to know them better!!! We usually go out and get a fun little breakfast in the morning. I get yogurt and oats which, to be honest, is soooo good!!!!!
We've also been getting tons of treats from people in the office!!! So much fun!!!
Sister Fillmore left us treats from the island Madeira!!!!
Elder and Sister Powers brought us caramel m&ms from for Valentines Day!!!
The sisters in Benfica, Sister Hales and Sister Moyes, Brought us some treats for after our district council. They brought me ice cream for my GF situation!!! So nice of them!!!!!
I also got to say goodbye to Elder and Sister Mann. They were with me out in the Azores. They were a great missionary couple!!! I will always be super grateful for their sacrifice to serve us and many others here in Portugal.
We had a lot of work to do this week, but I noticed the importance of being patient and calm in those types of situations. It seems to make things flow easier and people will be less stressed and happier because of it. We can either add to the chaos or fix it. I heard and saw a ton of great examples this week. The elders in this office are so amazing!! They are all so dedicated and are all teaching me such important lessons. Elder Shriber is a huge example of dedication to me.
(Thats Elder Shriber on the back far right next to me. we went out and ate sushi today for his bday)
He is a finance elder here in the office. Missionaries recently received smartphones here in the Portugal Lisbon Mission, and he had a ton to do with it. He worked so hard, late into the night and early in the morning without stopping, to make sure this whole thing could work out. Huge example of dedication. He never complained and was willing to help out in other situations even though he had such a huge and stressful responsibility on his shoulders. Super neat. It's even his birthday this Sunday. So, he's a super star!!!!
President Fillmore is also a super good example of this. He is always super calm. Even when things go horribly wrong, he calmly says, "ok, what can we do to fix it." Such a neat attitude!!! I really admire that and hope I can make that attitude part of me.
Love you all tons!!! Best family ever!!!!
Love,
Elder Barton
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