Week 94 & 95: June 10, 2019

Hey there family!!!!!

Well, we can all say we were in Europe together now!! Hahaha

I hope you all are doing well and had a safe flight over here.

We already talked a lot about things that happened this week. We did a split with the Elders in Lagos which was tons of fun. I went with Elder Clark. We taught a guy named Mike. He was super cool. He was evangelical and said how he had talked to a bunch of our companions before and wanted to know why we were so persistent about him becoming a member of the church. He basically wanted to know why he couldn't be part of any other church and worship God the way he wanted to. We led into the lesson on the restoration of the gospel. He listened. In the end, he still didn't understand the importance of authority in God's church. He seemed a little frustrated in the end, I even acknowledged that in the lesson, and Elder Clark bore his testimony on the Book of Mormon. I think that was the most powerful part of the lesson. Something felt very right about that.

Elder Terron and I also had another lesson that I already told you guys about in our video call with a guy named Eduardo, an evangelical pastor. I had high hopes in the beginning, but it turned out he wasn't very open to here or message. We also talked to a few very bold atheists this week. It was a week full of different opinions I guess you could say.

I've actually been reading a book this week called Our Pursuit for Happiness by Elder Ballard. It's is a great book. I feel like it was an inspired book for me to read this week. Elder Ballard's introduction is all about understanding. He talked about how that was going to be his focus in the book. I haven't read the whole book yet, but after this week, that part of his book has more meaning to me. Looking back at the times I had to teach this people, one thing I wish I would've done better was just focus on understanding, or in other words love. The first thing mentioned in preach my gospel is the importance of understanding and loving or spiritual brothers and sisters. It seems to me that that is the purest way to let the spirit work through you.

I didn't write anything about last week, but we had some really neat experiences! A sister from Sweden invited a friend of hers, Barry, who is originally from England to get a priesthood blessing at the chapel. He had been having severe migraines for many years. We got to know him a little better and we then sat down in Elder Andersons office, who is also the branch President. Elder Anderson explained to him about 3 things that apply to a priesthood blessing: faith in Jesus Christ, priesthood authority, and the will of God. He turned it over to me and let me elaborate on it a little more. I mentioned at one point that if he prepared himself and became a member of Christ's church that he could one day have this same authority. He seemed to marvel at that when I said that, real sincere, genuine guy. We have him the blessing. After, he seemed to be so happy and at peace. He thanked us and said how it was hard these days to find such genuine people. We have been trying to meet up with him. I heard recently that after the blessing, he slept the best he had ever slept for the three best he had ever slept for the next 2 days and his migraines have lightened up a ton.

I love the things the Lord has been teaching me. Just goes to show how loving and omniscient He is of His work and glory.

Love you all!!!
Elder Barton

Photos
1) last pday, we had a huge BBQ at our chapel with the whole zone, played tons of games, it's was awesome!