Well, this week was interesting

Well, this week was interesting. Our ward mission leader, Brother Iosefa, had us over for dinner on Monday night, and we had a great time. We always have such great spiritual discussions over there, as well as some good laughs. They are so much fun! Brother and Sister Iosefa are like family. They are the best. 

Tuesday we had zone conference all day. It was really great! President and Sister Warner spoke, and then the new/dying(departing) missionaries all bore their testimonies. It was wonderful. 

Wednesday we had a lot of lessons. We were all over the place. It was a great day! We weren't having too much luck with new investigators, but then Thursday, we received a referral. His name is Junior. He was studying to be a minister, but then he has been studying some other christian faiths. He is a very sweet man, and he is very humble. He is engaged to a member of the church, so she is bringing him to the ward on Sunday. I am excited for him and for those that will be able to meet him! 

Friday morning I woke up with a bad stomach ache, which led to throwing up all day, which led to staying in bed for two days. It wasn't fun, and it set us back quite a bit, but luckily I am now fully recovered.

 On Sunday, the Suaava family spoke about ordinances and covenants. It was really neat! All five kids and both parents spoke. It was cool to see them all get up and speak. Rachel was there with her two kids and her husbands two kids (her husband was out of town). It was so wonderful to see her there. She is great! Junior and his fiance were there as well. We sat by the Dortch family in sacrament meeting. Lana, the youngest, sat by Sister Soriao and me. During the sacrament, I had my eyes closed, and I heard her whisper to Sister Soriao, "Is she sleeping? Why is she sleeping?" She's just super adorable. I can't say much more. :)

I am so excited for another week! Time has been going by so quickly! I hope that this week will be more productive. I'm sure it will. :) We have exchanges tomorrow, so that will be fun, and then we have service too. I am learning so much! I love this gospel! I love the change I have seen in people as they have accepted it and started living it. I love you all! I hope that you have a wonderful week and stay safe!!

Aloha!

Sister Sydney Barber 

 Zone Confernce

 Companions

 Prayers

Exhausted

Wild Boar

Roller Coaster

This week was such a roller coaster ride! Lots of ups and downs! 

I was reading in 2 Nephi and I read 33:2-4. It says, "But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal." I thought a lot about this scripture, and how much Nephi was troubled over the wickedness of men. Then I thought about all of the prophets, and how they felt the same way throughout their lives. Then i thought of the Savior. I thought about how he loves each of us with a perfect love that we cannot even begin to comprehend. My mind then went to the atonement. I can only imagine that part of what made the atonement so painful for Jesus Christ was that he had that perfect love for us as he was atoning for our sins. He thought of each one of us, with all of the love that he has for us, and he felt the pain that we each have felt, do feel and will feel. I thought of those times that I have seen someone I love in pain, and how i wished that I could take that pain from them onto myself, because it was painful to see them go through it. The Savior actually did that for each of us. I am so amazed by that. It was very hard for me to think about, but the love that I have for the people here grew so much because of it. 

Rachel was baptized and confirmed yesterday! There was such a strong spirit there. The program all went smoothly. Sister Soriao and I sang "The Olive Tree" for the special musical number. I was shaking like a leaf when I sat down after, but it was a good experience. I'm glad we did it. Rachel was glowing the whole night. I can already see the difference it has made in her life to be a member. She is going to make such an impact on the lives of so many. She is wonderful. 

We are working right now with a young couple. The man is a less-active member, and the woman is not a member. They are not married, and they are living together. She has a desire to be baptized, but she has a lot to do before that can happen. Today we talked with them about the law of chastity. We told them that they either needed to get married or he was going to need to move out, before she could be baptized. We asked them to take it to the Lord, so that they could make the best decision. They are young, but seem like they are really taking it seriously. We are praying that they will make the right decision. They are really great people. 

Well, that is all I have time for this week. I hope you all have a fantastic week! I love you all! 

Love, Sister Sydney Barber

Sister Barber

Hi, I just wanted to let you know what a great daughter you have raised. We had Sister Barber and her companion over for dinner last week and she was so sweet. My 4 daughters fought over her attention most of the night, And then begged them to sit by us in sacrament meeting:) it is good for my girls (and their cousins pictured) to see sister missionaries and talk with them about the work they do. Thank you for sharing her.

Hollie Dortch & family