ALOHA!

   First off, so sorry about last week. I totally forgot to send a group email. This week was great! 

1. We were able to set a wedding and baptismal date with Tunisha and Lexton. They are a young couple that we have been working with a really long time. They are so awesome. They are both very dedicated and optimistic that if they continue to work towards their goals, with Heavenly Father's help, they will be able to obtain all of the blessings that He wants to give them. 
2. We had so many people come to church on Sunday for the primary program. The spirit was so strong, and I know that many, if not all, hearts were touched. 
3. I continue to learn every day about the atonement as I see others, as well as myself, make important changes in their lives in order to follow the Savior more closely. 

    As this is the week of Thanksgiving, I have been reflecting a lot on the things that I am grateful for. I am so grateful for the time that I have to continue to share the gospel with everyone. I am grateful for the testimony that I have gained of the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for my family, who has supported me in every righteous desire that I have had. I am grateful for missionary work. For the hope and peace that it brings into the lives of everyone involved. I am grateful for church leaders who lovingly guide and direct us as to the things that will help us find the most joy in this life as well as the next. I am grateful for ward families. I am grateful for the beautiful islands of Hawaii. For the love and aloha that they are filled with. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father, who has a plan for ALL of his children. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his atonement which helps me to overcome weaknesses, shortcomings, sin, doubt, fear, pain, and anything else that may keep me from progressing further towards eternal joy. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's church. It is the only church in which we can receive the complete truths and all of the blessings that our Father in Heaven wants to give us. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that by reading it, studying it, pondering it,and praying about it, you can gain a testimony of its divinity and truthfulness. It will change your life and it will help you through anything that you may go through in this life. I love you all. I am grateful for all that you do to support me as well as the other missionaries around the world. This work is true. It is so true. 

Love, Sister Sydney Barber

ALOHA!

ALOHA!

 This week was really great! It was busy!

 Last night at dinner, we were eating a meal that had little bones that were hidden in the meat. Well, I took a nice hard bite of what I thought was meat and cracked my tooth. There is a long fracture right down the middle of one of my top teeth. I told them that I cracked it and then they said, "That's okay" and gave me a plate of panipopos (Samoan dessert). Gotta love Hawaii. 

 We had a lesson with a family who hasn't been to church regularly in a long time. We taught them the Plan of Salvation and by the end the spirit was so strong. The mom started to cry and we asked, as a family, if they were willing to make having an eternal family a goal. They said that they were and then we asked what some goals were that they could make in order to be able to reach the ultimate goal. The first thing she said was "we need to come to church." We then committed them to come to church every Sunday. It was a miracle. 

   Sunday the chapel was so full that we had to open up the back. Everyone bore their testimonies on the temple, eternal families and church attendance. It was perfect. The Saints are definitely being gathered. I am so grateful for the gospel. It is the refuge that we all need to make it through these challenging times. 

   The gospel is true. The work is great. We are blessed to be a part of it. 

Love, Sister Barber

ALOHA!

 Aloha, my lovely family and friends!!!

    Here is an overview of last week!!!

  Monday was a regular day, so we went to visit people until the evening, when we made chili for the Trunk or Treat! We made spam chili! It was interesting, for sure! We cut our spam into little ghosts and skeletons and pumpkins and then put whatever we had into the chili! It was fun!

  We were supposed to go to the temple on Tuesday for pday, but we got stuck in traffic, so we missed our session. So, we were pretty bummed, until we were invited to do initiatories and sealings. It was amazing. I have never done them before, so it was really special! Then, we had to take our car in for a 1 o'clock appointment to get our oil changed, but then it ended up that it didn't get changed until 4... so we were there pretty much all day. It was okay though, because we got to talk to some people. Then, we had to email real fast and then go to the Trunk or Treat! It ended up being a really big turn out! Lots of non members and investigators! It was great! We also won "most creative" for the chili contest so... you know.. no big deal!

  We were able to meet with 2 families for the first time this week! One of the families was a part member family. The wife(the member) was a little bit nervous at first, because her and her husband just got married, but it was a really nice lesson, and he agreed to have us come again! The other family hasn't been to church in a long time, because of work, but they just got work off on Sundays, so we said, "So, you are going to be at church Sunday, right?" The husband just smiled and laughed at first, but then finally agreed. 

   Sunday was wonderful! We had more investigators and less-active members at church than I ever have in this area! Alintar and Liliana, one of our investigating couples, finally came. We really didn't expect them, because it has been a long struggle to get them there, but finally they made it! It was a miracle, really! 

   So, overall, a pretty amazing week! I love being a missionary. I hope you all are safe and have a Happy Halloween! Remember that miracles happen every day. You just have to slow down sometimes, so you can look around and recognize them. 

Love, Sister Barber