Week One

Hello dear family.

 

I only have 30 min to write so please excuse the many spellng/typing errors i will probably make.

 

thank you for all of the letters/ cards! They are grrrrreat!!! ALSO. if it is too much trouble to write a letter, put it in an envelope and send it off, you can write me emails on DearElder.com. Ask Kate if you have any questions, but basically they print off the dear elders every day so i don't have to wait for wednesday. Please do that! Or just write a letter.... those are good too.

 

Anyway, this week has been crazy! I like the MTC. I never thought I would say that. ever. But it's a really good place here. I LOVE my district! They are all really great. even though they are 19 year old boys. most of the time, they are really great. And the sisters in my district are really cool. and funny. we are all in the same room in our residence hall so it's always a party. haha

 

I have learned a lot so far. too much to tell you about. sorry. But we did have a fireside on sunday from brother Lusvardi. he is in charge of church.... uh. something. i can't remember. teaching... doesn't matter. Anyway, he spoke about the importance of love. And as we know in Preach my Gospel, Love is one of the Attributes of Christ. it is SO important to everyone but especially in missionary work. And that is what I have been focusing on this week. Increasing my love for the Lord, my companion, some of the elders in my district who are especially immature, the "investigators" we teach here, and the people in Virginia! it's been a good thing. Especially today because we went to the temple this afternoon and I was just fillled to the brim with Love. And I was looking around in the Celestial Room afterward at all of my elders and I just loved all of them. And I am going to work on showing my love to my whole district (in a missionary appropriate way, of course) this week. I am called to represent Christ. And so I need to be Christlike and love everyone I come in contact with. And that is something, if you remember, that was mentioned in my setting apart blessing. That the people of VA will feel my love and the love of the Lord and their Heavenly Father as I serve and teach them. It's quite the responsibility. And I am going to take it seriously. 

 

We had a meeting yesterday about "Finding Those who will Receive the Gospel". basically learning the importance of working to find those who are prepared to accept the gospel and come unto Christ. And what I personally have to do is find people by showing them my love. I cannot be afraid because "love casteth out all fear." I think that scripture is in 2 Ne. but I'm propably wrong. Sorry. I'll look it up later. But if I just focus on that. I will be able to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. (That is our new motto from the meeting.)

 

wow. I need to get faster at typing!

 

Also, it is SO good to have Julia here!!! I LOVE it so much! Everyone thinks we are twins. it's really fun. she is doing So good! And everyone in my district thinks I know everyone here at the MTC because I keep seeing people I know. AND I know one of my teachers from before the MTC!! haha it was so weird the first day when he walked in and i was like, "Todd!! what are you doing here??" haha He dated my friend, Missy's sister, Ashley and i would see him a lot and I actually showed him my figure drawing work one time... weird. but he is a really good teacher. It's been fun.

 

Also, I saw Rubie's brother at the temple on Sunday. we get to go up to the temple and walk around every week after Sacrament meeting. it is really fun. we all go up together as a Zone. My zone is funny. And my branch presdiency is REALLY great! The presdient is so nice and the night we first met them, he said that i smile all of the time and it made him want to have whatever I had. haha He is really great! And the 2nd counselor looks like Uncle Doug. Which is great. it made me love him even before I talked to him. haha But then on Sunday he told me a really great story about his tie, so he's really cool. They are just great and I'm so grateful for them.

 

 

well, that's about everything... I'm running out of time and still need to print off the email I got from mom. Thanks, MOM!! what a great blessing family is. And the gospel. I lvoe you all! write me on DearElder, please! If you want. I would love to hera from you. I love you!

 

Bye!

Love, Sister Rachel Barney

 

 

[please disregard the grey highlight. it came like that in the email and i just left it. and sorry i'm behind. i hope everyone has possibly heard something of how Rachie is doing and that this wasn't the only form of communication. i'm going to try getting in a routine with this business. best wishes to me...]