current pictures!

I love the sun. And my new camera. (Our windows were streaky so the camera focused on the window instead of outside. But I kind of like it. And the little farmhouse in the background. It's cute.)

S Ward and I in the furthermost corner of our area. We got lost a few times and finally found this cute/dirty gas station and bought a map and some ice cream.

Making stars with the lovely ladies. I love them.

S. Hartley and I at the bowling alley to watch Sister Moon bowl in the tournament. She is really good. And it was really fun/funny.

Squirrel Chili

Email dated February 28. 2011

Happy Monday everybody! And Happy March tomorrow! My half birthday is in 12 days! Woo hoo!

Hope you're all doing well. I'm doing great! I would love to hear from more of you.....

My new companion, S Hartley is wonderful. And they were right, she is from Canada! Cardston, which is in the Calgary Mission, Kate... So. That's cool.
She's really fun. Like everyone said, too. She's been out for 5 months, so one transfer ahead of me. haha We're doing good. It's weird that I have to make all of the decisions because she doesn't know anyone yet. But I'm doing an okay job at that. I'm trying to make inspired decisions. It's hard. It's hard to come up with things to do at night. Because no one answers their door after dark unless they are expecting you and so when we don't have any appointments, I just don't really know what to do... So, we've been having a good time figuring things out. But.
She went to BYU-ID for two years and she's math education. And she likes the same kind of music as me!!!!!!! It's wonderful. She loves Arcade Fire! :) And so do I. Man, it was so good to discover that. And she likes reading. And she has 3 brothers and 2 sisters. And she's just really fun and I love her. And she's really excited to be here in Gloucester, which is a really good thing! I am really happy about that. I was feeling a little nervous about having to introduce her to Gloucester, but she loves it! So, that's good.

Yesterday was Ward Conference! I love Ward Conference! And Donna and Rob came! But the Stewards did not... I don't know why. That was unfortunate. But it was so good. Those stake leaders do a great job. I'm really excited about the future. Heavenly Father knows our situation here in Gloucester. And He is trying to help us. We just need to help ourselves, too.
And afterward, we had a linger longer chili lunch and that was so good. AND, yes, I ate SQUIRREL. Gross, huh? It was gross. Actually, I couldn't really tell a difference, but it was just gross thinking about it. And I almost couldn't do it, because I was looking at it in my bowl and Rob leaned over and said, Oh look, there's it's little paw, and then I thought about Flip or whatever his name is in Enchanted (the squirrel) and I almost got sick. hahaha Rob. Such a joker. But it was exciting. I don't think I will eat it again, if I can manage.  (also, I hope you all said/read 'squirrel' like Veruca Salt.)

The church is true. And we have to be actively involved for it to be of any benefit to our salvation. Be a good home/visiting teacher, please. Just do it. Even if it's scary or you don't want to.

Hope you're all doing well.

The first day of Spring is in one month! Today is really beautiful. The wind is blowing and it's warm and the sun is shining. We are going to have a picnic. And get Jones soda from Walmart. :) PS. if anyone is still drinking those at home, or Michelle, please be saving your caps for me. I REALLY need them. When I get back. And send me your fortunes if you want. :)

I love you all. Thanks for your prayers and support. I couldn't do it without you!

Love Sister R Barney

Turning into a "Gloucester-ite"

Email Dated February 22. 2011

They really refer to themselves like that. These people are so crazy. haha but I love them.

Happy President's Day yesterday! I just love holidays. BUT. I do not like that it closes the post offices and the libraries. It's ok though. I'm sure we all survived. Wow. So many holidays have fallen on Mondays this year. Valentines, MLK Day and now Pres day. That's cool.

......Anyway, Hope you're all doing well! Oh, before I forget -you probably already figured it out, but- I am staying here in Gloucester! And I'm NOT training! Hooray! Sister Ward is going to Poquoson to shotgun and train! They are taking the elders out and putting her in! She is going to be so good over there! We'll still be in the same zone, so we'll see each other semi-often. I'm sad to see her go. But I think it will help me be more independent/ dependent in another way.... My new companion is coming from VA Beach area, Salem. And her name is Sister Hartly. And she's from Canada! So that's cool, eh? :) jk.

This week was good. The Stewards have rescheduled their baptism to be March 13th. I think that will work this time. They are going to get all caught up on their homework and we can teach them and they can come to church a few more times and then they'll be baptized! It's going to be great! B Steward spoke in church this past Sunday. He was SO nervous! But he did a wonderful job! I am just so happy for them. And last night when we stopped by so S Ward could say goodbye he asked if he could give her a hug. Cute. She didn't hug him, of course. In case you were wondering.

Donna and Rob are doing well. They didn't come to church on Sunday because there were some fires around the peninsula and they were worried about their friends so they drove around all day checking up on their friends who lived in those areas and I called her last night and she asked if all of the church members were ok and if any of their houses burned. She loves everyone so much. It's so great. We went by on Friday to have lunch with Donna and she asked how long people usually wait until they are baptized. hahaha It was wonderful. We helped her hem one of her dresses so she could wear it to church. They are going to be just great. I am so excited for them.

My exchange with S Brown was great! We had a lot of fun together. She is going down to Norfolk to train now. But, our exchange was good. We went and saw a lot of people and I learned a lot from her. I just need to be more confident. But I don't know why, people just really like talking over me. Why is that? I don't know... I'm just not very good at driving the bus.

I'm just a little bit worried for S Ward to leave. She has been here for so long and knows everyone- mostly. And Everyone loves her. And they all just laugh at me... haha It's true. You would be surprised. haha I think the ward will need to go through a little adjustment period, but then hopefully it will be really good. And S Hartly and I will be able to work this area and help them a lot. Thanks for all of the suggestions and stuff. The First Presidency actually asked all of the mission presidents to have all of us missionaries to get onto mormon.org every week to get familiar with everything on it. And so we'll be able to use it now with members and nonmembers. And we are trying to start a new scripture reading program. So the ward can read the Book of Mormon this year. That will be starting soon. I think it will help everyone. We split the Book of Mormon up into four sections and we want to have a little fireside or Sacrament meeting program after each section. One: at the end of 2 Nephi on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then: in the middle of Alma about missionary work, then: at the end of 3 Nephi on the Savior, and the last one at the end when everyone should be finishing the Book of Mormon and have the fireside be on the Promise and have everyone pray and the truthfulness of the book and have a spiritual experience. Cool huh? Sister Ward and I were really excited about it. It was really inspired. As we were planning everything out. It just flowed. So that will start soon. Hopefully.

All of the missionaries I've talked to and when President told me Sister Hartly was coming, they all said we would have a lot of fun together. Those exact words. I'm excited! I'm excited to have fun. I don't know who is going to be the senior companion. But I REALLY hope it's me so that I can drive. I loved driving during our exchanges last week. I loved it!! And it helped me stay awake during the day. hahaha It's hard when you drive 20 minutes in between appointments! I just get really tired riding around in the car. So, hopefully I'll be driving.

Dr. Seuss's birthday is coming up. SO, please celebrate.

I hope you all know how much I love you. I really really do. And I think about you all everyday. Which sometimes makes me feel guilty because I'm a missionary, and sometimes it makes me sad because I miss you... haha just kidding, it's ok. Not too distracting. Usually it makes me feel good. Because I love you all so much. I am just so grateful for wonderful family and friends. I love telling people about my family. I will tell everyone that will listen. You are all da best. Keep moving forward!

KATE: will you please look up that quote from Walt Disney and send it to me? From Meet the Robinsons.

Have a great week!
Love Sister R Barney

Happy Birthday AZ

Email Dated February 14. 2011

Hello hello hello.

Missy got her mission call!!! I just barely got her letter. She's going to Washington Everett mission on April 27th!! I am so happy and excited for her. She is going to do so well there. I knew some sisters in the MTC who went there. I will have to write them and tell them to get ready for Sister Gibson! Oh I am so happy!!

Anyway, how are you all?

Thanks for all of the support and love and prayers. I have felt a lot of them this week. Thank you.
Today was good. We had a Sisters meeting in Richmond today and now I'm on exchanges with the sisters from Hampton. Sister Brown is here with me in Gloucester. YES. I am here. On my own, kind of, with Sister Brown who doesn't know the area at all. So, I'm in charge. Yeah, it's pretty crazy. haha
My hands are shaking. Partly because I'm excited about Missy, partly because I got to DRIVE here! And I haven't in such a long time. And partly because I have so much responsibility right now. But Sister Brown seems nice, she's from Orem. So, we'll have a good time. I just don't really know what we're going to do tonight because our appt just canceled. haha oh missionary life. It's great!

Williamsburg Was WONDERFUL!!! Oh my goodness. Mom, we are definitely visiting after my mission. And we'll have a free place to stay! haha Oh it was just great!

But before I forget,
Did you know that we all shrink everyday?? We are taller in the morning after we get up and then throughout the day our bodies compress so that we are shorter by the end of the day. I measured myself right after I got out of bed and then at night and I shrunk a WHOLE INCH!! So, really, I'm 5 ft 7 1/2 in.

Also, we have brown reclouses in our house.

And I saw a bobcat. Real and alive. Yep. I'm out in the middle of nowhere. And we were looking through our county newspaper we got in the mail for service opportunities and it had an article about increased coyote dangers. Great.

Ok, back to Williamsburg. It was wonderful! We saw the armory.... could have skipped that.... the Blacksmith, got to listen to Martha Washington talk about her life, went to the Apothecary, the Silversmith/Jeweller (who I asked to fix the dent in my silver ring that I bought at the farmer's market last summer and he DID!!), the bookbinders, we went to the coffee house and got a free cup of hot chocolate (like how they make it in Mexico-- spicy! and delicious!), and toured the capital, and the Governor's Palace! It was so cool! I got a picture outside the post office(!!!) and thought of Cabot Murray (even though I shouldn't have because I'm a missionary) and outside the Raleigh Tavern (it's being renovated.) But I thought about all of the important people who walked/rode those streets and went into those buildings and lived there! It was amazing. So much history. And they do such a wonderful job with all of the details and everything. It was just perfect! And it was a rather warm day.. (50's) :) And it was just great. I'll send pictures home next week.

Mom, Dad, you are the best. I love you both so much. Thanks for everything. Thanks for being married in the temple. And for making us read the scriptures and teaching us the importance of the scriptures. Many people out here don't read their scriptures. The members, I mean. And they just don't understand what they have! It's really sad.

And where does To Kill a Mockingbird take place? Please tell me.

And EVERYONE should go onto mormon.org and familiarize yourself with it and tell everyone about it. It's wonderful.


The Steward's were supposed to get baptized yesterday but they all got sick. I just can't believe all of the things Satan uses to keep people from being baptized! But I think they are all better now and hopefully we can teach them everything so they can get baptized this Sunday.

I said goodbye to S Dickson today. It was sad. But I'm excited for her to go home and move onward in life! She is sad. But excited. You know. It was really good to see her though. I love her so much. I'll find out next Sunday what will happen with the next transfer. We found out that our Zone Leaders "transfer suggested" that S Ward and I both stay here in Gloucester! We don't really understand that, considering all of the new sisters that are coming in and the fact that S Ward has been here for about 6 months... So, we'll see what Heavenly Father wants us to do.

We are going to start teaching this wonderful couple! Donna and Robert. I love them! They fed us fajitas last Saturday and came to church on Sunday. It was wonderful. Her birthday is today, so we'll probably go heart attack her.

Also, we had dinner with a member from Thailand!! We helped her make fresh spring rolls! And then we also had egg rolls and beef, peanut curry! SOOOO GOOOOOOOD! Oh my. I ate so much food. And she sent us home with the left overs! Yes. It was so good. Oh man.

Anyway, I know the church is true. And that the scriptures and the Atonement can change lives. I know that we will be greatly blessed as we keep the commandments. Don't forget that. Read about it in Doctrine and Covenants 130.

I love you all! Have a great week!
Love Sister R. Barney

The Church is true.

Email Dated February 7. 2011

Hiiiiloow.

 

I was thinking about it, and I don't even know who all reads these. The numbers have probably dwindled since this week will be 3 months for me!!! Can you believe it? I can't.  But, whoever you are out there, I hope you are doing well! And that you are reading your scriptures and praying everyday. I meet with people everyday who don't do that, I it's makes me so sad to know that they aren't receiving all of the blessings that our Heavenly Father wants to give them. So, if you are keep on doing it, if you're not, start and don't ever stop. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. And we truly can get closer to our Savior by reading it. And we are God's literal spirit children. And He loves us and is so happy when we turn to Him in prayer, in the name of Christ. Prayer is so powerful. Keep praying.

 

Well, now that that is taken care of, this week has been crazy. Supa crazy. I do appreciate your package that you sent, dear family, ESCPECIALLY the puzzle!! And the rubber bands, thank you, Kate! I proudly have a braid in my hair at this very minute. And thanks for my jeans. I love them. I put them on the other night... ahhh. Wonderful. Thanks thanks thanks. And then I had my interview with President Perry on Wednesday evening. It was great. I love Pres. Perry. And I'm SO grateful that I do. haha But he said we're doing good here in Gloucester, and I said "Really??" haha I guess there has been some progress with the ward, but it is slow.

 

But we had Stake Conference this weekend and so that evening, Saturday we went to the Adult Session and Pres and Sis Perry bore their testimonies and Pres made me cry. He was talking about our missionaries and how they have so much to deal with out here, away from home. We have a lot of missionaries that have or had a lot of serious health problems. And one of our elders just found out his dad died last week, and he said he was thinking about why we serve through these trials. And how we keep going. And he read the words to "Where Can I Turn For Peace":

 

Where can I turn for peace? Where is my solace,

When others sources cease to make me whole?

Where with a wounded hear, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart, Searching my soul?

 

Where, when my aching grows, Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand? He, only One.

 

He answer privately, Reaches my reaching,

In my Gethsamane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind, Love without end.

 

The Savior loves us so much. And through the Atonement, He knows us so well and he knows exactly what we are feeling. And He is the source of my peace and comfort. One of my favorite scriptures is John 14:26-27 "And the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name. He shall show you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever you have heard my say. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (that was just from memory...so i'm sorry if there are mistakes.)

But it's true. Through the Holy Spirit, which is one of the great blessings we receive when we are baptized, we can be given peace from our Savior. I have just felt so much love from Him this week/weekend.

I'm sorry this has turned into a very preachy email, but I just want you all to know that I have been thinking about and praying for you. And I love you all and I know that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. All of you. Individaully. That has been something that has definietely been impressed upon me over and over again on my mission, that Heavenly Father know us all by our first names and loves and cares about us. That is why it's so important to be living according to His commandments and praying to Him. There has been a HUGE focus on emergency preparedness here in Gloucester recently, and we keep hearing little tidbits about Egypt and other terrible things going on in the world, and I just know that it is so important that we are prepared. Physically AND sprititually. And I think to be spiritually prepared is more important. We need to be ready. And we need to be doing those things (reading, praying, going to church...) so that we are ready every day.

 

Ok, I think that is enough of that. Just know that I love all of you. And that I miss you, but I'm SO glad I'm on a mission. :)

 

I ran out of time to tell you about Dexter last week. Dexter works at the post office right next to the library. And last week, after emailing, we went to the post office so we could mail something. And Dexter helped me figure out what would be most cost effective and everything. (I was mailing my camera). I didn't have any bubble wrap with me and he said I could buy some, for three dollars! And I just thought that was a lot, but I got it anyway. SO, while I was getting the package together, he was helping other customers and he was just SO nice! You could tell he sincerely wanted to help these people out as much as he could and help them to have a good day. Sister Ward bought some stamps and while she was doing that I told him I just thought he was so nice! And he said, "Well I got you ladies to thank for that! I was having a bad day before you two came in and then I saw Jesus Christ on your nametags and you turned my day right around!" Isn't that so wonderful? So, when I was done he rang me up and we were leaving and I realized I hadn't paid for my bubble wrap! So we got back in line and waited and when it was my turn, he said you're back! And I told him I forgot to pay for the bubble wrap, and he said, "No you didn't." And I said, "Dexter, I need to pay for this bubble wrap." And he said, "No, it is a blessing. You blessed my day, and I will pay for the bubble wrap. You really turned my day around and I am really grateful." And then I almost started crying, because he was just SO nice! And so I said thank you and I gave him a pass along card and told him he would love mormon.org and left, smiling. :) It was wonderful.

 

Wow. I don't know if any of you will read all of this... Well, you should. Because it's good.

This week was good. Long. But good. I think I'll be ok here in Gloucester. Even if they frustrate me sometimes. I just don't really know why Heavenly Father wants me here. But I am trying to figure it out. And I'm trying to work hard and not get sick. EVERYONE here has the flu or strep. It's ridiculous.

 

Well, write me an email and/or a letter. I would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful week! I'm going to Williamsburg today! And we're getting in for 10 bucks! Can you believe it? The Williamsburg elders have got connections. :) S Ward is letting me use her camera, so I'll send pictures next week. I love you!!

 

Love Sister Rachel Barney

Seasons of Love

Email Dated January 31. 2011
Hello!

Hope you all are doing well.
I'm so glad you were able to go to Utah, Mom!
And congrats to everyone who has had a baby! That is wonderful.

A few things:
1. If you take the last two digits of the year you were born, and add it to how old you will be turning this year, it will always add up to 111, for everyone!!! Crazy.
2.I think, Kate, you should grow up and go be the accountant for Habitat for Humanity.
3. Is "incentivize" a really word?
4. I'm getting a haircut today, wish me luck!

 To tell you the truth, I really miss real music. I really want to listen to Strawberry Swing. haha But it's ok, just listen to it for me please. And maybe watch the music video too, it's so wonderful.

This week was good! Sister Ward and I both got a little cold, but we got over it. We attempted to start a really cool thing for the ward. You know how at home around Halloween people will drop off treats and that sheet of paper that has a ghost on it and it says to hang up the paper in your window and then go give treats to someone else and then it just keeps going and going? Well, we started that for Valentines Day! We called it "Gloucester Ward: Seasons of Love!" And for anyone who knows, Seasons of Love is a song by Shiny Toy Guns (I think...) and I love it so much! And so that is what we called it. And we made brownies and dropped them off at 5 members homes that we thought would actually keep it going. We tried to be secret, but I think every one of them knows it was us, but we are doing an ok job faking that we have no idea what they are talking about. :) Hopefully, they will do it and a lot of people will get treats and feel some love. We were hoping it could increase the morale of the ward. I hope they do it.

Also, our house has a bug problem. WELL, really cockroaches and spiders. And these spiders are BIG. And the cockroaches are gross. Luckily, they don't come upstairs. Sister Ward and I decided that is the only reason we are still ok with living there, that we don't have to worry about sleeping/ showering with them. Thank goodness.
But last night we came home and flipped on the light and there was a HUGE spider running across the MIDDLE of the floor!! It was so disgusting. We sprayed it. With this stuff, I don't know what it was ... but we think it's dead now.

Oh yeah!! On Saturday night we went to a fireside called the 10 Virgins. Oh. My. Gosh. It was so good. Some lady, somewhere... I don't know who she is, but she researched the parable and assigned each virgin a good quality that we need to have to be prepared and then she wrote a little story and music to the whole thing! It was amazing! If you are smart, you will look for the music and book somewhere and listen to it. Becuase it was just so beautiful. And the Spirit was so strong.
So it had a little town and in the town, the shopkeeper made a lamp for each person, and he made it unique and individual for each different person, according to their differences. And He would sell them oil and so it was like we are the lamps and the shopkeeper is our Heavenly Father and we need to do things that give us more oil, read pray, go to the temple service all of this stuff. It was so good.

Out of time! Love you lots! I'll mail a list home mom, sorry.

Ok Bye!
Love Sister Rachel Barney

pictures

 Yep. That's tracting here. haha lots of muddy roads. After this we went up to a house and got chased away by a VERY angry dog. Yes, it happens to the best of us, even sisters.

 Sister Ward and me after we stacked ALL of that hay. By ourselves.....jk.... we had help.

Me and Pocahontas. yep. I know it's cool. :) And she is just so beautiful.

Tracting in Gloucester. Yes, I walked up to that trailer in the back and knocked on that door. We met a very nice lady in there. A Baptist.

Seen while tracting. In the middle of nowhere... haha Gloucester has a LOT of character

Sister Nerdin and me at Transfer meeting. She stayed with her trainer, but she was picking up a sister who was waiting for her companion to come up from down here (Newport News area). Anyway, she was there and it was wonderful to see her! I love her so much.

"Glah-ster"

That is how you pronounce it. (In case you were wondering.)

And sorry I didn't tell you my new address:
6869 Enfield Rd.
Gloucester VA 23061

Well, family, this week was good. haha

I have a few things to tell you:
Most importantly, we all need to mourn for my camera. It was dropped (NOT by me) and now the lens won't go back in and it won't really turn on. We tried unscrewing it last night but we don't have a small enough screw driver. We are going to look for a glasses repair kit at Walmart today and hopefully that will work-- we're hoping that we can just unscrew it a little and move it back into realignment) Pray for my dear camera.

Next, the water here smells really bad. It has sulfur in it. =rotten eggs. Yep. We can't drink it. But we have to shower in it.... and wash our clothes in it... and our dishes.... Yep. Thankfully, our mission leader gives us some clean water every week. And S Ward says I'll get used to the smell... but I don't know if I like the sound of that.

Also, someone told us the other day that some very very bad people are getting all of the patents on seeds. And that farmers can't keep seeds, they have to buy them every year. And now they are trying to get a patent on pigs. And next will probably be cows or something. So that they can eventually control ALL of our food. That is really scary. And we need to stop that from happening. I don't know how... and I'm on a mission... so it's up to you. Go on!!

Ok, down to business-- well news.

I spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday. He asked me on like Thursday night. haha But I was happy to speak! I love giving talks. I always have.I spoke on Missionary work (surprise) and the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 11:21. I focused a lot on personal, daily study of the scriptures so that we can obtain the word. Because a lot of people here do not read their scriptures often. And it's just so important! I think it went pretty well. I was a little nervous because I wanted to be bold, but not offend anyone. S Ward says she doesn't think I offended anyone. So that's good.

We are still teaching Sidnie. I LOVE that family. The Stewards. The boys got sick this week, but we taught the parents on Thursday or Friday and then we went back last night to teach everyone. They are just all doing so well! And Brother Steward ALWAYS asks me to say a pray because he likes the way I pray. haha He's a funny guy. But I just really love all of them. Sidnie and Greg are going to get baptized on Feb 13th, the same day as Jeanie!! It's going to be a good day.

We are working with a less active, her name is Anne Des Moines. She is a really talented knitter! She spins and dies her own yarn and makes replicas of Renaissance clothes. She is really good. I really want her to make me a sweater or some tights or something, but I don't think she likes me enough. haha I'll keep working at it. She's a nice lady though. She lives with her mom who is not a member. And we go over ever Tuesday and eat lunch with both of them and then when we get to the lesson part, her mom, Juanita, goes back to her room to listen to the lesson. She never sits in, but she admits that she listens to our lessons. haha She'll come around one day. And Anne told us that she is leaving her large print Book of Mormon out so that her mom can read it. haha

That's about it for the exciting stuff. We've been tracted, but all of the houses are so spread out that it isn't very effective. And no one is really interested here. Well, we just haven't found them. They are all set in their ways. But there are those out there searching. And we will keep looking for them. And we will find them someday.

We are going to Williamsburg as a district in a couple of weeks!! I am SO excited, of course. It is going to be so good. And they are planning a sisters meeting/ P-day on Valentines day, so I'm really excited for that too! I'll be able to see S Dickson again before she leaves!

Well fam, I love you. And hope you are doing well! I pray for all of you. And try not to think of you too much. haha In a good way. I love the Book of Mormon, and the Atonement. I love our Savior. And I love YOU! Have a great week!

Love Sister Rachel Barney

Winds of Change

Email from January 18. 2011.

Helllllloooo family!

Listen to the song [subject line] and think of me, please. It's been stuck in my head since Thursday.

Well, Gloucester is an experience! I don't think I could get transferred to a more different area than Manchester. Well, I take that back, next transfer I might be in the ghetto of Norfolk or something.... that certainly would be an adventure!

Anyway, I'm here, safe. Sister Ward is great! She is really nice and a really good missionary. She is from Kaysville, haha most missionaries out here are from Utah.. weird. But we're having a good time here. She has been here for 6 months collectively. This was her first area and then she left for 3 months and now she's been back for about 3 months. Crazy huh? Yep. The ward loves her, which is really good. Because they treat me like an oustider. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Well, that's not how we do it here in Gloucester!" in the five days I've been here. haha They are very set in their ways here.
We have two investigators, we did have three but I managed to drop her on Sunday. haha She won't read the BofM or pray. So, we told her when she does do those things, to call us. There's more to it than that... she's been taught since S Ward was here the first time, so it's been awhile.
But our two investigatores are doing well! One is a less actives 11 year old son, Sydnie. They are a really cute family and they were all there at church on Sunday for the first time in years! And Tonya is our other investigator. I only met her for a short time becuase she was sick and we just stopped by to say hi. She just got a job in Richmond, so we can only teach her on Fridays. But she wants to get baptized in April, when her daughter turns 8 so they can get baptized together. We are hoping we can get her husband on board too so we can do the whole fam!

BIG NEWS! Jeanie has a baptismal date!! We set her the day before I left Manchester! It was beautiful. She is going to get baptized Feb 13th! The day before her and Diego's anniversary! Cute. I am so happy for her. She is really excited and you can just tell she really wants this. Hopefully she made it to church on Sunday... She said she would struggle with the earlier time.

We have 143 less actives in our ward. Yep. Big job.

But S Ward is wonderful, she has so much love for these people and I am learning to love them, so we will get a lot of work done in these 6 wks.

Mom. [and anyone else interested] Last week at the library I saw this book: Jamestown Narratives: Eye witness accounts of the Virginia Colony. It looked really cool, so you might want to look into it... if you want.

Also, for everyone, before I left Manchester, S Dickson and I made pancakes-- no, no-- extreme pancakes! As follows, pumpkin pancake mix, too much water on accident, so they were way runny, so we added a package of instant banana oatmeal. And then we spread crunchy peanut butter and maple syrup on top. SO GOOD! I loved it and recommend it to one and all, except Drew. No peanut butter for him.

I saw a raccoon and a rabbit last night while we were driving.
Something else that is cool: we visitied a less active family on Sunday, there house is on an old plantation! They don't live in the big big manor house (Which is so beautiful and huge- we drove past it) But they live in a house that they said used to be connected to the big house as a servants kitchen or something. It was really beautiful. But she said it there were spirits there and showed us some pictures that she has taken of "orbs" and "spirits". It was cool, but a little creepy. I don't know if I could live there.

I helped a member stack her hay last week. yep. I stacked her hay. hahaha

We also had dinner at a members house on Friday or something, and their house was really old too, from the 1800's! It was really cold. Yes cold. And cool. And it's so dark out here at night. So dark. I have been extremely grateful for the moon this week. But they member we ate dinner with, he talked almost exactly like Judd from Oklahoma! It was amazing! People really talk like that! But don't worry, he wasn't creepy. He was a really nice and funny old man. They have a really fat dog, because after dinner, they make Dixie (the dog) a plate of food from the left overs and let her eat it. haha

Also, Pocahontas was born here!
And Walter Reed. (he discovered the cure for malaria)

Well, I think that's all of the exciting news from Gloucester. Well, in Manchester, we went to the zoo last Monday and I saw kangaroos!! That was cool! And I bought a shirt and it glows in the dark.

Ok, now I think that's everything. I love you all. Thanks for the emails! And sorry this is a day late... the library was closed yesterday.

Speaking of which, hope you all had a great Martin Luther King Jr Day! A year ago yesterday I was watching all 6 of the Star Wars movies. Remember that, Bryan? Wow. Definitely wasn't doing that yesterday. Crazy.

Keep the sunshine in your hearts, my dears!
Love Rachel, I mean Sister Barney