tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7428646173048410832024-03-13T19:42:36.186-07:00Sister Autumn BarnesSister Autumn BarnesAbbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-46393417852533608752013-05-29T19:14:00.001-07:002013-05-29T19:14:23.315-07:00Happy Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-20135584933252731552013-05-27T10:18:00.001-07:002013-05-27T13:14:11.745-07:00<div>
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Dear World, </div>
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This is my last email as Sister Autumn Barnes. It has been a great journey. It has been the greatest adventure. </div>
This
week, I worked my heart out. Until the very last minute. Today I am
still working my heart out. Packing bags is not easy. Plus, I am trying
to figure out how I can pack guaraná (a soda that they have here) in my
bags. This one has me stumped. </div>
Just like I predicted......I am brain dead this week. Lots of
stuff running through my head. For this reason, I wrote my "last words"
last week. </div>
I know this church is true! I love being Sister Barnes! I am so excited to see you all!!!!!!!!<br />
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</div>
Sister Barnes Sr. Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-55462686979053021802013-05-20T11:31:00.002-07:002013-05-20T11:31:47.743-07:00The Best Thing I Have Ever Done<div>
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Oi Gente!<br /></div>
I
still have one more P-Day to send email, but I know that next week my
brain and heart will be exploding.....so I want to share my testimony, a
testimony that was definitely strengthened this year and a half that I
have been serving the Lord, this week. <br />
</div>
Serving a mission was the best thing I have ever done. No
doubt. By far. I knew the mission would be hard, but it is impossible to
know how hard it truly is until you have served one. I have been
stretched. I have been refined in my tribulations. When we think of the
Atonement, we usually think of the redeeming power of the Atonement. I
have gained a testimony of the enabling power of the Atonement. I know
that the Lord has given me the capacity to be an instrument in His
hands. I know that as we pass through our trials, the Lord strengthens
our shoulders so we can carry our burdens with more ease. He qualifies
and perfects us and expands our own abilities. He allows and helps us to
change! <br />
</div>
I have seen people change. Myself being one of those people. I
have seen how God changes us if we are willing to follow Him. There is
no doubting that God's path that we tread by living according to the
principles and ordinances of the restored gospel is the means by which
we can have happiness in this life. How do I know this? Because I know
that I am happy when I am obedient and seek to do God's will. Also
because I have seen a DRASTIC DRASTIC DRASTIC difference in the lives
and families of those who keep God's commandments and follow Him and
those who prefer to worship wordly things.God is so willing to grant us
eternal happiness....that is His work and His glory. If we want to be
happy, we have to make and keep covenants with God. It is that simple. <br />
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I have learned that there is GREAT JOY to be found in serving
people. It is great to forget about your own cares for awhile and
concentrate your efforts in helping others and building the Lord's
kingdom here on the earth. I have made many friendships that will last
for eternity...with converts, members, missionaries, companions,
President and Sister Wright. Tá louco. Why have we been blessed so much?
Not to keep these blessings to ourselves, but to use these blessings,
knowledge, talents to push forward Zion's cause. <br />
</div>
I know the Book of Mormon is true. It is evidence that the
Lord loves all His children. The Savior didn't just establish his church
on the Asian Continent, but appeared here in the Americas to minister
to the people and establish His church here as well. I know those pages
are sacred and priceless. <br />
</div>
We have a prophet here on the earth. Thomas S. Monson is the
Lord's mouthpiece. We are the only true and LIVING church. Why can we
say that the church is LIVING? Because of the revelation that we receive
from God through a living prophet who has power and authority from God.
I know that this power was restored to the earth through the Lord's
servant, Joseph Smith. I know that the Lord didn't leave us here on
earth without one of His special prophets. <br />
</div>
I know that Christ lives. I know that this is His work. I know
that He came to the earth to fulfill the Father's will. He passed
through it all so that we don't have to if we will just turn to Him and
repent. This is His church. He is at it's head. My sincerest desire is
to be a worthy daughter of my Heavenly Father and one day be welcomed
into His glorious presence as one who served Him with all her heart,
might, mind, and strength. <br />
</div>
I love you all and can't wait to see you so soon!!! (I don't
think I will be one of those awkward return missionaries, but I will
need all of your help if I am!!)<br /></div>
Sister Autumn Rae BarnesAbbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-89679635054558003852013-05-15T10:58:00.002-07:002013-05-15T11:50:30.879-07:00Homecoming<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Hey,
everyone! Autumn will be coming home from her mission on May 29th! She
will be speaking in the Highlands Ward on June 9th @ 12:45 - 2:00. She
would love to have any and all of her friends there! The address to the
chapel is: 5378 W. Old Highway Rd | Mountain Green, UT 84050. Hope to
see you there!</span>Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-49725386952132569382013-05-13T10:55:00.001-07:002013-05-13T10:55:26.577-07:00SurrealllllllllllYesterday was fabulous. For one
thing.....none of my investigators went to church (ok....so this part
wasn't so cool) for another thing we had lunch (a delicious lasagna) at
the coolest members' house. Then a little bit later.........I called
home! <br />
<br />I am feeling super uninspired today, so bear with me. <br /><br />Things
are going well with Sister Loss. I am loving her. She is super
hilarious. I am also living with 2 other sisters, Sister Bradley and
Sister Costa.......and we have become super good friends. The other day,
a member surprised us with 4 xis (a southern brazil version of a
cheeseburger), so we had a little party on our balcony. We ate our xis,
drank chimarrão, and laughed a bunch. This member was super inspired
because that particular day was super hard for the 4 of us. <br />
<br />Speaking of this member, her name is Irmã Etsuko. She was born
in Japan, but moved to Brazil when she was 6 years old. She is the most
humble, pure, charitable person I have ever met in my life. She helps
us with anything and everything that we need. This woman will be
exalted!! She and her husband are planning to throw me going away party.
<br />
<br />This week was a little hard, but it is in these moments that
the Lord stretches us! It is hard to explain how I am feeling all
possible feelings right now as I am finishing up my mission......sad,
excited, overwhelmed, scared, anxious!!! It is definitely a mixture of
about a million feelings!! <br />
<br />Love you all! The next email will be more inspiring!!<br /><br />Sister Autumn Barnes Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-4633883072931737282013-05-06T08:32:00.002-07:002013-05-06T08:32:43.891-07:00<div>
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Family!!!!</div>
My mission is slipping through my fingers! 3 weeks!!!! </div>
This
week something a little bit more exciting happened. One day, I noticed
that the bottom of my foot was hurting a little bit. At the base of my
big toe, I noticed a little thing that looked like a wart. I thought,
"oh great, wart on my foot." But then I went on with my life. The next
day after I got home, I looked at my foot and noticed that it had grown a
bit, but it still wasn't that big of a deal. The next day, my foot
started hurting..........and the wart looked like a fish eye.....a white
bubble with a black point in the middle. It was at this point that I
called Sister Wright to ask what I should do. I was sent to the health
clinic to get it checked out. Hahahaha this was a super funny
experience. I had to give my full name, but no one hear understands my
name, Autumn or knows how to say or write it. Hahaha so I ended up
waiting in the waiting room forever because no one one wanted or knew
how to call out the name of the poor little American girl. Racism. :)<br />
</div>
So in case you were all wondering what this thing was......it
is called "Bicho do Pé." In english, the translation would be, "Foot
Bug." Yeah.....there was this flee type bug that caved into my skin and
was living there and laying eggs. You get this foot bug by walking
through dirty sand that dogs do their business in. I HATE THE DOGS
HEREEEEE!!!!! If I wasn't annoyed by them enough already. Anyway....the
nurse used a needle to dig out the bug and all the eggs. So.....I am
Bicho-Free. Something like this had to happen! I have been way too
healthy on the mission! I needed a cool story like this to bring home
from Brazil! <br />
</div>
I don't know if you all remember about Nicoly, a girl that
Sister Carneiro and I found in Santa Cruz, she was baptized yesterday!
It is hard to not be present at the baptism of someone that you found,
but I am happy to know that because I followed the spirit, she was
baptized! That is all that matters!! <br />
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I am excited to talk to the fam on mother's day! It will be more like......."Hi. I will see you in 2 weeks!" <br /></div>
Haley is beautiful! She was absolutely shining in that picture that you sent me, Dad! Thank you!<br />
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Love you all! Don't worry! I am taking advantage of every second that I have left of being Sister Barnes! <br /></div>
Sister Barnes Sr.Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-42690042509740478562013-04-29T14:40:00.001-07:002013-04-29T14:41:30.025-07:00<div>
Yes!!! I was transferred! I am now in Osório. Osorio is a city that
is close to the beach!!!! There isn't beach in our area, but the
weather is super beachy! A ton of sea breeze! </div>
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I am training again! I am training the first and only 19 year old sister
in Porto Alegre Norte! Her name is Sister Loss and she is from Espírito
Santo, a state here in Brasil. Sister Zeller (my comp from the MTC)
served in Sister Loss's ward! Small world! I can tell you one thing,
these sisters entering the mission field right now are entering super
prepared. Sister Loss is amazing! </div>
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This area is completely different from Santa Cruz! The
people are receptive! I about dropped to the floor dead when people
asked ME to visit THEM in their houses. In Santa Cruz it was almost
impossible to enter into houses! The field is super white and ready to
harvest here in Osorio!!! I am also living with another companionship of
sisters again, and we all get along fabulously. </div>
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I realized yesterday that my English is amazing. There is
a man from my branch that wanted to practice speaking English with me.
He asked me how long I have been here on the mission. I replied, "One
year and cinco months." You will have to bear with me when I get home.
It will be tough, the transition back into English!</div>
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Love you all! Being a missionary is sooooo amazing. </div>
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Sister Aut BarnesAbbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-70638829340097193292013-04-22T09:26:00.001-07:002013-04-22T09:26:41.030-07:00TRANSFERRED!!!<div dir="ltr">
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I was transferred from Santa Cruz do Sul!!!! I don't
even know what to think! The thought didn't even cross my mind that
there was a chance that I would be transferred......I only have 5 weeks
of mission left!.....and I haven't finished training Sister Carneiro!
But yes....I really was transferred. At times I love being transferred
because after a long time in one area, I lose steam. But after only 6
weeks in this area with my amazing companion Sister Carneiro, I will be
leaving. I wasn't prepared for this and am actually a little bit bummed.
But, I know that President Wright and the Lord have something in store
for me and that I did my part here in this area. </div>
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I think my part was finding Nicoli. Last Sunday, we
were on our way to an investigator's house and we passed a street. You
know that little feeling that says go back and knock the doors of that
street? Yeah, I felt that feeling. I suggested that we turn back and
knock the doors there. We knocked on the first door and the people hid
from us and didn't come to the door. We knocked the second door and out
came a 14 year old girl who opened the gate and invited us into her
house without even giving us enough time to introduce ourselves. Her
name is Nicoli and she has had a super tough life. When she was a
newborn, her dad beat her mom. He beat her so much that her mom suffered
trauma and became mentally ill. Now her mom has the mentality of a
baby. Her older sister, who was old enough to see and experience all of
this abuse, became depressed and schizophrenic. Nicoli's dad left them
of course, so Nicoli doesn't even remember him. She has been raised by
her aunt who also takes care of Nicoli's mom who can't care for herself
anymore. One day, Nicoli's sister had an episode. She locked her mom and
her aunt out of the apartment, grabbed a knife and started destroying
everything in the house. After destroying everything, she cut her
wrists. A neighbor called the police and they showed up soon after and
tried to get her to leave the house. She threatened to kill herself if
they tried to enter. I guess she was in tanto histerics that the police
were forced to shoot her with a rubber bullet. She was knocked on her
back from the impact and fell onto some sort of metal thing that
punctured her back. She was taken to the hospital and from a mixture of
her mental illness and this wound, died a couple weeks later. This
happened about 6 months ago, so it is still pretty fresh in Nicoli's
mind. She will be baptized in a week. Looks like I won't be here to see
it, but maybe my transfer here in Santa Cruz was to find and teach
Nicoli. </div>
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Sister Carneiro.......I am super sad to leave her. I
don't know if I will ever see her again and she is sooo amazing.
However, I am at the Lord's service. </div>
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Lisa, stay
strong girl! I know you are doing great work! Just remember that our
success or efficiency as missionaries isn't measured by our number of
investigators or baptisms but by our desire to do the Lord's will! I
love you!</div>
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I love you all as well! Pray that my last area will be the best of them all!</div>
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Sister Barnes Sr. </div>
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-72636658889809460692013-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:002013-04-15T09:21:33.126-07:00SURPRISE!!<div dir="ltr">
Wow.....I was under the impression that I would get home
June 5! I got onto email today and found my "email trunky" (as everyone
likes to call the travel itinerary here) in my inbox! I was super
surprised to see that I will be going home a week earlier than I
thought! Dia 29 de Maio e eu vou estar em casa! Tão logo!! Não
acredito! <div>
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This week was good. Hard, but good. It is such a blessing
to have such a funny, positive companion because as hard as the week
is.......it is still full of tons of laughs. Sister Carneiro has been
such a strength. It was hard because we hardly taught at all this week.
No one let us teach. We have been talking to everyone, knocking doors,
trying to get the members to work with us......gah! </div>
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But....the FEW people that we found this week are
super special. We met a man named Valério. We saw him out on the lawn
and stopped to talk to him. He let us in and we were able to talk with
him a bit. We discovered that he separated from his wife a month ago. He
has been suffering a lot because he knows that his wife left because he
is an alcoholic. He started crying during our lesson and accepted to
leave alcohol and be baptized. I am praying that all will go well! </div>
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This week Sister Wright proscelyted with us. It was
so cute to see Sister Wright with a backpack using the little portuguese
she knows to talk to the people. She is soooo amazing. It was
definitely a privilege to be able to work with her. She said she wanted
to work with me for a day before I go home. </div>
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I was talking with Sister Carneiro the other day how
it is hard to be hated at times. It is definitely very hard to see
people do everything they can just to avoid you. (The other day we
almost saw someone get hit by a car because she tried to cross the
street super quickly after seeing us walking in her direction!!!!!) It
is hard to have people be super rude to you.....especially because I
just want to bless their lives with the gospel! I don't feel like I
deserve that treatment! But I have learned one thing through all of this
treatment......that all of the no's in the world, the dirty looks, the
laughs, the rude comments will never take my testimony from me. If I
didn't have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, I would have
quit a long time ago. I am so grateful for the capacity that we have to
exercise faith! I am so grateful for opportunities to test my
faith!!!!!! </div>
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I love you all!!!!! Até semana que vem!</div>
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Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
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Easter!!!</div>
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Sister Carneiro and I at the mission home! <br />
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The four of us that live in our apartment! <br />
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<span></span>Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-46814500996462397842013-04-10T10:19:00.000-07:002013-04-10T10:19:20.532-07:00Autumn's plane ticket is purchased and she will be arriving home on May 29th!Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-51414824318693419832013-04-08T09:12:00.000-07:002013-04-08T09:12:03.488-07:00<div dir="ltr">
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This week Sister Carneiro and I were walking to an
appointment. I got the feeling that I should knock the door of a house.
No one was home. We started walking again. I got the feeling again in
front of another house. No one answered. We went on our way. I got the
feeling AGAIN in front of a house. We knocked and the owner didn't want
anything to do with us. I started to think, "Why in the world is the
spirit prompting me so strongly to knock here at these houses if nothing
is happening?" Right then, a man was passing on the sidewalk. I made
contact with him. Super curious and super receptive. I feel like he
really has been prepared by the Lord. Moral of the story: At times we
don't understand the Spirit's promptings. I was questioning the Spirit's
promptings after a few failed attempts of trying to teach the people
that lived in these houses. BUT....that wasn't the Lord's objective. He
wanted me to knock these doors so I could be in the right place at the
right time to meet this man, William. Funny how that works out, huh?</div>
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Conference was awesome! An answer to one of my recent
prayers came to me in just about the first sentence of the first talk of
the first session. WOW....... </div>
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I love you all! This gospel is true and is meant to be shared with everyone!!! </div>
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Sister Autumn Rae Barnes </div>
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-18732452128464713982013-04-02T05:40:00.001-07:002013-04-02T05:40:17.894-07:00<div>
I am super offended. It is my half birthday and no one gave me good
wishes. April Fool's Day! Ha but seriously...it really is my half
birthday...................</div>
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I am super grateful
for my companion. Sister Carneiro is amazing. Besides being super
hilarious, she is a power house! She is a testimony to me everyday that
there are prepared and elect people out there just waiting to be
presented with the truth. She was baptized about 4 years ago. She has
always loved reading and always asked for any kind of free book that was
offered on the internet. She doesn't even know how she ended up on this
site, but she requested the booklet "40 Ways to Make Your Family
Happier" or whatever it is called. A couple weeks later, Elders knocked
on her door. She was Catholic, but also visited other churches trying to
find a doctrine that actually made sense to her. She said that the
first time she heard about the Restoration and The Book of Mormon,
everything finally made sense. She bears powerful testimony because she
can really relate to our investigators. </div>
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This week we taught Angelica, a nine year old daughter
of a member. She absolutely loves us and will be baptized on April 13.
She is super smart and loves to learn. She even wanted to take notes
during our lesson! Haha but She really is a slave driver as far as my
accent goes. After teaching her, I will be talking like a real life
Brazilian! </div>
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Can't wait for General Conference this week! Next
General Conference I am determined to be there at the Conference Center
to watch! I love you all and thank you for the prayers! I feel them
strengthening me everyday!</div>
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Love, </div>
<div>
Sister Autumn Rae Barnes</div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-6688479916921065902013-03-26T12:52:00.001-07:002013-03-26T12:52:30.025-07:00<div dir="ltr">
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Life long dream lived this week. </div>
<div>
We, the
two branches here in Santa Cruz do Sul, had a little church expo right
in front of the Great and Spacious Building. That is right. That huge
Catholic Church. Don't. worry. Don't worry about it. We had permission
from the city. Was it a success? I tried to make contact with a ton of
people that continued walking without saying one word to me. I talked to
people that said there is nothing good about the United States. Excuse
me, but what does the church have to do with the United States? I tried
talked to many people that were in too much of a hurry to make time for
God. I talked to a few people that acted a little interested. One in
particular that was super interested in the Book of Mormon. Every single
day that passes I become more and more convinced of the power of that
sacred book. Anyway, this expo was super fun.....especially because of
where we were doing it. </div>
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<div>
I didn't mention last week, but Sister Carneiro and I
are opening this area. Because there are more sisters arriving in the
mission, they split a few areas. I am living with two other sisters that
work in the other half of the city. Talk about exciting......training
while opening an area. Bring it!!!! </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
This Sunday, a member of the branch brought his
daughter to church for the first time. She loved it and wants to be
baptized. Her name is Angelica and she is nine years old. Haha super
funny. When I met her, the first thing she said to me is that I talk
funny. I love the sincerity of children. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
I love Easter. Why? Because I love the Lord. Just think
about how human we all are. We make stupid, petty little mistakes every
day. We make huge mistakes every once in awhile. There is no way that
we would be able to enter into the presence of our Supreme and Majestous
Heavenly Father without the intervention of someone or something. Who
and what is that someone and something? Jesus Christ and His infinite
and atoning sacrifice. Without Jesus Christ, this life would be
meaningless. Without Jesus Christ there would be no hope. I could go on
forever saying "Without Jesus Christ......" but I prefer to think about
the other side of things. With Jesus Christ we have EVERYTHING. I love
Him. I know that he fulfilled all that the Heavenly Father required of
Him. He lived, served, loved, atoned, died, and rose again. He lives. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Minha companheira! Sister Carneiro!</div>
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A member wearing the traditional clothing of the Rio Grande do Sul. Also, that beautiful street that I told you about! </div>
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3. Missionaries of the true church in front of the city's insane cathedral! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-49457866628791311032013-03-18T16:04:00.001-07:002013-03-18T16:04:42.329-07:00Santa Cruz do Sul!Olá!<br />
<div>
It feels so good to be transferred! It is so funny how every
area has its pros and cons. I am in Santa Cruz do Sul. It is about 2.5
hours from Porto Alegre. It was settled by Germans, so it has huge
German influence. This is cool and hard at the same time. This city is
super pretty. There is this street here that has huge trees on both
sides of the road so it makes like a tunnel of trees. There is also this
GINORMOUS Catholic Cathedral here. Catholic, but SOO pretty at the same
time. Just to let you know how strong the German influence
is.......every year they have Oktoberfest which is one of those huge
German beer festivals. It is the 3rd largest festival like this in the
world. The people here are also WAY LESS RECEPTIVE. I have had doors
slammed in my face here more than in any other area of my mission. It
literally feels like I am in Germany instead of Brazil. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My companion is Sister Carneiro. She is a greenie!
Yep, I am training again. As of yet, she hasn't been bitten by any dogs
or twisted any ankles. She is from Sao Paulo and she is SUPPPPER
hilarious and friendly. I am laughing a ton with her. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry....this week I don't have much time. Maybe
next week! Hahaha maybe! I love you all so much! Next week I will tell
you all something a little more inspiring! I know that Christ lives!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The Catholic Cathedral here! It is huge! </div>
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-7903954704652941982013-03-11T11:01:00.001-07:002013-03-11T11:01:04.803-07:00Transferencia!I was transferred! I don't know to where yet.....but I will let you know next week! I have 2 transfers left!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Love you all!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister Barnes Sr.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Erik's baptism! It's been a while since I was last surrounded by 20 men (more like never). </div>
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<div>
</div>
<div>
We went to Outback Steakhouse as a Zone before our temple session! It
was amazing!! Sister Ferinho, Sister Young, Sister Araujo, and yours
truly. </div>
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-32501368092652866542013-03-04T10:17:00.000-08:002013-03-04T10:17:08.279-08:00Baptism<div>
Olá!!! </div>
This week was the baptism of Erik Rodrigues de
Souza!!!! It was by far one of the most special of all the baptisms I
have taken part in. Erik comes from a rough family. His dad and stepmom
use drugs and don't even give him the time of day. It was super easy to
get parental authorization to baptize Erik because his dad doesn't even
care very much about what his son does. I was beyond happy to see that
75 people showed up for Erik's baptism!!!!...more than we usually have
in the sacrament meeting. It was truly a miracle!!! At the temple a few
days before, I bought him a Book of Mormon with Doctrine and Covenants
and a Bible. I had all of the youth in the ward sign it for him a couple
days before. I gave him this present after the baptism and he started
crying. I could tell that it meant a lot to him. That was a SUPERRRR
rewarding day!!<div>
</div>
<div>
I found out agora, and almost started crying because of
it, that an investigator that I found knocking doors was baptized in
Montenegro. This really strengthened my testimony because at times we
don't see the fruit of our labors. I didn't baptize him while I was
there, but I remember very distinctly the day that I knocked on his door
asking if we could share a special message with him. It was one of
those days....one of those hard days when all of our appointments had
fallen through. We were walking past this street and I had the strong
feeling to knock doors there even though it was a road mostly full of
businesses and only had a couple of houses. I don't think there is a
better feeling in the world than the feeling of knowing that you were an
instrument in the Lord's hands in changing someone's eternities!!! I
love the mission!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
KELSIE WAS CALLED TO PORTO ALEGRE NORTE???????? I
don't believe this! Too bad that I won't be here still, but I love the
idea of having family carrying on the work here in the BEST MISSION IN
THE WORLD!!! If she has any questions about the mission, Rio Grande do
Sul or whatever, let me know! Tell her she will ADORE President and
Sister Wright! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My heart is so full right now after a very
gratifying week. The Lord knows us! He is in control! It is only through
him that we can find true happiness!!! Love you all!!</div>
<div>
<br />
</div>
<div>
Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-7708331502407705882013-02-26T13:33:00.001-08:002013-02-26T13:33:57.760-08:00Ok.....I have tried to be a positive little girl and not talk about how
hard the work is here in my area. But now I will tell you.....it is
hard!!! But why am I choosing to tell you now??? Because I am finally
seeing the fruits of my labors!!! BAPTISMS!!!!!!!!!! This Thursday, Erik
Rodrigues age 15 will be baptized!!! Coming soon.......Eduardo!!<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
Erik is super special. He has such a hard life, and the
gospel and the friends that he has made at church is his one shred of
light and happiness! I don't have much time to say much about him,
because we are going to the temple today.....but I have this certain
love for Erik. I know the gospel is everything to him, and I know that
he is everything to Pai Celestial. I have been privileged to feel a
sliver of the love that God has for Erik. I am soooo happy for him. He
will be baptized by his 16 year old friend, Hairom (it's pronounced like
Hyrum, but the spelling was Brazilianized haha). I will send
pictures!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't mean to brag or anything, but this girl
pretty much rocks at street contacting. Just kidding. I don't rock at
it........I have just grown to love it. It is funny, because that is the
thing that freaked me out the most at the beginning of the mission. I
just love making the name of the church known....whether or not the
people want to listen. And also..........it is super entertaining at
times because you talk to every type of weird person and hear every type
of stupid excuse. Hahahaha this is probably really bad and Unchristlike
of me, but the people that make obvious efforts to avoid talking to
us.......I go after those ones!!!!! It's unchristlike of me because I do
it to spite them.......but I am also doing them a favor as well!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am officially out of time.....but the good news, I
don't have time because I am going to the House of the Lord!!!
Whoohooo! Love you all!!! I love the Lord and his glorious gospel!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister Barnes Sr. </div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-66214546028391184882013-02-18T09:50:00.000-08:002013-02-18T09:50:14.147-08:00Ola!<div dir="ltr">
<div>
Life is beautiful! Having said that,
missionaries experience lots of disappointments! A woman that we were
preparing to be baptized gave up this week. We taught her the Word of
Wisdom and the Law of Tithing and she wasn't willing to give up her
coffee or give 10%. She completely gave up on baptism. We told her to
pray about these commandments and also about Joseph Smith (because if
she knows Joseph Smith was a true prophet, she would accept these things
as true commandments of God), but she told us that she didn't even want
us to return again. Wow. I was not expecting that. That was hard. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, this week the youth from our ward got home
from EFY. Here in Brasil, EFY is a new thing, and it is organized
through the stakes. I have spent the last couple of months encouraging
the youth in my ward to go. Many didn't want to go because you have to
live by high standards while there. In the end, most of the youth ended
up going. Even a couple non-member friends went. They got home this
week......different. Punk young men that said they wouldn't be caught
dead on a mission returned with desire to serve a mission. AND......the
non-member friends came home with desire to BE BAPTIZED!!!!!!! I truly
say that the church is full of inspired programs. EFY is one of them. As
the world gets more and more wicked, the spirit has to be felt stronger
and stronger. As a missionary, I promised myself to live an even higher
standard of righteousness and obedience so I can help all these people
aqui feel a huge amount of the spirit. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sorry that this isn't long, but know that I am happy and healthy and lovin life! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister Aut Barnes Sr. </div>
</div>
<span><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br />
<br />
Great Mail Day! I was almost brought to tears!<br />
<div>
</div>
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Yep....we got caught in the rain again. Que droga!!!<br />
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-83094137143013613812013-02-11T12:10:00.000-08:002013-02-11T12:10:08.692-08:00<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
Can I get a halleluhah? (I still
haven't learned how to spell that word. Maybe I'll get the hang of it
before I die). The Lord has been blessing us with cloudy skies and wind!
Yeah......wind and skirts aren't the best combination in the world, but
I prefer an occasional Marilyn Monroe moment over being fried like a
french fry every day. <br />
</div>
Right now we are teaching a woman named Georgia. One day a
week or so ago, I had the feeling that I should knock the door of a
house. We met Georgia and she let us in. She told us that she has a
friend from work that is a member, so she already knew a little bit
about the church. We had an amazing first lesson with her. We gave her a
Book of Mormon as well. I would have to say that this time as I was
bearing my testimony about the Book of Mormon, something was different. I
felt a confirmation SO STRONGLY in my heart that the Book of Mormon
really is the word of God. I was holding it my hands as I was explaining
and testifying and it was as if a tangible power was radiating from it.
I always testify from the bottom of my heart, but this tangible force I
felt was different, amazing. We have taught Georgia a couple times
since then. She has read the Book of Mormon and has felt good doing it,
but she is afraid to pray about it. Why, you may ask? Because she knows
that if she prays about it, she WILL receive an answer. She knows that
means commitment and change. How can I help her know that the things she
will gain as she follows this answer will be a million times greater
than anything she has to give up. I already have a hugeeeee love for
this woman.....I hope I can help her trust the Lord enough to enter into
the waters of baptism. I know it won't be easy.<br />
</div>
Oh yeah.....right now..........Brazil's famous CARNAVAL. What
wickedness. An opportunity to party, drink, traffic drugs, watch almost
naked women dance and parade through the town......sounds like fun,
right? No. This week has been super hard. Holiday here. No one is at
home. Everyone is vacationing for Carnaval. We also have to be at home
earlier every night because the roads get more dangerous. I can't
believe the contrast between my missionary life and the stuff that goes
on during Carnaval. <br />
</div>
I KNEW IT!!!!! I knew Lisa would compare the MTC to Hogwarts! I am so glad that she is having fun. <br /></div>
12 words. I got two packages and about a billion letters the other day! I am pretty sure that I died and went to heaven!<br />
</div>
Love you all! </div>
You better love me too..........<br /></div>
Sister Barnes Sr.Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-65300167598048675732013-02-04T14:23:00.000-08:002013-02-04T14:23:00.036-08:00<div dir="ltr">
Today is transfer day!!! I only have 3 transfers
left!!!!!! WHAT?? I will be staying here in my area. It will be my
fourth transfer here. I was a little disappointed because this area is
super small and I am already really sick of it, but I know that
President wants me to stay here with Sister Araujo for a reason. <div>
</div>
<div>
So, out of all the 150 missionaries in my mission, I will
be leaving at the very beginning of June ALONE!!! No one else from the
mission is leaving the same day! Normally a day before going home, those
leaving have a dinner and testimony meeting and go to the temple with
President and Sister Wright. Because I will be leaving ALONE, I was
invited to join the group that will leave one transfer before
me............................<wbr></wbr>..............................<wbr></wbr>..............................<wbr></wbr>..............................<wbr></wbr>..........just
for the dinner, testimony meeting, and temple session. Hahahaha
GOTCHA!!...I will come home when I am assigned to come home in June, I
will just participate in the temple, dinner, and testimony meeting in
April. Sister Wright is kinda worried about me flying home alone,
hahahaha so she is working on finding me a direct flight home instead of
a flight with the usual connections in Sao Paulo and Atlanta. Bless her
heart....I love her. But wow......trunky. I saw President the other day
and the first thing he said was, "You don't have much time left, Sister
Barnes." Then Sister Wright told me that they are already working on
buying my plane ticket and everything. I have 4 months to work my heart
out!!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week we taught a gay couple. That is something I
have never done before. A couple days ago, 2 men stopped us on the
street asking for a Book of Mormon. One of these men is a member that
moved here to the Rio Grande do Sul a year ago and hasn't been to church
since......because he found a boyfriend, is what I am thinking. The
member seems totally normal but his "friend" acts, talks, looks gay. BUT
he is really interested in the church as well. We taught him the
Restoration and he understood everything. It was a great lesson in fact.
They have kind of been skirting around the whole "gay" thing and have
just referred to each other as "great friends." Pray for me as I follow
the spirit to know how to approach this! How do you ask two men if they
are gay? Anyway.....it is really complicated, but I know that everyone
deserves a chance to accept the gospel.........so wish me luck!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we had a P-Day with the whole Zone. We went to
a park and played basketball, volleyball, soccer, frisbee. Then we went
to a member's house and ate churrasco! It was super fun! I will send
pictures. I will be sore tomorrow.....it has been awhile since I have
played sports! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all. I know that this is the true church
of Jesus Christ, restored and perfect. At times I get frustrated because
I can't express how special the gospel is in words when I bear
testimony to people here. It really is something you need to live. As
you live it, you will see the countless blessings that it brings into
your life. You will see that it really is the path that gives us
happiness in this life and leads us to eternal happiness in the world to
come. The mission is the best thing I have EVER done in my life. Best
decision I have ever made in my life up until this point. So grateful
that my little sis will be able to share in this priceless opportunity
as well. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
LOVE YOU ALL! LOVE THIS GOSPEL!</div>
<div>
Sister Barnes (I will be Sister Barnes Sr. tomorrow!)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Zone P-Day</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
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My zone <br />
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-26432811665831298262013-01-28T09:03:00.002-08:002013-01-28T09:03:24.597-08:00Espero que todos vocês estejam bem! <div>
</div>
<div>
Yesterday was
pretty awesome. So I guess the missionaries aren't cool enough to have a
special conference with Elder Bednar. (He is here in Porto Alegre), but
yesterday our stake had a special conference with Elder Gary Stevenson,
the Presiding Bishop of the church. He talked about how the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is different from every other
church.....authority. Because of priesthood authority the church isn't
just true, it is living!!!!!! He also talked about his love for
missionaries, so I of course felt super special. I was able to talk to
him and his wife for a second after the meeting. I was one of the few
there that was able to communicate with him. (He doesn't speak
Portuguese, so he had a translator.) He said that they have property in
Morgan because they like to hunt. Small world. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This will be the last week of this transfer. It is a
transfer of 7 weeks to make up for the transfer of 5 weeks that we had
right before Christmas. I only have 3 transfers left!!!!!!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This week was good. We found a few people these days
that have a ton of potential. The work has been really hard these days
because everyone is at the beach or vacationing for the famous Brazilian
Carnival! But......the work must go on!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am sure Lisa's farewell was amazing, because she was amazing! I am super proud of her and this desire to serve!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I love you all and I love this gospel. I LOVE being a missionary!</div>
<div>
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Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-22038798902535478472013-01-21T09:05:00.001-08:002013-01-21T09:05:34.866-08:00Ola! <br />
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Today is one of those days when I am brain dead! I can't even
think about what happened this week! I am super tired! But, I am
grateful to be tired because it means that I am putting all my energies
into what I am doing. </div>
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I took a shower with a lizard today! My companion
(the Brazilian of the bunch, mind you) thought that was super gross. I
thought it was super cool! I will miss Brasil! </div>
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This week we experienced more rejection than normal. I know
it is because I am training!! Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me
this challenge when I already feel this huge responsibility on my
shoulders!!! </div>
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One thing I have been amazed with here on the
mission is how the Spirit works. Sometimes, most of the time, we do
things without knowing why. Sometimes we do what the spirit tells us to
do, and things don't go right. But the Lord leads us on a wild goose
chase of sorts........that thing that didn't go right, but put us in a
position for something else to happen. I feel like that has happened
with me these past weeks. Sister Araujo hurt her ankle so I went on
divisions with a lady in my ward. While I was walking with her on the
street, I had the strong impression to talk to a lady walking past. The
spirit pretty much pushed me to do it. I didn't even have time to
mentally prepare myself, so I pretty much attacked the lady and made
just about the ugliest contact a missionary can make. (All with the
member right there with me. How embarrassing. But the important thing is
that I listened to the spirit and opened my mouth). Turns out the this
lady and the member I was with knew each other a bit. Because of the
member, I was able to make an appointment with this lady. Long story
short, we weren't able to make it to the appointment when we had
scheduled, so we went to her house yesterday. She was at home, but was
hiding. I saw her, but she didn't come to the fence to us. So, I decided
that because we were there and our appointment fell through, I would
knock the door of the house next door. We knocked and out came this man
and his girlfriend. Yeah.........super interested. Super cool! Thank you
Heavenly Father! </div>
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I love you all and hope you have a great week! The church is more than true!</div>
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Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
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It rained SOOOO hard the other day!</div>
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Leticia! She is an angel!</div>
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Sister Araujo and Sister Barnes</div>
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Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-48252541527193435082013-01-14T07:36:00.000-08:002013-01-14T07:36:02.693-08:00Da MishHahahahahahahahaha got snow?<br />
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I bet you are all super jealous of me right now! </div>
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But you shouldn't be! Because as cold as it is there.......is as hot as it is here! </div>
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Can I get a Halleleluia? (Don't judge me.....I know I
didn't spell that right at all!) Sister Araujo is walking on her ankle
now! Oh yeah! I was dying! It was good to hit the pavement again!
However, I realized that being cooped up in my apartment for a couple
days gave me a special energy boost! </div>
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Because I hadn't been able to share the gospel for a
couple of days, the second I stepped outside, I couldn't help but talk
to everyone that I saw! At the beginning of my mission, I was super
afraid to make contacts with people on the streets or in the park or
whatever. I have really grown to love it though. My companion thinks I
am super crazy because I stop people on the sidewalk, talk to punk
teenage boys, anyone and everyone. Sister Araujo is new on the mission,
so she is super afraid of rejection. Yeah, of course it is sad when
someone rejects your message because you know how much it could bless
them, but even when I am rejected I AM SO HAPPY because I know I put the
message out there. I am SPREADING the gospel. I am doing my part by
informing everyone and letting them exercise their agency. My missionary
advice of this week: Don't be afraid to open your mouth and share the
gospel! You NEVER know who will be receptive! </div>
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Yesterday, we made a contact with a man in a park. I
was really wanting to give a Book of Mormon to someone, but didn't want
to give it someone who would just throw it in the trash afterwards. We
started talking to a man named Luciano who was sitting on a bench
watching his kids play soccer. We talked with him a bit and asked us if
we were "Mormons." We explained that Mormon is a nickname we have. He
asked where this nickname came from. Booyah. Perfect lead in to talk
about the Book of Mormon. I whipped out my Book and Mormon and said,
"Because of this book right here." I explained a bit about it, testified
about it, and gave him the Book of Mormon. He took it and was looking
at it with so much admiration and hunger to know more. He said, "Thank
you so much for coming to talk to me today. I was really needing this."
Because I am the most unlucky human being on this planet, he doesn't
live in my area, but we passed his address on to some Elders that will
teach him. I am disappointed that it won't be me that will teach him,
but I am grateful to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands to find
this special son of God. </div>
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Word is going around that Elder Bednar and Elder
Oaks will be here in Porto Alegre this month. Pray that they will call a
meeting with the missionaries here!!!!!! </div>
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I love you all so much! There is no greater call in which to be engaged than that of the Lord's!!! </div>
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Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-40297878429975030212013-01-07T10:16:00.002-08:002013-01-07T10:16:42.659-08:00Feliz Ano Novo!<br />
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I can't believe that it is 2013! I can't believe that I left for the mission in 2011! Whoa. </div>
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I
am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I was thinking about this
last year that I spent as a missionary, and I realized that I could have
been so much better. Thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I can put
this in the past and resolve to have a better year this year. I can
repent and be forgiven. One of the things I have learned here on the
mission is the beauty of repentance. I have seen unhappy, sinful people
turn their entire lives around. I have seen them apply the Lord's
sacrifice in their life and turn a new page. </div>
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This week at church we had a special fast. We fasted
as a ward that our ward would be able to grow and that we would do
everything necessary to make that happen. Yesterday at church as we were
all fasting, two couples showed up at church saying that they had just
moved in. I am convinced that prayer coupled with fasting is so
powerful! I knew that before.....but this strengthened my testimony of
the fact. </div>
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I am getting so good at teaching classes at the last
minute!!!! If someone doesn't show up to teach or to give a talk during
sacrament meetings......"Ask the Sisters.They will do it."</div>
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Sister Araujo is still in the boot. We have been
working a and walking a little bit, but we aren't able to do a full
day's work yet. </div>
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I got my Christmas package, Mom and Dad! Oh yeah! Loved it! Sister Araujo LOVED the stocking. </div>
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I love you all!</div>
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Sister Autumn Barnes</div>
Abbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-742864617304841083.post-43665344540115300442012-12-31T06:18:00.003-08:002012-12-31T06:19:00.535-08:00Because I spent forever writing an email to congratulate my little sis
on receiving her mission call to TEXAS.......I don't have much time to
write much in this email!<br />
<br />
But, I am super proud of my little
sister, Lisa, for her desire to serve the Lord! I know she will be a
great missionary and will represent Jesus Christ, the church, and the
Barnes Family fabulously! <br />
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This week has been kinda hard. Christmas Day, Sister Araujo fell and
twisted her ankle. It got super swollen and she couldn't walk on it.
The next day, we went to the hospital. She sprained it. The doctor told
her that she was supposed to stay off of her ankle for TWO WEEKS, and
they would have to put a cast on. We negotiated a little bit and she was
able to put on a boot and a promise to stay off of it for one week.
Wow.....it is like the worst thing to stay at home all day on the
mission. You can't watch TV, movies, play around on the internet. I
asked pretty much all the members to go on splits with me, but everyone
is traveling for the New Year, works during the day, or can't be
exposed to the sun. Yep........sitting at home is THE WORST on the
mission. I couldn't take it the other day, so I made Sister Araujo
walked to the town square to make contacts. Her ankle hurt afterward, so
we can't really even do that. Ahhhh.....pray for me and my companion!
It has been rough! <br />
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Other than that, I am great! Learning and growing everyday! I loved
being able to talk with the fam on Christmas Day!!!! I am so blessed to
have such wonderful, supportive, and sarcastic people in my life! <br />
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Love you all and Happy New Years! May we all set good goals to live more fully in accordance with God's will for us!<br />
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Sister Aut BarnesAbbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12643693370561971095noreply@blogger.com0