Family,
So we had our baptism this weekend. In all, there are five in this family, but one is 7 so she couldn't be baptized, and the oldest (who is 12) was sick for two weeks, so he has to wait a few weeks. It was so cool though. The son, Mariur, was so excited once he put his baptismal clothes on. The morning before the baptism we went over to their house to do some service. We built a small table, cleared some dead branches, and moved his boat. The first time we went over there (before we taught them) Ian was working on some things and asked us to help him take down an old awning that had rotted. Whenever he works outside, he has music playing, and the first time we went it was pretty vulgar and just terrible. This time we went, he was listening to music about Christ. It was pretty cheesy music, but a complete change nonetheless.
The next day they asked each of us to confirm them (the branch president baptized them), and I was pretty nervous - I'd never done that before. After church the father, Ian, was interviewed for the Aaronic Priesthood, given a home teacher, and a new set of scriptures. He came out with all these books, and said, "President Kesolei said I'm going to have a lot of assignments, so I'm going to start studying this, and this, and this. I have a lot of catching up to do." It was so cool.
Wednesday night the youth had a barbecue and played volleyball, and we were invited. I was amazed at how many youth came. There were about 40 people there, and a bunch of less-active, and especially non-member, youth came. The chicken they grilled tasted like lighter fluid, but volleyball was fun anyway. We even got a new investigator out of it.
Since it was Halloween yesterday, we didn't get very much accomplished. The United States Civic Action Team put on a free haunted house at the convention center, so all the youth were there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and their parents were driving them, or drunk, or handing out candy. It was pretty crazy last night. Elder Adams and I decided that Halloween just isn't the same without decorations. People here would dress up kind of, but nothing else was decorated. Oh well.
I go to Guam again this next weekend, so my next letter will probably be pretty short if I get time to write at all. Just a warning.
I love you guys, and I hope everything is still going well.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Halloween is Coming
Family,
Again, we had a super busy week. We had zone conference, so a lot of my study time was preparing for that. I thought I would do some skill training (since the other missionaries are new) along with some spiritual training. I decided on how to use the scriptures (introduce it, read, apply it), along with how to recognize and rely on the spirit. I thought it went pretty well, especially because everything seemed to just flow with what President Dowdle talked about (which I didn't know before) - even the hymns I chose. I love when that happens.
The next day, Saturday, President and Sister Dowdle came out and worked with us most of the day. We took them to visit a few families that we have been teaching, and I think they really enjoyed it. Plus - I learned a lot from them.
I've been telling you about the family we have getting baptized this week, and this week they stopped chewing/smoking! Ian hasn't really had any problems since he quit smoking, but his wife is having a hard time with withdrawals and stuff since she stopped chewing. Despite it all, they are pretty set to be baptized on Saturday, and the branch is excited to have them.
Today we bought Manicotti pasta, and I'm going to make it today I think. I saw the noodles and it just sounded great, so I got all the stuff to make it and now I'm just waiting for the time. I hope it turns out okay - wish me luck.
I haven't gone to see the rock faces yet (it's like an hour drive, and it's hard to find the time), but maybe we'll make our way up there one of these days. We're kind of waiting to do anything fun until we get another missionary, so he doesn't get left out. If we've already done/seen it all, we won't want to go again when he comes. That is something I want to do though.
My favorite candy? Lets see. Any chocolate has to be in a pretty sturdy container or something or it will just get destroyed. I like Reese's, Rolos, sunflower seeds, Jolly Ranchers, Butterfinger, sour stuff (warheads, sour patch kids), Starburst (tropical), Now & Laters, Skittles (any flavor), suckers, Tootsie Rolls. I think that's a good list. There are many, many more, but I trust your judgment! Thanks guys.
I got some temple pictures today (I'm not sure who sent them) from the SLC distribution center, so thanks for those, they're going to be great.
I don't need any news from my friends - they can just write me (just a little reminder for anyone who hasn't ever or it's been a while). Thanks though.
I love you all, and I hope everyone is still going great.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Again, we had a super busy week. We had zone conference, so a lot of my study time was preparing for that. I thought I would do some skill training (since the other missionaries are new) along with some spiritual training. I decided on how to use the scriptures (introduce it, read, apply it), along with how to recognize and rely on the spirit. I thought it went pretty well, especially because everything seemed to just flow with what President Dowdle talked about (which I didn't know before) - even the hymns I chose. I love when that happens.
The next day, Saturday, President and Sister Dowdle came out and worked with us most of the day. We took them to visit a few families that we have been teaching, and I think they really enjoyed it. Plus - I learned a lot from them.
I've been telling you about the family we have getting baptized this week, and this week they stopped chewing/smoking! Ian hasn't really had any problems since he quit smoking, but his wife is having a hard time with withdrawals and stuff since she stopped chewing. Despite it all, they are pretty set to be baptized on Saturday, and the branch is excited to have them.
Today we bought Manicotti pasta, and I'm going to make it today I think. I saw the noodles and it just sounded great, so I got all the stuff to make it and now I'm just waiting for the time. I hope it turns out okay - wish me luck.
I haven't gone to see the rock faces yet (it's like an hour drive, and it's hard to find the time), but maybe we'll make our way up there one of these days. We're kind of waiting to do anything fun until we get another missionary, so he doesn't get left out. If we've already done/seen it all, we won't want to go again when he comes. That is something I want to do though.
My favorite candy? Lets see. Any chocolate has to be in a pretty sturdy container or something or it will just get destroyed. I like Reese's, Rolos, sunflower seeds, Jolly Ranchers, Butterfinger, sour stuff (warheads, sour patch kids), Starburst (tropical), Now & Laters, Skittles (any flavor), suckers, Tootsie Rolls. I think that's a good list. There are many, many more, but I trust your judgment! Thanks guys.
I got some temple pictures today (I'm not sure who sent them) from the SLC distribution center, so thanks for those, they're going to be great.
I don't need any news from my friends - they can just write me (just a little reminder for anyone who hasn't ever or it's been a while). Thanks though.
I love you all, and I hope everyone is still going great.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Monday, October 18, 2010
Rock Islands
Family,
All right, so we had some pretty interesting changes here in Palau this week. After Elder Lyman left, we assumed a new missionary would be coming to replace him. It was going to be interesting for sure because I've only been out a year, Elder Adams is coming up on 5 months, and Elder Wright is coming to 2. What actually happened, is now we're in a tri-panionship. Elder Adams is the District Leader, and I'm the Zone Leader. It's been good because I can still work with them both in Language Study, rather than sending one of them on their own to learn with a new missionary. We moved to live in the other apartment (in Ngerchemai) since that one has the phone that can call off-island when we need to.
I also found out that I have to train in Zone Conference this week. I have to order food, prepare all sorts of graphs and charts, make assignments to my companions, and still prepare my own notes for my training. What a task. President Dowdle is coming on exchange with us the next day too, so that's exciting.
This last week we've been really busy. Because there are only three of us, there is only one area. We cover 4 islands: Babeldaob (it's huge - we don't go here very often), Meyuns, Malakal, and Koror. We've been going back and forth teaching all day, and I've been loving it. The family we are helping to prepare for baptism is still on track for the 30th. Unfortunately one of the kids has been sick for the last couple of weeks, and couldn't make it to church. Either we're going to have to postpone the baptism so they can all do it together, or they'll be baptized without him, and he'll just do the same a couple of weeks later. We're going to talk to them and see what they'd prefer.
We finally got to watch General Conference this weekend, and it was really really good. We noticed themes of agency, following the prophet, and gratitude. During the Sunday sessions, it seemed like everyone and they're children were getting up to get water like 6 times an hour. Plus, people were talking and babies were crying, it made it really hard to hear, and therefore hard to focus. Saturday was great, I really enjoyed it - I regret sleeping through conference every year of my life now.
That trip to the Rock Islands was our one allotted opportunity. We get a new mission president in June though, so who knows what he'll say. I knew they were going to organize a stake, but they've been struggling to do it for some reason. That's good to hear they are finally going to do it. I heard some talk about L. Tom Perry coming for it. Once they do that it's only a matter of time before there's a temple in Guam.
Speaking of temples, I was excited to hear about the temple in Tijuana. I would love to go to the open house for that one. I don't know how long it takes to build temples, but if it's less than a year, tell them to slow it down for me.
Love,
Elder Barlow
All right, so we had some pretty interesting changes here in Palau this week. After Elder Lyman left, we assumed a new missionary would be coming to replace him. It was going to be interesting for sure because I've only been out a year, Elder Adams is coming up on 5 months, and Elder Wright is coming to 2. What actually happened, is now we're in a tri-panionship. Elder Adams is the District Leader, and I'm the Zone Leader. It's been good because I can still work with them both in Language Study, rather than sending one of them on their own to learn with a new missionary. We moved to live in the other apartment (in Ngerchemai) since that one has the phone that can call off-island when we need to.
I also found out that I have to train in Zone Conference this week. I have to order food, prepare all sorts of graphs and charts, make assignments to my companions, and still prepare my own notes for my training. What a task. President Dowdle is coming on exchange with us the next day too, so that's exciting.
This last week we've been really busy. Because there are only three of us, there is only one area. We cover 4 islands: Babeldaob (it's huge - we don't go here very often), Meyuns, Malakal, and Koror. We've been going back and forth teaching all day, and I've been loving it. The family we are helping to prepare for baptism is still on track for the 30th. Unfortunately one of the kids has been sick for the last couple of weeks, and couldn't make it to church. Either we're going to have to postpone the baptism so they can all do it together, or they'll be baptized without him, and he'll just do the same a couple of weeks later. We're going to talk to them and see what they'd prefer.
We finally got to watch General Conference this weekend, and it was really really good. We noticed themes of agency, following the prophet, and gratitude. During the Sunday sessions, it seemed like everyone and they're children were getting up to get water like 6 times an hour. Plus, people were talking and babies were crying, it made it really hard to hear, and therefore hard to focus. Saturday was great, I really enjoyed it - I regret sleeping through conference every year of my life now.
That trip to the Rock Islands was our one allotted opportunity. We get a new mission president in June though, so who knows what he'll say. I knew they were going to organize a stake, but they've been struggling to do it for some reason. That's good to hear they are finally going to do it. I heard some talk about L. Tom Perry coming for it. Once they do that it's only a matter of time before there's a temple in Guam.
Speaking of temples, I was excited to hear about the temple in Tijuana. I would love to go to the open house for that one. I don't know how long it takes to build temples, but if it's less than a year, tell them to slow it down for me.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
11 Oct. 2010
Family,
This week was so good for us. I told you a little bit about the family that we've been teaching, and they all came to church yesterday (excluding the oldest son, who had pink eye)! They just loved it. They stayed for all three hours, and apparently their kids couldn't stop talking about it. They can't wait until next week. I'm so happy for them. We also met another family (who we're teaching again tonight), the father is less-active, but his wife and daughter are not members of the church. After teaching about the Restoration, the daughter proceeded to tell us all about Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon came to be. She said she had read the Book of Mormon, and that's how she knows. Turns out that it wasn't actually the Book of Mormon, but something else that some missionaries gave her. Nevertheless, it was awesome, and both she and her mother agreed to be baptized in the beginning of November, along with the mother of another less-active man. So exciting, I'm just sad I wont be in the area to teach them.
You asked where we get our hair cut, and this is actually an interesting situation. There are tons of little beauty shops where you can go an get your hair cut, but there's a slight problem. 95% of these institutions are run by Filipino men dressed as, and pretending to be, women. We found one place that is run by a legitimate woman, and she actually does a really good job. It costs $5 no matter where you go.
One of the privileges of being a missionary in Palau is that you get you tour the Rock Islands. Unfortunately each missionary only gets to go once. Our trip was today, since Elder Lyman flies home on Wednesday, and this was his last opportunity. We know a less-active woman who is a tour-guide, so she was about to let us go for half of the local price. Our tour included Jellyfish lake (a completely enclosed lake with thousands and thousands of non-stinging jellyfish - usually we would go swimming with them, but we can't go swimming, so it was pretty boring at this particular stop), Milky Way (a place where run-off from the limestone rock islands have made the water milky and the mud on the bottom is like white paint almost), and a bunch of other beautiful places. We saw tons of fish, sharks, a turtle, and got to sit on the front of the boat as we cruised through the hundreds of islands. It was so cool. Lunch was even provided, and we didn't have to go with 30 other Japanese tourists like the rest of the groups did. I'm trying to send some pictures if it will let me.
Supposedly I'm transferring this week, unless they make my current area the zone leader's area - which I doubt. I'll let you guys know how this all plays out. I find out who my companion will be Wednesday night. I'm pretty sad that all this good is happening in my area, and now I'm leaving. Luckily, I'll still be close - and now I'm in charge of exchanges.
Love,
Elder Barlow
This week was so good for us. I told you a little bit about the family that we've been teaching, and they all came to church yesterday (excluding the oldest son, who had pink eye)! They just loved it. They stayed for all three hours, and apparently their kids couldn't stop talking about it. They can't wait until next week. I'm so happy for them. We also met another family (who we're teaching again tonight), the father is less-active, but his wife and daughter are not members of the church. After teaching about the Restoration, the daughter proceeded to tell us all about Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon came to be. She said she had read the Book of Mormon, and that's how she knows. Turns out that it wasn't actually the Book of Mormon, but something else that some missionaries gave her. Nevertheless, it was awesome, and both she and her mother agreed to be baptized in the beginning of November, along with the mother of another less-active man. So exciting, I'm just sad I wont be in the area to teach them.
You asked where we get our hair cut, and this is actually an interesting situation. There are tons of little beauty shops where you can go an get your hair cut, but there's a slight problem. 95% of these institutions are run by Filipino men dressed as, and pretending to be, women. We found one place that is run by a legitimate woman, and she actually does a really good job. It costs $5 no matter where you go.
One of the privileges of being a missionary in Palau is that you get you tour the Rock Islands. Unfortunately each missionary only gets to go once. Our trip was today, since Elder Lyman flies home on Wednesday, and this was his last opportunity. We know a less-active woman who is a tour-guide, so she was about to let us go for half of the local price. Our tour included Jellyfish lake (a completely enclosed lake with thousands and thousands of non-stinging jellyfish - usually we would go swimming with them, but we can't go swimming, so it was pretty boring at this particular stop), Milky Way (a place where run-off from the limestone rock islands have made the water milky and the mud on the bottom is like white paint almost), and a bunch of other beautiful places. We saw tons of fish, sharks, a turtle, and got to sit on the front of the boat as we cruised through the hundreds of islands. It was so cool. Lunch was even provided, and we didn't have to go with 30 other Japanese tourists like the rest of the groups did. I'm trying to send some pictures if it will let me.
Supposedly I'm transferring this week, unless they make my current area the zone leader's area - which I doubt. I'll let you guys know how this all plays out. I find out who my companion will be Wednesday night. I'm pretty sad that all this good is happening in my area, and now I'm leaving. Luckily, I'll still be close - and now I'm in charge of exchanges.
Love,
Elder Barlow
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Birthday
Family,
I just have enough time to say hi. I'm in the mission office now, and I have to leave to go to the airport to go back to Palau. Turns out that I'm going to be the zone leader in a week or so. It was pretty expected since the other one goes home at that time, and everyone else has been out 4 months or less. Anyway, that's the update. I'm just excited to see who my new companion will be.
I love you all, have a good week!
Love,
Elder Barlow
I just have enough time to say hi. I'm in the mission office now, and I have to leave to go to the airport to go back to Palau. Turns out that I'm going to be the zone leader in a week or so. It was pretty expected since the other one goes home at that time, and everyone else has been out 4 months or less. Anyway, that's the update. I'm just excited to see who my new companion will be.
I love you all, have a good week!
Love,
Elder Barlow
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