I got a lot of crazy news this past week. So first off, I got a call from President Pingree on Friday. He was telling us that with the split of the Wheatstone Ward, making the new Bridgeland Ward, he is going to split the missionary area too. He is going to put a new set of Elders to cover the Bridgeland Ward and keep the Wheatstone elders just covering the Wheatstone area now which is nice - not as much long bike rides for us. President said the Elder Sleet will go to the Bridgeland Ward and Elder Robins will be his companion. President said I will stay in Wheatstone so I was expecting him to tell me who my companion will be but he said "Elder Barton I have something to ask of you. I want to give you a leadership position" I got so many butterflies and my stomach jumped up to my throat. He went on to say "I want you to be a trainer. You have such a great desire to serve and you are a Preach My Gospel missionary. The first companion is so crucial for a new missionary. I have great faith that you will be a very positive influence on this new missionary. His obedience, work effort, and love for others will be greatly influenced by you. Thanks for being such a great missionary. Will you do this?" After a little silence and hesitation I said "yes". But after I hung up I had a lot of thoughts. I thought "What is President thinking? I can name a bunch of missionaries that will be amazing trainers. I am not a good missionary like he says I am. I will mess this up" But I said a quick prayer and I got a nice calming feeling. I am grateful that the Holy Ghost comforted me at that moment. I now know this will be a challenge, but the Lord has prepared me and my new companion to work together at this time in this area of the mission. A lot of good will come of this. But I will definitely need some extra prayers for this. Also my new companion will learn how to find since all of our investigators and potentials went along with the Bridgeland Ward. But this will be good and he will enjoy the heat :) Thank you so much!
Love, Cory Barton
