Well this week nothing really exciting happened missionary work wise.... taught zero lessons again - pretty lame. But on Sunday our Ward Mission Leader and Assistant Ward Mission Leader gave an awesome lesson for the 3rd hour to the ward about member missionary work. You could tell some people are now fired up to go to work! And again Bishop had me and Ulugia stand up and tell the story of me getting handcuffed to the whole ward this time. I also found out that the Bishop in the Bridgeland ward told my story to the members to let members know the missionaries need help. Haha I am just getting quite the reputation in this area. Transfer calls are this week and I am most likely leaving. I said goodbye to members on Sunday.
Oh I sprained my ankle this week playing morning sports so my ankle has wonderful colors. That's the only "exciting" thing that happened this week. I should have a lot to tell next e-mail in hopes that I leave to a new area. I love y'all.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Email Update: October 24, 2011
Sounds like the family is just having a blast! Nothing too much happened this week. The only teaching appointment we had with an investigator was Saturday with two 19 yr old college student girls they asked A LOT of questions which was good.
I have recently become a celebrity in the ward because this Sunday in priesthood meeting the Bishop called me up and explained how I got handcuffed and we need referrals since our work is limited. After that basically the whole ward knew because I had people coming up to me left and right asking for the story and how sorry they feel for us and how they will try to get us referrals.... so I guess this is a good thing. I am just hoping to get out of this area with the up coming transfer calls. I am so done with this area, I have been here for over 6 months.... I have been on Hwy 6 basically my whole mission I am just ready to move on. I don't hate this area or the people here, don't get me wrong. My mission call said the Texas Houston Mission not the Hwy 6 Mission so I just wanna move and see other things.
Oh snap how could I forget so the coolest thing happened this week and a highlight for my mission. So this Friday E. Martinez (a convert from the Bear Creek ward who I worked with and we are super tight buds) got her mission call! She invited me to come she her open it. She was called to the California Ventura Mission I believe it was. But man that was so spiritual it was really neat to see her parents and her sister there who are all non members support her decision because for the longest time they didn't approve of her going. She will be speaking Spanish so it will be Hermana Martinez soon. Man I was so happy I couldn't sleep that night. It's just really neat to see that she went from a person wearing a statue of liberty outfit advertising for Liberty Tax on Hwy 6 to going and serving a mission - it's really neat to see that. Well that's all for now, I love y'all! PEACE
I have recently become a celebrity in the ward because this Sunday in priesthood meeting the Bishop called me up and explained how I got handcuffed and we need referrals since our work is limited. After that basically the whole ward knew because I had people coming up to me left and right asking for the story and how sorry they feel for us and how they will try to get us referrals.... so I guess this is a good thing. I am just hoping to get out of this area with the up coming transfer calls. I am so done with this area, I have been here for over 6 months.... I have been on Hwy 6 basically my whole mission I am just ready to move on. I don't hate this area or the people here, don't get me wrong. My mission call said the Texas Houston Mission not the Hwy 6 Mission so I just wanna move and see other things.
Oh snap how could I forget so the coolest thing happened this week and a highlight for my mission. So this Friday E. Martinez (a convert from the Bear Creek ward who I worked with and we are super tight buds) got her mission call! She invited me to come she her open it. She was called to the California Ventura Mission I believe it was. But man that was so spiritual it was really neat to see her parents and her sister there who are all non members support her decision because for the longest time they didn't approve of her going. She will be speaking Spanish so it will be Hermana Martinez soon. Man I was so happy I couldn't sleep that night. It's just really neat to see that she went from a person wearing a statue of liberty outfit advertising for Liberty Tax on Hwy 6 to going and serving a mission - it's really neat to see that. Well that's all for now, I love y'all! PEACE
Monday, October 17, 2011
Email Update: October 17, 2011
Hey family! SO this week was a really good week. It first started off with Elder Ulugia and I going down to Spring Branch area and where we got to do some teaching and tracting with the Spring Branch Elders (Moody and Chadwick) It was good to get out of our rich area and go to the ghetto!
Later on in the week we had interviews with President Pingree and I had a really good visit with him - man I LOVE interviews! We then had a training on Table Manners by Sister Pingree and that's where the picture of all of us and sister Farmer came from. Yeah there is a lot of tie trading going on I am getting into big fat ties haha.
Then the real highlight came on Sunday where we actually taught a non member lesson finally! And it was a Gladys Knight referral and it went so well! We met with Rachel and Anne and they like and respect our church A LOT! She told us she loves everything about the whole church except for one thing,, which is the 1975, but she really likes that the church isn't trying to hide that fact by sweeping it under the rug - she really respects our church being very open about it. We gave them 2 Books of Mormon and answered their questions. Told them our personal conversion stories and what our church teaches about. They told us they believe there is a reason why they went to the concert and there is a reason why we were meeting together. They said that they aren't going to join our church right away because they have been hurt before by other churches so they want to do research first. And we highly encouraged them to do that since well, that's what we are telling people to do, is find out for themselves :) It was a lovely meeting and I hope to see them soon.
I am glad Mom, Kyle, and everyone is doing well. :) Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Cory Barton
Later on in the week we had interviews with President Pingree and I had a really good visit with him - man I LOVE interviews! We then had a training on Table Manners by Sister Pingree and that's where the picture of all of us and sister Farmer came from. Yeah there is a lot of tie trading going on I am getting into big fat ties haha.
Then the real highlight came on Sunday where we actually taught a non member lesson finally! And it was a Gladys Knight referral and it went so well! We met with Rachel and Anne and they like and respect our church A LOT! She told us she loves everything about the whole church except for one thing,, which is the 1975, but she really likes that the church isn't trying to hide that fact by sweeping it under the rug - she really respects our church being very open about it. We gave them 2 Books of Mormon and answered their questions. Told them our personal conversion stories and what our church teaches about. They told us they believe there is a reason why they went to the concert and there is a reason why we were meeting together. They said that they aren't going to join our church right away because they have been hurt before by other churches so they want to do research first. And we highly encouraged them to do that since well, that's what we are telling people to do, is find out for themselves :) It was a lovely meeting and I hope to see them soon.
I am glad Mom, Kyle, and everyone is doing well. :) Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Cory Barton
Monday, October 10, 2011
Email Update: October 10, 2011
Hey now the whole security thing wasn't that big of a deal so simmer down now :) We only knocked on one house so it wasn't exactly bold of us, haha. But we did talk to President that same day in what to do and he advised us to stay away from those areas at the moment unless we have a set appointment to go to. At first I thought this would hinder the work since, no lie, like 95% of our area is gated. But maybe the Lord thinks we are dumb and can't find that golden investigator so he is narrowing our search down a ton!
This past week was great! Finally got a hold of the Araiza family who disappeared shortly after their baptism. They are doing great and were so stoked to see us! They just had a baby girl a week ago and she is a cutie! Also we finally got a hold of a non member who bore her testimony about joining our church last fast Sunday and we set up an appointment for today so, woot, woot. Also she was at church yesterday. So things went well this week - hope and pray to keep that momentum this week. And I'll try not to get into trouble with the Po Po. I am pretty sure I can out run them on my nice orange Gary Fisher bike!
And that is so SICK that they have Blue Bell ice cream at that Provo place! I was gonna die when I eventually leave Houston because Blue Bell is so addicting, oh my gosh! My favorites are Cake and Ice cream, and a new one I found out about 2 weeks ago Dessert Trio YUM! Child that stuff put me in a coma!
Well I am gonna head out, gotta e-mail President and then play Poison (Dodge ball but more extreme) haha. Love y'all!
This past week was great! Finally got a hold of the Araiza family who disappeared shortly after their baptism. They are doing great and were so stoked to see us! They just had a baby girl a week ago and she is a cutie! Also we finally got a hold of a non member who bore her testimony about joining our church last fast Sunday and we set up an appointment for today so, woot, woot. Also she was at church yesterday. So things went well this week - hope and pray to keep that momentum this week. And I'll try not to get into trouble with the Po Po. I am pretty sure I can out run them on my nice orange Gary Fisher bike!
And that is so SICK that they have Blue Bell ice cream at that Provo place! I was gonna die when I eventually leave Houston because Blue Bell is so addicting, oh my gosh! My favorites are Cake and Ice cream, and a new one I found out about 2 weeks ago Dessert Trio YUM! Child that stuff put me in a coma!
Well I am gonna head out, gotta e-mail President and then play Poison (Dodge ball but more extreme) haha. Love y'all!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Email Update: October 3, 2011
So this week has been quite the week. So I will start on Thursday so Elder Ulugia and I went to try some PM/LA in the Stone Gate area and we didn't have any luck. So I remembered in this neighborhood there was a house where the car had Utah plates and they weren't members so I decided to knock on their door and hopefully talk with them. Well after no one answered the door we start to head toward our bikes when this Top Gun Security car pulls up. Before I get into that, quick flash back to a week ago. We had a Top Gun Security guy pull us over and verbally warned us not to knock doors in a gated community. Anyway back to where I left off. So this security car pulls up and the exact same dude came out of the car and in my head I was like "oh crap". He starts walking over to us and I tried to lighten the mood because the dude look ticked! I said "So I am guessing your bringing us good news". Well the guy was not in the mood for jokes, he said "I warned y'all that you can't knock doors so what are you doing here?" I said "Well we are knocking doors" he said "Did you think I was joking last time? Seriously" I said "Well most of our area is gated so we are constantly in gated areas so it's kinda our thing and I am gonna keep doing my thing". He said "You think this is a joke? Put your hands on the hood of the car!" So I do and this guy starts to handcuff me! In my head I was thinking this is going to be a long day and if mom finds out she is not going to be a happy camper ha ha. So he handcuffs one hand and asked "So are you gonna go into a gated community again?" I said "Sir I am not gonna lie to you. Like I said most of our area is gated, so yeah I will be in a gated community again" He didn't like that answer so he finished handcuffing me and sat me down on the sidewalk and says that he is going to call the Sheriff. He then tells Ulugia to sit next to me, doesn't handcuff him thank goodness. So I am sitting there for 15 min. handcuffed waiting for the cop to show up. In the meantime he takes down my information. Then the cop shows up I get unhandcuffed and this officer was super nice! He told us like we can't knock in gated communities and said that he could take us to jail since the security guy warned us but he isn't going to do that but the next time this security dude catches us we will go to jail for sure because the security dude made me sign a written warning. So yeah that was great fun ha ha!
So then for General Conference we went to a members house in the Bridgeland ward with the Bridgeland Elders. They live in the Bridgeland neighborhood which is SOOOOOOOOOOO NICE! The houses there are huge! So we chilled in their theater room and watched conference and ate amazing food and fruit they made and played pool so it was just really awesome! I loved L. Tom Perry's talk about sharing the gospel. Then Jeffrey R. Holland's and W. Christopher Waddell's talk from the priesthood session. Both were amazing! Well gotta bounce have a great week!
So then for General Conference we went to a members house in the Bridgeland ward with the Bridgeland Elders. They live in the Bridgeland neighborhood which is SOOOOOOOOOOO NICE! The houses there are huge! So we chilled in their theater room and watched conference and ate amazing food and fruit they made and played pool so it was just really awesome! I loved L. Tom Perry's talk about sharing the gospel. Then Jeffrey R. Holland's and W. Christopher Waddell's talk from the priesthood session. Both were amazing! Well gotta bounce have a great week!
Email Update: September 26, 2011
So, I am gonna talk about the highlight of the week...... Gladys Knight and the Saints Unified Voices came down to Houston! They had performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! We went to the performances for 10 am showing on Saturday and then the final show at 7:30 pm Sunday night. Boy they rocked the house! I felt like I was in a Baptist Church! The whole time when they were rocking out I was wishing Deanna was here to stand clap and dance and say Hallelujah it was so SICK! Man that is one of the coolest highlights of my mission that is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity! It was 2 hours long and at the end Gladys Knight bore her testimony and conversion story and it was just so perfect for the people of Houston. I heard they got over 300 referrals from these performances so far! Gosh I am still on a Gladys high right now, I could hardly sleep last night. I got up at 1:58 am and stayed up til a little before 4. I just kept replaying that whole event in my head it was just so sick and powerful! Well gotta bounce But I love y'all!
Email Update: September 19, 2011
This past week I got my bike back later in the week so that was nice! Also on Friday it was Ulugia's birthday and he turned 21 and we partied it up like we ran the town.
On Saturday the Cypress Stake held a "Lest We Forget" concert in honor of 9/11 and the men and women who serve our country to keep our rights. It was really moving and they gave out free medallion coins with the title "Lest We forget" on the front and a quote by Thomas S Monson from 2001 saying something like "fill our minds with truth and our hearts with service" or something like that.
Yesterday I hit my 14 month mark and it's just crazy. I can't keep up with my mission it just keeps going by faster and faster. A member yesterday made a comment to me saying "Elder Barton how long have you been with us in this ward? Your like a regular now" And I thought about it I have almost been here for 25 weeks! Almost 6 months! What in the world! And I am guaranteed to stay here till at least 31 weeks! Man I am still trying to figure out how this happened. It just seems like yesterday I arrived here with Tobchan to this area now almost 6 months later I am training here. Weird, any who I am running short on time we have been behind schedule today so I'll chat with y'all next week. I love y'all!
On Saturday the Cypress Stake held a "Lest We Forget" concert in honor of 9/11 and the men and women who serve our country to keep our rights. It was really moving and they gave out free medallion coins with the title "Lest We forget" on the front and a quote by Thomas S Monson from 2001 saying something like "fill our minds with truth and our hearts with service" or something like that.
Yesterday I hit my 14 month mark and it's just crazy. I can't keep up with my mission it just keeps going by faster and faster. A member yesterday made a comment to me saying "Elder Barton how long have you been with us in this ward? Your like a regular now" And I thought about it I have almost been here for 25 weeks! Almost 6 months! What in the world! And I am guaranteed to stay here till at least 31 weeks! Man I am still trying to figure out how this happened. It just seems like yesterday I arrived here with Tobchan to this area now almost 6 months later I am training here. Weird, any who I am running short on time we have been behind schedule today so I'll chat with y'all next week. I love y'all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)