Month: January 2019

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Ponce Lyfee

Okay, this week was crazy! And we have had a heck of time trying to figure out where to write today, so I will try to see if I can type all of this up really fast.

HIGHS OF THE WEEK: Wow, this week was so amazing!!!! I love Ponce! This area is much more city than campo and the work is popping! My new comp, Hna Branham, has been out for 5 months, she’s from SC, and she works super hard. I am so excited to be serving with her! We also put 2 people on date for baptism this week, Pablo and Argenis!! Pablo is so sweet and I am excited for him to get baptized! He is really funny and innocent sometimes. One day we had to walk super far in the rain to get to his house because we have car fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays in our mission, and he asked us if he would have to stop driving on those days after his baptism haha. Also, I told him that I was from OH in the first lesson, and the next time we came back he told me (in English), Hna O’Barr, close your eyes! I did, and then he turned around and was so excited to show me that he was wearing an OH State shirt that a friend had gotten him a little while ago! It made my day! We have been teaching him a lot and it seems like he will be ready for his baptism on February 9th!

LOWS: We got hardcore bashed by this old guy. Also, it is HOT in Ponce!

FUNNY: We had a meeting with the Zone Leaders to discuss what goals and plans we’ll present at MLC (Mission Leadership Conference) this week. We ended around 8:50-something so then the Zone Leaders watched us as we started sprinting out of the church parking lot so we could get home on time!!

Whitewashing as a Sister Training Leader has been hard but awesome. My motto has just been “Well, we’ll figure it out!” There has been a fair amount of laughing involved in the process because when you don’t know what you’re doing and you end up lost in the rain, you can choose to laugh or cry. This quote from President Eyring pretty much sums it all up–“Keep your eyes open for the humor in the present…It’s not hard. That’s because the best humor springs from seeing the incongruity in your own predicament. Who’s got more predicament than someone giving lots with small result? And who’s more apt to laugh easily at himself than someone who has ultimate faith that the predicament will end? So look for the chance to smile.” Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Hermana O’Barr

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Put me in coach

Hi everyone!!! This week has been crazy! We found some incredible people this week. One lady is named Ada. She recently left her church and has been searching for the truth. We started teaching her about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and I read her a scripture out of the Book Mormon. I tried to give the book to her and at first she was very hesitant and didn’t want to accept it. I testified of the Book of Mormon and insisted again that she take the book. It was so bold and something I wouldn’t have done at the beginning of my mission but she softened up and said she would read and pray about it! I felt the Spirit so strongly as we testified to her of the Book of Mormon.

We also had interviews this week, which was great! It was so nice to hear President Smart say he thinks I did a good job as a trainer. I can’t believe I am already done! I am leaving Hermana Nelson to take over Aibonito and I am going to Ponce to be a Sister Training Leader! It is going to be wild! My new companion will be Hermana Branham and she is only going into her 4th transfer AND we are whitewashing* so I’m sure I’m in for quite the adventure. Well, it’s good I get to end with a bang! I can’t believe I am going into my last two transfers already. I am so grateful for the chance I’ve had to be out here and how many opportunities for growth Heavenly Father has given me!

My time in Aibonito and with Hermana Nelson has been incredible and has changed me a lot. I have a special spot in my heart for both and it will be sad to leave tomorrow, but I know God is in charge and has a perfect plan!

Anyway, my little thought for you all is to always pray like it all depends on God, then get on your feet and work like it all depends on you! There should be a direct correlation between our prayers and our actions. If there is something we want, we must ask for God’s help but also do everything in our power to make it happen! I know that prayer and hard work create miracles and that they are surrounding us every day, if only we look for them! Have a fantastic week! I will update you all on how whitewashing as an STL in Ponce is going next week!

Love,
Hermana O’Barr

* Two new missionaries in an area at the same time.






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Short and sweet

Okay, this will be short, I am so sorry!

We have had a wonderful week. I think that I have learned a LOT here in Aibonito and I am so grateful for the experiences I have had here so far. This is most likely my last week here, which is so weird! I have lived here for nearly half a year and this place and these people have come to mean so much to me. I will never be the same because of the experiences God has given me here.

Remember that God never EVER forgets about us! He loves us so much and is trying to teach us new things each day, if only we will pay attention. Have a great week!

Some pics from our zone activity in Guayama







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Exchanges with Energy Rush

Wow, so I have a million things to say but I am also lacking the energy to type them all haha. We will see how this email ends up.

As I reflect back on 2018, it’s clear that it was one of the most influential years of my life thus far. I have changed the most, learned the most, and had the most experiences. I have become a faithful and joyful disciple of Jesus Christ and I truly love life, as difficult as it sometimes may be. I am so grateful for the person I have become and for the potential I have to become even better. I remember a New Year’s Eve 8 years ago, right after I had moved to Ohio. I went outside and contemplated the stars at midnight, and made the resolution to study the Book of Mormon and write in my journal every day. I am grateful I made good decisions that have led me to the greater conversion I have today. The past 8 years have been full of some of the greatest joys and most profound and often unexpected sorrows, but they have led me to rely more on my Savior and trust more in His astounding and infinite love. I am humbled that I have the opportunity to start anew every year, week, day and even every moment. I may not know what lies ahead, especially as I go home and return to school this year, but I trust that it will be spectacular!

Alright, a quick miracle for this week! We thought Angel dropped us but we ended up running into him one night and it turns out that he no longer has a phone or a car, but he wants us back!!! I am so happy!

Love y’all, have a great week!
Hermana O’Barr

The pics are the three kings (big tradition in PR) and the gorgeous sunset!