Merely A Vessel

FAM BAM.

IT'S BEEN FOUR MONTHS. WHAT THE WHAT. Uber crazy, I know. Missions are
the greatest!!!

So, it snowed. A lot. Like A LOT A LOT. Like more snow than I've seen
in Utah for a long time. Had to dig our car out to go to church--I've
never had to shovel snow off of a car before, but I did yesterday.
Guess there's a first time for everything ;) It was safer to stay
inside on Saturday, so we did just that. And planned for the upcoming
week.

I'm sure you're wondering about this, so I'll tell you. The MRI went
great. Geisinger was a super nice place to have it, and I am so
grateful I was so close to such a great facility. Now we wait for the
results! I am choosing not to worry about it, because that won't get
me anywhere. Now more than ever, I am going to completely place it in
the Lord's hands. He is in control, and I just need to trust Him. :)

On Monday, we had another lesson with Roger. We are having a hard time
getting through to Teresa, because she is more closed off, but we are
working on it. The minute we saw Roger, we could tell his countenance
was different. It was the coolest thing. His kids sat in as well (they
haven't been to church in a long time), and we talked about the
baptismal covenant (wasn't planning on that being the lesson, but we
definitely let the Spirit take over). Roger was taking notes, and we
knew it was sinking in. He's working towards not smoking, and he has a
quit date and everything! Super proud of him.

We also had our first lesson with Dylan. It went amazingly!! We met
him at Dunkin Donuts along with a member--Brother Willis. We taught
him the Restoration, and things just clicked for him. Through the
influence of the Holy Ghost, Sister Schofield invited him to be
baptized. He said, "I've been baptized before, but not like this."
(Referencing the priesthood of God coming directly from Jesus Christ.)
But he said yes!!! And he was even more amazed when we told him that
Joseph Smith was baptized in the Susquehanna river. He was like,
"Whoa! That happened here?!" Haha it was the best. We also committed
him to read the Book of Mormon, and he said he would start doing that
every day. We are going to extend a baptismal date to him this week
and I am super pumped.

Wednesday morning, we drove up to Williamsport to watch the Worldwide
Missionary Broadcast. I learned so much, and felt an abundance of the
Spirit. It was amazing. I was reminded yet again how crucial the
Spirit is in this work. Without it, I am completely incapable and
utterly useless in attempting to do what I've been called to do. This
is why I am merely a vessel through which the Spirit can work through.
Merely an instrument in His mighty hands to help this marvelous work
progress. As I have paid closer attention to this, I have seen it come
to pass this week. And it has been an amazing and humbling experience.
After this was repeated a few times, I made it one of my goals: to
always have His name on my lips, prepared to testify of Him at any
given moment.

You know, I'm still finding tender mercies every single day. And I'm
realizing again and again: sometimes they come in really unique ways.
Maybe it's a lesson that is by the Spirit that goes really well. Maybe
it's your testimony being strengthened by bearing it to someone else.
Maybe it's recognizing you're making more progress than you realize.
All of these happened this week, and have made me extra grateful for
the Lord's hand. It's always there, especially when I need it the
most.

Serving a mission. There is nothing like it. I'm just eating it up,
and I couldn't be more grateful for these 18 months I've been given.
Living and loving them to the fullest!! <3

LOVE YOUS--HAVE A FANTABULOUS WEEK!!!!

Let's go save the world.

With so so so much love,
Sister Bartlett

                                                  The Zone at the Missionary Broadcast

With Doris

The Dynamic Duo!!!

And their motto

                                   

.

No Effort Is Wasted!!

Hey you's guys!!

This week was a slower one, but I definitely have some highlights to share!

So, Monday night, we taught Roger and Teresa (also their kids Mercedes
and Roger--they haven't been to church in a while). AND GUESS WHAT.
Through the guidance of the Spirit, I invited them to be baptized!!!!!
It was so terrifying on my part, but I knew I needed to, so I did. We
had THE PERFECT member team-up for that lesson, and his testimony was
so powerful. We set a baptismal date for them (they really came up
with it themselves)--March 4th and Roger has committed to quit
smoking. IT WAS/IS AMAZING!!!! I was on Cloud 9. Still am, haha. The
Spirit was there, and I know it was the right time to ask them. It was
the best day ever.

On Thursday, we had Zone Training in Williamsport. It was on Preach My
Gospel planning, and it was super helpful. Sister Schofield and I have
committed to improve our nightly planning to coincide with PMG. It
will take some work, but we are ready and willing. We also watched an
amazing movie called "Freetown". (Approved by Pres, so don't worry!!)
If you haven't watched it, GO WATCH IT!!! It is seriously sooooo
good. And I felt the Spirit so strong. It was amazing.

Also, it snowed!!! Finally. But it meant we were stuck inside because
the roads were super icy. Fun stuff.

Sister Côte was admitted into the hospital, so we went to see her on
Friday. We talked with her for a little bit, and sang her favorite
hymns for her. She again had tears streaming down her face and all she
could whisper was, "Thank you." It warmed my heart like nothing else.
The Spirit filled that hospital room, and it was so beautiful. As we
sang "I Believe in Christ", the following line struck several chords
within me:

"I believe in Christ, so come what may! With Him I'll stand at that great day."

I knew in that moment that it was all going to be okay. We believe in
Christ, so it doesn't matter what happens. We will live again after
this life, and stand with Christ. Sister Côte is going to be okay.
Whether she's called Home tomorrow or in three months or whenever--it
is going to be okay. I can have complete faith and trust in the Plan
of Salvation because it is true, and it is real.

Before we saw Sister Cote in the hospital, we stopped by her house,
and Luke (her son's friend) answered the door. I asked him, "Is there
anything we can help you with or do for you?" He said, "Yeah, come on
in." He sat down, and he opened up to us. He told us he's
been struggling with several things, and could really use some prayers
right now. It was completely off-the-cuff, and I hadn't prepared
anything specific for talking with him, but I was able to testify to
him of the gospel, and the love of Jesus Christ. It was the first time
I have been able to do that without my trainer (I obviously relied on
her a lot). It felt amazing. I also gave him a Book of Mormon, and
testified to him about that book that has changed my life. I felt
prompted to, so I invited him to church . . . Fast forward to Sunday:
HE CAME AND STAYED FOR ALL THREE HOURS!!!! It made me
so happy!! We are going to meet with him this week and I am super excited!!!

This week was slow and low in numbers, which was hard to face. But I'm
doing my best to have a good attitude about it. Like Sister Schofield
said to me, "Some things just can't be measured in numbers. Like, how
many times did you feel the Spirit this week? Or, how many seeds did
you plant?" So, so true. And despite the lower numbers (because that
isn't the whole focus here), investigators are popping up out of
nowhere, which is amazing. I feel very blessed to be teaching so many
people, and I know the Lord is watching out for us. And because of
this, I know that no effort is wasted. Every person talked to, every
testimony born, every invitation extended, is effort in the Lord's
eyes. In His eyes, every little bit counts. No effort is wasted. Ever.
That is the promise I am holding on to. I am excited for this upcoming
week and what it holds in store!

Philippians 4:13

Stay tuned for next week!! Have the greatest week ever!!!

Sending lots of love from PA,
Sister Bartlett

First Snow in PA and it has been snowing all weekend :)

Sister Bartlett and Sister Hokafonu

Opposition in all things......

Hey fam-bam!!

This week has had its harder moments, but it sure made me more appreciative of the tender mercies of the Lord.

We received a referral for Dylan, and each time we would call and set up an appointment to meet with him, he wouldn't be home when we tried. I felt like we needed to go try one more time, so we did. AND HE WAS HOME!!! It was fabulous. Gave him a Bible (what he requested), and a copy of the Book of Mormon, and set up a return appointment. We are going to see him tomorrow night. He really seems to be searching, and it is an amazing feeling knowing we have exactly what he is looking for. I just can't wait to share more of it with him.

Sister Côte. I haven't written much about her lately, but a few weeks ago, she received some heartbreaking news. She has cancer. It has just broken my heart, but I am inspired and determined to have complete faith in the Plan of Salvation. She does, so why shouldn't I? The other evening, we went to see her (we visit her twice a week). She told us about the treatment options they had given her. What they have decided is to do chemotherapy. In so doing, she is going to slowly lose all of her long hair. I hadn't told her about my brain tumor, but the Spirit prompted me to at that moment. I told her about my tumor and how I had to lose most of my hair. I don't always get emotional when I tell it, but I did then. Sister Schofield was emotional too, and after we left, she said something to the effect of, "Thank you for sharing that. I know in that moment, she felt understood and related to, even if it was just for a moment." It was such a humbling and beautiful experience.

A few nights later, we saw her again. We sang "Where Can I Turn for Peace?", and she had tears streaming down her face as we sang. The Spirit filled her trailer and it was beautiful. We shared John 14:26-27 with her and testified of the peace that comes through the Prince of Peace. Our time with Sister Côte this week was absolutely amazing.

Oh my music. Sister Schofield and I have been singing lots!! For people we're teaching, for members at dinner appointments, etc. In President's email to Sister Schofield last week, he said: "You and Sister Bartlett are the best singing companionship in the mission! I hope you are using those voices." Hahaha isn't that awesome?! I felt so humbled for a compliment such as this one. I look forward to singing LOTS with Sister Schofield during our time together.

The subject for this email is "opposition in all things". I faced opposition this week through the hardest/worst lesson up to this point in my mission. After we got back to the car, I broke down and cried, and Sister Schofield was just angry. We both felt so shaken--it was awful. After some time to recover, we got on our feet and got back to work. Actually that same day, we had our first lesson with an excommunicated member who was referred to us by his former bishop. I was so nervous going into it, but it was just the adversary trying to steer us away. We taught him and his wife, and we could feel the Spirit in their home, which was incredible. That lesson turned the whole day around, and it was amazing. It was one of the biggest tender mercies. After the hardest day, He was just waiting to bless us with an amazing and spiritual experience. We will be meeting with them later this week, and I am really excited.

In life, we know we are meant to face opposition. For without it, we would not be able to tell the good from the bad, the sweet from the bitter. One thing I can now confidently say is I have tasted some of the bitter, and also the sweet--and in so doing, I appreciate the sweet so much more. I appreciate the hand of the Lord and seeing it in both the better and easier times as well as the more difficult times.

I know that the Savior is always there. No matter how many times I stumble and fall, He is there. And every time, He picks me up, dusts me off, and says, "Let's try again." I have felt that over and over this week, and I know it's the truth.

My ponderize scripture this week tied in to what I've learned. It's Romans 5:3-5:

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

This is such a beautiful scripture. I am coming to know that the following chain is a real thing: tribulation >> patience >> experience >> hope ... All of these things tie into each other so well. And we can have hope because of the love of God in our hearts. I love it so much.

Well, that's all, folks. Thanks for reading!!! LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!!!!

All my love,

Sister Bartlett ️️ xoxo

PS: I ran into Elder Cook from Vernal during the transfer change (when I got Sister Schofield). Just wanted to let you know if I hadn't already. You'll have to tell Robert and JoAnn haha :-)

                                                                    Sunbury Sunset 

Sister B's favorite treat in PA

The AF Sister's in PA 

Stars, Not Sticks!

Family Dearest,

This week has been so good!! Lots of changes, but it's been good at the same time. Tender mercies have poured down from heaven every single day. Feeling very very blessed.

So on Tuesday, I got my new companion, Sister Schofield!!! She is AMAZING!!!! I love her so much already. And she's from Cedar Hills/American Fork and we went to high school together (took one class together--Vocal Techniques taught by Mrs. Warby). SMALL WORLD. Honestly, I was so terrified to be left without Sister Talbot. But the Lord in His infinite goodness and mercy gave me Sister Schofield as my "follow-up trainer". Something familiar to hang on to amidst lots of changes. And I am SOO grateful. We have so many things in common, she loves music (is so good at it too), and we are having the best time together. I have a really good feeling about this transfer.

What's funny, is that she had heard about my brain tumor during senior year, and she thought, "I want to hear that story one day." So during the 2 hour drive home from Harrisburg (where we met for transfers), I told her the story. Who would have thought she was going to hear the whole story driving from Harrisburg to Danville, PA while we were mission companions?!? Crazy. haha.

For New Year's we had to be in by 5:30pm to deep clean our house. How fun is that?! Our house is SO HUGE though so we didn't get very far. But. We did carry on the Chinese food on New Year's Eve tradition, which was sooo good. So it sort of felt like a holiday. Emphasis on "sort of".

I can't believe it's 2016. Like, when did that happen?! But. I'm feeling really good about this year. And what is so amazing, is that this year is going to be spent in complete service to the Lord. From January 1st to December 31st, I get to be a missionary for my Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY!!!

So, I've been thinking about resolutions. These are a few I specifically want to work on:

- "Be where your feet are" (be in the moment, embrace it without being preoccupied with other things)

- Study Christlike attributes for 6 weeks at a time and work on implementing them into my life

- Ponderize a scripture every week

- Look for miracles and tender mercies every day

And President Monson gives four pledges for the new year: I will listen, I will learn, I will labor, I will love. I pledge to do these four things--will you's guys do the same? Will you pledge to listen, learn, labor, and love this year? I promise as you do these things, you will come to know Christ better and become more like Him throughout this year. 

With setting goals in mind, I heard a quote from Sister Schofield that I have fallen in love with. It was from the relief society president in her last area:

"Our goals are not sticks to beat ourselves up with, they are stars to steer our life by."

Isn't that THE BESTEST THING EVER?! Goals are not sticks, they are stars. Remember that, will you? Kay, good. ️

I've been ponderizing John 14:27 this week:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He is constantly extending the invitation for us to partake of His peace, which is true peace. Because we have knowledge of Him and the hope that comes through Him, we have no reason to let our hearts be troubled or afraid.

The miracle of the week has been realizing that I can do a lot more than I think I can. It has been so hard to "lead out" and take over the area, but the Lord has completely carried me through it. He has given me strength and confidence when I had none. I have been able to see a glimpse of my potential as a missionary, and it is greater than what I assumed it would be. I still feel very humbled to be leading out and with a companion who's been out 3 months longer than I have, but I have faith the Lord will help me to help Sister Schofield so we can accomplish great things in this area.

Two other tender mercies they happened this week:

We taught Doris and I felt like we needed to share a message about the Book of Mormon. I wanted to share a Mormon Message with her that gives Elder Holland's testimony of the Book of Mormon. But in the middle of the lesson, I realized I didn't have it downloaded. I asked Sister Schofield if she did, and SHE DID. Straight up tender mercy. So, we showed it to Doris and she loved it. It really brought the Spirit into the lesson, and it was perfect. Also, she's come to church two weeks in a row!! Another miracle. So so grateful.

Saturday night we had dinner with the Murray's. They are older and are the addiction recovery missionaries for the stake. They are INCREDIBLE. We shared "A Savior is Born" with them, and had a wonderful discussion with them. The Spirit we felt in their home was indescribable. Sister Murray kept saying things like "Thank you for what you're doing", and "Thanks for serving. Without people like you, we wouldn't be where we are today." As a missionary, you don't hear that as much as you'd like to or need to, so that was another huge tender mercy.

Man, I feel like there is sooooo much I want to tell you, but not enough time in the day or space in this email. But I want you to know that I love it here. Sure, there are hard moments, but the joy, the Spirit I feel, the tender mercies and miracles I see, it makes it ALL worth it.

I hope this week is an amazing one!!! LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!!!! ️️

All my love,

Sister Bartlett

                                  Saying goodbye to the twinner boys with Sister Talbot
                                  Sister B and Sister T are practically twins themselves!!
                                     We love you Sister Talbot-Brianna will miss you!

                                     New Companion :) Sister Schofield from AF, UT :)

                                               Chinese for New Years Eve!!!
                                                          It's Tradition :)