Alma 29:9

"I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yeah, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."
Alma 29:9

Monday, January 25, 2016

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


                                   



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2 comments:

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  2. What a great update, Sister Bartlett! Thank you!

    I'm glad you made it through "Snow-pocalypse 2016" and that all went well with your MRI appointment!

    We are so proud of the great work that you are doing! It was so nice visiting with your parents and brothers at Emily Christensen Ludlow's wedding reception. It sounds like they are being blessed by your service, even the dog!

    Keep up the great work! Elder Zach Kerr is now in the Sao Paulo, Brazil MTC getting ready to head out to Curitiba! We are so excited for and proud of him, as we are of you!

    Much love and prayers, Mark and Kristen

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