Exchanges + Sickly Sisters....

Family,

So. This week. Exchanges with our sister training leaders and then we were knocked out sick for the rest of the week. It was rough. 

The best thing that happened this week was that I got to go back to Pitt 3rd!!! It was fantastic!! I got to see two of my favorite people: Sister Snodgrass and Tanya!! (PS if you didn't know or I didn't explain it very well, Tanya got baptized on February 25th!!) I loved being able to see and visit them and feel of their love. It was so good to know too that I had touched their lives--they will be members of my mission family forever! Speaking of mission family, I got the sweetest letter from the sweetest lady in my first area--Sister Guest. I sure love that woman. The people I've met on my mission hold such a huge place in my heart!! Because I know them, I have been changed for good.

Also: proud mama moment. Sister Robison lead out the area for the first time like a champ!! She's ready to be senior companion and I'm so proud of her and how far she's come since she got here.

Tuesday night I started feeling really yucky with a wicked sore throat. Then it went downhill from there. We thought it was the flu...but it was just an awful cold I think...I'm still getting over it though. (Though I've been hit with this nasty nausea which is not the greatest...) It has been a doosey (no idea how to spell that haha). Members have been good to us, as well as the elders, bringing us food and medicine and whatnot. It has been hard not being able to go out and work like normal, especially when time is sure ticking away...but everything happens for a reason and this was supposed to happen (for whatever reason).

I did find out some very exciting news!! Sister Johnson told us that we are having another "Why I Believe" fireside on the 9th. I am sooooo excited!!! I didn't think I would get one more before the end of my mission, but I do!!! And I can't wait!!!! #TENDERMERCY God is SO good.

George is still doing well. We finally got him to pray about the Book of Mormon! It was awesome. He's coming to church, praying, and he's all the way into the book of Jacob, so he's cruisin'! So proud of him.

Ron and Nancy dropped us last week...they have so much on their plates right now with trials left and right they just couldn't handle one more thing (even though they need this the most!!)...but it's okay. I have faith they'll come around.

We've been teaching this sweet lady named Alana and after teaching her more about the Atonement and the repentance process, we set her with a baptismal date!! April 30th, here she comes!!

I hit 18 months officially this week!! Crazy cakes. We got Thai food to celebrate ;-) (no matter where I serve in PA...I always seem to find a Thai place in my area...haha God is so good.)

I wish there was more I could tell you, but there's not. I hope you have an amazing week and prepare for general Conference so you can feel the Spirit and have your questions answered. I know that this church is true and that God is always with us! We are never alone. We are His children and He loves us soooo much.

Remember who you are and that a sister missionary in Pennsylvania LOVES you!! Keep on keepin' on!!

"Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

all my love,

Sister Bartlett

                                       P-day with the Elders roasting hot dogs!

Our District Leader Elder Kotter with a Cheese-filled hot dog
and ketchup on a stick.  I tried one and those things are nasty-YUCK!

Visiting Tonya = Happy Day!

On Exchanges with Sister Roden visiting Tonya!

Celebrating my 18 Month Mark with Thai food - YUM!

Good thing Sister Robison likes Thai food too :)

Some final words.....

To the best fam bam in all the land:  First off, happy birthday last Saturday to little buddy!! ...who's not so little anymore!! Holy cannoli guacamole you're 14!! Where has the time gone?! You were 12 when I left...that is so crazy to think about! Well, I hope you partied hard and ate some good food and cake! (also I hope you liked my card #whompthereitis) So I have never been so exhausted. Especially after this week. I felt more drained this week than I had in a while...and it came mainly because of 12 hours of meetings this weekend. But before I get into that, let me tell you about a few neat lessons we had this week. We had dinner with a family and for our message we read "The First Great Commandment". That talk and its message get more powerful every time I read it. We also sang "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" and I know without a doubt they felt the Spirit. I know I've said it a million times but I'll say it again: I LOVE music and I LOVE using it in missionary work!! After that lesson, we met a recent convert at Starbucks to have a lesson. Another brother in the ward met us there for the lesson. Before we started the recent concert told us we needed to talk to this lady (he had been talking to her before we got there). We turned around to talk to the lady sitting at a table by us. We talked with her and told her who we were. She said, "I have a question for you. Do you believe in God?" I jumped right in and emphatically said, "Yes, absolutely!" I told her we believe in God and Jesus Christ and she told us she didn't know that, she had heard the opposite. Our conversation led to telling her about the Book of Mormon and invited her to come to church. She was so kind and appreciated it so much. We will definitely be in touch with her! On Friday, we had zone conference. Let me tell yinz, it was the weirdest feeling knowing it was my last zone conference. I participated a lot--I sang in 4 different musical numbers ha ha. It was a great experience though and I loved being able to share my gifts with others and go out with a bang! Towards the end of the meeting, I gave my departing testimony. It really was like giving my "final words". It was definitely hard to get through--I cried the whole way through it (nothing's changed there ). I shared a few things in it that I wanted to share with you, one of them being a scripture. Alma 26:1-3 1 ​...My [elders] and my [sisters], behold I say unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have supposed when we ​​​started​ from the land of [Utah] that God would have granted unto us such great blessings? ​​​​​2 ​And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell? ​​​​​3 ​Behold, I answer for you; for our [brothers and sisters], the [people of Pennsylvania], were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how ​​​many​ of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made ​​​instruments​ in the hands of God to bring about this great work. This goes hand-in-hand with my mission scripture: Alma 29:9 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; yea, 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. It has been the greatest blessing and has been the greatest joy to be an instrument in His hands these past 18 months. I have come to know the Savior in ways I didn't know Him before. As Jeffrey R. Holland said, "After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before." In a small way, my mission has been encounters with the Savior which have left me changed forever. I have never been so aware and have felt so much of the reality of His love and His mercy. Christ *is* mercy. My mission has been so incredibly hard, but He has carried me through these 18 months. And He has made me able to do what I could never do on my own. His Atonement has changed me into a new person--I'm not who I was when I stepped into the MTC on September 23, 2015. I have learned how to turn to the Lord in all things and how to place my trust and confidence in Him. And it has blessed my life tremendously. Something I am coming to learn in these last few weeks is this: my purpose will never end. My purpose to invite others to come unto Christ will never end. I will be a missionary forever, because His name is engraved on my heart forever. My love for my Heavenly Father and Savior has grown immensely, as well as my desire to serve them. I know without a doubt what the Savior needs is for us to be His disciples and for us to be His disciples forever. To stay on His side, to fight for and defend Him. This is what I will strive to do for the rest of my life. I just can't express my gratitude enough for this precious opportunity to be a missionary. This ground here in Pennsylvania is sacred to me, and it always will be. I thought serving a mission would be a small way I would show Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ my love and gratitude for Them, but in reality, They have given me more than I ever thought I would receive in return for serving a mission. I will forever be in debt to Them. Saturday: We were invited to the second half of the priesthood session, in which they introduced a new approach to reactivating less-active returned missionaries/Elders/High Priests. It includes assigned visitors to go with the missionaries (aside from home teaching) to reach out to these people. It's hard to explain, but it is really awesome and I'm excited to see it applied and see what miracles happen because of it. That evening we attended the adult session which was really good. For the closing hymn, we sang "As Sisters in Zion/We'll Bring the World His Truth". That song gets me every single time. I felt the Spirit so strongly--singing that as a missionary is seriously the best thing in the whole wide world. Sunday: Stake conference in the morning. Guess what?! George came with his kids!! And the amazing thing is that they almost made it the whole two hours. I am so proud of them! I spent a lot of time with his daughter drawing pictures to keep her occupied. Needless to say, I didn't get a whole lot out of the meeting (I guess you could say I got a glimpse of what it's like to sit through a church meeting as a parent haha!). She drew me a few notes that said "I love you so much!"--I'll have to send pictures next week or something. It was so sweet! We also had a lesson with them Saturday morning and taught them more about who Jesus Christ and God are. They were all over the place but I know they learned something! Ha ha Well, family. It's surreal knowing my time as a missionary here in Pennsylvania is getting ever closer to the end. But I love this calling I have. To labor, and teach, and serve, and testify...there's nothing better. This will forever be the best 18 months *for* my life. Without a doubt. I love being a missionary. I love my Savior. I love this gospel. I love the Book of Mormon--studying it every day on my mission has saved me. I hope you have a beautiful week, and I'll see you in a few!! LOVE YOU TO HEAVEN AND BACK!!! "Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) Sending love and a huge hug from PA, Sister Bartlett xoxo 811 Frederick Court Canonsburg, PA 15317                                                                                                        Car selfie :) I saw Sister Kelley at Zone Conference - Yay! Lunch with this cool bunch!                                      Sisters DeWidt and Belnap and Elders Chafin and Halls Love Sister Kwasney! Ice Cream at Sarris (again) with the Stephens' after Stake Conference! Look who came to see me - Mike and Chris!!                                                                         Happy Day :) Mom - I hope you are proud!!

Through the Joy of His Son!

Family dearest,

So we'll just get this first part out of the way. The previous week we picked up a new investigator. His name is Joe and he is George's roommate. We had a tough-beans lesson with him but we set up a time to come back and answer more of his questions. Well, last Monday we saw George and we asked if Joe had said anything after we left. George winced and said, "You probably don't want to know what he said." Then pointing to me he said, "Just know that you have a 50 year-old man who thinks you're *really* cute." AHHHHH ABORT ABORT ABORT. It was so awkward...but I'm so glad George told us. Yeah, we won't be going back there to teach him.

But, on a good note, we brought our recent convert Brother Flaus with his wife who is a less-active member to that lesson, and they were the PERFECT team-up! Woot woot! And they live super close to George so that's awesome. They brought him to church yesterday so things are going well there! George is awesome. He's definitely looking out for us and at one point over text he said, "You girls helped me when I was too far gone." My heart! Oh man and then he told us that he told Joe that he needed to get help for his addictions...when your investigator calls his roommate to repentance! Ha ha. Best thing ever.

It was a slower week, but we were able to offer service to a sister in the ward who had her gall bladder and appendix taken out. It just feels so good to be able to help others, ya know! We also volunteer at a place that provides jobs for mentally handicapped people...and it's so fun! We help them do really simple jobs, but I love it! I definitely want to volunteer at a place like that after the mission.

We met with Bishop last week and he gave us the names of some people to go visit. We did, and it was so neat to see things fall into place. One sister who had to come home from her mission early has been struggling with scripture study and we were able to share a message about that. Another sister we went to see because our other appointment fell through. But it turns out the sister we had on a team-up was this other sister's visiting teacher! Coincidence? I think not. We shared a message with her about having our burdens eased through the Atonement. We also sang "I know that my Redeemer Lives" and she loved it! I absolutely love singing for people! It's the greatest thing.

Oh this is kind of a side note, but I played a piano solo in Sacrament meeting yesterday! I did my classic "I love to see the temple" arrangement. And guess what. President and Sister Johnson came to our ward yesterday!! We walked out of ward council, and there they were! It was amazing! Best day ever. I could never say enough good about them--I absolutely love them. Well...President...sometimes he's a stinker.

(Yesterday)

"How are you Sister Bartlett?"

*shakes my hand*

"Good, how are you, President?"

"Well, I'm doing better than you because I don't have to go home in four weeks."

See?! I love him, but he'll never stop teasing me about that.

This week we met with a Brother in the ward who was baptized a couple of years ago. He's been having a hard time lately and his family situation isn't good at all. He requested a lesson on hope, so we reach most of the talk "The Infinite Power of Hope" by President Uchtdorf. It really resonated with him and it was just what he needed. Especially the following line (which is something I think we all need to remember):

"Never give in. Never surrender. Never allow despair to overcome your spirit."

Isn't that beautiful? Never allow despair to overcome your spirit. Despair is not from our Heavenly Father. Instead we have to find hope through our Savior, the Hope of Israel and act on that hope coupled with faith. (Yinz should go read that talk! I *invite* you to read it and I promise something in there will resonate with you.)

Also. I could never tell you how much I LOVE studying the gospel. I would be perfectly content if that's all I did every single day for the rest of my life. I know I need to do other things and not just hibernate and actually live life, but I just love the gospel so much. And I love studying it so much. Reading the Book of Mormon this time around is almost like I'm reading it for the first time, as I see phrases and words that I don't ever remember picking out before. Alma 33 is the bomb.com. I feel like it really gets overshadowed by Alma 32, but this week I saw how incredible it is (Alma 34 too...just the entire Book of Mormon!!).

My favorite scripture from my studies this week, Alma 33:23, which says,

"And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."

"May God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son." I loved this. It really is only through the Savior that our burdens can be made light. I have truly felt this over and over and have experienced true joy through His Atonement.

Another phrase stuck out as I read the following verses 4-11. "Because of thy Son." 

11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.

Because of His Son. Because of His Son, we can repent. Because of His Son, we can be forgiven. Because of His Son, we can be healed. Because of His Son, we can receive strength. Because of His Son, we can have hope. Because of His Son, we will live again. Because of His Son, we will see our loved ones again and be with them forever. I love the Savior. I love Him for who He is to me and what He has done for me. I will forever cherish this time I have to literally wear his name next to mine and invite others to come unto Him.

I love you so so so so so so much!! I hope you have an incredible week!!! LOVE YOU TO HEAVEN AND BACK!!!!

"Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

All my love,

Sister Brianna Bartlett

811 Frederick Court

Canonsburg, PA 15317

                                                                Sarris with Sister Ingram

Stepping into Candyland to have an Ice Cream Sundae!

Good thing we shared it!

It also could be the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory!

Gyros with Sister Robison - YUM!

Abundance of Tender Mercies!

Dearest family,

God is so good. Did you know that?? 'Cause He is.

Wednesday morning I got a phone call from President Johnson. He told me that he had some sad news for me, that Great-Grandma Winder had passed away. I feel as if I was immediately comforted because I knew she was Home. President and I talked about her for a few minutes about how she was an incredible lady. Especially that she had nearly lived to be 102 years old! I shed tears on my end, but I was so grateful that he's the one who told me. I wouldn't rather have had it any other way. 

But the highlight of this week was this:

Saturday evening, we went to a fireside at the Greentree chapel to listen to Sister Bonnie H. Cordon of the General Primary presidency and Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson.  But before I get to that, because it was a multi-stake youth fireside, I got to see some amazing people from my other areas. I got to see the Allen's from the Beaver ward, and the Eichenmiller's, the Cook's, and the Snow's from the Pittsburgh 3rd ward. It was the greatest day ever!!! God is so good.

In effort to make the fireside a revelatory experience, I went in with some questions. One of which was, "What does God want me to keep in mind the last few weeks of my mission?" In Sister Cordon's talk, she quoted Mark 5:36, "Be not afraid, only believe." I've heard this scripture so many times, but this time it hit me in a way it never had before. My soul was flooded with the Spirit and I realized that I needed to remember this. Not only now and in the coming weeks, but also for the rest of my life. It was so powerful.

The next day, Sister Oscarson came to our ward and sat in on part of our ward council. And before sacrament meeting started, I got to talk to her!! I GOT TO MEET SISTER BONNIE L. OSCARSON. SHE IS AMAZING. Also, she has Bartlett's in her family so we might be related!! Ha ha

She spoke for about 10 minutes in Sacrament meeting and she taught the young women's lesson the third hour. Sister Robison and I were able to sit in on the lesson. It was wonderful! One of the most powerful parts was when she shared this video with us:

<https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-01-010-strive?lang=eng>

I loved the overall message of encouragement--I definitely needed it.

With great-grandma's passing, I've thought a lot about the Plan of salvation (as I have throughout my whole mission).  I know that it is very real. It is God's plan, and it is perfect. I know that death is not the end. We can have so much hope because life continues on and we will be with our loved ones again one day! I know that great-grandma is now watching over us and is ever close to us. I love her and will miss her dearly! But I count it a great blessing that I knew her for the past 20 years.

I know that God is comforting and will continue to comfort us through this! D&C 84:88

I hope you pray your way through this week and see miracles come to pass because of your faith. You are in my prayers, as always. I LOVE YOU TO HEAVEN AND BACK!!!

"Keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

All my love,

Sister Bartlett

811 Frederick Court

Canonsburg, PA 15317

                                                      Click Day #2 for Sister Robison +
                                                      first time driving on her mission!!

We got to meet Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson,
YW's General President :D

Me with Sister Oscarson -
She is Amazing!!

TONYA GOT BAPTIZED!!!
HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!!