Huge News!!!

FAM BAM.

HUGE NEWS!!!!!! AN APOSTLE IS COMING TO VISIT OUR MISSION ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!! (Also a member of the presidency of the Seventy and the area Seventy!! Woohoo!!)

We don't know who is coming yet...we won't find out until the end of October. #patienceisavirtue We also will be having him speak at a special stake conference the next day in the Pittsburgh stake. HOW LUCKY AM I?!?!? Can't even believe how blessed I am to be here in the PPM right now.

This week was pretty crazy, but good at the same time! We had two back-to-back exchanges with both the Greentree and Greensburg sisters. I was basically gone for a straight 48 hours...with district meeting in the middle. Ha ha, good times! #exhausted

For the first exchange, I was in Greentree with Sister Durfee, which was way fun because once upon a time when I was in Sunbury she was my STL!! We went on exchanges then too. We met with their recent convert, and she was a hoot and a half!! She is an amazing member missionary though!! She's not afraid to share the gospel and she can't wait to receive a calling so she can serve in the church. Excited to see what will happen for her in the next little bit!

The next exchange was me in Greensburg with my daughter, Sister Morgan!! #motherdaughterreunion It was such a good exchange!! One lesson we had particularly stuck out. We met with Beatrice and her daughter Tatiana. Beatrice only speaks Spanish and Tatiana was the one who was translating for us. We read 1 Nephi 1 with them, which was quite the experience, one I had never had before. We read in English and they would follow along in their Spanish Book of Mormon and read the verse when it came to be their turn. Afterwards we taught them the Plan of Salvation, and how it went down was this: we would teach a little bit, or ask a question, and Tatiana would translate for us to her mom, and then her mom would talk and Tatiana would translate back to us. It was really cool! The spirit was really strong as we read and as we taught and testified of the Plan of Salvation. It was so neat to realize that the gospel and the spirit are universal. It doesn't matter what language it's in or where you're from...*anyone* can feel the spirit and have their heart touched by the message of the gospel. Tatiana would tell us, "I can feel it right here in my heart." It was such a beautiful lesson. 

Oh and another thing!! It was really cool because they asked a few questions that were the kinds of questions that you dream of investigators asking! #exchangemiracles And I was able to pull a few verses from the Book of Mormon to answer them. (PS: one reason I am SOO grateful for my mission is the knowledge it is giving me of the scriptures and helping me be familiar with important verses.) My missionary brain can't always remember the reference off the top of my head, so thank the heavens above for tagging in the Gospel Library. (Let's pause for a moment. I LOVE TAGGING!! It is an incredible tool to be used in the Gospel Library and I am soooo grateful for it. If yinz haven't used it or know what it is, let me know and I shall teach you!! It's the best thing since sliced bread...or Pittsburgh Popcorn...whichever came first. )

Being with Sister Morgan was SO grand!! It was amazing to see how much we both have grown since being together! And our comp unity was still on point.  #nothinghaschanged It was so cool!! I just love her and am so proud of the missionary she is and is becoming!! #proudmamamoment

On Friday we had our MLC meeting in Altoona and it was wonderful! Oh boy, sooooo many good things..part of which was discussing some big decisions that will be implemented in our mission very soon. But I cannot disclose at this present time this day. (Stay tuned 'til next week! ) It lasted all day long, but it was fantastic. Getting to see more of the missionaries I know and love was amazing. And time spent with President and Sister Johnson is always a joy. Afterwards we had a super fun photo shoot with the STL's + Sister Johnson...enjoy! #happyharvest

After MLC, since we had to drive for forever and a day to get back to our humble abode, so we made a pit stop at the famous restaurant Burgatory. Yes, like purgatory, but burgers. I had the famous "Piggy Butter and Jelly" burger...yes it had PB+J on it...but it was surprisingly tasty. #givingintopeerpressure

Anywhoozers, I can't believe it's Monday again. Time is flying out here. And being and STL makes it go even faster. Exchanges every week, driving for forever through Pittsburgh which to quote Sister Simpson is "a game of nonexistent red light-green light's, with crazy drivers, one-way streets, and bridges for days. On the plus side, it's beautiful, and the drivers let you in when you're trying to merge. #blessings" ha ha But I really love it...not to be trunky, but with each week that passes, I am more and more aware of how much I love it out here and how much I never want this to end. Serving a mission is literally the *best* decision I have ever made in my entire life. I wouldn't trade *anything* for it. I can't even see a sliver of the blessings now, but I know that the far-reaching effect of these 18 months extend beyond my mortal vision. I am so eternally grateful for this amazing opportunity I have been given to serve my Savior, draw closer to Him and come to know Him better. I really am my first convert here on my mission...and with every passing day, my testimony is becoming more and more rooted in the Savior and His gospel.

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! Good thing I'll have yinz forever. ️ Make it an amazing week!!!

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

sending lots of love from Pennsylvania,

Sister Bartlett xoxo

                                    Greentree Exchanges with Sisters Durfee and Dixon

Greensburg Exchanges with Sisters Di Bari and Morgan

Reunited with my baby, Sister Morgan

                                                 A favorite lesson with Beatrice and Tatiana

Cuteness!

Altoona MLC

Beautiful Sisters and our AMAZING

                                                 Mission Mom, Sister Johnson included!

#happyharvest

#purejoy

I love PA in the Fall :)

Burgatory ;)

Piggy Butter and Jelly Burger - YUM!

The crew pigging out on burgers!

light upon light....

Hello my lovely family!

I hope you enjoyed conference! It truly was better than Christmas. ️ But I'll get back to that later.

We are still on the hunt to find more people to teach. But one definite highlight of this week was our meeting with Tom (remember him from last week? The student nurse we met at the hospital?). Well, I was on exchanges with Sister DeMille from the Pitt 4th ward and we met him at Starbucks to give him a copy of the Book of Mormon. We had a great conversation and taught him more about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. We testified of Moroni's promise and he was genuinely excited to read it. He said something like, "I had no idea that Christ came to America. I thought that it ended after the New Testament...but now I know there's more!" He also said he would read and pray about it. It was so cool to get that reaction, because we don't very often.

Yesterday, we met with this lady from the ward, Sister Bulimo. She has been in a lot of pain and hasn't been able to come to church. In between sessions yesterday, we took the elders and met one of the brethren in the ward to give her a blessing. I shared a spiritual thought with her from Elder Holland, and Sister Simpson and I sang "Be Still My Soul". The Spirit was definitely felt. She kept thanking us over and over...it was the sweetest thing. It feels so good to know you are actually helping someone, but even more so when they genuinely appreciate it. That's not the motivation we have for serving, but it means that much more when you can visibly see that what you are doing is making a difference.

So, I need to tell yinz about Mike and Chris Ritz. They are PHENOMENAL. Two of the most Christlike and selfless people I've ever met. They really are our mission parents in this area. They were never able to have children, so the missionaries really are their children. ️ Mike is a member, but because of many health problems and surgeries, he doesn't get to church very often. Chris, on the other hand, is not a member. She is amazing though. I know that she will accept the gospel at some point...and that will be such a happy day when they can be sealed for time and all eternity. I can't wait. So this week we had dinner with them, and out of the blue, for dessert she brought out a beautiful cake with 20 candles on it. "Sorry we missed your birthday--usually we're on top of it." They all proceeded to sing to me and it was a beautiful belated birthday surprise.

#LDSConf

Oh my conference. What a wonderful, amazing, beautiful weekend full of the Spirit and uplifting and insightful and inspiring messages. A few thoughts that stuck out to me (forgive me, I don't have most of the speakers' names):

* God needs brave sons [and daughters]

* "He will love and correct, but never discourage--that is Satan's trick." (Elder Cornish)

* Any comparison you make should be where you were compared to where you are now...or where you are compared to where you want to be

* Sharing the gospel is not a pass or fail ordeal (God is the judge of who is ready and who is not ready to receive the gospel)

* You are the one who chooses to have joy

* "Sometimes we can study and know. Other times we have to believe, trust, and have hope." (Elder Ballard)

* "We are never alone when we labor in the Lord's vineyard." (Elder Bednar)

* You need to not only believe IN the Savior, but also believe Him

* "Even the darkest nights turn into dawns for the faithful." (Elder Smultz)

* "Repentance is joyful because of the Savior." (Elder Renlund) 

I came to conference with many questions...but before it began, I had the impression that not all of my answers would come during the time of conference. But that light and clarity would come gradually. This is something Sister Simpson and I have been talking about in our companionship study lately--the whole concept of "line upon line"...and she said something really profound that has stuck with me. "God gives us light upon light, like He teaches us line upon line." And that is so true. He gives us just enough light to take a step. And then a little bit more light to take another. (See Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation Mormon message for reference.) And that is exactly what happened this weekend. I'm not trying to be trunky, but I have been thinking more about life after the mission, specifically what the Lord wants me to study when I go back to BYU. It's been at the back of my mind this whole time, but I have felt prompted lately to seek more guidance on the subject. Even though I don't have all the answers yet, I've been given enough light this past week to put another step forward. And I know He will continue to lead and guide me as I go forward with faith.

One verse I have come to love on my mission is D&C 78:18. It was quoted in conference which made it even more meaningful:

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

This verse has given me so much comfort and peace. Especially as I consider big life decisions I will need to make, I know that it would be too much for me to know everything now, to see my life completely and clearly laid out before me. But the Lord Himself has promised that He will lead me along. I just have to keep putting one step in front of the other with faith.  

Off of the topic of conference, but can I just give a shout out to my incredible companion?! SISTER SIMPSON IS AMAZING. I absolutely love her and am SO blessed to be her companion. She is exactly the person I need right now. She is an angel and truly celestial. God knows exactly what He is doing.

Well, fam bam, I hope you can take what you learned and felt during conference and do something about it. I promise that incredible blessings will follow if you do. Hope yinz have a beautiful week!!

 "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 xoxo

With Nathalie, a recent convert :)

Exchanges with the Pitt 4th Sisters

Super Delicious Surprise Belated Birthday Cake!

Enjoying Conference in the Chapel in the comfy chairs with these Elders!

  

One Beautiful Year!!

Mom, Dad, Brenden, and Cameron:

Oh my heavens. As of Friday, September 23, 2016, I have been on my
mission ONE WHOLE YEAR. Can you believe it?!?! I honestly can't. (See
flashback picture from a year ago--thanks Dad ;)) The day itself here was
pretty mellow. We spent most of the day at the church for a funeral
because an older man in the ward passed away. We helped with the
luncheon and washed all the dishes (there's a dishwasher in the
kitchen so all is well ;)), had dinner with a member, and met with our
ward mission leader. Still crazy it's been a whole year though.

I heard this quote this week that I find truer than true: "Your
mission is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end,
the faster it goes." Ha ha. Too good.

This week we had zone conference which was an amazing experience. It
was so so needed. When is it not? But still. Sister Simpson and I sang
an arrangement of Beautiful Savior and I was called upon to give a
"three-minute talk" about being a full-time servant of Jesus
Christ...luckily I had prepared some thoughts beforehand. ;) It was
wonderful. I always come away so spiritually fed and filled. It was
wonderful. Such a tender mercy. Particularly Sister Johnson's training
about "the parable of the cracked pot"...we were taught that we are
all cracked pots...not a crack pot or a pot-head...very different ;)
ha ha. I am a cracked pot. And I should rejoice in the weaknesses God
has given me because they allow me to turn to Him and learn and grow.
He also can and will use them to bless other's lives.

Kay so I have to tell you about this week which was kind of crazy
because we didn't have much time to plan for it in advance. But God
knows exactly what He's doing. Our week was loosely scheduled for a
reason. One of the days we called this lady named Pat, and she
reminded us that her daughter Pam was in the hospital. We had
forgotten that even though the relief society president had told us.
Something fell through in our schedule and so we went to visit her. We
visited with Pam and shared scriptures with her and sang hymns for
her. She really appreciated it. One of the student nurses, Tom, shared
with us that he was Christian and he asked us "what sets you apart
from other Christian faiths?" We told him about the Book of Mormon and
he was floored that Christ visited people here in America. We told him
we could give him a copy if he wanted it. We left the hospital room
and realized neither of us had a copy on us (which is super rare,
because we almost always have a copy in our bags)...but we were able
to get his contact information and we are going to get in touch with
him so we can come give him a copy of the Book of Mormon. It was such
a miracle to be in the right place at the right time.

Yesterday, right after church, we drove to the mission home in Upper
St. Clair. Then we got to drive with President and Sister Johnson (and
two other sisters we picked up along the way) all the way up to Erie
for a Why I Believe fireside. It was amazing--the whole entire thing.
Sister Simpson and I sang "Beautiful Savior" again and we also sang
the octet version of "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul". The Spirit was so
strong, it was beautiful. We didn't get back to the mission home until
about 10 PM, and since we were still about an hour drive from our
house, President and Sister Johnson decided it would be best if we
stayed the night in the mission home. My stars, dreams really do come
true!! ;D So we did! It was marvelous. Sister Johnson made us pancakes
the next morning and we got to spend some time talking with each of
them. It was absolutely wonderful and the biggest blessing ever. God
is SO GOOD.

So conference is coming up...who's excited?!? I AM!!!! CONFERENCE IS
LITERALLY BETTER THAN CHRISTMAS!!!!! Seriously. I can't even wait. The
women's session was absolutely wonderful. President Uchtdorf's talk
spoke to me like nothing else. "Fourth floor, last door." That is
seriously going to be my new motto...it gave me a new perspective and
a renewed motivation and determination.

In our mission lately (especially since Elder Perkins came), we've
been talking about making meetings revelatory experiences. And we do
that by asking questions. We become an agent rather than an object. I
am seeing it time and time again. I am a firm believer that when we
come to a meeting, or our scripture studies with questions, ready to
be taught, the Lord teaches us and answers our questions. So my
invitation for you for conference is to make it a revelatory
experience. Come to conference with questions, and the faith that they
will be answered and I KNOW they will.

Since I have now been on my mission a year, here are a few thoughts on
that subject:

A year ago I never could have comprehended. The struggle, the pain,
and the heartache I would walk through...but also the joy and the
growth and the heights I have been lifted to. I never could have
foreseen how my mission would change me forever. How could I have
survived? How could I have lived my entire life without this time
spent in Pennsylvania serving the Lord? How could I have gone on
without this special and sacred time on this hallowed ground? How
could I have learned without suffering the pain and heartache only to
be make whole in the hands of the Great Healer? How could I have come
to know my Savior in this special and sacred way? I know without a
doubt. I couldn't have...without my mission. My life would have been
so far from what it will be because I have served the Lord during this
time. And I still have time left, that is the beautiful thing. I am
such a different person than I was a year ago. I have come so far. My
knowledge of the gospel, my testimony of the Book of Mormon, my
relationship with my Savior...all have grown so much *deeper* . It
goes beyond words, beyond comprehension, beyond understanding. I am
being transformed by my mission, through the power of the Spirit and
the power of the Atonement. Missions are a miracle. And I am right in
the middle of my own mission miracle. Forever changed, forever
grateful.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy listening to conference!! I love each
of you so much!! You are in my prayers!! ❤️❤️

"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 from the beautiful state of Pennsylvania,
Sister Bartlett xoxo


                                        Zone Conference with Pitt and Pitt West Zones

Exchanges with the Monangahela Sisters - Love them!

Me and my Sis in front of the Mission Home :)

THE BEST Mission Presidents in the Whole Wide World!!!

On our way to Erie....

Flashback to a year ago Sept 23, 2015

REJOICE!!!!

Family dearest,

Wow. What a week! Sister Taunima left on Tuesday for Erie which was SO
HARD. Oh my heavens. I adore that girl SO MUCH. She helped me
immensely during the hardest transfer of my mission--more than she
will ever know. I love and appreciate and will miss Sister Taunima so
much!!

But I am amazed again and again how God puts me right where I need to
be at the time I need to be there with the person I need to be with at
the time I need them. So it is with Sister Simpson. She has been an
absolute angel and so patient this past week as I've been
transitioning to "leading out" the area. She is absolutely incredible
and I have already been so blessed by her beautiful spirit and
example. Not to mention we have so much in common so we get along so
well!! It has been amazing. I've really lucked out with companions.

Also, we have been singing A TON. It has been AMAZING. I love music
(as you know) with all my heart and I know that it has been and is a
huge part of my mission for a greater purpose. The hearts of the
people here in Pittsburgh are very hard. But I am convinced that music
is what will help soften their hearts--even if it is just a little
bit. Sister Simpson believes it too, and because of that, we are
utilizing every opportunity to use music. (We even used it a little bit
while we were tracting. We walked up to this one lady and said,
"Hello, we are missionaries, and we are going around sharing a song
about God's love." She said, "Well, you better save your song and go
sing it for someone else." << oh boy! these hearts sure need
softening...we'll keep workin on 'em.)

EXCITING NEWS. THERE IS *FINALLY* A DEDICATED TEMPLE IN THE BEAUTIFUL
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. This is something to REJOICE about!! ❤️❤️

Yesterday was such a memorable day. We spent nearly all day in an
extension of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania temple. It was such a
beautiful experience. I approached each session (three) with a
question in mind, and Heavenly Father taught me so much. I received
revelation that was tailored just for me. Thoughts on this beautiful
temple: It is so historic for this temple to be here in
Pennsylvania--in the very city where the freedoms were born that
provided us a way to have religious freedom and eventually temples.
These saints here have waiting so long to have a temple, and they
finally have one. It makes me so very happy!! It was amazing to be in
an extension of the temple, because that might be my only opportunity
to be in the temple during my mission. Hopefully not, but we'll see.


The dedicatory prayer was written by President Eyring and it was
beautiful. Elder Perkins spoke at the third session and I loved his
talk so much. He said one thing that really stuck out to me:  "If we
really want to be happy then we should try to be a little more holy
each day." This is so true. And in my studies this morning I read
Moroni 4 and in one of the sacrament prayers, it asks that the Lord
may "bless and sanctify [the] bread"...it is so beautiful to me that
by blessing and sanctifying (or making holy) the bread (and water) and
by us partaking of it, our souls can be blessed and sanctified, or
made more holy. I know that it is through partaking of the Sacrament
each week we can become more holy, and more happy, and ultimately more
like our Savior. What a beautiful promise.

So once upon a time the sisters here were teaching a man named Donny
and his wife Rose. Rose is less-active and has been for a long time,
and Donny is not a member. The sisters didn't have a very good
experience because he was confrontational and didn't want to hear what
they had to say. Well, Sister Taunima and I met them a few weeks ago
and they wanted us to come back. This past week, we taught them the
Restoration, and feeling prompted by the Spirit, I invited him to be
baptized. And HE ACCEPTED!!! It was amazing. Then we sang "Joseph
Smith's First Prayer" with the member we brought with us and the
spirit was so strong. It was beautiful. He's had a change of heart or
something, because from the looks of it it seems he is so different
now than he used to be. Good things are happening there and I'm really
excited!!!

Sister Simpson and I know there are lost sheep here in the Pitt 3rd
area that we need to find. Please pray that these people's hearts will
be softened. I appreciate it more than you know. Hope you have a
rejoice-full week!!

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

love, love, love,
Sister Bartlett xoxo
Alma 29:9

PS: on Friday I will be ONE YEAR OLD. Where did the time go?!?


                                         With Bishop Snow and his family 

With the Greenway family

Goodbye Sister Taunima - Gonna MISS her :'(

Hello new STL Comp - Sister Simpson from Herriman

                                               who knows Uncle Jeff and Aunt Natalie :)

The Philadelphia Temple - YAY!!!

".....and I will give unto you success."

Yoo-hoo! Family!!

How goes it?? Before I get into the week, let me tell yinz about
transfer news. I'm staying in Pitt 3rd...SURPRISE! Ha ha Sister
Taunima is being transferred to Erie, PA  (her new companion is
Sister Stimpson -- the one in the maroon shirt in our district photos)
Man I'm so sad. She has been an incredible companion and despite how
hard this transfer has been, she has been keeping me sane. My new
companion is.... * drumroll, please * SISTER SIMPSON!!! (Sister T's
comp without the "t" ha ha ) I went on exchanges with her a few
weeks ago and her family knows Jeff and Natalie, remember? I am super
excited!!! She has a GORGEOUS voice, so we are going to sing ALL the
time. It's been a while since I've been able to do that, so I am
stoked. It will be amazing!!! Also, Sister Morgan (my baby!!!) is
going to be in my district!!! What are the chances of that?? It's
gonna be great!! Man, transfers are just super tough and I'm having a
rough time getting ready to adjust to this change. I'm worried about
"leading out" in this area since it has been kicking me in the
backside ever since I got here...but I know that somehow it will all
work out...somehow...keep praying for me please.

The title of this email is a little ironic (yinz'll see why), but
Tuesday was a powerful day. We volunteered at a food pantry at a
Methodist Church in the morning and then went to the church building
to study. During our companionship study, Sister Taunima shared Alma
26:27 with me:

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back,
behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the
Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give
unto you success."

It was a message straight from heaven meant just for me--I needed to
hear it desperately. It was one of many moments I've felt recently
where I'm ready to give up and give out...but being comforted by the
Lord Himself and being reminded that if I just hold on and bare with
patience my afflictions, He will give us success. We haven't been
seeing much success, and it's been hard to keep going.

We had planned to try to see a few people, one was a less-active in
our ward whom we hadn't met yet. We did some tracting around that area
and talked to the people who were outside. We were walking to our car,
when the Spirit stopped me in my tracks. I turned around and just
stared at this one house. I felt like we needed to try it, so we did.
A young girl answered the door, and we found our her name was Melanie.
I started teaching her about and testifying of the Book of Mormon. We
shared Moroni's promise and invited her to read it. She shared how she
is really active in her church and thanked us for stopping by and
sharing our faith with her. It was a really neat moment. I look
forward to the day when I can see the seeds that I planted here in the
hearts of people in Pennsylvania and see how they turned out. It was a
powerful example of how the Lord is ready to give His missionaries
success if they just keep going.

On the other hand...we had five investigators drop us this week. FIVE.
How? What? Why? Boy oh boy. It's like these investigators are just
slipping through our fingers--as soon as we pick them up, they drop
us. It's rough. But five in one week--that has never happened to
either of us before...we must be holding some sort of record or
something. So...that obviously constituted for some froyo...see
pictures below.

You'll find humor in this: the old men here just love me. Let me
show you how...
- One time I got whistled at by a group of old guys (when I was on
exchanges in Franklin)
- One time I got hit on in the middle of a lesson (remember Frank? Enough said.)
- An older guy in the ward called me "frisky" ... What the heck??
(you have to know Brother Gigliotti...)
- At Bingo last week, an old man blew a kiss at me
It's hilarious. Kills me every time...bless their hearts

Aside from the tough parts of this past week, I've been reflecting on
the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through it, we can repent,
which ultimately means to change our ways. Like Elder Holland said:

“It takes exactly as long to repent as it takes you to say ‘I’ll
change’--and mean it. Of course there will be problems to work out and
restitutions to make. You may well spend--indeed you had better
spend--the rest of your life proving your repentance by its
permanence” (“For Times of Trouble,” New Era, Oct. 1980, 11–12).

It all comes down to that change. And this week the Spirit taught me
that that change is even more real that I have thought it is before.
Because of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, I don't have to be who I've
been. I don't have to be the person I was yesterday, or five minutes
ago. I can decide right now to change, and plead for His help and
strength to do so. What an incredible gift. Realizing this, I am
finding more and more joy through repentance because I am just so
grateful for the gift He's given me to change every day.

Have a wonderful week!!! I LOVE YOU!!! ❤️❤️

"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 xoxo
Alma 29:9

                                  The District:  Elder Loreto, Sisters Stimpson, Taunima, me
                                                                DiBari, Elder McGee

There ain't nothin like Mama McClendon's fried chicken and cornbread

                                                                         #photobomb

Silly Missionaries!

Our last companioship date with Froyo :)

Oh, I'm Catholic.....

Family!
Oh boy. If I had a penny for every time I heard someone say that, I
would be filthy rich. But really though, it is crazy how many
Catholic's we run into out here. Everyone is super religious...but
they don't want to hear our message. It's hard, I'm not gonna lie. But
I'm here serving in the PPM and in the Pitt 3rd area for a
reason...despite how hard it is...I just have to keep going.

There wasn't much that happened this week...we did go on two
exchanges--with the Greensburg sisters and the Pitt 4th sisters (they
live in the Avalon area...between them and us we are the sisters that
serve the closest to Pittsburgh). I left both times so I wasn't in my
area much. But like I've said before, I feel so blessed to work with
these sisters and get to serve them and learn from them.

I do have to say that I am really grateful for the time I have to
study the gospel each day. It is such a blessing. I am doing all I can
to take full advantage of it while I'm on my mission, because I know I
won't have this time to study once real life hits. (Ha ha ) And I
love the things I am learning. The more I learn, the more I grow, and
the more my testimony is strengthened. I KNOW this gospel is true and
I will never ever back away from that testimony.

One cool thing: yesterday (September 4th) marks 12 years since I was
baptized a member of this church. As a young little 8 year old, I
never could have imagined what I would be doing 12 years later, and
how much this gospel has changed my life. I am forever grateful that I
am apart of it, and that I get to share it with others.

This email is kind of scattered, but I did want to share a powerful
missionary promise I was reminded of this week:

"I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to
spread the gospel, He will bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears,
and set you and your families free."

I am seeing parts of this fulfilled as He is binding up my broken
heart and drying my tears. My mission is so hard, but I promise I am
doing what I can to serve faithfully so that we will be set free. I
pray that you are seeing and experiencing blessings from having a
daughter and a sister serving a mission. Mom, Dad, Brenden and
Cameron--thank you for all your thoughts and prayers; they mean more
than you know.

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

Don't give up,
Sister Bartlett xoxo

                                                 I ❤️ Pittsburgh!!!!

 Sisters Taunima, Stimpson, Di Bari -- the Greensburg sisters

Sisters Crisp, Taunima, Hegewald -- the Pitt 4th sisters

With Mama Eichenmiller on P-Day