Val Pal

Hello!!

"I'm an uncle...." (Falls flat on his back)

CONGRATS!!!!!! VER!!!!! YAY. Alyssa Jayne is such a beautiful name. I can wait to get to know her.

Valparaíso is pretty good. I just think its funny how Elder Mace got sent to the same city... well the same city in another country... but its close enough eh?

This is my first companion that is younger than I am. For 1 year I have always had missionaries older than me. But still... this missionary, my companion has already been to College for 1 year. He went to BYU-I (DO) so he knows how to study. He's pretty awesome. I love working with him... The hardest part is that I can't read him. I always had companions easy to read... this one is a little different. But maybe it's because he's new in the mission and is learning Portuguese still.

Yes, I'm cold. But it's not extremely cold... I think I've just gotten used to the weather here... so anything below 70 is cold... But I'm great. Mom, I must admit. Those giant jackets that we bought... I don't think I'm ever going to use them... Do you want me to send them home? I got in the new house and some missionary left a good little light weight jacket... The ones I brought are good for Utah winters... Not winter in Brazil because here... well it's only cold in the morning and a little at night... but during the day... it's still hot... and It not practical to carry around the giant Jackets...

The computer I'm on won’t let me send home photos. But don't worry. I'll try something different.

Well we have an amazing investigator that is definitely going to be baptized. His name is Renan and he is so awesome. He lived in Russia for 1 year and a half and knows a little bit of French, Spanish, Italian and English. He's way smart and just loves the church. He loves to study and loves new things. He is always trying to learn more every day. He's trying to get a D&C so that he can study more.

With all my love

Endure to the End

Signing Out
Elder Barry

Valparaiso

Hello my Dear Family,

How are you?

I'm doing great.

We had transfers... I'm now in a place called Valparaíso I. I just barely got here today. My new companions name is Elder Evans. He's from California. I think he lives in the same mission where Spencer Thomas is serving... "It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small small world." I could continue... But I think that song repeats itself 87 times... So all it would take is a copy and paste.

Well, the mission is great. I'm new in this next area but I'm pretty confident that my companion will be awesome and we will baptize EVERYONE!!! I'm excited to be in a new area. I don't know. Staying in an area for a long time... kinda takes it out of you. I only have 3 cities that i've passed in, in my mission. And I have almost a year. WOAH!!! I ALMOST HAVE A YEAR. THAT'S CRAZY!!!

So I have an interesting story. I don't know why but in the MTC in São paulo, I bought "The Book of Mormon" in about 6 different languages. I don't know why. I just had an erge. Like I felt that I needed them. Well, I was talking with my companion about the new area and he said there is an investigator that wants to learn languages. They promised him that when he will read the Book of Mormon in another language, he will learn. So, now i'm here with about 6 or 7 Books of Mormon in other languages. I think I'm going to be here for quite some time so that he can read all of them.

I would share what I studied today, but because it was transfers day and they wanted all of us in the chapel (where we have transfers) at 9 o clock... And to think I woke up at about 5 o clock to do that... I didn't study... yet... today.

But don't worry. I will study.

Thanks mom for sending the deodorant. Old Spice, nothing here compares. Also next week I'll send that pictures of my pants... and I can tell you that the other pair of shoes that I brought on the mission. (You know... I had three) Well he's almost gone too... But I'm sure he'll last for another transfer.

"Momma don't whoop little beaufort" I would of died laughing.

Ver will have another baby!!!! YEAH!!!! THAT'S SO EXCITING.

So last night... sunday night. We had a fireside in my old area. It was so good. So happy. So sad and I know it might sound weird... but it was a little painful too. We did a fireside on the Atonement that was so good. First we used Alma 5 and made a little test for the members to fill out. Then we had a testimony from one of the missionaries. After, we watched an inspirational video that was sooooo good. I think it's called "Give your Best" It's about football training and how we think about things. Then we did an activity that was amazing. I loved it. What happens is while someone is reading about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you need to keep your arms out stretched and about your shoulders, out to the sides. Then you need to keep them there... It's amazing to feel really a little bit of pain compaired to the Savior. I think about the pain I had for 11 minutes and then compair it to 3 hours on the cross and more being brutally beaten. All the skin almost ripped from the body. I know it's a little grusome but Christ really did suffer. How they show in the videos, and in the photos really isn't how it was. He left the Garden of gethsemany with blood from every pore. Then after he was brutally beaten by the Romans. Then he was nailed to the Cross. I realized after all this that me feeling a little bit of pain for 1 hour doesn't compare. 2 years serving God really isn't enough. But I will do what he asks... and a little bit more.


Te Amo
Endure to the End

Signing Out
Elder Barry

Lord Prepares

Hello, hello, hello I am your blessed Elder Barry...

...and I'm doing great.

I love the Spirit, it has helped me so much in my mission. It has helped me through lessons and to be strong when everything around you is falling into pieces. It's comforting to know that the Lord is on my side.

Yes, I got the shoes... thanks mom. Do you think you could send me more deodorant? Old Spice, Agua reef? I would love it. By the way... I probably need to send more photos about my clothing that has died so you can order some new stuff.

Mom, keep praying that I will learn everything that I need, because I need it. I don't want an easy mission. I want it to be as hard as possible.

I don't have much to say about my week. Really it's been problem after problem.

Well good news. Our new mission president has arrived and we had interviews with him and he reminds me a lot of Dad. I bet he has a hilarious sense of humor that we haven't caught yet. I loved the interview with him because I felt so calm and so good after. I've also had that chance to talk with him some other times and I'm so happy to be serving here.

I've been learning that the Lord will prepare. Any situation, I will be prepared beforehand to deal with it. Just know that I am being prepared. I don't know for what... but something is coming.

We've been having troubles finding new investigators in this area for a while. I feel at every door that I already knocked there. But it's always a good surprise to knock and come to find out that I have never knocked there.

Well, I'm sorry that this isn't a really juicy letter. I got caught up writing a letter to the Presidente.

Endure to the End
Signing Out
Elder Barry