The Loveliest of Times

My loveliest & most beautiful family in the world!!

      How are all of you!? Mom & dad ... I am so excited to hear all
about your adventures in Germany, Austria & Switzerland! Dad told me a
little bit last week, sounded just as perfect as I imagined! I am not
sure if there is anywhere more lovely. I am so happy you two have been
able to enjoy that adventure together. It makes me very happy! And
it's about time mom got to visit the homeland as well. Also, I am soo
sad to hear about sweet uncle Helmut. My heart breaks for the family
and I immediately thought of Janine (Sister Shaefer) and grandma. Is
there anyway you could get me Sister Shaefer's mission address?? And
grandma mentioned the passing in her letter to me that I just
received. Ohh, I love my German uncles. They are so darling and I will
never forget eating cookies with Helmut & Barbara in Germany with you
dad. I am so happy I've been able to meet him. Please send grandma my
love & I'll write her back today. I sent her 2 letters just barely,
including a Birthday card and she wrote me back so fast. She really is
the best writer I could ask for! #1 pen pal. I love her so much. Also,
will you please wish my dearest g-ma, the beautiful Helen Louise, a
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me as well!!! I have been thinking about her
all day long and love her more than words. She is the most incredible,
spunky, sharp, fun, loving and overall amazing 93 year old in the
entire world!!!!!! I love my g-ma!!! I brag about her all the time too
and ohh I love her so much. Haha one of my favorite things to tell
people is that at her age she still makes sure to go to every BYU
basketball & football game and how just 2 years ago she spent all day
in Disneyland with us and was riding all of the rides including Tower
of Terror, California Screamin, etc. Actually, those are her two
favorite rides! Along with "It's a Small World" too of course. Ohhh
she is so so amazing. I love her soo much & I'll be sending her a
Birthday card today as well!

     Well, we had transfers, yet again!! So crazy!! They actually were
the CRAZIEST transfer calls too but I won't get into all of that right
now. Someday I'll have to tell you all about it. But as for me, I am
still staying in Orland!! I am soo happy! I definitely did not feel
ready to leave this wonderful place and leave behind all of the
incredible people we're working with right now. I love them all far
too much and again, I simply was not ready to leave them yet. Also, I
did not want to get booted after only 2 transfers like I was in Yuba
City. However, for some reason my 2 transfers here have felt even
quicker than my time spent in Yuba. Time is flying by faster &
faster!! It's crazy! Also, I get to officially kill off Hermana
Piggott!!! Not that the killing off part is exciting but this is her
last transfer of her mission and I get to spend it with her!! That
alone makes me soo happy. I dreamed of being the one to send her off
right from the beginning and it's now happening! I also have grown to
love, appreciate and adore her even more in this past transfer we've
spent together (I know, I didn't think it would be possible either)
and I am so happy to be serving here with my best friend. Life is
wonderful. And regarding the darling Hermana Briggs, she is going back
to Gridley! She was only there for a week before she joined Hermana
Lee & I up here so she is heading back there and training while doing
so!! I am so excited for her and know she will absolutely love
Griddles and it will love her right back. She is going to be perfect
for the branch & people there. I am so happy my little precious town
and people will be under good hands!!!! However, I am going to miss
having her as a companion as well. Hermana Briggs is an outstanding
missionary & person. She is sincerely one of the nicest, sweetest,
most Christlike, selfless and charitable people I know of. She is
always thinking of others and has made such a big impact on me. I want
to be more like Hermana Briggs and I am so lucky for the time I have
had to spend with her and the friendship we now have. It means so much
to me, she means soo much to me and I am excited for our friendship to
continue on after the mission as well!! She has applied for BYU so I
hope she gets in and we can see each other all of the time! I'm
crossing my fingers!! But really, I could not feel more blessed for
the companions and incredible ladies I have had the opportunity and
privilege of serving with! They are so so dear to me. I love my
Hermanas. And as for some updates ....
     1. We got Mercedes on date yesterday!!!! She will be getting
baptized on October 25th!!! Which happens to be her Birthday as well.
We have another one wanting to be baptized on her Birthday, I love
it!!! We had invited her preciously to pray to know if she should be
baptized or not, we told her to really focus on how she felt while she
prayed - see if she felt confused & discontent or at peace, warm,
good, etc. - well, yesterday as we got to the step of baptism during
our lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, she told us how she had
prayed about it and really really wants to be baptized! She has
received her own personal answer from Heavenly Father!! She said she
didn't feel one bit confused or uncomfortable while praying &
pondering about baptism but felt & still feels very good, warm,
comforted and at peace with it. She now says she cannot wait to be
baptized and is soo excited!! As are we!! She also mentioned how she
feels so ready for it & all along I have known that. She is very very
prepared and an amazing girl. I am so excited for her upcoming
baptism!! Also, Mercedes is 14 years old if any of you forgot. I love
these darling young teenage girls who are willing & ready to follow
the Savior, Jesus Christ! Also, her sister Ana, who is only 12 and a
recent convert, is progressing soo much and we invited her to pray
every single morning & night for a personal progress goal and she has
been! Mercedes told us that the other night they were talking in her
bed and as they were falling asleep, Ana said, "this may sound weird,
but I always pray before I go to sleep" and she said a prayer for the
both of them. This is huge huge progress for her and really touched
Mercedes heart. They are such darling girls and I love teaching them!
     2. The Campos family is still amazing. I honestly love them soo
much and already feel right at home when I enter their home. It's
amazing. They are the sweetest & most loving people I know. We were
fortunate enough to get to have dinner with them on Thursday too and
it was so fun! The food was incredible, of course - authentic, in the
kitchen, Mexican food is heavenly - and then we got to spend some more
time with the family we love so much. Along with teaching them the
gospel. I loved it!! Also, Lorena's parents joined us which made it
even better. Then Lorena honestly could not be sweeter and I am
obsessed with little Eric & Alexis. They are two of the most adorable
little boys I have ever seen!! So again, things are still going
wonderful with them except we just found out some troubling but
fixable news. While teaching briefly about temples the other night,
Lorena told us that her and Alfredo aren't married. As she told us
this she got super hesitant though and said she doesn't feel right
about it and feels as if she is sinning. She then asked us if we
believed she was and as we explained the importance of marriage,
family, etc. she said lately she has been having that feeling inside
that she's doing something wrong, so fortunately she is aware of how
it is not good and not what God's wants. She then continued to tell us
how her and Alfredo have been together for 10 years now and he tells
her he wants to be married all of the time. We haven't met him yet but
this just gave us another reason to love him. Usually it's the other
way around. But yeah from all we've heard he is an incredible man and
really has his head on straight. She then told us that she doesn't
know why, but she has always been hesitant towards making things
official. As we kept talking about it though she was explaining how
amazing of a father he is, how wonderful he is to her, how incredible
of a man he is and it became very clear how in love they are with one
another and I think it was clicking in her mind that she needs to
marry him. That she is ready to marry him. That she wants to marry
him. Of course, we invited her to really ponder over this, as for it
is a serious matter, and to take it to our Heavenly Father in prayer
but I know she's ready. Us Hermanas agreed afterwards that it appeared
as though she received her answer while discussing it with us. We all
believe it will happen very soon. Especially with her now wanting to
be baptized and knowing that they'll have to be married before that's
possible. She said she would pray about it though and after that we
all started talking about the wedding. Haha us Hermanas told her we
could help her with everything, Alex said he would be the ring bearer
& Eric could throw the rose petals haha and then she became all smiles
and joked saying Alfredo better be making enough money in Montana to
pay for it all! Haha soo our now biggest goal is to get them
married!!!!! Then they can be baptized and a year later be sealed in
the temple as an eternal family. Ohhh I cannot imagine anything better
and if any family is prepared for such covenants, it's this one. They
are soo darling & special!!!!! During this discussion Alexis also
said, "They are still boyfriend & girlfriend and have kids!" he was
expressing how that's not right (this little boy is soo impressive)
and I think that hit her and then we asked little Eric what he loved
about his family and he said in the cutest little voice, "porque son
míos" ... "because they are mine." So so cute! Also, Eric said his
first prayer by himself this past week which could not have been more
precious. We were so proud of Him and I knew Heavenly Father was
beaming with happiness from above. But yeah, and Lorena even mentioned
how she does want an eternal family and knows her kids both need their
dad & mom forever. So, I know it will happen. How exciting! A wedding
& baptism! I've always heard about these but never had one myself! So
we most likely will be moving their October 26th date back, Alfredo
isn't coming home for another 2 weeks now, and we have to whip out a
wedding before anyone will be getting in the baptismal font ... but I
have faith that it will happen sooner than later!!!!!! Ohh I will do
anything for this family!!!! I love them so much. So I will keep you
updated on them but as of now, will each of you please please pray for
them! Pray that Lorena & Alfredo will get married and then baptized.
Along with Alexis & Lorena's parents being baptized as well. This
family is ready for the blessings & happiness that comes from the
gospel! And they deserve it more than anyone.
     3. This week we did sooo much service. I am not kidding when I
say it was at least up to 20 hours. We painted Maria's kitchen (still
need to finish it) ... the family room, kitchen & laundry room in the
Whitaker's brand new home they just moved into, we helped them fully
move into their home on Saturday, had our weekly service at the food
pantry and then last Saturday (which I forgot to mention last Monday)
we did service at Black Butte Lake! We painted lots of campsite signs
& numbers, etc. So anyways ... we have been doing all kinds of stuff
and it has been so much fun!!!!! I honestly have never loved doing
service more in my life. It's amazing! I know missionary work alone is
service but doing more physically demanding service is a nice change.
We were talking about it the other day and missionary work, for us
here in California (outside of the Country is different), is mainly
mentally & emotionally exhausting. Since we have a car, it's not
necessarily physically exhausting unless we're out walking all day,
but tiring in a different way. So it feels good to do physical labor
and let our minds somewhat be at ease for a little. To be honest, my
mind is always going 100 miles per hour as a missionary, but it still
has felt very nice & therapeutic.
     4. For the beautiful ladies, wasn't the General Women's
Conference incredible? I can't lie. I was sooo excited for it that as
soon as it started and showed the Conference Center, I got tears in my
eyes and then the tears kept coming back ... including when the
adorable Korean children sang "I love to see the temple." My heart was
so full and all that was said from the talks touched me more than I
can say. I won't go into many details, you all watched it and received
your own personal revelation from it, and I think all men should read
the talks as well ... but I did indeed leave the Conference feeling
uplifted, changed, inspired and so very special. What has stuck with
me the very most though is the knowledge I have that I am a precious
child of God. I am one of His heavenly daughters. I have a divine
purpose and through the sacred covenants I have made, I will be able
to accomplish this purpose and reach my full potential. I will be able
to be exalted, become like my Father in Heaven and dwell in His
presence forever. Alongside my dearest family. I also have been
thinking very deeply about the covenants I have made and all that I
must do to keep, honor & cherish them. I feel so privileged for the
opportunity I have had to enter into the temple, the House of The
Lord, as one of His guests and make these promises with my dearest
Heavenly Father. It is so special to me and I will do all I can to
continue to look towards the temple and keep the covenants I have
made. My desire is to attend the temple once a week when I am home as
well. I know it may seem a lot but I can easily take 3 hours out of my
week for things as important as helping others receive these
ordinances, gaining a greater understanding of the gospel, my Father's
plan, His nature and my purpose here on the earth and also growing
closer to my Father, my Savior and receiving more of the spiritual
nourishment I need so very much. I absolutely love the temple and am
so excited to enter in there again with each of you when I return
home! You are all welcome to join me whenever you please.

    Everything is amazing, I am so happy, my heart is continually soo
full and I love each of you more than you can possibly imagine!!!

The countdown till General Conference begins!!!! I hope you all are
half as excited as I am!!!!!! I seriously cannot wait!!!!!!!

Ps. Before Conference I suggest you all reading the talk by Elder
Holland from the April 2011 General Conference called, "An Ensign to
the Nations." You won't regret it!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Barth

Also, in regards of Hermana Briggs leaving us ... I am sending a few
pictures of me & her! I love her so much!!! Already missing this red
headed beauty. (Also, she is a definite sleeping beauty - looks
gorgeous while she's asleep too! Haha)

Miracle after Miracle!

¡¡Mi querida familia!!

     Hello my most beautiful beloved ones?? Soo I have to start off
saying I AM THE HAPPIEST PERSON IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!! I am not
kidding. I didn't know it could be possible to feel so much happiness
at once. I am on the most spiritual & happy high and I can't not help
but feel butterflies and pure joy build up inside of me. The mission
is absolutely wonderful and I could not feel more blessed. I have
never felt as though I have had more to thank my Father in Heaven for
either. He is pouring out blessings upon me and I feel as if I barely
have enough room to receive it all!!!!! So here goes, it has only been
a few days and I still have soo much to say!!

     1. MARIA WAS BAPTIZED!!!!!!!! Ella está un miembro nuevo de la
Iglesia de JesuCristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días!!!!!
YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!! I want to scream it from the rooftops!!!! MARIA WAS
BAPTIZED!!!!!!! It's a MIRACLE!!!!!! I have been dreaming of this
happening ever since I first arrived here in Orland and met the
adorable Hermana. I love her so much!! I cannot wait for you all to
meet her one day. She is honestly the sweetest, cutest, friendliest,
happiest, most loving, thoughtful, selfless person in the world. I
love my Maria del Carmen!!! And her baptism was incredible!! I wish
you all could have been there soo badly. My dream would be to have my
family at the baptisms I have on my mission. But it was so beautiful.
Ohh it was so lovely. We had two wonderful talks/testimonies given by
Hermana Meyers (relief society president) and Hermano Arevallo and
then since there were 13 missionaries there (Elders had taught her in
the past, missionaries from the area came with investigators, Hermana
Lee came with Hermana Hughes, etc.) we them all join us in singing a
musical number and we sang "Más Cerca Dios de Ti." Oh my goodness, the
spirit was bien fuerte while we were singing that it brought tears to
my eyes and sent chills up my body. It was a beautiful and very
special feeling. These experiences are priceless and so precious to
me!!!! But then we had the beautiful baptism and it couldn't have been
better. Maria was baptized by Elder Van Leuween, an Elder who taught
her in the past and she has never looked more stunning than she did at
this time. Hearing the sacred words spoken during the ordinance and
witnessing her be washed completely clean from head to toe, there is
nothing more incredible. In this moment the whole outside world
completely stopped for me and I truly would not have wanted to be
anywhere else. She looked so perfect in all white too and when she
came up out of the water she had the biggest smile on her face. She
has been waiting for this moment for so long!! I am so happy for
her!!! Then as she was getting changed, we opened the microphone up
for anyone who wanted to share their testimony. Since I was announcing
this, I then took the opportunity myself to bear my testimony. It was
a very special moment for me and my testimony was strengthened as I
shared it with los demás. Hermana Whitaker & Hermano Pedroza (from
Yuba City!!) then shared their testimonies afterwards and they were
both soo powerful and sweet. We then got to hear Maria bear her
testimony and words cannot describe how wonderful it was to hear her
do so. She bore such strong testimony of the church she now knows to
be true and said how she was stubborn in the past when Elders would
stop by and was shy about everything but as soon as she met us
sisters, she let go of all of that and knew she was ready to be
baptized!! Amazing! Also, the other day when we were teaching her she
said the cutest things to us. She told us how proud of us she was,
spending our time teaching the gospel and trying to help people grow
closer to God and she thanked us over & over again for being so
patient with her. She expressed how she knew we had to exercise much
patience with her situation (her mother, etc.) however, we never
stopped visiting her, making her feel loved, and continued to invite
her to church, etc. And now look where she is. Because of that, she
has been baptized and entered in through the gate that puts her on the
straight & narrow path, leading to eternal life. She is becoming a
candidate for the celestial kingdom. Oh, it makes me so happy! She
expressed how grateful she is for that as well and then said, "I love
you Hermanas TOO much." I love my Maria!!!!!! Also, it was her
Birthday yesterday so that made it even more special!! We made sure
everyone sang her Happy Birthday while we were eating the desserts the
relief society brought, along with Birthday cake, and then after the
baptism was over ... we went over to her house, just us 3 and
celebrated a tiny bit more with her.  She told us out of all of her
Birthdays, this was her favorite one and I can promise you ... it was
such a beautiful day!!! And of course, to top it all off and make
everything official ... yesterday Maria was confirmed and is a brand
new member of the church and Hamilton City branch! Also, the more
important part - she now finally has the wonderful gift of the Holy
Ghost and could not deserve it more. I am so happy for her.

     2. The Campos family. Ohh my goodness I do not even know where to
begin with them! I love them soo much!! It's crazy. I feel as though I
have known them for years & years & years and I already am completely
comfortable with them and hold them soo close to my heart. I have so
many updates on them, I do not even know where to begin!! Well, we had
a few lessons with them last week (Lorena says we are welcome over to
teach them as often as we want ... this is a major clue of someone
being prepared for baptism, everyone I have seen be baptized has said
the same thing. Interesting .... ) and they were beyond perfect &
wonderful. Well, I guess I already told you about the lesson we had
finishing up the gospel of Jesus Christ since I just wrote on
Wednesday, but since then we taught them the Word of Wisdom, Law of
Chastity (both of these lessons were a breeze for them) Lorena has
already told us that her & her husband don't smoke, drink, etc. and
her kids already know how horrible those things are and ask their mom
why so many people do them. So cute!! At the end of this lesson little
5 year old Eric wanted to say the closing kneeling prayer too so he
did just that with his older brothers help. Again, this was one of the
most tender & sweet experiences I have ever had. Us missionaries
kneeling with the three of them whom we love so very much, and seeing
each of them fold their arms, bow their heads and then hearing little
Eric repeat the tender words his older brother was saying to our
Heavenly Father in prayer. There are no words to describe how heart
warming it was. I couldn't swipe the smile off my face and my heart
was so happy. It is so easy to feel the spirit strongly around
Heavenly Father's little children. They are soo sweet, humble,
innocent, believing and full of Christ's light & love. I am so excited
to see my own little darlings learn about the gospel and pray. But
then next lesson we taught them the 10 commandments (we taught the
little ones the hand signals for each one in order for them to
remember them - sooo cute. And when we tested them after we went
through each one, if they got it right Alex started it where we would
all clap for the person ... hahaha it was so much fun!!! When little
Eric got it and we all started clapping for him he was grinning from
ear to ear, they are adorable!) and then the Restoration again (I'll
explain why in a momento). But so both of those lessons were
incredible and I have to tell you a couple of things that made my
heart melt. First off, when we had our lesson on Thursday Lorena told
us when we first got there how Alexis loved the video we showed them
of Christ being baptized soo much that he was telling everyone about
it! Haha and then he chimed in saying, "casi todo la familia!" ...
"almost all of the family!" - including his dad, grandparents, etc. So
cute!!!! And then he said with the biggest smile on his face and
pretty much bouncing out of his seat on the couch, I'll never every
forget it, "I just want to be baptized right now! I cannot wait!" Is
that not the cutest thing?? He is SO excited to be baptized. He also
said how he loves how we are baptized. With the hand & arm positions,
etc. Who notices that and especially a little boy!? Also, before our
lesson on Saturday, when I called Lorena to tell her we were coming
she said, "Eric misses you Hermanas. Yesterday he kept asking, where
are the Hermanas?? Where are the Hermanas??" ahhhh my heart stopped
when she told me that. He is the most adorable little guy in the
world!! I love him so much. But so we had those wonderful lessons and
then they came to Maria's baptism!! Which made us soo excited. They
wanted to see an actual baptism be performed and Alex loved every
second of it. Then to make it even better, they came to church on
Sunday! Lorena looked so beautiful, she is stunning, and then the
little boys looked so cleaned up & adorable. I honestly cannot get
over how much I love this family!!!!! So church was amazing. Since I
play the piano in primary too, I got to see Alex & Eric in primary ...
They loved it! They both were participating and we sang the hello song
to them (had to learn how to play that on the spot) along with singing
the Happy Birthday song to Alex & another Alexis. So fun!!! I love
being in primary. It is soo precious to see the little ones learning
how they are a child of God, how families are forever, etc. I love
it!! Then Hermana Briggs said Lorena loved relief society so that made
me very happy! After church she seemed very very happy and
comfortable. But okay ... so then for the next best news! If you can
even believe it, it gets even better!!!!! So, today is Alexis's
Birthday and Lorena invited us to go over to their house last night to
have a little celebration for him. We told her we'd bring the cake so
yesterday during lunch we made the coolest tie dye cake (Hermana
Brigg's sister sent her the kit) and we went over there after dinner.
Well, when we got there Lorena's parents were there. We knew her dad
had been eager to meet us so we were very excited to meet them as
well. Well, as soon as we walked in her parents rushed over to us and
told us how excited they were to meet us. Haha and the cutest thing,
Eric & Alex were soo excited to see us too and Lorena's dad, José,
told us how much the boys love us. Haha and then Alex said to us,
"yeah, it feels like every minute I run outside and look to see if you
have come yet!" HE IS SO CUTE!!!!!! And then José said that Eric kept
telling him about how he needed to meet his 3 Hermanas and he kept
saying that we were all, "tan bonita" ... "very pretty." Hahaha and he
would say, "verdad, Eric??" ... "true, Eric??" and Eric would just
smile and shake his head. HE'S FIVE!!!!! Haha and then we asked him if
he had any "novias" .. "girlfriends," he nodded yes and then we asked
how many and he held up 3 fingers. Hahahaha I love him so much!!!!!!
But yeah so that was darling. José then continued to tell us much
about him & their family and then said how he has been wanting to meet
us and how him & his wife are ready to learn from us. He has had quite
the tragic life, pobrecito, and said how they were raised in the
Catholic Church but they don't know a whole lot about God, Jesus
Christ, religion, etc. however, they are ready to learn. It's time. He
even said it was an emergency. So he told us to teach his daughter &
grandchildren and then head on over to their house to teach them!!!! I
don't think there could be a greater miracle!!!!!!! Lorena's parents
are ready and eager to learn about the gospel from us!!!!!! Ahhhh I
was sooo excited I couldn't handle it! And we all sat down and José
was ready to listen & learn right then & there!! We had already
planned to show the family the video of the Restoration too, because
Alex LOVES Joseph Smith and has wanted to learn more about him, but so
we taught the lesson of the Restoration up until the story of Joseph
Smith and then watched it with everyone! Haha their DVD player wasn't
set up to the tv in the living room though so Lorena had us all go
into her bedroom to watch it. Since her husband is gone they moved one
of the boys beds into there too though, so that she wouldn't be alone
at night and so we all sat on the bed and watched the Restoration!!!
Haha it was the cutest thing. And also, when Lorena told us how she
didn't want to feel alone at night, Eric said, "but you are not alone,
God is with you." I know, he continues to get cuter & cuter. Everyone
was glued to the screen throughout the entire video too and José
expressed during it how José Smith was feeling how he feels. He said,
"this is us, this is us! But now we have found our church. Because of
the Hermanas." WHAT!?!? He expressed how he had found his church!!!!
Ahhhhhh I seriously still cannot get over it all. He told us how he
knows we were sent to them as well and how this is no coincidence. Oh,
it seriously is TOO perfect. So we cannot WAIT to get teaching them
more!! Also, it was soo fun to see Lorena stepping it up and now being
the one to talk about the church and express her feelings on it. She
told her parents how everyone at our church is soo nice, at the end of
the video when Joseph baptizes her father too Lorena turned to her
parents and said, "this is how they are baptized!" So anyways. It was
absolutely perfect and the whole night was a dream!! After the video
too we went and all sang Happy Birthday to Alex and he blew out the
candles to his cake. Then, it was soo cute, to make things EVEN better
... after her parents left, Alfredo - their dad & Lorena's husband
called (again, he is in Montana working till next week) and Lorena
wanted us to say hi!!! So she put him on speaker phone and we talked
to him for a minute. He was sooo nice!!! He asked how we were doing
and told us he is excited to meet us, etc. IS THIS REAL LIFE!?!?!? How
are we teaching THE most adorable, perfect & golden family!!! Well
something that really hit me last night was how Heavenly Father truly
does guide us missionaries to those who are golden & prepared to
accept the gospel. We as missionaries, just need to be worthy & able
to follow the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost to find them.
This is again why it is soo important to always be obedient & on
purpose. We have to show The Lord that He can trust us and that we
will follow the promptings we receive. All those that I have seen be
baptized while on my mission have been sooo unbelievably prepared too
and it is clear we were completely led to them because of it. How
incredible is that??? So, we are again soo excited to keep teaching
this family and soon enough, see them all dress in white and be
baptized. It will be a glorious, heavenly day. Oh, and the parents
wants us to try teaching their rebellious daughter, as they all said,
haha so we'll see how that goes. I love this family!!!!!

     The mission is the best thing in the world and I am truly having
the time of my life. I honestly couldn't be happier and life is truly,
TOO GOOD. I couldn't love the people I am teaching more, I feel as
though I have known each of them forever and I know I was sent
specifically here to the California Roseville Mission for many many
reasons. This is MY mission. These are MY people. And I am the Lord's
servant. It's incredible and I feel so much gratitude in my heart.
Serving my mission is honestly the best decision I have ever made in
my entire life and I already cannot imagine my life without it. It has
completely shaped the person I am and the person I want to become.

I LOVE MY MISSION & I AM SO HAPPY!!!

I love you all so much!!!

Con un corazón lleno de felicidad y amor,

Hermana Barth

BAUTISMO!!!!!!!!!!

My wonderful & beautiful family!!

WARNING: this email is extremely long (longer than normal I mean -
which is hard to beat). It has been a very very crazy, long week and I
have sooo much to say! Also, I have been writing all of these
throughout the week (they have been my journal entries) so I apologize
again for the details & length. Also, I would have looked over these
and shortened them but I have had zero time today and we got home
late!!!! We have been all over the place today. You'll understand
after #8 ... and then after we took care of all of that, the Warmoth's
- the Senior missionaries - took us to this ancient covered bridge in
Chico, which covers a gorgeous river and then they treated us to Red
Lobster! Wow!! Fanciest dinner I have had in a long time! It was
incredible. We were in Heaven. Oh, and we had service at the pantry
today so more of our p-day was tonight. Anyways, here goes to my
novel!!!!!

1. Maria - So. The craziest thing happened. Remember how I said her
mom, Ana, told us she wasn't going to Washington to live with her
other daughter anymore?? Well, that ended up being a lie. We decided
we needed to continue visiting Maria nonetheless ... even if her mom
wouldn't allow us to speak of our beliefs, etc. So we gave them a
little bit of breathing room and then went over on Thursday to stop by
and say hello. Well, as soon as we got there Maria was very happy to
see us and invited us in. We all recognized Ana was nowhere to be
found and then Maria continued to tell us that she had left for
Washington!! Ana completely lied to us! That woman. But so then we
started asking Maria how she was feeling about everything now that her
mom was gone. At first she was a little hesitant because of all the
rejection she has received from her mom but as she got talking &
talking ... she started little by little realizing more & more how
ridiculous the whole situation was and what she truly needs to do. She
was telling us how her mom & siblings profess to be Catholic but don't
do anything about it. They don't practice their religion (never go to
church, read the Bible, pray, live their lives according to what is
preached, etc.) so in the end they are hypocrites. Haha she even said,
"¡es un chiste!" ... "it's a joke!" I then followed to say, "pues,
sabemos que muchas personas les gustan las tradiciones de la iglesia
Católica" ... "well, we know that many people like the traditions of
the Catholic Church" and she said, "mija, la única tradición que
siguen es cuando no comen carne por algunos días. Y van a la iglesia
tal vez sólo un día por año!" ... "my daughter (that's what many of
them address us as), the only tradition they follow is when they don't
eat meat for a few days. And they go to church only once a year!" So
anyways, she was realizing that Ana doesn't even practice her religion
so really she has no right to tell Maria she shouldn't join another
religion where she wants to practice what is taught, live the gospel
of Jesus Christ and change her life accordingly. She also brought up
how she is an adult, can make her own decisions, and has known the
church is true for a long time now so it's time for her to be
baptized. We then had her read Matthew 10:34-38 which reads ....
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send
peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his
father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own
household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy
of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is
not worthy of me." Throughout her reading she would frequently say
things such as, "ohh wow, ohh mijas, ohhh wow!!" and then afterwards
Hermana Piggott asked, "What do you think about these verses?" and
Maria immediately & urgently exclaimed, "I am going to follow Christ's
church!!!" Haha she had no hesitation & no doubt come over her. It hit
her stronger than ever before, what she was to do. I loved it!!! After
we talked about this for awhile as well, she told us she would call
her mom that night and tell her she was getting baptized, no matter
what. I was so proud of her!! She was soo so happy & excited too. So,
she ended up calling her mom and it's official, Maria is getting
baptized!! We originally had her on date for the 20th too, which is
also her Birthday, and she still wants that to be the day so.... in
just a few days Maria del Carmen will reach her dream and be
baptized!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! This has been quite the roller
coaster and fight to get her to this point but she, personally, has
been ready for a long time and couldn't feel more prepared, excited or
ready. She is incredible and we went over the baptismal interview
questions the other day and she answered each of them PERFECTLY. She
is so darling! Seriously. One of the most humble, sweet, happy,
loving, sweet spirited ladies I have ever met in my entire life. I
could not be more excited for her!!!!!!! We are going to have the most
joyous celebration on Saturday! MARIA IS FINALLY GETTING
BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our fervent praying & fasting are bringing
miracles! Also, cutest thing. Maria always says to us, "hermanas I
love you sooo much" and tells us how whenever we are around us she
just feels sooo happy, peaceful and good. I sure am going to miss the
extra light we obtain as full-time missionaries.

2. Lorena & Alex - Oh my goodness. Words cannot describe how much I
love this family. We are still yet to meet the dad because he won't be
returning from Montana until the beginning of October but ahhh Lorena,
Alex & little Eric ... I love them so much. And listen to this!!! We
were teaching Lorena (the mom), Alex (her almost 10 year old son and
Eric (her 5 year old son) the other day Gospel of Jesus Christ. The
entire lesson was incredible and all along I knew we needed to invite
Lorena & Alex to be baptized again and put them on date this time. So,
as soon as we hit the step & principle of baptism, after some
explaining - we did just that. We put them on date for October 26th!!
I know it's a little ways away but we want to teach the dad when he
gets home, he is excited to meet us (took lessons from Elders in the
past), and it will come sooner than we think. So incredible though!
Lorena & Alex accepted the invitation so readily and the only think
making Lorena a tiny bit hesitant is she thinks she still has much
repenting to do. However not for anything big. She just feels like she
struggles at forgiving people and used the example of having old
friends message her and she'll message them back but only does it
because she knows she needs to, not because she wants to. So she feels
bad about it. Haha ohhh she is so golden. Her struggles are teeny tiny
and she is so solid. I love it too because she has said how she wants
to be baptized for all of the right reasons - because she wants to
fully follow our Savior, Jesus Christ - and doesn't want to just be
baptized right away because we invited her to. She wants to as soon as
she feels it completely in her heart. She is amazing though and has
been praying & reading the Book of Mormon EVERY single night with her
kids before bed. Honestly, they are soo awesome. We had a lesson with
them yesterday by the way and it was too good to be true. Both Eric &
Alex were so attentive during our lesson, Alex asked tons of amazing
questions that just warmed my heart up so much - he's only 9 years old
however his desire to learn about the gospel is more than many adults
I know ... kids are so humble, teachable & innocent, I love it! - and
after our lesson, we all kneeled and Alex said the closing prayer. It
was the cutest thing in the world. Also, as we started praying I took
a tiny peek (guilty) and I have never seen a more heart warming
picture. Lorena and her two darling boys kneeling, with their arms
crossed, eyes closed & heads bowed and Lorena gently rubbing Alex's
back as he started to say the sweetest prayer I have ever heard. Joy &
the spirit completely filled me!!!!!! That is a picture and moment I
will never ever forget. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
But so this family is incredible and I cannot wait to see them in all
white getting baptized!!!!! October 26th my friends!!!!!!!!!!

3. Amparo & Cecilia - I don't even know where to fully begin with
these two. They are a continuous mystery to me. I say this because
they have been taught for awhile now and they are golden however for
some reason, not golden. When we teach them it is soo clear how
strongly they feel the spirit, they love when we teach them, they have
both been to baptisms, they always have the perfect responses, seem
extremely sincere, etc. however they have never come to church and I
just can't quite put my finger on what is missing. So anyways, after
we gave them the amazing chapel tour a little while ago ... they still
didn't come to church and we decided to give them a little space.
Well, just this past week we decided it was time they were visited
again. So, since they are best friends and always together. We ended
up having a lesson with the both of them at Cecilia's and Hermana
Whitaker joined us as well. So, we were having a lesson on the
Doctrine of Christ (read 2 Nephi 31) and then we lead it into the Holy
Ghost. They both agreed to have the first 2 steps down in the gospel
of Jesus Christ - 1. Faith in Jesus Christ & 2. Repentance - so we
asked what kept them from pressing forward and getting baptized.
Amparo said it was because of her husband more so and Cecilia said she
doesn't know if she has received her answer from the Holy Ghost or
maybe she hasn't recognized it. So, we taught tons about how we can
recognize promptings & answers from the Holy Ghost and Hermana
Whitaker was incredible. She would got super touched & teary while
sharing her personal testimony and then she started to crack the whip
and get things serious. Which was exactly what I wanted so we were on
the same page. She asked these questions, "how do you feel when the
sisters are here teaching you?" They responded, "very good." "How do
you feel when you read from the Book of Mormon??" They said, "very
peaceful & content." "How do you feel when you pray about these
things?" They said, "same thing ... peaceful and good." And then she
asked, "and how did you feel at the baptisms you've attended??" And
they said, "same thing, happy, peaceful & good." Hermana Whitaker then
continued to tell them they have clearly received their answers and
multiple times, in multiple ways. It is now time for them to ACT. So
after this, I took the initiative and invited them to be baptized
again, this time with a baptismal date. I asked them if we could make
the goal to have them baptized on October 26th. I told them that from
now until this day we will do all we can to help them prepare to be
baptized but that they will need to act on what we ask them to do. I
told them this is the time for them to test it all out and truly find
out if what we are teaching is true or now and if they need to be
baptized or not. They both had tears in their eyes, it was sooo
evident how strongly they felt the presence of the Holy Ghost and they
agreed to my invitation. So, as of now we have Amparo & Cecilia on
date for October 26th too!!!!!! I don't fully know what will happen
there but we're trying our very best to make progress with them. There
is a ton more to say about that lesson too but it was very spiritual
and I loved feeling the Holy Ghost work through me so strongly. There
is nothing more rewarding than recognizing when you're being an
instrument in The Lord's hands.

4. Mercedes - We are seeing sooo much progression with Mercedes and I
couldn't be happier about it!! We have been having the greatest
lessons with her and I am so happy. Last lesson we had we taught her
the Restoration and it went perfectly. We taught it all up until
Joseph Smith and then watched the Restoration video so that she could
visualize the scene more clearly. Afterwards, she had some more
questions and then stated how, "it all makes sense!" I really loved
that comment from her. "It all makes sense." The gospel DOES make
sense. It makes PERFECT sense. Everything about it. And do you want to
know why?? Because it's TRUTH. Truth makes sense. I love it so much!!
The church is true!!!!!! But we also then invited her to be baptized.
She expressed how she keeps going back and forth between wanting to be
baptized really bad, to having some fear & doubts, but after we talked
some more, she came to the realization that she really does want to be
baptized. We were unable to get her on date unfortunately. Hermana
Piggott and I both received inspiration to put her on date for October
11th but there were 6 of us there, including the Senior missionaries -
the Warmoth's - and Mercedes so literally, we were unable to extend
the invitations at an appropriate time because of the ongoing talking
of others. It's okay though. We'll get her on date this week!! I love
Mercedes!! Also, so cute. Elder Warmoth said that on the drive home,
Mercedes expressed how good us Hermanas make her feel and how she
wants to be a missionary someday just like us so that she can make
people like her feel good too. She also said how she doesn't have any
older siblings and she likes how it feels as though we are her older
sisters. I love it. She is the best!!

5. We had our Language Training Meeting last week for all the language
missionaries - Hmong & Spanish speaking - and it was pretty crazy.
First off, I forgot how tiny us Spanish missionaries are here. We have
about 80 Sisters in our mission and only 9 of us are Spanish speaking
and then there are not very many Spanish Elders either. We're a
definite minority but I absolutely love it! I am also shocked by the
lack of, because everywhere I have served it has been packed with
Hispanics. There are so many here!!! But it's pretty fun being such a
small knit group. We all know each other super well especially us
Hermanas haha. We have all been companions with one another and we're
just a small group of best friends. I love it!! I have been companions
with 5 out of my 8 options! So fun. I love love loved seeing Hermana
Richards, Hermana Hughes & Hermana Lee again and it was almost
overbearing how much love I felt for them and how happy it made me to
see each of them. I have truly had the most incredible missionaries in
the world. I still don't have a clue how I got so lucky. The whole
meeting was super cool though and we were able to discuss a ton and
how to better the work among the Hispanic culture. We talked about
lots & lots and also heard some pretty cool news. Starting in October,
us Spanish missionaries will be doing exchanges across the whole
mission. For example: I could be serving further up north (Orland) and
go on an exchange further down south (Citrus Heights - Roseville).
This way, we can explore more of the mission and more companions. For
us, the zone boundaries will not exist. Pretty exciting if you ask me!
But yeah. Then after the meeting my companionship, the two Gridley
Elder companionships and President Marston had our own little meeting.
We had to discuss the Gridley situation and grit that all sorted out.
President told us he will be sending sisters back down there next
transfer but we needed to figure out how to handle the situation as of
now. Well anyways, we got it all sorted out but then President started
bluntly telling us some of his ideas for next transfer and then
started asking everyone where they wanted to serve, especially those
who are leaving soon, who they wanted to be companions with and he
said he has nothing against "inspired revelation." It was the
craziest, most unexpected thing and the feeling in the room was
indescribable. I have a story about his experience and one I had
afterwards I'd like to share with you too but I'll save it for later.
President Marston is just completely opposite with President Weston on
stuff like this, that's why we were all shocked (President Weston had
transfers organized 18 weeks ahead of time and would never discuss his
thoughts on them with any missionaries) however President Marston is
all about having us involved and knowing what WE feel is good. He
likes to hear our personal feedback and thoughts. It's crazy. I didn't
know how to handle having that responsibility placed upon me. But it
means a lot to us to know he trusts our opinions & the personal
revelation/inspiration we receive on such matters. Oh, there's too
much to say!!! But all is well and the mission is wonderful. Haha I'll
have to tell you all that happened one day in the future.

6. On Monday (that's why we're having p-day today) we had our Zone
Conference with the visiting General Authority, Brent H. Nelson. Wow,
it was beyond beyond amazing. I am not kidding when I say that
throughout the entire conference I felt as though my mind was being
spiritually expanded, inspired & uplifted beyond it's limits and I
didn't know how to fully handle all the personal revelation I was
receiving. I was constantly taking notes and soaking in every single
little thing I learned. The spirit was "slapping me in the face" as
Hermana Piggott described it, and I felt as though I were floating on
clouds leaving the conference. The church is sooo unbelievably true my
family. I can testify that to you with all of my heart. All of it. And
I promise, I will never ever ever ever deny that. My testimony is
firm, sincere and unshakeable. I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE. I would
love to go into all that I learned too but if I started writing I
truly will not be able to stop. I will share all the notes I took with
you one day. I would love nothing more!! Haha when we went to dinner
at our branch president's house afterward though, I ended up having a
headache (which never happens) and I seriously felt as though it were
because I had gained so much knowledge. My brain couldn't handle it
all!!!! Hahaha it's a real thing. As is the gospel. It's REAL and it's
time to take it serious. Brother Nelson is an amazing man though, as
is his wife, and I actually had the privilege of sitting, literally,
right next to & across from them, at a lunch table, so we talked lots
and they are very wonderful people. Haha I secretly hope I marry
someone who gets to tour missions like that one day. I would love
nothing more than to visit missionaries & missions all around the
world with my future husband. The mission is the best world to be
associated with!!! Also! Dad, the best thing happened. At the end of
the meeting, the most darling Sister missionary, Sister Parrett came
up to me. She was actually sitting on the same bench as me. She said,
"You are Hermana Barth! Is your dad in the Stake Presidency of a YSA
Stake in Salt Lake City??" I readily said yes with a big smile on my
face, asking her if she knew you and she said, with a very big smile
on her face as well, "Yes I do! He interviewed me for my mission and
was at my setting apart!! I love President Barth, your dad, so much!!
And he told me to tell you that he loves you!" Oh my goodness. My face
completely lit up and tears came to my eyes. I cannot tell you happy
it made me to hear that and my heart was oh so full and happy. We then
talked for a few minutes longer and I was sooo happy. It meant so much
to me to hear that from her and she is sooo cute!!!! I am so happy we
ran into one another! And I just looked back at old emails and found
when you brought her up in an email to me. So crazy!! I love it. Haha
when she said how much she loves you I thought to myself, "Yep! That's
my dad!" I love you so much dad!!!!!!!!!!!!

7. Now to the bad news. First set of bad news. My camera got stolen.
Yes yes I know. My horrible, terrible, extremely bad luck with
electronics continues. I truly do not understand how I am so cursed
with these things. But this is what happened. We were doing service at
the food pantry where we do service every week. I always check the
people who come in, look up their ID and make sure they get the amount
of food they need for themselves and their families. Well, I had my
purse partly hidden under the table I was sitting it. Hermana Briggs
was doing it with me alongside another lady who volunteers there.
Well, nothing crazy happened but then after we left I realized my
camera was no longer in my bag. We immediately went back to the
pantry, looked around everywhere, looked high & low in the car and my
camera was still nowhere to be found. I was sick inside. Especially at
the thought that I usually always have all 4 of my memory cards inside
my camera case. And alongside that, to make it even worse, I always
have Michael's memory card of pictures & videos he sent to me from
Brazil in there as well. So, I had us rush back to our apartment to
see if I had taken the memory cards out by chance. I was soo sick to
my stomach. Realizing there was a great possibility ALL of my mission
pictures, videos & memories were gone. Including some of Elder
Haller's as well. I was in quite the panic if you can only imagine.
As was Hermana Piggott because all of her Gridley memories were on my
memory card as well. Well, as for the miracle of the story ... that
morning I had for some reason taken my memory cards out of the case
and put them on my nightstand. The thought came over me to put them
back in my case too, just in case Hermana Richards or Hughes would
want to look at old picture or something (I don't know) but for SOME
REASON I decided against it and left them on my nightstand. Leaving
only my brand new memory card I just recently bought in the camera. My
memories were SAVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhh I cannot even tell you how
happy & relieved I was. If I would have lost all of that, oh I cannot
even talk about it. I would have been more than devastated. So, that's
the miracle of the story and I was talking to Brother Orme about it
when we went to Gridley the next day and he helped a lot by saying a
camera is replaceable but the pictures & memories are not. Also, he
said, "let's hope whoever stole your camera really needs the money."
Such a positive way too look at the situation. I hope whoever took it
from me needs the money a whole lot more than I do. And we went to the
pantry again today and everyone has a great suspicion who stole it.
There was one specific lady who came in with a search dog. She sat
right in front of me and kept leaning over, petting her dog and
fiddling around below. So, the ladies at the pantry assume she must
have slipped out my camera from my bag. So sad. But, what do you do??
Again, I am just so happy I still have all of my memories.

8. Next horrible/crazy story!! And this is why we have had such a
crazy day today. So, last night we were going out to dinner with the
Whitaker's. Hermana Piggott & I (Hermana Briggs is an STL and was in
Rocklin for another training Conference) were just waiting for them to
get there in the parking lot of the restaurant, we were actually just
discussing some sweet spiritual things when all of the sudden we
completely jolted forward and got rammed into. Yes, this guy
completely backed up into our car. And I will tell you one thing, he
was not going slow. We got nailed and it was the craziest thing.
Luckily neither of us got super hurt, however our necks are sore &
I've had a headache all day so that's being taken care of. Elder
Gilbert & Elder Vanleet made sure we went to a medical center
immediately (that took up a bunch of our time today, dealing with the
medical insurance, etc.) and we have an appointment first thing in the
morning. Haha it actually took a whole lot of our time today, dealing
with the medical business and Hermana Piggott & I kept saying we would
be just fine and didn't need to be checked but Elder Gilbert, the
driving coordinator, said we needed to get checked immediately to be
safe and Sister Vanleet from the office said, "you're big girls...
OBEY" haha. So we did just that. But so again for the story, these two
younger guys hit us and our car got hit pretty bad. Maybe I'll send a
picture ... but anyways, due to our lack of experience involving car
accidents and not owning the car, it took us a little more time to
work everything out - also, the fact that the Conference was going on
(meaning the mission presidency & AP's were unable to answer their
phones) and the mission office was closed at this time, didn't help
our situation - but we got all of the kids information down and the
insurance all figured out. So so crazy. I'll keep you updated on what
happens with that. All I know is the mission repairs damages
immediately because they do not like us to drive around cars that are
not well kept and show we are representatives of The Lord. Oh, this
week is a crazy one!! Haha last time Hermana Briggs left us for the
day as well, Hermana Piggott & I came outside and realized someone had
tried to break into our car. There were dirty fingerprints &
handprints all around our windows, door handles, trunk, half of the
trunk was dirty and scratched and yeah ... we don't seem to have the
best luck with cars. We think they got into our trunk too but maybe
when they saw tons of Book or Mormons, pamphlets & cards with Christ's
picture on them, they were smacked in the face with guilt and decided
to let us be. Who knows. Also, the housing coordinator, Elder Falls,
saw the pictures we took from that experience and wants us to search
for new apartments we can move into. He doesn't feel comfortable with
us living there anymore. Hahaha the mission is full of crazy
adventures & surprises I tell you!!!!!! But all of the mission leaders
& coordinators take very very good care of us.

9. Also, I had my first Sunday playing the piano for Primary!! I
practiced before it started and felt pretty comfortable but then as
soon as I started playing for the kids, they sang much faster than I
expected and haha let's just say ... I have more practicing to do. But
I feel as though I love playing the piano more than I ever have before
and I am excited for the day when I can spend much of my Sunday
playing hymns! Mom, we should get out piano at home tuned. I am
excited to play again. Also, Brad - how is your piano playing going???
I am excited to hear your newly acquired skill when I get home!

Well anyways, that's more than any of you would like to hear. But
everything is going wonderful here in Orland!!! The church is true and
I love you all so much!!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Barth

Ps. Mom & dad ... I am so excited you made it safely to Germany!! And
right now you are in the most darling & quaint little town of
Rothenburg. I love that town sooo much!!! I hope you take the tour
from that night watchman. He is hilarious! Also, how cool that you had
a layover in Dublin, Ireland. That's where Connor Haller is serving
right now!!!!! So exciting. I want to visit Ireland one day. But
anyways, you two ... have a wonderful wonderful time and I am so
excited to hear all about the adventures you have!!!! Feel free to
send some chocolate my way! Haha ... Auf Wiedersehen und Ich liebe
dich!!!