I don't believe it honestly, haha that it has come to an end. I am so grateful, and torn apart in so many ways.
This week was a great week! We were so spiritually fed and able to feel the spirit with so many things that happened. The sweet spirit in the temple on Tuesday, feeling truly that everything we do in the temple has an eternal purpose and that it is truly the house of the Lord. Having the last multi-zone conference on Friday and being able to learn about consecration, and the importance of us to sacrifice all things before the Lord, putting them on the "Altar of sacrifice" Our fears, passions, pride, laziness, and doubt on the altar and giving all of our devotion, talents and efforts to the Lord and His great work. I was able to bear my testimony at this meeting about my mission and the things that I have learned and felt on my mission. Then having General Conference hearing the chosen, authorized witnesses of Jesus Christ testify about the things each and every one of us need to do in these last days to prepare for the Lords glorious second coming. I felt in so many ways, loving corrections from Heavenly Father of what i need to do to be better and was so uplifted feeling the spirit. I am grateful to feel every time I watch conference a confirmation that what they say is truly coming from Heavenly Father.
I know that all these things that I learned this week and also during my whole mission are to help me for the rest of my life. I think one of the biggest things that I have learned is that how real Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are and how we are so dependent of them and their divine counsel. I have also learned that there is an opposite force, and how he is so real and tries to thwart our progress daily and those whom we try to help. I have learned that the mission helped ME alot more than I probably was able to help others like my dad always told me, but I am also well aware that is not about me. I can´t be selfish and say that the mission was all for me. I know that I have become much better because of what I have done, but its not about me. There's a song that says that from the EFY album this year that I like a lot that's called "It´s not about you" at the end it says "So you've become a lot better because what you have been through, but its not about you!" I know that this is Heavenly Fathers work and not in any way mine. I have seen that so strongly on my mission, how everything lines up perfectly and we find all the people that Heavenly Father wants to do if we just simply do our part. He knows exactly, and I mean exactly what He is doing in all moments. It could have been the completely the worst day with everything going wrong, but every time if I just tried to do my best and remember my missionary purpose, it would all always work out. Always. Now I can´t even hardly remember those hard moments, but only the ones of intense joy feeling Heavenly Fathers love for me and for these amazing Brazilian people. I have come to love these people, and imagine what Heavenly Father feels for each and every one of us. I have learned how to recognize the spirit, and understand how he works, his importance. Without him, we are completely lost and its better to not even teach. (D&C 42:14)
I have learned to study the scriptures, and enjoy them. I have learned the importance of the Book of Mormon as the keystone of our religion and how it was written for OUR TIME, written for US! Like was said in conference. I could stay here the whole day truly talking about what I have been so blessed for all I learned these 2 years but overall, I have learned that Jesus Christ is my savior and that this truly is His church. I don't think I can ever deny that. I know that I wasn't a perfect missionary, but I know i gave my best and that these things I learned will benefit me for the rest of my life and eternity. I cant thank all of you guys all enough as well for being SO supportive ALWAYS. I don't think one week passed when I didn't get an email from my family supporting me and telling me they were rooting for me. I know that my mission has also helped me perceive the importance of my family and how much I truly love each and every one of them Olin, Jentry, Amara, Alex, Ryan, Austin, Hannah, Maci, Demi and LITTLE BABY BEA! And the best parents in the world... I love this gospel soo much, and am so grateful that I chose to serve a mission at the time that I did, and for where I was sent, what i felt and I am going to be full of emotions going back home, but I just need to stop talking about this and be grateful for everything that I have learned in these two years! I bear my testimony that this is the only true church on the face of this earth, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and that this is the only path that will help us to be like our savior, making covenants with Him by His holy priesthood, and repenting of our sins receiving guidance from His living Prophets.
I love you all SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCHHHHH and am soooooooooooooooo excited to see you all IN A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This will probably be my last email because I think next week we wont use the Internet! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SO EXCITED TO GIVE ALL OF YOU A HUGEEE HUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELDER BARTON SIGNING OUT
FOR GOOD.
SEE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON
