11.23.20: Whiplash

  ^pretty much what best describes 2020, my mission, and this week. 

So our friend Luca that ghosted us for approximately 26 days just randomly called us back today and told us he had to be under the radar for awhile bc "life as an immigrant is complicated" if you know what I mean. Anyways we were stoked that he is back on board and specifically told us "I knew you would be mad at me, but don't worry I've been reading the book". So all is well. Tudo bem. 

Our pal Bobbie from Hilltop farm gave us some good advice: 

Be the kind of person that when you wake up each morning SATAN says "oh no she's awake" -Bobbie 

Sadly the farm days are over bc it is too cold now to do anything but we said goodbye to our friends at Joe's farm (specifically 2 hilarious Jamaicans who go back to Jamaica over winter). In case you're wondering "yeah mon" is actually legit, we've confirmed. 

 Story time: 

So we had a friend named Vitor for a little while but eventually he told us he was "confusing his feelings" so he didn't want to talk with us anymore. Lol 

So randomly a few days ago he texts us telling us that he is getting baptized on December 5th bc he moved to Florida and met the Elders there! We texted the Elders and he apparently really is so that's kind of a cool miracle! God works in mysterious ways for sure. 

I wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures in D+C 122:8

"The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He?" 

I read that this week and I realized that my 4th great grandpa, Alexander McRae was the scribe for 27 out of the 29 page letter that Joseph Smith received revelation for in Liberty Jail. Alexander McRae was in jail with him and this letter later became D+C sections 121-123 (some of the most quoted scriptures). I have always loved that verse but I was so humbled to put it together that my grandpa heard the prophet speak those words and HE wrote them down so that i could read it in November of 2020. 

One more fire quote:

"His spirit heals; it refines; it comforts; it breathes new life into hopeless hearts. It has the power to transform all that is ugly and vicious and worthless in life to something of supreme and glorious splendor. He has the power to convert the ashes of mortality to the beauties of eternity.” The Healing Power of Jesus Christ, Cristina B. Franco 

Grateful: President Nelson #givethanks (; 17 months! of being a missionary, toasted rice cakes, my comp who likes to workout, my sister LAINIE who is SIXTEEN now. 

Challenge: tell someone abt a Christlike attribute that they emulate (we challenged our district to do this so I wanted to invite all of you to do it too! You could even make it your #givethanks post.) 

tchau tchau, 

sister barton 

Pics--last district pday activity--with and without masks

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Aunt Kat's reply to this email:

11.28.2020

Liza Lou-  

SOOOO CLOSE!!!  I’m so excited for you!  

 So many highs, so many lows...  missions are amazing prep for life!  We were meant for both extremes- and many days in the middle.   Here’s to Christ like virtues-  I choose you, Liza!  You are very good at seeking out the one.  You shine connecting at the core of an individual relationship that peels the shell people hide behind.  You have a rare way of validating them in ways that feel sincere.  People bloom when they feel safe.  

Also your shout out to Pres Nelson’s counsel reminds me of a great quote I heard, “People aren’t grateful bc they are happy.  They are happy bc they are grateful.”   It also reminds me of a Gordon B quote that states that gratitude is a sign of intelligence.  I found that such an odd statement initially.  I couldn’t find the common ingredient.  But the more I pondered it, I figured out that unlike goldfish or children who assume some one will sprinkle food from the sky as needed, it takes intelligence to get to the point where you realize it isn’t a given or random, but the act of someone’s deliberate goodness bringing it to you.  It’s true- gratitude takes experience and awareness to launch it.  I find that the more I practice gratitude the more I find that merits it.  Such a beautiful cycle.  You really do find what you are looking for.  And our world has become deeply entitled and pouty.  Profoundly grateful for a prophet to ask us to reframe our thinking.  Also grateful for good people who are kind to missionaries who are consecrating all.  Praying every single day for you, Girl.  By name.  

TIBO being deeply touched by your Alexander McRae feelings