Sister Emma Rose Barker (2023-2025)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, readers of this email of all ages.  YO IM IN OHIO. And it's wild. Every day is like a trillion times busier than the last, and I'm only been here for like 4 days lol. But that's OK I'm learning lots.  I got here on Thursday night after a bunch of layovers. I went to bed at 130 and woke up at 330 in the MTC so it was pretty rough. I don't think I've ever been more tired haha. We had to ride a bunch of busses and trains to the airport so that was another no bueno thing because I was already sick of transportation and then our flight was delayed twice so in all actuality we probably could've slept till 7 and still made the flight. OH well. I got to see Barnard and checketts before they got on their plane so it was worth it !!  I spent the night at the mission home with these 3 cutie sisters who I am now totally bonded with and love. They're awesome and I can't wait to hopefully see them at zone conference.  I get to...

And just like that, your very own Hermana Barker is headed out. In approximately 12 hours, I will be landing in Cincinnati Ohio as a missionary for Jesus Christ. It is incredibly surreal. I am kinda moddy because I have to leave my hermanas. They are honestly some of the best people in the world. The elders in the district are alright as well. (jk they are indeed the best elders in the whole mtc)  This week was a weird lot of lasts. Last devo, last time in choir, last drink of Ah Effe (a delicious beverage invented here...fresca and poweradeeee yum) We chit chat most nights because we're running out of chances to do that. I also read the Book of Mormon every night to the other sisters like a bedtime story. We call it don de lenguas as a little joke and it's really fun. I'm gonna miss it, so hopefully my new comp likes bedtime stories. We spoke a ton of Spanish. It has been mega fun but it MAKES MY HEAD HURT SO BAD. Too many things in my brain. A Englis...

hola todos. this very evening I will officially be reprogrammed to only speak Espanol, so I will in fact be communiticating like a toddler from now on. Another week down! And I'm actually starting to get sad realizing this week is my last week at the mtc :( I got my reassignment because my Visa hasn't come through...I'm headed back to my homeland of Ohio XD. The elders all think it's funny that I'm going to Ohio because it doesn't exist (to everyone who doesn't follow meme culture...ask a youngin and you'll get it) I have no winter clothes so my fingers and toes are crossed hoping for a magical Visa miracle. Anywyas. Other this week things!! I learned a lot of Spanish, and TONS of cool little spiritual experiences. I had a bunch of prayers answered this week during personal study. Seriously, GO READ some scriptures. I never appreciated how awesome it is to have the words of God to read all the time. So just read some for me this week and tell me about it...

You know on old VHS tapes how they fast forward and it makes that whirring sound and every once in a while you hear some words and so you kinda know what is happening but mostly it all goes so fast so you don't get any of it? Yes? No? Maybe that was a poor analogy but you get the idea. My week has been mega VHS tape on fast  forward.  ITS BEEN A WHOLE MONTH that I have gotten to wear my tag and be a missionary. Only 2 weeks left of MTC food. The joy. In all reality though, it really is such a special feeling to have Christ's name written on your chest at all times. I bore my testimony this week about that; I want to have a countenance of Christ. When I walk in a room I want people to look at me and go "Oh yeah. She loves Jesus." Cuz I do!! We went to the temple this morning and got to do baptisms. It was such a sacred experience and I love always being in the temple. That's one thing pretty awesome about being at the MTC, you can walk right over and gain power and...

Okay I'm done being funny because I have no energy so hopefully something in this email makes you giggle. If not, sorry bout that. I had a bunch of breakthroughs this week, and also a bunch of moments that were so not muy bien. Firsty we began speaking only in espanol in class. Right now to give you an idea of how that goes, the hermans all kind of know whats going on, and the elders ist there like they are trying to catch flies in their mouths. The main issue right now is I sit by people who have the whitest accent ever and now I speak spanish like him as a joke and can't not have a gringo accent. Sent help and also tamales maybe it'll help my accent. I actually kinda understand a lot of whats going on so I have that going for me, and i ask a lot of questions and the teachers usually know what i am saying. but also my teachers are trained to listen to people who are bad at Spanish so maybe I really am just no bueno at espanol. Only time will tell.   We had a super good Hel...