GEORGIA

Family! 
This week has been crazy!
First I need to tell you something... So in two weeks I will no longer be serving in the Atlanta Georgia North Mission. Because of the change of boundaries I will be part of the Atlanta Mission, I don't know much about this mission but I am sure you will get a letter explaining it. I feel very strongly that this change is good and that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. There are some perks of this new change as well... Like temple attendance! You all know how much I love the temple so I may not have to wait a year and a half to go! 
Okay... Let me tell you about my life! so far.... 
So we left the MTC at 4 in the morning, I was so thankful to get out of that place! I loved the spirit and everything I learned but I didn't really love any of the other parts. 
When we got to the airport I ran as fast as I could to the phones and I called home, sorry I cried the first 10 minutes of the phone call.... It was so good to hear your voices and talk to you! 
We then got on the plane and headed to Georgia! We were all so tired and really excited! There were about 30-50 missionaries on our flight, it was so cool! 
So when we got to Georgia we made our way to the baggage claim where we met the President Wolfert, Sister Wolfert, the Assistants and some "Classic" Missionaries (senior missionaries). We got our luggage and then we went to the mission home. When we got there we ate food, took pictures, and had a little devotional! 
We were then bused to a hotel because there were too many of us to fit in the mission home. 
The next morning we woke up and had breakfast at the hotel, then we went to the mission office where we had a nice long orientation and where we met our companions. 
My companion is Sister Markowitz, she is a really awesome person! She is half Samoan and she has been on her mission for a year. She is really nice and we seem to get along well. I would send a picture of us but the only picture I have is really ugly because it was after a nice long sweaty bike ride... 
When we got to our apartment we spent the rest of the day unpacking because we are white washing this area so no sisters have been here before so things are a little slow. 
The next day we went and did some service in Mama Helen Walkers garden... She is a sweet southern black lady and very loud!
Mama Helen loves to pray so she gathered us on her driveway and we said a prayer.... 
We were all holding hands and Elder Gardner said the prayer, Mama Helen started shouting "Thank you Lord Jesus", "I love you baby Jesus", "hallelujah", "Praise Father God", etc I was trying so hard not to laugh because it was nothing that I had ever heard before. 
After we were done in her garden we went to Wendy's where she proceeded to have us pray with everyone in the restaurant... It was good stuff!
the following day we went bike riding and we met a nice woman named Sandra and we got her number and a Book of Mormon, she said she would read it to her grand kids. 
On Saturday we went with the "classic" missionaries in our area to meet one of their investigators Miss Jo, she is such a sweet woman and she knows that the church is true she is just waiting to figure out when she wants to be baptized. 
Later that day we went and met the Arnolds who's daughter got baptized on Sunday, they are a sweet Polynesian family in the ward and we already feel so close to them. 
Church was awesome, the ward is really loud because they're all southern. We went to the Arnold s daughter baptism after Church, it was amazing to see this young girl make the decision to follow Christ! 
The last few days for my personal study I have been reading about Christ's visit to the Americas, I have realized how simple this gospel really is! All he asks is for us to repent and come unto him. When we come to this knowledge and understanding everything else works out and makes sense. We do everything because it points back to our savior and his atoning sacrifice. 
I love this gospel and I am grateful for this opportunity to be learning more about it. I am grateful for the people I have met and the people I have yet to meet. 
I testify to all of you that you have a Heavenly Father who loves you and knows you by name, pray to him and feel of his love. 
Today is P-day and so we have just been getting a lot done, I love being a missionary so far! 
I miss you guys! 
Thank you so much for all of your support and love, I couldn't do this without you! 
I am sorry if some of this email doesn't make sense! 
I will hopefully send you more information about the new mission next week, keep me in your prayers I need them! 
Love you love you love you! 
Sister Barnett (More fondly- Emily) 

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Week 2!

Family and Friends!!!!!!
It's my last P-day in the MTC! I am so excited to get out of this place. I have loved the things I have learned here but the actual structure and the scheduling in this place drives me nuts. I honestly don't have very much to say in this email other then the fact that I love you guys a lot and I miss you all. I bought a calling card so I can call you in the airport, It will be a really early call but hopefully I will be able to catch you guys.
Thank you so much for the letters and the support, those are literally the only things that help me get through the days here. Grandma, thanks for sending me that mattress pad and the food! You rock. Although I don't know how I am going to fit that giant thing in my luggage.... Wish me luck! I am getting worried about the weight limit on my luggage. Hopefully everything will work out and will fit how it is supposed too. I will let you know how it goes.
We have been learning a lot and spending the majority of our days in class. We have been getting about an hour of exercise time everyday, that time is the best because I can move and clear my head. The other day I think I worked myself a little too hard and now I can't really walk upstairs, it's slightly hilarious but also painful.
I have had some really cool experiences and new understanding of things while in here. Last week (I can't remember what day) we were teaching our progressing investigator Chris and the lesson didn't go as well as I wanted it to, I was really discouraged and I felt so inadequate to be a missionary. I asked all of the elders in my district to give me a blessing, when all six of them laid their hands on my head I felt so strongly that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and that this is exactlyl what he wants me to be doing with my life at this time. I am grateful for that experience and I know that those things which I felt are true. There is no way of denying things like that. There have been multiple occassions when I want to give up, sneak out, find a phone and have you come and get me but I am trying to stay strong. It would be so much easier if I could talk to you guys though!
My companion seems to be doing well, she doesn't talk much and when she does sometimes the things she says are a little sarcastic. The other day she got a little mad at me because apparently I was talking a lot in a lesson, she just needs to learn how to talk more and be assertive. And maybe I should shut up..... other than that we get along fine. She is a sweet girl and has a lot to give. I am excited to see how she learns and grows while she is on her mission. She just barely turned 19 so I feel like she is really young. In a lot of ways I have a hard time relating to her but I feel like I have learned a lot from her as well. She is a strong person and I really do love her.
A funny story... So we have our ministral certificates and our branch president told us to get them laminated. I was asking my companion if we could do that the following day and instead of ministral everyone thought I said menstral. We got a laugh out of that for a few days. Things are a lot funnier in the MTC, maybe because we get so bored.
I really love my district and I am going to miss all of them. I have made a really good friend, her name is Sister Dayla Haderlie. When we get upset we go and vent together. I don't think I could have done this without her! All the Elders in my district are going to different missions than the sisters. we are really going to miss them a lot!
I am almost Georgia bound! WOOHOOO!!! HERE I COME!
Well family... I love you guys so much! Thank you for everything. AND I WILL TALK TO YOU ALL ON TUESDAY!!!!!!! (I think I start crying everytime I think about it because I am just so dang excited)
next week this email will be som much more interesting. I promise!
Also I forgot my camera and pictues yet again.  
I know that God lives and he loves us! This gospel is simple but so true. When we follow our Savior we will find happiness. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Talk to you on the flip side!
Love forever,
Sister Barentt

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First Week at the MTC

Friends and Family!!!!
Today is my first preparation day here at the MTC, I am so excited that I get to email everyone right now! The MTC is probably one of the most interesting places I have ever been... It's so strange, I am grateful I only have to stay here for two weeks and not nine (those learning a language are here for nine weeks)!
My companions name is Sister Porter, she is mostly quiet but then she is also really sassy. We aren't very similar at all but I am grateful for the chance I get to know her while I am here. All the sisters in my district are going to the same mission as me so we have all gotten pretty close. It's amazing how fast you can become friends with people when you are all pushed into the same scary situation away from everything else you know. I am grateful for all of the people I have met here and I feel like they have already influenced my life tremendously!
Yesterday I was sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch (I will tell you more about the food) and my District Leader, Elder Fuller, walked in with some mail. He called my name and handed me Grandma and Pa's letter, I burst into tears because I was so happy. (people looked at me like I was crazy) Thank you so much for writing me, it gave me strength to get through the rest of the day. This place is draining and those extra words of encouragement made a world of difference.

Every second of everyday is scheduled for you here at the MTC, they don't give you an opportunity to breath! I am grateful for this though because it keeps me so busy I don't have time to start thinking about home or anything else. I didn't really believe people when they said the spirit is present 24/7 here but it is so true. I love the environment and I feel like I am changing so drastically every single day. I feel closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father than I have ever felt before...
My Zone leader said something really cool the other day, he said "Don't be afraid of change, that's what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about." I loved that and I feel like it was the exact thing I need to hear in that moment. We really shouldn't be afraid of change because life is full of change! Isn't it wonderful?!
So more about the MTC.... I live with six girls in one room, you are always with a million people, except in the shower (my favorite time of the day), I am already sick of the cafeteria food for multiple reasons, it makes you a little sick... Luckily they have a pretty decent salad bar! We eat dinner at 4pm so by the time we go to bed we are all starving! Every night I wish I had a nice box of wheat thins and some granola bars to subside the hunger until the morning.... ;)
I will be leaving for Georgia on June 11th at 7:15 ish so family, be expecting a phone call bright and early that Tuesday morning! We will be leaving the MTC at 3am! I will be so so so so tired that day! Hopefully I won't be a complete mess when I meet President Wolfert.
I don't really know what else to tell you about this place... What do you want to know?
How is everyone doing? I miss you guys! Any funny stories you have to tell me?
Kaylie is getting married today and I am so excited for her! I keep thinking about her and the beautiful bride she will be! (Macie, tell her congratulations for me!)
I will send pictures next week, I didn't bring anything with me today... Sorry!
I have seen a few people I know here, It's kind of weird but also very comforting! I love missionaries people! They are my favorite :)
I am so excited to go to the Temple later today, It will be a great break and an amazing experience after learning so much this last week.
I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that we are all children! He loves all of us and want's us all to come back to him through Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and the he restored the gospel of Christ to this earth. I have has some amazing sacred experiences this week that testified these things to me. I invite you all to pray and ask your Father in Heaven if he is there. I promise he will answer you!
Have a great week everyone! I will talk to you all next Saturday.
Love,
Sister Barnett
p.s Sister Brown! Thank you for the note you sent me :) I was so happy to recieve it!

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t-minus 5 days

Sister Emily Katherine Louise Barnett
JUN11  GA-ATLN
2011 N 900 E Unit 235
Provo UT 84602

This is my MTC address I will be there until June 11th. You can use the website "dearelder.com" to send me letters this way!

See Ya Later

Here is my farewell talk for those of you who care :) I'm sorry you missed all of my awesome jokes. See Ya Later

Good morning Brothers and Sisters, Thank you to everyone who has come to support me today, as intimidating as it is I am grateful to feel so much love. Over the years I have seen some amazing people who I respect and love stand at this pulpit and testify of Christ, I feel inadequate to be standing here and I know that many of you could do much better than I. I pray that the Lord will give me strength and help me to convey the message that he wants you to hear today. But I do ask a favor of all of you as I speak, do not listen to the words which come from my mouth instead listen with your heart to the words that the spirit speaks to you, I promise that he is much better at this then I am.

The scripture I was asked to speak on today is 2 Nephi 2: 6-8

6. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth.
7. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
8. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth; that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the spirit; that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

A little background of these scriptures… This is after Lehi and his family had made it to the promised land. Lehi is on his death bed and is speaking to his children. In chapter two he is speaking specifically to his son Jacob who was born in the wilderness during much affliction and who would later become a mighty leader and missionary.

To understand these words of Lehi better and to share with you the insights that I have learned from these scriptures I am going to break these scriptures into a few parts.

1.     What are we talking about? And why did we need to be redeemed?

a.     (1 Nephi 10:6)  Because Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden they were case out and subject to death and sin. Men were then in a “lost and fallen state” no longer in the presence of God.
But because Heavenly Father loves his Children he provided a way that everyone could return and live with Him again. 2 Nephi 2:22-26

b.     There needed to be an answer to the law. As mortal beings we make mistakes and we sin, we are not perfect. Nonetheless there is a way that we may be redeemed and that we can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven again.

2.     Who is it that makes this possible?

a.     The holy messiah for he is full of grace and truth. 

b.     We were sent a savior to meet the ends of the law. Justice needs to be met when we do something wrong but because of the savior we are shown mercy and we are forgiven.

c.      Jesus Christ came to this earth suffered for the sins of the world.  He suffered so that we don’t have to and so we can be resurrected and  return to the presence of our Heavenly King once again.

3.     How can we receive of the blessing of forgiveness?

                                               i.     We must believe in Christ

1.     In this last conference Elder Jeffery R Holland told a story that I would like to share with you. A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, “Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.” I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for “only believing.” I told him that Christ Himself said, “Be not afraid, only believe,”¹² a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field.¹³ I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe.”¹⁴ And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest.

                                              ii.     Have a broken heart

1.     Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10)

                                            iii.     Have a contrite spirit

1.     Humbled (see true to the faith)

2.      October general conference 2007 Bruce d. Porter (broken heart and a contrite spirit)
When we sin and desire forgiveness, a broken heart and a contrite spirit mean to experience “godly sorrow [that] worketh repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:10). This comes when our desire to be cleansed from sin is so consuming that our hearts ache with sorrow and we yearn to feel at peace with our Father in Heaven. Those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit are willing to do anything and everything that God asks of them, without resistance or resentment. We cease doing things our way and learn to do them God’s way instead. In such a condition of submissiveness, the Atonement can take effect and true repentance can occur. The penitent will then experience the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost, which will fill them with peace of conscience and the joy of reconciliation with God. In a wondrous union of divine attributes, the same God who teaches us to walk with a broken heart invites us to rejoice and to be of good cheer.

b.     Like I stated before, none of us are perfect but I know that as we strive to be more like our Savior every day we will find happiness in our lives. I know that every step we take towards Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they are rejoicing in every step we take towards them! As we continue on our up hill climb we can find joy in the journey, I invite you to search for joy and the many blessing you have received in your life.

4.     After we have received a remission of our sins what must we do? And now for my favorite part of these scriptures…
Verse 8 reads
8. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth;

a.     There are no excuses that can be made as to why each of us can not be missionaries and help others to come unto Christ.

b.     Although I have chosen and felt prompted to serve a full-time mission this is not the only way to be a missionary! As excited as I am to go away and spend a year and a half of my life preaching the Gospel to the people of Georgia…. There is one thing I am more excited about! I am excited to spend the rest of my life as a Disciple of Christ being a missionary!

                                               i.     Every member a missionary! The full time missionaries need your help in this work!

c.      What is our purpose as member missionaries?

                                               i.     It is to help others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

d.     How do you begin today to be a missionary? Let me tell you… You are already doing amazing things with missionary work.

                                               i.     Here are a few ways I have seen all of you be missionaries in my life…

1.     Home teaching and visiting teaching

a.     I have watched as faithful men have come every month to minister to me and my family. They have been missionaries to me.

2.     Magnifying Callings in the church

a.     No matter what your calling is… people have been blessed and have been brought closer to Christ because of your diligence and love in fulfilling your calling.

3.     Family history work and redeem the dead

a.     As you do family History work you are blessed from the other side of the vale and you are creating eternal families!

b.      (stakes goal to do all the temple work for deceased individuals to equal that of a stake)

4.     Welcoming and inviting.

a.     You welcome people into your homes and to come with you to church activities so that you can share the happiness you have in your lives.

5.     Being a friend

6.     Living an honest life.

a.     Being an example in your life is one of the strongest missionary tools we have.

7.     Loving God and his Son Christ

8.     Caring and loving other people

9.     Not being afraid to talk about what you believe with others.

                                              ii.     As to the feelings of inadequacy in sharing the gospel with other…

1.     There is another part of the atonement that is often past over but that is mentioned in 2 Nephi 2:6
 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth.

2.     ………that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the spirit; that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

3.     Through the grace of Christ.

4.      (Grace, true to the faith) 2 peter 3:18 but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our lord and savior Jesus Christ

5.     Elder Bednar said in a speech given at BYU in 2001 “It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts”

6.     I promise you that as you use all parts of the atonement and you ask for strength from the Savior you will be able to do all things that can help you return to your Father in heaven and also will help you to have the courage to be a missionary.

5.     Obviously there are going to be a lot of things that I learn in the next year and a half but the one thing that I know now and that I can share with you is that the best tool you have for being a missionary is Love. As we love our neighbors and pray to love all of those around us we will find success in our labors.

                                               i.     Christ is the perfect example of a missionary because he loves us. As we strive to be more like Jesus we will become better missionaries

b.     I promise you and I testify that you are a Child of God and that you are loved. We need you to help this work go forth.

D&C 4

1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4 For behold the ^afield is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

Happy Mothers Day!

I am a little late to post this but i figured that it is better late than never :)
Happy Mothers day to the many women in my life who have been mothers to me and who have helped me in so many ways.
I love you all!

Don't Give Up!

WE MUST KEEP GOING!

These last few weeks heave been extremely tough for me. I am trying to look at the positives in my life so I am going to write about the ways that I have seen the Lord in my life during these difficult times. I have come to the conclusion that my Father in Heaven really is in the fabric of my life.

• I have been really blessed the last few weeks to be able to email some of my close friends who are currenlty serving on missions, I wouldn't be able to continue without their words of encouragement and support. I am so proud of them and the people they are becoming.
• The Book of Mormon, as I prepare to leave I am required to read this sacred book again. I know that the Lord is helping me and protecting me as I read. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, I know it is the most correct book and it deals with God's children in the America's. There is absolutely no way that I could ever deny the this book is true in all of my life.
• So many people have come up to me, called me, texted me, and spent time talking to me about my mission. This encouragement from so many people is what is getting me through this time. The Lord has sent me so many angels who love me and who believe in me. 
• The Temple, this is where I go to find peace in my life. I love the House of the Lord. I am so Thankful to have the opportunity to go inside and partake of all of the wonderful blessings from God. 
• Nature, I have been privledged enough to be able to spend a good amount of time meditating on mountains and in the desert. I came to know God in the wilderness and that is where I can go back to find him often. 
• Primary songs, many of these songs remind me of who I am and the work I am doing. They help me to be excited about missionary work. 
• Memories, I am grateful to look back on pictures and read my journal to help me realize how blessed I am and how the Lord will continue to bless me. My future is beautiful and full of so many wonderful things.
• Patriarchal Blessing and other Priesthood Blessings, I love these blessing because they help me realize my potential and they help me to find peace when nothing else makes sense in my life. As I prepare for a mission I am reminded through these blessings that I am doing the right thing and that the Lord loves me.
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ, the one person I will always be able to count on when things get hard is my Savior Jesus Christ. He suffered to repair my broken heart but to also enable me to get through the difficult times in my life. I am coming to know Him in a completely new way, I am so beyond grateful for the closeness I feel with him. 
• Obedience, I testify that being obedient to all that we are supposed to do, miracles will happen in our lives. I know it!

I am so thankful for the opportunity I had, just now, to remember the ways I have been blessed. I testify to all of you who read this that the Lord lives and that he loves you dearly. Come to Christ and feel of his deep love for you. Remember to thank your Father in Heaven for all you have been blessed with, I promise it will make you feel better!
Keep your head up! Believe in the good things to come!
Also... When life really really sucks... Remember to take time to smell the roses and find a little bit of happiness right now, I promise it's there.