Elder Austin Barney - Washington Seattle Mission!

Howdy!

Ni Hao!

How is life treatin ya? Anything fun happen this week? What was the craziest thing you did this week?

For past few conferences in our mission, President Choi has said "Let's Go For It!" Its great!

This was a pretty great week in the Redmond 3rd ward! This is the greatest ward ever! The people here are great and the members are the bomb!

We had a great lesson with our investigator Yan this week. We had it right after church and every couple minutes when the spirit was there, the teacher would come in and tell us to hurry up. it was pretty frustrating but it still worked out to be a good lesson.

I am really enjoying my mission. The mission is truly the best time for your life!

Have a great week! Hope all is well!

-Elder Barney

(email from April 27, 2015)

What's up!!

Hey!

So today was transfers! I stayed in the Redmond 3rd ward and my new companion is Elder Gibby from Brigham City Utah. He is a good elder, he doesn't speak chinese but its going to be a pretty great transfer! Great things are going to happen!!

This is an awesome Mormon Message!! I loved this talk!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-04-001-bearing-our-burdens-with-hope?category=mormon-messages-2015&cid=HP_TU_4-14-2015_dPTH_fMC_xLIDyL1-C_&lang=eng

The church is true, I know that Joseph Smith truly was the prophet of the Restoration! I am glad I am able to be serving a mission at this time! I love the people here and the ward is great!

I hope you have a great week!!

-Elder Barney

(email from April 21, 2015)

QUICK!

I love the stripling warriors! They are one of the greatest examples to follow in the book of mormon!

Because of the Atonement we can overcome ALL things. Not just sin but any pain, sadness, ill feelings, guilt, remorse, all things are covered by the Atonement.

We know we are forgiven when we feel the Spirit because the Spirit can't dwell in unclean tabernacles, so when you feel the Spirit you know that the Cleansing process is done!

We will still have guilt but as we forgive ourselves and forget about the past, the guilt goes away, but when we remember those things, the guilt comes back.

I have no idea why I wrote this but it just happened :)

-Elder Barney

QUICK!

Hey!

I hope you had a great week and that all is well! God lives and loves you!!

-Elder Barney

Hey!

I loved conference!!!

It was seriously one of the best sessions ever!! I wish I had my notes so I could tell you more about what I liked but I totally spaced on bringing them. But I did bring my study journal haha

I studied Alma 53

Verse 2: The leaders of the Nephites were righteous men. They looked out for their people and they loved the Lord. They were truly men of God.

Verse 6: when you are righteous, miracles happen in your life. Thats why Moroni was able to defeat the Lamanites, because he was righteous and he turned to God and His servants for guidance.

Verse 15: We should have the same attitude as Helaman when we are about to break our covenants. It shouldn't even be an option.

Verse 20-21: We should be like the stripling warriors! We need to be courageous, valiant, and active. We need to be examples of truth and soberness.

Overall: Be righteous and you will be blessed. Don't be righteous and you will not be blessed

Well I hope you have a great week!!

-Elder Barney

(email from April 6, 2015)

Where is the light?

Hey!

I cannot wait for #genconf! I feel like this is going to be such a powerful session of #genconf!

I love the video the church put out! If you haven't seen Because He Lives, repent and click on this link haha ;)

http://www.mormon.org/easter

I studied an awesome article in the Ensign this week, its called "Put on the Armor of Light"

We are the Light of the World! We have to let the light shine! The light we shine is the light of Christ. Its comforting, warm and peaceful and people want that, so share it! We need to reflect our light wherever we go. When we reflect the Saviors light, we receive it more abundantly in our lives adn we become more like the Savior. We need to cast out all darkness and put on the armor of light!

How do we put on the armor of light and dispel the darkness in the world?

We need to dispel the darkness in our life first by living more closely to the commandments and to the Gospel. We can dispel darkness with music. Music can uplift, enlighten and inspire! We can brighten lives through loving service. We need to love those we serve and serve those we love. We need to lift and bless those around us.

Put on the Armor! (Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:11-17)

I am so grateful for the Gospel and for the opportunity I have to be serving a mission!

#becausehelives #genconf #churchistrue

-Elder Barney

Aloha!

Hey!

Hope you had a great week!!

This was a pretty great week! We have been trying hard to meet with our investigators but they have been really busy. Yesterday was one of the greatest Church Meeting! We had 10/12 recent converts come to church, 7/9 chinese members came to church and Yan our investigator brought her husband to church! Now its not just Yan investigating, they are investigating as a family! It was so awesome! The sacrament talks were great and the mandarin class was so awesome even though I couldn't understand what they were saying 90% of the time, I felt the spirit 100% of the time! It was great! Yan and Eric loved it and they felt the spirit so strong! I am so excited to see this family progress!

I read an Article in the January 2012 Ensign

(https://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/01/look-up?lang=eng&query=look+up)

What is looking up?

It is looking to God for answers and guidance.

It is not looking around at others accomplishments and success

Looking up for Gods approval

What we need to do to Look Up

1) Tap Into Spiritual Power

- We need that inspiration to make everyday decisions

- Scripture Study and Personal Prayer

- Be receptive to the answers you receive and act on it

2) Stay True To The Direction You Receive

- Received through personal revelation

- Don't let anyone dissuare you from acting on promptings you receive, even if they have good intentions

3) Don't Be Afraid To Act

- We know enough to move forward

- Use your best judgment while you are moving forward

- We are blessed as we make righteous choices

- Don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way, we are human

- Try new things, there is joy in the journey

4) Stand Your Ground, Be Steadfast and Immovable

- We are all in need of help, be patient, help will come

- Don't be afraid to act, keep doing good, blessings will come

- Keep a righteous routine and be willing to change when additional direction comes

Have a great week!!

-Elder Barney