December 17, 2018

It honestly feels really weird being the only missionary out in the family! I don't think it's hit me yet haha. I think it will on Christmas (maybe). 

This week has been AMAZING. The highlight of it was yesterday afternoon. We have someone being taught named Dani Smith. She's 16 and is a non-member. Both her parents are members but not active. She's been being taught since March, so 9 months. She comes to church EVERY WEEK and has even spoken in church a few times. Has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, living Prophets, tithing, everything! But her parents wouldn't let her get baptized. We decided to just continue teaching her slowly to keep meeting with her and to keep her progressing. We are SUPER tight with her and her friends (which was our goal... to be best friends with the youth). We had an appointment right after church with us, the traveling assistants, and 2 of her friends. Our initial plan was to teach the first little bit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We started to teach about it and got to baptism. My companion asked her what she was feeling and she said she really really wants to be baptized but said she didn't have time. We were SUPER confused because we always heard it was her parents that didn't think she was ready, which was right. But come to find out, Dani thinks you have to learn A LOT before you get baptized, when in reality it's just the missionary lessons. She said her parents will support her in any decision she makes and we JUMPED ON THAT. We asked her when she wanted to be baptized and she said on Friday ( the 21st ) which wouldn't work because of the 23rd special sacrament meeting. So we decided for next Friday, the 28th. I will be transferred by then, but I got permission from President Southward to come back for it. This was an incredible miracle. We've fasted hard for this and have prayed countless times for this and it's finally happening. We thought and even talked about it that day, that it may be when she graduates and turns 18 that she will get baptized. BUT the Lord had a plan that we did NOT see coming. I am a happy Elder Barazoto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week is transfers and it's going to be BUSY. I have to pack today and tomorrow, I am singing at the Christmas party for one of our wards tomorrow, and on Wednesday I am going to the temple in Idaho Falls for the sealing of Christina and David Etherington!!!! I am getting transferred to somewhere in Pocatello possibly! I was told on Saturday I would be going to the Pocatello East Stake with a missionary from Gilbert covering 2 wards with another set of missionaries! But yesterday on exchanges with the traveling assistants, President Southward started to change some of the companionships. So I'm not sure where I'll be going haha!!! I'll get a call soon most likely. Transfer day is Thursday and we are having a whole mission conference at the mission office! That'll be so fun! We are also doing a mission-wide service project building bikes for kids that don't have them. At the conclusion of the night, we will be going to see Scrooge! The Musical as a mission! I am SO excited to go see a musical hah! 

That's about it for the week!!!!!

trio exchanges with Utah missionaries!!!! (our mission covers idaho, wyoming and utah it's sick)

Huge Elk

1. one of our best families in the area! the dad was the previous bishop

1. another great family in the area!

1. an elder going home that i love