Week 3 - January 25, 2023

Hey, everyone!  This is my first P-Day (prep day) here at the MTC in Mexico, and I've got a full week of amazing experiences, so I'll try to condense it as much as I can!  First, I want to testify how true and real this church is.  Just after this first week, I've seen God's love for me in so many ways, it's so crazy.  I know these next two years will not be a waste, and I'm more than excited to bring the people of the Dominican Republic to salvation!

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, let's talk about Mexico.  This place is literally heaven.  That about sums it up. The Spirit here is overwhelming, the weather is perfect, the people are so amazing, so on.  I am beyond blessed to be here and am so grateful for this opportunity.  I had to go through many trials, but my God hath sanctified me, and through Christ's atonement, I have become clean.  I'm still not perfect, of course, but Heavenly Father understands my efforts. 

Spanish is pretty... interesting.  It's hard to learn in some parts and easier in others.  I think the thing I have the most confidence in above all is how fast I'll learn the language.  I'm a fast learner, especially when it comes to learning languages, so I'm not too worried, especially when I know God will continue to consecrate my efforts, as long as I work harder than I ever have. 

This week has had ups and downs.  Mostly ups, and the downs weren't that bad.  My district has to be the best district ever.  My companion, Elder Granados, is a very strict, no-messing-around kinda guy, which I like because his strengths compliment my weaknesses and vice-versa.  I just hope he learns something from me, too.  I've learned a lot about myself from everyone in my district.  It's way too much to write here, but trust me when I say, I've already changed my mindset so much from who I was before.  Some of these people are just like me, and I've gotten so close and really gotten to know all of them so well.  I could literally write like five essays about all the things I've learned and felt, but I'm already pretty busy and I also respect your guys' time too lol.

 

This mission thing is no joke.  It's completely different from my past life and it took me a couple days to really get used to all of it.  However, as I said before, I'm very grateful for this opportunity and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.  I love you all, I'll continue to keep you in my prayers, stay strong! 

Sincerely, Elder Barlow

Leaving for the Mexico City Missionary Training Center - Tuesday, January 17, 2023

 After two weeks of Home MTC, the day finally arrived for Elder Barlow to leave behind his beloved dogs and home for two years as he headed with his family at a very early hour for the airport for a 5:30 a.m. flight to Mexico City and the Missionary Training Center there where he would be trained more extensively in the Spanish language, customs of the people of Dominican Republic, and further ways to teach of Christ and help in service projects there.  It is always so difficult to leave family members behind and there are always tears, but everyone knows the growth that will take place as their missionary devotes his or her life for these next two years in serving the Lord.

Saying goodbye to his two dogs, Frisco and Tebow (aka Baby).

And he had room to spare--only 46 pounds per suitcase!  That's some great packing!

Elder Barlow with his entire family there to say good-bye.

And he's off!  He will be gone for two years but is allowed to email home and call once a week while he is away, which will help a lot.

Already, he is being asked about his badge that he is wearing, which states he is a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  That badge will mean so much to him for the next two years, and he will definitely find difficult to take off when he returns.

Best wishes to Elder Barlow as he starts this wonderful calling in his life.  We all we praying for him and know he will be a fantastic ambassador of the Lord. 

Week 2 - January 14, 2023

Hello, everyone, so excited to start this long and incredible journey, and I hope you're excited to be along for the ride!  I'm planning on sending great updates home every other week or so, to tell all of you what I've learned and how I've grown.  My hope is that each and every one of you who read this gets something out of what I've experienced and learned somewhere along the way. 

 

These past two weeks in the Home Missionary Training Center have been fun.  A lot of zoom meetings, then a lot more zoom meetings.  I got to know the people in my district pretty well.  My first companion, Elder Granados, is a very smart guy, and I am excited to get to know him even more in the weeks to come.  To say I have learned so much from the people in my district is a great understatement. I had my doubts about some of them, to be honest, but they have more than impressed me with the spirit and intelligence they hold within them. 

I want to share an experience I had.  Throughout these first couple weeks, I felt a big responsibility to be the best I could possibly be.  It was kind of overwhelming at times, and of course I'm not perfect, so I found myself feeling guilty when I didn't reach the high standards I set for myself.  Near the end of Week 2, during my free time, I found a small piece of paper, about the size of my thumb.  For some reason, I just started folding an origami crane, telling myself, I'll fold as much of it as I can then just stop when it gets too small.  Amazingly, I found myself actually getting closer and closer to the end of the little project, so I thought I had to finish it.  With a lot of patience and determination, I ended up actually completing my goal.  I made an origami crane the size of my thumbnail with my bare hands, and I couldn't believe it.  This has a point, I promise.

When I was done with this little project, I immediately found myself relating this to my mission.  This task at first seemed impossible, but with the help I would receive throughout it, I would be able to accomplish the impossible.  Patience and determination.  Those are the two aspects that will help me, not just through my mission, but throughout our lives.  I also know that I'm not alone in this.  "I know in whom I have trusted... My God hath been my support" (2 Nephi 4: 19-20).  I testify that God is on our side, and we all can call upon him in times of need.  He will help us through our trials, as well as teach us things we need to know to grow stronger. 

Love you all, thanks for the prayers, I'll pray for you all as well. By the way, be sure to stop by my blog ran by my amazing grandma- https://eldergarrettbarlow.blogspot.com

Love, Elder Barlow

Week 1 - January 7, 2023

 Almost a week done in the MTC already.  Time is flying by.  I love this gospel and everything it teaches.  Christ's church truly teaches of love and peace.  I'm so excited to start my journey teaching all of God's children in the Dominican Republic!  

This is my favorite picture of Christ.  I can see myself as the lamb Christ is holding in this picture, telling me he will guide me through my life if I let him.  

   

Setting Apart as a Missionary - January 1, 2023

Elder Barlow was officially set apart as a missionary by President Darren A. Boyack, Stake President of the Olathe, Kansas Stake, on January 1, 2023.  This is the priesthood ordinance of giving authority to members called to labor in specific responsibilities.  It is done by those having the proper priesthood authority and by the laying on of hands.  He was given a beautiful blessing and many promises were made if he would devote these next two years to the Lord and be obedient in all his responsibilities. 

Elder Barlow and President Boyack

Bishop D. Kelly Rindlisbacher, Heritage Park Ward

One of the most exciting times for a missionary is putting on that badge indicating you are now an official representative of the Savior and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Taylor (TBob) Rinlisbacher who has become one of Elder Barlow's best friends since he returned from his mission.

Brother Charlie Sherwood

Three young adults were set apart from the same ward as missionaries this day:  Elder Garrett Barlow going to the Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission, Sister Kate Sawaya to the Argentina Resistencia Mission, and Elder J. Ty Marcom going to the Argentina, Cordoba Mission.  All will be speaking Spanish on their missions.    

Elder Barlow with his family at his setting apart.  His little brother, Copeland, had just lost a tooth and was pretty sad.

HOME MTC

Elder Barlow began his missionary training the very next morning in his home with Zoom meetings coming from the Missionary Training Center in Mexico City for the next two weeks.  Afterwhich, he will fly directly to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center for four more weeks to finish his training and then fly to Dominican Republic where he will begin his service and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Spanish language. 

The training days are long and filled with lots of information, so sometimes during breaks, it is nice to just have a little time to shut your eyes!

 During Elder Barlow's time when he's not on the Zoom training, he participates in wholesome activities that everyone can enjoy.  

 Can't forget to post the missionary haircut given to Elder Barlow by his father.  Missionaries are to be neat and well-groomed.