Week 4 - February 1, 2023

Hola, Todos!  Another amazing week and a lot more to talk about.  I hope everyone is doing great at home.  I want to start by talking about some of the things I forgot to mention in my last email.  First, I found out I'm the only person out of like the 200 people here going to the Dominican Republic, which is crazy!  It feels kinda cool because it means out of everyone, they chose me to go there, which further solidifies my testimony that it is where I should be.  

Also, one night we opened our window to hear mariachi music playing in the distant city, which was also so cool.  As a fellow trumpet player, I felt truly welcomed. 

This week was pretty cool.  We went to the Mexico City Temple, which has to be one of the coolest temples in the world!  The way it's just plopped right in the middle of a jungle of buildings makes you wonder how it even got there and even more grateful that it is there.  Such a great experience, me and my companion also happened to be the first ever people from the MTC to do confirmations in that temple, so I'm already making history lol.  Other than that, a pretty normal week.  Me and the people I live with are getting really close, and I'll be sad to leave them in two weeks, but I know our friendships will last forever.  I know these guys will convert and save so many people and will become great men.

I'm not gonna lie, it's not all sunshine and rainbows though. There is a hint of homesickness starting to creep in.  This life I'm starting to lead is way different than my past life, and I'm starting to really miss the things I used to do and the people I used to hang out with.  However, I will never ever doubt that I am where I am supposed to be.  I have had that confirmation revealed to me before.  Homesickness is normal, of course, and it will most likely get worse, but I will not let it get in the way of the people I'm meant to serve. 

Throughout these two weeks, I realized I have grown so much. I have experienced God's love for me in so many different ways, and I can't wait to help other people feel the same. Thank you everyone who was with me on the journey since the beginning, I couldn't have gotten here without you.  Love you all and God bless you!

Yo sé que Dios me ama- Elder Barlow