Another week in the books! This week was rather interesting...because it was pretty normal. You know you have an awesome mission when a normal week is exciting to you.
Nothing particularly special happened this week. Our power has been out for ten days, so we are back to using our outer island skills. We had a solid amount of lessons this week, found some new investigators, and helped out with a baptism in one of the other wards. The sisters told us that the person they asked to do the baptisms didn't show up (which is pretty normal), so they asked us to do it. They also asked me to conduct the program since no other men showed up except the bishop. Surprise baptismal service number one! Number two happened the next day when our bishopric asked to to help out with a child's baptism....four hours before it happened. So we ran around trying to fill out the papers, get baptismal clothes, and make a program. It was a little crazy, but it worked out well in the end. Two surprise baptisms in two days.
We decided to try something new this week to involve our ward in missionary work. After church, we had a ten-minute meeting where the entire ward met outside and we discussed how the work is going. We passed around a list for people to write their names and phone numbers on if they were willing to sit in some lessons with us this week, and we passed around another list for people to write referrals on. Both lists came back full! It was really cool to see how the members responded. They seemed so excited to help out! The key to good missionary work definitely lies in the members.
Also! As we were dropping off needs for our zone this week, a member saw us walking and invited us over for a cold drink. Of course, you can't refuse that so we went in. As we chatted for a few minutes we found out that the wife was a returned missionary who served in the Oklahoma Tulsa mission! And what's more...she served in the Nixa Ward! I vaguely recognized her. Her name was Sister Torea (I think). She really remembers the Kelso family and remembers having dinner at our house once. Small world, right?
Anyway, the work goes on. I love this work. You just get to go around all day every day, become friends with new people, feel the Spirit, and share the message that has brought so many blessings into your life. How could that get any better?
Elder Barker
(a note from Michele- Kaleb will be returning to Springfield on Monday October 22 at 11pm. Anyone who is still awake at that time is invited to be at the airport to welcome him home. If you plan to be there, let us know. If there are any flight changes we can keep you updated. He will be speaking in church on Sunday October 28 at 11:00am-12:10. The church is located at 2400 N 20th St, Ozark,MO. Everyone is welcome to attend. Kaleb would love to see each of you there!)
