9/3/18 - Emma Letter to Family

Mari COPA sounds amazing! Break a leg starlight! Thank you for the drawing of the pineapple too! It's beautiful! 

Hyrum, I'm glad you liked your card! I made a video for you too and I really hope it sends! 

Thank you for the clarity on Emma Smith! I understand better now and I continue to love my name! I will continue to explain and defend her name always :)

I didn't get grandma's experience. Please send that my way.

The package arrived in the mission home. It will be a little bit before I can pick it up but at least it's there :) Obrigada! 

I read the prisethood session of conference this week and I finally understand Dad's calling better! That list of callings shows how Barlows don't say no when the Lord calls us to serve. Love it!

I think if we get a baby grand AND a Tesla we'll be WAY too chicé. IDK maybe I'm just used to poor Brasil. haha!

Thanks for the thought about grass. Grass is very rare here but I usually temples have grass. Ilove that thought! 

Please don't keep more than 250$ on my card at a time... just a precaution :)

Everyone in testimony meeting yesterday talked about the bvlessing families get when they have missionaries in the field. I hope you're feeling those blessings! One Irmão said these are the years when families are blessed the most. 

ENGLISH IS HARD AND I"M FORGETTING WORDS! I wrote veggies this week like veddies because d is pronounced like g. Portuguese has ruined me and I love it!

So  I had an interview with my president this week and I expressed my frusteration with baptism and tudo mais. Basically he told me the same thing he told me last time: chill out. I'm doing better than I think I am. I also got a blessing from my ZL in English. Brasillians ALWAYS struggle with my full name so it was nice to have somene finaly get it right. haha! It was amazing! I was told Father is proud of what I've done so far. I was told to stop doubting. Stop doubting my self and my abilities and to never doubt my Savior. (Of course I don't)  Truly evidence our Father knows me personally. I didn't realize I had an issue with this untill it was said and then I realized he's exactly right. In this blessing I was promised to baptize at least one person this transfer. I have one week left. Let's do this! 

I feel like I've grown up a lot during these months. I'm not sure why.

I learned new everyone-for-themselves version of dodgeball called pode ball. I can't wait to teach it to you! So fun! 

Someone on the bus this week asked me in English what my name is and I responded "Emma". I promise I have thesame personality in English and Portugues but when someone says " Qual é seu nome?" I say Sister Barlow, but "What is your name?" Emma

I don't know what happened this week but I feel like I'm finally understanding my purpose as a missionary. I think I've hit a turning point in my mission. I used to dread making contacts but now I crave to talk to people and make new friends. Missions are so fun! I feel like this will be my last week in Vila Angelica. I'm ready. I'm praying I'll be sent where I'm needed. Usually President keeps us in one area for 3 transfers average. I'm in my 3rd. Time for a new adventure. I would dare say this is the happiest I've ever been. I love my Savior. I love Brasil. I love the people of Brasil and I love being a missionary. Thanks for your prayers!I've felt themten fold!

BIGGGGGG HUGGGS 

Sister B

Dad - 4 reals or 1 USD and they hand you this stick of super delicious flavorful meat. These stands are on every corner. You and mom need to come pick me up so you ca exerience the magic that is Brasillian meat :)