December 19, 2016: My Last Email....

I can't believe that this is my last email before I come home on Saturday. I have feelings of happiness to see my family and friends~and feelings of sadness to leave behind all the people I love, and the places I love, where I have come to know my Savior Jesus Christ.

This week I was thinking a lot about Christmas, and Jesus Christ. I love how in the scriptures, that it explains about the signs of the birth of Jesus Christ, that appeared in the Bible, but also in the Book of Mormon in the Americas. 

Appeared a star, and also there were two days without darkness, because the Light of the world, a Savior, was born. Then when Jesus died, there were also signs of his death. And there are also signs that will appear before He comes again. 

I love thinking about these signs, and also the signs in my own life, that really exists a Savior Jesus Christ. One of the biggest signs for me is the atonement. This is a difficult world, and we are not perfect. Everyday we make mistakes that bring us shame and sadness. But through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can repent and have happiness, and progress as children of God. I think happiness is one of the biggest signs in my life of a Savior. Also the Book of Mormon is a sign, and a testament of Jesus Christ. Every page testifies of Him, and it is amazing to read this book and ponder, to come to know our Savior Jesus Christ and love Him in the pages and experiences we have in the scriptures. 

Another sign is the creations of the world. Just to step outside, and feel the beating heat of the sun here in Sonora, or see the ocean is a sure sign to me that there is a Christ, and that He is the creator of the world. There are so many signs in this life, that point out that Jesus Christ was born, died, and lives now, and will someday soon come back to reign again on the earth. 

This week I was also thinking a lot about a tradition that we have in our family, to think of a gift to give to the Savior. In this time of Christmas we are always thinking about the presents, and what we are going to get. But it is always so much more special to give. I love that each year my mom asks us what we are going to gift to the savior on His birthday. It can be a sacrifice, or service, etc. This week we talked to a lot of people about what they were going to gift to Jesus Christ, and we had lots of amazing experiences. 

It has been a sure gift from my Heavenly Father to serve a mission here in Sonora for a year and a half. Here in Sonora I have learned so much. Especially I have learned about the love of my Heavenly Father, and about the atonement and love of Jesus Christ. I think before the mission I thought that all this was true, and now I KNOW, without doubt that this is true. Like it explains about the wise men when an angel appeared to them to tell them that a Savior had been born, they not only believed, but knew it was true, and with haste, went to worship Him. I know that the gospel is true, and I can't wait to one day be in the presence of my Savior to worship Him.

Thank you all for your love and support during these months here in Mexico. I love you all. See you soon. 

Oceans of love from Sonora Mexico,

Hermana Barton

Waiting in the capilla for my farewell interview with Pte. 

Hermana and Pte. Robinson my inspiration, i admire them SO much and love them to no end. They have done so much for me and taught me so much too. I don't have words to express my love and gratitude to them!

Goodbye Sonora. I was trying my best not to cry my eye balls out in this picture. 

I basically hitchhiked my way home from the mission with Hna. Hauck and her parents. 

 After walking across the border with Pte. and Hna Hauck, we had a farewell dinner with President at none other than Panda Express because it is Hna. Robinson's favorite. I finally got to HUG president as I cried and said goodbye.

I slept in a hotel with Hna Hauck and her parents in Tuscon on the night of December 23rd before catching a flight home to arrive on Christmas Eve to my family. 

Is this really happening? Or is it just a dream? Why is everything in English?

Waiting in the airport to go home, and trying to remember English! 

December 12, 2016: You Don't Remember Me?

This week I was waiting for the bus, and some random guy came up to me and said, "Don't you remember me?"  

I was like, "Ummm... definitely not..." 

And he said, "We went to the University of Chicago in Salt Lake. You don't remember me?"

And I was like, "Well no, because I'm from California."

And he was like "...ohh....well I came here in train for 7 days eating only ice."

I didn't know what else to say, but, "Wow, that's cool, but I don't remember you."  

Just a random story to start off. That was a man that I could have found in downtown Santa Cruz. hahaha.

Last week we had a baptism, (it was super awesome) of a woman named Angela. She is an amazing woman, and the first in her family to get baptized.  

Also, there is this other awesome lady here that calls us her daughters, and almost has nothing.  But whenever she has a little bit of food, she calls us and she wants to feed us. The people here are so amazing. I am truly going to miss them. It is amazing how the people who have barely enough to feed their family are willing to serve a missionary, a representative of Jesus Christ, because they know that making a sacrifice will make the blessings sobreabound. 

I hope you all have a great week. I love you all so much. "Chiquiti Boom Boom"... or in other words "get fired up" this week! That's a new term that Hermano Francisco taught me the other day. The Hno Francisco wrote me some lines of a song he made up for me. I love it. And I video-ed it, so that I can treat you one day. It is pretty pretty. He is a 70 yr old man, that I love like a grandpa. He takes care of us here. And whenever we need anything, he is always here to help.  

Mares de amor,

Hermana Barton

Angela got baptized! 

She invited us over to eat after the baptism, and we ate cake too to celebrate! I have never seen her so happy! :)

Our Christmas tree? jaja, like the whole I still have in my flip flops from high school?

The poses had to be fast because we took these using a timer! jaja

Just one more pose! XD XD

Burros in the bus on the way to Hermosillo for my last leadership meeting.

Neff, Perusquia, Quero

My generation went to the temple together for the last time with Pte and sister Robinson. Today was the one year anniversary of the day Hna. Robinson's dad passed away, and we got to be present and watch Hna.Robinson seal herself to her parents! What a special experience! 

Outside the temple! Love her!!

Hna. Balboa

Artsy pic in a field in Nogales!

Xunashi!! She is amazing! She is going on a mission soon, and would do splits with us on her days off of work!

Ruby was the Elders convert but such a sweet lady!

Saying goodbye to the members. Hna. Maria Jesus went on splits with us a lot and is an amazingly strong woman, I admire her drive and her testimony!

Hna Rosa Maria

Freezing in Nogales, Hno Fco lent me his coat to warm up for a few minutes, and wanted a picture of the "hippie barton"! jeje

Hna. Ana

I will miss this lady that taught me to be SO grateful for my blessings!

Hna Hauck!

Compis!!

HERMANA VASQUEZ! Mi Carnala!!

I love her like a sister and will miss her loads!!!

Elder Martinez, Elder Garcia, Hna. Chama

Elder Garcia. My Zone leader, and a friend of the mission!

Elder Yac from Guatemala. The funniest guy you will ever meet! 

One of my best friends from the mission, we were toghether most of the mission and he is hilarious. He is the only member in his family. Elder Villalpando!

Elder Martinez and Elder Nicanor

Mama Robinson!!

Best tacos in Nogales with the Hermano Julio who always gave us rides and food every week and has dedicated his life to missionary work!

Familia Sanudo

They gave us Christmas presents and took us to sushi the day before I left. 

I am going to miss Sonora SO much!!!!!!!!

Hernama Raquel

Nefi!!

Arely Yanez