7/19/21 Wonka Tonka

Hey! Super good week. Like, really, really awesome!

We will start with exchanges. I went to Bismarck 3rd ward territory with Sister Rampton! It was back in our old apartment building but is still a good 15 minutes away. I am just now thinking that in other missions there's probably a lot of missionaries a lot closer together than us. When I was serving in Aberdeen we had to drive 3 hours to Pierre for our exchange lol. But anyways, exchange miracles are real! up to this point I was feeling down in the dumps and was having an overall rough week so as I was praying before my studies the spirit directed me to watch President Oaks "hear Him" video on gospel library. He talks about following through with every prompting NO MATTER HOW CRAZY! and i'm like BET! So I made the goal that I was going to follow through with every prompting given during my exchange. It was refreshing to be with Sister Rampton. She is such a diligent missionary and I feel blessed to spend the day with her. We had one of the most successful social media finding sessions and some people actually picked up their phone when we called and miracles were everywhere! We then drove to Mandan to a member's home where we were talking about the eternal family and why God has set how the family should be run and so forth. The spirit was so strong and then I had what I was waiting for.. the prompting... and it was to promise the family to be instruments in his hands as he works, if they were willing to pray for those opportunities. It's not the biggest or most miraculous promise but the spirit wanted it said and the family was listening. The family went on to share how that week they were able to have a few opportunities with friends or coworkers to share bits of truth with them. Needless to say it was the coolest exchange and miracles are ready for those who look.

We were finally able to meet with our friend Barbara. She works as a legal exemplar for native tribes. It was cool to hear her stories. If you've ever been on an Native reservation you would understand how it is a 3rd world country there. In the NDBM there are 19+ reservations and only one is safe enough for sisters to serve in it. There is so much drug abuse as well as abuse abuse present. I've had to reroute during travel time up to 1+hr to drive around it. It's really quite terrifying listening to stories. It's so hard to see these parents try their best to raise these kids but then they get involved in gang and drug abuse. Many die early.

In our missionary efforts she gave us some pointers to be able to reach these people. She suggested we bring them a tribal gift, such as tobacco. She then realised that we absolutely can't do that but that we could start our prayers with "Wonka Tonka". waunka tawnka, meaning, Grand Father, Great Spirit. and then continue in our prayers in english. That enough will show we are respectful of their customs. It is generally really hard to teach native families. If they are well educated in their customs they will say something like "my culture is my religion". Which is hard because if only they would listen to how their culture is our religion too, we even have a record of it and they don't. *Nataive American/Lamanite/Book of Mormon '' speaking. But there are the elect few who will listen and find the strength in our similarities.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet with Brother Shane Littlefield this week. He works for the Area Presidency. He came to get a feel for the mission and create a training on how we can better our efforts. It was a humbling experience. No one is perfect and that includes NDBM missionaries but truly we are all here to serve the Lord.

Funny Story: We were driving to head to the mission office and we saw an equinox with a "ComeUntoChrist.org" sticker on the back so we honked at them and as we drove by it was President and Sister Camp. Luckily they were laughing as Sister Erdmann and I sat in embarrassment because they are only 2 week new and they don't know that we are goofy yet. Bless them. We love their guts.

Another story which I don't think is funny: I am a member of the Content Team here and we have a meeting every Sunday to delegate efforts. I sat in this meeting and Sister Erdmann was on the side. Mid way through, she put her pet dead dragonfly on my shoulder (I hate this thing almost more than satan) and I didn't realise it till I saw it on my shoulder in the camera and I flip out and she's laughing..but my camera is still rolling... Needless to say, I got many text messages asking me if I was okay. I was not. When I freaked out, the dead crispy bug got stuck in my hair and I accidently ripped it's head off. Worst moment of my life. I won't touch the dead bug but Sister Erdmann thinks it's funny to put it's remains on my laptop and belongings. Please send prank ideas to me asap. I am trying to be like Jesus but I feel he would support me in my efforts.

It was another great and humbling week. I am grateful I get to be here serving in Bismarck. Personal revelation is so real and needs to be a part of our lives. If you don't know how you hear him I invite you to sit in prayer until you know.

Love you all!

Sister Barlow

4720 N 19th St Apt 214

Bismarck, ND 58503

pics

Siser Rampton and I pointing at nothing for an Instagram story

Good humor: def sent this to the elders a few times

My life in a song

ND gardens

PRAIRIE DOGS

Winter survival... grateful that is forever away

It's in meme form but I have been fed that thick of a burger on white bread