2/21/22 Snownado

I would like to dedicate this week's email to my happy light and vitamin D supplements. You're the real MVP

Hello and Good morning! I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying life. We have been having the best time in the Dakota's! 10/10 would recommend during the summer time.

We had a great lesson with our friend Devon (pronounced Devin) this last week. I think I've already told you about her, but Sister Gibbs messaged her on facebook asking if she'd like to go to church with us and she said yes! We later found out that she is a former and was taught right before covid and wanted to still learn more so we've been teaching her! She'd already had all the lessons we are just solidifying the knowledge she has right now. We meet weekly in one of the malls here in town. She had a lot of great questions regarding the Book of Mormon and the Bible being comparable, but we were able to answer those questions with some ease. She is super great and we are seeing her testimony develop!

Sister Gibbs and I decided that we needed to pass off Deben to the elders. We brought the elders with us when we were going to drop off a copy of the Book of Mormon. He meets us outside his apartment, mind you its been in the -30's all week, and this man shows up in shorts and a hoodie and a neon orange bonet (got to keep those curls curly right?). We passed him off to the elders because we didn't think he was that comfortable with us. But as soon as he walked up the elders both said "Sup Bro" and Deben just lit up and hugged his new brothers. It will be good for Deben. We realize that we couldn't give him the brotherhood he obvi needed hahah

I went on an exchange with Sister Reid! She lives with me so no crazy roadtrip like my other areas. But we had the most interesting exchange I think I have ever had! I'll spare some of the stories. But one thing I've noticed is that the homes here in Grand Forks all have a very distinct smell. It is winter, and I know little rodents want to be warm as well, but when they get inside the homes they just die and leave a terrible smell. Sadly, every home we entered that day had dead mice they couldn't find.. Needless to say the spirit still spoke to their hearts and it was a very successful day in the end! We spent a lot of time in East Grand Forks (Minnesota side). I would move to East Grand Forks. The people are kind, it's right by the Red River and the town is super cute! I loved this exchange though! Sister Reid is such a powerhouse and it was so cool to see her promise blessings that brought the spirit so strong!

As we drove home we were stopped at a light and we were looking at the sky and just thought it was the Hockey Stadium being lit up, but it was the NORTHERN LIGHTS!!! We just sat there in awe as we saw green and purple float through the air. I honestly don't know the science behind them but it was breathtaking! God created such beautiful things. All for our enjoyment! aren't we so lucky! ;)

On Saturday we were helping a friend on facebook move out of her home. These North Dakotans are something else. Snow or shine? Positive degree weather or negative degree weather? They still move! We were able to help her and meet a few of her friends.

One of our recent convert families has daughters that do Girl Scouts and they needed help sorting boxes for their troops. It was probably the funnest service project I've done up here. We met at a Semi-Truck fix up shop (Theres an actual name but it's got me beat) and we sorted hundreds of girl scout cookie boxes! These piles were huge! It only took about 45 minutes with all of us working but the perks were free boxes of cookies! Has anyone had the Smores one? I'm a fan! They might just be my new favorite.

My apologies for anyone who is sick of hearing about the weather here. But it's really the only exciting thing about Grand Forks. A blizzard hit yesterday and it canceled church for us. We were asked to speak, so maybe that was a blessing haha. But sadly it meant that not a single one of our friends who were planning to come were able to :( But it's alright, we will get them there next week! But this blizzard was just crazy! The ground is so frozen that the snow just blows around forever until the wind stops (which is never btw). I promise I was bundled up and I still got a mild wind burn on my nose. We were only outside walking between homes and into and from the church building. With the 50mph winds you can get frostbite in 15 minutes to any exposed skin. So thank you for listening to the latest "Why does anyone live here" moments. It will always be a wonder to me. Also snownadoes are a real thing but we didn't see a real one, but I swear it could've been one!

Here are some jokes one the YW told me this week:

- What does ND have perfect noses? They are hand picked
- North dakota state tree: telephone pole

I do love being a missionary! Time is going too fast! I relistened to the Hope of Israel devotional from President Nelson! I love when he speaks. He just radiates such power! He said "having the holy ghost will be the only direction you will ever need in your life".
There's a lot of uncertainty in life but having the Holy Ghost guide you will be the constant source you can rely on. I am so grateful that I have been given the holy ghost. It not only keeps us safe from the dangers of North Dakota but it leads us to people God has prepared for us to teach. Make a new effort to listen to the Holy Ghost this week! I promise it will make a huge impact on you!

xoxo Sister Barlow

3750 GARDEN VIEW DR

#211 GRAND FORKS, ND 58201

Pictures!

- We are the sisters of the Gym

- We love you!

- Felicia is a new convert and this woman knows what's up

- Facemasks (thanks mom!)

- We've heard of sun dogs, but what about moon dogs?

- Exchange treat! Our Ice cream doesn't melt here #ndperks

- Girls Scout Cookie day!

- Northern Lights! The picture does not do it justice!