Email from 11-11-13

Note from Amber:  Last Monday, Josh found out that a close friend of his passed away, so this last week was hard on him.  His faith is amazing, and we are very proud of the eternal perspective he has maintained during this time.  

Dad,

This last sunday was exactly what i needed. Sister Molano talked about temple work and how others have had experiences where some one who has passed on is now doing missionary work for others on the other side. 

This past week was not as productive because of well.. yeah. Monday was not exactly my perfect day... and we were just sitting around and then a sister called us and asked if we could come over now and help her move the rest of her stuff after she broke into her old place (her landlord locked her out because it was a few weeks after she was supposed to be out). we had an appointment at 7:30 with an investigator though so we told her we had to leave by no later than 7. After that we went to this artist's, from new york, house and he gave a tour of his home and art studio and it was huge! i didn't think something nice was in Tamaqua haha. after the tour he took us to La Dulce Casa (or Demagio's) and it was a pretty nice italian restaurant and we talked about what we do. he started almost lecturing us about Catholism though and then he apologized saying, "sorry i went into lecture mode. yous guys are supposed to be teaching me!" -- yes people say yous out here, as well as warsh (or wash) and instead of semi truck it is a tractor trailer-- but he is a really cool guy and wants to meet with us again. 

Friday we were able to meet with Zane's sister and brother in law and they have so many questions so that is really cool.  Sandy's (Zane's fiance) daughter Lianna reminds me so much of Daisy except a bit more shy and it is so hard not to play with her because i miss Daisy and Emmy so much :( They fed us Lasagna though and it was good and were very welcoming and we actually got in pretty late because the lesson was just going so well it was hard to leave but they invited us to come back this Friday.  Yesterday we had dinner at the Hulls and we had Venison roast and mashed potatoes :) yes i had deer haha. it was really good. later we were calling people to try and hopefully set things up for this week and Joe Kalista picked up (the guy who wanted to take us to Penn St) and was asking if he could talk to President Anderson himself about the possibility of taking us to a game. he really wants to take us and i would love to go so bad but it is very very unlikely, but he did invite us for dinner this Sunday so that was good:)  this week is definitely going to be better than last week.

 President Molano talked to Elder Parker and I about everything that happened and told me that the adversary is trying very hard to stop me from being here on this mission at this time very hard and it is up to me on what i want to do. i want to work i want to serve. i know that if i consecrate my time fully to the Lord that He will provide for me. I can do all things through Christ who giveth me strength. I know that this is true and i know that the Lord has plans for me that Satan doesn't want accomplished. i have said it before though, nothing satan throws at me will deter me from doing the work of the Lord. I love this gospel and i know it is true. don't worry about me dad. i am okay. God is watching over me and yesterday he sent an angel to comfort me.

I love you all,

Love,

Elder Barker

Josh's mission plaque is finally up in the church!