Wednesday, August 26, 2015

To The Middle Of Nowhere She Goes!

BIG NEWS!

Sister Barclay has transferred to a new area and has a new companion! Here is what Collette had to say about it all:

Monday, August 24, 2015

"Hey! So it's been the craziest day of my life! Last night we got a call from President Hansen saying that we are going to switch a couple things around. SO HE IS TAKING ME OUT OF LSU AND I WILL BE HEADING DOWN TO GONZALES TODAY! Ahhh, crazy! He is taking both sisters out of the area and putting two new sisters in! It is a struggling little area:( So it has been a crazy p-day! I had to go visit, like, five of my investigators last night at like 7pm and pack all night! I have aquired so much stuff from LSU! It is absolutely crazy! 

ABBY GOT BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! Coolest thing ever! ...Except that the bishop forgot about the baptism, and we couldn't get a hold of him all morning, so we had to call his counselor and make him drive a half an hour to the church! Ahh, it was horrible, but all was well. Even Abby's mom was able to come to the baptism (not a member). She was so excited that her BABY was getting baptized! 

I have really learned to love LSU! All of the people I got to see last night all told me... it's because of who I was that stuck with them through it all and brought them to the gospel. They said that their lives are changed and that the path that they are on now is because we lead them to the church! It's really amazing what the LORD can do in someone's life! 

I really worked hard in LSU and I have made some of my best friends here! I know I was in LSU for a good reason! I will be so sad to leave, but I'm ready to take on GONZALES! I love y'all! 

I'll get my address to you soon! Also, I'll be talking to you more tomorrow; we only got a little time to email today because of this craziness, so I'll get on tomorrow to say more!"

Sister Barclay, Sister Frederickson, and Jasmine (a ward member)

Phil (an investigator) and Sister Barclay
Sister Barclay with Josh, Daisy, and family
Sister Frederickson, Sister Barclay, and the newest member of the church, Abby!
All packed up for Gonzales!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

"Hey y'all! 

So if you haven't already heard, I am now serving over in Gonzales! It's about 25 miles away from Baton Rouge! IT IS COUNTRY LIFE! 

It all happened yesterday, and a week before transfers, too! I was an emergency transfer with some other sisters; that is why I am emailing today! It was a crazy yesterday as three areas got switched around! 

So my new companion is Sister Wood! She is so awesome! She's been out a year now; she's from west Jordan, and she's 24! We get along so well! It has been very interesting getting doubled into an area! 

The house we live in is scary; it's in the middle of no where and it's sort of falling apart! haha! There were frogs and toads blocking our door as we pulled in last night! President Hansen was kind enough to take the frog off our door for us! haha It is really pretty and green lots of trees... SO different than the cities I have been serving in! 

The previous sisters didn't leave us very much of anything to go off of, so we are just trying to figure everything out with the help of the Gonzales elders! This area is kind of struggling, so hopefully we can get things up and going again! 

It is so crazy! No one really knows our exact address, because we are in the middle of nowhere, so if you would like to send anything, send it to the mission office!

Sister Collette Barclay
12025 Justice Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70816


I love and miss y'all so much! Things have just been so crazy lately! I can't even believe I'm almost half way! I love being here and I can't wait to get going in Gonzales! I know this church is true with my whole heart and that Heavenly Father loves us so much! I know that only through him is any of this possible, and as we trust him he will help us through!"
Sister Barclay with her new companion, Sister Wood!

The kitchen at the new place

A hole in the ceiling...

This was in the window seal... yikes!

"Because things were so gross, I picked things up with a stick! I'm a noob! Sister Wood thought it was funny, so she took a picture!"

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Hot in Baton Rouge

"Hey y'all!!! How's your week been??? 

I'm hanging in here! It sure is getting hotter over here! We are hitting 100's over here with humidity! I just sweat! That's it! Haha! Other than that, it has been an okay week.... 

Life as a missionary isn't always peachy, and sometimes you just have to fake it 'til you make it, but I do know that God really looks out for his missionaries, including those that struggle, and I just feel like a hot mess struggle. all. the. time. but I have learned so much on my mission; about this gospel, first and foremost. Through everything I have seen, been through, different companions, my testimony has grown so much!  But, also, about life, and having a Christ-like centered life, because, in the end, that is all that matters! 

I know that God answers prayers even when you feel like no one is listening; he truly hears every single prayer! I know this gospel is true with my whole heart! I keep going because I know this gospel has blessed me and I pray that those blessings are reaching all of you! I love y'all so much! Thank you for supporting me and helping me be where the Lord wants me to be! 

Love all y'all and each y'all!
SISTER BARCLAY"

Sister Frederickson, an investigator (Chelsea), and Sister Barclay

"We got stuck on bikes in a rainstorm!"

Sister Barclay and Kathryn Hiersche

But first, let us take a groupie...

Sister Frederickson and Sister Barclay

Missionary dinner!

Saturday, August 8, 2015

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

A picture is worth a thousand words... or so says Collette, right? haha

She sent us these pictures on Monday with a few short descriptions. Looks like she's doing well! 

Keep those letters coming and send her your prayers! Thanks, everyone!

"Hatch Chili Peppers some guy was makin' at the Whole Foods Store! They were the bomb! So hot though! They are from Mexico and they are only here for a little during the season."

"Me and my companion with Abby, our investigator that should be gettin' baptized soon! She is 19 and maybe wants to be a missionary! Let's gooo!!"

"My crazy Heirsche Family! They are the best!! I love them!"
The LSU stadium
"This was outside in someone's yard while we were tracting! Thought it was pretty cool!"
"Our brand-new elder, Elder Floyd, getting his LSU pride on on p-day!