Sister Barden from Taiwan - July 20, 2014 

Dear Family! 

Goodness, we are spread out all over the globe. I hope Dad and TJ have an incredible time in Peru this week. Thanks for the Birthday package... all the cousins' cards were so funny and encouraging. BEST family ever. 

This was a wonderful week! I want to share a miraculous experience we had with a less-active named Sister Pan. Sister Pan was found because she self-contacted the missionaries a few months ago. She has severe depression and has been to the hospital for intense treatments. She craves the gospel in her life. This week, we had the chance to share with Sister Pan about the plan of salvation. Sister Keung and I retaught her the lesson hoping the spirit would help her to feel faith and hope that, someday, all would be well. Sister Pan listened intently when we talked about the Atonement, the Resurrection, and the three Kingdoms of Glory. She asked insightful questions... Sister Pan quietly asked us if the people in the other kingdoms would also have the blessing of the resurrection. As we responded, the prompting came that Sister Pan might think she had no way to make it to the Celestial Kingdom, that she was asking if the other kingdoms would allow her to be resurrected because... she thought she would surely go there. As we taught her that the Atonement covered every imperfection and enabled every person to live with Heavenly Father through the Atonement, she seemed very eased. She's regaining her faith! 

I've been pondering about light this week. Light... it's such a special word. It means physically bright or illuminated, but it is also used to describe feelings and experiences... Often, we can see and feel the light in others. Our goal in life is to grow "brighter and brighter until the perfect day" by adding light to our lives, filling our actions and desires with things that uplift, inspire and energize. I had two experiences with noticing the "light" in others this week that left an impression on me. The first was with two Filipino members at church. They don't always have the chance to come and attend because their work schedules are very demanding, but when they are at church, they are radiant. Because they don't speak Chinese, they need translation to understand what is being communicated in all the meetings. However, despite the language barrier, they are friends with so many of the members. These sisters try to help and reach out to others. They have some of the most selfless, loving hearts and their eyes shine with light. Every time I'm with these sisters, I'm struck by the same feeling. They illuminate the room and uplift everyone around them. They inspire me to always seek to increase the light of Christ that I carry so others will be drawn to Him.  The second example comes from an experience we had with one of our most progressing investigators. His transformation has been miraculous. Sister Keung and I had been praying so hard in preparation for his most recent lesson, and we felt a powerful spirit as we taught him. As he wrestled with some concerns, we focused on the way he felt... what he was feeling and what he thought it meant...As he looked at us, his face became open... "I feel so peaceful, so great. This atmosphere is miraculous". The spirit bore witness to all of us in that lesson... the light is powerful, and when we are touched by it... it stirs the fibers of our soul in deep and undeniable ways. I hope we can inspire others to seek the light. 

I'm still loving serving with Sister Keung! She's teaching me so much about how to love and have perfect confidence in the Lord. I'm trying to soak in all her New Zealand wisdom!! 

Love you always, 
Keep walking in the light! 
Sister Barden