Friday, January 31, 2014

First letter from the MTC.

Hey mommasita!

So I'm doing well. Today isn't my P-day, but they let me on early so I can send this off. It was supposed to be earlier, but they made a bitd of a mistake in telling us anything. Sounds like the church is still true! My p-day is Monday. I have no idea when I'll be on, but it'll be sometime on Monday. oh, and I'm a Zone Leader starting Sunday. Yep for one whole week. I'm outa here again on the 11th. I love you all. TTFN!

jayden

It's Go Time!


 My incredible family at the Provo Temple, minutes before I walked into the MTC.


The greatest parents in the world!


How about that!  Missionaries at the MTC.  This same scene wrapped all the way around the building.


My greeting party.  They welcomed me with a handshake and smile and even carried my suitcases.  I wonder if they'll do my laundry too?

T'was the night before my mission...


 Set apart as a full time missionary by some of the greatest men on the planet: my Dad, Grandpas, Bishopric, and Stake Presidency.


 This is my awesome family.  Check out that cool flag in the background!


Just in case anyone should ask, they only dropped me once.  Softly, of course!

The farewell lunch.



 Lana made this fabulous cake for Jayden's farewell.  She's so awesome!


 Jayden's sense of humor.  Get it?  Notice what's tied to the bottom of the Arkansas flag.  
He's going to "Little Rock" Arkansas!


A close up of the cake. (And our tangled mess of electronic cords) Welcome to our house :)

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Sleep? What is this new thing? Is it tasty?

It's just before I'm to leave to the MTC and the rest of my family is still asleep. Probably because I woke up three hours before we actually needed to leave, but it still amuses me. I was up later than I would have liked last night getting together a surprise for my family, but because it's a surprise and my dear parents will read this post, I'm not going to say what it was. I'll leave that for them later on down the road, if they so choose.

My bags have all been packed (mostly) and the thank-you letters have all been written (almost) and I am ready to get on the road (completely). I still feel like this is just the calm before the storm, in a way. I've never been nervous about my own life before; events in it, sure, but never my life itself. I guess this is because I've never had such a big change such as this before. Where is my life going to lead after this? What is it going to be like while I'm away from home? Am I just being a silly adult again?

I dislike doubts, but those have been going through my head for a while now, and while I don't have any of the answers, I know that my Father in Heaven does, and I will just have to trust him to take care of me and my family while I am gone. I'm so excited to be finally on my way, but scared to death at the prospect. But worrying about it isn't going to change the fact that I will be on my way regardless, so it's time to put on a brave face again and face this task head on. I'll worry once there's something I can do about it all.

To all my friends and family who are supporting me, Thank You. Your support is what is going to partially get me through this. The other bit will be God, but your role isn't insignificant. So thank you. This will probably be the last post typed up by me, but the rest will be my dear parents, so if you see any tyops, give them grief!

(See what I did there? I misspelled "typos".... It's supposed to be funny. Oh, never mind)

I love you all, and will see you again in, hopefully, two years!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Contact Confirmed!

For all you beautiful people who would like to talk to me on my mission I've got some nice info! My email address for the next two years is:

jayden.barker@myldsmail.net

My mission home address is:

905 Kierre Dr
North Little Rock, Ar
72116

I hope to hear from you!




Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A simple Poem


A poem written by Jack L Brinkerhoff about missionary work, sent to me by Hermana Daidre Maw, serving in the New York, New York North Mission.


Highs-N-Lows

A mission is a strange experience. It's a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst yet teaches you the best.

They told me this would be the best period of my life. But I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.
I came out looking for a bed of roses; I just wasn't expecting all the thorns I've found out here.

Since I've been out I've never ben so happy. I've never felt so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken. I've never felt so blessed.

I've never been so confused. My mind has never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant. I've never felt him so near.

I've never been so discouraged. I've never been so full of hope.
I feel like I can go forever. I think I've come to the end of my rope.

I've never had it so easy. I've never had it so tough.
Things have never gone so smoothly. Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys. I've never ascended so many peaks.
I've never met so many neat people. I've never met so many freaks.

I've never had so many ups. I've never had so many downs.
I've never worn so many smiles. I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely. I've never had so many friends.
Man, I hope this is all over soon. God, please never let it end.