Life as a wife, mother, homemaker, and Autism adventures!

Monday, August 13, 2018

Sister Bradford-Barrett Oregon, Portland Mission 8-13-18

August 13, 2018

Woof, what a week packed with a lot!
The Sun is setting earlier and it's starting to cool down a bit. I guess summer is ending :(

Zone conference this week!! 
Elder Pearson and Elder Bangeter from the quorom of the 70 came and spoke with us, so it was a pretty big deal. 
For preparation we were asked to study 2 talks by elder Bednar and then prepare a 3 minute talk on what we learned, on the off chance we would share it at the zone conference!! Ahh! This is probably how they do try-outs for the next RS President. Well, thankfully I didn't have to give mine, but I'm glad I was prepared. One of the talks is called "Converted Unto the Lord" in October 2012 conf. It is been about the difference between a testimony and conversion. Bednar teaches us that our testimonies are gifts from God, it is that spiritual revelation that we receive, but oh how easy it is for people to forget and get dissuaded or distracted. Conversion is constantly committing to Heavenly father. 
I want to leave my mission being converted. 

No coincidence, but both of the questions I went into zone conference having were completely addressed. My questions were 1. How can I turn my weaknesses into strengths and 2. How can I become a more consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ?
Those were the center themes on the conference. It was straight up just like 8 hours of listening to talks haha. Loong day, filled with the spirit, but loong! Walking out of there was a mix of feeling totally motivated to conquer the world, and also feeling like "wow I'm such a crap missionary and have so much to work on"
I am constantly striving to be more bold and I have that "desire" that everyone always says you need, and when it comes down to it, I choke. 
We were learning about how we are agents, which means we are to ACT not be acted upon! Our thoughts are so powerful, and when we consciously try to change our thoughts (to Christ), then we can change our behaviors, our moods, ect. We are human and that's a lot easier said than done, but it is cool to be reminded how powerful and capable we are. That's how God created us! 
Obedience was a big one. I've been focusing on that for my christ-like attribute this transfer and it has been so interesting to learn how key that is. It is obedience that led the Savior to perfection. He wasn't just born perfect, but he chose to do perfect. We don't have control over everything in life, but we can control whether or not we are obedient. That's a lot of responsibility we are given haha.
It was a little intense. Like I said, walking out was a lot of "I need to do more of this and this and this and this and ahh" 
It was obviously needed and I want to actually learn and apply it, I don't want it to slip over my head and not change. 

Haha so me and Krieger had a hilarious moment of going up to a door- We have been working on this list of ladies who no one has seen (and we are finding that there is a reason for that). So this ladies husband no joke came up to the door wearing only a t-shirt and his whitey-tidey James underwear!! It was all I had to contain my laughs! I couldn't stand it. He said to us he was just trying to keep cool haha no shame! I can't wait until I'm that old and can do that;)

The Bobby miracle! So it's been dry as far as having people to teach, which has been a bit discouraging. (Especially after that zone conference, it's hard to not think it's us, but I swear we are trying) Well so our most solid "possibility" has been Bobby. This guy is passionate about life and is way cool! We went over to try and talk with him. He slowly opened up to us. Just the day before that, one of his close friends totally back stabbed him and like sold his house or somthing? I'm not sure exactly but he needed to let it out. He is someone that is always helping his friends and never really expects help in return. We shared a scripture with him and he had totally teared up. He told us that it was meant to be that we came to talk to him at that the. Walking away was so rewarding to know that we were at the right place at the right time. 

This week we did a youth sports night with the other missionaries. One of the best simple messages to youth I've heard. The sisters In our zone have incredible voices. They sung I'm a Child of God and they even did a verse in French with a harmony- oh my heck it was so beautiful.
Then we all pondered how knowing that we are children of God has helped us. The spirit was most definitely there. We closed it then with all of us singing I am a Child of God. It was powerful. That's because there is power in that knowledge 
When it comes down to it, that is what matters. 

While I was at church the members started to look familiar, but not because I have been there for a few weeks. It wad the familiar like I have known them before this life. The more I'm here the more I know I'm meant to be here. That doesn't change the fact that I miss and love everyone with all my heart, but it makes it endurable;) 
I hit officially 6 months this week haha although ive been saying 6 months since it bit August. Today for p-day we are going to actually explore down-town and I am beyond excited!! 
Love always,
Jax





Monday, March 23, 2015

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Call Child Services! Another Broken Arm at the Barrett Residence!




Would you believe that Easton broke his arm this week as well? He was riding a bike off a little jump on the sidewalk and fell over and landed on his right elbow. Turns out he has a fracture. Nothing as severe as McArthur's break. Yet I have two children with full length arm casts. AHHH!

Another Broken Arm?







Yep! McArthur broke his arm again! This time he was jumping at a power tumbling place and landed wrong on his left wrist. Snapped both bones clean in half. The worst looking thing I have ever seen on my children yet. There was a noticeable wave to his wrist with his hand hanging down. That poor little thing was in so much pain. Thanks to morphine at the ER had got some relief. I never want to relive this experience again.

NewPort Beach California 2011











Best family reunion ever! Going to Newport Beach is the greatest thing ever with all the Barrett's. It's become almost a tradition and feels a bit like home when we are there. A most beautiful, heavenly home that is. No one wanted to see it end. Great times!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Family In Town!


It's always something to look forward to when you hear family is coming to town, ie my Sister-in-law Heidi. We are fortunate enough to have had them just come this last week and stay at our home. It was just Heidi and her two children, Teddy and Elsie. We had a blast and really enjoyed our eye-to-eye contact therapeutic sessions. It's always rejuvenating for me when she comes to stay. I went a little crazy with the photos of her little Elsie due to my recent photography class. But that little girl is worth taking photos. She's so stinking cute!
We also got to spend some more time with my other sister-in-law Katie and her adoreable baby Macy. Those cheeks!!

Halloween 2010


Halloween was great again this year. It has gone from being a holiday I used to hate all growing up, to one I thoroughly look forward to thanks to my kids. I love seeing their excitement in dressing up and I absolutely LOVE trick-or-treating with them!

Jacqueline was a mystery girl this year. We couldn't label her any one "thing" rather that she just wore a costume. She looked awesome however, and got to break in her costume at her jr. high Halloween dance. You would have thought she were going to Pro
m with all the time and preparation that went into getting her ready. She knew exactly what she wanted and I felt great pressure meeting her expectations. Luckily, I did.

McArthur had picked being a Cowboy and then threw on the horse he wore a couple of years ago at the last minute. He said, "I can't ride a horse without my horse!" Well said McArthur. What kind of a Cowboy would go around without a horse
to ride.

Easton was super excited to be a "Inja" this year and definitely had all the moves. He certainly knows how to ham it up.


We had both of our families over during the day for Taco Soup and Scones and had such a blast spending the day with them. Cute little Neices Hale and Macy were
so fun to see and Nephew Kaden made a great Spider Man. Good times!

Fall pictures

Fall pictures