Happy Happy Holidays!

Earlier this year, President and Sister Stevens made an announcement
at zone Conference that was so special it had everyone in tears, they
told us that they received permission from the Area Seventy to attend
the London Temple as a mission at Christmas time. This Friday, the day
finally came! We had 3 of our zones attend at the same time and it was
one of the best days of my entire mission!
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the temple with the
amazing missionaries I serve with and with President and Sister
Stevens. It was just incredible. I loved it! I have such a strong
testimony of the temple. We receive so much light and knowledge and
the temple always needs to be in our sights. I don't know what I would
do without it in my life.
We have been busy in beautiful Colchester, teaching and helping the
ward prepare for Christmas. Yesterday we sang "Mary Did You Know" in
sacrament meeting and we are also helping with the carol concert. Lots
of singing! Sister Abeling is one of my best friends and we are both
loving this opportunity that we have to stand as Disciples of Christ
at Christmas time. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ. I will celebrate
Him forever!


Merry Christmas!!
XOXO Sister Barnes

All is Merry & Bright

Hello from Colchester! I arrived safe and sound. I am here with my
original mtc companion, Sister Abeling and life is SO GOOD. This is a
wonderful area. Colchester is the oldest town in England. Just think
about that for a moment. There is literally nothing cooler than this
place. I try really hard every day to not completely nerd out over all
of the history here. I was on the bus my first day (not a double
decker red London bus how weird) and I was talking to this man and he
was like, "oh yeah! See those bullet holes in that building right
there? They're from the 16th century." Things like that every day.
There is a University here and so we teach a lot of Chinese students
on campus and it's soooo fun! We also taught an American and we have a
family that is originally from Cache Valley in our ward, I haven't
talked to Americans in so long that it doesn't even feel normal!  We
have the most amazing ward known to man. Seriously, they love the
missionaries and fight over having us over. We had an awesome ward
Christmas party on Saturday that Sister Abeling and I helped out with
and it was so awesome!
Yesterday, my first Sunday in Colchester, it snowed. And they
cancelled church. It doesn't snow that much in England and the country
really isn't equipped for it and so it is absolute mayhem when it does
happen. We traveled on the roads with the Elders and helped people
get their cars out of the snow. We went to all of the members and gave
a spiritual thought before the Elders administered the sacrament, we
shoveled driveways and just did all we could to serve. It was one of
the sweetest days of my mission. I'm so thankful for the opportunity
that we had to just go out and work and touch so many people with our
actions. This season really does emulate the spirit of Christ, that is
why it is such a special time of year. Let us all focus on our loving
Saviour and the joy that He brings to our lives!

XOXO
Sister Barnes

Christmas in Colchester

Big news! The Lord is taking me out of my home for 6 months, Ilford, and sending me off to Colchester! I will be reunited with my MTC companion, Sister Abeling!:) I am so excited! But it's so hard to leave Ilfordstan behind, I truly am going to miss all of the Africans and Indians here. I will always consider this my home. I have never loved so many people this instantly and this much! The friendships that I've made will last a lifetime. I am so lucky to have spent so much time here! And I'm so pumped to serve in Colchester! The members told me that it is an ancient old Roman town and there's a big castle here. Also the story of Humpty Dumpty originated from Colchester. Cool stuff. I may go into shock because I haven't served so far from London since the beginning of my mission. And I will have to go back to the most cynical people, but I  love them anyways. . . . ENGLISH PEOPLE! Dun dun duuuun. Man I am so excited!!!!!! 

We had the best day on Saturday because our sweet 9 year old investigator was baptised. I LOVE her so much. Her mom was baptised when I was here in August and now she has made that decision for herself. I love and admire her so much! We had all of the Portugese members here to support her! It was the most beautiful day. The spirit was so strong. 

I love you all so much. Happy December! 

1 Nephi 7:12 

​Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all ​​​things​ according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise ​​​faith​ in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Remember to Light the World! 

Mormon.org 

XOXO

Sister Barnes