The Dynamic Duo

We had zone Conference on Wednesday this week and it was my first time
ever going to Conference in the North part of the mission. It was held
in Ipswich! Usually I go to zone Conference right in South Kensington
so it was a fun little change:) Sister De France and I gave a training
about working with members, it went really well! It was a fun day that
was completely led by the spirit:)
The family that we found last week is AMAZING. There are four kids and
they are all super cool. We went back this week and taught them all
about the restoration. They loved it!! And they could really feel the
spirit, they all wanted their own Book of Mormon! Sister De France
said that when she imagined her mission, she hoped that there would be
moments like that. It was so good!
We had a surprise at church as well, one of our old investigators that
had been preparing for baptism but then disappeared just showed up!
She was super keen to just start over and meet with us all over again.
I love when they come back:)
I think we saw so many good things happen this weekend because we have
a zone goal where a companionship will fast for a day and the rest of
the zone will pray for them. We were the first companionship to fast
and we could literally FEEL the other missionaries prayers. I know
that fasting and prayer is something so real. Never underestimate the
power it can have in your life. I know that the Savior lives and that
He loves us.

I love you all so very much!

XOXO
Sister Barnes

Tropical Splash

There is a new Caribbean twist to Colchester and her name is Sister De
France. When she arrived, the sun came out for probably the first time
since I've been here:) It's about time we get some tropical vibes over
here. It has been a long and miracle filled week with my new hilarious
companion!
Our days have been packed with crazy tender mercies. . . On Wednesday
we met with a couple of our recent converts and they all wanted to
come finding with us! Bless them. So they came out and hit the streets
with us. It was so fun to stop people when we had our little posse
with us. They were so good and handing out pass along cards and
everyone was rejecting us as per the usual. (There's always a miracle
though so don't worry;) It even got to the point where security came
and asked us to leave the street, so we left and went to another
street they said was okay to go to. THEN we ran into the most awesome
person and we all got to testify to him, I almost started crying as
our recent converts bore testimony to this guy and told him why he
should meet with us and why the Book of Mormon was true and how it
helped them in their lives. It was SO sweet. And they were all so
excited!!
The very first day of the transfer, opposition hit Sister Barnes HARD.
Our investigator's friend called us and told us to never contact our
investigator again and he's not interested and don't even try and just
yelled and yelled and yelled at me. And I know that's not what our
investigator really felt like because he was scheduled to have his
baptismal interview that night, so needless to say I was completely
gutted. SO SAD. But then, later on in the week we had a member
appointment, we knocked on this member's door and our INVESTIGATOR
answered it! Since this member helped teach and fellowship, she said
there was no way she was going to let our investigator not be able to
learn. Biggest miracle ever!!
We also tracted a family this week and they are super awesome! It was
so amazing to see the spirit guide us literally right to their door.
We had a baptism in Colchester Ward yesterday for sweet Antonella to
finish off the week! We are having a wonderful time and I'm so
thankful to be a missionary.

Wishing you all the best this week!

XOXO
Sister Barnes

I LOVE ENGLAND

Good morning from Colchester!! We have seen so many good things happen
this week. Our two investigators that are preparing for baptism, J and
T, both came to church yesterday and they both absolutely loved it.
The ward was so welcoming to them and it was so exciting to watch.
Both of them felt so much love from those around them and from the
Lord. I love bringing people to church when the sacrament actually
means something to them, and the sacrament means so much to both of
them. J is getting his baptismal interview on Tuesday so we are
praying hard! I am so proud of him.
We had exchanges is week and I was with Sister Gade from Fiji. I sure
love that girl. It has been the funnest thing to watch all of the
younger missionaries learn and grow. The England London Mission has
some legends, I learn from all of the missionaries around me everyday.
We have had a lot of really awesome member appointments as well and
have been stretching the Europe Area plan to Bring a Friend. I love
the Ipswich Stake! They are all so on top of missionary work and they
really care!
We got transfer calls yesterday and I will be staying here in
Colchester and training a new sister training leader, Sister De
France! She is from Trinidad & Tibago! I am SO EXCITED!!!! Sister
Abeling will be whitewash training in Canterbury. I am so pumped for
her, I love Sister Abe more than life. Last night we were talking
about how old we are in the mission, don't know how it happened but we
feel about as ancient as Colchester castle.
I have such a strong and undeniable testimony that this church is
true. I see it bring light and happiness to the people of England
every single day. Testifying of Jesus Christ brings more joy to my
life than anything else! We are so blessed. Not to mention, I really
love England. More than I can even say!!

Have a wonderful week!

XOXOSister Barnes

We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet❤️

Another lovely week in Colchester! We had an absolute miracle and a
young man I talked with for 5 seconds on the bus before we had to get
off texted us and told us he wanted to learn more about the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! We were super excited and so the
next morning we were planning on giving him a tour of the chapel. On
the bus ride there we were talking with everyone and just as I
finished giving the man behind me a pass along card, my phone vibrated
and I read a text from our investigator that we were headed to meet,
it said that he was so sorry to hear about our prophet passing away.
My eyes quickly filled with tears and I showed it to Sister Abeling.
When she read it we just both looked at each other and continued to
talk with people on the bus, this time with even more urgency. I think
that of everything I learned from Thomas S. Monson, the thing that
most stands out to me is the importance of listening to promptings and
testifying. I am so thankful for him. Without his guidance and
revelation I wouldn't even be on a mission! It has been a wonderful
week of reflecting on all that he has taught me, as well as testifying
of him. We thank thee oh God for a prophet! It's true!

Have a blessed week!

XOXOSister Barnes

Welcome 2018!

Happy New Year!! I am so thankful for the year that I have spent as one of Christ's missionaries, it has been the best year! And 2018 will be even better, I am so excited for all that the new year will bring.
We had a wonderful holiday season here in Colchester Ward. We spent Christmas with our ward mission leader and his family, he has two little daughters that are so cute and they made Christmas so magical! We truly couldn't ask to serve in a better ward. They love and support us so much and we LOVE them. Our investigators are doing great and we are meeting more and more incredible people each day. I'm so excited to help these people progress at the start of the New Year! 

Alma 7

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I am thankful for our dear Redeemer and I think it is interesting that 2017 has been my greatest year so far, I've come to the conclusion that it's because (well because I'm a missionary and nothing is better than that) but also because I centered my life on Jesus Christ that year more than I ever have before. That is my goal to do the same this year! It will be wonderful. Have a Happy New Year, I love you!!


XOXO

Sister Barnes