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

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