Monday, December 26, 2016

Dear fam,

      Wow, what a wonderful week! We have had loads of fun and have made countless memories. It actually seemed like the longest week ever, with all the crazy anticipation for yesterday. We had two Zone Meetings filled with games and presents! During the white elephant gift exchange I ended up stealing a Royal Family 2017 Calendar...woot!  Winning! We laughed A LOT this week! So blessed.
Wild horsies!

Swansea sisters are swaggy!

Christmas Eve tea with the David's! Nothing better than Chinese and
good company!

      So, there's this family here called the Prossers and he was just
recently released from being the bishop. We were over there for dinner on Wednesday night and all of the sudden, brother Prosser says "I have a very serious question for you, do you think High School Musical?" We both looked at each other and said "Of course we do!" Needless to say, the dinner soon turned into a musical with all of us singing 'Breaking Free' at the top of our lungs! Talk about a party. We were able to track down a HSM mug and give it to them for Christmas; their faces were priceless! This ward is the absolute coolest!
We were WELL looked after by our wonderful ward this year!!

The aftermath.



Chocolate and Shloer(Mormon bubbly)
 "If we timed it right, there should be a surprise out your door
right....now!" We have such thoughtful elders!!

Happy Christmas from a couple of nuns!

     On Friday night, we were out tracting and met a lady named Madeline.  She opened the door and told us that she was a Welsh Baptist. She had heard of our church before, but had a lot of questions. Initially she was quite abrasive and seemed as though she wanted to bash. But eventually she asked us a simple question, "So, why the Book of Mormon? Isn't the Bible enough?" OPPORTUNITIES! We testified that the BOM answers the questions that the Bible does not and how we need this modern revelation that will help us to return to live with God. This led to her asking if she could read the book and are are going back to
see her this week!! Blessings! The spirit truly does soften people's
hearts.
      On the way back from Zone Meeting on Saturday, I told Sister Berrett that the only thing that I wanted for Christmas was a big glass of ice cold water. This is because most people here serve room temperature drinks or ones that have simply been refrigerated, but never with ice. Get this. We get to the Joneses house and Moira comes around the corner with, yes, a tall glass of Welsh water with ice cubes in it!  DREAMS DO COME TRUE! I jumped up and gave her the biggest cwtch (look it up) in the world! **Refer to picture below**
This woman reminds me so much of my mother! My beautiful Moira
Jones...we must be related, eh? Oh how I love her! She made my only
Christmas wish come true; a glass of water with ICE! Ahhh miracles.

      We went to the carol service later on Saturday evening and then went to our Ward Mission Leaders home for tea. Chinese take out! This family is such a blast. The night ended with us dancing and singing "Last Christmas" in their front corridor. Ahhhh, so much fun!

      On Christmas morning, we woke up at 5:30 and began opening our presents from the ward. We got lots of lotion, socks, and chocolate.  SO MUCH CHOCOLATE. Mercy. All our gifts were so fitting. We are so grateful! Our elders surprised us with a fake fireplace, a tree, and awesome gifts! We ended up eating cereal with them on our front porch and had a good laugh. We then went to our hour church service and then to members houses for a wonderful Christmas meal!

      Also, Skyping happened and it was beautiful. I ❤️ my fam! Technology is amazing.
Family is everything! #Skypedates

      I am so grateful for the spirit of Christmas that seems to be extra real as a missionary. Being able to be His servant on His beloved day is an absolute honour. I am grateful for His sacrifice and for his love. He is the reason that I am here. A humble babe lying in a manger became the Saviour of the world; what a story. We are blessed, because of Him! ⬆️ Praise Him.


"...and his name shall be called Wonderful, 
Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, 
The Prince of Peace."    -Isaiah 9:6
sheep.

Nathan

Hilarious coupons from Sis. Berrett. She's not super lovey dovey and
she's quite loud...so it's perfect!

God bless and a Happy New Year!

All my love,

Sister Sydney Jones

(Part of Syd's letter to me received at 1:41 am 12/26/16)

Dearest Mumzie!  
      I know it is super early, we are off to have a full English breakfast with the David's and then to the Williams and then on to Dobby's beach in Pembrookshire! I'm so excited! It will be great!! 
      Thank you so much for the wonderful Skype date yesterday!! It was so much fun! I was so grateful that Ty, Jen, and the kids were able to make it as well. So much fun! I loved all the questions too, they made me think :) .......... We have been very blessed this year and have had a ton of fun! We are looking forward to this week and all that will come. Please pray that I will pass my Theory Test on Thursday at 7pm. I will need them! I hope you all have a good week. I can't wait to hear about Katelyn's experience in Cali. Sydney.
Look where I have been today! Pembrokeshire!
The beach where Dobby died!!

Tags

Old American Ford truck and Welsh grassland

The Williams!!

Feat. Sister Berrett as Dobby
& Sister Jones as Harry

"You're a wizard Harry!"

LOVE This Girl!

The sun really does shine in the UK!


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