Called to Serve in DC North: Christmas Week :)

So this week has been super dead. All the young single adults (the area that we cover) are either busy with finals, home for the holidays, or are finished with their internship and are leaving!! Haha it was funny, they ended up cancelling church on Sunday because all the young single adults were gone! So we went to a family ward near our apartment. It was fun to show Victor, one of our investigators, what a family ward is like. He really enjoyed it. Festival of Lights has been so busy this week, so that is good! Our record for people coming in in one night is over 8,000!! Christmas was so great! This was my first year away from home for Christmas! As sad as it was, I have really truly felt and understood the TRUE meaning of Christmas!

On Christmas Day we had a fun big lunch with the whole mission and President Cooke and his wife. I love this mission and have developed so many life long relationships.

This week I have seen first hand the blessings this gospel brings into peoples lives. Joseph Smith wrote, “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” This is such a powerful quote from Joseph Smith. It is so true. Nothing can stop this great and marvelous work of God. I know that the miracles of missionary work are real. President Monson taught, “Regarding one’s testimony, remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses. … Teach and testify. There is no better combination." Teach and testify to everyone about this great joy and this plan of happiness.

Never forget Jesus Christ's great and atoning sacrifice that made EVERYTHING possible. His atonement made it possible for us to have enternal life and for us to return to live in the presence of God with our families forever! This is such a wonderful gift and we have the opportunity to share it with others! This is the greatest gift we can give back to the Savior… missionary work!!! :) Test it out... teach and testify and accomplish the Lords work and I promise you will find a joy you have never experienced before. I love you all and miss you so much!!! Have a wonderful New Year and always walk by faith, not by sight. Thanks for all your support!

Love, Sister Freeman