What a Glorious time of year to be representing our Savior, Jesus Christ, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!! ~ to feel the love of the people we are serving, to join in on their programs and parties, to listen to the beautiful music and enjoy the Christmas lights, and to sense the happiness and joy of the season! I cannot express my gratitude enough to my Father in Heaven for this wonderful experience and opportunity!!
There are so many things going on that it is hard to tell about all of them, but here are the highlights through pictures of some of the activities of the past couple of weeks. The Anacostia Ward had their Christmas party and potluck dinner last Saturday, giving a gift to each child in the ward (less than 20, I think!) They meet in a Baptist Church that our church bought a few years ago, so make do with using the Primary room for ward dinners (no cultural hall there!) The members there are so genuine, with a simple, sincere faith ~ we feel so blessed to be able to serve there!
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| Giving out the gifts |
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| Bro. Thaden conducting |
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| Elders enjoying the food! |
We have loved getting to know these special sisters! Their dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is deeply felt by all who know them!
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| Sis. Eloise Williams at home |
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| Sis. Odette McPherson |
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| Sis. Drogguett and baby Elena |
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| With Vera O. from Nigeria |
One of our favorite experiences on our mission is the association with the young Elders and Sisters serving in the areas. They do the proselyting and teaching, we try to support and serve where needed. This was one of the baptisms we attended in the White Plains Ward, Sister Cecelia Willie. The Spirit was so strong at her baptism ~ it will remain in my memory for a long time to come!
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| Elder Criddle baptized Sister Willie |
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| She was so excited! |
We love being able to work with these Elders, take them to dinner occasionally and get to know and feel of their strong desires and testimonies! This was Elder Fuller's birthday, so we sent a picture to his mother to let her know he was being taken care of on his birthday!
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| Elders Fuller and Kempton |
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| With Elder Barduhn in Anacostia |
We had a wonderful gathering of the Senior missionaries at President and
Sister Johnson's at the beautiful and spacious mission home in North
Potomac, Maryland. It is necessary for mission presidents to have a
large home for the Elders and Sisters as they arrive and as they depart
to go home. We have been invited there again this week to the
"Departure Dinner", as we will be leaving in less than 3 weeks to return
home. This will be a very special occasion to be together with these
departing Elders and Sisters and hear them bear their testimonies. It
is so great to see the growth and maturity in them as they serve a
mission.
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| Pres. & Sis. Johnson's home |
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| Senior missionaries gather |
And some of the highlights of the Christmas season here in Washington D.C. are the beautiful lights at the Visitor's Center and near the temple, and the outstanding display of Christmas trees and nativities from all over the world. They have a free concert every night during December at the Visitor's Center ~ wish we could make it to more of them, but it is over an hour from where we live, so we have to pick and choose which to go to, and hopefully take members or investigators with us. It is so beautiful we just want everyone to be able to attend, as well as being a great missionary tool!
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| Christmas lights by the. temple |
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| Nativities from around the world |
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| Mormon Choir of Washington D.C. |
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| Nativity by Visitor's Center |
This week we were able to attend the Mormon Choir of Washington D.C.
concert, which was very good, along with the children's choir that sang
with them. They are well-known here for their music!
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| More of the Christmas lights! |
While
it is drawing quickly to a close, I have truly loved being able to be
here in this area to serve a mission, and have felt the love of my
Savior many times in the work we are doing ~ too numerous to even tell
all that I have felt and experienced. I have been so blessed, and feel
so grateful for the love and support of family and friends! Make the
most of this beautiful season to serve others and give back to the Lord!
May this season be happy and joyful for each of you!! I love you
all, and hope to see you all very soon! Love, Sister Perkins
