Feliz Ano Novo

Hello everyone and happy New Year!!! 

I still cannot believe that its already 2018, I feel like yesterday was 2017 (okay that’s was a cheesy joke, my dad would be proud of that) But really, time really does fly by so quick. This past year I spent every second here in Portugal as a missionary. It was the year that I thought the least about myself and the most about serving other people, and I can honestly say that it is the year that I have grown the most and truly been able to measure the growth I have made. But I am excited for 2018, I made some good goals and I know this year will bring lots of new excitements, even if I have no idea what is going to happen this year. I am excited!! 

This week in terms of work was a little difficult, being the week between Christmas and New Years everyone was either traveling, spending time with family, or working extra hours to make up for the people that were traveling. So we had a lot of time to walk in the streets and try to talk to everyone that passed by. It has also been rainy this whole week, so I am excited for a new week to start and really be able to work and get to know everyone here in this area! 

Our branch is pretty tiny, last week we had 9 people, this week we had 7. I am hoping after everything calms down with the holidays we will have more like 15 to 25 people. But it is good to work here in this area and truly feel needed and have a purpose to really strengthen this branch and help these members. 

I hope you guys all had fun ringing in the New Year, and made good goals to make 2018 the best year that there ever could be!!! 

Com Amor,

Sister Jones 

Merry Christmas Day!

Hello everyone!!! 

Hope you guys are all having a good Christmas!!! 

We had a good week here in Evora, and only managed to get lost like one time!! The city of Evora is SO cute I have absolutely fallen in love with the small roads and cobblestone streets, and casles that line the streets. 

Yesterday the cutest member invited us over to eat our Christmas Eve dinner with her. She made us the traditional Christmas meal, codd fish. The funny thing is that I remember last Christmas I HATED our Christmas dinner, but this year I didn't even just handle it, but I actually LIKED it. I am telling you, miracles are real and people change on the mission.

Don't have much to say, but I will send pictures!!! 

FELIZ NATAL!!! 

Sister Jones ​

Èvora lets gooooo

​We had a great week in Barreiro! We found a lot of miracles and we have truly seen how hearts are being softened during this Christmas season! We invited all the members to share the Christmas video with their friends and we are seeing lots of success!! One of our members invited their friend to church, she came, and she loved it! We were able to teach her yesterday and she wants to keep coming to church!! Also, another member invited her friend to our Christmas party and she is really interested to learn more about the church!! MILAGRES!! 

Also, we have changes in the area!!! I am leaving and going to do just another whitewash in Èvora!! It is an area a little… different. It’s really old and really historical. It is right in the very middle of Portugal, and the branch there is really small and needs a lot of help and support. I am excited to go there and help all that I can! I am also starting my last transfer, which is crazy to me, but I am excited to give it my all these last 6 weeks and truly grow closer to my Heavenly Father through serving His children!!

Hope you all have a good Christmas and truly remember the reason for the season. Keep lighting the world!! 

Sister Jones  

Sister Baker and Sister Jones

Sister Foster and I (we arrived together)

Sister Bleyl and I

Our MTC group

One of my favorite members (and recent convert) from Barreiro 

Another member in Barriero 

Headed to Lisbon for transfers

Merry Christmas!

Hello everyone!! 

We are officially in the best time of the year!!! The only bad thing is that the best time of the year is also the coldest time of the year. Its official, we never quite know if people are smoking, or just breathing because it is SO cold. They do have Christmas music here but most of them are in English. SO no, I don’t know them in Portuguese haha, maybe like one line or two but not much. 

This week I had to do a division with the sisters on Sunday, so I went to another branch yesterday (its a long story) but it was so good because I got to see one of my favorite members from Seixal! Her husband was being called to be the branch president so they now work in the other branch in Barreiro. I got SO excited!!! 

(When I asked about her companion going home next week this was her response): Time is passing by just a little too quick! No, we are not allowed to visit other areas in our mission, which is kinda sad actually, so nope we are staying in our area and working. Actually we are in Lisbon right now, then returning tonight to sleep here and she has her final meeting tomorrow morning, then returning to sleep here again on Tuesday because we have our Christmas conference and then finally getting back to our area Wednesday at night and then only returning Sunday night for Sister Bleyl to go to the mission home. SO yea, this week will be crazy! One thing I have learned from her is how to love the doctrine of the church. Like seriously we stay up late so discussing deep doctrine and principles of salvation almost every night, I have really grown to not just accept things, but really question them to get my own testimony and not just accept surface level. Its good. 

We are prepping for Christmas and trying to share the light the world campaign with everyone! It has been a success! Hearts are being touched and doors are opening to hear our message. I seriously love this time of the year when everyone is a little more open to hear a message about our Lord and Redeemer. 

Everyone go on to Mormon.org to watch the video of Christmas and find ways to help others this season!! 

Have a great week!! Thanks for all the support! 

Divisions with Sisters in Miratejo

Drying her shoes

The member’s aren’t feeding us so I have started eating sea friends

Pretty beach day on PDay