Archive for 2015

Universal Studios was a BLAST!!

12.31.2015

None of us had ever been to Universal Studios, Orlando-- much less the new Harry Potter part of the theme park. What a blast! We (especially McKenzie) had such a fun time! We enjoyed the Harry Potter area, but also the rest of the park. It didn't seem quite as crowded as Disneyworld either. Here are some pictures of the day... We ended up seeing the whole park a lot faster than we thought, so left and got dinner at Friday's on the way back to our hotel. We were very tired. We rang in 2016 in our quiet hotel room while we listened to all the fireworks and noise going on outside. I think Bill and I were the only ones awake... the girls had all fallen asleep! Imagine that-- teenagers ASLEEP on New Year's Eve.... that's how tires we were!!

This was a fun ride!

We had to get some "Butterbeer". It was really good. We got it warm, like hot chocolate... but you can get it cold. It is what we would call butterscotch flavor, here in America.

Hogwarts Express

Yep that is me with the poncho on, and this time it did NOT keep me dry! We were all so wet that day... there were several water rides and they were all aimed at getting you soaked. They succeeded!!

Whee! That was a really long drop!

Dumbledor's Castle

...another selfie!

Katelyn??

McKenzie LOVED this!!

Can you tell?

Animal Kingdom and Epcot today! Yippee!!

12.30.2015

Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite, if not my most favorite parks in all of Disneyworld! We had so much fun today and saw and did so many fun things! Because we took advantage of an early park opening there, we were able to have time to visit Epcot later on in the afternoon. By the end of the day we sure were TIRED! I was kind of feeling a bad cold coming on as the day progressed... Ugh!! But that didn't dampen our spirits... we still had a great day!

We saw so many animals on this safari ride!

This lion acted large and in charge

I know who's NOT going to get wet!!

All ready to go!!

You all are gonna get WET!!!!

The Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom. We look bored...I mean absolutely terrified!!

Katelyn eating her turkey leg at Epcot...

...she eventually did finish it!

What do you do when you're stuck in a loooong line?

Funny that we were all on our dumb phones!

Magic Kingdom!!

12.29.2015

What a fun but exhausting day! We literally RAN to everything we wanted to see in Magic Kingdom! There were lines everywhere, but only some of the wait times were bad. We had an enjoyable time just being together with some down time to RELAX!!

I really fear the day Brooke and Katelyn drive on the real roads!! They were all over the track!!

We made it! Whew!!

It was very hot and humid for December!! Unseasonably warm...

One of our favorites... Splash Mountain!!

We look goofy!! Yes, I am holding on for dear life!

Brooke got to meet Belle at the Edward Jones Theme Evening. Good food and a very fun party!

Brooke said later that she didn't think Belle looked anything like the real one...maybe because the real one is a cartoon!! Hahahahaha :)

Megan's Letter on 12/28/15 - Christmas Week :)

12.28.2015

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