December 25, 2017 Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

President and Sister Huntsman are the BEST!

Since last week’s letter was pretty long, I’ll keep this one a bit more brief.

We had a full week! We had 3 different exchanges with different companionships. For one of them I was able to go on an exchange out in Warrenton, which was super fun because I was able to see different investigators and members that I knew really well when I was out in that ward.

We were busy and had a lot of lessons in our area. Knowing that my mission has been winding down, I feel like in all of the lessons we have had the past few weeks, my testimony has been more sincere and meaningful as we teach our investigators. I am grateful for the chance I have had to bear my testimony of the
Restoration of the gospel for the past two years here in Virginia!

 I’m grateful for all the senior couples in our mission!
Elder and Sister Beus 

Last night on Christmas Eve we were able to deliver a pile of gifts anonymously to a part- member family that we’ve been teaching a lot the past few weeks. It’s a great feeling helping to make someone Christmas a little bit more meaningful! They’re the Sanchez family and they’re is awesome and have been coming to church the past few weeks!

We also taught the different recent converts in the ward a couple times this week and gave them some gifts. I will miss them!

Even though I gave a talk in church a couple weeks ago, I was asked yesterday on the spot to bear my testimony at church. I was happy to do it! I’ve spent the last 6 transfers of my mission here in the Fort Belvoir Ward and have really enjoyed my time working with the members of this ward!

Elder and Sister Neilson

It’s hard to believe this is my last weekly letter home! I’m grateful for an INCREDIBLE mother who wrote me every single week of my mission, and has been writing weekly emails to missionaries for about 12 years, with a few small gaps in between where she didn’t have a missionary out serving. Over 700 letters! That’s some dedication. I only had too write about 100, she’s done way more. Love you Momma!

I have loved my time serving here in the Washington DC South Mission! I’ve had many wonderful experiences, met so many amazing people, and have learned a lot. I am so grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve my mission and serve the people here.

Elder and Sister Bloomfield

I love what Gordon B Hinckley says that “There is absolutely no point in doing missionary work unless we hold on to the fruits of that effort... When you go home do not forget [those you have taught]. At all times live worthy of their trust.” I’m grateful for every person I’ve been able to teach these past two years and I hope and pray that I can always remember them and “live worthy of their trust” as President Hinckley said.

I am grateful for this Christmas season and the time we have to remember the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the greatest gift!

So many gifts come from Him. The gift of his birth, the gift of his life, the gift of his example, the gift of his atoning sacrifice, the gift of his doctrine and his gospel, the gift of his infinite mercy and love. As the Christmas lights all come down in the next couple weeks, I hope we can all continue to shine the light of Christ throughout the year through our actions and our words towards those around us.

I love you all SO much and wish you a Merry Christmas!

Elder Jeremy Duvall
Washington DC South Mission

 Logan, also a senior. They both came out
with us all the time to help us teach people.
They have become good friends

Richard, a senior in high school in the ward.

The Larramee Family. Their son is on a mission in Japan and has been out for 6 months now, which is hard to believe since he was here for a couple months while I was in the ward, and I’m still here!

Inayat and Martha, a couple from Pakistan
who we’re baptized a few years ago in our ward.

 

Andres and Cindy, a young couple that live i
n our apartment complex that we’ve been teaching.
They are so awesome!

The Bailey Family on Christmas Eve. 
I enjoy their 8 year old twins!