Dearest Family and Friends!
It has been such a beautiful week, busy and full of work,
but an week of growth and opportunity as well. Last Friday, only hours after my
last email, my district went to the TRC (teaching resource center) where
members and occasional investigators volunteer for teaching opportunities. I
now teach with two elders in my district, Elder Hill and Elder Childs (two of
the best elders I've ever know if the truth must be proclaimed everywhere!!!).
Elder Hill is serving in McAllen Texas mission, the Texas mission in the very
tip bordering Mexico. And Elder Childs is serving in Arkansas. It has been a
bit interesting to learn to teach as a trio, and from a sister perspective and
the elder's perspective. Anyway, last Friday we went to the TRC and our first
"investigators" were Elder and Hermana Aragon, a service senior
missionary couple originally from Mexico. And they had the most beautiful
Spanish accents I think I've ever heard in my whole life. The lesson we had
prepared was on how to receive revelation and answers through prayer, but they
asked us a question on how to build our faith. We shared experiences and bore
testimony that exercising our faith through actions of prayer, repentance, and
renewing our covenants increases our faith. The Spirit was so strong we didn't
want to leave the room and there wasn't a dry eye among the 5 of us. It is an
experience I will treasure.
And speaking of faith (though it's out of order from the
week), we had a great lesson on faith yesterday from our district teacher,
Brother Wheeler. He quoted Elder Bednar saying that "faith is
works!". We teach and preach that faith is a principle of action, a belief
that compels us to act and obey the commandments of our Father. Elder Bednar
went on to say that He cringes when he hears people pray things such as
"Bless all those that aren't here this week, that they'll be here next
week." etc etc. Because, one it's vain repetition, two most people aren't
aware of all those not there and just wanted something to say to full up their
prayer, and third most importantly, it is a faithless prayer because it implies
no action on our part. Elder Bednar suggested that instead we tell Heavenly
Father the actions we are going to do to help all those come to church next
week and then ask fro him to bless them with health or softened hearts. Etc. As
we teach investigators faith, I am striving to teach it in such a way that they
know they must act upon the faith they receive and as they continue to act will
gain more faith.
We had a beautiful devotional Tuesday night by Elder Marlin
K Jensen of the Seventy. He is "retiring" from the Seventy in the next
month as he just turned 70, so speaking with us was one of his last official
assignments. He chose to speak on advice for missionaries. He reminded us that
there is no competition or office seeking for callings in the church. He said
" Status has nothing to do with salvation." If we would all magnify
the smallest callings within the church, their would be no lost sheep in the
gospel of our Savior. He went on to talk about desiring to be a great teacher
of the gospel- that we have a responsibility to preach, teach, and declare with
purity and clarity so all may understand our message. It is then the
responsibility of the other person to choose to accept and act upon the divine
truths I have taught. He said, " Everyone we ever meet in this life will one
day know what we know, AND they will know that we knew it." I cannot, on
the mission, keep my mouth shut due to shyness or insecurity over the language
or other things. Everyone has to know and I have an obligation to share. All of
you reading this letter, please think of someone you could share the gospel
with. Reach out. Open your mouth. And I know you will find joy in sharing the
light of Jesus Christ.
Also, he reminded us that every person we meet deserves the
very best of us, every single day. Their salvation depends on our message. We
would never want the stake patriarch to have a bad day when he gives us a
blessing would we? And so I must give my best every possible moment so I can
reach all those I must. Joseph Smith said, " Only a fool trifles with the souls
of men."
So much more to tell you: Fast Sunday was wonderful and
filled with the Spirit. Read Romans 8:35, 37, and Jacob 7:8.
This morning in the
temple I was able to do family names for one of the other sisters- including
two sets of sisters and a mother and daughter. It was emotional for me as I
thought of all my beautiful sisters and how I want to be with them in the
temple. I could literally feel the sisters rejoicing in heaven together.
All my love and please know I can giving my Heavenly Father
my very best-
Hermana Koerner
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