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Monday, November 12, 2012

Moroni 7:41 11/12/12

Good morning everyone!
It is a beautiful crisp Monday morning here in Houston and the holiday spirit is already in the air. Starting the day after Halloween, Christmas stuff was out and music playing. And Texas goes all out for decorating. Houses are already decked out with beautiful and crazy lights. I'll have to send some pictures. I'm really excited to experience a mix of various traditions during the holidays. We are continuing to teach Maria and her cute family. They came to church yesterday for the first time which was really exciting and we're seeing them tonight. Please pray for them : ) A neat story about our investigator Norman- we planned that we were going to teach the plan of salvation with him earlier last week. Then in studies we split up who we were studying for. Hna Latu studied for Norman and in comp study told me that we should teach the Tree of Life. I'll admit I was a bit annoyed because it didn't seem to have any purpose, but I went with it any way. Then at the appointment, we introduce what we were going to teach and Norman and Jessica get really excited. That morning they had been reading about it and were confused. It wasn't a hugely spiritual moment, but just a quiet reminder to both of us (me and Hna Latu) that Heavenly Father is in charge. Also this past week we were invited to speak to the young women at another ward's mutual about missionary work. That was a really beautiful experience sharing with 30 YW why I chose to come on a mission, sharing spiritual experiences from the mission, and answering questions. Over half of them really wanted to go on missions. If you Terre Haute YW want to do something similar invite missionaries to mutual or even get lots of questions together and I'll work on answering them with the other sisters.

This week I was studying the attribute of "hope" and I learned a lot. "The word hope is sometimes misunderstood. In our everyday language, the word often has a hint of uncertainty. For example, we may say that we hope for a change in the weather or a visit from a friend. In the language of the gospel, however, the word hope is sure, unwavering, and active. Prophets speak of having a “firm hope” (Alma 34:41) and a “lively hope” (1 Peter 1:3). The prophet Moroni taught, “Whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:4). When we have hope, we trust God's promises. We have a quiet assurance that if we do “the works of righteousness,” we “shall receive [our] reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). Mormon taught that such hope comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ: “What is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise” (Moroni 7:41) True to the Faith". I found this really great talk - "Brightness of Hope" by Elder Neal A Maxwell. Just one thing I really loved was "Only the acceptance of the revelations of God can bring both direction and correction and, in turn, bring a “brightness of hope. Real hope does not automatically “spring eternal” unless it is connected with eternal things!...Just as doubt, despair, and desensitization go together, so do faith, hope, and charity. The latter, however, must be carefully and constantly nurtured, whereas despair, like dandelions, needs so little encouragement to sprout and spread. Despair comes so naturally to the natural man!... While weak hope leaves us at the mercy of our moods and events, “brightness of hope” produces illuminated individuals. Their luminosity is seen, and things are also seen by it! Such hope permits us to “press forward” even when dark clouds oppress. Sometimes in the deepest darkness there is no external light—only an inner light to guide and to reassure." I'll admit that quote is a bit cut and pasted, but the entire talk is incredible. ( Dad- it is Elder Maxwell in all his eloquent glory : )
I love you all and you're in my prayers.
Love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner

Proverbs 31:10 11/05/12

Hey everyone!
It's been a fun and busy week here in Texas! Shout out to my beautiful little sister, Cody, who is turning 16 this week- watch out all young men. She is beautiful, talented, and spunky. Love you Cody! We set a baptismal date with another investigator-Norman for the first week of December! We're going to have a white Christmas here in Texas- I can just feel it. Most of the week, we focused on teaching and helping Henri and Norman progress and prepare for baptism. For Halloween we had to be home early, at 6:30, to avoid the trick or treating and other Halloween activities. It was kinda boring, but I caught up in my journal and watched 17 Miracles. Then this past weekend we had exchanges- I went to Katy, TX with Hermana Ball. She is from New Zealand and is so adorable. We just clicked and we were able to work like we'd been companions for awhile : ) She is full or energy and we worked hard for the 24 hours together. With one family we visited, a family with four boys, we felt prompted to share the stripling warriors story. The boys were gone for a Boy Scout camp out for the weekend and the parents were feeling lonely and sad that the house was quiet and empty. We shared the story and told them that they need not fear, because their sons have been prepared by their righteous examples and teachings to be righteous priesthood holders. Mom, Dad, do not be sad that I've left home. You taught me who I needed to become through your examples.
This week I was studying the Christlike attribute of virtue. The first scripture that comes to mind is Proverbs 31:10- "Who can find a virtuous women? For her price is far above rubies." And Preach My Gospel says that virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It's been especially powerful to study the women of the Bible as I looked for examples of virtue. I studied Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Mary among others and felt inspired as a righteous disciple. And more and more I see that virtue = power. And by the power of virtue, many miracles are brought to pass. I ended up studying in the Bible Dictionary under Miracles and I loved learning that every single one of Christ's miracles superseded a lower law  with the higher law, in the case of healing, raising from the dead, changing water to wine, etc. It is symbolic of the power of the Savior to overcome all physical and mortal barrier with the infinite power of the Atonement. I've been studying conference talks and I really loved Elder Eyring's "Where is the Pavilion?" He starts off by saying that "Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden, yet sometimes we are, covered by a pavilion of motivations that draw us away from God and make Him seem distant and inaccessible. Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done", create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God. God is not unable to see us or communicate with us, but we may be unwilling to listen or submit to His will and His time." How many times do we blame Heavenly Father when we have moved farther away? How many times do I do that? He goes on to outline several "pavilions" that separate us from God and in the end offers a challenge. I love looking for the direct invitations and suggestions of the prophet and his apostles through Conference. He said " Many of you, as I have, have felt fear in approaching someone you have offended or who has hurt you. And yet I have seen the Lord melt hearts time after time, including my own. And so I challenge you to go for the Lord to someone, despite any fear you may have, to extend love and forgiveness." I know that I need to take this challenge to allow myself to forgive. In a new mormon.org profile by Vanessa, she says " Forgiveness is a really beautiful thing because it allows people to move on. And life does move on. And if you hold onto things, then they hold you and you can't change."

I love you all bunches and hope you hear from you all soon!

Love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner

Faith and A Fecha 10/29/12

Hey everyone!
It's been a fantastic week here in Oakcrest and we were able to set a baptismal date (fecha) with Henri that I mentioned last week. He is a miracle in and of himself. For some people we teach, we can see that one of us connects or relates really well and that maybe we are here in this area right now to teach and help this person. But with Henri, he's so ready, so prepared, that Heavenly Father's just allowing me to witness this miracle. We set a baptismal date for the 17th of November, but we might move it up a week if everything else goes well. We had another great experience with a member family (two sisters and their kids) in the branch...well, actually they aren't in our branch anymore. They used to be in our ward, but with some slight boundary changes they go to the neighboring Spanish ward. We cover one side of the street and the other side (which they live on) is in the Woodlands ward. We were down in that part of our area a lot this past week and both me and Hna Latu kept thinking about the Vargas family. So one night, after our appointments had fallen through, we decided to stop by and say hi (after asking for permission). We knocked on the door and one of the sisters answered and started crying. They invited us in and told us that they were having a really hard time and they'd been praying for something to help them not lose faith. We had a sweet visit with them and shared Proverbs 3:5-6 and Alma 37:37. I don't know the needs of the wards back there, but I know that they are families that need a little encouragement and love, maybe you are their home teachers or visiting teachers, or maybe just a friend- but this week, try and find someone else to uplift and serve. And I promise that your problems won't seem so bad.
I've been studying the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi and having lots of fun with it. 2 Nephi 9 is incredible and I love how it outlines the plan of salvation with the Savior as the center. I've been studying Christlike attributes a lot- faith for the past week and a half. And I just started studying virtue yesterday. For faith, I really enjoyed comparing Hebrews 11 and Ether 12 for all the examples of faith. Love you all lots and Happy Halloween!
Love,
Hermana Koerner

All in the Plan 10/22/12

Buenos tardes!
What a wonderful week it has been! We've taught over thirty lessons, gained several, new investigators, had more than a couple miracles, and are thoroughly exhausted. So after I finish this email, I'm definitely taking a nap. But at least you know that you guys came first. Our first miracle this week came with a less active member who we visit almost every week, but who refuses to come to church because she was offended years ago. She is one of the most caring and loving people towards the missionaries as far as feeding them or helping them, but whenever we share a message she throws it back in our face. And somehow she goes back to talk about how everyone in the church is a hypocrite. She even made me cry one time- but that's another story ( I only tell all of this so you see the miracle). Anyway....this week we went to visit and as we started to share the scripture, she stopped us and told us that during her whole membership in the church she has struggled with a word of wisdom problem. We changed scriptures quickly and talked with her about overcoming this problem. I felt like we were finally communicating honestly- she always pointed out hypocrisy because she feels like a hypocrite herself. Please keep her in your prayers.
We are continuing to use the youth as much as they are able to go out with us. So this last Friday we went out on splits with two of the young women and had a great time- contacted lots of people and we were able to teach a couple of our investigators with the youth. It was especially a blessing with one of the young women that we've been working to gain her trust and help her. I love how we are able to bless members by involving them in the missionary work.
On Saturday we had the privilege to attend a sealing of a young couple that Hermana Latu taught before- my first sealing!!! It was absolutely beautiful and though I didn't know the couple, I cried. The parents invited us to dinner afterwards and took us with them to their house. It was an unforgettable experience.
Then on Sunday we had another miracle. In the morning we got a phone call from a former contact. Hna Dement and I found him back in July and taught him twice, but he didn't seem that interested, but he asked for a Book of Mormon. He called us and asked what time church started and if he could get a ride. We arranged a ride for him, but we still weren't sure he'd come. But he came!!! Not only that, but during gospel principles class we gave him a church tour and talked about all the pictures of Christ. When we returned to class, the lesson was on the Spirit and the teacher referenced baptism. Henry raises his hand and said that he didn't see a font in our chapel to do baptisms. We explained that there isn't one in our chapel, but in another one. Then he asks- " Can I be baptized?" I looked at our mission leader making sure I understood his Spanish correctly, and our mission leader (the teacher) said that he could be baptized once he finished all the lessons with the missionaries. It was incredible!
This week we studied the plan of salvation a lot, in studies, lessons, in our district meeting (we had it outside of the temple this week). I've been studying a lot in 2 Nephi 9 and Moses 3-5. I especially love that with all the youth we're working with, they are asking themselves these questions. Why am I here? What's my purpose? What does my future hold? It's humbly to be able to answer these questions and watch as they feel that these things are true and the peace and assurance that comes with that knowledge. President Monson shared several stories in priesthood session about the ability to repent and change. He said- "During the 1940s and 1950s, an American prison warden, Clinton Duffy, was well known for his efforts to rehabilitate the men in his prison. Said one critic, “You should know that leopards don’t change their spots!” Replied Warden Duffy, “You should know I don’t work with leopards. I work with men, and men change every day."
And what a blessing it is to be a part of a work that encourages and helps people to change.
All my love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner