Happy December everyone! It's crazy to think that I've been in the mission for 7 months this week! Maybe even crazier because it's Christmas time and it doesn't really feel like Christmas with this nice fall weather and no snow! Texas really goes all out for Christmas and houses are decked out- I'll have to send pictures of some houses : ) We're excited this week to have the baptism of our investigator, Nora, this upcoming Saturday. She had her interview and is so ready for baptism. We also had the opportunity to take one of our investigator families to the temple grounds. They got all dressed up and we took family pictures for them. Then we taught them about the work we do in the temples and the importance of temple marriage. We've been helping them prepare to get married and work through some challenges they have. The husband got down on one knee and proposed to her- it was so cute! As they set a date for marriage and baptism I'll let you all know. Please keep them in your prayers- I have seen how the adversary works really hard on people when they are so ready to get baptized and make that step.
This week we felt prompted to visit several member families, not for referrals specifically, but to help them with particular challenges ( ones that the Spirit has told us). I want to share with you all how much a missionary prays for their ward, and specific families within the ward. Twice a day we have specific prayers for the ward as a companionship, plus our individual prayers and prayers before lessons. Heavenly Father is instructing me how to be the kind of missionary that uplifts, helps, and motivates the members while bringing the Spirit into their home and enjoying relating to the family on a real level. Does that make sense? There is a balance between being chums with the members and also being so focused on asking for referrals and trying to get their help in the work that you don't help them. I know as a missionary I have only a small stewardship over this ward, but I feel a responsibility and an incredible love for these people- only a small fraction of the love Heavenly Father has for his children. I pray that you have these kind of missionaries in your ward right now and ask that you please take care of them during the holidays. It's easy to miss your family extra during the holidays (like I miss all of you) and I hope you can do something little to help them feel loved. Speaking of that- what hour would be best for me to call on Christmas? Is everyone going to be there at a certain time? Cortney? I have about 45 minutes and I want to make the most of every second to talk to all of you <3 p="p">I've been reveling in the book of Jacob this week, loving every minute, and picking apart the allegory of the olive tree. I really loved Jacob 4:7 which says "Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things." Isn't that so true?! Our weaknesses are such tender mercies when we realize that it's one way that Heavenly Father is shaping and preparing us. I've discovered that the mission is truly a refiner's fire- one that brings our weaknesses and imperfections to the surface. And once on the surface we must do the work to sand, smooth, and when necessary, carve out those flaws so we can become "temple standard". Remember that talk from General Conference? I loved how he related temple standards in building and entering to our personal lives : " I learned that even though mortal eyes and hands may never see or feel a defect, the Lord knows the level of our efforts and whether we have done our very best. The same is true of our own personal efforts to live a life worthy of the blessings of the temple...Like the contractor, when we become aware of elements in our own lives that are inconsistent with the teachings of the Lord, when our efforts have been less than our very best, we should move quickly to correct anything that is amiss, recognizing that we cannot hide our sins from the Lord. We need to remember that “when we undertake to cover our sins, … behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; [and] the Spirit of the Lord is grieved.” I also learned that the high standards of temple building employed by this Church are a type and even a symbol of how we should be living our own lives. We can apply, individually, the teachings of the Apostle Paul given to the early Church when he said:“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” We are each made of the finest materials, and we are the miraculous result of divine craftsmanship. However, as we move past the age of accountability and step onto the battlefield of sin and temptation, our own temple can become in need of renovation and repair work. Perhaps there are walls within us that are gritty and need buffing or windows of our souls that need replacement in order that we can stand in holy places. Gratefully, the temple standard that we are asked to meet is not that of perfection, although we are striving for it, but rather that we are keeping the commandments and doing our best to live as disciples of Jesus Christ."
I love you all and I keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner
P.S. Here's my new apartment address: 18203 Westfield Place Dr. #618 Houston, TX 77090 But you can always send things to the mission office address (16623 Hafer Rd) and I get it really fast too since I live in the area with the office now : )
P.P.S Keep an eye out for my Christmas card that's coming XD!
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