Enos 1:3-4 12/10/12

Nora and I at her baptism

Hna Rivera, me, Nora, Hna Busenbark, Hna Rife

Santillan family, Hna Rivera, and Me

Dear Family-
Wow. This week has been incredible. I'm not sure I can describe everything or fit it all in here, but I'll try : ) A really cool experience we had earlier this week was with my companion, Hna Rivera's, aunt who lives in our ward. While here on the mission, Hna Rivera taught and baptized her aunt, uncle, and cousin. She taught and baptized them in another ward she was serving in, and now they live within the boundaries of Houston Six. So we went to help her understand why she needed to change wards and everything that went along with it. For me it was a powerful experience as I've heard her conversion story and learned all the little things that happened to make it possible for them to receive the gospel and be baptized- then as we visited her this week, the Spirit whispered to my heart that he did all those things because the worth of one soul is incredibly precious and He wants to do that for each investigator and member. Heavenly Father put Hna Rivera here in the Texas Houston mission for many reasons, but especially for her aunt and uncle. They went to the first ward first and now are coming to our ward for a reason. How perfect and harmonious is the orchestra of our Heavenly Father!
Our investigator, Nora, was baptized on Saturday in the most peaceful, serene baptism I've ever been to or heard of. I've attached some pictures of Nora at her baptism (with the help of my companion- I bought a converter to put pictures on the computer, but it has some bugs to work out, so she helped me today : ) I was able to give the talk on the Holy Ghost and I know for sure that those words weren't mine- they were straight from heaven. The ward turned out to support her and I know she felt their love and support. Nora is the first member of her family to be baptized, but she won't be the last. In her confirmation on Sunday, she was promised that her entire family would join the church following her example. Whereas I felt peace on Saturday, during her confirmation on Sunday I felt such an immense joy that I thought my heart would burst! Thank you for all your prayers for her- I know they helped her : )
Now our Santillan family, who are so incredibly special and wonderful- I've attached a couple pictures of them. One on Thanksgiving- I know I look all red and messy, but I'd been cooking all day. The other one is at the temple with them from a couple weeks ago. They have been struggling to make the step to get married for various reasons and last night we had a powerful and beautiful lesson with them and they finally committed to get married this week!!! I have a feeling that they will be able to be baptized before Hna Rivera goes home. Two of the kids Randeill and Abby will also be able to be baptized. The oldest son, Alejandro isn't quite ready, but the Spirit promised us the first day we taught them that if Lorena got baptized then Alejandro would follow. Randeill is really special and one day I can see him as a General Authority- he has such a sensitive spirit. Again, thank you for all your prayers for them and please keep at it. If you guys ever have any questions, please ask, because sometimes there is just so much that I don't know what all to put.
Just a quick thought from Enos. In studying in the book of Enos, I loved the phrase in verse three- "the words... sunk deep into my heart". And I stopped to wonder, what causes that? What makes the gospel sink into our hearts? What made the difference between Nephi, Alma, and Enos versus Laman, Lemuel, and King Noah? I'm sure there are lots of answers (and if you have some please share : ), but as I was studying the new Ensign from conference (!!!!!!!!) I found several parts that seemed to relate. From Elder Bednar's talk about conversion he said of the converts of the sons of Mosiah " They never did fall away and surrendered “the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more.” To set aside cherished “weapons of rebellion” such as selfishness, pride, and disobedience requires more than merely believing and knowing. Conviction, humility, repentance, and submissiveness precede the abandonment of our weapons of rebellion. Do you and I still possess weapons of rebellion that keep us from becoming converted unto the Lord? If so, then we need to repent now." We have to clear out the weapons of rebellion from our hearts- the walls of pride and barriers of selfishness that impede the gospel from sinking into our hearts. And then from another talk, Sister Burton talked about what we need to put in our hearts and quoting Elder Holland said: "Maybe a lot of other less-needed things sort of fall out of the wagon. I’m told those handcarts could only hold so much. Just as our ancestors had to choose what they took, maybe the 21st century will drive us to decide, ‘What can we put on this handcart?’ It’s the substance of our soul; it’s the stuff right down in the marrow of our bones.”4 Or, to put it another way, it is what is written in our hearts!" And beyond that, I think that it is in recognizing our innate and profound need for the Atonement that allows the gospel to sink into our hearts and souls. Just some food for pondering.
I love you all lots and I'm so excited about a Christmas package I'm putting together for ya'll. Don't despair- it's coming. Love you tons.
- Hna Kristi Koerenr

Jacob 4:7 12/03/12

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!

D&C 6:34-37 11/26/12

Hi everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving this last week! While I was cooking away this last Thursday, I was thinking of all of you. How was Thanksgiving? Did everyone get to make their specialties? I hope so. We made turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, vegetables, rolls, Mormon champagne, and homemade pumpkin pies : ) I must admit I missed Mom's lemon meringue, the cheese ball, Dad's rotisserie, and all our other little traditions. I know you all must've been praying for me, because everything came out perfectly over here.
I apologize- I wanted to write more, but we try and get everything done on our one day off. We washed the car and still need to go shopping. I learned a lot from Jacob 2 about how to be bold, obedient, and responsible as well as tender and compassionate. Also a powerful experience dealing with Matthew 6:24, D&C 100:1, and D&C 6:34-37. A beautiful quote that we used this week with an investigator was from Pres. Uchtdorf's talk " Forget Me Not"

"Sometimes, in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much as one might overlook a beautiful, delicate forget-me-not. In our diligent efforts to fulfill all of the duties and obligations we take on as members of the Church, we sometimes see the gospel as a long list of tasks that we must add to our already impossibly long to-do list, as a block of time that we must somehow fit into our busy schedules. We focus on what the Lord wants us to do and how we might do it, but we sometimes forget why.
My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come. The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us.
While understanding the “what” and the “how” of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the “why.” When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.
Let us not walk the path of discipleship with our eyes on the ground, thinking only of the tasks and obligations before us. Let us not walk unaware of the beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround us.
My dear sisters, seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The “what” and “how” of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path. The “why” of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration."
I love you guys lots and I have some letters that I'm putting in the mail this week!
Love you!!!
Hermana Kristi Koerner

I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go 11/19/12

Dear Family-
This week has been crazy, great, wonderful, and exhausting : ) We got transfer calls Tuesday night (I left Oakcrest : ( ) and had Wednesday to say goodbye to members and investigators before transfers. After spending four and a half months with the Oakcrest branch, it was hard to say goodbye, but I knew that Heavenly Father had more good things waiting for me. Since you asked about members last week it works out perfectly to tell you about some of my favorite members in the Oakcrest branch. Hna Calderon is from Puerto Rico, but is married to a man from Mexico. She is spunky and funny and loves to dance. She is a licensed cosmetologist and did my and hna Latu's hair. Her husband works in the temple as the engineer and they have three little kids. She did our nails for Halloween and whenever we needed girl time- she was the woman. Grandparents Morales are also some of my favorite people. In their late eighties, Grandpa and Grandma Morales are just beautiful people. They joined the church 50 yrs ago in Mexico and worked in the temple there and here for about 20 years. Grandma Morales has a brain tumor and has been going through chemo, but she's a fighter. Grandpa Morales loves the scriptures and the gospel and always loves to share thoughts and insights with us when we visit them.
It was a race trying to say goodbye to everyone, but I felt at peace leaving my first area. And lo and behold I was sent to an amazing ward, Houston Seis with two incredible companions. Hermana Jasmin Rivera is from San Jose California and this is her last transfer. She goes home in December, but it is such a tender mercy to be able to serve with her for these weeks. She is incredible and is very spiritual. Her family is from El Salvador so she helps us with Spanish and learning more about the Spanish culture. Her and I just connect, and I feel like I've known her for a long time. Can we adopt her? Or maybe I can marry her brother...hmmm. Well, I'll pray about this. Our other great companion, Hermana Kynsie Rife is new to the mission and I'm helping train her. She's from Provo, Utah and is incredibly chill and fun. She can rap, so Hna Rivera beatboxes and I dance to her raps. We are having tons of fun together. She is also very in tune with the Spirit and is fearless with her spanish even as she is still learning. There is a lot of power in this companionship. Our area is great- full of people that are prepared to accept the gospel. On investigator family, the family Santillan, is incredible. They are getting baptized on December 1st and we can see the gospel changing them right in front of our eyes. This Thanksgiving we are cooking a traditional Thanksigivng dinner for them- turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, deviled eggs, rolls, Mormon champagne,  pumpkin pie. I'm the designated chef and I'm a little nervous, but very excited. Trying to remember all the little cooking tips from years of cooking with the family. I will miss you all very much during the holidays, but I know I'm serving exactly where the Lord wants me. Today actually we went with Lorena, the mom, to buy all the groceries and I thought of you guys. Please know that I am so grateful for each and every one of you and love you so much.
Just a quick thought- I was studying more about humility this week and the humility of John the Baptist really stood out to me. He said that he was not even worthy to unlatch the Savior's shoes. In Hebrew culture that was a job for the lowest of low servants, the only thing a disciple was not required to do for his Master, yet John felt lower than that. Then as his disciples inquired which person to follow, him or Jesus, he meekly stated that "He must increase and I must decrease." Coming into my new area, it is humbly to see the mercy of our Heavenly Father for me and my companions. Every single day is a miracle here because we choose to see the miracle in every day. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for soo much that my heart is full to overflowing.
I know it's a lot of stuff thrown in there, but I'll try to make more sense next week. Love you lots!
-Hermana Kristi Koerner

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

D&C 112:10

Dear Family!!


First of all, Happy Birthday Mom!!! You are the best! Anyone that sees my mom or can call her up- tell her happy birthday (Oct 17th). This week just flew by, probably because we were working so hard and we had lots going on. Following Elder Nelson's talk on "Ask a Missionary", we evaluated to make sure we know everything he said we know! We decided to brush up on our family history skills and spent some time this week getting more familiar with Family Search. I was able to help Hna. Latu start her family history which was really fun- we found that she has an Irish forefather several generations back and we found a name in my history that she said looks Tongan. So that's it- we're sisters for real. I'm adding her to my family tree (except the website might disagree a little :). It was great for us, but then throughout the week we had several opportunities to contact people with family history and to teach several members how to do it. We are planning a family history/missionary activity for the ward: we're going to have a night where we teach the youth, members, and friends (i.e. investigators) how to use family search to do their family history. Then we are going to help them find relatives and prepare them to take to the temple. After we take those to the temple, we are going to have a fireside talking about family history/missionary work. We're super excited! We've been working a lot in one complex in the southern tip of our area and so far, every person we've talked with has talked with missionaries before!! There has been lots of preparing done. It's good to keep in mind with those places where people will talk to us once or twice, but then no--one day they will be prepared for other missionaries. We've found several families: Maria and her three kids, and the Torres family. I love teaching whole families together!!! We get to teach lots of individuals, but it's really special when we are able to sit down and teach an entire family. Because this gospel is for families and about families. Even the less active families that have 1001 excuses... On the other hand, we've had some investigators that we're really hard to get return appointments or contact, so we had to move on and focus on other people. Like Karen. She likes talking about religion, she'll pray and read and come to church with her mom occasionally. But she's a busy teenager and doesn't make time for it. But I never want to give up on someone and we go visit her mom, who is less-active and working on reactivating herself, once a week or so. This last week we stopped by to follow up about conference, but they ended up telling us all about other things. Hna. Latu and her really connected and she invited us back this week. Tender mercies. We had a tri-mission conference this past Saturday with the other two Houston missions downtown (my first time going downtown!). Elder Tad Callister from the Presidency of the Seventy came along with Elder Stanley Ellis and Elder Echo Hawk (the one who just spoke in conference). Elder Echo Hawk shared his conversion story. Though he was baptized when his family joined the church, he didn't really become converted until high school. He was playing football and got a devastating eye injury. They told him he might lose the eye. He said that he prayed for the first time by himself and told Heavenly Father that if he didn't lose his eye, he would read the Book of Mormon. He kept his promise and started as a quarterback his senior year. He recieved a scholarship to BYU and played all four years- the first of his family to attend college. He went on to become the first Native American state attorney general in American history. In one part of his story his coach asked him "Do you want to play?" three times and I thought of Christ asking "Do you love me?" ...Then feed my sheep. Do we want to play for the Lord's team? Are we willing to play with all our heart, might, mind, and strength? Then we must do the work that Heavenly Father has asked of us. Elder Ellis shared the same story about obedience as when he gave the mission tour several weeks ago and then Elder Callister got up. He shared 5 tips to improve missionary work- one of which was to have a member present at every single lesson! That is a really hard thing to do with everyone's schedules and responsibilities, to have a member with us for every single lesson, but we are going to try harder to make it happen. Then he told us that President Monson said that when missionaries know the doctrine better, they can teach more effectively with the Spirit. He went through the Plan of Salvation doctrinally and using mostly scriptures from the Bible (knowing that we live in the Bible belt). It was fantastic!

One of the questions I took to conference was how to improve as a missionary among other things. Overwhelmingly I got, be humble and submissive, even as a little child (Mosiah 3:19). I've spent time in studies this past week focusing on humility and submissiveness. I love the explanation in True to the Faith and Preach my Gospel," To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is an acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous." What a powerful trait to have as a missionary-to constantly rely on the Lord! I truly delighted in finding lots of humility and submission scriptures this week including : Helaman 3:35, DyC 136:32-33, Matt 18:4, Luke 22:42, 2 Nephi 9:28-29, Alma 5:26-29, Alma 26:12, and Mosiah 4:11-12. I think that that world would tell us that freedom comes from doing whatever you want when you want. But it's not true. Real freedom is gained through Heavenly Father's will, that we can have our agency forever. It's a process to align our will with Heavenly Father's, but one that is definitely worth it!

Happy Birthday again Mom!

All my love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

Conference Week in Houston 10/08/12

Greetings from Texas!


Wasn't conference amazing!!!! I just can't get over how wonderfully incredible and personal and inspiring it was! I have been studying and praying for nearly two months in preparation for conference. I prayed about and brought several questions to conference seeking guidance and inspiration. They were all answered and then some. And during certain talks I would think about a specific investigator or member with whom I wanted to share the words just spoken. I never wanted it to end and sat so attentively focused listening during each session that by the end of each day I was exhausted (though we had not been out walking and teaching). During the first session when President Monson made the announcement about the change in age for missions, several of us sisters were sitting in the RS room and the elders were in the chapel. We cheered and clapped and cried at the announcement! The world needs more missionaries. Remember what Elder Nelson said- "ask a missionary!" YES! And we need more missionaries to answer all those questions. But more than ever I know that the youth of today are and have been prepared for this momentous call to service. They are righteous and valiant, and I can't wait to watch them enter the mission field in the coming months. We wanted so much to get every word of direction possible, so all of us sister missionaries "snuck" into priesthood session, listening in the kitchen of one of the stake centers with the speaker up. It was a powerful and wonderful session and I felt an overwhelming love for our worthy priesthood holders! Everything this past week was so focused on conference- teaching investigators and less-actives about the opportunity to hear the words of a living prophet to receive guidance and directions for our daily lives. We challenged all of our members to bring questions to conference. There are several youth in our ward that made the decision to serve after President Monson made the announcement- each in their own circumstances and questions had brought that question to conference : )

Since it was so focused on conference I just wanted to share a few of my favorite moments or talks from conference. I could tell you my favorite part of each talk, but I assume you were watching and don't need a full play by play : ) I was really touched by Elder Bowen's talk, and Elder Uchtdorf's talk was wonderful--" Let yourself be happy. We determine our own happiness. Don't focus so much on the finish line and miss the journey." Love love love it! Elder Whiting's talk was great- we need to measure up to the temple standard. Sand and buff the gritty walls and replace the crooked windows in our souls. I loved every talk President Monson gave- in priesthood and on Sunday morning. D. Todd Christofferson's talk in priesthood was incredible- "The world needs men it can trust. Women need men they can trust. The Lord needs men He can trust." And Elder Perkins- " Do we want to be quitters or valiant servants of God?" Sunday morning with Elder Packer was awe-inspiring-- I have grown up listening to this wonderful apostle and I just adore him. His talk was like balm to the soul as he talked about the lights to guide us through the dangerous channels of life. Elder Holland is always a favorite as he challenged us to step up in our discipleship and feed the sheep. As Elder Scott got up to talk, I was just waiting for him to mention his wife and sure enough. That man loves his wife so much!

All of them were great and I can't wait to go back and study them again. In fact, as I'm typing this I'm listening to one of the sessions again. I hope you all enjoyed conference as much as I did!

All my love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

3 Nephi 9:13 10/01/12

Dear Family and Friends-


This week was busy, beautiful, and productive. And not a single day went as planned. Just some more practice for trusting the Lord. I will admit to moments of frustration, but I was reassured that not a single day is in vain if I earnestly and and humbly communicate with my Heavenly Father in prayer. I hope that when you have days (or weeks!) like that, you too can turn to our loving Heavenly Father who knows our hearts and intentions when things go right and when things...don't (2 Nephi 2:11). Wednesday was our zone temple day and we enjoyed a peaceful time in the temple. One day I hope to have the privilege of serving as a temple worker, for I never want to leave when I go. Starting on Thursday, Hermana Latu has been sick with a sore throat and a cold ( she doesn't want to use the oils very much, but she'll use the cough drops). So I was diffusing oils in the apartment, but then my little diffuser broke : ( I'm being especially vigilant with my oil routine so I won't catch it. Since Thursday, I've gotten up and exercised, showered, and studied while she slept trying to feel better and have energy to teach during the afternoon and evening. It felt kind of odd to do our morning routine alone, but I know we were blessed by my obedience even though she was sick. The weekend was busy with a baptism on Friday and the Relief Society broadcast on Saturday night. The Bautista family's daughter, Nikki, in our branch turned eight and was baptized on Friday and it was a sweet experience. Though she wasn't an investigator, in the branch the ward mission leader/missionaries are still in charge of baptismal services. So Hna. Latu and I did the music, the elders did all the setting up, and the ward mission leader conducted. The whole branch brought food afterward, almost potluck, and it's always good to see the branch working together. Saturday before the broadcast they had a stake relief society dinner and so it was good to meet lots of people and then to listen to the broadcast in Spanish. I was nervous about listening to it in Spanish since I was praying really hard to receive revelation and I worried that I wouldn't be able to understand as much. Silly me. Revelation comes through the Spirit. I didn't understand every word or story, but I did get the message of each talk and the beautiful Spirit felt by all who listened to the session. I know Heavenly Father was answering my prayers, just not in the way I had pictured. Our investigators are doing well! Elizabeth is working on getting married which is a miracle from six weeks ago when she told us she didn't want to marry him. We were able to teach our investigator Yada more and I feel like she's really ready for this. Our part-member families are progressing for the most part and the last couple weeks we've seen some less-actives at church. I know Heavenly Father is mindful of this little branch in Texas.

In studies this week, I've been reading chapters about the Savior. In 3 Nephi 9, I was reading about Christ speaking to the people before he actually appeared to them. Verse 13 was especially powerful to me: " Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted that I may heal you?". As I searched the cross-references, I found this pattern all throughout the scriptures- repent, conversion, and a promised healing. Elder Andersen said that the invitation to repent is rarely a chastisement, but rather a loving invitation to re-turn to our Father in Heaven. He wants us to come back. In fact, President Monson said "tenderly the Master speaks to these and indeed to all: “Come back. Come up. Come in. Come home. Come unto me." And as we repent and return to our Father, we are converted through continued faith in action and obedience. We are converted when we really allow the gospel into our hearts and let it change us into who Heavenly Father wants us to become. As we work on this conversion process, the promise of healing is not just an end result, but a support and blessing along the way. We all need healing through the Atonement. The bruises, wounds, pains, disappointments, heartaches, help to forgive and humility to be forgiven. Whatever we need healing for, our Savior has promised to heal us. What a beautiful blessing!

Well, transfers are coming up this week and I don't know what's in the cards once again, but whatever happens I know it will be where and with who Heavenly Father wants me.

Love you all bunches!

Hermana Kristi Koerner

20% Tongan, 50% Latina, 100% Missionary 9/25/12

Hey everyone!
The weeks are just flying by and kind of blurring together. Luckily it has cooled down a bit and I think autumn has decided to visit Houston : ) I know I've said it before, but I absolutely love my area and the branch and the people! As a missionary I care so much about them- not just the investigators, but the less-actives, the stalwart leaders, the struggling mother, and the wonderful youth. In fact we are trying to help and support the youth as much as possible. So one of the young women (who reminds me so much of my amazing little sisters!) just finished reading the entire Book of Mormon so we took her out for ice cream. In this area we have stewardship not only to find the people the Lord has prepared for us to find ( and there are many), but to care for, help, and support the members. M&M's- Without members, missionaries couldn't do half the work. With the missionaries, the members don't have to do all their work alone. I hope you have good missionaries back home and that you are helping them and allowing them to help you. We had a ward activity this weekend that was so much fun! September is Hispanic Heritage month, so we did a culture night. Everyone made food from their countries which was scrumdidilyumptious! Then there were traditional dances performed from Mexico, Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras and me and my companion did a Tongan dance to represent her culture. Yes, that's right. I did an awesome hula for culture night. It was challenging to learn in between everything we were doing, but I think it helped the members connect more to us. In fact, one of the members invited us to come over later today so she can teach us some Puerto Rican dancing. I'm really excited. Besides all that, the best part was that people brought their friends!!! Besides our investigators, we had probably a dozen or more new friends that members brought. They're not all new investigators, but it gives a place to start. Plus, now they've been to the chapel, know that we're pretty much normal people, and know about the role of missionaries ( since they did a little presentation of the role of missionaries). On Saturday, Hna. Latu had a cousin getting married that lives here in Houston, so we were able to go to a real Tongan wedding! I have pictures of me and the pig at our table : ) It was really fun and a good opportunity to meet some of the members in another part of the mission. With all the various opportunities this past week, I've really seen how Heavenly Father really puts us in the right place at the right time. Like one contact we made. She was super interested, but then several appointments fell through for one reason or another. We decided to stop by one day and caught her just after receiving difficult news. She allowed us to pray with her and we bore our testimonies. I know Heavenly Father knew that we needed to visit her at that moment instead of the times we had so carefully planned to. I love the scripture in Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes." We try to do all we can to plan and prepare and teach with the Spirit to be doing what the Lord would have us do, but we must also see that the times things cancel and fall through are part of the design as well. Yes, we should plan and prepare, but be open to listen to and then follow the Spirit.
Love you all bunches-
Hermana Koerner

Just A Little Bit of Rain 9/17/12

Greetings from a wet yet happy sister missionary! The rain this week has been relentless leaving us soaked several times, but our determination has won out in the end. Plus when I put on my yellow raincoat, people just stop to talk to us!
Last week we had another opportunity to be in the temple- a less active member that we've been working with all summer was able to go back to the temple for the first time in 9 years. We were invited to go and got permission from our mission president.
It was the branch's temple night and it was a good opportunity to bond with several of the members. Watching this man renew his covenants was absolutely beautiful. It reminded me of what President Monson said in the Young Women's Meeting this past April.
"Is there a way to safety? Is there an escape from threatened destruction? The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you to look to the lighthouse of the Lord. I have said it before; I will say it again: there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety. This way to home.” It sends forth signals of light easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back to your heavenly home."
We also had exchanges this week- Hermana Gutierrez came up to Oakcrest with me. She came out to the field with me, but she's a native speaker so she was only in the MTC for three weeks. She's a recent convert of only a year and a half with an amazing story. She was exactly what several of our investigators and less-actives needed. Our investigator Elisabeth is so close to baptism, but is having trouble recognizing her answer. Hna. Gutierrez has the same Catholic background and is the only member of her family. After she shared her story with Elisabeth, Elisabeth opened up some more to tell us some of her doubts and what was holding her back. Hna. Gutierrez challenged her to prepare to be baptized in three weeks and that we promised she would receive her answer- powerful promises! We set one baptismal date this week with a young man of a part member family and extended another to an investigator on the 2nd lesson. Then, this week in knocking we found lots of people that had been taught before by missionaries and were interested in learning more. The Lord has truly prepared people for us to teach. We are having a ward activity coming up- a cultural activity where everyone is presenting food and dances from their respective Latin country. It's funny how as a missionary we look at these activities as a chance to invite investigators and less-actives, to fellowship everyone- growing up it was simply a chance for the ward to get to together. I love ya'll lots and I'm working hard to help other families enjoy the blessings that we have through the gospel.
Love,
Hermana Koerner

Light and Truth 9/10/12

Hey everyone!
It's been a busy week full of lots of service, wonderful lessons and several miracles. We had the opportunity to help with the fall cleaning of the Houston temple, specifically in the project of cleaning the chandelier and all the other lights in the celestial room.( I always wondered who was allowed to clean the celestial room in the temple and now I know--sister missionaries!) We spent five hours (with 10 people) polishing one crystal at a time, replacing all the bulbs, and aligning everything just right after it had been polished. We sang hymns as we worked (dressed in baptismal jumper suits : ) and I think all of us felt a sacred spirit doing the work. When we started it was beautiful and clean- nothing looked like it needed cleaning. On each chandelier there are strings of crystals as well as teardrop crystals that hang down, so in the process of polishing some of the strings would become a little looser, while other were too tight, some would angle a bit too much, etc. So after polishing each one, we went back and aligned everything- each string must hang just right and be level with the others. It was amazing that aligning it just right made the light so much brighter since it was able to reflect in the crystals as it was designed to do. After the entire project we all laid under the chandelier and pondered the principles of light and truth--the room was sparkling, glowing, incandescently beautiful. Just when you think you've seen all the beautiful light- or that you understand a principle of the gospel- there is always more to understand, always room to grow. I loved studying Doctrine and Covenants 88 and 93 afterward because they are such beautiful scripture on light and truth. The experience was also a great analogy for missionary work- we are the laborers sent to clean and polish and align each and every one of his children in our assigned area. The care and love we must take with each person- member, inactive, or investigator is similar to the polishing process. It goes on but I'll let you keep thinking about it : )
The other focus of the week was the Atonement. Zone meeting on Friday centered on the Atonement and since then I have focused my studies around it. I've been studying and searching in Jesus the Christ, the scriptures, and talks to gain more understanding of the Atonement so I can in turn teach my investigators. There is a great talk by Elder Holland, one he gave in the MTC called " Teach the Atonement" and well, one he's a powerful speaker and two, it's a powerful topic. He says, "Missionary work is, I think, the hardest work I had ever done...If there's anyone in the room who thinks this experience is not easy, welcome to the Church. Welcome to the gospel. Welcome to the life of the apostles and prophets. Welcome to the life of the Savior, who knows quite a bit about cups from which one does not wan to drink, and paths that one does not particularly want to walk. But the gospel is the way and the truth and the life...A gift was given in the anguish of Gethsemane, and a price was paid at the summit of Calvary for you and for me and for all those investigators out there, for every missionary who has ever served. If we are going to be disciples, if we are going to say that we are sent by the Lord Jesus Christ then we had better have some evidence of it. Part of that evidence will be at least a moment or two in that garden with those tears, and a step or two in the general direction of Calvary made in anguish and sorrow." I love this. More than that, I feel this. He also said " Salvation is not an easy experience. Salvation is not cheap." This work is hard- I hope that doesn't surprise anyone reading this and that you don't think I just don't have enough faith. This work is hard and long, and sometimes discouraging and hot. And sometimes I feel so completely inadequate to be doing this work. But never for long because I know that this isn't my work and I'm not doing it alone. If I am going to be a missionary and represent our Savior, if I'm going to proclaim eternal truths He taught and teach the infinite sacrifice He made for each of us, "I cannot ask to completely avoid the pain He felt, or the tears that He shed, or the sorrow that He saw." I know I've wrote home about this before, but it only becomes more true, more personal, the more time I spend in this great work. After zone meeting and thinking about one of our investigators, we decided to teach the Atonement again to her. It was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever been a part of. I don't say taught because while I opened up my mouth, the Spirit did all the talking. We testified powerfully that the Atonement is the center of all that we've taught and that only through our Savior can we receive comfort, forgiveness and remission for sins, and the opportunity to return once more to our Father in Heaven. And as we did so, she opened up her heart and let us in. She told us her concerns and doubts and what was holding her back so we could answer those questions.
Some great scriptures from the week- John 14:27, John 16:33, Mark 5:36, 1 Nephi 18:1 as well as the Sunday afternoon session of this last April General Conference. Oh, and chapter 3 of Jesus the Christ- if you have a moment or two to read.
I sure love you all! While I'm here caring for the people of the Texas Houston Mission, I know Heavenly Father is watching over you all.
All my love,
Hermana Koerner

Transfers and Other Tidbits 8/27/12

Hello everyone!
This week has been a bit crazy with transfers. Though one is normally with their trainer for two transfers (6weeks), Hermana Dement was transferred to another area and I "took over" the area with my new companion Hermana Latu. I'm going to miss Hna. Dement, but I'm so grateful I had the chance to serve with her. Hna. Latu is so much fun! She's from California, but her parents are both from Tonga. She grew up only speaking Tongan so Spanish is her third language, not to mention that Tongan doesn't translate to Spanish very well. So when she was learning she had to translate in her head from Tongan to English to Spanish! She has been out on the mission about a year and we're having so much fun together. I'm a bit nervous about being the one who knows the branch and the area because I worry that I don't know it well enough yet. But I know this is what Heavenly Father wants. As President Uchtdorf said " There are times when we have to step into the darkness in faith, confident that God will place solid ground beneath our feet once we do so."  I'm already learning so much from Hna Latu and I'm excited for this next transfer. We have been very busy otherwise this week, teaching lessons and working a lot with less-actives. I love the story in Alma 8-9 about Alma coming into the area and needed the help of Amulek. It's similar to the missionaries coming in and needing the help of the members- we can't do it alone. In Brother Ochoa's talk from this past conference during priesthood session, I found some things that really inspired me this week. " We are at war. And in this war, the best way to defend against evil is to actively promote righteousness...You cannot be passive!...Remember who you are -- a solider in the army of God Himself. .. I call on everyone to raise the title of liberty and organize and lead your battalions." This is an active, progressing work and I feel blessed to be a part of it. Sorry this is short, but my mind is going a hundred miles an hour trying to get everything done. Love you all tons.

Love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner D&C 64:33

Ether 12:6 9/03/12

My Dear Beloved Brethren ( yes I've been reading the Ensign a lot):
With each week I feel increasingly blessed to be serving as a sister missionary in Houston. Many times I will leave a lesson, after sharing basic eternal truths that I have known all my life with someone for the first time, and feel so blessed to have this understanding of the gospel and the opportunity to share it. At this rate I may never want to come home (no offense family). We've met some great people this week and had a busy time working hard. We met a single mother with five kids and were able to teach her the Restoration lesson. We were able to answer her questions about what makes our religion different from others and the need for a restoration. She told us she's excited to read the Book of Mormon and to see how she feels when she reads it. We met another family where the wife is Christian and active in a church but the husband only believes in God but not religion. He told us that he had to wait until he met God face to face to know what God wanted him to do. He was also saying that He didn't know what form God was in- a turtle, a bird, a man, etc. We testified of who God, our Heavenly Father, is and also that we are representatives of Him- that indeed, Heavenly Father had come knocking on his door. His wife told us later that he usually runs off missionaries, shouting and cursing at them. And though he didn't agree with us, he let us in and sat with us with we mostly taught his wife. Even if he didn't know it consciously, he knew we were different. I'm excited to continue teaching them. We also made some incredible progress with Elizabeth this week! She has turned down several baptismal invitations/challenges, first saying that she was already baptized in the Catholic church as a baby, then saying that all of her family didn't like the church. We taught about the priesthood, and about Moroni 8 with child baptism so she could see that we had to be able to knowingly made that kind of covenant with God. We have prayed and fasted and prayed some more to figure out how to help her progress. This last visit as we taught (long story short) and extended a baptismal invitation, she said yes!!! We haven't set an exact date, since she still needs to get married to her boyfriend, but I know that Heavenly Father is opening her heart and our mouths to say the things she needs. Please continue to pray for her. Yesterday, for fast Sunday we had a mission, zone, and area fast to find more investigators who are ready to receive the gospel. I'm learning how to discern through the Holy Ghost those people who are ready and those who are not. Some people may listen to us, but are not at a point where they will change so no matter how much we teach them or how much they feel the Spirit, they decide they won't change. Our real goal is to find those people who are searching, ready to listen and to change their lives. We are asked not to ask our family to participate in our special fasts, but I can ask for you all to pray for this area. I know Heavenly Father has prepared people all over, and we need but to find and teach them with the Spirit. The ward is catching the missionary spirit and we received several referrals this week from members <3 br="br"> Especially this week, we have asked people to act in faith. Sometimes we have to step into the darkness with faith trusting in Heavenly Father. We've asked less actives to fast to find solutions to problems. We've asked investigators to pray to know if things are true. We've asked members to pray as families to find friends and co-workers who are ready to hear the gospel. Time and time again, Ether 12:6 has popped up this week. There aren't blessings until after the trial of our faith, when we choose to act in faith and trust our Heavenly Father. We had one day when all of our appointments cancelled and we ended up knocking doors with very little success. But we kept working and praying to know what Heavenly Father wanted us to do. And the next day, Elizabeth accepted baptism and other wonderful and small miracles. The Lord is mindful of us, but we must fulfill our side (1 Nephi 17:3).
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and know that someone loves you here in Texas!
All my love,
Hermana Koerner.

p.s Here's a pic with my new companion, Hermana Latu.

Alma 26:12- 08/13/12

Family and Friends!
The work here in Oakcrest is blossoming! We had a baptism on Saturday of a young man, Angel. Hna Dement found him and started teaching him back in May. But since he lives with all guys, the elders took over teaching him. He's wonderful- so excited and eager to learn. He's already talking about preparing to serve a mission! As good as the baptism was, it was even better to see him on Sunday. He looked...lighter, more confident, at peace. It's been a gradual process to see the change in him, but I'm so excited for him to continue to grow and learn. It truly has been a humbling week. We might do the scheduling, but Heavenly Father does the real planning. I don't mean that things went awry this week, just that more and more I can recognize as did Ammon in Alma 26:12 that I am nothing in and of myself. Only through the power of the Lord can I carry out the work here. Like fiber optic cables that are perfectly clear and clean to be able to transmit light from one point to another, so must I be clean and clear to deliver light from Heavenly Father. I am not the light. But we all can be carriers/vessels of the light of our Savior- people can see what we have. We just need to open our mouths so they know where to find it! We've had a lot of fun involving the youth this week. We are teaching a teenage girl, Karen, so we brought one of the young women with us. And then the youth invited her to a youth fireside yesterday! This week we have several more days where some of the youth are going out teaching and tracting with us- Camber, Cody, Jason-- ask the missionaries how you can help! 
I had a really neat experience on Friday I want to share really quick. We had an appointment to visit a member ( I've been trying to visit all the members to get to know them better and to get them excited about missionary work) and we went and talked, shared a scripture, prayed and then left for our next appointment. While driving away, our next appointment called and canceled. So we stopped and prayed to know where to go. I felt prompted to return to the members home. I prayed again to make sure that it was what Heavenly Father was telling me, then we turned around and went back. She was surprised to see us again and she thought we forgot something. I told her that we had felt prompted to return and asked if she needed any help or if we could do anything for her. She said no. I told her that we loved her and that I knew Heavenly Father was mindful of her and loved her. Then we left. There was no big dramatic experience. I don't know if she needed the assurance of Heavenly Father's love or if we needed practice listening, but I'm so glad I listened. Next time, I know Heavenly Father trusts me to follow those promptings and I will listen no matter the outcome. 
Thanks for all your support and prayers! Please pray for our investigators Elizabeth, Karen, Luis, Norman, and Catalina. They are some really special people and I know they have been prepared to hear the gospel at this time. Forgive me for my lack of other letters, I've got a bunch I finished up today that I'm sending out. Just know that I'm working hard and that I love you all! I hope preparation for the start of school is going well and that you are excited for it to start again. I know I am- it means families are back from vacation and people meet all sorts of new people they can talk to about the church. 
Love you all more than the new peppers I discovered this week!
Love,
Hna. Koerner

Spiritual Strength 8/06/12

Dear Family and Friends-
It has been another wonderful, albeit hot, week here in Houston. We are progressing well with several of our investigators and a daughter of one of the less actives is starting to investigate the church. The youth are excited to get involved and go teaching with us this next week. Elizabeth came to church again this week and is getting more and more comfortable. As the start of school approaches the families are returning from vacations and I think I've met almost everyone now. It makes such a difference to be able to know who's who, call them by their name, remember their family. The key to the missionary work, and especially in this little branch, is our relationship with the members.This last week we had our first exchanges! I went over to a neighboring area with Hna. Pacific and Hna Crowley. Hna Dement stayed here and another sister, Hna Casaday came to Oakcrest with her. For 24 hours we were on exchanges and it was really fun to see how other missionaries do missionary work. Still obedient, still doing everything, just a bit differently. It gave me some ideas on how Hna Dement and I can find more balance. I've only been here in Texas for a month but already I love the other sister missionaries in the Spanish program- they are just wonderful. So still in 1 Nephi. I was studying over Laman and Lemuel- in chapter 2 verse 12 it tells about the scriptural pattern of disobedient sons. So I looked at those example of Cain, sons of Mosiah, Alma the Younger etc. And I wondered- what is the difference between how Laman and Lemuel ended up and the sons of Mosiah and Alma? In Alma 17:2-3 it tells us why. After their spiritual experiences, the sons of Mosiah/Alma searched the scriptures, prayed and fasted to understand Heavenly Father. They both had angels and other spiritual experiences ( the sons of prophets), but it's what they chose to do afterward that determined their conversion to the gospel. And I love in chapter 4 verse 2 as Nephi tells his brothers to be strong that he compares it to Moses and parting the Red Sea. Yes, strength like Moses, Daniel, David, and Samson is the more visible kind of strength. But there is immense strength in the meekness and humility, the merciful (1 Ne 1:20), the virtue like Joseph in Egypt, and the teaching of the 2000 stripling warriors by their mothers (Alma 57). Spiritual strength is manifest in our habits, not in one or two events.

Love you all lots and every day is full of miracles- especially when we are looking for and acknowledging them.

-Hermana Kristi Koerner

1 Nephi 3:7- 7/30/12

Dearest Family and Friends-
I have certainly seen this week how the Lord prepares a way if we will but go and do what He commands. It's humbling to see the instances where Heavenly Father is using me specifically to act as an instrument to reach out to another one of his children. And the prepared way didn't come the first time Nephi and his brothers went back to Jerusalem- they had to go back two more times. But as we are obedient and listen to the Spirit, the way is always shown to us. Sometimes it is almost comically clique how hard this work is- one day all of our appointments canceled on us, then it poured on us while we were tracting, we got yelled at by some Jehovah's Witnesses, etc, etc. I just kept smiling having studied Nephi's obedience that morning. I think my companion thought I was finally cracking, but we had a good laugh and kept working. Sometimes we're felt impressed to walk to various appointments, and then they weren't there and we'd already knocked that street, so we'd walk back to the car. Every single time a car has stopped and asked who we are, or said that they'd seen us before and wanted to know more. Right?! Most of the time it's a gentleman or a family. Hna. Dement teases me and says it never happened to her until I came, so together we must be so attractive and just glowing so much they have to stop and talk to us. I mentioned last week about the diversity of the people here both in their origen and their circumstances. I failed to mention however that Texas is definitely in the Bible belt and there are churches on every corner. Big churches and cathedrals with thousands of members and weekly attendance. And hundreds of smaller ones all over the place. People here in Texas actually really love to talk about religion- not necessarily your religion, but still- they believe in Christ and are open to religion. I choose to see that as a blessing. Within our member in the branch, some live in nice areas and others live in trailers. When I remarked on that to Hna Dement, she told me that the families or individuals that are following all the commandments live in the nice neighborhoods and do well. They still work hard and often have simple things, but they always have everything they need. She said that in every family that is struggling, there is a commandment they are not keeping. I've always had faith that obedience would care for us, but the evidence here is pretty blatant. Maybe it's that way other places and I didn't recognize it.
We had a wonderful week and we able to find and start teaching several new families. I love teaching them how to pray to Heavenly Father. Then I see them open up and they talk to Him, maybe for the first time. It's absolutely beautiful. You can really tell when they are ready. Also Elizabeth, whom we've been teaching for about five weeks now, came to church yesterday for the first time with her son Jesse!!!! They also presented the ward mission plan to the entire ward for the 5th Sunday meeting and it was wonderful! It's pretty unique in this branch that about 90% of the members are converts. Very few have grown up in the church and many have the desire to share it with all they can. We just have to figure out how to best help, support, and utilize all this missionary spirit : ) Thanks for all the prayers from everyone, for me, my companion, and our investigators this week. I really felt them all. We are going to have exchanges for the first time ( for me since I got here)  this week and I'm so excited. I'll be going to a neighboring area and I'll tell more about it next week. I'm praying for all of you and I'm so grateful for all your love and support in letters, prayers, and everything you do for me.
All my love,
Hermana Koerner

I've Died and Gone to Texas 7/23/12

Dear Family and Friends-
First of all, Happy Birthday Jason (a day late, but I was thinking it all yesterday too!)!!! Hope you got my card and know that I love you tons! So much to tell it's been a busy week. Our area is a bit unique in the fact that it has a little bit of everything- trailer parks (which are our favorite to go knocking in) as well as mansions. Sometimes neighboring each other even! So far we find and teach people in the first kind of area, but I've met members from all different backgrounds in the ward. Not only that, but Houston itself is kind of a melting pot with people from all over. Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador (they make these really good things called papousas(?), Nicaragua, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia are some of the countries of the people I've met. Like I mentioned last week, we are working hard with the ward to assist less active members. Depending on the situation we are going in and reteaching lessons and finding out needs of each family and helping the ward meet those needs- sometimes by finding a family to befriend them, getting them home and visiting teachers (super important!), and an assignment or calling in the ward. Just before I arrived here, a less active family which the sisters had been working with was sealed in the temple. That has become a goal we set with our part member and less active families. We want them to enjoy all of the blessings of the gospel through in the temple. We are working right now with with Rosi and Julio as well as the Rivera family towards that goal. Yesterday was exciting as the missionaries were invited to participate in the ward council in which we made a ward mission plan. If you are hearing choirs of angels after reading that, then we're on the same page about how incredibly wonderful that it! We were able to share with the branch the goals of the mission as a whole and some of the goals of our area and together with the branch counsel came up with goals for Finding, Teaching, Baptizing, and Retention. One goal in particular is to pray and search for families who are ready to receive the gospel. Hna. Dement and I have been praying for a family since day one and this week we found two families!!! Nielsen and Dominga with their three little boys and Emma and her whole family. With both families in our first meetings with them, I felt a special spirit in their homes. They are open and searching for something more. I ask for prayers for them that we can teach them and they might receive it.
Just a fun note about the food here. Latino culture has lots of food. Lots of good food. Lots of fried food. And spicy food. One of our appointments gave us burgers, which had pickles on it. I didn't dare pick it off because I didn't want to be rude, so I ate pickles for the first time in over a decade! Only I found out after that Hna. Dement hates pickles too and she picked them off : ) Also, I decided that I'm going to need to get used to the spicy food here. Some people are nice and warn you. Others like to surprise the missionaries. So I'm trying to condition my tongue to handle it. I try every spicy salsa, every pepper, every spicy sauce (except the ones labeled Spicy Death) so far. There have been a few moments where I couldn't feel my tongue or my mouth, lol. But the people know that I'm trying to explore their culture and that I'm grateful for their hospitality. I'm sure I will have lots of fun with this through the mission.
I've found one of the challenges of the mission is to find the right balance. Between the sheer hard work, obedience, and diligence as well as listening to the Spirit, taking more time in a lesson as an investigator is opening up so you can answer their questions and help them, and doing all those things to show support and love to the members. Being a full time missionary, we are committed to doing the Lord's work 24/7. The key is being in tune with the Spirit to know what His work for us is for us today, this hour, with this investigator or member, and with the words He wants us to say. Part of that balance comes from our morning studies, but right now is a bit of an adjustment stage. I hope I'm explaining that all right.
I finished the Book of Mormon this week and my heart ached as I read the destruction of the Jaredite and Nephite nations more than it ever has before. I cried with Ether and Mormon and Moroni as they mourned the wickedness and destruction of their people. I'm not a prophet, but I'm a full-time servant of the Lord who loves the people of the Houston Mission, Oakcrest branch, with all of my heart. I mourn with them as they struggle with family problems, finding work, or holding onto their faith. I laugh with them at the simple joys and rejoice in their successes. Moroni 7:48 says that when we see Christ again, we will see him as He is, that we will be purified even as he is pure. It comes right after the discourse on charity. Verse 48 says we have faith to see Him as He is, a hope that this will happen, and a purification, and I think that it through charity. This love I feel for this people is beyond even my own capacity- it truly is the love of the Lord for this people. And the perfection of charity allows us to calm our fears, forgive faults, accept flaws, as well as humbles us and allows us to shift our focus towards others as the Savior does. I'm not even close tp perfect at this yet, but I know Heavenly Father is helping me. I send all my love and prayers your way,

Love, Hermana Koerner

I'm In Houston 7/16/12

I'm In Houston- July 16th
Dear Friends and Family!!!
I"M IN HOUSTON!!!! Well, more specifically I'm in the Oakcrest Spanish branch area about an hour north of downtown Houston. I was surprised as we flew in at how green everything is here- it's kind of a swamp/rain forest. Especially since it's rained really hard since I got here. In fact there is a bayou not far from our apartment with alligators and everything : ) Today the sun came out and I'm feeling a bit of that Texas heat everyone told me about. Rain or shine- I love it here! My trainer is Hermana Dement, from California and she's a redhead like me! She makes me laugh and is teaching me how to have fun while we work hard. This area used to be one of the largest areas in the mission with just sisters in it. Just before I got here they divided it up and added Spanish elders ( well, there are English elders here too, but it doesn't quite count.). So now there are the four missionaries in the branch and we're still figuring out our "new" areas and which members each of us have. But it's also great because if there's a single sister in the elder's area we can go teach her and vice versa. I'm so grateful I was able to call home for a few minutes from the airport on Wednesday, and I'm sorry it kept cutting us off. Sad that only a few were home, but know that I love ya'll. Yeah that's right- a bit of Texas for you. After a night in the mission home, we went to transfer meeting in the morning where I was placed with Hna Dement. It was still raining so luggage was really fun. After a bit of training, we set off for the area. After dropping things off at the apartment we got straight to work, teaching five lessons Thursday night. My Spanish is actually pretty good, people keep telling me. They don't believe me when I say this is my first area. Not only can I teach relatively clearly, I can converse and they understand me. I can understand a lot, but sometimes when they talk fast or use lots of slang I get a little lost. But I'm becoming a champion listener- I don't think I've ever been that attentive in a sacrament meeting before!!! : ) We are working with the ward in the effort for the menos activos (less-actives). It's such a joy to visit them and help them- you can feel their testimonies and we can make the difference or offer the little help they need to return. One of our less-actives, William, received a calling this week which was super exciting. And, a ward mission leader was just called. Hna Dement says they haven't had one since she got here, so the work is on the point of explosion here. I try to talk to everyone, but sometimes we really do have to get where we're trying to go and Hna tells me we have to keep moving : ) I have felt an overwhelming love for the people here, from the first lesson here to meeting the ward yesterday. Heavenly Father knows and loves these people. I know there is tons to say, but I'm mind is going so fast I don't know what else to share. Just a though from studies- Ether 2:25 . The Lord prepares a way for us as we travel through " the great deep"- this life and it's turbulence, afflictions, temptations, and the trials of this world. As we are "tight like a dish", through making and keeping covenants, we are protected from the storms that rage all around us. Joseph Smith said " I was meant to swim in deep water" and so are we in these latter days, but the Lord will not leave us. He has given us the path, the way to travel home.
All my love,
Hermana Koerner

P.S. My street address is 1011 Village Square Dr. Apt 535, Tomball TX 77375 for all letters and packages or letters can still go to the mission office address on Hafer Rd.

Final Week in the MTC 7/7/12

Dearest Family and Friends-

Where has the time gone? I feel like I just arrived and suddenly I am doing in-field training. This week was busy and different with the 4th of July in the middle. For the 4th of July it was a regular schedule until about 8pm, when we had a special devotional/fireside. They really made it a celebration on freedom around the world as we recognized the many Latter-day Saints gathered here from around the world. A local judge spoke and they presented all the flags of the world. Afterwards we were able to go outside and watch the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. The only problem was that we were allowed to be out latter than normal and didn't get into the halls until 11ish. I felt like I'd turned into a pumpkin. It didn't help that they''d given us ice cream and many of the sisters were a bit hyper : ) But on this holiday, when I miss Charley a lot, I was able to teach the Plan of Salvation in one of our lessons. As we taught about being with our families for eternity, I started crying. The elders pretended not to notice, especially since I never cry in front of them, so I think they didn''t know what to do. But I know Heavenly Father gave me that blessing to teach that to bring comfort to my soul.

Being our last week here, our district has been working hard to get prepared and stay focused at the same time. Not an easy task. We''ve pushed ourselves and each other really hard with the language - and we all speak fairly fluently. So we tried to be a bit kinder on ourselves this week and focused more on the gospel and our testimonies. Within my companionship, with Elder Hill and Elder Childs, we set a goal to focus on the Atonement. And when you set a goal to study something it always seems to be in every workshop, class, and lesson. I''m so grateful for that! Monday we had a workshop on how the Atonement is the central part of the Restoration. When we talk about the apostasy we tend to focus on the loss of the priesthood authority, but we must realize that the heart of what was lost was how to access the Atonement. And that is part of the fulness of the Restoration. For the Atonement is the gospel and the gospel is the Atonement. Even if everything else had been restored, we would still not be able to return to Heavenly Father. We talked about how if we  don''t include the Atonement in our message, then we are just sharing information. But when we testify of the Savior and the Atonement, we are offering salvation. I also focused on the light of the Savior and the Atonement throughout the Libro de Mormon. There is a beautiful and direct relationship between teachings of the Savior and references to light in the entire book! I could study the Atonement my entire mission and still not begin to comprehend less than one percent, but I''m going to study it anyway.

At one moment last week, I was feeling a bit discouraged and lonely. After working so hard, I felt that I almost couldn't give anymore. I opened up my scriptures immediately for some relief and it fell open to Mormon 5:23- "" Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" I do know that I am in the hands of God. When I can't give anymore, the enabling power of the Atonement makes me better than I am and the person I want to become to serve Heavenly Father.

We studied and discussed a lot about becoming this week. Who we want to become through our missions, not just what we want to do. I think I''m realizing personal a mission experience is. I can share thoughts and scriptures with you all, but it is hard to share this process of becoming. I always wondered growing up why Dad didn''t talk more about his mission, but I think I understand better. Dad became someone on his mission- the father I know and love. And the things he did on the mission were secondary to that. I set some goals on who I want to become so I'll share those quickly before I'm out of time.

I want to be a woman of light.

I want to be a woman who knows exactly who she is and allows that to change everything.

I want to be a woman who understands true power- that it comes from her divinity and her Father in Heaven.

I want to become a woman who "turns out".

I want to become a woman who moves forward with faith when the storms come.

I want to become a woman who is constantly progressing.

I want to be a woman who lets go of anger, bitterness, pain, and tragedy.

I want to be a woman who embraced the Atonement and applies is daily.

I love you all! It was so good to hear from Cortney this week through email!!! I''d love to hear from others as well. I fly out Wednesday morning and am allowed to call from the airport!

Love, Hermana Kristi Koerner