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
Monday, October 15, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
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
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 : )
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
Friday, October 12, 2012
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
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
Monday, October 8, 2012
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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