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