Alma 26:13-16 3/25/13

Happy Monday! I think we are past the ides of March and over most of March Madness, and now I hope you are all getting as excited for General Conference as I am! I hope that this beautiful spring morning all of you are echoing the words of Ammon in saying "Therefore have we not great reason to rejoice? Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting blight, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?" (Alma 26:13-16)


This week has been full of rejoicing over here in the Houston Seis ward and the Hafer area. We had lots of opportunities to serve this week including working in the church's peanut butter factory for an afternoon. So if you have any of the church's peanut butter in the near future- maybe I made it : ) We have been praying for more service opportunities and our prayers were definitely answered. After teaching our investigator Jessica ( remember her? We lost contact for awhile, but now we're teaching her again!), we were leaving her home and her neighbor was cleaning our a storage shed so we offered to help. She first told us no, but we put down our bags and started helping anyway! After helping her, she invited us in and we were able to share a message. Her name is Evelia- please pray that as we go back and teach her she will feel the Spirit. Last week I mentioned the Rodriguez family ( the referral we got) and we were able to back and teach them. It was incredible. The girls starting asking questions about God and religion before we even started! We answered questions for 45 minutes and finally stopped them and asked if we could teach a lesson and we would answer questions as we taught. They are so eager and excited to learn and understand more about Heavenly Father. It's incredible! Reminds me of the parable of the field and of the pearl of great price-- Some people aren't searching, but when they find it they give everything to obtain it. Some are searching diligently for the truth, and when they find it, they also give everything. Our wonderful investigator/friend/incredible woman Lily is one of the latter. She came to church again and she is just loving it! Everything we teach her she accepts as if she's known it her whole life. We taught tithing this week and before we could even start she asks- " Where are the envelopes for the money every Sunday? I didn't see it on Sunday!" We started to explain the difference between just donations and tithing and Lily just said " Well, of course, I need to give it to the Lord no matter what you call it." I love that woman.

With Easter right around the corner, we ( the missionaries of our ward) are working on a surprise activity for the ward. We are putting together bags of Easter eggs with candy, a scripture, and a picture of Christ to give to all the members. It should be a lot of fun. Easter always brings lots of memories and I know I'll miss the family a bit more on Easter. This time last year I was visiting all the family out in Utah. It's hard to believe I've been a missionary for almost a year already!

Have a great week!

All my love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

Alma 14:10-13- 3/18/13

My new companion is Hermana Villanueva, from North Carolina, but originally from El Salvador. My third native companion! She is really incredible and super sweet and I'm excited to serve with her. I think I'm really going to use Spanish after the mission and Heavenly Father is helping me learn it really well with my companions. 

 
10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the cblood of the dinnocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will burn us also. ( See his enthusiasm!)
13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us not.


I love that last line by Alma. What faith! Be it according to the will of the Lord.   This week we had a really cool miracle. We got a referral from some other sisters and we called the woman and made an appointment. When we came back the next day, we discovered that her whole family are members of the church. In fact she is the only one of her siblings who isn't. She has had the lessons before, but didn't get baptized because she felt like it was too fast. But now she recognizes the need for it in her life. And she told us she wants us to teach her two daughters, Kimberly and Rachel. Both my companion ( Hna. Villanueva) and I were looking at each other like, " Is this really happening?!" They are so prepared to receive the gospel and I'm excited to help them progress!    We had a really cool miracle Saturday night. We were in this apartment complex, one which we visit often since several investigators and a member live there. Within the complex is a little park that lots of kids play at. You know that I love kids, so I've made friends with lots of them and I know all their names. When we come they run up to us and give us hugs. With a couple of the older kids we explained what we do and talked about the gospel with them. Some of them were interested and asked for a Book of Mormon. That was several weeks ago. As we returned this time, one of the boys ran up to me and hugged me and said, " I'm in chapter 22!" So I asked, " In the Book of Mormon? In the first book?". He replied yes and so I asked what he remembered and what he liked. He told me about Nephi and the dream of the tree and how annoying the big brothers (Laman and Lemuel) are. His family is American so the elders are going to teach them, but I feel so blessed to see this young man seeking for knowledge and understanding! 

Adjusted Missionary Email Policy

I hestitated briefly before sharing this new devolopment only for the sake of the fact that there is something special about receiving a letter in the mailbox, but I am excited for the increased privilege of communicating with extended family, friends, and converts! Here is the email our mission president sent out recently:

Please find below the Church's adjusted email policy for missionaries. It now allows for missionaries to communicate with "friends, priesthood leaders, and new converts" via the church authorized email system. The verbiage of the policy adjustment is found below:


"Missionaries are to write to their families each week and are also authorized to communicate by email with friends, priesthood leaders, and new converts. Mission presidents should allow sufficient time on preparation day for missionaries to write emails and letters. While in the mission field, missionaries should receive authorization from the mission president before entering into communication, including via email, with converts and others of the opposite gender within the mission boundaries (see Missionary Handbook, 36–37).   My email is kristi.koerner@myldsmail.net and I would love to hear from you!  

Alma 13:28-29 3/11/2013

Dear Family-

Happy Monday! It is a beautiful March morning and the start of what I'm sure will be a wonderful week. This week is transfers so I don't know what/who is coming here or if I'll be changing. We are receiving three new Spanish sisters and also four sisters who are waiting for their visas for Argentina. So I'm think President might open up some new areas in preparation for the 25 Spanish sisters who are coming in April! I'm sure it will be wonderful! 

We had some incredible work, lessons, fellow-shipping, everything this week! We were able to set baptismal dates for Lily and for Ruben and Maria Beserra! It is so beautiful to watch them start to grasp the gospel and have a desire to change. It all starts with that- a desire to change, a desire to be better, a desire to follow Jesus Christ. We had a really special lesson with a single mother (active member) whom the bishop asked us to go visit. She shared with us her conversion story and we began to share the scriptures we had prepared. Then, with both myself and my companion, it was as if we weren't the ones speaking. The Spirit was so strong and I vaguely remember everything we shared with her, but I know that Heavenly Father was speaking through us to his daughter. Just another example of the incredible love for each of His children.

I've been studying...no, rather, I've been delighting, absorbing the power duo teaching of Alma and Amulek in Alma 8-13 this past week. Lots of lessons about how to work in a companionship in there. Also some power preaching. I'll share more in my indivdual letters this week. But just a couple verses that I love!

Alma 13:28-29 "But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his crest."

Love you all,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

Alma 5 Check Up 3/04/13

Hello beautiful family!

Things aren't all roses, but there is sure sunshine in my soul today : ) We've had an excellent week, with lots of work with less-actives and recent converts. I have a special love for recent converts and want to do everything in all my areas to help them continue on the path toward conversion. I made a poster board with all the converts of the past year in this area, with a chart for lots of the steps after baptism such as receiving the priesthood for the men, participating in baptisms for the dead, receiving a calling, as well as being taught all the lessons again after baptism. What they say is true- baptism is only the gate to the road of discipleship and our new converts need so much love and guidance after they make that step through the gate. They are all at various stages of progression and I love being involved in every step of conversion from the very first prayer we offer with a new investigator, to baptism, to being with them in the temple. There is joy every step along the way. I also love that with each new convert, there are other family members that are influenced and so begin their own journey in the gospel. Like Juan Solano's wife opening up to us. Such is the case with Nora DeLaTorre- her daughter is now taking lessons and her husband is opening up more to us. Here a little and there a little. Please keep Nora in your prayers. 

We had exchanges this week and guess what...Hna Latu came to me here in Hafer! Good stuff! This area was her first area in the mission and she absolutely loves it, plus we were able to catch up and enjoy working together again before she goes home next week! I love that girl! Lots has happened to her this past few months- her grandfather and her sister passed away and she felt impressed to stay in the mission and not return early. Please keep her in your prayers as well. We had such a good time together, visited some of her converts and she told me about some people they were teaching a year ago that we are going to try and contact again. Also, it was nice to study and work with her again. All of my companions have been so different and these past few transfers have been very different from our time together in Oakcrest, but all of it has been a learning and growing experience. I feel blessed to have served with all my companions in each of these areas and I know all the experiences just make me a better missionary. I'm going to miss her when she goes home to California ; (

Awesome update on the Beserra family- they had been struggling and not seeming to be as engaged or interested in the previous weeks. But we got them the Book of Mormon on CD and when we came back they had been listening to it almost non-stop! Just as when we saw the change in them as they started to prayer in the correct way, they have an increase of the Spirit in their home. Their next challenge will be coming to church, but I know all things are possible. Another of our investigators, Veronica, is doing really well and we fasted with her yesterday to help her receive an answer to her prayers. Today we are going to share more on prophets and share the Proclamation on the Family. Lizzie, another young woman we are teaching, reminds me a lot of Camber. Sometimes, for a just a moment, I feel like I'm with a sister. Sometimes that makes me want to make her understand and just do it. But most of the time, I just feel so much love for her. 

This whole week I've been studying Alma 5- the question or check-up chapter. And I love it even more this time studying it. With one member we shared verse 7-"Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word" because as she told us her conversion story she told us that she felt that her home was just filled with this light when the missionaries taught her. She was baptized without ever coming to church- crazy huh? We're working on that with her : ) I loved cross-referencing verse 15- "Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith?"  And I loved the merciful invitation to repent in verses 33-34: "Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;"

Love you all tons and tons! I'm going go-cart racing this afternoon...I think. Maybe. We'll see. But I know it will be a great day!

Love,

Hermana Koerner

Mission Poem

A mission is a strange experience,

It's a trial and a test.

A mission throws at you the worst,

Yet teaches you the best.

I've never been so happy, 

I've never been so depressed,

I've never felt so forsaken;

I've never felt so blessed.

I've never been so confused,

Things have never been so clear.

I've never felt Heavenly Father so distant,

Yet He's never been so near.

I've never been so discouraged,

I've never been so full of hope.

I feel I could go forever,

I think I've come to the end of my rope!

I've never had it quite so easy

I've never had it quite so tough.

Things have never been so smooth,

Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys,

I've never ascended so many peaks.

I've never met so many nice people,

I've never met so many freaks!

I've never had so many ups,

I've never had so many downs.

I've never worn so many smiles,

I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely,

I've never had so many friends.

Boy, I hope this is all over soon

Gosh, I hope it never ends!!!

Alma 3:26 2/25/13

Hello everyone-

This was a fantastic teaching week, not in quantity but in quality. We had some incredible lessons (through the Spirit of course) that really hepled our investigators and less-actives progress. We had the opportunity to do service for an investigator, Lizzie, this week. Usually they tell us they don't need anything and it can be hard to find specific ways to serve them. But after some problems in her apartment, we were able go help Lizzie clean and rearrange her apartment. When all was said and done, we didn't teach a lesson, but she remarked that her home felt peaceful and happy- a change from before. As we worked we sang hymns and talked and laughed with her and when we left she could feel the Spirit that had entered her home. Another day, we went back to teach a woman for the first time who seemed really open and interested. We taught a powerful first lesson over the Restoration with the Spirit and she accepted many parts, but when we asked her to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet she flat out said no. It was sad for both Hna Tzorin and myself. But after all we could do, and more importantly, after feeling the Holy Ghost, she had the agency to say no. Here we offered her not just new information, but the keys to happiness, peace, and eternal life. And she politely said no thank you. This isn't the first time it has happened to me in the mission, but I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Yet I know that feeling sad for them when they do so only means that I love them and want the very best for them. One day she will accept it. Saturday was the opposite for us : ) The Perla family, who were baptized nearly a year ago, are preparing to enter the temple and be sealed. On Saturday we went and walked through the gardens of the temple and answered their questions. They really felt the Spirit and it only increased their desire to enter. We are making plans to do baptisms for the dead with them soon and they already have an appointment for their patriarchal blessings. Next comes the Melquisedec priesthood for Hermano Perla. It is so special to help converts progress in the gospel and see the gospel begin to take root and flourish. Recently our ward identified focus families and less-actives that we are combining efforts on to help and bring back to activity. We had some beautiful lessons with several of those families this week. For some it is a reminder of their baptismal covenants, for others about their relationship with the Savior, and still others about being an example for their children and families. Whatever the need or impediment is, I know Heavenly Father loves these children.

I'm getting addicted to the Book of Mormon- I never want to stop reading it during personal study : ) I finished up Mosiah and went into Alma. Nehor caused so much damage and then the wickedness of Amlici in chapter 2 and 3 caused the deaths of tens of thousands. And I just cried for them. I don't know the names of any of them, but my heart is just so sad. But we know that Heavenly Father is mindful of those souls and they will receive rewards according to their works and desires.

I love you all tons!

- Hermana Koerner

 

Alma 3:26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one. For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey,