Helaman 5:18-19 4/22/13

Hi everyone-

Today is the start of a new transfer and as my companion (Hna Villanueva) and I were reflecting over the transfer and all the miracles we saw, we decided to title this past transfer: " The Transfer of Miraculous Referrals". We went back and counted up about ten incredibles referrals that we got and were able to contact and start teaching. Just this week, we had a less-active member call us up and tell us she had a friend that wanted to learn more about the Church. We went right over and met her friend, Roxana, and went back later during the week to start teaching her. And then, I think I mentioned the referral from Colorado, but a family that was taught in Colorado and moved over here. We were able to start teaching them this week and the husband has finished the entire Book of Mormon! And still another one, we got a referral last week, but instead of an investigator it was a less-active member. That was confusing at first since the referral system doesn't normally do that. But  one night we planned to go contact them. Then we forgot the direction so we had to run home and grab it- looking back, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. When we get there and knock, no one answers. But as we were walking back to our car, someone honks at us, and a car pulls into the driveway. We went back and it was the lady we were looking for. She and her children had moved from a ward on the other side of Houston several months ago. First they went to an English ward (they all speak good English), but since the ward is large, no one noticed them as new people to the ward, so they just stopped going. The referral came from their former home teachers who wanted to make sure they had some contact. Wow- the difference a good home teacher does! We had a great visit with them and she has a very strong testimony, but has struggled to go to church alone since her divorce. It's a reminder that many people need extra love and support as they go through transitions like that. Lots of miracles happening in the Texas Houston Mission! Like it says of Nephi and Lehi in Helaman 5:18-19 " And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers."

 

This last week we were able to go to the temple (finally!). The temple was closed for spring cleaning last transfer so it was a much needed for all of us missionaries to get back to the temple. I love the temple. I think for my whole life I am going to do all I can to plan to live relatively close to a temple. I wish we could go more often, but I know that's not our focus right now. After the mission. It was an absolutely beautiful session and going to the temple really grounds me. This is why I'm here. This is what I"m doing. I love that. If I could just get all our investigators to feel that feeling. 

On a fun note, last preparation day we went up to the Woodlands Mall ( my companion and I as well as several other missionaries) to pet puppies. There is a pet store in the mall that has lots of puppies you can pet. So we did XD! Pure awesomeness. Then Hna V. wanted a dress so we went to Forever 21 to look for a dress. While she looked for a dress, the elders got some assistants to help them put together a pirate and soldier outfit for her. Then they played dress-up for just a little bit. Super funny. We ended the day with frozen yogurt. Super fun. Today will probably be more low-key : ) 

Like I said, transfers are this week. I've been here in Houston Seis for six months so it's likely I could be transferred. Only Heavenly Father knows. They are opening up 5-6 new Spanish sister areas to accommodate the new sisters and all the work! So I might be transferred and open up an area or train since we have 16 sisters coming in!! Crazy! Lots of good changes happening in the THM

We took a five minute modeling break during lunch one day- hope you like the pics!

Love you lots,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

Ether 2:25 4/15/13

Dear Family-

It was a great week here in Houston and it's starting to heat up on us. But when the going gets hot, the hot get going.....or something like that : ) What I mean to say is that we are working hard. We had zone conference this week where three of the zones are combined for special training with President, which was, as usual, pretty incredible. Pres. Pingree just has this gift to be able to talk about the things that we need the most to get us motivated and excited about the work, to find solutions to our roadblocks, and to press on in faith. I feel really blessed to have him as a mission president. We received instruction on how we can resolve concerns about baptism and I know it's really going to help us with Veronica, Lily, and the Santillan family. Speaking of Lily, she has concerns about being baptized with her health and her knee problems. So please keep her in your prayers. We also had a great week with less active members and we were able to get in with several that we've been trying to but haven't been able to for several months. It's interesting to see from this perspective why some members go inactive, or how they justify being casual about the gospel. I hope that doesn't sound too judgemental and I love these people with all my heart- it just makes me so sad to see them throw away or just dismiss the one thing that brings the most happiness in life. In Zone Conference we also discussed stating our purpose more frequently and helping everyone- investigators, less actives, active members- to understand our purpose is bring others closer to Christ. Our purpose doesn't say only those who are not members, or those who don't come to church. Everyone. As we've implemented that even sharing our purpose with active members we've seen a lot of success in helping families and receiving referrals.

I'm still studying in Alma about the wars between the Nephites and Lamanites. And I loved all the parts about preparation. Moroni prepared the cities and fortified them against attack. Then he prepared the people spiritually with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father wants us to be prepared- for the natural disasters and the spiritual temptations that come our way. The Lord always prepares the way for us, no matter how hard. We had one day this week where nothing turned out as planned, we went all day without being able to teach. We contacted referrals, investigators, stopped by less active members and even members and weren't able to get in with anyone. We did a lot of walking but we kept going. And we were blessed though our diligence, not that day but the next with people calling us back and setting up appointments. I love what it says in Ether 2:25 about the Lord preparing us..." And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?"

Love you all,

Hermana Koerner

P.S. I attached a picture of a hilarious flyer we found while walking. It says: " Lost: (picture of a unicorn). If found- please stop using drugs". We got a good laugh out of it

 

Pour Out Your Souls 4/08/13

Dear Family-
Wasn't conference wonderful?! I never wanted it to end, but those two days just flew by. I wasn't able to sit in on priesthood session like last October because we had appointments, but I'm looking foward to reading those talks as soon as they are available. Dad- I miss having you tell me about priesthood afterward. I tried asking some of the elders, but it isn't the same. I'd love to hear how priesthood was from you and Jason when you get a minute : ) I really enjoyed listening to the messages and I can't wait to read and study them again. It was even more meaningful to listen and think of those whom we are teaching and how we could share these messages with them. Four of our investigators were able to come and several more less actives also came so it was an exciting weekend for everyone. Lily came and loved conference. Her baptism was going to be this weekend (13th), but we think we might push it back a week. We don't want to rush her and we want her to feel confident and prepared. Please pray for her.
Earlier this week we had exchanges which are always lots of fun. A sister named Hna Stockton came with me in Hafer. She is from Las Vegas and has been out in the mission about four months. She is lots of fun and is really spunky. She's still working hard on her Spanish and struggles a times, but her powerful testimony makes up for any lack in Spanish. We were able to teach a lot, including helping Veronica start marriage plans and share with the Rodriguez family about the Book of Mormon. They all love to read and are very excited about reading the Book of Mormon. One thing I love exchanges is that it helps to self-evaluate a bit- both your strengths and your weaknesses, i.e. what you need to work on.
We started working with the wife of a recent convert this week and a little bit at a time we have been able to start teaching her! She is catholic, but every question she asks us we can answer with the Book of Mormon. And moreover, she agrees with our answer. Please keep Nubia in your prayers. It's exciting to work with the families of recent converts (those who were not baptized) because we know that the first person/member was just the beginning to finding happiness as a family. We are trying to get in more with Nora's family, but I know time will also help.
We had an incredible miracle last night. A few weeks ago a former investigator, who I didn't know, called us and set up an appointment. We went, but he wasn't home. We tried several times and one time we left a message with his brother. Fast forward to this week. Due to striving hard to make sure everyone knew about conference, we were a bit short on miles come saturday and Sunday. So before heading home Saturday night we had a little extra time, but we couldn't go far. I remember about that former investigator and suggested we try again. We went and found the brother, Rene, home. He told us his brother had gone to Mexico for a little bit, but that he was interested in what we had been teaching his brother! So we went back Sunday night and taught a powerful first lesson about the Restoration of the gospel. He asked questions and would repeat back to us what he understood when we shared scriptures. At the end we invited him to be baptized the end of April and he accepted! I know the Lord prepares people and prepares us to find them!
I dived into more Alma chapters this week and never wanted to stop studying. I have lots of little tidbits that I'm going to share in my personal letters, but I wanted to share this little verse: Alma 34: 26 "But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness." As we pour out our souls to Heavenly Father, or as Pres. Eyring said that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near unto us. I know that to be true.
Love you tons and tons! Have a fantastic week! ( One more month until Mother's Day!)
Love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner

D&C 76:22 04/01/13

Happy April everyone! Wow, April. Spring came fast and Houston is blossoming with flowers and in the missionary work! We have so much to do and not enough hours in the day! The Santillan family ( remember them!) are progressing again and we are working with them to get married before setting a baptismal date. I am constantly amazed at how the adversary works through breaking the law of chastity to hinder the progress of so many children of God. Please please please pray for them. I absolutely know they can do this, but it's going to take all the faith and work we have! 
With a less active member that we were visiting, she introduced us to two of her friends who are now our new investigators! There are always people ready- we just have to ask. Don't let the missionaries leave the house until they ask for a referral. Even if you don't have someone- remind them to always ask, and ask again the next time. And there are so many chances to reach out and love members and investigators alike. We had a new family move into the ward this week and we went to help them move in. Just through their examples, all their neighbors were asking what religion they were and we were able to talk with many of them.

We also had a sweet experience with another family. The Garcia couple come up from Mexico about once a month for the doctor and we see them on the Sunday when they come, but we didn't really know who they were. They asked us Sunday for a Liahona and Book of Mormon since they had left theirs at home this trip. So we went by to bring it to them and found out that Hno Garcia is a stake patriarch in Guadalajara Mexico and he converted his wife nearly 25 years ago. She shared her conversion story and we sang "I need thee every hour" ( which was one of the songs that started her conversion). There was a very sweet spirit as we left them.
We had a good Easter, though I missed our family traditions. The missionaries of the ward made little Easter goody bags for all the members and after church we had a ward FHE. Easter itself was quiet and peaceful, but for me it was the opportunity to bear testimony of the Savior and the Resurrection all week that was incredibly powerful. I loved this scripture: D&C 76:22 "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!"
Hope you had a wonderful Easter and that you are as completely and utterly estatic for the upcoming conference. I am praying for all of you and that all of us receive the help and answers we are seeking in General Conference.
Lots of love,
Hermana Kristi Koerner