Mosiah 26:26 06/24/13

Dear Family,


It has been a really good week in Houston and we were able to get with several less-active families that we have been really striving to get to know. We are praying and fasting to know how we can help them. Every family, every individual is needed in the kingdom of God. We are also focusing on helping the organizations with their projects and assignments and through that are finding people and receiving referrals. For example, we helped the youth in making tamales to sell to raise money for youth conference. So now I know how to make Mexican tamales. That should definitely help me find a husband- I've heard it is one of the top qualifications. Food is a huge part of the Hispanic culture and several other sisters this week showed us how to make flour tortillas and guisado. Next week we are making chile rellenos- which are chile peppers stuffed with meat and cheese. Yum : ) Speaking of food- we also got to do service in the Church's peanut butter factory on Friday which was super fun. Best part- they gave each of us a jar of peanut butter. Which is really good for us because we eat a lot of it. I hope you were able to see the broadcast last night since it was incredible, but you can also see it on lds.org. I'll write more about it in my letter this week. I ask that you keep our investigators Gloria and Juan in your prayers- they need a little push for get over some hurdles so they can be baptized. In studying Christ this week I was focusing on his title as the Redeemer. Lots of wonderful things that I found, but this one really stood out to me in Mosiah. Mosiah 26:26 "And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed". They would not be redeemed. Why would anyone choose not to be redeemed?! But that is exactly what happens when someone rejects the gospel or takes it lightly. Our Redeemer has paid the price for all of us, we are redeemed. But unless we choose that, unless we accept that, want that, it cannot help us.

Love you all lots. Sorry I can't think of what else to share. Ask me more questions next week so I can think of what else to share.

Love,

Hermana Koerner




Beautiful Sister Missionaries going to church.




Very wet sister missionaries during the week : )


Check out this video called Reclaimed at lds.org

Moroni 7:27-28 and Pictures

Dear Family,


It has been a fun week with both heat and torrential rain, so the best of both worlds. We kept working in both and saw lots of miracles. One miracle- We have been trying for several weeks to have a lesson with a referral. We've made contact and talked several times, but then he has to cancel or reschedule for one reason or another. But we determined not to give up. So we went Saturday night for an appointment we set up with him, but he wasn't home. Instead his roommate answered, Juan. We found out that he met missionaries several years ago in Galveston and went to church several times, took the lessons, and had read the Book of Mormon ( He could quote verses to us!) But then he had returned to Guatemala for awhile and moved back, but to a different area. We invited him to church and were able to arrange a ride for him. He came to church and stayed the whole time, helped clean up afterwards, and asked when we could come by! It was absolutely incredible. I know the Lord prepares people over time and sometimes we can be the first contact, second, or third. And sometimes we get to be the ones who help them finally accept the gospel. Please pray for him

We also had another great experience with a family in the ward. We went last week to FHE with them and we felt prompted during the week that they needed some extra help and to fast for them on Sunday. So we fasted for them on Sunday and they weren't at church so we went by afterwards. We found out that several things had happened that we were really hard during the week. I know Heavenly Father prompted us to fast to help this family because he loves and is aware of all the needs of his children.

In my studies this week on the Savior, I was studying his role as our Advocate and I absolutely loved the verses in Moroni 7:27-28 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men? For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens." I am just so excited and humbled by the knowledge that my Savior advocates for me. As I do all I can do, he can ask for mercy on my behalf.

I've attached pictures of the zoo last week and I hope you like them. Just keep in mind that it was really hot. Plus, the gorilla picture is made out of legos- an entire exhibit of lego animals. So cool.

Lots of love,

Hermana Koerner

Jellyfish!!

Yes, made entirely out of Legos

A slide near the otter exhibit

On a safari in Africa

The whole group on the carousel! 

Moroni 10:4

Dear Family-


Happy June! Wow, it's really hard to believe that it's June already ( not because of the heat) but with it comes some exciting moments. School just got out and with it many more people are available to accompany us to appointments, which makes a big difference! Also, the ward can do more activities during the summer months to invite and fellowship investigators so we are already planning fun things all summer. Speaking of which, President let me know that the Lord wants me to stay in this area a little longer, at least until July. So by then I will have served 9 months in the same ward! But I have learned so much from this ward and these people are very dear to me. Each ward and area is unique to each missionary and their experience there. My first ward was my first experience in the mission, full of lots of love, learning spanish, exploring the culture and learning how to do missionary work. This area has been an area of immense growth, trials, and increased charity. I'm excited to learn what the Lord has in store for us here.

Also, real quick, we are going downtown today! For the first time in my mission! So this is going to be a little bit shorter. But I did want to share one thing with all of you. As was my goal, I finished the Book of Mormon on Saturday!! It was a special experience for me. You all know, or have heard through my emails how much I love the Book of Mormon, and I feel as though a testimony of it is engraved upon my heart. I know that is the word of God, given through ancient prophets, and restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I have felt first-hand the promise that through the Book of Mormon we will draw closer to our Savior and Heavenly Father. So as I finished, I knelt again to act upon Moroni's promise. Moroni 10:4 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. But this time, all I could really say was gratitude for all that I have learned and the incredible gift of the Book of Mormon. And then I told Heavenly Father that I know it is true, without a shadow of a doubt in my heart, with every fiber of my being, I know it is true. This time I asked that as I begin to study it again, that I may be guided to learn even more and grow in my understanding of the Savior. I started over again on Sunday specifically studying the Savior and the Atonement. Two days in and I already feel so humbled and overwhelmed by everything that I'm learning. I have split it into three parts : Who is Jesus Christ? What has he done for us and what does he still do? And how can I become more like Him? Stay posted so I can share some wonderful discoveries in the future.



Love you all lots,

Hermana Kristi Koerner