1 Nephi 3:21 11/11/13

Dear Family-

AHHH! Nine days left until I can see ya'll!!!! Just a little freaking out going on.... Ok, calming down.

But lots of wonderful things are happening over here. Yesterday the stake came to our ward and split the ward, creating a completely new ward! The areas are just exploding with work and we are excited for the new growth. Many members are sad and excited at the same time. We still don't know details, but the excitement is high. When I started my mission in this same stake only sixteen months ago, there were five wards and three branches. Now there are eight full wards and one branch that is growing quickly to become a ward. Incredible. I absoutely believe that this growth will continue, especially as we utilize all the resources we have. On Saturday we had a Family History Open House to spread information about the Church's family history resources and it was an incredible success with dozens of investigators.

Thank you all for your prayers and support for those we are teaching. Sandra and Hna Cano both came to church yesterday and we are setting baptismal dates this week. The people here make the work so precious and so many special memories. I am working on getting lots of pictures so if I don't email them I will bring them home. 

After finishing my study on Christ in the Book of Mormon, I started over again the next day. And I decided to study the doctrine of the family and the Lord's guidelines for building family relationships found within the Book of Mormon. And I am absolutely loving it. The Book of Mormon is just full of guidance for us in our most importance relationships. I especially love the example of Nephi as a brother. 1 Nephi 3:21 is when he is working to convince his brothers to continue on in obtaining the plates. "And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God." In the role of a brother, Nephi sometimes persuades, sometimes rebukes, often encourages, usually helps through his example, but always always loves. I know I am not a perfect sister, but I want to strive to be more like Nephi and know how to really love my family. I love this video from lds.org on the power of a righteous mother, but I think it is just as applicable for all of our other roles as daughters and sisters. 

I love ya'll. Make someone smile today.

Love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

Moroni 7:22 11/04/13

Dear Family,

Wow, it's November already. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. We had a busy and fun week including Halloween adventures, great referrals, fantastic lessons, family history discoveries, and...drum roll please, I finished my study of Christ and Book of Mormon challenge! Yeah! So Halloween, just like last year, we had to be in early. So we made a girls night out of it. Made brownies, pedicures, and watched the Testaments. It was fun and relaxing. That same day, before we had to be home, we had two really amazing lessons with our investigators, Sandra and Patricia. They both opened up to us and we were able to extend baptismal invitations. None were accepted yet, but it really opened them up and helped them see baptism as a goal for them. Thank you for all your prayers for everyone we've been teaching.

Speaking of that, we are always looking for more people to teach and this week we got some incredible referrals. One from other sisters who taught the Restoration to a family with their member friend who lives in their area. It is a family of four and they are absolutely prepared for the gospel. We haven't gotten to meet with them yet, but please keep them in your prayers (Leonardo and Luz). Also, another day our lesson cancelled so we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and walk to our next appointment. On the way, a member in one of the English wards offered us a ride. When she found out we are the Spanish sisters, she told us about a neighbor and another friend she has been sharing the gospel with- who are Spanish speakers. Amazing, but not the end yet. Yesterday, we stopped by the English stake center to drop off some keys to another set of elders and we met a couple families who needed to pass on Spanish referrals to us. We've been praying hard to find new investigators and Heavenly Father just led us straight to them. 

In other good news, in family history research this week, I finally found someone I've been looking for. A Robert Weese on the Owens side has had me stuck for a couple weeks. But I finally found records and was able to connect another five generations. It makes me so happy to do the Lord's work- on both sides of the veil.

I also finished the studies I've been working on- the Book of Mormon challenge and the study of Christ in the Book of Mormon that I started back in June. Incredible. It has given me so many insights, ideas, inspiration, and a new level of understanding. I can't wait to share more of that when I get home. But one thing I learned from my study of Christ is that He makes everything possible.  Moroni 7:22 "For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing." I absolutely know that to be true. Christ makes every good thing in our lives possible. 

Forgive me for a short email. I promise to answer all your questions and tell you lots of stories when I get home.

All my love,

Hermana Kristi Koerner

P.S Happy Birthday Cody!!!