Sunday, November 30, 2014

Staying in Mackay!!

So I'm staying in Mackay and Sister Dax (the awesome sister who was in the MTC with me) is coming up here to join me! I'm excited! In the MTC we joked around that we'd be companions but I thought sense we had too much fun together, not gonna happen hahah but hey its happening and I'm excited to see what happens! :D I am going to miss Sister Moore bunches...  because we have gone through a lot of hard things together and I feel we have really learned a lot from one another and dang, it sucks when you care for them. Transfers are easier when you don't particularly like the person haha. When Sister Moore and I got the call she was leaving we both were like, "DANG IT! WHY DO I LIKE YOU?" Haha ;) Its okay though she is gonna rock her new area :) It was neat how this morning President called us and asked us how we felt about transfers. He's never done that before and it touched my heart that he wanted to talk to me. It increased my trust in him as my mission president and he said some very kind things that gave me some added motivation. Plus it was just nice to hear that I am a good missionary and that he recognizes how hard I'm working :)
 
 Anyway, it was neat how this week miracles happened! We found 3 new people to teach and had just miracles everywhere! The coolest miracle to me was, we had 20 minutes before dinner and I felt like we should go to the library. (We go and put books away once in awhile) Well next door to the library there was this man (James, he is from Georgia) with a huge pile of wood and he was stacking it by himself. So of course we were like, "Here I come to save the day!!" :D I didn't even ask if we could help I just started helping him. (Maybe the reason I didn't ask is because we felt we should just help, plus we were in skirts and everyone says the stupid thing of "you girls are in skirts") So yeah we stacked this huge pile of wood in 20 minutes. When we were done James was almost in tears. He said, "You ladies are angels. Thank you so much. I have back problems and I have no idea how I could've done all of this, it would've taken me at least a week!!" <3 <3 <3 Isn't that awesome!? It was so cool to know that we used our time the way Heavenly Father wanted us to and in the way Christ would. :) (For reals though, it was a ton of wood, I think Angels were helping us, because it was so much wood and we did it so quick!)
 
I had a cool experience as I was asked to speak in Stake Conference this weekend. I was terrified to be honest and the night before, I don't know why, I could not sleep! I was stressed out over something stupid that I cant even remember now and completely confused as of why Heavenly Father wasn't helping me fall asleep, I need energy to work in the morning, and because I was so tired I think it made me think everything was so much worse than it really was. Well, since I couldn't sleep I said a prayer and the song "Abide with me" came into my mind. As I started to sing it, I felt at peace. It helped calm me down so I wasn't nearly as stressed, and then I decided okay, I am going to open my scriptures. I opened up to Psalms and decided to go to chapter 13 (13 being my favorite number hehe) So that's what I did and it was exactly what I needed. After a hard day, then not being able to sleep, I was overwhelmed and felt no hope. I started to get down on myself and despair overwhelmed me, but psalm 13 was exactly what I needed to remind myself that the Lord hasn't forgotten me. I love how the Lord constantly reminds me that He is near and is mindful of me. :) And  thank you for your prayers! I know they were answered because my talk, I really believe I said exactly what the Lord wanted me to say, exactly what His children needed to hear. I think it was the best talk I've ever be able to give. (Of course because He helped me) It was totally led by the spirit. I know it was because I felt it. I am grateful I went through that little experience the night before because I think it humbled me to be more open to the spirit so I could say what the Lord wanted me to say. By the way, the Stake President asked us if we would be open to the idea of giving our talks at a fireside. He doesn't know when its going to be yet but hey, pretty awesome! :D
 
OH!! And yesterday we had another miracle! We were visiting a les active lady, she hasn't gone to church in over 45 years! I felt we needed to read something in 3 nephi with her then Sister Moore opened up to 3 Nephi 18, it was all about the sacrament. So we read that with her and went around the room, each taking a turn reading a verse, when it was her turn she read verse 7 and got quiet. The spirit totally touched her heart. Tears started to come down her face and she said, "I want his spirit to always be with me." Sister Moore and I testified of how the sacrament is an opportunity and a gift given to us in which we can have his spirit to always be with us. <3 <3 <3 It was so sweet! Anyway, SHE WANTS TO COME TO CHURCH!!!! She doesn't have any church clothes so we put together a bag of clothes we don't wear to often, actually put together quite a cute outfit and we are going to give it to her today. We are sooooo excited for her to come to church!!! It was so awesome! This feeling is the best! I am so grateful that I get to be doing His work and when we do it in HIS WAY, it always goes perfect!!! :)
 
Have a great week everyone!
Sister Coats
 
PS: My fabulous district. I am so glad none of them got transferred (except sister moore... miss her already). Our district hhahah We have too much fun. :)

These Boots Were Made For What?

My boots broke this week. Which is kinda awesome that I wore out my only pair, but that's also the problem. They're my only pair haha we were going to go to twin today but I didn't feel good about it and plus its 2&1/2 hours each way, so a ton of traveling. Anyway, this week was really hard and my dang boots were the cherry on top of my stress sunday! :0 I feel like our area is dying... I studied diligence a lot this week... I am trying so hard to be diligent and to constantly improve but man, I feel like I am giving it my all out here and it stung a little when I read in Preach my Gospel to basically, "work harder." I know I have a TON of room for improvement but I really feel like I am working crazy hard. All I know is that everything will work out and I believe none of our efforts are wasted. Btw, just to add to my stress sunday, we've been asked to speak at stake conference! Gah! Please say a prayer that I can say what Heavenly Father wants His children to hear. Why do I let lame things stress me out like this hahaha :P
 
With a very difficult week I've learned that I really need to let my savior make my burdens light, I've been trying to hand them over to Him, but I guess I am still figuring out how to do that.
 
Song: "Ain't nothing is gonna break my stride! Nothing is gonna slow me down! Oh No! Got to keep on movin! Ohh ooo oh oh!" :D
 
It snowed this week and everything is frozen. The snow is so pretty when it first falls, It sparkles! :) (Btw, Jennifer bought us some super cute winter accessories to stay warm! She has totally taken us in, she isn't a member, but loves that we are serving the Lord. Oh! And her daughter thinks its hilarious that I love milking her goat. I can't help it, its super fun. We are going to have a goat milking competition haha) Another thing that happened this week, I got sick, my head was killing me so much that it made me so I couldn't keep any of my food down... Well I had a tender mercy, I prayed to feel better and then we found out the bishop's nephew is a chiropractor and I got to see him for free! That's something simple but it meant a lot to me because I was so sick and to be able to see a chiropractor again, awe made my whole week better. :) It just gave me comfort that Heavenly Father hears our prayers and definitely is looking out for us.
 
Okay last thing, to be completely honest I am still recovering from an emotionally and physically draining week so I'm sorry I don't have much to write about but I do want to share something pretty awesome, end on a positive right! :D We made cookies to deliver to someone but then we had this feeling to go visit the relief society president and her family. So we did and ended up giving her those cookies we made. I felt impressed to share Alma 37:37 with them and whoa, it was what everyone of us needed. We all started to tear up and it brought so much comfort to us all that our Heavenly Father wants us to pray to Him, He hears our Prayers, and He desires to guide us through our lives. It was perfect. I am so grateful for the spirit. I am so grateful for in very simple ways Heavenly Father lets us know how near He really is. Oh! And just to make this little visit even more sweet, when Sister Goldthorpe (the relief society pres) asked her little girl if Heavenly Father loves her, her little girl looked up to the sky, smiled way big, and then giggled into her mom's chest and said, "He loves me." <3 <3 <3
 
Hope all of you have a wonderful week!
Sister Coats
 
PS: I won the baking contest at district meeting!
PSPS: Like this quote

No Words

This week was frustrating because almost all of our appointments fell through and we often felt like we were praying for direction over and over again... It was difficult because I want to do the Lord's will, I just struggle with finding out what it is.... but its all good because Heavenly Father gave us some tender mercies to help us continue on.
 
Okay so it was a pretty scary week because we visited this druggy lady, seriously she's always stoned when we come by, anyway her dog was about to rip our faces off but thank goodness he only almost pants-ed me instead haha but we said a prayer that the dog would chill, which it did, and then we were able to talk to her and her son. They have some crazy ideas about after death, like we are all some type of brainwave and aliens... it was weird... but their home is so... hopeless... Any who, we talked and offered service. I cleaned their dishes and then the mom invited us into her room to introduce us to her boyfriend over Skype. I got this hecka sketch feeling and then a young girl came over and entered the room... then the mom told us to leave the room for just a second. I thought, "Why would this young girl be over here? And why would they tell us to leave the room?" I got this super strong prompting to leave, so when she told us it would only be a few minutes, I told Sister Moore we had to leave, so we split. I don't know exactly what was going on in there but I know it wasn't good and I am so grateful the holy ghost was with us to prompt us to leave.
 
Stalker... ~ We ate at sammys (the gas station) this week and a creepy dude stared us down, it was disturbing... then it was dark, and in mackay when its night, its pitch black, can't see your hand in front of your face black. Welll... I don't really know how to explain it but we felt prompted to go to some random houses but then when we'd get out of the car we felt prompted to get back in.... with these random stops and visits, crazy scary feelings came and finally it was time to get home. We pull into our drive way and we had this clear as day prompting to STAY IN THE CAR! I usually do not get scared because I always think "oh it'd never happen to me," "I'm young, only old people live here", "Its MACKAY IDAHO!" and basically that I'm invincible haha ;) but because of that prompting to stay in the car, I was terrified and so was sister Moore. We did not want to get out of the car, and then the creepy dude at sammys, his face kept running through my head. So we prayed, called the bishop, and he was over at our house within a few minutes. We got out of the car and him and his wife checked the house with us. It was weird and bishop said he thinks we were being stalked, we didn't even tell him what had happened, we only told him we were scared, so Idk, I really think we were being stalked and I'm super grateful bishop came to help us out and help us feel safe. So far we haven't seen creepy sammys dude since and we've been extra careful when we enter our home at night.
 
Last night, another appointment fell through, I was at my end, the wind was blowing, it was raining, and I was tired and freezing. We said a prayer to be patient and humble and to know where we should go. This girl from Leslie ward and her boyfriend walked right across the street. They totally looked like they were up to something and from the street the came from, I'm pretty sure they were coming from the druggy house. (the one I felt prompted to leave from) It was pretty awesome seeing them walking down the street, in a fast pace, no coat and its freezing, so obvious they were up to something and as some of you know, I can be a punk, well I really wanted to be a punk with these kids, so I told sister Moore to drive up to them just to say hi. Hehe ;) She thought I was crazy and should stay out of it, but I couldn't, I wanted so bad to say hi! So she drove up, we unrolled our windows, and bam! THEY WERE CAUGHT!! The girl had this look of guilt wipe right across her face. It was obvious they didn't really want to talk and boy they were walking pretty fast. Anyway, their eyes were totally glazed and whatnot, but the girl's look was so priceless. I asked them what they were up to and they just went, "uhh... nothing.... we gotta go" I waved and said, "Be safe we'll see you later." Oh man I wish I could've recorded this... it was just so great and this email is making it sound lame... whatever haha So yeah, I was being a punk but I totally think it was a good thing we stopped by, just to remind them that they aren't forgotten. Haha ;) "Always watching" ~ Monsters inc <- totally was like that creepy desk lady in monsters inc!

Last thing, as I was studying in Matthew this week, I read the story of when Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:25-31) and It really hit me how Peter was able to walk on the water but started to drown when he started to doubt. When Peter started to doubt that was when he couldn't walk on the water but "immediately" Jesus stretched forth his hand to raise Peter up. Cool right? :) This story made me think of my little sister Ashleta and what we say.... When you feel like you are drowning remember your lifeguard walks on water. ;)
 
Sorry this email is everywhere, boy I should've checked the time this took me awhile! Whatever :/
Sister Coats
 
PS: Thanks for the package mom!!! LOVE YOU!!!! <3

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Crazy Week

This week was so crazy.... I found out an investigator is in love with me... another investigator she tried to kiss me, yes a she... and we had to drop a potential investigator because she thinks were hot, yes another she.... how bizarre is all of that! Well I completely freaked out when I found out an investigator is in love with me. I couldn't focus on anything, all I could think about was him and how I am a horrible person. I didn't come on a mission for people to be converted to me but to be converted to our Savior. I didn't mean to lead anyone on! So with all of this freaking drama going on, I couldn't think straight, so I prayed. I prayed to know what to do and I got this thought to call the president but I did not want to call the president! Because I kept getting these thoughts that my president is going to think I'm a snake, I can't be trusted, and what if I get sent home!? I know that sounds drastic but that's what I believe Satan was putting into my head. Anyway, I built up my courage and called my president and then guess what.... he didn't answer, so then I started having doubts if I was making the right choice to talk to my president about all of this... so we continued on with the day, well I barely made it through the day since my head was all over the place, then when we came home, I prayed once again and begged for forgiveness because I did not mean to have all of this happen, then my president called. He asked me what had happened and I told him everything and he wasn't mad or anything. He gave me advice on how to write this investigator. It was so nice to talk to president and to have his help. The only thing that worried me about what he said is this... he said, "Sister Coats you are a beautiful sister and I can guarantee you will have to do this again. So be prepared." Talk about a terrifying compliment! So yeah. Madness, but president did give me comfort by saying none of it was my fault. I am a beautiful sister and I have the spirit with me. So that made me feel a ton better. 
Gosh... Crazy right.... whatever I am so grateful that's over.

Okay besides all of that, we had a cool experience. We wanted to go to the ward activity on Halloween but Sister Moore had a bad feeling in her stomach and I had a headache but, we wanted to go! So we said a prayer if we should head out to the ward activity or if we should go home. I happened to have my scriptures on my lap (like every awesome sister would haha ;)) and Sister Moore said hey look up Matthew 9:7. She had no idea what this scripture said and when I read it to myself I couldn't believe it. I asked her, "Have you read this before?" She said, "No why? What does it say?" The scripture said, "And he arose and departed to his house." :D That was so direct and whoa, it was cool to see that even our small prayers, Heavenly Father hears them. He is closer then I sometimes think and I know he is watching over us. So we arose and departed to our house haha and had a wonderful Halloween! It was so cool! :D

Getting my hair done this week, had more awesome experiences but I will just have to tell y'all about those later! Love ya bunches and hope y'all had a great halloween! :D

Sister Coats

Goofing off with sister Moore! Happy Halloween!