Monday, August 31, 2015

August 31 E Una Bella Vita

I can't believe how hard this week was... Emergency exchanges turned to an emergency transfer. It took me by complete surprise to hear from president that the exchange was going to stay... I tried to not be sad but he asked how I was, I said "I'm good..." He asked again... and I couldn't hold the tears back. I just started to sob. I was so overwhelmed. I just want to do what the Lord want's me to do but I didn't even know what that was at the moment! The sister who openly and vocally declares her hate for me is now staying in my area (I feel like some people try to be hard to love, I swear she is trying to make this difficult haha) and I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone! Ripped my heart out a bit... and my new area, is completely dead... well its coming back to life but I kind of just vented to him.... y'all get the point, I was standing on my soap box... then I bit my tongue, I was only focusing on myself in that moment... but President let me vent and then he reminded me of how badly I just want to do what the Lord wants me to do. He encouraged me saying that this new area and my new companion need me and I can help. I can make a difference here. He also said something pretty cool, "sometimes inspiration is what will get the job done." Anyway, Its taken me a few days to believe his words but I'm starting to believe them.

My new companion is an absolute sweetheart but she struggles with talking... which has been interesting... we've been role playing a lot and she has the strongest testimony. In just a few days she has gotten so much better at saying hi to people. Its been hard for me to just sit there and let the conversation get awkward but its worth it because its giving her the opportunity to speak.

To top our week off with craziness we found a new investigator, or we thought we did, when we came back for our next appointment to her chewing us out for not believing in Christ. It was the cherry on top to a horrid few days. We testified but really lady? Excuse me? You are bashing us and saying we don't believe in Christ? Do you not see our badges? What about that picture of Christ that you are holding on the pamphlet we gave you? Some people flat out just do not want to listen. I don't get it... I feel like some people choose to be angry, just because they can...

So ready for some positivity? Because negativity brings me down. Haha :) I read the talk, "Of Regrets and Resolutions" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. I loved it because it helped me realize that I can choose to dwell on the negative or I can choose to be positive and see the good in every situation. "We do matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness." He also goes on to say, "We shouldn't wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available - all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. "This is the day which the Lord hath made...," the Psalmist wrote. "Rejoice and be glad in it."

So all in all, it hit me that I can choose to be like "whoa is me," and focus on my selfishness, or instead I can be positive and see the many blessings and trust that this the Lord's will and I'm willing to do it! :) I'm in a new zone, with a new kind and sweet companion, Sister Patterson, I get to serve in a new area, new ward, the members are awesome, I'm still an STL(by myself with has been interesting and different but fun at the same time), and this is giving me an even greater opportunity to sprint to the end and forget about MYSELF! :) When I made the choice to just move on and be positive, the week instantly got better. We have been talking to everyone we can! Which I believe has helped Sister Patterson realize that she can do this. Its one of the coolest things to see when she knows she did well, she starts to break out of her cement shell haha :) Plus we got a new investigator (who lives in our area and didn't chew us out) and sent out a bunch of referrals. Ya know what is funny? As we've talked to everyone we can, only 1 this week has been in our area. Haha We've sent out a handful of referrals and then one of the new investigators we thought we had, we found out the next day (when we looked at the map) that he literally lived on the wrong side of the street! He'd be in our area if he were only on the other side! Haha! Oh my gosh, like really? But hey, we've been helping all the other missionaries with finding and everything is getting so much better.

To close this up, I'm grateful for how Heavenly Father oversees all and I am actually very grateful to finish out my mission this way. Yeah its crazy and totally unexpected but I did say I want to do the Lord's will and I'm grateful He trusts me to do it, no matter what is asked He can know I will do it, I may kick a little at first but I will do it. :)  I know He is watching over us and He has sent tender mercies everyday to remind me of that. I am Happy because I know I am His.

Its a beautiful life :)

Sister Coats

Quote of the day, "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."

PS: Funny moment
A little girl sat next to me and said, "I don't know my neighbors." Me, "... why?" Little girl, "because my parents say they're kidnappers."
So random, yet so funny! (Maybe you had to be there ;))

Sister Patterson & I

August 24, Trying to Make it Spiritual!

This week Sister Pohahau got sick... which was hard because I know she wants to go out and work but she also won't give herself a break until she absolutely needs one, which is actually good because I trust her when she says she can't work, she can't work. With her being sick I realized I've actually grown a lot in patience. Before when my companions would get sick I'd be antsy but instead I was very patient and as I served her, I grew in patience & love for her. We even went to the hospital. Sister Pohahau is so strong, she won't let anything bring her down. It hurt my heart to see her hurt. Its amazing how praying for her, if nothing else brought me comfort haha She is feeling better today though. :)

I wish I had more to say but my mind is everywhere today. I'm just totally overloaded with everything we need to get done. We are going on emergency exchanges with the sisters today,(which means I need to put my selfish p-day desires aside) with the sisters that ya know, last week... were so fond of me. #not :P In a way its kind of a tender mercy because I've been praying for that sister's heart to be softened towards me and with how things have played out, her heart has definitely been softened. She had a minor fall... she really hurt her knee and we were the ones to help her out. She has to use a wheel chair right now and has to depend on others. Her heart is being softened, as she has to let us help, its giving her an opportunity for us to show her we love her. I'm nervous about this week exchange, but it will be good. I get to even more fully totally forget about myself and help the sisters out :) President said I need to help their area get going since we've been nailing it in finding lately and I think the exchange will repair what happened last week. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways. I don't get it most of the time haha but I gotta trust him. 

I'm really grateful for my mission President and his wife. I really need their counsel, like all the time haha While I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants 121 & 122 today, DC 122:2 hit me because it says, "... the pure in heart... seek counsel..." I want to be pure in heart and I'm trying to become more pure everyday. I don't want the power of Heaven to be restricted in any way! I want to be exactly obedient and I want to help others do the same. As I've applied the counsel of my leaders, and especially the apostles and prophet, I know my heart is becoming more pure. I'm definitely being refined and its nice to know my president really does care about me.

Ya know something that is on my mind is if everyone would just be obedient! So many problems in the mission would be resolved! Whatever, I can't control others agency, even if they are using it wrong. My head is hurting... gosh, do I sound like a complainer or what? :)

Oh!! Miracle! Remember the lady that we took on a tour of the church? And she like busted up into tears! Well, her ex boyfriend wouldn't give us her phone number, so we went on the hunt to find her haha we said multiple prayers and a few days ago we drove pass her ex boyfriend's home and I saw her red hair!! YES! Immediately we pulled over and it was her! So I guess they are back together but the point I am trying to make is heavenly Father answered our prayers and we got her new phone number, she came to church, and I thought we lost her but hey, prayers answered and she was found! :)

I hope all of you have a great week! I wish I could focus right now, my mind is going a thousand different directions. Any who, I hope you all know that you are loved from above and He is always near. Always near you. I know He hears me and does what is best for me. I don't know much but I do know that Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ live. I know it. I am honored to be their missionary. 

Sister Coats

Doctrine and Covenants 121:35-36 "Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson - that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness."

Us & Grandma Joe! 

August 17 17 Month Mark!

Exchanges were extremely difficult. Its hard when all I want to do is love the sisters and they want no part of it. One sister choose to not like me, even before the exchange started. I had no idea she could dislike me so much when she doesn't even know me. With how much hate she had towards me, it made it impossible for the spirit to be with us. Because I could feel the unknown tension I asked how she was doing. She looked me in the eye, raised her voice, and said, "You prissy barbie sister! You are perfect and then you come in and tell me what to do and expect me to listen to a leader as awful as you!" I sat there.. and to be honest my 1st thought was, "You think I'm perfect, you really must not know me at all" #FooledHer JK :P It was quite awful really. As she went on yelling at me... pointing out my every flaw, as if I didn't already know I had a trillion, I had a prayer in my heart. I was able to not say anything which then seemed to make her even more upset because I just took it. "Oh now you are going to act all humble and be like how can I help you? Well I don't want your help." Y'all get the jist of this, the sister hates me basically just because I am an STL. When I finally was able to talk, totally the spirit not me, I told her how much her Heavenly Father loves her and that I just want to help her be a better missionary so I can be a better missionary too. That we can be better missionaries together. I asked her how I could help and told her that all I was here for was to love her. She flat out told me she wanted none of it. That hurt my heart, yes the words hurt but more than anything was seeing how sad she was that she wanted to bring me down with her. It was such a horrid exchange that we ended early and I was so grateful to see Sister Pohahau again! I needed her! She saved me haha we talked to Sister Curtis concerning the matter and what a blessing it is to have leaders that I know love me and want to help me. Its pretty awesome how Heavenly Father definitely works through other people to give us a lift. The saying of "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." Personally, I'd rather be hit with sticks and stones. After the scene, Sister Pohahau helped me realize how the spirit was with me. I was able to be quiet and just listen to that sister vent and hate on me but after prayer and talking it over, Its just easier to forgive the sister and keep loving her. Even if she doesn't want anything to do with me she can't stop me from caring about her! Haha Kill em' with kindness! ;) Its amazing that I actually have just typed out this paragraph without crying and without any negativity, I really feel like a year ago, I would have been like, "woo is me." But hey, its all good. Everything always works out especially when you are in the Service of your Lord and the sister will come around. Even if its after our missions. If nothing else I can always pray for her and I am grateful to know how powerful prayer really is.

Terson was baptized this week! He was so happy! Seeing him so happy made us soo happy too! Some of his family members came and they came to his confirmation too. IT was way rad hearing his confirmation in his native language, didn't know what was said, but the spirit was there. :) Seeing the happiness that comes to others from the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes me even more appreciative to be have the opportunity to share it with them. How lucky am I to be doing his work? SO LUCKY! And we all can be a part of it! That's the coolest part. We can all do His work, together and with Him. Terson's conversion is so solid because he had the ward members with him when we couldn't be and Heavenly Father has a purpose for all of us. He trusts us to do His work and we don't have to do it alone! I want to do His work forever. Its too fun, rewarding, and the love that is felt is indescribable! 

I am grateful for Sister Pohahau. She helps me everyday. We have powerful companionship studies and we teach well together. She has a desire to be obedient and so do I. She works as hard as she can every day. I feel like we push each other to be our best! I am also grateful for how well she can correct disobedience or rudeness and stay strong with it. She isn't a, (what I feel like I am) "Pushover." OH! Funny moments, I greatly appreciate the death stare she gave to an investigator this week. He isn't seeing us as missionaries anymore but Sister Pohahau is my protector! Haha! Like really does no one see our name badges? Whatever, we handed him over to ward and she set him straight! OH! So funny story from yesterday. We were walking out of our garage and there was this red truck just parked in the middle of the street. Sister Pohahau realized that they have been there for a while. We go to close the garage and get into our car and then the truck attempts to pull away super fast (realizing that we saw them looking at us) but over turns his wheel too hard, hits the curb, drives into the neighbors lawn, and almost hits this big tree in front, barely missing our car. (FYI We live on a straight road, so who knows where he was turning in the 1st place!) Sister Pohahau got super embarrassed for them, then I did too, she walk into the house, after a few minutes of looking at them like "What the?" I follow her into the home and we proceeded to stare out the front window at them...  We were laughing so hard we had to sit on the floor to hide. These 2 brown people get out to see if there truck is good and then get back in and drive away. Finally, we go back out to finally leave. We pass by our recent convert's house (who is from Micronesia) and there's a bunch of cars out front, one of them being that truck! #BeingStalked Sister Pohahau looked the other way and I busted up laughing, wanting to drive by one more time to make sure thats the same red truck! IT was! & Dang SO FUNNY! (Maybe you had to be there?) All these islanders just sitting outside #WhatJustHappened I think Sister Pohahau and her island beauty distracted them. She thinks they were drunk but it was like 2 in the afternoon and yeah, I mean you could get drunk anytime of the day but I just don't think they were drunk. I think they followed us home (we only live around the block from them) and then they got distracted by her/we caught em'! Hahaha Pretty dang funny. Trouble trouble trouble.

Have a great week everyone!

Sister Coats
Scripture of the week
Isaiah 49:16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

I didn't get any pics sent to me yet, and I knew you'd still want a picture mom, so yeah... this is the picture of the week. I got hecka sick after one of our exchanges... here ya go Mom! See I do remember to send you pictures! Haha Love ya! :P

August 10 #Pohauts

It was hard saying goodbye to Sister McCallum and my other missionary friends. I prayed I wouldn't just burst into a puddle, and I didn't, so prayer answered! Haha But dang, I miss my best friend already! She finished strong, and I want to finish strong too! Plus, It's just weird to think they won't be missionaries anymore... what do I call them now? By their first name? Uh... strange haha We got to do role plays with the newbies brought into the mission. I think that was a wonderful way for Sister McCallum to finish her last day in the mission field. Its so fun role playing with the new missionaries! They have such a strong desire to be one and only thing, a great missionary! Role playing with them made me want to consecrate myself more fully to the work, and it was cool to see how much I've grown. At the beginning of my mission I barely talked, now these new missionaries actually think I know what I am doing! Haha Fooled them ;) jk :P Its hard to see my progress in a day, but when I look back on my mission, I see how much the Lord has helped me grow. I am so much more confident in my own skin because I know I am His. When I was studying in 1 Chronicles 22, David was to build a temple but the Lord told him to have his son Solomon build the temple. The Lord tells David that Solomon (verse 10) "shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over israel for ever." I loved that verse because I realized that as we do His work, we become like Him, which then shows we are his. Then when we become His (have a desire to become His), He gives us all He has. I hope that makes sense? Haha But It reminded me that I become His by doing His work and that becoming like him, its possible, it's in my reach. Because of Jesus Christ and his atonement, He made that goal possible. :) Plus! The cool part is He does His work with me! (Verse 16) "... Arise, therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee." The Lord is doing His work with us and when we allow Him to show us how to do His work, in His way, that's when miracles happen! :)

We got a new ward this week. We took over the ZL's YSA, so we are now over the college ward, family ward, and the older young single adults ward... its been hard balancing out the work, but I love being busy! And my new companion Sister Pohahau, she is so chill.  She never seems to get overwhelmed, and I get overwhelmed all the time, so its a good balance because she is helping me relax, which has helped made the new area and all the work we have to do seem less taunting. I admire how soft spoken she is. When she speaks in any situation, the spirit is with her. I am trying to be more soft spoken like her. Our area is a blast because we are so busy! There is never a dull moment. I have a really good feeling about this transfer. I've already learned a lot from Sister Pohahau already and I'm excited to see our teaching continue to progress. 

Random tid bit; we helped some sisters move and helped a family move too and I've come to the conclusion that I am never buying my children toys. Haha :P They can make their own toys with sticks and boxes! :P 

T is getting baptized this week! We are so excited for him! Hopefully we can get one of the ward members to translate for him and baptize him in his native language. That would be so powerful. Its amazing doing the Lord's work. There is nothing like it. There is so much to do and ya know what's kinda awesome? It makes me happy! I'm happy when I am in the service of the Lord. When we serve His children, I see them the way He sees them, I love them and want nothing but the best for them. He has blessed us this week with lots of lessons, new people to teach, and with beautiful sunshine! Hope you all have a wonderful week! Gotta go! 

"There is gladness in my soul today, and hope and praise and love, for blessings which he gives me now, for joys "laid up" above. Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine when the peaceful happy moments roll. When Jesus shows his smiling face, there is sunshine in the soul!"

Sister Coats

Sister Pohahau are exhausted! But hey! This is us! :D #Pohauts
My Brothas! Taione and Fleck! (we were in the mtc together!) They are now companions, those lucky ducks!  I actually look tiny next to them! Haha! :) 

August 3 Last Transfer!

SISTER MCCALLUM IS LEAVING ME!!!!!!! NOO!!! Why does this happen every transfer? Haha We are attached at the hip and now she is being taken away from me... gosh, ya know having a companion is like having a permanent stalker. Haha I've really come to love this one ;) My favorite thing to do is be a dork with her and be like, "You're stuck with me haha!" But now she's not.... Anyway, I am going to miss her so much. She has helped me grow. I admire how she always has a prayer in her heart and never thinks negative. I am grateful for how Heavenly Father lead us together, that we got to be companions. We have a friendship built upon the spirit. Its a friendship I know will last forever. I know it's going to be super hard to say goodbye to her on Wednesday... whoa, its gonna be hard. We are just so comfortable with each other. She is like my other half! We laugh and bicker and push and love each other like real sisters hehe I am so grateful that I got to learn from her, work with her, and be her friend. 
"Friendship comes in many forms, like laughter, joy & care. But the truest way to be a friend, is in God's love you share." - Fay Hansen. 

Its been a great week! Our area is doing amazing, new people to teach, and man we've been so busy! I love it! We have had meetings galore, I got to train during zone meeting which a wee bit terrifying and I think I butchered it but hey, I did it and I'm alive so thats good. We got dumb ti-wi's.... its a little gadget that yells at you everytime you drive a little less than safe.... the 1st time it yelled, I had no idea what it was and if my window would've been open, I would have flown right out it! Sister McCallum thought that was hilarious because I basically smashed my face and body against the window, (I looked like one of those windex birds if ya know what I'm saying haha) Anyway, its good because it helps us be, quote, "Safe" but it makes me nervous! I hope I still don't drive next transfer. I am terrified of driving a mission car because its not my car and then this ti-wi thing is just strange. 

We had miracles galore! KIM was baptized!!!!!!!!!!!! It was so beautiful and her smile was so big! Everyone commented on how they've never seen her so happy before! The coolest part of her baptism was what happened right before. So we stopped by before her baptism to see how she was doing and she and her daughter had a wonderful surprise. Every time we've met with Kim, her daughter has run away from us, wanting nothing to do with us, well this time she stayed. Kim told us her daughter had something special to share with us. Her daughter explained how she has seen her mom change. "She is happy, she is so much happier. Happier than I've ever seen her. I know that this change has helped her and I'm happy for my mom." As she explained the happiness the gospel has brought to her mom, we could see how Kim was holding back tears. Her daughter then said, "I want it." <3 Isn't that beautiful? Because Kim is truly converted to the gospel, to her Savior Jesus Christ, with all the opposition she has had & still has, she still stayed strong and her daughter recognized that and wants to follow her mom's example. Kim was afraid of being alone, but her daughter is following her, and together they can live the Gospel of Jesus Christ to its fullest. I know that Heavenly Father has heard Kim's prayers and our prayers. We prayed her family's hearts would be soften and now her daughter wants what she has. We can already see how their relationship has grown stronger because they want to support each other in following Jesus Christ. I know families can be together forever. Heavenly Father knows our deepest desires. He wants us happy and I know that true happiness comes only from our Savior Jesus Christ. 
1 Nephi 8:10-12 "And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that the it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."
This is what Kim is doing for her family, she has tasted the fruit and wants her family to taste of it too. Something awesome about sharing the happiness of the gospel, is as I've been able to share it, I've come to love it more, to truly feel the joy that comes from it. Seeing Kim get baptized and her daughter's heart be softened, made me love this gospel even more because I got to see the happiness it brings to all of God's children. I love my Savior more each day, which I didn't think was possible, but with each passing day, I love Him more.

There is nothing like be the Lord's instrument! 
I can't help but see the Lord's hand when I am in it. 

BTW, at the baptism, multiple investigators came and they received answers! It was amazing! There is so much work to do! So much love to share! :)

I am trying to not let my weaknesses cripple me. I read a letter from a dear friend of mine that really helped me this week. He said, that I am blessed because of my weaknesses because they allow me to grow.
Ether 12:27 “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
The Lord gives men weakness, not as a punishment, but as a blessing.  
 He also said, Be extra kind and patient to yourself and know that the Lord will, in His own time and in His own way, lift you up and make all those weaknesses you now feel holding you down, the means whereby you shall be lifted up. (Thank you Bob :))

I need to be patient with myself and remember that I am not walking this alone. The Lord in His own time and way will lift me up and make all my weaknesses that I feel are holding me down, the means whereby I will be lifted up.

I know this gospel is true. I know our Savior Lives and we are all God's Children. He is our Father. I know that knowing these truths for yourself will bring you more happiness than anything else. Lasting Happiness. You will know you are not lost, but that you are HIS. I pray that I may have said what the Lord wanted you to hear, in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen. 

Sister Coats

PS: Waiting to get pics from Kim's baptism! ( I LOVE HER!)
This is us in Grandma Joe's betty boop jackets Hehe <3

July 27 I Don't Know Where I am!

I am so unorganized... like really... and the problem is I want to work so bad and so I feel like me taking the time to get organized is wasting time when in reality its not because I can't think straight.:P Sister McCallum is great, she is always so calm and relax, its a good balance hahah Gosh i'm crazy I know. But Hey! K is getting baptized this week! I'm so excited! She is so ready! We get to plan everything out tonight!!! OHH! MAN!! I can't wait and neither can she.

We went on back to back exchanges, my brain is fried. Not that I don't completely love the sisters, I'm just tired haha but hey they were super fun & spiritual! I got to go to Mountain Home!!!!! EEEE!!! When I saw Sister Parsons, I instantly started to cry! Oh how I've missed her!!! I love her so much and she inspires me to be better. She is so close to the spirit. Being with her is like being with my Mom. <3 It was like Heavenly Father knew I needed to see her and get a hug from her. Out of everyone, I really needed a hug from Sister Parsons. <3 Plus! I got to see her grandson Adam and granddaughter Kaylin,I met them exactly a year ago! I don't know what it is but I love them so unbelievably much. I feel like we all knew each other before this life. I have a feeling they are going to do amazing things in this life, their spirits shine. They have pure hearts and desire to do good. :) I also got to see the ChungHee's and Kolby! (plus I got to see Sister Borgholthaus again!) It was like returning home. "I'm coming I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home." <- I sang that song into Mountain Home. <3 Man, seeing them, it was kinda like I never left, which is how I know we all must love each other bunches! Haha because it truly felt like home. Ya know seeing Kolby was perfect. When we were driving to go see him, I got so excited, I was like a kid on Christmas morning! When he drove up in Mater, I WAS ECSTATIC! I basically ran up to him and dang, I wanted to hug him so bad!! ERRH! But its all good, air hugs will do for now :P Kolby has such a strong testimony. He has changed so much. Sister Parsons told me they went to the temple and did baptisms! When I hear of the happiness that has come to their lives from the gospel, my happiness grows. Its like as I share the gospel and see hearts accept it and live it, I appreciate it more, I love it more, and I love them even more. I see the love the Savior has for them. As they grow, I grow with them. Its hard to explain but there really is no better feeling than seeing others find the happiness of the gospel! Feel their Saviors love <3 :) I was transferred last year 4 days before Kolby's baptism, and to see him this week, what a tender mercy! He strengthened me. He knows who he want's to be and knows the importance of being worthy to hold the priesthood. He doesn't let his weaknesses weigh him down, I admire his strength to always continue on. With an insane and overwhelming week I had, I needed to feel at home again. Doctrine and Covenants 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands." This scripture was exactly what I felt when I got to see Sister Parsons & Kolby, and those I love again. It's amazing the bond that is created through the spirit. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, I know He loves all of us, and I often feel his love for me through other people. 

We got new investigators coming out of our ears! Haha! Its so freaking awesome that we get to teach this many people! We are so busy! The hardest thing we are dealing with is managing our time and getting all our appointments in. 24 hours in a day just isn't enough time! I love having this many people to teach and study for. I've realized as I study for other people, answers come to my own questions and I gain deeper understanding of their questions. We had some spirit packed lessons this week. On our 1st lesson with Jessica, we taught the restoration and committed her to baptism. The coolest experience though was with Dave & Jamie. Dave was an investigator in the AP's ward but he moved to our area, we set up an appointment, and we were happily surprised when they came to the church and his girlfriend got out of the car with him. Jamie told us that as Dave was explaining what us missionaries do, she wanted to come with him and was like, "I'm going whether or not you're okay with it. Drive." Haha :)  Jamie was raised to stay away from "those Mormons" but over time her heart has been softened. She use to be a drug attic. As we helped her come to recognize the spirit she shared with us an experience she had, her friend took her to Utah and they saw the statue of Christ in the visitors center on Temple square. She explained, "As I looked at the statue, with his arms outstretched, it felt like I was standing in front of the savior himself, I couldn't speak, all I could do was cry. I can't explain it. I was overcome and the only way I could express it was through tears." (She was softly crying as she explained. <3) she continued, "And as you are talking to me right now, I can feel the same feeling I felt there. All I've ever wanted was a place to call home. I feel whole when I feel this way." Jamie was feeling the spirit. It was powerful. Sister McCallum was inspired to take them on a tour of the church building. The 1st painting in the church is a picture of Christ breaking bread. I've never actually taken that much time to ponder the meaning of that painting. Its amazing how powerful a painting of the Savior can be. As we testified of Christ's atonement, the meaning of the sacrament, the bread and the water, we then took them into the chapel. As Jamie walked into the chapel, she was overcome, "This is it. This is Home. This is what I've been looking for my entire life." I was in tears, she was in tears, we all were! All I could do was hug her, it felt like a hug of angels. <3 Jamie is so prepared and willing to act. She even came to church all by herself, and shared her testimony on how the Church of Jesus Christ has the fullness of the Gospel, and how so many questions, & holes have been filled. There is nothing missing anymore.  It was interesting to me when she explained fasting, how when she was growing up they fasted just because that's what they did, she didn't know that we can fast for a purpose, fast to bring ourselves closer to God. I think the reason why that impacted me so much is because sometimes I take for granted that I am a member of Christ's church and I have been given all the tools I need to return to Him. There are no missing pieces. I know this is Christ's church and I am grateful for the reminder I received from Jamie, to be appreciative that there are no missing links. This is Christ's full gospel restored to the earth.

I am HIS missionary and the change that has happened to me because of it, is a change I hope to continue. I don't want to just do what disciples do, I want to BE HIS disciple! I want to BECOME like Him, and I know He has put specific people in my life for a reason, whether I strengthen them or they strengthen me, there is a reason, I know He is in charge. I know I've been sent here at a specific time for specific people. He has sent me where I can do the most, where I can BECOME who I want to be, that is who He wants me to be. He has sent me to exactly where I need to be. I know He watches over us. He loves us. I know it.

PS: Sorry if this is everywhere,..... yeah... my mind is too so uh huh... yep... okay bye now.

<3 Sister Coats

3 Nephi 17:18-23
"And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome. And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise. And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept againAnd he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones."
I know our Savior Jesus Christ lives. I know He knows us individually. We are His.