The Heat is Comin'

This week was a great week, pretty hot, it didn't rain at all and the air is starting to get more sticky and the bugs......well....they are definitely here.  We have had some close calls in the apartment with roaches, beetles and biting ants.  How they get to the 2nd floor I am not sure.  Anyway associated with these comes a lot of screaming followed by sister schroeppel running to find a shoe- she is the designated bug killer and we all appreciate it.  Also- bike helmet got stolen, not Sister Belfords, not the Bikes, but the helmet.....we were confused haha and will probably be getting one from the mission office tomorrow haha. So we can't ride the bikes until I get one which is a good and bad thing.  Lets see- There was a baptism this week! Valentine was baptized, he was an investigator of the other sisters, 18 and is super great.  At the baptism a lot of things went wrong for some reason haha, but it was so sweet the spirit was there and he shared a great testimony.  He is looking forward to serve a mission in a year even though his family is not very supportive at all.  Had a neat experience- as a mission we are trying to implement a program called Book of Mormon Mentoring.  Where either us as the missionaries or members take time to sit down, read, explain and apply the book of Mormon with the investigators.  We have an investigator Priscila who is 14.  She wasn't really keeping any commitments like praying, reading or coming to church so we were trying to take different approaches to help her keep them.  This week we decided to start the program with her, where we had her start from 1 Nephi 1, explained the summary to her, read the first couple verses explaining them and applying them.  Also took time to explain where the book of Mormon came from, why it is important etc. We committed her to read at least the next 7 verses by the time we came back.   4 days later when we came back she had read the whole chapter! And all her friends were outside with her, she brought it out, showed it to us and showed us her favorite verses and why.....I Couldn't Believe it!! Also, she took time to explain to her friend who had never heard of it, why the book of Mormon was important etc.  We were shocked- we had never heard her talk like that.  She also mentioned how she had been praying every night for help with things going on in her life......We were both so surprised and happy and now her and her friends are coming to a FHE at one of the Sisters in the English branch house.  We are excited and she now has a baptismal date :) The Lord has us do certain things on the mission for a reason, because he knows if we execute them, they will work! We are also planning on having a Cinco de Mayo fiesta this weekend with members, investigators, less actives, and well just anyone who wants to come!  We are super excited about it and are planning on having music and dancing and food and lots of mingling so people can get to know each other, especially the recent converts.  Apparently one of our investigators is going to teach Sister Belford and I some simple Latino dances....haha we will see how that goes- I will keep you posted on how next week. This week I was grateful for prayer.  It lead us to be more focused, to just move forward and knock on an apt. building where we found four new people. It lead me to be more patient with myself.  It lead me to focus on more of what the Lord thinks than what I think.  I also learned a lot about opening your mouth, when you are on the errand of the Lord, serving him, (which is all of us) he needs us to be his mouth piece- He puts us in places to open our mouths so that the Spirit can touch peoples hearts.  Spanish leads me to be very unsure sometimes and more timid when speaking.  But I have found when I just open my mouth and testify of a principle I feel so much better and useful in the Lords hands- which is what he needs of us!! I am grateful for the daily lessons the Lord teaches- we just need to look for them, be grateful and learn to enjoy the small moments :) I hope everyone has a great week!! Love you all!
Hermana Coleman

Semana de Mucha Comida Mexicana!

So this was the week of so much food, Spanish food, it was kind of crazy.  Mom- I told you last week in your letter how we hadn't really eaten that much authentic Spanish cuisine- well I spoke too soon. From Wednesday until Sunday we were EATING I swear haha, so funny, yesterday was the most though. I think we were constantly eating from 1:00 pm until 9:00pm- seriously, which included Sister Oman and I eating a plate full of 7 cookies and 2 brownies all by ourselves in the backseat of the car- we thought it was pretty funny and ridiculous at the same time. All the food is delicious though- and I am just getting used to the spiciness of the food- not all of it is super spicy but I want to be able to eat more of the spicy things- so I just eat it to hopefully get used to it soon! This week we did a lot of service- we helped cleaned a ladies house- her little son has cancer- she is a member of another church, but we got to talk to her, help her and listen to Christian music in Spanish- neat experience.  Thursday was a really good day- we planned and then went out to one of our areas. We have three main people in that area, plus a couple more who we stop to see once or twice a week- and that day we were biking back and forth between all of their houses like crazy! Some of them were not home- so we would go to another's, and then bike back to the first person- I think we did the same path like 4 times- but we were constantly moving and going and we got to see everyone we needed to. Super neat- and then we had to book it over the hill to make it to Sonic to meet an investigator- and by some miracle we made it on time (really a miracle), then we spent time waiting there for her- but made calls and talked to people who we had tracked into who live in another city- so it was really a great day of contacting and keeping in touch with people.  It is hard with peoples different schedules, but when we put the time and effort in, things happen.  It is a great thing! So I didn't mention in my letter last week that one of the Elders in my district at the MTC got reassigned to my mission!!! Two Saturday's ago I saw him walking across the street with the assistants- he was on splits- It was super super exciting to see him and catch up- he left today for Argentina because he finally got his Visa- super exciting and really grateful I got to see and talk to someone familiar- it helped a lot! We had two investigators of the Elders get baptized on Friday- really neat experience- all in Spanish and great to see them come so far. Saturday we had a service project in the morning- we organized and sorted free clothes from DI for people to stop by and pick out for themselves, those that really need clothes for themselves or for their kids.  We made signs on cardboard and the little boys of the Spanish branch, along with an investigator and some of the Elders held them up on the corner and waved them around dancing- funny moments.  I spent time organizing clothes with the sisters of the Branch, trying to learn new Spanish words and understand them- went pretty well, lots of times the hand motions are the only things that makes us able to communicate- but Sunday during the talks and the classes I really feel like I am starting to understand more and more, I need to get my vocab up, but I can understand the tenses a lot better and it is really exciting! I love learning Spanish, and know I just need to keep working harder so that I can be better at communicating, and saying what I need to say to express my testimony of this Restored Gospel  Sunday was a great day of getting to know the Branch better and feeling the spirit- I really needed it and feel like we will be able to continue to utilize the branch even more- they are such strong people with strong testimonies- we need them in the work! They also know how to have fun- they laugh a lot, sometimes I just laugh even though I have no idea what is going on....so good times. I am so excited for Megan and her mission call!!!! and Cragun leaves soon as well! Look forward to being out here serving with them in the mission field.  I am grateful that the Lord gives us hard things to do. He trusts us enough, and knows, and loves enough to challenge us and help us to grow into the people that we need to be.  The Savior did hard things, he lived and sacrificed his entire life for the good of mankind, the Prophet Joseph Smith despite so much tribulation and persecution, did hard things. Everyday our leaders sacrifice, and everyday our families sacrifice to help us and help others sot hat we can all grow and have the support we need here in order to overcome the hard things.  We have our Savior to overcome hard things, he knows of all the hard things we are going through- and he will be there every step as long as we ask.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be born into the Gospel of Jesus Christ- what a blessing, and because of this, all the missionaries in the world and sharing this gospel with those who need light in our lives.  We know it can bring it because we feel it in ours.  Make it a great week!

Love,

Hermana Coleman

Bi-Polar Weather and the Great People of Alabama!

This has been a crazy week full of crazy weather.  I love the rain, and in Alabama it rains super hard, and then it is super humid, and then it is cold and then it is super sweaty hot. All in a 3 day period. We were wearing blankets, jackets and slippers in our apartment for two mornings while we studied.  Then decided we should study outside where we were sweating and I got sunburned haha. I have an awesome watch tan line. This was an intense week on the bikes, I try to sing church hymns to distract myself from all of the hills that we are attempting to ride and think about what the people in the cars are thinking about us haha- which helps and makes me laugh. This week has been very event filled- had a great lesson with one of our investigators, Rene, we taught him about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth, and how the Book of Mormon is a tool that can help him grow closer to Christ and know that this is the true Church on the earth- It was the first time out in the field that I got to explain the introduction of the Book of Mormon to an investigator which was really neat.  He has the desire to come to church and learn more so we are going to keep working with and teaching him! Taught English class on Wednesday night- we hold them every Wednesday and Sunday night at the chapel, we try to invite everyone to come.  Sister Belford said guess what, you get to teach tonight! I said oh no, I have never seen English class done, I will watch this time.  She wasn't having any of that so me and the other new Elder taught it....haha luckily there was only one investigator there so we were not messing up multiple people haha. It was actually really fun, and I did it Sunday night as well with an investigator (who has a baptismal date :)) who doesn't know very much English at all.  It was so fun!! Just figuring out ways with another Elder and investigator on how to write the English word with Spanish letters and sounds so he could pronounce it correctly. I have been hearing a lot of real life problems and stories from the people we have been meeting/teaching this week.  It is starting to open my eyes and want to study in a different way- for them, from their perspective.  We talk a lot about how we could approach principles which apply to the things they are going through right now.  There was a miracle that happened this week, we were able to go to a different city to find a referral- he was there and we were able to talk to him and set up another appointment- it was a miracle we got there because it was in the middle of the forest, at night, in a city we didn't know, thank goodness for GPS.  But we came upon two trailer parks that are hidden in the trees! Never would've known they were there if other Spanish sisters hadn't met the referral at a friends house in another city. Super random, and a miracle of course! We taught him last night, and committed him to baptism! We also found a man who has a brother who is a member in a different Spanish branch here in Alabama where Sister Belford has served. MIRACLE! haha we have a return appointment with him too, which we are excited for, he is such a great person who the gospel will really help if he lets it and we guide him through it with the Spirit. That is the important thing about being a missionary, it doesn't matter what talent or skills that you have, if you don't have the spirit, and don't follow the promptings of the spirit in lessons, no one will be converted. You can tell a difference when it is there, and how much it helps the people, and how much better you feel after a lesson.  Everyone needs help in this life, the peace and help and love the gospel offers, especially when things are the toughest.  It is our job as missionaries to be doing everything we can to be worthy of that spirit to change peoples lives.  One thing that really stuck out to me this week during companionship study is that each and every person is different.  We have all had different experiences and problems.  But Heavenly Father knows each and everyone of us personally and perfectly, and because of this he can help each of us apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ into our lives in different ways.  Exactly tailored to us. The scriptures, prayer, prophets and the Holy Ghost help us to feel and apply the teachings and lessons into our own lives to make us better people. Because God is our loving Heavenly Father he wants us to have joy and success.  And that is what the gospel can bring into everyone's lives.  That is why there are missionaries, to share it.  That is why there are members to share it as well.  And that is why there are prophets, to help us in our day realize the love and hope the gospel offers.  I am thankful for all the lessons that are learned out here everyday! I am thankful for all of you as well. Make it a great week, love you all!
Hermana Coleman

Some Picts from the MTC

Alabama Week 2

This has been a great week! The bike is still conquering me, some days I think I am doing better and then the next day I can barely make it up the hill going faster than a mile an hour....also bike and a skirt= super comical haha I will make sure to send pictures soon. We have also had to use the car alot this week because Sister Belford's bike tire popped  while we were trying to find a contact who we had an appointment with. So we went on foot looking and looking, walking through this huge parking lot/shopping center and we were just going to call and leave him a message because he wasn't answering his phone and we looked to our right and there the apartments were!!! No idea how we got there/found it but we did. Took us another 10 min to actually find HIS apt. and  ended up leaving him another pamphlet to read so we could talk about it next time we came since he was still at work.  But then! We were walking back down from the apartments and we saw someone coming up, he recognized us because some sister missionaries had visited him before and given him a book of Mormon a couple months ago- he said "it is cool because it talks a lot about Jesus Christ" We were like.....we know right!!! so great, so we challenged him to start reading from the beginning and are working on getting another appointment with him soon.  Super cool experience- we wouldn't have seen him if all of those things leading up to it had not happened. We were so excited the rest of that day.  Friday the Elders had a great idea to invite some of our progressing investigators to the branch presidents house- we had two investigators come and there were three more!  With the branch presidents family and us 6 missionaries, we made everyone food and had a get-to-know you and then we watched the Lamb of God Easter movie, Elders shared testimonies and the Sisters sang a song and the investigators shared testimonies about Jesus Christ- neat experience and everyone left having had a great time. My companion is breaking me in pretty quick by encouraging me to be the person who talks SPANISH on the phone and be the person who starts talking when we do door contacts- I told her she is going to give me an ulcer and she just laughs.  But I am grateful she is helping me get used to it, I won't get better if I don't try even though it does stress me out haha. Sunday we got to sing at a hospital, 3 hymns with the mission President and his wife, great experience as well. Easter we had dinner with one of the members in the English ward and her daughter- so good, homemade macaroni and cheese, ham and delicious food, they are great and we had a lot of fun getting to know them better. Sister Belford and I gave a talk as well which went well- we were both very nervous so we didn't talk as long as we probably should have, but it was a neat experience. I talked on the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and how he is with us day by day and knows everything we are going through because he overcame all! So he can help us overcome all as well.   I am also the official piano player as of now- and we had two musical numbers as well- spirit was so strong and it was a great meeting. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be out here, I am learning more and more things each day about being a missionary, and member of this church.  Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father expect a lot of us, a lot of all of his children, but because of this they have given us the Gospel, prophets, scriptures and families to make it through everything.  This life is about learning, progressing and being taught by Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost on how to be better people. Christ was and is the ultimate teacher, and through faith in Him and His gospel we can do the things he needs of us, and be the people he needs us to be, and become the people he needs us to become.  It is a lifelong journey- it is not going to come quickly, but that is alright! He is patient with us so we need to be patient with ourselves :) I am so grateful for all the tools we have to learn more and become better especially better through Jesus Christ. 
I hope everyone has a great week!!
Yo espero que ustedes tengan una buena semana!!!
Hermana Coleman

Sweet Home Alabama!

Hola todos!
Well I finally made it to Alabama! I LOVE IT HERE it is so beautiful, so many trees, all the houses are these southern type houses, or cute little cottages. Oh my gosh it is great. We have to ride over a hill to get to one of our areas and when you get to the top you can see the Birmingham sky rise- BEAUTIFUL- it is so great.  I am in Homewood- a little suburb about 10 minutes outside of the city. We live in an apartment of four sisters, all Spanish speaking.  Sister Schroppel is the other new sister- a transfer ahead of me, and the other two have been here for 7-9 months.  We have a lot of fun and are meeting lots of people.  So as all of you know my mission is a bike mission.  We have a car but we are only allotted a certain amount of miles each week so we bike mostly to our areas.  First day of the bike was Wednesday- and the bike totally conquered me. That is what I get for not exercising for almost 3 weeks in the MTC. Wow it was crazy- my companion told me that our area has the most hills in the mission so I would get used to it and all the areas would be easier after this one!  We have a main area that we cover but we have certain investigators in different complexes all over the area so we focus our time there.  We met the President of the Branch on Thursday night and he is great- he has a great little family and it was fun to meet them- We asked him if there was anything we could do for him, he said you both can give a talk on Easter Sunday!  Here we go!  Pray for me haha :). Each day is getting better with understanding more and more Spanish.  It is still hard to get out what I want to say but they understand me, so I've just got to keep practicing :). Friday we did a joint branch activity- a talent night- we had food and a lot of the missionaries shared different talents- and we got some of the members to do this as well. There were some investigators there so that was great- I am just trying to distinguish who the members are and who the investigators are- it will come. Saturday and Sunday we watched conference at the chapel- Saturday a member from out of town took 8 of us missionaries to lunch- super nice of him! Sunday was great to, the other sisters had an investigator come so that was neat to see.  Conference was so great!  It is funny that because now I am on the mission so much of that conference applied to the mission for me- so I learned a lot and hope all of you did as well! I really am beginning to love the people here- we are focused on them and getting to know them and I really just want what is best for them and their family even though I have only met them two or three times.  We committed a woman- Kathy to baptism yesterday!! She said if she comes to know it is true she will be baptized- I almost started crying, it was so great there was such a sweet spirit as we explained the power of God and talked about Joseph Smith's first prayer- I held up my little picture book for a visual- it was great. Another great story- the sisters ran into a man named Jose before I got here- we went to pass him and his sister was there so we talked to her for a bit and got to know her.  Last night we stopped by again and Jose wasn't there but she was and 3 of Jose's friends.  We started talking about the gospel and we found out that she had studied with the missionaries a long time ago, and two weeks ago missionaries knocked on her and her fiancé's door in Las Vegas- then we came by this week, and apparently her finances daughter has just started reading the book of Mormon and was telling Victoria and her dad how great it was......I was so surprised!!!! This is the Lord's work - it is amazing- and so I took some time to explain to her how we use both the Book of Mormon and the Bible- we need them both and the difference between the two.  Super neat- such a sweet lady- I already feel like we have been friends for months but it has been for 4 days.  Lots of little miracles happen each day- it is amazing the people you meet and run into when you don't expect it- even though people who you were supposed to meet with are not home, there is always someone to talk to right near by- this is why they say talk to everyone- you never know who is ready. I feel the Lord strengthen me each day when I need it- I have never prayed so much in my life, but I feel like every day and in each moment he is helping me.  I already feel a great love for the people here and this language- there are so many people that believe in Christ and just need to know of how much more they can have, and what a stronger relationship the gospel can offer to them.  I am not an expert in the mission field- I don't think I ever will be, but it is teaching me so much and helping me serve others more than myself that I could never be more grateful to be learning it out here. The Gospel is so simple, we can learn and grow through it principle by principle, and there is always so much more to learn and apply in to your life because we are always changing, growing and experiencing new things in life that is why we need to keep studying!  The Book of Mormon really does have such power for every situation in life. I have been realizing this more and more in my studies and it is amazing. I am grateful for the words of conference- they are modern day scripture for us, and like Elder Anderson said, continue to pray and study out the things you learned in conference to see how they can apply to your life- especially over the next 6 months.  Step by step we can apply things and when we can look back on our progress it will be amazing how much was made step by step, day by day.  Take it a little bit at a time and great things will happen.  I love this gospel- I am so grateful for the Savior and his patience and perfect love he has for all of us.  He is here with us every step of the way and can truly bless our lives and change them to become more like him if we ask.  I know this is true.  Make it a great week and I love you all!
Hermana Coleman