Tuscaloosa!

Good week. We have been trying to get used to our new area, and day by day it gets better. We had a family home evening with some of the Spanish members- they shared the different principles of the gospel that converted them to the restored gospel and then we ate burritos and they told jokes...haha it was funny, they had a lot of good ones.

We also went out with a member to give a blessing to her friend- and at first the friend wasn't super open, then we gave the prayer and she was more friendly and said we could come back, her daughter also wants to listen, and said she likes listening to young missionaries because she feels she can relate...haha. We also gave some more blessings in Tuscaloosa but so far no one is progressing from there. We were able to give service to a young girl who is paralyzed from the neck down. She needs people to talk to, and the Lord put us in her path to help. Elders used to go over and help as well. We were able to contact some other member referrals and get to know some members in the ward- part member families, and less actives as well. We went and took flowers to a less-active for the Elders, she was feeling kind of down when we first got there, but after giving the flowers and sharing a short message to help her, her countenance was completely different, it was neat.

Friday we had a mission conference! It was amazing, we had 3 visiting authorities who were there, including Elder Christofferson. We were so blessed and I learned a lot. Before it started I was talking to Sister Schroeppel and she said "Oh!, did you know that Mariela is getting baptized today?"- she has been an investigator for the last 4 years and both of her sisters are members. I didn't believe her at all, I was so surprised! Missionaries have been trying to help her for a longgggg time!! Turns out we got permission to stay, especially because new missionaries need to see baptisms- and so we got to stay the day in Lorna, and teach lessons- I was able to go and teach Rebecca which was a blessing and the spirit came once again, the Lord really is helping her and I am so grateful for the experiences I have had with her. We visited/taught a couple of other people and then went to the baptism. Mariela seemed like a completely different person, she was so happy- even before she got baptized. I was so grateful it happened to be the weekend that we were already in Birmingham- such a blessing! My faith was definitely strengthened and it was a tender mercy from the Lord. Spirit was there very strong.

Sunday went well, we were able to set up some great appointments with members/less-actives and find out what the bishop wants from us as the missionaries in the ward.

Favorite part of the week: We got a referral from the Tuscaloosa elders to teach a woman named Betty. We went and she asked about what the Restoration means in respect to other religions. We told her about prophets, and the Joseph Smith story. The spirit came super strong and she said "So you are guided by a prophet....and my pastor is not a prophet?" We explained to her why, and she loved it! She loved the picture of the first vision, asked to keep it and ran and got a frame for it. We asked her if she would want to become a member of this church if it was true, she said yes! We gave her a book of Mormon, and she said she would read it before we came next Sunday. We already love her, she is so sweet and we were so happy after. She called the Elders after we left saying how happy she was and how she was going to try and come to church on Sunday. Miracle! We are excited to see the Lord work with her, and pray that she will continue to see and feel of the truth.

We look forward to another busy week, and hope that we can continue to bless these people as they bless us.

Love you all!

Sister Coleman