Hello Everyone!

So yep definitely a great heat wave going through Birmingham Alabama right now. Never sweated so much in my life- sorry if that is too much information but it is true.  We just laugh about it now and compare how much we are sweating to each other.  That is the main topic of conversation with everyone as well...."hay demasiado calor!!!" We had a great week which consisted of training and invitations to help us becoming better missionaries.  We are trying to use the Book of Mormon so much more in our mission.  Really help people get into the Book and understand what it has to offer.  It can apply to everyone- so we have been challenged to find ways to pivot conversations that we have with investigators or their interests to the book of Mormon.  It is going really well! We are helping people read it more one on one, and it helps us not have as much awkward transitions to introducing the book of Mormon and also help explain the book and the background better. "A man get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."(Introduction of the Book of Mormon).  So true!  It is the most correct book on the earth- and we as members and missionaries have the opportunity to let the whole world know about what this book can bring and offer into their lives.  We ourselves as missionaries are working on flooding our lives with the book of Mormon and becoming more familiar with the stories, verses, and how much Christ is mentioned.  It is going well and I am really trying to focus my attention on it and how it can help the people we teach.
Maria is doing well! We are teaching her the commandments, and preparing her for her baptismal date!! There is another Maria who is also getting baptized on that date- the Elders are teaching her and she is so great!  I have been loving getting to know them and become their friends which is really helping me to love them! They are amazing and I feel like it is our privilege to help teach them- and in turn they teach us.  Maria has 4 little kids- the youngest is Betsy- she is 3 and the cutest thing, she giggles at everything. There are so many kids in the branch- it is fun to talk to them and try to understand them....haha they are all so sweet and help make all of us happy as well. We also had one of the little girls in the branch get baptized last night- Melissa- she was beautiful and it was a great service.  Investigators came which was good for them to see that at age 8 little kids have the opportunity to be baptized and make that decision for themselves! We had fun getting to know the branch after as we talked and ate delicious food. 
I hope everyone is doing well! Sometimes I wish I could just film the things that happen here, so much happens in one day it is hard to remember it all! So happy to hear that Cragun is safe in sound in the MTC- he is going to love it there! And I am excited for Megan to get to go soon as well!!
Love you all!

Hermana Coleman

Fun Week!

Wow I can't believe that May is already almost over,  crazy how time flies.  This has been a good week! We found an investigator who we thought we lost- he lives way out in these trailer parks so hard to go see him, and finally one day we passed and he was home! Super great news! Made a cake with a less-active member for her son's birthday- first of all I have missed decorating cakes- and we used a Ziploc bag to do it which was great.  But we also made the cake from SCRATCH.....haha that was funny. it actually turned out pretty good but was really dense- and we could barely move after we ate it- it didn't help that she gave us three servings of pasta before that either...haha if you eat too fast they just keep giving you food, but if you don't take enough they complain until you put more on your plate. Good thing we ride bikes.
Maria is still progressing really well! She didn't come to church because Juan had to go into work.  We want her to feel like SHE can come to church on her own! That is what I really want to think about to help her in this upcoming week.  She has such a strong testimony, and last time we were there she explained the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith story to her 10 year old son.....Sister Belford and I were so amazed! She is so great, and so sweet and really does have a desire to learn more and follow Jesus Christ.  She is such an example of real intent and we are excited to help strengthen her testimony of the gospel and on going to church.  We also challenged them to read the Book of Mormon as a family together- we gave them the simple family story book of Mormon so it will be easier for her son to understand- who is probably one of the most proper boys I have ever met.
We have been having fun getting to know the branch better- we probably see a member every night- and just go visit and help them, and share messages with them.  We also do family nights- which is such a great way to get to know the family better, have them share their testimonies and practice teaching the lessons.  Last Monday we got to teach two Spanish families with 3 of their kids- we did a Jeopardy game on Lesson 3 which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ- we can make it through this life with Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. Really neat to get to know their families better- and have fun with them.  We spent time laughing and hearing them tell stories, which was neat for us! We had a fun night last night celebrating one of the members birthday at the Branch Presidents house- I almost drank out of one of the members cups of pineapple soda (which is amazing by the way).....until he yelled "HERMANA, eso es mio!!!" Yeah super embarrassing, went bright red and everyone got a kick out of it which made it all okay.
We were at an investigators house this week, and before we left they were getting ready to leave to go to their own church activity.  This sister had not been to church for years, and we took a family picture of them all dressed up.  Something kind of hit me as I was doing that....this family could live together forever, they have the potential to be happy FOREVER with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I wanted so badly right then to just show them what they could have- how close they are to knowing and having the blessings that we as latter-day saints know and experience everyday.  They love God, and know that he is their Father in Heaven.  But it is our opportunity and responsibility to help them feel of the difference that can come from having the Holy Ghost in their lives, in their family, and knowledge that they can live together forever- in an never ending state of happiness. I am grateful for these experiences- I need them to help me realize my purpose of life and why I am on a mission. 
I love you all, I know that families can be together forever, the happiness in the relationships we have with our families now, will be magnified and will continue on in the next life. I love the plan of Salvation! Every time we teach it, I get to see understanding come to peoples eyes, clarity, and confusion gone.  What a blessing the gospel is! I love you all, make it a great week!
Hermana Coleman

Feliz Dia de Las Madres

This was a good week! A lot of things happened that I can't remember- so sorry- but they are in the journal! Got to talk to my family which was awesome- 3 way call with Elder Coleman!! I was late to it of course- but they forgave me and I got to hear Coleman sing so I was super happy! Great time. We had a lot of funny moments on the bikes this week.  My companion would kill me if I mentioned some of them- so maybe in the next couple weeks.  Ha ha, we got soaked in the rain yesterday which was super fun and there was also a baptism on Saturday- Miguel- he is 17 and it is great to have him in the branch.  So we helped the branch presidents wife make little hand outs for mothers day- very cute she is amazingly crafty- and the whole priesthood came in and gave us all the hand out and some candy during Relief Society- they sang for us too- that was  hilarious.  Spanish men don't sing very well...haha Sister Schroeppel, Belford and I did a musical number during our joint sacrament meeting with the English Branch- the Spanish members had head sets- we wanted them to be there to see their kids sing.  They sang Love at Home while I played- turned out great considering we had like no time to practice.  First two verses English and did the last in Spanish- beautiful!! We spent a lot of time in Trusville that day and we taught 5 lessons and met like 7 new people! So fun, and great to practice the Spanish.  We have lots of funny conversations with people about their lives and how we are in the "hood" which Sister Belford doesn't believe. Good actually GREAT news.....Maria has a baptismal date!!!! June 9- and then her and Juan (the recent convert) will get married a week later!!! We are going to commit her 10 year old son to the same day.  She is amazing, she knows so much and is understanding everything we teach her- there was a lesson on temples on Sunday and she shared her testimony about marriage and how it grew because of how the gospel teachings the importance of it! We love her so much and can't wait to see her grow  even more.  We are crossing our fingers and praying we don't get transferred before it happens though. People like her strengthen my testimony so much, because they are so faithful and curious to learn more about what God has to teach for them and what God has in store.  A lot of the work out here is strengthening the faith of people we meet on the street, investigators, less-actives, and members- but while we do this I think that they end up helping us even more.  They are teaching me how to love and really serve and fulfill our purpose here in life.  To live the gospel, to follow Jesus Christ and to serve others.  The Branch President and his wife are always helping, and when we mess up they say "No se preocupen" - Don't worry about it! It is all okay! I love them so much and love the example that they are for me, and us as missionaries out here. Every Sunday in Sunday school we learn so much from Sister Cuenca and her sweet testimony- they help strengthen the investigators that we brings and I am so grateful for that.  I want you all this week to forget the past things that you did wrong, you messed up on- tomorrow is new day as President Holzapfel says- and combined with President Cuenca we can add It is all okay! The Lord just wants us to keep trying, learn from what has happened and keep trying the next day- this is my motto right now and it is helping me so much. I love you all- make it a great week!

Hermana Coleman

Week of the Waffle House!

Okay so I don't remember if I have said this before but there are Waffle Houses on like every street corner here.  One time- about 5 weeks ago.  We talked to a man in the waffle house and he tried for 30 min to get us to eat one- but we kept saying no we are okay! so today we decided we needed to go experience it for ourselves- oh my gosh- the waffles were amazing!! we rode our bikes to one that is by our apt. (in skirts) and all got delicious breakfast at 7am- I am still not hungry and it is 1:00 ha ha. But so good and definitely a staple of Alabama- or the south anyway- we also got to listen to someone analyze the price of the things on the menu in a very loud southern voice- priceless. I got pictures which I will send soon. We had an awesome girls night last Monday with Priscilla and her 6 friends that came! So fun with food, we taught them 10 commandments which they didn't know- showed them hand signs to remember- did a little game for them to guess what commandment someone was keeping for breaking and at the end Priscilla explained the book of Mormon to all of her friends using the pictures in the front- so awesome!! She really does have a great desire and you can tell- she is so sweet and we have loved getting to know and teach her and her friends- young people are a lot easier to teach. - plus they speak English :) The Cinco de Mayo party was fun- not very many members came from either of the branches but a lot of investigators and less actives- surprising actually! We shared a spiritual thought and had food and a pinata and talked with all of the people- it was fun one of the lady's who came hadn't been to church in 2 years and came because the sisters called her- she said she didn't believe in chance and wanted to see all of the people her mom knew (because her mom died a few years ago) and so it was good for us to talk to her - she is part of the other branch so I am hoping that she will come to church and feel again what she felt at her baptism 2 years ago! We are knocking a lot of doors- meeting a lot of people and getting to know their story- there was one lady- she was English and attended a different church- but quoted us a lot of scriptures in the Bible and really lifted our spirits- she said you have got to know who your Savior is, be rooted in him and then do not be afraid to tell everyone you meet about what you know- Sister Belford and I felt Super edified after that and were going- what just happened?! There are so many good people out here- and I have loved meeting all of them and feel like they are helping me everyday more than I am helping them.  I am really learning a lot about loving people- my companion loves everyone and she is such an example to me of what it takes to do that and how much better I can be to show the people I care, and love them- just as the Savior does!  There is something that affected me this week- it is in one of the video's we watch for training and the sister missionary said "Once you really start to love the people, you study for them, think about them and worry about them- everything is focused on them- instead of yourself"  Great lesson that I am trying to implement everyday that I am out here.  I love you all!  Thank you for the pictures of Benson and Kaitlyn's wedding- they looked so happy and it looked beautiful! I hope everyone has a great week- I love you all and think of you often. 

Hermana Coleman

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