funny stories

Okay first off... Let me tell you about lil Mel or really Liz Melanie and kendra. So Disney channel girls. We had their baptism this week but we also have some priceless stories to share about them. First off on Sunday lil Mel. got gum stuck in her armpit... Idk how that's even possible but it happened...haha it was so funny because Kendry in her prayer was like thanks for gum and then she was like hey liz melanie raise your hands up to the roof.... Oh wait you have gum under your arm pit ahahahah. Then the next day we were teaching about the law of chastity and we did that through a story of a princess and a prince because they're only 8&9 and so then during the story lil Mel gets up and whispers some stuff in the ear of Hna o and they both look at me and start laughing, I'm like what? And then finally lil Mel is like I know who your prince charming is... I'm like who.. She says it's that one pastor guy that you always talk to and look at dreamingly. I was like who.... And she was like the white guy... And they said he has that jacket and a name tag.. I was like Elder Degraw (district leader). I was like umm no but then Hna o milked it was like yep him and her prince charming is coming tomorrow to do an interview for your Bautista. So when he as came the next day it was so funny and they were freaking out because my prince was there... So little Kendry was waiting for her turn to get interviewed and we were discussing baptism a little and said you'll have to be submerged in water and back up and she starts getting super serious and is like for how many hours am I under the water... For how long and we were like 3 seconds max and she was like okay good because if I can't breath I'm going to have to pee... And we were like who do you want to baptize you and she was like... Idk I'm super fat idk who can dunk me.. Hah then she goes in to talk to elder degraw and tells him I'm in love with him and he's playing along and is like what if I have a girlfriend and she's like oh my Hna Coburn will be furious and super angry and you can't have a as girlfriend it's just not allowed, hahah but yes they got baptized and it was so pretty and they're so funny and lil mel peed in the font we found out afterwards, she said she wants to go swim in their every Sunday hahah. They're so hilarious.

Okay so the family de Ana. So they're progressing so fast. They came to church last Sunday minus the husband and she brought her kids to activity on Wednesday and is reading and praying and then she had a friend over during a lesson and this friend was saying that we we're all wrong and just stupid stuff but she told us this Sunday that she's in a church for God and not to please her friends. And then Sunday night we helped her sister move houses. And then talked to her a lot and finally the husband listened to us and we talked about them getting married and they want to and he likes the gospel and so they should get married this weekend or next weekend and then baptized next weekend. I love this family.

Cristian got the priesthood yesterday it was so awesome. He's also helping us teach his mom and I hope he'll end up baptizing her. which makes me so excited. Okay so changes are this week and I'm nervous but they said in all the mission only 10 people are getting changed around. And so that's exciting but I don't want to leave this area or my comps, 

So magda is getting her tumor removed tomorrow!!!!! So keep her in your prayers. 

The church is true. I know it and I know that everything points to and proves that fact but most importantly heavenly father answers our prayers and tells us that its true. 

I love y'all a lot. Read Helaman 5 and look what we should remember and what members should do with sharing their testimonies.

Also I'm not able to send pictures today.. But next week I'll send a lot!

week of crazy

Okay so lets start out.. my companion Hna Ogletree had to leave on Wednesday to go to Panama because she's illegal.  So she left right after a district meeting and went with a sister for the other area. Then the other sister's companion stayed with me and Hna Alvarado. This was the most trying and stretching and best week ever because I was the senior companion - I was the trainer. I had to be the one to make the tough decisions and to start the lessons and to do the small talk and stuff like that. I was the Leader and I was terrified at first, but of course I didn't let anyone know I was scared because as soon as the first lesson started I felt so much comfort and I just talked. It was so weird. My Spanish some how improved at ton and I was able to teach with ease and love and clarity. I am not the best teacher at all but I saw an improvement times ten. I was able to really feel the spirit and the lord giving me the power to lead lessons and to do the work I was sent to do. We were able to get alot done in the three days I was senior companion and I want to testify that the Lord really does qualify those whom he calls and I know that if he gives you a commandment or an assignment or a calling, you just get going and hit the road running and then he'll push you so you can make it to the end. 

As we were working we were able to find 2 families. This is huge because I have been praying for families to teach because that's where there is the most happiness and that's where I want to help and to effect and really that's been one of my goals - to baptize and help a family enter into the kingdom of God. So that was definitely a tender mercy and blessing of the lord. 

Do ya'll remember Maria. We taught her for like 5 months and she came to church but just didn't want to get baptized... well she told me she wants to be baptized in the next month or so.  She said she's finally got her life in order and wants to get baptized!! 

Finally we got our companion back and I was able to give her the good news that we were going to meet our goal this week. We've had the goal of getting 40 lessons a week for like two months now and FINALLY I told her we were going to reach it. We had our baptism of my baby Cristian on Saturday and it was so good. He's such a good guy and he's really just a punk but super awesome. I am so glad he got baptized because he was one of the people I know I was meant to find. And his baptism was super bonito. I was able to sing "I'll go where you want me to go" Melinda Talley version and it was really good. I love singing it and I felt the message and the spirit effect me more than anything. I know the Lord puts us in places for a reason and all he asks is for us to do his will. He knows better then us in all things. He knows what is for our good and so why not do anything he asks and right when he asks. 

After the baptism we went to Michele's house and gave her a blessing because she could pop at any moment. This was such a testimony of the priesthood and was just so spiritual because she doesn't know what she's having. She hasn't been to the doctor to find out and when Elder Alverez was giving the blessing he talked all about her daughter and how she would grow up to be and what she would need and I just want to testify how the priesthood is the power of God and we are the only church that has this priesthood authority. We have the authority to give blessings and that these blessings are the words of our Heavenly Father. It was so amazing and so beautiful.

Okay so Sunday... Sunday was a day of roller coaster emotions. So at like 7:45 we get a phone call from Josue, our 11 yr old investigator (his brother is Ernesto who we baptized a few weeks ago) who is amazing and just perfect and funny and I love this kid and he calls and says he wants out and that he doesn't want to come to church and he doesn't want to get baptized (his date was set for this Friday) and I literally felt nauseated and sick to my stomach and i just wanted to cry. We asked why and he just said I want out and that was that. So I'm going to church with just a pit in my stomach and then we got there and one of the families we found showed up and I was so excited! and then Hna Johnson (one of the new gringo families) brought us banana bread another treat! and then as we walked out William (who is the best person in the world always serving and always working with us and just amazing) and Hno Hidalgo our ward mission leader gave me and Hna Ogletree a present they made us with our phrase we always say atahihish. which is hebrew for you're the man. and we always say it to them. and so that was just the best. I've never had someone do something like that for me. and then after church which was super awesome we went and had soup at Mayelas house a menos activo.... this was soup of COW INTESTINE! and so not only did I have to eat sick gross cow intestine but i had to eat and drink the juice of cow intestine. The only way i can think to explain it is it's kinda like the texture of a slug... hahah. super super gross and I almost died and threw up. Then after we went and talked to Josue and turns out he's fine and back on track for baptism. He said he just had a lot of embarrassment for people to  come to his bpaitsm but he should be getting baptized on the 17th so that was super good news. And then we went and taught Liz Melanie and Kendry. They're getting baptized this friday and we taught about diezmo and dia de reposo and we taught it with a story and they were like oh my gosh Hna Coburn you have prince charming in the church I know you do I just can 't think what he looks like. hah. Then they described him and it's the gringo elder in our ward. hahahah. it was so funny. they said its because i talk to him alot. hah. they're so cute I cant wait for their baptism. 

Today we went on a bikeride and went hiking with our bff William. It was so fun and I thought about dad the whole time! It was super hard because we just picked a place and went. There was no trail and we basically climbed straight up through mud and trees and it was just a blast.

This week i went into an indepth study of Alma 47 with the story of Lehonti and really all it is is a description of how the devil works. He tries once, twice,three, four times to get you to come down from the safety of the Lord. This is like when you are reading and praying and then he puts obstacles and the first time you're like no I'll  still read my scrips tonight and then the second time youre like noIi'll still read tonight but then the next time something comes up you get down and forget or get to busy to read and then once you're  down he poisons you little by little.. poco a poco. until you're dead.... well not really dead but you become numb to the promptings of the spirit.  Anyway I thought it cool. I love the war chapters because since my mission I've been really able to apply them to my life. 

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!! 

Week of ninos

Dad I want you to know I have the sickest awesome dad in the world. I don't know anyone else who has a 50 yr old dad running and starting to do his first triathlon and then deciding he needs to do better and planning to do it again. You are an inspiration and I am going to try to be like you with setting my goals and sticking to them until i lograrlo. I love the Book of Mormon and love that you are sharing what you're studying with me. Let me know more fun facts and doctrine that you learn. It's like my drug. The gospel is so addicting! And mom, oh my gosh! What a email this week. You're so much better at emailing than me! It's so good to hear that analogy and it's so true. I'm super jealous because i want to go to the temple super bad. I also wanted to see dad kill it in his triathlon and I'm  a super proud daughter too and I tell everyone how amazing and lucky I must be to have parents like y'all.  Wow! way to go with the luncheon!! I cant believe the work you're doing down there and I'm so impressed. Oh and those decorations look so awesome!  I am super glad you can make a wave in our community. When I get back we can be a power team and get baptizing people too! hah. It's crazy to think I will  be home in a just over a year ... just crazy how time keeps moving and moving. 

Oh my gosh what a great week! Okay so Tuesday we went to San Jose and had the monthly check party with everyone that came in with Hna Alvarado. Yes, she's a rockstar and she's still here and I'm hoping she never gets her visa because she's awesome and just my bff.. p.s. her aunt is from GA crazy right... anyway so that was super fun and then I found out I'm not illegal but they're missing some stuff of mine so they asked for y'all's email and stuff.... and then I told them dad flies here and they were like.. oh well maybe he can be our mail man and I was like sure thing if you can get stuff to him he'd love to help.. so i threw ya under the bus dad. haha. 

They told us that they were setting a mission goal of 200 baptisms this mes. and that a member of the 70 said we couldn't do it. But I know we can and this past fast Sunday that's what we fasted for.  So we can meet this meta and i know we can!

Okay so Thursday we had a baptism for the elders and we were spending time inviting everyone and hoping and praying that our investigator Alonso who is super close to baptism would want to come, but no luck. So we're sitting at the baptism waiting for it to start and in walks MICHELLE! She's the last person we expected to see but I could not wipe the smile off my face when I saw her. She's so much happier now and she says she feels a peace in the chapel and that's why she came. We´are hoping she'll get baptized within the next two weeks but she says she wants to have her baby first. So I've been praying that she'd pop really soon! hah. So that night we were teaching the brother of Ernesto our recent convert his name is Josue and he is 10 and I swear I love this little kid. He should be on disney channel. He's such a character. Well we were teaching him and he's  super stoked for his baptism which is on the 14th. I'm super stoked too because he's reading the scriptures and then I asked if he had prayed to Heavenly Father to see if these things are true and if the church is true and he was like yep. already did that. I was like when? He was like when my brother told me to a few days ago.. I was like well how did it go.? And he was like I just asked the Lord if this was the true church and then in my heart I just felt yes. Yes it is and so now I'm like super ready to be baptized. It was so sweet and so simple and so good. He's  super excited about everything with the gospel and the only thing he has a problem with is that he will be in primary for 2 more years. hah.

Okay so on Saturday I did something crazy.... I made OATMEAL PANCAKES for the first time in my life. ha. and with what i was working with I'm surprised they turned out pretty good. This won't be the only time I make them here either because they're pretty easy and pretty cheap. And then we went and taught Christian, the punk who is scared of my eyes. It's funny because he might be scared of my eyes but he's definitely one of my favorite investigators because he's so honest and upfront with us. So we taught him about the ley de castidad and le palabra de sabiduria and it was so funny we asked if he had a problem with those things we dont use and he said he had a problem with alcohol, smoking, and coffee.   I was so sad because he's been coming to church and we are planning his baptism for this Saturday (th 7th) but then I was like... you drink and smoke?  How much?Everyday? and he was like none... but I used to three months ago and I still feel awful for those sins I have. I was so impressed this 19 yr old kid stopped smoking and drinking on his own and wants to be better. We told him that we want him to be baptized on Saturday and he was like,  no I don't think I am ready.. and then at church yesterday when I saw him i was bringing it up to him and to everyone i saw at every moment I could saying, Oh he's getting baptized on Saturday and Oh do you want this priesthood holder to baptize you and just bugging him and by the end of church he was like okay.Ii guess I'm ready.  I,can be baptized on Saturday. hah. I'm super super happy with that. He's one of my little babies. hah. 

So we are also teaching a 40 something year old man and he has a problem with smoking super bad. but he's been great at lowering how much he smokes and just getting better ever time we visit him and i know it's because he's praying for strength and reading the Book of Mormon. There is so much power in the Book of Mormon -  it's incredible and all we have to do is read it every day to receive that power.  It's just as simple as that!

okay I love you all. The Lord is so merciful and so good to us. Remember and be grateful for everything, even your trials! 

Love ya! 

Hna Coburn