My bark was worse than his bite

I got all the packages! I think we'll get mail next Wednesday:) So don't worry about letters:) I will get them too.

We have been able to find a couple of our new investigators this week again haha, and Manuel is especially great. I know he will accept the gospel! 

Friday we were contacting, and we saw one of our investigators, and so I turned around to go talk to him, stepped on a dog's tail, and he whipped around and snarled so loud! I knew what was coming... he jumped out and bit me on my thigh, and it hurt sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad. I screamed (obviously... who are we talking about. but only one high little shreak. Just enough to make EVERYONE look at me.) I thought for sure he had bitten out a chunk of my leg, because he was huge and it killed, but it was so amazing... his teeth didn't go through my garments... He left huge dark streak marks on my leg, and it immediately started turning purple, but his teeth didn't tough my skin at all. MIRACLES:):):):) I'll send pictures. 

We are planning a bunch of ward activities for these next few weeks! It is so gratifying to see the ward getting more and more excited to invite friends and less actives, and yesterday at church so many less actives came!!!!!!!!!! We were so happy. 

Our new ward mission leader is so great, and we are confident that the Lord is wroking lots of miracles here:) We see them every day in small and simple things. It's a LOT of contacting. 

Yesterday we went to the devotional in the Stake Center for President and Sister Kähnlein´s farewell, and it was beautiful. I can't believe they're leaving... so sad! They leave Wednesday, and the same day President and Sister Diaz get here. Ah! So many changes. It will be great. That's one of the things I love about being a missionary. I have come to love surprises and changes. 

I am so excited for all your wedding plans and everything! Good job holding down the fort in my absence haha. I am so proud of all of you, and I love you so much. 

Make sure you are always helping uplift and strengthen new and less-active members. Invite them over or take little notes, or give service wll you can. Time is short. 

Remember! The Lord knows what He's doing! When the going gets tough, pray and remember that it's all for a reason. 

Love Hermana Coray

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

pioneer children sang as they walked, and walked and walked and walked, June 22, 2015

We found new people to teach this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now the challenge is finding them at home again!

The cinnamon roll FHE was a great success. I was almost in tears making them, because it didn't look like they were going to turn out. And I was so mad at myself!The dough just wasn't rising, but we didn't have time to wait for them. (even though we started them super early, following Adri's instructions...) but I thought of the little pioneer woman story where she had like a piece of bread, and she stuck it in the pot with a lid, and prayed, and when she opened it there was a unch of hot food in it for her kids. So I left the kitchen, said a little prayer, and when I went back to look at them... guess what I saw?!?!?! Dough still hadn't risen.... so I stuck them in the oven anyways thinking, "oh well, Chileans won't know the difference." and went back to check on them, and they were big and puffy and lovely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Patience and faith people.... and miracles happen. Even when I'm not a little pioneer lady. 

But I sure do feel like it in this sector! sometimes there just isn't anyone in the street, and no on ewants to come out of their house, but we just keep looking for all the people we know, and walk and walk and walk:) Like nice little pioneer children. Singing in the street helps a lot. Thank you primary songs...

We started teaching a couple family members of several recent converts! taht's always exciting because recent converts have such a pure nice little testimony to share.

The ward list... is a mess. Each day we go looking for people we don't know with the addresses in the ward list, and oh my goodness no one's address is right, and some people haven't lived in those houses for like 20 years. so that's a service project we're doing for the ward. Looking and reporting when we find out they don't live there.

Happy Father's Day again! This cute little old grandma shared a father's day poem in sacrament meeting yesterday, and it was hard not to see daddy all day. We watched "heavenly Father, Earthly Father" with a recent convert, and that was a bad idea. 

There's an Elder in my district that is from Xalapa Mexico! Well, that's the mission that covers where he lives at least. 

favorite thing I heard this week. "You Mormons do a lot of good. Momron must be a good person." Thank you, stranger, yes... yes he was. The cute lady who said this is now a new investigator haha.

Pray that people here will believe in God! I've never known so many aethiests in my life! 

I love you all so much! I am so proud to call you mine!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hermana Coray

All at once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! June 15, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS STEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I am so so so so happy for you! And sososososososososo proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mexico will be sooooooooooo amazing and there are so many members and temples, and I just can't wait fo ryou to be there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have to move apartments this week, but it's to a better spot right next to the church, next to the house of Valeska´s family. We're not upset:) haha.

I feel like everything is just happening all at once! Especially because it's transfer week! (I think we're both staying:):):)). And we have to move apartments, and we're in a threesome for a couple days because Hermana Flores' companion finished so she's staying with us. She was in Limache with Hermana Stahly and I. So there's a ton of running around trying to get ready for everything. 

This week was soooooooooooooo hard to find people to teach. Well actually, kind of impossible. It'ss soccer season, and people are so hooked on that it's hard to find someone who is sober and willing to listen. 

This week I 'lost' our keys... and that included a whole process of climbing through windows and crying and praying and running around looking and then finding them in my other pocket... ahhhhhhhhhhhh

We love teaching this one older, less- active couple, because they are so sweet and talented and she has so many tea pots haha. The best part is that they are progressing, and she has come to church a few times now!

We have two investigators, Ximena and Charlotte who are so darling, but it is a struggle to come Sundays. 

Teaching and teaching and begging for people to love the gospel has taught me so much about faith. Faith is trusting enough in God to keep His commandments even when you don't know why yet. First obey, then understand. 

Being happy is the reason we are here, and like President Uchtdorf said, happiness in the destination, but it is also the path. 

Find ways and time to be happy!

Sister Cubas and I are learning a lot. We are very different people.... but we both have tesdtimonies and that is the most important part. 

Our ward is amazing. Valeska is my favorite person... I want to be a returned missionary like her. We have so many great ones here! Now we just have to find some people to teach with them.... It's a constant struggle in this area, but I know we can do it. 

Love you all so much!

I love the wedding pictures soooooooooooooooooo much! I am so proud of Steven! And Jared! and all of you! I love you too much to say. 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hermana Coray

Preach My Gospel, June 8,2015

Quick question for self reflexion.... how many times this week have I tried to share the gospel?

Im so sorry but I don't have time!

I am so happy to see the members conciously trying to share the gospel. It is such a blessing. We found the cutest girl this week from one of their referrals! Pray for Sofia!

Spiritual gift update: I know have the gift of tongues mixed with the diversities of operations - I can type in english while speaking in spanish about something completely different. Multi-tasking and bilingual. hahaha

Other things - 

I got lice this week... it's gone now, but that was not fun. 

We were walking down the street with our laundry, and this little old lady looks at us so shocked, and asked us "did they throw you out of the house!?" it was so cute, and we smiled and reassured her that no, we were just doing laundry. We're going to go back and see her because that shows she has a good heart for feeling!

love you all!

My guesses for Steven: Brazil, Illinois

xoxoxo

Hermana Coray

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, June 1

Ok, one day this week we had to go across our sector four times.... it's huge. We almost died. BUT! we didn't, and we rode in this little outside elevator thing that made me feel like I was in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and I was sad I didn't have my camera. Another day...

This week we had conference with President Kähnlein for the last time.... I cried. We were all so sad! Because he is so fantastically amazing. I am the luckiest missionary in the worl to have had him for a mission president. I have learned sooooooooooooo much for him and his wife, and my life will never be the same. I especially loved what he talked about at the end. There's a bee that is huge, and it's technically too big to be able to fly. Its wings are proportionally off from its body, and it's proven to be too big to fly. But that doesn't seem to bother the bee too much, because it flies anyway. He used it as such a great example for what we 'can and can't do.' There really aren't things that are out of our reach. We can do anything we put our mind to. It reminded me of the book about the Woemicks, 'You are Special.' It's not very important to go around letting what other people think of you matter. The only thing that matters it what Heavenly Father thinks, and with Him, "all things are possible," so that illiminates other people's opinions of what we are or aren't able to do.

It is harder to find people to teach in this sector, but that's ok. I know there's miracles waiting to happen. Like the other day we went looking for an old investigator we found in the area book. We found the house, but an older lady came out (she wasn't too happy to see us) and said she was his sister, and that he had died the DAY before his baptism. We asked if we could share something with her, andit's not worth repeating the response. But then we asked if we could come back another day, and she goes, "no, you aren't the first missionaries that have come looking for him," and I told her, "oh isn't that nice that God is so patient that He hasn't given up on sending people to your house." She kind of just stared and then tried to keep herself from smiling, and said we can come by another day if she happens to be home. We left there thinking that someone really wants his temple work done. Haha

Also, no one told me Steven graduated this week. Or maybe you all did, but I just didn't remember. Anyways... HAPPY GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I can't believe the wedding is getting so close. I just can't even imagine.  

Yesterday we went out early (like every Sunday) to look for people, and our sweet Sister Cecilia took us up the hill in her car to look for some people, but no one that had committed to come wanted to come.. so we went to the church building, and her tire popped in the parking lot. Just one of those things you gotta love about Sundays. 

I love my companion! She is so sweet. She feels just like a little sister to me. When I feel like I can't keep going, we just do. 

Matt Doggett - Thanks for the letter! I got it! 

I love you all so much! I can't believe how incredible you all are, and that I am so lucky to have you. My family is the best. Keep doing all the great things you are doing, and you will keep being blessed:)

P.s. where did Greg serve in Brazil? and where did Kurt serve in Peru? Peru right? 

Love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxo

Happy mission anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lovin you lots and lots

One year older and wiser too, May 25, 2015

Oh my goodness. I can't believe it has been almost one year. My sweet little Taylee bug. This is without-a-doubt the craziest year of my life. With the most changes and learning.

This week was so mmuch work. It is fantastic! We were running around so much jsut trying to work with everyone of the leaders, and get all their references and everything. Especially because in this area there are so many endowed, inactive members, that is our first priority for trying to reactivate and baptize part-member families. so that's finally getting going. The new recent-convert program South America has encoorporated hadn't been going yet in this ward, so we finally got that kicked into gear this week too. Lots of meeting with leaders to unite everyone and establish good relations. 

Also, we spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday, and after, the members were all just su cute and excited, and I shared my experience with Emily, and that made them so excited to have a spark of faith and invite more people. So in the evening we had a ward activity to see the 'Meet the Mormons' movie, and they invited a good group of non-members! We are so excited to get to know them more, and help them find the plan that God has for them. It just made me so happy to see how much the members love us as we show them that we are willing to work, and that we will take good care of the people they present us to teach. Please always have in mind people that the missionaries can teach. 

As we were looking for one less-active member this week, we found him and found out that he had been to the tmeple many times, and that he was sealed to his wife. But he doesn't believe in the Book of Mormon or Latter day prophets  now, and without even noticing tears just started rolling down my cheeks while he was talking. I think it kind of startled him, and made him sad that I had so much empathy and understanding of what that meant since he has made the highest covenants with the Lord. He tried to make me smile, and told us not to stop doing what we're doing, because it's something good. I'll probably teel you the rest of the story someday. I just felt the weight of his choices, and my testimony grew of how real the covenants are that we make in the temple. 

But on a happier note! We had exchanges this week, and I went to chorillos and was with Hna. Hansen for a day. It was so fun! I was happy to come back to my own sector though, and get back to work with Hna. Cubas. She's my little sister, and it's fun to take care of her. 

We found a father and son this week that accepted a date to get baptized! They didn't come to church, but they really do want to turn their life around, and we are excited to help them. 

Please take care of the people in your own ward. Sometimes we think that everyone is just fine... but people really do need a lot of support. Each day we should ask ourselves, 'what have I done to share the gospel?' How often do you talk to the people you home or visit teach? Were there any convert baptisms this year? Have we invited them over for a FHE? There is so much work to do. Let no one shirk! It seems like we always sang that song in FHE when I was little. It's one of my favorites... Put your shoulder to the wheel. 

If you don't know what the Lord expects of you, that's why He has given us three valuable tools: the gift of the Holy Ghost, our right knee, and our left knee. Pray lots, and then listen for the answer. And if the answer doesn't come, we're probably asking for the wrong thing. 

I love you all so much!

Happy birthday again to my cute baby Taylee! I realized that I have never been present for a single one of Taylee or Adee's birthdays, so for their birthdays next year me and them will make sure to do something extra special. 

Have a wonderful week!

xoxoxoxoxo

Hermana Coray

Guys, I want a castle, May 18, 2015

We were walking around the other day, trying to find references, and we were just kind of thinking hard and searching through our planners, and Hna. Cubas goes 'ah! Hermana! Wanna visit someone id a castle?!' hahahaha. I was so excited.We couldn't find it, but now we have a good idea of where it is, so hopefully tomorrow we can find it pretty quick. 'I could get used to this... guys, I want a castle.'

Also, we found a little Waking Ned Divine roadside calling booth. I started laughing so hard when I saw it, and I made hna Cubas take a picture. It was pretty funny trying to explain to her why it was so funny. 

She has also had to get used to my stretching... We were getting ready for bed, and I was curled up in some sort of stretch on the floor writing in my journal, and she walks in and goes, 'Hermana! I didn't even see you there! Has your family ever stepped on you before?!' 

This week we have been asking for referrals from EVERYONE, and then after we're done asking we ask again... the search is on. We did teach this cutest little boy who's mom is a returned missionary, and he is so cute! He's 9 years old, and he reminds me so much of Jared when he was little. 

The best thing of this week happened last night when we were feeling like we were out of people to visit, and none of our appointments had really come through, and it was so foggy and cold and everyone was in bed. But we just thought to pass by for a previous contact, and they happened to be home, and the couple is just so nice. They let us in, and we were thinking 'oh, these are going to be the best investigators ever!' and then we saw a baptism picture of her daughter, and thought 'ah even better!' Then Jenni (the mom) said that she had gotten baptized 30 years ago and then we started getting really excited that we could help her husband be baptized.... and then Nelson (the husband) started crying... and he said that he had served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and that he had been waiting and waiting for us to come and visit them. He was also a branch president, and I just couldn't belive that these cute, successful, humble people had gone so inactive. I was so happy that the Lord brought us to their door, and that we were able to help them feel of His love. It was a whole lot more fantastic and special than it sounds as I'm typing it, but that's ok. 

also, if Yoda were real, he would be a member. 'do or do not, there is no try,' is a true statement. 

 There is a lot of work to do in this area. We got a new ward mission leader yesterday, and we are so excited to work with him! Our other one was awesome, but he's still the assistant and that will be great to keep working with them both. and my comp and I get to speak next week, so that will be good. 

We have a great family home evening planned for today with all the recent converts, and we are really hoping it will help keep them active. There is nothing sadder than someone going back on a covenant... you just can't be really happy that way.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all the prayers and support. I am so grateful. Everyday we should think, 'if the missionaries asked me who they could visit and teach today, who would I tell them to visit?' Just food for thought. How much do we really share the gospel every day? 

I am so proud of you all! And Happy birthday again to my cute Taylee baby this week! xoxoxoxoxo

Love Hermana Coray

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I Slept Well, May 11, 2015

Mother's Day Robert was on call in Blackfoot so we all met up there and got to skype with Sara.  She had just been transferred to the big city of Vina del Mar.  She has a new companion, Hermana Cubas.  In  the big city she can get physical therapy to help her feet and legs, so they are starting to feel better.  We had a great time visiting and laughing together.  This letter was the next morning....

well, the only thing that has changed, is that I slept well last night. Other than that, I think you already know everything since I talked to you less than 24 hours ago.

My cute little companion is so adorable. She talks soooooooooooooo fast, and sometimes I just don't know what she's saying. Like I understand all the words.. but she changes from one subject to the other so fast I just don't even know who she's talking about by the time I can process what she's saying about them. haha. It's an adventure. 

So here we are in our nice little spot! We live right in front of a sushi place... hmmm. 

We are having fun finding lots of new people! It's a lot of work, ut that's the best part. 

P.s. I don't know if I've ever told you all before, but I love you so much! I just can't say it enough. And I loooooooooooooooove being a missionary. Even all the extra hard stuff. It's the best! I am really excited to get to know a new sector this week. It is so nice to look at everything with fresh eyes. and I hope I stay in this spot till the end of my mission! I could stay here forever. 

Love you! Have a great week!

xoxoxoxo

Hermana Coray

I Don't Do Anything,May 4, 2015

Wake up, exercise, eat, get ready, study, study, study

Leave and go visit some people. No one is receptive in the morning, but sometimes there's still miracles. At least it's a good time to contact.

Go to lunch, one hour, share a message, try to get referals.

Leave, teach, preach, try to help them understad why we should only pray to God, and how He is the only one that gets to say how to get to heaven. Just because there's one God, doesn't mean all paths lead to Him. They don't. 

Less-atives, part member families, find new investigators, pass by for appointments. Sometimes they're there, usually they're not. so we leave notes! Do that till the end of the day. Go home, plan, area book, journal (I wish I had time haha), eat something, ready for bead, 11:00 out like a light. 

 

That's what I do every day. but, none of those things are the real awesomeness of being a missionary. Because the whole time that I am doing that, there is someone else who does the real work. Opening doors, opening hearts, letting the spirit testify, putting people in our path, working mirales, listening to my prayers, forgiving me for being impatient, and making it all happen. 

 

Really. I don't do anything. 

 

Don't worry about the volcanoes and earthquakes and whatever else you might be hearing is happening in Chile. I'm good:) nothing will happen. 

 

Mostly, I'll just talk to you all Sunday! Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!!! I love you!

I will call between 2 and 7 your time. Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxoxo

Love Hermana Coray

 

Everyone is all getting married and having babies, and I'm just here thinking, 'I love this burrito.' 

 

You Never Know Until You Try, April 27. 2015

Ok so our cute little Maria Yolanda that is 84 years old.... we had decided that she loved US and not the gospel about two weeks ago, so we stopped passing by, but then Hermano Gustavo, our ward mission leader, started asking about her, and so we decide to go back. We have been so proud to see that she remember what we've taught, and is happy to live the gospel. She has had such a hard, sad life, and she is just such an amazing person. I am so glad she just happened to be standing out in front of her house one day so we could find her. It's hard for her to go to church. Like yesterday, we had stake conference, and it's far away, so when we went early to get her she was sick in bed. BUT we made her breakfast and made her go back to bed, and then later after the conference we went sith some ward missionaries so they could give her a blessing. I don't know why, but I just love waiting on sick people. (I'm sure dad is rolling his eyes..."you think that now...") haha.  I'm just so glad we felt prompted to go back there. You never know until you try. And also, I thought of what Kurt told me the other day in his nice email (Kurt, you should feel special for the shout out). That if people are keeping their committments and showing all the right signs of conversion, that's their problem if they decide not to hold up their end after making a covenant. It's not like we're forcing anyone to the waters of baptism. (He said it a lot nicer, but that's the way it stuck in my head haha).

The conference yesterday was soooooo amazing. I really wish more poeple would have come! It's nice to learn on my mission the importance of going to the meetings... all of them possible. Also, I just loved all they said about the temple. The temple in Concepcion isn't even being built yet because there aren't enough worthy people to enter, and the one in Santiago isn't being fully appreciated yet, so why would they hurry to build another one. It's true what President Monson said that temples are a good indicator of church growth. I'm glad we have so many temples where we live. And I don't have to plan a 'temple trip.' What a blessing! 

We found the cutest little couple yesterday! Well, we've found a lot of new people this week... but they're married! yay!

I love you all so much. Go to the temple. Go lots. And then go again. And go up to the grass with the fam and have a FHE! That sounds so fun to me....

Love you all sooooooooooooooo much!

xoxoxo

Hermana Coray

Teach Your Children, April 20, 2015

Why is going on a mission the best two years? (Or 18 months)... I'll tell you why - you learn to serve and love the Lord, and you learn to teach. It is the greatest responsibility on this earth to teach your children the gospel. I can't believe the number of times I hear parents say that they don't want to "force" the gospel on their children, and that they should be able to choose. Ok.... then why don't you at least TEACH it all to them so that they have a correct understanding of the principles they will be leaving behind if they choose something else! Like a family of members that asked us yesterday, "when are you going to come over and teach the lessons to our 5 year old daughter so she can start getting ready to be baptized?" HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What do you DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO as parents?!?!?!

Parents are the primary gospel teachers! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Anyways, that is why serving a mission is the best. Because every decision made from the moment you finish and on, will be made with an incredible amount of responsibility. Including how to teach your children the gospel. 

P.s. I cut my hair. It was so nasty. Even with all the wonderful product... this lack of an ozone layer just ain't happenin. So.... it's down to my shoulders. And now I'm going to make sure to get a trim every six weeks so it stays healthy and get long and luscious in the next seven months. 

The first thing I want to eat is Chinese food. 

I love you so much! Pray we can find some prepared people! MARRIED people.

xoxxooxoxoxooxoxoxoxox

Happy birthday, again, Steven and Jennah!

xoxoxoxoxoxxo times a million

Hermana Coray