August 24,2015

News:

Elder Viñas, 2nd counselor in the area presidency is coming to see us next week. happy day, so excited

We had a zone meeting, and it was great. like always. I recieved many wedding announcements, and now I know what it feels like to have every single person you know be married.

Manuel was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood yesterday! So excited! 

Being a missionary is so full of so many ups and downs. I never understood before why people said missions were so hard. Because they all talk about their amazing cool experiences, but it's hard to explain, and never really very beneficial to talk about all the hardships. I am so grateful for the refiner's fire, and it truly is purifying. To see people I am literally giving part of my life for, but it's all the same to them, and even after wonderfully spiritual confirming experiences, somehow it just seems like too much change or... I don't really know what... and it all dissolves in a second. It is such a blessing to see and be a part of, because it helps me see where I need to put and build my spiritual fortifications to make sure I don't have those same doubts or weaknesses. 

Diana and her mom came to church yesterday, but they don't want her to keep recieving lessons for right now. I'm sure the time will come:) She is so darling.

Hermana Hamilton is doing so great. I love her so much. Ah..... but one sad thing. I was so so certain we would get to stay together two transfers, but her knee is really not doing well with all the stairs and hills in this area, and so it looks like she might not stay here. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm not happy, Bob. But everything is for a reason. She is doing good about being brave and teaching and contacting more each day. It is so amazing to see how the Lord teaches His missionaries. 

Licia is the cutest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other day when we were there teaching she asked me, "Hermana, can I get baptized this Saturday?" I smiled and told her that her baptism wasn't until this coming Saturday, and she just kind of sank down into her seat, "big sigh.... then I guess I'll just have to wait, won't I...." It broke my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love that she is so tiny and old, but she is so amazing about understanding the golpel. Like yesterday in Relief Society we were talking about Keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and the teacher was sharing an experience about the old lady she takes care of during the week, and that she was sharing about how she also calles her on Sundays to make sure she's ok. And Licia said, "well why don't you just bring her to church with you?" Hermana Alfaro, who was teaching, said that it was very difficult for this little old lady to leave the house, and Licia thought for about three seconds, and then said, "I'll let her borrow my wheelchair!" We all were dyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyying of loving her so much. 

Marcelo, the recent convert who just reached a year of being a member, got married and sealed this weekend! We went to help decorate the church a little bit, and I am so proud of them! So cute:)

I have been labeled as the "Gringa Valeska" because she's always running around doing a million things like I am hahahahaha. She is my favorite person. 

We did a service with Giselle, young returned missionary who is also an angel. We made cupcakes and took them around to all the less actives we could. It was so fun! 

I also spoke in church again yesterday, complete with a Hobbit example of "I'm going on an adventure" and not being afraid to leave your comfort zone to share the gospel. I love speaking. 

I thought a lot this week about why there are so many terrible things in this world... obviously, because it's part of the plan. But it's kind of like that part on Batman where Alfred says, "some people just want to watch the world burn." And it's true... you can't force anyone to want the gospel. It's sad, but God is a respecter of agency so we have to respect it too. 

We have been without light in our bathroom for a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ask me why!!! Because we have the weirdest kind of lightbulb outlet in the whole world in there, but today we finally found the right kind of lightbulb today. There is light!

3 Nephi 12

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under abushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are   in the house;

 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Let your light shine, and share the gospel all you can. Everyone deserves to have more than one chance to accept it, so never give up on anyone. The Lord never gives up on us. 

I love you all so much! 

Happy b-day Em

Congratulations to Adri for reading Preach My Gospel

Yay Jare for football 

Glad Steve and Dad are having fun being salmon

Thank you, mom, for the amazingly beautiful pictures, love them:)

Jennah and Kurt, good job being married and getting all used to a new house and everything. Lots of firsts!

Greg, good job on harvest

Adee and Taylee, I love you more than I can say. Kisses!

xoxoxo

Hermana Coray