kathryn.coon@myldsmail.net

Monday, November 25, 2013

A week of MIRACLES!

Familia!

Thank you SO much for your sweet emails! Its so funny because every week I sit here at the ciber on the computer reading your emails and I just cry! I cry because I am happy, of course, not because I am sad. I am so just so touched by your emails. 

And I KNOW without a doubt that Heavenly Father heard all your prayers. All of the sweet and innocent prayers requested in my behalf, for my companion, and for my investigators! We had literally MIRACLES, gran MIRACLES every day this week! I will first begin with Monica and her two boys, Carlos (11years) and Angel (9years). We have been preparing Monica for her baptism, but her sons have always been so hard for us. They never pay attention, they are disrespectful and rude, and do not honor their mother. We had no idea what to do with them. Last Sunday came around, and Hermana Herrera and I walked 30 minutes to pick Monica up for church. Long story short, Monica ended up not going to church because her sons threw fits and she couldnt leave them at home. We were so frustrated with these children and really seeking inspiration on how to help them, because really, we are here to teach and baptize FAMILIES, not just individuals. We decided to just have pure charity towards them. So that night and the next morning during companionship study, we made cards for them with pictures of Christ. The next day we gave our cards to all three of them.

 We saw a huge miracle!

The next day, we were teaching Monica again and asking her the baptismal questions and all of the sudden, Carlos started answering them ALL correctly. He knew all the answers to every single question! These children were so touched by the cards they received from us. Never in their lives have they received something so heart felt and wonderful. The change we have seen in this family is miraculous. The gospel changes LIVES! Charity changes lives! Now, we are teaching the WHOLE family and they are going to be baptized this Saturday at 5pm! We are so excited! And so thankful for this experience. They LOVE us and we LOVE them. The change was overnight. But the Lord softened their hearts and also softened ours. They cannot wait to be baptized. Monica is a little missionary..she tells EVERYONE about "the hermanas," about her baptism, and invites everyone to church! Now that is true conversion. The boys love singing "Soy, un hijo de Dios" (I am a child of god) with us everyday. They belt that song as loud as their little voices will carry. They also love the song, Families can be together Forever. And you know what is so great?? In exactly one year they can go to the temple to be sealed for time and for ALL eternity! I can attend the temple with them during this time! What a great opportunity this is to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. Gosh, I love this gospel. I have never seen Monica, Carlos, and Angel so happy. I sent a picture of all of us walking to church yesterday. The boys had their clothes picked out 2 days beforeSunday of what they were going to wear. So cute! 

The weather is getting hotter and more humid. WOW! My poor companion is from Peru and the weather is never like this in Peru. We were proselyting yesterday, like always, and she about passed out from the heat. You know it is almost summer in Uruguay when you have a million mosquito bites (I had 10 mosquito bites on my face this week) and when nobody wears bras or men dont wear shirts. It is a sight! 

I loose track of time hear. I cannot believe that November is almost over! And that Thanksgiving is this week! Tomorrow, we have a "Hermanas Conference" in the mission home in Montevideo. We are going to have a big Thanksgiving Feast. Presidente y Hermana Newsome are great! Have so much fun in Utah this week. Think of me! I will be there in spirit. Ok and for the challenge you asked for dad, I love the section in Preach my Gospel about Christlike attributes...charity imparticular. 

The language is coming...everyday getting a little bitter. I am able to understand probably 70 percent of what people say, but that really depends on the person. I have learned...the key to speaking well is teeth! haha funny but true. Uruguayans talk really really fast and the majority of them dont have teeth! Also, body language is key! haha.

Thank you so much for everything! I love you all with my whole heart! I wish I could reach through the computer screen and give you all a big huge hug!

xoxo,
Hermana Coon

 Excited faces after a great lesson! 




 My roommates and companion, Hermana Herrara en la casa de La Familia Dotta

and

HERMANA CHAVEZ!

 Monica, Carlos, and Angel. 
 This one will make you laugh. So...Hermana Chavez and I are a little crazy. Yes we are jumping on our beds and yes this is our room of beds. You literally cannot see the floor. Its a sleepover. everynight. 

Also, look closely at my feet. It looks like I have shoes on, but nope! Just my awesome tan line! haha
 We are so excited! We walked with Monica, Carlos and Angel to church!
We are at church with Monica and her boys!

Monday, November 18, 2013

 Hermana Coon and Herrara, she is from Peru! She is so tiny! But a huge personality! I love her!

Hello Family!
 
I am so happy that you received my Christmas card! So fun! I was a little worried that it wasnt going to make it safe through the Uruguayan mail, but it did! I loved all the videos and photos that you sent me...especially the photo of everyone on the Ranger. Their faces are hilarious! I cant believe how grown up everyone is looking! Time is flying by very quickly and everyone is growing up. It was so good to hear your laugh in the videos mom...stress reliever for sure. And how fun that you are involved in the temple performance! I cant wait to hear all about it!
 
I have a lot of random thoughts today that I want to share...
 
So the title of this email is, "You can call me Rubia" because that is my nickname here is Uruguay. Rubia aka blonde. I am walking down the streets of Uruguay with my Peruyan companion and we always here calls from every which way...Rubia Rubia! It is actually quite funny. It is warming up here in Progreso. The rays of the sun are so strong, so we bought cute cute sombreros at the feria a few weeks ago.
 
Fun Fact...This week I have been practicing my Rs, Ts, and Ss because lets face it, I talk like a gringa. haha Hermana Herrera helps me immensely.
 
Hermana Herrera and I are trying to be creative to find new investigators. We had a sewing class this week and made cute headbands and I am still teaching piano to some members in the ward. It was really fun and real interesting trying to teach piano in spanish.
 
It has been a crazy week. It is so interesting to see how Satan works and trys his hardest to stop the work of the Lord. Monica, oh sweet Monica. She has a baptism date for this Saturday! A few weeks before investigators baptisms, we, as missionaries, can feel and see the ways Satan works. Our investigators must stay strong and continue doing what they know is right.  We are here to help them every step of the way. I have seen a complete change in Monica. She wants to do whats right and her testimony has grown ten fold. How cool it is to be able to see this.
 
We see miracles everyday! Everyday of my mission, I learn so much. I have realized on my mission that I must rely on the Lord and give everything to Him. I have been studying the life of Christ and these studys have literally changed my life. As representatives of Jesus Christ, we must act like Him at all times. I studied a talk this morning about the story of Lazarus. Martha and Mary were so sad that their brother had died and you know what...Jesus wept with them. The sight of two women crying caused Jesus to sorrow and was deeply troubled. This experience testifies of the empathy, compassion, and love that our Savior and Heavenly Father have for us everytime we are weighed down by life.
 
And then this morning I thought...
 
He has not forgotten you. He will carry you through those moments, just as he did Mary and Martha.
 
Life is not a race, its a journey. So even when nobody wants to listen to us or when nobody understands what I am trying to say I think, "Well Hermana Coon, enjoy the journey." These moments help us grow into our full potential.
 
Life is so good. I love this gospel. I love spanish. I love Uruguay. I love my companion. I love my mission. I love my family. Share and invite! Members are so so important in missionary work. And next time the missionaries come to our house to talk to dad, give them a big glass of water, a referral, and love them. I say to give them a big glass of water because we only receive juice or something like koolaid here. Or if it is water it has carbonation in it. haha.
 
Bueno. Tienen una semana muy buena. Gracias por sus oraciones y amor. Estoy muy muy agradecida por mi familia. Te Quiero!
 
¡Ciao!
 
Hermana Katie Coon
 
p.s. Hermana Herrera wants to know if you can send us some church stickers and also I am in desperate need of some Shade shirts and no show socks. Love you!