Hola All!
Another busy week in Nicaragua! Last Sunday night we got a call at 10 PM from our mission president in Managua. He said there was an emergency and that he needed us to drive to Ocotal to get one of the Hermanas there and her companion. She had been vomiting for 11 straight days and the nurse wanted her to come to Managua and get checked out in the hospital there. We did and got the girls tucked into bed here about 1:30 AM. We have a little maid's quarters with a bathroom off of our back patio with 2 single beds just for situations like this. Next morning we got up and drove them to Managua, where we met the nurse about 30 minutes outside of town. Needless to say, we were pretty tired the rest of the day. We had a great FHE (Noche de Hogar) Monday night with a family coming back to church. We are so grateful to have Internet in our casita so we can download relevant videos to show, as very few have Internet in their homes. We showed "Expressions of Love" and "Love Her Mother" and they loved their powerful messages. They want to strengthen their marriage and family, and have all been sealed in the temple. We had a great discussion and their 2 teenagers made thoughtful comments. (We encourage all of you to spend some time on lds.org viewing the wonderful videos. We just wish they were all in Spanish.) I took chocolate chip cookies and they surprised us with sandwiches and soda. We were able to then go and share "Remember Him" with another family, which depicts the Last Supper, and had a wonderful discussion there.
Celebrated Lee's birthday with the 2 sets of Hermanas here...I even found a chocolate cake mix and was able to use some of our precious powdered sugar to make frosting...we sang and he blew out the candles after a chicken enchilada dinner. I am so blessed to have him as my eternal companion.
Wednesday the power went off for a few hours, so I had a cold shower. Lee lucked out and got in before it went off. Shortly thereafter, he yelled, "Earthquake!" I didn't feel much, but we found out it was big in Managua. Had a sweet experience at the home of one of the families we have been working with in our old branch. Her friend was there and asked us a lot of questions, and the Hermanas taught her that we are all children of Heavenly Father, and that He loves and knows each of us. The Savior, Jesus Christ, has already atoned for all of our sins, weaknesses, disappointments, sorrow, sicknesses, and misery. He can make our burdens light and help us have joy, even through our trials, if we come unto Him, repent, and keep the commandments. The spirit was powerful and we were able to testify of the truthfulness of the message. We are so blessed to have knowledge, testimonies, and spiritual experiences in our lives!
Had a fun p-day with the other office couple, the Lees, Friday night at Selva Negra (Black Forest), a German resort just outside Matagalpa, which is a beautiful city built up the sides of mountains. Selva Negra was in a jungly mountain top area with a lake. Pictures on the blog. The little old chapel was very quaint and had plants growing out of its thatched roof. We walked around the paths through the jungle area, but it was getting dark, so we went back and walked around the lake. We ate dinner overlooking the lake and it was beautiful! We want to go back and explore during the day, because they told us you can see monkeys and quetzal birds early in the morning.
We loved General Conference! What a huge blessing and opportunity to feel Heavenly Father's and the Savior's love, and to learn more of them! We wish everyone would experience this!
We love and miss you all, but know that this is where we're supposed to be at this time in our lives. Thank you for your love, support, prayers and example!
Love,
Elder and Hermana Koelliker
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