EMAIL... Week 16

Hola All!


Great week! Thanks to all of your prayers, our kids' input, and Heavenly Father's tender mercies, our fireside last Sunday on dating and marriage went really well. In spite of my language deficits, the spirit was strong, the young adults were engaged, and we had fun doing it! Thank you all!


Most of our visits went well this week, as we continue to remind the people here that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father and that the Savior has already paid the price for all of the sins and wrongs in our lives. Our responsibilities as children of God are to love others, obey the commandments, and take advantage of the Atonement, so that we can be prepared to dwell in Their presence with our families. The people here have many of the same temptations and trials that we all face, but because of the lack of their basic needs being met and not having a temple near enough for frequent attendance, and for some the temple being a seemingly impossible goal, many feel hopeless. As they feel the spirit, they start to feel hope. As they remember who they really are, many are motivated to take the steps necessary to improve their lives. It is a very slow process with most, and we visit many of them weekly. Their distance from the chapels and walking being the mode of transportation for most, also contribute to their struggle to attend their meetings and receive the blessings and strength that come from partaking of the Sacrament each week. Please recognize all the blessings that we enjoy and take advantage of them! We are so blessed! 


Elder Koelliker had the opportunity to give a few blessings this week and is baptizing Cristoval this afternoon. It's great working with the Hermanas, as he is often the go to guy for the baptisms. It's humbling to see individuals you have worked with feel the spirit, make changes in their lives, and commit to baptism. His Spanish is awesome and he is communicating wonderfully well!


We had a fun Hermanamiento (Branch Activity) this week. Lee showed the video of President Uchtdorf's talk on "The Ugly Duckling" and we had a great discussion. Then we played a game like "Categories" and if you said the word the person who was "it" had written on the paper, they dumped a little cup (about a teaspoonful) on your head. Of course, I was the big winner and was pretty wet by the end. Good thing I have straight hair. It was fun and we are building relationships within the branch. We have changes Monday, and will switch branches to work with the Elders, who are the Zone Leaders. We will continue to spend a day each week with the Hermanas in both of the other branches.


We have been mosquito food this week and haven't quite figured out why the increase! I guess they have to eat too. It may be time to get out the big guns...100% DEET. 

We love you all and are so grateful for the sweet relationships we share! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! We truly feel them!


Love,
Elder and Hermana Koelliker