EMAIL... Week 19

Hola All!
Another adventurous week here in Nicaragua. Last Sunday's elections here went off without a hitch...meaning no violence in Esteli. We heard a few gunshots, but it was a very quiet day. The curfew for missionaries was lifted Wednesday and things are back to normal. Most people didn't bother to vote here, as they felt that it was fixed as the same guy has been it for years! We are so blessed to have the personal freedoms we often take for granted, and many others on this planet do not enjoy.
We met with Marvin's mom again, who is in our new branch, and scheduled a Family Home Evening for her extended family tonight. She told us about her recently deceased husband and how valiant and committed he was to the gospel and service. She desperately wants her children to receive their temple blessings, for themselves and so they can all be sealed together as an eternal family. She still runs a Pulpería, a (mini 7-11) out of the front room of the first floor of her home at 70 plus years old. She is a beautiful, articulate, together woman! I love her already and love to be around her. She is the essence of a woman of God. We are preparing to discuss the blessings of the temple tonight, and my main job is the chocolate chip cookies. Who knew that it was inspiration to bring my big cookie sheets? I may not speak Spanish very well yet, but I can still communicate with cookies, smiles, and hugs!
We are enjoying working with all 3 sets of missionaries in Esteli. We grow to love the people in each branch, and are sad to move on, so this lets us keep building relationships and help them continue to progress. It is awesome to see them take steps, baby and big, toward Heavenly Father and the Savior.
We loved the broadcast last Saturday for teachers with Elder Holland, many General Auxiliary leaders, local leaders, and questions and comments from around the world. It was AWESOME! Elder K just happened to notice it while he was studying on lds.org. We spoke to the District President and all 3 Branch Presidents, and none of them knew about it. We recommended it and suggested that they use it in their next training. Very few people here have the internet in their homes, so communication is very limited. Hopefully, they will use this broadcast to strengthen their teachers and leaders.
Love and strengthen your family! We have seen so many shattered families, because they quit doing the little things. They quit obeying the commandments. They quit attending church. They quit reading the scriptures. They quit praying. Satan doesn't want any of us to return to live with our Heavenly Father, our Savior, or our families. His best method to accomplish his goal, is to destroy families. We have been taught the way to be happy in this life and in the life to come. May we all do better each day to make sure we are especially doing the little things, that really are the big things in helping us attain our eternal goal.
Love you all!
Elder and Hermana Koelliker