EMAIL... Week 30

Hola All!

We hope this finds you all happy, well, having wonderful experiences every day, and turning the "lemon" events in our lives into lemonade. Last Saturday afternoon we led one of the office couples, the Lee's, and her parents (93 & 89) up to the waterfall. We parked and were going to hike down, while they drove down as far as possible, so her parents wouldn't have to hike that far. The lady said it would be best to take our car instead of theirs. I jumped in the way back and waited for the rest to get into our car. Lee tried to restart the car...a few times...and it was dead. So we hiked and they drove as far as they dared in their car. We helped her parents get down to a vista to view the falls, which have slimmed down quite a bit as it is the dry season.  After they took pictures, we helped them back up to their car, and then hiked up to the main parking area. We waited for about 15 minutes and they still weren't up. They should have passed us, so I was getting worried. We started our hike back down, and shortly met her 89 year old mother, who was hiking back up. The car couldn't make it, and neither she nor her husband could help push it. We hurried down, only to find that Elder Lee had the car moving, after a sincere and urgent prayer, so we jumped in and all drove up. A month ago Elder Koelliker felt a strong need to get jumper cables to keep in the car, so he got permission to get them and purchased them. The men were able to jump the car and we headed back down the mountain to try to find a new battery. The Toyota place was closed, the hardware store that had batteries had just closed, but Elder K remembered seeing a little battery shop on the Main Street. We hurried over there, anxious to get a battery before Sunday and the complications of a dead car. The door was closed, but he left the car running and went up to knock. Shortly, a man eating opened the door. He had just returned from getting food and heard Lee knock. Many people live in the back of their shops. He asked Elder K what the problem was, had the battery, and had it installed within 20 minutes. Tender mercies! Elder K  being inspired to get jumper cables and acting. The Lees being with us when it died. Us not driving down to the waterfall, as there were no vehicles where we would have driven and parked, and the Lee's wouldn't have been able to get down that far. Elder Lee being able to get his car moving back up the hill. Elder K remembering the other battery store. The timing of the owner coming back and hearing the knock, and having the right battery. Heavenly Father is definitely involved in the details of our lives...even the seemingly minute ones that can burden and or discourage us. He is always only a prayer away! I can't believe in coincidences considering these kinds of experiences.

We are super excited for two baptisms next Saturday. Elder K has been working with 2 young men, a 16 year old (Jolver) to be advanced to the office of a Priest so he can baptize his mother, and a 28 year old recent convert (Francisco) to receive the Priesthood and be able to baptize his brother. Last Sunday Francisco received the Priesthood before church and was able to pass the Sacrament for the first time. He was so happy! It was awesome! Both are practicing the Sacrament and Baptismal prayers, so they can do a great job with these meaningful ordinances. Elder K loves to help the young men progress with their Priesthood responsibilities and opportunities.

Had a wonderful Family Home Evening with a less active family. The 16 year old daughter was able to go to SOY, Central America's version of EFY, for a week. The mom and daughter have been coming off and on, but the dad has been struggling with the Word of Wisdom and coming to Church, and the 2 younger brothers rarely come. Lee showed the "ASK" youth video, which the daughter had seen at SOY, and we talked about the blessings of prayer. What an awesome theme for our youth this year! If you haven't seen it, even if you aren't a youth, (and aren't we all at heart?), go on lds.org and watch it. The dad said he's seen a huge change in his daughter since SOY. She has been going out with the Sister missionaries serving in their branch and now wants to serve a mission herself. She radiates and that joy is contagious! He promised to come to church on Sunday. We had done a temple FHE with them a few months ago, and he really wants to have an eternal family. We reminded him that we have to attend Church regularly and keep the commandments to qualify for the temple. Hopefully he's on his way to leading his sweet family there.

Thank you for you love, examples, and friendship!

We love you all!

Love,

Elder and Hermana Koelliker