EMAIL... Week 59

Hola All!

We had changes again this week and all but one companionship in our zone had a change. Needless to say, change day was crazy. Elder K was in the car or waiting at a bus station from 5:50 AM until after 8 PM, with a 45 minute lunch break. We are already missing the ones who were transferred big time! Although we hate losing missionaries, we welcome the new ones and look forward to getting to know and love them too! We are especially missing our good friends, the Lees, as they finished their mission and went home on Tuesday. They were greeted by all 9 of their kids and all but 1 spouse, 1 granddaughter, and their oldest grandson who is on his mission. The blessings of the gospel are real!

Our testimonies of visiting teaching and home teaching continue to be strengthened as we meet and visit people, who are offended because no one comes to visit them. It's interesting when we ask them if they visit others, that this concept has never occurred to them. One of the talks I am working on is about Discipleship, and as President Uchtdorf said in his General Conference talk in April 2009, 

"Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. And yet for some, “spectator discipleship” is a preferred if not a primary way of worshipping."

We are striving to help the members here, all of whom are first generation in the church, leave the ways of their former churches and engage in the work of the Lord, the work of discipleship. They struggle with the concept that because this is a lay church, ALL of us are needed to build the kingdom of God here on the earth, spread the gospel, and strengthen our branches, wards, districts, and stakes. We all need to be worthy to have callings, be willing to accept callings, and magnify and serve diligently in those callings and responsibilities. We can't just sit, watch, and expect others to do everything that needs to be done. Poco poco.

I love the Book of Mormon! I love the clarity and spirit of this great book! I am enjoying reading it aloud in Spanish again, as it helps my comprehension and pronunciation. We are so blessed to have another testament of Jesus Christ! I know that He lives and loves each one of us! He and our Heavenly Father want for each of us to progress and to be worthy and prepared to return to Their presence to be with Them and our families forever. Living the gospel, being sealed in the temple, serving, and enduring well until the end are the requirements to receive that great blessing! We can never lose sight of that goal, our potential, or our responsibilities as children of God.

We love and appreciate all of you! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder and Hermana Koelliker