EMAIL... WEEK 66

Hola All!

General Conference was a spiritual turbo boost! We were able to watch all of the sessions but 1 in English, which was a huge blessing for me! My mind doesn't translate fast enough to always keep up, and some of the personal experience words are new for me. We especially loved the great talks on service and on the blessings of reading and prayerfully studying The Book of Mormon each day, because these are 2 of the habits we have been trying to teach the people here. Powerful and needed messages for us in our day! We were sad to hear of Elder Hales passing this life and graduating to the next. He will be missed and we are so grateful for the things that he taught us!

We were heartsick to read about the Vegas massacre and the terror experienced by those there and their families. But we were so uplifted to read of the many brave and unselfish heroes, including people helping each other get out of harm's way and even shielding people around them to protect them; the first responders; the hospital staffs, doctors, and nurses; people donating blood, food, money, hygiene kits, clothes, flights, rides, hotel rooms, homes, counseling services, legal services, and on and on; and especially the many reminders that there are sooooo many good people in the world, who are willing to love and help and stick up for and serve others, even people they don't know and/or people with whom they seemingly have nothing in common. We love our country and all of God's children! We are so blessed to have the many freedoms that we enjoy! We are so blessed to have the Gospel and to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior! 

We are experiencing the side effects of Hurricane Nate...lots of pouring rain and mud...bridges closed due to river water running over them, roads washed out and "ponds" in the middle of roads, fast dirty water running everywhere. Schools and many jobs closed early on Thursday and won't reopen until Monday, due to the incredible flooding. We have been drenched and muddy almost every day this week, and we just laugh! Elder K says it's better than the freezing snow he experienced on his first mission. We do worry about the people, as some of their homes lie in flash flood paths. There have been many mud slides on the mountain slopes reported, so we may not be able to go to Condega for Church on Sunday. We shall see! The hurricane is projected to hit the Louisiana area. We hope and pray not! We are so humbled and encouraged with the outpouring of love and service in response to the recent natural disasters and human tragedies. 

We're are grateful for the inspiration we have been able to recognize and act upon this past week. We pray to receive, recognize, and be able to be His hands in answering prayers each day. It is a great blessing for us to be able to have these prayers answered, even in small ways. We are learning that we should never ignore our thoughts to reach out or to help others. It is such an opportunity to be able to serve here and now full time. We had a special visit with a family we love greatly. We felt impressed to visit them and made an appointment. We asked them how they thought we could best serve the people here these last few months. Both are super dynamic people with strong testimonies, but are having some trials right now. They told us to focus on families who are progressing the most, because when we are gone, they will be strong enough to help others. Great counsel! We then felt impressed to offer to fast with them this Fast Sunday for help, patience, strength, and inspiration for the trials they are facing. I asked this wonderful man if he needed a blessing. With tears in his eyes, he nodded his head! He asked Elder K to give him a blessing, and it was such a powerful spiritual experience for us all. They understand what this life is all about! They are all in. They recognize that we are all here to be tested and refined. They appreciate the power of the Priesthood and prayer. They want to serve and do all that they are asked to do. They realize that we can expect help from heaven when we do all that we can do and ASK our Heavenly Father for help. We know that they are being prepared for great things!

Thank you all for being great examples of love, service, and disciples of Christ! We appreciate your thoughts and prayers in our behalf!

Love you!

Elder and Hermana Koelliker