La Luz Brilla

I simply don´t know where to begin. This weekend has been filled with the Lord continually telling me, ¨Trust me, things will work out¨. Each week its incredible to see just how people can and are willing to change.

Remember that baptism that was going to happen friday?! Well, it didnt happen... Here´s the story. On Monday we went to go visit Concepcion, we were so excited. She lives in a cerro up in the mtn. But the second we arrived at her house I felt her presence was very different. She is usally willing to let us into her home but this time it all felt off. As we sat down, as usal we began with a hymn and prayer. After, as we were getting ready to teach her about tithing she told us, ¨Sisters. I have bad news¨. All I thought was ¨OH NO, Dont do this!¨ She then told us, after spending the weekend in Tuxtla she felt confused and wasn´t going to get baptized. We trying everything to get her to feel that desire again but she was shut off. Hermana Wilson and I felt the spirit so strongly, so much to the point where I had tears rolling down my face as I bore my ¨dying man´s testimony¨ to her. We then left her with an open invitation to come to general conference..... And to my surprise Sunday Morning She Came! Its amazing how inspired conference is. Sunday morning was all about Prophets, and why this can truly be the only true church. I´m not sure if it had any effect on her but that was definitely a huge miracle from the Lord. Being here in Mexico has taught me to truly love others, to worry about their souls, their salvation and to do everything I possibly can to help them. 

Saturday evening we reminded Viridiana to come to conference (our golden investigator) and as we did, we began to send a few messages back in forth, in one of her messages she told us that she really wants to get baptized, it is the desire of her heart but she wanted more time. This Saturday (Oct 11th), felt too rushed for her. Immediately we realized it was fear that she was feeling. We assured her that conference would help her. Sunday, in between sessions we ran over to find her and encouraged her to trust the Lord, and to come to conference with that very question: Should I get baptized this coming saturday? She came to conference and all throughout the Sunday afternoon session I kept praying in my heart for her to feel the spirit and feel comfortable with her baptismal date. All the talks sunday afternoon were a beautiful build up to Elder Bednar. When he began to speak, I just thought ¨Thank you Heavenly Father¨. I knew this is what Viridiana needed to hear.

The session ended and afterwards, Hermana Wilson, Viridiana, Jose Luis (our mission leader), his wife Citlaly (Viris best friend) and I went into the primary room in the church. We pulled out chairs and began talking with Viridiana. We all bore our testimonies, and cried. It was definitely one of the most spiritual lessons i´ve ever had here on the mission. We re-invited Viridiana and she herself said, ¨I want to get baptized this saturday. The fear I felt has somehow vanished¨. My heart swelled with Joy. ¨The Dream Team¨ (investigator, mission leader, recent convert, missionaries) works perfectly.

This whole week has been a whirlwind of emotions, but throughout everything my heart has been at peace, and my mind has continually run to Heavenly Father telling me, ¨Just Trust Me.¨

More miracles of this week: The technology here in Coita wasn´t flawless but I kept praying for it to work smoothly while the Investigators were present at conference and it did. Hno Ricardo (an inactive for yeeears) showed up to general conf, sunday morning! When I saw him, I told him, I must be looking at the stars, and his reply, ¨You just found 2¨. His 3 kids are the ones in all of my photos. They are so special. 

My favorite talks from conference, too many to just choose one. It would either be Pres. Uchtdorf, You have to live the gospel to know its true. Or Elder Bednar!

Know that I am happy. This gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ truly changes me more and more each day. It teaches me to be a better missionary, a better companion, a better daughter, and a better member of the church. I am constantly motivated to want to help others. There truly is nothing else that brings more joy than this. I Love and Sustain President Monson. He truly is a man called of God. What a privilege it is to have him to guide us to be a little better each day.

Thank you for your love and prayers. I love you all very much. Trust God an Believe in Good Things to Come.

With Love,

Hermana Coronado

(no photos this week, this computer doesnt work) hah, as usual :) Anywho, have a great week!

GRINGOLANDIA

Hola mi querida familia!

This week has been SO so wonderful. I truly know that Hermana Wilson (in the mission for almost 9mths) and I have a divine companionship. We work very well together and truly motivate each other to want to work harder. Hermana Wilson and I are very different, but we have the same humor (which is wonderful) because we can relieve any tention by just laughing it out. It is so true when our companionship is full of love and trust for one another the Lords confidence in us grows. 

Literally everyday this week has been full of miracles. We started of the week great. On Tuesday a little 8-yr old girl was baptized, in which Concepcion (21yr old investigator)  attended the baptism. She use to be hard-core Catholic but has been listening to the lessons for the past 2 weeks and her baptism is this coming Friday, October 3rd. One thing we really wanted Concepcion to understand was that baptism could only be possible, and truly valid in the eyes of the Lord if it is done by someone with the proper authority. The baptism was very noisy (so many kids), but right after when they confirmed little Alexa a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost the room turned completely silent. The kids stopped crying, running around, talking and their was complete peace. I felt the spirit so strongly and knew Concepcion had too. Later into the week (on Friday), we sat and visited with her, continuing to prepare her for her baptism. In which she offered the closing prayer and said, "Please allow my family to accept that this is the true church, and what i am going to do (be baptized)". Definitely a tender, powerful moment. Finally, she gets it!!

Abiel (the kind 55 yr old man) we found in the street roughly 2 months ago was to be baptized this past Saturday, due to some circumstances our mission president has to decided to give him more time to prepare (which is actually a really good thing). Abiel was very sad when he found out he wouldnt be baptized, well not yet. The great thing is that his attitude towards this whole situation is wonderful. He is now reading his Book of Mormon everyday, keeping more of his committments and looks forward to the day he is baptized (by the mission president). Abiel has a huge heart. Sunday was the best. After church he was so happy, he came up to me and said "Hermana, Hermana. Guess what I just did? I said the closing prayer in class. They called my name, and I got nervous, I mean, how can you not, in front of so many people. But they told me I have to learn, and i said it!" He was literally jumping for joy. I gave him a high 5. And we rejoiced together. 

Viridiana is still progressing incredibly well for her baptism the 11th of October. She attended Saturdays General Womens Conference, even teared up a few times. As we were leaving the temple we were all so happy, Citlaly (Viris best friend(), Hermana WIlson and I. Since it was late into the evening Citlaly jokingly commented, 4 sisters alone, I hope we dont get robber (no need to worry, we were safe), we laughed and Viridiana commented, "If that happens I would give them everything, just not my Book of Mormon, they cant take that". It was very great to hear her say that.

Sandra is a reference from a member-family. She came to church on Sunday and we have her baptism planned for the 18th of October.She has assisted 3 times, and truly has a sincere desire to change her life and come unto Christ. Vivianas baptism is also planned for the 18th of October, she is a trooper. Her life never seems to not have 100bajillion problems yet through it all she remains faithful.

I have truly grown to admire the strength investigators have to just change their lives, completely. It is definitely not easy but - in time - it will always be worth it. Mom and dad, this week I was reading conference talks from April General Conference and i couldnt help but think of you both, go read "A priceless heritage of Hope" by President Eyring, It explains my love, admiration and gratitute for you both. so much. I will never truly be able to explain just how thankful I am for your decision to let me be a part of this Gospel. I love being a missionary. I dont think I have ever been able to feel as much joy as I do in this very moment. I know with all my soul that this is the true and only church that allows us to make covenants with the Lord. In it are the Keys of the priesthood, and so families can be forever. This is our priceless heritage of hope. I know it is true. 

I love, think, and pray for you all often. Know that I am happy. I love the Lord, so much. Be obedient to Him, talk to Him each day, every moment, convert your heart to the Lord (Helamen 3:35). He loves us more than we will ever know. Choose to serve Him. 

ps. I hope you are all as excited for General Conference as I am!!! A baptism, then conference the next day. Life is good. :)

With Love,

Hermana Coronado

Welcome to Coita Hna. Wilson

Our roof 

General Womens Conference with my favorite Sisters Citlaly and Viridiana :) 

We Love Tuxtla! We Love The Temple.

Let it rain!

Tengo Gozo En Mi Alma Hoy

Computers here in Mexico hate me... This is the 3rd computer I have tried to use and I can finally log onto my email. Sorry for not replying to you all individually, know that I love and pray for each of you by name every day.

Anywhooo, Hola from Meeeexiccccoooo!

I simply don`t know where to begin. The Lord has been So kind, and trusting in Hermana Wilson and me. I know this area will continue to prosper and quickly.

Recap of the BEST week on the mission. The Spirit truly has been our Senior and constant companion. I have felt his presence in every lesson, in ever contact and throughout each day. I know that when we are more than exactly obedient we tend to become more receptive to the promptings of the Lord, and His council.

A quick story. On Tuesday we met a 21 yr old lady who had become a reference from the Elders. She had already accepted a baptismal date but has been very uneasy as to which of all the church could be true. Mainly whether the Catholic church in which she grew up in, or now, the ¨Mormon¨ church. 

Hermana Wilson and I began to teach her the restoration of the Gospel with a very simple object lesson, a flashlight. The flashling represents a living prophet and its batteries represent the priesthood power (sacerdocio). Its crazy but object lessons really help people here get why we need a guide (a prophet), to lead us out of darkness (apostasy) and into the light (the gospel). We have been very consistent with her, and in last nights lesson she told us her prayers had been answered, she will be baptized October 4th.

Viridiana is also progressing Very well. She has been rock solid since the start, but as any solid Investigator there comes a time where they have their ¨moment¨ and they kinda get scared and their testimony is tested. I am glad to say she is remaining firm for her Baptism the 11th of October.

I never would have thought 4 months ago that I could love strangers so much. That a piece of my heart could be in a little town in Southern Mexico. 

We have FOUR planned baptisms for the next coming month; which means we will be baptizing every week! Waaahhooooo... Since I am currently in a Branch. We were just informed that we need 4 priesthood holders that are paying their tithing to become a WARD!!!!

I am very thrilled to be a part of such a marvelous work, and to be a missionary the Lord trust to help this area continue to prosper. 

There truly is power in working together to build the Kingdom of God here upon the earth. I gave a talk in Sacrament on our responsibilty to serve each others as members of the church, as brothers and sisters in the church. 

Love one another enough to serve each other. Know that I love you all. I love my Savior. I cant wait to be re-united in His presence and just bask in His glorious Countenance. Study the scriptures, read the Book of Mormon- every day and you will be happy, just as I am.

Much love,

Hermana Coronado

Personal Studies Week 1

What a view!