Mi familia de Oro

Zion Prospera!!!

Mi querida Familia,

This week has been one of the best weeks of my life! After many awaited weeks me and Hermana Hernandez have 2 baptisms planned for next Saturday August 9th! Whhaaaaahooooo!!!! I cant even explain how excited we are. 

This families story is awesome. Last Sunday, July 20th we were sitting in Relief Society and this 23 year old lady named Citlali stands up and says the closing prayer. Afterwards we were approached and told she was an investigator. We approached her and introduced ourselves and asked her if we could visit her that week. We taught her the Plan of Salvation that same week on Tuesday. Her husband Jose Luis had been less-active but served a mission in Mexico City, Mexico. They have a 10month old daughter named Ingrid (the happiest baby i have ever met, she is always laughing and smiling). After the lesson she shared a few of her doubts and worries, we helped her overcome them and encouraged her to not rely on our help, but to kneel down with her husband and pray together. We came back on Wednesday and challenged her to get baptized and she excepted. Last night we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which she understand perfectly. I am truly amazed at the power of the Spirit. It testified of the truth to hermana Citlali and all her doubts and worries have been resolved. She is so excited to get baptized by her husband Jose Luis. Jose Luis has a 9 year old little sister named Dorly who we are also planning to have her baptism with Citlali the 9th of August. 

The Lopez Family is truly incredible. Citlali´s family is adventista, and Jose Luis´s parents Nelly and Francisco are also less active but have now started coming back to church. My heart swells with happiness to know that Citlali and Jose Luis are truly preparing to make their family eternal. We are planning to extend this invitation to Citlali´s family. I cant wait to continue to spread the gospel!

The greatest blessing as a missionary is to know that my purpose isnt just helping people come unto Christ its helping people understand their potential as Children of God. Helping them keep their focus in this life on the end goal; to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all of time and eternity with our families. 

The mission consists of many diverse experiences. Saturday all but 2 of our Citas fell through so what did we do... Contact.... Everyone, literally. We contacted 74 people. It was actually really fun. Many people do decide to reject us to which i always think, ¨When I see you again you can´t say I didn´t try to reach out to you¨. Rejections on the mission make us even stronger as missionaries. I always think with every person that says no there is someone out there who will say YES.

The work of Salvation is about converting, reactivating and strengthening each other. I love this gospel. 

My first companionship exchange (intercambios) was this past week. Hermana Meletz is one of our Zone Capacitadoras, she is a fire-ball. My confidence in teaching has grown so much. I am not afraid of difficult questions. It helps me become a better teach and to truly learn more. Simplicity is Key!!!                 

Be bold. Share the gospel. 

Thank you for your constant love and support. I truly feel fortified each week.

Hermana Meletz, mi capacitadora de Zona

A members pollito, i loved these little things 

Forget Yourself and Go to Work

Hola Mi querida familia y amigos,

Oro por ustedes Diario! He aprendido Mucho en esta ultima Semana aquí en Coita. Cada día aprendo que esta obra, es la obra de Dios, el esta apresurando su obra para la segunda venida de nuestro Salvador, Jesucristo.

This week has been a week of love, diligence and work. 

On Wednesday I had my first Zone Conference with President George. If I hadn´t said it before, I love my mission president. He is the Best!! His focus during conference was hastening the work, and more importantly remembering to Go To Work, forget ourselves and be obedient. 

He shared with us a quote by President Ballard that says, ¨It is a privilege! There is no greater joy in this life than to be anxiously engaged in the work of the Lord.¨ It truly is impossible to fail with the Lord on our side, as His missionaries.

¨Cada vez que, en sentido figurado, toman a alguien de la mano y lo presentan a Jesucristo, sentirán la profundidad del amor del Salvador por ustedes y por la persona cuya mano tomaran.¨ Moroni 7:33 ¨Si tenéis fe en mi, tendréis poder para hacer cualquier cosa que me sea conveniente...¨

This week as we were street contacting one of the men, named Noe accepted to have a cita with us. We went to his house later into the week with the intention of teaching him the Plan of Salvation. As we taught him and his wife I felt the spirit so strongly. I felt that my words were not my words, it reminded me of my fairwell talk, with each comment, in heart and in my mind I knew the spirit was guiding me to say that which would touch the heart of the Perez Family. I simply can´t describe the feeling. After the Lesson me and my companion left their home and I asked her, ¨Did you feel that?¨ She said she did. There was so much power in this one Lesson. I felt so happy. As we walked home all I could feel and think was how grateful I was to be a part of this obra. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ lifts the wounded, heals the sick, strengthens the weak, softens hearts and changes lives. I know it. I am lucky enough to see it happen everyday. It isnt easy. And when there are hard days and everyone is saying no, all I think is, ¨If it werent easy for Him (our Savior, Jesus Christ), Why would it be easy for me?!¨

We have several baptisms planned for this upcoming month. Please continue to pray that each of our investigators will come to church, keep thier commitments and soo enjoy the blessings of making their first covenant on this earth, baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

My remidy to everything, if I am every feeling anything but happy I simply just laugh. I have found that Laughter is the way I am able to keep that ANNNIIIMMMMOOOOO everyday. 

D&C 100:5-6, a scripture that gives me so much confidence. 

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is our privilege, our responsibility to share the gospel. Work with the missionaries, they need you more than you know. One of the biggest challenges here in Coita is member-missionary work. Yes the missionaries are thankful when you feed them but that is not enough. Give them referrals! And set a specific time and date in which that referral (person you know) can come over and have the missionaries there. You have no idea how thankful they will be for your willingness to help. Remember by helping them who you are truly helping is our Heavenly Father. And because of your willingness to serve he will bless you with more blessings than you can imagine.

The time to work is now! I know with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. The heat, the sweating, the walking, it will all be worth it in the end. Being a missionary is the greatest blessing. There is nothing but beauty in the gospel of Jesus Christ. My devotion and commitment to the Lord is strengthened each day. 

Keep the prayers coming. I can feel the love. Thank you for your constant words of encouragement.

p.s. My companion Hermana Hernandez is Hilarious. She´s just as crazy and happy as I am. It makes for the best memories. We are always laughing.... I love it.

Los Amo - Hasta La Proxima.

ANIMO Y Sean Feliz,

Hermana Coronado 

Read the Book of Mormon and pray to our Heavenly Father to know if it is true. It will bring you more happiness than you can imagine. 

 Una pared padrisima en Coita, hay un Carnaval en Febrero aqui a el que todos festejan en grande

Mi Cumple-Mes de la Misión, whooo!

Funny story, before coming on my mission I use to stalk Hermana Hickman´s blog to see what Mexico was really like then my first Zone meeting I saw her and told her I knew who she was and we both died laughing... She´s awesome!

Presidente y Hermana George

Favorite blue house in Coita

El Reino de Dios o Nada

Hola!!!!

Things here in Ocozocoautla are going good. There are always ups and downs to the mission life. (Mostly good). 

On Tuesday night is was Pouring outside so I figured i´d wear my water shoes all of Wednesday to be prepared. Wednesday started of as a SUPER hot day, but around 6, 6:30pm it started to Pour. Me and my companion didnt mind. We only had one kids size umbrella and were dying laughing because the wind kept flipping it inside out. Later that evening when we were preparing to go home I started to feel blistering swelling on the sides of my feet because of the rubber rubbing against my ankle. We were 3 blocks away from our house and I thought, it hurts, so I took my shoes off and walked home barefoot. When we got home I thought, ¨Oh man, I didnt step on glass or any rocks. The Lord is looking out for me¨.

On Friday I had my ¨Cumple Mes¨as a missionary! Whoo! haha. That by far was the best day of the week. Everything seemed to be going perfect. Street Contacting all day, and everyone kept agreeing to have a cita with us for that weekend. Our investigators were going solid. I committed two investigators to being baptized August 23rd and they accepted.By far the most nervous and thrilling experience. Especially because as a missionary all you want is to help these people and you know baptism is the Only way. The start of their eternal happiness.

We have 11 solid investigators. Each vary,some have doubts about the restoration, others have faith but need to Act, each have their desafios but I know the Gospel can and will continue to help them change their hearts, change their actions and mold them into the Person our Heavenly Father sees them as. 

 I know that me and my companion are continuing to find the ¨escogidos¨ de Coita. We are working with the Hernandez Family, they have intitative and a desire to do the right thing, they only problem is they´re not married. We´re working on it.Hermano Hernandez has a little problem with the word of wisdom but reads his Book of Mormon daily. He´s already in Jacob. 

 We have a new investigator named Victor, he is very receptive. He reads his Book of Mormon and prays. We have Mario del Rosario and her two children. They are by far my favorite. I´ve always heard of - the look - when you just know they´re understanding the gospel and have a sincere desire to do what is right. Thats her. I´ve had one of the most spiritual lessons with her as we talked about the temple and bore our testimonies of eternal families. Her husband is coming around. We hope to begin teaching him this week. 

On Sunday we had 7 of the 11 planned to For Sure come to church, our districts goal is to have 5 investigators in Sacrament every Sunday. After an incredible Sunday last week when only 2 of them showed up I felt saddened. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. A member named Mario brought 2 of his friends to church with him. We taught them a little bit of the Plan of Salvation after Sunday School. After relief Society, one of them, Maria de Los Angeles told me, ¨Quiero saber que es la naturaleza de Dios. Quiero saber cual es la verdad¨. It was like magic. I told her that she was in the right place. That these questions she had I and my companion would help her answer. And that one day she would say just as I do that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church of Jesus Christ. The true church. She smiled and said she hoped.We found a family who just suffered the loss of their 19year old daughter. They understood the Plan of Salvation. Each day I am amazed at how the Lessons fit into each persons life depending on their necessities. This gospel is for EVERYONE. 

There is so much work to do here. I feel overjoyed to be the one to be able to serve here. As a missionary i´m continuing to grow each day. As I testify of the truth of the gospel I truly am becoming more converted to the gospel as others are converted. I am here to change their hearts. There´s a quote by Bishop President Gary E. Stevenson that says, ¨You have the Savior of the world on your side. If you look for His help and follow His instructions, How could you fail?¨ I testify that this is so true. 

I am here and will serve with my whole heart as long as the Lord will let me. I´m here to soften hearts, to allow Everyone to know these truly are the Last days. There is a plan of happiness designed for everyone.

I love the scriptures. Read the Book of Mormon. Find joy in reading them. It is truly a blessing and priviledge. 

Thank you for your support, love and prayers. I truly feel strengthened by them each day.

Hasta la proxima. Los quiero mucho, 

Hermana Coronado 

Updated Mailing Address!

Hey y'all!  Here is Hermana Coronado's updated mailing address:

For letters: 

Hermana Bethsaida P. Coronado

Mision Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez

Calle Jazmines ·210

Fracc. Los Laureles

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico

C.P. 29020

She would love to hear from you!! 

ANNNIIIMMMOOOOO Y BENDICIONES

So much to share.

Crazy/ Funny things that happened this past week.

Apparently Chiapas has a lot of Earthquakes. This morning around 6 I woke up after I felt my bed and walls shaking, my companion called over to me and said, ``Esta temblando``, I didn`t respond, I didn`t even move... haha. Lets just say I was really tired... But all is good. I along with my companion am doing great.

Here in Ocozocoautla Everyone sets fireworks, whether it`s 9a.m., or 4p.m., or 10p.m. At 5:30a.m. there`s always a man that walks by outside ringing a bell, it`s sooo loud.People like to play music here, like everyone. As we walk down the streets we`ll hear like 4 or 5 different songs within a matter of a few blocks. I`m slowly but surely getting use to all the noises here!

Many people in Coita, if not all love calling me ``guerita``. A few days ago we were walking by a couple of borachitos and one of them told me ``gooood morning``, i laughed and said, ``buenas tardes``, it was like 2p.m.

On Sunday after church me and my companion were walking and this man approached us and asked if we could give him 10 pesos, we told him we didn`t work, we were just here to share the gospel. He kinda understood and said next time he`d go proselyting with us all day.Hahah. The drunk people of Coita are never a bore!

Top words here in Chiapas: todos dicen ``no o si pue`` = no or yes, ``a la mecha`` = cool

Now for the GREAT news!

Last Sunday was rough when all our Investigators didn`t come but Yesterday it was like majic. We`ve been working really hard with this family, Cesi and Jose Luis Fernandez. When me and my companion arrived at church, as we walked into the Sacrament hall we saw the elders had 2 investigators and we thought, where are OUR investigators??? Then we saw the entire Hernandez Family. J.L.,, Cesi and their 3 kids. My heart was swelling with joy. I couldn`t even contain myself. As Sacrament continued my companion told me ``Hermana, ``hay mas``. We ended up having 11 investigators at church, 5 of them were kids but still. AHH. I was sooooo happy. One brother named Edwin came up to me and told me, ``I want in on this``. It was like music to my ears. We`ll begin teaching him Tomorrow!

We had began our fast for ``La Obra Misional`` Saturday afternoon and the second we started it I felt Sunday was going to be a great day. There is So much potential here in Coita. I`m feeling so much more confident when I teach the gospel. The spirit truly is our guide, our key to testify the truth. It is such a priviledge, a pleasure to be able to find the `escogidos` here in Coita. One of the main goals is to turn this Branch into a Ward by December. There are 2 other missionaries, Elders in the ward. At times I think of how blessed I am to know that Heavenly Father trusts me enough to be placed here. 

The gospel changes lives. It purifies our hearts. It stregthens our souls. It edifies our testimony. 

Please Give the Missionaries Referrals. Now that I am a missionary I realize just how important it is to tell them who you know that could benefit from the Gospel. 

I love being a missionary. I love my companion. Sister Hernandez knows So much about America. I`m teaching her new english words. There truly is power in sharing the gospel 2 by 2. (D&C 42:6). I love knowing the Plan our Heavenly Father has prepared for us. I love knowing that families can be eternal. Thank you mom and dad for being sealed in the temple, for making our family eternal. :)

I love you all so much and pray for you often.

Hermana Coronado

Chocoflan, one of my favorite desserts here

Tuxtla Gutierrez Temple

Paletas Coronado!!!!

Earlier today morning Study

Mi Companera

Yo Soy Zoque...Ocozocoautla!

Hola todos! 

Mi querida familia, como los amo. Oro por ustedes diario. Se que Dios los va a bendicir muchisimo. 

I arrived to Tuxtla Gutierrez on Monday evening. I LOVE it here. It´s so green. There are miny mosquitos here that eat me everyday. As long as I drench in mosquito spray i´m fine, haha. I´m getting pretty adjusted to the heat and humidity. It´s really not that bad. 

Monday evening when I was sitting down waiting to eat dinner all the trainers walked in and Sister Hernandez sat next to me, when she did I felt a very special feeling towards her, like an instant bond.

Tuesday morning we met with our Mission President (then Pres. Cardenas) and he assigned our mission companions. I remember seeing Hna. Hernandez´s photo pop up, and the area of Coita and I just knew she would be my trainer... and she is! I love Hna. Hernandez, she´s such a great example to me. She walks so fast, it´s great because I just can´t go slow.... Hermana Hernandez is such a wise teacher. Sometimes I wish I had a tape-recorder with me so that I could remember everything she says, hahah. 

My first area is called Ocozocoautla, it´s a pueblito 40min. away from Tuxtla (the capital and where the mission home is). It´s a very beautiful area, very hilly, incredibly green. It rains a lot here, it´s humid and very hot. But I don´t mind it. I´m INCREDIBLY blessed. My house here in Coita is very nice, definitely not what I expected. 

Some things that i´m really growing to learn by being a missionary is how important it is to be here for the right reasons: to want to serve the people, to serve with love, to take each day one at a time and more than anything to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ with the spirit. The spirit is the key to conversion.

A couple of awesome things that happened this week: a member fed us fish, eyes, bones, all and all. It´s the best fish i´ve ever had. On Friday when we were street contacting it randomly started to pour, we were soaking wet and still had 3 maybe 4 hours until 9pm, our branch President told us he´d give us a ride to each of our citas so that we didn´t have to walk. Since we´re not allowed to be in the truck with him we were standing up in the back of his trunk. I tried using my umbrella to block us from the rain but it kept flipping inside out because of the wind. Oh man, it was soooo much fun, we couldn´t stop laughing. Days like those just make my heart swell with happiness.

Our investigators here in Coita are semi-solids. I know they have felt the spirit and have faith but they are lacking in action. We had 7 investigators planned to come to church and I was ecstatic until they all fell through the day of for different reasons. I was a little bummed sitting in sacrament meeting until we met Angel, an 18 yr old young man who´s dating a less active mormon girl who decided to just show up to church. They came to sacrament and me and my comps. class on temples and family history. We have a cita set up with him tomorrow. 

Some of our goals here in Coita are to have two baptisms this Month, and to have 20 street contacts every day. So I meet 140 new people a week. Street contacting is my strength as a missionary. I love getting to know people and hearing their stories. It´s so interesting. There are SO many things i learn simply by stopping and talking to people. These past few days me and my comp. have really tried contacting men, we Need more priesthood holders in Coita to make our branch a ward. 

New Mission President: President George. He´s a farmer from wyoming, man on man do I already love him. I met with him this past Saturday. At the end of my ¨get to know you¨ interview I asked him if he could give me a blessing, upon which he gladly did. It was such a neat, bonding experience. Afterwards he told me, ¨I sure wish I could give you a hug right now¨, I smiled and gave him a ¨hand hug¨.

I know the Lord knows us all, individually and personally. There is strength and power in the Doctrine of Christ. I love being a missionary. It´s definitely spiritually, mentally and physically draining BUT The Lord re-strengthens us (missionaries) each day. I know this because every morning I wake up with energy and strength to continue strong. I love declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ. It seems like every time we talk about the restoration of the gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith a LARGE distraction comes up out of nowhere. Even with these distractions i know those we teach are still able to feel the spirit.

There is nothing more beautiful to me than to teach a lesson and have my whole soul be filled with joy. Each time I teach or bear my testimony, my love for the Savior is deepened. This truly is the work of Salvation. 

Be Bold, share the gospel. There are So many people who need to know that Jesus Christ HAS restored His Church upon the earth. The one, and only true church. Here in Coita there are many religions, mostly catholics by name but what I do know is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the ONLY church with the 4 fundamental truths that Have to be in a church to be the Church of Jesus Christ: Revelation, a Living Prophet, the Priesthood, and 12 apostles.

Never doubt it. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. Kneel down, open your heart and the Lord will fill your heart and mind with the Spirit of truth.

I love being a missionary. I love this work and I know this is where I am needed. Please pray for me and my investigators.

5 lessons, 5 church attendances = 1 Baptism = 1 Soul Saved :) 

Keep the letters coming. I love the love.

My address is:

Hermana Bethsaida P. Coronado

Mision Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez

Calle Jazmines #210

Fracc. Los Laureles

Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico

C.P. 29020

With Love,

Hermana Coronado

p.s. Mexico is SO americanized, the music, the food places (carls jr, mcd´s, applebees). It´s pretty interesting.

My bedroom, left bed is mine, not hot water in my shower but I actually prefer it. After sweating all day, cold is good. haha

View from my house´s balcony

Where I study w/ my comp every morning

Where me and my comp. wash/dry clothes

Zoque = Ocozocoautla Dialect

We have investigators way up in what I call a Mini-mtn., and the view is so worth the hike up. It´s so beautiful. 

The fish!!!!

The streets of Lucio Cabañas (very humble people)

(sorry for the email overload!)

Know that I am VERY happy. Love you all!

La Obra De Salvacion

Hola Mi Querida Familia y amigos, 

Manana es el Dia en el que me voy de el CCM. Tomorrow is the day I leave the MTC to go to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. It has been a whirlwind of many emotions, mostly excitement and love for the people I am going to be able to meet. 

This past week me and my companion sister Schmit taught Angel, aka Brother Adlish. We taught "angel" about the restoration of this gospel, the blessings that come from faith and a true desire in following the example of Jesus Christ. Angel was an investigator Brother Adlish had while on his mission in Chile. He is a 56yr. old man whose wife and 3 sons are active members of the church. On Wednesday night as me and my companion were testifying of the truthfulness of this gospel, of the blessings of this gospel the spirit was SO strong we all started to cry. I remember sitting there telling him that he has been given a second chance, a new start. That His family loved him more than he could imagine, that by accepting the baptismal challenge he would be truly happy. It was an experience i will hold dear to my heart, forever. 

It may not have been a "real" lesson but the lessons i've learned this week and at the MTC are so strong, real and truly bless my life. I know there is so much power when we teach with the spirit. I had always heard prior to my mission that The Spirit is Our Key, Baptism is the way. It truly is. When we prepare a lesson, earnestly pray, and teach the gospel the spirit will be there. I know that these experiences will allow me to teach boldly and simply when I get to Mexico Monday afternoon.  

This afternoon I had my last class and heard so many wonderful quotes that strengthened my perspective on missionary work. I have a journal in which i mark a line dividing the page in half; on the left side I write down quotes/sayings/questions that i've heard/really liked; on the right side I jot down all my thoughts, feelings and questions. Afterwards I go back and put a box around the things I feel were inspirational for me from the right side of the page. It's like my own spiritual guide for my life. You should all try it. It's amazing. 

In class today we read the talk "Encontrar gozo en el trayecto" por el Presidente Monson. Unas citas que me encantaron fueron: "Encuentren gozo en el trayecto: ahora", "Si acumulan suficientes mananas, encontraran que han colecionado muchos ayeres vacios". 

I know that I have a very limited time to share the wonderful message that Christ atoned for our Sins. He resurrected, He lives and He will return again. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ Blesses families. I know that Heavenly Father truly has a Plan of Endless Happiness for us (Mos. 2:41). I know that our missionary purpose is based on DDC, La Doctrina De Cristo. I know that Christ truly showed us the path through His example of baptism (Matthew Ch. 3). 

Thank you for your constant love, and prayers. I feel them strengthening me each day. Seek the guidance of the Lord in all you do. Pray with earnesty and sincerity and you will feel a gozo, a joy you have never felt before. I know because I am able to feel these things all day, everyday. It is the greatest experience i've ever had.

Stay strong. Mom, dad, David, I love you SO SO Much. I think and pray for you all the time. 

Hasta La Proxima, 

Hermana Coronado

 Photos that didn't send last time

 My Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico sisters

My MTC district