Week 47 - December 26, 2017

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!......and especially that you remembered the true importance of this holiday. Presents and Christmas trees are good, families are much better, but Jesus Christ is the reason we're celebrating. I hope you all went out of your way to show more love for people and to spread the light of Christ on this special day.

My Christmas was fantastic! I feel so blessed to be here during this special time of year. The night of Christmas Eve we had a party and gift exchange with a bunch of members. Something I thought was funny was that, instead of a bunch of desserts and stuff, they had a table full of fruit. Like, it was good, I'm a fan of fruit, but I was kind of like, guys, where's the chocolate at.

Afterwards, on Christmas day, we had a big barbecue with a family of members. I ate sheep meat, one of the favorites here in Rio Grande do Sul...it was pretty stinking good, actually. Afterwards we spent the day knocking on doors and singing Christmas hymns for people. That's what I call a good day.

As for Brazilian Christmas traditions, I have to say I'm a little disappointed. I love Brazil, you guys, don't get me wrong, but on Christmas day everyone just stayed inside their house drinking and listening to loud music- and not even Christmas music!

 

I hope you all took up on my challenge from last week, to invite some friends, neighbors, family members, etc. to go to church with you, come to an activity or family night, or to hear the message that the missionaries have to offer. If not, it's never too late. As we're going into the new year, I hope you've all been thinking about some goals you can make and some ways you can improve in the year to come. I'd like to invite all you to really think, study, and pray about some specific spiritual goals you can make to be a better disciple of Christ and a better member missionary. I love this quote from Elder Ballard about why setting goals is such a necessary thing:

“I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don’t set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life.”

Stretch yourself. Go beyond your limits. Recognize the great potential within you. Be who your Heavenly Father wants you to be. 

Have a great New Year, and may 2018 be the best year yet.

Love you all, thank you for your prayers, presents, love, and support.

Sister Coleman

Week 46 - December 18, 2017

FELIIIIIIIIIIIZ NATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (almost)

I can't believe Christmas is almost here and the year is almost over. Time goes by so stinking fast. It also doesn't even really feel like Christmas here because it's SO HOT. It's almost funny to see Christmas trees and lights and such because it doesn't seem to match with the scorchingly hot temperature. On that note, almost no one decorates their houses for Christmas! I've only seen like 3 houses in the entire city that put up some lights outside, and some people put a tiny Christmas tree on a table inside their house....but that's it! 

But, luckily, Sister V. Araujo and I have decided to take it upon ourselves to spread the Christmas spirit a little more here in Arroio Grande. We spent the majority of the week knocking on doors and offering to sing Christmas hymns. And we are seeing MIRACLES. Literally everybody has let us in to sing for them, and after which we share a small message about the real purpose of Christmas, why our Savior came into the world, what is possible because of Him, and how we can remember Him during this season. We have found several incredible families this week who have already agreed to be baptized, all starting with offering to sing for them. Without a doubt, Christmas and music brings miracles!!

We're also working with several investigators who are SO CLOSE to being baptized. D and J, an amazing couple, will be baptized the second they get married. They are the literal definition of the elects of the Lord, people who have been completely prepared by him to receive the gospel and be baptized. Several other investigators are having some serious problems giving up addictions with smoking and drinking, but they have a lot of faith, and I'm certain they'll be baptized soon. All the prayers for these people possible would be much appreciated!!

Also, most importantly, a Christmas challenge for all of you reading this!: Think of a gift you can give to Christ this Christmas through helping others receive this gospel. We're so blessed to know what our Savior did for us and to really understand why this season is such a joyful time, but not everyone has that privilege. Bring someone to church, organize a special family night and invite a neighbor or friend, pray about someone you can present to the missionaries. Christ came into the world to save us, now He needs us to help save those that still don't have the truth. Stretch yourself a little bit this Christmas, go the extra mile in serving others, and you will see MIRACLES.

I love you all, and hope you have the best Christmas ever. (Enjoy the cold and snow for me.)

Love,

Sister Coleman

Week 45 - December 11, 2017

I don't know what's happening that I feel like I'm having so much less time to write every week, but yet again, I only have a few minutes left....sorry.

 

I miss snow. Send me pictures!

 

 From Madi's Mom:   Although she didn't have time to give us an update, we were able to confirm the time we get to SKYPE with her on Christmas.  YAY!!!! And she sent some photos.

Week 44 - December 4, 2017

I don't have a lot of time left, so I'll just give you a quick update:

Training is going well, but this week was super hard as far as investigators and numbers and everything go, and I'm feeling a lot more pressure on me- from the mission president, from the members, from myself- to do better so that my companion can gain the experience she needs and never get discouraged. And that pressure is kind of building up and now I'm getting pretty frustrated with myself, but I'm sure things will get better. 

I'm still going great, loving what I'm going. Excited for Christmas! Even with the lack of snow and such.

Hope you're doing great. Miss you all!!!

Love, Sister Coleman