Week 52

Hello to ya'll!

Well, I have to say this week was great!!  We had a workshop for the trainers and new missionaries on Wednesday, and so we went to Legazpi and had a great training!  I learned a lot!  One thing I learned and I am applying is to invite early to baptism...so on the first visit.  We invited Sister Margie Buenavente on the first visit, and she just progressed like non-other, and was baptized.  She was really prepared.  We also invited the Torres family, and they are just ready to be baptized...which they will be baptized on the 1st of November!  Oh man, I just was refreshed on how important the invitation to baptism is.  It will help us see the expectations as well.  :)  Anyways, it was a great training, and I just love love love the work, President and Sister Guanzon, my companion, and everything!!  

So how was general conference?  We get to see it on Sabado and Linggo this week.  I can't wait!  I will really be working on the Christlike attribute of Patience this week! haha! We got to watch the womens conference last Saturday.  It was so spiritual! Luisa Ortiz really felt the spirit, and she was really touched by President Uchtdorfs talk, when He said that God loves all of us.  She is so prepared!! She will be baptized on the 25th of this month!  I am so excited!!  

Okay, so I just love the Torres family!  Tatay is always taking notes in his little notebook.  At church, in lessons and when he reads the BOM!  What a prepared family!  I am so excited for their baptism on November 1st!  I am so blessed to be teaching them.  I love this family so much!  I am pretty much a part of that family!  I love them to death!  They have seen how much the gospel has blessed them, and brought them happiness.  The lesson with them yesterday was so wonderful!  Oh I just have no words to express my love for them, and the love for them, from God.  Please continue to pray for them!

Well, I am doing great! Sister Wilkinson is teaching me so much.  I am so blessed to be her companion.  Last transfer I was really hoping for someone who wants and is exactly obedient!  I am obliviously so blessed This sister is great, and is so obedient!  I love her to death!  She will be training after we're done in December! :)

I love you all, I pray for you all! Please be exactly obedient to the commandments and the words of God.  You will receive many blessings and help from God!  I know that ang Simbahan ni Jesu Cristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw ay totoo! Ito yung simbahan na itinatag ni Jesu Cristo noon, at naibinalik sa pamamagitan ng isang Propeta, si Joseph Smith!  Alam ko po na kung gusto natin na maging masaya, ang ebanghelyo ay yung paraan!

Mahal ko kayo!

Sister Coleman

Week 51

Hello Po!!

Kumusta kayo??  We are doing great here in Ligao!!  Sister Wilkinson is great, and we are getting a long really well.  I love her so much, and I can see so much great potential in her!  She's a wonderful missionary! 

Well, this week has been pretty good.  We have been tracting A LOT and trying to talk with people. Man, we're got to figure out a better way!!  The Torres family, and Luisa ortiz are referrals and are progressing so well!  Why can't people just give referrals who are prepared!!  Anyways, we have been trying to work hard!  I've been trying hard to help sister Wilkinson eat the good food here...and so far she is just like me and eats everything! haha!  I am so blessed to have her as my comp!  

Oh man, so we were coming from one of our areas, and the chain on the tricy broke.  So we waited for him to fix it, and then got back on the tricy, and then after a while again...it broke again. This time it was broken off and he walked back to pick up his motorcycle chain.  Oh man, good thing we weren't too far from our destination, so we just walked a little ways.  Oh the good things that happen here in the Philippines! I love it!

I love you all, I love the work and the gospel!  The gospel is the way!  One of our investigators asked us yesterday, "Why do you always say that the gospel will bless our families, how??"  I am so grateful for the gospel, and I know that we can work all problems and trials out, through living the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ.  I know that as we are faithful to God, and through the Priesthood ordinances in the temple, families can be together forever!  I am so blessed to have such faithful parents!  Thank you, and I love you!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Love Sister Colman

This is my new companion, Sister Wilkinson from Payson Utah.  She's a great missionary!!

Sister McCoard and I were temporary comps while we waited to meet our trainees.  Funny thing, her trainee and my trainee were comps at the MTC.  Also I said goodbye to sis Siola'a, my trainer. Sister McCoard was sister Siola'a's last comp. Small world..or mission. :)  All the trainers and departing missionaries with Pres and Sister Guanzon.

Sister Kwong and my last days together..;(  People in our branch, and the Torres family on the bottom left!  I love them all!!

President and Sister Guanzon with us.  I love my mission president and his wife!  They are so amazing!!

Week 50

Hello Po Family,

Kumusta po kayo??  Ano ba iyan!!  It’s week 50 already??  Time flies so fast! It’s not fair!!  Just so you know, I’ll just stay here after my mission...I love it here!  I love the work!!  I am doing great here in Ligao!  I love it so much here!  I am so happy with my companionship and with our investigators.  We are really really striving to find more though.  We have been doing A LOT of tracting here, and I’m sure all the people know us now! Haha!  Lets just say, my mouth and my tagalong is just about worn out! J  It’s a lot of fun actually being with an American companion.  We get a lot of crazy looks and words spoken to us. J I have learned so much from Sister Wilkinson this past week.  She has reminded me of the energy and excitement we should have about the gospel!  She is amazing, and I am very blessed to be her companion.

So the Torres family is good.  The 3 of the have a Baptism goal date of October 25!  Pray that they will come to church and stuff, and not get sick, so they can come to church.  I would really appreciate your prayers.  This family has become my family here!  I love them so much.  I know they will benefit the church so much!  The gospel has really blessed their lives. They’ve seen it, and I have seen it.  I know that as we diligently live the gospel, and follow the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ, we will be able to receive help and strength to overcome our trials.  I love the gospel!

Sorry for the short e-mail!  I love you all!  I love our Savior and I am so happy!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 49

Honestly I have no idea what week it is...I guess thats not super importante anyways. haha!  Well, Kumusta kayo??  I am doing great here in the Philippines! I have been blessed to be able to be the first companion of sister Wilkinson from Payson Utah!  She is so awesome! She is really fast in picking up Tagalog and the things we do as missionaries.  I've got it so easy. She's prepared!  She is very obedient and is ready and excited to serve the Lord!  I have learned so much from her.  Today she just did this simple act of service that really made me smile and feel that she loved me.  She cleaned/washed my rubber shoes.  Okay, so translating that to a mission in the US it would be shining shoes. haha!  She's so great though, and I do love her!  We have had a lot of fun already!

I said goodbye to my trainer, sister Siola'a on Tuesday. :( It was sad.  I am so grateful for her and her example to me!  She is a very hard worker and loves the people she serves!  I learned so much from her!  I hope that I can serve and love my trainee just as much or more, than my trainer did to me!

Well, our investigators are doing well.  We taught the Torres family last night about tithing.  They already wanted to pay it earlier at church.  Anyways, they are so accepting to the gospel.  They told us that they are so excited to learn more about the gospel, and the things that we do in church!  THey are really prepared!

Well, I need to go now.  I am sorry I don't have a picture...walang oras!! (No time) next week na lang. :)

I love you all!  Thank you for your support and love for me!  I am praying for you all!

Love Sister Coleman

Week 48

Oh man, this week has been pretty good.  It's been full of, "Well goodbye, because I think I will transfer..." haha! So we all thought I would be transferring, pero we got the announcement and it said that I was training! Ano ba iyan!!  Well, I am really happy to be able to train!  I will probably be the one getting trained though, so I am excited for that! :)  I will be in Ligao, my 2/3rd area for 9 months!  Wow, so long!  I love it here though, in Ligao! I am so excited to be able to work in this area with my new companion from the MTC and help this area come more unto Christ!

Well, the people are doing well.  We are really trying to find new people, who are prepared for the gospel!  Please pray for us, and especially the people here, that they will be prepared! I love sharing the gospel and inviting others to come unto Christ!  This work is really the Lord's and I need to give the best to Him!

Well, I love you all!

Have a great day!

Love Sister Coleman

Week 47

Hello everyone!

This week was great!  We had zone conference on Tuesday.  I learned a lot, and I am excited to continue applying it to the work we do as missionaries.  Okay, so the BOM is soooo important! One of our Less active members, always reads the bible.  The bible is true and "is the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly, but we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God.,"  It says in PMG that we need to do all, so that our investigators and Less actives read and understand the BOM.  We have been trying to help him read the BOM, but the Bible is the only thing he reads.  Well, we were teaching and I was testifying about the BOM, and then the thought of what President Hinckley said, that we need to read the BOM everyday, came into my head.  I said that, and then Tatay said, "I will read the BOM, it is  very important and the Word of God."  We also invited him to read them together to understand more.  When we came back, he had read!  YAY!  I am so happpy that he has been reading the BOM!

The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and is true!  The Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the everlasting g gospel. The gospel is God's plab for us, to return back to Him, and be happy!  If we want that, we need to study the BOM every day!!

Well, I am excited for this week and to really strive even more, to do my best as a missionary.  I might be transferred next week.  We'll see.  I love this area and I have grown to really love the people and more, the work of Salvation!

I love you all!  I am praying for you all!

Love Sister Coleman

Week 46

Hello tabi Sa indong Gabos, (Hello to all of you..in Bicol)

This week has been good!  The gospel really changes people's hearts and lives!  I love it!!  Yesterday, this 19 year old guy and his little sister came to church for the first time.  So after the bagyo, we helped them with their house and then a few weeks later, they just came to church out of their own desire. :)  We were able teach them later that day and they are awesome!  They loved and enjoyed church a lot, and said they will continue to come. :)  They are new investigators!  After the lesson they let us taste...cobra!  Yes, Sister Coleman has officially eaten ahas (snake!)!  It was actually really good!  I would eat it again with no problem! :)

Also we had a lesson on Tuesday with the Torres family.  Brother relapsed and drank a little bit of alcohol.  Well, we ended up having a beautiful lesson. The spirit was there.  We taught him, not a lesson. :)  We went back yesterday and he hasn't drank or anything since last Tuesday!  The atonement is real, prayer is real, the gospel is true!!  Ah I just love the gospel so much!!  I love the Torres family, and I have learned so much from them!

We went to out investigator, sister Rena's house this morning and had a delicious lunch that the rice was laid on Banana leaves.  I'll try and send pics next week!  Well, we went and say a small water fall by her house, and then we just saw a gorgeous view!  Ah I love the Philippines!  There is not a better place in the world, besides the temple! :)

I love you all!  HAve a wonderful day!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 45

This week has been great!  We have been working hard and helping our investigators progress.  We have 5-6 people who will probably be getting baptized in September!  We have been were able to find and teach them, and they are all progressing!  I am learning so much from them!  All of our investigators with a Baptism date, except for one, came to church kahapon.  They are so awesome, and prepared.  

Through out this week, I have been trying to catch the vision!  I think it is really doing all I can, and working as if Jesus was my companion.  What would He do?  How would He work and serve?? How would He act?  How was He during His mission??  I am really striving to always be worthy of the Spirit and working as if Jesus is really my companion.  I hope that we will all take that into consideration!  I hope that we will all really become the companion that Jesus would be.  

Okay, so the Torres family came to Church for the 3rd time yesterday!  They are soooo astig!  They are really set for being baptized.  Rena cinco also came to church for the 3rd time.  I really hope that her husband will be okay with getting married in the church, so she can get baptized.  She is so ready to be baptized and really understands and lives the gospel.  She is so much better than I am!

Well, I have had a great week!  I love serving the Lord full Time!  I think to myself sometimes, "Am I really serving a 'Full-time' mission, or am I only serving part time?"  I am really striving to give ALL of my time, heart, might, mind and strength to God!  I love this work!  It is  true, and I refuse to ever stop!

I love you all!

Love. Sister Coleman

Week 44

Hello Everyone!

First of all, happy 7th anniversary to Daniel and Stephanie!  You are such an adorable couple and family! Keep loving God and each other! :)  Well, this week has been great!  We worked hard and found 2 new investigators.  One is a lady that we have been trying to teach, but she's been busy.  Then we went on Sabado and she invited us right in, and we were able to teach her.  She felt the spirit. I did too talaga!  I love seeing people that are feeling the spirit!  

We had exchanges on Saturday! I learned so much!  The sister I went with, Sister Simonson, is a PMG missionary!  Holy Cow, as we taught and found, I have seen that she has applied the things in PMG all of our trainings.  She's great!  I want to really become a PMG missionary and really fulfill my purpose as a missionary.  

The Torres family came to church again! They are sooo awesome!  I love teaching them!  they are so excited about their baptism date.  They always talk about it!  Tatay is soooo awesome!  He told us that before, he always drank and smoked.  When we started coming, he hasn't done it.  Talk about a miracle and change of heart!  I was soooo deeply touched by that!  This family is prepared!  They love coming to church, and when we come over.  They always read and pray.  I love them!

We had zone training this week.  It was great!  One thing that was said is to pray that we can see and love our comps and Jesus does.  I tried it, and I really did feel a great love for sister Kwong. I do love her, and we have a great companionship!  I am so blessed to have her as my comp!  We have so many spiritual, funny and strengthening experiences together.  About funny, real quick, we were walking with one of our Branch missionaries  Gergence, and all of the sudden these 2 bu\ig dogs come running out and barking at us.  We were all screaming and sister Kwong starts swinging her purse to keep them away.  Then Gergence is like, "Just stand still."  Anyways, we almost died! haha!  Jokes.  It was a funny, but scary experience! Ayaw ko ung mga aso!!

Well I love you all!  I do know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is true, and is God's kingdom on Earth!  I love it!

Have a great day!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 43

Hello Po,

Sorry if the week is wrong, I honestly have no Idea!! I just know that the precious time is just flying so fast!  Holy cow, I can't believe I only have like 8 months left! :(  There are many tears with that frowny face!  I love being a missionary!  I have never ever been happier and closer to the Lord!  

This week has been great!  We have done some service projects and also have had great teaching opportunities!  Oh my goodness, so we had a lesson with one of our Less actives about missionary work....at least it was a lesson that led to missionary work.  Anyways, we asked her of she knew anyone who was prepared for the gospel. At first she said she didn't know anyone.  Then we talked and testified a little more, and I can't remember anything we said.  Anyways, right after, she was like, "I actually do know someone, Sister Torres who was taught by the missionaries a long time ago, and almost was baptized, but wasn't because her husband didn't want her to at all.  We were just talking about it the other day, and also she has a BOM.  But I don't know about her husband, because he really didn't want her to get baptized before."  So we were told her that this could really be the right time for her, or for both of them.  She was kind of hesitant still...I guess he really didn't like the church before.  Anyways, we contacted them as soon as we could, the next day.  They, Brother and Sister Torres kindly and excitingly invited us in.  We set up an appointment and stuff and we now have been able to teach them and invite them to baptism.  Their goal date is September 13th!  

This family is prepared, they came to church and loved it. Brother loves the Elders Quorum class, and sister loved Relief Society.  Their grandchild loved primary!  This is such a blessing!  PLease pray for this family!!

We have another investigator, Sister Rena!  She is beyond prepared!  She has come to church twice, has a baptism date for August 30th, and really keeps her commitments.  She is prepared, and ready to live the gospel!  We taught her the W.O.W and she has pretty much already lives it!  She only sometimes drinks coffee, but said she won't do it again.  She really wants o become clean and repent, and follow Christ's example and gospel.  She has such a strong and beautiful testimony!  I love teaching her, and I learn so much from her!

Well, I love the work and I invite all of you to share the gospel in anyway possible, because the gospel is the ONLY way!!!  Only way home to our Loving Heavenly Father!  I love the gospel and I know it is true, without a doubt!  

LOve, Sister Coleman

Week 41 and 42

Hi Family,

so we had a typhoon 2 weeks ago, and have been living without electricity for 2 weeks too.  It's been interesting and fun!  These people are amazing!  The day after the typhoon, they were outside early re-building their homes, cleaning all the debree!  They are so amazing.  I love how hopeful, faithful, loving, hardworking, and selfless these people are.  I have soooo much to learn from them!  Well, we haven't been focusing on teaching so much, but instead, serving people.  We have been  working in our area and serving.  We've done laundry, chopped trees, and cleaned a lot!  I am so  grateful for all the opportunities we have had to find and even teach.  I love the gospel, it's service spiritually and physically!

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week!  Happy birthday John and Charles (the 23rd!).  I love all of you!

Kita kits! Sister Coleman

Week 40

Holy Cow, I've been out for 40 weeks!  No, it was just yesterday I entered the MTC!! Time flies sooooo fast!  Well, this week has been great!  I have learned a lot!  We had interviews on Thursday, so it was so nice to know what things I can improve on to be better.  I always love interviews! :)

Oh man, so we found a new investigator.  Her name is Juby.  She has a daughter who we always see.  She is 7 years old and every time we pass by her (like everyday!) she always says, "What's your name??" I always say, "Ako si sister Coleman" and then lately, because she's asked me so many times, I say, "Alam mo yung pangalan ko...ano ang pangalan ko?" Now she says, "Sister Coleman."  Anyways, so we saw her the other day, we had the conversation that I just wrote, but this time, her mom was sitting out with her.  I went up and started talking with her mom.  She was so welcoming and receptive and invited us right in.  We got to teach her and her family right then, and we are going back later today! :)  I really hope that she is prepared and that we can continue to help her and her family come unto Christ.

Oh yeah, so I reached my 9 month point last week...on the 9th! Holy cow, I can't believe I have been out that long/short!  It really feels like I just got here!  I love being a missionary!  With all the ups and downs, I love it!  I know that we are all children of our Heavenly father.  He wants us to succeed and become like Him!  The gospel is the only way!  Thank you all for your support and love!  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints is true, and that it really is God's Kingdom here on the earth!  Ah I just love this work!

Happy Birthday Jesslyn, Jessica and Jared!  Happy birthday to me on the 18th! ;)  And Charles, happy Birthday to you on the 23rd!  I'll mention that next week as well! :)  Oh by the way, we baked (in our conventional oven ...who'd of thought you could actually bake in one of those...;) we baked biscuits, and dogs in a blanket.  Ah they were so good, and hey, not to be prideful or anything, I was able to make the dough without a recipe!  Whew! I'm glad Heavenly Father Answers prayers that the food we make without recipes turn out! ;)

We had an in active family come to church, that hasn't come for a loooong time! YAY!  It's a miracle!  I hope they felt the spirit!  I love the gospel, especially seeing people live it!

I love you all!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 39

Happy 4th of July!

So this week has been really good!  We have been trying to work hard, and we've seen prayers been answered.  I have learned that God loves each of His Children!  He loves the Bond, Free, Male, Female, child, adult, every single person.  He wants all of his children to return to him!  Man, I need to work so hard to let every single soul here, especially in my area, that the gospel is here, and the way to return back to God is here, on the earth!  I love sharing the gospel. How was I ever "Shy" to open my mouth and tell people about the gospel.  I love the gospel, and I am so much happier as I LIVE the gospel, and SHARE it!  You know, we were reading the Missionary Handbook and it said that even if we are not "Full time" missionaries our duty is to find, teach, and...something else.  (Darn it, I can't remember the other thing.) Anyways, I invite all of you to find people and refer them to the missionaries, and then WORK with the missionaries.  You will have great joy as you do missionary work!

Also thank you for your prayers for us!  We were able to see and feel the results of the prayers.  I know prayer is so real!!  Prayer is so powerful, and Heavenly Father wants to listen to each of us, and bless us.  Pray for yourself and for others!  Also, pray for missionary experiences!  

Well, I love you all!  Thank you for everything you have shown to me!  Keep strong and steady in the gospel. Always do the simple things, and SHARE the gospel!  

I am soooooo happy!

Love, Sister Coleman

P.S Happy Birthday Jessica!!  and Jared!  I'll eat a piece of cake for you on your birthdays! Joke lang...:)

Week 38

Hello to all, and to all a happy 4th of July!

Yep, happy 4th of July! I will be celebrating it with red, white and
blue rice; my version of potato salad, hot dogs, and some kind of
dessert.  Oh, I will make us some smores! Yep, thats my 4th of July
meal...hopefully. :)  Well, this week has been a great one!  We
started it out with like all of our appointments falling through, and
with some sadness and challenges,  but oh it's been a great week!  We
were able to find 7 new investigators and sana they will, at least 1
or 2 or hopefully all of them, will be ready and prepared to accept
the gospel of happiness!  If only they knew and understood that real
happiness comes from the gospel-living the gospel.
 Even though there are so many hardships in our lives, we can have
peace, because of the gospel.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and
I do know that the gospel is the way for each of us, to return to
God's presence!  I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and that through Him
we are strengthened to fight off the temptations of satan, and to
Endure Faithfully to the End.  I know that He wants to help and
strengthen us.

Well, I have learned many things from sister Kwong.  She is so humble!
 Like, I feel so bad that she has to deal with me for 6+ weeks.  haha!
 We have fun together!  She's such a hard worker, and so diligent.
When she decides to change and become better, she does.  She's great!

Yesterday, holy cow!  We were walking on this LOoOoong road on our way
to an area, and it started pouring!  Man, my poor umbrella.  So, yeah
my umbrella didn't even do too much to help with the rain yesterday.
Oh man, and we had Gergence and Jessica (Members) working with us.
They didn't have umbrella's so it was Gergence and I under one, and
Sister Kwong and Jessica under hers.  Man, the joys of being on a
mission here in the Philippines in Tag-Ulan (Rainy Season). I love it
though, it was actually  fun to just not even care and get all soaked
with the rain.  It was actually a freezing cold walk back home...in
the Philippines.  Yes you heard me, it was cold, because of our
drenched bodies and the wonderful wind that accompanied us home. :)
haha!

I am sorry I haven't sent pictures!  I know I am a slacker, but I lost
my SD card reader, so I have to buy a new one, and then...yeah I
sometimes forget/procrastinate to do so. :)  I love you all, I am
still alive and eating! (Eating---that for sure, and another reason
why I procrastinate sending pics...;)

Love you all!  Have a great week!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 37

Hello Everyone!

Kumusta kayo??  I sure hope you are all doing fantastic!  This week has been good.  We've done a lot of tracting and finding.  Oh, I should introduce my new companion..Sister Kwong. (The "w" you double u, is silent, so sister kong) She's great, so diligent, loving and exactly obedient.  I am the loud one in the companionship though.  I feel bad for her, she has to deal with me for 6 weeks! ;) She is from Kiribati, an island in the dagat. (Can you guess what that word means??) She is the only member in her family, and has a beautiful and strong testimony!  I love her!

Well, about tracting.  One day we met a very nice man, from Singapore.  We started talking with him in Tagalog, and then he's like, "English, I don't understand in Tagalog." Oh man, so we were talking with him in English.  He is a Born again pastor person, and is very good.  We had a very good discussion with him, and I was trying so hard to speak/teach/OYM/testify in English, but it was so hard.  Like, Sister Kwong was like whispering these words to me, when she knew I was struggling and couldn't remember.  It was an interesting experience and situation.  Man, I should practice teaching in English. haha!  Well, as we were talking to him, I was trying to think if i had any English materials, pero no, I didn't have any. Then...I remembered a "Mormon.org" card that I had in my wallet from the time of Washington, so a long time ago.  I gave it to Him, and he said he will go to it.  I hope and pray that he does, and that he reads and understands what our beliefs are.  

Well, I do love all the experiences that I have as a missionary!  I love serving the Lord!  I love all the struggles, laughs, spiritual experiences and everything about being a missionary.  Oh, so we taught a lesson to this lady, sister Nelia, and we had sister Merced as the member present.  Well, we left the lesson and sister Merced stayed a while longer after us.  The next time we saw sister Merced, she told us what thy talked about.  She was talking with Nelia and said, "I could hardly understand those sisters because of their accents. Could you understand them?" Sister Nelia said, "I understood them perfectly, their accents weren't too bad."  Can I just say that is a miracle!  I am so grateful that we had the spirit in the lesson so the investigator could understand.  I hope every lesson is like that!  I am glad sister Merced said that.  It really gave me more of a push to do better and always have the spirit with us.  Tender mercy of the Lord talaga!

Well, I hope you are all doing well!  Keep doing the work of the Lord!  I love you all, I love the work, and I am so happy!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 36

Aloha!!

Wow, did that scare or surprise you??  Sige, well this week has been really good.  I've had a lot of fun and good experiences.  I love missionary work so much!!  I can't help it!  So, this week we were able to have a branch FHE.  It was a great turnout.  A lot of our less actives came, and we had some of our investigators come. :D  Oh it was a lot of fun!  We had games, dinner, and presentations and stuff. The Sisters did a hula dance...yes I did a hula dance.  Grabi, hindi ako marunong mag-hula! (Man, I don't know how to do do hula...) It was fun though. :) I hope that it really helped the people who came feel more welcome in the church, and have the desire to come back.  When the members are involved in the Lord's work, it moves forward!  Help with the work of the LORD!

Okay, so guess what??  It's transfers tomorrow, yeah I know, we just had transfers. So anyways, I am getting transferred...into a different area in my district.  I am kind of opening an area, because sister Alabanza is transferring, so I am filing i her place.  Well, I only know her area a little, and so I am nervous.  I know though, that God will help me and my bagong kasama na malalaman kung paano po kami na magprprogress ng area namin. (new companion know how to help our area progress.) We'll see who my new kasama is bukas!  I am excited, but nervous.  So sister Mataele is staying in our area, and so w might be in the same house or i might move to another apartment.  I don't know, because the A.P's haven't let us know yet. It's pretty great!  ;) 

Well, our investigators and Recent Converts/Less actives are doing pretty well.  I will miss them all, well, visiting them in their homes.  Good thing, I will hopefully see them at church. Well, I better go now!  I love this gospel, and I love this work!  I know that whatever challenges and trials there are in our lives, we can really overcome them through, and because of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.  The gospel really is the way!!  I love this way!

Well, I hope you all have a great day!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 35

Hello Po sa inyong lahat!

This week has been great!  It's been full of different companions, area's, and wonderful things learned.  So with the three of us being companions, we have two areas to cover.  So, we switch off, so it's not 1 missionary and a member everyday in an area, but so it's a little bit of both.  I have worked withe branch missionaries, and they are so astig, especially sister Gergence.  Ah I love that girl, she is so strong in the gospel.  Her whole family is inactive, but she continues to be so active, and she strives to prepare for her mission.  She is a beautiful example to me.

So we have been teaching Margie Buenavente's daughter, Shaira.  She is 11, and so gorgeous.  She always comes to church, and is very involved in the programs.  She has a baptism date for July12.  She is so excited about the gospel, and she loves living it.  She is a wonderful little girl.  I love teaching her!

So on Wednesday, we were in one of our area's and an investigator of ours was "Busy" and so we couldn't teach her.  We were close to the house of one of our formers, and so I was like, lets just go down here and tract.  So we started walking down the road to her area, and then we saw her husband riding his bike.  I couldn't stop myself...or it just slipped out of my mouth, but I was like "Is Grace at your house?" (OR in Tagalog, Nandoon pon si Grace sa bahay ninyo?)  He said she was.  Sister Mataele was like, "Maybe thats a sign we need to go to her."  I definitely agreed.  So we went to Grace, and she let us in.  We were asking how she was doing, and then she just started crying.  She has been going through so many trials.  They have no money, and her child has a really high fever, and they can't buy medicine.  Well, we shared with her 3 Nephi 13:31-33.  We promised her that if she would have faith in God, and trust that if she put Him first in her life, He would provide and bless her.  We invited her to read the Book of Mormon, continue to pray, and Come to church.  She said she probably wasn't going to be able to come to church, because they had something important right during that time.  She said she would try and come.

Well, Sunday came and I was on the stand because I was playing the piano.  Anyways, I looked down, and there she was!!  Grace came to church!  What a blessing and true act of faith.  We had a lesson with her later, and she was sooooo happy!  Like, I have never seen her so happy before.  She had a wonderful time at church, and said she learned so much in the classes.  She loved it, and she said she will continue to come. :)  She also  has been reading her BOM every day! Holy cow, thats amazing!  She really has shown her faith.  She has felt and seen the blessings in her life, because she has put God first.  I was teaching, and I felt I should extend a baptism date.  She has a baptism date for July 12 too.  I hope and pray that she will continue to progress and continue to put God first.  I think her husband's heart is softening too.  Pray for this family, the Buenavente family. (It's a different family than Margie's.)

We had zone training on Friday.  It was really good, and I learned a lot.  We have new standards of Excellence.  I like what they have said, that focusing on the Standards of Excellence will help you fulfill your purpose.  Yes, don't only focus on numbers, and teach PEOPLE, not LESSONS of numbers, but set goals, and strive to reach the Standard so that you can fulfill your purpose more.  Don't think that I only focus on numbers, noooo!  But, I strive to reach them, so I can better fulfill my purpose as a missionary. :)

Happy Fathers day!!!  Dad, you are such a wonderful, Christlike and loving man!  Thank you for being so righteous, and raising me and all of your other children in a Christ Centered home.  Dad, thank you for fulfilling your duties as a Father, as stated in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."  You are a such an important example and person in my life.  I love you and miss you dad! (and everyone else..)  Happy Father's day to my Grandpa too, and all of my Brother's in law.  You are all great Fathers.  Keep doing what you are doing!  

Well, I have had a wonderful week!  I have learned many things!  Grabi!! :)  I know that the gospel is the plan of God, for all of us, His children.  I know that in order for us to have true happiness and peace, kailangan po natin na sundin yung plano na ito!  Sobra nagpapasalamat ako na miyembro and missionary ako ng Ang simbahan ni Jesu Christo!  I know that the gospel is happiness and is really the way!  I love you all!  Keep reading, praying, and going to church!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 34

Hello Po,

Sige, so this week has been pretty good. We had a great FHE with the Federico family. We played this game, and whoever lost, got charcoal rubbed on their face.  OKay, so by the end of the game, guess who had the most charcoal on their face?  Yep,you guess right, Sister Coleman. Haha! When we were walking home these drunk guys were like, "Sisters,you have ash on your face..." and then people would ask what happened to us. It was really funny!  It was so funny to see the reactions of the people we walked past.  Oh I just love those moments!!!

On Tuesday, we had our zone conference. It was great, and I learned a lot!  A successful companionship starts in companionship study.  So, in order for me and my companions to have better companionship unity, we need to not only have study, but effective study.  I was really grateful for the things I learned. :) Also, we were practice teaching to the senior Elder, Elder Wilcox.  We had planned to teach to our 11 year old investigator the Plan of Salvation with cutouts.  Okay, so we ended up teaching someone who doesn't speak Tagalog...and who's way older than our investigator. It was so hard to teach in English!  Ah man, so half way through the lesson he's like, "You sisters can teach in Tagalog, I can tell you're struggling in English." haha, it was a lot better though, when we taught in Tagalog. Well, the conference was great!

Wow, we got a new addition to our companionship this past Thursday.  Yet again, Sister Alabanza is our companion again.  Her companion, Sister Pangilinan had a medical release so she had to go home. It was so sad!  But, we get Sister Alabanza again,  she's such a great missionary!  I've learned a lot form her.  Also, we had exchanges this week.  I was with Sister Simonson, who used to be in my district in Tabaco.  She is a wonderful missionary and is so awesome.  She has applied the things we learned from Elder Arden's mission conference.  I need to be better at applying the things I learn from all the meetings I attend.

So last night, a member and I were waiting for sister Mataele and Sister Alabanza to come, well this little girl and her mother were just looking at us, and then I smiled.  Well, they walked over to us, and her mom was like, "My daughter though you were a statue."  hahaha!!  It was so funny and totally made my day!  Okay, so I should move around more when we are waiting for people..or else people will think I am a statue or something.

Well, I love this work that I have been called of God to do.  I love serving God, and I strive to do it with all of my heart, might, mind and strength.  I love the gospel, and I do know that it is true, with all of my heart! I love teaching it, it really brings so much happiness into my life! I encourage you all to help the work progress!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 33

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat!

This week has been really good!  I have learned a lot.  Man, I was thinking about all of my companions and their different gifts/strengths/things I have learned from them.  So Sister Siola'a, she is the most humble person I know.  I am so blessed to have had her as my trainer.  She really showed me that we can always learn and grow, no matter where or who we learn from.  She never said that She was the trainer, in fact, she would always say that I (meaning me, sis. coleman) was the trainer.  She definitely trained me, and taught me by example.  She is seriously the most patient person too.  Man, I am a hand full, but she still endured and loved me and taught me so much!  I love that Sister so much!  I have been deeply humbled by seeing her example and her humility all the time.  

I love both of my other companions, sisters Tou and Mataele.  I have learned many things from them.  Sister Tou is so obedient, and she finds so much joy in Serving.  She is such a hard worker and an amazing instrument in God's hands!  Man, it was a great time serving with her!  And sister Mataele!  She is so great!  We have had so much fun, and spiritual times and growth together.  She is so diligent.  Even though we come home late, like after the time we were supposed to start our night study or whatever, even though we're both tired, she stays focused and AWAKE the whole 30 minutes of 1 hour of study.  I have learned to be more diligent, and especially in Language study, and I have seen the effects of more diligent study. :) I just love my companions and the simple things they show and teach me, through their examples. :)  I have been so blessed to be their companion!

Well we have been trying to find new investigators this week.  We found 6, and so hopefully we can really help them continue to come unto Christ.  I am so proud of Sister Margie.  She is just on the runway and running!  She is really on fire, and loves the gospel.  She just needs to get a calling, continue being fellow shipped and continue to nourish herself in the word of God.  She said the prayer yesterday ion church in: Sacrament meeting, Sunday school and relief society....oh and last week in R.S as well.  She is so happy and it is truly because of the gospel.  She is so excited to go to the temple in 1 year!  I wish I could go with her!  She is amazing, and is a great example to her family, and to me!  

We found a less active family, with the help of our Branch President, last night.  I am so excited to be able to go to their house and help them get on the path again.  It was so sad, they didn't have a BOM. So, we gave them the copy I had. I love giving BOM's to people.  The BOM is the way for us to know the gospel, and the gospel is the Plan for us to return back to God.  I urge, or exhort all of us, to study the BOM.  Even if we already, "Know" the things in it.  We always can learn more, when we follow the invitation in the BOM. Read, Ponder and pray.  I love the BOM!!!

So last night, we kind of did a gallon challenge...okay 1000ML bottle of Water challenge.  Sister Mataele won, but then threw it up right after we turned our camera's off, and then sister Vi got second and I...yes I got 3rd.  Man, but I didn't throw up, I just probably needed more water. :)  

We have a FHE tonight with one of our LA and PM families.  I love this family, and I'm so excited to share with them the Plan of Salvation!  We also have zone conference tomorrow!  I am so excited to learn!

Well, I love you all so much!  I love the gospel with all of my heart!  I learn so much everyday!  I love being a missionary, and serving God all the time!  I am so happy!  Oh and Charles, congratulations for desiring to serve the Lord, and accepting your glorious call to Lima Peru West!  You are gonna be an amazing servant of the Lord!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 32

Hello sa inyong lahat!

This week has been really good. :)  Sister Margie Buenavente was baptized on Saturday the 17th of May.  It was a beautiful baptism.  The spirit was there, and she truly felt the difference after she was baptized.  I asked her how she felt, and she said she was so happy, and her feelings were lighter.  She felt her burdens being lifted as she was baptized.  She has been prepared by angels on high, and she is just on fire!  I am so excited for the day when she can be sealed to her family forever, and be even happier.  She has never missed a Sunday, and she always reads the pamphlets and the scriptures.  I love this lady and I know that she will do so well, and be so much happier in her life because she applies and lives the gospel.  Continue to pray for her family, that they will want the happiness that she has!

Well, on Wednesday we got to do a service project at Tatay Pablo's house. He is such a cute old man and he's a recent convert.  He loves the gospel and has a wonderful testimony.  I love it when he prays, he talks with Heavenly Father sincerely and like he would talk to a friend.  Well, it felt great to do service for him, and I know that service is such an important part of missionary work.  So our whole district was able to come and help, so it was so fun and we felt great afterwards! :)

So I finally have the first vision memorized in Tagalog.  The spirit is so much stronger in our lessons as we testify of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.  Having it memorized really does make a difference.  I try and practice it everyday, and as I do, I have felt myself improve.  Well, I am glad that Heavenly father has helped me learn and memorize the 1st vision, and I am grateful for the different and stronger spirit in our lessons.  We met this old couple last night, Felix and Ligaya. (By the way, Ligaya means happy.  I like that name a lot! It's so cute!!)  They are adorable and had so many questions.  "Why is there 1 God and so many different churches??" I love that question because we have the answer!!  So while he was saying the closing prayer, he thanked God that the Priesthood has been restored.  Man, this couple is so ready!  Please pray for them!  Oh, the reason why I broght them up, is because in the lesson, I recited the 1st vision memorized, and I was able to look them in the eye, and say the things that Joseph Smith said, "...Nakakita ako ng dalawang katauhan...who's brightness and glory defy all descrition, nakatayo sa hangin sa itaas ko. Ang isa sa kanila ay nagsalita sa akin, tinatawag ako sa akin pangalan at nagsabi, Ito ang pinakamamahal na anak, pankinggan siya." The spirit was so strong!

Well, I love the work I do everyday!  I know that this is the "Work and the glory" of God.  I am so humbled to be one of His Full-time servants.  I love the gospel and I know that it is true!  I love you all, and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Love, Sister Coleman

Week 31

WOW!!  Happy Mother's day sa lahat ng mga Ina!  Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagmamahal sa akin, at sa Diyos!  So this week has been wonderful!  Sister Margie had her baptism interview on Sabado (Saturday) and so she's getting baptized on the 17th!  I am so excited for her!  She is so ready and so excited to be baptized and be a member of the Church.  In Gospel principles class yesterday, she was just answering all the questions and participating. It is really amazing to be able to see how prepared she is for the gospel.

Well, we had transfers this week, but walang transfer sa amin. (There was no transfer with Sister Mataele and I.)  It was fun to go and see everyone though, especially sister Siola'a and Sister Tou.  I got a picture with all of my poly's. :)  I love my companions, and I have learned so much from them!  Oh, while I'm thinking about it, please send me some mormon Tabernacle choir, and Sunday music! I need different music to listen to. We listen to the same stuff every day!  EFY...and all that missionary music.  Oh man, I just want mo tab! Yes, this is Sister Coleman talking!  Yeah, there's really no restrictions to music, just approcpriate music, stuff that you know I would listen to on Sunday.....(and on other days. ;) I've always loved beautiful Sunday music!

Okay, back to life, I have been having a wonderful week.  I had a crazy experience as we were walking one day..you ready?  Okay, so we were walking to an appointment, and I was walking by the irrigation ditch.  Well, being the clutz I am, all of the sudden I was falling and bouncing from one side to the other of this little ditch.  Yes folks, I fell into a ditch...I was laying back down, so my whole back side was soaked in...yeah, I don't want to think about what was in the water.  It was a funny experience for sure, but my right leg has been hurting a little bit, and I have a nice bruise on my knee.  Oh the joys of being sister Clutz, I mean coleman. ;)  I will for now on, be more careful as we walk there. 

Well, it was really nice to talk with my family this morning (for me).  You have all grown up so much!  Mom, thank you for being such a wonderful Mother to me!  I really could never have a better Mother for me!  I hope I can be in some small way, like you!  I love you mom, and you really are the best example to me!  To all of my Grandma's, Sisters and other Mothers, I love you all!  You are all very great examples to me!  

Thank you all for your prayers and love to me!  I feel your support, prayers and love!  I love serving the Lord!  If you have the opportunity to serve, TAKE it!  You will never regret serving!  I love the people I serve, and for all that I have learned here.  We have wonderful people we get to see and teach all the time.  I love them all!  Have a wonderful day! 

Love, Sister Coleman

Wow, we had slurpees at 7/11!!  Yay, it was like America!  Oh I miss just walking up the street to get a slurppee. (Man, I don't know how to spell that.)

Week 30

Hello Everyone!!

Well, this week has been geeereat!  I just love serving the Lord and being a missionary even more! Ahhhh!!!  Okay, I love it when I can feel and see the spirit working through me and my companion.  Earlier this week, we were with a Recent Convert family, and teaching them.  All of the sudden I had a distinct impression to follow up on their word of Wisdom.  I was just about to, and then sister Mataele just asked them, right before I opened my mouth.  Was that the spirit, or was that the spirit??  Well, they were actually having a little problem, so it was the spirit, and we were able to encourage and hopefully help them understand more about the WOW.  Well, I am just so grateful for those little experiences that just strengthen my faith of the spirit and this work.  Man, I am so grateful that we both were in tune with the spirit, and were able to help them. 

We were able to find 10 new investigators this week, and I'm hoping that some of them are actually prepared and ready for the truth!  I love being able to share the gospel, and the restoration of Christ's gospel to people!  God really does love us, because He has allowed the kabuuan (fullness) of His gospel on the earth again, in our lives.  I pray that we will share the beautiful restoration with all those around us, even our less active friends.  I also think it is so important and essential for us all to always renew and strengthen our knowledge and testimonies of the restoration of the gospel.  I invite you all to really think and ponder about the restoration.  Study lesson 1 in PMG.  I love the Restoration, and I am so thankful for it.  I know that the gospel that was restored through Joseph Smith is, the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love the gospel with all of my heart!!

We had a CSP this week at one of our Less Actives house.  We moved a bunch of    banana leaves, trees, and rice field stuff into a big pile for them to burn.  It was a great experience, and bonus...she made us all halo halo's.  Thats another one of my...addictions, or weaknesses. they're so good!  I will soooo make a halo halo shop, buko frio shop and Filipino food shop when I get home!  I'll just have to live  in Hawaii, Florida, or the Florida keys. Haha!  

Well, I love this work of the Lord.  I absolutely love being a missionary, a set apart servant of the Lord.  I would encourage e

 

​veryone who is able, to serve a mission!  I know that God will Provide, and will lead the way, as we just follow him and his way.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know that it is the only source of True happiness and peace in this life and the life to come.  I love you all!!

Love, Sister Coleman

P.S. There are no transfers, Sister Mataele and I are together still. :)  We're just loosing Sister Alabanza because she's actually getting a real companion now. 

We went to Legaspi last pday, for a checkup, then we got to eat at a restuarant.  It was so masarap...yes I got a salad!  We made donuts and these bread things with hot dogs in the middle.  I love making and eating food...if you can't tell by the pictures. ;)

These are some of the people we see all the time.  The one on the top left is the Bayola family, recent converts po sila; topos my district at the CSP, at sister Gemma's house, the one under my district pic.  And the left bottom corner is Tatay Poblette.  He is the funniest old man ever!  He always has these jokes and stuff. I just love my area!!