Stripling Warriors

Hiya! 

This week was a talk to everyone and try to find new people to teach sort of week. J-- dropped us (not sure why) but A-- and her Partner went to church in Ipswich!! woohoo! so great. N--is moving into the Basildon ward so we will be handing her off to the Basildon missionaries. 

We went to London last p-day. We went to Oxford Street and saw all the Christmas lights, bought hot roasted nuts, saw a man roasting chestnuts on an open fire, went to the DISNEY store HAHA! and to a large toy store where we  played with all of the toys. haha it was a fun p-day. 

I LOVED the letters from Grandaddy to Daddy when he was in England! haha they were brilliant! 

I love you so so so much! 

The Lord is aware of each of us. He hears our prayers. 

I gave a talk in sacrament meeting this week and I shared this quote from Elder Bednar, it was powerful for me:
'The stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon (see Alma 53; 56–58) prayed earnestly that God would strengthen and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. Interestingly, the answers to these prayers did not produce additional weapons or an increased number of troops. Instead, God granted these faithful warriors assurance that He would deliver them, peace to their souls, and great faith and hope for their deliverance in Him (see Alma 58:11). Thus, the sons of Helaman did take courage, were fixed with a determination to conquer, and did go forth with all of their might against the Lamanites (see Alma 58:12–13). Assurance, peace, faith, and hope initially might not seem like the blessings warriors in battle might want, but they were precisely the blessings these valiant young men needed to press forward and prevail physically and spiritually.
Sometimes we may ask God for success, and He gives us physical and mental stamina. We might plead for prosperity, and we receive enlarged perspective and increased patience, or we petition for growth and are blessed with the gift of grace. He may bestow upon us conviction and confidence as we strive to achieve worthy goals. And when we plead for relief from physical, mental, and spiritual difficulties, He may increase our resolve and resilience.'

The Lord hears and answers our prayers.

Not sure if you are experiencing the same thing, but this Christmas seems so much harder than last Christmas. And It has caught me a bit off guard because I am not one to really be homesick. I am pushing it aside, but it is something that keeps popping up in quiet moments when I feel alone.

I felt the spirit very strongly during the Sacrament this week. It was a promise of forgiveness and the chance to try again and again. I love you all!

SPEAK to you next on Christmas. :)

love, 

Sister Coleman

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire 

I was not there in Bethlehem to hear the angels sing

Hiya!
It was a singing  sort of week :). We sang in town centre and gave out
flyers for the choir concert twice. We had someone walk up and ask for
a Book of Mormon. Which was cool:). We had some members come the second
time and it was so so fun. On Sunday, we had the concert. I sang the
Shepherds Carol from the Forgotten Carols. That was fun. I walked up
too soon haha and the audience laughed. It was all good thing. I also
had been fasting and had drunk so so much water before the concert
which was a huge mistake.... I really needed to use the toilet the
WHOLE concert. It was a miracle I made it through haha.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Havering came to the concert and wanted to
chat with me and the other soloists after the concert. The Mayor invited me to enjoy all the pubs in the area and I said that we don't go to pubs. He said that if I haven't gone to the pubs night life  I haven't experienced the culture of England. Hahaha. He also told me why Havering is called Havering (pronounced: haven-ring) there was king Edward the confessor he had been out hunting and had no money. A beggar asked him for money, so he said here 'have a ring'. Havering. Ba doom psh :).

( The gold ring recalls that, which according to a legend dating back to the twelf^th century, Edward the Confessor gave as alms to an old beggar, while attending the consecration of a church dedicated to St. John. However it is not until later that the name Havering is connected with the legend, in a version appearing in a chronicle dated circa 1436. The beggar was St. John in disguise, and he latter returned the ring the King, with the message he should 'dispose of his goods, for within six months he shall be in the joy of heaven with me, when he shall have his reward for his chastity and good living'. The legend led to the erroneous belief that the name Havering was derived from the words 'have ring' uttered by the King, the legend gained so much credence that it is depicted in sculptures in Westminster Abbey and Ludlow Church. There is no contemporary record connecting the Confessor with Havering, but the legend strengthens the probability that he was the predecessor of Earl (later King) Harold who held the Manor of Havering. The Confessor's and the other Saxon king's links with area are recalled by the Saxon crown.)http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Romford

I went on exchange with Sister Fenu and that was really really good
for me. She served In Romford at the beginning of her mission. She was
able to help me make a game plan for the area. I also met with the
Bishop's counselour and set up a weekly correlation with him.
I'm also organising a young men and young women's Christmas party for
them to invite their friends to. We only had two young women at church
on Sunday and two young men. There are 12 less active youth and
families that I hope to activate with their families. Sacrament
meeting was quite small, but the members have great faith.
A young man, L-- was  baptised in Ilford on Saturday but he
moved to Romford so he was confirmed in Romford on Sunday. His spirit
is so strong.
Please  watch the new Christmas film #asaviourisborn and the
second video 'Why We Need a Saviour' at Christmas.mormon.org.  It is
powerful.

I love you!!!
Sis. Coleman 

Mayor and Mayoress of Havering 

Sis. Coleman and  Sister Katrňáková

Sis. Coleman and Sister Fenu

Romcrest

Hiya!
Ya alrigh?
So, my new companion is Sister Katrňáková from the Czech Republic
(pronounced, kaw- terrrrr- nyah-covah) :) it is really fun to say :).
She is so great. We have been out the same amount of time which is
nice because we share the responsibility of senior companion.
I love her already and we are going to have a great transfer.
We don't really have anyone here to teach so we have been finding all
week. We called a lady from the area book and she met with us and came
to church! Yay! Her name is A--. She is from Nigeria. She is a cake
decorator and has lots of grandkids. We are excited to teach her.:)

The ward here is so great! They are very loving and welcoming. It is
quite small though because lots of members have moved out of the area.
We are the Young Women's presidency of 4 young women, and we are
missing a ward mission leader. The Bishop is fantastic :).

I am taking a lot of the things I learned in Aylesbury from the ward
mission leader and applying them here. I'm trying to organise a
correlation meeting  with the Bishop or his counsellor on a weekly basis. We have a carol concert coming up and I'm getting the elders to come sing
in town centre with us to promote it and hand out flyers. I'm going to
sing one of the Forgotten Carols.

One of my favourite families here are the Parks. Sister Park has  4 children. One of her sons, James, (24 yrs) had cancer when he
was 3 and is paralysed. The Walls back In Aylesbury visit James when
he is in hospital because the Stoke Mandeville Hospital is in
Aylesbury. The youngest is Aimee who is 17. She loves to sing and
dance and perform. She reminds me of me. One of my goals while I am
here is to help her and the other young women be solid in testimony.
#Romcrest ;)

I love you.
Sis. Coleman

How was your Thanksgiving day?
I ate a turkey sandwich from Greggs:) I wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. With a European companion and a non American ward we didn't have any dinner invitations. 

Is English a second language for your new companion Sister Katrňáková? 
Yes,  She speaks really well.  She has already graduated university with German and Spanish.

Is this another University town?
No. This is similar to East London.

What is one thing you are glad about this week?
I am glad I have a ducky print onesie that keeps my feet warm at night. : )

Sis Coleman Sis Phillips

Sis. Coleman and Sister Katrňáková 

Innit' Bruv?

Hiya! yalrigh? Imma alrigh! Ya alrigh? Nice day innit? 

It is transfers and I'm headed back to Essex. Romford.  

I am so so so so sad to be leaving Leighton Buzzard. I would say it is the same or more as it was when I left Canterbury. I feel very stressed. But, I am trying to take it in stride. My new companion is Sister K............... from the Czech Republic. We came into the mission at the same time.  I asked Bishop Fu for a blessing last night and it helped a lot. I love this ward. Please pray for me. 

This week was really good. on Tuesday we did a lot of oyming ( open your mouth ) in a GALE. I don't even know what that means but it was so SO windy. We felt like we were sky diving horizontally. Ha ha but the Lord blessed us as we persevered. At the end of the night we had 10 more minutes before we went in so I thought, 'we better stop and talk to someone.' We stopped a young adult named J-.  She has a lot of questions about why there are so many bibles and why God asks us to sacrifice. We had a great conversation with her (in the middle of a GALE) and she ended up hugging us at the end and setting up a return appointment. She is great. Then as we went home and were planning we got a text. This is what it said:

'Hi there.

I found this card in the middle of a street with your number on it and Mormonism sounds great. Can you tell me more?'

..............What!!??? Our minds were blown. His name is M- from Ireland and he already has a Book of Mormon. We are so excited to meet with him. It was a huge miracle.

Preach my Gospel says:

'the Lord is preparing people to recieve you and the restored gospel. He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you.'

He really does!

It was also really really cold this week. We froze. And made up a new song to the Wicked song 'Loathing'

....What is this feeling, so sudden and new? I felt the moment my fingers turned blue. My pulse is rushing. My head is reeling. My face is flushing. What is this feeling? 

Black as the plague, does it have a name? yes.... YES! Freezing. It is really ,really freezing. Lets just say, we need more clothes!..... 

more lyrics to come.

:) hehe

We had lunch with Tam Grant, he knows that we love Mexican food so he made us some tacos. Then he made us pumpkin pie because he knows about my epic pumpkin smoothie fail.

We watched the Joseph Smith film with M-    He really enjoyed it. He began to be worried that we held Joseph Smith in the same respect as Jesus Christ and we were able to clarify that we respect Joseph Smith as a prophet like Moses or Peter. And that salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. (Mosiah 3)

We also met a lady named T- from Greece we were able to teach her the restoration and commit her to read the Book of Mormon. 

It was just a really good week. We taught a lot of people (still got rejected) but we did teach. (which was a blessing. )

I love, love love this place. these people have so much hold on my heart. Saying goodbye is really hard. I'm not even leaving England and it is hard. I am going to be a wreck when I have to go home.

Anywho, thank you for your prayers and your love! 

I love you! 

Love, 

Sister Coleman

Baked Potato cart 

But not this day.

Hiya!
This week was a tracting kind of week.
We saw M--and a lady named F--. Had some spirit filled lessons
with them.

The Relief Society President is the head of a charity called 'I have a
voice too.' which is for adults with learning disabilities and speech
impediments. They preformed 'Treasure Island' on Saturday at the
chapel. We went and helped with costumes and serving food. It was
really beautiful how Sister Hands works with them. The show was great!

M-- really needs prayers. He has an infection from his surgery
cut. Which is no good. Please pray for recovery and healing. Please
pray that he will have comfort and peace and know Heavenly Father is
watching over him. Please pray that when we watch the Joseph Smith
film with him that the Holy Ghost will bear witness to his heart that
Joseph was a prophet.

I studied a lot about faith and repentance this week. They are the
lock and key to accessing the Saviour's atonement. I also have been
reading about the armour of God. Faith is the shield. 'How to train
your Dragon' taught me that when faced with a choice of sword or
shield, always go for the shield. As I continue to come across people
that mock what we believe and try to tear down my testimony, a shield
always works better than a sword. I am trying to repair my shield and
shine it up from the abuse it has received lately, haha. The best cure
for that is good ole' prayer and scripture study. especially the Book
of Mormon.

There was a Leadership council in England on Saturday for mission
presidents, stake presidents and bishops in the Birmingham and London
missions. Elder Ballard was there. He talked about the recent events
in Paris and said we should not be surprised. He also said that we are
literally at war with Satan. 'If it was a war of bullets, we would be
flattened by now.' We need to work harder, smarter, faster, and
better.
Personally, I feel pretty flattened. I feel pretty beat. But would it
be a good story if there weren't a triumphant rally? a counter-attack?
Harry had to DIE before he could defeat Voldemort. Dumbledore's army
had taken a cruel beating and they were just about defeated when they
decided they would not give up they would not give in and they would
try again.
My roommate at BYU made me watch all of the Lord of the Rings films
and I recall a certain battle scene where they think they are going to
die and they say , 'there will come a day when men's hearts shall fail
them, and so on... BUT IT IS NOT THIS DAY.'

Ephesians 6
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.

 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be
able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able
to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God:

 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;

 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open
my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak
boldly, as I ought to speak.

There may come a day where I literally fall over and decide I am not
ever EVER getting back up, but it is not this day!!!! Please pray for me.
Please pray for me to have courage, and be obedient, and diligent, and
to have faith in the Lord's promises. Please pray for the Aylesbury
ward that the members will have ideas of people who we can teach, or
where we can go to find people who are prepared. Please pray that the
hearts of the people here will be softened. Please pray for me to be
content in the service that I give, and look positively for ways to
improve. Please pray for me to be courageous and full of faith and
charity and hope with an eye single to the glory of God.  And my eye
riveted upon the Saviour and not upon the waves and the winds
boistrous.
I love you all. I pray for you!
love,
Sister Coleman

We tracted a lot this week. I read a quote somewhere that said, 'for every door we knock on, someone gets baptised in Mexico.' which I suppose is true haha.

Adios! I love you! Have a great week! :)

I love you.

Photo Credit James Neeley 

Photo credit James Neeley

Halloween

Tower Bridge 

Hi! This week was great!
On Halloween we gave out 264 pass along cards
with sweets stapled to them in Leighton buzzard and Aylesbury.

 

Pass a long card treats 

It was quite fun:). Sorry this is so short. Life is great. I'm at the
Shepherds for guy Fawkes day tonight. -yay fireworks!
Malcolm is in the hospital again. We visited him with Elders and they
gave him a blessing. I just love him so much. I just want you all to
be his friend. He is so lovely and his understanding of the atonement
is astounding. We felt the spirit with him so strongly.

We helped  a member paint her house and then we went to Stake Conference in Watford. I really enjoyed it. We sang in the choir which I loved. They really emphasized the Sabbath day being a sign between us and God. There were two scriptures where Heavenly Father says 'a sign between me and you'. I need to change my Sabbath day observance when I get home. 

Answers for your questions: yes, they eat a lot of things on toast. Tomatoey beans in particular.  We eat a lot of lamb. We will pile the plate win food and then drown it in gravy. Everything in gravy. I like it a lot (it has been an adjustment). :) 

Yes I have eaten haggis. It was a couple of weeks ago. It actually tasted really good. (But I'm glad they told me AFTER what it was.)

Pudding is another name for dessert. It can be anything sweet after dinner :) 

Clotted cream is kind of like cream cheese but fluffier and sweet.

I love England :) 

I love you this is  short cause I went to London- more next week xxx

Tower of London
Look at the cool slits where arrows could be shot. 

Tower of London 

Tower Bridge 

Tower Bridge 

Tower of London 

Tower Bridge
Thames River 

Unicorn Theater
Thames River 

Tower Bridge over Thames

Sleepy Sis. Coleman 

Alma Street 

Watford Zone