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