Health Church and Cigarettes

Hiya! 

 

I AM HEALED! HALLELUJAH!  I am no longer sick (sometimes I'm still a bit deaf) but I no longer feel ill or am in pain. :) I am so so grateful for all of the prayers.

I also recieved some letters and a package/letter this week which helped me so so much. Thank you. I needed them :).

Well. I'm a Trainer. Pros and Cons;

Cons: It is really difficult to plan what to do each day. It is hard to lead in finding and teaching. I feel unprepared..... BUT---------

 Pros: Sister Wai is awesome! I am learning SO MUCH. Because I have to lead and teach, I am learning how to do everything (that I've been trying to do) correctly. I feel like I have a fresh page to start on. I am more obedient and effective as a missionary than I have ever been. I am improving with talking to everyone. Sister Wai has a lot of advice that is SOO helpful to me. I know we are given companions for a reason :). 

 

Sister Wai and I are working together to prepare people to make eternal covenants. And we need to find some of those people. So we have been working on talking to everyone, building our teaching pool and finding new investigators. 

Cool story:

On Friday night we decided to talk with everyone we saw on the way home. We talked to a couple of people who weren't interested or were in a rush and were about to go in our flat. BUT we decided to find one more person to talk to. We pumped ourselves up saying, 'this is the one Sister Wai! this is the one who is going to get baptised this transfer! we just have to stop him and ask him what makes him happy. We can do it!' We stopped a man who was smoking and asked him, 'What makes you happy?' He said 'Football'. He said football is good for you unlike cigarettes (then he threw his cigarette on the ground). He told us that he doesn't smoke (he quit years ago) but he relapsed that day because he broke up with his girlfriend and didn't have a place to live. He told us that sometimes he believes in God and sometimes he doesn't. He does when things are hard and they get better.  We testified that God had put us in his path, that the gospel would bless his life, and that as representatives of Jesus Christ we promised that if he read and applied the principles he found in the Book of Mormon, he would quit smoking and find greater joy and happiness in his life. We were then able to pray with him and set up a return appointment! 

 

Every week we visit two older ladies. That is where the purpose of us being here on earth lies. In being with these two women who have lived as faithfully as they could and are now just waiting to go home. One of these ladies- Sister Julia West- had a stroke last week. We went to see her in the hospital ( The hospital was just terrible.) and we sang her some hymns. It was so sad to see her not being able to talk or control her body when just a week ago she was talking and laughing with us. I just cried as we sang. If there is nothing else that I do with my life, I want to spend it in the company of the sick and the afflicted and the lonely and the elderly. I can always feel the spirit when I am with them. 

 

This week was crazy because of transfers and I failed to prepare a ride for V to church. On 

Saturday and Sunday morning I was frantically texting members seeing if they could give her a lift. I prayed so much in those hours. Heavenly Father provided a miracle. A recently re-activated member was able to give her a lift to church. and another member was able to go out of her way to take V home. Another miracle was a phone call we received  while we were at the bus stop from a man who met the missionaries 6+ months ago. We invited him to church, and HE CAME. It was so cool.

 

Getting to church is crazy. Especially this Sunday haha. It was raining, and as we came outside there was a HUGE marathon being run through the town center. We had to weave our way through and up a HUGE HILL while speed-walking in order to catch our bus to the chapel. It was NUTS but so fun. We caught the bus and all was well :). 

 

Sister Wai is from California, her Mum is Taiwanese. She speaks Chinese (we actually were able to have a Chinese lesson with our Chinese investigator). She loves music.  She makes me laugh. Sometimes she is really quiet but sometimes she just loves to talk. She is so sweet. 

 

All of your emails were just what I needed today :). Thank you so much :). Your prayers and your thoughts strengthen me. I am so so grateful for the letters. I LOVE YOU! 

 

Questions from Mum:

 Does your mission have a theme? Yes, it is 'Truth Will Prevail' ironic innit? Fun Fact: This is the #1 mission in the church. It was the first mission, opened by Joseph Smith right after the church was organised. It is also the mission of the prophets. Brigham Young, David O. Mckay, Gordon B. Hinckley, Jeffery R. Holland, and Quinton L. Cook to name a few, all served here. 

 

:)

 

Love, Sister Coleman

Deaf and McDonalds

If you get a sister missionary sick, she's probably going to want to sleep. And when she sleeps she will feel a litle better but she's probably going to want her Mom. When she wants her Mom she feels homesick. But some members take her to the doctor, so she feels less homesick. And when she gets home from the doctor the mail man will be there. When she checks the mail there is a package from her family from the beginning of February. Which makes her feel loved.

I have been taking antibiotics and tylenol for a week. That's about all they do here in England. Im feeling a lot better. Im still deaf in my right ear which makes talking to people hard. But talking to people was hard anyways :).

Miracle: We texted our investigator V on Saturday inviting her to come to church. She told us she wouldn't be able to make it because her son was sick and needed to go to the hospital. We got to church and the meeting started. Halfway through the sacrament hymn, Victoria walked in! She said she was on her way to the hospital with her son but wanted to come to church for 20 minutes! She stayed for the sacrament and the first talk. Heavenly Father answers prayers. He is always working in our behalf.

TRANSFERS! I am staying in Colchester and I am Follow-up training Sister Wai! She is from California and has only been a missionary for six weeks! I am SO excited to work with her! Sister Mahaffey is White-washing Southend and Training a brand new missionray!! She is going to be so great! We had to come to London Monday night so that SIster Mahaffey could get to know her new area with the sister who is leaving the area. I was placed with her companion who is a 3 month missionary going home today. It is so much easier to be happy and feel the spirit when you are more worried about another person than yourself.

On our way into Lonndon we decided to get some Mcdonalds for dinner. Sister Mahaffey tried to order a hamburger from the 'Saviour Menu' instead of the 'Saver Menu'. It was so funny. Driving through London with Natasha Lamb was so funny. I loved it!!!

Colchester Castle in Colchester, Essex, England, is an example of a largely complete Norman castle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchester_Castle

This week has been interesting because I have been sick. We have spent a lot of time in the flat. But when we went out I always carried a ziploc bag full of my meds. haha. People were very nice and took care of me.

I went on an exchange with the Sister Training Leaders this week. I went with Sister Silva. She's from Portugal, shes 30 years old and she goes home tomorrow. She took such good care of me. She taught me that I need to  be myself. I need to just love people and not worry about the rest. If I am trying to be obedient, and I love my companion and the people in my area, and I love them the way that I am, everything will work out. :) She taught me so, so much.

love, Sister Coleman

Wearing trousers and planting trees

Hiya! Yalrigh? Nice week innit?  

 

Yesterday we taught a girl named J. She is from China! We started to teach her and I realised she never has believed in God. Thought Process: What do I do know!? How do I help her establish a relationship with Heavenly Father? What did Ammon do?

After that I was alright. We taught her about Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ His son, and about the Holy Ghost and how to pray. She gave a beautiful prayer asking if He really was there. It was very special.

 

 

We had a miracle this week! We have an investigator (V) who is from Ukraine. Sister Mahaffey has been teaching her since October, she just hasn't been commiting to come to church. Ready for the Miracle? An elder straight from UKRAINE and from the MTC just moved to our zone. He has only been out for a week!  His name is Elder Calabonko. He came on exchange to help us teach Victoria. He was able to testify to her in Ukrainian of the gospel, of his conversion, of coming to church, the Book of Mormon. everything. He even testified to her about the temple. When she heard about the temple she said to us,

 "Why didn't you tell me about this before!"

Elder Calabonko told us afterwards that this lesson was the first time he really felt the spirit on his mission. And guess what!? V made it to the last 10 minutes of Relief Society!! YAY! 

 

On Saturday, Sister Foster called us up and asked if we could help plant trees at the school where she works. We said ABSOLUTELY! We went over to her house early in the morning and they cooked us pancakes and bacon with orange juice and rolls! UH SO GOOD. Then we changed into trousers-UH SO GOOD! I love wearing trousers. And we went to the school and planted trees with some other youth and YSA. Its so cool cause now when I leave, there will be trees in an England School yard that a 19 year old american missionary planted. :). I felt so spoiled by the food and the fun activity. I just loved it. 

 

We visit these older ladies in nursing homes, and it is such a priveledge to be in their presence. One of them was going to bed when we popped in, and she asked us to help her with her garment top. We were both out of our comfort zones but I realized that she felt safe, and we knew how special they were. 

 

Sister Mahaffey and I sang Daddy's version of a Poor Wayfaring man of Grief at zone conference. I was really worried because I am so congested and have a sore throat, but Heavenly Father made it work. :) We also had some saint donate Girls Scout  cookies!! Sister Mahaffey had a whole box of Somoas! HEAVEN! It was so so great. :)  

 

There is a family in this ward thats last name is Fagg. Their daughter Jade, is at the Provo MTC learning french! They have another daughter whose name is Chloe and their son (who is 8) is Nate. I just love them so much. They make me happy. :). 

 

Sister Vivian Clark took us to get Mcdonalds the other day and I felt like a little kid:). it was good and fun. 

 

How is your cough?  My cough is slowly going away. I got some extra sleep on saturday because I just was not feeling well, and I am doing much better today. 

 Do people in London eat with their left hand? They have a fork in one hand and a knife in the other. :) Lunch time is 'Tea' and yes I have been invited to 'tea' :).

Also, the prams. Isn't it cold? Are the prams on the street? in the stores?  The prams are equipped with mini-sleeping bag things that the kids are wrapped up in. They also have huge sheets of plastic that cover the pram when it rains.  But its just like in Call the Midwife with soo many women pregnant with little kids and prams. Some of the prams fit 3 kids on them. I'll try and take a picture. 

 

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Please send me letters! They make my day

 

love, 

Sister Coleman

Sister Coleman planting trees and happily wearing "trousers".

Sister Coleman with Sister Jordan ( mission presidents wife) for training.

Cats, Laundry and Pie

Hiya! 

This week was great. 

We had a lesson with our investigator Y this week. She is from West Africa. She talks at a million miles an hour haha. We stopped by her house late one evening and she was so tired (single mom with 2 kids, works as a RN at the local hospital) so instead of teaching her a lesson, we cleaned her kitchen for her. Apparently we don't know how to wash dishes by hand properly, and she laughed and laughed at us and decided to be our 'Mum' and teach us how to run a household. We promised to come back on Saturday and do some ironing with her.

 -Went back on Saturday and brought a Recent Convert-M- with us. M can talk at a million miles an hour. So there we were these two women becoming fast friends, talking to each other while Sister Mahaffey and I sat in the middle of them. Eventually, Y sent us into the kitchen to do the laundry while she and M continued talking! 

 After we finished the laundry and tidying the kitchen Y checked off our work hahaha. We were then able to teach about the Plan of Salvation all the way up to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. it was wonderful and so so fun. 

 

There is a woman in this area who has been investigating the church. Her name is B. She is in her 60s and she is from Belieze. We texted her and asked her to teach us how to cook! (mostly we eat pasta, rice, and chicken with veggies and fruit). She agreed. She taught us how to make Tandoori Chicken and Lemon Meringue Pie! It was SO fun! We were just laughing the whole time. Her son lives in Sandy Utah! crazy right!? She said the top of the pie should look like the Utah mountains! it was just great. 

 

I am a Disney Princess. seriously. When I see birds, I whistle at them and they turn and look at me and whistle back. We have long conversations. One bird (found him on Collingwood road) is getting baptised next week. The other bird I met on Straight Road he had a real issue with priesthood authority, and he ended up hosing me. but thats fine because his friend flew over and talked to me instead. I am seriously considering budgeting for Bird seed to carry around with me ;). : ) 

 

We went to see a less active lady yesterday who has 7 cats! If I had seven cats they would undoubtably be horcruxes. 

Anyway- We went to see this lady and she wasnt in but we thought we should knock on her next door neighbors. The house to the right was home to a cute Chinese girl attending Essex University. We were able to talk about the gospel with her and made plans to see her again this week! 

When we knocked on the house to the left a teenage boy answered the door. We told him we were missionaries and that we were out asking everyone what makes them happy. He said weed. hahahaha. (thoughts in my head at this point are OH BOY. this isnt going to go anywhere). Then he said his family made him happy. We talked for awhile about various things. Sister Mahaffey spotted their dog and was DYING to pet her. So he invited us in. We met his mom and talked about agency, how it is never to late for anyone. We testified of Jesus Christ and of Heavenly Father. We discussed why bad things happen to good people. By the end of our lesson K (the teenager) said, "I want to change." We promised him as  representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ, and as  representatives of Jesus Christ, that if he would read the Book of Mormon and apply the principles he found in it, that he would change. The spirit was so strong. 

We are seeing him and his family on tuesday. 

 

It is never to late for anyone. 

The church is true. 

 questions from Mum:

How do you do your laundry? We have a washer in our flat :). We take the bus or walk, or get a lift from members or the zone leaders to get where we need to go. I've gotten really good at flagging down buses :).

 

I love you all! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NATER BATER AND MOMMY!! I love you!! Nate is Great! He is turning 8! Eat some Birthday Cake! Swim in a Lake! Getting Baptised! Gunna wear a tie! That ain't no lie! Birthday Surprise! The church is true! The book is Blue! Im a missionary! Singin to canaries! In Great Britian! Daddy bought me mittens! HAPPEE BIRTHDAE! 

 

love, Sister Coleman :) 

 

This is Sister Mahaffey and I learning how to make Lemon-Meringue Pie:

 

Food and Stars

Hiya! Yalrigh?

Today I got a wonderful surprise! I got a letter from Aunt Lorene and Uncle Lamont with my family history! ! ! Thank you so so so much! I am so stoked to put all the info into my family booklet! :)

 

Remember the person we found from singing to her? K? Well we saw her again this week. I just love her so much. Their family is so similar to ours. The parents bedroom is the living room. We just go up there and sit on the end of her bed and chat.. I love seeing her. Her niece Chloe (ironic innit?) visited with us too. She is 16 years old and for reals she and Emily could be twins. But, I can't decide if they would be best friends or if they would kill each other. :) anyways they are so great. 

 

We had Sunday dinner last night with a family from India and Sri Lanka. IT WAS SO GOOD. I love my life. I told Sister Mahaffey the other day that my favourite word was food ... besides the word 'true'. I seem to use them most often. :) I also spent Chinese new year with a recent convert from China. I wish I remembered chinese! ugh. regrets. 

 

I just love Sister Mahaffey so much. On Saturday, we were having a hard day. We had been mocked and rejected earlier in the evening by a man who tried to tell us there is no God, and it was cold and we kept knocking on doors without any people willing to listen. We were on our way to see a less active member.  And there werent any clouds in the sky. We could see all of the stars, and the moon was shining so brightly. We decided to lay down on the pavement (this was around 8 o'clock pm) and look at the sky. It was stunning. I couldn't help but sing , "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throu'out the universe displayed. then sings my soul my Saviour, God to thee. How Great Thou art, How Great Thou Art! Then sings my Soul! My Saviour God to thee, How Great Thou Art! How Great, Thou, Art." 

 

I know that there is a God. I know that He Lives. He really does. and He loves us. He sent His Son to die for us, so that we could live again. In Him I find hope. In Him I find Joy. I have been called by a prophet of God to preach His gospel. And I will not forsake Him even when the powers of hell strive to shake me and my testimony. He lives. He is not just a story, He is not just a hope. He is a real Being who cares about you and me.  

"33 Fear not to do good, my sons [and daughters] , for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."
-D&C 6:36
This is the truth. Truth will always Prevail.
Love, Sister Coleman

Sister Andersen with G and J:

Sis. Mahaffey and the U pipe

Hiya! 

So my new companion is Sister Mahaffey and I love her. She is from St. Louis Missouri and is just hilarious. We laugh all the time. everywhere. its so great. 

Miracle: So we had one appointment get hosed and we decided to go visit some less actives in the area. We knocked on the door and she didnt live there anymore. As we were walking away (I started to eat an apple) I had the thought: we should knock on the neighbours doors.

 Me: I dont want to do that. I just want to eat my apple. 

Thought: we really need to go knock on their neighbours

Me: I REALLy dont want to. 

Thought: we should knock on their neighbours

Me to Sister Mahaffey: 'We should knock on their neighbours'.

So we did. The first house an older lady who yelled at us to go away. The next few houses weren't in or weren't interested. Then we came to the next house and I had the idea that we should sing to them. Sister Mahaffey was like 'what?!' But she said we could do it. A teenage girl answered the door and I said, 'Hi my friend and I are in the neighbourhood just singing to people, can we sing for you?' she said sure. We proceeded to sing Nearer my God to thee. Which was a struggle since I have an obnoxious cough but Sister Mahaffey did a fantastic job. As we finished singing, the girl's mom came down the stairs and told us how much she loved the song. She invited us in. We were able to talk to her and her family for a long time about the Book of Mormon and we had a prayer.  She invited us to come back on Tuesday to sing (she wants to record it) and share more of the gospel with her. It was a miracle. It was amazing. This is Heavenly Father's work. 

Because we are missionaries, we went tracting on Valentines Day. That wasn't our plan. We planned to go see an Elderly member and share valentines with her. But as we were walking, we kept getting prompted to knock on certain doors. The number on the houses would just stick out in my brain, and wouldn't

(Sister Mahaffey)

 go away until we had knocked on that particular door. I learned a lot. We even have a few new potential investigators! :)

There is a zoo. in Colchester. and a castle. I can't wait to go. 

I just struggle so much with so many things and its hilarious. Earlier in the week I was making pasta and chicken for dinner. But we didnt have a pasta strainer so I tried to use the lid, but I ended up dropping half of the pasta in the sink........... Instead of just scooping the pasta out like a normal human being and throwing it in the rubbish bin, I decided to try and shove it down the drain. ........... I ended up clogging the sink with pasta.... we had to untwist the U pipe and let all the pasta fall out.... and then we had to stick a stick in to fish out the rest..... :) I'm so special. 

AND THEN. 

A couple days later Sister Mahaffey was an angel and made me some Hot Chocolate. While she was in the W.C. I decided to return the favor and make her some. I thought it was funny that she had poured out the hot chocolate powder in a mug and then not cooked it, so I filled up the mug with water and put it in the microwave...........................................It was cinnamon and sugar. not. hot chocolate. the struggle is real. 

The members in Colchester are fantastic! I already have had 2 meal appointments! its only been a week! and there are 2 other missionary companionships in our ward. so awesome. I feel so spoiled :). 

We are teaching a little girl about the gospel. She is 8 years old. Her mom sits in on the lessons, but 'B' is the one who really wants to learn more. We got her a Book of Mormon stories book and she already has read about Joseph Smith and Lehi leaving Jerusalem. She is amazing. 

We helped a family in our ward move house the other day! it was cold! and I got to wear trousers! so that was sweet. It was fun to work and serve:)>

Is Valentines celebrated here? Yes.   Is it a big deal? yes. signs all over the place. 

There are so many single women with babies. soooo many. Its so similar to the Call the Midwife show. They aren't married and they usually have 2-3 children. But they have really cute baby prams. 

 In other News:

"G" Got BAPTISED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't heard or seen if "J" did also, but I think she did. 

The church is true ladies and Gentlemen. the church is true. 

love, Sister Coleman

Hot Cross Buns, Change and Baby Prams

Hiya! 

:)

 

So this week Sister Andersen and I found Hot Cross Buns. The real deal. We saw them and then both of us began to sing the 'hot cross buns' song that you plunk out on the piano when you begin to learn. haha. We sat down on a bench in Faversham and ate hot cross buns. They werent really hot. and they made Sister Andersen cross because they had Sultana's in them (raiseny thingys). So there you go. Now you know :).

 

J is getting baptised this Sunday! She believes the Book of Mormon is the truth. Tonight she is praying to know that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet, and she is ready to get baptised! She hangs out with all of the YSA and she bakes them cakes.  She lives the Word of Wisdom, and knows that Jesus Christ is her Saviour. It is truly amazing to see how Heavenly Father prepared her. If we hadn't had the courage to stop and talk to her that day outside of Asda, uh I don't want to even think about it. :) Also she totally understands the scriptures. She read Alma 32 the other day and completely accurately explained to us what it meant and how it applied to our lives. It. was. awesome. Unfortunately, I am not going to see her get baptised because I am getting transferred tomorrow toooo...... >insert drumroll<   Colchester! Sister Andersen and I both cried. But, we have been prayig so hard that we would reamin together for one more transfer, that I know this move really is necessary to Heavenly Father's plan for me, for her, for our areas, and our new companions. I have had some very selfish thoughts of 'why can't I stay here?' but I told the Lord before I came that I would 'go where you want me to go' not 'i'll go where I want to go and stay where I want to stay which is canterbury.' I know that there are people's hearts who are prepared for me to teach in Colchester, and one of them is probably my own. Another adventure is on its way :).

 

When I told some of the ward members that I was leaving, one of them said, 'no! not our angel!' which was very touching.

He told me, 'Sister Coleman, just sing. and they will love you.' On Sunday one of the YSA (Montana is her name) and I sang 'Gloria' from the Lamb of God together. It makes me happy. Music really does have a power all its own. 

We worked really hard this week. And because of that I noticed that I was able to be prompted and given a greater gift of discernment towards the people we taught. I 

 

Sister Andersen and I  tried to make peanut butter cookies this week to deliver to all of the members. I don't know if it is the difference in altitude or something, but they flopped, and we ended up not giving any of them away haha. Also we used the 'muggings' this week. So so good! 

 

Sister Andersen loves the movie Swan princess! Just like me. and this week whenever we were feeling a little down, we would quote from the movie and make each other laugh. I love Sister Andersen so much. It is so hard to say goodbye. At least I know that her house in Utah is only 15 minutes away from mine. When we get home and get married and have babies we are going to buy cute British baby prams and walk around our country estates together :). #favouritecompanion #wearegoingtobefriendsforlife. 

 

We have had so many cool teaching moments this week. We have an investigator, who we just didn't know what else to say to help with a concern. We would pray in our planning and not get any clear answer for what we would teach, so we did our best to prepare, and then we just went in and silently prayed the whole time. The result was that the spirit really guided us. He really gave us words to say and new ideas that would cometo us at the same time. It was amazing. We are not the teachers, He is. He just lets us participate so that we can learn and grow too. 

 

Change is hard. But I have yet to have a change in my life that has not resulted in me becoming a better person. I know that God is directing the path of my life. And because of that knowledge, I have peace in my heart. I have greater courage to say, 'Come what may and love it.' As Moroni said: "know ye not that ye are in the hands of God?" -Moroni 5:23. I am in His hands. All is well. 

 

Love, Sister Coleman.