2 Great Commandments

Hi friends! How are you all?

This week was another week filled with miracles. We've really been able to experience God's timing and it's amazing. He is incredible.

☆ On Friday, we knocked on a member door who's been struggling but they didn't answer. So we decided to go a few houses down to another member and they let us in. We had a quick little lesson with them and at the end, the mom started to cry. "Thank you for coming over. I really needed this." She has 3 young kids and her husband has been working nights and sleeping in the day so it's been really hard on her. In fact, in 4 1/2 minutes he was actually going to go to sleep! So it was the exact time that we needed to be there. Isn't that crazy?!! We caught them at the perfect time and the spirit was able to touch her heart. I was blown away!

THEN, we walked back to the first house and the family that we knocked on was outside! So we were able to talk to them and share what they needed to hear as well. It was so great. Another testimony builder that God is aware of all of us. His timing is perfect!

☆ A little update of all our friends: (please pray for them)

- Matthew and Ariel are baptized!

- American flag Roger and Ave are still preparing for their baptisms and so excited!

- our friend, Addy who is staying with some ward members, came up to us last Sunday and asked to start taking the lessons. She went to Matthew and Ariel's baptism and after said, "one day I want to do that." So we were able to have a great lesson with her the next day and set her on date for August 27th! She's so excited!

- Eddie is no longer on date because he has one little concern. But we know that as he continues to do his spiritual CPR (church, pray, read) he'll come to know that this gospel is true and have that desire. We still love him though! He's awesome

- Stephanie's dad is back from Africa so she's praying about a baptism date. She told us last time how excited she is to go on a mission. She's so cute!

So those are just a few of our favorite friends! I feel so grateful to know and learn from so many amazing people. God is good and this work is moving fast! And as for myself, I'm still lovin it;)

☆ Here's a thought I've really loved this week!! Christ has given us two great commandments, right?

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Matthew 22:37, 39

Lots of times, we seem to be worried that if we share our testimonies and the gospel with our friends, that we might somehow ruin the relationship or make them feel weird so we shy away from even saying anything. I know I've definitely felt like that before. 

But the first commandment is to love God. That's the priority! So, if we're truly striving to do that, we can have the courage that whoever God has put in our path is for a reason and that we can can share the gospel with them. Share that light that you have! This gospel is true and for everyone. 

It's greatest gift you could ever give someone. We're talking about eternal life! About true joy! So don't be afraid to open your mouth and let people know what really matters. That's how we can show we love God and our neighbor.

D&C 100:5- 6 "Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say."

Keep God in the center and everything else will work out:) so my little missionary invitation for you this week is to pray for experiences where you can share a small testimony with someone. And then when God does give you that opportunity, do it! I know by doing that, your testimony will be strengthened. So will you do that?

Haha okay that's all for this week! Sorry it was kinda a fatty but God is good! Love you all!

xoxo sister coon

lots of pictures today!

- my Samoan name tag finally came in!!

- adventures on bikes at 9pm in Vegas... gets a little crazy 

- exchanges with hermana jacob and hermana fletcher!

- Ave and "auntie" came to the baptism

- my bike kinda got wrecked this week (flat tire, pedal broke, my helmet clip fell off). Each time we came home, there was something new with it. It was so funny!!

- stopped at Nielson's frozen custard after new missionary training  10/10 recommend (especially when missionaries get 50% off)

- we got a text from one of our friends after our lesson saying that he got us a gift but forgot to give it to us! So the next time we were in his apartment complex, we stopped by and he gave us these 2 flowers and bracelets. It was so nice!! But then, after talking to him for a second, we started riding off and all of a sudden he goes, "wait! Sister Coon, I have to tell you something." Then proceeds to tell me how he really likes me and asked me on a date (which was the 2nd time I got asked out by someone this week). "And Sister Welch, you're really great too. I appreciate your company. You're a great friend." Haha love life! And don't worry, I politely declined:)

- the cutest little note

- our friend, Addy and her adopted sister, Jordan, at the baptism

- Matthew and Ariel's baptism, August 5, 2022. They've been taught by missionaries for 2 years so it was a really happy day! Ariel couldn't stop smiling and it was the cutest thing

- i love my super star missionary, Sister Welch