THRIVING

Talofa everyone!

Transfers are here and Sister Welch and I are staying in this area another 6 weeks!! I'm so grateful, happy, and excited! I love this area and my companion I've got lots of things to say this week so hold on haha

☆ Roger and Ave were baptized on Saturday!!! Both baptismal services were so good!

We had a lot of less actives that we're trying to bring back participate in Roger's baptismal service and they did a fantastic job. The spirit is always so nice during the baptisms. After Roger was baptized, he was able to bear his testimony and it was amazing! His change has been incredible to see. He shared how clean he felt. That he never wants to quit and that he's so grateful to have such a big family now.

I wanted to give a little recap of his story. On June 28th, Sister Thomsen and I were driving to a lesson. It was 4th of July weekend so there were American flags lining the street (so beautiful!) We were at one stop light when I noticed one of the flags touching the ground. So I decided to pull into a gas station to fix it. As I was climbing up this little hill, Roger was on the street corner selling his art that he made out of soda cans! He came up and helped me fix the flag and we got talking. It was crazy because I didn't even know he was there! God just placed him into my path. He definitely had a very interesting perspective about religious things but he was down to have us come to his house for a lesson! We got his address and set up to come that next week. 

The first two lesson went pretty well but during it we kind of got some weird vibes. The next week, our fellowship fell through so we just left a note on his door saying we're sorry we missed him and gave him our number. Again, God's timing is amazing!! That was so meant to happen. Instead of meeting with us, he was able to have some one on one time with the Book of Mormon. And when we came back, it was no longer a strange obsession with us but he had been converted to the gospel! 

After that, he progressed so fast and only missed one Sunday (because he thought he had a ride but no one ended up showing up). That's the power of the Book of Mormon! God truly had been preparing him for the gospel and know he is just THRIVING!

☆ Ave has an amazing story as well. She came to visit her Auntie for the summer and it was only supposed to be a 3 month trip. That second Sunday that she was here, they went to church and she knew this was something special. She said, "her spirit was yearning for a connection with God." And when she went, she could feel that power.

So she started taking lessons (mainly to please her Auntie) but ended up really gaining a desire to learn more. 8 weeks later and a lot more converting experiences, and she was baptized!

But MY OH MY, this last week leading up to her baptism, the devil was working SO hard on Ave. The most I've ever really seen! She ended up going to the ER and had lots of different doubts flood her mind. It was HARD! But she stayed strong and rely found comfort and strength through prayer.

☆ At her baptism, while she was getting back into her clothes, Sister Welch and I taught the Restoration and it went great! As I was reciting the First Vision, the spirit hit me hard and I got all choked up, which was the first time that's ever happened! I know Joseph Smith is a prophet called of God! He really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. I know it!

☆ Ave's SO funny!!! I LOVE HER. We were talking to her after the baptism and she said, "wow that was real! Like I thought it would feel like going into water at a pool but that was POWER!" The Priesthood is real!

☆ Another thing that happened this week that that just reminded me of, our friend, Eddie, got a Priesthood blessing. After it, he just sat there for a second and then said, "I could feel that throughout my whole body." It was amazing.

☆ Last story. One day this week, Sister Welch and I were sitting in our car responding to texts real fast when this guy came walking around the corner. We nicely waved at him and he kept walking. All of a sudden, he walks behind our car and stood right next to Sister Welch's window! It was creepy!! She quickly made sure we locked the car and then he went to the back seat and TRIED TO CLIMB IN! It was weird!! He went back to our window and just stood there. Uhhh creepy. So we cracked the window a little bit and asked if we could help him. After a few seconds of silence, he says, "oh. I was just looking for my friend." And then walked away. Grateful the Lord protected us

Alrighty! That's a few amazing experiences from this week! It's so cool to be surrounded by so many spiritual moments. I'm very grateful. And now Addy's baptism is going to be in 30 minutes! So get ready for some more good pics next week! This work is great!!! Don't forget GOD LOVES YOU

Tofa Soifua!!

Sister Coon :)

P.S. if you emailed me last week, thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it and you'll get an email next week! Sorry, ran out of time today:)

Pictures:

- Roger's baptism!!! 8/27/2022

- Ave's baptism!!! 8/27/2022

- visiting our sweet lady, Augustine! visiting our sweet lady, Augustine! 

This was the first time we met her and honestly was a miracle. She was baptized a few years ago but her health has been pretty bad lately so she hasn't been able to come to church. We've tried to have a lesson with her before but when we came, she wasn't home.

So finally, Friday night we were able to meet her! Originally, we had something else planned but that had fallen through. So with 30 minutes left of the night, we decided to say a prayer and ask God where we should go. Augustine's name popped into my mind so we drove over there!

As we were about to get out of the car, Augustine, her daughter, and 2 grandkids pulled into her driveway. She got out of the car and yelled, "I've missed you two!" and then gave us the biggest hug. We were both a little taken off guard but went with it and told her we've missed her too haha! Right after, she welcomed us into her home to have a "Bible Study." She was so sweet and now we're working on getting her to the temple!

- Gary, from my last area, came to visit me at church!

- after District Council lunch with the sisters

- the Mighty North District  (plus a few others)

- Benadryl sleep hits different

- cute little puppies