Letter from James

So fun sister coon! Looks like a fun nerf war! haha love you and cant wait to see you this summer! work hard out there.

For my studies this week I have focused on the Resurrection and life after death. I think one of the greatest revelations in the restored gospel is the spirit world! That is one piece of the plan of salvation that all other christian religions completely miss!! DC 138 is an outstanding chapter from Joseph F Smith (Hyrum's son). The revelation was given on October 3, 1918. 

Just to give you perspective- Oct 1918 was the DEADLIEST month in American history due to WW1 and the Spanish flu. Remember, WW1 ended Nov 1918 and had a total of 9 million deaths. At the same time, in 1918 there was a massive global pandemic called the Spanish flu. This pandemic killed over 5% of the world's population (50 million people died)! It was exponentially more devastating than COVID-19!! The total cumulative deaths for COVID-19 (who knows if this number is actually accurate) is 6.9M deaths. That is still a lot of people but that is NOWHERE close to how many died from just the Spanish flu. 

Needless to say, I don't know if there could have been a better time to receive revelation on the Spirit World than in 1918!! What incredible timing the Lord has!

Not to mention Joseph F Smith was well acquainted with death... his father Hyrum died when he was 5, his mom died when he was 13, and he had 10 children die in infancy. So what an incredible blessing to learn that his children would have the blessing of the Spirit World!

I hope you get a chance to read this:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/introduction-to-family-history-student-manual/chapter-9?lang=eng

I loved sharing this perspective about life after death with my investigators. I hope it helps!

Love you,

James

Happy Easter

- interviews with President & Sister Rodarte

- nerf war for pday

- our neighbor, Emil gave us the sweetest Easter basket

- exchanges with the hermana's!

- exchanges with the sisters!- Easter Sunday :)

Letter From Meg

Annie! I can’t read your emails without tears coming to my eyes. UGH my emotions!! But seriously!! this time of your life is sacred. I am so happy for you and proud of you. 

James and i went and had dinner with my mission president and his wife and one of my favorite companions tonight and they are sacred to me: They were a huge part of my conversion story!!.. New York is also sacred to me!! It was there that i feel i truly came to know the Savior. Now, your mission president, his wife, your companions and the Las Vegas mission will all be sacred to you too. It’s something only another full time missionary gets and it’s so cool. And THATS why I cry reading your emails. The savior is with you in that work in such a tangible way and because I’ve been there it makes me emotional to think someone I love gets to be there too. Pretty one of a kind. :)

You will forever be grateful for your mission as I am for mine and I’m sure of that because you work hard, find the good in the midst of what you and i both know can be very hard, stay HAPPY, and are obedient. 

Last thing, in the Spanish hymn book the song “scatter sunshine” is “siembra gozo” or “plant joy” which i think is a great visual. You are a person who scatters sunshine. Someone who plants joy. At home, too, but especially as a missionary! Keep that up. 

Love you so much Annie girl! Thank you for planting joy in me!! 

Meggers 

Letter from Hope Rowley

Annie!!! I miss you, when my mom told me, me and penny ran over to see it! BTW Penny says hi. When will you come back? I’m doing choir. Happy Easter! (Such an amazing day) When you come back me and my piano will be waiting ! Oh and I have a new baby brother! His name is Bronson Noble! He is sooooooo cute I love him . I hope you have lots of fun! Hope i see you soon!

-Love your fav student Hope

Following Him is the Only Way to Happiness

HELLO EVERYONE!

Happy monday! hope you had a great general conference weekend! wasn't it so good?! this week was INCREDIBLE! we saw so many miracles and it was so fun to get to know my new area and companion:) Foothills YSA is wonderful!

Here's a few of the miracles from the week:

☆ First day in this area, we were walking down a street and ran into this guy named Carlos! Shared a scripture with him and he said yes to wanting to learn more! We then were able to meet with him a few times later that week (which actually was such a hassle finding him because he kept getting lost haha). But on our second lesson, we invited him to be baptized on April 22nd and he said yes! YAY! He's ready for a change in his life and so excited to have a big new family. Please pray for Carlos!

☆ We were leaving an apartment complex Saturday night and there was this guy that was about to get into his car. We asked if we could share a scripture with him and he responded with, "I do a lot of drugs." We said, "well, do you want to change?" He thought about it for a second and said, "Actually, yeah kinda." haha it was awesome!!

That next day, he came to the church to watch the Sunday afternoon session of general conference with us and loved it! After he texted us saying, "...idk you guys are cool if you want me back I'll come back lmk. It's literally like an alternate reality. I like it." WAHOO!! Yes, please come back! We need you! And now he's coming to fhe tonight!

☆ It seriously felt like we had very little time to be missionaries this week but each time we went out, the Lord truly magnified our efforts. We were able to find 12 new people to teach and talk to many others! I know if it wasn't for His help, that wouldn't of been the case. He is good 

Alright, love you all!! Remember what President Nelson said this weekend, "Following Him is the only way to enduring happiness." It's true!! This is pure joy and it's just THE best! so keep putting Christ in the center and everything else will work out. 

Have a great week!

Lots of love!!!

Sister Coon

PICTURES!

- lesson with Carlos!

- our friend, Paul, in my last area who is getting baptized on the 22nd! (And the wonderful Sister Borup)

- General conference watch party

- the sweetest neighbor, Emil!!

- bye to Sister Hildebrandt 

- Mission Leadership Council

- Sister Long & Sister Seibold:)

- my daughter 

- left this guy a card saying "But Christ does understand."

Letter from Dad

Hello Annie Girl,

I am so excited about the new and white field you are heading out to harvest. You are going to love it! As I read your last letter, I noticed a lump in my throat and my eyes getting very moist. I was so excited to hear how you and your comp took the inspired challenge to commit someone to baptism. One every day! Way to be Sister Coon! I love your attitude, faith, obedience and love you have for the Savior. 

I am sorry to have missed your phone call last night. I know it was a very busy day and your superb letter made up for it. 

Did we tell you the missionaries came over last week for dinner and gave a good message? While we were eating, I asked what they were going to challenge us with. I said hey, why don't we call Kevin and Jen down the street and ask if you can share a scripture with them on the doorstep. Jen is going through challenges with alcohol. Kevin said they would take a raincheck. Oh well, we will follow up. 

Utah has received the most snow on record. 700" at Snowbird. We have been praying for moisture, now everyone is saying no more. We are fickle people. I was supposed to fly last Wednesday but the plane turned back to the gate with technical difficulties. Hannah and I will try again this Wednesday evening. Laurie and Marty were to fly home from Ut last Sunday but the plane was delayed until today. Allegiant is truly a discount airline. 

Sunday, in our Come Follow Me discussion, we asked how our personal soil is doing. Are we continuing to prepare it well for the Savior's seed of faith? Hannah said she is reading and praying more. We are committed to reading every night before prayers. I took some seeds and planted them with the Sunbeams. That was cute!

I better get back to work. I love you and live the mission life again through you. Such a great time of life. God is good, He loves all of his children and you are one of His chosen daughters. 

I love you,

Dad

March 28, 2023