Some Bad News... COVID

Hello everyone!! I hope this week was a great one for you! It's been a second since I've given an update on a few of the friends we're teaching and the miracles we've seen so here you go! 

☆ Jamaal and his 3 kids are supposed to be baptized not this Saturday, but the next! The kids are still SO excited but we're a little nervous for Jamaal because we don't know if he has a solid testimony yet. So please keep them in your prayers! We want them to be able to be sealed in the temple and be together forever!

☆ Rayell has been praying about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and now KNOWS that it is true. She said she received three witnesses that Joseph Smith is a prophet, one from a dream, through an ad, and from her favorite tv show. So that was so cool!! Her and her family LOVE church and want to be baptized! They're still praying about a date but they're doing great! I love them so much and am so grateful to be apart of their amazing journey!

☆ we got a media referral this week from a lady named Kandice! We called and texted her throughout the week but only got one response. So on Saturday, we drove down a dirt road to her ranch. It was so cool because as soon as she saw us, she already knew who we were and was excited that we were there. After talking for a bit, she told us that her and her daughter want to be baptized!!!! INCREDIBLE! So she is currently praying about a baptism day. We're so excited for her! The Lord is hastening His work REAL quick and there are so many people being prepared to receive the gospel. Please pray for her and her daughter, Rose!

☆ lastly, I found out today that I have covid. RIPPPP. I just feel like I have a little cold so it's not bad. But we do have to quarantine for 5 days :( so wish us luck!!!!!

That's all for now! I love you all! This work is AMAZING! I'm so grateful everyday to be a missionary and serving our wonderful God. HE IS GOOD! and I know He loves you!!! Have a good one! Talk to you later:))

Love,

Sister Coon

Pictures!!

- finishing up exchanges with the Kingman sisters ♡

- new missionary training! SO windy!

- waiting for interviews with President Rodarte (love him!!!)

- got our smoothies ;)

- comp study outside

- throwing away someone's garbage in the pouring rain (Sister Hildebrandt almost threw up because it smelled so bad)

- exchanges with Sister Thomsen!!!

Zone Conference Agenda Idea

Elderes y Hermana,

This is what we've got to send to President and Sister Rodarte, let us know what you think and if there need to be any changes!

Hey President and Sister Rodarte!

Here are the ideas we came up with for Zone Conference to best help our stewardship.

We came up with 3 main ideas, multiple role plays focused on using the Book of Mormon, a Preach My Gospel Chapter 5 training, and a discussion on conversion sharing our own personal experiences.

The way we were thinking this would be formatted is:

Doctrinal Discussion: Lead by President and Sister Rodarte

Training on PMG Chapter 5: Lead by President and Sister Rodarte

- Role Play using the Book of Mormon to Find Someone, lead by Sister Mudrow

- Role Play using the Book of Mormon to invite someone to be Baptized, lead by Elder Graham

Training on Member Work (PMG Pg. 166 - Ideas for Helping Members): Lead by President and Sister Rodarte

- Role Play using the Book of Mormon to help members and invite them to participate in Missionary Work.

Zone Breakout

- Discussion on conversion with a focus on sharing our own personal experiences with conversion and the Book of Mormon. Then, encouraging everyone to go out and share it with others.

- Making goals and plans for every area to baptize! We will counsel together and review January and set goals and plans for February.

We believe that these things will be the most effective in helping the missionaries in our Zones become more converted to the Lord and will put a much greater emphasis on the Book of Mormon being the KEY to conversion.

Elder Lybbert, Elder Radford, Elder Hardman, Elder Marshall, and Sister Coon

I FELT the Atonement of Christ

Hello friends and family!! I'm back again writing another weekly and I can't believe it! It's so crazy how time works on the mission because I feel like I was just here a few days ago but also like it's been weeks haha. This week I hit my year mark since I've been on a mission! Can you believe that?! One whole year of doing the BEST work in the world! I've loved my mission and all the wonderful people and experiences I've had. It's all too good to be true! The joy we can experience from the gospel is real and it is eternal!! So so grateful for that.

☆ I had the coolest experience with the Atonement of Jesus Christ this week and wow. Oh my goodness. I know I feel it everyday but especially this week it just hit different.

It was definitely a harder week, SO GOOD but hard. Every single person we talked to, until Sunday night when we found 2 amazing people (!!), said that they weren't interested, many of our lessons cancelled, and I was just feeling a little stressed with some other missionary stuff. But don't worry! We weren't discouraged!!! God's got a plan and we saw many miracles!!!

But Wednesday morning, I came to my personal study feeling a little overwhelmed. I started reading Alma 37 and came to verse 46:

"O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."

I thought about that phrase for a minute "easiness of the way." Living the gospel really isn't that easy. We should read the scriptures everyday, pray, go to church and the temple, keep the commandments, etc. It takes effort and work! So what does Alma mean when he says it's easy? I read the footnote Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

THAT'S what it means!!! Living the gospel doesn't mean you get a free pass from trials. Life is hard but with Christ, we can do all things. He is our strength. And then it all connected. I could give this weight I was feeling all to Christ and He will take it for me. As soon as I connected that, this burden that I was feeling was totally lifted off my shoulders. I experienced the Atonement of Christ right then and it was AMAZING! 

I'm so grateful for my Savior and for the opportunity I had to apply that into my life. 

That's all I have time to write about today, sorry! There were so many great experiences that happened this week but I really wanted to share that one. I know the Atonement is for everyone and if you're feeling a little stressed too, just give it all to God! He will take care of it.

Love you all! Have a wonderful week!!

xoxo sister coon

Pictures!!

- Kaylon got baptized! As soon as he came out of the water, he raised his hands high in the air and cheered! It was the cutest thing ever

- exchanges with Sister Long

- smoothies

- Kaylon passed his baptismal interview!

- comp study in the truck bed

- baptism on his birthday!

- bathroom break hehe

New Leadership Assignment

Jan 20, 2023

Dear Family of Sister Coon,

 

It is an honor to serve with your wonderful daughter in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission. I am pleased to inform you that she has been assigned to be a Sister Training Leader Trainer of a new missionary. This is a trusted position in a mission and comes to those who have demonstrated obedience and devotion. As a role model, she will provide leadership to other missionaries in her assigned areas.

 

Sister Coon is a sincere and dedicated missionary, truly worthy in every aspect to be the Savior's representative. I extend my appreciation to you for raising such a faithful daughter and sharing her with us.

 

May you and your family experience the sweet spirit and wonderful blessings that our Heavenly Father reserves for those who are called and set apart to serve Him and the Savior in His vineyard.

With all my love and gratitude,

 

Frank C Rodarte Jr

President

Nevada Las Vegas Mission

Trio Life

Hello everyone!! Running short on time again today, sorry! But it was a WONDERFUL week!!! My new companions are amazing and I just love both of them so much.

☆ We had our first lesson with this boy named, Kaylon, whose mom was baptized a month ago. At the end of the lesson we invited him to be baptized and he said YES! So we pulled up a calendar, had him look at it for a second, and then said, "Okay, lets say a prayer right now and ask Heavenly Father when he wants you to be baptized." After teaching him how to pray, Kaylon goes, "Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be baptized on the 16th. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." His mom and I looked at each other in the middle of the prayer, shocked. And then shrugged like, "alright!" Haha it was crazy!!! So cool! I love Kaylon and am so excited! He will be baptized this Sunday so please keep him in your prayers!

☆ 6 friends came to church and it was so busy and so good!!

☆ Sunday, we set a goal of finding 4 people. That night we went out and the first door we knocked on was a family of 4 who wanted to learn more about the gospel! MIRACLES! And now we are going over for a dinner and a lesson Wednesday night. God is good :)

SO many more miracles this week and I wish I could share them all. I know God hears prayers and has a plan for each one of our lives.

Love you all!

Sister Coon

Pictures:

- My new companions, Sister Hildebrandt and Sister Bartholomew! I love them!!!!

- driving to the mission office with Sister Foster, MY BESTIE, and a member gave us $100!! So nice!

- our new friends Seth and Mckenzie! They're awesome and we invited them to pray about baptism!

- sporting our teenage boy truck

- knocking a few doors in an assisted living place

- teaching Kaylon about how the gospel (which we used a stuffed animal to represent haha) has been restored

- dinner with the Luer's

- the night Kaylon said yes to baptism!!!

- our first picture as a trio! Welcome to the field Sister Hildebrandt!

- aftermath of sprout ball on pday

Just saying HI

Hi sweet Annie!

How’s Vegas? Just wanted to say hi and tell you I’m so proud of you and everything you are doing on your mission. You’re one of my favorite people, and I look up to you a lot! I hope you’re doing well! It’s crazy to think you’ve almost been out a year! When you get home, I’ll come visit you! Love you!

Jenna Powers

January 2, 2023

Happy New Year!!

Hello everyone!

I don't have too much time today but I wanted to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wow, this year has FLOWN by! I am so grateful for 2022. WHAT A YEAR OF GROWTH!! I know that this gospel is true. Without a shadow of a doubt, God is real and He is so loving, Christ is my brother and my strength, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on the earth. I have grown a lot this past year and am so grateful for it. I have loved my mission and the wonderful people I've been blessed to meet! I am so grateful for this gospel and so grateful for this season of my life to grow closer to my Father in Heaven. God is good ♡

A few updates from this crazy week!

☆ transfers are tomorrow!!!

Unfortunately, the dynamic duo is getting split apart:( Sister Mudrow is going to Kingman and I am going to miss her so much! But she's going to keep doing great things. Grateful for our 6 weeks we had together!

I am trio training!! I am SO excited for it! Sister Bartholomew is going to be my new companion and this is her last transfer. So in missionary terms, I am killing a missionary and birthing one haha. AND I am going to be a single STL! woah. This will be a crazy transfer but I know it is so meant to be. It's going to be good!!!

☆ we had a lesson with Rayell and her family this week and Rayell had read from the title page of the Book of Mormon all the way to 1 Nephi 3. It made our hearts so happy!! As she was telling us about her reading, she pointed to her Book of Mormon and said, "Not going to lie, I really love this book!!" UGH us too, Rayell!! Tonight they are feeding us a Nigerian dinner and we are planning on inviting them to be baptized! It's so exciting! I love them with my whole heart and just want them to experience the blessings of the gospel to it's fullest. Keep them in your prayers please♡

☆ Lastly, Ruby from my first area got baptized and Jasmine from my last area got baptized!! YAY!

I love you all! Have the most wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Coon

Pictures

- PDAY

- District Council

- early new years celebration!

- Mission Leadership Council

- exchanges with Sister Foster and Sister Thomsen! I LOVE THEM WITH MY WHOLE SOUL!!!

Merry Christmas 2022

Hello friends!!! 

Merry Christmas!! I hope it was wonderful for you all:) My one and only Christmas on the mission was so great and I am so grateful! It definitely is different being away from your family but it's worth it to be thinking of others and preaching this great gospel!

☆ Do you remember the miracle from last week when we found a couple moving in? Well they came to church with their two girls for the first time and they made sure not to forget their Book of Mormons! It was so cute. After the Christmas church service, so many people from the ward came up to them and welcomed them in. It was the best. Then that night, we had a lesson and the mom, Rayell, told us how she received an answer to her prayers during church and she felt so relieved. YAY MIRACLES!!! God is good! 

We've been teaching them about the Restoration these last few visits and mainly about how we have a prophet today. When we told them that, Rayell said, "well I need to learn more about this prophet! I didn't even know about it." So they are currently praying to know if Joseph Smith restored the church and if President Nelson is the current prophet. I know that they did/are and I am so excited for this family to gain their own testimony of that!

☆ We got so many gifts from people (mostly candy) so Christmas night we went to the Riverwood apartments to give them away. Without us even walking away from our truck yet, the kids saw us and yelled, "IT'S THE CHURCH GIRLS!!" and ran over to us. There were so many kids so we just started handing everything out. It was so much fun and they loved it!!! One of them gave me the tightest hug and it was just so sweet  As they left, one of the girls yelled, "Thank you Jesus girls!" Haha I love when they call us that.

☆ I've been studying charity this transfer and I ran across a sentence that I've really loved. It says, "strive to love as He loves, with unfailing compassion, patience, and mercy." I love that the word "unfailing" was used. Because Christ's is always there!! He  loves continually and as we strive to have that love, we can have greater compassion, patience, and mercy. It has been amazing to see that as I've prayed for charity, Heavenly Father has given me more opportunities to grow my heart even greater!! I didn't know I could LOVE this much!!! It's just so good!!! You're more than welcome to join me in this study:)

☆ one last thing, pray that Sister Mudrow and I stay together for at least another 6 weeks!! Transfers are coming up next week and we don't want it to end haha! i love her!!!

Thank you all!! I love you! Hope you have a wonderful week and I'll talk to you later!

xoxo sister coon

Pictures!!

- We did a service project wrapping presents for kids! So fun!

- Rayell and her family at church!

- Christmas dinner with the Zitzmann's

- SISTER LONG!!! AHH I LOVE HER! As soon as we saw eachother at our mission's Christmas conference, we basically sprinted to eachother (we were outside) and gave eachother the biggest hug haha! I've missed her!

- our new car got replaced with a new truck! wahoo!!

- caroling with Sister Luer and Sister Wine

- donkey's everywhere in Oatman

- President and Sister Rodarte  I LOVE THEM!!! THEY ARE JUST THE BEST! I feel so blessed to have them as my leaders

- Sister Mudrow and I matched at the conference!

- smoothies on pday :)

- welcome :))

- Christmas Eve with the Barton's, Zitzmann's, Burgess's, and Voss's

- giving gifts in Riverwood (before the kids got there haha)

- this is what some of my area looks like- lots of dirt haha! It's so wonderful!

- companionship study in the back of the truck. enjoying this wonderful weather!

- we got matching beanies!

Letter from Bishop Larsen

Dear Elder Begleman, Elder Blonde, Sister Coon and Elder Wearne,

I have been meaning to write to you and tell you how proud I am of each of you and the work you are doing for the Lord. I want you to know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of myself as well as the other leaders and members of the Chaparral Ward. I ask your families how each of you are doing every time I get the chance. I know first hand that a mission can be full of ups and downs.  Each day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to grow and learn and rely upon the Lord. 

I think that was one of the greatest blessings I took home from my mission. It was the knowledge that Heavenly Father was aware of me and of each of His children. He cares for them and wants them to find joy in this life. That doesn't mean that life is without challenges but as you know those challenges and trials are what help us to grow. The ward is doing good and looks different from when you left. We have about 100 new members that were previously part of the Cooley Farms ward. We also have new youth and of course new members that have moved in. I get the chance to see your missionary plaques each time I leave my Bishop's office and it inspires me to be a better missionary myself. It's also a reminder for those in our ward that are future full time missionaries. 

I am excited to report that we had a convert baptism in our ward last week. He is 18 years old and goes by Dee (Full name: Miracle Koiti Tamadee Ah-Von). He moved here a few months ago from American Samoa and is living with Sister Lana Rehberg. He has a great spirit and we are hoping that he feels welcomed and loved. If there is anything we can do as a ward to help you please let us know. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and know that we are thinking about you. Please be safe, trust in the Lord and enjoy the experience. 

Love,

Bishop Larsen

Letter from Bishop Gibbons

Hello Sister Coon,

I can’t believe that another year has flown by and now it’s Christmas time and a new year is around the corner. I always have loved Christmas because of what it stands for. For example, colder weather, gift giving and receiving, singing, decorations, family time, and of course the most important reason of all… the birth of Jesus Christ. 

You might think I am crazy but I don’t enjoy receiving gifts. I enjoy giving them to others. The act of giving is peppered throughout the gospel of Jesus Christ. A couple of examples of this are…First, it all starts at baptism. We decide to give ourselves to Christ through the ordinance of baptism. In turn, He makes us clean. Second, each week when we partake of the sacrament we give our free will to Christ by remembering him and keeping his commandments. In turn, He gives us his Spirit to always be with us. Third, we give our time, talents, and all that we have been blessed with to Him and to do His work. This is done through callings, obeying the commandments, temple work, being a disciple of Jesus Christ, and being a missionary. In turn, He blesses our life with more blessings than we can count.

I want to let you know how proud I am of you. You are special to me in so many ways and I love you so much and I know you are where you should be. I know this church is led by Jesus Christ and it is true. I love my Savior and I am so grateful to and for Him. He means everything to me. 

I now serve in the primary activity day for 10 and 11-year-olds. For one of our recent activities, we asked the boys to write a letter to a missionary in the ward. I have attached a PDF that has their letter. I hope you enjoy it. If you feel like you would like to respond to them, please send me an email and I’ll make sure they get it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,

Bryan Gibbons