Coming Home!

I keep thinking of the song by Michael Buble called "Home." 

 

"I'm just too far from where you are / Let me go home" 

 

Soon we will be reunited! I can't wait.  It's a bittersweet thing and I have fought a good fight. I still have a few days left to kick as hard as I can.

 

I have seen so many blessings--bigger then any can imagine!  I know my family has been blessed, too.  From baptisms, to protection from guns being pulled on them, to all sorts of trials and tribulation, to marriages, sealings, and all sort of things!  This Gospel is true, and when we serve the Lord willingly, He will bless us.

 

I am so happy I have been allowed to serve amongst these people here in England.  I have gained a love for not just one nationality, but for all children of our Father--from Africa to South America, from India to China. No matter where I go, I have learned to love all of God's children and see them in a different light! I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people.

 

I love this work and I will miss it so much!  I feel the power of God daily and feel so blessed to have had this opportunity!  To all those who want to serve missions: I say go!  To all those who feel burdens: apply the Atonement in your lives.  To all those who seek for peace: open the words of life found in the scriptures and blessings will rain down upon you!

 

I cant wait to see you all!  I love you dearly, and I really am so happy to be coming home.  I love you so much and am grateful for each and every single one of you individually, because you have blessed my life!

 

Love,

Elder Eli Jacob Coon

Return with Honour!

Another Splendid Week!

Well, another splendid week, if I do say so myself!  Things are well here and the blessings keep coming.  Mah Kanu Senior was baptized on Saturday--it was one of the most special baptisms I have gone to.  She bore her testimony and said it was the happiest day of her life; it made me so happy to see.  It was a journey for Mah senior to accept a date and to fulfill it, but she kept saying "I'm so glad you stood by and waited. I'm so glad you did not give up.  I'm so glad you kept praying and guiding me when I was down."  Mah had had a stroke, and the left side of her body is weak, so for her baptism, Elder Rasmussen and Elder Fielding and I all came down into the water and helped her out.  It felt amazing to stand by two of my greatest friends as we baptized her.

Wow, I feel so blessed.  I am so happy and I cant wait to see you all!  It's funny because when I left home I felt as though I was leaving the Garden of Eden into a dark and dreary world . . . but now as I come home I realize I truly am leaving the Garden of Eden and that my life is forever changed because I had the chance to love amongst and administer to God's children!

I love this church, and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to really be able to see miracles, to have angels minister to me, to have the Lord pick me up and guide me day to day!  I am so blessed to have a family who supports me and friends who love me!  I am so blessed to be a part of the Lord's kingdom and prepare for Him to come personally and reign amongst us all!  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

ELDER COON

Ewelina just got baptized and
now wants to serve a mission!

Best Week Yet!

What a week full of miracles and blessings that were so good!  We had 5 baptisms to prepare but unfortunately two did not pass their interviews!  They just need a bit more time but they will progress.

As we prepared Ewelina and also Sean Palmer and Elijah to prepare for baptism, it was a roller coaster ride jumping to and from teaches to address concerns to bless their lives.

The Spirit gets all the credit, as to how we resolved conflicts and concerns.  One had a situation where one partner had to move out and it had to happen in three days . . . you can imagine the phone calls, the stress and the anxiety that followed, but the pay off is always well worth it. One had conflicts with his father, who may not allow his son to come to church . . . so that was crazy.  As we ran to and fro, and in the moments I found to catch a breath, we would receive a text to address some other concern that would come up . . . the sleep was running low and ammunition seemed no where to be found!

Elder Gardner and I were both tired on Saturday morning.  Small conflicts had to be resolved, we even had some stress and we both talked it out and told each other how we felt, and now we are able to understand each other and to better comply with the spirit even more. That night though, we were both so happy as we took these three wonderful souls into the water.  All three asked me to baptize them, and Elder Gardner to confirm them, so it was a great experience!  There was a queue of people! It felt amazing.

Also this week, we had Lorraine and another recent convert of mine come to Reading (Tina Sangroli from Thailand).  They became best friends.  They are going to Thailand in a week to visit, and they came to say their goodbyes before I go home.  It was sad, but it was wonderful to see them! They both are so strong in the church as well, and that makes me so happy!

 Yesterday, we had a teach and the Spirit was so strong.   I wept as I bore testimony and the whole room was filled with tears as I shared experiences and spoke of how much I will miss the mission life!  I love the people whom the Lord has put in my path to bless by His Spirit.

Well, things are great. Today, for P-Day, we went to Poole and played some football on a beach down there. I can't complain.  I loved this week, and the miracles continue to come! 

The Gospel  is wonderful.  I love you all and hope to hear form you all soon!

Love,
Elder Coon

A Call to Repentance

I'm sure we all have heard of the fires and floods in Pakistan and also in other places such as Australia! The earthquake in Chile that was the 7th biggest! Then the huge earthquake that hit off the shores of Japan and caused a tsunami of immense size that shook the earth and shifted the earth (actually made it shift 4 inches and lifted the mountain nearby five feet!)

Sometimes we make mistakes--we wonder if mistakes we make even matter or if they can affect us in any way.  I know that small mistakes can be like a little ripple in the water, or a rock rolling down a hill.  Each in turn becomes a landslide, a tsunami of mass destruction, and an avalanche that makes trees look as though they are plastic and fake!

Just as these small earthquakes (tremors, as they call them) begin to emerge . . . we think nothing of them at first.  It shakes our faith a bit, and it makes a doubt a bit here and there, but it's okay--we will be alright, right?  NOT TRUE.  That is Satan's way of luring you with his FLAXEN CORD which is very weak until it is wrapped around you and he drags you down to his level to misery and endless woe.

I give a caution to those who are making minor mistakes and think nothing of it.  If you throw down the gauntlet and try to take Satan head on, he will wipe the floor with you!  Do not tempt the tempter or think he is powerless!  If we give him an inch, he will drag us a billion miles to hell!

For those of you asking why would this be so relevant, I will tell you: God has called bishops and stake presidents to help us.  He has given us leaders to counsel and to provide for our spiritual well-being!  Some say, "Well, it's not that bad or its just small this once wont hurt."  That is the lie of SATAN, but if we turn to the LORD and apply His Atonement and take hold of every good thing, we will be blessed.  I wish I would have gone in for things that weighed me down a long time ago, but now I know how important it is to take care of the issue the moment it arrives and you will be healed.

Some think "If I don't get to take the sacrament, or I have to wait a few weeks, everyone will judge me."  This is not true.  It will be okay, and God will help you.

We need Him and his healing powers.  I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

ELDER COON

Preparing For Baptism

Wow, what a week!  Loads of surprises and miracles that have happened--I can't complain at all!  Things have been wonderful.

We had to go print off a talk for Zone Leader Council tomorrow, and right when we walked out, we decided to go and to visit a less-active family!  We had a lady call just then, she asked, "Can I come to church with my family?  I met missionaries two years ago." Well that was way good and made me happy so I asked "Can we come and see you?" and she said yes, so we went to see her at 4:30.

Before we met her, though, we stopped by the less-active home and a man answered the door, he asked us to come in.  He was not a member, his parents were the members.  He's probably in his late 30's and he was in tears as we shared a lesson with him on love and cleanliness.  He just wept and said "I really want that!"  He used to spar with some boxers and he is a really good fighter himself.  It was wonderful visit--I think he will come a long way if he applies what we shared.

Then we went to the lady who called us--her name is Abita, and he family is from Pakistan.  They have 3 young kids (a 12-, 7-, and 3-year-old).  The whole family said they want to meet with us again, they even offered to feed us the following Thursday so that is something we are looking forward to! They did not make it to church, but we will get them a lift to church and it will all work out.

After that, we went to a less-active who is coming back this Sunday for the first time in about a year! His name is Pyotir and his girlfriend's name is Ewelina.

We also had a teach with President Hawkins from the Stake Presidency! We shared the Gospel and at the end we asked this woman to be baptized on the 19th!  She accepted and we asked her how she felt.  She said "I feel so happy and good inside."  It was wonderful.  She will have to overcome a lot these next few weeks, so we will have to help a lot, but it will be worth it. Five people are preparing for the 19th to be baptized and we have been so blessed.

I am doing my best to stay happy, but man its stressful trying to keep 5 people happy, ready, and progressing with no concerns, when Satan attacks them form all fronts.  But the peace always comes because I know how much it will bless each of these peoples' lives and families.  I can't wait to see the outcome on the other side!

I love you all!
ELDER COON

The Lord Loves All His Children

My first baptism when I arrived here in Reading was a girl whose name is Mah Louise Kanu: she is a lovely girl and a spiritual giant. Soon after Mah was baptized, she started bringing her niece, Martha to church.  After a few weeks, she approached the missionaries and said that Martha wanted to be baptized!  Little did we know, this was the key to a window of opportunity.

As she accepted a date, I went to work finding some more family members (I heard they all lived all over in the Reading area) and we found Abu Koroma!  We had a good caht (he is an uncle), and he gave us a few referrals, one of which was Balay Kanu (who is Mah's other auntie).  We called and found out she lived below us!  Well, Mah lives with her Nan (whose name is also Mah Kanu) and I taught her when I was in Reading ward before I moved to Woodley ward (both meet at the same chapel).  I'm going to attach some photos so you can see the miracle: 2 days before Martha was baptized, her auntie Balay Kanu accepted to be baptized on the 19th of March, on which day we also have Sean Palmer and Elijah Sasidiya-Taylor being baptized!

At the baptism, I had a opportunity to talk to Mah's Nan (Balay's Mum) and she said I'm ready to be baptized--what day can you baptize me? I answered, "The 26th of March--right before I leave for home," and she accepted for the 26th and is so happy!  At Martha's baptism, there were about 30 non-members who are all family, and we set up appointments for the whole week to teach this family!  I am going to see where it goes, but for right now 4 are either baptized or preparing, and about 10 more are attending church and the blessings are raining down upon us.

The Lord prepared young Mah's heart to accept the Gospel and now all the family is reaping the rewards from Heaven!  I know this happens for a reason, and I love it.  All of them asked me to bear testimony, so when I did, I explained that president had me moving areas but he felt I needed to stay for something--I told them it was to see their family accept the Gospel.  I felt strongly about this and I still do!

The Lord loves his children, I have seen so many enter the waters of baptism, and I am so happy!

I LOVE YOU ALL,
Elder Coon

One More Month!

This week has been bittersweet so far.  As we prepared for moves, I just had some reflection on all the people whose lives we get to effect, and how it really is not us but the Lord and His Spirit that makes a difference.

A few times, I found myself crying during a teach because I am realizing that I won't have this feeling and this comfort as strong for very much longer! The mission is coming to an end, and I have to move on: it's tough. 

This week as I stood in the water and baptized Nicole Palmer, I felt something very strong, and it just reminded me how important this church really is.  I think we let days pass and we forget about the importance of the Gospel because we let little things get in the way.

It's hard for me to focused lately.  I study harder, I work more effectively, and my habits are changing, yet it feels as though this happiness is being shot down from all sides! The pain that comes form leaving home is bittersweet . . . but the pain upon receiving a phone call to tell you that you're going home in a month is sad! It hurts.  It feels as though you're losing the Saviour holding you up! I am SCARED to come home, to be honest with you all, because I love this great work so much!  Just writing this makes me feel a tinge of pain in my heart. 

I know I will adjust, but I want to be someone new and someone who changed his life, just as Nicole and Andrea Palmer let the Gospel change their lives.  When we first met them, Nicole was shy and did not speak much.  Andrea could talk your ears off, yet she has completely changed to someone who recognizes the promptings of the Spirit immediately. Nicole loves the church and the Young Women program . . . I see her cry sometimes when she feels the Spirit.

Because of the Gospel, lives are changed and people are made happy! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO LIVE CLOSER TO OUR SAVIOUR?  It's sad to hear of some who can't be baptized, or those who struggle to go to church, or those who say they are too busy! The Lord is not too busy for us, and He is always there for you and I!  Please do all you can to feel His love.  The Lord's power can change our natures, our attitudes, and our behaviors, I know it.  I am grateful that I get to serve Him

I love this church, I love all of you, and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.


Love, Elder Coon

PS- On Sunday, after they were confirmed, their dad and husband, Sean Palmer, accepted to be baptized along with an eight-year-old named Eli that I get to baptize!  I love this work!  Again, it is bittersweet, and it's up to us to choose what we will partake of!

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

Well, I know Valentine's Day is supposed to be grand and all about the love: lovers buying sweets and chocolates, people preparing dinners and elaborate meals, giving gifts to loved ones.  It's sad it only comes once in a year.

I want to explain a little of what happened this last week: I could feel Satan actually closing in on me from all angles: from home, to friends, to investigators, to my own health at risk.

We had a good week with loads of teaches (to be precise, we taught over 26 lessons with investigators and less-actives, so it was quite good!) We lost a few really good people, but the blessings came as the week ended well for others.

We had Zone Conference, in which I learned many important things.  I felt the Spirit helping me want to become a better and more effective person. My companion and I wanted to make some changes together, and afterward we talked and sang our mission song, "Jerusalem."  That is when disaster struck!  There was more at the beginning of the week: like people getting mad at me for things which I already understood and tried to correct . . . but after this meeting, my stomach started to hurt.  I mean, it hurt, like someone was stabbing me over and over in the stomach! We had teaches, so I decided to go to each one.  I turned up about 15 wrong roads and I felt lightheaded.  I could not think straight, and I was white and pale--I  was burning with a fever, but that did not explain my stomach pain at all.

When we were done, I had a blessing which promised I would heal, and the sickness would be healed.  That night, I did not sleep at all.  The pain was unbearable--I woke at about 4:30 with a splitting headache and went out on the couch had a drink.  Then I went back to the room where the battle of tossing to and fro continued.  When the alarm went off at 6:30, the headache and dizziness and fever had broken, but the pain in the stomach was still there!

We had to go to church, because four investigators were coming, and I could not miss out on that!  So I took the bite the bullet approach.  The whole day was pain on the right side of my stomach--I was afraid it was my appendix or something.

That night, as I prayed, I asked the Lord for help.  I said, "I was told I could be healed, and I believed 100%." I decided that if I did not feel better by the next morning, I would go to the doctor.  But I awoke the next morning and the pain was gone completely! I thanked the Lord as I stood on our balcony. The sun came up and it was one of those moments when you realize how great the priesthood is, how great this Gospel is, and how much Jesus Christ really does care about our well being.

I love you all, and I hope you have a very happy Valentine's Day!

LOVE,
Elder Coon

Sweet Ride

Finally!  Mexican food!  There is no Mexican food over here, so we were really excited to find this place called "The Mission" that serves burritos!

Me and Garder at the park

One Busy Week!

Well, let's start off with the week that made me so tired!

On P-day (last Monday), we ran all over the place, and that evening was full of teaches.

Then we had a wonderful Tuesday as we sat at the feet of our mission president and his counselors and learned how to become the best missionaries England has ever had. We were spiritually fed, and I loved every second of it!

Wednesday came and we had to do so much because it was like we had 2 P-days with the meeting at President's home, so we had to teach a lot. It was a full day and we reached five solid teaches for the day.

On Thursday, we had a driving lesson and we taught our other family who are preparing for the 19th of this month to be baptized!

Friday we had the baptism of Ana Fernandez. She is a lovely daughter of God--19 years old and full of energy, and just so happy to have this Gospel in her life! We had a Brazilian party at her house afterward with loads of food. It was great, I can't complain!

Then Saturday was a busy day--we supported a family and went to their son's football match. We also had loads of people to find and teach--we reached six solid teaches this day.

On Sunday, we had Ana get confirmed. (She was a little late, so the stress levels were high). Then we had accounting all night from about 8 o' clock to 10:30--so it really was such a busy night! We were on the phone back and forth with concerns for the zone how to help individual areas and how to really boost the morale of all the missionaries. We had some good chats and some wonderful talks, we made goals and plans that I feel will get everyone pumped up and moving!

We are loving the work right now. I am definitely loving it, and I can feel so much peace and happiness, and a stronger desire than ever! This last month came and went so fast, and I can tell February is looking equally as fast already. It's starting to dawn more and more how much we really have and how little others have . . . so why not share? It's been constantly in the back of my mind how soon it arrives.

I will be home on April 8th (I hope my dad got the email they sent out from here that gave all the details!) I am scared, and it seems crazy, but reality has not completely set in and I am still fighting a wonderful battle that I will never complain about!

I am happy, as all you should be who have the Gospel and who grip onto it tightly! I love you all and I want you to know I know this church is true!

Love,

Elder Coon

Happy 21st Birthday to Me!

Well, on my birthday, I wanted to make a list of 21 things I am grateful for!

1) I am Grateful to know we have a Saviour who loves each of us individually and knows each of us by name!
2) I am grateful for the plan of salvation for knowing that even if some of make mistakes God has a plan for ALL His children--that makes me so happy!
3) Temple covenants and sealings: the power to seal me to my family forever! I am so happy I get to be with all of you that I love for eternity
4) I am grateful for how living the Gospel and going to church keep families so strong and close together . . . even though sometimes they fall out, the feeling is still strong!
5) For the priesthood power! The same power that our Father used to create the Earth, to heal and counsel and to bless.
6) The blessing of tithing and how living this law can open the windows of heaven if we give willingly!
7) The Family Proclamation, and how it directs us in how we should raise and how to keep our families stable, given through revelation
8) The living prophets and apostles! They who lead this church are called and inspired of God, and I know it!
9) The gift of the Holy Ghost: how it can personally benefit us and others! To receive and share gifts that the Spirit gives us is wonderful!
10) The Atonement, which can cleanse even the vilest of sinners! It can pierce all darkness and cause within our heart a cleanliness that can surpass all understanding and all feeling! For its wonderful effect on body, heart, soul and mind . . . it's truly a blessing that I cannot believe or fully understand, but can partake of weekly (even daily) as I counsel with my Father in Heaven.
11) The Word of Wisdom to keep us healthy, clean, and pure! To keep our bodies, which are temples, sacred and clean
12) The Book of Mormon, for how it changes people's hearts, and helps them to feel of the Saviour's love for each of us personally! For how many (who have been martyred because they would not deny the truth) bear witness of its truth and divinity. I love this book, and hold it dear to my heart
13) Home teaching, which has taught me so much and has helped me realize how important a good home teacher can be. For the opportunity to see God's children return to his fold by love unfeigned, and recognizing that someone really cares about them
14) The Scouting Program, which taught me leadership skills and responsibilities that have help me and also many others I have seen! I am grateful for the programs and the blessings that come from the youth
15) Baptism: to be able to understand how important baptism is and the proper way to baptize
16) For Prayer: understanding how to pray, and how our prayers truly show our love for our Saviour, and God our Father! The blessings I have seen as I have prayed, and also as I been the recipient of so many prayers in my behalf has changed my life!
17) True friends, like Josh Kunde and Travis Empey and Joel Guthrie and James Steffler and Corey Powell . . . all those who have been such wonderful examples to me and who have encouraged me daily! I am so grateful the friendship and that trust that can be built when we are all striving to be like our all powerful Master
18) For Bishops and Stake Presidents, for how they truly know and can discern the feelings and thoughts of our hearts and minds. I am grateful for their guidance and counsel--it blesses me so much to know that someone really does care. To have someone to look to and who can counsel with the Lord makes repentance so much more meaningful and also a blessing.
19) For my brother and my sisters! They all have taught me. Sometimes I can be a terror and someone that they wanted to hit, someone who complained all the time and someone who made mistakes many times and continued to but they put up with me. My brother Everett, who I love dearly for the great example he has been to me throughout my whole life. He helped me endure trials and really trained me how to be a leader and how to do a job right. And for my wonderful sisters: I am so blessed that my Father in Heaven would bless me with 6 beautiful and wonderful sisters who mean the world to me! My sisters are the best big sisters on earth and they are a blessing from God. I love you all dearly!
20) For my Mother, the sacrifice and the heartaches I have seen her endure: 6 girl teenagers and 2 smelly boys would drive anyone crazy, but my mother had the patience, endurance, faith, and desire like no one I have ever met! My mother is the best mum on earth and I am grateful God allowed me to be born to such a wonderful and beautiful mum! She has stuck by my side through through all my dilemmas as they came. She was always there when I had no one else to turn to, and she would hold me and call me her baby even to the day I left her hands and came on a mission. After that last hug, it felt like a lifetime had separated us, as I stepped through that security check and was looking through the glass! My mum is the best because she is full of love, kindness, tenderness, and gentleness! She has all the Christlike attributes, and charity (hands down) has been her defining trait since the day I was born! I love you, MUM!
21) For my Father whom I love dearly, who has always showed me how hard work and persistence really pay off! My Dad is one who does not get down . . . or when he does get down, he does it on his knees. He always asks God to help him, and showed me that obedience to God's commandments is truly what sets us free! The only time I can recall my dad crying is when he and my mother would weep for me and my brother and my sisters: that is TRUE LOVE, that is a True Father! I am grateful that my Heavenly Father would give me an earthly Father who (in my opinion) resembles my Heavenly Father. I love him dearly, and I can't wait to see him again. I feel so weak without my Father's hand to lift me up, to help me when I need help, and to counsel with me on the most important subjects.
God loves us, and he sent me to my family for a reason: I know this is true and I want you all to know I love you dearly.

I have a strong testimony and now that I am 21 I feel like I am a little older and a little wiser, but still the kid at heart that I was 2 years ago! Things have changed--my attitude and outlook has changed, but I am still the same brother and still the same nephew, cousin, uncle and friend that I was 2 years ago (hopefully a little wiser and a little more in tune).

God loves each of you and I do as well! Thank you for all you do, in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

The Day of the Seekers

Wow, what a week! What a joy, a happiness, a fire within all the missionaries! This week we were blessed in our area to take 2 of God's children down into the waters of baptism! It was wonderful, and I loved it!


Elie Wong from Malaysia and Adrian Poponete from Romania! Adrian has read more than half of The Book of Mormon in about 2 weeks! And Elie, bless her, has read loads in English and has (in the short 3 weeks we had with her) found out that God answers prayers and that God cares about all of His children!


I feel so blessed to have been able to serve here in the Reading Zone--we have truly been blessed from on high. I can't explain the feeling, the change, the power that has come. I really am learning so much! Elder Gardner and I can feel the spirit of love and unity as we teach. This last week, we taught a girl named Ana, and we said a prayer with her and talked and extended a date for the 5th of February. She lives in Reading area, but she accepted! We talked to her on Sunday and she wants us to baptize her, and the other missionaries to give talks--we are both so excited!

I feel it took so long for me to begin to understand missionary work, but I feel it is just by sincere love, sharing what you know is completely true, and also by diligently focusing on each child as a child of God (and remembering to always keep a smile on your face). These things have blessed my life, and I know they can bless each of our lives as we seek for help to share the Gospel.


The Day of the Seekers has come! People want to know about God, because people are struggling. It's a new year and people are sincerely seeking for truth. At the baptism, we had a lady come with one of the members--her name is Andrea and she was so sweet. We invited her to church, and she came--it was wonderful. We are seeing her tonight for a family home evening with a member and I can't wait!


I am so happy right now and I can't even explain it! Like I said, I feel so close to my Saviour and I really do love Him! I feel like trials are bombarding, but I am using all my skills to battle them. Satan is real as we learn from Joseph's experience: when things are going the best, that's when the MOST opposition will come.


People are sincerely seeking--you and I can reach out and lift those people who stand in need! This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.


Love you all,
ELDER COON

New Companion!

Moves has come and gone, and the sense and the feeling of the missionary work is really settling in! I'm becoming a missionary. It's funny--it takes two years to become a missionary but somewhere and some point you realize your divine importance, you catch a glow/blaze/fire that was not there before. You feel old in the mission--your bones get a little achy, and you can see age in your face from day 1 to the end. Really, a few weeks and I'll be home: WOW!

We received moves calls, and Elder Peay got called to be an AP! Now I have to take over an area again, and I also am training the new Zone Leader who was a district leader, so I know the Lord calls us in our weakness! But, that's when we are pliable and able to bear the load and increase and expand our knowledge.

Last night, I had the opportunity to work with my new companion. He interviewed our investigator for a baptismal date for this weekend, and Adrian passed! Ellie has her interview on Thursday (tomorrow), and I'm looking forward to that! I can't wait to see how things pan out--I can't believe how much we are blessed!

Last night we went on exchanges in the Readings area. We extended a date on the first teach with a girl named Ana. We spoke a little Portuguese to her, and she opened up like never before! She accepted a date as we followed the promptings of the Spirit, and now she is preparing for the 5th of February!

We have 2 baptisms this Saturday and I can feel the work load just becoming a fruitful basket: a living well springing up into everlasting life, as the scriptures explain. As I read King Benjamin's words in Mosiah, and as I experience the feelings of complete loneliness and confusion with Mormon and Moroni . . . I know this church is true! I have felt the Lord work through me this week like never before--I feel a new power a new sense of awakening! I know that if i can share this Gospel with everyone I talk to that people will listen! The fear and doubts of talking to people have gone--it's natural now, and I can feel more a sense of fear and doubt when I don't speak up.

I love this Gospel. My new companion is going to be great, and a great Zone Leader as well! The Lord will qualify who he calls. I love when the question is asked "Unto what are ye ordained?" and Christ answers, "To become even As I AM."

I really know this church is true. I can't tell you enough how much I love you all and pray for you! I hope all of you receive the blessings you are looking for, and find the happiness you seek! I have a burning testimony of this church, I know its true! I have seen the Lord's hand in all my doings, and I know it is through obedience and through faith!

Your prayers, and your willingness to write and to keep in contact mean the world to me! I will do anything I can to bless your lives, and I know this church is true! I leave you these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN!

LOVE,

ELDER COON

New Year and New Goals

A new year has come and it's going so fast already! Where to start? How 'bout with a bit of comedy?


We were contacting when Elder Peay said: "I have to pee," so we went ahead and traveled around the corner up the street to our flat to go use the toilet. We got in the elevator (now, when I get in an elevator I will usually push my companion, or I will jump, or you know--the little childish things you never grow tired of). This time, I went in and I hit the door and the elevator stopped! At this point, I'm laughing as my companion is flipping out cause he needs to use the toilet! I continue to laugh at him, and finally we hit the alarm button and call for maintenance to come--they told us it would be 1 1/2 hours. I laughed even more as my companion is getting furious, "Elder Coon, I have to pee so bad and I'm stuck for one hour or more in here--its not funny!" So I said, "OH YE OF LITTLE FAITH" Then he got upset and jumped and the elevator slowly went down and the door opened!


Now that, my friends, was a miracle. Faith was applied even though we were laughing and having a joke and he was mad. We came out only 15 minutes later!

Things have been great--the work is going forward, even though we're still having a hard time teaching people who speak no English whatsoever. The Lord I feel is closer than ever before. Even if I feel like a failure sometimes or feel bad, I feel closer to my Saviour then I ever have been before and I love it. I do not want to lose this feeling and I pray it does not leave as I prepare my return back to the HOLY LAND :).

I am thankful for all of your prayers. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who loves me for who I am, and I am thankful for friends and family who do all they can to make me smile! Thanks again, and know that I love you all dearly!


"How sweet the joy this sentence gives: All is well, All is well!!!

Love,
Elder Coon

ELDER COON