Week #29 -- Actividad de Barrio!, Alex, Dali, sopa . . . .:) (Ward Activity, Alex, Dali, soup ... :)

April 27, 2015:

Dearest familia y querido amigos!!! (Dearest family and beloved friends)

COMO ESTAN?! (How are you?!) :) I sure hope you are all doin swell! :D 

We were able to do an intercambio (exchange) this week with our hermana lideres (Sister Trainer Leaders)...Hna. (Sister) Carrera and Hna. Perez. They are both great. I was able to spend a day with Hna. Carrera in my area of lovely Centenario 2. It was a little tough to remember everything without Hna. Sarat...especially for planning...but we were able to have a wonderful day together...with miracles! What a blessing that we are able to see the hand of the Lord in our lives if we really look for it! :) 

Today I got a response from President Marler to my email last week...and he totally helped me and pumped me up...my favorite part was this..."You go girl!" He helped me look for the good in myself...because more times than not I only tend to see the bad or all the things I need to improve...there is a balance for sure...that is what I am trying to find. 

"Don't be so hard on yourself Sister Coleman, the Lord called you, no one else.  He could have called you to an English speaking mission but He didn't. You have some things to learn from this." I want all those who are preparing to serve in a mission with another language...especially you, Spence...to remember this! Love ya!

We are working with this sweet girl, Dali (11 años [years old]). She has been attending church for almost 2 years I think...with her aunt and others. But she still hasn't been baptized. We have been getting to know her more and she has a desire to be baptized...but her parents aren´t too excited about the idea because of how old she is and how she is. She is entering the lovely teenage years and they fear that she will make this big decision and then in a couple years not want to be a member of the church anymore. Hna. Sarat and I were able to sit down and talk with both of her parents last night and have a neat spiritual experience. We were able to listen and then Hna. Sarat was very inspired and we were able to bear our testimonies about how we KNOW that the church is the place for Dali...she needs this support ESPECIALLY at this time in her life. I loved how Hna. Sarat talked about how even if Dali does fall away from the church for a little bit...the church will never fall away from Dali...the leaders and friends and ward are eternal! :) The Spirit then helped me say a prayer to close our chat...it was very neat...what an incredible feeling to have the Spirit work through you and help you say what is needed. 

 We saw this beautiful sunset, so we ran back to get our cameras to record it!

My stomach has been a little weird this past week...always gurgling...and some pains...so I had a few couple days of just plain soup for lunch and dinner! Whew! Luckily I am feeling much better!

OK...so we have this sweet family in our ward...they actually live on our same street. The couple was married and sealed in the temple and they have two kids (5 and 3...mas o menos [more or less]). Anyway the husband, Alex is less active and he doesn´t have a desire to come back to church...and the horribly sad thing is that he is addicted to a game on the Internet. Every time we pass by he is playing whatever game it is and his wife says that most times he can´t "die" or pause his game so he brings his plate of food to the computer instead of at the table. It really is so sad...because he two kids are watching his example. We have talked to him about how he is the leader of his home and how he has special and specific responsibilities with his wife...but it continues. Please keep Alex and Ivon and their sweet kids in your prayers. We want to share the neat Mormon message about pornography and Internet addiction with him. The one with the dad and the two paths that he can choose. We were able to have a NDH (Family Home Evening) with them on Tues. and towards the end he was laughing and enjoying himself. Poco a poco (little by little). 

RANDOM:

-A week ago we were able to clean our apartment with hymns blasting in the background...gotta love it! 

-We were able to have our first activity with our ward! It turned out good...but we were a little worried at first when no one was there...it seriously started an hour late...but with Mormon Standard time and in Peru...I guess that´s normal! :)

Jennesa and Hermana Sarat Cleaning the church after their activity!!

INSPIRATIONALS Y FUNNIES:

-Hna. Sarat and I are trying to get a picture with a Peruvian dog to show you all! They are really ugly...honestly...but we need a memory! :)

-For my thought this week...amazing Sis. Gunnell sent me this wonderful story called..."The Bum"...or the homeless man. :) Please look it up...and remember that we ALL need help! :)

LOVE YOU ALL!

Con mucho amor (with lots of love),

Hermana Coleman :D

                                                     The Bum

Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the famous, the boss, those with beauty and brains.  What about the bum on the street?

I was parked in front of the church cleaning out my Jeep.  I was waiting for someone. Coming my way from across the street was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."  " I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't.

He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus stop to wait for the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty Jeep," he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard kept more than half his face warm. I said, "thanks," and continued cleaning out the Jeep. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came.

As the silence between us widened, something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand.

He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he asked. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab anywhere in the city and get food and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true.

No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too.  No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you many see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that.

Maybe God looked down, called and angel, dressed him up like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that man needs help." Don't we all?

~Author unknown

Week #27 -- ""Podemos mejorar!" (We can improve!), puertas abiertas!!!(temple open house), painted nails for referencias (teaching referrals)

April 13, 2015:

Hello my lovely friends and family!!!!!!

I sure appreciate and love you all so very much...enserio! :) (seriously)

This week Hna Sarat and I have decided that this cambio (six month transfer period) is a cambio where we are basically starting from the bottom and trying to do better in every aspect of our lives...our health, our prayers, our teaching, our punctuality, our studies, our habits of cleanliness...seriously everything...but the wonderful thing is is that we both want to be better and have the desires to change...what a blessing because we can help each other along the way! :) We always say..."Oh yeah...podemos mejorar!" :) ( . . . we can improve/get better)

Guess who we ran into at Chan Chan?! Yes...my old zone! So fun to see Hna. Guevara, Hna. Huayton, and Hna. Ascencio! Yeah...I screamed! :D jaja!  (Chan Chan is the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America, Chan Chan is an archaeological site in the Peruvian region of La Libertad, 5 km west of Trujillo.) 

Left to Right Sister Ascencio (Sister Guevara's current companion-both Sister Trainer Leaders), Sister Sarat (Jennesa's current companion from Guatemala--where Spencer is going in July!), Sister Coleman (Jennesa), Sister Guevara (Jennesa's Trainer/first companion in Trujillo), Sister Huayton (Jennesa's second companion in Trujillo)

Oh my heavens! This week in our zone conference we found out that all of the hermanas (Sister missionaries) in our mission get the wonderful and fabulous opportunity to be in the temple for puertas abiertas! (temple open house) We get to help people start their tours with a short video and then be in the reception area ready to answer questions, get references (referrals), and talk to people about their experiences! How amazingly awesome, right?! I am so excited but also a leetle nervous because I need to be ready with lots of information...in Espanol! (in Spanish) But with the Lord...all things are possible! :) We were given lots of info to use in our studies to prep for 8 Mayo-30 Mayo...puertas abiertas! :) (The open house of the temple!) What a fun and spiritual time in the training for lots of the hermanas in our mission! We talked a ton about modesty and how we need to prep for this time...Hna. Marler even modeled a few examples of what not to wear! jaja! She is the best! :) Today we are having a p-day (preparation day) as hermanas and going shopping for blouses and skirts! :) Should be an adventure! :) 

Yesterday we were able to be with our ward, Centenario, for the first time. It was interesting...because everyone was getting used to the change still with new people, new leaders, new classrooms, etc. (two wards were combined into one ward) But it was great to see who was in attendance...great miracles with our menos activos (less active members). Also to see who wasn´t in attendance so we can help them be there next week. Hna. Sarat and I were able to talk to the young women and share our testimony about Joseph Smith and our experience with our testimonies and prepping for our missions! It was a little nerve racking...but sure neat to try and help these great girls! :)

We are continually trying to be more direct and in charge of our lessons...with timing especially. We are definitely still learning but it is getting better! We need to do better with references (referrals). We always forget to ask our menos activos (less active members) for references (referrals) so our lessons haven´t been counting for indicadores (indicators--things they report to their mission president) (...so we both painted a slight R on one of our thumb fingernails...so we could remember better! ;) jaja! Hopefully we can improve! :) 

Wow! Happy 6 month mark!!!!!! :D Holy Cow...can´t believe 6 months have already passed! Sweet Hna. Santos our pensionista (cook) bought jello cake for us! So yummy! :D

RANDOM:

-Oh my...so there is a circus here and it is very close to our apartment...every night the same music plays...some in English...Celine Dion-Titanic...plays so loud after our planning...jaja...oh buddy!

-WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO! A package! So fun and full of tons of treats...we are trying to be more healthy...but we had to make some exceptions especially with the Samoan cookies! Oh buddy! So scrumptious! :) And I loved all your letters and pictures! So fun to get! Hna. Sarat was sooooo excited with all the treats...and dad...the study gum is the best! :)

INSPIRATIONALS Y FUNNIES:

-Wow! I was able to have an interview with Presidente this week! What a marvelous experience! He is such an incredible man and leader! I was able to receive a blessing from him and wow...the exact words that I had been needing to hear! What a neat blessing to help me be more direct but with love as well! 

-We sure laugh a lot! What a blessing! Sometimes we get talking before we pray at night...and we are on our knees for a long while...so when we try to get up we both groan and struggle...grandmas! :) jaja!

jaja! (ha ha!) Last week we were able to visit Chan Chan...there were tons of these fish signs...so we had to take a pic with one right?! :D WE look similar right?! ;D

I sure love you all and so appreciate your prayers for me and for the people here!

Love,

Hermana Coleman :D

Week #26 -- HUNTER IS 14!!!, Cold showers, fruit!!!, running!, CONFERENCE!, SPENCE"S CALL!!!!!!!

April 6, 2015:

Wonderful fam and friends!

I am so overwhelmed with emotions right now as I just watched the video of my amazing bro, Spence open his mission call....to GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA!!!!!!!!!! Oh my stinking heavens....I am so excited and proud of him! Spence, you are going to make such an amazing missionary! The people of Guatemala are going to love you so much!  (Spencer has been called to serve in the Guatemala, Guatemala City Central Mission, entering the Guatemala City Missionary Training Center on July 22nd and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Spanish.)

Spencer opening his mission call!

SHOUT OUT TO MY INCREDIBLE BRO, HUNTER!!!!! 14! Enserio!? (Seriously!!) You are totally growing up! I love you so much! I hope you had such an awesome b-day! And now you're a teacher!Whooo Hooo!

This week was sure interesting. It is tough opening up an area...but it also has its ups. Just like about everything in life...jaja! (ha ha!)  We have seen some sweet little miracles during this week. 

During one of our lessons with an amazing girl, Dariana (14), who loves to proselyte with us...she is going to be an incredible future missionary someday! :) Anyway, with her, her inactive sister, Alejandra, and their cousin. While testifying about the Atonement of Christ I just felt this wonderful feeling of the spirit of truthfulness wash over me...what a huge blessing these short but powerful moments are in our lives! The Atonement is so real...and ready for us to use it in our lives. It is such a great gift for us...I have realized that I need to become more humble and use the wonderful Atonement in my life, daily! 

We have been able to meet some more members, leaders, and lots of menos activos (less active members). Poco a poco (little by little) we are trying to get into a groove...but we are still working up to it...but we are learning a lot. 

This week I have been struggling with my attitude and my excitement hasn´t been quite the same in some moments...my nightly prayers haven´t been very sincere and I seriously need them to be...I have also been struggling in my mind with the fact that I haven´t had the opportunity to be part of a baptism and I have 6 months in the mission this Tuesday...crazy fast. I know baptisms aren´t what the work is about but it still is tough and can cause one to doubt.  I was really praying to find answers and inspiration in General Conference and what a blessing! I LOVED General Conference...I seriouslydidn't want it to end...each talk was so direct and wonderful! Many neat talks for specific menosactivos (less active members) in our area and for me as well! I am so grateful for our wonderful prophet and leaders! I seriously was writing the whole time and I just couldn´t get enough! What an incredible experience to watch Conference! We went to our stake center to watch it and I along with other elders watched it in English...there weren´t any other North American sisters...a little weird but I just sat in the back row and enjoyed the many talks! :)

RANDOM:

-We have bought so much fruit this week...we just love it so much and it is super cheap...so why not? Much better than galletas (crackers/cookies)! ;)

-We have been running in the mornings...waking up at 5:30...we started this past Wed...and we have been diligent! Today was day 5! It takes 21 days to make a habit! We are ready! 

-We also live on the 4th floor...so our legs have been super sore...from running and we have to climb up lots of stairs each day! We are grandmas together! :)

The photo this week from Jennesa is from her on her bed in her new area and new apartment.  She is so kind to give us this . . . we have requested a photo of her bed so we can at least visualize where she is part of every 24-hour day!

FUNNIES Y INSPIRATIONALS:

-It is super hot during the day...I seriously sweat so much...it is like I am exercising but I´m just sitting in a chair dripping...we joke and say it´s like a daily shower....ALL DAY! JAJA (Ha Ha)!

-I love this quote! 

"There is one language...that is common to each missionary-the language of the Spirit. It is not learned from textbooks written by men of letters, nor is it acquired through reading and memorization. The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart." -Pres. Monson

-Also...I loved how in Conference...I think it was Elder Nelson...I don't have my notes with me but he asked the question...how are you going to change from what you have learned from this conference? :) I loved it! Because we all need to change to become more like our Savior!

Love you all more than you can even imagine!

Love,

Hermana Coleman :D

Week #25 -- CENTENARIO 2!, Hermana Sarat! gallos, zzzzz, Women's Conf!

Mar. 30, 2015:

Dear Loving Family and Friends! :D

Oh my gosh!!!! I am dying to know about Spence´s mission call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I would get to know today...because I was sure so excited on Thursday night at 10:05pm because that´s when dad told me he would be opening it...but I guess I need to learn some more paciencia(patience)! :)

Wowzers! This week has sure been tough but it has also been an adventure too...with OPENING a new area (CENTENARIO 2), a new comp! (HNA. SARAT is so great!), a new cuarto(room/apartment), a new pensionista (cook)...wow! so many changes! But changes are a part of life...and I need to embrace them and enjoy each moment of my mission...because the days are passing, whether I know it or not! :) 

It sure was tough leaving my first and only area in Laureles...my comps (companions)...mypensionista (cook)...and the people...but all is well. What a blessing that we have the hope of seeing the ones we love and appreciate after this life tambien (as well)! Such a great blessing of hope and comfort! I was able to go around a little bit on Monday night with Hna. Huayton and visit some of the members of great Laureles! Hno. Sixtilio, Hna. Licha (our old pensionista),y la familia Avila (the Avila family)! Hna. Rosa (pensionista) prepared a special dinner for me! So cute of her! So crazy...so many of the members and our investigators and less actives didn´t even know I was leaving...the time was so short I wasn´t able to tell everyone! :( But the hope and comfort right? Oh and leaving Hna. Guevara (my mom), Hna. Ascencio, and Hna. Huayton was sure tough! I shed some tears...but cambios son un parte de este vida (change is a part of life)! :) 

Wow! So hard to leave these wonderful hermanas (Sister missionaries)...they were all such great examples to me in one way or another! We were able to take this pic the night before transfers. It was so fun because we were able to have the same pensionista (cook) and see each other each day...we sure made some fun memories together and I will forever be grateful to thesehermanas for their patience with me and my progressing Español (improving Spanish), for their love, and for their great examples as missionaries! :) What a great time in Laureles 3! 

Our planning has sure been hard and much longer than usual because we don´t know many people...but the members are sure excited to have hermanas (Sister/female missionaries) in the area again (what a privilege to be pioneers in Centenario 2!) The members have sure been helpful in helping us better know the area and giving us references of people we can/need to visit! We are still settling into things...but we have been warmly welcomed! 

This week has been tough for me because I feel like lots of people have many problems that they just kind of dump on us as missionaries and hope for a response to everything. Sometimes it is really hard to sit there and listen and know how to help them, but it sure is a blessing we have this gospel to help them find there way in this tough world. But sometimes it is very overwhelming...especially when I think about my experiences in life and how I´m only 19 and haven´t experienced half of these problems...but what a blessing that Jesus Christ knows how we feel! He knows! :)

Me and wonderful Hermana Sarat! After doing service...helping the other pair of hermanas (Sister missionaries) in our zone move into a cuarto (room/apartment) that is on the 5th floor! Whew! Exercises!  Hermana Sarat is amazing! She is 26 and she is from Guatemala...she has the same time in the mission as Hna. Guevara and Hna. Huayton! So she will finish right after the temple dedication in June...so I will probably "kill" her (be her last companion as she finishes and returns home)...as we say it in the mission. She is amazing...her life has been so hard but she is a shining light for Christ! :) 

RANDOM:

-Uggghh...I have been so tired lately! Especially during planning...studies...and even during lessons sometimes! But I was able to pray and fast for strength so I hope to be able to have more energy this week!

-Our cuarto (apartment) is muy pi tuco! or very rich! It is on the 4th floor...oh goodness! Exercises! We have two bathrooms, 3 rooms, a family room, and a kitchen! Crazy! But tis our cuarto! :)

-They use mototaxis in our area! So fun! 

INSPIRATIONALS Y FUNNIES!:

--Oh my heavens ta betsy! We have many gallos (roosters) outside our cuarto and seriously they start cock a doodling at 3 am! oh my golly goodness! :/ Mas paciencia (more patience)!  (It's no wonder now, why she's tired lately, huh!) :-)

-The Womens Conference was so great! What a blessing to be able to listen to leaders of our church help buoy me up! I was really needing strength and I was able to feel a renewal of my Savior's love for me! What a neat blessing! 

So much love! You are all so incredible! Sepa que nuestro Padre Celestial es muy amoroso y lesconoce (Please know that our Father in Heaven is loving and knows each one of us)! :)

Love,

Hermana Coleman :D 

Sister Sarat with President and Sister Marler (Their Mission President and wife) and Sister Tonga (Sister Sarat's last companion--arrived with Jennesa to the mission in November)

Week #24 -- HOLY SMOKES CAMBIOS!, Spence is 18!, gotta love fleas, milagros! (miracles!), it is so stinkin hot!!!

March 23, 2015:

Dear amazing family and friends!!!!!!

First of all birthday shout out to my amazing bro...Spencer! 18...holy smokes! And......hoy dia (today)......DAD AND HYRUM!!!!! I love you guys! :)

Holy Cowages....biggest surprise...yesterday were cambios (transfers) and we received a call from the assistants! This call is for a special assignment...they first asked to talk to me and I was really nervous because for the past 4ish weeks Hna. Huayton had been telling me that I was going to be a trainer...bueno (Okay)...they asked me about our day and then they asked to talk to Hna. (Sister) Huayton...and they asked her if SHE WOULD BE A TRAINER!!!!!!!! :) So amazing...but at the same time so sad...because what does that mean?...yep you got it...I am being transferred to a different area. But I didn´t know where todavia (still)...so we waited and waited and waited...and finally received the call that I was going to be OPENING A NEW AREA INPORVENIR with HNA. SARAT!!!! Remember sweet Hna. Tonga from the CCM (Missionary Training Center in Lima Peru)? Her companion is Hna. Sarat! So nervous, excited, worried, sad, happy, and anxious! Wow! And I heard we are with only elders and there haven´t beenhermanas (Sister Missionaries) in that area before...so it should be adventurous! So to say the least...last night sure was interesting with emotions...many tears were shed! This morning we went to the office because Hna. Huayton had a meeting for trainers and guess who else is training?! HNA. SOUTH AND HNA. TONGA!!!!! :) So exciting and fun to see them! And I was also able to see my new comp as of tomorrow...Hna. Sarat! She is so sweet and we are both sad to leave our areas but we are ready to work hard and help in the work in Porvenir...add some spice to the area...as we are the only hermanas! 

I sure am going to miss good ole Laureles 3...Hna. Huayton...the wonderful people...my friends...close to family...my pensionistas(cooks) ...las hermanas (Sister missionaries) ...my zone...my district...but I know that this is the Lord´s plan for me and I need to have trust in him and work as hard as I can wherever he puts me! :) Oh and Porvenir is in Mission Peru Trujillo North of Pres and Hna.Marler...so I think I´m going to be in their mission...but we still have one more change (transfer) left so things could still change...but for now! :)

Jennesa with Hermana Huayton!!

She writes, "jaja (ha ha)! Hermana Huayton just barely got glasses for the first time...with braids...and our cinnamon lips from your awesome package! So fun! Thanks a ton! LOVE THEM!!!!!!

Well this week was interesting...I have kind of been struggling lately with not letting the stress of other people´s problems and difficulties as well as my own affect my attitude and ganas (desires) for this work. This is definitely one of my weaknesses...but I sure have found strength in communicating...prayer...scriptures...and smiling even when I feel like I don´t want to or can´t. 

I sure love Mercado de Papas (a poor neighborhood in her area -- Market of Potatoes)...we were able to meet some really amazing people this week and teach them. The people are so humble and ready to hear the gospel...ahhhh!!! i just love it! My heart just goes out to them...because many of them can´t read and it is so interesting how much that one thing affects everything in their lives. We were able to help Hna. Auristel with her back to school papers for her 4 year old son, Jose. She was so grateful for our help and the next day was so excited to see us again that she ran to grab chairs from her house for us to sit in! She is the same lady who we helped wash clothes with last week! 

RANDOM:

-Welp...fleas officially are not my amigos (friends)...I have approximately 28 flea bites on my legs and they itch like crazy sometimes! But whatevs! :) NO WORRIES! :)

-Oh my heavens it is so stinkin hot! I seriously am constantly sweating...sorry a little gross...but yeah! :/

-We had a fun ward party on Sat...with lots of food...as missionaries we made la causa (a potato layered dish often with tuna or chicken salad)...for about 50 people...took most of the day...but our barrio (ward) loved it! 

 This is the causa (layered potato dish) we made as missionaries in our ward for the ward party! :) yum...yum...yum! I sure am going to miss Hna.Huayton! She has been such a special part of my mission! This change (transfer time) sure was full of miracles!

INSPIRATIONALES Y FUNNIES:

-Wow...in Soc. Soc. (Relief Society) yesterday we talked about being diligent constantly...and having patience with ourselves. What a blessing...I sure needed to hear that! 

-JAJA! (Ha Ha!) Yesterday as we were walking down the street a little girl pulled on her mom´s arm and said, "Mami mira!" (Mommy look!!) as she pointed at me the first gringa (female North American) she had seen in her life...I must have looked like an alien...with the sweat glistening on my red face! jaja! (ha ha!) Gotta love it! We sure got a good laugh out of it! :)

 Photo with Hermana Huayton in the reflection of a "mirror building" during a normal day of missionary work!

Wow! I sure love you all! Please pray for me to have strength and to work hard! :)

So much love,

Hermana Coleman :D