Elder James Coon: #13 - President threw a curveball...

What a week! I am staying in Martinsville for another 3 months so everyone can start sending me letters and packages now! If you forgot my address is 1441 S Marion St, Martinsville, Indiana 46151 :) This week was so fun! Many stories and memories! But first...

We had interviews with President Cleveland on Thursday! In the interview he told me that next transfer I would stay in Martinsville and get a great follow up trainer. I was relieved because people were telling me I would train ha. Friday night when we were out trick or treating with the Potter family President called us again. He said he feels that I should train a new greenie next transfer.... Oh shoot! Then he asked if I was willing to be the district leader as well. I could hear the APs in the background laughing because my mind went blank as I tried to talk and only spoke jibberish. hahahaha but I said yes. That is a lot of responsibility! I felt really stressed out that night laying in bed. It is crazy how the spirit works. As I was in my bed my mind went to what I was studying in the scriptures that morning. 2 Nephi 4:34-35

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

The spirit testified to me that I can do this. My whole life I have put my trust in my Lord, and He will be there with me to lead and guide me. When we build our faith in Christ, our redeemer, our rock, we can get through the toughest times of our lives. What is also so great is that this week my scripture I have been ponderizing is D&C 68:6

6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

Be of good cheer! As a missionary we go out every day and bear record of Jesus Christ. What is better than that? The Lord is with us as we do so. I love the promise in D&C 100 that says as we teach in the name of the Savior the Holy Ghost will give unto you all things whatsoever ye shall say in the very moment. This is the Lords work and we are his mouthpiece.

"One of the great lessons from what we know of Amulek is that once God knows we will obey, He will try to give us the greatest of all blessings: sanctification and hope of eternal life." (Henry B. Eyring)

Besides that... it has been a fun week! Dennis was baptized!!!! I will send pictures! We didn't realize how old that man was. I am pretty sure when I dunked him he broke his back lol. Not really, but the font was not filled all the way, it was about at my hip and Dennis can't bend his back apparently. The first time I put him under his feet went all over the place. We tried a second time, and I tried to hold his feet down but right before his head hit the water he kicked out his feet again!! I was trying not to laugh it was all I could do not to! The Bishop told us that was good and to get out and get him dry. I was so proud of Dennis!

We also hit up the zoo, stole little children's candy, and carved pumpkins. It has been fun! Everyone is so sad to see my companion Elder Redmond leave. He has been a big influence in the lives of these people. The ward is becoming like my family. It will be hard to leave this area when it is my time.

Love you all

Elder Coon