#80- RETURN WITH HONOR!

 Dearest family and friends, the time has come... two years of serving the people of Indiana with all of my heart and strength! It has been the most rewarding experience I have ever had. There is no more compelling work than this. I am amazed at the love I feel for the people and for my Savior. I know that God the Eternal Father is the Father of our spirits. Jesus the Christ lives, speaks, and leads His church. My favorite lesson to teach is the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love it so much because of the power it brings. I know it is true, time and time again that familiar spirit touches my heart and it rings true for me and those around me. It has given me motivation every day to talk with as many people about it as I can. Our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ really did appeared to Joseph Smith. The priesthood keys have been restored! I testify the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know it. It will draw you closer to God than any other book. It sure has done that for me and every single person who I have worked with.

Neal A. Maxwell once said, "The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. It is a hard doctrine, but it is true. The many other things we give to God, however nice that may be of us, are actually things He has already given us, and He has loaned them to us. But when we begin to submit ourselves by letting our wills be swallowed up in God’s will, then we are really giving something to Him." The Lord has done so much more with me than I could ever have done on my own. Every good thing that has happened in my life from Him.

The area will be left in good hands. Robert, Guy, Desiree, Jasmine, and Rodney will be entering the waters of baptism very very soon. I had hoped before I left but it must be in the Lords timing not my own. 

Keys to success

1. FEAR NO MAN 

2. Follow the Spirit

3. Learn to love, love to learn

4. Never get comfortable

Fun Facts

1. I left July 29 two years ago, so on the 29th we burned our suits!

2. I have gotten very good at smelling out weed and alcohol :)

3. Every time I have been in a smoke filled room the last 2 years (which is almost a daily occurrence) I have prayed that I will not get cancer, so I am covered.

4. I have had a total of 11 companions and 5 areas. 

5. Sad to say goodbye to those here, but excited to see my family Wednesday!

God Speed,

Elder Coon

Dad - it really does feel good to have put my heart and soul into the work for a whole 2 years. the future has so much in store! i will be excited to see all of the family and friends! 

interviews went great with president. he talked a lot about dating, home teaching, college. i will have to tell you in person more of what he said. one thing about dating is to "keep it in the fire ring" haha in other words stay in the bounds of dating. pretty good advice! 

thank you for the letters every week, i am always ecxited to hear your week and insights.

cont wait to see you in a few daays!!

#79 - Email time

Here is a cool story for you this week!

We were in a small town called Dowagaic this week working. We had tracted for a few hours and were driving through town to find another spot to talk with people when I drove by a little ice cream shop. I had a random craving for ice cream. Out of the whole 2 years on my mission that was my first time I bought ice cream. Elder Richards loves ice cream so he was all for it haha! While waiting for our ice cream a lady came in the shop. We began talking with her and it was a complete miracle. She had just came back from the hospital with bad news, her health is failing quickly. She lives in another town in our area but stopped in because this is where her father would take her for ice cream as a little girl. She had just finished praying for one of the first times in her life. We had a great discussion over ice cream and left with a prayer. We will be meeting with her tomorrow night after my departing interview with President Carlson. The Lord looks out for his children. I testify of the Savior Jesus Christ and the comfort that he can give us in times of trial.

1 Nephi 1:20 “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.” 

Love ya,

Elder Coon

can you send the pic of last night? i didn't get to see much of it. exciting stuff!!

we will be having the baptisms a week or two after i leave, they will be better prepared for it. we have 2 that will for sure be baptized. Robert is a miracle part member and guy was a miracle while tracting. both great guys.

i have a goal to wake up super early to start the day off with extra studies and a good workout. we also have a goal to put 3 more on date by the time i leave.

i cant wait to go to the lake asap!!! Dylan is a great kid snap will be fun

that scripture is so powerful. even in Christ's trial he was looking to others to serve. thanks for the insight. tomorrow is my final interview with prez... next Tuesday we go to transfer meeting and then to the temple. that night is a testimony meeting. Wednesday morning we wake up super early for the flight.

i would be so down to go to the miller raceway right when i get in!! that would be lit! the girls can come if the want too hahah. but i have a flight to az too... what ever you want i am in!

love you! i am soaking the last week up!

#78 - Fear or FAITH!

Here is an interesting story!

We called up an inactive member on Wednesday to visit him. We had heard of the man from many ward members. Seemed like a nice guy and no one knew why he was not coming to church. We went over and planned to be very bold with him as directed by the Holy Ghost. The lesson never goes as planned! He began by expressing that he doesn't believe in God or the bible because of all the error that is in it. It was a perfect transition into the apostasy and restoration. The spirit was so strong! It seemed to be tangible. He was a different person from the beginning of the lesson to the end. By the end we didn't even have to invite him back to church. He committed to us that he would read the pamphlet, Book of Mormon, pray, AND come to church!! 

The next day he did not answer our phone call so we stopped in to check on him. After some small talk we asked about his prayer. He told us there was no way he could come back. He knew he felt the spirit but after we left he didn't read and didn't pray and very quickly felt fearful and backed out!! AH! We identified the difference between FAITH and FEAR. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is the number one tool the adversary uses to tempt us! It is also the number one killer of missionaries. When he feels the feelings of fear we counseled him to do 3 things. 1. Self diagnose the feeling 2. Pray in faith to overcome it and read a scripture 3. Act on what you should. These 3 things also work for missionary work! The scripture I often quote to myself is 3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." The final thing is to say out loud to yourself or your companion, "I FEAR NO MAN." As Nephi of old went to get the gold plates his brothers were afraid of Laban. Nephi bore testimony that God is more powerful than every man. I know this to be true! 

The spirit was tangible again! He said it himself he could not deny these feelings. Recommitted himself to read, pray, and come to church. Sadly the next day he called us saying he could not do this and to never contact him again. I have never seen so obvious the influence of the other side. Just as Christ is working to bring us all back to Him, there is an adversary. I testify as we hold strong and faithful we will overcome all fear we feel. Be not weary in well-doing for you are laying a foundation of a great work. Behold, the Lord requires the heart and a willing mind. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love, Elder Coon.

work is going strong! look up the Ricciardi Letter online. this guy is sick!! he is a legend :) i havent been looking too hard for pastors. they all turn me down when i ask for a chance to teach haha! usually they are too prideful! but i will keep looking :)

that was a fun trip!

i have been sharing the word remember 497 with all the people we teach! it has made a great impact on them, thank you!

we have had some spiritual lesson lately. man the ward counsel has really been useless if i can say so. it really doesnt get anything done! i had my last stake missionary correlation meeting with the stake prez yesterday. we talked about how to reset the tone of mcm's. make sure to focus on FINDING and TEACHING. Fellowship and action plans! constantly be evaluating your effectiveness. change when needed. It is so crutial to be effective. i just dont know how to get it across to the ward counsel. i will be talking with the high counselor about it this week, we are really tight. our ward is struggling with retention rn. 

the investigators seem to be motivated to live the gospel when they are actively learning the gospel. we begin with testifying and having the hg enter their heart. promising blessings is huge. then committing them to study when we arent there so they become familiar with the spirit. if they do not read then the next lesson we will read with them. every day it is important to stay in contact and remind them!

love you father!

funny thing happened early this morning that reminded me of when you were at girls camp! at 3 am this morning i woke up screaming in pain! CHARLIE! my calf seized up and it killed hahaha! my comp jumped out of bed. it was a complete shock lol. my calf is pretty sore this morning. good times!!

#77 - Amish country... pictures