November 16, 2015

11-16-15

First off just want to say to Luke that I hope you get well soon! Sorry to hear about the injury bud! Good job to Selma on your talk it sounded great! And congrats to Abby 

It was a good week here! Nothing too crazy to be honest. We had transfers which was cool. Always nice to see all the people from the mission. And it is cool to hear testimonies of the people going home and to get some advice for what to do! 

Other than that we had a good lesson with an investigator and are getting her closer to coming to church! It is a slow process, but she is becoming more open to the idea! Then we have been working with some less actives and they are doing a lot better! 

We also had a activity at the visitors center called Why I Believe, that I think I've mentioned before, but we pretty much have a guest speaker Come and talk and it is always super cool! This time was our stake president of the ward I'm in! And it was a really good talk! It was also cool cause we have heard whisperings that we are getting a new stake president! Which is interesting considering President Nelson is coming! So we are thinking our stake president might be ordained to the 70! So we are excited to find out more about that, and also to hear from president Nelson this next week! 

So big things coming up and for now just working hard and trying to get there! 

I also wanted to share D&C 62:3, it is all about sharing our testimony at every chance we can! And that these testimonies are recorded up in the heavens! Which blesses not only the people we share them with but also us ourselves! And since Abby got her blessing which is super cool! I just wanted to say how they are so important! And if you haven't gotten one I'd definitely recommend it! It is such a testimony strengthener! And it will guide any that look to it! And if you have one read it often! It is there to bless you but it can't if we don't use it! Much love everyone and have a good week! 

(Pictures of my last district, my room mates, and me making pasta) 

-Elder Jacob Reed Kohler

November 9th 2015

(This one has the date)

11-9-15

Hola mis amigos! Hope all is good! This was a good week looking back on it! Had some troubles getting appointments with investigators, but also blessings! We started off the week by checking on some people who used to be investigating the church and stopped for some reason. We decided it would be a good idea to go with a member in our ward. So we invited our ward mission leader and got right too it. Parked our car In front of the first house who didn't answer, and kept going through all the formers in the neighborhood. We ended up getting 2 return appointments!  As we were walking back to the car, I had a feeling we should knock the first door again. So I told the other two and we walked back up and knocked. This time the lady we were looking for answered and invited us in right there! We talked to her and she said she would love us to come back and visit! So it was super successful! Having members go out with missionaries gives extra blessings! So help out your missionaries! 

Next we got to go to the temple do to a session and it was amazing! It was my first time in this temple and the feeling was so cool! Just to be there with all the missionaries in the temple was a great feeling! 

This week we also had call outs, which is where we find out if we are leaving or staying in our area, then at transfers we find out exactly where.  So we had to be in early, but they didn't come out till late! So we decided to play some uno waiting for them, and it got pretty intense! Forgot how great that game is. So we waited and found out my comp and I will be together transfer in our area! Which we are super excited for because President Nelson is coming to our stake in two weeks! And I really have come to love this ward! They are all so great and so nice! And they feed us A TON! 

Then this week at church was the primary program which was cute and hilarious! You can't help but smile seeing those kids trying to sit still! I also feel like my Spanish is getting way better! We had a member bring her little brother who just got here from Honduras. She walked up to me and said he didn't speak English and asked if I could show him around, then take him to the young mens' class. First I thought, "crap I don't know enough Spanish for this!" But I just decided to try and see how I could do! And We talked a bunch! Just small talk getting to know him, but I understood everything he said and was able to respond! The gift of tongues is real! And I know I definitely had the spirit there helping me out! 

Then that night we had a missionary stake training and I ended up singing In it with my room mate, my zone elder, and two other guys I know. It was kind of short notice and we threw it together quick, but it was fun and turned out pretty good! My roommate and I might sing in the Christmas talent show at the VC! So we will see how that goes. 

So all in all a good week! Oh and hit four months this Sunday too! So that is crazy! Time has been flying by! And I'm enjoying every bit of it! 

Lastly I want to share a scripture I read that is so great! It's Alma 36:27. If we can put our trust in God, we will support us In our trials and deliver us out of some of our hardest times. It doesn't mean we won't have hard times, and it doesn't mean we don't have to try. We have to put our trust and faith in him, then show it in our actions. And it might be hard, but it will be bearable! I promise you that! I know cause I've seen it in my life here as a missionary, as well as before when I was back home. I've seen it way too many times to count! So put a little more trust in God this week and I promise you will see blessings! Much love everyone and have a good week!  

-Elder Jacob Reed Kohler

October 26, 2015

10-26-15

Well this week wasn't as exciting but it was a good one still! We didn't have as much success with our investigators. So we focused a lot of the members and less actives which was really nice! And did some more contacting which wasn't bad either. One of the fun ones was the Alcivar family! We went and did a little family home evening and their less active son stayed to listen which he doesn't always do! And they invited over a friend who seemed pretty interested too! We talked about the power of the priesthood because their grandson got it this past Sunday! It was a cool lesson and after we sang happy birthday to Hermano Alcivar and had some cake which was awesome! 

Then this guy who is in my roommates ward is starting his own soccer company! And is selling these soccer balls! So of course I got one! Then he called my roommate and asked if we would take a picture and send it to him and he would post it on Instagram! So that was pretty cool! 

I also got to help with the kids mutual in our ward this last week! We got there and they didn't have any games planned, so thanks to my good times in Alta stud gov with all our brain storms for assemblies I was able to think up some relay races and games and the kids loved it! So thanks to Pack and my stud gov friends!

Then we had a super cool zone activity today and we were in charge of making soup so we did that last night with our roommates which was cool! Then today for the activity we had a bunch of competitions and one was a relay race where I had to eat one fourth a pie without using my hands and I finished first which was awesome but I didn't eat anything after haha. And I also got wrapped up like a mummy which was chill! Then we got to play soccer and I couldn't have been happier!! It was the first time we had a real soccer game since I left and I was in heaven! A great scripture is alma 36:3! Because God supports us in all our trials is we come unto him! Love you all and have a great week! 

Oct 19, 2015

It's been a super up and down week! This one was a little tough at times, but I'm still pushing through with a positive attitude! And that has driven me for sure! I had a couple of cool stories this week that helped me see the hand of God in my life!

One was we went knocking to an area that we had never been to before. We went and there were no Hispanics! So we had A LOT of doors slammed in our face haha. We went up to one door with all the lights off but one window. It was a little creepy, but we decided everyone should have a chance to accept the gospel. I knocked and as soon as I pulled my hand back my comp said, "we need to turn around and walk away right now." As soon as he said that I got the most uncomfortable feeling I've had here. It was this creepy feeling and you could feel the spirit wasn't in that home. I was a little scared as we walked away checking over my shoulder, but knew we'd be ok as we followed a prompting from the spirit to just walk away. Then on a brighter note we knocked into a Jewish couple who were so nice! We knocked and the husband let us know they were Jewish and not very interested, but he did have a question. He asked that he noticed in some churches got statues and such they have Jesus on the cross or in a harsh or sad situation close to his death. And that we he visited our Visitors center and saw the Christ statue and we was standing and very much alive and well. He asked why, and my comp jumped right on it with a perfect answer! He said, "we believe in a Jesus Christ who is living today and leading our church. He has a body and is well and always here to help us." The man thanked us for stopping by and gave us one of those two handed heart felt handshakes. So it was a good note to finish on! 

Then we had the opportunity to go to a dinner for the volunteers of the 5K we helped with a little bit ago! So we went on an exchange with the ZLs to get there and as we walk up we notice it's at a Pub! So we just have 30 missionaries walking into a Pub and it was hilarious! We had our own private room, but it was pretty much 30 missionaries and maybe 10 other volunteers from the 5K. With an open bar in a Pub! It was way funny cause it was an open bar and there were just lots and lots of waters all around! But it was a good missionary activity as there were about 3 missionaries to another person at a time! Just talking about life and being an example of what we believe in! I loved it! 

We then had a ward night for all of the Hispanic culture in our ward! There are people from all over here! It was cool to see all the foods and the dances and signing! Had some tamales, that reminds me of of the grandparents bakery in Arizona! 

To finish I want to share an cool story from this Sunday! Like I said this week was tough at times! Really up and down. So on Sunday in sacrament I just started to pray. I prayed really hard for some answers and also for comfort. I asked to feel the spirit and to feel Gods love. And at that moment I can't even explain the spiritual feeling I felt! It was overwhelming. I felt like my body was vibrating, it brought tears to my eyes, and I couldn't help but smile. I know at that very moment my prayer was answered and I felt the pure love of Christ through the Holy Ghost.  I also had a feeling like I could feel someone there with me, helping me through it. And Grandpa Kohler came to my mind! I know that him and others are on the other side of the veil pushing me on and helping me feel that love and support! I know that you guys can feel just as powerful of a feeling if you will pray and put all your heart into asking Heavenly Father for help! I know you can feel love and support in your hardest times! And that one of the best places we can feel that is in church during the sacrament! 

A good scripture to go with it is 2 Nephi 32:9! The whole chapter is only 9 verses and is all good but 9 specifically talks about doing everything with a prayer in Christ's name! And I promise if you guys do that you'll feel a difference in your lives! I love you all and I hope you have a good week! 

-Elder Jacob Reed Kohler