Gratitude

December 11, 2016

Hey everyone!

Big news! I am moving for the last time (probably) off to the most rural area in the mission! It definitely should be an adventure down there and I am excited to have a ball. So recently when I got the call to go down there I have been thinking about a lot of things. When I first heard the news, I was very excited because it is one of the hardest challenges in the mission, but then I worried because the last little bit of my mission probably will be very hard with not a lot of actual success (who knows, maybe we will do great). Anyway, as I have pondered this the thought that has kept coming to my mind was how much I already have been given. I have had the chance to be very successful in all of the areas that I have been to. I have had wonderful companions and learned so much from the missionaries around me. I have had two wonderful mission presidents. I have a lovely family at home who are healthy and happy. I have so many friends here and in America who support me and who make my life more entertaining. Even if the end of my mission is cold and discouraging, which I don't think it will be, how much do I have to be grateful for?

It reminds me of Job, a man who lost everything but the day he lost it all he said this:

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Sometimes I think about how many people would give anything to be able to be blessed with the things that I have. When we go through trials, we often ask why me? Why do I have to do this? Sometimes it would be wise to consider how many people have suffered so much more than us. This does not mean our trials are not important to God or that they are not easy, but during our trials, we should be careful not to charge God foolishly. Do not demand a perfect life without challenges. Do not demand immediate success or the ability to overcome trials. I am reminded of the great missionary, Paul, who said this in the midst of his trials.

 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I am so grateful for the gifts that have been given to me as a missionary and I am grateful for all of you and the things that you have helped me with. I hope that you and I can find more peace, security, and contentment in our trials. I know that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and that because of his sacrifice that we will remember this Christmas season. There is nothing, no permanent trial, that he cannot help us overcome. I am grateful that He has been so good to me and those that I love.

I love you all,

Elder Coleman

The Voice of God

December 4, 2016

Hey everyone!

My email will be short today but I hope it will be valuable for people who are reading it. This week was super short and super crazy. We are still teaching a lot of people who are really wonderful and are trying their best to figure out what God wants them to do. And of course that is the topic of my email today. There are so many people are this world (I don't like to generalize but it’s probably almost everyone) that don't know where they are going. They don't know what they want to do with their lives (me), they don't know how to do it (me again), and they don't know where to look to find the answer. Something that has taken me a long time to learn is that God has a plan for each of us individually. And this plan is the plan that is best for us, because God is our father. Of course, most of us don't "know" these things we just do our best to believe them. Something that has helped me find more "faith" or belief is trying to listen for the voice of God, or trying to figure out what he wants me to do. A lot of people believe that God does not exist or he doesn't speak to men or women anymore. My invitation for them is to try. Try to reach out to him. Try to seek his will. It will not be an easy process, but I know it works. I know that God speaks to his children in a way that they can understand. It will not always be a light or a loud voice, but it will be something that you can recognize. I have had to seek his will many times in my life and I have found that this promise is very true.

 7 Ask, and it shall be given‍ you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh‍ findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

For those of you who are in the midst of trials or difficult decisions, before you step into whatever decision you will make, first look to him that knows all things and loves you perfectly. Pray with real intent, which means that whatever you are told to do, no matter how hard or how much you don't want to do it, you will do. I promise that if you pray with real intent to know the will of God, you will hear his voice. It may not be audible or loud, but it will come. It will come as thoughts in your mind, or a feeling in your heart, or maybe through someone's words. But I testify that it will come. Do not doubt, and do not be afraid. Trust in the love of him that knows all things, for his love is unfailing, and his plan for you are certain.

I love you all and I pray that you may all find peace, guidance, and hear the voice of God,

Elder Coleman

Gratitude

November 27, 2016

Hey everyone! We have a lot of things to do today so I will be pretty brief on this email and I don't have a lot of things to share this week so I will be super brief. We did have a thanksgiving meal this week (a lot of people were asking). We had one on the day of thanksgiving because I had a chance to go back to one of my old areas. There we had just a ton of meat so it was a perfect thanksgiving treat. Then on Saturday we had a huge Thanksgiving (American style) at the church, but there were so many people we actually didn't eat all that much haha. Anyway, it was a good week even though we didn't spend a lot of time out doing missionary work.

I will just share one quick verse:

“And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”

As we are grateful, we will not only receive more, but our perspective on the things we have will change. We will be more happy in the daily trials of our lives, we will find more joy in the small things. I hope all of you take some time to focus on the good in your lives, and avoid focusing on the negative.

I love you all,

Nathan