Christmas!!!

December 25, 2017

Friends and Family,

¡Feliz Navidad! (¡Bon Nadal! if you happen to speak Valenciano!!) As always, an amazing week in Benidorm!! We had an awesome dinner last night with a Columbian family in our Branch! They're pictured below along with Toni, who is an awesome guy from Dénia! He hasn't been to church is decades, but he called us one day and said that he wanted to come to church. We were even more surprised that he wanted to come because he has no money and no mode of transportation. He has trouble walking, so he left his house at 5:45 AM on Sunday morning and it took him an hour to walk to the bus station. He then bussed to Calpe (over an hour) and then took a train to Benidorm (just under an hour). We then met him at the train station at 8:30 and walked with him over to the chapel. In total, this man travelled over 3 hours to attend church. The whole time we were with him he wouldn't stop talking about how happy he was to be there and how awesome his life was!! It definitely inspired me to always stay positive in the  midst of afflictions! A prophet from the Book of Mormon described Christ's afflictions in this way: "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men." When times are hard, we can take comfort in the fact that Christ suffered for all who have ever lived. We can show our appreciation for this amazing gift by sharing His love with other. I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas!!

Elder Coleman

Calpe!!!

December 18, 2017

Friends and Family,

Benidorm treating us well as always! We traveled a lot this week so not much to talk about. Lots of bus/train rides from the border of the mission down to Málaga. Today we hiked this super famous "rock" in Calpe. Pictures will definitely be attached.

Here's a quote from James E Talmage (an apostle) about the story in the New Testament when Peter walks on water that struck me this week: "Into every adult human life come experiences like unto the battling of the storm-tossed voyagers with contrary winds and threatening seas; ofttimes the night of struggle and danger is far advanced before succor appears; and then, too frequently, the saving aid is mistaken for a greater terror. As came unto Peter and his terrified companions in the midst of the turbulent waters, so comes to all who toil in faith, the voice of the Deliverer—'It is I; be not afraid.'"

I love you all!

Elder Coleman

Benidorm, pt. 2!

December 11, 2017

Friends and family,

Awesome week in Benidorm! We taught a lot this week which was super cool, and some investigators came to church which is always a party! The chapel is about an hour and half from one of the towns in our area, so we were super happy when E__ came to church! She’s hoping to be baptized in early January so we're really excited! This next week is going to be a little weird because we came down to Alicante today (2 and a half hours from where we live) to meet with the president of the mission, and Elder Moreland and I are traveling down to Malaga to get our residency on Thursday and won't be back until Saturday.

A scripture that really stuck out to me this week is Mosiah 15:18-19: "And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people; For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished." The world we live in could use no shortage of peace. The scriptures teach that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and also the Founder of Peace; I witness that following Him brings peace in this life and the next.

I love you all!
Elder Coleman

Benidorm, Spain!!!!

December 4, 2017

Friends and Family,

Greetings from Benidorm, Spain!!! We're in the northeastern tip of our mission and it's so beautiful here! I'll make sure to attach some pictures. There are 4 missionaries here (Elder Moreland, Elder Bluth, and Elder Cazier and I). Elder Bluth and I grew up together so it's been so awesome to see him all the time! It took 3 and a half days of travel to get here so that was rough but since then we've been doing awesome! We're teaching lots of people in the towns around Benidorm (Callosa, Benissa, and Dénia). One of the people is M. who's from Romania and he's in one of the pics. Overall, we're super busy and it's awesome to be here!!

Lots of times in life we go through hard things. We can either choose to focus on ourselves and think about how hard our life is, or we can approach difficult times with a good attitude and focus on those around us! If you turn outwards and serve others in the hardest of times, your life will be filled with joy!!

I love you all,
Elder Coleman