tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23182752408576768652024-02-19T17:31:17.620-08:00Elder Jonathan CollierLori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-51687380621092659022017-09-11T22:53:00.001-07:002017-09-11T22:53:08.654-07:00Last Email!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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My week has been really really good. Time is going by wayyyy too fast. This is really weird sitting here right now. This has honestly been a super fun week though! We were definitely able to see God's hand all throughout it just like the rest of my mission. Packing and getting all that ready was hard though. I didn't sleep much last night... haha! I don't know how much I'll sleep tonight but we'll see! </div>
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We were able to find a family that we taught this week! That was super cool. ACtually, the story is sweet, we were going over to dinner with some members, but the dad was late from work, so we went out and worked until she was gonna text us when he came home. So we went out and contacted this guy that we had known for actually a few months now but haven't been able to teach! So we contacted him, (and it was raining pretty hard so we were wet) and he let us right in! We taught him, his wife, and their 10 year old son and they really liked what we shared about the restoration! it was a pretty good lesson and they invited us back for dinner! I won't be there for it, but it was cool to be able to be apart of that. </div>
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We also saw a few more of our investigators this week, and KAren and her family are doing fantastic. They have started to read the Book of Mormon and have said that they want to be baptized! It's only a matter of time now. Seriously, investigators that come through working with the members are the greatest. They are the most solid! So that was cool to see. </div>
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Other than that, it was just a solid week. Bad on my part, I didn't pick a ponderizing scripture yet... But i will! And I DO KNOW that this is the true church. I have come to know that the Lord leads and directs this work for HIs children. IT's such a blessing to be apart of it. I said a prayer last night reflecting on my mission, and I just felt peace. The same peace that I feel when I read the Book of Mormon, and take the Sacrament. The Spirit is real. And I know that God is there and wants to be apart of our lives. </div>
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Thank you so much for all your support and love this whole time Mom! I guess I'll have a lot of stories to tell this week! </div>
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I can now officially say, I'll see you soon! I love you so much!! </div>
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Love you,</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-47921616772248418642017-09-04T22:26:00.001-07:002017-09-04T22:26:39.255-07:00The Church Is True!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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That is so exciting that Harrison and Jenni had their baby! I'm excited to meet them. And for sure I will go with y'all to BYU Homecoming! That'll be a blast to go see them. </div>
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Things are just going fantastic over here in the Lightfoot ward. This ward is just on fire! It's been so cool to see the flames of missionary work just keep getting bigger and bigger as this ward has been forming. The members are just doing so well! This week, we were able to teach a family of some member's friends and they are great! They came to church last week, and I honestly think they are looking into this for real. They haven't had any problems with what we have taught so far so they are just solid. The fruits of working with the members are starting to come forth! It has been so cool. They're the ones we ended up painting the deck for last week! </div>
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I did end up bearing my testimony yesterday. I was actually asked by the bishopric to make sure and go up there... haha! It was kinda really cool to be able to do that. I'm going to miss all the people in this area so much. It's weird knowing that this is the Last week. Plus we have stake conference this sunday, so that was the last chance I'll be able to speak in the Lightfoot ward! Side note: I do get to sing in Stake Conference next sunday though so that'll be really cool! It's going to be a few missionaries and we're doing the EFY medley, but with the Time is Far Spent instead of As sisters in Zion like how Zach had us do it that one time! I'm so excited. And that'll be really fun to sing with Zach in a few weeks! </div>
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I can't think of very much else that is happening. I'm a little nervous to come home, and really sad to leave. But I'm also kind of excited to come home too... Is that bad? haha! I probably should think about getting things packed... </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is a fantastic scripture. Moroni 10:4-5. "<i>4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.</i></div>
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<i>5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." </i>I know for certain that this scripture is truth from God. I have seen this work time and time again for myself on my mission and for others. If we read from the Book of Mormon, with Real Intent, and pray and ask, He WILL let us know that it comes directly from Him. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God without a doubt in my mind. I read it every day, and I feel like every time I read it, the Spirit just almost turns on like flipping a switch. It is miraculous! </div>
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I can't think of much else that is happening, I guess I could just tell y'all pretty soon actually! But Mom I love you so much. I'm so thankful for your support and love and encouragement every week. I promise that this week is going to be no different for how hard I'm going to work than any other time on my mission. If anything, I'm just going to work harder! It's the home stretch, gotta give all you've got right? </div>
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Anyway, I love you Mom! I can honestly say, I'll see you soon! I hope you have a great week. </div>
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Love you! the church is true. </div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-41189335794354261352017-08-28T09:32:00.003-07:002017-08-28T09:59:28.204-07:00Two Weeks...<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Hey Mom! </span><br />
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It's weird that it's coming up so fast! I don't want to think about it, but I know I have to if I want to be at least a little successful at home I do need to think about it haha! But I want to make sure that this area is left better than when I found it. My goal is to just make sure that when I leave the work doesn't stop. Which it won't, but I want to make the transition as smooth as possible. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAov6B0EonGx5EJwfA31AG9D2ZTfmbODtRwDs-fwn_TGCdGo82zVBTkwhe2XaHa5O5Ib4aV-izq0MA7oYS2VOlXCxHuRIbZtQ1juJsFwl2wKXVb2bqOwVA6cFqOgPlC48LnYry3RF0DtRB/s1600/IMG_7261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAov6B0EonGx5EJwfA31AG9D2ZTfmbODtRwDs-fwn_TGCdGo82zVBTkwhe2XaHa5O5Ib4aV-izq0MA7oYS2VOlXCxHuRIbZtQ1juJsFwl2wKXVb2bqOwVA6cFqOgPlC48LnYry3RF0DtRB/s200/IMG_7261.JPG" width="200" /></a>But things are still going great! On saturday we helped some member's in the ward paint their friend's deck for a service project. IT took 8 HOURS. But it was fun! I'm still sore from it. But THEY CAME TO CHURCH YESTERDAY. It was so cool! They aren't investigating yet, but they said we could come by soon! I'm excited for that! The rest of the ward is doing great missionary work too. It's so fun! </div>
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I gotta share an experience from yesterday! Our car is in the shop and we have been biking and walking the past week, so yesterday we got dropped off in a northern part of our area and were walking around to contact people. And we were planning on just walking a few miles to another section, but we WAY underestimated how far it was and how long it would take. It was like a 5 mile walk and it was 8 at night! haha! We had a member that was gonna drive us home that night anyway, but we still had time before then! I don't know what we were thinking though so we just kept walking. And then about a mile in, a member pulled off the side of the road from another branch near us, and he said, "Elders! Get in the truck!" So we listened to him and he drove us where we needed to go! God literally rescued us. That's something I've learned, that when we do our absolute best, we'll still make mistakes, but God will rescue us when we need rescuing. </div>
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Other than that, things are going great! For some reason we haven't found any new investigators in a few weeks, but we're still moving forward! We've got a few that we think should come through pretty soon that we're excited about. Plus, the ward is just on fire and that's what I love to see! In time the Lighfoot ward is going to explode with success! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet little girl loves Elder Collier and wrote him a sweet love letter!</td></tr>
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I'm happy that things are going well for y'all! I hope the baby comes soon! Maybe it's waiting for me... haha! That'd be a long time though! I was wondering, cause I haven't asked yet, what would I be doing for my job? I'm super excited and thankful for it! </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is Alma 26:16 "<i>Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." </i>As I've been reflecting on my mission a little bit, and I read this scripture and that is definitely how I feel about my mission. It's great! </div>
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ANyways, I love you so much mom! thank you for everything that you do for me. I promise I will work hard for these past two weeks. That's what I've done my whole mission, and it's not gonna stop now! </div>
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Have a great week Mom! I love you! I'll see you soon. </div>
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Elder Collier (Jonny, Not Sammy)<br />
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-30709680493068177032017-08-21T17:31:00.004-07:002017-08-21T17:31:41.197-07:00There's an Eclipse! <span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!!</span><br />
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Yeah it's super weird... how fast time is going. I'll see y'all pretty soon! I got my flight itinerary in the mail the other day. I don't know if you've seen it yet, but my plane is supposed to land in Portland at 3 pm on September 12th. I've got a 5 hour flight straight from Atlanta to Portland! That'll be fun. I'm glad you got those pictures! And we did see the eclipse today, one of the elders had the special glasses. We were about 85% in the zone. It was pretty cool!</div>
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That's weird that my talk is scheduled and everything... Ah well. I think that'll be fun if we could go to the beach together! And tell Brother Morgan thank you so much for helping me get a job! I'll be looking forward to that as well. Those would be sweet hours. What would I be doing? </div>
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Things are still going well here! We didn't find any new investigators this week, and actually didnt' really teach a lot either, but it was a good week. For some reason the teaching seemed to slow down, but that's not gonna stop the Lord's work, so I'm not going to either. It was still good! We're also losing our car for most of this upcoming week cause it needs to get repaired in the shop, so that'll be fun! Back on the bike! </div>
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Oh! I got a lot of pictures yesterday from your cousin Blair Christofferson of Grandpa when he was younger! It was really cool to see those. He gave me a folder so I'll be coming home with some!</div>
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We taught one of our investigators Travis this week! we lost contact with him for a little bit but he let us come back! He's muslim, but he's not currently practicing so he's been open to learning from us. Last night we kinda just laid everything on the table and told him that if he would just commit to reading the Book of Mormon, praying about it, and coming to church with a sincere heart to know if this is true, that he'd get his answer. It was pretty powerful. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is 3 Nephi 17:20-22 "<i>And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.</i></div>
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<i>21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.</i></div>
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<i>22 And when he had done this he wept again</i>;" I chose this one because our Elder's quorum president share this in Elder's quorum yesterday as his favorite verse of scripture, and when I read it it just hit me. The Savior just loves us each so much. The Savior literally couldn't hold back His emotions with the Nephites, just like He couldn't with Lazarus. And it would be the same with each one of us. I know He lives, and through Him we can live with our Father in Heaven! </div>
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I do know for sure that you and Dad have testimonies Mom! Y'all are seriously one of the biggest reasons that I even have a testimony! So thank you for your examples. </div>
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I love you mom! thank you for everything. Have a great week!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-60094373083437956232017-08-14T22:41:00.001-07:002017-08-14T22:41:51.354-07:00Back to a Duo!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!!</span><br />
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So this past week was super fun. Being in a trio is just super fun every single day! We just had a blast being together all three of us. I think the hardest part is that sometimes it's a bit harder to stay serious sometimes... but it worked out! Elder Oldroyd and I are now going to have to learn how to work with just the two of us! haha! Elder Gardner is going to the mission home today and then going to fly home tomorrow. It's soooo weird cause I was in the MTC with him, so it's starting to hit me pretty hard that my time is coming up. But it'll all be okay. </div>
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This past week was honestly a blast though. Elder Gardner worked hard until the very end, and that was just great. We continued to find new investigators, and we taught a few people this week as well! It was just a good all around effort this week. Honestly, I think I'm just a little nervous to keep the work up how he did. He was honestly so great, one of the best missionary's that I've been able to work with. I hope that I can help keep things up in the ward! Although the ward doesn't seem to need any help with that. The Lightfoot ward is just awesome. They are missionary minded, and i'm pretty sure we're going to see a lot of new investigators start to come from the members pretty soon! And if not, at least they'll start extending more invitations! that's the most important part. </div>
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This past week seemed to fly by, I can't think of anything too specific... We did start teaching this couple! They've got three young kids, and the husband's brother got baptized into the church a few years ago! They have been super fun to meet with. They are really intrigued by everything, but are definitely hesitant to make any solid commitments. But, in they're prayer last night, they thanked Heavenly Father for us coming over to "teach them a better way of life." It was really cool! There are prepared people out there! We just have to find them. </div>
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One thing that's great about a companion going home is that all the members want to have you over! So we were able to meet with a ton of the solid missionary-minded families in our ward! It's been super fun to do that! We've started to practice scenarios with them and it gets super funny. I just love this ward so much. </div>
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We saw our investigator Bob again, and he's a super knowledgeable guy. He just can't get past the Apostasy. But he really just wants to find out if the Restoration is true, because he knows that if it's true, then he has to believe it! It's just hard to get our lessons focused sometimes, but it's good. If he just starts to really study the Book of Mormon, he'll find out that it's true. That's what I did! </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is D&C 97:8 "<i>Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me.</i>" This is a sweet promise from the Lord to us. All He asks is that we be willing to keep our covenants, and to sacrifice, and he promises us that if we are willing, that we are accepted of Him. I believe that is true! This is definitely His work that we are apart of! </div>
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Anyway, things are going great here! It sounds like things are pretty crazy for y'all! I'm glad that you are staying busy that's for sure! And thanks for that insight about Zion's camp too! </div>
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I love you so much Mom! Time won't slow down! Have a great one, I'll talk to you next week!</div>
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Love you,</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-48890863015031769372017-08-07T21:51:00.002-07:002017-08-07T21:51:29.033-07:00In a Trio!<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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Yep 5 weeks left... it just still doesn't feel real though. I'm definitely excited to see y'all! It just doesn't seem like it's actually happening! We have started Elder Gardner's last week so it's really weird... Especially because we were in the MTC together! But we're now in a trio! Elder Oldroyd is with us, and we'll all be together until next Monday, and then it'll just be me and Elder Oldroyd! It's been SO fun this past week. We just have a blast, all three of us! Elder Oldroyd hasn't been a Zone leader before either so we get to show him the ropes a little, but he's great. He's going to do so well here! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to use a machete to do some service. I cut down a small tree. It was fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">And here's downtown Toano! It's a little town we cover. Yep, that's everything. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">I got to see Elder Ciminski at transfers! Probably the last time I'll see him before I go home since he's in NC</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Gardner and Elder Oldroyd while we were out proselyting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">Had to go get some Cookout one night. It's a great place to eat.</span></td></tr>
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I can't believe it's been that hot out there! It does that every once in a while I guess! It's been super hot here too so don't worry about me... haha! </div>
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Sammy I bet is having a blast in those new MTC buildings! Elder Gardner and I watched the virtual tour last monday... it looks beautiful! I'm definitely jealous because they get to see the sun a whole lot more than we did when I was there haha! </div>
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This week was great. It just seemed to fly by in the trio! Elder Oldroyd seems to fit in great. We're still working out the kinks of teaching with three of us, but it's going better. But by the time we get it figured out elder Gardner will go home so.... ah well haha! Things just seem to be going well though! </div>
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We found a new investigator family that is really SOLID. I'm so excited for them! The dad's brother got baptized in Georgia 2 years ago, and we just stumbled across them! They just seem so prepared by the Lord. When we taught about dispensations and the Restoration she just said, "Wow. THat makes so much sense!" It was such a good lesson, and they were so excited to have us back over tonight. Plus they've been reading the Book of Mormon since we saw them last. So things are going well there! </div>
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Wednesday was a pretty crazy day! We went down to Portsmouth to Get Elder Oldroyd and bring him back, but the Assistants couldn't help a lady move cause of transfers so we went to help someone in Portsmouth to move and it was crazy! There wasn't a ton of stuff, it was just super disorganized and stuff was everywhere... haha! but once we got it figured out and packed into boxes it was good. Theyy were very appreciative so we were glad to help. </div>
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But yeah things are going very well here it seems! The work is great and we just keep pressing forward like normal. My ponderizing scripture is Jacob 5:71 "<i>And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.</i>" When I read this the other day, the part about the end being nigh at hand hit me super hard of course coming to the end of my mission. But I know that if I labor with my might, I'll have joy with Him who sent me here. I'm know for certain that this is the Lord's work that we are a part of! i'm so thankful to be here. </div>
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Thanks so much mom! And I just can't believe that so much is happening right now! Super exciting for sure! I'm always so glad to hear that y'all are doing well. I love you so much! </div>
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Have a great week Mom! I'll talk to you later! </div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-76392861707923909402017-07-31T09:50:00.003-07:002017-07-31T09:50:23.891-07:006 Weeks Left!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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Can you believe I only have 6 weeks left?? Time is seriously flying... I started my last planner today. It's so weird! But honestly, I'm going to work my hardest to the very end, and I feel confident that it'll be okay even though I'm a little nervous for when that time comes. </div>
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The weather has been super weird recently... It was super hot and humid (like close to triple digits) at the beginning of the week, then on Saturday it stormed and dropped to 67 degrees, and now it's not humid at all and it feels amazing! That humidity is brutal... haha! </div>
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But things are going great here! Elder Gardner and I are staying together until he goes home in two weeks, and we will get a third companion, Elder Oldroyd, who is a new zone leader! That's going to be super fun. Then once elder Gardner goes home, Elder Oldroyd will be my last companion! It's so weird. I'm excited to be with Elder Oldroyd though, I was actually with him in a trio in New Bern when my companion went home there, so it'll be fun to serve with him again! He's been out for about a year, and I think he's from Cedar City, but I'll let you know next week for sure! So things will definitely be changing this week! </div>
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We've had some really cool experiences this week. I went on two exchanges, both with some younger missionaries, and they are doing awesome. I think one of the reasons I'm in this area is for sure to help the younger missionaries around me in my zone. There are two new trainees coming this week too so that'll be fun. </div>
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We had to drop a few of our investigators this week and that was sad... They just weren't keeping commitments! We said we'd still visit them though. But when we did that, we found some new investigators! One was Bob who we saw yesterday and he is honestly seeking to know if this is true! He's a devout baptist, and he was a little hurt when learned about he restoration because it meant that his church was false... but the fact that he understood that right away and he still wants to learn was awesome! He just really wants to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We also met a guy named Jesse who isn't religious at all, which is rare for this area haha! But it was cool because he prayed for the first time at the end of the lesson! It was powerful! I love having these experiences. </div>
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I wasn't able to pick a ponderizing scripture but there's actually a funny story why. Last night we had a dinner with the Bean family, and we shared a message with them adn they are just a great family. Brother bean was gonna come to a lesson with us, but it wasn't for another 30 minutes to we wanted to meet some of their neighbors before our lesson, and someone was moving in! It was perfect! We ran over, dropped off our stuff on the grass, and helped them for a little bit before we had to go! But then when we had to go, and we jumped in the car and drove off to go see Bob. But then, when we got there, we didn't have our scriptures or anything! So we walked in there with a Book of Mormon and a Bible from the back of our car... it was good. But we didn't have enough time last night, so the beans still have my scriptures... haha! Anyway, it was pretty funny!</div>
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That's so great that Rachel got baptized! I'm so excited for her. And it sounds like y'all are doing well on your vacation too! that sounds super fun.</div>
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anyway, I'm doing great! I hope you have a great week Mom! thank you for everything. I love you! </div>
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Love,</div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-2671081311698902772017-07-30T18:50:00.003-07:002017-07-30T18:50:47.527-07:00Things Are Moving Forward!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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That's so cool that Sammy is on his mission and in the MTC now! He'll make it through. It was really tough for me too! But at least he has one extra week in the MTC and time to prepare for the field! I had 12 days haha! His experience with homesickness will allow him to help him when he needs to train or help a new missionary. It'll be great for him. I don't want him to be homesick either, cause it was hard for me. But it'll make him better! sometimes that's necessary. </div>
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Things are definitely moving forward for us! We finally took the time to let go of a few of investigators that we hadn't seen in a while But once we did that, we found so many people! We found probably 4 new investigators this week and that was super cool! Not all were the most solid, but one was a really good lesson! His name was Travis, and he grew up with both Christian and Muslim influences! It was really cool because he was asking a lot of questions, and he texted us a couple days later and said that he had written down a lot of questions since he's been reading the Book of Mormon! that was super cool! </div>
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Our investigator Miranda some how managed to get sick before church again... I don't know how this is happening. Every time we want to let her go, she manages to say that she's willing to commit, and then doesn't follow through. We may just need to stop going for a while and see if that does any good! It's just so sad to let people go. But sometimes it'll be good for them. </div>
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We taught Gospel Doctrine yesterday on Missionary Work and it was super fun! We turned it into kind of a big "Practice Session" To help people not be so scared to talk with their friends and neighbors! People actually really enjoyed it and it was super funny. I think that's been something that is definitely moving forward here is the member work. And our bishop met with us this week and that is our Main focus in this ward now! We definitely won't give up finding and teaching through our own efforts, but when you find through the members, so much good happens! Things are just going so well! I'm happy. </div>
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I'm not quite to my last transfer yet. 7 weeks left though... it's going by too fast. Elder Gardner goes home in 3 weeks, so we think we're going to get a third companion for those 2 weeks before he goes. Then I'll go. Ah that's so weird! But I'll probably stay here in the Lightfoot ward though and I'm okay with that! this ward is SO GOOD. I love it!</div>
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My ponderizing scripture for this week is 2 Nephi 9:21 <i>"And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam." </i>I chose this scripture for this week because I just love Jesus Christ. And I love how the Book of Mormon simply testifies about what He did for us! He simply came into the world to save all those who will Hearken unto His voice. And right now, I get to help people hear His voice. I love being here, and I know for certain that Jesus is our Savior! </div>
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I loves you so much Mom! I hope y'all enjoy your road trip! Have a great week!</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
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PS And I finished the Book of Mormon again this week, and I'm going to read it all the way through before I leave! I've got about 10 pages a day to do, but It's been good so far! I'm almost through 1 Nephi again! </div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-73944192885298907992017-07-30T18:49:00.002-07:002017-07-30T18:49:26.673-07:00Two Missionaries Out!<span style="font-family: "helvetica";">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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How does it feel to have two missionaries at the same time?? This is definitely new for y'all. It's super weird thinking about it for me haha! It hit me a few times, but it didn't distract me or anything so that was good. I'm glad that it was a good Sacrament Meeting! It sounds like it was really cool. Such a cool experience. </div>
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Sammy doesn't need to be worried about the MTC! Everything just happens so quickly at the beginning that you don't even realize what's going on haha! It was hard for me I'm not going to lie, but if you don't have those hard experiences, then you'll never know the good ones! So that's been such a blessing for me. I was actually reading through my journal the other day from the beginning of my mission, and I was SO HOMESICK. It was crazy! But I also had so many cool experiences to help me keep working hard and for me to just keep at it. And eventually, I was able to overcome it! and Sure it comes and goes, but that's what prayer, and scripture study are for to help you learn how to rely on the power of the Savior and apply is power into your life! But most importantly, as I've really focused on helping others to apply the Savior's power in their life, that's when I think I've learned the most. It's so cool. </div>
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I'm glad that you and Dad will get to go on a trip! It'll be a nice break I think to just be the two of you. No dogs, no kids! How long has it been since you could do that?? haha! </div>
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This week for me was a good week. Elder Gardner and I, I think, have finally started to work super well together, and we just are loving it. I mean, It's hard definitely, but it's been very good. It was hard this week because it was in the triple digits for three straight days... without the humidity. WIth humidity it was about 110... so it was hot. Also, Our investigators have kinda seemed to be dropping off recently... Miranda was supposed to come to church yesterday, but she ended up not coming, and then she's going to go out of town for a few weeks... Our investigator Lisa ended up dropping us an hour before text just be fore our lesson in the Bishop's home! That was super sad. We haven't been able to contact her since, so we don't know why, but we'll keep trying. And we haven't found a new investigator in a while, but we're still going forward! The Members are just doing great though! I love being able to help the members to reach out to their friends. that has honestly been really cool.</div>
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Thank you for sending me Sammy's talk by the way! It was SO good. He's going to do so well. </div>
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I can't think of anything else super exciting that happened this week... It's just been fun. As President Weed (my mission president) said best, "Joy is a sign that you are on the Lord's errand." So if we are feeling joy, (Pure Joy) we can know that we're doing what we're supposed to even amidst how hard mission life can be! </div>
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My ponderizing scripture for the week is John 6:38 "<i>For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." </i>This one stood out to me because the Savior set the perfect example. And just how The Savior came to not do His will, but to do the Father's will, it's the same for me. I came here on my mission (and to this life for that matter) to not do my will, but to do my Father's will. And I know that as I do my best, that the Lord will support us. He will ratify our decisions, and rescue us if need be! I love being out here, and I'm so excited for Sammy to experience this as well! </div>
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I hope you have a great week this week Mom! It'll be so hard I bet, but it's going to be so worth it in the end. Sammy is going to do such a great job on his mission and I'm so excited for him. Travel safe! I love y'all so much.</div>
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I love you!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-53974182592077851752017-07-17T07:12:00.001-07:002017-07-17T07:12:21.675-07:00Time Doesn't Want To Stop<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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I seriously can't believe how quickly time is moving. It feels like just yesterday I was sending an email home! Ah... Well it's okay. I'm glad that the funeral went well. I'm sorry that it was so tough this past week... hopefully this next week will be easier. But I think a good thing is that Sammy gets to be with everyone before he has to leave this next week! That'll help him for sure. A lot happening for y'all in the next few weeks!</div>
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I'm glad y'all liked the pictures! When we were over at the Nielsons, it was great! And yes I was working while I was over there haha! I totally would've gotten the joke though Mom haha! It was super cool at that appointment though! They're one of the families that we've started to work with to teach them how to do missionary work and they're just taking it and running with it! Literally our goal is to have all the members of the ward praying to see who they can help with real intent! it's been super fun. Also, President Nielson, and Dad got hired by CES at the same time! Dad pointed it out to me, and while we were at dinner President Nielson found dad's picture haha! He does the same thing that Dad does out here. </div>
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Also the bikes that we were riding was at our Ward's Pioneer Day celebration! It was a tri-ward activity for the three wards in Williamsburg. It was pretty fun! </div>
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But this week just seemed to fly by. We had a Zone Conference on Wednesday and that was super cool! It's pretty fun giving trainings at the zone conferences now! We also had a big 4th of July get together at our Stake President's House In Newport News with all the missionaries, and that was pretty fun! We didn't get the memo of the water balloon fight, so we had a water balloon fight in our white shirts and ties! Pretty fun! </div>
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On Saturday one of the families in the ward asked me to speak at their son's baptism! That was pretty fun! And then we had our tri-ward party! None of our investigators came so that was sad... but we got to have some fun there! There's a video of me and Blair Christofferson doing the Stick Pull! </div>
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But yeah things just keep getting better and better over here. I absolutely love the Lightfoot ward. Our investigator pool is dwindling a little bit... it's been hard not seeing anyone come to church. Except of Course the Branscomes who are the part-member family we're working with. But none of our other investigators have made it. We're still working hard though. There's still something more we can do! </div>
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Reading my scriptures this week, I found a great scripture that sums up my purpose as a missionary in a few verses in the Doctrine and Covenants and with everything going on, it seemed to speak right to me. So my ponderizing scripture(s) are Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-14 (and I'll add emphasis to some of the word that stood out to me) : "<i><b>Remember </b>the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. <b>And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him</b>, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, <b>you </b>are called to cry repentance unto this people." </i>I think the verses some it up pretty well. But I know and how important this calling is as a missionary. It's something that I'll love and treasure for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful for it! </div>
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Thank you for all that you do mom! I hope you have a great week this week. This is the last full week before Sammy leaves on his mission too! I hope y'all have a lot of fun. </div>
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I love you so much Mom! I'll talk to you later! </div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-77946544220971900542017-07-04T17:36:00.000-07:002017-07-04T17:36:14.142-07:00No Matter What We Go Through, The Gospel is True!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!!</span><br />
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I'm doing pretty good this week. Again, it was tough to hear about Grandma. I remember you telling me last week that she was put on Hospice, but I didn't expect it to be this week that it would happen. But I also didn't want it to happen just after Sammy left on his mission, so I think it was timely. He can now go in without any worries, and have extra support from Grandma and Granpda Doty and Collier. So that's something that'll keep me going, and I know will help Sammy! He's going to do great. Thank you also for sharing what happened with Grandma with me. That's a very special spiritual experience and I'm grateful for that. I know that they are happy again and are doing great work on the other side of the veil! </div>
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I shared that quote in the subject title because someone said that in their testimony yesterday during sacrament meeting and I thought it was perfect. "No matter what we go through, the Gospel is true!" You can't forget everything you've been taught and experienced at the the drop of a hat or a bad situation. Jesus Christ and everything you learn about Him, is what is supposed to help you through those times. And I know that he does. While Grief is real, and it comes and goes in waves when you don't expect it, Jesus Christ still does know our situation perfectly. I know it! He's there and knows us so well! </div>
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I think one of the greatest parts about my mission, is that I get to help people in similar situations make it through times of difficulty in their lives. The other day, we talked with a woman that had recently lost her husband and she was struggling. She was Christian and believed in the resurrection, and she was just trying to figure out where her Husband was now because he hadn't been resurrected yet. And I confidently was able to read from the Book of Mormon in Alma 40:11-12 "<i><span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><span class="gmail-verse-number gmail-verse" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">11 </span><span class="gmail-chunk gmail-hl-id-59260606" id="gmail-chunk120001" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120002" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">concerning </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120003" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120004" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">state</span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120005" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> of </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120006" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120007" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">soul </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120008" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">between </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120009" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">death</span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120010" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120011" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120012" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">resurrection—Behold, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120013" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">it </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120014" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">has </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120015" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">been </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120016" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">made </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120017" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">known </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120018" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">unto </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120019" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">me </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120020" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">by </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120021" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">an </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120022" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">angel, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120023" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120024" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120025" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">spirits </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120026" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120027" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120028" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">men, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120029" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">as </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120030" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">soon </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120031" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">as </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120032" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120033" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120034" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">departed </span><span class="gmail-chunk gmail-hl-id-59260606" id="gmail-chunk120035" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">from </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120036" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">this </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120037" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">mortal </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120038" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">body, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120039" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">yea, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120040" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120041" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">spirits </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120042" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">of </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120043" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">all </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120044" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">men, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120045" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">whether </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120046" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">they </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120047" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">be </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120048" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">good </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120049" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">or </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120050" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">evil, </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120051" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">are </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120052" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">taken</span><span class="gmail-dontHighlight" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120053" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">home</span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120054" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120055" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">that </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120056" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">God </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120057" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">who </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120058" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gave </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120059" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">them </span><span class="gmail-chunk" id="gmail-chunk120060" style="background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">life. </span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><i>12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." </i>This is also my ponderizing scripture for the week by the way. But I could confidently tell her exactly where her husband was now, and that he was able to learn about the gospel there! The Spirit was strong there. And I know for certain that the Plan of Salvation is real and it's a perfect plan! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">Things also have just been great this week. The work is progressing great. We have an investigator named Lisa that we have taught for a few weeks now that is sincerely interested and asking all the right questions. We had a great lesson last night and she is just super willing to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! It's really cool. This is probably the only area that I've taught multiple investigators multiple times! We also have been working with a ton of our active members, and yesterday one of the families bore their testimony about the great missionary opportunities they have been having (because they are doing awesome!!) and it really just lifted the whole ward! Then we had dinner with a family who we had talked to about praying and seeing who they could share the gospel with, and they did!! And we were able to talk right there with what they could do! This ward is just great. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">I am just loving being here still. I promise to work as hard as I possibly can, because that's what I'm called to do! IT's the only time in my life that I can come this close to giving my all. I love it. I'm so thankful for loving grandparents that have lived righteously. I'm thankful for the memories I have with them, and all that I've learned from them. They are forever going to have an impact on me. And I'm so thankful for your's and Dad's examples to me as well! You are truly the greatest parents anyone could ask for. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">I love you so much! Thank you for all that you do for me. I'll forget myself and get to work!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">I love you Mom!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">Elder Collier</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool Miniature Golf Place!</td></tr>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-45309808515218986122017-06-27T09:09:00.001-07:002017-06-27T09:09:06.982-07:00We have to Keep The Faith in Missionary Work<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
Hey Mom!</div>
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This week was another great week. Things are just going great here in this area. This has honestly been one of my favorite areas to serve in! The ward is fantastic, and the people here just are super prepared and ready to receive the gospel! No one has come to church yet, besides the part-member family we are working with, but people are actually reading the Book of Mormon! And keeping return appointments! It's been super cool. I just love being here so much. Elder Gardner and I are doing great together as well. We're glad to be serving another transfer together. </div>
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This week I've really been trying to put the faith back into missionary work. Sometimes after doing it for so long,it can become like a job! You pray so often that it may seem rote, you feel the Spirit prompt you to do different things, but you're so used to it that you just do it anyway, but one of my favorite leaders that I served around, Elder Richins, one time told me that "We need to keep the faith in missionary work." Or something to that effect. But really the underlying thing that makes the miracles happen in missionary work is Faith! Faith centered in Jesus Christ. Faith that we can work miracles if it is the Lord's will! And when you truly remember to have faith, you do see miracles. Gordon B. Hinckley said to Quentin L. Cook when helping create Preach My Gospel, "Tell the missionaries if they have more faith, they will have more success." Boy is that true! </div>
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But we have been continuing to see miracles in our area this week. One day we decided to pray about where we needed to go next, and we thought of a certain neighborhood! But as we were going there, my GPS sent us a weird way and we got lost. We then felt prompted to knock on the door of a house that we saw off of the main road, so we parked in the driveway and walked up. We then talked to the man that lived there for about 15 minutes and he was sincerely interested in having us come back! It was super cool! We didn't meet his family, but he's got a wife, and 5 kids! It was sweet. Again, miracles happen when you exercise faith. </div>
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We had a few families invite us back earlier in the week! One invited us in and they were super nice! We had had contact with them for a while, and they had read the Restoration pamphlet, but they just weren't willing to pray about it and they said that they didn't believe it was true. But they were super nice. That's pretty common out here though. I just don't understand why someone wouldn't just pray and ask God! There's like no way to lose, except your pride if you dont' want to be wrong... haha oh well! We're just trying to help them. The next family that invited us back was like the complete opposite! We met him on the street, and we got his phone number and had been in contact with him trying to set up a time to come by! And he was actually calling us back and everything to set up! We go into the lesson, we had prepared a nice lesson for them, they had like some soft christian music playing and had even baked cookies for us! Then we finally start with a prayer, and BOOM. Out comes the Anti-Mormon material that they had read. It was ridiculous! haha! They were so nice at the beginning! Talk about Wolves in Sheep's clothing right? Anyways, they brought up a ton of things that they didn't believe, but we just had to say that all we were doing was trying to help them receive blessing in their lives. It was tough, but we made it through! </div>
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Things are just going great though! The ward is fantastic and they are really trying to help our investigators to come to church. It's so cool. It sounds like the youth conference went really well! And also, I can't believe that Austin is married... tell him I love him too! But I just think it's weird... haha! And please tell Grandma I love her too. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture for this week is Mosiah 3:19 "<span class="gmail-verse-number gmail-verse" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">For the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">natural</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">man</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> is an </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">enemy</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> to God, and has been from the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">fall</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">yields</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> to the enticings of the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">Holy Spirit</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">, and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">putteth</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> off the </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">natural</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> man and becometh a </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">saint</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"> through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">child</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">, </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;">submissive</span></i></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><i>, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father</i>.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">" Mosiah 3 is slowly becoming one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. But this verse really just kinda lays out how we can overcome our natural tendencies and become more like the Savior! If we can put our will in line with God's will, and follow His promptings to repent and become better, or to serve others and turn outward, that's how we can over come the natural man. I know that that will help us have a changed nature! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">Anyways, things are going great! I love you so much Mom. The gospel is true!! Everything. I love being here on my mission. I hope you have a fantastic week this week! I love you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314);">PS I got a GIANT bike, and it's a hybrid road/mountain. but I heard TREK bikes are pretty good. If he can, I'd recommend shocks in the front, because mine doesn't have any and going over bumps is kind of annoying. But that's just a preference! Anyways, I hope that helps! I love you!</span></span></div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-30868108993194145672017-06-19T10:34:00.003-07:002017-06-19T10:34:46.610-07:00Survived Transfers!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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I hope Dad had a good day! I thought the card was pretty good. It was the best! He sent me pictures of his new socks too! I'm jealous haha! Sounds like it was a great day for him! </div>
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I'm super happy for Sammy too. He's doing a ton of things that are super cool! Graduation, going through the temple... Man. Now he's in Mission Prep mode. That's super crazy. Within this next transfer for me he'll be going into the MTC! </div>
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This week was a great week for us! We ended up not getting a transfer call, so Elder Gardner and I are staying together for another transfer! It's super weird because we both go home so soon! After this next transfer, we think we'll be placed in a trio, because Elder Gardner goes home 2 weeks in, and then I will go home at the end of that transfer, so for 4 weeks I'll probably have my last companion! We'll see though. I just know that for the next 6 weeks I'll be here in Lightfoot still! I'm so happy cause it's super fun. </div>
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We found 5 new investigators this week. That was super fun! They just all kinda came out of the wood work! All of them we had met previously and set up appointments with so it was pretty cool. One was a young guy, he actually graduated in 2015 the same year as me and Elder Gardner so that was kinda weird cause he was going into his Junior year of college this next year haha! But he was pretty interested in finding a church to be apart of. It was a good lesson. Elder Gardner and I just love being here! I'm not going to lie, he's been one of the more difficult companions for me to get along with, but we work really well together! It's been weird haha! We love working together and are great friends, but it's like when you start living with your best friend and it gets really difficult. But it's been great because we are really trying to get better and we are really motivated to work. There's only a few weeks left for both of us so there's a big sense of urgency to work as hard as we possibly can between the two of us. </div>
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We had a great lesson with the Branscomes, the part-member family we are working with! It was super cool because we were finally able to discern what one of her concerns were! The Spirit will definitely help you figure out what people need. And we are going to see them again tonight! We also started teaching Lawrence who is 84 years old. He's been catholic his whole life so he says it'll be hard to convince him, but he started reading from the Book of Mormon, so we'll see how far he gets before he is... haha! But yeah we are definitely staying busy talking with and teaching people. Plus our members are doing great missionary work! Your Cousin Blair's daughter Sabrina brought a friend to church the other week and she said she was pretty interested so that's exciting! Our ward members here are awesome. I love this ward.</div>
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My ponderizing scripture for this week is 1 Nephi 13:37 <span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;">"<span style="color: #333333;"><i>And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be." </i> I read this the other day and it really stood out to me. I love the promise that it says when we seek to bring forth Zion, we will be blessed with the Holy Ghost and be saved. But the thing that really stood out to me, was that it was those who Seek to bring forth Zion. Not just those who have seen a ton of miracles, or those who have baptized thousands, but those who just honestly want to try their best and do the Lord's will, will be blessed with the power to do so. I know that that is true, and if we just try our very best, we will be blessed for it! I know that this is the work of the Lord for sure!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Thank you so much for all that you do Mom! I love you so much. The Work is going great here and I'm loving every minute of it. I realized this morning that there's only 12 weeks left for me. That freaked me out a bit... haha! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">I love you so much Mom! I hope you have a great week this week! Talk to you soon!</span></span></div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-72781730565406361012017-06-19T10:33:00.001-07:002017-06-19T10:33:05.292-07:00Time is Flying!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom! I'm doing pretty great still! Your cousin asked me for your email so I assumed he would send you that... haha! People always seem to do that! </span><br />
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I can't believe that Sammy's seminary graduation was yesterday and his actual graduation is today. That's so crazy! Things are going by so quick. The temple is going to be a great experience for him! I haven't gone in a LONG time so I'm super jealous! And that's super cool that Kevin gets to set him apart! That's going to be a super cool experience! Sammy's time to leave is coming up quick!! </div>
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This week was a pretty good week! We had another member of the Seventy, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. come and visit our mission! It was a really good meeting, and I again got a ton out of it. It was mainly centered on the power in the Book of Mormon and how the Doctrine of Christ brings Hope into the lives of others. I love how everything we do out here is so outward focused. It's all about how we can help someone else out. That's what a mission is! Helping and loving other people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonny's Apartment</td></tr>
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We were supposed to have a few investigators come to church this week... But Miranda got sick and has to go into surgery, so she couldn't make it, and another one of our investigator couples just called us and told us they weren't gonna make it. It was super sad! BUT! A part member family that we were working with had dropped off the map about a month ago, and they showed up to church yesterday! We were able to set up a lesson with them! They are super fun! So miracles still happen. We're definitely keeping in touch with Miranda though with her surgery. We stopped by and saw her last night and she looked good. We had a cool lesson with her earlier in the week! I was thinking about her during my personal study that morning and a scripture stood out in Helaman that hadn't stood out before to me! It was Helaman 5:10-11, the ones right before the famous Helaman 5:12 about the sure foundation. They weren't very special to me necessarily, but when we shared those two verses with her, she said they rang true to her! The spirit flooded that lesson, and she said that was the first time she's felt that way since she's been reading the Book of Mormon! It was really cool how the Spirit worked there. He can definitely tell us of others needs during our Personal Study on a mission! </div>
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We found a new investigator yesterday so that was exciting! His name is Lawrence. He seemed pretty interested in the Book of Mormon but said he probably wouldn't join. We'll see once he starts reading the Book of Mormon... haha! There's power in that book! </div>
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Anyway things are just going great here! The Ward is doing tons of missionary work and we're helping them do it, and then our goal is just to talk with as many people as we possibly can throughout the day. IT's been a lot of fun. Elder Gardner and I are working together pretty well. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture is Moroni 8:26 (right after he talks about how baptism brings a remission of sins) "<i>And the remission of sins bringeth meeekness, and lowliness of hear; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." </i>So it really focuses on how through the remission of our sins we're made humble, and through that we receive the Holy Ghost who can fill us with hope. It was just really cool cause this week it stood out to me to see how the Gospel of Christ can fill us with Hope in our lives, through the Holy Ghost. Hope for a better world. I know that the church is God's church on the Earth, and that we can truly have hope through the Gospel!</div>
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Thanks so much for all that you do Mom! I really appreciate everything. I love you so much!</div>
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Have a great week this week! I love you.</div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-55231276575854239532017-06-05T10:18:00.001-07:002017-06-05T10:18:10.894-07:00<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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This week was another good week! Things are going well here as normal. I need to take more pictures... I haven't really thought about it since I've been here so I'll try and be better about that... haha! But things are really going great. </div>
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I can't believe that Sammy is graduating though! I got his graduation announcement in the mail this week and it was so weird to see... haha! I think it finally hit me that we'll miss each other when I get home. But it'll be worth it for sure. Those last few weeks of high school were a blast for me so I hope he enjoys them! </div>
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Hopefully you can talk to Blair soon! We took him out with us this week and it was pretty fun. </div>
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So. Update on Brother Heinz... We go there to pick him up with our Bishop to go have a lesson in our Bishop's home, and then his wife opens the door. She immediately hands us the Book of Mormon we gave him and said, "he's sick, don't come back or call. he's no longer interested." And we were shocked. Our Bishop spoke up (he's a stud) and said, "Well we'd like to hear it from him, is he here?" And she said that he didn't want to come out. After a few tries of trying to talk with him, she wouldn't budge. We ended up leaving, and I was just heartbroken haha. It was so sad! But it's okay. We'll just try back again when her car isn't there. He's so prepared! She just wasn't interested. </div>
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But! things are still going great here! Elder Gardner and I really feel that we can see 3 baptisms happen before he goes home in August... Or at least before I go home. So we're doing everything we can possibly think of to help that goal come to pass. We have an investigator that we teach twice a week, and she finally committed to come to church this upcoming Sunday! We'll see her twice before then, so it'll be good. We've taken a ton of people to her lessons in the past so the ward should just swarm her with love haha! </div>
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We've also found a couple that we've taught twice now that seems really interested! Both lessons we've had with them have been great. We taught about the Restoration last night, and the member just clicked with both of them! We're going to bring him and his wife to the next lesson. But during the lesson, they just loved it. They are excited to come to church this sunday too. So things are going well here! We've got a few solid investigators, and we're still just trying to find as many as we can. We met a woman named Dishonder! But she's as cool as her name sounds. She had a lot of questions when we started the lesson, and she felt like they were all answered adequately afterwards! She's excited to learn more about the Book of Mormon. It was a good lesson. </div>
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Apparently I've been assigned to sing this next Sunday. I can thank your cousin for that one Mom haha! It'll be fun to sing though! I love doing it. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture for this week is Alma 11:43 "<i>The Spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God," </i>I love being able to study the scriptures so much because I gain a strengthened testimony every single time. This really just put life into perspective again this week while I was studying about the Plan of Salvation, and let me know that really, everything we go through can be made easier because of the Knowledge of the Bigger picture. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and because of that I believe in that what it teaches about the Plan of Salvation is true as well. I love it so much! </div>
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Anyway Mom, thank you so much again for everything. I love you and it sounds like this week will be busy, so good luck! Things are still going great for me. </div>
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Love you so much!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-84581534125276533702017-05-29T20:14:00.002-07:002017-05-29T20:14:57.250-07:00Brother Heinz<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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So this week was another good week. I'm not gonna lie, it was tough. Probably one of the hardest weeks that I've had in a while, but it was oh so rewarding. It's funny how those two seem to tie together all the time. Hard work pays off, but I've learned that you have to trust in the Lord's timing for when that pay off will be. And what it will be! Sometimes, we have to keep persevering through tough things, but eventually, in the end, all things will be made up through Christ. He truly is the Light that we can look to! </div>
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It sounds like you had a nice relaxing week! Sometimes we definitely need that. </div>
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So this week, we have seen some miracles. Big and small! Heavenly Father is always in our lives! Last week I talked about how we taught a former Pastor/Reverend and the lesson went well. Well we've now taught him two more times, and he is loving everything. He's praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true and he's reading it. He was going to come to church, but wasn't able to because he wants to come with his wife as well, so it'll be next week that they both come! Super exciting. But tonight, we are going to have a lesson at our Bishop's house with him! It's going to be so good. He's actually open and looking for truth! I don't know what's made him this prepared, but we will find out! His name is Harold, but we call him Brother Heinz. I've never naturally started calling one of our investigators Brother or Sister, but for some reason it worked really well with him haha! he's super cool. </div>
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I've definitely learned a lot this week! It's been a fun week. I think I came to this area with the wrong mindset. I thought I would just come here to use everything that I've learned throughout my mission and just see success. But I've quickly learned that's not why! I definitely still have a lot to learn so it's been a good experience figuring that out. I just love being out here!</div>
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We had zone conferences this week and that was fun! Recently Zone leaders and sister training leaders were just made the people who organize and teach at zone conferences. So that was a different experience than I'm used to! It was different not being able to just go and learn, but I was the teacher. It was cool though. I learned throughout the preparation of the trainings. </div>
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I can't think of anything really like super important that happened this week. It's just been a good tough week. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is Words of Mormon 1:7 "<i>And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will." </i>I hope in my life I can be like Mormon who wrote this and confidently say that I was a tool in the Lord's hands. He knows why things happen in our lives, and I just want to do what He wants me to do! I know that this is the work of the Lord. I can confidently say I feel the Spirit guide me every single day, and I love it! This is all true! </div>
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I love you so much Mom! Thank you for everything that you do! I hope you have a fantastic week this week. And that is super cool that you finished the Book of Mormon again! </div>
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Love you so much Mom.</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-75195322648561930122017-05-22T11:55:00.001-07:002017-05-22T11:55:35.253-07:00The Work Goes On!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom! By the way, Happy Birthday!!</span><br />
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So things are going great here! Lightfoot is probably one of the most fun areas that I have served in. Time has seriously been flying by and I want it to stop! Elder Gardner and I have just been super busy. We've met so many different people, and the ward is super excited about the work progressing here so that is always great. </div>
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I will find out what they do for work for sure! We are trying to get over there to help them with their missionary work, so I can find out then! That's super funny that no one knows what they do. </div>
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But things have been going really great actually! I don't know if I mentioned Brother Cordell last week, but he is a less active member that hasn't been to church in a while, and his records weren't here on our roster! But we taught him last week and he came to church this past Sunday! He is super excited to come back to church. He hasn't been in long enough that he doesn't really remember anything about the church, but he enjoyed it! So we're just starting from the basics. He's super funny, and said he'd like to come to some lessons with us!</div>
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Also, we met a former preacher the other day! Normally those don't go very well, but he invited us in and a lot of his questions were just super genuine! We taught him about the restoration, and he was like, "wow that could be true." And the thing that he loved was that he could gain a witness of himself through the Holy Ghost. We asked him what he would do if he found that out, and he said, "Well I'd probably join your organization!" That was super cool! He understands real intent super well. And he is really excited our next lesson because he wanted to meet one of the members of the church, so we were like, "Yeah we can definitely do that!"</div>
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We taught Jayden again this week (the new investigator that we found last week) and he was really enjoying what he read in plan of Salvation pamphlet. I was mostly impressed with the fact that he read it because almost no one ever does so that was super cool! He's progressing pretty well, now we just need to help get his family involved. </div>
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We taught a couple last night! (Which is cool because normally we meet one person and the spouse shuts us down). They let us right in, and we were able to teach a few things to them. They literally asked, "How does one go about joining your church?" That was pretty cool. They are pretty excited to meet with us as well. </div>
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We have an investigator named Miranda that has actually been taught by missionaries for a few months now! She was moved over when the ward split happened. She has been reading the Book of Mormon pretty often and just hasn't been able to make it to church yet, because she has commitments at her church and she feels bad just leaving them unattended. But it was a pretty big deal this lesson, because we retaught the restoration (And she didn't understand it at first, but this time she did,) and she committed to come to church on June 11th!! It's a pretty big deal for her because of how hard it is for her to do that. But this is going to be huge! It think it'll make it or break it for her. So I'll definitely keep you posted on that! </div>
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So yeah things are going really great. I just love the people in our area. My ponderizing scripture is Jeremiah 16:16 <i>"Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." </i> You're never going to know who the elect are if you don't talk to all of the people! I love this scripture because we are the hunters and the fishers as missionaries! We literally talk to everyone we can and by doing that, that's how we find them. I love it. </div>
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Thank you so much for everything Mom! I hope you had a great birthday yesterday. You are such a great example to me! I hope things keep going smoothly for y'all!</div>
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Have a great week mom! I love you!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-59772370416419897792017-05-15T21:27:00.000-07:002017-05-15T21:27:11.170-07:00Happy's Mother Day!!<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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It was great to talk to all of you! Sorry that the connection was bad for part of the time. But it was really good to see you! There were just so many people I didn't know what to do... haha! But I was really glad to be able to hear from y'all. I hope Sammy will be able to be as prepared as possible before he leaves. Hopefully my advice helped a little. He's probably going to have a completely different mission experience than what I had anyway though. </div>
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So I don't have a lot new to say since I talked to y'all yesterday! I'm excited for the ward here and things are really going great. Oh my new address that I sent you last week is actually wrong... haha! The real address is 1015 Norwyk Ln, Williamsburg, VA 23188! </div>
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I have thought about that promise from President Randall a lot throughout my mission. There have honestly been a lot of different experiences that I've had where I felt like it was supposed to be me personally in that situation to help someone or do something. That has been true in my proselyting areas and in my leadership positions. I'll go in more detail when I get home, but there have definitely been a lot of experiences! </div>
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Something cool that happened on Mother's Day, we found a new investigator! That was pretty sweet. He had talked to missionaries before I got there, but had never been taught, and we stopped by and he let us right in! We were able to address some of his concerns about the Resurrection, and how to be prepared to meet God! The Plan of Salvation is seriously golden. It was a cool spirit filled lesson, and he wanted us to come back so bad that he kept trying to find a time that would work even when we were busy with the first two times that he offered. It was a sweet lesson! </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is 1 Nephi 10:22 <i>"And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not." </i>I definitely know that this is true because everything that we share has to be confirmed by the Holy Ghost in order for the person to know that it is true for themselves. But first, I had to come to know that it was true as well! And Because I have been given that witness, and i can testify with more power added to the authority I have been given to do so! It's pretty cool. This church is completely 100% true! </div>
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It was seriously so good to see you! I hope you had the best day ever. I love you so much! have a great week! </div>
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I love you.</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-90130517511607710762017-05-08T13:40:00.000-07:002017-05-08T13:40:59.652-07:00Lightfoot Here I Come!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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So this week was a pretty good week! I did get a transfer call this past Saturday... I'm going to the Lightfoot Ward up in the Newport News Virginia stake! The ward was created about a month and a half ago so it's pretty new! I'm still going to be a Zone Leader, and my new companion is Elder Gardner. I was in the MTC with him so I'm super excited to serve with him! He's only been their for a transfer and that's how long the ward has been in existence so this'll be super different! The ward is just north of Williamsburg, Virginia. I'm definitely going to be sad to leave New Bern though! Even though it was a harder area to serve in, I really have come to love it. It's hard leaving any area. I'm going to my 6th area though so that's super crazy too! </div>
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This week was super fun though! It's sad because I'm really starting to see the work pick up here in New Bern and I'm going to leave it, but that's alright. We found a couple new investigators this week! One was a former investigator that the missionaries just stopped coming by to see and he didn't know why! We called him the other day and he had a ton of questions about what he was reading in the Book of Mormon so we're really excited to help him answer those tonight. It's so fun to see people really enjoy what they are getting out of the Book of Mormon!</div>
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I also went on exchanges with the Elders on Harker's Island so that was pretty fun! Harker's Island is a different place... haha! It's literally like going back in time. And they have their own dialect there as well. But the church is super strong there, which is also kinda bizarre haha! You can probably look up more of the history if you want to! It was pretty fun. </div>
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Miracle May has still been super fun. We are totally seeing miracles here! Yesterday, we had to drive super far (about 35 minutes) to a lesson with someone who ordered a bible online! While we were there the lesson actually went pretty well! But we didn't want to drive all the way out there for just one lesson, so we decided to just stop by some of the members who we didn't know that lived out there, and the first man let us right in! He hadn't been to church in over 10 years, but the lesson we had with him went super well. It was just a miracle that we caught him there and how strong the Spirit was in that lesson! </div>
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Oh and yesterday we had an Area Broadcast for the North America Northeast area for church! It was super cool, Dallin H. Oaks spoke at it. I found out that Sammy's Mission I'm pretty sure is in the same area has mine! So that's pretty sweet!</div>
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I think that's about it for this week. Things are going super well here still. I love New Bern and I'm definitely going to miss it. For Mother's Day, I just called the Elders up there now, and they said that we're going to be calling at 7 eastern time, so at about 4 pm your time! Hopefully that works! I'm super excited for it!!! I can't wait. Also my new address is 1015 Glenburnie Rd Williamsburg, VA 23188. </div>
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I'm super excited for this new week though! It's going to be a lot of fun. My ponderizing scripture is D&C 18:13 "<i>And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" </i> I love this one because it's short and simple. Repentance is such a blessing and I am grateful that we have the blessing up being able to repent! It really is a great thing, and I get to help people really feel the joy of repentance every day. I love it!</div>
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It was really great to hear from you this week Mom! That really is a cool experience to have Elder Anderson at the Stake conference. I can't wait to talk with you this week! I hope you have a great week. I love you so much!! </div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-12718174947821332042017-05-01T15:08:00.001-07:002017-05-01T15:08:19.919-07:00Miracle May <span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!!</span><br />
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Oh my gosh that is so exciting that Sammy got his call. I have been hoping this whole week that he would be assigned here, but that's alright! The Ohio Columbus Mission is about to get one of the best missionaries. I'm seriously so excited to see the great work that Sammy will do. He's going to do such a great job. It's definitely going to be super weird with us both out at the same time! It'll be fun to hear from him as he's going through the MTC and getting out into the field. </div>
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So I don't have a lot of time to write because we went to Cape Lookout as a zone for P-day today and we're running a little bit behind so that's my bad! But I just want to say if there's anything I've learned this week it's that missionary work runs on Miracles. That's how this work progresses. I have learned for sure that this is the work of the Lord and miracles and tender mercies are everywhere. This month our mission is doing this thing where we are recording our miracles and sending them into the mission so that we can hear about everyone's stories and cool experiences. I'm so excited and I just know that miracles are going to happen because God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever, so miracles will still abound today according to our faith and all diligence! </div>
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Here's a quick example, yesterday Elder Shill and I decided to fast for miracles to come this month and for us to notice them, and then we just go to church as normal, and a non member just came to church on his own because he had some Mormon friends in Alaska that he talked to and he was interested! It was SWEET. He came to all three hours and he even knew one of the members already. Just because of that I know for sure that miracles are going to happen this month. </div>
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I know it will because of my ponderizing scripture for this week, Mormon 9:21-22 "<i>Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: </i>Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;<i>" (</i>emphasis added) Missionary work is a miracle. And I get to be apart of it every day! And I am so excited for Sammy to experience it as well. I know for certain that this is the true restored church of Jesus Christ on the Earth today. </div>
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I love you so much Mom! I'm again sorry that I couldn't write a lot. But I do love you and I hope you have a great week this week! </div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-21548959126600145742017-04-27T10:16:00.003-07:002017-04-27T10:16:29.343-07:00<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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I'm doing great! Man, Sammy was ordained an Elder. That is so cool. It's times like this that remind you that religion is reality. It's really easy to get distracted with things in this world, but Sammy just got made an Elder, and that's a pretty big thing! It makes you realize how important the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is. I didn't know it myself I don't think until on my mission. But now I just love being able to tell others about it, because it is real! And i know that it is true. Please tell me when he gets his call! I'm seriously so excited to know where he is getting assigned to labor. </div>
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I had no idea that Jill was leaving on a mission! that's pretty cool! And That's crazy that Taylor Bradford came home because she left like a week after I did... So weird! Sammy is seriously going to be such a good missionary. If I could do it this long, he's going to have no problem at all.</div>
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I'm glad that Choir tour ended up being super fun! That was always one of the highlights of the year for me. That's so weird that no Colliers will be on those tours anymore though! </div>
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When Quentin L. Cook came to our mission we all got to shake hands with him which was super cool! We only had two hours with him cause he had a busy day, but it was super cool. </div>
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This week was a pretty good week! We found 3 new investigators that we are pretty excited about! That was definitely the highlight. Most of the people we have found have been through tracting which is something we're trying to fix... (every time we get a referral from the ward it goes to the other Elders... its' been kinda funny haha!) but those investigators we found are pretty solid! One of them are a Mother and her daughter, and the mother actually grew up in a Part-member family! It was pretty cool that we found her! All her Mom's family are members of the church, and she knew exactly who we were when she opened the door! It took a few weeks to have lesson, but we had one and it was a GREAT lesson. She felt the Spirit for sure. It was heartbreaking when she couldn't make it to church though! It's alright. She'll get there. I'm just happy that the work is starting to pick up more, because now we can have the ward come with us to lessons! I love serving here in New Bern. </div>
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I can't think of much else going on! We haven't been able to have a lesson with that family we taught in a while... They've been super busy. But we're trying! And our investigator that came to Stake conference was super busy all this week too. But at least we have investigators! haha! I'm so glad that work is paying off. I mean, it was already, but I'm really starting to see the work here progress a ton. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is Alma 29:1. "<i>O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!" </i>I put myself into this verse every time I read it. I feel just as Alma did! I want to just share this message with everyone I can because I KNOW for sure that Jesus Christ lives and that the Book of Mormon is true. And that means that This church is true. Everything about it. This really is the work of the Lord. </div>
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Thank you so much Mom! You sound like you are doing great as always. I hope you have a great week this week. I love you so much! </div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-72489769562946038972017-04-17T19:51:00.000-07:002017-04-17T19:51:10.021-07:00We Had An Apostle Come to Our Mission!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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This week was super good! The weather has been great. A little hot because of the humidity and being on bikes but it's been totally worth it. It doesn't surprise me that we're getting thunderstorms though! They come and go a lot. I'm sorry it's been raining! Sometimes I enjoy when it starts raining I really enjoy it because it reminds me of home haha! But it's so much easier to proselyte in the sun because people are just outside. </div>
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I hope things get easier with what's going on with Grandma. I'm sorry that that is happening. I still am praying every night for her.</div>
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This week was super fun though because we had a Mission Conference on Saturday! It was the first time since I've been on my mission that the entire mission gathered in one location for a meeting. We had it because Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the 12 came to speak to us! It was honestly such a humbling experience. I can say I know for certain now that he is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He and his wife both addressed us and they just answered so many questions that I had that I came to the meeting with. Then afterward it was just super cool because we were able to have lunch with the entire mission and I was able to see a ton of my old companions and other missionary friends that I've made. It was just such a sweet experience. We all met up in Virginia Beach. It was so fun! And it was even more special because it was Easter Weekend. </div>
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Then the next day we had Stake Conference and the whole stake met here in New Bern at a large convention center. A member of the Seventy came and presided at that meeting and that was super cool as well. It was a pretty good meeting. But super cool, WE HAD AN INVESTIGATOR AT STAKE CONFERENCE. It has been so long since we've had an investigator at church, and Ashley came! It was super cool to help her get there. She really liked it! she had a few questions, but we're going to help her for sure. We think she really wants to be apart of a church. </div>
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I can't think of anything else really out of the ordinary that happened this week. I've just been so tired the past few days... That's just something I've gotten used to. We're still just out and about trying to find new investigators. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week is Luke 24:46-47 and it's something I learned from Elder Cook, "<i>And said unto them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." </i>Of all the things that the risen Savior could have taught the disciples after His Resurrection, in each Gospel, and in the beginning of the book of Acts, He tells them to go forth and preach the gospel. So Missionary work was something that is super important to the Savior. And I get the chance every day to testify of Him! That He broke the bands of death, and is the keeper of the Gate of sin. The reality of this calling becomes more and more real every day I'm here. I love it!</div>
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I'm so excited for Sammy to get his call!! That is going to be awesome to find out where he's going. My official guess is my mission! It's going to happen! </div>
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But anyway things are going really great out here. I love it so much. Thank you for all that you do! I hope you have a great time in Seattle this week on tour! </div>
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I love you so much mom. Have a great week this week!</div>
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Love you,</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-51189056759135901592017-04-17T19:43:00.003-07:002017-04-17T19:43:46.839-07:00Another Week Down!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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My week was pretty good this week! It was a little slower because we had to go to Portsmouth one day, and then plan and run our Zone Meeting a few days later, but it ended up being really great. I love getting the chance to uplift and serve the missionaries in the Zone. It's the best feeling in the world to see them just taking notes because they are really listening to what the Spirit is telling them. </div>
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I have had so many answers to prayers this week it has been so cool. When you sincerely ask God, and you really study it out in your mind and do your part, your prayer is answered. And sometimes, it's not and that just means He trusts us to make the decision! But I've decided to make a conscious decision to follow Elder Rasband's counsel and to act on the first prompting that you get. But it's really cool because sometimes the thoughts and feelings that you get do not feel like promptings, but then when you act on it (a lot of times in faith) you can see the immediate fruit from it! Like the other day, we were biking down the street, and a dog started to follow us, and after two intersections in the neighborhood I thought it would be a good idea to turn around a lead it back to where it came from! So we turned around, and the owner called it back, and we talked to him and found out that he works for a member of the church and he talks to him all the time about the church!! It was pretty crazy. The man wasn't interested in meeting with us, but we just told him to talk to us boss and tell him that he met us. And even though I was sad that he wasn't interested, I knew that I acted on a prompting! So act on promptings, even the little ones!</div>
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We started to teach a family this week!!! That was another answer to prayer. We are excited about them. They are a young couple and have 4 kids under 8. we had a pretty good lesson with them last time, and we hope to continue to help them. It was just so cool to see the Spirit work on them in that lesson. And we have found a few other potential family's as well. Slowly but surely the work is going to progress in this area. But we really think that this is in part to praying with Real intent, and saving our miles by biking in different parts of our area!</div>
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I feel like that's about it for this week... There wasn't a lot that I can remember off the top of my head. But it sounds like y'all had a fun Spring Break and I'm happy for ya! I'm glad that it was a fun trip. </div>
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My ponderizing scripture is Mosiah 16:9 getting ready for Easter this upcoming Sunday, "<i>He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." </i>I talked about the Prince of Peace video last week, but this is what I know to be true! Jesus Christ is the light and life of the world, and He was resurrected so that there will be no more death. We will all live again after this life. </div>
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Thank you so much for all that you do Mom! I really do love you and appreciate all that you do for me. And I absolutely love being here. </div>
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I hope you have a great week this week, and hopefully I will write more this next week as well! I love you! </div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-15667433848117656342017-04-17T19:42:00.003-07:002017-04-17T19:42:48.592-07:00General Conference and #princeofpeace<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!</span><br />
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Yeah I got the Debit cards you sent! The first one worked so I'm not sure why they sent another one... Am I good to cut that one up too? </div>
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I'm super happy to stay in New Bern! Transfers are a hassle sometimes haha! I'm just glad I get to stay with Elder Shill and in this zone. Most of our zone stayed the same too so that's super good because we get to keep working with them all! </div>
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General Conference was SO GOOD this time! I mean, it's really good every time, but there were just so many good talks this time around. Some of my favorites were by Elder Rasband, and a member of the Seventy, Elder Palmer gave a great one that I just loved. And Elder Cook's talk was super good too! But there were a ton of other really good ones too. I got so many answers to questions. But what Elder Rasband said about acting on the first prompting has really stuck with me and I definitely need to do that better! What were some of your favorite talks?</div>
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I'm guess that Harrison and Jenni will have a boy! </div>
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And that's so cool that Carson got his mission call! </div>
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So this week was pretty good. I'm glad that Elder Shill and I are staying together because we just seem to work really together. I'm a little upset that we aren't really teaching anyone at all because I feel like we would work super well in those lessons, but that's okay! Finding I guess is something that I need to work on right now because we have had very few investigators. </div>
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On thursday we had some extra miles left in the month so we just drove around and contacted everyone that we had met to invite them to watch General Conference! I'm not sure how much good it did, but it was fun to just testify of living Apostles and a living Prophet on the Earth! We seriously have the greatest message in the entire world. It's all true!</div>
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Friday was a super tough day but I had a super cool experience that I want to share. We were having a super tough day on Friday. Appointment after appointment fell though, and all throughout the week up until friday had been the same. I was feeling super discouraged... We had just gotten dropped by the investigators that we found that we thought were super solid and that was just heartbreaking. I feel like I truly love these people so it just pains me to see them no longer interested in the Gospel. Because I just KNOW how much it will help them. But anyway, all through out that day people weren't interested, appointments fell through, and people telling us to not come back. Elder Shill and I decided to go watch the new Easter video that came out (which if you haven't watched it yet, please watch it because it's very good). It really just made me appreciate all that the Savior did for us. Elder Shill said that we needed to tell everyone about it, so we went to the downtown of New Bern and it was really busy on a Friday night at about 8! We were able to talk to a lot of people. But in my head, I really just didn't want to do it, because with all the rejection we had faced I was honestly kinda scared which definitely isn't like me anymore. (now after President Uchtdorf's talk I know where those feelings were coming from). But even through out the whole hour we were there, Elder Shill would start a conversation and people would be happy and take the card, and I would try to talk with someone and they wouldn't be interested and would tell us to go away. It was getting to me pretty bad! But I knew we needed to stay there. So I just kept trying. And finally at about 8:50, I tried one more time (even though every other person had rejected) and they were SUPER cool. We started talking and we found out that they had actually been investigators a few months ago and the missionaries stopped going by! It was definitely a blessing of perseverance. Now I know for sure that Diligence Brings blessings. It was super cool! And if you haven't seen the new video please go watch it! <a href="https://www.mormon.org/">https://www.mormon.org</a> </div>
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My ponderizing scripture this week goes along with General Conference! It's D&C 1:38 "<i>What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and thought he heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." </i>I know that we can receive revelation through the inspiring messages in General Conference! </div>
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But I think that's about it for this week! We are still trying to find new investigators... so we're pressing forward! I'm just grateful I know whom I serve. Jesus Christ stands at the head of this Church with Living Prophets and Apostles on the earth today. Jesus Christ is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace. </div>
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I love you so much mom! I hope you enjoy your time in Utah with everyone! Have a fantastic week this week! Also thank you for letting me know about Grandma. She is in my prayers every night, along with all of y'all. </div>
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The church is true!</div>
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I love you...</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2318275240857676865.post-39931135587497300212017-03-28T22:58:00.001-07:002017-03-28T22:58:14.544-07:00The Gospel is Simple!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hey Mom!!</span><br />
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Oh my goodness Sammy just keep getting closer and closer to getting his call. I can't wait to find out where he's going! I keep hoping that it's going to be this mission, I think that would be so sweet! </div>
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That's cool that you've talked to Elder Shill's Mom! Yeah he's been a ton of fun to be companions with. Definitely one of my favorite companions. We found out that we are going to stay together for another transfer too, so that's going to be fun! And transfers got pushed back a week, so that's why I'm going home on the 13th now! So I'm still going home on the same day. They called me this week and confirmed my departure date with me... Time is going by super quick. Can't it just slow down a tiny bit?</div>
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This week was another really good week. We've been still driving to areas, and biking around them, and we have seen a lot of success from it! We went to this place called Pollocksville on Friday and spent the whole day there. We saw a sweet miracle! We were contacting a potential investigator, who wasn't home, so we knocked on the neighbor's door. They were a younger couple, and they let us right in, and we started to teach them about the Restoration of the gospel. During the lesson, we invited them to church, and they said that they had literally just been talking about finding a church because they didn't like the one that they were at, right before we knocked on the door. Miracles like that are everywhere on a mission and I feel like I'm able to notice the little things so much more since I've been out here. It was a great lesson because they noticed the Apostasy, and they wanted to find where God's church was. We essentially just told them, you've found it! So i hope they will pray about what we've shared and continue to meet with us! </div>
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I've felt really good most days this week. The best days I think are the ones where you come home just exhausted and sleeping sounds like a great thing! I have slept the best I have the past couple of weeks compared to the rest of the past transfer. So things are going great. </div>
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Last night something funny also happened! We were driving by a less-active family's house and we saw all 4 kids pulling weeds outside, so we called out to them and asked if we could help! They were like, "Sure?" They looked kind of confused, but we got out and helped and after a few minutes they were having so much fun! We had mainly been working with the Mother to help her come back to church, and hadn't talked to the kids very much, but all the kids are teenagers, so this was really good. And then the mom came out and she was like, "Why are you doing that in your white shirts??" she was so upset haha! But she was really happy and thankful that we stopped to help. Then we were able to teach them, and actually teach the whole family instead of just the mother and the oldest son, so that was a lot better than what it had been before! It was just a really cool blessing to see. The more we go about doing good, the more opportunities will arise!</div>
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My ponderizing scripture for this week is Mosiah 2:22, and I thought it was super profound! "<i>And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you</i>." So even after all that the Savior has done for us, all that he asks us is to follow Him and keep His commandments! And when we do that, we can have the Spirit more present in our life, and we can KNOW that we are on the right path! I know that this is true!</div>
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Thank you for sharing that experience with me Mom! That is so cool to have already known because of how well your parents have taught you. I feel the same thing, because you and Dad have shown such great examples for all of us boys and I'm so grateful for that. </div>
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Thank you for all that you do Mom! I love you so much! I'll talk to you soon, have a fantastic week!</div>
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Elder Collier</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ClfazDcmUE6OamjEE23NNp49dhFIPuZxIDmYTqIh44wcOxdDKaRgJCkzn4A4VW8MXX4FiYFk3gLu1G9CWNbjZyVmRk3G5Lta0DZssLs258tOtiG2iFShu7NXhTR51hkOreG3EkuyhX9G/s1600/DSCF1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ClfazDcmUE6OamjEE23NNp49dhFIPuZxIDmYTqIh44wcOxdDKaRgJCkzn4A4VW8MXX4FiYFk3gLu1G9CWNbjZyVmRk3G5Lta0DZssLs258tOtiG2iFShu7NXhTR51hkOreG3EkuyhX9G/s320/DSCF1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures of Downtown New Bern!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRjJNPz2vnksooR9SrAZALt6CsTBn9uCwst_McoN_LJiXwLkvk6ZSu0WWRVbIRWdcduj5r2hFWRhBUtUgGYkMieX85s0HtNNZMNlHfr7i3U5JQU7VoaKOrm4uN1FfebVQUCnD-k0QY0D9/s1600/DSCF1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRjJNPz2vnksooR9SrAZALt6CsTBn9uCwst_McoN_LJiXwLkvk6ZSu0WWRVbIRWdcduj5r2hFWRhBUtUgGYkMieX85s0HtNNZMNlHfr7i3U5JQU7VoaKOrm4uN1FfebVQUCnD-k0QY0D9/s320/DSCF1109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the birthplace Pepsi Cola last week, and the soda there is pretty good!</td></tr>
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Lori Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00077699186498786790noreply@blogger.com0