WEATHERFORD TEXAS ... AT LEAST FOR A FEW DAYS

Elder Coffman arrived in TX on 2/10/12. He was assigned to Mineral Wells for about six days and then moved to Weatherford. He will serve in Arlington starting 2/21 and remain there until his visa is ready. Letters can be sent to the mission home address in the previous post and they will forward to him if he leaves before the Monday mail deliveries.

Monday, 2/20/12 – Weatherford, TX

First, my preparation day is Monday. Thanks for the package, that was really nice of you!!  And thanks for being so kind.  My address for my house is going to change.  I am in Weatherford until tomorrow and then I think I am going to Arlington where the Cowboy’s stadium is, but I don’t know if I will be able to see it.  In Arlington, I am going to wait for my visa.  And I can call when I go to the airport.  Well, I don’t have any idea when I’ll do it, but I will call!  I’m sorry about my handwriting – I don’t like writing, but I am not going to write a lot.  I like Texas, but I think Mexico will be better.  Right now my companions are really good Spanish speakers.  It is a little hard for me because they speak a lot in the lessons, but I am still learning.  And I have made a goal: I am going to memorize a scripture every day in my mission.  Elder Collins told me President Monson said if you do it, you will have a photographic memory.  I have already memorized Isaiah 1:18, Moroni 7:45-47, 3 Nephi 5:13, Alma 32:21, Alma 41:10 and right now I am learning John 3:16-17.  I love the scriptures and I know that when I have them memorized, the Spirit is going to help me when I teach investigators.

Mother, last week, I was in Mineral Wells, where there are a lot of cowboys that wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats.  I have seen many bulls with long horns and I want to eat them! I have only eaten brisket one time.  But all the food I have eaten is really good.  Good luck with your phlebotomy class.  I pray for you every night (: and thanks for the package again.  I love you.

Daddy, thanks for the update on the wrestling.  Good job to all the wrestlers.  And also, I don’t know if they have a hot sauce that is hotter than Texas Pete, but my companion was a chef in Florida and he can cook really well so I will ask him.  That’s too bad with the Corry’s.  I will pray for them.  The translation of my last letter was really good.  Tell Cameron I am very happy with his decision to serve a mission.  And where is Matt Parrish going?  Well, I love you.

Hermanito, I have a companion that is just like you!  He loves Latin girls, Spanish and everything.  He speaks so good that he can lie to the Mexicans and say he is a Mexican from Mexico City :) many jajaja and I am trying to speak Spanish all the time, but it is a little hard.  But my companions can talk very well and I am learning a lot every day.  I love the Mexicans.  They are super buenos.  And I am learning a lot of slang jaja and I am going to write Alma also.  It seems like I have forgotten something I wanted to say, but I cannot remember it.  Well…all is well jaja

Michelle, I am sorry for not writing you more.  But I had a good appointment Saturday.  My companions and I were teaching a woman and her friend and I received an idea from the Spirit to share Enos 12:6 because she had many problems with her husband and she thought that since she was going to get baptized in like a week that she should be getting good blessings, but, after hearing that scripture, she knew that God still loves her.  I know God loves us and everything He does is for His work and glory.  Everything He does is for our good.  Sometimes, we think a Church standard is dumb, or not fun, but remember what Alma 42:10 says, wickedness never was happiness.  You can tell this to your girlfriends when they don’t want to choose the right.  Well, I love you.

Familia, I am sorry if I don’t write good letters, but I am trying.  And I am sorry if this letter is missing anything or if I didn’t answer any of your questions.  Please pray for missionary work all of the time.  Not only for me, but for every missionary.  Well, I love you.

With love,

Élder Coffman

FINDING JOY AND SWEET BABY RAY'S WHEREVER HE GOES!

All who know Elder Coffman will agree that he has a constant positive attitude and can find happiness and the good in all situations and places. After just a few days in Fort Worth, where he is temporarily assigned before heading to Merida, Mexico, Elder C has taught several investigators, shared his testimony, expressed gratitude for all of his blessings, asked all of us to read the Book of Mormon, has fallen in love with Texas and would consider retiring there!  Upon arrival, the Mission President's wife, Sister Sagers, served Elder C's favorite -- brisket with none other than Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce; which happens to be the Mission President's favorite also.  It's great that in the midst of working so hard, learning a new language and proclaiming the Gospel, Elder C has found bits and pieces of joy in the little things like this.


His new P-Day is Monday and hopefully, he will send news that he's on his way to Mexico this week; apparently the visas are becoming available again. Regardless of when he departs, Elder C will continue to work diligently and joyfully. To say that he is happy is an understatement. 

For now, you may send Dear Elders to the Fort Worth mission home or mail things to:
Elder David Coffman
LDS Fort Worth Mission Office
1331 Airport Freeway Suite 305
Euless, TX  76040

YOU WERE NOT SENT HERE TO FAIL

Elder Coffman was his MTC District Leader and several of the Hermanas and Elders wrote to say that he gave them words of encouragement and set a great example of obedience and commitment. One of his phrases was, "We are not here to fail."  The following is a quote from Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley:


"You did not come into the world to fail. You came into the world to succeed. You have accomplished much so far. It is only the beginning. As you move forward on the trail of life, keep the banner of faith in self ever before you. You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. but you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward."

MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER 1/18 - 2/9/12

FINAL LETTER FROM THE MTC - 2/9/12

¡Hola Familia! How are you? I am very well. I am really excited to be leaving tomorrow. My mission is just Fort Worth, Dallas. It’s a different mission. I love being a missionary. I am learning so many things every day. This week, I realized that I have been blessed with a wonderful family! Thank you. Also, I have been blessed with great friends. Thank you. Here in the MTC, there are so many missionaries that have challenges in their families and with their lives at home, but I feel that God has given me an almost perfect family! Thanks again. I know why God has called all the young men in the Church to serve. This work is so important. I feel honored to help God with His work and glory. And also I think I am a better man because I am a missionary. It doesn’t matter to me if it is hard or not because Jesus Christ has suffered for me, and every person in the world’s history. His Atonement is infinite. Every person needs to use it. And He can help them with things besides sins. Did you know that? It’s infinite. I love the Atonement. And you all should thank God every day for it. I have started to read Jesus the Christ and it is a wonderful book. And I still have not received the memory cards. I still want them. Thanks. I think that when I go to Mexico, I will just send CDs with pictures because I don’t want to lose the memory cards. Thanks.

Mother! ¡Feliz cumpleaños! I am going to call you today, maybe at night. I hope you have received your letter. I have taken 220 pictures and I am going to send them in a box that has things I don’t need. Happy birthday! And I am going to take a picture in front of the Cowboys stadium. It’s funny because I am going to take a picture in the Mayan ruins also, so I am going to have pictures with two famous buildings. Good job on reading the scriptures. They are very important, and I know it. And I pray for you every day. I love you Mother!

Stephen, good luck with your CNA, and mother too. How is school? I forgot you wrote me last week so I don’t have much to say, except that I asked my district if they had heard of Maná and all the sisters said “of course!!!” They love Maná!!! And then I sang Amor, Amor, Amor and it was so cool jajajaja have you heard “The Miracle of a Mission” by Jeffery R. Holland? It’s a really good talk. Well, I love you!!

Papi!!! (Daddy) Be careful with the anaranjo (I think I spelled this wrong) but I hope you are feeling better after your fall. And thanks for the Superbowl information. I ate kipper snacks that day and they were delicious! I am going to eat the rest today. Do you have a job? Well, I love you. And thanks for everything. You have been a great example, just like the whole family.

Michelle, ¿cómo estás? I hope your school is going good. It is very important. And I love you. And good job with reading the scriptures. Bye.

¡Hasta la vista familia!

Em todo momento, em todas as coisas e em todos os lugares

At all times, in all things, and in all places ...http://youtu.be/jAXCgPZJtD4

MTC DISTRICT 48-G

At last, we get to meet the Hermanas and Elders of District 48-G. The names may not be accurately attributed, but we'll have to wait a couple of years for Elder Coffman to confirm!

From L to R:  H. Zepeda from El Salvador going to San Fernando; H. Arguello from Colorado going to San Fernando; H. Camarillo from Mexico going to Oakland; H. Bojorquez from SLC going to St. George.

The Elders, from L to R: Garcia from Columbia going to SLC No; Hill from Bntfl. going Mexico City North; Baez from Massachusettes going to Peru; and Coffman from Bntfl. going to Mexico Merida.


As of Friday, February 10, 2012, most of the District departed the MTC to enter the field.

FORT WORTH BOUND!

After just three weeks in the MTC, Elder Coffman and his companion Elder Matthew Hill were temporarily reassigned to serve in the Texas Fort Worth Spanish Speaking mission until they receive their visas for Mexico. They touched down in the Lone Star State this morning and will probably be knocking on doors Monday morning! Elder C will feel right at home as Fort Worth is famous for its cattle runs, stockyards and BBQ!

FAREWELL 1-15-12

Brothers

Uncle and Cousins

Good friends!

Mama P and Mama C

Coffman and Parkinson Families

Elder C and Alejandra

Beautiful Cousins!

Getting set apart

Mi Familia - Setting Apart 1-17-12

READY OR NOT A CHANGE IN PLANS! A Short Layover in Fort Worth!

¡Hola Familia!  Well, my life was crazy about two hours ago!!  Elder Hill and I cut our hair and then I went to get the mail and we found two letters that told us that all the missionaries in my district (Elder Hill, Elder Bahr, and Elder Packard and I) received “temporary assignments” and then the sister in the travel services department told Elder Hill and I that we have to leave at three this Friday (2-3-2012) in the morning!!! 

Elder Hill and I were really scared and very excited!!  But (i'm just gonna write in ingles now because i want to make sure you get what i'm trying to say) the card said that we don't leave until next friday. So elder hill and i are going to fortworth texas, spanish speaking NEXT FRIDAY, 2/10/12, and elder packard and bahr are going to boise! haha i'm so glad i'm not going there! although i don't want to be near dallas either without a raiders tie! 

We will be there until our visas come and we can call you for five minutes so make sure you answer your phone! idk when i can call but just be ready. and we are not leaving until next friday ( 2-10-12) (Elder Coffman switches back to Spanish here) the day after Mother’s birthday! And also, I already sent letters to the Lloyd family and the Parkinson family so you should tell them that I am not leaving tomorrow (2-3-2012).  Thanks.

Well, this week went really well.  Last night, Elder Hill and I taught our TRC progressing investigator for 30 minutes!  It went really well!!! And he told us that Elder Hill and I were the first ones to commit him to being baptized and he has worked at the MTC for a long time!  But he told me that I still need to practice more, but my Spanish is good also.  

Now I feel that I can love all the people with a strong love…like charity.  It is a little weird because before my mission, I couldn’t love strangers, but now I can, and I love it!  And also, now I know the importance of the Book of Mormon.  Well family, will you read the Book of Mormon every day individually and also as a family?  And also, you should kneel every day when you pray because it shows more respect for God and his Son, Jesus Christ.  I love the Book of Mormon and since I am going to tell investigators that they should read every day, maybe you all can do the same?

Papi, gracias for the wetwipes!  I love them!! And now the Superbowl is not important.  And I ate a can of sardines for dinner Thursday because I couldn’t eat in the cafeteria because it was the 50th anniversary of the MTC and there was a ton of people there.  Elder Holland and Elder Nelson spoke to us and gave us good talks.  And now it doesn’t matter to me who wins the Superbowl, but even so, tell me what happens.  Gracias.  I love you Papi  and I received all the things and I don’t need more. Muchas gracias for everything.

Michelle!  I saw your name in the newspaper!  How cool!!!  How is your school?  Well, I love you a lot.

Mother, happy birthday!  I am going to give you a letter still, but it might be later.  Good job in your exam!  You too fox!  I love feeling the Spirit and I pray every night.  And the food is fantastic, but yes, I eat healthy every day because I don’t want to be fat jaja I love you.  This Wednesday, I was a host, and it made me feel sad because it was the first time that I missed you all because I was with other new missionaries and their families and it made remember you, but now I am good.  I am way too busy to have missing feelings.  I love you!!

Stephen, the sisters told me that suave is funny!!  Jaja did you get my letter?  Well, I am sorry, I have to go now because I don’t have more time.  I am sorry fox, but hopefully you have a great week!  And also every night I say “ojalá que duerma con los ángeles” to my companion.

Goodbye and I love you familia!!

Élder Coffman


Original Version:

Hola familia! pue mi vida fue loca como dos horas antes!! elder hill y yo hemo cortado nuestros pelos y entonces yo fui al correro y entonces encontrabamos dos cartas que nos dijeron que todos los misoneros en mi distrito ( elder hill, elder bahr, y elder packard y yo) recibimos "temporary assignments" y entonces la hermana al servicios para vijar nos dijo que elder hill y yo tenia que salir a las tres este viernes ( 2-3-12) por la manana!!! entonces elder hill y yo teniamos muchos miedos y estabamos muy emocionados!! pero (i'm just gonna write in ingles now because i want to make sure you get what i'm tryingto say) but the card said that we don't leave until next friday. so elder hill andi are going to fortworth texas, spanish speaking, and elder packard and bahr are going to boisie! haha i'm so glad i'm not going there! although i don't want to be near dallas either without a raiders tie! we will be there until our visas come and we can call you for five minutes so make sure you answer your phone! idk when i can call but just be ready. andwe are not leavign unitl next friday ( 2-10-12) el dia despues del cumpleanos de mama! y tambien, ya les di cartas a la familia lloyd y parkinson pues deben di les que no voy a salir manana (2-3-12). gracias.

Bueno, este semana fue muy bien. anoche, elder hill y yo ensenemos a nuestro TRC progressing investigador y le ensenemos para 30 minutos! fue muy bien!!! y nos dijo que elder hill y yo fuimos los primeros a compromisarle a ser boutizado y el ha trabajado alli al ccm por muchos tiempo! pero todavia me dijo que tengo que practicar mas, pero mi espanol es bueno tambien. ahora me siento que puedo amar a todas las personas con amor muy fuerte...como caridad. es un poco extranyo porque antes de mi mission, no pude amor a "strangers" pero ya yo puedo. me lo encanta! y tambien ahora yo se la importancia del libro de mormon. pues familia, leeran el libro de mormon cada dia tantos individualmete y tambien como familia? y tambien deben arrodiarse cada dia cuando orar porque monstra mas respecto a Dios y su hijo Jesucristo. me encanta el libro de mormon y debida que vaya decir a los investigadores que deben leer cada dia, quizas ustedes pueden hacer el mismo?

papi, gracias por los wetwipes! me le encantan!! y ahora, el superbowl no esta importante. y comi un caja de sardines para ceno en jueves porque no pude comer en la cafeteria porque fue 50th anniversary para el ccm y fue muchisisisismo gente aqui. elder holland y elder nelson nos hablen y nos dieron descorso buenas. y ahora no me imorta a quien ganara el superbowl, pero tadavia dime cuando el pasa. gracias. te amo papi y yo recibi todas las cosas y no necesito mas. muchas gracias por todo.

michelle! vi su nombre en el periodico! que padre!!! como esta su escuela? pues, te amo mucho

mama, feliz cumpleanos! voy a darle un carta todavia, pero tal vez va ser tarde. bien hecho en tu examen! y tambien a zorro! me encanta sentir el espiritu y le oro cada noche. y la comida es fantastico, pero si, yo como saludes cada dia porque no quiero ser gordo jaja los otros elderes comieron mucho y es chistoso porque ahora algunos estan gordo! jaja te amo este miercoles, fui un host, y me hizo sentir trieste porque fue la primera vez que les extrane porque fui con misioneros nuevos y sus familias y me hizo recodar tu, pero ahora estoy bien. estoy demasiado "busy" a sentir extrano. te amo!!

esteban, las hermanas le dijo que suave es chistoso!! jaja recibes su  carta? pues lo siento, tengo que ir ahora porque no tengo mas tiempo. lo siento zorro, pero ojala que tengas una buena semana! y tambien cada noche dije "ojala que duerma con los angeles a mi companero.

adios y les amo famillia!!

Listen: The Hardest Thing I Loved to Do by The Nashville Tribute Band

http://youtu.be/yr5Kzy4FF1g

ELDER C'S DEPARTURE DATE MOVED TO 2/8/12!

I'm gonna write this in english haha but first of all i can only write once a week so try and only send me one or two dear elders because it gets kind of over whelming to get 6 dear elders a day and we don't have a lot of time to read them at night, and it's hard for some of the other elders and hermanas when i get a ton of stuff because since i'm a district leader i have to get all the mail for everyone. and since i can only write once a week it's hard to respond to everything you guys say, so sorry if i leave something out. but i got everything you guys sent me and i don't need anything, except a bar of soap holder because they don't have those here. also they are way back ordered on spanish himnos so i need one of the little ones. also my oil on my old key chain would be nice to have as well. My departure date should be 2-8-12, but that's assuming i get my visa. and we don't know that until 5 days before we leave.

Mother, i love you too!! that was a good dream. elder hill was in brave man and he is doing medicine.  I love you so much and i hope you are doing great. tell grandma and grandpa i said hi and that i love them and that my companion is from b-town. also tell her i will get his mom's address soon. and sorry for not sending a separate letter, i just can't send a lot of letters.

Daddy, i eat grapefurit for breakfast every morning and also cracked wheat. i try and eat healthy so i don't get too fat haha how is your diet going? one of the hardest things to adjust to is not having wet wipes (daddy waddy wetwipes hahaha) but maybe you should send me some. i think. and that's cool about the motorcycle.

Michelle, that's cool about temple square, we just study and eat all day here so it's pretty nice. and we can't sell the beast!!!

Hermano i love being a district leader. it had blessed me a ton. the hermanas said they never say que suave in mexico. they say que padre or chevere or calidad haha and exito. one thing we learned about being christ like is that sometimes the correction offends God more than the action being corrected. como fue mi espanol en mi  ultima carta? me encanta la obra de Dios! y tambien Elder hill y yo ensenemos un TRC investidora anoche para 40 minutos en espanol fue muy bien. gracias por todo sus ayuda. y tambien mi companero y yo hablamos en espanol mucho

Well family, i love it here and i haven't felt home sick yet so don't worry haha i think it's just because i don't have time to think about it. sorry if i wrote a bad letter this time, it's just been hard to keep all the dear elders straight, so don't send so many haha well adios!

Oh and tell ali my departure date and everyone else too. and also that i love them.

adios

Elder David Coffman

FIRST LETTER FROM MTC! WARNING: Brush Up On Your Spanish!

Elder Coffman told us that he'd be writing in Spanish; we weren't sure if he was kidding or not, but here's his first email letter ... in Spanish. I think it's great - it's good practice for him to be ready for Mexico. If you're not quite fluent, Stephen translated it below.

SENT:  1/21/12


Hola! Como estan? no tengo mucha a decir pero Primero, el dia de preparacion es jueves para mi. recibieron mi carta? no se si mi temple recomend esta aqui ya. yo recibi un dear elder de papi y a anne. tambien, poderia send los cosas que lopedi en mi carta? Estoy muy contento con mi mision so far. I don't know if i'll ever have one of those "freak out" moments, but i haven't had one yet. I have had many good experiences so far. Por ejemplo, en jueves, pedi a Dios si  i could feel the spirit really strong. like i wanted to have one of those buring in the boosoms moments because i had never felt it before, but then presedante Tyler venio a nuestra clase y nos dije que hay muchas maneras deferentes para sentir el espiritu. como cuando quiere hacer cosas buenas, estas sentiendo el esperito, o cuando estas aprendiendo muchas cosas, estas sentiendo el espiritu. hay muchas otras cosas tambien, pero es importante que intenda que cada persona se seinta el espirito en maneras deferentes.  fue una  contesta a mi pregunta a dios. hay muchas otras cosas espirtuales que paso, pero ese fue mi favorito. estaba muy soprendido cuando estaba llamado a un lidere de distrito. pero mi distrito son muy supporting, y me encanta a ser un leader. Mi distrito es muy bien. mi companero y yo son los solos gringos en la classe. hay 4 hermanas y 4 elderes incluyo yo y Elder Hill. Elder Hill y yo fuimos a bountiful high together. hay dos hermanas de el salvador, una de mexico, y una de ecuador. y hay un elder de colombia y uno de massatuchets, pero sus padres son de puerto rico. Mi companero es gran. we get along good and we are learning about eachother cada dia. hay pienso 15 personas de bountiful high alli en el ccm. quiero ir al campo en ensenar, pero yo se que todavia hay muchas cosas que necesito a aprender, especialmente la idioma. pero me encanta la comida! peros necesito quitar comer tan mucho porque voy a estar gordo jajaja. El tiempo de gynamsio is divertido. i lift con elder rushton y su companero. ese ccm es muy bien. gracias por todo!

te amo!
_________________________________

Hi! How are you all? I don’t have much to say, but first my p-day is Thursday. Did you get my letter? I don’t know if my temple recommend has arrived yet. I received a dear Elder from Daddy and Anne. Also, could you send me the things I asked for in my letter? I am very happy with the mission so far. I don't know if I'll ever have one of those "freak out" moments, but I haven't had one yet. I have had many good experiences so far. For example, Thursday I asked God if I could feel the Spirit really strong. Like, I wanted to have one of those burning in the bosoms moments because I had never felt it before, but then President Tyler came to our class and told us that there are many different ways to feel the Spirit. Like when you want to do good things, you are feeling the Spirit, or when you are learning many things, you are feeling the Spirit. There are many other things as well, but it is important you understand that every person will feel the Spirit in different ways. This was an answer to my question to God. There are many other spiritual things that happened, but that was my favorite. I was very surprised when I was called to be a district leader.But my district is very supporting, and I love being a leader. My district is very good. My companion and I are the only “gringos” (white boys) in the class. There are four Sisters and Four Elders including Elder Hill and I. Elder Hill and I went to Bountiful High together. There are two sisters from El Salvador, one from Mexico, and one from Ecuador and there is one Elder from Colombia and one from Massachusetts, but his parents are from Puerto Rico. My companion is great. We get along good and we are learning about each other each day. I think there are 15 people from Bountiful High in the MTC. I want to go to the mission field to teach, but I know that there are still many things I need to learn, especially the language. But I love the food! But I need to stop eating so much because I am going to be fat!hahaha. The time at gym is fun. I lift with Elder Rushton and his companion. This MTC is great. Thanks for everything!

I love you!

Elder Coffman and his new companion, Elder Hill at the MTC - They were classmates at BHS!

 January 19, 2012

Elder Coffman's MTC address

Elder David Lee Coffman
MTC Mailbox # 240
MEX-MER 0319
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
 

Baptisms for the Dead at the Bountiful Temple. 1/3/2012

David ironing shirts and putting on his name labels (with a little help)