Week 5 - Chicago

Hey yall

Happy Pioneer Day! Man today our train stopped and we waited for two hours so I'm running out of time to email so I'll make this fast. 

This week flew by! Holy cow! We were running from Bible referrals to finding to teaching back and forth all week. It's been really powerful and so ,any miracles keep coming! It's so cool! 

First cool story (and it will probably sound way more exaggerated then it actually was). We unwisely did not bring water bottles and we were racing across town for Bible referrals for about 5 hours in 90 degree heat and high humidity. Also I had crash my bike twice and my right leg was bleeding down the side of my leg (fun fact you cant catch yourself if you wear pencil skirts). In addition an older man named Cierco started chastising and yelling at us for being fake Christians and my trainer wouldnt leave (remember him hes important later) for a long time. Anyway were dehydrated, hot, I'm bleeding, and I keep praying if we are actually genuine and sincere in sharing the gospel. Finally we stopped at a McDonalds and get free water (huge blessing). A man walks up and says "You know it could be worse." And started telling us story about biking 30 miles everyday as a taxi biker to fed his children. Then he said we were the most genuinely nice people. Then got on the subject about our religion and actually set up an appointment. I truly know that God cares about all of us and he personally answered my prayer through that man at McDonald's. 

Now back to Cierco. I had no love for this man but my trainer decided to call him anyway. Sure enough he picks up and started to rebuke us again... but then he pauses and says sisters I had a dream about you two last night. And I know that you talked to me for a reason and I want to know why. Through the power of the Spirit I felt so much love for this man and interpreted his dream. We've now been teaching him for the past two days and its been a huge miracle and eye opening experience. I'm so glad God sent him to us and he listen. 

I love this gospel so much, and I love seeing miracles every day. I hope you all see them in your own life and have a wonderful week! 

Sister Emily Coley 

1 Nephi 13: 39-43 All about missionary work in the last days and is powerful.

Week 4 - Chicago

Hey y'all :)

Holy cow I can't believe I'm actually here! I was pretty sad leaving the MTC but super excited to learn and apply what I've learned to the people here. And holy cow I was humbled really fasted. Missionary life is different than I imagined -for better and for worst. 

My first day was amazing! We got up at 3 AM and caught our flight in which at the airport we were treating like celebrities. There were people staring and offering us their phones to call from, and even buying us breakfast. Super cool and grateful but the second we came to Chicago it was the exact opposite. It was hilarious! We took a train downtown to see the Bean and famous skyscrapers which was so cool and high and we were also able to pass along a Book of Mormon too! I was so happy. Later that night we ate deep dish pizza and accidentally started a mini fire in the mission home (super funny, totally the Presidents fault and nothing was damaged except pizza) then met our trainers. One of the best days ever. 

I got super lucky and I'm serving in the Chicago 1st ward which is about 2 train stops from the heart of the city and 3 stops away from the airport. Its awesome! Ive already met someone who immigrated here from every continent twice now. Its super diverse but also pretty poor. Ive never truly realize how bless I am to know English, have a nice home and be able to go to college. Theres every type of religion here too so people are really open to sharing beliefs and sometimes arguing their beliefs too.

My trainer is Sis Robertson whose very overly perky and incredible at contacting! She talks more to other people than me which is super cool. We are white washing the area and the old Elders never used Areabook either which I guess is super stressful. Haha were also in an 17 yr old Elders apartment! I've never gagged so much in my life! It's been hilarious what we've found. I love it here

Oo and were in the only sister biking area in the mission which has been an adventure. A cool miracle that happened, we needed to get me a bike because walking takes forever. So we called some members and no one had bikes so I figured Id have to pay my $125 for a bike Ill only use for a few transfers. The day we were going to buy one we had an appointment (who cancelled) a member called offering to not only give us her really nice mountain bike, but to also deliver it to us in time for our appointment! It was a huge tender mercy. 

Anyway I love you all, I'm going to walk around a Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. Have a wonderful week :) 

Sister Emily Coley 

Omni 1:25 short, sweet and to the point. 

Week 3 - MTC & Chicago

They left the MTC on Monday, July 10th at 4:30 am. Their flight was delayed until 9:30 but they did arrive.