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On June 2nd, 2010, Elder Coats left Curitiba for Sao Paulo.
From Sao Paulo, he traveled all night and arrived at the Dallas/
Fort Worth Airport at 6:15 a.m. on June 3rd.
He boarded the plane in Dallas at 9:50 a.m and arrived in
Salt Lake City at 12:12 p.m.
He is Home!!
This ends his incredible two year journey as a missionary
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in Brazil.
It has been an amazing adventure for him and the memories and
friendship that were made there will be in his heart forever.

The Last E-mail from Brasil

This is it!!! my last email to you guys from the mission field.!!!!
next week we have lots of things scheduled with president so we
dont even email home.
I want to thank all you guys for the love and support that you
have given me these last 2 yrs. The letters, packages and emails
have helped me out a lot and i have sure felt the love that you guys
have for me. without your support it would have been extremely tough
but it has seemed like i have been blessed a lot because of the prayers
and thoughts of all you guys back home. i have so much to tell you all,
about these last 2 yrs and about all the great experiences that i have had
and the testimony that has grown but im gonna wait and just lay it all on
ya here in a week..... im gonna be short with the email this week.
we had a old investigator that we had been teaching for a while get baptized
this week and also that nice family that we have also been teaching are getting
to the point of baptism. on the 1 of june we have Fabio planned for baptism.
it will be my last work day in the field. please pray for him so that he can
open his heart and feel that it is his time to be baptized.
im so excited to see all you guys again!!!! its gonna be a great reunion at that
airport!!!!! thanks again for everything mom and family and friends.
i love you guys and ill see ya next week!!
até logo


Elder Coats
Missão Brasil Curitiba 2008-2010

Just Two More E-Mails...

hey family!!!!!!

so im gonna admit to you guys.... im a little trunky. i would say
more excitement than trunkyness. but that isnt keeping me
from working!! were working like crazy men and what the fun part
is, is that we have no time to find people that dont want anything
so were working to get the elects of the elects. yesterday we found
a family knocking doors that is incredible and were gonna do our best
to get them to church this week and help them be baptized as soon as
possible. its getting a little chilly here now but were staying warm
running around and working. i also got the soup package today so
that will help us out. thanks mom. and also a few letters from ty and
arien and also victoria. all the missionaries think that im loved
because even though im about home im still getting letters and
support from my people. thats gonna be good to have the garden
again this summer and this time ill be home to enjoy it also. thats
cool that ty is out of school this week already. i couldnt believe
the pictures of him in his letter. he is bigger than me. that doesnt
mean anything though.... arien and justins wedding pictures turned
out really well and the letter that she sent me was hilarious. tell gram
to get better quick cause i want her to be there at the airport in a couple
of weeks. the harley looks great and it looks like dad put an extension
on the handlebars. chiquezão!!! im so glad to hear that everyone is doing
good and that everyone is excited. ive got just 14 days left to serve the
lord in this marvelous work and i know that i have to do all i can to
help everyone possible to get to know the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
i love you guys and ill talk to ya next week!
Elder Coats

hey mom

im glad that you had such a great day on mothers day.
im not even a mother and i felt like it was a really special day for me also...
it was great to hear from all of you and im getting really anxious to see all
you guys again. thats awesome that every one went to church also with you.
im gonna do my best to get the crew all up and going to church when i get home.
i know that we cant force any one but we can always invite them to go. ive
learned that here on the mission, no one can be forced to do anything but
with a nice invite and promised blessing people have the desire to live the
gospel.
sounds like ty had alot of fun at the crazy Mr. westside pageant of his.
were you able to go and watch mom? that would have sure been fun to watch.
the senior pics look pretty sweet. thats cool that you just used that little ol shack
out back as the back ground. looks pretty professional.
we are having some good work here and the days are really passing by fast.
lots of stuff to get done before i can catch my plane home. the plans are gonna
be fun on june third. i think that it will be a really cool picture there at the
christ statue at the visitors center in salt lake. maybe everyone could probably
wear a nice shirt or something. (im especially talking to ty cause im sure that
he will probably want to wear his shirt that has a tuxedo painted on it or somethin).
we had a really great experience yesterday with an investigator and
his wife that is a member at the temple.

we got permission for the pres and also the president of the temple
here to bring them in and get a really detailed explanation about all that goes
on at the temple and about eternal marrige. they loved it and theyre really
excited about the gospel in their lives. they are one of our main focuses right now.
everything is going really great and were working hard, and im doing my best
to stay focused.
i love you guys, have a great week

Elder Coats

Happy May!

hey mom

hope that you guys all had a really good week!! we have had some really
great experiences this week and we're teaching some really good people
that pretty much fell into our path. the blessings are raining down on us!!
there was a new division set this last week and our ward picked up a bunch
of good families that are really excited to help out with the missionary work.
that's awesome that you guys were able to give dinner to the missionaries
again this month. i've always been really grateful for the families that give us
lunch every day. with out that plate of rice and beans and a little salad
everyday, i don't think that the day would go all to well. i know that the
families that give us lunch also receive lots of blessings.
was ty there to eat also with the missionaries? i know that he would make
them feel right at home.
so about the fone call home this weekend: it will be sunday (mothers day).
we're not sure exactly what time we will be able to call but i will give you guys
a little call some time this week to pass all the details. were gonna do it a little
bit different this year. i found a cheap, hour and 15 minute phone card that you
can call internationally with out any problems. so i will be calling to you guys from
our phone here. i think that it will be a little easier and cheaper than the last 3 calls
that i have made on the mish. i'm way excited to talk to you guys again!!!
it did sneak right up on me too, mom. i knew that the phone call home was close
but all the sudden it is this week already!! so i'm gonna call during the week
sometime to give you guys the whole scoop. don't be worried about when, you
know me, i'll get a hold of some one...
that lap top sounds really great mom!! thanks again for getting all that
college goods going for me.
that engagement picture of arien and justin was SICK!! she looks really pretty
and the bike looks really good, i'm way excited for them.
with all the rain that you guys are getting back home things should get really
nice here in a little while when the summer time sets in.
too bad for the grilling weather for now but don't worry mom, the time
will get there.
i love you guys!! i'll talk to you on sunday!!!! have a great rest of the week!!

Elder Coats

ps. tell jud that i didn't forget about his birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY last week Bro!!!

Turning 21 on the Mission

Dear Mom,

thanks for the great email mom. made me feel pretty good! thanks for
getting me to the point of where i am today mom. its crazy to think that
im 21 yrs old now. pretty cool but at the same time it seems like im still
at high school age. i think that getting home and stepping into real life
after the mish is gonna get things going for me.
we had a crazy rainy week this last week but for the conditions we
were stilll able to get some good stuff done. every week seems like it
passes by faster than the last and it also seems like things get better
and better each week. like i said before, now that im reaching the end it
seems like i somewhat know how to do the work effectively.
so for my birthday me and my comp had a nice little fire in a big bean
pot in our back yard, ate sunflower seeds and pizza and just chilled until
we had to hit the sack. ill try to send some pictures.
we also ate the cake that you sent. that cake is really GOOD for being just a
microwaveable cake!!
i laughed so hard when i read that part about grandma picking out the
new frames!! i cant wait to see her again!!
the talk on sunday went really well. i was able to use some pieces of the
talks that you sent me to help me out. thanks mom.
im glad that everything is going smoothly for the wedding. i bet that arien is
so excited now that her dress is all ready and everything. you might have to
hide it from her so she doesnt wear it to work or something. haha!
i could hardly believe that deal that you got on that computer mom!! that
was a screamin deal!! we have an investigator that has an apple mac book
pro that is really sweet. send a picture over the email of the new laptop for
me to see. my companion is really into computers and he also wants to see
it because he cant figure out why the price was so low.
at tys graduation, you guys might hear crickets chirping in that huge
new auditorium.... 32 graduates, that is really small. he said that he has
really liked it there though cause when ya need help the teachers have lots of time
to help ya out. im not sure when the mission is gonna send all the stuff about the flight
but im pretty sure that it will be soon.
have a great week!! i love you guys!!!

Elder Coats

Just 7 More Wednesdays

Dear Mom,

sounds like you guys had a great week!! whenever the barbeque grill is
involved i know that every one is happy.
so i have now begun my last transfer! we got the transfer calls monday
and im here to stay until the 2nd of june.
im happy to stay here in this area. we have lots of good stuff going on
and new families that have come into our ward.
were praying for lots of new families to be put in our path. diligently
working hard always has a good reward so were
gonna focus on just keeping on the hard work. the last few weeks we
have been working hard with a family that just
the mom has not decided to be baptized yet. but, we found out that she
is hiding from us that she has already stopped
drinking coffee. her kids were too excited about it and they had to tell us.
she loves going to church and she knows that the teachings are true she just
needed to quit drinking the café. were gonna get a date marked with her this week.
i got to meet up with my good buddy elder spencer today at the transfers. he is
really excited to get to see his fam again.
it seems like it was yesterday that we were together in guarapuava. it really
wasnt to long ago but man times flies!!!

i cant believe that ty is already back in the game after that crazy accident.
im excited to get to see him and jud race this summer.
i would like to get me a bike to get going also but it might take me a little
while before that happens. i got hope though.
so the grill is officially out and in action. im getting a good craving
for a nice fat juicy burger and a nice steak and chicken.
hows jud doing? is he still driving the loader at that scrap metal place?
him and chelsea gonna get married soon?
i sent arien a letter the other day. i dont know if she has got it yet. i glad
that gram and loyal are doing good. and aunt syble?
hows she doing? tell gram that i had a baked potato the other day, but
i didnt even come close to her twice baked potato..
they just dont have any thing that comes close to an Idaho spud, let alone
grams cooking.
im excited that mike and kolb found a good place down in logan.
thats gonna be fun to go to school and be close to campus
and all. remember to use the money that is in my account for these
kinda things mom. thanks for getting it all set up for me.
i love you guys, have a great week!!

Um Abraço

Elder Coats

At 22 Months

hey mom

hope you guys had a great week and that everyone is
still trucking along happily.
today we had interviews with president and then went to the
temple and then we topped that off with a subway sandwich!!!
ya that's right, a subway sandwich in Brazil! pretty expensive but
totally worth it. so today was a great day and the week went
really well. as a zone we worked really hard this last week and
we were blessed big time!! i'm doing my best to keep everyone
really excited about the work and it seems like now that i'm coming
to an end, i'm really learning how to do missionary work.
funny how that works out...
we had a fun week and we're teaching some part member families
that are really great. tomorrow were gonna paint a fence and do our
best to get in good with the mom so we can teach her what she needs.
were gonna have to do a really good job on that fence...
sounds like you guys are gonna be enjoying spring here in a little bit.
we have been getting rained on quite a bit here but its all good cause
my shoes are pretty much sandals anyways.
all the people here say that Rio is getting all the rain to wash all the
iniquity out of that place. i guess there are a lot of drugs and what not there.
the world is getting pretty ugly.
tell Robbie that i told him to get his leg better fast cause were gonna ball it
up when i get home.
hows Jud and Cheltsea doing? i haven't heard from that brute in a while.
i sure miss my bros!
i might just have to get a pass to the gym with ya when i get home mom.
we can do some sweet aerobics classes or something....
dont worry about sending another package to me but if you do just send
some spicy cheetos and those great soups that ya just add hot water and
stir and it gives ya a good gallon of soup. that chicken noodle tasted really
close to home made chicken noodle. good stuff.
when is school graduation? i know that im gonna miss it but if im thinking
right its like may 27 or something... just tell Ty to finish out strong and
quit messing around with this getting up late crap. when i get there im gonna
get him up early with me everyday.
i love you mom! hope that everything continues well at the store and
that your happy as ever!!!
have a great week!!

Elder Coats

hey fam

hope you guys had a great easter week!! i love that easter ham
that mom always makes and the 7up salad. this year i was able
to understand the true meaning of easter a little better and the
love that the savior has for us. it was a great week!! the general
conference was fantastic! imagine if all the inhabitants of the earth
would watch the general conference what a difference it would make.
the talks were all really good and of course Jefferey R. Holland laid
down a powerful talk as always. the baptismal meeting went great
and the people that were baptized will for sure remember their baptisms
forever. i got the easter package this week and we have been
enjoying it. especially the seeds. the sweets have been set aside
cause i just cant eat chocolate anymore... the ward here has been
really good to us and just about everyday there was someone offering
us more goodies to take home with us. there is also a good cheap pizza
place in our area that we have been enjoying. im hoping to put on a little
weight again before i get sent home.... speaking of that, the office called
me yesterday asking where i would like to land. we call this telephone
call the `ligação do mau` "call of the bad"... i told them that the salt lake
airport would be the best so its all set up. i think that it is the best place
to come home from a mission. its gonna be great seeing you guys
at the bottom of the escalator...
tell uncle brent and aunt steph that i send them the best. its good to
know that at least she didnt suffer.i think i remember talking with her a
few times when we would go up there for thanksgiving some years. she
was a really nice lady. i still remember grandpa bill and what a good guy
he was also. it has been a good while since he passed away. it is gonna
be really great to get to talk to him again some day and get to know him
even better. im really excited to see arien and justins new house. i might
just have to live with them for a while to help them break it in a little.... im
gonna leave a lot of my stuff here for the trip home. i dont plan on carrying
home a bunch of dirty mission shirts and sun-faded mission pants. my time
is getting pretty short here and i know that it is gonna just keep on flying by
like it has. i got to throw it in to overdrive and finish out strong.
i love you guys and i hope that you all have a great week!!

até mais

Elder Coats

This probably one of my favorite pictures of Nick as he has been serving in Brasil.
The pure JoY on his face reaffirms to me that he is happy and is serving with his heart.

Happy Easter

hey MOM

we had another great week!! we now have a good group of people to
help and teach about the truth and were having lots of success in the
area. im really excited for the weekend!! General Conference!!!!!
this weekend is always a looked forward to weekend on the mish.
general conference is better than the super bowl to missionaries!!
its so good to here the talks from the 12 apostolos and our prophet.
i have really gained a love for the church magazines during my
time here. every house that ya pass thru has a huge stack of liahonas
and ensigns so i have been reading a lot and i especially like the
conference ensigns. we get to go to all four sessions of conference
and then also the priesthood session so we really get our batteries
charged for the months to come. its gonna be really fun also cause
in the interval of the conference were gonna have a couple of baptisms.
in other words, this weekend is gonna be a GREAT one.
im so glad that everyone is doing good back home. i knew that ty
wouldn't be able to stay off the motor cycle for too long. its smart to
ride a four wheeler like he is gonna do to get the feel of it again.
is he getting to be pretty good buddies with ol brody purser?
i had a fun time with that kid moving pipe at brians. tell him i said hi.
thats nice that it is already nice enough for jud to get his bike out and ride.
i know that it is one of the things that jud looks forward to all winter so i
know that he really enjoyed blowing the dust off his boots and hitting the ramp.
is arien and justins house all done now? from the pictures that she sent me it
looked like it was pretty much under way. that is gonna be a sweet deal
when they get it all done.
so does dad think that i could probably work with him for a while or
pick up a little portable toilet route when i get home?? if not im gonna have
to get hunting for a job quick when i get home cause i got a few good months
before i head to college.... college?... its gonna be crazy!
i liked that singing card that you sent me mom. the "i love you, a bushel
and a peck" . i think im driving my companion a little insane with that one.
i decided to just listen to it when he is taking a shower to not cause problems...
its sure is a catchy little song. i remember when granny used to sing
that song.. good times.
we had a really cool experience this week. we were walking down the
street the other day and a younger guy called after us and asked us what
is was that we do? we were heading to another appointment so we ended
up marking for the next day to teach him and his family. we went back the
next day and he wasnt home but we talked his sister into letting us share a
message with her instead. we found out that she has been having a really
hard life and that she gave up drugs and is wanting to do the right things to
straighten her life out. we taught a really good spiritual lesson and she really
felt it and accepted a baptismal goal. we still need to teach the rest of the fam
but we're excited with her and the desire she has to follow what is right.
we have come across a few really good people this last little while.
só bênça!!
i love you guys and i hope that you have a great week!"!!

Elder Coats

ps. the mission office wants to know what airport i want to land in
i can go to the pocatello airport if u guys think that would be better.
i think the salt lake city airport would be better though?
just let me know.

A Good Opportunity

hey mom,

the new area is a really good one and i've been really excited
to get out and work each day. Sunday was really fun cause i
was able to talk to the members in my very first ward here on
the mish. we share the same chapel on sundays so it was
really cool to talk with them and lots of people didn't know
what to say when they saw me. made me feel pretty good.
i'm excited to be able to do a division with the elders that
are working in the area. president has set a new thing that
we have to do two divisions per week with the elders in our
zone to help them with the work in their areas. its really fun
and it gives us a good opportunity to get to know lots of great
elders.
we have been working to get us a teaching group this
week and were on the prowl for the "elects".
pretty much the best and only way to find the people that are
waiting for your message is talk to EVERYONE. so we have
been doing our best to do that. here in Curitiba the people are
a little bit more closed and ya got to work hard to catch their
attention but its fun and things are going really well.
my new comp is from san diego california. i was wondering if he
was related to tiffany and kurt boyack but he has no idea who they
are so i don't think that they are related.
so we went to the mission office last week to get some stuff and
in the bus terminal we heard this dude start screaming and we saw
him come around the corner chasing another dude. of course it
caught everyone's attention so we all tried to figure out what was
going on. the dude behind throws a big rock at the other and then
gives up and takes a sit down on the bench near the bus stop. the
dude then realizes that he has 2 bullet holes in his arm...! so he
just kinda looks at his arm while holding it up and starts screaming
bloody murder. it was dripping pretty hard core. later a guard came up
and helped him out but it was a little too much excitement in the terminal...
everyone just running around not knowing what to do. our bus got there a little
after so we got out with out any problems. but don't worry mom. we're good and
safe!!!
we have a few good families that we are teaching now and we left
some good invites for them. i know that these next few months are gonna
be really good ones.
sounds like ty is still that same old ty. just shaves his head out of the blue.
i finally got the pictures that you sent forever ago. the fam looks great and
kris and kam and rob and peri and gram and loyal and the whole gang.
looks like dad has got a start on the bike also. were gonna get 'er lookin good
when we get done. im excited to be able to go out in the shop with dad again.
its good that your enjoying the exercising mom. by that little newspaper
article that you sent me it looks like grolls gym is pretty ligit!
i'm glad that it is warming up for you guys there. its been a little rainy
the last few days but the fruits are in season once again and thats always
a good part of the year. we found a little fruit place that you pay 1.29 per kilo of
whatever fruit ya want. good stuff!!! i need to start eating more to gain some
weight back that i lost over the summer.
i'm sure the package will get to me quick now that i'm back in Curitiba. thanks mom!
i really liked that soup that you sent a while ago that ya add hot water and stir for 10
minutes and then let boil. that homestyle chicken noodle was a good taste of american
soup!!
thanks for all the love and support mom. things are going great here and im glad to
know that all is well back home also.
i love you guys!!!! have a great week!!!
Até,

Elder Coats

Transfer Day to Parigot Souza

hey mom

transfer day.......
i was transferred from Guarapuava back to Curitiba and im in an
area now that is called Parigot Souza. im stoked! after 6 months
in Guarapuava its gonna be a big change to come back to the city
but the best part of it all is that im in the neighboring area of my
very first area on the mish!!! Jd. do Sol!!! and we share the same
chapel cause our chapel here is getting re-done. im so excited to
get to talk to some of the great families that i taught just about 2 yrs
ago when i couldn't speak the language.
so after the good 5 hour bus ride i made it back to the city.
my new comp is Elder Boyack from California. he is a way cool elder
that i have also known since the CTM in São Paulo. were really excited
to get out and work hard and i know that the time is gonna fly just like
this last month has. me and Elder Spencer had a really good time and
some really fun experiences. we already have plans to hang out after
the mish. i gained another true friend with him. im pretty sure that
im in my last area now.

I hope that you guys had a good week. its sounds like things are
going along really good and everyone is staying busy. Tys graduation
is getting closer and Ariens wedding also is just around the corner.
lots of good stuff is gonna go down in these next few months.
when you get the senior pics done for Ty, if its not to late, send me some.
im glad that he stayed at the west side to finish out. i know that he has had
some really good times this year.
so mom you're into the water aerobics now? i remember seeing the old ladies
doing the water aerobics at Riverdale when i was younger. dont be gettting
to old on me now mom.... jk. i heard that exercising in the water is like
the best that you can do. just dont take your ipod in the pool!
im excited to be able to go swimming again. tell loyal and aunt syble
to get better for me. it makes me sad to know that they arent doing too good.
i know that it takes a lot out on grandma also. she is always there when someone
needs a helping hand. when i pulled up to her house she wouldn't even ask
before she had a baked tater in the oven and a salad all whipped up for me.
have you noticed mom that the exercises are giving you a lot of energy yet?
i bet that it will really help you out during this case lot sale.

well everything is going really great here and im really excited to work
these last 3 months that i got left. i know that it is gonna fly by and the
work is gonna go really good. just got to do my part always so that the
blessings can flow right in.
i love you guys!! have a great week!!

um abraço

Elder Coats

Another Good Week

Hey Family,

We had another good week this week and we were able to do a few
fun service projects as well so the week actually went by way fast.
We are almost at the end of another transfer!! Next week i'm pretty
sure that i will be in another area. I will probably go back to Curitiba.
I guess we will see what happens. I have had a good time in Guarapuava
I have been able to meet some really great people. We helped out on
the branch president's dad's farm this week picking tomatoes and getting
ready for the fall season. It felt so good to do some farm work and the best
part of it all is that it is far away from anything so it was really quiet
and relaxing. We had a good time and were able to get alot done.
So everything is in line for me to go to school now? I'm guessing.
that SOAR meeting in July will get me all set up and i'll be able to
make changes with my schedule if needed. I really have no idea what I'm
gonna be getting into with college. I'm just hoping to get into some
good classes and work my butt off. i have learned how to study here on
the mission though so that is gonna help me out.
Kolby and Mike said they are trying to find a nice place that we could
all stay in so that would be nice also if they could get that worked out.
I'm gonna have to get a membership to the gym with you and
Arien, Mom. sounds like Grolls Gym is getting pretty fancy.
Ty's graduation: 36 graduates, west side high school. I bet he is
pretty excited for that. Kinda weird that his jaw keeps randomly
locking up on him. That would drive me nuts too.
That's cool that you guys are gonna do a little wedding party for Arien's
students there at the park. It should be a nice weekend to be out side.
Memorial weekend is usually nice and sunny, isn't it?
Arien, I'm so happy for you guys and I know that things are going
really well. Just keep up the good work and do what ya need to do.
Not to much to write this week but I love you guys and I
hope that ya have a great week!!
Até

Elder Coats

Good Bye to February

Minha Amada Familia,

Things continue to go fantastic here in the beautiful city of Guarapuava!!
We are working hard and the time is flying by!! the month of February
came and went like nothing! We had an awesome sacrament meeting
last week in the branch and we were able to bring lots of investigators.
A patriarch came and spoke and also one of the counselors of the
Missão Brasil Curitiba. It had been a while since i read through my
blessing but i was reminded with the great talk that the patriarch gave.
The patriarchial blessing is pretty amazing and if you really try to
understand it and live by it lots of blessing are sure to come.

We are working with a family right now that is really enjoying the
church and we got a fun family nite set up for this week.
Gabriel is already set for baptism and he is really excited, The little bro
would love to be baptized also but we had to explain to him that until
he is 8 he doesn't need to be baptized. The mom is doing her best to
get to the ready point so she can also be baptized. We're doing our
part so that she can be baptized with her son.
Nothing better than a family baptism!

I thought that was really cool that Connie Owen and Angela Rivera are serving!
Good stuff!!! Do you know were they are serving? Just about every week
now there is going to be a few coming home from the graduating class of 2007.
I think that Matt and Justin aren't too far from getting home now also.

We are actually not to close to São Paulo so the earthquake didn't reach us
here but it sounds like it did some damage. That is a huge quake 8.8.

So Kam and Rob are tearing up the court this winter huh...I'm excited to
get home and play with them a little. Its been quite a while since
I've shot hoops. I'm stoked to do the alumni tourney here in a few years
with all the guys.

Mom, when does school start at USU? When is high school
graduation for Ty? i know that i'm gonna miss it by just a few days but
it's gonna be cool to catch him fresh out of school!! Not to far away..
I love you guys!
Have a great week!!!

Elder Coats

Elder Spencer and Elder Coats in Guarapuava

Time for Zone Conference

Hey fam

We're staying good and busy here and the time is going by faster and faster it seems.
we had a good week and to top it off we have our zone conference tomorrow
in Ponta Grossa. i always look forward to the zone conferences. its cool to plan
a training to give but its nice when me and my comp don't have to do trainings
so we can just focus on the new stuff that president passes to us.
we weren't designated to give anything tomorrow so we can just take in all
that we can and put it into our daily work.
i will be getting letters tomorrow also so i'll be able to see the new bike and
'i'll let ya know what i think. i think that i can remember seeing it when zane
cruised it around i just can't picture it exactly. i got some ideas that me
and dad can do for the paint job... we are gonna get that thing `"chíquezão".
i'm glad that Arien and Justin are still excited about the wedding. I know that
everything will go as the Lord wants it. i'm so excited to be there to be a
part of all the good stuff this summer. lots of people are coming home from
their missions, weddings, Tys graduation (that i'm gonna miss by just a few days)
and then the college deal.... its cool to see that a lot of my friends from
school are getting married. how are Trent and his little wife doing?
have you seen them around lately? i hope that Jud and Cheltsea can get a
date set also for this year.
man, i miss Jud and Ty! this week i was actually thinking a bit about all the
great fun times that we had hanging out and talking about whatever.
im stoked to get to be with them again!
Ty should be healed up good i hope by the time that June rolls around.
I dont know if Jud remembers but he told me that he would be done smoking by
the time i got home.... if not, ive learned how to make a really great/disgusting
tobacco tea that will make him never want to smoke again. we do it
sometimes for investigators that believe that it is impossible...
We cant do it anymore though cause some people got really sick!!
I bet that it was fun making pancakes for ariens class, mom. i love your
breakfasts. i learned how to make a pretty good little breakfast for 2 these last
few years. french toast is my specialty.

i Love you guys!! You're in my prayers constantly.
have a great week!!

Elder Coats

Hope all of you guys had a good week. here things are going great and
we are after all those that have the desire to learn about the things that
really have a meaning in life. we had a few people that we were teaching
give us the boot this week and others that just rejected our message.
its all good though. nobody said that the Lords work is easy.
we are always after new people to teach so even though we got shut down
we are always finding new familys to teach.
it sure builds your testimony also when there is someone that says
things that have nothing to do with the church and you have to stand
up for what you know is true and just lay it all out for them.
thats good that ty was able to get his wisdom teeth out also while
they were already up in there. what tooth was broken clear up in his gums?
hopefully it wasnt a front tooth. he is gonna be toothless
joe for a little while... ha.
we took the 4 and a half hour bus ride to curitiba the end of last week
for a meeting there and i was able to pick up the package in the perfect
timing. thanks mom!! we enjoyed the sweets and valentines day is actually
elder spencers birthday so we were able to do a little celebrating
with some candy. i got ACCEPTED to utah state!! thats pretty cool.
thanks for getting that all done for me momma. so im thinking that
the classes that i take are, for the first, just the generals cause im not
exactly sure of what the heck im gonna be at life, kinda sad but im
working at it. just sign up for the ones that you think would be good and
if you can help it, not math! you know that im a genious at math but im
just not feeling the math game quite yet...
i heard that kolby and mike got robbed down there. at least the
dude got caught...
so im pretty sure that im gonna stay here in Guarapuava until the 17 of
march then im gonna get sent to a new area to finish out the mish.
its getting closer. ive been here for a good 6 months and that is
usually the longest that elders stay in an area here.
the new mission president has been announced
and will get here just a little bit after i leave. he is from bountiful utah
and his name is Derek L. Corden.
i have really like President Araujo. he is a man that really knows his stuff
and has a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
im so glad that work is still going so well for ya mom.
its good to work doing something that you like to do and enjoy being there.
im excited to see all the changes that have gone on there.
is arien still excited about the marriage?
and jud, has he marked a date yet?
i love you guys, thanks for all the love and support.
have a great week!!!!
ELDER COATS

Happy Valentine's Day

hey family
everyone is getting a little bit older back home now huh? tell krissy that i
said happy birthday and tell aunt syb that i send the best to her and i hope that
she gets feeling better soon. me and elder spencer are really doing good here
and ive been able to show him around pretty good this last week. im pretty
familiar with everything in this area now and its really nice cause tracting is
a lot easier. ive been here for almost six months now. its fun serving in a
branch. lots of challenges and work to get done all the time. elder spencer is
actually from the group that got here one month before me so he isnt in any of
the pictures that i sent home from the ctm. we have been really looking for
opportunities to serve this week. we dug a big hole for a family, cut grass and
we got other projects scheduled for this week. its nice to show people that we
arent just shirt and tie, read the bible, people but we serve to help others. its
a great way to get to know people and teach later on. its good to hear that the
preston ball clubs are doing good and that ashlee is representing the Coats name.
her and brooke were always really good basketball players. kam and rob are gonna
be tearing up that gym in a few years also! hows everyone at home doing? i guess
its just ty now.
happpy VALENTINES day to you.
i love you guys and i hope that you have a great week!!
ELder Coats

hey family
another great week has passed on by and lots of great
things are here to come.
the transfer ended today, my old comp went home and
im now with an elder from cedar hills utah(elder Spencer).
we have been good friends the whole mish but we
never were able to serve together. he got in the
mission field one month before me. were gonna really
tear it up this transfer!!! im way excited and i know
that this transfer is gonna fly by cause were
gonna be really busy and were gonna
work really hard! lots of great families have
excepted our visits and we have a
good group of investigators that are progressing
really well.
i got a letter today from you mom that i had to
laugh at!!, FINISH STRONG, and then the little
comment that you made about work hard.
im definately getting anxious to see all of you
again and to come down the airport stairs but
im more excited to go full bore
here and work hard!!
thats awesome news that wes and cami are
gonna get married! im way excited for them and
it is gonna be one more wedding that im gonna
be able to see in june.
ariens house is really coming along,
im glad that she is gonna move home for a little
bit. she will be able to save some mula in gas for sure.
with that money she will be able to
do a little bit more with house probably...
kolb told me that he was having problems with
his truck so i told him to head out and get
er looked at with dad. when i get home im
gonna get dad to show me all the ropes again.
this time im gonna actually pay good attention
so i can go off on my own with fixing things like
he does. i know that i wont be the master like him
but im gonna try. im hoping to get into the
first demolition derby in august so tell him
to keep an eye out for a car.
i know how ya feel mom with the gospel principles
class. i have been teaching it here also. our branch
doesnt have to many old members so we get to
help out with the classes. me and my comp switch
off each week with the classes.
its a little hard cause the lessons each week are
really small. i just try to get everyone involved
and ask lots of questions to help with the time limit.
im sure that you are probably doing that but if not
you could give it a try. i know that you are giving
a great lesson each week mom, so dont be worried about it.
just do your best and you will learn lots. tell gram that
i that i told her to get better. she is getting older
but shes got a heart of pure gold!! im excited
that robbie and kam are doing so well with the jr jazz.
sounds like all is really moving along great back home.
i love you guys so much!!!!!!
have a great week and keep on keepin on!
um abraço
Elder Coats

This week in Guarapuava

hey fam
that's good to hear that you guys got some
snow to enjoy now that it is the end 
of january.
this month went by way fast and i'm
now nearing the end of another 
transfer here in guarapuava.
this week went really good and yesterday
we had zone conference to top it off.
President Araujo is powerfull and the training 
that he gives really help us out on the work.
i got a bunch of christmas cards also that
came in. i really like the cd that Arien sent
and the card was pretty funny.  
i love you arien, even though your a few fries
short of a happy meal! haha.
im still way excited for the wedding and it
sounds like the house is practically a 
done deal. the little christmas card that
jud and chelsea made was pretty sweet 
also. she sure is gorgeous!
i dont know how jud's baldness can pull that 
off...jk. everyone here that sees pictures
of the fam always tell me that i'm 
gonna lose my hair before too long also
because we're all going to get dads genes 
but i think that i'm holding strong.
i think that it is better that ty doesn't 
play church ball yet. his ankles will thank
him later. are they still giving him 
trouble?
thanks for getting the college deal
underway for me mom. let me know 
how it turns out. i don't even want to think
about getting into college yet. 
getting back into the math books sends
a shiver down my spine...
i know that it is important though to go
to college and study so i'm gonna do it.
there's a young man that is leaving for his
mission this week from our branch. he gave his 
farewell talk sunday and it went really good.
it made me remember the day 
that i got my call and the great feelings
and all the support that i received 
from everyone. the mission is great!!
i love you guys, you're all in my prayers 
and thoughts.
have a great week!!
love,
Elder Coats

Hey Fam

this week, as usual, flew by and lots of great things are
happening in the area and the work is moving right along! 

we had a really cool baptismal service on saturday and a really
special family went with us to church on sunday.

the young man that we have been teaching went on the
camping trip in the outskirts of town with the young mens
group and we had his baptism marked for that night. we 
decided to take advantage of the little pond that was there
and have the baptism. it was way cool and `marlon`
is way excited about the church. it was a cool way to end their
camping trip and it was something different cause its not 
everyday that you can be baptized in a pond.

that's so crazy that my trainer, elder barrus, went down and met
you guys!
he sent me some really cool pictures of the visit. he always said
that he was gonna go and meet my family. he said that it was way
fun to hang out with you guys and have a piece of pie. that would be
really fun if he transferred to usu and we could go to school together. 

i bet that it was fun to give dinner to the missionaries also. i was
wondering if it was lunch or dinner that the ward members give to
the missionaries? i would really like to give them dinner when i
get home to visit with them also. 

ty got through another part of the school year. im glad
that he is able to remember enough that he can get through
his studies. he is practically done!! 
thats cool that he is an aid for arien an hour. 

is jud still living in grandpa bills old place? in one of the
pictures that barrus sent me he was there with cheltsea.
they still look really happy.

i hope that everything goes well with the paper work so arien
 and justin can get the wedding all planned out.

mom im glad that you are still loving the store. its a great job. 

oh, i got a x mas card from a family that i'm not remembering. 
tim and jan hall?  can ya help me out?

i love you guys!! the time is getting shorter and
shorter until we get to meet again!!!

have a great week!!!!

Elder Coats

Another Great Week In Guarapuava

hey fam

another great week is flying by and lots of great things are happening
here for us in guarapuava!! this week we had a miracle happen:
not only the baptism that was held on saturday but also
we were able to invite a young man that was 
driving a home made, horse drawn buggy, down the
street to church. he went, loved it, felt the spirit and he is going
to be baptized this week!! he´s an awesome kid that, as soon as the
gospel was introduced to him he jumped right in 
and is loving every bit of it. he is a little farmer that works with five horses 
that are actually his. his family life isn't all that great but his dad was nice 
enough to let us teach him the gospel and said that there is no problem with him 
following the church. we're really excited for him and i know that the gospel is 
gonna bless his life. its great to see how the gospel changes lives!
sounds like you guys had a good week and that the MORP went good for Ty.
thats really weird that they call it MORP. (Prom spelled backwards?)
i got the packages that you guys sent for christmas, finally last week.
i couldnt wait on the bus to open up the package so me and my
comp got into them on the bus ride home to guarapuava. i'm
enjoying alot, all the great american goods! there is an 
american from georgia that is living with me also and he about
died when he saw the nacho cheese! good stuff!!
Ariens house is gonna be the ultimate when they get it all finished up!
i'm way excited to get to see it in person.
has jud got his new truck all tinted and stickered up yet? i bet that he 
is loving the new ride.   
are you staying warm in the store mom? now that it has been 
all redone and what not i hope that you are keeping warm in there.
tell Robbie and Kam to keep up the good work in the little league b-ball.
when i get home i'll run um through a couple of good drills....jk.
hows Krissy and Peri doing also? i missed not being able to talk to
them on christmas but its alright because i'll be able to talk to
them before to long...!  
i over heard the leaving date for my group in june...
it will be june 2nd, so right on Peri´s birthday!
time really flys when your having fun and working hard!
i love you guys!!
have a great week!!
Elder Coats

The First Week of 2010

The first full week of the new year is going really
well and we have found lots of new investigators that
are really excited. We have a few baptisms
coming up in these next few weeks including this weekend!
That will be nice for you to have the 11'0clock
church, Mom. It is always nice to sleep in a little
on Sunday. That's awesome that Ty bore his testimony at
church. Is he going every week now?
I will be heading to Curitiba on Friday for sure
this week so I'll be able to pick up the package that
you sent for Christmas. I'm excited
because it is a four hour bus ride from
Curitiba to Guarapuava so I'll
have pictures and letters to pass the time.
I was thinking today about when
you all called for Christmas and I wanted to
know how does Gram know about
the word: Trunky? She's so funny!!
Something cool happened this week. We have been
teaching a little 9 year old
girl that loves the church and participates
in everything. The other day we were
headed out to teach her and her family and when
we got to the street where she lives
we saw her out playing with her friends and
she had her book of mormon with her.
She told us that she doesn't go anywhere without
it. I just thought that was so cool
that she wants to always have it with her even
when she is playing with her
friends! She is going to be baptized this weekend.
I am going to be in this area for a few more months but
when I am transferred,
I will have just two more transfers and then
I will be coming home! It seems
crazy to think that this year, 2010, is the
year that I have been serving for two
years and will be coming back.
Tell everyone that I love them and that I hope
they all have a very happy new year!
Have a great week!!
Love you all,
Elder Coats