September 15, 2011

This week was good. We had another apostle speak to us on Tuesday at our Devotional. This week was Elder M. Russell Ballard. It was a great talk. There is supposed to be an unusual amount of Apostles coming to speak within the next 7 weeks. Of course after I leave! Yep, I also received travel plans last Friday. It'll be interesting flying out of Salt Lake at 1 in the morning. I don't really have alot to report on, we've just been getting ready to leave and giving away all of my extra food and candy. Oh and just for the record, I've only gained, .8 lbs during my 9 weeks in the MTC. HA! I'm proud of myself. Everyone says you will gain 10 lbs on the MTC food. If I don't write an email in awhile, Its only because I can't. Don't worry!

Cole

September 8, 2011

Oh man!

My time in the MTC is limited! I'm supposed to leave on the 19th, so 1 week and 4 days left. I'm supposed to be getting my travel plans this weekend also. Everyone in my district is excited for that. I'll be sure to write home when I get them. Well, this week, I was able to be a New Missionary Host. My job was to welcome and greet new missionaries that were dropped off and go take them to their rooms and get their supplies and books and see them off to class. It was really fun, we tried to sign up to be a "Host", but they wouldn't let us unless they were short on them. Then during lunch yesterday, they announced that they needed more so my district and I ran up there to sign up. It took a while for the "nuevos" to show up, but they came pouring in all at once. It was sort of awkward standing there with the suitcases waiting for the final goodbyes and tears to be wiped away. One missionary jumped out of the car and his dad unpacked his suitcases and was in the car and they drove off and the mom stuck her head out the window and shouted "Have fun!" and they were gone! It was like watching a NASCAR pit stop, it all happened so fast. I was able to help two missionaries to go were they needed to. One Elder was headed to San Diego and he was all excited to be here and get to class. The second missionary was actually an Hermana and me and another Elder showed her to the Hermana hosts and they took over from there. She was headed to Poland. I've noticed here, they have a lot of Sisters going to Europe and a lot of Elders going to Latin America. I don't know what that's about. I have one more P day in the MTC, then I'm outta here! Next week is my last week. Oh yeah, I have been running into all of my friends that have come into the MTC. My dear pal Damon (Elder Chlarson), Blake (Elder Sampson), and David (Elder Morley). And of course Elder Fox and I always drop by and see whats new with each other since we have class in the same building. Its funny to think that I get to see all of my guy friends come into the MTC. Especially all of the ones from Bakersfield. We're trying to plan a day to meet up and take pictures. I would send some pictures, but the machine that reads my SD card has been broken all week. Hopefully they fix it next week so I can send all of theses new pictures home!

Family!

thank you for the package, I just received it today. I forgot what pringles and candy tasted like, its been awhile since I've had anything like it!  Thank you for everything, I always have you guys in my prayers. Hey Jack, felicidades (sorry, it was easier for me to say that than congratulations) on making varsity, that's awesome! You've got to keep that #62 going throughout your entire varsity years. It will be the same exact ones that I wore. You should buy the red jersey after your senior year, hahaha. Bueño Suerte! (good luck)

Cole

September 1, 2011

Wow! 

A ton of things have happened this week. All I have to say is that I was right about a General Authority speaking on Tuesday during our Devotional! The president of the MTC walked in with his wife and behind them was Elder Jeffery R Holland. It was amazing. We all knew someone was coming but we didn't know who. There was a spiritual buzz going around before he walked in but after, silence. I won't send you all of my notes, but he gave an amazing talk. He basically gave an introduction and joked around a bit. He said, "I have one foot in the grave and one foot on a banana peel" so you missionaries will be taking my spot. He also answered some questions submitted by some Elders. One thing he emphasized was that people in the world look at missionaries and think they are absolutely perfect. He told a story about a elderly convert who was baptized and in Sunday school when asked who she know who was perfect, instead of Christ she answered; the two missionaries that baptized me. He clearly emphasized "You do not have the right to compromise the image of a missionary!" He also told us that 4 hours before his talk that a missionary gave his life for this religion and got really emotional. We don't know any details. After Devotional there was definitely a spirit on the entire campus.

Yes, to answer Brother Sirman's the bathrooms are updated and the trees of life are out of the MTC and we have our own stalls and showers. and to answer your question Dad, here is a list of people who have spoken at our devotionals & firesides: Stephen B Allen ( managing director of the Missionary department), Dennis E Simmons (of the 70), Robert P Swensen(director of missionary services), Gerald N Lund (former 70), Merrill J. Bateman (Emeritus Quorum of the 70), Cecil Sameulson (BYU president), Richard I Heaton (administrative director), David F Evans (of the 70), Stephen B Allen again, Claudio D Zivic (of the 70), Bruce E McIff (MTC presidency) Then Jeffery R Holland.

Thanks for the package! I have a ton of food now. I have 30 secs left I have to go! Thanks again I hope everything is good at home still.

Love,

Cole

September 1, 2011

At the Provo Temple

My District at the Provo Temple
Elder Wride, Lewis, Bookstaber, Folsom, Me, Ward, Stults, McClellan, Thimmig, Ford, and Combe

Me with one of my zone leaders, Elder Lotulelei. He is going to Columbia

Me with Elder McClellan

"Representin" Honduras

Elder Ward and myself are going to the Tegucigalpa Honduras Mission and the others are going to the San Pedro Honduras Mission

Trying to get the storm behind me

This is Elder Tyler Marrott, he was one of my roommates at BYUI. He is going to Hong Kong.

September 1, 2011

This is my District after learning that our investigator is really our teacher- Brother Jimenez



This is our first investigator, Brother Jimenez, who turned out to be our teacher.

Our Classroom

August 25, 2011

Bueñas Tardes!

This week has been alright, I've just been teaching a bunch of lessons this week to new "investigators". So far I have one that finally realized that she wanted to be baptized. So that's all that I can think of that's new. My time is coming up fast, its almost time to leave the MTC and get out into the field! I get nervous thinking about it, but also excited. Oh yeah, well I have had a bottle of cookies and cream milk sitting on my desk for about 6 days and when we walked into our room Sunday, we smelt something terrible. It was so bad that I started to gag a bit, and I never gag! To my surprise I found that the milk bottle had exploded out of the top of the bottle and slopped thick nasty old milk everywhere. On my desk, in one of my shoes and splatters on my bed. I looked up and there was a huge spot on the ceiling! It had built up so much pressure, it had blasted onto the ceiling. Of course everyone in the hallway had to come and see it. I cleaned it up that night, but it was disgusting. One of my roommates was in the bathroom almost throwing up, hahaha it was funny. I was laughing the whole time that I was cleaning it, but my roommates didn't think it was too funny. They kept on saying it was my fault, but I would politely decline and say it was the work of Science!! that's my story for the week.

Well family, I hope every things going good, thanks for the package. And thank you Chloe and Max for the pictures! Chloe; your picture is really good! your drawings are really good. Max; I like the picture, you really do look like a zombie. and I like the x-wing t-shirt and Luke with the huge light saber. They are both hanging up in my room by my desk.

Sorry that I don't have much to say. The Spanish is coming in fine, my teachers are both great. Devotionals and firesides are awesome. We're supposed to have someone from the first presidency or 12 come speak soon, so I'm excited about that. Gym is fun, I mostly play Volleyball. oh and Jacquie sent me a letter and said that you are doing a great job on keeping my Blog updated and that it looks good. Thanks Mom! I have to go, I'll write back next Thursday.

Love,

Cole

August 11, 2011

Mi Familia,

I received your cookies yesterday, thanks alot! there are so much in there, I took them up and shared with my district last night but i still have a ton left. I got some pictures developed onto a CD for you so i will try to send those to you. There are some pics that are random and you might think are weird but don't worry I'm not wasting anytime here! This last week has been pretty boring and nothing much has happened. One of my teachers left because she got a job at BYU as a counselor. We got a new one, she served in Spain and we are her first district that she has taught. We'll see how things go. People in Spain speak Spanish with a reeeeeaaalllly annoying lisp. instead of saying gracias, she says grathias. They use it on any soft "C's " or on any Z on Spanish words. Tell Kevin that I have TRC at 10 am every Wednesday. That would be awesome if I ran into him here and he could hear my awful Spanish ha ha. I have run into all of my friends/ roommates that are in the MTC right now. I see Daniel Fox and Nathan everywhere. and I also see my two roommates Kenyan and Tyler from somerset occasionally. Now we're waiting for Christian to come in. Tell Jack that I'm glad I got a letter from him and I'm glad that he's using his own bed still. He mentioned that there was more things wrong with the truck than dad thought? what happened? all he said was that dad was complaining about it, ha ha. Yeah 2 a days are tough but jack can do it.

I have been talking to my friend that's in Honduras Tegucigalpa, he's been sending me emails about it. He said that they have set a record in baptisms of 600? that's a ton. I don't know what the time span is but that's alot. Tell Chloe that I'm excited for her that she's going into 1st grade, she's going to be a big girl and play on the big kids playground now and be able to look at the map I painted for my Eagle Project and tell everyone her big brother painted that! Also tell Max that I think its cool that he's going into the Big Dogs class. Can you send me a picture in the mail of our family? I didn't pack one. And my friend Elder Lewis wants to see my truck, so could you find a good pic of that too please?  Thanks a ton mom, sorry nothing exciting hasn't happened this week. Keep any eye out for my CD I'm sending!

I miss and Love you guys.

Cole

 

August 4, 2011

Mi familia!

Everything is going good. Things seem to be progressively getting harder every week. One of my teachers is insaine! After every class with him I always get nervous and freak out a little. I think its just him trying teach us through scaring us. We'll see how that works. Thanks for sending the care package! Its nice to have my vans shoes back on. I pulled the homemade salsa and chips out and all of a sudden our room became the party room. We basically had the whole district in the room snacking on it. They only ate about half of it because they couldn't scoop any more out of the jar! Now I have to grab a bowl from the cafeteria to pour my salsa in so I can snack in peace. I'm having a good time, Ive made friends in my zone that live on the same floor. Its fun to actually have relaxing time at night because my days are really busy. The Spanish is coming in slowly but we are having it shoved down our throats. I can't wait to get out of here, I'm getting tired of the schedule here, Its really stressful. Also can you ask other people to write me? It really helps when I receive a letter after a long day of working and stressing on teaching lessons.

We had a meeting with an investigator and me and my companion went up to the door and he started saying how he forgot that we were meeting today etc. and then I talked to him for a bit and asked if we can come by at another time but he closed the door in our faces and that was it. We went back to the class and and I guess everyone else had gotten in and talked to him for a bit. My companion had to tell everyone that we didn't get in and that it was all my fault...I was upset because I had to do all the talking since all he had to say was, "uhhhh... umm uhhh " he was fumbling everywhere. Gosh, then to tell everyone it was my fault. The nerve. Its OK I held my composure and kept calm. I thought we did a good job on talking with the two volunteers that we had talked to.

 

Oh yeah an Elder in my district was playing soccer and he sprained his ankle. that was on Monday. then on Wednesday he decided that he could play volleyball and he jumped up to block my spike and he ended up twisting his other ankle. I felt bad... until he started trash talking about blocking me. I let him think he had the block, only because he was the one with a sprained ankle. Just something to help him recuperate faster. Alright well I have to go, tell Max and Chloe that I'm surprised that they touched the deep end and that its cool. And Jack: keep on bulking up and knocking everyone down!

 

hasta lluego!

Cole

July 28, 2011

Awesome!

Thanks for getting the blog going. Can you thank Judy for me also? I have taken a couple of pictures already and I can get them developed and send a CD to you. We just got done teaching our investigator and everything went well with that. I thought I was doing a good job on talking to him and laughing about stuff in Spanish, but it all went over my companions head, it was funny. I figured out that I'm good at getting the people comfortable and talking, but my companion often jumps right into lessons and sort of scares them a bit. The pressure is on, i can definitely feel it. I have learned to bear my testimony and brushed up on my Spanish. The week that I came in, the MTC started a new program and completely immersed us in Spanish. The other branches in my zone were impressed by how fast that me and my district had picked up on saying our prayers in Spanish. I really like all the guys in my district, we are having a lot of fun. We are all trying to get the Spanish down. We went to the temple this morning, it was great. It was definitely alot smaller than the Los Angeles one. Everyday I look forward to gym. We often play as a district team in volleyball and soccer against others in our Zone. we're not very good at soccer, but we're excellent at volleyball! I'll also play some intense four-square sometimes. Oh for my mission plaque I want Psalms 23, the whole thing. Thanks Dad. Well I've got to go, its fun. Everyone was right, the days are long but the weeks are short. I cant believe its already been a week.  Love you and miss everyone!

Love,

Cole

 

July 23, 2011

Hola familia! 

I'm doing good, the MTC is definitely a great place. I'm doing some laundry right now con mi companero Elder Folsom y mi districto. My teachers name is Hermana Keleman and she is doing a great job on teaching us Spanish. We have learned to say our prayers in Spanish already and its been 3 days. On Thursday night we all met with the Zone presidency and had interviews that night with the president. I was called back in and asked to be the District Leader! I'm excited for this opportunity. I have learned all of my Elder's names and talking to them all. We have 11 Elders in the district. My companero Elder Folsom is going to Tegucigalpa Honduras with me. My other roommates Elder Stults (from Cedar City) and Elder Ward (Spokane WA) are going to San Pedro Honduras. Elder Tihmmig (San Francisco) and Elder Wride (Salt Lake) are going to Barcelona Spain. Elder Lewis (Provo) and Elder Bookstaber (somewhere in CA) is going to Madrid Spain. Elder Mcluellen is going to Concepion Chile, Then you have Elder Ford and Elder Combe that are also going to Conception Chile also. So we are all somewhat in the same general direction.  Oh I've run into Elder Porter Urmston and Elder Nathan Despain on many occasions. I also see my old roommate Tyler from Somerset every now and then in the cafeteria. On Friday, me and Elder Wride (from my district) were talking and we ended up discovering that we were both friends with my friend Damon. It was crazy because we had heard stories about us both from Damon and finally met. Oh can you ask Jack to look in my texts on my phone and have him send me Damon's address? I forgot it. I'll get it faster if you send it in the mail because I can't check my email. It would be in the last text from him, Thanks! Its hard getting to sleep and waking up in the morning. I feel like I barely close my eyes and all 4 alarm clocks are blaring. The showers are warm now, but crowded. Don't worry I haven't caught Jack's Flu bug like everyone else has, I am doing fine. Also the food is good here too. I can only have one serving before I am full though, so that's good. Well my timer is running out for email so Ive got to go. I love and miss you all. tell Max, Chloe and Jack that i miss and love them. I'll write back next week!

-Love Cole

July 21, 2011

Hola Familia!
I have made it safely to the MTC. The shuttle ride was good. I rode with two other elders and a sister. When I arrived, they quickly bused us through and gave instructions. I missed the introductory class, but met the teacher and district. We then went to a meeting with the other 448 new missionaries. The MTC Presidency and their wives. My set dinner time is 4:30!!! I thought that was crazy. My companions name is Elder Folsom from Montana. I also have run into Elder Despain, Elder Porter Urmston and my old roommate Tyler from Somerset. Everything is good. I'll be sending emails. Talk to you soon!
Love,
Cole
ps: I'm pretty sure they keep the showers cold in the morning on purpose!