Dec 6, 2011
Dear Family,
You are all awesome! We are at a Zone Activity (Sadly, it does not involve Poison Ivy...)
On Wednesday, we were "Transferred" to Turlock 1st Ward. It was sad to leave Turlock 3rd, but I have great hopes for Turlock 1st.
Investigators who are in 3rd ward:
J- Has a Baptismal Date
T- He has simply Disappeared... I hope he is OK. He has had a rough life and Drugs are where he comes from.
The Investigators of Turlock 1st Ward:
H has a Baptismal date for December 19th. She is really progressing. We taught her the Law of Tithing the other day. She accepted it, which I was terrified about. She came to church. We are so excited for her!
Ji and Ja- We had a follow up lesson with them last night. They have decided not to live together anymore. We don't quite know what is in the works. We are focusing on getting them to keep the W.o.W. at this point... (It is also a problem that they live up in Modesto...)
H- His wife isn't particularly happy about us meeting with him. She wouldn't answer the door when we dropped by the other day... (That is so aggravating)
New Investigators:
Jimmy(No, that is not his real name)- He was referred to us by Bishop Harris. His wife is a Less-Active member. His Father-in-Law has told him a lot about the gospel. He wants to move to Vernal, UT. He is very prepared. He may be Baptized by the end of the Month.
E- Another referral from Bishop Harris. He is also very prepared. His wife is not very excited about meeting with us. He may be baptized by the end of the month.
Other notes: We are working really hard to find new investigators, as our teaching pool is pretty dismal. We are working hard to capitalize on the Christmas season.
Wasn't the Christmas Devo, awesome! I loved the opportunity to hear the prophet speak.
I have not recieved the package yet, but our Zone Leaders go to Fresno tomorrow to pick them up.. I hope it is there...
Kodi is awesome! Tell her that I said that. Tell her she is awesome. She is such a great friend!
If you could send the SD card back with the pictures on it that would be great!
In your second package could you send me a dark, conservative scarf, and some V-neck sweaters... It isn't Idaho Cold, but when I prepared for Arizona... There was frost this morning... and you know how I am with internal body heat... (I think I am losing my Idaho Blood, although I keep waiting, with much dismay, for it to snow.) They are cleaning up leaves here, and some of the Deciduous trees still have leaves... It is wierd.. The fog that we have had is quite thick...
I will get Colby something.... I don't know what... That is cool about him writing so many letters... It is classic. Has he shown them to you, or is that scheme obsolete?
To anyone reading my blog:
"Please send me letters. I really enjoy them. You are all awesome!"
Mom, SEND ME SOME CHOCOLATES! I love them very much!
You are all awesome! I know the Church is true and that Heavenly Father Loves me!
I love you all!
Elder Coles
Dad,
Good luck with the new tri. Don't hurt too many of your AP students... I am really learning a lot. Most of the time I feel like I went from the Frying pan into the fire...
I am struggling with asking good questions when I teach, as well as with finding. You are the best teacher I know, so do you have any suggestions?
Love you
Elder Coles
Dec 12, 2011
Hello Family!
You are all so awesome! I did get the Package. I hope to make Mexican Stuffed Shells sometime this week. I made Alfredo last week... Out of my HEAD! (I did the same thing with Western Style Beef my first week here...) We get fed by members a lot, and so far I haven't been fed anything really weird... Here's hoping...
This week was Awesome! We have a Baptism on Sunday, and set two new Baptismal Dates.
Investigator Roundup:
H- She is getting Baptized on Sunday, and is ABSOLUTELY ON FIRE! She has a testimony and wants to be baptized. It is truly a joy to teach her.
Ji and Ja- They are working on quitting smoking. We gave them the stop smoking lesson yesterday. That was interesting since they had gone two days without cigarrettes... They were super cranky. At first I was really scared, because they got in a fight during dinner, then I realized they were going through nicotine withdrawals... That helped. They are awesome! Don't ever start smoking... It is evil.
Hu- Same
Jimmy- He wants to be baptized by his father in law while he is in Utah over Christmas Break. We don't really teach him. He teaches himself (With the Help of the Spirit)
E- Still excited, though kind of flaky... He keeps most committments, yet did not come to church yesterday...
T- This woman is amazing. She wants to be baptized, has a testimony, but her husband wont let her. That is so frusturating.
D- We thought he had fallen off the map, but we saw him on Saturday and invited him to read and pray. He doesn't think he should stop investigating since that is all we are asking.
That is about it.
Thank you so much for your packages. They were a real morale booster.
I still don't know what to get Colby for Christmas.... We only go shopping on Preparation day... I will work on it...
You are spending a fortune on Shipping, arent you! You do know really well how to take care of missionaries. Thank you for the Shirts! and everything else!
I am just so happy today! Christmas is AWESOME! I love you all! The Church is True. Christ is Lord. HOSANNA!
Love you all!
Elder Coles
Dad,
Things are going great. It is work. As President Gelwix calls it, "Hot. Sweaty. Dirty. Work." but it is awesome! I got the Stake Letter the other day. It was awesome to see your signature. Is that the one you wrote, or did President Rockwood or President Rose write that one?
Your deck-the-door at Snake River is always awesome!
I will tell you when I call next week.
Love you!
Elder Coles
