Sept 28 - Nov 7, 2011

Hello, everybody! I am very sorry this is late. I have not had much time, such is the life of a missionary. (Thai is good, it keeps me out of trouble...:)

As you all know, I entered the MTC on Wednesday, September 28th. That first day was, shall we say, a bit of a shock to my system... I was actually not very excited, then, before I knew it, I had hugged my family and said goodbye for two years! I was "Processed" then sent to my classroom, where I met Elder Fisi'ihoi, my MTC companion. Elder Fisi'ihoi is from New Zealand and is of Tongan Descent. He is an amazing Missionary.

I really loved the MTC, I loved our teachers,and my disctrict. (Most of which went to the Colorado, Denver, South Mission (Fruita is in that mission)). I learned a ton. There is a very special spirit there, Be prepared, they have you teaching on the First day. Remember your purpose and you will be fine! NEVER try to convince anyone of the truthfulness of the gospel. The Spirit will do that much better than you ever would be able to. Simply invite them to come unto Christ and pray, and they will come.

I was excited to leave the MTC, even though I loved it there, and was accompanied by the same anxiety that was present when I entered the MTC. We left on 17 October. (Oh, before I forget, Conference was amazing) We boarded our little CRJ200 (That was for you, Decker) and started for Fresno. Elder Fisi'ihoi and I were the only Elders in our travel group. Our other Travel Group members were: Sister Caramella (From Fairfax County, VA. (She is serving next door to Elder Roberts and I, in Turlock 4th)) Sister Ingram, (From Kirtland, OH, currently in our tri-zone area), Hermana Wiglama (In our district), and two other Hermanas who are down in Fresno. (They only travelled with us, so I don't remember their names)

We arrived at the Fresno Air Terminal (Which also double as a military airbase for the California National Guard), and were greeted by some departing missionaries, who counseled us to be exactly obedient, and that the California Fresno Mission is a baptizing mission. Then we walked through security and met President Gelwix and the Assistants. We collected our things and left for the Mission Office. We were again, "Processed" and then we went out on our "Open your Mouth" Experience. I was with Elder Black, Who was an offensive Lineman for BYU before he came out, and was really surprised at how bold he is. We were street contacting and he was showing the people a picture of Christ, asking them why Christ was baptized, and then inviting them to be Baptized. Some of them said "Yes"! Later, I was doing a similar thing. I really wasn't prepared to be extending baptismal invitations within hours of entering the mission. After that, the New missionaries, (We don't use "Greenies" in this mission) Went to the mission home and ate dinner with President and Sister Gelwix, and the Assistants. That was really good. President Gelwix does an excellent job of making everyone feel welcome.

After dinner, Elder Fisi'ihoi and I went with the Assistants and put in for the Night.

The Next day, Elder Fisi'ihoi and I were Assigned to our trainers, Elder Fisi'ihoi to Elder Jenkins in the Fresno Area, and Myself to Elder Roberts in Turlock, about an hour and a half to the North of Fresno on I-99. It is comparable to Idaho Falls in Size.

Elder Roberts is an amazing missionary. He mostly teaches by Example, which is very nice. He corrects me when necessary and encourages me to do the same to him. He considers us equals, which is amazing.

Turlock is a nice place. I feel good about the work here. We are working with several people, although they each have their own challenges.

I will update this next week. I am running out of time.

I love you all!

The Church is true. I know that with all my heart, and will carry that knowledge to my grave if that is what God asks of me. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God.

"Never Surrender. Never Quit. No Regrets." President Gelwix

Elder Coles

The first few weeks in Fresno!

Oct 17^th

I just wanted to email you to make sure you knew I made it to the Mission Office alright. It is interesting. I swear my eyes must be as big as dinner plates. One of the first things we did was go street contacting. We committed two people to baptism! That was really bizzare. I did not expect to be asking people on the street to be baptized, but President Gelwix knows what the mission needs.

I really loved talking to Mom and Dad! I love all of you!

I will be in the Mission Home tonight and meet my trainer tomorrow.

I am getting excited, even though I am really nervous...

I had better go.

Love you!

Elder Coles

Oct 24

Dear Family,

I am actually not allowed to email anyone except family (That includes Extended Family.)

I am serving in the City of Turlock, CA. We have a huge area, and I don't have a bicycle yet. It takes us about 2 hours for us to walk from the top of our area to the bottom. My companion is Elder R from Indiana. He is awesome. We have been working hard. I have only been here a week, yet I feel I have been here forever... I don't mind though. I love our investigators.

Don't ever start smoking. We are helping one woman quit with the Stop Smoking Lesson. It is really hard for her. It is such a vice. I hate it.

My package got here transfer day. Mother, your timing is impeccable. I appreciate the spook treats. Sadly, Elder Roberts and I have to break the chain...

One of our wards had their primary program yesterday. It was awesome! I loved it. I remember when you taught nursery...

I need a bike. I think I will just buy one with my debit card... The bike that the mission had for me is too large...

I will send pictures soon. I have not been fed anything strange.

Dad, Thank you for reporting the BYU scores! That is good news!

Elder Coles

Oct 31

Dear Mom,

It is easier to follow the crowd, but I can testify of the blessings that come from EXACT obedience. (Our alarm didnt go off the other day, we only slept in by 7 minutes, but I did not feel the spirit as strong all day...)

I absolutely love teaching! (Not street contacting or tracting so much, but teaching in a controlled setting, yes.) It is amazing to trust in the Lord and take no thought to what you are going to say, and then be directed by the spirit to say something that you would not have said otherwise.

Elder R is from Indiana. He is from a town smaller than Blackfoot. He is amazing, and I am glad to be taught by him. He teaches by example a lot, and he teaches me by allowing me to do things, which is nice.

I agree. One of the things that really bothers me about street contacting is when people say that they are happy the way they are and that the only reason they are a certain religion is they were born into it.

We had Zone Conference on Thursday. Elder Kalliger from the First Quorum of the Seventy came and spoke to us. That was awesome!

Dad,

I hope your class is still doing well. One of the Bishops here teaches an online course at BYU-I as well. He said he saw you on there. What a small world it is. We also ate dinner at the house of someone who was a high school pottery teacher the other day.

Any advice for teaching someone who is a devout Southern Baptist and thinks we are all going to go to Hell?

Blake,

I am Flattered that you are a missionary for Halloween! This work is amazing! Hard, but Amazing as well! How is school?

Tianna,

How is band? How is life? What is new to your life? There aren't any Boys in it are there?

You stay amazing!

Colby,

You are awesome! Have an awesome experience in 4th grade!

I know that the Book of Mormon is the most correct Book on the Earth. I know that through it we will be brought closer to Christ. Through it we will gain a testimony of Joseph Smith and the Restored Gospel, and Through that, Eternal Life.

Elder Coles

Brett enters the MTC!