"Maybe White People Aren't Half Bad"

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

This past week has been another wonderful one.  We're teaching many people and having such a great time (maybe white people aren't half bad). 

One of the reasons that its been so great is because every Thursday evening at 7:00, our stake holds an open house that stake members invite their friends to.  Each week we have less-active members of our stake and people of other faiths joining us for presentations on the different organizations in the Church. Its legit. One ward "sponsors" the open house each week and we're just about done with the opening round and will start back at the first ward again. 

People are genuinely curious on what goes on in a Mormon church or what its like (or at least they are here in Utah...and I imagine its the same everywhere else). 

One of the families that we've grown close to is a mother and father with their two kids.  The parents have had rough lives and in the past years have been getting out of drugs.  The mom has been going to church for a month or so trying to make sure they keep the changes they've already made.  And her 14 year old super rebellious son came to church this past week (we nearly passed out we were so surprised).  On Saturday morning she is getting baptized at 10:00.  We're very excited.

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

Heaven on Earth

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

I am in heaven.  We must have one of the most missionary minded stakes in the entire world.  The people here are incredible and we're teaching a ton.

But I am going to be "that" missionary this week and not write anything.  We've been super busy and I just don't have time this week.  Sorry.

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

"The Work of the Lord is Hastening"

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

Well...surprise: I was already transferred, and on Wednesday will be transferred again.  Last Monday night at 9:00, our missionary president, President Hansen, called me and told me that Tuesday morning I would be leaving Glendale and heading up to Farmington to serve as an English missionary.  So right now I'm serving in Farmington.  I went from covering half of a spanish branch (congregation) to covering three english stakes (which is the equivalent of 25 congregations).  A little bit different.  Glendale is sort of the ghetto of Salt Lake and Farmington is the Johns Creek.  Basically like going from downtown Atlanta to Johns Creek. 

But its been a great change.  I've loved it with all my heart up here. (And on that note, don't send any letters for a week or so until you get my new address).  My last companions promised to forward any letters that were already sent. 

And on Wednesday, I'll be moving up to Layton to serving with Elder Thevenin again (I served with a year ago in South Salt Lake).  And I'm staying in English, which is exactly what I've been hoping and praying for.  We've had some great experiences.

On Saturday night, a member from one of the wards called us and asked us to come to his house for dinner at 7:00 on Sunday.  He told us that his sister-in-law wanted to meet with us. 

When we got there, we met Nate and Jordan (a young couple from the ward), along with Jordan's little sister, Kinsie.  Jordan grew up here in Utah and was baptized three years ago when a friend invited her to church on the pretense that there were cute guys there.  Nate is a returned missionary who served in El Salvador.  Kinsie is a senior in high school and hasn't grown up in really any religion but has always believed in God.  Her sister had shared a lot with her about hte Gospel.  And she is legit.  She had already decided she wants to be baptized and basically just asked us to help her get ready. 

As we share the Gospel with our friends and invite them to learn more, they will accept that invitation.  Pray about how to share with specific people and God will answer you.  Ask the missionaries for ideas.  If they are good missionaries, they will help you invite your friends, not try to go around you to reach your friends.  Ask me for suggestions if you have any questions.  The work of the Lord is hastening.  I see it everyday and I hope you can see it to. 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

Ivan is Alive!!!

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

This past week has been one of the best of my mission for so many reasons, but I'll just share one.  The first Sunday of every month at my church is what we call "Fast and Testimony Meeting" during our main worship service (aka...sacrament meeting).  The "fast" refers to our practice of fasting (abstaining from food and water) on the first Sunday of each month, and the "testimony" refers to our sacrament meeting becoming an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and feelings about the Savior, the gospel, the Restoration, and life from the pulpit. 

So on Sunday I went up to the pulpit and shared my feelings about the Savior.  Earlier in the meeting I had noticed a middle-aged Mexican man walk in and he looked familiar.  When I was up front, I recognized him.  His name was Ivan Cid Martinez.  He was a man who I baptized nearly a year and a half ago when I was in my first area (Rose Park).  Two weeks after his baptism, he went back to Mexico because his mom was sick.  His brother, who still lived in Rose Park, told us he hadn't heard anything for 4 months and they had accepted that he died during the crossing.  So for the past year I have just assumed that Ivan Cid was dead.  Surprise!!

He lives in my new area and for the past few months has been coming to church on each Sunday that he didn't have to work.  We had a happy reunion and he is planning on making a few visits with us in the coming weeks.  A very, very happy day for both of us. 

 

Heavenly Father knows us so perfectly that it truly amazes me.  Ivan is at the perfect moment in his life to progress even further in the Gospel, and no-one except God Himself has more of an interest in his progress than me.  I love this Gospel so much.  I'm so grateful for what I have learned over these past 20 months. 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

ps. If you have any General Conference tickets they would be most appreciated.