Piano Was Worth It?

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

This is a letter that I never, ever thought would come from me.  And I fully realize anyone who knew me growing up may die of shock, not to mention Jared (my older brother) will have a good excuse to make fun of me for the letters I used to write to him while he served a mission in Brazil (which said he wasn't allowed to mention piano in his letters to us back home). 

For many years my mom forced me to play piano and I hated it.  I loved my teacher (Miss Tomi) but the actual piano was not exactly on my top list of favorite hobbies.  Even when I did manage to practice my songs and learn them well enough for recitals, I would freeze up on the stage and not make it past more than a few measures. But as soon as I graduated from high school, the sacrifice and frustration of Miss Tomi and Mom payed off as I began to love piano while I was in college.  One of my greatest memories of BYU was sitting at a piano with a good friend of mine as I played and she sang hymns. 

On my first Sunday in the MTC (Missionary Training Center-where we spend a few weeks at the beginning of our mission), our Bishop needed a pianist and my companion so kindly volunteered me.  At that point I had never accompanied in my life and my first experince went poorly. I messed up most of it and only played 3 of the 4 verses (and Mormons get ticked when you mess with their hymns).  As more companions so generously volunteered me, I slowly got better at accompanying and at this point I'm decent at it.

Spanish congregations typically aren't full of pianists, so in our worship services I'm often called on to play (aka...sacrament meeting).  Never do I enjoy it and I do all I can to avoid it.

But...on Sunday I had one of the greatest experiences of my life: they asked me to play piano during primary. Primary is the sunday school class we have for kids 3 to 12, and they have songs that are so much more fun than our normal hymns.  Not to mention its a bunch of kids singing the songs.  Many of those kids are young boys between 3 and 12 years old.  And many of them happen to be crazy. 

It made me appreciate my own primary teachers so much more.  When I was that age my mom described as such: Brandon has two speeds: fast, and asleep.  He also has two volumes: loud, and asleep.  As I watched the primary teachers try to herd a group of boys, I decided that primary teachers deserve instant exaltation in Heaven. 

Especially one particular teacher of mine: Sister Kerr.  We were about 10 years old when she taught us.  And when I say "we," I mean 11 of the craziest kids ever to step foot in a church.   We only had a single girl our age to even out the craziness.  How Sister Kerr managed to do that yet still make all of us love her so much is beyond my understand.  And what she probably doesn't know is that she touched each one of our lives.  My friend Taze (who is serving a mission in Taiwan) and I were talking about her only a few months before he left.  We talked about how much it meant to us that she had stuck with us, never got mad at us, and also taught us about the gospel.  Being the inconsiderate teenagers we were (and partly still are), we never thanked her.  That will be on my list of things to do when they make me leave here. 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton    

"What This is All About"

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

Today you're going to hear a story about a man and his family. It teaches a few lessons.  

 

Ten years ago, a young dad wanted something more in his life.  He had young children and a beautiful wife, a good paying job, and everything most people want in life, but he was missing something.  He found that something in the gospel and he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It filled his life like nothing else can.  His testimony grew quickly and not too long after, he and his family were married in one of our temples for time and all eternity. 

 

Now fast-forward to 2013.  He and his wife have five children and a happy marriage.  They have a beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood.  He owns a border grill here in Layton and is one of two counselors (or assistants) to our bishop.  Last Sunday, his oldest daughter and her boyfriend finalized their engagement and life seemed golden for their family.

 

His name is Hermano Herrera.

 

Now move to Monday, February 25, 2013.  On Monday evening he gets a phone call from the police.  His oldest daughter was driving on I-15 northbound and has an accident with a semi-truck.  She dies within minutes. 

 

Everything changes very, very quickly.  Suddenly he doesn't have his oldest daughter with him anymore.  Her fiancee doesn't have her anymore.  Every plan they have disappears in an instant. 

 

On Thursday they hold her funeral and burial.

 

On Sunday, Hermano Herrera came to church alone to speak to our congregation for a few minutes.  Here a short notes version of his impromptu words:

 

"Thank you all for the support you've given me and my family.  I come here very pained, but we have felt your love.  But I want to tell you something.  My testimony of God and this Church has not been weakened.  It has been strengthened.  This morning my wife asked me to bring my daugther back.  I told her I can't do that.  It would be egotistical to want that.  She is happier now and with God again.  But I know....I know...that I will see her again.  I know I will be with her again.  We will be resurrected together."

 

That, right there, is what this is all about.  That is why I am a missionary.  Hermano Herrera just lost his daughter for a time, but because of his testimony in Christ and His Church, he say 5 days later, "I know I will see her again and I love God." 

 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton 

Lacrosse and Missionary Work

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

Well this has absolutely nothing to do with missionary work....BUT NORTHVIEW BEAT LAMBERT. WOOOHOOO.  They haven't lost a game in two years since we last beat them (back when Kevin and I were on the same team) but Northview won this past week.  Kevin scored a behind-the-back goal and schooled Lambert.  They've been one of the top teams in the country.  (Sorry Lambert...it's just really cool that we beat you). 

 

Anyways...back to the spiritual aspect. 

 

I'm still here in Layton, but with a twist.  I have a new companion who has been out for more than a year and has never spoken spanish his entire mission.  His name is Elder Endicott and he's from Missouri.  We've had such a fun past week.  Our Bishop changed our areas so are in a completely new area of Layton which makes life interesting, but we're having success.  We met a man name Jose Luis who wants to be baptized on Saturday.  Please pray for him.  He needs to quit drinking coffee before then but is on the right track.

 

Other good news, the Camachos are still in my area so I still get to keep working with them.  This past week we had a wonderful lesson with Katia.  We focused on agency and that we all have the choice to choose our path, no one can choose it for us.  Hermana Camacho shared her testimony and brought us all to tears.  At the end we asked Katia if she felt this was the path God has for her and she said yes.  She explained that she just doesn't feel ready to commit right now but that she knows it is right.  She was so sincere about it and all she needs now is some more time.

 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

General Conference 101

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

Greetings from Layton, Utah for perhaps the last time.  On Wednesday we have transfers so I'll find out soon if I am staying or leaving.

 

Thank you all for your prayers for the Camachos.  Its been the slowest process on the planet but we finally we able to have a lesson with nearly the entire family.  All of them participate and we all felt the Spirit strongly.  It's hard to remember sometimes that everything happens in God's time, which has an eternal perspective and not just a two year missionary perspective. 

 

And just another little remember- If you can get any General Conference tickets you'll be my favorite person ever.  Sound out to Uncle Brad who is sending us 8 tickets. 

 

For anyone reading who is wondering what General Conference....here is your answer.  It is a semi-anual broadcast from our Church that is held here in Utah (it is convinient serving a mission in Mormon-Mecca).  The Prophet who guides our Church (yes...we have a living Prophet just like Moses or Abraham), the Apostles (yes...we have 12 Apostles just like Christ did), and other leaders of the Church speak to the world.  Here is a video that has highlights from this past General Conference: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2012/10?lang=eng&vid=1897003909001.  There are two days of General Conference, each with two two-hour sessions.  The first day is April 6 and the second is April 7.  It is broadcasted on the BYU channel and through the internet.  Feel free to ask my family or anyone else you know who is Mormon and they can answer questions about General Conference. 

 

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton

Forgiveness

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

So we've been doing our best to work with Adrian and Katia but it's been rough lately.  This week's letter has a similiar ring to it from last weeks.  We havne't been able to sit down with any of them for nearly a week. 

 

But there is good news coming up.  We've been praying and doing everything we can to help them without actually being able to talk with them.  And we finally thought of something that will help them.  Basically a lot of stuff has happened that requires a lot of forgiveness in their family.  There is a special video about a father who lost his wife, two children, and one un-born child in car crash with a young man who was drunk.  The Father decides to forgive the young man immediately. He not only forgives him, but helps him rebuild his life.

 

It reminds me of a conversation I had a few nights ago.  I was sick and was staying with Hermano Dazza, a member of our ward, for a few hours while my companion went to a few lessons. Hermano Dazza shared with me a story from his childhood. 

 

He grew up in Mexico in a small town.  When he was 12, a driver accidently hit his 7 year old brother and killed him.  The driver stopped and tried to help the little boy but it was too late.  When the police arrived they took the man to jail.  Hermano Dazza's father happened to be best friends with the Chief of the Police in the city nearby where they took the man. 

 

The Police Chief told Hermano Dazza's father that they could keep the man in jail for 10 years because of what he had done.

 

But Hermano Dazza's father left a family get-together a few days later and went to visit the man in the police station.  He told the Police Chief that he wanted the man to go free and that the family would not be pressing charges.  The Police Chief did all he could to change his mind, but to no avail. 

 

When Hermano Dazza's father returned home, he told the family what he had down.  All 7 remaining children grew very angry and yelled at their Dad quite a bit.  They simply couldn't fathom why he would let the man go free who had killed their baby brother.  He simple told them it was his decision, he had made it, and now they would have to deal with and hopefully one day would understand. 

 

As they grew up, their father would see the man in the street often and would wave and greet him without any malice.  Their father had completely forgiven the man. 

 

Hermano Dazza explained to me that now he understands.  People make mistakes.  It's part of being human.  But we need to forgive those mistakes and allow the Atonement of Christ to fix the rest. 

 

Please pray that we can help Adrian and Katia understand that type of forgiveness.

 

-Elder Colton 

Close to a Miracle

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

 

On Sunday afternoon we went by the Camacho's home to talk with Hermana Camacho and give her a blessing for a medical problem.   We were able to talk with Adriann (the middle son) for a few minutes about his life but nothing concrete.  The best part came just as we were about to leave.  Hermana Camacho turned to me and thanked me for the prayers that she has felt.  What she doesn't understand is that it is so much more than me and my companion.  It's the prayers that have come from all of you.  So on behalf of Hermana Camacho, I want to thank all of you for your prayers for her, Adrian, and Katia.  Even if we (as missionaries) haven't seen any direct change in Adriann and Katia yet, Hermana Camacho has seen it, and she can feel the power of the prayers.  Keep praying for them. 

 

So much has happened in the past few months and weeks that it is very clear how close they are to having a miracle happen in the family.  Please keep praying for Katia and Adriann to have a change of heart.  They are great people who need this so badly. 

 

-Elder Colton 

The Incredible Hermana Camacho

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

Shout out to my cousin Thomas who is going on his mission to some place in Russia (the name is way too hard to spell).  Not quite the "cool factor" that places like Salt Lake City Utah have but o' well, I guess Russia has its perks too.

Please send any General Conference tickets you can.  You'll be my favorite person for a few minutes if you send them :)

So last week I told you a little about  family but not too much.  Today I shall change that.  Maria Camacho is one of my favorite people in the world.  She was baptized into our church four years ago and is from Mexico (like everyone I teach).  She is the mom of 3 kids: a 22 year old who I don't know who is married with 2 kids, Adrian who is 19 and was baptized 2 years ago but only goes every once in a while, and Katia who is 17 and went to church for awhile but hasn't decided to be baptized yet.  Hermana Camacho's husband has never been interested in the church in the slightest bit. 

Hermana Camacho is one of the most incredible people in the entire world.  I don't know everything about her and it is impossible for me to explain her situation, but I'm going to attempt at doing it from both my and her point of view.  It will be long, but it will touch your heart and be worth it.  

First I'll start with her's:

Four years ago when she decided to join the Church it was because she was going through a rough time with her family and felt peace and joy whenever she met with the missionaries, went to church, read the Book of Mormon, and prayed (aka...the Holy Ghost helped her feel peace and showed her this was the path God wanted for her).  None of her family supported her when she made the decision, but she knew it was right and stuck with it.  For years she went to church each week by herself.  At first her family didn't show any interest, but little by little they began to open up.  (This is all from bits and pieces that I've picked up from her and from other members of our congregation).  With time, they began to have weekly family nights (which we call Family Home Evening in our Church) where she could share something from the Bible or something generic about families (anything specifically related with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was taboo).  

Her oldest son made a bad friend and went down a path no mom wants her son to.  For years Hermana Camacho prayed and prayed for him to forget about his friend and come back to his family (which consisted of two kids and his wife).  Eventually the friend was deported back to Mexico and Hermana Camacho's son realized he needed to change.  So he changed...a little.

With a little more time (meaning another year or two), her younger two children, Adrian and Katia, began to come to church with her.  Adrian decided he wanted to be baptized two years ago when he was 17 and stayed strong for more than a year.  Katia said she wanted to wait some more time.  Both came to church consistently until 6 months or so ago, when someone at church did a dumb thing that ticked off Katia and Adrian and they stopped coming (and I don't particularly blame them).  Hermana Camacho, of course, kept coming weekly but because of the incident, couldn't keep the same level of activity that she had before or else her family would anger quickly.  She asked to be released from her callings in the church, could only stay at church for the main worship service, and the family home evenings nearly stopped.  It broke her heart but if you asked her she would probably just say "God gives us trials and I just keep praying for my family."

So to sum up her point of view: For years, all Hermana Camacho wants to do is share her joy that she has found in this Gospel with everyone she can, especially her family.  At first they don't seem interested, then they change, and then someone makes a dumb mistake which made her family not interested again.  

My point of view:

1. On my first day here in Layton at my very first dinner, the family we ate with mentioned in passing that they knew the nephew of Maria Camacho had been talking with missionaries a few years ago but then moved.  2. The next day as I looked through our records, his name stuck out to me.  3. That first Sunday, a member of our congregation approached us and gave us the information for one of Maria Camacho's best friends, who she said was interested in meeting with us.  4. The day after we finally met Hermana Camacho, she calls us and says she has a lesson set up with us on Thursday at 6:30 with her best friend.  That's way too many "coincidences." 

We began teaching Hermana Camacho's best friend (who just had a baby so is going to wait until she can be baptized) and in the process, got to know Hermana Camacho very well.  (by the way..."hermana" in spanish means "sister" and in our church we call everyone by "brother" or "sister" instead of "mr." or "mrs."  During one of the lessons, her daughter Katia came out of her room and sat down and we were able to talk with her for 15 seconds.  The next week we came by for a lesson with Hermana Camacho's best friend, but she forgot about the lesson, so Hermana Camacho asked Katia to come out and talk with us.  She was fine with that so we sat down and had a lesson with her.  The next week we had another lesson with her (and with her best friend who joined the church 3 year ago and is going on a mission in a few months).  

So to sum up my point of view: God makes absolutely sure that I meet this family and that I am around them quite a bit.  

That brings us to where we are at know.  (Very summarized version, but it will do).  Tonight we have a family home evening with the Camacho's and the family of Katia's best friend.  Please pray for both Adrian and Katia.  They are 19 and 17, one of the most important time periods of someone's life.  Please pray that Adrian will have the desire to come back to church and do what he knows in his heart is right, including forgiving those responsible for the incident.  And please pray that Katia will have the courage to do the same.  They need your help.

Love ya'll,

-Elder Colton