Dear Family and Friends,

Life just keeps continuing to throw different obstacles at me that I didn't see coming.  A few nights ago we got a call from the Calabanga sisters telling us that they were being pulled out of their area which meant that we would be taking over part of their area.  The funny part of this is that the sisters area is the most progressing area out of the 3 areas.  I guess that the Lord has a plan that I don't really see at the moment.  Another thing that I didn't see coming is that Elder Grospe isn't transferred which means that we'll be together for 4 1/2 months.  Hooray!!!  One more transfer of hard work and fun.

Work in our area is still struggling but we're not getting down on that.  We're just keeping our heads up and continuing to look forward into the future.  Hopefully with the addition of the sisters area we will be able to find more people to teach.  Sherwin is continuing to progress but he hasn't come to church yet.  We're trying to help him recognize the importance of attending church every week and not just on Easter, Christmas etc...  That's one part of the Filipino culture that's hard to break.  We're also trying to help him understand of how truly important baptism is and that it's not "a welcoming" into a church but that it's a commandment of God. 

Oh by the way.  I finally got my package and I am very grateful for what you guys have done for me!!!  We are really enjoying the basketball hoop in the house and let me just say that up to this point I am undefeated in "Horse" ha ha. But really I love you all so much and I wish the best for each and every one of you.  But before I go I would like to leave something from one of my favorite talks of all time by Thomas S. Monson.  He quoted a poem that he head back in primary stating "

Dare to be a Mormon; Dare to stand alone.  Date to have a purpse firm. Dare to make it known.  

In a world where values are changing and where the moral dignity of people is being degraded, we as members need to make a stand for our beliefs and stand for who we are as....Mormons.  Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Don't change who you are, but be examples to the rest of the world so that they may someday find the gospel of Christ.  I know it's hard to do; but if we do it the blessings will be enormous.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo.  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                       -Elder Cole 

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

Welcome to 2015 and the 4th  quarter of Elder Cole's mission.  I hope that all of you guys enjoyed your New Year parties and set new years resolutions for this upcoming year.  For New Years Eve we went to Brother Buchabal's house (our ward mission leader) and ate with them and for the first time in a while I got to watch a few basketball replay's which made me really excited for this upcoming season when I can actually stay updated.  I never knew of how basketball trunky I could get ha ha.  But one of my new years resolutions is to keep focused until the end of my mission.

This past has been rough for Elder Grospe and I to teach people.  Most people were busy or partying which made things really difficult.  Everywhere we went we were punted and then the weather was horrible the first part of the week.  I don't think I saw the sun for about 9 days straight because it was always raining.  I even bought a jacket because it was so cold.  Thankfully now it's sunny and hot again so now we can play basketball in the mornings!!!  But on the bright side of the work.... Sherwin accepted the baptismal invitation!!  He was kind of startled when I invited him and he asked me "Brother Cole (that's what he always calls us) does that mean that I will be a Mormons when I get baptized"?  We set a date for February 21st so I hope that he can make it.  It's going to be hard for him to giving up drinking with his friends but I know that he can do it.  Another great thing is that Sherwin's friend wants to listen to us when he doesn't have work!  "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass".  Things are hard in Calabanga but it's a challenge that I'm ready to take on.  Transfer week is next Tuesday so I can probably say my farewells to Elder Grospe.  He's been a great companion and I'll truly miss him. 

I've heard a lot of people say that the new year is a new life, and a new chance to change and improve ourselves.  One of my favorite verses in the Book of Mormon is 3 Nephi 27:27 when Jesus Christ is inviting the Nephites follow him.  "Therefore what manner of men ought ye be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am".  Now we all now that Jesus Christ was the perfect example given to men from God.  If we set a goal this year to be more patient, we can look to the example of Christ.  If we set a goal to be more humble, we can look the example of Christ.  If we want to serve our fellow man more often, we can look to the example of Christ.  Everything that we can do to improve ourselves is in the characteristics of Christ.  If we turn our hearts to God and His son Jesus Christ, we will not perish but will rejoice in His spirit.

Well I love you guys so much and I look forward to seeing you guys in the following months.  Just stay strong and continue to be the amazing people that you are. Ingat po kayo palagi at Maligayang bagong taon!  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                  -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

The last week of 2014 is officially over and this transfer is also nearing it's end which means I can say bye bye to Elder Grospe.  But this last week was full of excitement and adventure which easily makes this Christmas better than last year; despite the fact that I still haven't received my package yet.  Last Monday we had the Ward Christmas party which was loaded with food, activities and presentations.  Unfortunately for me Sister Paasi and Elder Grospe found some Hawaiian skirts which gave them the wonderful idea for me to dance for the missionary presentation.  I bet you can imagine how that went.  All in all it wasn't too bad but uh... it's not something that I want to do again.  Then on Christmas Day we relaxed and ate with members which was the best.  I think I gained a lot of weight but hey... it was worth it!  Work this week was rough and we were punted a lot but it was as to be expected.  Things should be the same this week due to the New Year.  

Well I'm sorry that this email is short but there's not a lot to say.  It was the best being able to talk to my family and especially to my good buddy Brendon who is valiantly serving our country.  Oh man how I love technology that makes long distances seem not so far.  Well I love you all so much and I wish you the best with everything.  Let's all strive to do better this year and to make our Heavenly Father proud.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat! Well its that time of year again and Christmas is just around the corner.  It's honestly crazy to think that Christmas is here again; probably because it's been raining like crazy this past week.  In the past 7 days there has only been one day where it hasn't rained.  Along with the rain it's been super hot and humid again so I've been showering twice a day so I don't feel sticky.  You think after being here for over a year that I wouldn't feel it any more but I guess I'm wrong.  Hooray for showers!!! 

But this past week has been a blast... hard but way fun.  On Wednesday we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders.  Let me just say that after that day.... I was soaked from head to toe.  I guess that's what I get for not bringing my umbrella with me. But we did manage to find a new investigator.  Her name is Ada Caprecho and well.... she's a hard shell to crack.  She's super nice and willing to listen but she told us up front that she has no desire to change religions but she is interested in knowing more about the church.  Well I hope that her point of few changes in the coming weeks/months/years/as long as it takes for her to change her mind.  We also had our mission Christmas party this last week; they split it into two different parties because it's hard for the far areas to come here.  It's too bad that the whole mission couldn't be together but it was a blast anyway.  Elder Seegmiller and Elder Grospe(one of our zone leaders and my companion) played one of the works pranks on me that I've experienced on my mission.  The night before the party Elder Seegmiller changed his signature to the name of the AP's on his cellphone and Elder Grospe changed the contact information on our cellphone so I thought it was the AP's.  In short he told me that I was going to be dancing in the talent show because apparently news has gotten out that I like to do Hawaiian dances in the apartment.  Well thankfully they told me that it was a joke before I got to the party because I almost had a heart attack.  Now I can also say that I've watched Frozen for the first time.  Now I know why every little kid was saying "Let it go" ha ha. 

Justin was also baptized this week and it was awesome!  Not a lot of people attended his baptism but it was a special event anyway.  Elder Grospe had to baptize him twice because his foot came out of the water so he asked us why he was baptized twice.  He's such a funny kid.  Justin's dad even came to the baptism and he's been Less-Active for a while.  I sure hope the Justin can be the way to get his dad reactivated in the church. 

I would like to say that I've gotten my package but it still isn't here yet.  I got so excited to see all the packages at the party but I was bummed when there wasn't one for me.  I sure hope I get it before Christmas.  But about the Skype, I'll call you guys so just stand by.  I'll do my best to be on time.  I can't wait too see all of you guys!  It's nuts to think that I only have 26 weeks left (not that I'm counting it's just easy math).  I hope you guys have a great Christmas and I'll talk to you later this week.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

Well I would like to say that we've had a lot of snow this week but that's not the case.  It's rained a good portion of the week which has resulted in a lot of mud and puddles.  When you put the two together you get a missionary with really wet and muddy pants.  But needless to say that it was was fun week regardless of the weather.  Elder Grospe and I struggled to teach a great deal of lessons but we were able to find three new investigators.  One of them particularly stands out to me at this moment.  We met a woman by the name of Gem who's husband had recently left her and her two kids; one is under the age of 2.  When we first tracted the house a big dog came out and started barking at us; and for those of you who know me I'm not really fond of big dogs so I started to kind of back off a little.  But eventually we got inside the gate and we met sister Gem.  She was very receptive and really seems to have a sincere desire to learn more about the church.  I"m proud to say that I have more good news.  Justin is getting baptized this week!!!  I'm super excited for him and his family.  His mom even asked us to come teach Justin every day this week until his baptism.  Because of Justin his mom is becoming active in the church again and he's setting a great example for his younger siblings. 

The Christmas Devotional was also one of the highlights of this week. For those of you who haven't watched I highly recommend that you do so when you have time.  I truly felt the spirit of Christmas and of what we can do to really remember our Savior Jesus Christ.  Elder. D. Todd Christopherson told a story about a young four year old boy in Utah that had battled leukemia for half of his life and of the service that the people of his community offered during his last precious moments of his life.  They helped his celebrate Halloween, his birthday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas all in one week. Three days after his last Christmas the young boy passed away. Through their selfless service they showed the love of Christ and the love of God for all of His children on earth.  May we all try to turn outward this Christmas season and remember that the joy of serving far outweighs the joys of receiving.

Well Mom, I haven't gotten the package yet, I thought that I would get it at this last zone training but it isn't here yet.  Oh well;  patience is a virtue. I have a feeling that I could be here for another two transfers so I'm not worrying.  I love you all so much and I wish you the best the Christmas season.  I plan to Skype you guys on December 26th  at around 10:00-10:30 (Philippines time).  Mahal na mahal ko payo.  Ingat po kayo palagi.  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                              -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

I know it's Christmas time and all, but I don't think that the Filipino kids asked Santa for another typhoon to come.  But I am glad to say that everything here in Calabanga is good.  We had a lot of strong winds and rain for about three consecutive days but there wasn't a lot of damage done here.  But church was cancelled yesterday because of the weather which meant I had a really long personal study ha ha.  Three days of being inside the apartment just about killed me!  But along with not being able to leave the apartment (except to get food),  there were eight Elders in our small apartment for those three days.  That's exactly the present that every Elder wants ha ha.  Apparently our apartment is another districts evacuation point.

I'm sorry that this letter is fairly short due to the circumstances which I was placed in this week so there isn't a lot I can talk about.  But I would like to thank you all for your prayers and support that you've given me.  As 2014 is coming to a close I'm starting to get a little more nervous for what life's going to be life after the mission.  I mean of course every missionary is excited to see his family, but I want make sure that I've left everything here.  I don't want to look back on this time with regrets but I want to be proud of what I've accomplished.  Being a missionary is easily the best thing that I've ever chosen to do. I know I'm still not even 20 yet but I feel that I've grown a lot more.  Of course my personality is still the same but when I look in the mirror in the morning I see somebody that is a little better than he was before.

Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!! May God be with you around this Christmas season and may we always strive to remember our Savior by doing what we can to serve those around us.

                                         -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

I'll be home for Christmas..... next year.  I can't believe that there is only 24 days left until Christmas; it seems just like last year that I was absorbed in the "Tropical Christmas of the Philippines".  I guess today means that there is exactly 30 weeks left until Elder Cole becomes a "normal person" again.  It's a bitter sweet feeling thinking that I probably only have one more area left before I go home.  Elder Grospe and I are staying together for one more transfer which could mean that I could be here in Calabanga for six months.  Well I love this ward so it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

This past week has been full of adventure and fun as this transfer has now been passed in the the book of memories.  We have found four new investigators this past week through tracting which has helped us immensely!  We met this one old tatay who had served in the Philippine army as a Con. back in the day and he told us war stories for an hour before we had a chance to share our message.  After that I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with my good buddy Elder Kelsall.  He's from California and man this kid can play basketball.  Despite all my efforts I have yet to beat him in a one-one game.  I gave him a run for his money most of the time but he just had the end game magic to seal the W.  Anyways, during the exchanges he bet me a Mcflurry that I couldn't OYM a really cute girl and get her number and a return appointment.  Needless to say he got his Mcflurry ha ha.  Too bad he's getting transferred so now we'll get to see who our new roommate is. 

Also, we have been trying to have Family Home Evenings with the Less-Actives in our ward.  It's been really fun to bond with the members and to just have a good time while helping them return to our Heavenly Father.

Well Mom, I know you taught me when I was a kid to not play with fire... but you never told me not to eat it.  That's right, I am an officially licensed fire eater in the Philippines.  Sister Delicano taught us how to do it so I thought why not.  As most of you know I don't really get things on the first try so I burnt my lips a few times in the attempt to master this trick.  I have a video of it but I don't know how to send it.  I guess you'll just have to wait seven months and then you can see it. 

On a more spiritual note I would like to leave you with a scripture verse from D&C 58:27 " Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."  I've learned that if we wait for someone to tell us to do things; a lot of time will be wasted doing nothing.  But if we take the courage and always try to do good to our fellow man, our lives and the lives of others will be blessed.  Take care and I wish you all the best of everything.  It sounds like Thanksgiving was a blast and I can't wait to join you for the next turkey day.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!  May God be with you till we meet again. 

                                             -Elder Cole