Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

And so goes another fast transfer and I can say my goodbyes to Elder Guevarra and Elder San Pedro who are transferred.  With only 18 weeks left to go I'm starting to get a little bit nervous about going back into the real world.  Driving, school, dating (well actually I'm pretty excited about that one).  I've honestly had a few dreams about being home and it's starting to freak me out because this dream is going to be a reality before I know it. 

Not a lot of really exciting stuff happened this week which was kind of a bummer.  We've been focusing a lot on working with our potential Melchizedek Priesthood holders so that they can be ready to receive it before stake conference which is coming up pretty close.  We also focused on helping the ward organize a fireside to help members understand the importance of home teaching and of how to home teach.  We as missionaries had planned out a pretty good workshop but another one of the members gave a 3 1/2 hour workshop (and he still wasn't finished) so we weren't able to share our part on Saturday.  But Bishop Flororita said that we'll be having a part two of the fireside this upcoming Saturday so we'll have a chance to give our insights about how to help the ward. 

We've also had the opportunity to do service at a resort in the area of the zone leaders.  We cleaned up the land around the property because summer is quickly approaching.  "Who ever knew that coconuts could be so heavy"!!!  I think that the Philippines has the heaviest coconuts on the planet.  After an hour or so of carrying bags of coconuts you really start to feel out of shape.  While we were cleaning we found an ENORMOUS spider; and I mean that this sucker is huge.  So Elder Haueia thought it would be funny to put it on a stick and chase me with it because I hate spiders more than I do the Lakers (no offense to Laker fans).  I think I lost a good 5 pounds from that little joke.  

This past week in my personal study I've read a lot about the life of Christ and of the love that he showed for each of those he served.  For me tracting and OYM'ing is one of the hardest things for me to do.  I love talking to people it's just getting the courage to approach them which is the hard part.  But there's a few verses in 1st John Chapter 4 that really helped me to realize the importance of loving everyone  

18.There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

If we truly love our brethren and our God, than our fear to share the gospel will go away because we know that this is what they need in order for them to achieve eternal life. 

Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                  -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

I spent Valentines Day without a Valentine :(.... well at least we had a baptism!  Hay-Hey was baptized this last Saturday(on Valentines Day) and  words can't describe the feelings that I felt during his baptism.  He was so excited and I will never forget his face when he came out of the water.  It's such an honor being able to help people come to know our Heavenly Father and to help them to start on the straight and narrow path.  It's such a weird thought thinking that in a little over 4 months I'll have to remove my name tag and people will start calling me "brother" again.  I still remember when Bro. Wilkinson started calling me "Elder" two weeks before I went into the MTC.  Looking back it does seem like a long time ago since I was a young 18 year old kid who didn't really know who he was or what he was doing.  But know I can say to you now that I have really found who I am, a "Child of God", and He really does love each and every one of His children;rich or poor, black or white, tall or small.  Being here in the Philippines has taught me a lot about how we need to have charity to all people, especially to those whom we struggle to love.  Now I'm not by any means saying that I don't have a problem loving everyone because there are times when I wouldn't mind putting some duck tape over peoples mouth; but if we strive to be like the Savior, He'll help us in our weaknesses so that we can make them strengths.  

Besides the baptism of Hay-Hey there hasn't been a whole lot that has happened.  Never mind....  On Thursday before District Meeting; we got a surprise phone from the AP's.  I"m not going to lie, even when you're innocent it's still scary when the AP's call because you know it's serious.  Well in short my good buddy Elder Christensen was ET'ed to Calabanga and my old room-mate Elder Haueia is the new companion of Elder San Pedro.  Oh, and this week we have a fireside coming up in the ward about home teaching and visiting teaching.  And guess who was asked to speak there... yep, yours truly will be giving a workshop on home and visiting teaching so if you have any ideas don't be afraid to email me.  

Thanks for putting some "play money" in my account, if you have any requests for souvenirs just let me know. Just to let you know T, I bought you your gift a while back so don't worry.  I still can't believe that Brendon and Shannon are getting married on the 4th of July!  Thankfully I'll be home in time to see dad tie the knot for them.  But it's too bad that I won't be able to see Kaiden... Elder Cloward pala. And please tell Emily "Good Luck and don't forget that you are a special missionary/friend."  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                            -Elder Cole

Dear Mom Dad, and Cole Family,

This past week has been another challenging week but I'm trying to stay positive as I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that each trial will help me grow in some way.  This past week I have gone on a few exchanges with Elder Christensen as Elder San Pedro and Elder Guevarra got sick earlier this week.  All I can say is that it's been fun walking around with a fellow American because everyone talks to you; especially when they find out that you can speak Tagalog.  But despite being two strapping young missionaries, we had a hard time teaching and finding people, partly due to the fact that we didn't have a male present with us which made things pretty rough.  Oh well, with all said and done I really enjoyed working with him and getting to know him better.  

We also had zone training this past week which was great.  We talked about the Plan of Salvation and of how we can more effectively teach it because it is such an important lesson.  It was weird listening to the testimonies of those missionaries going home at the end of that zone training because I remember when Elder Hodge (my district leader in Minalabac) was kind of bragging that he only had 3 transfers left.  Well now he's about to go home in two weeks and then I'll be in his position.  Man time goes by way too fast.  After zone training I was able to finally have a real american style burger!!!  It had real cheese, lettuce, and beef patties.  I'm not going to lie, it was pretty gosh darn expensive but it was worth every peso. Elder Guevarra's birthday was yesterday so a member invited us over to eat and have a small party which was nice.  But one of the members kept trying to get me to buy ice cream and pancit (the small little noodles) for him because one way I can show my love is by providing for his temporal needs, even if it meant buying it on a Sunday.  We both just laughed afterwards.  Of course I was planning on getting him something for his birthday; just not on a Sunday.

This past week I was reading in Alma about Moroni who just happens to be one of the coolest people to have ever lived on the earth.  Even cooler than LeBron James (which isn't something that I would say very often).  Well there's a verse about the characteristics of Moroni that really makes me look at myself and try to do better.  in Alma 48:17 it says "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."  I don't know how you guys feel when you read this verse, but every time I read it I get the chills down my back.  The faithfulness and steadfastness of Moroni is honestly hard to explain.  Not once did he fear the power of the Lamanites; but he feared doing wrong in the sight of God throughout all his days.  I know life is full of hardships and temptations, but if we can try to be like Moroni we can overcome anything that the world throws at us.

Well Cole Family, I was so excited to get your letter , but I am sad to say that there wasn't any money in the card when it arrived :( There was a bunch of packing tape over the seal which seemed suspicious. Well I hope that the person is using the money for his family and didn't bet on the Seahawks to win the Superbowl.  Maybe 70 dollars will do for souvenirs for the family.  I've become a pretty good bargain shopper which has come in handy :).  I think that having a Filipino feast would be just fine with me when I get home.  Than you guys can taste the stuff that I've been having for the last two years.  Thanks for all that you guys do.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo!!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                          -Elder Cole  

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

Happy February Everyone!!!!  As another week comes to a close, I am once again reminded of how much awesome being a missionary is.  We didn't have someone walk up to us and ask if they can get baptized but this last week was great regardless.  

Elder Guevarra and I have been talking about different ways that we can find new investigators so now with the approval of the Ward Council; it is official that we are going to be teaching an English class every Saturday and I have been designated  as the teacher.  This should be a fun experience, I have absolute no idea of how to teach English so let's hope and pray that this can turn out well.  I've also been chosen to help teach a fireside about how to effectively do home and visiting teaching.  I don't know why in the world they would want to have me to teach but hey, it's another opportunity for me to learn so I won't complain.

Earlier this week we kind of struggled to teach lessons, we just kept getting punted and things just weren't going the way that we had hoped.  But thankfully to the wonderful youth of the San Jose Ward, we were able to accomplish great things.  After church on Sunday there were about 8 youth who wanted to work with us so we were able to go on splits.  Through their willingness to work and with the help of the Lord we were able to teach a grand total of 11 lessons in one day.  During that time not one of our planned appointments fell through and all of the youth were able to help share their knowledge and testimony about the gospel.  I wish that I could have been as willing to work with the missionaries as these youth when I was younger.  We had a great time and learned a lot from another.  

Just for laughs, the other night we ate dinner at a members house and there wasn't any transportation so we had to walk home.  So when we were walking this dog came out of the shadows and started chasing us so I just started running as fast as I could.  Here's the thing, right as I started running my left shoe came right off.  And I mean right off.  I ran right out of my shoe because I ran so fast.  Don't worry, I faced my fears and ran back for my shoe but I didn't put it back on till I was a safe distance away from the dog.  

I just read something from Russel M. Nelson that really kind of made me realize of how important it is for us to smile.  "When you meet people for the first time do so with a smile. Be happy. This is a gospel of joy. If you look grumpy, who wants to be like you?" I know he was talking to missionaries but the principle is universal.  We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Yes life is hard and there are things that make it hard to smile.  But if we go around life thinking about the bad all the time we will miss the small blessings that the Lord has given us in our lives.  I may be a hypocrite some times by saying that but nobody's perfect and I'm trying to apply that principle in my life.  I know that if we do that,  our lives will be more happy and that we will be more proud to be members of this wonderful church.  

Thanks for everything that you do for me in my life.  You are all superb.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo.  May God be with you till we meet again.  

                                                   -Elder Cole

Dear Mom, Dad, and Cole Family,

The Lord has really shown me this week that He is preparing the hearts of His children to hear the gospel.  This past little bit the missionary counsel has been pushing us to OYM (Open Your Mouth) and have added a new key indicator in our reporting.  They have set the goal for 50 OYM's every week per companionship which is pretty gosh darn high for most people.  No we weren't able to reach the goal but we have had some great experiences.  On Tuesday I went on exchanges with Elder Christensen in their area (who is from Utah) and at the beginning of our day we got punted from most of our appointments which of course means...tracting/OYM'ing.  But me being me got this great idea to just ask people if they knew a specific person because Filipinos are always willing to help/talk to you if you have a question.  So we decided to start ask people if they knew where Chris Tucker lived.  I would just like to say that we got a lot of funny reactions of people trying to find out where "Chris Tucker" lived.  But this one time we met a guy named Elmer who invited us in after his frantic search of trying to find our good friend Mr. Tucker.  We talked to him and shared our purpose as missionaries.  Later on we met his mom who was about 87 but was still walking without a cane or any help.  We were able to teach Elmers mom who was super nice and open but she almost spoke pure Bicol which isn't my strongest point.  I got some of what she was saying so the lesson was still super great.  She has 12 kids but 3 of them have passed away along with her husband so she is really interested in learning about Eternal Families.

Well might I say that there are a bunch of Less-Actives in our area so most of our appointments are for Less Actives and new members.  But our investigator pool is still steadily increasing.  We met two kids by the name of Rian(11) and Mark Dave (9), and they are probably some of the politest and smartest kids that I have ever met in my whole life.  Seriously.  When we taught them they just listened and answered every question.  Their mom was an investigator when she was young but she doesn't have an interest at the moment in taking the lessons but she is all for having her kids take the missionary lessons if that's what they want to do.  Reynan (Hay-Hey) is still golden.  He's always excited to see us and always is willing to help us out.  I don't think that I've met a more prepared person my whole mission.  I really hope that his baptism will continue on February 7th!!!

This past week we also had the opportunity to have interviews with President Reeder which was great.  I have been so blessed to have him as a Mission President.  During our district meeting while we were waiting to be interviewed the zone leaders had us read and discuss a talk about being a consecrated missionary (I'm sorry I don't remember who gave the talk).  But he said that being a consecrated missionary means that we need be willing to give everything to the Lord.  Our thoughts, our desires, our energy, and most of all our time.  He even mentions that he keeps his heart locked and forgets about his girlfriend (not that I have to worry about that one).  Being a consecrated missionary also means that we need to change our nature.  We need to follow the commandments not because we know that it's expected of us; but because we really want to.  We need to work hard not because we want a lot of lessons to look good; but because we truly love our brethren.  I don't think that I can call myself a consecrated missionary but I know that if we all try to consecrate ourselves to the Lord that we will recieve blessings beyond what we can imagine.  

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 know you've all been itching to find out where this stud muffin missionary has been sent to and just for your information..... I'm not in Daet.  In fact I'm in the opposite direction of Daet.  I'm here in the glorious place of San Jose Goa and my new companion is Elder Guevarra.... another Filipino.  He's from Antipolo Rizal which is pretty close to Manila.  Guess what????  He's also in my batch going home.  Just to make things even better; Elder San Pedro is my roommate so we've enjoyed talking about all of our adventures in Ragay.

This week has been full of fun with getting to meet the members and our investigators.  Although, in order to get to some of our areas we have to cross rice fields and small little streams.  And judging from my past letters, you all know that those don't result in good things for me.  Things haven't changed.  On Tuesday we were going to go visit a less-active and there is this little stream that we had to jump across because there weren't rocks or anything to jump on.  In short I didn't jump far enough and I got both myself and Elder Guevarra wet which is not comfortable when it's already humid.  And then on that same day we were running late for an appointment so one of the members who was working with us decided to take us through a rice field because it was faster.  I don't know if it was a short cut but it felt like I walked for ages.  It's kind of hard walking on a narrow path that isn't completely sturdy and could collapse at any time.  Thankfully the Lord was merciful and I didn't fall into the rice field again like I did in my first area but I did smell a little funky after because of the sweat.  

We have an investigator named Reynan (but he goes by Hay-Hey) and he is golden.  We haven't even finished lesson one with him yet and he already want's to be baptized. I hope it's not because his girlfriend is a member and he's doing it for her.  But they are both planning on serving missions at the same time when he turns 18 so I don't know.  Just a funny side note, I think Reynan is the Filipino version of Taylor Lautner.  The first time I saw him that's the first thing that popped into my head.  Well back to the story.  Things are looking bright for him so I hope that he can be baptized next month if all things end well.  

Well I would like to thank you so much for that package.  It literally saved my life and the t-shirt is hilarious.  I hope that this is my last area so I don't have to worry about packing again. Now I know how Aunt Sarah feels every time they move. Well I wish you the best of luck and I hope things are going well.  Mahal na mahal ko po kayo mga mahal ko!  May God be with you till we meet again.

                                                      -Elder Cole

Life is full of surprises.  Our kind Zone Leaders just texted us and told us that I'm transferring. Again.  Bye bye Calabanga.