A man, a plan, a canal; Panama

Hey guys, what's up? This week was really good. We have been having a lot of fun in the trio, but also we have been working harder, and seeing some fruits. It has been an awesome transfer so far.

So we had a huge bummer this week. There were these three investigators Janet(18), Carlos(14), and Juan(15) that were scheduled to be baptized on Saturday. They were interviewed on Thursday night, and all passed and were ready to go. Then, Saturday morning, a few hours before the baptism, they called and said it was a no-go. They told us their father didn't think they were ready. We went over and talked with the father (it was the first time because he was always working), and he basically said no. We talked with Janet and Juan and Carlos a little more, and Carlos said that he didn't feel ready at this time. That was a huge bummer. They are super cool kids, haha the two guys love me because I dunked after soccer one day. It was a bummer though. 

Conference is this week and I'm pretty excited. It'll be my second conference out here. They should match up with my 6 month marks more or less, so that's a good way of keeping track haha. 

Anywhey, Dad is right, it is tough to communicate with 1 letter per week, but no big. Here are some answers-

I can't order the new scriptures. It says "processor error" or something every time. I can't figure it out haha. I'll try again this week though. 

I can't figure out the bike computer either. Again, more info next week.

Yadira's daughter had her baby this week, so we haven't seen them since Sunday. Hopefully we get to see them soon. 

I talked to SLCC, and basically the only thing they could do was give me a D in the class and give me a diploma, so I took it. I am super bummed about that, but I couldn't do anything else... Either way, be on the lookout for the diploma one of these days. 

Here are some pictures of my comps- Elder Munoz reminds me of a Mexican Easton haha, and Hepworth is just super funny, I can't even describe him. We have a ton of fun, but sometimes it's hard to be the one to say lets get back to work, especially because they've been out here for longer. Anywhey, hope all is well!

Love,

Coal

Elder Hepworth, Elder Hansen, Elder Munoz

 Love our Missionaries!

Hepworth

 Munoz

Munoz Asleep

A Good Week

Hey guys,

We had a really good week. It turns out we got the car back on tuesday instead of friday or saturday, so we have been driving for the last few days. It is really nice not to have to bike around in such a massive area.

 I called SLCC and they didn't answer this week, so I'll let y'all know about it next Monday.  That is pretty sick that Liza got into surg tech haha, puts a little pressure on dalton and leena though ha. 

The Family that I said was like my mom did end up coming to church. I finally got around to sending some pictures too- Here are some of Elder Henderson, the huge hairball we pulled out of the tub, the car, and some other things I forgot already. 

Love y'all

Cole

 Hairball - Gross!!

 15 Degrees - Cole's Photo Face

 Cole's 2nd Mom in the Mission (A family he is teaching!)

 Elder Hansen and Elder Henderson

 The Sister Missionaries Crashed the Car!

Three Bikes on One Ford Focus

Six Months!

Aunque no me escribeiron, todavia les quiero. 

Thank y'all so much for the St. Patrick's Day package! Haha, it's always nice to get some candy and celebrate. It was great because today is my 6 month mark as well, so I got to double celebrate by streaking through the Library this morning with nothing but some green bead necklaces on!

We took the car in for repairs this week, so we have been on bikes in our huge area, and it's kinda hard. I bought a magnet for the bike computer, but I can't figure it out, it wont register or anything. Maybe it's an operator error though... Anywhey, we bike like 15-20 miles a day. Good stuff. 

We've been riding around in a trio and it's been pretty fun. I got the call from the office and I'm gonna call SLCC later today. I'll let y'all know what goes down.

So I have been teaching this family for like 2-3 months now, and they are super cool. The mom's name is Yadira, and she is almost like another Mom to me (almost). They are awesome, but they have only come to church once. On Sunday morning, we rode our bikes like 5 miles to her house to wake her up, and she came to the door and said they'd be there. Then they didn't show up. I was pretty upset to say the least. 

Love Y'all and hope you're doing good and all that good stuff!

Love,

Cole

Is Jesus Here?

Ummm... Hi guys. Yes I am in a trio now with Elder Munoz and Elder Hepworth. They got here on Wednesday morning. We are still in the same apartment, and we just got an extra bed and desk from some other missionaries. Usually there aren't trios, but for some reason we're gonna have one for this whole transfer. 

I don't really like this question thing, but here goes.

1.      What is the funniest thing that happened this week?
Elder Hepworth wanted to call us the Three Nephites, but Elder Munoz said "I'm a Laminite" Hahah, it was so dumb/funny. Also one of our investigators has a 5 year old kid that was acting up and the mom told him to come over here and he said, "no, you always hit my buttcrack," and I about died of laughter. 

2.      When did you feel the Spirit the most this week?
I don't know. I probably pray like 20 times a day and walk around talking about Jesus all day. It is just a whole different lifestyle.

3.      Tell us about one door approach, or teaching moment you had.
Elder Henderson and I went to this guy named Jesus' (Spanish name- Hey Zeus) door that he had taught on an exchange. We knocked and some young girl answered. Henderson said "Se encuentra Jesus (hey-zeus) " (Is Jesus here?), and the girl was just way confused and said Jesus (in English). Elder Henderson said "Si, el esta?" (Yeah, is he here?) and she just blinked and looked confused and said "Like Jesus Christ? ... are you asking if Jesus Christ is here? ... I speak English." It was the wrong house. It was so funny.

4.      Tell us one thing (funny or serious) about your companions.
Elder Munoz is from San Antonio but originally from Mexico City. He speaks Spanish natively and so it is pretty helpful to have him around to teach me stuffs. He has been out for like 18 months. Elder Hepworth is from Price, Utah, and he has been out about a year. He is a ginger.

5.      What is one thing you learned this week (in the scriptures or lesson planning)?
I don't even remember. Everything is a blur. I can't remember if I studied 3 Nephi last week or 2 months ago. I learn a lot though. 

Love you all!
Love, Cole

Transfers

Happy Birthday Dad! Hope y'all had a good week. Haha, sounds like a quiet, laid back birthday, just like Dad would love.  Transfer week is upon us. Wednesday, Elder Henderson goes home, and my new companions are (there are 2)... Elders Munoz and Hepworth. I stay here. It is a pretty crazy transfer and I will have to draw a diagram or something to make sense of it, but I'll be in a trio for the next month and a half... 

1.       What is the funniest thing that happened this week?

We went on a member exchange with the CRAZIEST guy, it was easily one of the funniest nights of my life. He was insane, screaming in the car, and just being nuts. We thought he was hammered, but instead just a crazy guy. It was awesome. 

2.       When did you feel the Spirit the most this week?

Sometimes teaching lessons is so annoying. Sometimes I want to punch every investigator in the face. We teach this awesome lesson and get to the first vision, and say " and God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared, in person, to Joseph Smith." And the investigators ALWAYS say something like "oh yeah, that happened to me once" or something like that. It's awesome!

3.       Tell us about one door approach, or teaching moment you had.

We had a ton of miles, so we drove way out to Bridgeport Texas, and we were in the country. As we were driving, we saw a dead armadillo, so we stopped and poked it with a stick and took pictures and whatnot. Not a door approach or teaching moment, but I thought it was appropriate. 

4.       Tell us one thing (funny or serious) about your companion.

Elder Henderson is awesome. He reminds me of Nate, the same really driven attitude towards everything. He gets stuff done.

5.       What is one thing you learned this week (in the scriptures or lesson planning)?

One thing Elder Henderson and I studied a little of was the Godhead. There is a really cool "doctrinal exposition" named "The Father and The Son" on LDS.org if you want. It explains the roles of Jesus Christ and God the Father, and all that good stuff. 

Also, on Friday and Saturday it hit 85 degrees here. Then, Sunday there was a little mini ice storm and today it was 15 degrees. Texas weather sucks. 

I wrote Liza a little about Surg. Tech. and whatnot, I hope it helps. Love you all!

Love,

Cole

This is the photo Cole chose to send us - "A visual tour of my apartment" w/ description included:

1. My closet

2. Our desks (mine has nice chair/lamp)

3. My bed

4. Kitchen area

5. My (personal!) bathroom

6. The bedroom

7. My desk

8. The kitchen

9. Our bikes