To Leena

A Letter From Leena:

“Coleman, what did you get for Christmas?  And I LOVE you!  Thanks for the Monster High doll.  It’s fun to play with.  Do you miss me so much?  I lost a tooth and the Fairy gave me a silver dollar and 2 quarters.  I miss you very much dear Coleman.  Dear Coleman, do you know how to bike ride over there?  And Coleman, do you know something new?  Tell me what you look at.  A farm, or a pig?  What does the butterfly look like?  What did you name her?  Dear Coleman, you miss Mom and Dad right?  I am sick and I have an ear infection.  Love, Leena”  

Leena,

I got a printer thingy and some PJ's and some candies and stuffs. Love you too and you are welcome, I picked that doll out special just for you (because it looked like you). Stop loosing teeth you crazy girl how are you supposed to eat? Leena guess what? (What Coleman?) I can ride my bike and I don't even have to hold on with my hands (Wow you're so cool Coleman!). I look at another dude all day, me and my friend drive in a car and look at cows with big horns. The butterfly is still in his cocoon. His name is Heimlich (like from bug's life). Ha ha, sometimes I miss mom and dad hahaha, jk all the time. Don't get sick Leen, feel better.

Love,

Cole

Happy New Year

Hey guys, happy new year (in 2 days). Ha ha things stay pretty fresh up hear, fresher than a white pair of teeth out the orthodontist. I'm so fresh I don't have to fold my laundry. The week was pretty good, we went caroling on Christmas day. The rest of the week was just pretty normal, I dunno ha ha, it's all the same. Ha ha, I guess my letters sound depressing or something? I dunno, I just giggle my way around all day. That is pretty sweet about Jamaica though, but you shouldn't go without me. ha ha. How is Jordo doing? Ha ha he sounds like the same old Jordan though ha ha. But that printer thing is super cool, and I have had some great ideas so far hehehe... Thanks again for everything, love you guys so much!

Love,

Cole

Merry Christmas

Hey guys, so, to explain everything- Yes, I have gotten/am getting/ will get everything you sent to the old apartment, it just takes a little more time. I have gotten a few packages and whatnot, but I haven't opened anything yet because I am waiting for Christmas.

I'll call home arounds like 10-11ish here time, somewhere in there to the home phone. We had a cool mission conference. This email is gonna be shorty cuz I'll talk to y'all on Wednesday. 

I had a great week and everything is going cool. I like the car and whatnot. I feel bad because y'all never told me who I had for Christmas, so I didn't get anyone anything. That sounds like a pretty well done work by Samson, but I could do way better... Anyway, sounds like you all had a fun week making Christmas cinnamon rolls. All the kids wrote me saying how much they were all jealous that I didn't have to do it, but I actually liked doing that always ha ha. 

TALK TO YOU ON WEDNESDAY,

Role

Enjoy Your Joys

Hey guys, as always it's pretty great to hear what's goin on in the real world, and I love to see pictures and whatnot. So, some quick announcements- I got moved to a new area- long story short, we had to be moved because some stuff came up. I'm still in Denton, still in the same Spanish ward, but my area is different and all the investigators and all that mischief. Here's my new address- 

3232 N. Locust   #1521

Denton, Texas 76207

Anyway, we have 2 bathrooms in this apartment, so it is just beautiful, also we have a car, so it isn't too bad of a change, even though I liked the bikes, I definitely can't complain. We're still teaching Maria and her family, so at least that is the same.

Monday- In the morning, woke up and the Zone Leaders called and told me that I would be staying in my area with Elder Long, so I wrote that to you last week. Then, we rode our bikes over to the church and watched dumb church movies for p-day, it was kinda crappy but whatever. Then, we went out and did some missionary stuff. At night, we went home and planned and everything, when the Zone Leaders called us at like 9:45 and told us that we would be changing areas on Wednesday. We were pretty sad and whatnot, because we basically rebuilt this area from nothing and now we had to go somewhere else.

Tuesday- It was pretty weird to go and work in an area that isn't going to be ours, but we did it just the same, giggled around all day and taught some lessons, then packed everything that night.

Wednesday- Woke up, studied, then rode our bikes to the church, got our car, went back to our apartment, grabbed all our stuff, drove to the new apartment, and dropped it all off. Then, before unpacking or anything, we got back in the car and went to work. 

Thursday- still we're just tryin ta find where everything is and whatnot, it is a huge area. Basically, the whole city of Denton is split in half, and those are the two bike areas, and then we have everything else in the stake, just a massive area. 

Friday- we went to a missionary meeting, just fun as always, then we did studies until dinner. We went out and taught this lady, who liked us a lot, so after we talked for a little, she asked if we wanted some tamales. Of course we said yes, and she gave them to us and they were super delicious.

Saturday- We had to get some stuff on the car fixed (sister missionaries had it before us...) and so we went to pep boys for like the whole day, then more missionary stuff after that.

Sunday- Church and studies until dinner, then we were asked to usher for the stakes "Evening of Christmas Joys." So, we stood at the door, and told people to enjoy their joys. Then, we sat down, and listened to everything. It was pretty great, this stake is super official. They have an official stake Brass Ensemble and whatnot.

Anywhey- so for Christmas, I can call you guys on the phone for like 30 mins. I'll probably call mom at like 11 or 12ish (here time) if that is ok. If not, tell me what to do/who to call. So yep, that was my week, pretty weird. Thanks for the packages, but I got the one for the gifts to little kids, and I would feel way too much like a pedophile giving toys to little kids and I'm too scared of that, so I don't know what to do with those. 

Love,

Cole

Biking in Ice Storms

This week was pretty crazy. Denton kinda shut down for like 2-3 days because of an ice storm, but there is more about that later. 

Monday- P-day, played pool and whatnot at the institute building with the zone leaders, it was pretty fun. Then, we went over to the ward mission leader's house with an investigator (Maria, haha of course), and had a family home evening.

Tuesday-We went and did service at Our Daily Bread (you never told me if you saw me in the newspaper?) which was great because we got to wear service clothes. The we went over to Maria's house and raked up roughly 29,000 pounds of leaves, there were like 40+ garbage bags full of leaves, it was insane. 

Wednesday- Maria had her baby! Fun story- we had district meeting, and Elder Long had dry-cleaned his suit, so we had to go pick it up before the meeting at 11am. So, we were riding over there, and I was just singin' to myself as usual( the song was, umm... not missionary appropriate. But I wasn't really thinking haha), and we got there pretty fast. Then, when we came out of the dry cleaners, Elder Long's tire was flat. So we walked back like 3 miles to the apartment to try and quickly patch the tire so we could make it on time, but there was 2 holes, so we were late and had to have the sisters come pick us up. Anyway, while walking to the apartment, it was soo dang hot, I was sweating and I was kinda mad because it didn't feel like Christmas/winter at all. Then, later, we went to a super old members house and put up Christmas lights/ helped them decorate for like 5 hoursish.

Thursday- It was so freakin cold this day. We went early in the morning and a member fed us breakfast, then one of the missionaries had to go to a meeting because he is training, so his companion stayed with us during studies. It was weird. Anyway, it was so cold, and we were riding our bikes to our dinner appointment with a member(they live at least 5 miles away from the apartment), and it started to rain. Long story short, by the time we got to their house, Elder Long and I were covered in a thin layer of ice, our bikes were pretty frozen over and all that mischief. So, after dinner, we started riding home, and after like a mile, the Zone Leaders called and told us to get inside ASAP because it wasn't safe to be outside. So they came and picked us up, and we were in the apartment for the rest of the night. 

Friday- We couldn't ride bikes because it was too bad outside. There was like 4-6 inches of Ice covering everything. So, we walked around all day, like 10 miles at least in the freezing cold. But, it was good because all of the Mexican people who work everyday were at home, because basically the whole city was shut down. 

Saturday- Same as friday

Sunday- These Texans are a bunch of wussies. They cancelled church haha, it was great. Hahaha, there was just no church for a sunday, I thought it was so great. So, we walked around all day again, then watched the Christmas devotional at a members house at night. 

Anyway, there's my week, from Sweatin' Bullets to Too Cold For Church. The last package I got was the one with all the thanksgiving treats(The pumpkin bread was super good) and the one with bike stuff, so thank y'all so much for that! The patches came in handy when E. Long had a couple holes. Before those patches, we were reduced to patching with pieces of an old tire and superglue, which may have contributed to the having more holes thing. Haha, I think I finally am set with everything I need here. I do pretty well with the sweatshirt/raincoat combo I have, so no need to send me a coat. Also, I don't know if I am desperate enough to wear a sweater, but maybe one day. This week is transfers, so I am staying here with Elder Long. He goes home after this transfer so that is cool. We've been trying to find new people, and there is a ton of potential here right now, so hopefully something works out here. Have a great week and all that mischief!

Love,

Cole

Thanksgiving

You changed the Email address? What the heck, why is everything changing?

Anyway, here we go-

Monday- We had p-day, played pool and ping pong at the institute building, then tried to meet some investigators, but without any luck
Tuesday- We taught a sweet lesson to Maria, and met with some Recent Converts and whatnot
Wednesday- We had a district meeting and I had to give a training on Prayer, so that was fun (not). Then, we went to go talk to people but nobody was home.
Thursday- So we went to a white person's home for dinner, which was great because I didn't want tortillas for Thanksgiving, then we worked some more, but no one really wanted to talk to us because it was Thanksgiving.
Friday- We went to Maria's house and raked up leaves (more leaves than I have ever seen in my life) for like 3-4 hours, then came back later that night and taught another lesson.
Saturday- We searched for some new investigators, without much luck
Sunday- Same as Saturday, but with church

So that was my week, pretty fun right? Ha ha Elder Long kinda reminds me of Colin, he is super cool and laid back and whatnot. He goes home after next transfer. The weather warmed up a lot, so it hasn't been super cold here for a while. I speak Spanish a lot still. Anyway, sounds like you guys had a way fun week and stuff, so that is great. Have another fun week this week too.

Love,
Cole
**

Zone Conference

We got this photo from President and Sister Ames blog.  Yes, Cole is the only one with his name tag on the wrong side of his suit!  Love him!!

Cowboy Jesus

Ok, so new plan, I am gonna write down a little summary of every day, and then send that home. Starting next week, because I didn't do it this week. Pretty much this week was really cold. Nobody told me Texas got cold. It is super cold. 

Monday at 9:00 = Companion Study

I have to give a training in district meeting about how prayer is important, so that is what I have been studying lately.

We haven't had a ton of luck with meeting new people lately, it is pretty hard to do. The worst is white people, (never thought I'd say that), but they will never even listen. 

The strangest thing that happened and the weirdest person were the same, but basically this old white guy sang us a song about Cowboy Jesus in the middle of our lesson and it was 4 verses long and then it was really weird after he stopped because I didn't know if I should clap or leave, so that was real weird, but also really great. 

We had a thanksgiving dinner ward activity at the church on Saturday, so I had thanksgiving dinner, but the turkey was really spicy and it was weird.

Of course I didn't make my bed this morning.

Again, pretty much every white non-member hates the missionaries, it is kinda funny.

I don't know which hour was the best or worst, probably when I am asleep and having sweet dreams about flying or something are the best, and the worst was when we had to ride our bikes like 5 miles and it was like 33 degrees and raining pretty hard and pretty windy, that wasn't that fun. 

Anyway, this week we barely taught any lessons, we go out and try to see people or tract or do missionary stuff all day, but the people don't answer the door or aren't there or something, so it is really annoying. We are trying to find new people to teach, because we need them a tonzz. So yeah, that is that. 

I got my new bike this week and it is sweet. It took forever to go get because we got pretty lost, so that was not that fun. Also that was the day of the cold rain, so also not fun, but hey, I got a new bike (again). You guys keep saying "you may have heard" or "you probably have heard" but think for a second, where am I going to hear this stuff? I am a missionary, 2,929 miles away from home, and I can talk to people for 1 hour 1 day a week. I don't hear squat. Ha ha, I don’t hear stuff, so that is pretty different. 

So yesterday, there was supposed to be some huge ice rain storm (from what I understand, it is sleet that freezes later) so they had 1 hour of church for everyone, and since our block was 1st, all the people had to listen to Spanish church. I did one of the sacrament blessings in Spanish and it was kinda hard. But then the storm never came, so that was pretty dumb of whoever is in charge. 

In other news (literally) I think I was in a news story this week. I went and did service at Our Daily Bread on Tuesday, and then a reporter showed up and took my picture and my name, so I may or may not be in a news story for the Dallas Morning News or maybe some other newspaper I don't really remember, but hey, that's kinda cool right?

Love,

Cole

http://called2swerve.blogspot.com/

Heather Hansen

Week 9, A whole new Squirril

Whelp, as always, life is good here. I decided the only thing that is good about not having any mountains (or hills, or really any variation in the terrain at all) is that the sunrise/sunset is super cool. So there is actually one good thing about not having mountains. One.

Our investigator is named Maria (just like every other Spanish person here, not racist, just a fact) and her 2 kids Raul and Alex, and she couldn't come to church yesterday, because she had to work, it was a big old bummer. We always challenge to baptism on the first lesson, so we invited her. Funny story though, when I tried to extend a date, she said no. I was pretty butthurt, but she said she was supposed to have a baby on that day. I was still pretty clueless, they didn't go over these situations in the MTC, so that was fun. That is basically all of the investigators we have that are showing a lot of promise, so we are trying to find s'more. 

We usually run in the mornings or go to a gym that the place has. There is a cool little forest thing next to our apartments, and one day we went running in there and found a hobo camp. I think we are going to explore more in there. 

I got the package this week! It was so great! Haha, those pants are the best things ever, they are super comfy and I just loves them. They are sweet! Thznk yzo szo mzch!

Typical day

630- Wake up, exercise

7- shower, eat breakfast, get dressed

8-personal study

9-companion study

10- new missionary study

11-language study

12-lunch

1-finally leave apartment, go do missionary things

5-eat dinner

6-go do more missionary things

9-come back to apartment, plan for tomorrow, and do anything else

1030- go to bed

  

There aren't really fun door approaches, either they are white and dinguses or they are Spanish and pretend they don't speak English. I found these things at Walmart called rice sides, those are pretty good. We had a zone conference, and the Pres was there, so that was cool to hear him talk. We also had our stake conference. One of the speakers said "Let your words be the salt that gives the gospel flavor." So, my goal for this week is to have pretty salty language. 

P-Day- I am gonna get a haircut, and then play basketball at the church with a bunch of other missionaries. 

Love,

Cole

#shoutouts from Cole

Ok, ok so yes I did get mad at Cole for not writing very much last week, so that is why he formatted the letter this way (love him!!): 

Alright, so Mom got on me for not being a good enough writer, but the problem is I just don't have that much time. So real quick, I get a little less than 1 hour to email, and write to the President and a whole bunch of other stuff, so really no time at all. I guess the best thing is, if you are really mad at me, I won't get in trouble for like 2 more years. Sorry my letters are pretty LAME, but I do my best.

I cook kinda, I make eggs for breakfast and rice and mac and cheese and easy stuff, but I don't think there is a ton of time for a full meal or somesing. The best thing I ate was probably I made some really great mac and cheese, or McDonalds has some new stuff on the dollar menu, so that was good. I try to write details in here, but I don't even have details yet ha ha, I have only been here for 2 weeks and I haven't even met all of our investigators. We are working with this family I knocked into on my first day and they have already been to church twice, which is pretty crazy. 

#shoutout time-

#shoutout to Dad- We have a couple promising investigators, but we have had real trouble getting a hold of people this week. The apartment is fine, ha ha a little dumpy, even for a missionary apartment, but it is whatever. I went on exchanges the other day and got to stay at a sweet apartment that the other elders have. The ward is pretty cool, but we have 6 missionaries in the ward so every thing needs to be split 3 ways. We pretty much only tract, but we are trying to ask for more referrals and whatnot lately. I usually approach in English, and if people say they don't speak English I feel way cool and say "oh that's ok because we speak Spanish. We're the Missionaries..." But in Spanish and stuff. The fishing sounds sweet! I'm still pretty butthurt that you took Nate and Dalton hunting without me.

#shoutout to Mom- You're mad at me. ha ha. I try to give details but the real thing is that I don't know anything yet. Last P-day we played basketball all day, and I have no Idea what this one will be like. We are teaching a few people, but like I said, we are having trouble with them actually being there. 

#shoutout to Nate- You salty sea-dog, I haven't heard from you in like a month. 

#shoutout to Liza- You didn't write me either last week, so don't blame me, blame yourself. I heard you are doing way good at track and young womaning, so good job at those. But way good job at track, jump high and stuff!

#shoutout to Dalton- Denton is pretty cool. Literally, it is kinda cold. What is the Saint's record, I also don't believe the Jets won. I also heard you're starting basketball, win some games and stuff!

#shoutout to Leena- Hey you little stinker! I haven't heard from you in forever, what the Heck! I guess you're making friends at school, be nice to them. Also give em wet willies and stuff. 

Whellp, that is all I have for this week. I am learning Spanish well, I feel like I learn a ton of new stuff everyday, but I don't know anything. Sometimes when things get really awkward in a lesson or conversation I can pretend like I don't understand and so that is good. Love you all and all that mischief! 

Love, 

Cole

First Week In Texas

So first off, I didn't call in Mexico because I was pretty pooped and I didn't really want to talk that much. Jk, I needed some weird Mexican credit card to do it so I couldn't, and also I got trapped talking to a group of Spanish nuns. When I got into America, there was simply no time to call, so there is my explanation.

Haha, I am pretty sure that you guys know more about Denton than I do. I have a ward, and there are 3 groups of Spanish missionaries that go to that ward, I have just me and Elder Long in the Apartment. Elder Long is a baller, and a super great missionary. We actually don't teach English Tuesday nights, but we might start soonish. The bike is sweet, I love hittin taking it off some sweet jumps and that kind of mischief. Sometimes its hard when I have diarrhea and bumpy roads, but I manage. Just kidding, I don't have either of those things, I am in America. 

We have been doing a lot of tracting and finding new investigators, so that is cool. We knock doors, and if they're English, we teach in English, and if Spanish, we teach in Spanish, so that is cool. 

For Halloween, we went to a ward trunk or treat thing and helped out, so that was really weird. Denton is a biking area, so no cars #yolo. Biking is kinda hard, but I like it a lot. We eat with members a little, and then we have just been eating whatever is left in the apartment from the last elders. 

So at the Airport, I didn't even have time to get food, so I haven't had any fast food yet. I have placed a couple of Book of Mormons, and pretty much I just try my best.

Love, 

Cole

The New Sherriff Is In Town

Friday, Nov 1, 2013

Dear Family,

Sister Ames and I want you to know that your missionary has arrived safely in Texas. 

We look forward to serving together in accomplishing the Lord’s work.  We hope that

you enjoy the attached picture of your missionary as well as knowing that the missionaries are in good hands here as they are in the Lord’s service.  They arrived on Tuesday and we took them to the Mission Home where we had a good Texas Barbeque meal and then a testimony meeting.  We went to a local Ward Building for some training and a personal interview with President Ames.

Wednesday morning we had more training followed by a meeting with their first Mission Field companion.  That afternoon your missionary began working in the field and he looks great.

Your missionary’s first assignment will be in Denton.  He will be serving with

Elder Long.

Their apartment address is:

1610 E. McKinney St. #1704

Denton, TX 76209

Your missionary will email on Monday which is their preparation day.  They are always

happy to hear from you.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

President and Sister Ames

Summary of CCM

Alright, basically my summary of the CCM is this.

I did a supah cute job. I smiled and giggled all week every week and drank milk as often as I could. My cage soccer team is #1, I spoke Spanish todos los dias and I am  ready to become the new sheriff of Fort Worth. That is all. 

The last few days of the CCM.

 The District

 These are my district and my huge poly morning teacher.

Our Halloween party from the package you sent us.We got a little weird last night glowsticks, glowrings, and glowteeth.

My last pic with Hermana Maxfield (friend from High School) before saying goodbye! 

My Testimony Has Learned Spanish Along With the Rest of Me!

Most of Coleman's letter is responding to these questions that I asked him and also responds to Leena telling a boy in her class that she loves him and he said he loves her:

So, how is the fruit launching going?  And the “challenges”?  I hope you had a good week and learned a lot.  Here are a few questions to answer:

*What were you doing at 2:00 yesterday?

*How are your “conversions” going with your fake investigators?

*How is your companion?

*Any diarrhea this week?

*Did you see Megan before she left?

*What is the best spiritual moment of the week?

*What is the funniest thing you did?

*Who have you learned the most from?

*Best email/story from one of your friends?

*Best surprise?

*How has your testimony grown?

*Are you excited for Texas?

*How is your Spanish coming?

Haha, the time has flown, and also not flown at all. It crawls but flies, its redonk. I did get that package so thank you so much!! Haha, we are stoked for our Halloween party on Sunday, its gonna get real weird here. That is a pretty crazy story haha, the package did somehow get here safe and sound though, which is sweet.

Haha, Leena's Boify needs ta back off haha at least for 2 years until I can give him an interview. Haha, too bad about D's game, those are the worst. Sounds like everyone was doing their own little thing at home haha, as usual.

Haha, of course you told the Missionaries my life story, just like everyone you meet haha. The fruit launching is really good, it gets some fun into the boring days. No more challenges, one of our teacher's got mad at us, so those stopped.

2pm yesterday was real weird. more about that later. Why specifically then haha?

The "investigators" are going good, I am kinda sick of teaching fake ones, I just want to talk to real people.

My comp is the same haha, no differences this week.

No diarrhea, just average. Everyday I eat special K with a sliced up banana, and some yogurt for breakfast, so I guess that keeps me regular or something.

I did see Megan, I talked to her for a little while before she left so that was good, I have some pictures.

We do this cool thing where everyone writes down a question they have and then we randomly open up the BoM randomly and read like 10 verses and everyone's question is answered.

I can't really remember what was the funniest, my district gets real weird sometimes and we all have fun all the days, so maybe everything.. (sorry for the cop out, but you can't do anything about it haha).

My teachers are really great, and they teach me a lot, but I love to talk to the Native Latinos and so we can learn how to talk like a normal person instead of a missionary robot.

Probably the best thing I have received in email was this quote about football, "So if you forgot the football rules, here they are: Basically, there's three grabbers, three taggers, five twig runners, and a player at Whackbat. Center tagger lights a pine cone and chucks it over the basket and the whack-batter tries to hit the cedar stick off the cross rock. Then the twig runners dash back and forth until the pine cone burns out and the umpire calls hotbox. Finally, you count up however many score-downs it adds up to and divide that by nine." Hahaha, I died when I got that. 

There is a great group email going, but not a ton of stories haha, just little jokes and that kind of mischief.

My testimony has learned Spanish along with the rest of me, and I dont know how to give it or pray in English anymore it is weird.

Um Am I excited for TEXAS?!? Do you have to ask?? HAha, yes, I decided the first thing I am going to do  is eat all the crappy fast food I can find in the airport.

Spanish is awesome, I can understand a ton. On the way to the temple I sat next to a native and talked to him the whole way, it was way chill.

I have to get back on the email Sunday and Monday, so you'll hear from me then.

Love ya'll,

Cole

 Last Photo Op with Cousin Megan!!

 The Elder in the middle has emailed Eliza!!  Cole showed him her picture and he is a teacher at the CCM!

Our teacher made the rules for the computers, so I am on the posters in every lab forever, its pretty cool.

"One of the guys in my district is way good at drawing, so I snuck the caption in there haha." Rough Translation: Do not erase, Jesus is watching!

 These are some of the ballin natives i love to talk to.

Cole's friend from Brighton, Makenzie Maxfied.

Follow up email to questions about his week:

Friday- So my class in the morning was pretty yucky, but then the Afternoon was way awesome. There were like 100,000,000 fireworks that went off at 5 am so I was way tired all day.

Saturday- More Fireworks at 5, it sounds like world war three, supes hard to stay awake all day.

Sunday- More fireworks, I said goodbye to Megan.

Monday- Nothing Happened. Haha, like literally nothing.

Tuesday- Today was super frustrating. Let the story begin... So our district has a goal to only speak Spanish all day, no English words. there are 10 people, 8 elders who all live in the same house, and 2 hermanas. All the dudes have done 100% Spanish like 6 times, but the hermanas wouldn't do it. It was so frustrating, so when they didn't do it, we all walked out the door and were kinda yelling about it (we are competitive haha don't judge) and they could hear, so everyone was pretty mad at each other and there was a lot of contention. I also sat next to Makenzie Maxfield at the devotional.

Wednesday- Our teacher that we set the goal with made us talk about how we were all pissed at each other, so that took like 4 hours and pretty much everyone was crying and sniffling and whatnot. It was weird.

Thursday- AKA today, I went to the temple, talked to a native on the bus the whole way. It was sweet to go to the temple because I could understand almost everything in Spanish they were saying.

There's a new Sherriff in Town at the Mexico CCM

Ummm, hi guyys.

This week was pretty fun. I got the package the day after P-Day last week, so it was absolutely NUTZ! Thank you so much haha, I can't begin to describe how crazy everyone went, we were absolutely going ape. I got the pictures and they are great! Haha everyone was jealous of Leena's apple thing. Well, lets see... wild fun adventurous things this week, there are a few. I threw up this week, but we will get to that later.

T- 1 1/2 weeks till I get to Texas. I am gonna be kinda sad when I leave this place, because I basically run it. Pretty much, there is a new sheriff in town. But, when I get to Texas, I might actually be a sheriff, so that would be cool too.

I am learning a lot of stuff about teaching and how to ask the right kind of questions, and all that mischief. It is interesting because everything I learn about the gospel is in Spanish, so that is pretty cool. For the last 2 days, I haven't spoken any English, so it is kinda hard to write this right now haha. The CCM is pretty cool, it is huge and pretty and whatnot. I don't know what is the most surprising thing about it though. Every day just blends into each other, so I don't really have a ton to say about individual days here.

The weather is good here, it reminds me of spring in Utah. It is pretty cold in the mornings, and Hot in the afternoons always. It doesn't rain anymore here, I guess that ended with hurricane season. I have been making a list in my head of things I will want when I get to Texas, and I will send it to you  later probably haha. Probably don't send anything here anymore, even letters. The mail is way too slow haha. I started a big group email with all the mission buds, it is pretty great to hear from everyone so I am happy with that. Probably start giving people my Texas address i think.

Tell G-Pa happy B-day for me, I'm sad I missed it. But it sounds like the U gave him a present by beating Stanford haha that is insane, it is sucky that I missed that too.

I realized this week that I am gonna be in Texas for Halloween, so that will be great I think. I am so excited to get back into the States.

Alright, now for the wild fun adventurous things:

We fashioned a slingshot out of some old banana peels and garbage scraps. JK they gave us exercise bands, but we launch some fruits almost everyday. Pics later.

We play a game called what are the odds, basically people have to do dumb stuff: 

Elder Lunt had to eat only peanut butter for a whole day,

Elder Samuelson had to wear mismatched everything, suit with pants, 2 different shoes, the whole deal

Elder Cude had to eat as much peanut butter as he could in 1 minute so then he threw up, also he had to eat a spider, and he has to bark at the Hermanas whenever they talk to him

Elder Shirley has to talk in Spanish only for 2 days, and shave his head.

Elder Murphey has to email his ex and say romintical things.

Elder Shill has to shave his head.

Elder Jorganson had to dance through every door on Sunday.

I had to drink 10 cups of milk for breakfast. I made it through 9 1/2 in like 20 minutes, and then 9 1/2 made it out my my mouth in roughly 8 seconds. It was funnot.

Well, until next week you guys, peace on the streetz.

Love,

Cole

 This must be Elder Cude - poor guy!

Cole's district. They are becoming good friends!!

 They are playing the game "Mafia" - not having a spiritual moment.

I wonder where Cole got the idea to do this?

Week 3 Y'alls

Hey guys. It's crazy, I can't believe that it is already the third week. I swear I was in here writing home to you guys just yesterday. I guess the saying is true, days are weeks and weeks are days. I went to the temple again, and it was cool, hard in Spanish but cool haha.

 I don't really know what to say about my week, it was the same as last week I guess. Just pretty average haha. My teachers are really cool, I like them a lot. My morning teacher is this huge poly guy that lived in Utah and used to climb a lot, so I talk about that with him sometimes, and our afternoon teacher is a guy from Mexico that is way fun but super strict. I am not making life long friends with anyone here haha, but the guys in my district are cool. They are a bunch of high school grads, so I am the mature one sometimes (definitely not all the time. Or even most of the time.)

 I am learning a lot of Spanish and I can pretty much go a whole day saying no English words, so that's cool I guess. I always forget to take pics, but fair's fair because you don't send me any either haha. Tuesday was my exact halfway point in the CCM, so that was really crazy to think of. My comp is the same, but I guess it is whatever. I am becoming patienter, little by little by little.

 I miss America a lot every day, and I can't wait to make it into Texas. The first thing I'm going to do is get as much American crap fast food and shove it all into my face. That is cool that you guys are in San Diego, I bet it is fun there. I remember when I was the "oldest" after Nate moved out. Tell Liza not to worry, you will re-ignore her soon enough haha. 

Conference was really cool haha, I never thought I would write that sentence. I liked it a lot and took notes and whatnot. I am the only person in my district going to Fort Worth. In fact, I am the only person I know of in the entire CCM (800+ people) that is going there. My comp is going to Dallas, there are 3 going to El Salvador, 2 to St. George, and 1 to Cali. It was super weird to not go to priesthood with Dad, it didn't feel real haha. I definitely miss the Outback tradition, that was the best. 

Well, until next week, do good and keep the famdamily together.

Love,

Cole

His favorite place!  Ha ha!!

This is the "butterfly" for Leena!

Makin My Momma Proud

This week I listed some questions in my letter to Coleman and told him a story that I heard at General Relief Society Meeting, so his letter responds to some of those things.  

Hey Famdamily,

This week was good. The saying here is that the Days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I definitely feel that way, the days are long but i cant believe it is P-Day already. It is so crazy. Here we go

1. Still no diarrhea. I actually took some stool softener pills on a dare, but i am still regular as ever.

2. The best food was these things i called chicken circles. Pretty self descriptive. The worst meal was some mystery meat, and we got there late so there was nothing else to eat. I was digging around in there and i found some hair, a ton of gristle, ligaments, veins, and literally leaves from outside were in the meat. So that was gross. Most of the time there is cereal stations so if the food looks gross i eat cereal and fruit. A lot of fruit. I have had a banana with almost every meal, a ton of apples, and they have a pear apple hybrid that is pretty good.

3. The Spanish is good. I can pray and bear my testimony fluently. I speak a lot of Spanish during the day, like 60% of the time. It is hard but i think i am learning fast. I know a lot more than i did when i left, so that is cool. The best advice i have heard is not to get frustrated at how much i don't know, but to be happy about how much I've learned.

4. I try to speak as much Spanish as i can, but if i don't know the word or how to say it, i will talk English.

5. My comp is... frustrating. We are all learning together, but i am used to learning fast and screwing around after that but now i kinda have to help my comp learn. We are "teaching" investigators that are our teachers. Sometimes my companion will start talking and he doesn't know that much Spanish so he will say things like "jesus crist played for our sins" or something and i have to hold in a laugh. I kept a timer of the amount of time i spent waiting for him in one day and it was 55 minutes and 8 seconds. In one day. so that was hard, patience i guess i don't know.

6. Megan is great, i talk to her all the time, and i see McKenzie Maxfield a lot too so that is great.

7. there is not a whole lot more to take pictures of.. every day is the same haha but i will send all the ones i can

8. No, the mail here is way slow, i guess it takes like 2-3 weeks for a letter and 5-6 for a package to get down here, but I'm emailing some people.

9. Yeah, it is pretty fun most of the time. Learning Spanish is fun sometimes, and my district is pretty cool. Nothing like the ol crew back home, but better than some of the other ones I've seen. Nobody really gets my sense of humor here... so that sucks. but most of the time it is great.

That mountain story is true haha, i am used to going up and then down and then up, instead of going slow with the rest of the people. I freaking miss hiking, and the mountains, and nature so bad. I miss chaos, everything here is so structured. But whenever I think it is hard and it sucks and its just way too sweaty or i hate these stupid clothes, i can always feel that this is where i am supposed to be. I do miss alone Cole time though. That is hard to have a companion. 

My district are mostly 18 year old guys, straight out of high school. It is super weird to say this, but i fell like i am way more mature than them haha, never thought i would say that. My throat always kinda hurts because i am not used to having to talk so much haha.  

Mom, you're getting old haha. don't worry, it happens though. That's sad about Dads aunt. All i want to do out here is make my momma proud haha. I love and miss everyone in the family, and also everyone else. Well, I'm off to go do the lords work.

Love,

Cole  (These photos are of the beautiful Mexico CCM)

Leena and D-Train

Leena, I almost forgot to respond to your letter! I miss you babe! How is playing with your friends? When I get home, I am going to hug you so tight your eyes will pop out of your head! Haha i do a lot of learning here, its kinda like your school except no fun runs haha. I love you too little squirt!

D-train, you won a game for me I heard. Good work, howd ya do? Youve gotta keep me updated on all the scores and stuff so I can know whats going on.

Love, Cole

A picture is worth a thousand words . . .

Coleman and his cousin Megan.  Together in Mexico!!