Sad News from EB Magalona

What a week!  It was kind of a roller coaster ride, but we got through it.  The early part of the week was disappointing because a lot of the people we have been teaching are not progressing as much as we were hoping they would be.  A big problem that Elder De Vera and I found is that none of them really understand the great apostasy.  It sounds like a simple fix, but no such luck!  At least five of our seven companionship studies this week was specifically centered on the apostasy and how to teach it more simply so they could understand.  When we tried to apply those things, they STILL didn't understand it.  That was frustrating beyond belief.  We really couldn't tell what we needed to do to help them understand.  I finally just flat out told them that because the authority was lost, their church  wasn't the true one.  They still didn't understand though!  It was a little ridiculous, but we are going to continue looking for ways to make it better.

We had a Stake Conference with Elder Adern.  It was really good.  It was great to be able to listen to him and be around that intense spirit he brings. He said something to Elder De Vera and I that was really cool.  He said, "You are doing a divinely appointed work, and you are doing it very well."  I'm not exactly sure why, but it seemed to lift our spirits.

Something interesting happened this week as we were out walking.  We passed a house and a lady stopped me to tell me that I looked like Jesus Christ.  At first it was kinda weird because obviously I don't look anything like our Savior.  But, as we continued walking it was really cool to think that when she saw me she thought of the Savior.  Now, I am nothing compared to our Savior, nor am I hinting that I am.  I just though of the scripture in Alma 5 that talks about having " . . . His image engraved
upon your countenance. . " as you strive to become like Him.  It made me feel like I am really becoming the best missionary I can be at this moment.

And now for one of the toughest "missionary related" things that has happened to me on my mission.  I got a text Monday after I got off email that Sister Antonano had passed away.  She was the lady with one leg in EB Magalona that Elder and I taught and baptized with her husband.  I took it kinda tough, but I was instantly filled with peace that I helped her to be prepared for that time when Father called her back into his presence.  Thinking back on how hard it was to get her baptized, I was so glad that we were finally able to help her.  Her husband, Brother Antonano (my favorite baptism and a man I love with my whole heart) is still active in the church and now has the Melchizedek priesthood.  I am hoping after June 1, 2014, he will go to Manilla with his daughter who is a member and get sealed to his wife in the temple.

That was my week.  Things are going well. Next week I will be less than five months away from coming home. 

Love you all!

Cole and his "Man Purse"

Life is good!

Bago Stake Conference with Elder Adern

Elder Adern speaking with the missionaries

Loving Life

This was another good week.  We were able to have a lot of investigators at church again.  However, none of the families we are teaching were able to come.  That was a little frustrating for me because I feel like the area isn't progressing as fast as it should be.  I know that I need to have patience, but as you know, I don't have a lot of that!

I love my life!  These last six months I am seriously giving it all I have and it is awesome!  Right now I am becoming the best I can be.  I am confident and sometimes a little too bold with people, but that really is the only way to preach this gospel!  I have the opportunity to tell people exactly what they need to do to be happy.  I tell them, "If you don't do these things, you won't be as happy as you could be."  It is so evident in the lives of the people who are trying to do the things we are sharing with them that they are happier.  The time is even starting to go by faster right now.  I feel like yesterday was New Years, but it is almost February already.  Cool huh!

I am seriously thinking about talking to President Lopez about coming home a few weeks earlier so I can get into summer school.  I want to work hard and get school finished as fast as I possibly can.

I love you all so much!  I hope you are all seeing the blessings that come from me being here and the sacrifices you all are making for supporting me while I am here.

Another Week in the Books

Another week in the books!  We had another MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference).  I had to give a training about accountability.  I definitely worked the Spartan Army into my training when I talked about accountability in a companionship.  I had pictures from the movie "300" and everything.I love the training that President Lopez gave us on serving with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.  It was awesome.  I thought it was one of the best I have heard.  He even talked about how that doesn't mean forgetting about family and home.  He talked about how that becomes a problem when missionaries use that as a crutch to make them work less.  Elder De Vera and I both talked about it the whole way home.  I really feel like it helped us in our work this week.  We had a very successful week and were able to teach in Ma-ao four days.

Yesterday was awesome! Our Bishop rented a jeep for our investigators to attend church.  We literally invited EVERYONE to come to church.  We were hoping for more than 20 people to come to church, but we woke up yesterday morning to the hardest rains that have come in a long time.  I was pretty sad because I knew with the rains there would be some that didn't come.  We didn't have 20+ at sacrament meeting, but we did have 8!  Our February is looking pretty solid as far as baptisms go.  We also found a great place for our baptismal font.  I am so flippin' excited to get some sweet baptismal pictures!

The work is going well right now.  It is funny to notice the little things that happen and know that Satan is still working against us in Ma-ao.  That's okay though, because I am up for the fight!  Right now I would say we are winning and he is fighting a losing battle in Ma-ao.  It is just a matter of time until we can get our sacrament meeting there and then watch us go.  I am so thankful for this opportunity to open this area.  It's challenging, but I love it!  I am also so thankful for my Savior and the help He has given me on my mission.  The relationship I have been able to develop with Him is stronger than I ever could have imagined.  I know that for these next six months, it is even going to get stronger.

I had a pretty cool personal study on Thursday.  I seem to always have cool insights when I read out of the New Testament . . . meaning if I was smart, I would probably spend a lot more time there.  But, I'm all about the Book of Mormon and here in a couple weeks I am going to be starting the D&C Challenge.  You start at Section 138 when you have 138 days left and read one section every day until you go home.  I have170 left as of now . . . yes, I have a running count in my planner!  I think you all should do it with me.

Anyways, back to the spiritual side.  I was reading in Matthew 9.  This is when the Pharisees tried to condemn Jesus for eating dinner with the sinners of the generation.  I absolutely LOVE the reply Jesus gives them in verse 12:  " . . . They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."  It is hard to explain, but as I read that it struck me that we need Him.  If any of us was perfect, Jesus Christ would be just another human being to us.  But we aren't perfect, and so that means that to us He is everything!  He came to this earth to help us and literally save us.  To make us feel better, both physically and spiritually.  Also, another thing I got from this is that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are fully aware that we aren't and never will be perfect during this life.  That was all part of the plan.  We are supposed to make mistakes and to feel the effects of those mistakes so that we can learn the gospel and the plan of salvation.  How could anyone ever have true faith in Jesus Christ and honestly be able to bear strong testimony of Him if they were perfect?  It's not possible.  Now, I am not saying it is okay to go and sin willfully--that is not good!!!!!  But, isn't it comforting to know that when we mistakes, we are (in some ways) fulfilling the plan of salvation.  I know that Jesus DID suffer all that, for us (the sick) not the whole.  Seriously though, I am so thankful for my Savior, and all the Angels He has sent me to help me get through the trials of life!  I love you all so much!

Assistants to the President

Mission Leadership Training Schedule

Mission Leadership

Serving waffles

Baptismal Font

Happy New Year!

This week was pretty cool!  Tuesday we had our transfer meeting with President Lopez and also I had my personal interview with him. This is only the 5th one I have had on my mission, so it is kinda a big deal when they happen.  But guess what we talked about . . . . Mom and Melissa.  The first question he asked was, "How is your mother?" and the second was, "How is she (Melissa).  I was able to happily say that they are both doing wonderful and I couldn't be more blessed.  Then President said, "I know that the Lord is blessing you, your family, and your girlfriend, Elder Wilstead, because of your hard work and obedience throughout your mission."  And then he said something very interesting.  He said, "Sometimes those blessings that the Lord is giving all of you won't come until you are home, but I promise He hasn't forgotten about those blessings and to whom to give them to.  He also told me that I won't go home as an assistant, so not to be offended when I get released and I told him that is fine by me!  He also told me he was proud of me.

Elder Peralta transferred on Wednesday and I have a new companion, Elder De Vera.  He is awesome!

Thursday I got to see Elder Stagg at our training  That was super awesome!  He is doing great and his trainee (my grandson in the mission) is a stud too! 

Friday thru Sunday we worked in Ma-ao.  That place is sweet.  It is tough starting from nothing, but we are hoping, praying, and fasting for the opportunity to find males who are ready to lead from the start.

Just remember, only five more Fast Sundays and only 25 more Sundays and I am home!

Love you all!

Cole and Elder De Vera

Happy New Year!

Starting the new year off right

Elder Cusile, Cole, and Elder Stagg

Six months left