12/18/11

Hello!

This week has been pretty good.  We had two really good baptisms on Saturday.  Siphokazi and Lydia, it was great to see them get baptized they were really happy.  Siphokazi had to go down 4 times.  Her dress would not go under the water!  So her son Pakamissa the one I mentioned last time was a little freaked out. So then on Sunday he wouldn't go to primary because he was afraid of water hahahahaha it was sad but really funny!  Things in Kwano are going good.  We have some great investigators and we are starting to work with some good less actives.
We were teaching Lydia about enduring to the end.  Her friend is a member and was with us in the lesson. We talked about if she had a good job offer and they asked her to work Sundays what would she do.  So after some silence she said. "I couldn't take it...I have to take the sacrament" and her friend said YOUUUU which is like WHAT!!!!!!!   Lydia quickly said "don't say YOUUU, The Lord WILL provide" LESSON OVER!!!!  She understands! hahaha it is amazing not to see people be baptized but to see them truly have a desire to follow their Heavenly Father and the Savior and be converted.  The Lord really does provide when we show our faith.   I instantly thought of Grandma Harward, she always says that.
Thank you for all the letters and packages. Every time I get a letter some one says"who's that one from" and of course I have the usual from Grandma, Oma, and mom and dad.  I love to say oh my neighbor or friend. People are amazed at all of you for the support you give me and Katee!  Thank you. Marilyn, I got your card, thank you! Grandma thank you for the 1st 7 days of Christmas its cool.  I'm excited for the rest!
BUT I wont be sending any post till mid January when its a little more reliable. Sorry but things don't seem to make their destination in December.
I am so thankful for the Savior and for Christmas when we can make a larger effort to remember him.  Not just by going to church and maybe thinking about him but by remembering him in all we Do, all we THINK and in all we SAY.  Its hard but so worth it.  I love you all.
Love,

Colton

Miracles!!! 12/12/11

Okay I have a lot to say as well!  Its been a crazy week but a fun one.  We had our zone Christmas party and that was a lot of fun.   President and Sister Wood are really cool and it was a fun day.  We watched 17 miracle's about the Willy Martin Hand Cart Company and it was really good and helped me realize how much the early saints sacrificed for the truth.  I would like to say my faith is that strong but I think it still needs some nourishing.
This Saturday (the 17th) we should have 2 baptisms.  One of them is Lydia.  I was stoked to teach a "Lydia", I figured Lydia (my cousin) would be excited.  African Lydia is really cool! (so is little Lydia) but anyways the elders had just begun teaching her the week before I came and she is really really prepared!  She has a really strong testimony and is going to do great!  The other baptism is Siphokazi who is also very prepared!  She has the coolest kid, he is six years old and has downs syndrome.  He has such a special spirit and  is the coolest kid.  Siphokazi reminds me of my mom.  Her kid is ALWAYS clean and just a good kid, but he does some funny things.  The other day I was teaching and he was sitting by her feet and when I was mid sentence I look down and he was flipping me off.!   I laughed so hard haha and his mom smacked him and it was naughty but funny.  He doesn't understand that it was bad or what it means hahaha his name is Pakamissa.  I love them they are awesome!   We are also teaching the Mdingani sisters who are 16 and 15. They are really smart and VERY prepared.  They are going to seminary too.  But they have no support structure.  So we have been praying for them to find a support structure and the other day they said that their dad wanted to come to church and take the lessons!!!!!!! MIRACLE!  We were stoked.  I even have more great things to say but no time!  So everything here is going great and it is amazing to see all the miracles happen every day.  Sometimes there easy to miss but its good to pay attention so we can be more thankful to the Lord.  I love the people of South Africa.  They are so humble and grateful for all they have.  It has helped me realize how lucky I am and how grateful I am for all that I have.  I am so blessed.  Thanks for the letter Allison.  I am working on letters for everyone else.  I hope everyone has a great week and Katee and Kelsee HAPPY late BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! love ya
Colton

12/05/11

Hello family and friends!

This week has been really good!  We are teaching a lot of great people who are really prepared.  We are teaching two sisters, Sikelwe and Mthikazi who won't stop smiling.  I laugh at random times in lessons because their just always happy!   As they learn more about the gospel and all it has to offer they even get happier.  Its contagious.  They are really cool.  They will hopefully be baptized in January. 

We have really been working on the relationship with members.  Its not the best.  They are all great people. We decided to volunteer to teach some lessons on member missionary work.  Yesterday we taught relief society.  It went really well I talked about fear of rejection and told them I am still scared to be rejected.  I talked about how much the Savior was rejected and how he took it because it was the will of his Father to preach the gospel.  We told them they are disciples of Jesus Christ and when they were baptized they took upon them his name.   I regret not sharing the gopel more when I was home.  There are so many things we could do.  But the lesson went well and we got some DAs (dinner appointments. hahahahaha) but that's not why we went, but it is a  nice perk.  We are having zone conference this Thursday and a Christmas party.  So that will be cool.  The weather here has been pretty nice so far.  Not to hot.  I have been rained on though, but I'm not complaining it was pretty fun!  Anyways thank you all for the letters.  I just put a bunch in the post and hope you get them.  Have a great week.

Love ya,

Colton

Gone 11/28/11

Hello every one!

So I got transferred.  I HATE change but so far its going alright.  Elder Critchfield got a visa to Namibia and so he was also moved.  He was a really good comp but my new comp is pretty cool.  His name is Elder Mooki and he is from Joburg.  I am in a small town ship near Port Elizabeth, called Kwanobule.  It's a small ward. and I'm walking hahahahahaha I think its funny.  So far its going well.  It has not been too hot in fact yesterday it poured rain I was soaked all day.  Ha I don't have a rain coat.  But its fun to talk to alot more people. Church on Sunday was wierd.  I REALLY miss my last area and the people there but I'm sure I will like theses ones just as much.  I hope they are all doing good there.  Saying goodbye is never fun but I'm glad I was able to serve there.  Elder Fozard is one of my Zone leaders so that has been alot of fun.  We live with two other elders so that is pretty fun.  We have some good investigators and got some more on Sunday. I love to see how the Lord prepares people!  We met a family who asks THE BEST questions.  And the restoration answers them all!.  I KNOW that Jesus Christ DID restore his church back to the earth. I am so thankful that we have it. and that we have the same authority.  Grandma I got your package!!!!  It is great and we won't start till the 13th it will be nice and thank you for all the work that you put into it and I'm sure Jodi had something to do with it so thank you both I love you!  And I'm glad my Elder Mooki will have something for Christmas.  He doesn't have much.  I have had no time for writing letters!  I am SOOOOO behind and I'm really sorry!

Love,

Colton

11/21/11

Hello everyone,
I procrastinated this email and I'm running low on time!  This week has been crazy!  We were supposed to have a baptism but it just didn't work out.  He said he didn't feel like he was giving it his all and he postponed until December 4th.   I wonder if I will be here?  Transfers are on Wednesday and I have no idea what will be happening!  Part of me wants to stay because I LOVE the people in this area we have great investigators and members!   I have seven recent converts who are the BEST!  But I will do whatever and be happy about it!   I hope Katee can finish where she is because she would meet Elder Leach, that would be crazy!  I can't believe grandma and Jodi got robbed!  Man people are dumb!  GET A JOB!
So we saw this less active return missionary the other day.  It was to be honest very frustrating!  He was the nicest guy but man he is so far away!  I don't understand how you could deny what you felt.  He served for two years and then nothing!   Man he is a nice guy but I don't even know where to begin.  It was irritating! Plus his live in girlfriend started sharpening a HUGE knife after locking the door and I was freaking out! Turns out she was just making us dinner.  See how nice they were.   I am going to get them to church they are an amazing family!
We had a really good fireside that the Mitchell's  put on in their branch and we helped.  It was on the plan of salvation.  It was a sweet activity I was running the spirit paradise which was really cool!   I wore all white and greeted people as they came in.  We showed a really cool video of someone entering the spirit paradise and it was so cool!  The spirit was really strong and I thought alot about grandpa.  I am so thankful for the plan of salvation.  Its a huge comfort!  Just like Katee, I have gained a huge testimony on eternal families and I am soooooo thankful for the temple and the sealling power we have on the earth today!  Thank you for all that you do!

Love,
Colton

11/14/11

OKAY this is my weekly email. HELLO> I have had a great week and wish I had time to tell you more!  I will get some letters out this week. Sorry I have no more time but everything is going good and I will have a long email next week.
Love Colton

Colton did not have time to email because mom had insomnia and was awake when he emailed, so I got to chat with him for a little bit.  So he did not have time to send out a mass email.  He is doing so good.  He loves his area.  It is a really sketchy area and not real safe, but he loves the people.  Transfers are next week and he has mixed emotions, he loves his companion, Elder Critchfield, they really click.  They are having success in the area and another baptism this coming Sunday.  As a mom, I want to thank all those who write and pray and give support in any way.  We are so appreciative as a family and we have been so blessed to have two wonderful missionaries serving. 

I can't think of anything. 11/07/11

Well this is going to be a really short one, so sorry!  Katee, I got your package thank you sooooooo much its amazing how much you know me!  That stuff was perfect!  I will keep the ring with me, hopefully no one steals it haha.  Courtney and Healey Family, thank you for the GREAT birthday package it was awesome. Thank you so much!
Its been a crazy week.  When I say crazy, I mean a little slow.  So there's not a lot to report!  Our area is doing great and we should have another baptism in a couple weeks and then a few more in December if I'm here.  We have FHE tonight with the Mwyapopo family they rock.  They also fed us last night.  This is a lame email. hmmmm.......THE WEATHER its the same.  Some days warm some hot, its not quite summer yet ,which stresses me out because we all know how much I flippen love the African heat.  But look on the bright side usually more people are out and we have more missionary opportunity's so I am excited for that!
Neliswa and Michael were both confirmed yesterday and they are both really happy!  I am pretty bummed because our two favorite fellow shippers are going to Eastern Cape to go to the "BUSH" its an African tradition they do to become men.  Ummm, I'm not going to explain it.  Anyways they will be gone until January but they don't leave for a couple of weeks so that is good.
The work is going great.  We were able to teach Penny a recent convert about missionary life and she thinks she might want to go on a mission.  It was one of the most spiritual lessons I have been in.  You could tell the spirit was there as we testified of missionary work.  My mission is great and I'm having a blast.  Oma and Mer, thanks for the birthday card and I promise I'm trying to write back to every one!  Have a great week.

Love,
Colton