10/19/2015 P-Day #52

So, I found out today that the 18th (yesterday) is one year from when he comes home.  I've been going off the 22nd, the day he went to the MTC.  So I guess now I know he is scheduled to come home October 18, 2016!

10/19/2015

Hey y'all!

Thanks Danielle, the Leathermans, Grandma Clark, and the Parris' for the packages this week! I really appreciate it!

Sunday marked one year left on my mission.. It's kind of bitter sweet. I've loved being a missionary for the past year, but it's also exciting that I'm a year closer to seeing all of you guys again! I'm really excited for this next year and I'm going to keep working hard to the end!

Well this week was interesting...

Elder Turner hurt his knee last Saturday and possibly tore his ACL and hasn't been able to go out and work. Church medical/insurance policy is that if you stay in for 10 days they automatically send you home to recover. So he flies home on Tuesday at 2:30.. I'm super sad! I'm going to miss him but it's for the best. He needs to take care of his knee and get better. So Elder Folau and I were taking turns staying in with him and taking Elder Jewkes (Elder Turner's companions) out to work. But then we find out about Elder Folau's knee. He basically has no ligaments left in it.. He hurt it a year ago and was supposed to get an MRI, but didn't tell anybody because he didn't want to get sent home. So now that it's been a year it's hurting him a lot and he can't really walk on it. President Mullen has been talking with his family and stake president and he is going to be going home on Saturday. When we found that out, we left Elder Turner and Elder Folau inside and Elder Jewkes and I just went out and worked in both areas in the ward. I'm sad that I didn't get to spend more time as his companion, but he also needs to go home and take care of himself! It's been pretty stressful trying to cover two areas, and watch over the zone on my own. But I was definitely blessed with everything I needed to accomplish all the things that were placed in front of me! Which was awesome! 

Umm we saw Cynthia this week!! She is doing really well! She has made a lot of progress and her heart has been softened a lot! It's so incredible to see that happen! She is willing to learn about and keep the commandments! The only problem is that she still isn't married :( But we're working on it! If it wasn't for that, then she would probably be baptized sooner than January!

Both Chelsea and Bryan have callings now! They're secretaries for the Relief Society and the Young Men's! It's super exciting! Chelsea also got her recommend for the temple to do baptisms and for her patriarchal blessing! I'm super excited for her! I'm going to be really sad to leave that family when I get transferred! But since Elder Folau is leaving I may stay another transfer? We'll see! Haha We still have no idea what is happening with Elder Jewkes and I!

I'm trying to think about what else to talk about.. Haha it was definitely an interesting week. The time went by super slow!

I love you all and miss you lots! Go out and serve God with your all! End this week with no regrets!

Love, Elder Warren

10/12/2015 P-Day #51

10/12/2015

Elder Warren and Elder Godfrey (his last companion) at The Redlands Temple

Hi Family!

Thanks Madelyn for the letter this week!

This week was awesome! My new companion is Elder Folau! Who is also from Sandy, but he went to Bingham High School :P but it's okay, we won't hold that against him! Haha he's a lot of fun! We're always laughing and having a good time! He's a really hard worker so this will be a good transfer!

We set a goal to go out every day and walk around for an hour and a half and talk to everybody that we see! (Like our mission president has been asking us all to do!) and we saw sooo many blessings from it! We found seven new people to teach, a super cool family, and had a lot of fun doing it! There are lots of blessings that come from being obedient! I used to hate going and walking up to random people and trying to start a conversation, but I love it now! Sometimes it's awkward, but that makes it even more fun! 

We also had our zone meeting this week! It was my second time doing one (the first time actually being in charge!) and Elder Folau's first time as a zone leader! It was pretty good! We went a little bit longer than we should have, but we did all right for our first time! We talked about agency and how it only works for us if we are obedient. If we disobey, we actually lose agency. Satan wanted to take away our ability to choose, so when we follow him, why would we think that will bring us more "freedom"? The biggest expression of independence is when we choose to follow God. He will never take away our agency, so when we give it to Him, it shows our love for him and willingness to do His will! Like when Christ came to visit the Nephites, He told them that He suffered the will of the Father in all things! He did what He was supposed to do. I'm so grateful that we have the ability to choose right! To choose good, to choose to be obedient. We are so much happier in this life if we keep the commandments that our Heavenly Father has given us! I noticed that was a big theme at conference. the purpose behind the commandments. They are here to keep us safe and to make us happy!

Well that was about all that happened this week. Hopefully next week I'll have more people to talk about!

I love you all and miss you lots! Have an awesome week!

Love,

Elder Warren

10/6/2015 P-Day #50

Hi Mom!

I was a little nervous/sad when I saw no email! Haha, but all is well now!

So the news with Elder Godfrey is that he's going home... :( President Mullen decided that he needs to go home to heal and recover so he leaves today! He found out last Tuesday and still hasn't quite realized he goes home! Haha I'm pretty sad. I really enjoyed being his companion, but this is the best thing for him! His family moved from Virginia Beach to Blackfoot, Idaho!! Super close to us! Haha I told him that if you guys ever go up to Idaho, you'd stop by and say hi! He's excited to go home and see his family, though. Which is good!

I loved conference!!!! It was so amazing! There were a couple talks that really stood out to me, and I was going to print out a copy of my favorite talk and highlite/write some notes on it and send it to you! It was Larry R. Lawrence's talk where he asked the question "What lack I yet?" That's something that I have been thinking about a LOT lately! That answered a lot of questions I had!

I'm staying in Moreno Valley!! Haha I'm excited. I don't really mind. I really love the ward here which is good because I'm going to spend about 7 1/2 months here! My new companion is Elder Folau. He's from Sandy also! I think he went to Jordan High School... This will be his first transfer as a zone leader, so it will be an interesting one for both of us! I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing!  But it will be fun.

Elder Turner is also staying in the Lasselle ward!!! Haha I just can't seem to get away from him! His visa is finally coming, though! He has one more transfer in Riverside, and then he leaves for Perth, Australia! Crazy!

We also got to go to the temple on Tuesday! It was so amazing! This was probably my favorite temple trip. I learned more this time than any other time! It was amazing. I'm so glad that I get to go to the temple! We're pretty lucky here!

Well not much else happened this week. Sorry this is so short. I love you and miss you like crazy! You're always in my prayers!

Love,

Elder Warren

9/28/2015 P-Day #49 (I counted wrong so we are getting on track)

9/28/2015

Thanks Danielle, Alison, Mom, and the Deatons for the letters/packages this week!

How was your week? Sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! 

So, to answer some of your questions...

My week was good! Well, kind of. Elder Godfrey is having some issues with his ankle/achilles tendon that has been going on for over a year and he hasn't told anybody... It was getting pretty bad, so he called Sister Mullen and she told us to stay inside for three days. And it still isn't doing any better.. So he was talking to President Mullen and he may or may not have to go home within this next week. We'll have to see. President is praying about it and should be calling us today to let us know. It's kind of bittersweet. Since he can't really rest and recover out here, he needs to go home so he can take the time to heal and recover. But then he has to leave a few months early. I don't know, I'm just trying to do my best to help him cope with whatever decision President makes. 

We went to a baptism on Sunday! It was for Steve C. Elder Turner and I started teaching him the last week we were together. And he decided to be baptized on Sunday! It was super cool to see! His family isn't happy with his decision to be baptized and they tried to do anything they could to stop him! But he stayed strong! His aunt and uncle are actually members and they were his only family who came to his baptism. Which was kind of sad, but super cool that they came to support him!

I'm super excited for conference this weekend! I feel like we were just watching the conference in April! I love being able to listen to the prophet, apostles, and the other general authorities! It's crazy how I can learn something from every single talk! Last time I was not very happy that we had to go to the stake center to watch the sesisons, but this year I'm actually excited! It kind of forces you to pay attention and I learned a lot more! I'm excited to share what stood out to me in my email next week!

Not much else happened this week... It was pretty slow. Next week will be interesting, though! We have a temple trip, general conference, and mission leadership council! And it's transfers! Holy cow this transfer just went by fast!!! If you have any letters to send this week, send them to the mission office please, because I might be moving to a new area! Love and miss you!

Love,

Elder Warren

9/21/2015 P-Day #46

9/21/2015

Hola family!

Thanks Danielle for the letter this week!

This week we had tons of meetings! We had interviews with President Mullen on Tuesday, our stake Missionary Coordination Meeting on Thursday, and Zone Conference on Friday! We were really busy!

In interviews, President Mullen talked about prayer. It was pretty interesting! We talked about how prayer is supposed to be a conversation with God. Not one-sided. We need to be talking to him, and we also need to be listening for answers. He also pointed out that if we aren't asking questions and are just giving thanks, asking for help, etc.. It's like we are placing an order. We need to actually put effort into our prayers, prepare beforehand and seek the spirit to help us know what questions to ask. I've been working on having more meaningful prayers and it's been incredible the difference they make! 

As a mission, we have been reading through the Book of Mormon and marking 

1. Any reference to Jesus Christ

2. His attributes

3. His gospel (faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, endure to the end)

4. His words ("thus saith the Lord...")

I have learned so much more from the Book of Mormon while I've been doing this!  It's amazing how much it talks about Jesus Christ. It truly is another testament of Him. It's also been cool to see how often Christ is actually speaking in the Book of Mormon. Especially in 2 Nephi, when Nephi is quoting Isaiah! 

On Friday, during zone conferences we talked about the Sabbath Day. The biggest thing that stood out to me, is that we don't keep the Sabbath day holy only on Sunday. We have to prepare every day. We should try and live our lives every day to be worthy to take the sacrament! Another intersting thing that was pointed out, that nowhere in the scriptures does it talk about how the sacrament renews our baptismal covenants. When we take the sacrament, we renew all the covenants we have made with our Heavenly Father. It truly is a fresh start. I'm so grateful for the Sabbath and especially the sacrament! It's a great blessing in our lives and we should all remember the Savior as we keep the Sabbath day holy!

McKayla's baptism was on Sunday!!!! It was amazing!!! There were so many people there! Tons of people came to support her and it was awesome! Chelsea gave a talk on baptism. She was super nervous because she was such a new member and wasn't sure what she should say. But she did great! McKayla was really happy after the baptism! We were all super proud of her making the decision on her own, even though there were people telling her not to! She has a lot of faith!

I love you all and miss you lots! Don't forget your Savior during the coming week!

Love,

Elder Warren

9/14/2015 P-Day #45

9/14/2015

Hey all!!!

Thanks so much to Noel, Danielle, and Omie and Papa for the letters this week!

This week has been CRAZY! I haven't had a normal week since I became a zone leader! Since we are involved with all the missionaries in our zone, it seems like we never get a break! We've had a lot of sick missionaries, so we've done a lot of babysitting! But somehow, we've been able to get a lot of work done in our area!

So on Sunday I got to do something that I've never done before... A less active family, that I don't even know very well, asked me to bless their grandson who was born a couple months ago.. It was super weird! I was scared out of my mind! Since I've never done that before! Haha the baby started crying halfway through and it was super funny!!! I guess it was good practice for when I have kids? Oh man it was a weird experience!

We went by to go teach McKayla on Friday and she told us that she wanted to wait awhile to be baptized. That she didn't feel ready yet. When we would try and ask her why she wasn't ready, she's just shrug her shoulders and say "I don't know". Since I was a pro at that, I was able to see right through it! Haha we figured that she was worried about offending her dad, or something like that. So we told her to pray about it and we scheduled her baptism interview for Sunday anyways. We went bySunday night and she has the interview and passed! Afterwards, she said that she still wanted to wait. So the four missionaries that were there, (our district leader was the one who did the interview) all sat down and tried to help her. It was so freaking awesome!!! I don't know if I have ever felt the spirit so strongly in a lesson! She told us that her dad said that maybe there is something else out there that will make her happier. She was worried about making the wrong decision. We asked her where she thought the confusion was coming from. Then we pointed out that Satan is the one who confuses us. God is never going to give us conflicting answers. So it's up to us to ignore the confusing little whispers that come into our lives. Our district leader, Elder Griffin, told her that she needs to ignore Satan and kick him in the butt. So now she's getting baptized on Sunday!!!! Whooooo! I'm super excited!

Elder Godfrey and I were out walking around in a neighborhood the other day, trying to talk to people who were out and about. We weren't having very much luck, and we walked past this dirt trail that led up the side of the mountain. We just couldn't pass up an opportunity to go exploring!!! Haha it was so much fun! I don't think I have ever gone hiking in a shirt and a tie, though... It was so much fun!

That's all that really happened this week.. I'll have a lot more to talk about next week!! I love you all and miss you lots!!!

Love,

Elder Warren

9/8/2015 P-Day #44

9/8/2015

Sorry I wasn't able to email yesterday! But here I am!

I think it's super crazy that you met with the Morales' yesterday!!! I was super jealous! Cynthia is still thinking about baptism, but it's a work in process... One day, though! I really love that family. It's really cool that you guys got to meet them!

So McKayla talked to her dad about her baptism this week. He told her yes, but he also made her feel really bad about it. Like she would be excluded from the family.. It was pretty sad. But she said that she's not going to let that change her mind about baptism! She is only sad that he can't accept her for who she is supposed to be. But she's getting baptized on the 20th!!! Whoo!!! I'm super excited! I love them so much! I love watching the gospel turn people's lives around for the better.

Yes, I got the white tie from Amazon! It will be perfect for now! But if you do happen across a paisley one, that would be awesome! :) It's not a necessity, just a want haha

So the whole suit deal... I was kind of planning on asking for one for Christmas, but Elder Godfrey was going with President Mullen to get one on Monday, so I thought I would ask :) 

I want to go get Maddy and Tenley birthday presents next week, so do you think you could put some money on my account? Not a lot, maybe $20 or $30? Then I can send your birthday present with theirs (only about a month late... sorry 

Well I'm sorry this is really short! We have an appointment in a few minutes, so we have to run. I love you lots! Thanks so much for being the great mother that you are! I'm really blessed!

Love,

Elder Cole

p.s. I think Sis Pulsipher sent a pic of us at lunch the other day, but here's another one. With my new glasses and companion! Love ya!

From Mylee:  We, were surprised on Monday when a family from Cole's ward called to see if they could stop by and visit.  We were thrilled to meet the Morales/Chavez family.  Cole was involved in teaching their son and daughter about the gospel.  Elder Turner, was able to baptize their son and then a month later, he was able to baptize his sister.  They were a sweet family who said Cole is very strict but knows his stuff.  He keeps them on track and helps them stay focused.  He texts them to see if they've read their scriptures and wants them to feel the spirit.  They also said that he can eat a lot of their Mom's tacos!  I am so thankful, as a mom, that there are people that take care of the missionaries when they are away from their families.  It was comforting to meet them and know he has many second moms out there who will help him and love him and feed him!