HOWDY DO FAMILY!!!!!!!
Holy cow, this week has just FLOWN by, I feel like I am cheeting, and Emailing early, but at the same time, I know I ‘am not … weird…. Oh well. That’s life in the mission field right???
Wow, sounds like a lot of you have been having a great, wonderful, Full week.
Matt and Molly CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! That’s awesome, that means another kid to meet when I get home. Wow.
Well the last week was truly amazing, I have had some really great learning experiences and have had some more baptismal sets, we are just really excited to see these people that we have been working so hard with, all make some HUGE changes in their life. When the lord promised happiness for bringing souls to him, He meant the most joy, love, excitement, testimony building, and sincere life changing faith that could be ever experienced. I just can’t Imagine anything else but wanting to help our brothers and sisters have this glories gospel in their lives. Something that I have been thinking about is how great it feels to know that the work of proclaiming the gospel is the most important work that the lord has, and I am right in the middle of it all.
I had a funny experience the other day, one of our investigators said “its to hard to travel from alamadum ( one end of KGF) to Robertsonpet (the area where the church is) because its so far” well considering that I cycle it most days, or I end up walking half of it and then catching an auto I didn’t really see how hard it was. By the way from one end of KGF to the other is about 5 miles. (NOT FAR AT ALL) but anyway, the moral of the story is, I got to thinking. Proclaiming the gospel is pretty hard work, but its also the greatest work in the entire universe. Poor guy got dropped.
Well its been quite the week, and it has just flown by, but I really don’t have to much to say other then I am doing great here in incredible India. I really have seen and learned a lot this week, and am just amazed at how fast the time just is going by. I just wish it would SLOW DOWN so that I could think, but as we all know, “when your close to the lord. Time doesn’t matter, its just a matter of how we use the time given to us in a day.” I hope you all caught that. Its just truly a testimony builder to me that the lord truly does love us, and he truly does give us tools to use. One of my most favorite scriptures is found in Mormon 9: 27-28. this is probably the biggest motivation to living the gospel that we could ever receive from a prophet, and I love the way it reads, it gives us advise, it gives us promises and it guides our lives by making us realize that we have our agency.
As I said, not too much to report, but I want you all to know that I love you all, I know that this is truly the lords church, that it is lead by the savior through a living prophet, I know that it was restored by the prophet Joseph smith, and I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that as we read it and follow its principals that we can truly gain the relationship that we need to get back to him. I know that this is the greatest work that we could ever do, is to proclaim the gospel. And I also know that as we keep and continue to make sacred covenants with the lord that we can truly enjoy the life of god.
I love you all, and truly do care for you, I hope you have a wonderful week.
Elder Colton Frederick
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November Week 3
Well Hello Home!!!
Life is absolutely Positively, AWSOME!!!
This week has just FLOWN by, it feels like someone strapped the days on a rocket and launched it at light speed.
So First off, the activity was a success, we had a great time, and so did all of the members, it was really great. I was so happy, my companion and I did some skits in each “Kingdom” and then when the Office couple came, they did the Celestial Kingdom, it was amazing, they had a picture of their family, and they where dressed in all white. It was Just so great, it was so hard to keep from crying when we went into the Celestial Kingdom.
Second of all, JASPER IS BAPTISED!!!! Finally! We have been working so hard on him, and he finally has been baptized this week, and not only that, but we have two more to be baptized on the 29th, Rakah and Praveena are the two that we are working on for this next weekend. I am so excited, We have been working on them since my first transfer here!! Whew that’s a long time!!
Well the adversary tried to rear his ugly head this week, someone broke into our apartment and stole my companions Coin collection (all Old Rupees) and his Head lamp but that was it, The kid tried to get into our window, but lucky us, we are in India, and EVERY SINGLE window in this country has bars on it, so that the monkeys don’t get in, but it also keeps 10 year thieves out of your house too. Oh well, I guess that’s what happens when you are doing the lords work, and Saten isn’t happy about it.
This was quite an interesting week, some of you asked about following the spirit in a couple of Emails, I am going to say these things, and then I am going to refer you to Moroni 10. First off, sometimes I find that the spirit is always speaking, it is our choice to follow or not. It always tells us which way to go, and how to follow, remember that if you look in the scriptures, when something is right, then you will feel as it says in Galatians 5 : 22 You will Feel Love, Joy, Longsuffering, Peace. And many others, just check it out, when I am out finding, I have found that the spirit is okay with what ever way I go, He is only going to suggest something if we are going the wrong way, or doing the right thing. The Next thing is that when we pray, the lord will usually give us a few different answers, and we need to follow them, for some things will be given in the right way. Always remember that if it is good, then it is of God, but if it is of not, then it is of the Devil. Sometimes we just need to pay attention to our feelings, but also to our thoughts, it tends to be that a certain subject can be on our minds for a long time, and we cant shake the thoughts, that tends to be the spirit LEANING on you and saying YES!!! And then there are other, many other ways that the spirit speaks to us. And that is why I am referring you to Moroni 10, because that is where some of the gifts of the spirit are located, but not only that it gives us guidance on how to act on them as well. We have to remember that when we receive inspiration that we also have to act on it, or else that inspiration is a waste.
Its truly amazing at what a little inspiration can do and what following the spirit can do. I know that when we follow the spirit of the lord, we will be lead towards the things that will truly bless us in life. I know that the scripture in Alma 37 : 6-7 is true, small and simple things truly bring great things into our lives. The whisperings of the spirit are some of the smallest, and most simple things. But when we follow them, then we are able to become great through the lord. Only through the promptings of the spirit are we all able to know who we are, and what we are going to become.
I know that this is the lords true church, and I also know that it was restored by his servant Joseph Smith. I know that the lord is watching over us all, and I know that he will always answer or prayers. I know that the lord truly paid for our sins when he Atoned for us in the garden of Gethsemane and that he does live again. I know that he is always there for us in the best of times and even in the worst. I know that Thomas S Monson, his two counselors, and that the 12 Apostles are Prophets, seers and revelators for us today. I know that when we follow the lord and his guidance that we can become the best tools in his hands. I pray for you all, and I know that you are all being guided by him. Just remember that I know that these things are true. I know that we are doing the lords best work.
I love you all, and I am always so grateful for your wonderful, and needed prayers. I am always here. Love you all from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks for the weekly updates.
God be with you till we meet again.
Elder Colton Frederick
Life is absolutely Positively, AWSOME!!!
This week has just FLOWN by, it feels like someone strapped the days on a rocket and launched it at light speed.
So First off, the activity was a success, we had a great time, and so did all of the members, it was really great. I was so happy, my companion and I did some skits in each “Kingdom” and then when the Office couple came, they did the Celestial Kingdom, it was amazing, they had a picture of their family, and they where dressed in all white. It was Just so great, it was so hard to keep from crying when we went into the Celestial Kingdom.
Second of all, JASPER IS BAPTISED!!!! Finally! We have been working so hard on him, and he finally has been baptized this week, and not only that, but we have two more to be baptized on the 29th, Rakah and Praveena are the two that we are working on for this next weekend. I am so excited, We have been working on them since my first transfer here!! Whew that’s a long time!!
Well the adversary tried to rear his ugly head this week, someone broke into our apartment and stole my companions Coin collection (all Old Rupees) and his Head lamp but that was it, The kid tried to get into our window, but lucky us, we are in India, and EVERY SINGLE window in this country has bars on it, so that the monkeys don’t get in, but it also keeps 10 year thieves out of your house too. Oh well, I guess that’s what happens when you are doing the lords work, and Saten isn’t happy about it.
This was quite an interesting week, some of you asked about following the spirit in a couple of Emails, I am going to say these things, and then I am going to refer you to Moroni 10. First off, sometimes I find that the spirit is always speaking, it is our choice to follow or not. It always tells us which way to go, and how to follow, remember that if you look in the scriptures, when something is right, then you will feel as it says in Galatians 5 : 22 You will Feel Love, Joy, Longsuffering, Peace. And many others, just check it out, when I am out finding, I have found that the spirit is okay with what ever way I go, He is only going to suggest something if we are going the wrong way, or doing the right thing. The Next thing is that when we pray, the lord will usually give us a few different answers, and we need to follow them, for some things will be given in the right way. Always remember that if it is good, then it is of God, but if it is of not, then it is of the Devil. Sometimes we just need to pay attention to our feelings, but also to our thoughts, it tends to be that a certain subject can be on our minds for a long time, and we cant shake the thoughts, that tends to be the spirit LEANING on you and saying YES!!! And then there are other, many other ways that the spirit speaks to us. And that is why I am referring you to Moroni 10, because that is where some of the gifts of the spirit are located, but not only that it gives us guidance on how to act on them as well. We have to remember that when we receive inspiration that we also have to act on it, or else that inspiration is a waste.
Its truly amazing at what a little inspiration can do and what following the spirit can do. I know that when we follow the spirit of the lord, we will be lead towards the things that will truly bless us in life. I know that the scripture in Alma 37 : 6-7 is true, small and simple things truly bring great things into our lives. The whisperings of the spirit are some of the smallest, and most simple things. But when we follow them, then we are able to become great through the lord. Only through the promptings of the spirit are we all able to know who we are, and what we are going to become.
I know that this is the lords true church, and I also know that it was restored by his servant Joseph Smith. I know that the lord is watching over us all, and I know that he will always answer or prayers. I know that the lord truly paid for our sins when he Atoned for us in the garden of Gethsemane and that he does live again. I know that he is always there for us in the best of times and even in the worst. I know that Thomas S Monson, his two counselors, and that the 12 Apostles are Prophets, seers and revelators for us today. I know that when we follow the lord and his guidance that we can become the best tools in his hands. I pray for you all, and I know that you are all being guided by him. Just remember that I know that these things are true. I know that we are doing the lords best work.
I love you all, and I am always so grateful for your wonderful, and needed prayers. I am always here. Love you all from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks for the weekly updates.
God be with you till we meet again.
Elder Colton Frederick
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November Week 2
Well a Mighty fine How do you do to you all!!!
Wow it sounds like everything is going great at home, I really hope you people are taking a lot of Pictures, because when I get home I am going to want to see EVERYTHING!!!
Well it sounds like you are all getting along fairly good. Winter is about to set in there huh?? So India doesn’t really have a winter, the winter here is more of a TON OF RAIN!!!! About all it has done here is rain, rain, rain, rain, rain. Its ridiculous. And it is SOOO humid, my blanket has not been dry for about a week, and I have had the fan on it so that it would dry, but of course its not dry. So I am sleeping in just my “pj’s” woo hoo… but anyway, that’s life. Well I hope all of you enjoy those pictures of us at the lintons, the one of the Elder Eating the big old Burrito is my district leader, he is great I love him so much, cool little fact, he was the 7th deadliest youth in 2007 for martial arts, and he is GOOD.
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Well I am really looking forward to this weekend, we are putting on an activity for the Branch that is going to be AWSOME!! Its based on the plan of salvation. We are going For a “plane ride” and then they all “die” and we visit each of the kingdoms, where each glory is portrayed in a skit. So My companion and I are going to be in the Telestial, and Terrestial kingdoms, and the Lintons are going to be in the Celestial Kingdom and show how much their families mean to them. It really is going to be great, I am really excited.
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So I want to thank everyone who has been sending letters, and Email, I really am so thankful for them, its surprising at how much it helps when you all send your love, I cant tell you enough at how much I really appreciate all of your letters.
Well as the week has gone on, there really isn’t too much that I have to tell, the week has been pretty good, I have been just enjoying the time and learning as much as I can from the lord. It is really amazing at how much the lord can teach you when you actually put forth the effort.
I love you all, and I know that this gospel is the thing that can make us the most happy in our lives. Its truly amazing at how much we truly need the savior in our lives, I know that the savior lives and I know that he loves us all, I know that he truly Atoned for our sins. I know that he felt the pains of ever single one of us. I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet, I know that he was called of God 200 years ago, and I also know that the book of Mormon is the word of god. I know that when we read it, we read the things that the lord wants us to hear, read, and see. I know that this is true, I know that we can live as families for Eternity, all because the power and authority was brought back to us so that we could learn and grow and become just like our heavenly father.
I know that this life is the time for us to prepare to meet god, and to perform our labors, that is to have faith, Repent, be baptized, receive the holy ghost, and Endure to the end. I know that when we do the things that the lord wants, we will be happy. But we have to figure out that thing that the lord wants us to do.
I love you all.
May God be with you
Elder Colton Frederick
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
November Week 1
Okay, so I am so sorry about last week, you all know me and my lack of time sense, and so the mail thing timed out and I forgot to save it. So that’s that.
Well a very large how’de doo from wonderful Incredible India. These last two weeks have been quite a ride, We had zone Conference in Bangalore again and we had a career workshop on p-day last week, so that’s why I was so EXTRA short on time, and I had to travel back to KGF that day too. But I did get some news from some of you, Hayley, My regards, My mother is trying to get a hold of you. Jess, you did what? I am so glad that your okay, that is scary, be careful please, there is more havoc that we have to wreck when I get home. ;) and last but certainly not least KYLE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! That is so Freaking awesome, now when is Carl’s … Hint hint. ( a letter too)
Okay so a HUGE THANKS for the last two Packages, Grandma, I loved it, and I ate all of the Beef Jerky in about a day, I couldn’t let that get past me, and by the way, that those ties where great, Mom, thanks for the other package, I received it on Sunday, and I am so excited to get the next one.
Well Now that I have had my ADD moment, I have some really awesome news, we just set two sisters with a baptismal date for November 29th OH Ya!! We are so excited, I have been working with these two sisters for the last 3 months, When I went on Exchange with the assistants we found the younger sister, and then we met the mother that day, its been great because they where so excited when we asked them that I just about jumped into the air for joy, I could barley stand myself, I was so happy. But also we are going to have a baptism next week on the 15th, I am just so thankful to the lord for working his magic and preparing these people.
Okay so a funny story time, so one day we where out in this area where the former Elders have NEVER touched, and as we where out there, I was calling a member to take on exchange, and my companion sees this sister that is just staring at the both of us. So he walks over to OYM her (Open Your Mouth) and she invites him to her home before he can even say who he is, so we took down her phone Number (we had an appointment to get to, and there was no brother) and told her we would come back again, well the next day as we are out in the same area, that we had previously found 30 new investigators (all the lord my friends) we see this sister again. So we set up an appointment, and tell her that we will come back tomorrow and she says okay. The next day we go to her home and start to teach her, and she is just staring at Elder Riley, and every time he speaks to her she gets all twitterpated and cant talk. So we commit her to pray which she says that she will do, and we give her our phone Number just incase she has any questions, well that was the biggest, funniest mistake we have ever made, is giving Guna (G-oo-na) our Phone Number, because with in the next hour, she had called about 5 times. So finally we answered and started to talk to her and she was “just calling to see how we where.”
She is really funny, she calls almost every day just to follow up with us. Its great! We don’t even have to ask if she has read the book of Mormon.
By the way, there was not really any BIG day of the dead thing, other than they all go and put flowers on the graves of all of the people that have died. (Mom I know that you ask about the weird culture things of India, but I have to say that this country is on big celebration.) they all celebrate everything and anything that comes along, they have all kinds of interesting things here.
I want you all to know that I know that this Is the greatest work in the world and to proclaim the gospel is what brings the most instant, and true joy in the entire world. I know that this is Jesus Christ’s True church, I know that the plan of Salvation is something that I take true comfort in, and I know that as we follow the teachings of the savior that we can come back to his kingdom and live with our family and loved ones for all of Eternity. I know that when we listen to the prophet that we are listing to the lord. I know that Jesus Christ truly lives and that he did atone for our sins. That includes those that we do and the pains of those that we feel from other peoples sins, and mistakes. I love you and I know that the lord loves all of you, your all in my prayers.
Love you all
Elder Colton Frederick
Well a very large how’de doo from wonderful Incredible India. These last two weeks have been quite a ride, We had zone Conference in Bangalore again and we had a career workshop on p-day last week, so that’s why I was so EXTRA short on time, and I had to travel back to KGF that day too. But I did get some news from some of you, Hayley, My regards, My mother is trying to get a hold of you. Jess, you did what? I am so glad that your okay, that is scary, be careful please, there is more havoc that we have to wreck when I get home. ;) and last but certainly not least KYLE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! That is so Freaking awesome, now when is Carl’s … Hint hint. ( a letter too)
Okay so a HUGE THANKS for the last two Packages, Grandma, I loved it, and I ate all of the Beef Jerky in about a day, I couldn’t let that get past me, and by the way, that those ties where great, Mom, thanks for the other package, I received it on Sunday, and I am so excited to get the next one.
Well Now that I have had my ADD moment, I have some really awesome news, we just set two sisters with a baptismal date for November 29th OH Ya!! We are so excited, I have been working with these two sisters for the last 3 months, When I went on Exchange with the assistants we found the younger sister, and then we met the mother that day, its been great because they where so excited when we asked them that I just about jumped into the air for joy, I could barley stand myself, I was so happy. But also we are going to have a baptism next week on the 15th, I am just so thankful to the lord for working his magic and preparing these people.
Okay so a funny story time, so one day we where out in this area where the former Elders have NEVER touched, and as we where out there, I was calling a member to take on exchange, and my companion sees this sister that is just staring at the both of us. So he walks over to OYM her (Open Your Mouth) and she invites him to her home before he can even say who he is, so we took down her phone Number (we had an appointment to get to, and there was no brother) and told her we would come back again, well the next day as we are out in the same area, that we had previously found 30 new investigators (all the lord my friends) we see this sister again. So we set up an appointment, and tell her that we will come back tomorrow and she says okay. The next day we go to her home and start to teach her, and she is just staring at Elder Riley, and every time he speaks to her she gets all twitterpated and cant talk. So we commit her to pray which she says that she will do, and we give her our phone Number just incase she has any questions, well that was the biggest, funniest mistake we have ever made, is giving Guna (G-oo-na) our Phone Number, because with in the next hour, she had called about 5 times. So finally we answered and started to talk to her and she was “just calling to see how we where.”
She is really funny, she calls almost every day just to follow up with us. Its great! We don’t even have to ask if she has read the book of Mormon.
By the way, there was not really any BIG day of the dead thing, other than they all go and put flowers on the graves of all of the people that have died. (Mom I know that you ask about the weird culture things of India, but I have to say that this country is on big celebration.) they all celebrate everything and anything that comes along, they have all kinds of interesting things here.
I want you all to know that I know that this Is the greatest work in the world and to proclaim the gospel is what brings the most instant, and true joy in the entire world. I know that this is Jesus Christ’s True church, I know that the plan of Salvation is something that I take true comfort in, and I know that as we follow the teachings of the savior that we can come back to his kingdom and live with our family and loved ones for all of Eternity. I know that when we listen to the prophet that we are listing to the lord. I know that Jesus Christ truly lives and that he did atone for our sins. That includes those that we do and the pains of those that we feel from other peoples sins, and mistakes. I love you and I know that the lord loves all of you, your all in my prayers.
Love you all
Elder Colton Frederick
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