What in the world, the Elves have come!‏

I didn't have any sound, but what in the world is with the Elves! It was like watching a nightmare I once had.

Hello family in AZ
This week was super fast! Christmas Eve all 6 missionaries went to the Ward Mission Leader's home. He fed us an amazing chicken, sausage, and okra Gumbo and also the best pecan pie I have ever eaten. After we watched people outside shoot off their fireworks.It was great.
I had a wonderful Christmas or Navidad. First, we opened erethang and I played with my copter for ever. I also bought myself PERFECT PUSHUPS. My goal is that I will GET RIPPED before the mission's end. After, we ate at our next door neighbors house, and then we went to the Estrada's home where I talked with some people from Az, and then 5 of our investigators showed up and we all ate again, we watched The Nativity and then The Testaments. It was great and then we all went home.
The sad part about this week is that the Ray family decided to have a surprise trip to Mexico this last Saturday(that next day was when the kids were to be baptized). We don't really know when they'll be back. It's all good. I know that people still have their agency to chose, even if it isn't the most convenient for us. Thanks to who ever prayed for them last week like I asked. You can still do it if you want, that they'll get back soon. Joel will be getting back from Texas on Wednesday so he'll be getting baptized this weekend. Yeah! There is always something to be happy about if you really want to find it. You have two options in life when faced with a challenge; 1 sit there and sulk about how life is unfair and say the famous 'why me' thereby getting NOTHING accomplished. 2 get over yourself, roll with it, and do your best so that the Lord can do the rest. That's it, there is no other choice. I choose to roll with it. I can't wait to get some letters this week ;-). I love all of you so much. Thank you Bonnie Elias Colvin for all that you do :-).

Elder Colvin

P.S. it was pretty funny though, watching Dad act like a crazy Elf. :-)
Elder Jacob Colvin

hey you 12-22-08

How can I keep from singing,
Don't really know why my email started like that, but oh well. What is the status report of the current existence of people other than Roseanne, Trisha, and Mom? The rest of you are my family. It would be nice here and there to get a letter or email from ya. Don't you want to encourage your Brother Son and other in his missionary endeavors? Consider that your chastisement. Anyway life is going GREAT here in Gonzales. We had a miracle take place. I don't know if you guys remember me mentioning The Ray Family in my past emails, but something happened with them the other day. Brother and Sister Ray are members that were baptized in Utah when they were 17. Since then Bro. Ray had backslided into his old Lebaron Ideas (The Lebarons being a break off sect of our church). Missionaries for a long time have been working with this family and also to help their 3 younger sons get baptized. On Tuesday we went to go visit them. When we got there we talked with the parents for a few minutes and then Elder Durant boldly told him,"Your children need to be baptized." I was not expecting happened next at all, He said, "yeah I think that would be good for them. They've been telling me how they've wanted to pass the Sacrament just like the other boys in their class." I was like .......what? This was coming from a man who didn't even want his kids going to Seminary about 4 months ago. That resolved and they went, but I was surprised when gave the permission for this. It goes to show that God will answer the prayers of his children in his own timing. They are planned to be baptized THIS WEEKEND! Joel is still planned to be baptized this weekend too! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN! My hearts desire is to see them get baptized before I leave this area, which is very possible in January. I'm going to be asking you guys if you did it during my Christmas call. Speaking of which; I don't know the approximate time of transmission on Christmas Day, but all I can say is around 4:00pm for you guys. The Estradas (the same family that invited us to Thanksgiving) invited us over for Christmas and use their phones. Junior and Adriana are still progressing great. It's a little hard right now to do much. We are still waiting for him to get his birth certificate and SS # from Idaho so that they can apply for a marriage license so that they can get married so that they can be baptized. We shared with them last night the Christams Story found in the Book of Mormon. Afterward he said to us,"I think I finally get now what the Book of Mormon is, it's like a book completely separate from what's going on in the Bible". I said,"Yes, it is separate in History but not in Doctrine, and it's scripture so that is why you need to read it and then pray about it." He committed himself to read the book that night after we left. Package updates: the Yard o' Beef is now 1/2 Yard o' Beef, the chocolates are going slowly but surely because the other three missionaries in our Apt get tons of stuff too. I got your Popcorn package the other day, Random but thank you Mom :-). I ate some immediately upon arrival. I also got the batteries today and again thank you Mommy. So Tuesday-Saturday were 80 degree days, then Sunday-today have been glacial! Louisiana and your random weather changes :-). It's fun. So, you are keeping the Gingerbread House making competition tradition alive huh? Good. I didn't get to see what every one did so send me a letter with a pic of everyones creation in it. Thank you. Hehe, Bonnie and Quin that's funny. I didn't think Bonnie would be dating so soon. Actually, it's been a month now.......wow time flies. Just remember Bub you promised that you wouldn't go and get married before I got home OK? :-) Well, That happens to be another successful email because of writing things down during the week. I hope Everyone is enjoying the Christmas Season. Remember, it's about Jesus Christ and not about dinosaurs and video games. I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
-eLDER cOLVIN
>
>
(wow this email might rival Ammon in length ;-) )


Elder Jacob Colvin

to all both near and far

It's Elder Colvin's Weekly Epistle,

Our cell Phone just went off in the library, How embarrassing. I have thought (this last week) that I would start writing down things that I think of during the week on a paper. This way I won't get Elders cramp when I get to the library. This is normally what goes through my mind when I get here,"OH wow cool a computer cool cool cool and I can use it, and I can even talk to my family Yeah!..............I just forgot what happened this week....". Now, after 19 months I'm learning. So here it goes. 4 items of agenda: Thank you everyone that contributed in sending me that GIANORMOUS package I got on Friday. Beautiful. I'm still laughing about the sheer volume of snacks you sent. A yard O' Beef, Oh Boy! a 2 lb bag of Sour Patch Candy, too funny. I Haven't opened the 2 wrapped things that were in it. We'll see what happens on the morn of the 25th. Should I read the letters now or on Christmas because I haven't done that yet. So, yes mom in responce to your question, IT SNOWED HERE!!!!!!!! WHAT THE CRAZINESS! I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE SNOW HERE! A few days ago I heard from a member that there might be a chance of winter precipitation mixed with rain. I really thought nothing of it because I was sure that snow wouldn't come here. The next morning I awoke to the Elders in my apartment Screaming,"It's snowing outside Aghhghgh!" I stared at it through the window still in denial then, .....we went outside and played in it like there was no tomorrow! We did every snow-thing we could. It was as fun as it was unbelievable. A member told us that the last time it snowed here was before I was born. El nino Strikes again. So, I got hit in the eye by a Frisbee the other day. I couldn't see out of it too well at first, but it's cleared up and I'm good to go 20-20. Sister Woods made me go to a Doctor just in case, and he said that there is no damage or anything. we saw a parade this week. It was cool. They definitely through out more stuff at you here. We didn't stay too long, but we did pass out some cards to Hispanic people while watching. wow, you see what happens Elder Colvin if you write down stuff to say. Oh yeah we had 5 people come to church on Sunday and they all loved it. Joel came and he is progressing great. This week was just full of blessings. We went to this one house out in an area we never looked before because a Man ordered the Movie Joy To The World. we delivered it to him and we talked for a little while. His friend came up too, during our conversation, and we shared with them the Message of the Restoration. They are now committed to baptism for the 3rd of January. It's great! I hope you all liked the stuff you got in my package. The thing that each kid got will work too. Well time is running short , but I want to end by saying again how much I love all of you and I hope that you all are Having a great Christmas Season. BONNIE HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU CRAZY COOL CAT!
-Elder Jacob Colvin
Elder Jacob Colvin

hey

Does Bonnie's missionary email still work? I heard it still does until like=
a month after your mission. If she has a new one please let me know what=
it is. Thank you
EC
Elder Jacob Colvin

I have a good news for you‏

It's called the table,table,table
I'll always remember that song you showed us Robert. :-)

Hello Everyone,
What is going on? my week was great! We had the opportunity to go to the Christmas devotional. I loved it. It really was great. That was the first time I've gone to it. Last year didn't get to. Junior and Adriana came to the Ward Party on Saturday, Church on Sunday, and then the devotional that evening. I'm so happy they are taking this church more sincerely and doing the things we've asked them to do. Up until this Saturday the week was not the best in the world but, We finally got to light at the end of the tunnel. Saturday we were at a Flea Market passing out Cards for the 'Joy To The World' DVD. Last week they gave us a free booth because we were giving away free things but, this week we got there too late so we couldn't get a booth. They were already filled up. We decided, instead, to look around and look for Hispanic people to give cards to. Well we ended up talking to a man named Hugo from Durango Mexico. He was (I'm guessing) a Minister for some church. He was talking about how he was saved and we weren't and stuff and the Bible was all he needed and ...etc. Well it was basically a one sided conversation because he never gave us a chance to respond for longer than 10 seconds. However, amazing thing came from it; During Hugo's 'I'm more humble than you are' talk Elder Durrant contacted a Man named Joel that was walking by. Joel the next day called us and said that he wanted to come to church but he didn't have a ride. The sad thing is that we left our phone at the Apt. before we left for church so we didn't get the message until afterward. We felt so bad when we listened to his message, hardly ever does someone call us about coming to church. we met with him that night and he ended up coming to the Christmas devotional. We committed him for baptism and he said he would. He is a simple Jolly guy. I like him a lot. I am loving everything that is going on. I know the Lord is preparing people here to accept the gospel. I know that If we will put our Trust in our Heavenly Father he will lead us through all the Trials in this life and give us true Happiness: Success in righteous things. I love you all so much and I can't wait to hear from y'all in a letter or something. Bye
-Elder Colvin
Elder Jacob Colvin

oh what an annnoyance‏

I clicked on all of my email addresses and i accidentally pushed ERASE! I need Grandma's and Gabrielle's email Address because I can't remember em.

However, Hello Everyone I hope everything is fine in AZ. I still can not believe, even after looking at the pictures, that Sister Colvin is home. It is not computing. Oh well I hope y'all are having lots of fun and stuff. This week was moderately great. We walked up to this trailer that we knew had some Spanish people in it, and we knocked on the door. A guy opened the door and we told him who we were and that we had an important message to share with him and his family. He let us in like, "uh..ok." so we walked in and we see two women sitting on the couch watching their 'Novelas' or Soap Operas in English (That is ALL the Spanish channels are full of). It's night time and They are looking at us like, 'who are you guys?' So we say again and who we are and why we're here. The Older Lady gets up and walks to the door saying,"Everyone needs to here this," and she rounds up everyone outside and in their rooms to the front room. They are a cool family, actually they are 2 families. They are both living here together. Rosalita (the older Lady) is cool and she is fired up about reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. I'm excited to see where this will go. Thanksgiving was good. I Kind of had a hard time sleeping that night after all was said and ate. We were invited to two homes; 1 our next door neighbor, and the Estradas in our Ward. We ate a ton at our neighbors Apt. and we played some horseshoes and it was fun. By the time we had to go to the Estradas we were still pretty full. Thankfully Hispanic people don't celebrate this holiday south of the border so they weren't accustomed to making a huge Feast. Therefore we didn't eat as much there so it was all perfect. It's been fun trying to explain what Thanksgiving is to our investigators. They call it, "Dia de Pavo" or 'Day of Turkey' in English. We met With Junior and Adriana Fabian last night and talked with them about why they haven't been keeping their commitments to read or come to church. Well, they just said that it was laziness and also they felt a little embarrassed about coming to church after we taught them the Law of Chastity because they didn't want to have people at church looking at them or something. Well we talked with them some more and told them we love them and invited them to keep Reading and keep coming to church. Well my life is going good. It's been a little rough this week but I always remember Aaron, Omner, and Himni's account in the Book of Mormon and it keeps me going. They didn't have any success until about 17 years into their ministry but, they were blessed to Convert the King himself of the Lamanite Nation. I love my mission and I love You Guys mucho.
Bye
Elder Colvin

Elder Jacob Colvin

ta da!

Man.......I don't even feel worthy to follow up on the email that Bonnie sent. It's like you guys are thinking,"Oh if only Elder Colvin was as Spiritual as Sister Colvin." :-) I thought Bonnie was going to be translated before her mission was up. In our Mission the people going home went home already last Friday. I thought Bonnie was going to be the same way and so I was VERY surprised to learn that She is currently still in her Mission. Have fun with her but don't do too much too fast. She might scream "Apostate!" and then explode! Well this week for me was amazing. We had Francisco and Raquel come to church again. That was cool. They brought all their Grandkids as well. It'll be a work in progress with Francisco but he'll be a member sooner or later. Hmmm Trisha you want something crazy that happened this week......... Well I'm staying here again for another transfer! Whoo Hoo! I love this Ward and area so I'm happy. It'll be my first area that I stayed in for 6 months. And the first area that I'll be in with the same companion consecutively. This week we finally had to use our Jackets to go out and about. It's been pretty warm here , a lot longer than last year. our next door neighbor gave us a 6 foot white colored Christmas tree. We feel more happy now and in the Christmas spirit. Also at Zone Conference Our Mission President gave us a new rule ....we can't email anymore! Just Kidding. WE CAN LISTEN TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! Trisha, send me your 'Handel's Messiah' stuff. I would also Like to get Mannheim Steamroller but y'all can decide. Please Someone send some Christmas music to your beloved Elder in Louisiana! Today is the Zone Prep Day before transfers. We will possibly be going to a Alligator Farm and then play Battle-Ball with the whole Zone (It's like dodge ball but with Tennis balls). It's fun ....no one gets hurt Mommy I promise :-). We found 4 way cool new investigators last night. They all committed to follow the answer that would come to be baptized. I Love it when people are truly sincere about doing what we invite them to do. It's surprising sometimes just how hard it can be for people to use a little faith to Read and Pray about the Book of Mormon. Just ...Just DO IT and you'll get an answer. This would be a perfect time to use Alma's Lamentation "Oh that I were an Angel." But I know that Salvation is not a cheap experience and so all I can do is do my best every day to cry repentance with the abilities I have been given. The Lord sees us exercise faith and he blesses us, but on his time line. It surely will come but it's when he lets it happen. I Must not be a Hypocrite and so I will keep knocking on the doors and Invite all I see. Happy Day of Giving Thanks! I love You All
Elder Colvin
Elder Jacob Colvin

Now I write big family letter‏

Family,
How are you? I miss you. I'm going to get some things today that I might send them to you. I am doing great here in 'Gonzo' and I think that I'm gonna try to writ as fast as I can. maybe not. We had a wonderful week. Two members moved into Gonzales so now we have more Spanish people to work with. Maria and Francisco moved into the ward last week. Francisco is not a member of the church but we committed him to be baptized on the first Sunday of December. We found a guy this week that had the most interesting name. His last name was 'Angeles' and his Parents decided to give him a first name of 'Jesus'. So in English it is Jesus Angles. I thought that was pretty different. Hispanic names are very Catholic influenced. Another time I met a Peter Cross. Anyway We committed the Fabian family last night to live the Law of Chastity and they said they wanted to get married ASAP. We gotta figure out how to get them a marriage license here in Gonzales. Sister Colvin sent me a white hair in the mail that she attributed to her mission. I'll vouch for her on that. I have my first white hair taped to my missionary Journal. We are all just a little crazy in the Colvin Family but hey, someone has to do it or how can we know what sane is? This is logic ;-) . Now, I'm currently looking at my black, white, gray, light gray, and dark orange striped tie thinking of something to say. My Spanish jumped a leap this week! It was like something clicked. I was able to have a 3 minute conversation with a guy all by my self. I found that He was living in Thibadoux right now but was looking for a trailer to rent here in Gonzales. He was baptized 4 months ago in Indianapolis and wanted to get back to going to church.

I'm Bi-lingual, so Bi- lingual, it's un-equal how Bi-lingual I am! (west side missionary story)

Yeah! I still have a LOT to learn but, thanks to God's tender mercies I can now pretty much hold my own. Well time is pressing and I must be going so please every one remember your Son, Grandson, Brother,Cousin, and Friend;
-Elder Colvin

PS. I love you all and don't run with sharp objects
Elder Jacob Colvin

AHGHGHGHGHG!‏

OH HOW I DISLIKE MYLDSMAIL SOMETIMES!

sorry, but my email was deleted...again. well I don't got much time but let me try to say something quick.
Thank you Bonnie and Baysingers for the letters. They make me happy. Junior and Adriana came to church for the first time on Sunday and Loved it. Junior really liked hearing Bro. Parilou's conversion story. Lorenzo and Amaris went to A.L. so they weren't able to come to church. I love you guys,
-Elder Colvin
Elder Jacob Colvin

daba di daba dye‏

Yeah, Like my Russian friend I'm running out of Ideas of what to put on my titles

Well This week went dandy. I received 2 letters on Halloween so that was fun. Thank you Roseanne for your love. My eyes are hurting looking at this screen so well see how long this email will go. we had a miracle of 7 people come to church this Sunday. The Ray family and Lorenzo and his Wife. They all liked it. Some great things are transpiring here in the Gonzales area. I'm loving it. The Stake President came this Sunday to our ward so our investigators got to meet him as well. It was all around good. I bought a bag of candy for Tricker treaters but sadly not a single person treated our place. I don't think I'll watch much TV anymore when I get home. Maybe occasionally for Movies and stuff but I really just don't like it anymore. What a waste of time. I want to make my own story line not watch someone else's. It's funny sight to behold when me and my companion walk to our apt at night. We watch how everyone else's apt.'s are glaring with the TV. It's slowly has been disgusting me. It's like they are addicted to a Zombie Screen. I want to go do stuff like Hiking camping...making a bird house or something. Anyway I love each and everyone of you. Bonnie was saying how she was going to prepare the way for me so I wouldn't be so shocked when I got home. That's my Bub, always looking out for me. well My Spanish is going like usual. I will be fluent by Jan 1. It's my ULTIMATE GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well take luck y'all and remember Jesus is our Savior and our Way. Be faithful and he'll carry you through. BYE

Elder Colvin
Elder Jacob Colvin

hello hello hello‏

well oh my goodness,
that was a massive load of emails to get through. now I hope everybody got my last email last week because there were reports that some people did not get it. Great news has been made manifest this week. Our Top two investigator families both didn't come to church. It was little disappointing and we were trying figure out what happened. One family from Guatemala called our Cell phone right as church started but the signal was bad and died and we couldn't call them back neither. Our family from Idaho(Fabians) didn't come neither so we went and saw them first after church. well they simply forgot about it so Elder Durrant came up with the Idea on the spot to go take them down to the church right then and there for a tour of it. They both loved it and said that they were defiantly coming next week. After that we went to our Guatemalan family to see what happened. Well they told us that they actually came to church building that morning. However, they saw that it already started so they didn't know what to do. They decided to call our phone but that didn't work so they got intimidated and went home. we had no idea that they actually came. We felt bad about their experience and apologized to them about the little misunderstanding. They said they will come to church again this next Sunday. It was such a shame that they all didn't come for one reason or the other because we had a great service and great lessons. Oh well it was probably for the best though. The Lord's timing sure is different than mine but that's why I know it's right. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. He is our Foundation our Rock. In Him we can find happiness and understanding in this life and Salvation in the next. I love you Arizonans so much. Have great week.


P.S. THANK YOU FOR THE PACKEAGE MOM
AND THANK YOU BONNIE FOR THE LETTER!
Elder Jacob Colvin

MY FAMILY!!! 10/6/08‏

Wow That General Conference was one of my favorites! I saw two of them in spanish. I understood about 30% of what they said. I loved it all though. Holland's, Wirthlin's, Ballard's, Packer's, that one 70 who just boldly testified about Jesus Christ. They were all good. I'm gonna read this one a bunch. this week were trying hard to get our investigators to the conference. We've been seeing that the Lord is preparing people to hear the gospel. The Puerto Rican Family is progressing (I think last week I said they were Cuban). They loved the Wilford Woodruf Conversion Video (it's found on the Doctrine & Covenants lessons DVD). If ya'll haven't seen it you should. I've seen it over 30 times. Also, The Testaments is a must see too. I really do like to get letters. It helps put a smile on your face on those 'not so good' days. I will now Publicly Declare a thank you on my emails when I get a letter during the week: Sarah, thank you again for your letter. What else happened this week. I saw my first 09 Challenger the other day, I loved it. I'm trying real hard to learn my spanish. If I speak slowly I can say it right. Sometimes I feel like Hispanics should get an ward for who can move their tongue as fast as humanly possible. Maybe that's why they love tongue tacos. Oh yeah did I ever tell you I had Cow stomach soup. mmmmm Menudo yummy. well I'm going to be going now. Carry on and never hesitate.

-Elder Colvin (or 'Coalbeen' in Spanish)
Elder Jacob Colvin

9/29/08 ELDER COLVIN‏

Well Well Well....
Things are going exactly to my design


Hello family,
How are ya'll?
I'm Fine
I received a letter from.....Sarah this week. Thank you mucho mas.
We have recently found two very nice families.=20
I'm so excited for this! One is a lady from Brazil who married a guy from h
ere and now they both live here.=20
It's funny but I can almost understand Portugeese.=20
We were reading the Introduction to the Book of Mormon.=20
I've heard many times in spanish but it was really neat to hear it in 'Port
ugues' as the Spanish say.=20
It was almost the same with a few different words and pronunciation.
The other was this family of three in a trailer.
They come from Cuba.
(OK I'll stop the whole 'new line for every new sentance thing, it hurts to=
read')

Anyway, they are nice and they are reading the Book of Mormon. It's all goo=
d. Well my Spanish is coming great. I have a goal to speak it by this tr=
ansfer, that's only two more weeks. It's going to take some miracles. The=
whole learning process has been a big miracle for me. I can't wait for =
general conference this week. That'll be good. Well not much else to say =
except I would always love it if I got more letters please. Thank you my =
wonderful family. !Hasta la Vista Bebe!
Elder Colvin


Elder Jacob Colvin

....yup

Hello units of friendship (I'm trying to mix up my vocabulry).
we had our interviews this week. Our Mission President talked about raising our game and becoming more like disciples and less like Pharisees. It was good. I forgot again the names of those other two cd's that we can listen to. This week we had found a great new person. he is named Orvin. he is very humble and willing to hear what he had to say. On Saturday we met with him over at a member of the church'es home. we found out that the member (Bro. Cecilio) and Orvin work together, so they hit it off rather well. we had a great spirit filled lesson and I felt inspired to commit him to baptism on the 4th of Oct.. he said yes! It was really great. With all solid investigators there comes these random out of nowhere trial(s) that try to get in the way of them getting baptized. Orvin's work called him in at the last minute so he didn't make it to church on Sunday. However, the work go forth boldy nobly and independent and He'll be at church this week. I think it was for the best anyway, that we didn't have to deal with a baptism during General Conference week. Either way God is over all and, despite the battles, God will win the war.
Elder Ludlow is a missionary that lives with me. He just said to me that his mom hates Motorcycles , but he read that she rode one the other day for the very first time. Go and do

dearest Everyone I know

hey,
hello,
hello hello hello!


There was a certain classical song I had in mind when I was writing that.
Well hello my loved family. Thank you so much Grandma for your letter I always love hearing from you. This week has been great. We've been working hard to make up for Hurricane Gustav. Hurricane Ike didn't do much here. We only had our power out for a night. It was a week with Gustav. We just got a little wind and some rain. Like I'm annoyed that Gustav interrupted us here but I was a little happy I got to experience one on my mision. It was a torn feeling. So much good came from it though. We had so many people just thanking the heck out of us for coming and clearing their trees out for free and there were lots of people asking questions about our church. It was cool. What's really funny is that I heard from a member here that after Katrina in 05' the media did a survey on which churches helped the most with aid/relief efforts. Well the Statiscs were : 1st place "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints", 2nd was "The Mormons". I love it. I'm so glad that we were able to help so much. anyway I forgot to mention something last week.
At our last Zone Conference we got new rules regarding music. ugh hmm; We Can now listen to EFY cd's and Two other things which names escape me at this moment. If you want to, could you Please send me some EFY Cd's. I would be very happy. Thank you. This week we found a bunch new investigators. It's amazing that if we just go and do it the Lord will put people in our path way Everytime. I'm happy to know that, what a blessing it really is to know that. If we just do our best and rely on Jesus We will accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Well times running short again and eyes are hurting. BYE
Elder Colvin

1 mas cosa

We got transfer calls last night. I'm staying here in Gonzo and I will be serving with Elder Shepherd again. I was just with him in New Orleans. It's his last transfer too. He will endure to the end unlike El....... nevermind.
EC

1 mas cosa

We got transfer calls last night. I'm staying here in Gonzo and I will be serving with Elder Shepherd again. I was just with him in New Orleans. It's his last transfer too. He will endure to the end unlike El....... nevermind.
EC

it's a me!‏

Hello Everyone far and near,
It's been way too long since I have written you guys.
Gustav was the cuse of that. 1st of all I am fine.
I have NO time this week because I had to go thruogh a BAZIILION emails but heres is a shortened version of my last 2 weeks;

thank you 4 the package I loved it
I got it before Gustav
I stayed with a wonderful family called the Bascoms
We played ate and slept mucho
At Zone Conference I found out that Luz and Rienhard from New Olreans (my previous area) were Baptized !
Last Monday (sept1), Gustav hit and we had no power
Tuesday, we moved to Sister Bascoms Parents House (for A/c)
Wednesday, I dropped off Elder Romero at the Mission Office and Elders Pauyne and Wilks were my temporary companions for the rest of the week
Thursday, I worked with Mormon Helping Hands and went all around Baton Rouge Looking for people that needed help taking trees out of their lawns and off of their houses
Friday, Same
Saturday, Same
Sunday, We had little Sac. meeting and Elder Gay of the 70 was there, then we did more service
Monday (sept 8), nothing too exciting
Tuesday, tada I'm here with you

soo that is that. I was told by many residents that this was the worst that they've seen a hurricane take out Baton Rouge Ever. It was only a Cat 1 when it hit here. Imagine if it was bigger. I thank the Lord that it was what it was. This place got pounded!
Good bye and I love you
Elder Colvin

ta da!‏

well have you ever played solitare on the comp? You know how, when you win, A little fan fare music plays for your triumph. That's what I had in my head when titling this email.


Hello Everyone,
It's me. Everything has been fine. Poor Elder Romero is getting nervous about going home. Oh well, It's just one of those things I guess. This week in the adventures of Elder Colvin: I was on Exchanges this week with the English Elders. I went and taught a Chinese girl named Winki. The name was different but she was a nice 17 year old exchange student who was staying here for 10 mos to finish her senior year here. She is living some members of the church and we went over there and we had a nice lesson. It was a fun challenge to teach this girl who didn't have a Christian upbringing. Now I know how Sis. Colvin feels...maybe a little. Also, I saw the Biggest Grasshopper in the World! On Saturday, we were walking next to a bayou (stagnant river). and we saw this big ol black thing crawlin on the ground. It was cool. Yesterday a Tropical storm came through. We got a TON of rain. I mean this place rains a lot, but we were pounded yesterday. It rained ALL day. It was fun. Well I don't have much else to say but I Love all of you so much and please continue to pray for me.BYE
Elder Colvin

Como Estan mi Familia‏

You are my happy family.
This week was a blessing from the lord. I fell like I'm learning at leaps and bounds. One day I got three letters in the mail. I was so happy. Today's random book cover I see on the shelf is WHY THE ALLIES WON By: Richard Overy. I don't know what to say......hmm. I have this problem too. I think of things all week to say in my emails and when I get to the library I go blank. I must be getting too excited, all these books around here giving me sensory overload or something. In any case I'll try to remember something........ummm. Oh the Ray Family is back from their trip to Mexico. They have two kids that Elder Romero was working with before I got here but they left on a family vacation right as I got into the area. They are back now so we met with them on friday and they came to church on Sunday, so things are looking good. The biggest hold up is that the Father is a Lebaron. The Lebarons are another polygamist offshoot of our church. They mostly have compounds and stuff down in Mexico. The Father doen't want his kids to be baptized into the church because he believes that we are the wrong one. I have not met him yet, but probably will this week. It's weird, the Mom is a member of our church and the Father is a Lebaron. She has made it clear to him that he is to never have another wife or she's outa there. Please pray this Family. It's going to take miracle here to baptize these children. Oh yes I'm getting pretty good at frisbe golf. Our ward mission Leader takes us and the ZL's every Monday morning to go play. This time I stayed right on par and beat Elder Romero (the First person I've ever won) I came in 4th. Who hoo not 5th anymore! well I need to go. Please carry on and pray for me.
Elder Colvin

The Message

the message is: How is my wonderful little family from Arizona. I really have much to say to ya'll. I'm going write lots of letters today so I just talk to ya guys like that. Hmmm....what else. I cut my finger two days ago. I cut it pretty deep.....with a spatula. :-$. yeah, I was taking off the bark of a cypress knee so I could have a cool souvenir of Louisiana and I was using a metal spatula to assist me. well I got too excited I guess with it and it slipped off the wood and slided into my finger. It's all right though; no ligaments, veins, arteries, or tendons were injured just a lot of flesh. so....there it is. It's actually been healing up rather nicely, I immediately cleaned it and got a bandage on it so I'm able to type today. I hope I didn't gross you out ;-). well. Everything is going good here. Please pray that we'll find some more people to teach. well other than that i must go now. I love ya'll.

delr cloinv ehre

ya'll understood right?

Hello my litle family. Life for me is going great as usual. I don't really have much time this week to write but here are the highlights. Elder Romero is cool, my new apt is bigger, the area reminds me a lot of Slaughter back in the day (but with spanish), and this my new address.
12093 Roddy Rd. #23
Gonzales, LA 70737
Please write letters to me. I'm probably gonna stay here for another transfer but who knows. The first presidency has come out and said missionaries need to stay a little longer in areas now. We'll see what happens. My spanish has been coming along great. I think that in another transfer I might be put into a senior position again, but then again only God knows what good for me. I'll just leave it to him. I'm loving life right now. I feel like I'm in the prime of mission. Umm yeah well bye

Elder Colvin

please write me, I love You all

Heeeeeeyaozah!

Wow this week was Amazing. The Lord is giving us the blessings. I hope you all know by now that I'm currently stationed in GONZALES L.A.!! Yeah i was transfered. On Saturday an amazing miracle took place. Elder Romero (my new companion) and I were at this Lady's house teaching her. Her name is Anany or Ana for short. She is a nice young mother. Elder Romero used to meet with her and her family but actually stopped teaching her about a month ago. Last Sunday (the Sunday before I got there in Gonzales) she randomly called him and said she wanted to go to church and be taught again. we met and taught her previously on Friday(25th) but on Saturday (26th) we gave her a Copy of the Book of Mormon because she lost her old one. We were reviewing what it was and how she could know it was true. Well my spanish is still shaky and i didn't quite know where we were in the lesson so I started teaching about how she could come to know the truth and how once she knew it was true, to be baptized. well Elder Romero stopped me and said ''Elder I just taught that," and I said "oh yeah?" and he said "yeah, she just told us that she knows it's all true". so I, in a Very surprised and happy way said in my broken spanish " well, if you know it's true, will you be baptized?"...SHE SAID YES!!!! She was baptized that same Day! WOW I 've never done that before. That was an amazing day. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Way unto salvation. I know that this gospel was Restored by God through his servant Joseph Smith. Jesus is the Christ the Savior of our souls and if we give our whole selves to him he will prove and perfect us one step at a time. Have a beautiful day my wonderful family.
Elder Colvin

Well my (just got bigger) family,
Roseanne! You finally had that Baby! Man hearing about your pregancy all the time has been like a part of the mission experiancei. It's like a fun little chapter has come to an end, but now we have the new born chapter. It is funnnn. Congradulations. Kaden Jacob Service huh?.......yeah I guess I'll let em have my name....But I'm still gonna do that for my first born son. Or now, maybe his first Name will be Brandt, ;-() yes Brandt Jacob Colvin, Just Kidding. Well this week was amazing for us. We have been finding so many people who are sincerely intersted in the gospel. a bunch of people came to church too. Reinhard should be getting baptised this weekend so Please pray for him. Also Luz, Maritza, and Ruth are all planned to be baptised the following weekend! This is Nuts! I don't deserve this. The Lord is pouring his blessings upon us right now. It's nothing I'm doing. I also heard from the Asisstants that a family that Elder Orellana and I were teaching in Baton Rouge got baptized! How can I describe the gradittude I feel for my Savior and what has been happening in this part of the vineyard (Jacob5). That made my day when I heard that news. Ooh how I love the families. Transfer calls are next week so this Wednesday is Zone Conference. It was a weird schedule this transfer. We had a "Welcome to Lousiana" Zone Conference, then Interviews the following week, then this week we have another Zone Conference. Muchos mas Conferencias. I'm most likely getting transfered becuase The Zone Leadrs told Elder Shepherd (secretly) that he's gonna be training a new missionary. I'll probably go with another Elder that can speak Spanish way better than I can (of course it's not that hard to do that). We'll see, we can't really know until next Monday night. Well I must be going now. I'm gonna try and respond to all the letters and such I got recently. Thank you Bonnie and Trisha for your packages; I have enjoyed and used them much. I'll take care of the book Trish. Well gotta run. I Love you Guys! (including Kayden),

Elder J-dizzle Colvin

The First Elder Colvin LA

At least i think so.

Hello my family. Thankyou all for the letters this week. Congradulations on the baptismo Sister C-unit. Yo ha siepre creo que tu eres la mejor misionaro. muchisimo mas mejor que yo, claro. I think thats how you say it. I'm getting a little better on the spanish. I was able to teach a full out lesson the other day. Me and Elder Vincent both became spanish Elders at the same time. We went together on an exchange the other day. It was challenging, but the Lord was with us and I think (between the two of us) we made sence to the people. Either that or we just doublely confuse them :-) (is 'doublely' a word.....). Anyway, Roseanne Have got that baby out yet? I'm just curious. This whole week I thought that I was a new uncle. Man, your churrin are going to be so much older than mine. Oh well. I feel like your kids are pretty much my siblings too. Oh yes, Last monday I got to watch that home video that y'all sent to me. Dad, I was mostly crackin up about you. I didn't know you could do all that ;-). Roseanne you did an excellent job on the camera ;-). and yes, that was a very random ending. I showed it to 5 other missionaries. Elder Fawcett has been mimicking that one part all week long. That part were you guys sway side to side(while singing) and do a little up up thing. I hope you know what I mean. like this..."AhhhhhhhhhhhhhH HA HA" . That was pretty funny. for the Forth of July we went over to our investigators house, watched Transformers, swam in the pool, and didn't get home till 1am. JUST KIDDING!!!! we actually went into our apt at 6pm for lockdown and played dominoes. Well I discovered that I need to go. Please continue to pray for Wilfredo. He's having concerns that he won't be able to go to church when he moves back to Honduras. We're trying to find the nerast church house there were hes lives. He's also concerned that his Wife wont want to be LDS as well . We are sending a Libro de Mormon to her with all three of our testimonies in it with a picture of us 3 holding a Book of Mormon. He just needs to have faith and not worry. Please pray that he'll do the right thing. Thank you all x 100000000000000
Elder Colvin.

That is Good afternoon in Portuguese. Yes, it's kindof funny that we have been teaching a lot of Brazillians latley. I'm trying to learn Spanish and Elder Shepherd knows this much(imagine my thumb and index finger really close to eachother) of Portuguese so it's been entertaining to try and teach them. We mostly just watch our church DVD's in Protugesseie and then 'try' to teach a little after wards. It's like I should be called a Foreign language missionry not just spanish. I've handed out 3 Books of Mormon, 5 Livros de Mo'rmon, and 10 Libros de Mormo'n since I've been here in New Orleans. Weird town all around. It's like you take every race of the world (and thier religions too) and stick em in a city that is below Sea level and you got NEW Orleans. Thank you Sarah and Roseanne for the letters this week. Keep up the good job ;-). I dont really know if I'm allowed to watch that DVD or not so.....we'll have to see. We recently got our new mission President From Mesa Az last week. I haven't met President Woods yet, but we are going to a special Zone Conference this week on Wednesday and so I'll see him there. The spanish is coming a long good. I learned recently how to use the future tense. I really love my Previous companion from Mexico, but it's one thing to speak the language and another to teach it (Yeah that's how it went for me too Trisha). All is well though. I'm learning like crazy now. Our mission Tripled in the amount of missionaries from AZ in the past 4 1/2 months. Three of them are from Gilbert and one is from Mesa. Man, All of this AZ influence is cramping my style here. For a while I was just 1 of 3 in the whole mission. Egh it's all good, it's just a sign that the church is growing. Please pray for Wilfredo. He's been acting kinda weird latley. He needs a spiritual witness of this church. Also please pray for Reinhard. He's a little boy that just comitted to baptism for the 19 of July. Please pray that his Mom will be a help and not a hinderment to his baptism. He's about the most spiritually sharp boy I've ever met. He asks us Questions that I've never been asked on my mission before. He's cool. PLEEASE PRAY for them. Thanks. I gootttta go so I LOVE YOU GUYS
eLDER cOLVIBN

Hey
This week was pretty crazy but cool. Wilfredo came to church again. That was Awesome. He's told us that he already feels like a member. We have just been recieving the blessings here in Meterie. God gave us a ton more people to begin teaching. they are mostly famlies too. SWEET! So, if I didn't tell yall yet, I was mugged last week. JUST KIDDING. I ate Pig's tounge tacos. First of all BLECH!!!!!!! The worst part was that they didn't do that great of a job taking all the skin off of the meat. Some chunks had the grissly back part of the tounge on them still. I almost puked....for real this time. I was trying to figure out who was tasting who here, hehe. I should probably stop complaining though. Elder Baysinger can probably top me on weird food he's eaten. Elder Shepherd is my new companion. He's cool. He likes to go-go-go but at the same time he's very laid back and cool like. Elder Orellana lives like 5 miles away from me so, we see each other like 4 times a week for various meetings and stuff. So there is 4 Elders total that live in our Apt. Therefore we started this tie wearing thing. Everyday we go and wear Only Elder _____'s ties and then the next day it'll be someone elses. It's fun, It mixes things up. well I have to go so Bye Everyone. May God bless you all.
-Elder Colvin

Well hello my fine freindly family from the flippin furnace figured out as Arizona!
how is everyone?
HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you got 1 '!' for every year you've been a father...I think..eh who's counting. Well dad here is a story for you. I remember one time at father's and sons outing, us boys were shooting at McDonalds toys or something with a BB gun. while doing this All of the sudden 'Jacob's dad' walks up and start blasting them away with a 38 special (I think it was a revolver too). ...........................hehe I'm laughing right now just thinking about it. I wondered what the other boys thought 'party's over ' :-). Thankyou Dad for showing us how many pieces a barbie could blow into. I Love you 'crazy head'. now..back to me ;0). It's been going great here in New Orleans. I was under the impression that the whole city was just a big 'hifuup' (think about it) but actually this area is a lot better. It must have been that area that I was trained in (Algiers) that gave that feeling. The Lord (I think) feels sorry for me becuase he sees that I'm doing it all wrong that's why he gives these people for me to teach and bring into the church. CARMEN GOT BAPTIZED WHOOO DOGY! It went great! Her husband and son are both changing their schedules at work so that they can go to church with her too.COOL! I Think they'll be joining the church too shortly. Thankyou everyone who prayed for her.

Blessings blessings I love the blessings,
and they're only from God.
Whooya!

that is my Psalm. I've always desired that God would bless me with a family to bring into the chruch. Family means a whole lot to me especially eternal familes. I will not (let me repeat) will not be married outside of the temple. It's not in the game plan of this Elder Colvin. there is eternaity to think of when dealing with this subject. I know this is the restored church of god 'spoken by the mouths of all his holy prophets since the world began' Acts 3 :19-21. I'm greatful to have temples again upon the earth where we can be sealed for time and all eternity. It's interesting how every ancient civilzaiton in any land had some kind of temple edifice to go to. Scientists have called it patternism. I call them different breakofs from the first kind that God establised. Oh yes, Logically the Church is true in millions of ways, but that wont sustain you when Satan's shafts in the wirlwind come to test your faith. You MUST search(search the Book of Mormon) ponder(meaditate in your heart the message it contains) and then Pray to God (ask like he's really there saying 'please let me know the truth'). Then and only then will the Holy spirit give you that witness of it. that is my testimony. I know it is true. I declare these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.

well,
cool
I get to write one more email
Orellana needed to come back to the library to email his mom so I am writing agian to yall!
Yeah! It's like double prizes or something!
well, we went over to bowling were the rest of our Zone was. It was fun. I won both games! I've never won a game of bowling in my life! my last score was 163. It was alright. you'll see pictures of it later. then, we went to Mcdonalds, then after 5 miles down the road, we went to Mcdonalds agian. That was funny. we were all still hungery. I don't think I've ever went to two restaraunts within 15 min. before. That will be going in my journal. Man I am gonna miss Baton Rouge. It's pretty much the most normal city in Lousiana. The rest are weird or Hill Billy places. but hey New Olreans makes the stories so Yippie! and I'll get to eat at a place called Rallies again in New Orleans WHOHOO! It's basically a NASCAR themed burger place. Oh yeah! I looked at E. Orelleana and he's still typing away nxt to me........ok it's time for random book cover I spy today: its FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Badbury. Thankyou Gabrielle, Grant, Trisha, Roseanne, Bon....Sister Colvin, Dad, Mom, and Kodelaun :-) for your emails earilier agian. Well I'm gonna leave you with a President Patterson quote today in memory of him (I'm gonna miss him too) the quote is(but I'll apply it to everyone): "whatever a worthy missionary (or person) can conceive and believe he/she can Acheive". I love it and it has become apart of me. When we show our best (and only us and God know what that is) Then the lord will help us as we pray earneslty and "go and do". I love ya'll again
-Elder Colvin

Hello everybody!
This week was amazing!!!
First let me tell you the bad news:
Herbin and Nicalosa dropped off the face of the planet. We have no Idea where they went. the last time we saw them was two sundays ago when they said they were getting kicked out of their Apt soon. I guess 'soon' was the very next day.It was a heart breaker that we didn't baptise them. Hey, life goes on and probably somewhere down the road they'll (where ever they are) be baptised.

Now onto the great news:
I had the AMAZING opportunity to shake the hand of Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the 12! That is something I will never forget. He has a good firm grip. this last sunday and saturady was Stake conference for the whole Baton Rouge area. The days before it, we found out that Elder Chiristoferson was coming along with Elder Neil A Anderson of the 70. It was fun being able to say to people (when we were inviting them to church) that an Apostle would be their equal to Apostles of the Bible. Our Mission President (who happens to be going home in a few days :-( ) after the Saturday Evening session invited all his missionaries up to the stand to meet Elder Christofferson. he served his Mission in Argentina so he talked a lot longer to my Mexican Companion :-). THAT WAS COOL! Also this week we found out that Carmen from my previuos area is getting baptised....TODAY!!!! yes at 7:00pm tonight we are going to her baptismal service. I'm happy I get to go. That's a whole lot better than meeting an Apostle. The next day (being tomarrow) I'm headed off to NEW ORLEANS again! Yes, we got our transfer calls last night and I'm going to 'Meterie' (I think that's how you spell it). That's cool I haven't been down there in a while. I first got there year and 11 days ago. I was trained there and then I was taken up unto Baton Rouge until now. everything is happy. Oh yes THANK YOU ALL FOR THE 22 EMAILS!!! I was so happy I almost .....never mind. I think it's the first time I had to push the 'next' button to see all of them. Yeah! Keep it up!
Well it looks like I need to get off. This week was amazing! :-)
Thank you guys again
-Elder Colvin
(the loved)


ps. thankyou Roseanne and Trisha for the mail this week too!

....OH I KNOW NOW! the reason that NOBODY wrote me an email or letter this week is becuase they were so busy getting those things I asked for last week, that they had no time for it. whew...and here i thought that my family doesn't care about me. well I can't think of anything else to say.

-Elder Colvin :-( :-( :-(
(the lonely)



PS please write me somthing this week :-(



Could Ya'll please pray MIGHTILY that Hervin and Nicalosa will indeed be baptised this weekend. Satan is already trying to stop it becuase all of the sudden they have been getting financial problems and such.
Please X3!!!
Thank you
-Elder Colvin

Hey this little family of mine,
I saw recently a picture of Gabrielle on the blog thingy that Roseanne sends me. You looked the most different. Yes I am emailing today Por Que the Libraries were closed yesterday. Yo creo so soy aprendizaje esta idioma un poco mas. I can say a litlle more now. I'm almost forming somewhat normal sentances. I still have a huge way to go. Were still working with Herbin and Nicalosa. We hope to marry and baptize them both on the 7th of June! That is gonna be cool.
Right now we are working with this one family. The Son joined the church in Mexico. Recently he has come into drug addictions. His Parents wanted nothing to do with the church, but recently they called us up because they needed help for him badly. The Mom is a nice lady but Father is the most Prideful one (how it usually is). We told him that we will do our best to help his son, but it was going take his effort as well to support his son. He said he understood that. This might be the start of something amazing. Maybe this is what that family needs to be humbled and listen to us. That would be cool.
Roberto came to church again this week and recieved the Aaronic Priesthood in the office of Priest. I'm very happy about that. Oh yes, everyone, you know how you always say 'whatever you need just tell us'. Well here are somethings that I need: First everyone go out of your way to help and/or hug someone today. Second, heres some less important things: I need a Priesthood line of Authority sheet (I still havent got that yet), I need a good bicycle patch kit(Dad I know you probably know the best one to get. All Walmart has are some Cheepy green circlely self adheseive kind that dont work.), and lastly if I could get a Calender with EVERYBODY'S Birthdays on it that would be cool. Thank you very much.
I think I'll leave this scripture From Doctrine & Covenants Sec 111:34-end. I've been thinking a lot about it latley. It has much deep thought to be had. well I can't know what no more else left over to say. ughhhhhhhhhh Elder Baysinger there is a letter coming to attack you some time in the near future. Sister Colvin you too got a letter/tape/picture coming for you. I'm mailing it today. And thus my sinister influence will spread across the Globe! bwahahahaha! Well , PLease remember the Lord will exponentially give us back what we put into (we just gotta put it in ;-) ). I hope that made sence and God Be with you all till we meet again

Please Love,
Elder Colvin


cause I love you. :-)

May 19th 2008

HOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY! WE BAPTISED ROBERTO!
Yes, we had a most happy baptismal service on the 17th of May 2008th year of our Lord! I'm happy. Satan really tried hard to stop it this week too. First of all on Thursday morning we were called and told that Roberto was beaten up by two black guys that night who were lookin for money. They didn't get anything, but Roberto got beat in the head, cut up, and bruised. We saw him later that day and he was....ok. Through out the next days we was gettin better. We baptised him on Saturday and dropped him off at this house that night. Then 20min later when we were at home, we got a call saying that two black guys came to house again, and there was pistols involved and we really didn't know what was going till later on. Roberto and his friend were held up at gun point by the same two black guys while they robbed their house. They didn't take much but it mostly scared the bajeebaus out of Roberto. Thank goodness we were able to confirm him that Sunday. So, despite the opposition, we had a great baptism. I'm happy. We always take a picture with our investigators in front of a painting at the church before they get baptized. I recall saying this time as they took it, "Man I love that baptism blind spot!"(referring to the camera flash of course). Well hmmmmmm. We do have some other good news as well. Ervin and Nicalosa were comitted to getting married and be baptised all on the 31 of May. I'm Extatic! I've always wanted to bring a family into the church. Our Branch Pres. doesn't have a marriage licence yet so were trying to find someone else who can do it. It's work, but hey. Work is better than no work."salvation isn't cheap" -Jeffery R. Holland. We gotta do our part for the Lord to see that we really care. That's faith. "Not every man that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven , but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in heaven" . "but be ye doers of the word and not hearers only" . Two excellent Bible scriptures. Well. I really don't got much else to say. Roseanne I love the MomCow thing Zach drew. Hilarious! I printed off a copy of it. Love yall
Elder Colvin

hello family
well this is gonna be short, cause I talked to ya'll last night.
I love ya'll.I still haven't got that package yet but I'm sure
it'll come some time today.I was so happy on Sunday.We had THREE
People come to church!That is a new high for me. Then I talked
to ya'll that evening.  We are also planning to baptize Roberto
this Saturday! "Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot!!"
I'm totally excited for that! PLEASE PRAY THAT EVERYTHING WILL WORK
OUT FOR THIS BAPTISM! Thanks. The Lord always brings the blessings
after the trial of our faith (emphasis on always). What a wonderful
loving God we have. These are times never to be forgotten. Care a
good day! Love you guys.
-Elder (Meister) Colvin

There it is. Please write me letters bye. I was asked just now by a Jewish man that is sitting next to me whether I was "socially forced "to go on a mission. He got that from that PBS documentary. I said no, I came out on a mission becuase I know in my heart that this is true. and then he said something like,'well I just can't believe that Book of Mormon, becuase their is no archeolagic evdidence for it.' Well if he only knew the stuff that has been found that supports it but, like I said last week I think, The spirit converts, not stuff that has been dug out the ground. He didn't give me much time to talk but oh well . I pray that this guy next to me will find the gospel some day. Well this last week has been full of stuff. First we got moved into our new apartment on Wednesday. The previous Elders That lived there wern't very hygenic and we had to take a little while to clean up our room. We live with two other Elders again. Elder Faucett and Elder Owens (he came out to the mission the same time as me). We found a famliy that night and they are cool. Thursday, I can't remeber much. Friday we had a meeting with one of members of the spanish branch Presidency.We had the meeting over at the LSU institute. That was my first time to LSU. I've always wanted to go see the place that all of Louisiana raves about on their cars and T-shirts and everything else you can think of. It was.....it really wasn't all that great. It was just a college....I dunno maybe I didn't see something or...something. It didn't really do anything for me. That night we had an exchange with the Elders that replaced us in the Spanish South area. I walked into my old aprtment and It felt like I lived their still.Saturday, can't remember much but we comitted this man to come to church and he said he wuld. Sunday, He came and paricipated a lot in Elders quorum class, that was cool. we found out that day that Josefina (in my previous area) was comitted to baptism for this Saturday! I'm so glad to be a missionary. I seriously don't want to come home. I love it. I can't believe that a year has gone by already. It feels like yesterday I was hugging Bonnie at the MTC while people were looking at us weird. Oh yeah I've been meaing to tell Ammon and Tamzon. I have seen both of your cosmic twins out here. There is one Elder out here named Elder Galbraith. He remindes me so much of Ammon it's scary. He looks a little like him too and gots glasses and everythang. It's cazy but not as crazy as Tamzon's. I was at this fresh food market getting 'taco supplies' when at the cashier, as I was walking past, I saw Tamzon. I had to do a triple take not double on her. I seriously thought it was Tamzon Baysinger. I was like 'what in the world is she doing here?' I had to give a really hard stare at this girl until I realized it wasn't her. but woah it was too close of a resemblance. This girl could have been a member of the Baysinger family and I wouldn't have suspected a thing. anyway, oh yes can some one get me a spanish set of scriptures. The church doesn't have copyrights for spanish Bibles so you'll have to get that at a book store. THANK-YOU. I'm currently borrowing Elder Orellana's spare set, but I won't be his companion forever. thank you again. I'll be sending a package today. It has some cool stuff in it for mom and dad and everyone else. Well I better be rapping up this little email so I can go do something today.(oh, the Jewish dude just got up and left). Bye everyone in AZ, RUSSIA, and AL!Love-Elder 'Miester' Colvinpeace out y hasta luego!!!

I almost deleted everyone in my address book. whoo. WellHello my everyone,I got transfers calls last night. I'm moving over to Spanish Baton Rouge West. So I'll be getting a new address soon. If you really want to send something then send it to the office and you know. Well how was this week. It was Cool! We had an amazing Zone conference. It was Our President's 2nd to last one. For a little treat to us he gave a 2 hour talk on all the evidences that have been coming up to validate the Book of Mormon. He made it clear at the begining that this was only for us and not to use to debate with people. All the evdience in the world does not convert a person. It's the Holy Sprirt that comes and touches their soul in way that they cannot refute what they've felt. Their is A TON of evidences that support it, but only The Holy Ghost can give a real definate knowledge. Ooh it was cool. anyways, We commited a girl named Josefina to baptism. She and her friend (and exfellow employee)Carmen, came to chruch this sunday. It was cool. I'm sad that I'm leaving, but life moves on and my investgators will have to understand that it's not us that matters. It's the witnesss they receive that this church is the Lord's restored church (Ephesians 3:19-21, Ephesiens 4:11,2Thessalonians 2 :1-3, Acts 3:20-21). I love those Scriptures. Read em in that order, you'll get a kick out of it. Well I gotta go. Do your best and the Lord will make up the rest. Bye. Elder ColvinPs. Yes, CONGRADULATIONS on the baptism Elder Baysinger!

HelLo My Family. This week has been cool. Alejandro was committted to bapstism last night (his nick name is 'Chicles' meaning 'Gum' in english).He came to church and he liked it. That night we went over to his apartment. We (meaning Elder Orellana) said to him that this is your decision and you need to ask God on weather it's true or not, but you need to ask sincerely. I think that is the diference on praying."....but let him ask in FAITH, nothing wavering"-James 1:5-6. You have to truly want to know weather it's true. I think too often people go and pray with the mindset of "I know this is the right way and you're gonna tell me the same, OK God!?" That is pride, Putting your will before God's. and Pride is the root of All Evil. When we ask someone to pray, we ask that they pray in a manner that the Holy spirit can come and touch them. First, you need to do the thing, 'experiment upon the word'. You gotta do your part so that God will see that your serious about searching for knowledge (James 2). Secondly, you need to go and pray in a humble manner as this "Heavenly Father I have been searching for thy truth and I really want understand your will for me. Father will you please let me know weather_____is true or not". now you obviously don't have to use those exact words, and to say such a thing takes faith but that is the way you can know about any point of doctrine of this church. Search, Ponder, and Pray. I need to get going. Sorry it's kinda short. I love you guys so much, keep the faith.-Elder Colvin-You know, if I could get some stamps, I'd be greatful. but if not I'll live. :-) thankyou.

Hello Erebody.What have ya'll been up to?I've been doing great. Carmen, one of our investigators came to church Yesterday. I'm so happy. We hope to baptize her whole family. That would be so cool. What a great blessing to know that we can be with our families forever and not just "till death do you part". For me it's 'the Temple or Bust'. You know Jehovahs witnesses are very convincing. I'm not goin' weird on ya but If I wasn't LDS I'd probably be one of them. They got a lot of truths we got and are very persuasive, but the problem is that they don't got the spirit. I mean that when I listen to them I just don't feel like the scriptures say you are supposed to feel when you recive truth. Galatians 5: 22, the scrip were Jesus says to his diciples 'I shall the Holy spirit in my name and he teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance' , Acts 2:37-38, and many more. (shrugging shoulders) That was kindof random, huh? Anyway ....Bass Pro Shop was cool last week. It was fun but a few things I wasn't allowed to touch so oh well (wink to my Father). It was cool though. They had this Giant Aquariam full of Giant Fish. One area of the store there's a little lake thing. There were alive ducks there. The craziest thing of all was this Huge Aligator Turtle. The thing was the Size of Zachary! It was so still that I almost past by it. the only thing keeping it in was this two foot high rope wall thing. It looked like It could easily chomp through it.....or jump over it. I did one of those double takes with my head when I saw it. I was like 'is this safe to have in a store...let alone two feet away from me'? So we're getting a new Mission President soon. That Stinks. I'm gonna miss Pres. Patterson. The new Mission Pres. Is President Woods From Mesa Arizona. Cool huh? his Mom's maiden name is Shumway. If anyone knows him or about him....first of all that would be weird, secondly let me know. Look at me I'm just been writing up a strom here latley (yes, a strom). I used to write like half a page of stuff, but now I'm writing more than my sister sometimes. Well I sent out a bunch of letters last week. Hope Erebody got em. Sister C and Elder B, I'll be sending letters your way this week. hmmmm it's about time sent one to Goober....yes maybe I'll do that too. We'll see. I don't know If siad this last week, but all you need to make something Mexican is to put in these three ingredients: Onion,Tamatoes, and Some sort of Pepper(s). That's it. I eat one or all of those three things everyday. I'm finally 100% over that illness I had. I was at 99.9% but now this weird little pain I've had in my gut has finally gone away. Maybe it's from all the healthy mexican I've been eating latley. The Lord works in mysteriuos ways :-)...sometimes humuores, but that 's another story. Well, It looks like It's the end of the show. I gotta go and purchase sustanence at the Mart of Wal. Bye! Keep going Strong.-Elder Colvin

Well well well,Thank you so much all you peeps that sent me letters. I love them. Dare I say, more than e-mails?! Anyway I am doing great! Conference was AMAZING this time. I Think it was my favorite. Who knew that Thomas S. Monson had such a sence of humor. I was laughing pretty hard at his joke at the Preisthood session. But in all seriousness It was a power packed conference filled with the spirit. I loved Jeffrey R. Hollands talk about the Bible and Book of Mormon. I didn't know you could make a series on your talks. I figured Elder Wirthlin would be sitting this time. I like that man. If you have ever seen a picture of him even 20 years ago he looks completly different than now. I went to the Spanish room for the Sunday morning session...and I'll be needing to read it in the Ensign. I didn't catch a thing. Oh well :-). I am learning pretty quick now. I've been making a special effort to talk and think in spanish. I thought That would help and it has. I'm Starting to understand what is happening in coversations and stuff. The other day Elder Orellana was talking to our branch President (president Uerta from Bolivia). I understood it all!! It was cool. I'm still pretty far from carrying on a coherant talk myself, but it's coming along. I understand a lot more than I can Speak. It's kind of funny. I'm just lovin' what my Mexican companion can make. His Tacos are the best I've ever had. Yes, they do eat a lot of tacos in Mexico. I think last week I had a taco everyday from somebody. On elder Orellana's clipper set is a funny sticker that says,"Folded food just tastes better." I laugh....because it is true :-). It's cool being a spanish Missionary. The people here have given me the nickname 'Chido Gringo' which means 'Cool White Guy'. Sadly none of our investigators were able to make it to General Conference, but hey that's missionary life. It's 95% dissapointments and 5% Successful Joy, but that 5% makes up the Difference ever so much. I finally made that Red Velvet cake that was for my birthday. I only had a bread pan to put the mix in...Well the inside was cake. The rest was like a Red Bread. hehehe. I think that was the first time I made a cake on my mission....and a cake without Mom's help :-). Yup, life is going great for the Elder Meister. HMMMM what else...Thank you Ammon for your words of advice in your email I recived last week. Now I know first hand what you were going through at the MTC. hehe Sister C. has 7 mos left. Anyway I am gonna have to end this transmission soon. If I want Clean clothes this week and to go to Bass Pro Shop today I'll need to rap things up. errrrrrr Que mas? I have rediscovered Lucas again (yeah Bonnie!) I see it all the time When I go to Mexican stores. If Yall ever want to send something,...spanish to me I only want two things: A sombrero, and Rellerindos (a Mex. candy that's made by 'Vero'). Well, Thank you all so much again for all that you do. I Love You!-Elder Colvin

Hey hey hey,Welcome to another exciting episode of Elder Colvins life:-Elder Colvin,"Lo siento, pero yo soy aprendiendo hablar espan'ol y hablar muy pequito ahora"-Jorge,"oh, ok "Ask your local spanish speaker what that means, it's more like spanglish though.this episode was brought to you by Ole' Mexican foodanyway, Yes I pretty much say that everyday. The people always look a little awkward at me because I don't say much. I have to say that I am learning to speak spanish so they don't think I'm a crazy mute Gringo. It's fun. Last night We comitted Josefina to be baptized on the 19th of April. She is a Nice 20 year old girl. Please pray for her that she'll take that leap of faith and do it. I wish I explain more about the people we are teaching, but I don't know what is being said. I catch half of the words, half of the time :-). It's coming a long though. One time we were teaching this Lady about the Restorarion, that is, I thought that is what Elder Orellana was talking about. I felt impressed to share the scripture Acts 3:20-21. It talks about how Jesus will come after the "restitution of all things". If you will look up the word "Restitution" in the dictionary you'll see that it means to repay for something that was taken. AKA Restoring what was LOST. Anyway I read it to her in my poor spanish, and she stood back in amazement, then she wanted to read it herself. She was shocked. Her family comprizes of catholic, a baptist minister, and Jehovahs witness. She wants us to come back and teach her more. This work is awsome. I'll be asking today if my MTC spanish books are coming and I'll ask if I can get y'all to send my "Como Se Dice" book out to me. I love each and every one you guys so much.ByeLove Elder Colvin

It has been one crazy week. It is like I'm being trained into a new mission. I've been trying my best to learn the language as fast as I can. I've had a weeklong headache. Elder Orellana is a funnny comaniero. He doesen't like american candy. He says it is too sweet. He comes from a pretty well to do home. His mother went on a mission as well. Today we went with a member to a lawyer (to translate, meaning Elder Orellana did all the work :-) ). The Lawyer was LDS too. The member needed to get something notarized. Anyway we found out that he was the lawyer for "Snoop dog" and "Master-P". I thought thast was weird. He (the lawyer guy) said that they cause a lot of trouble but anyway....yeah. The spanish people are very nice. Even if they are not interested they will most likley let you in. They will always offer food as well. If you don't want it, the only excuse you can use that won't offend them is,"estoy enfermo" meaning I'm Sick. With their culture the slogan is "there is always room for more", but hey I'm not complaining. It is GOOOOOD food. Hey guess what? MICHELE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! I'm so happy, even if I wasn't there to see it. The baptism was this last Saturday and transfers were Wednesday. Thank you all for your prayers on her behalf. I got to see her one last ime Tuesday night. She has come so far in her progress. I think it was fitting that we both were leaving the next day so that she could see Faith in action. She asked me, how do you feel that you are going to speak spanish?. I said,"well, I know that whatever the Lord calls me to do I will be able to do it. I just have to have faith that God knows what he is doing." We asked her give the closing prayer that night. All fears I had about her were gone as she gave a beautiful prayer about how she needed to have faith and be baptized. Elder Petersen and Ewell said it was a great baptisimal service and She was very happy the whole time. My joy is full. Thank you all right now in advance for the packages that you said are coming my way. I'm just glad I'll be able to eat whatever is in them now. I lost 20lbs after all was said and done.196-176. Oh well. Trisha, yes I think I'm getting the MTC books today for the spanish. I live like 5miles from both the Mission office and Mission home. My area actually covers my previous area and a lot more but now I'm on the spanish side of life. There are two main ares of spanish service: New Orleans and Baton Rouge. I'm in the area called South Baton Rouge. COOLLLLLL :-). It was funny that on transfer day, I just moved my stuff from one room to antother in the apartment. Benjamin, quit getting sick:-). I hope you get to feeling better. You too Gabrielle. I'm Praying for you both. Well I got to go now so, Tengan un buen dia! (have a good day)-Elder Colvin

I guess erebody is doing something right now. Well isn't that just crazy?! Who would have thought that was going to happen?....besides Sister Colvin.;-) I'm going to be with Elder Orellana (the mexican that has been with us). It's kindof weird that I will be covering pretty much the same area but this time I'll be a spaniard. Es Loco. Yo neccecito apprendar espanol rapido. whew. Well The Lord is putting some major trust in me right now.PLEASE pray the language will come quickly. I want to learn it as fast as I can. This transfer has been crazy. first I was sick for a long time, now I'm a missionaro. That will be so wierd to put on a spanish name tag. Michelle Bloom is scheduled to be baptised this week-end so please pray that she will have faith and do it. We lost contact with Chris completly starting Friday so we didn't baptze him on Saturday. oh well. There is always this week. I'm glad that I was able to serve in Prarieville for the short time I did. The ward there is pretty much the only one that reminds me of back west. Now I will be in braches for the remaing time....Actually I heard there is one spanish ward out here somewere. I'll have mucho to write next prabaly so I will have to talk to y'all later. I dont know yet but I think that I might be able to get my spanish books from home to use but I'll have to check. Ok I love you alltodos los diashasta lellegobyeElder Colvinun Missionaro por el inglesia de Jesu Cristo de los santos de los ultimos dias.I think that's how you'd say it :-)

Jacob's BIG Transfer News!

So I got the transfer calls last night. President Patterson was happy and excited sounding when he told me were I was going. The good news is this. I am living in the same apartment. The crawzy, overwhelimng, awesome, how in the heck, oh my lanta news is this ................................................................................I'M GOING TO SPEAK SPANISHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Woah Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!I will write more in two minutes so please any one that is near a computer. Say something to me!AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!EC