Colton sent home these pics.... We hope you enjoy them as much as we are.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Mi Familia Letter and 244 Pictures... WOW
Familia!
One of the many successes we've had this week is that Luis has accepted our invitation to be baptized. We have talked to him about the importance of the Word of Wisdom and how important it is to keep and is prohibiting him from feeling the Spirit. We have also talked to him about the plan of salvation.
Mom and Dad I just miss being able to talk to you and share all my day to day experiences thats probably what I miss the most, and being able to hug you guys and tell you how much I love you though my actions. I really do love you guys and couldn't do this without your loving support.
Read Alma chapter 17 and 18 as a family. I read it today for personal study and in my opinion he is one awesome missionary.
love you guys,
Enjoy the Pics
Elder Colton Gust
One of the many successes we've had this week is that Luis has accepted our invitation to be baptized. We have talked to him about the importance of the Word of Wisdom and how important it is to keep and is prohibiting him from feeling the Spirit. We have also talked to him about the plan of salvation.
Mom and Dad I just miss being able to talk to you and share all my day to day experiences thats probably what I miss the most, and being able to hug you guys and tell you how much I love you though my actions. I really do love you guys and couldn't do this without your loving support.
Read Alma chapter 17 and 18 as a family. I read it today for personal study and in my opinion he is one awesome missionary.
love you guys,
Enjoy the Pics
Elder Colton Gust
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
My Little Princess
Lexi,
How are you Princess? I miss you so much lil sis. Mom said that you're staying busy with Dance camp. Please help her put together a photo album for me! pretty please.... I have your pictures hanging in my room that you drew. You're getting so good at drawing. I have sent you a picture that I drew for you.
I love you Lexi.
love,
Colton
One envelope.... FOUR LETTERS!!!
Man, I have him trained. Well..... at least for the time being. Okay, so I went to the mailbox today, and there it was an envelope. But it wasn't just any envelope. It was sent from Elder Colton Gust, and it was thick. I walked home from the mailbox squeezing it and trying to figure out what he would have to say that would take that many pages. So, I opened it... there was a letter to Pops (Dave), and one to Bay, one for Lexi and one for Mi Madre. How exciting 4 for the price of one. Yippie.
So we all sat down to read our individual letters. Then we decided that we wanted to share them with each other. One at a time we went around the room and read our letters to each other. Dulce (Sweet).... so here it is a tid bit from each letter.
Mi Padre,
Thank you for all the updates, I love hearing about your trips. I loved the scriptures that you gave me about humility. I shared one with my branch presidency in my weekly letter to them.
Our companionship is goin' good. We're still having trouble teaching in unison, with the spirit, with excitement and passion, and most importantly letting the spirit convert our message. We've had some really solid lessons and we've had some flops. We pray for our investigators and our ability to use the spirit to convey our message.
We'll get it, I know we will. I feel I am already a better teacher just because I know how to invite the spirit into our lessons.
Sure love you,
Colton
Dear Bay,
How are you feeling about your surgery? You are in my prayers, and I know that you are gonna have a fast recovery. How is the haircut coming? I know that you love that mullet. ha ha I sure love you bro. Study hard in spanish so we can speak it without no one knowing what we are saying.
love ya,
Colton
Hola! Mi Madre!,
I love getting your letters and I love hearing how your doin'. I'm greateful for everything you've taught me. It's been awesome doing laundry and doing everything on my own because you taught me so well. I've had to teach Elder Wardle how to do his laundry, but he has helped me learn patience and a true love for the gospel. Gym is one of my favorite times of the day. We are playing 4 square, jogging, and basketball. I've had a blast just clearing my mind and getting my blood pumping. I feel way out of shape cardio wise, but I am trying to strengthen my heart and get more endurance. I played 3 on 3 basketball for about an hour and thought I was gonna die. ha ha.
Love you Madre!
With all my heart.
Colton
So we all sat down to read our individual letters. Then we decided that we wanted to share them with each other. One at a time we went around the room and read our letters to each other. Dulce (Sweet).... so here it is a tid bit from each letter.
Mi Padre,
Thank you for all the updates, I love hearing about your trips. I loved the scriptures that you gave me about humility. I shared one with my branch presidency in my weekly letter to them.
Our companionship is goin' good. We're still having trouble teaching in unison, with the spirit, with excitement and passion, and most importantly letting the spirit convert our message. We've had some really solid lessons and we've had some flops. We pray for our investigators and our ability to use the spirit to convey our message.
We'll get it, I know we will. I feel I am already a better teacher just because I know how to invite the spirit into our lessons.
Sure love you,
Colton
Dear Bay,
How are you feeling about your surgery? You are in my prayers, and I know that you are gonna have a fast recovery. How is the haircut coming? I know that you love that mullet. ha ha I sure love you bro. Study hard in spanish so we can speak it without no one knowing what we are saying.
love ya,
Colton
Hola! Mi Madre!,
I love getting your letters and I love hearing how your doin'. I'm greateful for everything you've taught me. It's been awesome doing laundry and doing everything on my own because you taught me so well. I've had to teach Elder Wardle how to do his laundry, but he has helped me learn patience and a true love for the gospel. Gym is one of my favorite times of the day. We are playing 4 square, jogging, and basketball. I've had a blast just clearing my mind and getting my blood pumping. I feel way out of shape cardio wise, but I am trying to strengthen my heart and get more endurance. I played 3 on 3 basketball for about an hour and thought I was gonna die. ha ha.
Love you Madre!
With all my heart.
Colton
Friday, July 15, 2011
Las letras
The Letters have been amazing. We have received two hand written letters and one email for the first week. I would like to think that this will continue for the next two years, but I would be kidding myself. We are enjoying the letters, and would like to share some of them with you all.
Dear family :),
Thank you for being so strong to let me go and experience this adventure. I hope you all know how much I love and care about you even if I show it in a different way. I know this is without a doubt the right thing to do. The MTC is the most organized place I've ever been in and the joy I feel here is beyond explaination. (What??? you can't say that about our house? ahaha) I just had to add my two cents. :)
My companion, Elder Wordle is a really quite but kind hearted companion from Boise Idaho, Cool HUH? Please pray for me and I will pray for you. Thank you for being such an amazing family.
I love you all very much and would be lost without you.
Love,
Elder Gust
PS. Stay tuned fo the next episode
July 11, 2011
Hola! Hola! Mi familia,
I've been getting your letters and have really enjoyed them. Tell Bailey to email me cuz he never gave me his address before I left. How's my lil sis? Probably so big I wouldn't even recognize her! I look at the pictures she drew me quiet often! I really wish I could write and tell you all my experiences but there is just too many to count. But, I am keeping a really good record in my journal and taking lots of pics. Mom and Dad, I love you guys so much and I am grateful to be your son! My district is so awesome we all get along way good and maybe have a little too much fun. The pics will tell you all the stories.
I pray for you guys everyday, as you guys are always in my heart. We learned how to contact today, I feel like I'm getting the hang of it.
Love,
Elder Gust
PS. I love you guys, time for bed. Bueno Noche!
Dear family :),
Thank you for being so strong to let me go and experience this adventure. I hope you all know how much I love and care about you even if I show it in a different way. I know this is without a doubt the right thing to do. The MTC is the most organized place I've ever been in and the joy I feel here is beyond explaination. (What??? you can't say that about our house? ahaha) I just had to add my two cents. :)
My companion, Elder Wordle is a really quite but kind hearted companion from Boise Idaho, Cool HUH? Please pray for me and I will pray for you. Thank you for being such an amazing family.
I love you all very much and would be lost without you.
Love,
Elder Gust
PS. Stay tuned fo the next episode
July 11, 2011
Hola! Hola! Mi familia,
I've been getting your letters and have really enjoyed them. Tell Bailey to email me cuz he never gave me his address before I left. How's my lil sis? Probably so big I wouldn't even recognize her! I look at the pictures she drew me quiet often! I really wish I could write and tell you all my experiences but there is just too many to count. But, I am keeping a really good record in my journal and taking lots of pics. Mom and Dad, I love you guys so much and I am grateful to be your son! My district is so awesome we all get along way good and maybe have a little too much fun. The pics will tell you all the stories.
I pray for you guys everyday, as you guys are always in my heart. We learned how to contact today, I feel like I'm getting the hang of it.
Love,
Elder Gust
PS. I love you guys, time for bed. Bueno Noche!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Hasta luego- Until Then
Saying, "We'll see ya soon" wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. We pulled up to the grassy field just across the street from the MTC. As we climbed out of the car, we looked around and realized that we were surrounded by several groups of missionaries in their gym clothes. They were playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, 4 square, and some were even running laps around the block. As I looked over to see Colton's expression, I realized that he was just taking it all in. It almost seemed like a dream. A very happy, joyful dream. He was a little worried that he would only have gym class once a week. Which I thought was so interesting, because he surely didn't care about fitness for the past several years. ha ha. Seeing Colton grinning from ear to ear and feeling his excitement made it easier. I've never seen him so happy in all my life. When he got out of the car and we said our goodbyes, we handed him over to two missionaries who were already walking away with him. They were asking him questions like, "Do you have any keys or a cell phone?", and "Do you have your immunization card?" We knew he was in good hands and have faith that he will be ok. "God Be With You Till We Meet Again".
A change came about in our car on the way home. Shocking to those who know our kids. Bailey and Lexi actually were acting like they loved each other, no fighting and no telling on each other. Picture in your mind if you will the love or should I say miracle in the back seat of the car. :) AWE... Peaceful.....
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Packing and Weighing In
Colton,
In less than 24 hours you will be ready to spend your first night as a full time missionary and be edified by the spirit of our Heavenly Father. Yes, I am sitting in the kitchen watching you weigh your luggage and yourself. Your starting weight is 172.6 lbs. Your bags are hugh, but your Mother has helped you figure out how to utilize your space better. The Bishop and Judilynn stopped by to say Goodbye. We just talked to Uncle Kevin and Uncle Greg. They are so proud of you and the example you are to their families. Thank you for being such a strength in my life.
love Dad.
In less than 24 hours you will be ready to spend your first night as a full time missionary and be edified by the spirit of our Heavenly Father. Yes, I am sitting in the kitchen watching you weigh your luggage and yourself. Your starting weight is 172.6 lbs. Your bags are hugh, but your Mother has helped you figure out how to utilize your space better. The Bishop and Judilynn stopped by to say Goodbye. We just talked to Uncle Kevin and Uncle Greg. They are so proud of you and the example you are to their families. Thank you for being such a strength in my life.
love Dad.
Getting set apart as an Elder
Colton was set apart at the Diamond Valley Stake Center by President Steven Bennett on July 5, 2011. It was an amazing experience and immedately after I could see a change in Colton. He was calm and peaceful, cheerful and loving. I'm not saying that he wasn't these things before, but I could feel a difference in him. I knew that he was filled with the spirit and was given the keys and tools to truely become a successful Elder.
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