Elder Joseph B. Worthlin

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, died December 1, 2008

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin died last night. He was 91. His conference talk from this past October Conference was one of my favorites, "Come What May, And Love it." Even if you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints you will enjoy this talk. He gives some great advice, good laughs and insights how to handle life when it doesn't go like we've planned.

He will be missed!

Thanksgiving is Over and now...

Dear Mom,
It's December!!! It sure came up quick. I was thinking back to when I was in the MTC and it felt like Christmas would be forever away. Now it is almost here.
The rolls turned out great! I didn't know that they had Rhodes Rolls here, but they did at Wal-Mart. I showed Sister Kinney how to make them and they were a hit. They said that they would want to make them every year now as a tradition. I did get your cookbook and thanks so much for it. I have been craving your cookies. I think I might convince a member to let me use their kitchen and bake them.
You asked me one thing that I learned this past week. Well one thing I learned is that I'm not the only one that goes a little crazy when things don't always go the way that you'd like them to. We had an exchange with the Zone leaders. I was with Elder Taysom, who is from Idaho. We talked a lot about how we both get a little stressed out when people cancel for appointments. As well as when we don't get to do what we planned to. We just have to realize that it happens and to move on. It was good to know that even he as a Zone leader can feel the same way that I do. That it happens to everyone and not just me. It reassured me that I'm ok and that I am doing the best that I can right now. That is all that the Lord asks of me.
I got a few letters this week from: The Church's, The Hobush's and Aubrey Ashdown. Aubrey told me that she really enjoys your lessons in Relief Society and thinks that you are an amazing teacher. She looks forward to when you teach. And she really appreciated it when Christian went over to give her the sacrament. She thought he was so polite:) All of us Coltons are. It was nice to hear from all of them and to know that they are doing well.
Elder Severson leaves this week and he is really excited about it. I honestly don't think that we will get a lot of missionary work done this week. He will be packing and saying goodbye to a lot of people in the ward. Sometimes I get worried with changes. I know that the Lord is watching over me and that it'll be ok. There is a the possibility that I will be made a senior companion,ahh!! I find out all of that stuff tomorrow.
I love you and I'll write again next week,
Elder Colton

My Favorite Parmesan Crusted Rolls(aka Magelby's Rolls)
Texas size rolls (1 bag Frozen Rhode's bake and serve)
1 c. Parmesan cheese
1/4 . parsley flakes
1/2 C. melted butter
pinch of garlic powder
Directions:
Mix Parmesan cheese,garlic and parsley. When bread has thawed about 1 hour, dip rolls in melted butter and roll in cheese mixture. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Let rise again. Bake 20 minutes at 350 or until lightly browned.

Ten Blessings I Am Thankful for This Thanksgiving

My Thankful 10

1. My Family
2. The Savior
3. The Book of Mormon
4. The Priesthood
5. Other Members of the church (ward members out here are sweet!)
6. Temples
7. Joseph Smith
8. The Prophet
9. Food to Eat
10. Clothes to Wear

Each year my family has a tradition at Thanksgiving Dinner to go around the table five times and every person names off blessings that they are thankful for. My mom asked me if she could post what I am thankful for this year, so here they are. As this year comes to a close, its been full of so many blessings and opportunities for me. I realize even more now how my Heavenly Father loves me, He has given me so much. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy!!

November comes and November goes,
With the last red berries and the first white snows.
With night coming early, and dawn coming late
And ice in the bucket and frost by the gate.
The fires burn and the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest until next spring.
- Clyde Watson


Hey mom!
This past Sunday was Stake Conference in Greensboro. We went with the Dawsons. President and Sister Hobbs spoke and it was really good. The theme of the conference was Strengthening Family. They both spoke about preaching the Gospel to your friends and family so that they can have that blessing of a Stronger Family and being able to be with their family forever. We helped clean up afterwords by putting up chairs and then we went home. We did a lot of service this week. We went and helped Bro. Wagoner with his house. He is moving into the house he has been renting. We helped him paint a few rooms. I got a bunch of paint on myself just for fun! We will be going over again later this week to help him out again.
Like I've said before I always love Service :)
Gas here is at 1.85 and is still going down. I hope it goes down and stays down. It is hard when you see people that are struggling to make ends meet
That is all for this week. I'll be sure to let you know how everything else with our investigators. We probably will be doing more service this week by helping some people get ready for the holiday season :) Lots of Christmas lights to be put up. I hope you have an awesome week :) I love you

Elder Colton

Dear Family,

Yes I was glad that Veteran's Day is tomorrow so we could come and email. Tomorrow the kids have school off and we are going to have two priests from our ward come with us. They are really cool guys and are way excited to come out and do missionary work. We are going to go take them tracting with us and let them see what its like. I wish that I had the opportunity to do that before I left. But its different in Utah since there are so many members there and the missionaries have to cover a lot more ground.
Its starting to get a lot colder now. It was up in the 70s or something like that last week and this morning it was about 40. Since its all humid and stuff, it makes it feel a lot colder. Makes me miss the Utah cold.
I'm glad to hear that Papa is coming home. I have been praying for him and glad that you got the letter so you can give it to him. Wow, that is awesome that they found out what the problem was and that the kidney is waking up.
There are so many leaves falling here its just crazy. I'll have to remember to bring my camera with me when we go out this week. Then I can show you all of the amazing trees. It looks so beautiful with the many different fall colors. I wish that they would just stay and not fall to the ground. I'm not the biggest winter fan.
Yeah we heard about Obama the next day. Sister Dawson stayed up that night and called to let us know. We also heard about the protesters.
I like that quote that you sent. It is positive and brings a lot of comfort. Robert D. Hales always has had a great way with words. Its nice to know that as we do what the Lord asks us, we will be protected and have nothing to worry about.
No really big things but we continue to press forward and work hard. 3 weeks and Elder Severson goes home...then we will see if I'm going to be doing anything new. Severson and a Sister in the ward think that I'll be training this next transfer, time will tell on that one! We need to get going and go shopping :) Love ya!

Elder Colton

Words of Comfort

The Gospel of Jesus Christ



"As we look into the eyes of our children and grandchildren, we see
the doubt and fear of our times. Wherever these precious ones go in
the world, they hear about unemployment, poverty, war, immorality,
and crime. They wonder, "How can we cope with these problems?"

To find answers, they look back into our eyes and listen to our
words. Do they hear us speaking faithfully and hopefully, despite the
tribulations of our times?

They need to see us continuing to pray and study the scriptures
together, to hold family home evening and family councils, to serve
faithfully in our Church callings, to attend the temple regularly,
and to be obedient to our covenants. When they see our steadfastness
in keeping the commandments, their fears will subside and their
confidence in the Lord will increase.

By showing our faith through tribulation, we assure them that the
fury of the adversary is not fatal. Jesus prayed to His Father on our
behalf: "Not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that
thou shouldest keep them from the evil." That prayer will be answered
in Heavenly Father's time and season, according to our faith."
Elder Robert E. Hales

It's November!

It was really warm here, yesterday it was up in the 70's and I thought it was so strange for November. We haven't really had much rain or anything lately, but from what it looks like outside we might be getting a little bit of rain soon.

The work is still going forward here. Our investigator pushed back his baptismal date because he didn't feel that he was ready. He still wants us to come and teach him. He took us out to Breakfast on Saturday. We also helped move a family in the ward out of a house that wasn't suitable for living. They are a really cool family and it felt really good to get them out of there. They have 6 kids and the oldest is 9 or 10. She had a lot of fun helping us load up the truck. I bore my testimony in sacrament this past week. It helped me feel good about being here on a mission. I talked about how its rough and that it isn't always easy. And then there are those tender moments that come when you feel the spirit and you say to yourself "this is the reason that I am out here." I also thanked the ward for helping me to feel welcome and to feel loved. Nothing else interesting has happened. Transfers were the biggest event and it was good to know that Elder Severson is staying. Well I have to get going, talk to you later :) I love you,thanks for everything!

Elder Colton