June 23, 2016

Hey so now finally i have an official companion:) His name is Elder Young (Chilean) haha its been a really fun but pretty stressful two weeks, but now that there is the possibility to share a bit of the weight its pretty nice:) Elder Young is awesome, really though...he only has a year in the mission and is wow...incredible! The lord really has prepared him for what he is going to do here in the mission:) He is from Viña del Mar and is 25 years old, only child. Super sweet!! Finally a chilean companion:))

So a 50 mile bike ride?! thats insane!! but sounds like it was a killer experience:) I would have loved to participate in that, maybe post mission i can get scott to go do it with me:) Powell....wow how much do i miss powell trips ahah THere is nothing like a good old trip to really escape from the world than going to powell or to the sabatical:) Thats sweet that Barb and Bill were able to go! interesting, but sweet:)

KYLE IS MARRIED?! WOW!!! things are just going insane!! and HAILEY PENNOCK????? She is like 18 years old?!?!?! SOOOOO YOUNG!!!!! But as long as its in temple all is well:) haha 

When is it that the home comings start happening in the ward from those in my grade?? its gotta be happening soon haah one of my buddies ya got home this week!! Nuts!! (Thank goodness that i extended:)) haha 

I love your miracle!! That is awesome!!! the lord truly is aware of us in all moments even in the things that seem so irrelevant, he really strives and looks for opportunities to bless us more fully:) Thats awesome:) And tell kinsie happy birthday for me and give her a BIIIIGGGG hug:) i will write her a handwritten letter and send it this week:)

So as for me, it is transfer week so This week in the training with all the new missionaries i was just reminded how important it is to be an example in all moments. I was sitting down in with one of the groups on tuesday and as i was just testifying to them and helping them see their divine potential there was just a silence for a few moments...and i asked them how it is they were feeling and they looked at me and said "we want to be missionaries like you" and i just paused.....and told them that they should become better missionaries than i am and i showed them a little bit of how it is they could accomplish that. But that experience really got to me and i really felt the surety that the lord has called me to this mission for a reason and these new missionaries have been sent here at this time so that i could help them with those attributes that i have aquired. I am so thankful for the examples that i have had in my mission that have helped me become who i am, so that i can now be an example others. I thank the lord daily for his confidence and for the love that he gives me towards those who i am helping. 

This gospel is incredible, i am so grateful for the changes that the lord has helped me make in my nature. As i am coming to a close to my mission i want to take advantage of each moment to be moldable to change and really achieve that which the lord would have me do:)

The mission is incredible:)

Love you!!!:)

Elder Collins