TWO Baptisms and.....I have a son!

Elder Coletti's letter 08/29/2016

What an eventful week!  I love all of the changes that happen in the mission.  It truly does test you, and forces you to change, just like the Atonement;)

Me and "my son" Elder Moss (he's a BOSS!)

To start off, I have a new companion!  On Tue. the A.P.'s called and told me that I was going to be a trainer.  I'm sitting here with "my son" right now! His name is Elder Moss and he is a BOSS!;) He is 6'6 just like Elder Anderton! He has been in Taiwan for half a week. He is from Tucson, AZ and his birthday is April 1997.  I am only17 days older than he is.  He went to BYU for a year before serving his mission. He's a vey intelligent individual and picking up the language like a champ!  Love the kid!  I will be with him for the next 3 months in DanFeng.

This week we had two baptisms!  The first one was a Zhang Geng Ming (張耿鳴).  He was found by the other Elders in the District and taught by them.  He then moved into our area.  We finished the lessons with him and he was baptized!  Super cool.

The second one was Yi Guang Xiang (衣廣祥).  He is our Bishop's wife's father.  He is from China and is 80 years old!  He really wanted to be baptized for awhile but he lived in China which is off limits to missionaries.

These two Recent Converts are incredible!  Super strong testimonies and desires to follow Christ.

A little bit of a sad story.  We had another investigator preparing for baptism.  Her name is Wendy.  She was absolutely golden.  No problems and totally willing to obey every commandment.  She mentioned several times that she wanted to get baptized in this church because she knew we had the priesthood authority.  She was supposed to get baptized this last Saturday as well.  But the day of the baptismal service, she didn't show up.  We called her about 50 times but she didn't answer.  Later that day, we visited her.  She wouldn't let us into the house but talked to us over the microphone.  Her husband and his family are all in a different Christian church but they have now all passed away.  The night before her baptism, she had a dream in which her husband was in it, and he led her to a place that had all of her ancestors in there, almost waiting for her.  She interpreted that they didn't want her to get baptized, and that her joining this church would mean that she was leaving them.  Elder Lloyd and I thought about this dream, and we think it means that they are waiting for her to get baptized, so that they can all get baptized through temple work.  We need to find a time to meet with Wendy and help her find the truth.  Keep praying for her.

I was pretty upset about this.  I felt helpless.  I felt like I couldn't do anything to help her.  I didn't know what to do.  I was doubtful.  But on Sunday night we got a call from a Sister named Liya.  We met her a couple of weeks ago.  She seemed insane.  I can't give all of the details, but here a little.  She claimed that she was a Prophet.  She claimed she was the Judo Champ of Taiwan.  She claimed she was possessed by the devil.  As weird as she sounds, I kept getting this prompting that we needed to help her.  She needed the gospel in her life.  We gave her a blessing and commanded the evil spirit inside her to leave.  She seemed better, but we called President about her situation, and he said to leave her alone for a bit.  I still had this feeling that I needed to help her.  She then moved to GaoXiang and we lost contact with her.  I got a call this last Sunday saying that she is meeting with the missionaries in the other area and they are helping her get ready for baptisms in two weeks!  What the freak!  Change is real.  The Atonement is real.

I'm running out of time, but I know that change is real.  Don't ever think it is too late.  It is never too late to change.  Liya was an answer to my prayer.  I was really down about Wendy, but Liya brought me up.  Crazy Prophetess Liya brought me up.  I love you all!

Elder Coletti

Charity

Elder Coletti's letter 08/22/2016:

This week has had a lot of change, and it will continue to have a lot of change!  My companion right now is Elder Lloyd.  His companion also just went home, so they put Elder Lloyd and me together for 1 week.  The transfer was still one week away, but the missionaries that were headed home went 1 week earlier in order to get home in time for college. Elder Lloyd and I will be getting our new companions this Thursday!

Today I want to share a little bit about charity and how important it is.  As a missionary, we have lots of trials.  LOTS OF TRIALS.  That is just something that we are faced with.  Trials are something that everyone faces.  Trials takes us miles beyond our normal capabilities.  What gives us the strength to endure these trials?  Charity.  Charity is the MOST important gift that we can develop.  Charity is the PURE love of Christ.  We are all born with the Light of Christ.  This part is free.  It is through loving and serving others that we can turn that light into more.  We can turn that light into a little fire.  We can turn that little fire into a flame of charity.  Charity, like fire, can warm us from the inside and give us just enough strength to endure our trials.  Take the flame of charity, and spread it to others!  I love you all.  I know that God lives and that he knows every single one of us! 

Elder Coletti

 田甜圈長老

SIX BAPTISMS! This will be a week I will remember for the rest of my life!

Elder Coletti's letter 08/13/2016:

What an incredible week!!!  This is a week I will remember for the rest of my life!!!

Three major things happened this week:

1.  We got the opportunity to listen to David Archuleta sing to the Taipei missionaries.  He has the voice of an angel! :)  It was super fun to listen to him share his mission stories.  He also shared some thoughts and messages with us! He is in Taiwan performing for the members to celebrate 60 years of missionary work in Taiwan

DAVID ARCHULETTA!!!

2.  Elder Anderton is leaving this upcoming Thursday.  What an incredible missionary!  I have learned so much from him.  He has definitely changed the way I think as a missionary.  I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to serve with him!

NOW......RIDICULOUS things have happened here such as...

3.  This last Saturday (August 13) we had SIX people get baptized!  They are all super awesome!  There names are:

Fang MaMa (about 50 years old.)  Fang MaMa's children were baptized 10 years ago.  She didn't get baptized because she didn't feel ready quite yet.  Previous Elders had found her and then Elder Anderton invited her to attend a baptism.  After she watched the baptism, she said that the baptism reminded her of her daughter's baptism.  She decided she wanted to be baptized too.

Ke Yu Lun and Ke You An (9 and 11 years old.)  Their parents are already members.  They have been LA (Less Active) for a little while.  The father is trying to come back to church, and he wanted his two little girls to be baptized.

Yang You Xun (10 years old.)  His parents are also members.  They have been LA for awhile  The mother is LA, and she is trying to come back to church.  She wants her son to be baptized and grow up in a good environment.

Yang En Xuan (18 years old.)  Her mom and younger brother are members.  Her mom didn't think she would be interested in church, but the Elders decided to let her decided.  So, they met with her, and she wanted to be baptized.

Huang Qian (about 40 years old.)  She is from China.  She self contacted the church and said she wanted to learn more about Christ and become Christian.

So many miracles come when you set goals and are COMMITTED  to accomplishing them.  What an incredible way for Elder Anderton to finish his mission.  I love you all so much!  There are miracles when you BELIEVE!  Know that God always has your back and that he will always help you.  This gospel is made for families.  So many families were brought together because of the gospel.  I know that the gospel is the best way to help your family.  Such a beautiful day.

Elder Coletti

FUTURE MISSIONARY!

Commitment

Elder Coletti's Letter 8/7/2016:

What a miraculous week!  There are so many miracles going on right now!  It is crazy to watch the power of faith and hard work.  That is something that Elder Anderton has taught me.  Commitment.  What does commitment mean?  It means getting something done, no matter what.  Going out and doing it!  We have to decide in our life if we are truly committed to being disciples of Christ.  If we are, there is absolutely nothing that can get in our way!  Nothing can stop us from keeping the commandments.  Nothing can stop us from loving each other.  As missionaries, our purpose is to teach repentance and baptize converts.  Now if we are committed to that purpose, there is absolutely NOTHING that can stop us from accomplishing our purpose.  We, as missionaries, need to go out and get it!  We need to have the faith that God will help, but we also need to work hard.  We need to put in that effort.  I want to invite everyone to think of what matters most to them in life.  Think about how committed you are to that.  Remember Christ.  Now think about how committed you are to him.  How committed you are to becoming like him.  How committed you are to

remembering him.  If you remember everything that he has 

done for you, there is no way possible that you wouldn't 

give everything you have in order to become even just a 

little bit like him.  Commit yourself to him.  Commit your life to following him, and becoming his disciple.  He needs us.  He needs us to help the other sheep.  The lost sheep.  Now how committed are you to Christ.  How committed are you to your Master.  How committed are you to give to him that has given you all.  COMMITMENT.

I love you all so dang much!  Taiwan is amazing, and so is God.  He truly loves us.  No matter where we are, he is our GPS that can help us get back on the route to the promised land.  Commit yourself to the journey.

Elder Coletti

Joanna Yang (楊) was baptized!

Elder Coletti's Letter 07/31/2016

On May 15th, after a wonderful day at church in which there was a little broadcast to the Asia Area of the church, Elder Francis and Elder Coletti decided to go finding.  While finding they ran into a young female name Joanna Yang (楊).  Joanna is 27 and absolutely loves English.  The two Elders talked to her for awhile and asked if they could meet with her again and talk more about Jesus Christ and Church.  She said, "Of Course!"  The Elders then invited her to set a baptismal date, a direction to work towards.  She quickly declined, saying that she has never thought about baptism before and needs more time.

On May 21st the Elders met up with Joanna again and gave her a chapel tour.  She really liked it.  She thought it was very pretty, and very peaceful.  They showed her the baptismal font, and asked if she wanted to go watch another baptismal service going on in BeiTou.  She gave a HARD pass.  They then showed her the chapel.  She loved the chapel, especially the fact that their church has songs.

On June 5th Joanna and the Elders went to a fireside that was being held at JinHuaJie.  Firesides consist of the Taipei missionaries bringing their investigators and recent converts to listen to some recent converts talking about their conversion story, and then listen to beautiful musical performances by the missionaries in the mission.  Joanna LOVED it.  She had so much fun and really made some friends.  On the way back, she expounded saying that going into it, she was really nervous.  She didn't know what she was getting herself into.  But afterwards, she said she had so much more respect for missionaries and that they were willing to give up 2 years of their lives to go on missions.  She was really moved.

Around June 7th Joanna called the Elders and said that she has been praying on her own.  She isn't feeling anything, but she is praying.  She made a deal with God.  She had a big English test coming up and she wanted here score to be higher than before.  So she said that if she gets a certain score, she will go to church.  On June 10th she called saying that she didn't get a very high score.  But that she was still okay.  She needs to go to class on Sunday, and won't be able to go to church.

On June 12nd the Elders taught Joanna the Restoration.  She thought it was pretty cool, especially about the prophets.  The Elders invited her to baptism ONCE again, however she declined.  She said that her family is Buddhists, and doesn't think that they will approve.  We then talked to her about what she needs to know/feel before she will get baptized.  She said she needs to see a miracle.  The Elders talked to her about how there are miracles every day, we just have to open our eyes and realize that they are there.  Really stressed prayer, and how everyone needs to pray in order to see miracles.  After the lesson, the Elders talked to her about still trying to come to church.  Joanna said that she will be able to make it next week!

On June 17th Elder Coletti called Joanna to see if she would still be able to make it to church that week.  While on the phone, Joanna broke down, saying that she is praying every night, but she is feeling nothing.  She feels like she is talking to nothing.  She thought she would see miracles, but she is not.  She isn't seeing anything.  Elder Coletti asked if she is happy right now.  She said she is not.  Elder Coletti explained that this is the principle of opposition.  That we cannot know what happiness is until we have pain.  God is always there, but it is up to us if we want his help or not.  Believe in God.  Always Believe.  Joanna was still able to come to church.

On June 19th Joanna came to church!  While at church, the ward talked about sacrament meeting, and how they feel a sense of peace during it.  After church Joanna said that she didn't really feel anything.  No special feelings.  She brought up that she doesn't thing she will be able to get baptized for awhile because she still isn't feeling anything.  She still doesn't know if she would be able to live up to the standards of the church.  However, Elder Coletti pointed out how happy she was today.  Joanna was extremely lively and happy the entire day at church.

On June 23rd Joanna sent a text to the Elders saying that she is so stinking happy right now!  Even her friends are pointing it out to her.  She doesn't know why, but she is happier than ever.  The Elder's texted her back saying that it is because of God.  God is ALWAYS there.

On July 2nd Joanna came with the Elders to watch a baptismal service in BeiTou.  She thought it was awesome.  She felt a little something, but still not ready to commit.  On the way back Elder Coletti asked if she has been praying lately.  She said that no much lately.  Elder Coletti invited her to continue to pray everyday, and to thank God for 5 things every night.  We can't just ask God for help, but we need to thank him when we have our happiness.  She said she would.

On July 3rd Joanna came to church.  She talked to Elder Coletti about how she had a dream last night about one of her past mistakes.  She did one of her friends wrong, and she had major regrets and guilt.  The entire sacrament meeting Elder Coletti shared scriptures about opposition and the Atonement, how the Atonement allows us to become better.  He also talked about how this baptism thing is how we become clean.  Only through baptism can we have a fresh start.  She was super moved.  Later that night, the Elders went with Joanna to the fireside.  She was super excited to go.  She loved it.  She told Elder Francis how much she loved the music.

On July 6th the Elders got a very special call from Joanna.  Joanna asked the Elders what she needs to do to get baptized.  She has been thinking a lot about the fresh start, and how much she needs it.  She has been doing gratitude prayers and has started to feel of God.  She wants to get baptized.

On July 13th the transfer calls were made, and Elder Coletti found out that he was moving.  When Joanna found this out she was really sad.  Elder Francis was going home, and Elder Coletti was leaving.  But she still wanted the baptism.  She asked Elder Coletti if he would be able to come back and baptize her.  He said of course he would.  But do not lose the faith you have right now.  Keep strong to God.

Between the days of July 14 and July 29, Elder Gray and Elder Van de Merwe finished the lessons with Joanna and prepared the baptism for her.

On July 30th Elder Coletti came back to DanShui, and helped Joanna get baptized.  Walking into the font she was EXTREMELY nervous.  But she made her way in and the ordinance was finished.  She was so happy after.  Super pumped.  During her testimony she explained that the day that she met the Elders, she was very depressed.  She was not in a good place.  But since finding God, she is a new person.  She is happier, and she has changed.

I, Elder Coletti, know that God had his hand in this conversion.  He prepared Joanna to receive the gospel and helped her to change.  It's crazy how many times she rejected baptism, but in the end she was the one that invited herself.  God is always there for us.  He is always wanting us to change, and he will help us change, as long as we are humble enough to receive his help.  Follow Joanna's example, and trust God.  Trust that he can make us whole.

I love you all so much!  The work here is amazing, and God is real.

Elder Coletti