WEEK 17

Hey Maaahh!

    This week was actually really good! Elder Hanks and I working hard and going at it! We met some really cool people and you can see the change they will have with the gospel in their lives! We have been trying to meet with new people so we have been going around to different houses. So pretty much all the houses have big gates around them and instead of knocking we have to yell in to get them to come out. So we went to this one house and yelled, "Hello, good morning" and the guy was outside but once he heard that he walked in and slammed the door. So we were like alright then we yelled in again and then again. So the last time we yelled in he opened the door and unchained the dog at us so it would come and charge us, and he slammed the door again. But luckily the big gate was closed haha it was interesting how people are sometimes in Trinidad, they just don't want to hear it. But we just kept contacting, then eventually met this cool kid. So we didn't let that stop us haha

    Also yesterday in Sacrament I had this experience. A lot of people and investigators told us they were coming to church but church started and no one that said they would come came. I was sitting there in Sacrament and I was like devastated, I haven't felt that way before. It really upset me so I was down. That's when I noticed that this area is growing on me and how close to people you get. But half way through Sacrament Dwain showed up with his 1 yr old son and I was so glad to see that! Since he came yesterday, he is most likely getting baptized this Saturday!!!! So this week will be busy for me trying to plan it out and get everything ready for it! But I'm so happy he made this decision! So that was kinda my week. Overall it was great. I'm learning a lot this transfer being in charge and everything so it's good!

    I'm glad to see that you survived the babysitting haha. It must've been way fun and crazy with all them ahah, that's awesome to see Trev going to the temple! And how close he is to leaving! That must be hard for you to see both of us gone soon:/ haha but I know you are strong and imagine how less stressful that will be and peace you will get haha with not having to deal with us and all that money you are saving haha;) But it looks like you guys are having fun and doing great! Thanks for sending pics still it's nice to see them! and idk what that spider was haha that's the biggest Iv'e seen so far haha.

    But is that Yappers??? I miss that cat! haha please keep him alive for two more years and also duke, and haz as well .... idk why I'm missing those cats so much, that's kinda weird I wrote that but I'm gunna keep it cuz I'm too lazy to delete it. But keep having fun and I'll talk to you next week

love and miss all ya!!!

love elder colton bastian

some pics of the place. cozy and nice ahah and my bed is the queen size :P

WEEK 16

Hey Mom!!

    What's up? That sounded like a pretty interesting week haha I'll tell you about mine first! 

So this week we had transfers so I had to say goodbye to Elder Thompson but I got Elder Hanks tho. He's a pretty cool kid, we get along really well so that's good! He's a little strange at times but that's probs why I get along with him hahaha but he's been out for 1 year now and lives in Bountiful, Utah. He's a good teacher so it is making me a lot better too. Since he's new to this area I'm in charge of the area. So I'm leading it, like where to go, who to see, what to teach, and lead out in the lessons. It's really interesting I thought it was going to be tough and hard but I kinda like it for some reason haha probs cuz I like being the boss. Trev would understand that ;)  But it's still tough tho but it's a great learning experience. It rained a lot this week too so something about Trinidadian's is that when it rains they go into hibernation so it got tough with the follow through's but we made it into a good thing and tried contacting as much as possible. Also I learned that sacrifice brings forth blessings. Cuz the closest temple to Trinidad is Santo Domingo but they do all they can to go there. Whether it's time, money, not having electricity so they can save money to anything. So it's cool to see that cuz it makes you see what's really important. And Dwain is still figuring out his job but if he comes to church this Sunday then we will have his baptism the following Sunday probably and hopefully!

    But it sounded like your week was good! That pic is fine to use for the wall. And I miss playing on that backhoe haha I bet Dad is having a hay day on it. And what's up with all the skunks haha the kill count is going up nice! And that's going to be fun to babysit all those kids hahah that is going to wear you two out ;)  and I bet gpa was mad about that semi hahaha I could see it in my head now...him yelling at Lytton haha that's good they got it out! And are you learning Spanish along with Trev? haha he's so lucky. That day is coming up just now? Temple? It's crazy! How much luggage did u get him? and when u buy stuff for him, I wouldn't worry about medical stuff cuz they do good on that. And maybe no extra stuff cuz u can buy a lot there. 

    But I miss everyone at home! I hope everyone keeps on keeping on!

Just think I'll be home soon now haha and the time is going to be fast! But I can't wait till next week! I love you and everyone back at home! and thanks for all you do too! talk to you soon!

#striveforgreatness

#youdabest

Love- Elder Colton Bastian

Tell gma thanks for the letters again I appreciate them!  Cool sunset!!!! and this huge spider is as big as a softball! not cool at all!!

WEEK 15

Hey mom!!!

    So this week was a pretty good week! Mostly cuz we were able to have a baptism this last Saturday! It was Jean's baptism and it was pretty good! I'm grateful that I was able to be a part of that! She is going to be a great member and she has a great testimony. She is going to be a great example to her family as well, which will be good cuz she'll be a great support for them. The baptism was pretty spiritual but yesterday as she received the holy ghost was probs the most spiritual. As we stood in with it and as Bishop said receive the holy ghost, she started crying! Like crying hard, so it was super powerful to be apart of that cuz you know she feels the holy ghost now.

 

    Also we got our transfer calls this week. So I'll be staying in Couva again for at least 6 weeks. I'm happy with that cuz Couva is pretty nice. But I'll be leading out the area now tho! So I'll be leading the area and lessons cuz I'll have a new companion, his name is Elder Hanks.Idk too much about him yet, but it'll be a little challenging to be the leader now but I'm up for the challenge haha

    I'm glad everyone is feeling better and is doing well! That must've been a real bad sickness. But sounds like everything is good and sweet now. That's cool Brit got a car! And that she bought it! Can't wait to test drive it when I get back home haha glad she's doing good, I'm proud of her.

 

    Thanks for the info about the back! I'll try doing that stuff and see if it helps! It'll get better I'm sure. And I only used my coat and umbrella in Guyana but that's cuz I'm in a car now but it might be handy for Trev, but the ones we got works great! And my apartment is nice! I'll send a pic next time about it. Those sunsets were awesome! I miss those Idaho sunsets. Can't get much better than ida-home. haha I miss the adventures that everyone is having back at home haha but I guess I'm having one down here tho. That's awesome u emailed Preston, it sounds like he is doing awesome. Miss that kid, he's a stud!!

    But I miss and love you all! I hope you have a really good week! And I'll try my best to email Trev but if not tell him to study lesson 3 in preach my gospel, like about the restoration, plan, gospel, commandments, ordinances. cuz that's what he'll be teaching mostly. It's crazy in 6 weeks he'll be gone! Time sure is going faster!!!

 

Anyway love you and for all you do for me!

#striveforgreatness

 

Love- Elder Colton Bastian

Jean's baptism

Trying to get a good pic of the two of them using the car window..haha

Love his selfies!!!

Miss this face!

Gotta love the look

View in Trinidad

Sports day with Elder Hunsaker from MARSH VALLEY 2015!

An official Trini with driving and all!

One of his doodles :)

Sports day in Trinidad

WEEK 14

SEEING A FRIENDLY FACE FROM HOME

Letters:

PO Bag 543

Valsayn

Trinidad and Tobago

Packages:

1 Morequito Ave

Valpark Shopping Mall Plaza Bldg #10

Valsayn

Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago

         Hey Mom!!!

      I'm glad to hear from you again and hear the adventures u are having back at home haha it's always good hearing from the fam! Anyways this week was a pretty busy week! I'll try to tell a little bit about it. I've had two exchanges this week. Which means I went with a missionary for a day to a different area that is in my zone. So it's really cool to learn from them and meet new people. The first was last Tuesday and one was today. The first was Elder Vance, he's from Idaho Falls. The other was Perez, he's from the Philippines. They are pretty cool, I learned alot from them. Also I gave my first blessing this week to this older lady. She is sick and has strokes so I was able to give her a blessing of healing. It was a cool experience cuz it was my first but I could really feel the holy ghost afterward! I enjoyed it! Also this week was suppose to be the week of Dwain's baptism...... but he got a day shift in his job and he can't get it off soooo we have to postpone it till he can get work off... it's a bummer but we are gunna keep working with him and keep that excitment for him! buuuuuuttttttt his mom, her name is Jean, she is getting baptized this Saturday. She was going to like a month ago but she had shoulder surgery so she had to wait. So I was able to work with her and help her reach baptism. So this will still be my first baptism so I'm excited for that! and I won't be baptizing her cuz we want the members to baptize as much as possible so the converts can stay stronger in the church. So when I say I have a baptism it's me helping the person to baptize like teaching and stuff. So I hope that answered your question hahaha .

      But we had sports day today so all the missionaries in Trinidad got to play sports and have fun soooo today I finally got to see Elder Hunsaker!! FINALLY! It was really good to see him and to be able to talk and hang out with him! He's a stud. I was excited to see him! I have pics but I'm on an exchange and I don't have my cord:/

**What he didn't know was that Elder Hunsaker had sent a couple pics to Colton's girlfriend, Brodie, and she sent them to me!!!!

 

But I'm glad to hear about your week! I hope you and dad and Brit are feeling better! That's crazy that happened to Brit hopes she's feeling alright now, and hope u and Dad are good too! That's cool Trev had an awesome time on his trip!! The pics are sweet and it sounds like a blast. I'm missing working on the farm too haha I really enjoyed that! How's duke? haha I miss that cat.. This week I also got my trini driver's license so I can drive now but not right now cuz I'm still young in the mission still.

Also how bad can back spasms get? and how do they start? just wondering no worries haha

And I'll send the address again cuz I'm not sure ..... I saw a package and it was sent through something called mymissionarymail so maybe that's  what u send it through? idk tho.

But I miss and I love all of you guys!! Everyone get better soon tooo! Can't  wait for Monday! 

#stayclassy      #bebetterthanyouwereyesterday

Love Elder Colton Bastian!