Hello everyone from Grand Terrace, California
Well today is the last day of the 2nd to last transfer of my mission. And I found out on Saturday night that I am going to stay here.
The mission has been one of the biggest roller coasters of my life, with all of its ups and downs, lefts and rights, and hidden roadblocks but now the final destination is in view and I am glad that I came here. It wasn't easy at first to come to California but I over the past 22 months I have learned a lot about myself, the church and most importantly the gospel. Right now I feel like I am suiting up for the final football game and somewhat nervous with anticipation on how to proceed but I know that I can remain focused these last 6 weeks and end on one of the highest notes of my mission. I look forward to seeing ya'll soon but I right now my duty still lies here and I will return with honor on the last day of July.
Elder Bolliger
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Elder Bolliger Colton, CA Week 92:
(Question asked by family) What has been your spiritual insight recently from your scripture study?
There was one that I was thinking on how profound it was, although I am not sure exactly where it was but it was talking about Christ and how much he did for us to be able to relate to us that he may be able to have mercy over us.
But there was a phrase that came to mind after praying that really helped me to understand my purpose here as a missionary and how not everyone will do the same things on a mission ( different people at different times put into the right place to talk to the right person).
What came to mind was
" Not every instrument plays the same [part / song] in the [orchestra / song of life]" And if we are all instruments in the hand of god then we will play different parts like in a orchestra ( mom I think that all of us kids will understand this very well ) but its all done by the director( God ) who knows and instructs in this finale of life.
Thats a little poetic as well I believe.
(Question asked by family) What did you teach last week for your District training?
We had everyone train on one a Christlike attribute that they were worst at, mine was pride and humility. And it was really, really interesting as you come to grips with yourself over it.
(Question asked by family)
We found some suit/pants still in the closet. I suppose we'll keep it here for you?!
Yeah and you'll see how much i have lost weight on my mission as well. My suits are both fitted now and they feel really good and they are clean and you'll have to wait and see.
Elder Bolliger
Elder Bolliger Colton, CA Week 91: Details about Jump Starting the 40 Day Fast
40 Day Fast
Well day one was last Tuesday.
Day #1 - Tuesday,May29 - Victoria B opened the 40 day fast on this day. You'll remember from earlier emails about how much of a drastic change she has made in her life and how important the gospel is to her. Her miracle was that she was able to contact one of the ladies that she Visiting Teaches for the first time and she got in and she has not been able to do that at all. And was really really excited.
Day #2 - Wednesday,May 30 - Bishop Sorensen, he fasted and a name came to mind of someone that he had shared the gospel with in the past and he was able to talk to his boss about the gospel, and it was a missionary opportunity.
Day #3 - Thursday, May 31st - Kathy B fasted this day and during dinner over there and break the fast, one of her visiting teaching people called her half way during dinner, this was something that has never happened ever to her from this particular person and they had a very, very good discussion.
Day #4 - Friday, June 1st - The Donovans fasted and we shared with them the MRR lesson.
Day #5 - Saturday, June 2nd - Brother Smith fasted.
Day #6 - Fast Sunday - we put everyone on there to make them sacrifice more and not have the easy way out.
Day #7 - Today, We haven't heard anything yet but next week hopefully.
(Question by family) How are you doing with your 6:30 am rising?
A lot better actually, See below for reasoning. Like Today we woke up at 5:45 which isn't too hard especially in the summer as the sun rises early. And its light by 5:30 so it makes it a lot easier, but winter when the sun gets up at 7:30, now that's a little more hard, but I assume in college I will be getting up early a lot to work and stuff.
(Question by family) It looks like Erin works at the store in Palm Desert near Palm Springs?
Thats about an hour drive from here in Colton, and its mighty hot there like 90s and 10% humid at night time.
(Question by family) What ward activities do you have coming up that will involve missionary work?
There is a BBQ/ Church Tour but that is still in the planning stages for now, we will see where it exactly goes.
(Question by family) What are you teaching this week for your district training?
Not sure yet, I need to think about it still. Ill chose something.
(Question by family) How often do you write to your mission president? Is it weekly?
Most Weeks yeah.
(Question by family) How has your testimony grown recently?
In how much fasting and praying can really open the windows of heaven and soften peoples hearts. Alma 6:6 and Alma the Elder with his son. So Missionary work and Ward unity.
Elder Bolliger
Well day one was last Tuesday.
Day #1 - Tuesday,May29 - Victoria B opened the 40 day fast on this day. You'll remember from earlier emails about how much of a drastic change she has made in her life and how important the gospel is to her. Her miracle was that she was able to contact one of the ladies that she Visiting Teaches for the first time and she got in and she has not been able to do that at all. And was really really excited.
Day #2 - Wednesday,May 30 - Bishop Sorensen, he fasted and a name came to mind of someone that he had shared the gospel with in the past and he was able to talk to his boss about the gospel, and it was a missionary opportunity.
Day #3 - Thursday, May 31st - Kathy B fasted this day and during dinner over there and break the fast, one of her visiting teaching people called her half way during dinner, this was something that has never happened ever to her from this particular person and they had a very, very good discussion.
Day #4 - Friday, June 1st - The Donovans fasted and we shared with them the MRR lesson.
Day #5 - Saturday, June 2nd - Brother Smith fasted.
Day #6 - Fast Sunday - we put everyone on there to make them sacrifice more and not have the easy way out.
Day #7 - Today, We haven't heard anything yet but next week hopefully.
(Question by family) How are you doing with your 6:30 am rising?
A lot better actually, See below for reasoning. Like Today we woke up at 5:45 which isn't too hard especially in the summer as the sun rises early. And its light by 5:30 so it makes it a lot easier, but winter when the sun gets up at 7:30, now that's a little more hard, but I assume in college I will be getting up early a lot to work and stuff.
(Question by family) It looks like Erin works at the store in Palm Desert near Palm Springs?
Thats about an hour drive from here in Colton, and its mighty hot there like 90s and 10% humid at night time.
(Question by family) What ward activities do you have coming up that will involve missionary work?
There is a BBQ/ Church Tour but that is still in the planning stages for now, we will see where it exactly goes.
(Question by family) What are you teaching this week for your district training?
Not sure yet, I need to think about it still. Ill chose something.
(Question by family) How often do you write to your mission president? Is it weekly?
Most Weeks yeah.
(Question by family) How has your testimony grown recently?
In how much fasting and praying can really open the windows of heaven and soften peoples hearts. Alma 6:6 and Alma the Elder with his son. So Missionary work and Ward unity.
Elder Bolliger
Elder Bolliger Colton, CA Week 90: 40 day fast
Hello family from the grand terrace library where I am serving back in the Colton 1st ward.
Last week I had the idea to do a 40 day fast in this ward and we are officially starting it on the 29th of May. I really hope that I can help to get the ward back on their feet and get the spirit of missionary work here. We will be going around after people have fasted and helping them to apply the revelation that they have received to help talk to their family and their friends. It will be a great way to go out on the mission on a real high note. ... I know that it can really really help it out to get them motivated again and get this ward to be on fire!
Elder Bolliger
Monday, May 14, 2012
Elder Bolliger, Colton, CA Week 89: Happy Mother's Day, Great to See Converts Growing!
Mother's Day was great with technology connecting the family in three states!
Hello family,
Well if you haven't already noticed right now I am back in Grand Terrace/ Colton California, the same place where I started my mission I will now be ending it here and I am so excited for that!
All of my recent converts from here are still active, and truly that is where almost all of your joy comes from in the gospel is seeing how far your converts have come and how much the gospel truly means to them. Well next week I will have to send pictures with all of the people that I have been talking about, but onto the work.
So a lot has changed since I was last here in the Colton 1st Ward in Colton/Grand Terrace/ Reche Canyon California,
I left on November 7th, 2010 and arrived back on May 8th,2012 gone for almost 18 months exactly. Last year they split the ward into two areas so there is an East side and a West side, I am not used to that though as when I was here it was all one but next transfer it should be recombined into one area again.
Our former bishop, Bishop Sorensen had been released and a new bishop had been called, the former Bishop is now our Ward Mission Leader and he is awesome at it, he really knows the ward well and knows how to best help them.
There are some people that were here from the last time I was in the ward and we have been slowly following up with them
Sorry mom for having such a short email. But I was working on some other ones for now. This next week we should have a lot more work.
Elder Bolliger
Monday, May 7, 2012
Elder Bolliger, Upland, CA Week 88: Transferred, 21st Birthday, 3 months Have Flown, Making Lemonade of the Rest of It!
Hello family from the hills of Alta Loma and Upland, California,
Well this will be my last day here as tomorrow I am getting transferred to my new area.
I got the call on Saturday night, and then had my 21st birthday yesterday, which probably compared to most people was quite boring. But I am now 21 and I just found out that my new cousin was born yesterday as well to share the birthday with Grandma Sorensen as well.
It feels slightly strange to be leaving so early, but this happened last time I got transferred as well but this time I have so little time left. When I got here I had 6 months left, and the past 3 months have flown by, now that is all the time I have left, and here comes college and the world and everything else flying back at me.
But I just need to make lemonade from all of the wonderful lemon trees you get out here in California, Katie I think you know what I mean, but there are tons of thorns on those as well. And don't forget the grapefruit, Avocados ( of course) and Oranges.
This past week our Zone went to the temple ... you can receive very clear and precise direction.
But I wish yall the best.
Elder Bolliger
Well this will be my last day here as tomorrow I am getting transferred to my new area.
I got the call on Saturday night, and then had my 21st birthday yesterday, which probably compared to most people was quite boring. But I am now 21 and I just found out that my new cousin was born yesterday as well to share the birthday with Grandma Sorensen as well.
It feels slightly strange to be leaving so early, but this happened last time I got transferred as well but this time I have so little time left. When I got here I had 6 months left, and the past 3 months have flown by, now that is all the time I have left, and here comes college and the world and everything else flying back at me.
But I just need to make lemonade from all of the wonderful lemon trees you get out here in California, Katie I think you know what I mean, but there are tons of thorns on those as well. And don't forget the grapefruit, Avocados ( of course) and Oranges.
This past week our Zone went to the temple ... you can receive very clear and precise direction.
But I wish yall the best.
Elder Bolliger
Monday, April 30, 2012
Elder Bolliger, Upland, CA, Week 87: Birthdays and Teaching
Hello family from Upland California,
Well This may be my last week in this area, as transfers are coming up a week from tomorrow. And we will find out who is going and who is staying as early as wednesday/ thursday of this week.
I also turn 21 this week, and that thought is just Its a strange thought to have been here for 3 months and it has flown by so fast, its so strange.
Anyway, our main investigator came to church yesterday with her husband and they stayed for sacrament but due to other work obligations they were unable to stay for longer. But we will be teaching her today as on wednesday we have a temple trip to the redlands temple, its going to be exciting for sure!
I am sorry about this email but next week should be a lot more detailed on where I will be going the last 2 transfers of my mission, I can't believe May starts tomorrow and the "jump" to the end of my mission then begins. Its going to be quite a ride.
Elder Bolliger
Well This may be my last week in this area, as transfers are coming up a week from tomorrow. And we will find out who is going and who is staying as early as wednesday/ thursday of this week.
I also turn 21 this week, and that thought is just Its a strange thought to have been here for 3 months and it has flown by so fast, its so strange.
Anyway, our main investigator came to church yesterday with her husband and they stayed for sacrament but due to other work obligations they were unable to stay for longer. But we will be teaching her today as on wednesday we have a temple trip to the redlands temple, its going to be exciting for sure!
I am sorry about this email but next week should be a lot more detailed on where I will be going the last 2 transfers of my mission, I can't believe May starts tomorrow and the "jump" to the end of my mission then begins. Its going to be quite a ride.
Elder Bolliger
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