Meeting the Mission President

Dear Missionary Parents,

How thrilled Sister Winder and I were to greet your son and to welcome him as a full-time missionary in the Idaho Boise Mission.  What a blessing it will be to our mission to have him serving here to the assigned field of labor.

After arriving at the mission office and conducting a brief orientation of the mission, I had the opportunity of interviewing your son in an effort to become better acquainted with him and to feel of his spirit.  As a result of this interview, I felt impressed to assign your son, as a companion, to one of the most obedient, most skilled, and hardest working missionary in the mission.  You can be assured that this companion is one of our mission’s very best.

We are confident that your son will have a very positive experience while serving in the Idaho Boise Mission.  We know he will strengthen his skills, increase his knowledge and testimony of the gospel, and establish an increased measure of love for all of our Heavenly Father’s children he will assist in teaching.

We have attached a picture of your missionary with Sister Winder and myself and also a picture of him with his trainer, Elder Beals. The Lord’s choicest blessings be with you as you sustain your son and pray for his continued welfare.

Faithfully yours,

President John Q. Winder

Idaho Boise Mission

First Days

hey guys - so I am here in boise! I am serving in the city of meridian which is in treasure valley and kind of like scottsdale... but with snow! my comp is elder beals, he's a true homie he's from alabama but spent the summer in AZ. So many missionaries from AZ here, we met with three really great families yesterday and I can already tell how spoiled i am going to be here (hahaha). But yesterday was cool -  kind of overwhelming and I just was trying to let it all sink in. We serve over two wards Sherbrooke and Locust Grove - two very nice wards, my P Day is Mondays - just FYI for everyone and make sure if you want to send a letter or package send it to the mission office. We are at a temp residence right now with a couple of elders but we will go back to living with the Pertersons on the 3rd.Things are sweet here, kinda miss the MTC and all my homies from there but i am so glad to be here in Meridian!

I love you guys, put your trust in the lord always and he will come through. 3 Nephi 9:14

Update from the Mom :)

After two incredibly amazing weeks at the MTC Elder Paolacci has arrived in the mission field. When Sister Peterson sent me a text tonight with this picture letting me know he was there safe & sound my heart about burst. He is in Meridian, Idaho serving in the Locust Grove and Sherbrooke Wards. His trainer is Elder Beals. Ready for our first of many "it's a small world stories" ? Elder Paolacci will be living in the basement apartment of Brother & Sister Peterson (who by the way know my grandparents. They used to live down the street from them and they used to be in their ward) I am excited for him !!!

Pictures

Provo Temple

​ My District with our awesome teacher Brother Stanley (to the far left),

 this man changed my life

Christmas In The MTC

Imagine celebrating Christmas Day with your mind and heart focused on Jesus Christ. Coleton got to experience what few missionaries or even any members of the church will ever experience -- spending Christmas with a General Authority. We were able to talk to Coleton on the phone in the afternoon and he had shared with us the amazing experience of just having the opportunity to be in the same room and listen to David A. Bednar and he spoke to and instructed the missionaries. He spoke of the spirit that was felt and the message he shared. This is a once in a life time experience and a Christmas he will always remember and cherish.  Although he was not able to be with us this Christmas, he would not have chosen to be anywhere else. He was truly happy - he had the remarkable opportunity to spend his entire time reflecting upon the Savior including his birth, perfect life and infinite atonement. I could not imagine a better way to spend Christmas. Coleton shared his testimony with us and his love for the Savior and the blessings that Gospel brings into our lives. 

Is This Real Life !!!!

Wow guys this has been insane, wish I could just show you guys how much I've learned here in just 9 days and I know if I keep up at this pace I will continue to strengthen my faith with Heavenly Father and try and fulfill my purpose as a missionary these next two years will be as easy as these past 9 days. 

Hey shoutout to all you missionaries who had to learn a language I feel for you.

So yeah guys my comp never showed up and I'm in a tri companionship with Elders Selli and Schwendiman they are super great missionaries and we are like brothers now. We are in a dorm with just us three and its super nice, like we are all so organized and its really great. Waking up isn't that hard, the hardest part is trying to get everything done before you get to bed. 

I'm really trying my best to devote every second of my day here at the MTC to learning because its the best place you can be to learn. 

So how is everyone? Do you know God loves you? I'll be talking to some of you tomorrow which is nice so I'm trying to keep this a little shorter. It's super chill here, I've made some lifelong homies and they are all devoted missionaries which is sooo amazing and I love every one of them.

Selli is serving in Oakland - San Fran and Schwendiman is serving here at the MTC in the referral center which would be the coolest mission because you're working so close with the MTC president who awesome! 

Elder Nielsen spoke and it was such a great talk and it talked about being truly converted before you can help lead someone to conversion. The spirit is so strong here and my teachers are sooooooo good Brother Stanley and Brother Aston. They are such great teachers and they are here truly because they know our potential and want to help build that! 

Is homesickness a thing? hahaha the mission is so awesome why would anyone want to go home? 

Well I leave the MTC on Tuesday and hey Merry Christmas! 

I want you to all think about what the true meaning of Christmas is and think about all that Christ did for us WHICH IS A LOT! 

Hope star wars was good, probably was.

I'm so glad I am here for only 12 days, if I was here 9 weeks I'd probably go a little crazy. Most missionaries learning Polish and Tagalog are here for 9 weeks and they are so funny they know everything here. 

Its way cold here but its cool because its snowed like 4 times and I kinda like it, people keep saying Boise is colder but I hope its false I'll send pics in another email so look out for that! I love you guys! 

3 Nephi 9:14:  "V  

"Verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

Quick Note

This was a hand written letter we received today. He sent it on his first day in the MTC

Day 1 in the MTC . . .  Here is my first report home . . . please understand it is breif due to lack of time. I will be able to write more next Thursday on my pday. My Branch President is Micheal Taylor of Branch 67, Brother John Chambers is his 1st counselor and Brother Allan Neilsen is his 2nd Counselor. My district has 4 elders and 2 sisters. My companion isn't here yet so I am currently in a threesome with Elder Selli from Virginia and Elder Schwendiman from Rexburg. So the good news is we call on Christmas - so be ready for that. It is pretty cool here. It does not feel real. Everyone I have met is so incredibly kind and you can see and feel so much love here. I have already seen Junior (Elder Siale) he is a district leader. My Zone Leaders are super cool. They have only been here a week and they seem like pro's. It is all good here. Just going with the flow. I love you all - be a missionary at home. It is so easy. Just love the people. Don't stress about rejection God will help you through and through.

He has arrived at the MTC

So grateful for such tender mercies from the Lord. I know that my Heavenly Father loves Coleton and that he has so many great things in store for him. We have seen and felt the Lords hand abundantly. There have been so many tender mercies poured out upon us and specifically Coleton. A few of the tender mercies are - the mission call of Boise, Idaho which has such a tender spot for me as a mom. All of my family is from Idaho and my 93 year old grandma whom I love with all my heart lives right in the center of the Idaho Boise Mission. Coleton was able to attend the temple for the first time with two of his best friends. Coletons report date was the same exact day as one of his best friends Connely so they were able to travel together. And the ultimate tender mercy came today as our oldest son Dylan was on a business trip in Provo for a day and was able to pick up Coleton and Connely from the airport, take them for lunch at his favorite pizza place in Provo "Slab Pizza"  and then take them to the MTC. I am so very grateful for the Lords hand in our life and I know he hears and answers mothers prayers. Tears keep flowing and I am trying so hard to stay busy. I am so excited for my boy.

The Journey Begins

Thank You For All The Love and Support

Thank you to all the family and friends who have supported Coleton. Wish we would have gotten pictures of everyone. We are grateful for the love and influence of each of you ❤️