The Land of Meridian

HEYYYYYY guys! 
Hope your New Year has started off great, you know mine has!
The families in these wards spoil me so bad and feed me way too much, but I'm working out a lot so hopefully it transforms into mucho muscle.
I've met a bunch of really awesome people here so far and my trainer is awesome! 
I've been reading "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard its an awesome book and I have learned soooo much already. 
We have been meeting with this kid who is about to be baptized, his name is Kai he is 10 and probably the smartest person I have met here so far and the best part is his favorite part of the scriptures is Revelations! Kid is a genius, probably knows more about the gospel than I do. 
The mission has felt like 3 days and its already been half a month! I miss you guys so much. I don't really have any pictures this week but I'll be sure to take some today and the rest of the week so look forward to that.
It's kind of weird - I actually really miss the MTC and all of my zone! 
I have been so lucky for this chance to serve a mission and everything that has happened during my mission so far, I'm really happy here and I feel like I'm at home.
I love you guys so much and hope you have a good week! 
Remember the power and importance of prayer and how when you pray it will continue to grow your faith with Heavenly Father and blessings are in store! 
Keep a smile on your faces and go cardinals? I think they are pretty high in the ranks as the playoffs start. I don't even know what happened to the colts. 
Well good luck with your weeks as some of you start school. 

Peace, Elder Paolacci

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.

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 ❤️