Questions of the Week

1. So are you still in a car or on Bike Now ?  

Bike

2. If you are on your bike, how is it ? Do you have everything you need ? 

It's super cold and I might need a face mask so my nose doesn't fall off

3. How large are the wards that you cover ?

Our wards are about as big as Mountain View, maybe a little bigger, it is a lot like back home

4. Do you meet in Stake Centers or Ward Buildings ?

We meet in two ward buildings 

5. How many missionaries are in your zone ? When do you have zone meetings ?

we have about 10 in our district and 20 in our zone. What we do varies for every meeting, there never usually the same

6. What did you do for PDay ? What are your plans today ? 

We usually play sports and go shopping. I got a haircut today in Boise at this barber college. It was sweet reminded me a lot like Portland

7. Tell us about some yummy things you have ate ?

Probably the best thing so far was cheesy fried potatoes . 

8.What do you do for lunch and breakfast ?

We have to buy all our food so I just buy some smaller snacks, cereal and then stuff to make quesadillas, Our room is about the size of my room back home

9. What types of service have you done this week ?  

Because it is so cold outside we have just done service of helping people move furniture inside

Questions & Answers

1. Are you on bike or do you have a car ? If you have a car what do you guys drive ?

we have a car for the time being but we will probably end up on bike soon enough (like TODAY) but the car is a chevy cruze

2. Where have you been staying while waiting to move back into the Peterson's ? Did they have family come for the holidays ? Is that why ? 

we have been staying with the ZL's and some other missionaries in this totally cool house straight from the 70's its has green shag carpet. The Petersens daughter was in town for the holidays

3. What other missionaries did you live with this week ? Where are they from ?

the ZL's are Anderson (he's my grandpa.. my trainers trainer) from Ohio and Richards from St. George and then Elder Bartley from California and Elder Symkins from New Mexico

4. Are you guys living in the basement of the Petersons or on the main floor ? 

we live upstairs

5. Tell us about the dinner appointments you had this week ?

We've had way too many appointments some with non members but mostly active families

6. Tell us about the families you met this week.'

We have met a lot of families this week some of my favorites are the Beals (Bishop Beal ) and the Stasnys 

7. Are you teaching any investigators or working with less actives ?

We are teaching a couple investigators and working with lot's less actives - all really great people

8. How are the wards ? What time do they meet ? Are they in the same building ?

I am serving in two great wards and they meet in separate buildings down the street from each other at 11 and 1

9. How where your first ward council meetings ? How are the ward mission leaders & bishops ?

We havent had ward council but the bishops are so awesome

10. Have you spent the week teaching everyone how to say your last name ? 

they have a hard time pronouncing it 

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

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