Dear Family,

I can't possibly believe that it has been a whole entire year (this Thursday) since you dropped me off at the MTC. Time truly does fly by. We are doing really well here in Connersville, even though we are actually emailing up in good old Muncie today. We are having a Zone Preparation Day, and we decided to come up here. We actually had to come up here because we are getting new gas cards for the cars, and we had to come up and get them from the Zone Leaders.

Well, it happened, and I don't know what to think about it. President Corey made me the senior companion. It has been going well so far, and I hope that I can continue to handle it throughout my mission. My new companion's name is Elder Gasser. Actually, he was just serving up in New Castle before he got with me. That is only about 1 hour and 15 minutes northwest of Connersville. He has been out on his mission for about three months now. I am follow-up training him. He is a great missionary, and I think this is going to be a great transfer.

We have actually had a lot of success lately. Yesterday, we sat down with a couple of our most promising investigators, and we set a baptismal date with them for the 6th of February. They are really excited about it, and so are we. They have some things that they are going to have to overcome before they can get baptized, but they will be able to do it. We are actually going over there again tonight so that we can talk to the last member of their family about getting baptized, and we hope to be able to start them on the road to complete repentance. I love Connersville! This is what missionary work is all about. The family is Steve, Stacy, and Pete. Steve is the father of Stacy. He is in his 60's. Stacy is in her 30's, and Pete is her fiancé. We are really excited.

I bet you had a really fun New Year’s Eve. Elder Gasser and I came in at 6:00 pm and took a 1-hour break, and then we planned for the week. That was about the extent of our excitement. We have to entertain ourselves in different ways. I guess when I get home, we will have to play some of the new games you have. That will be a lot of fun.

I hope that Michael and Keysha are doing well. I think that the mission changes us for the better, and I hope to have just half of the blessings that Michael has received since he got home.

It is good to hear the economy hasn't affected you guys as much as it has the people out here. Connersville is a really depressing town at the moment. It is a factory town, and with all of the factories out of business or slowing down, there aren’t enough jobs for everyone here. I truly think that the Lord is going to try and use this to help people though. There are so many people out in the world that aren’t willing to humble themselves enough, so I think that He is going to use this to humble them.

The Church is very up-to-date on modern technology. They try to use every means of communication and advertisement to get their messages across to the public. We talk to a lot of people who see the commercials that the church puts on TV.

Thanks for the news about Cole Maggio. I am very happy that he decided to take the right path. Hopefully, he and his new wife will be able to stay on that path. I remember them from high school. I think that they were even dating back then.

I am taking good care of myself. I am really enjoying the new garments and thermals you sent me. They are really helpful. Please remember that I love you all and appreciate all you do for me. Continue to pray each day, go to church, and study the scriptures. Just doing the basics will help us through these hard times.

Thanks for all that you guys do to make my life easier. As always, if you have any specific questions, just ask.

Love,

Elder Savage

P.S. Thank Grandma for me for the sweater she sent. I may not be able to write to her today, but I would like her to know I appreciate her.  Thanks!

      Elder Colton Savage

     1216 N. Central Ave. #7

     Connersville, IN  47331

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