The New Year is off to a great start

Sweet Family new baptisms 

Elder Banta playing games 

Elder Montgomery with a Christmas stocking from Elder Banta's Family

74 weeks                                                                                 Jan 13,2014

ola minha familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

wow this week was a long one, but full of work and love and testimony and new investigators and the spirit. this was a blessed week for me, I hope the same for all of you.

Me and elder Banta had an amazing week doing our best to replenish our teaching pool, and found ten new people, but not just any ten people, but all very good cool prepared investigators. the coolest one is named Josemar, he is form London and speaks perfect English, and pretty much already decided to be baptized. he’s really cool, and loves the church already. 

But the bigger news is that I am getting transferred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I  will be spending my last two transfers in an area called Terra Nova, in the VERY middle of the city over bordering my old area in Cassequel. It’s one of the if not the most ghetto area in the mission, and better than all that, I’ll be whitewashing the area with my new trainee elder Garcia!!!!!!!!!! That means well be going two new elders into an area we’ve both never worked, and elder Garcia is gonna be fresh off the plane from the US. I’m so stoked and grateful for this opportunity. It’s gonna be a blast. I know it will be stressful but a huge testimony builder. I’m so excited to see where these last oops I mean next two transfers will go! Love you all! Sorry it’s so short o tempo e curto!!! vos amo!!!com amor,

Elder Montgomery

Received his final Christmas Package Chocolate, chick fil a Cow watch from Graham 

Elder Clifford directing traffic 

73 weeks                                                                                                         Jan 6 2014

dois mil e quatorze

OLA MINHA FAMILIA!

So this week was super good. We had normal days Monday and Tuesday, and then Wednesday for new years we got our pday. on Wednesday we got to play soccer, and I got your package mom! Thank you tons again. I am slowly eating one reeces a day, and its heaven every night!

so the pictures i sent are at soccer opening up my package, and then elder Clifford directing the truck to back up, he looked like a boss so I thought I’d throw him in there, and then a really bad picture of an Angolan hearse. it’s a pickup truck hearse.

Anyways, this was a very normal week, sorry I dont have alot to write, I said most of it in the recording. Me and elder Banta  are just working hard. We dropped almost all of our invesigators his week because none of them were doing anything to progress, so were looking to find some elect. I’m super excited for contacting this week to find those people who really have a thirst for the gospel and don’t know it yet. I love working with Elder Banta. transfers are a week early because we will be receiving three new elders this next week on the 15th, so I’m excited to see what happens I feel like Ill probly die here in Benfica, as in finish my mission, but president Merrill is very very good at throwing us all curveballs in our transfers, it makes it really fun because we never how whats gonna happen, but the Lord does, and the revelation is received and it happens the way it’s supposed to, not the way we think or want, but what the lord wants.

So I’m just truckin along trying to grow each day. Dad, you wanted my new year’s resolution, so here it is, I got this quote from sister Merrill’s desk, I dont know who it’s by but it goes a little something like this>

"If you always do what you have always done, you will always be what you have always been."

So with that in mind my new years resolution is to be a new me. to be a better me. I have always in my life, to be completely honest, felt extremely mediocre in everything I did. sports, school, callings, and for the last two years, a missionary. SO this year and from now on, I am going to be extraordinary at the few things I choose. I want to have an extraordinary relationship with my Heavenly Father, so I will be exactly obedient in keeping the commandments and serving him and others, and I will be extraordinary in school and work by putting myself 100 percent devoted into those things, among others. I’m gonne live my life at an extraordinary level, so I can be an extraordinary person. If that makes sense to you all, there you go. if not another scripture describes my goal.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as I, and Your father in Heaven are perfect."

No I wont be able to be perfect, but I will perfect myself everyday!

So anyway, with a new year, comes a new attitude and a new outlook on life. I have complete 2013 the YEAR of my mission, the only year in my life I will spend every day as a missionary. I am so grateful for everything i learned but that would not all fit in an email, so ill add to it and share in a few short months.

Don’t do what you have always done, so you wont be what you have always been, be better!

I love you all! Have a good week, and happy new year!

com amor,

Elder Montgomery

and no I didn’t forget!

GRAHAM AND  CLAIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU BOtH SOOSSOSOSOOSOSOSOSOS MUCH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM UNCLE COLIE!!!

Christmas and New Years

72 weeks                                                                                             Dec 30, 2013

and a happy new year!!!

ola minha familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I love you all and am so grateful for each and every one of you. Thank you so so much for skype, it really was amazing, despite the fact that i was nervous out of my mind. why??? no clue. but it was good. thank you so much . I sent a recording and hope you all get it explaining what i really wanted to say on skype, at least some of the things, that I forgot in my rushed nervousness.

but all in all, your still a great family, and I guess I’ll keep you, besides, you didn’t come with a gift receipt.......! haha kidding, you’re the best family ever and I love each and every one of you all so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Graham,  Claire and Beau are so huge. I think I am most nervous to come home to them and try to be the best uncle I can be. They are getting so so grown up. I couldn’t believe it.

But thank you all for making my Christmas amazing, it was very merry, and I wouldn’t and couldn’t have asked for more. Mostly thanks for the understanding on  the whole time limit and getting  cut off, and the power going out and no Portuguese testimony. I just need blessings for people here that won’t get them unless I am obedient.

This week was really good though. Tuesday we painted a house of a lady and didn’t even get close to done, but we got their living room pretty so they could have a merry pretty Christmas. It was hard work and dirty, but the spirit of love and service was so worth it. Then obviously skype was the highlight for Christmas, and we went caroling just our district, my Banta Hyde Clifford Rigby and Peterson, to some families’ members and investigators in our area. We saved Christmas I think for 7 of them. It was a blast.

Thursday I was really shooken up the skype and everything, not that it wasn’t amazing just that I couldn’t sleep or focus that night, so the antivenom to trunkyness= work!!!!!! Me and elder Banta turned a small week of work into a huge success working as hard as we could for the four short days we could and the lord blessed us immensely, we were able to visit all the families we needed to and then our numbers for church attendance went back up after suffering the last few weeks.. it was truly an amazing week, as we were exactly obedient we received strength and the spirit to guide us to who we should visit and what we should say in the small time we had, then as we followed the spirit the lord multiplied our time so we could teach more people. it was truly amazing!!!!

So then the rest of the week went really good because we were working hard, and before i knew it here I am in the cyber cafe sweating out another email session. I seriously love Angola! don’t know how I’m gonna feel about leaving, but even better I dont have to worry about that for a long time:)

So I found a cool scripture in DC the other day, I can’t remember I’ll give the reference next week, but it talks about as we are grateful "the lord will multiply our blessings, yea even an hundredfold, yes more." or something like that, but it’s so true!!!! At the end f this year I will give thanks more and ask less, because I receive so so many blessings from the hand of the lord. its true, he will bless us multiplied, then 100x more, and even more, as we love and show gratitude toward him. just like the 1 leper that came back to thank the lord, i guarantee he got even more blessings because he showed gratitude. it is a powerful principle. i pray we can all apply it in our lives. that’s my challenge for the week, during the festivities, be grateful for each and every thing you have, given only by the one who can give all. Our Father. I love you all so much and am so grateful for you this holiday season and always. thank you for being the best family i could ask for. I love you! Have a good week. HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

com amor,

Elder Montgomery

Merry Christmas

71 in Angola

OLA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                                                12-23-1013

FELIZ NATAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

merry Christmas!!!

I love you all so much.

This week was awesome, and me and elder Banta are getting along so so good and doing tons of work. I love serving with him, great attitude and great teacher. It’s so fun. We have a little too much fun I think. but that’s ok! it’s fun because were working harder that rocks. So its allowed!

This week was super full of work work work, and as always I am happy and optimistic. We’re hoping to have 5 baptisms in January, and all of our investigators with dates are solid. We’re stoked!

This week we have a little bit of an unorganized week with Christmas and service projects and stuff like that, but it will be good.

So for skype, I will be calling at 10:30 am your time. So everyone be ready. We only got 40 minutes.

Not much amazing stuff happened this week. Just the branch Christmas party on Saturday that was fun. All the members form the two branches that meet at our chapel were here, we had the spiritual part, then the primary did a nativity, then there was food and games. It was a blast.

In our teaching though one really cool thing is that me and elder Banta have a new investigator. His name is Nomar, he’s half Angolan/Portuguese, half Pilipino, an he’s a stud. Only 19 years old but understands everything we teach and loves reading. He’s already read to 2nd Nephi and now is starting over to remember everything good. He’s a champ and he has a baptismal date for the 11th of January. We’re pretty excited for him.

I was extremely sad and in tears when I read about brother Ashley. I can remember him and their family since before I was even in sunbeams. And all through high school he was the nicest and always had a smile on his face and we’d talk in the hall about school and family and stuff. I know he was a great man and loved as a teacher and friend to many including me. Please send my love  and condolences to Janet and PJ and  all their family.

I love you all, and I hope that everyone remembers the reason for the season. don’t forget the One who’s birth were celebrating and who gave it all for our happiness and salvation. it’s been so fun to chare messages of Christ and love and hope to those here in need. The best thing we can do in this season is follow Christ’s example and serve those around us.

I’m excited to see you all, and for those I wont see, merry Christmas! I love you all!

have a good two days! see ya in a bit!

com amor,

Elder Montgomery

I'm Dreaming of an AZ Christmas

doing some landscaping , what you cant see is that he has on hot pink crocs  lol

Lunch with  Elders and ?? 

Elder Merkley and Montgomery together for 2 transfers in Benfica

Elder Montgomery, Andre from Angola getting ready to leave on his mission to Portugal,

 Elder Hyde and Brown.

Week 70 OLA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!                                                         Dec 16 2013

 First off, shout out to Susan Figgins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love and miss you my mom #2 and I hope your birthday was awesome!!!!! Sorry for the late wishes.

So this week was a good one. Me and Elder Banta are rocking it already and I am loving the chance to work with a new companion. I always thought I didn’t like change and felt I was a creature of habit in  my life until the mission, but I have figured out that I love adapting to changes and trying new things and changing up the routine. It’s fun!

So Monday we got transfer notices, and found out that Elder Merkley was leaving, so Tuesday was pretty much going around our whole area and elder Merkley was saying goodbye to all the people we taught and stuff, so that was fun. Then Wednesday morning elder Merkley packed his stuff and left for Vianna, and elder Banta came to Benfica.  He unpacked for about an hour, then we ate lunch and went straight to work. The whole week was pretty good, and we got to walk alllllot. But had some really good lessons, set one more baptismal date, and found some new people. Elder Banta  so we have already gotten into a really good teaching groove, and I’m excited to work with him!!!

We are focusing a lot in strengthening our recent convert and less active members, because our area will never grow and multiply and replenish if it doesn't have member support, so that is something we are working on really hard, but we do have some good baptismal dates set and have a healthy teaching pool.

 I finished the book or mormon this week again in my person reading and was strengthened by the powerful promises that Moroni gives us as we come unto Christ to be perfected in him. I am trying constantly to come unto him, and earn a forgiveness of my sins as I help those brothers and sisters here in Angola learn how they too can do the same. I have a lot of baggage on my conscience and have a hard time forgiving myself for my past mistakes, and how I could have been a better missionary if I would have done this or that, or if I would have studied the language harder and stuff, but I know that through the Lords help I can be forgiven, and as Alma puts , I can be made an instrument in the Lords hands to bring others to the gospel and eventually show them the way to salvation.

   It is definitely a daily struggle. I heard a quote that when an elder is set apart as a missionary he enters into a personal full time war with satan, and satan is constantly trying to tempt him, bring him down, an make in ineffective a s a missionary. ITS TRUE! ahha I have felt that since the very first day. But as that missionary does his best and stays on the Lord’s side, bringing souls unto Christ, he has the protection that Paul describes as the armor of god. It’s a good metaphor, but at the same time its 10000000% percent true. I think of that picture Greg and I had on our wall as kids of two missionaries getting ready in the morning in their apartment about to leave and one is doing his tie in the mirror, but in the reflection in the mirror is of a soldier putting on his helmet and holding his sword and shield. I feel like that every single day, that this is truly a battle of good versus evil, and that I am on the lords side bringing souls unto him. Like it says in the missionary handbook, HOW GREAT IS YOUR ((my) CALLING!

I’m fighting every day, someday are great battles’ I have been doing something lately that I love. Alcohol is a huge huge huge part of life here. I’m not just talking about a beer on the weekends or a wine with dinner, but men and women and teenagers who are from the time they wake-up to the time they pass out drinking beer whiskey and anything’s alcoholic they can get their hands on, just to make it through the day or to get out of the life that is so hard here. So my goal and its been working, is to make at least one person a day think twice about why and what they are drinking , what that drink does to them and in turn to their families, and to their kids the person they might hit in their car. Everything, and then I convince them to dump the drink out on the ground. I know they can go buy another one the second I weak away, but at least for one second, even if just to make me go away, they thought about their kids and wife and family and those who they have in their lives, and they valued those people  more than a bottle or a plastic whiskey packet. Hey I know I’m not doing much in a city of 8 million people, but I’m staying where I am and lifting where I stand as a representative of Jesus Christ called to the country of Angola to do what I can to bring souls to their redeemer.

 So that’s my mindset lately. do everything I can and give everything I got for these next four months, because I will one day look back and regret or rejoice in the work I did or didn’t do here in these two short years. I have a lot of regrets, but I wanna rejoice more! work work work, there is no substitute.

Anyway, elder Montgomery is good, healthy, and stoked for the days and months and weeks to come.

Skype, I’d like everyone there who can come. It’s the last one after all. Family, friends, whoever. It’s up to yall. just so everyone knows, President Merrill was specific in his instructions that we follow the handbook, that say 40 MINUTE LIMIT ON SKYPE. So I’m gonna be exactly obedient get all your questions and stuff written down and let’s not waste time we don’t have:) I’ll let you know what time though next Monday. Probably around 10 or nine in the morning there would be best right_ I think that time works here too, I’ll let you know. So keep in mind though 40 minute limit! Sorry, rules  R rules.

No box package yet, but I did get the envelopes like I said. I’m stoked to see all your smiling faces!!!!! I love you all and hope this week goes by fast. I know it will for me. Every week flies by. Especially when you’re having fun. If you’re NOT having fun in missionary work, you’re doing something wrong!

I love you all, best Christmas wishes and loves and kisses. I’ll talk to ya next week to confirm the times and everything. loves!!!!

com amor, Elder Montgomery 

Wonderful Week

Kito's baptism, he and his family have been taught for 9 months, last week he and his wife were married. 

Elder Mariquele, Yeanoplos, Kito, Elder Montgomery, Tingey, and Clifford

Dec. 7, 2013

69 Weeks in Angola                                                                                        Dec. 9, 2013

OLA MINHA FAMILIA!!!!!

So this week was as wonderful as the last. And this week coming will even be more wonderful. Why?? Hard, work, great attitude, thanksgiving, and consecration. Those are the things I’m focusing on to better myself lately. Its going good. I have a lot of work left to go though that’s for sure. 

So this week had a few awesome events!

 -mission conference with Elder Kevin S. Hamilton of the second quorum of the 70, 

-Kito got baptized

Transfers!!! I’m staying in Benfica, sad to say Elder Merkley is leaving, but stoked to work with Elder Banta!!!! Its gonna be super fun and he’s a very hard worker I know so we will do work. Elder Merkley goes to Viana to be with Elder Fergeson.

- I got the four envelope packages!!!!!

So yeah it was a very good week. But also the week was good with work. We set baptismal dates with three guys, 20 17 and 15, all prospective missionaries. So cool. I think they will all pull through!

So the highlight of the week was for sure the mission conference. I took like ten pages of notes in two hours that Elder Hamilton spoke. He definitely reminds me a lot of Elder Bednar in the way he teaches and talks and all that. super cool.

He spoke on the path that leads to exaltation. It is a straight and narrow path that has to pass through certain gaits and checkpoints, baptism, the temple, etc, an without those gaits and checkpoints people will NEVER make it to eternal life. It is essential that we teach the path. Elder Holland said, "if you can convince me of the WHY, I’ll figure out the HOW" he told a story of some members in the Congo, two men who rode ONE bicycle over 8 days to go to stake conference where they received the Melchizedek priesthood. Two guys one bike, 8 days, across the country to listen to their priesthood leaders and receive the power of God so they can serve others. Talk about consecration!!!!

 So he talked about how our investigators, if they do not take the very first steps, reading, praying, coming to church, they will not keep and honor baptismal their temple covenants. That’s how we can know who to focus on. The people who show the desire. Even if they’re not perfect. Desire is universal. 

So I learned a lot from that,  and me and Elder Banta will have some extra finding time, but we will find those who will receive us and the Lord. I’m so excited!!!!

I love doing this work. I am so blessed to have great leaders, and examples all around me. Not only my mission president, and family, and friends, but in the mission also. Elder Hyde and Clifford, as the assistants to the president, who I’m so stoked that Clifford will live with me and Hyde now, and also Elders Merkley, Mariquele, Rigby, and Petersen. All amazing elders who make me better every day.

I’m really really trying to do my best to consecrate myself and these next few months of my mission. My favorite quote from Elder Hamilton, I don’t know if he made it up or not, but I liked it- 

"you have two years to do it, and a lifetime to think about it. " NO REGRETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m doing my best and will do better every day to make sure I am giving all my heart mind might and strength to the lord. I love this gospel so much and am so grateful to teach it to this people in Angola. 

I love allllll of you so much and am so thankful for the packages!!! The four bubble packages got here and Greg I got your letter! Loved it and am writing yours right now. 

I love you all, have good safe weeks, and know I love you! Make someone better, serve, be Christlike, and love one another! 

tchao!!

com amor,

Elder Colin Montgomery

Elder Clifford says hi!!!

So Much to Be Thankful for !

Simple things that make him Smile

Thanksgiving Day Soccer Tournament Championship 2013, 

does Elder Montgomery make the penalty shot for the win ? 

or does Elder Domingos (who has been playing soccer all of his life) block the shot.  

 

The long awaited marriage of Kito and Miloca,Congratulations.

68 Weeks in Angola

OLa miinha familia!                                                                                        Dec. 2, 2013

I love you all so much and hope that everyone had a marvelous Thanksgiving and is now in the awesome Christmas spirit! I sure am!

So this week was a really good one. crazy and stressful at a few times, but super good. 

Monday we had a half pday because of Thanksgiving, but it was good to get out and start the week off with a hard day of work!

   Elder Rigby and Elder Peterson are walking together as companions, and they are both in the field for only 9 weeks so far!!! >ELDER PETERSON AND RIGBY ARE STUDS!!!!! I never ever could have walked with someone my same time in the mission before I even got done training. But Elder Rigby and Peterson have completely amazed me and are rocking in their area, both with only 11 weeks in Angola. They are very diligent and are progressing both together very well. They’re my heroes of the week! 

Wednesday we received Elder Andre, (Angolan) and Elder Brown in our house, who were in Lubango, but for Elder Andre to get his visa to Portugal they are in Luanda, so there is 8 elders living in our house right now. It’s a lot!!!! Very crowded but FUN. There’s always someone to talk to haha

Wednesday night we went with our branch president to visit a member recent convert who needs some help, so we took our branch president there, and had a really good visit with her. But the really cool thing was when my comp, Elder Merkley, bore his testimony about a personal experience of keeping the  Sabbath day holy to the member, and the spirit was SO strong. Elder Merkley doesn’t usually say a lot, he’s a pretty quiet guy, but I am learning so much with him because when he bears his testimony he does it with power and authority, and the sprit floods upon the lesson. It’s truly amazing and I love learning with him. The spirit doesn’t care what we say, he wants to guide  our words and then they will be powerful. Something I’m trying to learn. Elder Merkley is teaching me so much!

Thursday,,, was AMaZING. Thanksgiving, turkey bowl, but soccer. We the Bem fica bate bwe beat the Luanda 2 big red underdogs in the first game semi finals, but then lost to the Lumbago laser cats in the final, the picture I sent of me taking a penalty shot would have won the game but Elder Domingo’s blocked it:(

So we lost but had so so much fun playing. Then we alllll helped to make the t-day diner, I peeled like 20 pound of potatoes and am now a pro at peeling a potatoes with just a knife. Dinner was amazing, then we made skits and just had fun. It was a blast to be with all the elders and have so much fun, even though I lost us the game for the championship:(!

So then Friday I went on a division with Elder Clifford  and that was fun , but the highlight of the day was the wedding of Kito and Miloca, Friday night. Me and Elder Clifford, then Dunkley then Tingey taught him and her in Cassequel forever, the whole five transfers when I was there and even more, and they finally got married. I was so happy I wanted to cry. Kito will be baptized on this Saturday, I’m so excited. 

Saturday and Sunday were normal but good days. Our branch had some awesome baptisms, and it was stress free and fun. I loved this week. I learned so much about following the spirit, I’ve been trying to learn from Elder Merkley and I have learned so much. He truly has the spirit and testifies with power and authority. I love watching people hearts be touched and then hearing how they describe the spirit. My face just lights up when someone recognizes the sprint and the lord working using us as his hammer such a fulfilling experience! 

I love you all! I hope the spirit of Christmas fills your weeks and you all remember the birth of the greatest man who ever was born or whoever will be born on this earth, and I promise that he lives! I love you all! Have a good week! I’ll give the details about skype when I find out. No idea yet! I love you!

Have a good week. Remember even though thanksgiving is over all that you are thankful for! Share with those who don’t have. It’s a commandment and part of our baptismal covenants! “weep with those who weep, comfort those that stand in need of comfort”. There are those who are without family or presents or food this holiday season.. My challenge to you all is to serve someone this week. Not someone who you know or who isn’t suffering, but be Christlike and truly help someone this week. YOU'LL HAVE TO LOOK! Opportunities won’t knock on the door. You might have to look a little. But you’ll find it, then don’t let it pass, because Christ wouldn’t!

Love you all!!!!!

com muito amor,

Elder Montgomery!