Movin' On

Monday, May 26, 2014

Everyone,

Okay, due to the lack of response from y'all, I'm going to revert to my previous method of writing and just putting down whatever comes to my mind.

This was week six of the transfer and literally nothing gets done. Once you get transfer calls, then the next 76 hours everything just falls apart. But we were able to do lots of service this week and saying goodbye to everyone because...

ELDER COX IS GOING ON A BIKE IN THE SUMMER

So, these next few weeks are going to be an experiment. I'm going to take before and after pictures and see just how much weight I drop from pure sweat. I'm not going to sugar coat it either, these next few weeks are going to be hell. But as always, the scriptures bring comfort: "And also that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth." The Lord likes using refiners fire to make his saints pure.

Just as a heads up, I'm going to to be using a lot of heat references. And this is about it for the letter, things are crazy with packing and I'm not very focused. I'll be better next week.

Love you all,

Elder Cox

(PS from Mom - Elder Cox let us know he'll be in the "Rancho Vista" area which, as far as we can tell, is by Palmdale.  His new companion will be Elder Spencer.)

And, finally, today's letter (post #5 of 5):

Summer in the Mojave Desert

Monday, May 19, 2014

Everyone,

So this week was pretty mellow. We have a new requirement to do 10 hours of service a week and that is helpful to us because it is a nice change of pace. But with the weather heating up the average summer temperature of the mission is probably 110 degrees, we'll see how long we do this. But all in all, it was a decent week. For sake of efficiency, I'm going to try something new and go day by day and give y'all the highlights:

On Monday, I had an epiphany about obedience and how it ties in with missionary work. Bottom line: when you obey, you have the Spirit and your "job" is a lot easier.

On Tuesday, we went on exchanges with the zone leaders and I got to go to the Spanish area! Usually that means just tagging along all day, but we actually ran into a lot of English speakers, including a student at the local college that's run by a different religion. Now don't get me wrong, I know that they are not all mean and spiteful; but it is very refreshing to talk to one of those students and not have them try to bash with you. Such was the case with this guy. We chatted for a few minutes and he shared his conversion story to the preaching of the Gospel, and we were able to leave him a Family Search card and invited him to look for his ancestors. AND...we both left feeling uplifted and edified. Success!

Wednesday was service oriented cleaning up a yard for a less-active. We also had a lesson with our really solid investigator who has pretty much all the basic LDS beliefs. She's been through a lot in her life, but realizes that God's hand is in everything that happens. Even now she recognizes that Heavenly Father has put her in a position now to learn about the Church and see that she agrees with a lot of the same things.

Thursday I gave a Book of Mormon to the convert I baptized that had my and my family's testimonies written in it. He's leaving to go back to Sacramento for a few months to work and get some money saved up to live off of easier.

I won't go too much into the circumstances of Friday, but just know I really like President Hinckley's words when he was visiting a mission (paraphrasing): "You lot aren't much to look at, but you're all the Lord's got."

Saturday night I went and calculated out what I think the standard of excellence is going to be for the hours requirement. Let me explain: to better track how missionaries are using their time and to see how efficient they are being, we are asked to keep track of the number of hours spent proselyting, serving, and planning each week. We as missionaries don't know exactly why this is being put in place. Well... we have our suspicions, but I'm going with the theory that as it says in Romans 14:12, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Because when progress is measured, progress improves; when progress is measured and reported, progress accelerates.

Sunday was laid back and we had a nice lesson with a kid that we'll be handing over to the YSA (Young Single Adult) elders most likely.

That's all for the week, I don't know if I like this new way of writing. It's a little faster, but doesn't seem that personal. Let me know what y'all think (What was that? No, I'm not desperate for emails, what makes you think that?). Love you all and I'll let you know if I'm going to be moving or not. Most likely I will, I've been here 6 months so we'll see what happens.

Love,

Elder Cox

Post #4 of #5:

Well - obviously I'm going to talk about Mother's Day.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Everyone,

Yeah, in case y'all weren't aware, this last Sunday was Mother's Day. It is a time of rejoicing for all missionaries cause we get to call/Skype home and see our families' smiling faces. It helps us to remember why we are out here and exactly what the Gospel is all about: being with our families and feeling loved in this world. So already my sounds better than last week, huh?

We also had President interviews on Thursday. It is always fun to sit down with him and just talk. With almost 250 missionaries in the mission it sometimes feels like you get lost in the shuffle. But when you sit down with President Wilson and he is able to continue your conversation from last time, it really makes one feel loved. 

So those were the really big things this week, we also are going to have an investigator with a baptismal date this week if all goes well. She is definitely one of those people spoken of in Doctrine and Covenants 123 which says, "For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations...who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it." And what are we supposed to do? "...we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven...Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

I apologize that this is so short, but there really isn't much else to tell. Hope you all have an excellent week, I love you, and until next time,

Elder Cox

Post #3 of 5:

I love my family!

Monday, May 5, 2014

  

Everyone,

So... my week was rotten. It got hijacked by a crazy less-active family. I now understand why the white handbook says, "do not commit yourselves to a project that could become difficult to continue or could cause problems if you need to discontinue it." Let's just say that this family is super dysfunctional and they are all certifiably psychotic. It makes me so grateful for my own family. But, after helping them, the son now has a fighting chance to get reactivated in the church; so those three days were not wasted. Other than that nothing happened.

So, to fill up this email I'm going to share parts of my favorite conference talk from President Uchtdorf:

Sometimes we think of the Restoration of the gospel as something that is complete, already behind us—Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, he received priesthood keys, the Church was organized. In reality, the Restoration is an ongoing process; we are living in it right now. It includes “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal,” and the “many great and important things” that “He will yet reveal.”2 Brethren, the exciting developments of today are part of that long-foretold period of preparation that will culminate in the glorious Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ...

We are designed to soar freely through the heavens. We are not meant to be shackled to the earth, imprisoned in straitjackets of our own making...

There is too much at stake for us as individuals, as families, and as Christ’s Church to give only a halfhearted effort to this sacred work...

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all...

The Lord’s promise to His true priesthood holders is almost too grand to comprehend...

Let us be awake and not be weary of well-doing, for we “are laying the foundation of a great work,” even preparing for the return of the Savior...

I love you all and look forward to a better week than last.

Elder Cox

Post #2 of 5:

Don't think of purple elephants... Ha!  You just did!

Monday, April 28, 2014

Everyone,

Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: I hit my year mark on Thursday. And not only that, but I filled up my first journal and started a new one on that same day. So I'm in an interesting mood right now to say the least. I feel really old and yet really ignorant about mission things. I suppose that is how most people feel, at least I hope I'm not the only one. But enough trunkiness! It's time to talk about what we learned today.

I had some really good personal studies this week. I examined the three parts to a good commitment, the importance of following up, how to use the Book of Mormon more effectively, and even glanced at the language chapter of Preach My Gospel. That chapter was interesting, because although it is geared greatly towards foreign speaking missionaries, there are still nuggets of truth that could be applicable to any missionary. For example, it was talking about being dedicated and diligent in learning the language, but the principle could be used for communication skills in general: "The Lord has invested much in you, and He may have uses for your [communication] abilities later in your life." I had never taken time to think about how much is invested in me; it's a very humbling thing to contemplate.

In Gospel principles class on Sunday, we talked about the priesthood. There was a President David O. McKay quote that promised every man who uses the priesthood in righteousness “will find his life sweetened, his discernment sharpened to decide quickly between right and wrong, his feelings tender and compassionate, yet his spirit strong and valiant in defense of right; he will find the priesthood a never failing source of happiness—a well of living water springing up unto eternal life." That really stuck with me and made me realize that I might be taking some of my priesthood responsibility lightly. Thank heavens for our prophets to smack us around the head a bit and get us back on track.

That was about the extent of my gospel learning that is shareable. We did some service on Saturday helping restore a city park. It was lots of fun, even more so since about 30% of the people were missionaries. The city people definitely sat up and noticed that. It's good to know that people outside of the church are realizing that we are a large force for good.

That's about it. I love you all and hope you have an excellent week.

Elder Cox

Finally getting around to updating Ethan's mission blog.  Sorry it took so long!

Hop, hop, bunny, bunny 

Monday, April 21, 2014

Everyone,

I apologize in advance for the disjointed email, the FHC (Family History Center) is a little distracting today and I'm just now able to focus and send this off.

This last week we had an awesome lesson where we got three new investigators. And it was really nice because the members at the lesson really knew their stuff, so we didn't have to hold their hand during it and they were able to teach parts of the Restoration and relate it to their friends way better than we ever could.

Elder Hosteen also shared a really cool illustration in regards with missionary work. Out here in the field, there are leaders in place to help guide and direct the work of other missionaries. Every companionship had a Senior and Junior companion, and many missionaries have the senior do all the thinking and work. However, Hosteen likened the work to two dots with a line drawn between them: when one is leading the the other following, there is very little ground covered; but when the dots are side-by-side and the line is horizontal, then lots more ground can be covered. That is why they send us out two by two so we can work together for the salvation of souls.

The other momentous event this week was clearing out our recent convert's house with the sisters from Relief Society. I'm so proud of them for having the desire to finally do this. When I first met them they were in pretty poor conditions with no real desire to change and clean up; but now with them progressing in the gospel, they realize that they don't need to live in such unsanitary situations. They can be better and they finally decided to change something about it. President Packer said that "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” This is so true! And President Kimball also talked on this subject, saying, "Substitute habits, change environment. Change comes by substituting new habits for old. You mold your character and future by thoughts and actions. You can change by changing your environment. Let go of lower things, and reach for higher. Surround yourself with the best in books, music, art, and people."

I also learned a lot from Mosiah 3:19 on how to be a better man: 1) Listen to the Holy Ghost; 2) Put off the natural man by gaining light/truth through studying the scriptures (see Alma 19:6); and 3) Become as a child by yielding your heart to God through fasting and prayer (see Helaman 3:35). And above all, use the Atonement to relieve yourself of all unrighteousness. What a great Easter message! Speaking of, this Sunday was awesome and the Holy Ghost was testifying like crazy to me that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He did die on the cross and suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for my sins and for my pains that I will have in this life. I know that the power of his Atonement is real, and that as we lay our burdens at his feet that he can lift us to new heights and help us to become the men and women we need to be to live with our Father in Heaven again.

Love you all and hope you have an excellent week,

Elder Cox

Warning - some of the pictures at the end of the letter should not be viewed by people with weak dispositions.  Consider yourself warned!  :)

 

 Mojave: The Valley of the Winds

 

 

Monday, April14, 2014

 

Everyone,

So firstly, I'm not entirely sure if that is an accurate translation of the word Mojave, but that's what I'm going with after the gales we had blowing through here last week. Anyways, the big new is that I'm staying in Rosamond for another six weeks, which will make 6 months total in this area. I'm really quite okay with it. If it means that I don't have to move and get sick again, I'd be okay staying a whole year. There is enough work here to keep us busy for a while, especially after Ward Conference. Let me back up.

A few weeks ago our Bishop came up with the idea to go around to the Less-Active members or those that no one knows and visit with them and leave "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" with them. That idea never really came into practice, but them on Sunday, what did the Stake President talk about? Sharing the Proclamation with everyone as a means of sharing the gospel and telling people what our beliefs are. He taught the every paragraph, every sentence can be used to teach a principle of the gospel, since they are statements of doctrine jam packed with truth. So, Elder Hosteen and I (he's staying too) have a wonderful idea: teach the members how to share the Proclamation and help them keep the challenge that Elder Ballard gave this last General Conference to invite 4 people to hear the gospel. So...guess we're going to be the busiest and the most organized missionaries in the stake by transfer's end, provided this doesn't blow up in our face. But since the challenge (both Elder Ballard's and the stake president's) came from the First Presidency, it should work. Fun fun fun!

We also helped out people with service and blessings. Because of the nature of the situation, I cannot disclose much, just know that the Lord strengthens those who are in his service. Not only physically, but also spiritually as well. 

Sorry for the brevity of the email, but I was caught up in pictures. Love you all and hope you have an excellent week.

Elder Cox

P.S. Here is a picture of a baloot, which I ate on Friday. Surprisingly, unborn duck tastes like chicken once you get past the gag reflex.

 

This is a baloot.

Elder Cox cooing to the baloot.

Elder Cox with other missionaries at Red Rock Canyon.

Panoramic view of Red Rock Canyon.

Elder Cox with his current companion, Elder Hosteen from Burley, ID.