Sorry this is later than normal.  I've also attached a sweet email I received from a woman that Elder Cox has been teaching.  Her husband is a member, but she isn't.  Hope that can change with my son's help.  :)

Guess I need to work on my revelatory skills

Monday, September 16, 2013

First and foremost, I am staying in Tehachapi (and my powers of revelation are less than reliable), at least until the end of October. And I still have Elder Eisele as well. And believe it or not, I am glad that I'm staying because I have a vision for the work here that I haven't quite been able to realize, and I was hoping that I would have more time to see it come to fruition. President and Sister Wilson's words on Sunday during Stake Conference should definitely help the wards get more enthusiastic about giving referrals, and we should be seeing an increase in numbers.  I have faith. I am also grateful that I still have Elder Eisele, because I am learning so much from him. He requires a bit of effort to be patient with, but nevertheless I am glad he is with me so I can learn these things from him, and also to discover what a complex young man he is. That is not so say that we always are "clicking," our minds work in very different ways. But it's good for both of us to be with someone so different, and I know that this transfer is going to be even better than the last. 

 

The biggest lesson that I was able to learn this week was that I need to be more forgiving of myself, because thoughts of inadequacy and anger are not from God, but from Satan. On Friday the 13th (wouldn't you know it), I woke up very angry with myself and all the faults that I had. I don't know why these thoughts crept into my mind, but all I know is that they started festering and made me more than a little cranky. That is, until I read 2 Nephi 4:27-30 which says: 

 

"And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation." 

 

I am so thankful for the Lord's atonement and for the ability that we have to bring all our troubles and shortcomings to him so that he is able to make us strong and mighty. Just like President Young (?) talked about forgiving those who have offended us, when often we need to first forgive ourselves and allow the atonement of Jesus Christ to work within our hearts and heal our cankered souls. That is always something that I need to remind myself. 

 

Stake President Russell also gave a really good talk on eternal marriages, and how in every other temple ordinance, it is between you and God. But temple sealings are the only covenant that we make with another mortal and God. Many times we think that we are only covenanting with our spouse, when really it is a three-way contract. I have never made that connection before; and although marriage is a long way off for me, the principle is still the same - my companion and I have to work with God in missionary work and it never works if only one of the companions is working, you have to both be on the same page with God to further the work of salvation.

 

Love you all and hope that you all have a good week and look forward to another awesome 6 weeks in the land of four seasons.

Elder Cox

Elder Cox's mission district:  (from L to R)  Elders Angles, Flores, Eisele (Ethan's companion), Kasper, Page, Duckworth, Fernandez, and Cox

 

 

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September 14, 2013

Hi Erin!

 

It's L writing to thank you first of all for a wonderful son. He is truly a special young man that B and I are so grateful to have in our lives. He was the voice of calm and reassurance when I called him from the hospital after B came out of surgery. I was hysterical with grief and panic because B was so angry and in pain. The person I called was Elder Cox, he was the voice I needed to hear to tell me that we would both be okay. He said he would contact the rest of the Elders and they would be praying for us.

 

Elder Cox and Elder Eisele were waiting for us when we got home. They have been here almost every day since making sure that we are okay and helping with B's garden because he can't be on uneven ground.

 

The second thank you is for the meat loaf recipe which is fabulous. I fixed it for the Elders and they both liked it, Elder Eisele actually had seconds and that kid is a skinny rail!

 

Thank you again for your amazing Son and the recipe. I hope that we will be able to meet when his mission is over. 

 

Warmly,
L