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.

 

I once again am delinquent in my postings.  So here's #1:

Alma 5:19

"I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"

Monday, April 7, 2014

We went on exchanges with the Mojave branch missionaries on Wednesday. Saw a miracle in that a less-active we were referred to by Church Headquarters never was home when we stopped by. But then, going through our regular plans, we were passing by her apartment and I thought, "hmm...I wonder if she's home." We knocked on the door and although she wasn't there, her daughter was and we were able to exchange phone numbers. It was a great blessing because we have been trying to confirm she actually lived there for weeks!

On Thursday, we went over to some recent converts to check on them and see how they were doing. Turns out good thing we did. One of them felt like he had hit a wall and was stuck in a rut just doing the same thing over and over again. So we shared Alma the Younger's experience with the people of Ammonihah. When he first went to the city he was met with severe ridicule and persecution. Upon leaving the city and moving on to the next one, he was visited by an angel. His words were what we wanted the recent converts to hear: "Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you. And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them." Here (through an angel) the Lord gives Alma a pep talk, encouraging him to keep his chin up and keep going. That even though it may seem like you aren't succeeding in life, if you are doing what your Father in Heaven asks of us then you are succeeding! 

We also gave them a blessing because they are about to be going through some health issues. In the blessing, the Spirit prompted me to say some things that I really did not want to say. But he very gently reminded me that I have no say in the matter and to just give the blessing as prompted. So I did, and it was very powerful.

I also thoroughly enjoyed conference and look forward to reviewing the talks over the coming weeks. Many of them answered questions that I had, and the Holy Ghost testified constantly to me that "..whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." I love you all and hope you have an enjoyable week!

Elder Cox

P.S. we get transfer calls this Saturday and I might be going, we'll see.

And, finally, today's letter with an addendum:

94%

Monday, March 31, 2014

This week was really good, we had our investigator get baptized!!!! And we got to attend another baptism as well, one of the noisiest ones that I have been to yet. So a mission update: we had set a goal to have 50 baptisms in the month of March. We got *drum roll please* 47 out of 50!!! Yaaaaaaaaahhhhoooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a perfect end to a great month. President Wilson said that even though we didn't get 50 (and we would have if there hadn't been some last-minute things come up) we have gotten a record number since this mission has started. We now have a new goal: for this quarter (from April to June) every area gets at least one baptism. Doing the math, that is 125 new members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the California Bakersfield Mission. 

We also went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders this week. I wanted to focus on teaching simply, but mostly I just wanted to stay awake while Elder Evans taught in Spanish. Lo and behold, I was able to do both. I understand a little Spanish (not nearly enough to get by but I do know some words) so I tried to listen in and keep up with the conversation. What I found astounding was that when I listened, I still was able to feel the Holy Ghost testify of truth. Even though I didn't understand all the words, I still knew the key parts and got the gist of the conversation. I learned that there are certain "buzzwords" that the Spirit is able use to "spiritually charge" the discussion. So in reality we don't need a whole lot of filler words, but just those keywords that have such deep meaning that the Holy Ghost is able to fill in the rest. So really, I was able to accomplish both goals on exchanges and have a greater appreciation for teaching simply.

Sorry this email is so short but we got here late. Love you all and hope you have an excellent weekend.

Elder Cox

P.S. I should probably share a scripture too. Here's a funny one from Job 30:27 "My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me." 

Addendum from mom:  I asked Ethan in my weekly email to him if he had felt the L.A. earthquake.  Here's his response (silly boy!):

And yeah, I did feel the earthquake. I was actually sitting on the ground and started swaying for like 5 seconds. I know that I'm supposed stand in the doorway, right? Or is it lay in the bathtub? Or is it: Hand's o'er your head, keep low to the ground. Learn to duck and cover, yeah...duck and cover.

Letter #5:

Get thee to a Nunnery!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Everybody, 

Okay, so the week in a nutshell...I have no idea what I did. I know that I did stuff and that that we were busy, but for the life of me I don't know where the time went. I will tell you what I remember, but this is going to be a short letter. 

Firstly, we helped a damsel in distress this week. I don't know how many of you remember that woman that Elder Carper and I talked to a few weeks ago, the one that dumped all her family problems on us. Well, turns out her mom was able to talk some sense into her. And so, just like Morianton's maid who came from an abusive home and fled (see Alma 50: 30-31), so too did this daughter of God pack up everything at 8 o'clock in the dark and run with her daughter. We helped move everything and wished her the best. I hope that she makes it okay. 

On a more uplifting note however, our investigator passed his interview, so he will be baptized this Saturday! We're really really really excited for him, since he has been waiting for close to 11 years to do this. He wanted to do it when he was eight, but his father was not supportive (quite against it actually) and refused to give permission for all that time. But now that the investigator is 18, he is an adult, and able to make the decision for himself. And for this whole time he has been raised as a member, so he was just waiting to make it official. Patience really is a virtue: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." - Psalms 27:14 

Also found a random member that had been lost in the shuffle of living in group homes as a teen. But he's found and we're helping him get back in the swing of church life. 

Like I said, that's about the extent of what I can remember for this week. We have Zone Conference this Friday so I should have more to write about next week. Love you all and hope you have a productive week. 

Elder Cox

Letter #4 (this one was the Monday after his birthday):

Happee Happee Birthday to Me!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Everyone, 

 

Whew, what a week filled with doing almost nothing. To explain what I mean, I wish to share a scripture, Moroni 6:4 which says: "And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith." So guess what Elder Hosteen and I did this week? Color coded our records and maps and put all the notes from missionaries past onto one list. Now, all we have to do is visit around 450 less-active members and see who is still living here and who has moved on. Or if any of them don't want anything to do with the church, or (best case scenario) they allow us to serve them in some way and gain a desire to come back to church. That's been the focus of our efforts this week. Oh, and my birthday. 

 

To which I say thank you for all the birthday wishes. This was a very special birthday for me, because... I turned 21!!!!!!! Now to go out and do... all... the things... that usually happen? Hmmmmm... well, at least I can now... nope can't do that either. Hmmm... suggestions would be helpful here... 

 

Regardless it was a good week, full of random miracles and seeing the Lord's hand in this work. And learned some stuff about grace in church yesterday: 

 

"Christ asks us to show faith in Him, repent, make and keep covenants, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. By complying, we are not paying the demands of justice—not even the smallest part. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Jesus Christ did by using it to live a life like His. Justice requires immediate perfection or a punishment when we fall short. Because Jesus took that punishment, He can offer us the chance for ultimate perfection (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48) and help us reach that goal. He can forgive what justice never could, and He can turn to us now with His own set of requirements (see 3 Nephi 28:35)." 

 

I love you all and hope that you have an excellent St. Paddy's day as well as the rest of the week. 

 

Elder Cox

Letter #3:

Searching Out for the One

Monday, March 10, 2014

Everyone, 

Okay so this week has been really sweet. My new companion Elder Hosteen is from Burley, ID. It's such a nice change to have a companion from the Gem State, because we understand so much about each other. He's a riot to be around so I am super excited about this transfer! We are going to get a lot of member work done, because tracting in Rosamond just don't work. The Baptist churches around here have a very tight grip on the people we we have to let the member find those who are open to the gospel. And we're going to help the ward out because they have upwards of 300 people on record but only about 120 are actively attending church. So we're going to see if these people still even live here. Who knows? There might be another ward here in Rosamond if all goes as I hope it will.

 

We had a meeting on Friday called ZTM where all the members of our zone go and are trained by the Zone Leaders who also pass along what they were talked to by President Wilson. The focus for this month is humility, and I want to share a little bit from Preach My Gospel and how it defines being humble:

 

"Humility is willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished. It includes gratitude for His blessings and acknowledgment of your constant need for His divine help...You are also willing to trust His chosen servants and follow their counsel...The opposite of humility is pride, which is condemned in the scriptures. To be prideful means to put greater trust in oneself than in God or in His servants. It also means to put the things of the world above the things of God. Prideful people take honor to themselves rather than giving God the glory. Pride is competitive; those who are prideful seek to have more and presume they are better than other people. Pride usually results in feelings of anger and hatred, and it is a great stumbling block."

 

That's really about all for this week. We spent a lot of our time planning out what we're going to do this transfer and how we are going to go about hastening the work of salvation in this area. But mission-wide, we are on track to reach 50 baptisms by the end of March! Exciting times to live in. I can't wait to see what the next few weeks will bring.

 

Love you all and hope that you enjoy the blessings the Lord gives to you.

 

Elder Cox

Letter #2:

I Love to See the Temple

Monday, March 3, 2014

 

Everyone,

Firstly, my investigators Billie and Zach got confirmed on Sunday, and I'm grateful that we were able to help them take those last steps and enter in at the strait gate and receive the Holy Ghost. And what a wonderful opportunity to be the voice for Billie's confirmation. I have done that only once before and both time the spirit within that circle is so strong and the love of our Father in Heaven is so evident as to remove all doubt in my mind as to the existence of God and his son Jesus Christ. It was a very uplifting experience and the ward was very welcoming.

Saturday was also fantastic. Originally, our ride for the temple cancelled on us because there was lots of rain and there were a lot of accidents on the 405 which was a bummer. But... we were getting ready for the day when our temple ride called and said the weather was nicer than predicted and wanted to know if we still wanted to go the temple. Of course! I was thrilled to enjoy the peace of the temple and to have questions answered and new gospel insights revealed. And I was able to put things back into the eternal perspective. The biggest insight I had was how joyful we should be in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is our Savior. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

We all make mistakes in our lives and each one of us at some point has wished that we could take back something we said or did. Through the atoning blood of Christ we can be clean again and live with our Father in Heaven. That should be enough to make anyone's bad day better.

Lastly, I am staying here in Rosamond, and my companion of leaving to a bike area. We don't know were we go until transfer meeting itself when they announce it over the pulpit, so I will let ya'll know where he went and who my new companion is.

Love ya'll!

Elder Cox

Can't believe I haven't posted for over a month!  Sorry!!  Let me get you caught up:

The Worth of Souls is Great in the Sight of God

Monday, February 24, 2014

To Everyone and Anyone, 

So, this week was pretty much the most stressful one that I have ever had in my entire life. Not even joking. And it wasn't even a busy week really, just Saturday was the kicker: I got my first convert baptisms of my mission!!!! I was stressing out so much to make sure that everything went smoothly, that my investigator didn't fall down the font steps and drown, and that she also didn't suffocate without her oxygen cord. So yeah, I'm really relieved that I didn't have to try and bring anyone back from the dead as well as baptize them. We are waiting a week for her to get her strength back up so that we can confirm her next Sunday. 

Nevertheless, my heart was so full of gratitude to my Father in Heaven for his help this week. There were so many miracles that he performed and so many prayers that he answered. I have a firm testimony of the words which the Lord spake to Joseph Smith in D&C 18: "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" I have found myself randomly tearing (crying, not ripping) up and my heart full of emotion when I think back on the baptism. I have such a testimony of the peace that the Gospel brings, and not only in other's lives, but in our own when we reach out and share it with others. People are just so much happier when doing missionary work!  

It's just, I don't feel extremely blissful, but I just am so at peace with the world. Everything just seems right with the Universe. On Saturday all the stars aligned and all the powers of heaven combined to allow my investigators to enter in at the strait gate, and set their feet upon the path of eternal life. One of them shared a dream she had the night before her baptism and I'm going to repeat it for you. In her dream, she was talking to her sister (who is dead) and another departed relative who were saying their goodbyes. I can't remember the exact words they used, but it was something along the lines of, "We need to go, but you are in the care of other angels now." And they are. This is the Lord's work, and no one can stop the work of salvation among the children of men. 

I love you all, and am so grateful for the prayers and letters and words of support. Hope you have an awesome week and enjoy the many blessings in your lives. Just remember the word of Albert Einstein when you feel down: "You can live your life in one of two ways: as if everything is a miracle, or as if nothing is."

Elder Cox

And, finally, last week's letter:

Back on Track

Monday, February 17, 2014

Alright. Apologizes about last week. Turns out it wasn't food poisoning but a stomach bug that got my companion sick the next day, but we're all better and super excited about this next week. More on that later; but first a recap of 2 weeks ago: Seahawks soar, family feuds, and psychic toddlers. Is that enough for y'all? No? You want me to go in depth? Fine... 

For those of you who live under a rock and don't have awesome members like me that will give you a blow-by-blow, the Seahawks murdered the Broncos in the Superbowl. That's my boys! 

Elder Carper and I talked to a lady who has one of the most messed up family situations I have come across yet. She is still in love with her abusive husband and her 3 or 4 year old daughter, who is taking after her father and throwing things at the woman when she doesn't get her way. It made me extremely grateful for my family and the positive impact they have on my life. 

We had dinner one night with a family whose daughters are certifiably psychic. The oldest daughter and the youngest daughter both knew that they had a baby brother on the way before the mom even knew she was pregnant. The oldest kept making a bed out of blankets and pillows next to hers and kept saying it was for her baby brother. The youngest kept rubbing her mom's stomach saying, "baby, baby, baby." In both cases, the girls were very young (no more than 3 or 4 years old) and they were both right. Well, those are the highlights for 2 weeks ago. Now for this week... 

As I said before, I got sick and then my companion, but after we both were feeling better we turned our attentions on our two investigators who are going to be baptized this Saturday! Without going into too much detail, Satan is trying his best to stop them from entering the strait gate. But true to the old saying that "evil only wins when good men do nothing," Elder Carper and I have been exercising all our energies in making sure it goes on without a hitch. And the Lord is blessing us with miracles out the wazoo! I really couldn't do it without Him. I know I have shared this scripture before, but I'm going to add others with it:

     "...for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain." - Moroni 7:37

     

     "But I say unto you: Mine angels shall go up before you, and also my presence, and in time ye shall possess the goodly land." - Doctrine and Covenants 103:20

 

There you go, that about sums up my week. Hopefully my season of sickness is over, and I can rest now and actually do some missionary work.

 

Love you all and hope you have an excellent a week as I am planning on having!

Elder Cox

My boy got sick again.  So letter #4 is very short due to illness (but he DID write!):

Ugh!

Monday, February 10, 2014

Everyone,

I apologize greatly for the shortness of this letter, but I may have gotten food poisoning again so I'm not feeling too hot. But had to write and let you all know that I'm still alive for now and that the baptism we were going to have this last weekend has been moved now to the first of next month. My other investigators are on track still for the 20th, so yeaaaaah! I promise an extra long letter next week.

 

Love you all and hope you have an awesome week,

Elder Cox

p.s. Happy Valentine's Day

Letter #3:

Beyond a shadow of a doubt

 

Monday, February 3, 2014

Everybody, 

Firstly, I wish to repent of not sharing a super awesome experience that is now two weeks old, but better late than never. We were eating dinner at an older couple's house that have two daughters that suffer from Downs syndrome. I use the word "suffer" very loosely because of what happens next. In the course of the conversation, we turned to the subject of Christ and were talking about him. With her eyes bright and her face beaming, the older of the two sisters stuttered, "that's my friend!" When she said these words, I felt a chill run down my spine at the surety that she uttered that statement. This woman, though destined to have a physically and mentally challenging life, knows without a shadow of a doubt the Jesus is the Christ and that he is our advocate with the Father. He is a friend to the friendless; our rock of salvation. Her testimony was so strong it was almost scary to be in the company of one who understood so much about the things that matter most. It made my testimony seem very small indeed. 

Now for this week, we have run into some baptismal barriers that has/might push their dates back. The one that we were going to have this Saturday has been moved, but just so that his uncle can come up from LA to perform the ordinance. The other has brought up some Word of Wisdom problems and he might have to wait until he gets them sorted out. But the Lord will provide a way for them to enter into the waters of baptism if it is their time. 

On that note, I also neglected to tell you all about our super awesome goal that we have set for the month of March: to have 50 convert baptisms. This will stretch us a bit, since we are averaging about 35 for the last few months. But we know that "...the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul." It's super exciting and I can't wait to tell you how many we actually get, it's going to be epic! 

Love you all and hope that you have a stupendous week,

Elder Cox