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.