This is where we will update you with letters that Mattie has sent to us while in the Dominican Republic!!
December 1st, 2014
What a week! It seems like our entire zone was with the the 7 plagues of the DR! Poor Hermana Lang got taken down with what appears to be dengue. Hermana Lastra caught the flu, and then we all got hit with a stomach bug. Almost all of the hermanas in the zone are in a similar boat. It's just that time of year! Every time it moves over to winter here, the whole world gets sick. Luckily I was able to stay made way through it pretty strong. I've been through almost all of it before and now it just has minimal effect of me. The blessing have prior sickness are finally coming out :)! haha.
For Thanksgiving we celebrated pretty low key. Because it fell on a Thursday we decided to hold a pot luck, where everyone brought some kind of dish from their country if they could. It ended up really good actually! With a lot of food, and a lot of fun :).
Other than that this week all in all was fairly uneventful. The majority I spent inside caring for the sick, the poor things. So I just studied and cleaned a lot. BUT! The one really exciting announcement of the week is about the new church program that just came out. It's called ´Ël es la dádiva´. Or in English, He is the Gift. It's the new program from the church for this Christmas Season. It come with a website called christmas.mormon.org and I recommend that everyone goes to visit it! There you will find a short 3 minute video about the true meaning of Christmas. It's just gorgeous!
We had a special meeting as mission leaders to discuss how this is going to be implemented in our missionary work. We have special pass along cards and everything, with special numbers that we need to report to the fist presidency. I'm so excited about it! And the wonderful is that the video is able to be shared over social media. So I invite all of you to watch, and share this beautiful video! It's such a great reminder about the true meaning of the Christmas season. The church has even bought out an entire day on YouTube. Sunday December 7th, all of the advertisements on YouTube will be from the church. So do all that you all can do make sure that a ton of people go to visit YouTube that day.
What a great time is it to be a missionary! It's just so fun being able to share the things with others, and with the help of inspired church leaders and each and every one of us I know that we will be able to make this video blow up all over the web!
I hope you all take the challenge! But I love you all tons! Make good choices, and I'll talk to you all next week. Enjoy the start of the Christmas season. It's the best!
Love
Hermana Cox
What a week! It seems like our entire zone was with the the 7 plagues of the DR! Poor Hermana Lang got taken down with what appears to be dengue. Hermana Lastra caught the flu, and then we all got hit with a stomach bug. Almost all of the hermanas in the zone are in a similar boat. It's just that time of year! Every time it moves over to winter here, the whole world gets sick. Luckily I was able to stay made way through it pretty strong. I've been through almost all of it before and now it just has minimal effect of me. The blessing have prior sickness are finally coming out :)! haha.
For Thanksgiving we celebrated pretty low key. Because it fell on a Thursday we decided to hold a pot luck, where everyone brought some kind of dish from their country if they could. It ended up really good actually! With a lot of food, and a lot of fun :).
Other than that this week all in all was fairly uneventful. The majority I spent inside caring for the sick, the poor things. So I just studied and cleaned a lot. BUT! The one really exciting announcement of the week is about the new church program that just came out. It's called ´Ël es la dádiva´. Or in English, He is the Gift. It's the new program from the church for this Christmas Season. It come with a website called christmas.mormon.org and I recommend that everyone goes to visit it! There you will find a short 3 minute video about the true meaning of Christmas. It's just gorgeous!
We had a special meeting as mission leaders to discuss how this is going to be implemented in our missionary work. We have special pass along cards and everything, with special numbers that we need to report to the fist presidency. I'm so excited about it! And the wonderful is that the video is able to be shared over social media. So I invite all of you to watch, and share this beautiful video! It's such a great reminder about the true meaning of the Christmas season. The church has even bought out an entire day on YouTube. Sunday December 7th, all of the advertisements on YouTube will be from the church. So do all that you all can do make sure that a ton of people go to visit YouTube that day.
What a great time is it to be a missionary! It's just so fun being able to share the things with others, and with the help of inspired church leaders and each and every one of us I know that we will be able to make this video blow up all over the web!
I hope you all take the challenge! But I love you all tons! Make good choices, and I'll talk to you all next week. Enjoy the start of the Christmas season. It's the best!
Love
Hermana Cox
November 24th, 2014
I am 21 years old, officially an adult, and sometimes I still feel like I toddle around like a child learning to walk. I fell down this week. I hate when that happens. And it happened in the worst of ways. In my defense, it was really dark out! As you all know, there isn't always light here, and it was one of those nights that are pitch black. So we decided to play it safe and head home. While passing by the high way, I couldn't see very well what was ahead of me. All I knew was that one moment I was upright, and the next step never hit. I remember my companion yelling something at me before I took the step, and I remember wondering if there was some kind of ledge or step that I had forgotten about. but nope. Turns out there was an open man hole along the path that I had not seen. That's right folks, I half way fell into an open man hole. And it was gross. Really gross. I don't even want to know what my foot was in! I fished myself out of there as fast as I could and we booked it home. It was one of those mission moments that you never imagined you would have! Open man holes aren't uncommon here, and I've always kept a pretty keen eye for them out of a mixture of curiosity, disgust, and fear for safety. . I've heard of missionaries falling in, but never did I think it would be me. Going out with a literal BANG! haha.
Luckily, nothing really bad happened. I just got a few pretty nasty bruises, but I pretty much bathed myself in alcohol and we're all in the clear. What an adventure!
Other than that, it was a pretty normal week. We're finding some news, and we have a new investigator with a fecha! His name is Leandi, and he¡s 21 years old. He's a reference from our 15 year old investigator Hector, and he's great! We had our first lesson with him, and the entire time you could just see how sincerely he was accepting the message.His answers were really inspired and well thought out, and the entire time during the lesson I thought that we needed to learn more about his religious past. Right as the lesson ends, and I'm about to ask him how he gained his testimony of God and Christ so strongly and clearly, he confessed that he had actually been taking the missionary lessons for 7 months before moving here to Los Frailes, and that he had had really good experiences with our church. He said that he even has white shirts and suit pants for going to church in his closet. Needless to say us and the member were jaw dropped. The most hilarious reaction was that of his friend Hector, who gave him as a reference. He just stared at him, and then yelled ¨DUDE! Why didn't you get baptized?! You could have been on a mission by now!¨ We all just cracked up. But we put a fecha for the 20th of December, for the big stake baptism. So we're all really excited.
We're hoping to keep seeing this progress. The area is so great! It's almost never been worked, so there is a lot of potential there that has yet to be explored! So we're on that. But I love you all tons, and I can't wait to hear for you all soon. Just let me know if there is anything that you all would like from here before I go so I can get it all worked out. I would love to send pictures, but the thing to do it isn't working...so you might just have to wait. Sorry! But I love you tons! Have a great week!
Love
Hermana Cox
I am 21 years old, officially an adult, and sometimes I still feel like I toddle around like a child learning to walk. I fell down this week. I hate when that happens. And it happened in the worst of ways. In my defense, it was really dark out! As you all know, there isn't always light here, and it was one of those nights that are pitch black. So we decided to play it safe and head home. While passing by the high way, I couldn't see very well what was ahead of me. All I knew was that one moment I was upright, and the next step never hit. I remember my companion yelling something at me before I took the step, and I remember wondering if there was some kind of ledge or step that I had forgotten about. but nope. Turns out there was an open man hole along the path that I had not seen. That's right folks, I half way fell into an open man hole. And it was gross. Really gross. I don't even want to know what my foot was in! I fished myself out of there as fast as I could and we booked it home. It was one of those mission moments that you never imagined you would have! Open man holes aren't uncommon here, and I've always kept a pretty keen eye for them out of a mixture of curiosity, disgust, and fear for safety. . I've heard of missionaries falling in, but never did I think it would be me. Going out with a literal BANG! haha.
Luckily, nothing really bad happened. I just got a few pretty nasty bruises, but I pretty much bathed myself in alcohol and we're all in the clear. What an adventure!
Other than that, it was a pretty normal week. We're finding some news, and we have a new investigator with a fecha! His name is Leandi, and he¡s 21 years old. He's a reference from our 15 year old investigator Hector, and he's great! We had our first lesson with him, and the entire time you could just see how sincerely he was accepting the message.His answers were really inspired and well thought out, and the entire time during the lesson I thought that we needed to learn more about his religious past. Right as the lesson ends, and I'm about to ask him how he gained his testimony of God and Christ so strongly and clearly, he confessed that he had actually been taking the missionary lessons for 7 months before moving here to Los Frailes, and that he had had really good experiences with our church. He said that he even has white shirts and suit pants for going to church in his closet. Needless to say us and the member were jaw dropped. The most hilarious reaction was that of his friend Hector, who gave him as a reference. He just stared at him, and then yelled ¨DUDE! Why didn't you get baptized?! You could have been on a mission by now!¨ We all just cracked up. But we put a fecha for the 20th of December, for the big stake baptism. So we're all really excited.
We're hoping to keep seeing this progress. The area is so great! It's almost never been worked, so there is a lot of potential there that has yet to be explored! So we're on that. But I love you all tons, and I can't wait to hear for you all soon. Just let me know if there is anything that you all would like from here before I go so I can get it all worked out. I would love to send pictures, but the thing to do it isn't working...so you might just have to wait. Sorry! But I love you tons! Have a great week!
Love
Hermana Cox
November 17th, 2014
What a week, to say the least! I feel like I haven't had time to take a breath for this whole week, but oddly enough I like it that way. It's been quite the adventure. Tuesday we had our monthly meeting with the Stake Presidency and the Mission leaders, in which we came up with some interesting ideas. Our stake decided to hold a stake wide ¨white night¨ Christmas Activity, in which ALL of the baptisms in the stake in December will be on the same day. One huge stake wide program with special musical numbers and stake speakers. It's going to be awesome!
It also was decided that we are going to start helping with home and visiting teaching, so as to better support the wards. I'm actually really excited for it. I love visiting teaching!
That same night I also had the opportunity to receive a blessing for President, and it truly was remarkable. I love priesthood blessings, they truly are miraculous!
We also had our leadership meeting this week, and it's really looking like they're going to open it up for eating with the member. You can tell that President want's to so badly! So that should be exciting! I'm kinda glad that this is happening right before I go. Not because I don't want to eat with them, more just because I've realized that I have a really sensitive stomach and I don't want to put it in more danger. But I think it will be just great! I'm so excited for them!
It was really weird though because during the meeting we just had to leave our poor little trainees alone together. Two poor new missionaries out there trying to figure it out for themselves. What strong women! That would be rough. But they're taking it really well, and even put a fecha for baptism while we were gone. They're quite pleased with themselves. haha! I love it! It's just so fun :).
And now another full week ahead of us. They sure are keeping us all busy! But it's good. It's been a blast. I'll keep you all posted. Sorry I've been a bum with pictures...one day they will come...But I love you all tons! I hope you have a great week, and take care in all that cold and snow! Love you!
Hermana Cox
What a week, to say the least! I feel like I haven't had time to take a breath for this whole week, but oddly enough I like it that way. It's been quite the adventure. Tuesday we had our monthly meeting with the Stake Presidency and the Mission leaders, in which we came up with some interesting ideas. Our stake decided to hold a stake wide ¨white night¨ Christmas Activity, in which ALL of the baptisms in the stake in December will be on the same day. One huge stake wide program with special musical numbers and stake speakers. It's going to be awesome!
It also was decided that we are going to start helping with home and visiting teaching, so as to better support the wards. I'm actually really excited for it. I love visiting teaching!
That same night I also had the opportunity to receive a blessing for President, and it truly was remarkable. I love priesthood blessings, they truly are miraculous!
We also had our leadership meeting this week, and it's really looking like they're going to open it up for eating with the member. You can tell that President want's to so badly! So that should be exciting! I'm kinda glad that this is happening right before I go. Not because I don't want to eat with them, more just because I've realized that I have a really sensitive stomach and I don't want to put it in more danger. But I think it will be just great! I'm so excited for them!
It was really weird though because during the meeting we just had to leave our poor little trainees alone together. Two poor new missionaries out there trying to figure it out for themselves. What strong women! That would be rough. But they're taking it really well, and even put a fecha for baptism while we were gone. They're quite pleased with themselves. haha! I love it! It's just so fun :).
And now another full week ahead of us. They sure are keeping us all busy! But it's good. It's been a blast. I'll keep you all posted. Sorry I've been a bum with pictures...one day they will come...But I love you all tons! I hope you have a great week, and take care in all that cold and snow! Love you!
Hermana Cox
November 10th, 2014
Hola!
So turns out I get to finish with a Latina Companion! So hopefully she will be able to help my perfect my Spanish a little bit more before my time is up. Her name is Hermana Lastra, from Mexico. I need to send pictures soon, I am so sorry. But she is just great! A little timid, but with a lot of love for the work and a great sense of humor. She has adapted quite well to our weird triple companion situation, and is working really hard to be able to learn English. And to make things even better, we were placed in the best of areas!
The area that we were moved to is HUGE, and as nearly never been touched by missionaries. So when we told the members that we would be dedicated completely to their area, they flipped! The Relief Society President who lives there asked us to dedicate a complete day to her so she could introduce us to all of the friends and references that she has been preparing. What a blessing! I am just so excited to be working there, I think we're going to have a blast.
Other than that, life is just rolling along as usual. It still hasn't cooled down as much as usual, but I have high hope that it soon will. They are definitely keeping me busy this last transfer, and I like it that way.
My birthday turned out quite fun. The hermanas in the house made a cake, and Hermana Jacobs my MTC companion sent me a boxed cake through the mail. I bought myself some ice cream, and we went to work. I am officially an adult! How weird.
But thank you so much for everything, I love you all so much, and I promise pictures this upcoming week. Love you tons, and take care. Enjoy the cold!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
So turns out I get to finish with a Latina Companion! So hopefully she will be able to help my perfect my Spanish a little bit more before my time is up. Her name is Hermana Lastra, from Mexico. I need to send pictures soon, I am so sorry. But she is just great! A little timid, but with a lot of love for the work and a great sense of humor. She has adapted quite well to our weird triple companion situation, and is working really hard to be able to learn English. And to make things even better, we were placed in the best of areas!
The area that we were moved to is HUGE, and as nearly never been touched by missionaries. So when we told the members that we would be dedicated completely to their area, they flipped! The Relief Society President who lives there asked us to dedicate a complete day to her so she could introduce us to all of the friends and references that she has been preparing. What a blessing! I am just so excited to be working there, I think we're going to have a blast.
Other than that, life is just rolling along as usual. It still hasn't cooled down as much as usual, but I have high hope that it soon will. They are definitely keeping me busy this last transfer, and I like it that way.
My birthday turned out quite fun. The hermanas in the house made a cake, and Hermana Jacobs my MTC companion sent me a boxed cake through the mail. I bought myself some ice cream, and we went to work. I am officially an adult! How weird.
But thank you so much for everything, I love you all so much, and I promise pictures this upcoming week. Love you tons, and take care. Enjoy the cold!
Love
Hermana Cox
October 27th, 2014
Hola!
We just received a call a few hours ago that we're going to be moving tomorrow. AH! So we've been in code red packing mode since 2 pm. The original plan was to move on Friday, but it looks like they decided otherwise. Overall though, I'm super excited! I'll get to live with Hermana Lang and Hermana McFarland, the two other hermanas in our ward. I love them so much, and I know we're going to have a blast. And the house they live in is HUGE, and so beautiful. Let's just say that after almost 6 months of flushing a toilet with a bucket....I'm a little excited for a change.
Manuel got baptized this week, and it was the cutest thing ever! Elder Davis, the companion and trainee of our District Leader, performed the baptism. It was his first time baptizing someone, and he was SO nervous. And poor Manuel really struggled with the whole procedure. He had to be baptized 4 times before they finally got him fully under the water. He just couldn't handle it was soon as the water touched his face, the poor thing. But even after all of that stress, when he got out of the water, he had the biggest smile on his face. He told us that he felt `Happier and younger.´. I love that man. He truly loves the Lord, and wants to do the right thing. And in the end, his wife's heart was touched. While she still didn't go to the baptism, nor accept the gospel, her attitude has changed completely towards us and I know her heart is being touched and softened. I just love seeing a change in heart! It's such an inspiring sight to see someone change for their love of the Lord.
The Primary Program was this Sunday, and whew was that an adventure! The highlight of the night though, was when a little boy and his inactive father (who came just to see his son in the program) sang `Teach me to walk in the light´together. It was adorable! But all seemed to enjoyed, therefore I would call it a success.
All in all it was a great week. I can hardly believe that it's the final week of the transfer! It went so fast! And I know that this next one will probably go even more quickly. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I take in one breath and there ends a day! One step, and a week is over. And breath by breath, step by step the months fade away. I can hardly believe that it's all almost over. It hardly feels like reality, and I think I prefer it that way. I don't want reality to hit. While I'm so excited to return home for Christmas and spend time with everyone, I know that a part of my heart will always be here. I love the DR so much! And I love being a missionary. Never have I felt so useful, or so blessed. And never before have I seen so clearly the hand of the Lord in my own life and in the life of others.. I truly know that He lives, and that He loves us! And Hope grateful I am for the privilege given to bear His name for even such a short time. What a risk He takes in doing that, be how grateful I am that He does. Because I have learned so much in my service to Him, and I'm excited for it to continue! Heart, might, mind, and strength! Finish Strong, and you all say! And no worries! I can promise you that that will be the case! In for the win! haha!
I love you guys tons, and thank you so much for your support!
Love you!
Hermana Cox
Hola!
We just received a call a few hours ago that we're going to be moving tomorrow. AH! So we've been in code red packing mode since 2 pm. The original plan was to move on Friday, but it looks like they decided otherwise. Overall though, I'm super excited! I'll get to live with Hermana Lang and Hermana McFarland, the two other hermanas in our ward. I love them so much, and I know we're going to have a blast. And the house they live in is HUGE, and so beautiful. Let's just say that after almost 6 months of flushing a toilet with a bucket....I'm a little excited for a change.
Manuel got baptized this week, and it was the cutest thing ever! Elder Davis, the companion and trainee of our District Leader, performed the baptism. It was his first time baptizing someone, and he was SO nervous. And poor Manuel really struggled with the whole procedure. He had to be baptized 4 times before they finally got him fully under the water. He just couldn't handle it was soon as the water touched his face, the poor thing. But even after all of that stress, when he got out of the water, he had the biggest smile on his face. He told us that he felt `Happier and younger.´. I love that man. He truly loves the Lord, and wants to do the right thing. And in the end, his wife's heart was touched. While she still didn't go to the baptism, nor accept the gospel, her attitude has changed completely towards us and I know her heart is being touched and softened. I just love seeing a change in heart! It's such an inspiring sight to see someone change for their love of the Lord.
The Primary Program was this Sunday, and whew was that an adventure! The highlight of the night though, was when a little boy and his inactive father (who came just to see his son in the program) sang `Teach me to walk in the light´together. It was adorable! But all seemed to enjoyed, therefore I would call it a success.
All in all it was a great week. I can hardly believe that it's the final week of the transfer! It went so fast! And I know that this next one will probably go even more quickly. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I take in one breath and there ends a day! One step, and a week is over. And breath by breath, step by step the months fade away. I can hardly believe that it's all almost over. It hardly feels like reality, and I think I prefer it that way. I don't want reality to hit. While I'm so excited to return home for Christmas and spend time with everyone, I know that a part of my heart will always be here. I love the DR so much! And I love being a missionary. Never have I felt so useful, or so blessed. And never before have I seen so clearly the hand of the Lord in my own life and in the life of others.. I truly know that He lives, and that He loves us! And Hope grateful I am for the privilege given to bear His name for even such a short time. What a risk He takes in doing that, be how grateful I am that He does. Because I have learned so much in my service to Him, and I'm excited for it to continue! Heart, might, mind, and strength! Finish Strong, and you all say! And no worries! I can promise you that that will be the case! In for the win! haha!
I love you guys tons, and thank you so much for your support!
Love you!
Hermana Cox
October 20th, 2014
Manuel passed his baptismal interview! We are so excited for him, and he seems just thrilled. I love this old man, he is such a cutie pie. I'm so grateful I've had the chance to teach him. And if you can believe it, he's actually older than Bonilla. He is 74 years old. But you can never be too old to enter into the waters of baptism and accept the gospel! And he is living evidence of that.
We also had interviews this week. Interviews with the President. It was great as always. President Corbitt is amazing, and always so inspiring to be around. I actually had the chance to discuss with him an idea I've had for the re-organization of the areas in Los Frailes. He seems to listen really intently, and then he called and set up an appointment with the housing leaders of the mission. So I'm excited to see where this goes.
We have another leadership meeting this week, along with preparing for the Primary Program (we're in this together mom!) and the Work of Salvation Convention help by the stake that is all about family history work. I just love being able to participate in all of these activities. It's good to be busy.
It really is a funny story, because at the beginning of this transfer I did not want to be an Hermana Leader. I just felt so tired, and I felt like I had served my time and paid my dues. So when they called and told me that I would be staying again and training another new hermana leader, I was not exactly thrilled about it. But it just goes to show that the Lord truly does know what is best for us. Throughout the course of this transfer I have learned things from my companion, and even more from the intercambios with the hermanas under our care, that I have needed in order to keep progressing. They have helped me to stay focused, excited, and even more hopeful and dedicated to the work. I know that the Lord knew what He was doing when he gave the continued chance to serve. This time maybe more for my benefit than that of others.
I'm so grateful for this chance to serve the Lord, and learn from Him and others. The work really is great! As D&C says ¨The field and white and ready for the harvest. And I know that when and if we work with all our heart, might, mind, and strength we will see miracles in the work. We have found new families in the course of this transfer who need and are ready for the gospel. And I know that all if this progress really does just depend on our obedience, diligence, and focus on the work. So I'm hoping to keep going, ¨with steadfast faith in Christ¨ and a ¨perfect brightness of hope¨. And I know the Lord will bless our effort as we give it all to Him.
I love you guys tons, and I hope you have a great week! Keep up the great work,and enjoy the cold for me!
Love you!
Hermana Cox
Manuel passed his baptismal interview! We are so excited for him, and he seems just thrilled. I love this old man, he is such a cutie pie. I'm so grateful I've had the chance to teach him. And if you can believe it, he's actually older than Bonilla. He is 74 years old. But you can never be too old to enter into the waters of baptism and accept the gospel! And he is living evidence of that.
We also had interviews this week. Interviews with the President. It was great as always. President Corbitt is amazing, and always so inspiring to be around. I actually had the chance to discuss with him an idea I've had for the re-organization of the areas in Los Frailes. He seems to listen really intently, and then he called and set up an appointment with the housing leaders of the mission. So I'm excited to see where this goes.
We have another leadership meeting this week, along with preparing for the Primary Program (we're in this together mom!) and the Work of Salvation Convention help by the stake that is all about family history work. I just love being able to participate in all of these activities. It's good to be busy.
It really is a funny story, because at the beginning of this transfer I did not want to be an Hermana Leader. I just felt so tired, and I felt like I had served my time and paid my dues. So when they called and told me that I would be staying again and training another new hermana leader, I was not exactly thrilled about it. But it just goes to show that the Lord truly does know what is best for us. Throughout the course of this transfer I have learned things from my companion, and even more from the intercambios with the hermanas under our care, that I have needed in order to keep progressing. They have helped me to stay focused, excited, and even more hopeful and dedicated to the work. I know that the Lord knew what He was doing when he gave the continued chance to serve. This time maybe more for my benefit than that of others.
I'm so grateful for this chance to serve the Lord, and learn from Him and others. The work really is great! As D&C says ¨The field and white and ready for the harvest. And I know that when and if we work with all our heart, might, mind, and strength we will see miracles in the work. We have found new families in the course of this transfer who need and are ready for the gospel. And I know that all if this progress really does just depend on our obedience, diligence, and focus on the work. So I'm hoping to keep going, ¨with steadfast faith in Christ¨ and a ¨perfect brightness of hope¨. And I know the Lord will bless our effort as we give it all to Him.
I love you guys tons, and I hope you have a great week! Keep up the great work,and enjoy the cold for me!
Love you!
Hermana Cox
October 13th, 2014
Hola!
Whew! The mission is full of surprises, and it has officially turned me into someone I never thought I could or would be. Just yesterday I had the surprise chance to address all of the bishops, relief society presidents, and ward leaders within the stake regarding missionary work. The Stake President knows my companion and I from the monthly meetings we hold with him as mission leaders in the area such as the mission President, the zone leaders, and my companion and I as Hermana leaders. Therefore when they touched on the theme of missionary work in this large stake wide leaders meeting, he recognized my face and invited me to come and address the group as to what we need from the leaders as missionaries, and how we can work more effectively together. I just about died when I heard him call out my name, and my hands were shaking as I got up there with my companion to speak. But I'm happy to say that with help from the Lord and courage that came from some place in me that I was unaware of, I was able to speak without any kind of quiver in my voice, and share with them the new vision of the mission President. What a night!
Afterward they dismissed all the missionaries in the group from the council, and we all just about died! Never in my life did I ever think that I would be able to take on such a responsibility without melting into a puddle, or having my knees knocking the entire time. But I guess that throughout the mission I have developed more courage than what I had thought. What fun! haha
We had the luck this week of finding a few new families to teach! They had attended church for three years in Panama, but never took the step towards baptism. But we ran across them, and they agreed to take the lessons again. It was an exciting find! And Both the mother and the daughted promised that they would come to church this upcoming Sunday.
Manuel is still working his way toward baptism. We had to move his baptismal fecha up a little to the 25th to give him a little more time. He's great! But with the two strokes in his past, his learning pace is a little slow. So we're reviewing and making sure that he understands well the doctrine. But he is super excited for it, and even invited his daughter who lives nearby to come.
And lasty, we have another family in which the father promised us that if we gave him a Book of Mormon he would read it in a week. So we're pretty excited to see how that turns out! Good things are happening here.
It's crazy all the things that are changing here. I know that I'm leaving the area next transfer, President already told us, so I'm just trying to enjoy the time tha tI have here. I think it could be my favorite area. It is just such a joy to serve here. But, I'm excited to see where else the mission takes me. I know good things are on the way.
But I love you all tons, and I hope that you are enjoying the cold weather there. It's finally really starting to cool down here. Thank goodness!
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Whew! The mission is full of surprises, and it has officially turned me into someone I never thought I could or would be. Just yesterday I had the surprise chance to address all of the bishops, relief society presidents, and ward leaders within the stake regarding missionary work. The Stake President knows my companion and I from the monthly meetings we hold with him as mission leaders in the area such as the mission President, the zone leaders, and my companion and I as Hermana leaders. Therefore when they touched on the theme of missionary work in this large stake wide leaders meeting, he recognized my face and invited me to come and address the group as to what we need from the leaders as missionaries, and how we can work more effectively together. I just about died when I heard him call out my name, and my hands were shaking as I got up there with my companion to speak. But I'm happy to say that with help from the Lord and courage that came from some place in me that I was unaware of, I was able to speak without any kind of quiver in my voice, and share with them the new vision of the mission President. What a night!
Afterward they dismissed all the missionaries in the group from the council, and we all just about died! Never in my life did I ever think that I would be able to take on such a responsibility without melting into a puddle, or having my knees knocking the entire time. But I guess that throughout the mission I have developed more courage than what I had thought. What fun! haha
We had the luck this week of finding a few new families to teach! They had attended church for three years in Panama, but never took the step towards baptism. But we ran across them, and they agreed to take the lessons again. It was an exciting find! And Both the mother and the daughted promised that they would come to church this upcoming Sunday.
Manuel is still working his way toward baptism. We had to move his baptismal fecha up a little to the 25th to give him a little more time. He's great! But with the two strokes in his past, his learning pace is a little slow. So we're reviewing and making sure that he understands well the doctrine. But he is super excited for it, and even invited his daughter who lives nearby to come.
And lasty, we have another family in which the father promised us that if we gave him a Book of Mormon he would read it in a week. So we're pretty excited to see how that turns out! Good things are happening here.
It's crazy all the things that are changing here. I know that I'm leaving the area next transfer, President already told us, so I'm just trying to enjoy the time tha tI have here. I think it could be my favorite area. It is just such a joy to serve here. But, I'm excited to see where else the mission takes me. I know good things are on the way.
But I love you all tons, and I hope that you are enjoying the cold weather there. It's finally really starting to cool down here. Thank goodness!
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
October 6th, 2014
What a week! We ran out of water this week. For FOUR DAYS. That's right. Count 'em. FOUR! As in half a week. It was quite an adventure. Or a nightmare. It reached quite the level of desperation. A level that I don't think I have ever reached in any other point in my life.
The landlord didn't tell us that we are now in charge of filling the well for our water each week, and so when the water came we didn't know we had to fill it, we just thought it would get filled like it always does. But slowly but steadily it ran out and we were left with nothing. The others have a separate water reserve, and therefore were fine. When we found out what had happened, we hoped and prayed that water would come to the streets quickly, but nothing came. So little by little the small amount of water at the dregs of the well was getting less and less. We used to is flush toilets only because it was too dirty to bathe in or wash dishes. We used our bottled drinking water for that. And as little as possible. Soon, there wasn't even enough to flush the toilets. Everything was a mess, an we smelled horrible! It was quite the dirty little hovel we had going on. haha!
But I can honestly say that the Lord answers prayers. We prayed so hard that water would come. Some of the most fervent prayers that I have probably prayed in a long time. But that same day, I just knew that water would come. I knew there was no way that we could go any longer, and I knew the Lord would not leave us without help. And sure enough, that same day the landlord gave in and ordered a water truck to come and fill the well. I just about cried! It was a miracle! It was quite the fiasco. I don't know if I have ever felt so desperate. ALL water got reused. If we used it to wash dishes, it was used also to flush the toilets. Bathing water as well. But I learned so much from the experience.
I imagine that there are many things that the Lord wanted us to learn from the experience. Perhaps it was to remind us that in the end, all things are given by Him. That all things, even the water we use, is a gift He gives us to go about our daily lives. I learned the importance of prayer, and the firm testimony that the Lord hears our prayers. I imagine that He always hopes that we pray as fervently as we prayed these past few days. I learned how assuredly the Lord knows our limits, and gives us strength. It was trail that I never imagined would come as it did, but I know that He blessed each and every one of us with the strength to carry on throughout it all. And finally, I learned the beauty of sisterhood. All of us Hermanas in the house did the best we could to get through, and still do it with a good sense of humor. Their humor, help, and support made it all the easier to get through it all. I love the hermanas I live with so much!
I know it all sounds ridiculous, but it was such a great leaning experience! Needless to say in conference when Elder Martinez spoke of the two weeks after the hurricane in which they went without water, I understood so much better the feelings they felt and the gratitude that must have gone through their souls when rescue water came. What a blessing it is! haha. We still need to go down and constantly fish and haul water by bucket from the well, buy hey! There's water!
Other than that, there were quite a few successes! For example, Manuel is going to get baptized on the 18th! He accepted a baptismal date! It was so cute, he accepted it without question, and only asked at what time it would be so he could prepare. I love him so much!
Conference was amazing! All the questions that I brought were answered thorough the course of it! I can't remember names too well, but I loved the talk by the man who spoke Portuguese, and the talk that spoke about how to know your standing before the Lord. All were amazing! Also the Chinese man's talk. So good! Loved it all. Conference is always amazing. I can't wait to study it all. I watched it all in Spanish this time, and I was surprised by how natural it was. They didn't have the chance to set up an English room for some of the nowhere hermanas in the ward, and so I also spend part of the first session translating for one of the new Hermanas in our ward who is still struggling with Spanish. Whew! It was a little rough, but we made it through. I hope it made sense. She said it did, but I'm doubtful with some of them. But it was a fun experience and a fun practice of the language. I want to be able to develop that talent, that way if there is ever a need and I am called upon to do it I have to ability.
But, all in all it has been quite the week. But, such is life here! haha! Hopefully this whole mess with the water will get worked and and back to normal. But for not, we're just happy to have it!
I hope you all had a great week, it was great hearing from you and all that you learned from conference. Study it well! It's such a blessing to have modern day prophets!!
Love you all tons! I hope all is well!
Hermana Cox
What a week! We ran out of water this week. For FOUR DAYS. That's right. Count 'em. FOUR! As in half a week. It was quite an adventure. Or a nightmare. It reached quite the level of desperation. A level that I don't think I have ever reached in any other point in my life.
The landlord didn't tell us that we are now in charge of filling the well for our water each week, and so when the water came we didn't know we had to fill it, we just thought it would get filled like it always does. But slowly but steadily it ran out and we were left with nothing. The others have a separate water reserve, and therefore were fine. When we found out what had happened, we hoped and prayed that water would come to the streets quickly, but nothing came. So little by little the small amount of water at the dregs of the well was getting less and less. We used to is flush toilets only because it was too dirty to bathe in or wash dishes. We used our bottled drinking water for that. And as little as possible. Soon, there wasn't even enough to flush the toilets. Everything was a mess, an we smelled horrible! It was quite the dirty little hovel we had going on. haha!
But I can honestly say that the Lord answers prayers. We prayed so hard that water would come. Some of the most fervent prayers that I have probably prayed in a long time. But that same day, I just knew that water would come. I knew there was no way that we could go any longer, and I knew the Lord would not leave us without help. And sure enough, that same day the landlord gave in and ordered a water truck to come and fill the well. I just about cried! It was a miracle! It was quite the fiasco. I don't know if I have ever felt so desperate. ALL water got reused. If we used it to wash dishes, it was used also to flush the toilets. Bathing water as well. But I learned so much from the experience.
I imagine that there are many things that the Lord wanted us to learn from the experience. Perhaps it was to remind us that in the end, all things are given by Him. That all things, even the water we use, is a gift He gives us to go about our daily lives. I learned the importance of prayer, and the firm testimony that the Lord hears our prayers. I imagine that He always hopes that we pray as fervently as we prayed these past few days. I learned how assuredly the Lord knows our limits, and gives us strength. It was trail that I never imagined would come as it did, but I know that He blessed each and every one of us with the strength to carry on throughout it all. And finally, I learned the beauty of sisterhood. All of us Hermanas in the house did the best we could to get through, and still do it with a good sense of humor. Their humor, help, and support made it all the easier to get through it all. I love the hermanas I live with so much!
I know it all sounds ridiculous, but it was such a great leaning experience! Needless to say in conference when Elder Martinez spoke of the two weeks after the hurricane in which they went without water, I understood so much better the feelings they felt and the gratitude that must have gone through their souls when rescue water came. What a blessing it is! haha. We still need to go down and constantly fish and haul water by bucket from the well, buy hey! There's water!
Other than that, there were quite a few successes! For example, Manuel is going to get baptized on the 18th! He accepted a baptismal date! It was so cute, he accepted it without question, and only asked at what time it would be so he could prepare. I love him so much!
Conference was amazing! All the questions that I brought were answered thorough the course of it! I can't remember names too well, but I loved the talk by the man who spoke Portuguese, and the talk that spoke about how to know your standing before the Lord. All were amazing! Also the Chinese man's talk. So good! Loved it all. Conference is always amazing. I can't wait to study it all. I watched it all in Spanish this time, and I was surprised by how natural it was. They didn't have the chance to set up an English room for some of the nowhere hermanas in the ward, and so I also spend part of the first session translating for one of the new Hermanas in our ward who is still struggling with Spanish. Whew! It was a little rough, but we made it through. I hope it made sense. She said it did, but I'm doubtful with some of them. But it was a fun experience and a fun practice of the language. I want to be able to develop that talent, that way if there is ever a need and I am called upon to do it I have to ability.
But, all in all it has been quite the week. But, such is life here! haha! Hopefully this whole mess with the water will get worked and and back to normal. But for not, we're just happy to have it!
I hope you all had a great week, it was great hearing from you and all that you learned from conference. Study it well! It's such a blessing to have modern day prophets!!
Love you all tons! I hope all is well!
Hermana Cox
September 29th, 2014
I love my new companion! Hermana Chan is the best. We are like the same person, the only difference is that she is from Mexico and I'm from the US! It's been such a blast! Her birthday was just this Sunday, she turned 21. She has such a great attitude of service. It's such a great example, and I know that she is going to be a great Sister Training Leader.
We had a really great week of lookig for new investigators, and have had some good success. We're hoping to prepare one of them for baptism this upcoming month. His name is Manuel, and he is this adorable old man with a cane. He lives on the farthest street within the ward boundries, and struggles with walking due to two different strokes he has had within the past few years. But he has walked to church these last two Sundays without complaint. He is such a sweet soul, who truly wants to learn. His situation reminds me a bit of that of Bonilla. And I'm so excited to be working with him.
We just welcomed a bunch of new sisters to the zone, which also has brought a fun twist on this transfer. Me and Hermana Chan are the only sister in the Zone who are not going through training. Whew! It's a lot of fun working with the new missionaries. love their excitment and fire for the work. There is so much hope there! One tender mercy that I have been noticing a lot this week, is the comforting hand of the Lord. I have felt so many times this past week, as I've watched and worked with the other sisters, the comforting assurance that the mission is in good hands. That there are great missionaries here to continue on the work long after I've left. It really has been a blessing to feel that kind assurance. It has given me a lot of peace.
We sadly didn't get the chance to watch the women's conference because it went too late, but I got permission to download it and watch it in my free time. What a blessing! I'm so excited to hear it, and the Conference coming up this week. I love conference!! I hope you all enjoy it! I want to hear what were all of your favorite talks next week. I love you guys tons! I'm glad to hear that all is well.
Love you!
Hermana Cox
September 22nd, 2014
Whew! It has been a crazy week, but we made it through!
Transfers news!! I'm staying in my area! Woot! And my new companion is Hermana Chan from Mexico. My first Latina companion! She actually has been in the zone this transfer, so I'm going from being her hermana leader to being her companion. I'm hoping that doesn't make things weird or awkward. I think it should be a lot of fun. She seems just great! A total sweetheart! So it's looking like my last transfer I'm going to be getting moved. Which is alright. I think it would be easier to say goodbye with only a month and a half in the area in place of trying to leave after having 6 months in the area! And I'm so happy to stay with hermana Fletcher and Ho one last transfer! I love them so much!
Tuesday we had our leadership meeting, in which is was finally decided that we will no longer be allowed to leave our zone for p day, and that almost all activities on p days will need to be with your companion and maybe a few other missionaries who live nearby. It also was decided that from here on out in order to better preserve the money of the mission, every missionary needs to have a written budget and keep track of the how and where they spend their money. But! The good news is........we get to go to the temple 4 times a year now!!!! WOOT! I think that more than makes up for everything! So I might actually get to go one more time while I'm here. What a blessing! Every other transfer there will be a temple trip.
I love going to leadership meetings. I always learn so much from President, and about the decision making process the Lord wants us to use. It's so interesting pulling everything apart and looking at the long term effects. It's really been such a privilege!
Wednesday was our Hermanas meeting, with all of the sister of the mission. It was a blast! They put so much work into it, it was amazing. They had a local female police chief, the mental health advisor, and the doctors wife there all talking about various helps. Such as stress management, funny stories, exercise ideas, self defense, and so on and so forth. It was a blast! I love all of the hermanas here!
Thursday we had zone meeting, wherein we discussed the new mission rules. It was...interesting. A lot of the missionaries really struggled in accepting the new protocol. The zone leaders beforehand asked us to participate in announcing it, and warned us that it might not go over so well. But change is hard , it's true. But I know that all of these changes are going to greatly bless the mission if we choose to be obedient.
After that we had our baptism Saturday. Edelin is so cute! She was so nervous! haha. We had a little bit of a struggle getting sufficient priesthood holders there to participate, but in the end everything worked out. It was the most reverent baptism I think I have ever been to. A lot of the young women and the leaders came to support, and Edelin cried while giving her testimony. It was so special! On the funny side....The doors from the bathroom to enter to font were locked, and so when the time came for them to pass on for the baptism they couldn't get in and no one had the keys! So....our 1st Councilor in the Bishopric who was performing the baptism just decided to jump the little wall in font of the font in oder to get in. It was hilarious! I was cracking up! Craziness!
All in all it was a great week though. It was weird saying goodbye to my companion this morning. It didn't even seem real. Neither of us really cried. She was super strong about it. But It was just such a surreal experience. I can hardly believe that missions really do end. I still can't really comprehend it. Which is fine! I still don't need to for just a while longer!
But I love you guys tons! Sorry I don't have a chance to send pictures this week! Next week for sure. I hope you all stay safe and happy! Good luck with every, and I can't wait to hear from you all next week.
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
Whew! It has been a crazy week, but we made it through!
Transfers news!! I'm staying in my area! Woot! And my new companion is Hermana Chan from Mexico. My first Latina companion! She actually has been in the zone this transfer, so I'm going from being her hermana leader to being her companion. I'm hoping that doesn't make things weird or awkward. I think it should be a lot of fun. She seems just great! A total sweetheart! So it's looking like my last transfer I'm going to be getting moved. Which is alright. I think it would be easier to say goodbye with only a month and a half in the area in place of trying to leave after having 6 months in the area! And I'm so happy to stay with hermana Fletcher and Ho one last transfer! I love them so much!
Tuesday we had our leadership meeting, in which is was finally decided that we will no longer be allowed to leave our zone for p day, and that almost all activities on p days will need to be with your companion and maybe a few other missionaries who live nearby. It also was decided that from here on out in order to better preserve the money of the mission, every missionary needs to have a written budget and keep track of the how and where they spend their money. But! The good news is........we get to go to the temple 4 times a year now!!!! WOOT! I think that more than makes up for everything! So I might actually get to go one more time while I'm here. What a blessing! Every other transfer there will be a temple trip.
I love going to leadership meetings. I always learn so much from President, and about the decision making process the Lord wants us to use. It's so interesting pulling everything apart and looking at the long term effects. It's really been such a privilege!
Wednesday was our Hermanas meeting, with all of the sister of the mission. It was a blast! They put so much work into it, it was amazing. They had a local female police chief, the mental health advisor, and the doctors wife there all talking about various helps. Such as stress management, funny stories, exercise ideas, self defense, and so on and so forth. It was a blast! I love all of the hermanas here!
Thursday we had zone meeting, wherein we discussed the new mission rules. It was...interesting. A lot of the missionaries really struggled in accepting the new protocol. The zone leaders beforehand asked us to participate in announcing it, and warned us that it might not go over so well. But change is hard , it's true. But I know that all of these changes are going to greatly bless the mission if we choose to be obedient.
After that we had our baptism Saturday. Edelin is so cute! She was so nervous! haha. We had a little bit of a struggle getting sufficient priesthood holders there to participate, but in the end everything worked out. It was the most reverent baptism I think I have ever been to. A lot of the young women and the leaders came to support, and Edelin cried while giving her testimony. It was so special! On the funny side....The doors from the bathroom to enter to font were locked, and so when the time came for them to pass on for the baptism they couldn't get in and no one had the keys! So....our 1st Councilor in the Bishopric who was performing the baptism just decided to jump the little wall in font of the font in oder to get in. It was hilarious! I was cracking up! Craziness!
All in all it was a great week though. It was weird saying goodbye to my companion this morning. It didn't even seem real. Neither of us really cried. She was super strong about it. But It was just such a surreal experience. I can hardly believe that missions really do end. I still can't really comprehend it. Which is fine! I still don't need to for just a while longer!
But I love you guys tons! Sorry I don't have a chance to send pictures this week! Next week for sure. I hope you all stay safe and happy! Good luck with every, and I can't wait to hear from you all next week.
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
September 15th, 2014
This week was just amazing. We had a marvelous trip to the temple! The President wanted us to do some things just a little bit different. So he received special permission from the first Presidency of the church to use the hall of Solemn Assembly as a meeting place before we started our session. This room only exists in 12 of the temples throughout the world. And It was a real privileged to be able to meet there. As always it was a beautiful experience. I learned so much and left feeling renewed and regenerated. I love the temple!
We're so excited, because this weekend we have a baptism planned! Edelin decided that being a member of this church was something that she wanted and a step that she desired to make. This Sunday she passed the interview, and all is planned and ready for this Saturday. I'm so excited! I've taught her since I arrived here in this area, and it has taken her a while to make this decision, but her love of gospel learned is just amazing. She's starting to attend Seminary, and is so well integrated into the ward. We're both just so excited for her! I am so happy that I will be here to see it.
Transfer calls are this week, so I should know either Saturday or Sunday whether or not I'm going to be staying in my area. I'm just dying to know! My companion got special permission to go buy souvenirs and garments this week, so I'm just planning on finishing buying all of my garments and souvenirs this week as well so that I never have to bother with it again. That's the plan at least. But if I am moving, that's going to make this last move quite the adventure! haha. Either way, all is well.
Fun story of the week! So there is this old man who lives in my area who always is sitting outside in his boxers with his walker. Ever since I got here, he has decided that I'm pretty cool So every time I pass, he gives me a fist pump in the air.
Every. Time.
One day I even got a salute! But his week, after watching this go down for the last while, my companion decided that it was time that we contacted him. Pants or no Pants we were going to talk with him. Surprisingly enough that same day he decided to contact US! He invited us to share, and so we told him we would come back next day. When we came back, thank goodness he was wearing pants! And he actually knows a lot about the gospel and has visited the church. Sadly, one of his slightly drunk friends invited himself to participate in the lesson.. and he kept loudly asking for and giving us high fives when we said something he thought was true....we has such a hard time keeping a straight face! It was so much hilarious though! and I think the pants-less man might actually progress! haha! I love it! Never a dull moment in the mission!
But I hope that you all have a great week, I love you guys tons and hope and pray for your happiness. Love you tons!
Love
Hermana Cox
This week was just amazing. We had a marvelous trip to the temple! The President wanted us to do some things just a little bit different. So he received special permission from the first Presidency of the church to use the hall of Solemn Assembly as a meeting place before we started our session. This room only exists in 12 of the temples throughout the world. And It was a real privileged to be able to meet there. As always it was a beautiful experience. I learned so much and left feeling renewed and regenerated. I love the temple!
We're so excited, because this weekend we have a baptism planned! Edelin decided that being a member of this church was something that she wanted and a step that she desired to make. This Sunday she passed the interview, and all is planned and ready for this Saturday. I'm so excited! I've taught her since I arrived here in this area, and it has taken her a while to make this decision, but her love of gospel learned is just amazing. She's starting to attend Seminary, and is so well integrated into the ward. We're both just so excited for her! I am so happy that I will be here to see it.
Transfer calls are this week, so I should know either Saturday or Sunday whether or not I'm going to be staying in my area. I'm just dying to know! My companion got special permission to go buy souvenirs and garments this week, so I'm just planning on finishing buying all of my garments and souvenirs this week as well so that I never have to bother with it again. That's the plan at least. But if I am moving, that's going to make this last move quite the adventure! haha. Either way, all is well.
Fun story of the week! So there is this old man who lives in my area who always is sitting outside in his boxers with his walker. Ever since I got here, he has decided that I'm pretty cool So every time I pass, he gives me a fist pump in the air.
Every. Time.
One day I even got a salute! But his week, after watching this go down for the last while, my companion decided that it was time that we contacted him. Pants or no Pants we were going to talk with him. Surprisingly enough that same day he decided to contact US! He invited us to share, and so we told him we would come back next day. When we came back, thank goodness he was wearing pants! And he actually knows a lot about the gospel and has visited the church. Sadly, one of his slightly drunk friends invited himself to participate in the lesson.. and he kept loudly asking for and giving us high fives when we said something he thought was true....we has such a hard time keeping a straight face! It was so much hilarious though! and I think the pants-less man might actually progress! haha! I love it! Never a dull moment in the mission!
But I hope that you all have a great week, I love you guys tons and hope and pray for your happiness. Love you tons!
Love
Hermana Cox
September 8th, 2014
It has been to craziest of transfers! I cannot believe all that is going on! This Tuesday is our temple trip, and to say that I'm excited is such an under exaggeration that it isn't even funny. I can't WAIT! It's been too long. And this will be my first time going with a family name to temple, so it's going to be a very special experience.
Other than that we are doing two other intercambios, with the Hermanas meeting, a leadership meeting, and the farewell of Hermana Hansen all in the upcoming week. Craziness! This is probably the most packed transfer of my life.
We have had to many adventures these past few weeks! One of which involves myself, a knife, and a coconut. The coconut tree above our house was ready, and so the people who live below us went up the clear them out. To our surprise, a few minutes later we hear a shout, and turns out that they had taken down and partially cut open 4 coconuts. One for each of us! It was so kind of them, and I was super excited! And I had felt like I had finally honed my coconut opening skills, so I could open then the rest of the way. So I went to the back and started hacking at this coconut with a knife. I was making some impressive progress, and I though that everything was going well until I hear a small shout from below. "Missionary! What are you doing? Are you trying to open that coconut...? I'll be out in a second with that machete." Said in such a tone of shock and confusion. Apparently I still have not passed that Dominican test.But, in the end we got coconut, and thats all that really matters.
Also, because we are in the DR, we had a sad experience with a shared mens/women's bathroom in the supermarket and a glass door...luckily there were stalls, but unfortunately one of the men waiting outside felt like it was the perfect time while my companion was in the stall to try to make the moves through the glass bathroom door. "You have such beautiful eyes!!" Awkward. Location location location, as they say. haha! I love this country. It's so funny sometimes!
Other than that, we have a young girl who should be getting her baptismal interview this week! We are so excited for that! Her name is Edalin, and she is a crack up! She is so charismatic, and she loves the gospel so much. She loves reading the scriptures, and already has her Book of Mormon all highlighted with her favorite verses.
I spent this week studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and why was it Jesus who mad to come down. His divine role, fore ordination, and preparation. I learned so much about the importance of His calling and His work. I come to adore the habit of having a scripture study journal. I've found that I learn more, and cherish what I learn more through taking the time to write it down. It has become a habit that I want to continue with for the rest of my life.
We're having such an amazing time here, and I love how much I learn each day. Thank you all for all of your support and love, I'm so glad to hear that all is well back home. I love you tons! and Have a great week!
Love
Hermana Cox
It has been to craziest of transfers! I cannot believe all that is going on! This Tuesday is our temple trip, and to say that I'm excited is such an under exaggeration that it isn't even funny. I can't WAIT! It's been too long. And this will be my first time going with a family name to temple, so it's going to be a very special experience.
Other than that we are doing two other intercambios, with the Hermanas meeting, a leadership meeting, and the farewell of Hermana Hansen all in the upcoming week. Craziness! This is probably the most packed transfer of my life.
We have had to many adventures these past few weeks! One of which involves myself, a knife, and a coconut. The coconut tree above our house was ready, and so the people who live below us went up the clear them out. To our surprise, a few minutes later we hear a shout, and turns out that they had taken down and partially cut open 4 coconuts. One for each of us! It was so kind of them, and I was super excited! And I had felt like I had finally honed my coconut opening skills, so I could open then the rest of the way. So I went to the back and started hacking at this coconut with a knife. I was making some impressive progress, and I though that everything was going well until I hear a small shout from below. "Missionary! What are you doing? Are you trying to open that coconut...? I'll be out in a second with that machete." Said in such a tone of shock and confusion. Apparently I still have not passed that Dominican test.But, in the end we got coconut, and thats all that really matters.
Also, because we are in the DR, we had a sad experience with a shared mens/women's bathroom in the supermarket and a glass door...luckily there were stalls, but unfortunately one of the men waiting outside felt like it was the perfect time while my companion was in the stall to try to make the moves through the glass bathroom door. "You have such beautiful eyes!!" Awkward. Location location location, as they say. haha! I love this country. It's so funny sometimes!
Other than that, we have a young girl who should be getting her baptismal interview this week! We are so excited for that! Her name is Edalin, and she is a crack up! She is so charismatic, and she loves the gospel so much. She loves reading the scriptures, and already has her Book of Mormon all highlighted with her favorite verses.
I spent this week studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and why was it Jesus who mad to come down. His divine role, fore ordination, and preparation. I learned so much about the importance of His calling and His work. I come to adore the habit of having a scripture study journal. I've found that I learn more, and cherish what I learn more through taking the time to write it down. It has become a habit that I want to continue with for the rest of my life.
We're having such an amazing time here, and I love how much I learn each day. Thank you all for all of your support and love, I'm so glad to hear that all is well back home. I love you tons! and Have a great week!
Love
Hermana Cox
August 25th, 2014
Whew is to put it lightly! It has been quite the adventure this week! There was a bit of a tropcial storm that came our way. Which makes it about 4 days or so of rain, including today. I forgot about how when it rains, we might as well be swimming through the streets! It was quite the adventure! There was one time when we were hiking our way through a huge flood of water in the street, walking right in the middle because it was the least deep, with a trail of cars waiting right behind us. Come to find out that the car right behind us was actually a few less active members who gave us a good laugh and wave once they could finally pass by! hha! Those poor souls. I can only inagine how hard they were laughing as they watched us wade our way through the flood in our skirt! I myself was dying of laughter! I can't imagine when else in my life that would ever happen!
We also were blessed this week to get another fridge, and two new and well functioning washers! Woot! Which was a huge blessing. I can now wash my clothes in just one of two loads. It's great!
As for the work, we're back to contacting this week. There were some difficulties that came up, and we're having to drop a lot of investigators. So we're on the hunt! Hopefully the rain will make it easier to get in. Dominicans hate rain.
I love Domincans so much though! There is a fruit stand that we always go to to buy our fruit, and she gave us 5 mangos, and 3 banans for like 1.25 dollars or 50pesos. It should have been so much more! More like 130 or 150. She just gave them to us because she is that nice! I'm going to miss that, They're just good people.
This week is a packed week. Tomorrow we're taking on a double intercambio. Where both Hermana Hansen and I are going to go and split with a struggling companionship. Both companionships working in their area (because it's huge) and both of us spending the night there. So that is going to be an adventure. It's the first time doing it for me, but we're all really excited. I get to be with Hermana Murphy, who was in the CCM with me. Fun! Them we have the mission conference, where Elder Martinez from the 70 is coming to speak. Then the next day is our leadership meeting, where we are all going to meet along with the 70 as leaders to discuess what we should de to better help the mission.
So... It's going to be an intense week! I'm trying to get my sleep and naps in now, because it's going to be a lot of energy! Wish me luck!
But I'm glad to hear that all is well there. I love you guys tons, and I can't wait to tell you all about it next week. Stay safe and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
Whew is to put it lightly! It has been quite the adventure this week! There was a bit of a tropcial storm that came our way. Which makes it about 4 days or so of rain, including today. I forgot about how when it rains, we might as well be swimming through the streets! It was quite the adventure! There was one time when we were hiking our way through a huge flood of water in the street, walking right in the middle because it was the least deep, with a trail of cars waiting right behind us. Come to find out that the car right behind us was actually a few less active members who gave us a good laugh and wave once they could finally pass by! hha! Those poor souls. I can only inagine how hard they were laughing as they watched us wade our way through the flood in our skirt! I myself was dying of laughter! I can't imagine when else in my life that would ever happen!
We also were blessed this week to get another fridge, and two new and well functioning washers! Woot! Which was a huge blessing. I can now wash my clothes in just one of two loads. It's great!
As for the work, we're back to contacting this week. There were some difficulties that came up, and we're having to drop a lot of investigators. So we're on the hunt! Hopefully the rain will make it easier to get in. Dominicans hate rain.
I love Domincans so much though! There is a fruit stand that we always go to to buy our fruit, and she gave us 5 mangos, and 3 banans for like 1.25 dollars or 50pesos. It should have been so much more! More like 130 or 150. She just gave them to us because she is that nice! I'm going to miss that, They're just good people.
This week is a packed week. Tomorrow we're taking on a double intercambio. Where both Hermana Hansen and I are going to go and split with a struggling companionship. Both companionships working in their area (because it's huge) and both of us spending the night there. So that is going to be an adventure. It's the first time doing it for me, but we're all really excited. I get to be with Hermana Murphy, who was in the CCM with me. Fun! Them we have the mission conference, where Elder Martinez from the 70 is coming to speak. Then the next day is our leadership meeting, where we are all going to meet along with the 70 as leaders to discuess what we should de to better help the mission.
So... It's going to be an intense week! I'm trying to get my sleep and naps in now, because it's going to be a lot of energy! Wish me luck!
But I'm glad to hear that all is well there. I love you guys tons, and I can't wait to tell you all about it next week. Stay safe and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
August 18th, 2014
Whew! It has been a crazy week! I can't believe that it was just this Tuesday in which I got my new companion. Hermana Hansen is awesome! I lover her so much. We're having a blast together. It's sad that it's her last transfer. It's her first time being a sister training leader, so I get to train her on all of the things that we do. I think it's good that it's pushing her hard to stay focused this last transfer of hers. I'm so excited to see the progress that we are able to have in the area together.
Hermana Hansen being a new leader, also meant that this last Wednesday we had to go to the new leaders meeting. So while the new leaders were being trained, President gave the special request that we went and contacted in the area. It was just like the movies! There were so many missionaries sent out onto the streets! And for four hours we contacted! I haven't done that in a long time, but it was a blast!I was in a trio with two other sisters and we found some really great people.
Thursday was our Zone meeting, in which I gave a talk. I never imagines how many talked I would end up giving within the course of the mission! Whew! At this rate I should be a pro be the time I'm done in prepping a talk in just a few hours! haha. But there are a lot of new Hermanas under our care. 14 new sisters came into the mission, therefore there was a lot of change this transfer, and a lot of newbies! We're hoping we can keep up with all of it!
Late this Friday we did a half exchange with the Hermanas in our house who are white washing the area. Hermana Hansen had served in the area and wanted to help them out, so I left with the trainee in our area. Her name is Hermana Ho, from Hawaii and she is adorable! I love her so much! And she knows so mucho spanish for just starting! It's been amazing! And maybe it's bad of me, but it have been hilarious hearing them adapt to the mage roaches that there are in this part! We have on in a tupperware jar that they trapped and now have no idea how to kill. So they're just waiting for it to die on it's on. Needless to say, that's going to be a long wait...haha!
We're really excited to hear that one of their investigators that we're working with just started talking with a lawyer so that she and her husband can get married. So later on she can get baptized! Just like Maribel, she has been waiting a long time for the opportunity, so we're hoping and praying that all will go well. That it will all work out, and we will have another wedding and baptism this transfer.
Being with a companion that is about to die(go home) is going to be so weird! Just helping her get everything prepared, helping her find what it is she's going to wear on the plane, everything is just so strange! It's kinda hard right when I'm getting close to the end myself! I have two more transfers left in the mission. I'm about to hit 14 months here in this country. Gah! But I'm doing my best to keep my head in the game and the Lord is helping a lot. I'm not going to let myself think that I'm close to the end until my last two or so weeks in the mission. Whew! I just can't believe how quickly all this time has gone by. I have loved my time here! I love being a missionary and serving the people of this country. I'm hoping to just live it up and work my tail of these last few months.
We get to go to the temple soon, and soon there will also be the mission conference. Then not soon after comes General Conference! So many good things are to come! But I hope you all have a great week!
Shout out to my big sister who just graduated with her masters! So proud of you Megs! You're a champ! haha
Love
Hermana Cox
Whew! It has been a crazy week! I can't believe that it was just this Tuesday in which I got my new companion. Hermana Hansen is awesome! I lover her so much. We're having a blast together. It's sad that it's her last transfer. It's her first time being a sister training leader, so I get to train her on all of the things that we do. I think it's good that it's pushing her hard to stay focused this last transfer of hers. I'm so excited to see the progress that we are able to have in the area together.
Hermana Hansen being a new leader, also meant that this last Wednesday we had to go to the new leaders meeting. So while the new leaders were being trained, President gave the special request that we went and contacted in the area. It was just like the movies! There were so many missionaries sent out onto the streets! And for four hours we contacted! I haven't done that in a long time, but it was a blast!I was in a trio with two other sisters and we found some really great people.
Thursday was our Zone meeting, in which I gave a talk. I never imagines how many talked I would end up giving within the course of the mission! Whew! At this rate I should be a pro be the time I'm done in prepping a talk in just a few hours! haha. But there are a lot of new Hermanas under our care. 14 new sisters came into the mission, therefore there was a lot of change this transfer, and a lot of newbies! We're hoping we can keep up with all of it!
Late this Friday we did a half exchange with the Hermanas in our house who are white washing the area. Hermana Hansen had served in the area and wanted to help them out, so I left with the trainee in our area. Her name is Hermana Ho, from Hawaii and she is adorable! I love her so much! And she knows so mucho spanish for just starting! It's been amazing! And maybe it's bad of me, but it have been hilarious hearing them adapt to the mage roaches that there are in this part! We have on in a tupperware jar that they trapped and now have no idea how to kill. So they're just waiting for it to die on it's on. Needless to say, that's going to be a long wait...haha!
We're really excited to hear that one of their investigators that we're working with just started talking with a lawyer so that she and her husband can get married. So later on she can get baptized! Just like Maribel, she has been waiting a long time for the opportunity, so we're hoping and praying that all will go well. That it will all work out, and we will have another wedding and baptism this transfer.
Being with a companion that is about to die(go home) is going to be so weird! Just helping her get everything prepared, helping her find what it is she's going to wear on the plane, everything is just so strange! It's kinda hard right when I'm getting close to the end myself! I have two more transfers left in the mission. I'm about to hit 14 months here in this country. Gah! But I'm doing my best to keep my head in the game and the Lord is helping a lot. I'm not going to let myself think that I'm close to the end until my last two or so weeks in the mission. Whew! I just can't believe how quickly all this time has gone by. I have loved my time here! I love being a missionary and serving the people of this country. I'm hoping to just live it up and work my tail of these last few months.
We get to go to the temple soon, and soon there will also be the mission conference. Then not soon after comes General Conference! So many good things are to come! But I hope you all have a great week!
Shout out to my big sister who just graduated with her masters! So proud of you Megs! You're a champ! haha
Love
Hermana Cox
August 11, 2014
I'm getting a new companion!
Her name is Hermana Hansen, and I'm so excited to meet her. Everyone is saying that we're going to be great friends. Hermana Erekson is going to train in San Pedro for her last Transfer. Talk about exciting! Also, we're getting housemates back! They're opening another area nearby, and they're going to live in our house with us. What a blessing! It should be great fun.
It was a really good week this week. By surprise, on the way to the capital I ran into Jackie from my first area! He's doing great, and it was so fun to see him. And then on our way out of the CCM I saw Versey! Another member from my first area! IT was so great to have the chance to see them again. Versey received his endowment, and is perfectly happy. I was just beaming! I really did love La Isabelita!
It's been raining like crazy, and we've found some really great new families. One of which is a single mother with 8 children that she is taking care of. It's a tight situation, but it has been just amazing teaching them. The Lord really has helped them to learn and have a desire to grow. We're really hoping that they continue to progress, because they need to joy of the gospel so badly in their lives!
It's been just amazing to see the difference that baptism has had in the lives of Fran and Maribel, our recent convert. They are just a light! Reading their scriptures, praying, individually and as a family. FHE weekly, the whole 9 yards. Which they never did before! They truly are changing their lives for the gospel, and it's been such a blessing to see their excitement!
But, that about it for this week! I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with you all. I love you tons! I hope that you have a great week.
Love you
Hermana Cox
I'm getting a new companion!
Her name is Hermana Hansen, and I'm so excited to meet her. Everyone is saying that we're going to be great friends. Hermana Erekson is going to train in San Pedro for her last Transfer. Talk about exciting! Also, we're getting housemates back! They're opening another area nearby, and they're going to live in our house with us. What a blessing! It should be great fun.
It was a really good week this week. By surprise, on the way to the capital I ran into Jackie from my first area! He's doing great, and it was so fun to see him. And then on our way out of the CCM I saw Versey! Another member from my first area! IT was so great to have the chance to see them again. Versey received his endowment, and is perfectly happy. I was just beaming! I really did love La Isabelita!
It's been raining like crazy, and we've found some really great new families. One of which is a single mother with 8 children that she is taking care of. It's a tight situation, but it has been just amazing teaching them. The Lord really has helped them to learn and have a desire to grow. We're really hoping that they continue to progress, because they need to joy of the gospel so badly in their lives!
It's been just amazing to see the difference that baptism has had in the lives of Fran and Maribel, our recent convert. They are just a light! Reading their scriptures, praying, individually and as a family. FHE weekly, the whole 9 yards. Which they never did before! They truly are changing their lives for the gospel, and it's been such a blessing to see their excitement!
But, that about it for this week! I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with you all. I love you tons! I hope that you have a great week.
Love you
Hermana Cox
August 4th, 2014
There happened to be a tropical storm that was passing through the area this week, and finally we got some rain. It has been so dry here in Los Frailes! The poor Avocados have been dying! So the rain was welcomed by all. It's a good things that I like walking in the rain! I had a blast!
Transfers are coming up this Sunday, and I'm excited to see what happens. I think that my time has run out here in Los Frailes. I've been getting the feeling that I'm going to be training again, so I'm interested to see if this feeling is right. I'll keep ya'll updated. There are 13 Sisters coming into the mission this transfer. The most that has come in in almost a year now.
Hermana Erekson will be in her last transfer, and Hermana Sanchez goes home right after that. I can't hardly believe it! I know that the chances of my having a Latina companion are extremely high. President assured me quite firmly the first time that I met him that I would probably have Latina companions the rest of my mission. So I will be learning some good cooking to say the least!
I would be a little sad to leave this area. It has been probably my favorite area so far. I love the ward, and the people here. I have just had a blast, and have learned so much. And, if I do leave, I probably won't have the chance to go to the temple with Maribel and her family! Which makes me sad. But I'm sure that whoever else is here will take good care of them.
We were sad this week to see the goodbye of two investigators who were preparing for baptism. Jovani and Juan. They both moved away! Gah! But, their information is with their new missionaries. And we satisfied with the knowledge that these investigators have a good solid base. They both have strong desire to be baptized, so the work will move onward. I'm excited to hear of the progress.
We also had the chance this week to give service to the disabled sister of a member in our ward. It was so fun! We stopped in and sang hymns for her, and just chatted. I was just so impressed with the loving care the Sister in the ward gave to her handicapped sister. The love and care was evident in her home. I can only imagine all of the service this hermana gives daily, and it just went to show the blessings of peace and happiness that the Lord gives to those who charitable help those around them without complaint.
This p day we took a trip the the Conde! Which is the tourist trap of the area and had a blast there. My haggling skills have improved greatly. It was a blast.
Other than that, all things have been really tranquilo. All is going well. I'm glad to hear that you all have been good. I love you all tons, and remember to look or those service opportunities this week.
Love you!
Hermana Cox
There happened to be a tropical storm that was passing through the area this week, and finally we got some rain. It has been so dry here in Los Frailes! The poor Avocados have been dying! So the rain was welcomed by all. It's a good things that I like walking in the rain! I had a blast!
Transfers are coming up this Sunday, and I'm excited to see what happens. I think that my time has run out here in Los Frailes. I've been getting the feeling that I'm going to be training again, so I'm interested to see if this feeling is right. I'll keep ya'll updated. There are 13 Sisters coming into the mission this transfer. The most that has come in in almost a year now.
Hermana Erekson will be in her last transfer, and Hermana Sanchez goes home right after that. I can't hardly believe it! I know that the chances of my having a Latina companion are extremely high. President assured me quite firmly the first time that I met him that I would probably have Latina companions the rest of my mission. So I will be learning some good cooking to say the least!
I would be a little sad to leave this area. It has been probably my favorite area so far. I love the ward, and the people here. I have just had a blast, and have learned so much. And, if I do leave, I probably won't have the chance to go to the temple with Maribel and her family! Which makes me sad. But I'm sure that whoever else is here will take good care of them.
We were sad this week to see the goodbye of two investigators who were preparing for baptism. Jovani and Juan. They both moved away! Gah! But, their information is with their new missionaries. And we satisfied with the knowledge that these investigators have a good solid base. They both have strong desire to be baptized, so the work will move onward. I'm excited to hear of the progress.
We also had the chance this week to give service to the disabled sister of a member in our ward. It was so fun! We stopped in and sang hymns for her, and just chatted. I was just so impressed with the loving care the Sister in the ward gave to her handicapped sister. The love and care was evident in her home. I can only imagine all of the service this hermana gives daily, and it just went to show the blessings of peace and happiness that the Lord gives to those who charitable help those around them without complaint.
This p day we took a trip the the Conde! Which is the tourist trap of the area and had a blast there. My haggling skills have improved greatly. It was a blast.
Other than that, all things have been really tranquilo. All is going well. I'm glad to hear that you all have been good. I love you all tons, and remember to look or those service opportunities this week.
Love you!
Hermana Cox
July 28th, 2014
This week was quite the week! But it ended quite well with the wedding and the baptism. I still can't believe it's all finished! Maribell just looks so happy! Three years of work and two months of very anxious prayer is finally complete, and you can just see the joy on her face! Her husband Fran is actually a reactivated member, who was the one who introduced her to the church. And this Sunday, not only did Maribel receive the Holy Ghost, but their older son also received the Aaronic Priesthood. So many blessing!
We were so nervous the day of the wedding because for some reason after weeks and weeks without rain, it decided to rain the day of the wedding. We were able to make it through the civil office fairly well. (it was a lot of waiting and a very quick ceremony) after which we went to take pictures at the temple while they were still in their clothes. They were just beaming, and although the rain made it a little difficult, it gave the pictures a nice touch. There was just such a Spirit of peace and joy there as we took this newly married couple to the temple grounds and helped remind them of their next grand goal. That within a year they can go inside and be sealed as a family for the eternities. I feel so blessed to take part in this!
The only worrisome thing though was that their service in the church building was complete apostasy...lets just say that there was a rock ballad being played over the speakers in the sacrament room, and lots of flowers and clapping. I just about had a heart attack. But we talked with the mission President. So hopefully that will never happen again! haha.
There were more people at her baptism than I have almost ever seen. Luckily we were able to find some clothes from another ward that fit her, and they were able to get shipped in in time. So many people came to support her, and even though the bishop (who was performing the baptism) was running late, it gave us some good time to sing hymns and enjoy the Spirit there.
We're hoping to help Edalin, a young woman with 16 years old, to be baptized of the 9th. She's so great! She love the Book of Mormon so much, and has decorated hers with ribbon and hearts. She reads it every day, and it's all kinds of marked up with her favorite scriptures. So we're hoping to see some miracles soon! She is getting really nervous to make such a big step in her life, so we're hoping to give her a little more confidence this week. She is such a sweetheart and she truly is wanting to do the right things. So it's only a matter of time.
Other than that we just had a new ward mission leader called, so we're excited to see the work continue to progress.
I love hearing from you all, you all are the best ever. I hope you all have a great week, and I'm glad to hear that all is well.
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
This week was quite the week! But it ended quite well with the wedding and the baptism. I still can't believe it's all finished! Maribell just looks so happy! Three years of work and two months of very anxious prayer is finally complete, and you can just see the joy on her face! Her husband Fran is actually a reactivated member, who was the one who introduced her to the church. And this Sunday, not only did Maribel receive the Holy Ghost, but their older son also received the Aaronic Priesthood. So many blessing!
We were so nervous the day of the wedding because for some reason after weeks and weeks without rain, it decided to rain the day of the wedding. We were able to make it through the civil office fairly well. (it was a lot of waiting and a very quick ceremony) after which we went to take pictures at the temple while they were still in their clothes. They were just beaming, and although the rain made it a little difficult, it gave the pictures a nice touch. There was just such a Spirit of peace and joy there as we took this newly married couple to the temple grounds and helped remind them of their next grand goal. That within a year they can go inside and be sealed as a family for the eternities. I feel so blessed to take part in this!
The only worrisome thing though was that their service in the church building was complete apostasy...lets just say that there was a rock ballad being played over the speakers in the sacrament room, and lots of flowers and clapping. I just about had a heart attack. But we talked with the mission President. So hopefully that will never happen again! haha.
There were more people at her baptism than I have almost ever seen. Luckily we were able to find some clothes from another ward that fit her, and they were able to get shipped in in time. So many people came to support her, and even though the bishop (who was performing the baptism) was running late, it gave us some good time to sing hymns and enjoy the Spirit there.
We're hoping to help Edalin, a young woman with 16 years old, to be baptized of the 9th. She's so great! She love the Book of Mormon so much, and has decorated hers with ribbon and hearts. She reads it every day, and it's all kinds of marked up with her favorite scriptures. So we're hoping to see some miracles soon! She is getting really nervous to make such a big step in her life, so we're hoping to give her a little more confidence this week. She is such a sweetheart and she truly is wanting to do the right things. So it's only a matter of time.
Other than that we just had a new ward mission leader called, so we're excited to see the work continue to progress.
I love hearing from you all, you all are the best ever. I hope you all have a great week, and I'm glad to hear that all is well.
Love you tons!
Hermana Cox
July 21st, 2014
Hola!
We are so excited! This is the big week where Fran and Maribel are getting married, and Maribel is getting baptized! I'm so excited. I can just hardly believe it! That finally after three years the day as come, and that we get to be there for it. We're taking them to the temple right after they get married to take some pictures there together, to encourage them to keep their goal to one day be sealed in the temple. It has just been such a privilege to complete all of the work of so many missionaries before us who have worked so hard to get them to this point. What a blessing!
This week was fairly low key. The joint pain is just about all the way gone now, which I am so happy to be rid of! So getting around has been so much easier. We had a zone activity today where we were playing various card games and Dominos, wherein a strange little Dominican boy that just showed up and started playing cards with us gave me the nickname 'la bomba' Cox. I'm the bomb. Needless to say I felt very privileged. :)
I am loving this area! I feel so blessed to be here. There is just so much work that we are accomplishing here, and I know that the Lord is blessing us! We have three other baptisms that are planned before the end of this Transfer, and I'm hoping and praying that all will go as planned.
I can hardly believe that we're getting into the last week in July. That month just sped on by! And we only have to get through August before it starts to cool down just a little bit. I am a sweaty beast!
I'm so happy to hear that everything is going well back home. I love you guys tons, and I will be sure to send pictures of the Baptism and wedding. We're in charge of decorating for the reception...so this should be interesting. Never did I imagine I would de planning a wedding reception on the mission. But that just goes to show that Forest Gump was right. Life really is like a box of chocolates. And boy do I love chocolate!
Love you guys tons!
Hermana Cox
Hola!
We are so excited! This is the big week where Fran and Maribel are getting married, and Maribel is getting baptized! I'm so excited. I can just hardly believe it! That finally after three years the day as come, and that we get to be there for it. We're taking them to the temple right after they get married to take some pictures there together, to encourage them to keep their goal to one day be sealed in the temple. It has just been such a privilege to complete all of the work of so many missionaries before us who have worked so hard to get them to this point. What a blessing!
This week was fairly low key. The joint pain is just about all the way gone now, which I am so happy to be rid of! So getting around has been so much easier. We had a zone activity today where we were playing various card games and Dominos, wherein a strange little Dominican boy that just showed up and started playing cards with us gave me the nickname 'la bomba' Cox. I'm the bomb. Needless to say I felt very privileged. :)
I am loving this area! I feel so blessed to be here. There is just so much work that we are accomplishing here, and I know that the Lord is blessing us! We have three other baptisms that are planned before the end of this Transfer, and I'm hoping and praying that all will go as planned.
I can hardly believe that we're getting into the last week in July. That month just sped on by! And we only have to get through August before it starts to cool down just a little bit. I am a sweaty beast!
I'm so happy to hear that everything is going well back home. I love you guys tons, and I will be sure to send pictures of the Baptism and wedding. We're in charge of decorating for the reception...so this should be interesting. Never did I imagine I would de planning a wedding reception on the mission. But that just goes to show that Forest Gump was right. Life really is like a box of chocolates. And boy do I love chocolate!
Love you guys tons!
Hermana Cox
July 14th, 2014
Two weddings and a funeral but really. That was this week for us.
It has been a week of miracles and trials. On the blessings side, yesterday we just committed another part member family to baptism! When we first get here we started teaching a less active woman, who in the blink of an eye has returned back into activity. Only after a visit or two she started coming back to church. When we ask her about it, all she says is that she just needed someone there to give her a push! And she has come back strong. She told us once that she wanted us to teach her husband, and we are finally getting that chance. And it has just been miraculous to see! Through her testimony and support, they are now committed for marriage and baptism. It was amazing to hear from him just how the Lord prepared him to make these steps.Just a month before we came and began teaching him, he realized just how tired he was with drinking and street life. So from his own force of will he quit drinking. And hasn't had a drink since. When he saw his wife going back to church, in him grew to desire to accompany her. And little by little the Lord has worked these changes in him. And now they are just the happiest little family getting ready for marriage and will to do anything for it! I and just so thrilled to see these blessings!
The other part member family that is prepping for baptism the 26th are set and ready to go. The date is set, the money is there, and the papers are ready. They are just such a testimony of tithing to me. We felt very strongly thatt we needed to teach them about tithing, because at the beginning they didn't have a single cent to be able to pay for the wedding. Neither of them have jobs that pay very much and they were just making near ends meet. But we encourages and taught them of the blessings of tithing. And sure enough, the week after they paid their first tithing together, the money came. They now can afford their wedding so that the mother can get baptized. What blessings!
Other than that, there have been a few tragedies this week. A young less active boy we were teaching passes away. He was drown in the sea. And then just a few days later a son from another less active family we are teaching passed away through an accident at work. We didn't know him, but the family took it pretty hard. It just was such a stark reminder of how quickly this life really does pass. How important it is to use our time wisely here. Alma 34 really does expressed it so well. Now is the time to prepare to meet God. I felt so bad for those poor mothers, but I was also so grateful for the plan of salvation that we have. That we know that death is not the end. And then one day we will see our loved ones again.
What was hardest of all, is that one of the mothers who is less active knew that her son had passed away without being true to the covenants that he had made. But how grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and what a comforting doctrine to those passing through this kind of pain! I was so happy to have the chance to share this knowledge with her. Truly the Lord is mighty to save.
So it has been a crazy week of ups and downs. But We have seen so many blessings! The work really is pushing forward like the stone cut without hands. It's just a rollin onward with us here! I love it so much!
Love you all tons, take care and stay safe!
Love
Hermana Cox
Two weddings and a funeral but really. That was this week for us.
It has been a week of miracles and trials. On the blessings side, yesterday we just committed another part member family to baptism! When we first get here we started teaching a less active woman, who in the blink of an eye has returned back into activity. Only after a visit or two she started coming back to church. When we ask her about it, all she says is that she just needed someone there to give her a push! And she has come back strong. She told us once that she wanted us to teach her husband, and we are finally getting that chance. And it has just been miraculous to see! Through her testimony and support, they are now committed for marriage and baptism. It was amazing to hear from him just how the Lord prepared him to make these steps.Just a month before we came and began teaching him, he realized just how tired he was with drinking and street life. So from his own force of will he quit drinking. And hasn't had a drink since. When he saw his wife going back to church, in him grew to desire to accompany her. And little by little the Lord has worked these changes in him. And now they are just the happiest little family getting ready for marriage and will to do anything for it! I and just so thrilled to see these blessings!
The other part member family that is prepping for baptism the 26th are set and ready to go. The date is set, the money is there, and the papers are ready. They are just such a testimony of tithing to me. We felt very strongly thatt we needed to teach them about tithing, because at the beginning they didn't have a single cent to be able to pay for the wedding. Neither of them have jobs that pay very much and they were just making near ends meet. But we encourages and taught them of the blessings of tithing. And sure enough, the week after they paid their first tithing together, the money came. They now can afford their wedding so that the mother can get baptized. What blessings!
Other than that, there have been a few tragedies this week. A young less active boy we were teaching passes away. He was drown in the sea. And then just a few days later a son from another less active family we are teaching passed away through an accident at work. We didn't know him, but the family took it pretty hard. It just was such a stark reminder of how quickly this life really does pass. How important it is to use our time wisely here. Alma 34 really does expressed it so well. Now is the time to prepare to meet God. I felt so bad for those poor mothers, but I was also so grateful for the plan of salvation that we have. That we know that death is not the end. And then one day we will see our loved ones again.
What was hardest of all, is that one of the mothers who is less active knew that her son had passed away without being true to the covenants that he had made. But how grateful I am for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and what a comforting doctrine to those passing through this kind of pain! I was so happy to have the chance to share this knowledge with her. Truly the Lord is mighty to save.
So it has been a crazy week of ups and downs. But We have seen so many blessings! The work really is pushing forward like the stone cut without hands. It's just a rollin onward with us here! I love it so much!
Love you all tons, take care and stay safe!
Love
Hermana Cox
June 30th, 2014
Hola!
It has been such a long time, and there is so much to talk about!
We have been so blessed here in Los Frailes. We've seen so much success here! We currently have 5 people that are preparing for baptism, and we have so much hope and faith for them. The ward here is just so animated to share the gospel, which has made the work move forward so much more quickly. I have just felt blessed with all of the referrals that they give us. We have just seen so much success through them!
This week was a little crazy with the fact that we ended up functioning as the acting district leader, (without the authority of course!). Our old district leader ended up getting sent home for health reasons, and so a new Elder just arrived. Sadly, just as he got in their phone broke. And since our district in completely full of Hermanas, we were asked to take over some of the responsibilities till they were able to get a phone. Let just say, I never want to be district leader ever again! I grew so much respect for all that our leaders do for us! They're getting phone today, and let me tell you I couldn't be happier!
We also, sadly, had to say goodbye to another Hermana in our district who also had to go home for health reasons. The poor girl only had 4 months left in her mission, but she had served well! And we got the chance to go, comfort her, and help her prepare to go home. It helped me remember just how blessed I am that I have the opportunity to serve. I feel so blessed with how the Lord allowed me this chance to grow and progress. I know that I need to enjoy the time that I have left.
I can hardly believe that I've passed a year here in the DR! It has gone by so slowly but so quickly. I feel like I have changed so much, but like there is so much to still do. Life here is crazy, but I love every second of it. I just can't believe how much the mission has changed my life. I know that I have been blessed for the eternities because of the opportunity, Life is good here! I couldn't love it more. It's crazy, and weird, and sometimes uncomfortable. But I love it!
New President arrived on Saturday, and I will have the chance to meet him on Wednesday. I'm so excited! Everyone who has met him has spoken so highly of him, and I cannot wait. I have been asked to give a talk within the leadership meeting, so that should be interesting....talk about pressure! But it should be an interesting but good experience. Wish me luck! I hope all goes well.
I've loved hearing from you all! Sorry that I've been slacking lately! With the new responsibilities there is a little less time given to write. But know that I love you all so much, and I have felt so much of your love here. Thank you so much for all of your support and love. It makes a difference, and helps me stay focused and dedicated knowing that there are great people waiting patiently for my return, and supporting me every step of they way. Your prayers have made a world of difference. Thank you so much, and I love you all!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It has been such a long time, and there is so much to talk about!
We have been so blessed here in Los Frailes. We've seen so much success here! We currently have 5 people that are preparing for baptism, and we have so much hope and faith for them. The ward here is just so animated to share the gospel, which has made the work move forward so much more quickly. I have just felt blessed with all of the referrals that they give us. We have just seen so much success through them!
This week was a little crazy with the fact that we ended up functioning as the acting district leader, (without the authority of course!). Our old district leader ended up getting sent home for health reasons, and so a new Elder just arrived. Sadly, just as he got in their phone broke. And since our district in completely full of Hermanas, we were asked to take over some of the responsibilities till they were able to get a phone. Let just say, I never want to be district leader ever again! I grew so much respect for all that our leaders do for us! They're getting phone today, and let me tell you I couldn't be happier!
We also, sadly, had to say goodbye to another Hermana in our district who also had to go home for health reasons. The poor girl only had 4 months left in her mission, but she had served well! And we got the chance to go, comfort her, and help her prepare to go home. It helped me remember just how blessed I am that I have the opportunity to serve. I feel so blessed with how the Lord allowed me this chance to grow and progress. I know that I need to enjoy the time that I have left.
I can hardly believe that I've passed a year here in the DR! It has gone by so slowly but so quickly. I feel like I have changed so much, but like there is so much to still do. Life here is crazy, but I love every second of it. I just can't believe how much the mission has changed my life. I know that I have been blessed for the eternities because of the opportunity, Life is good here! I couldn't love it more. It's crazy, and weird, and sometimes uncomfortable. But I love it!
New President arrived on Saturday, and I will have the chance to meet him on Wednesday. I'm so excited! Everyone who has met him has spoken so highly of him, and I cannot wait. I have been asked to give a talk within the leadership meeting, so that should be interesting....talk about pressure! But it should be an interesting but good experience. Wish me luck! I hope all goes well.
I've loved hearing from you all! Sorry that I've been slacking lately! With the new responsibilities there is a little less time given to write. But know that I love you all so much, and I have felt so much of your love here. Thank you so much for all of your support and love. It makes a difference, and helps me stay focused and dedicated knowing that there are great people waiting patiently for my return, and supporting me every step of they way. Your prayers have made a world of difference. Thank you so much, and I love you all!
Love
Hermana Cox
June 15th, 2014
Hola!
It's been such a great week. I just want to say thank you to all of the prayers and support that everyone has given. I know that it helped me so much, and I've seen the blessings of it. All is well here, and we're back up and leaving full time again. I've received health again quite fast, and I know that I have truly been blessed. Thank you all so much! The blessings are being felt!
And they always say that through great trials comes blessings, to which I can testify! We were able to place 2 more baptismal dates!! Woot! One is with a family that has been waiting to be baptized for around 3 years now. They have just been saving and working and arranging papers to get married so that they can get baptized. And finally everything is starting to fall into place. So we are going to be arranging a wedding!! woot! I'm so excited for them. They are just amazing.
The other is a part member family. The husband is a member who is less active, and the wife isn't a member. But the husband is now wanting to make the effort to return, and wants his wife to learn as well. And by the end of the first cita we put a fecha with her! She is just awesome, and so willing to learn. We're so excited to see the growth there.
We're moving into the weird 8 week transfer in which we welcome in the new President. It will be at the end of the month, and we're all very excited!
We said our goodbyes to President and all is well. I am now going to be serving in a Trio with Hermana Erekson and an Hermana Verzello. We have been living with her this last transfer so we all already know each other and everything. So it should be a lot of fun! We're all really excited to see the progress here.
But I'm glad to hear that all is well! I hope you all had a happy fathers day, and that Eliza had a happy birthday! I love you guys tons! Thank you for all that you do to help and support me. I love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It's been such a great week. I just want to say thank you to all of the prayers and support that everyone has given. I know that it helped me so much, and I've seen the blessings of it. All is well here, and we're back up and leaving full time again. I've received health again quite fast, and I know that I have truly been blessed. Thank you all so much! The blessings are being felt!
And they always say that through great trials comes blessings, to which I can testify! We were able to place 2 more baptismal dates!! Woot! One is with a family that has been waiting to be baptized for around 3 years now. They have just been saving and working and arranging papers to get married so that they can get baptized. And finally everything is starting to fall into place. So we are going to be arranging a wedding!! woot! I'm so excited for them. They are just amazing.
The other is a part member family. The husband is a member who is less active, and the wife isn't a member. But the husband is now wanting to make the effort to return, and wants his wife to learn as well. And by the end of the first cita we put a fecha with her! She is just awesome, and so willing to learn. We're so excited to see the growth there.
We're moving into the weird 8 week transfer in which we welcome in the new President. It will be at the end of the month, and we're all very excited!
We said our goodbyes to President and all is well. I am now going to be serving in a Trio with Hermana Erekson and an Hermana Verzello. We have been living with her this last transfer so we all already know each other and everything. So it should be a lot of fun! We're all really excited to see the progress here.
But I'm glad to hear that all is well! I hope you all had a happy fathers day, and that Eliza had a happy birthday! I love you guys tons! Thank you for all that you do to help and support me. I love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
June 9th, 2014
That's right. The cursed chingunguya has claimed another victim here in the DR, and this time it was me who went down....bummer.
I honestly feel like a t rex, as i hobble my way through the streets. It came in quick on Thursday night, but luckily it's taking it's course pretty quickly. I should be up and going again before we know it! Hermana Erekson has been awesome though. She's been taking such good care of me throughout all of it, and has still managed to go out and work with the help of the other sisters. So they've all been taking shifts watching helping out. And I'm thrilled to say that the Lord has blessed us greatly for our efforts. We have two new fechas set!! Woot!
One is with an Hermana who has been going to church steady for 3 years straight. She has everything, and even pays her tithing. She just has to get married or separate from her partner in order to be baptized. Her desire is huge, and she's decided that she's ready to make the decision. We set the fecha for 20th de September, and she's working hard for it to get married! So we're super excited! One of her daughters is a member, and we're teaching their other son, so we're hoping to get the whole family to convert! That's our goal. A lot of work, and a few miracles, but it's totally possible in the Lord's time and ways.
The other is a friend of young woman in the ward, who gave her as a reference. Right after our first real lesson with her, she read the entire pamphlet, prayed, and came to the conclusion that it was true. She accepted a fecha that same cita and is just amazing!
So it's been a week of challenges and blessings. It really is true that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessings. I'm so happy to be here and the be in this work. We said our goodbyes to President and Hermana Hernandez, and will be welcoming in the President and Hermana Corbitt soon.It was sad to say goodbye. They are just so great! They've helped me so much, and I've truly enjoyed serving under their leadership. But, it's time they went and saw their families. I' m excited to see all that the new President has to bring! I'll keep you all updated! I love you all! And I love hearing from you!
Stay safe, and happy, and healthy. (just like what mom always tells me!) haha
Love you!
Hermana Cox
That's right. The cursed chingunguya has claimed another victim here in the DR, and this time it was me who went down....bummer.
I honestly feel like a t rex, as i hobble my way through the streets. It came in quick on Thursday night, but luckily it's taking it's course pretty quickly. I should be up and going again before we know it! Hermana Erekson has been awesome though. She's been taking such good care of me throughout all of it, and has still managed to go out and work with the help of the other sisters. So they've all been taking shifts watching helping out. And I'm thrilled to say that the Lord has blessed us greatly for our efforts. We have two new fechas set!! Woot!
One is with an Hermana who has been going to church steady for 3 years straight. She has everything, and even pays her tithing. She just has to get married or separate from her partner in order to be baptized. Her desire is huge, and she's decided that she's ready to make the decision. We set the fecha for 20th de September, and she's working hard for it to get married! So we're super excited! One of her daughters is a member, and we're teaching their other son, so we're hoping to get the whole family to convert! That's our goal. A lot of work, and a few miracles, but it's totally possible in the Lord's time and ways.
The other is a friend of young woman in the ward, who gave her as a reference. Right after our first real lesson with her, she read the entire pamphlet, prayed, and came to the conclusion that it was true. She accepted a fecha that same cita and is just amazing!
So it's been a week of challenges and blessings. It really is true that the greater the sacrifice, the greater the blessings. I'm so happy to be here and the be in this work. We said our goodbyes to President and Hermana Hernandez, and will be welcoming in the President and Hermana Corbitt soon.It was sad to say goodbye. They are just so great! They've helped me so much, and I've truly enjoyed serving under their leadership. But, it's time they went and saw their families. I' m excited to see all that the new President has to bring! I'll keep you all updated! I love you all! And I love hearing from you!
Stay safe, and happy, and healthy. (just like what mom always tells me!) haha
Love you!
Hermana Cox
June 2nd, 2014
What a week!
We had a chance of p day this week to be able to go and visit the Dominican Palace. It was quite the trip! We had and escort and a guard following us the entire time. I felt so important. It was beautiful. But, all things considered I'm perfectly happy with our chandelier and hose shower.
It was quite a week this week! I ended up doing my first intercambios as a sister training leader, and since it is a weird 4 week transfer we had to fit two in back to back. So I've just been traveling all over the place this week. It was a blast though! I love the chance that it brings to get to know these Hermanas on an even closer basis. It's such a privilege.
This week was just so great! We had 5 investigators come to church, with the good portion of them being references. The thing most difficult about this area, is that the investigators that we have that are just golden, but always have some really big problem preventing them from baptism. For the majority, it's marriage. They're so strong in their beliefs, and have the strongest desire, but either they don't have the money or the papers aren't right, or a million other things. So we are praying for miracles here. Because it's so amazing to see how bad these people want it!
I really have been thinking a lot this week about just how much I love this country. These people are just hilarious, I love them so much. Last night we saw a man sitting in a chair out in the street, who had rigged some pipes to come from the top of his house and pour water down over hi m while he sat there. I died laughing. Oh how I love Dominicans! Guess you've got to shower and cool of somehow. Hey I'd do it too if I was him!
But I love you guys tons! It's so great hearing from you all! Stay safe and happy! Send pictures and tell me all the stories!
Love
Hermana Cox
ps Sorry its so short! Time just fly's!
What a week!
We had a chance of p day this week to be able to go and visit the Dominican Palace. It was quite the trip! We had and escort and a guard following us the entire time. I felt so important. It was beautiful. But, all things considered I'm perfectly happy with our chandelier and hose shower.
It was quite a week this week! I ended up doing my first intercambios as a sister training leader, and since it is a weird 4 week transfer we had to fit two in back to back. So I've just been traveling all over the place this week. It was a blast though! I love the chance that it brings to get to know these Hermanas on an even closer basis. It's such a privilege.
This week was just so great! We had 5 investigators come to church, with the good portion of them being references. The thing most difficult about this area, is that the investigators that we have that are just golden, but always have some really big problem preventing them from baptism. For the majority, it's marriage. They're so strong in their beliefs, and have the strongest desire, but either they don't have the money or the papers aren't right, or a million other things. So we are praying for miracles here. Because it's so amazing to see how bad these people want it!
I really have been thinking a lot this week about just how much I love this country. These people are just hilarious, I love them so much. Last night we saw a man sitting in a chair out in the street, who had rigged some pipes to come from the top of his house and pour water down over hi m while he sat there. I died laughing. Oh how I love Dominicans! Guess you've got to shower and cool of somehow. Hey I'd do it too if I was him!
But I love you guys tons! It's so great hearing from you all! Stay safe and happy! Send pictures and tell me all the stories!
Love
Hermana Cox
ps Sorry its so short! Time just fly's!
May 19th, 2014
Hola!!
Oh man there are so many things to tell this week!! I guess I should start with the news from transfers first......
I'm leaving San Pedro!!!
Gah! Can you believe it! For some reason I feel like I just got here. Crazy how that all works. But, I'm going to go to Los Frailes in the capital. Want to know what else? We're going to be white washing (2 new missionaries in the area. You don't even know where your house is.). Want to know what else? We're whitewashing as Sister Training Leaders. Yikes! haha. My companion is actually the one of the sister training leaders right now over our area. She's going to be leaving with me to go to Los Failes, and from what I've heard there are a ton of Hermanas there. I can hardly believe it.
Hermana Given is going to stay here in the area, and an Hermana from my last zone is coming out to be with her. She's from Mexico, therefore Hermana Given is going to be the only english speaker in the house! She's going to learn so much spanish! The poor girl is so nervous.
The other sisters in the house are going to stay the same.
I can hardly believe how quickly my time went here. From what everyone says, you fry in Los Frailes. So I might be getting rather black in these upcoming summer months.... But I'm super excited! Everyone says that the wards there are the best. They help out the missionaries a ton, and give a ton of references. So I'm thrilled to see how it will be.
I am slightly sad to be leaving though, because we finally have our first fecha here!! Woot! With Mireili, who I spoke of in my last email. She took the courage to talk to her husband about marriage and he agreed! Which if fairly rare here!! And not only did he agree, but he started reading The Book of Mormon, and they ALL came to church on Sunday. Mireili, her husband, and their 4 young children. The ward was so animated to see them there! People were even coming to ask us when they could leave with us to visit them, and it turns out that the husband works for the district president who happened to be visiting this last Sunday. Needless to say I've been walking on clouds. So I'm sad to miss out on it! They have a goal placed for June 21st.
The cita in which we placed to fecha was a miracle in and of itself! We stopped by her house with Hermana Merline from Honduras, but she wasn't there. So we stopped by a few other people to see if we could still get a lesson in with Hermana Merline, but no one was home so we started heading back to take Hermana Merline home. I was super sad that Mireli wasn't there! But right on the way back to our house we hear someone yelling at us. Right across from us was Hermana Mireli!
She said that she had gotten home a little late and was so worried that she had missed us. When her daughter at home told her that she had, she said she went out as fast as she could, nearly running, praying the entire time that she would find us. She just kept saying that it was a miracle from God that she found us, and that God must have really wanted her to hear the lesson. I just about died! She just has so much faith. She walks nearly 15 to 30 minutes with 4 children under the age of 8 to come to church. When we proposed a fecha she was just so thrilled! She is reading The Book of Mormon almost every night, and is trying her best to live the gospel. I just love her so much! I'm so sad to leave her! But I know that the other Hermanas are going to help her so much, and that they'll send me pictures of the baptism and everything. I'm just so happy to see her progress!
It's been a great week, and I'm so happy that I can leave San Pedro on such a good note. I've loved my time here. The branch is great, and I love our people here. I'm so excited to see what is to come! I'll let you guys know all about it!
Love you bunches!
Hermana Cox
Hola!!
Oh man there are so many things to tell this week!! I guess I should start with the news from transfers first......
I'm leaving San Pedro!!!
Gah! Can you believe it! For some reason I feel like I just got here. Crazy how that all works. But, I'm going to go to Los Frailes in the capital. Want to know what else? We're going to be white washing (2 new missionaries in the area. You don't even know where your house is.). Want to know what else? We're whitewashing as Sister Training Leaders. Yikes! haha. My companion is actually the one of the sister training leaders right now over our area. She's going to be leaving with me to go to Los Failes, and from what I've heard there are a ton of Hermanas there. I can hardly believe it.
Hermana Given is going to stay here in the area, and an Hermana from my last zone is coming out to be with her. She's from Mexico, therefore Hermana Given is going to be the only english speaker in the house! She's going to learn so much spanish! The poor girl is so nervous.
The other sisters in the house are going to stay the same.
I can hardly believe how quickly my time went here. From what everyone says, you fry in Los Frailes. So I might be getting rather black in these upcoming summer months.... But I'm super excited! Everyone says that the wards there are the best. They help out the missionaries a ton, and give a ton of references. So I'm thrilled to see how it will be.
I am slightly sad to be leaving though, because we finally have our first fecha here!! Woot! With Mireili, who I spoke of in my last email. She took the courage to talk to her husband about marriage and he agreed! Which if fairly rare here!! And not only did he agree, but he started reading The Book of Mormon, and they ALL came to church on Sunday. Mireili, her husband, and their 4 young children. The ward was so animated to see them there! People were even coming to ask us when they could leave with us to visit them, and it turns out that the husband works for the district president who happened to be visiting this last Sunday. Needless to say I've been walking on clouds. So I'm sad to miss out on it! They have a goal placed for June 21st.
The cita in which we placed to fecha was a miracle in and of itself! We stopped by her house with Hermana Merline from Honduras, but she wasn't there. So we stopped by a few other people to see if we could still get a lesson in with Hermana Merline, but no one was home so we started heading back to take Hermana Merline home. I was super sad that Mireli wasn't there! But right on the way back to our house we hear someone yelling at us. Right across from us was Hermana Mireli!
She said that she had gotten home a little late and was so worried that she had missed us. When her daughter at home told her that she had, she said she went out as fast as she could, nearly running, praying the entire time that she would find us. She just kept saying that it was a miracle from God that she found us, and that God must have really wanted her to hear the lesson. I just about died! She just has so much faith. She walks nearly 15 to 30 minutes with 4 children under the age of 8 to come to church. When we proposed a fecha she was just so thrilled! She is reading The Book of Mormon almost every night, and is trying her best to live the gospel. I just love her so much! I'm so sad to leave her! But I know that the other Hermanas are going to help her so much, and that they'll send me pictures of the baptism and everything. I'm just so happy to see her progress!
It's been a great week, and I'm so happy that I can leave San Pedro on such a good note. I've loved my time here. The branch is great, and I love our people here. I'm so excited to see what is to come! I'll let you guys know all about it!
Love you bunches!
Hermana Cox
May 12th, 2014
Hola!
It has been such a great week this week! Skyping home was so much fun! I cant believe that that will be my last time skyping home. The time is passing by so fast!
One of the other sisters in the house has caught the chinggunguya. The poor girl has been throwing up all week. Everyone here is getting it, and I{m hoping and praying to stay clear of it!
I just got back from buying shoes. It was my first time in a Payless in so long! And it was probably the fastest shopping trip of my life. Thirty minutes to get there, look, buy them, and return home. Woot!1 The Hermana Merline, the kind sister from Honduras went with us to look and right now Im writing from her house. She invited us to stay and cook lunch with her. She's such a sweetheart!
We had a super great cita with here this past week as well. She accompanied us to the house of Hna Mireidi, the new investigator that we found. Or better said, found us. She lives very humbly, and shared with the missionaries a year back. She got sick, and lost contact with he church, but said that she had been praying and praying to find missionaries again. When she crossed us in the street one day she was so excited to see us! She automatically invited us into her house to share. She wants to get baptized, but isn't married and is without the means to do it. But she's working hard to find a way.
Anyways, we took Hn Merline to a cita with this investigator, and it was one fo the most beautiful citas I've been to. Hermana Merline shared her testimony about the importance of marriage and of the gospel in her life, and her two children came with her and also shared their testimonies. It was such a sacred experience to hear one mother testifying to another of the importance of the gospel for her family. She Spirit was so strong in that cita!
Its been such a great experience getting to know all kinda of different people here. I've learned so much from each and everyone of the people I've meet. The people here are so generous. Even if they have nothing to give, they will give you all they can. I feel so blessed to be here in those country, serving these wonderful people.
Im so glad to hear that all is well, and it was great to see you all! I love you all so much! Keep me updated on all of the news!!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It has been such a great week this week! Skyping home was so much fun! I cant believe that that will be my last time skyping home. The time is passing by so fast!
One of the other sisters in the house has caught the chinggunguya. The poor girl has been throwing up all week. Everyone here is getting it, and I{m hoping and praying to stay clear of it!
I just got back from buying shoes. It was my first time in a Payless in so long! And it was probably the fastest shopping trip of my life. Thirty minutes to get there, look, buy them, and return home. Woot!1 The Hermana Merline, the kind sister from Honduras went with us to look and right now Im writing from her house. She invited us to stay and cook lunch with her. She's such a sweetheart!
We had a super great cita with here this past week as well. She accompanied us to the house of Hna Mireidi, the new investigator that we found. Or better said, found us. She lives very humbly, and shared with the missionaries a year back. She got sick, and lost contact with he church, but said that she had been praying and praying to find missionaries again. When she crossed us in the street one day she was so excited to see us! She automatically invited us into her house to share. She wants to get baptized, but isn't married and is without the means to do it. But she's working hard to find a way.
Anyways, we took Hn Merline to a cita with this investigator, and it was one fo the most beautiful citas I've been to. Hermana Merline shared her testimony about the importance of marriage and of the gospel in her life, and her two children came with her and also shared their testimonies. It was such a sacred experience to hear one mother testifying to another of the importance of the gospel for her family. She Spirit was so strong in that cita!
Its been such a great experience getting to know all kinda of different people here. I've learned so much from each and everyone of the people I've meet. The people here are so generous. Even if they have nothing to give, they will give you all they can. I feel so blessed to be here in those country, serving these wonderful people.
Im so glad to hear that all is well, and it was great to see you all! I love you all so much! Keep me updated on all of the news!!
Love
Hermana Cox
May 5th, 2014
Hola!
Whew is it getting hot here!!! I forgot how much I sweat during the summer. It really makes you feel cute. haha.
We just got back from a zone meeting that was super fun! There is a family from Honduras that moved into the ward a while back. They're new members, so Hermana Given and I have had the chance to re-teach them the lessons. They are just so sweet! They were really kind and cooked a bunch of food for us to enjoy for 5 de Mayo. We got to help her cook and prepare it all. So I'll try to remember it all so I can make it later. Because it was SO good! Carne risada, pico de gallo, tamarindo juice, and beans. Delicious!
It's been a really exciting week of progress this week! For some reason this transfer we've really been struggling with getting people to come to church. We were trying so hard, and stopping by so many people, but for some reason not a single soul wouldn ever come! It was extremely difficult, and disappointing. I hated working so hard without any signs of progress or success. Luckly, I have a very encouraging and determined companion. So together, we decided that we were going to give absolutely everything that we had! We were going to invite everyone to church. We changed a few things about how we were going about things and tried to always give our all. Soon enough, this Sunday rolled around, and I was praying so hard that someone would please come to church. Sacrament meeting rolled around, and not a single soul showed up.
Yet for some reason, I just felt so much peace in my heart. Rather than being upset or sad, I just felt peace. And I knew that the Lord was going to bless us. It wasn´t until half way through the meeting that one of our investigators who lives far away and has 4 young children walked in through the door. She is a new investigator, and she has a lot of excitement. I just about cried! I was so happy that the Lord blessed and helped us so much! But I just kept feeling like there was more. The Spirit just kept whispering to me, telling me that the Lord had more blessing in store for us. And sure enough, that Sunday we had 4 different people tell us about references that they had prepared for us.
My heart really is full. My testimony and faith and trust in the Lord has grown so much! I truly do know with full confidence now that when we do all that we can, the Lord will bless us for our efforts. He will not leave us without aide. There has been a Scripture running through my head for the past while. Aunt Kim sent it to me, and it has helped me so much time and time again. D &C 123-17. I know that it really is true! Miracles are happening here in San Pedro! Whoo! And this week I get to see you all over skype! So life is good here.
Thank you so much for your help and prayers. I love you all so much, and I can´t wait to see you all soon!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Whew is it getting hot here!!! I forgot how much I sweat during the summer. It really makes you feel cute. haha.
We just got back from a zone meeting that was super fun! There is a family from Honduras that moved into the ward a while back. They're new members, so Hermana Given and I have had the chance to re-teach them the lessons. They are just so sweet! They were really kind and cooked a bunch of food for us to enjoy for 5 de Mayo. We got to help her cook and prepare it all. So I'll try to remember it all so I can make it later. Because it was SO good! Carne risada, pico de gallo, tamarindo juice, and beans. Delicious!
It's been a really exciting week of progress this week! For some reason this transfer we've really been struggling with getting people to come to church. We were trying so hard, and stopping by so many people, but for some reason not a single soul wouldn ever come! It was extremely difficult, and disappointing. I hated working so hard without any signs of progress or success. Luckly, I have a very encouraging and determined companion. So together, we decided that we were going to give absolutely everything that we had! We were going to invite everyone to church. We changed a few things about how we were going about things and tried to always give our all. Soon enough, this Sunday rolled around, and I was praying so hard that someone would please come to church. Sacrament meeting rolled around, and not a single soul showed up.
Yet for some reason, I just felt so much peace in my heart. Rather than being upset or sad, I just felt peace. And I knew that the Lord was going to bless us. It wasn´t until half way through the meeting that one of our investigators who lives far away and has 4 young children walked in through the door. She is a new investigator, and she has a lot of excitement. I just about cried! I was so happy that the Lord blessed and helped us so much! But I just kept feeling like there was more. The Spirit just kept whispering to me, telling me that the Lord had more blessing in store for us. And sure enough, that Sunday we had 4 different people tell us about references that they had prepared for us.
My heart really is full. My testimony and faith and trust in the Lord has grown so much! I truly do know with full confidence now that when we do all that we can, the Lord will bless us for our efforts. He will not leave us without aide. There has been a Scripture running through my head for the past while. Aunt Kim sent it to me, and it has helped me so much time and time again. D &C 123-17. I know that it really is true! Miracles are happening here in San Pedro! Whoo! And this week I get to see you all over skype! So life is good here.
Thank you so much for your help and prayers. I love you all so much, and I can´t wait to see you all soon!
Love
Hermana Cox
April 28th, 2014
Well hey there!
It´s been quite the crazy week this week!! Poor Hermana Given caught the new virus going around called the Ching gungu ya. I can´t tell you if that is honestly how you spell it....but that´s for sure what it sounds like when they say it! It passed by mosquito as well, and has many of the same symptoms of Dengue such as fever, body ache, head aches, and exhaustion. It started up last Saturday, and kept us down for the count until Thursday mostly. We had a zone meeting on Wednesday that we had to go to, and the poor girl was dying the entire time! But! It looks like the symptoms have cleared, and we are up and going once again! Woot! Nothing can keep us down! haha.
Other than that the week has just been trying to get things up and running again. So we´ve been running around trying to get to all of the people we´ve missed in the last few days and determine where they are in their progression. Then on Friday the Sister Training Leaders called to do an intercambio.(I think they´re called exchanges in English.) So the poor sister ended up doing most of the crazy running around for me. I ended up going to the other sisters area for the day, which was a ton of fun! I was in a place called La Romana. It´s about an hour away from our area and is just beautiful! At the end of the intercambio the other sister was exhausted. Poor Girl. But, such is the life of a missionary.
Maybe this week was making up for the craziness of Easter last week. Dominican Easter traditions are little bit different. It´s an entire week, which is called Holy Week, but it´s really just used to party. Everyone spends the first few days of the week preparing, and then on Friday everything shuts down. All stores are closed, no shops or street markets are out, literally everyone has the day off. Most people like to go to the beach, or go to parties, therefore our area we completely empty. It was slightly eerie walking around generally bustling streets and being the only people there. It felt like I was in some kind of post apocalyptic movie about missionary work. (I´d like to see them try to make a movie like that...) So needless to say, we got locked in the house early.
And, being the proper responsible sister missionaries that we are, we decided to spend our extra time by drawing out a twister board on the tile with the chalk that you sent me and playing twister. It was so fun! It was a fun way to get a little exercise in. We took some pictures that I´ll have to send you next week. I won once! But Hna Given took the prize. But all and all, it made it a fun Easter holiday.
The food of choice here on Easter is a little different as well. Being mainly Catholic, everyone eats fish for the week. But they also have a dish here that hey make for the holiday called Habichuelas con Dulce. So pretty much Sweet Beans. They are pureed beans wtih sugar and sweet potatoes, and a few other things. And man, they are GOOD! It sounds pretty nasty, but I´m going to have to make ya´ll some when I get home. I fell in love! Our ward had a huge activity where we got to try them. Super Yummy.
All and all, life has been pretty calm lately. One of the challenges that I´ve been dealing with a lot lately is understanding the changing forms of the Holy Ghost. As missionaries, they Holy Ghost is what guides and directs us throughout the entire course of our work. We pray and ask for direction and guidance multiple times a day, and then wait for the guiding power of the Spirit to help us know what to do. One thing that I have noticed is that at the beginning of my mission, the Spirit was very direct and clear with me about what I had to do, what i had to say, and where I needed to go. But slowly throughout the course of my mission the directions have become less and less specific, and have come less and less frequently And for a long time I was convinced that I was doing something wrong! I was deeply concerned that somehow the Spirit had stopped directing me in the work, which was a horrifying thought.
But slowly, as I pondered, prayed, and talked with my companion about my concerns I remembered a truth that they shared with us while we were in the MTC. They showed us a talk that address this very situation. How when we pray for answers and direction from God, there is an option of 4 different answers. 1. Yes 2. No. 3. Not right now and 4. Nothing. The Apostle went through and discussed these answers, and finally reseted upon what to do if we receive no answer. His reply to this, was that God is trusting us to make the choice for ourselves. D/C cites the Lord, saying that Ït is not meet that I command ye in all things.¨
The point of this life is to learn to become life Jesus Christ. If we are never given the chance to practice making choices for ourselves based on the good principles that we know we will never develop the skills necessary to reach that goal. So when the Lord does not reply, all He is really doing is trusting you to make the right decision. He doesn´t feel the need to spoon feed you all of the directions. He is expecting you to use what you know to make the right choice, and then if you make a mistake, He will correct you.
This was something that I had kinda been overlooking. Having gained experience and practice within the last few months here, I´ve found that the Lord is trusting me more and more to make the right decisions. And it´s slightly terrifying! haha. But it´s comforting to know that the Lord has the trust in us. He´s willing to take these chances so that we can learn. I am constantly amazing at the Genius of our Lord. He truly does love us and want the best for us. Everything He does is for our best in the end, and I will be forever grateful for Him in my life. I really do know that He is personally involved in every aspect of our lives. He has a deep personal desire to help us grow, and because He knows us so well He knows just how to do it! I love my Savior! I know that He truly loves us and invites all to come until Him.
I love you guys tons! I hope you´ve had a great week, and I let you know about skype soon, I have no info. But I´ll let you know as soon as I do!
Love you all!
Hermana Cox
Well hey there!
It´s been quite the crazy week this week!! Poor Hermana Given caught the new virus going around called the Ching gungu ya. I can´t tell you if that is honestly how you spell it....but that´s for sure what it sounds like when they say it! It passed by mosquito as well, and has many of the same symptoms of Dengue such as fever, body ache, head aches, and exhaustion. It started up last Saturday, and kept us down for the count until Thursday mostly. We had a zone meeting on Wednesday that we had to go to, and the poor girl was dying the entire time! But! It looks like the symptoms have cleared, and we are up and going once again! Woot! Nothing can keep us down! haha.
Other than that the week has just been trying to get things up and running again. So we´ve been running around trying to get to all of the people we´ve missed in the last few days and determine where they are in their progression. Then on Friday the Sister Training Leaders called to do an intercambio.(I think they´re called exchanges in English.) So the poor sister ended up doing most of the crazy running around for me. I ended up going to the other sisters area for the day, which was a ton of fun! I was in a place called La Romana. It´s about an hour away from our area and is just beautiful! At the end of the intercambio the other sister was exhausted. Poor Girl. But, such is the life of a missionary.
Maybe this week was making up for the craziness of Easter last week. Dominican Easter traditions are little bit different. It´s an entire week, which is called Holy Week, but it´s really just used to party. Everyone spends the first few days of the week preparing, and then on Friday everything shuts down. All stores are closed, no shops or street markets are out, literally everyone has the day off. Most people like to go to the beach, or go to parties, therefore our area we completely empty. It was slightly eerie walking around generally bustling streets and being the only people there. It felt like I was in some kind of post apocalyptic movie about missionary work. (I´d like to see them try to make a movie like that...) So needless to say, we got locked in the house early.
And, being the proper responsible sister missionaries that we are, we decided to spend our extra time by drawing out a twister board on the tile with the chalk that you sent me and playing twister. It was so fun! It was a fun way to get a little exercise in. We took some pictures that I´ll have to send you next week. I won once! But Hna Given took the prize. But all and all, it made it a fun Easter holiday.
The food of choice here on Easter is a little different as well. Being mainly Catholic, everyone eats fish for the week. But they also have a dish here that hey make for the holiday called Habichuelas con Dulce. So pretty much Sweet Beans. They are pureed beans wtih sugar and sweet potatoes, and a few other things. And man, they are GOOD! It sounds pretty nasty, but I´m going to have to make ya´ll some when I get home. I fell in love! Our ward had a huge activity where we got to try them. Super Yummy.
All and all, life has been pretty calm lately. One of the challenges that I´ve been dealing with a lot lately is understanding the changing forms of the Holy Ghost. As missionaries, they Holy Ghost is what guides and directs us throughout the entire course of our work. We pray and ask for direction and guidance multiple times a day, and then wait for the guiding power of the Spirit to help us know what to do. One thing that I have noticed is that at the beginning of my mission, the Spirit was very direct and clear with me about what I had to do, what i had to say, and where I needed to go. But slowly throughout the course of my mission the directions have become less and less specific, and have come less and less frequently And for a long time I was convinced that I was doing something wrong! I was deeply concerned that somehow the Spirit had stopped directing me in the work, which was a horrifying thought.
But slowly, as I pondered, prayed, and talked with my companion about my concerns I remembered a truth that they shared with us while we were in the MTC. They showed us a talk that address this very situation. How when we pray for answers and direction from God, there is an option of 4 different answers. 1. Yes 2. No. 3. Not right now and 4. Nothing. The Apostle went through and discussed these answers, and finally reseted upon what to do if we receive no answer. His reply to this, was that God is trusting us to make the choice for ourselves. D/C cites the Lord, saying that Ït is not meet that I command ye in all things.¨
The point of this life is to learn to become life Jesus Christ. If we are never given the chance to practice making choices for ourselves based on the good principles that we know we will never develop the skills necessary to reach that goal. So when the Lord does not reply, all He is really doing is trusting you to make the right decision. He doesn´t feel the need to spoon feed you all of the directions. He is expecting you to use what you know to make the right choice, and then if you make a mistake, He will correct you.
This was something that I had kinda been overlooking. Having gained experience and practice within the last few months here, I´ve found that the Lord is trusting me more and more to make the right decisions. And it´s slightly terrifying! haha. But it´s comforting to know that the Lord has the trust in us. He´s willing to take these chances so that we can learn. I am constantly amazing at the Genius of our Lord. He truly does love us and want the best for us. Everything He does is for our best in the end, and I will be forever grateful for Him in my life. I really do know that He is personally involved in every aspect of our lives. He has a deep personal desire to help us grow, and because He knows us so well He knows just how to do it! I love my Savior! I know that He truly loves us and invites all to come until Him.
I love you guys tons! I hope you´ve had a great week, and I let you know about skype soon, I have no info. But I´ll let you know as soon as I do!
Love you all!
Hermana Cox
April 21st, 2014
April 14th, 2014
Hola!
It was quite an odd week this week. We had a meeting in the capital about training that we were meant to go to this Friday. Getting to the capital in general is always a bit of a hassle. We walk for about 30 mins to get to the bus stop, then take a two hour bus ride to get there. We then walk a good 15 minutes to get to the offices. So we headed out super early to get there in time, and ended up being the first people at the office. Slowly more and more people arrives, but neither President nor the Assistants were there.....so finally we decided to give them a call. And....it was cancelled. Apparently the had cancelled it the night before, but the information never really got around. So we decided to make the best of it, and got permission to go to the temple store! Since my garments were in pretty bad shape... And it was there that I made one of the best decisions of my life. Yes, I am speaking of my new fanny pack.
It clips around my waist and has an across the chest strap, and I feel like I could walk for days with it. The only downside is that it leaves a rather unfortunate sweat mark sometimes....it's a little awkward, but hilarious. Never did I think I would be marching around a third world country in crocs and a fanny pack, yelling at people in Spanish! Just shows: "Life is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what ya gonna get." -Forest Gump. Words of wisdom right there. To make it even better, Hermana Given fell in love with my crocs, and asked her family to send her a pair. So now we both have matching crocs and fanny packs. What a cute little pair we make!
As for the other awkward moments of the week, there is a plethora. We happen to be teaching a man for South Africa, who only really speaks English and a little broken Spanish. We had a cita with him this Saturday. He showed up right as we got there, and invited us in and to take a seat out on the patio. He then asked us to give him just a second, and ran back into the house. I was thinking in my head that maybe we was just going to get the pamphlets or go to the bathroom or something. But, seconds later I hear the start of a shower....so we just sat there awkwardly as our investigator took a quick shower before the lesson. It was so uncomfortable! They don't teach you about that in the MTC! Finally, about 5 minutes later he walks back out as if nothing happened. I guess when you gotta shower you gotta shower.
We also had an investigator give us clothes that she dug out of her closet for us, many people try to force food upon us, and I pretty much bathed myself in ants this morning (yes. they are still here. I hate them so much.) Just to name a few other things.
So, needless today P-day was highly welcomed this week! I can only imagine what else this upcoming week has to bring, being Easter week and all! Easter here is BIG! So I'm excited to see what we have in store. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes. I love you guys a ton, and have a great Easter!!
Love
Hermana Cox
PS. I also found out that I have wavy hair this week! It was getting pretty wild since it's getting pretty long now, so Hermana Given told me I should try her mousse. I gave it a shot, and out came perfect waves. So...I'm going on a hunt to find me some mousse, so I look a little less like a lion here. But who'd a thunk it! haha. Surprise!
Hola!
It was quite an odd week this week. We had a meeting in the capital about training that we were meant to go to this Friday. Getting to the capital in general is always a bit of a hassle. We walk for about 30 mins to get to the bus stop, then take a two hour bus ride to get there. We then walk a good 15 minutes to get to the offices. So we headed out super early to get there in time, and ended up being the first people at the office. Slowly more and more people arrives, but neither President nor the Assistants were there.....so finally we decided to give them a call. And....it was cancelled. Apparently the had cancelled it the night before, but the information never really got around. So we decided to make the best of it, and got permission to go to the temple store! Since my garments were in pretty bad shape... And it was there that I made one of the best decisions of my life. Yes, I am speaking of my new fanny pack.
It clips around my waist and has an across the chest strap, and I feel like I could walk for days with it. The only downside is that it leaves a rather unfortunate sweat mark sometimes....it's a little awkward, but hilarious. Never did I think I would be marching around a third world country in crocs and a fanny pack, yelling at people in Spanish! Just shows: "Life is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what ya gonna get." -Forest Gump. Words of wisdom right there. To make it even better, Hermana Given fell in love with my crocs, and asked her family to send her a pair. So now we both have matching crocs and fanny packs. What a cute little pair we make!
As for the other awkward moments of the week, there is a plethora. We happen to be teaching a man for South Africa, who only really speaks English and a little broken Spanish. We had a cita with him this Saturday. He showed up right as we got there, and invited us in and to take a seat out on the patio. He then asked us to give him just a second, and ran back into the house. I was thinking in my head that maybe we was just going to get the pamphlets or go to the bathroom or something. But, seconds later I hear the start of a shower....so we just sat there awkwardly as our investigator took a quick shower before the lesson. It was so uncomfortable! They don't teach you about that in the MTC! Finally, about 5 minutes later he walks back out as if nothing happened. I guess when you gotta shower you gotta shower.
We also had an investigator give us clothes that she dug out of her closet for us, many people try to force food upon us, and I pretty much bathed myself in ants this morning (yes. they are still here. I hate them so much.) Just to name a few other things.
So, needless today P-day was highly welcomed this week! I can only imagine what else this upcoming week has to bring, being Easter week and all! Easter here is BIG! So I'm excited to see what we have in store. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes. I love you guys a ton, and have a great Easter!!
Love
Hermana Cox
PS. I also found out that I have wavy hair this week! It was getting pretty wild since it's getting pretty long now, so Hermana Given told me I should try her mousse. I gave it a shot, and out came perfect waves. So...I'm going on a hunt to find me some mousse, so I look a little less like a lion here. But who'd a thunk it! haha. Surprise!
April 7th, 2014
Well hello!
Can you beleive that another week has flown by? Craziness! The news is in for transfers, and as we all guessed I´m staying in my area to finish training. But, Hermana Sanchez gave me a call....and she´s going to ARUBA!! She's going to the islands! I should have guessed, beacuse she´s just so awesome! haha. But she´s freaking out a little bit. A whole new language to learn and you´re all by yourself. I´m so excited to hear all of her stories! Other than that, the we´re all just about the same. One of the Hermanas in the house is on her last transfer, so they´re shipping hew back into the capital so she´s nearby when it´s time to leave, and the other Hermana is training. So that will be fun.
Conference was amazing! Our very kind Branch President gave us the opportunity to watch it in English again, which I think made Hermana Given really happy. Because that would stink to watch conference but not really understand everything they were saying. I decided this conference to follow the suggestion of the Church leaders, and brought questions to conference. And, of course, I recieved answers. I had one question that had been rolling around in my mind for the entire week, only to have it answered in the very first talk by Elder Holland. SUCH a good talk! I loved it so much.
My favorites I think were-
Elder Holland
Elder Scott
Elder Nelson
They´re all kinda limited to the Saturday session, because during the Sunday sessions we somehow ended up being the nursrey. Some of the kids found our room , and decided it was the prefect place to play. We brought conference bingo boards and coloring in preparation for such an occasion, but those really didn´t help as much as we hoped. Oh well, I imagine that´s exactly what conference is like as a parent. So I guess I´m preparing for that now! haha. I´m just excited to read them all in the Liahona. Especially Elder Bednars. It sounded really good! I also really like Elder Zwicks. He has a fun way of speaking, very attention grabbing.
It was also really exciting to hear Elder Zivic speaking. He is one of the area authorities here, and I've had the chance to meet him in person 2 or 3 times now. He is a very powerful and inspired speaker! And it was so cool to see him in conference.
Two of our investigators had the chance to attend, and one of them brought a friend. Needless to say, we were thrilled!! They both greatly enjoyed it, and we can´t wait to help them progress. Sergio, and Luiz. Sergio is coming along well with dropping smoking!! And Luiz had shared with sisters 14 years ago, and kept all of the old pamphlets and things that they gave him. He loves to read, and hopefully will grow in his testimony little by little till he accepts baptism.
We have a few other investigators who are working their way through the Book of Mormon. Jensi and Sariah. We have a lot of hope for them! Investigators here have been a little more difficult to come by, but luckily the area is big and there is a lot of room to contact. But Hermana Give had such a contagious positive attitude about each contact, so I know that we´ll start finding more people soon.
But, that´s about all of the news from the week! I love you all tons! Life is good, and man is it hot here! haha. Love you!
Hermana Cox
Well hello!
Can you beleive that another week has flown by? Craziness! The news is in for transfers, and as we all guessed I´m staying in my area to finish training. But, Hermana Sanchez gave me a call....and she´s going to ARUBA!! She's going to the islands! I should have guessed, beacuse she´s just so awesome! haha. But she´s freaking out a little bit. A whole new language to learn and you´re all by yourself. I´m so excited to hear all of her stories! Other than that, the we´re all just about the same. One of the Hermanas in the house is on her last transfer, so they´re shipping hew back into the capital so she´s nearby when it´s time to leave, and the other Hermana is training. So that will be fun.
Conference was amazing! Our very kind Branch President gave us the opportunity to watch it in English again, which I think made Hermana Given really happy. Because that would stink to watch conference but not really understand everything they were saying. I decided this conference to follow the suggestion of the Church leaders, and brought questions to conference. And, of course, I recieved answers. I had one question that had been rolling around in my mind for the entire week, only to have it answered in the very first talk by Elder Holland. SUCH a good talk! I loved it so much.
My favorites I think were-
Elder Holland
Elder Scott
Elder Nelson
They´re all kinda limited to the Saturday session, because during the Sunday sessions we somehow ended up being the nursrey. Some of the kids found our room , and decided it was the prefect place to play. We brought conference bingo boards and coloring in preparation for such an occasion, but those really didn´t help as much as we hoped. Oh well, I imagine that´s exactly what conference is like as a parent. So I guess I´m preparing for that now! haha. I´m just excited to read them all in the Liahona. Especially Elder Bednars. It sounded really good! I also really like Elder Zwicks. He has a fun way of speaking, very attention grabbing.
It was also really exciting to hear Elder Zivic speaking. He is one of the area authorities here, and I've had the chance to meet him in person 2 or 3 times now. He is a very powerful and inspired speaker! And it was so cool to see him in conference.
Two of our investigators had the chance to attend, and one of them brought a friend. Needless to say, we were thrilled!! They both greatly enjoyed it, and we can´t wait to help them progress. Sergio, and Luiz. Sergio is coming along well with dropping smoking!! And Luiz had shared with sisters 14 years ago, and kept all of the old pamphlets and things that they gave him. He loves to read, and hopefully will grow in his testimony little by little till he accepts baptism.
We have a few other investigators who are working their way through the Book of Mormon. Jensi and Sariah. We have a lot of hope for them! Investigators here have been a little more difficult to come by, but luckily the area is big and there is a lot of room to contact. But Hermana Give had such a contagious positive attitude about each contact, so I know that we´ll start finding more people soon.
But, that´s about all of the news from the week! I love you all tons! Life is good, and man is it hot here! haha. Love you!
Hermana Cox
March 31st, 2014
We're reaching the point of just sadly accepting out new found house mates. And they literally are falling from the sky! They will just all of the sudden appear in the middle of my books. In my hair. Who knows where else. The Raid really didn't do much. It just changed their course a little bit. They're nice and cozy here, and we've decided it's a lost cause. So we just are trying to happily avoid them. :) All things considered, it could be a lot worse! Persistent little buggers, that's for sure!
It's been a good week this week though. We're all so excited for general conference! We're inviting just about anyone who will let us a get a word in edge wise! I'm deeply just considering renting one of the megaphone trucks that they have here and driving though the streets. (Just kidding, I'm pretty sure that's not allowed....) But that would be awesome! One of the new investigators that we have found who is coming is actually from South Africa, and is here only for work. He speaks mainly English, which means that it's looking like we'll be able to watch at least part of the conference in English again! woot!
We had a really special experience this week while sharing with one of out less active sisters.Throughout the last few weeks, we've been working on sharing various general conference talks with out less actives, to give them excitement to come to conference. To get into the spirit of it, and remember how special it really is. Just sharing which ever one we felt inspired to share. We stopped by this less active sisters house in the afternoon one day to share a little bit about the talk we had chosen to share with her. As we got there, she surprised us with her relief as seeing us. She had apparently been trying to get a hold of the Elders and members of the ward for a while that day, because her daughter was sick, and one of her grandchildren was just admitted to the hospital with dengue. All of them are less actives, and all of the had requested priesthood blessings.
We quickly dropped of the talk with her, and left to go find some worthy priesthood holders. All worked out, the blessings were given.
A few days later we stopped by the house to check in and see how everyone was doing, and share a little message with them. As we arrived and sat down, the sister surprised us by going and getting the talk. She shared her shock at our choice of talk, but then shared just how perfect it was for the time. We had picked out the talk "Lord, I believe" By Elder Holland. Which speaks of the healing of the young boy at the hands of Christ. She shared just how amazed she was that the talk should come to her in such perfect timing, when her family truly was in need of healing. And we received her promise that she would come to conference.
It was just so amazing to see the guidance of the Spirit in the situation. The Lord truly is aware of our circumstances, and will send people to help us. He will give us the help we need, right when we need it. It was just so encouraging to see that even though we don't always understand reasoning of the promptings of the Spirit, or even if we have other reasons in mind as to the purpose of our actions, the Lord has a plan. And He will guide and direct us so that we can serve his children in the best way possible.
All and all, things are going really well here in San Pedro. Little by little we're seeing progress, and are growing through the experiences we're having. I'm glad to hear that all is well back home. I love you guys so much! I hope you have a great week, and I'll let you know what happens with transfers! (I'm pretty sure I'm staying with Hermana Given though.)
Love you!
Hermana Cox
We're reaching the point of just sadly accepting out new found house mates. And they literally are falling from the sky! They will just all of the sudden appear in the middle of my books. In my hair. Who knows where else. The Raid really didn't do much. It just changed their course a little bit. They're nice and cozy here, and we've decided it's a lost cause. So we just are trying to happily avoid them. :) All things considered, it could be a lot worse! Persistent little buggers, that's for sure!
It's been a good week this week though. We're all so excited for general conference! We're inviting just about anyone who will let us a get a word in edge wise! I'm deeply just considering renting one of the megaphone trucks that they have here and driving though the streets. (Just kidding, I'm pretty sure that's not allowed....) But that would be awesome! One of the new investigators that we have found who is coming is actually from South Africa, and is here only for work. He speaks mainly English, which means that it's looking like we'll be able to watch at least part of the conference in English again! woot!
We had a really special experience this week while sharing with one of out less active sisters.Throughout the last few weeks, we've been working on sharing various general conference talks with out less actives, to give them excitement to come to conference. To get into the spirit of it, and remember how special it really is. Just sharing which ever one we felt inspired to share. We stopped by this less active sisters house in the afternoon one day to share a little bit about the talk we had chosen to share with her. As we got there, she surprised us with her relief as seeing us. She had apparently been trying to get a hold of the Elders and members of the ward for a while that day, because her daughter was sick, and one of her grandchildren was just admitted to the hospital with dengue. All of them are less actives, and all of the had requested priesthood blessings.
We quickly dropped of the talk with her, and left to go find some worthy priesthood holders. All worked out, the blessings were given.
A few days later we stopped by the house to check in and see how everyone was doing, and share a little message with them. As we arrived and sat down, the sister surprised us by going and getting the talk. She shared her shock at our choice of talk, but then shared just how perfect it was for the time. We had picked out the talk "Lord, I believe" By Elder Holland. Which speaks of the healing of the young boy at the hands of Christ. She shared just how amazed she was that the talk should come to her in such perfect timing, when her family truly was in need of healing. And we received her promise that she would come to conference.
It was just so amazing to see the guidance of the Spirit in the situation. The Lord truly is aware of our circumstances, and will send people to help us. He will give us the help we need, right when we need it. It was just so encouraging to see that even though we don't always understand reasoning of the promptings of the Spirit, or even if we have other reasons in mind as to the purpose of our actions, the Lord has a plan. And He will guide and direct us so that we can serve his children in the best way possible.
All and all, things are going really well here in San Pedro. Little by little we're seeing progress, and are growing through the experiences we're having. I'm glad to hear that all is well back home. I love you guys so much! I hope you have a great week, and I'll let you know what happens with transfers! (I'm pretty sure I'm staying with Hermana Given though.)
Love you!
Hermana Cox
March 24th, 2014
Ayayay. This week was an epic battle with an army grander than you could imagine. And I think that we´re losing. We have had an invasion of ants to the max! They´ve taken over the place! They´re in our bathroom, in our clothes, in our kitchen, and literally coming out of the light switches which they seem to have claimed as their home. Gah! I even found them eating my toothbrush one night. We´re at a loss. So before we left I practically bathed our house in Raid, and we´re hoping for the best. All things considered, it´s for their protection as well as ours. I can´t tell you how many poor souls I have found dead and squished up against me after getting caught up in my clothes. I wouldn´t wish this fate for any more of them, so hopefully one day they´ll thank me for protecting their children in such a way.
Stake conference was this week, and I ended up playing the piano for the choir. It was so much fun, and the talks were amazing! It was a lot about family and the temple. President and Hermana Flake were there too, so I got the chance to chat with them and send the message from Sister Beck. They were so excited!
I can´t wait for this upcoming general conference!! It´s going to be amazing! It´s looking like we´re going to be watching this one in Spanish. So it´s going to be a real test of my comprehension! Also, can you believe I hit 9 months this last week! I can´t hardly believe it. The time has been passing by so fast. I´m half way done with my mission! It´s so crazy! I tried imagining what it would be like to go back to normal life, and I can hardly even remember what it was I used to do. It´s a strange feeling.
These past few weeks we´ve been working a lot with Sergio. He´s trying to stop smoking still, but is struggling due to the recent death of his mother. IT´s been hard for him, but last we heard he had gone 3 days without smoking, and he put a goal for himself to be baptized in this next month. He just has so much excitement about the gospel! I´m hoping that he will be able to drop his vices and take this next step.
We´re also teaching someone named Sariah, who is just great! She is fairly new as an investigator, but she says that she is making a lot of changes in her life, which makes now the perfect time for her to accept the gospel. She´s been reading and praying to know the truth, and she´s told us that she would love to one day be a missionary like us! haha. We have a lot of hope for her though. She seems to have a real curiosity to learn more.
Training has been going really well! Hermana Given really seems to understand the majority of what people say, and is able to speak fairly well. Just like all people in the beginning though, she get´s a little afraid to speak. So we´ve been working little by little with that. We actually have another investigator from South Africa that we´re teaching in English, so doing that has helped us practice teaching skills and methods in a way that is a little more comfortable. We get a lot really well though. She´s a crack up! And has a lot of hope for all the people we teach, which is always refreshing. It really has been helping me to be a better missionary, and to practice again the things that I need to be doing. I´m glad that I´ve had the opportunity to learn the basics again.
Transfers are coming up soon, but the odds of us getting transferred are pretty slim considering we´re in the training program. But I guess you never know! We have a full week ahead of us, and Hermana Given is going to experience her first intercambio on Friday! So that should be a lot of fun. Intercambios are always really interesting, I like them a lot.
I loved the chance to chat with all of you guys last week! It´s looks like you all had a lot of fun. Thank you so much for the pictures! I love you guys bunches, and I love hearing from you. I hope you all had a great week, and that you stay safe in all of that snow (HA!). Love you bunches!
Hermana Cox
Ayayay. This week was an epic battle with an army grander than you could imagine. And I think that we´re losing. We have had an invasion of ants to the max! They´ve taken over the place! They´re in our bathroom, in our clothes, in our kitchen, and literally coming out of the light switches which they seem to have claimed as their home. Gah! I even found them eating my toothbrush one night. We´re at a loss. So before we left I practically bathed our house in Raid, and we´re hoping for the best. All things considered, it´s for their protection as well as ours. I can´t tell you how many poor souls I have found dead and squished up against me after getting caught up in my clothes. I wouldn´t wish this fate for any more of them, so hopefully one day they´ll thank me for protecting their children in such a way.
Stake conference was this week, and I ended up playing the piano for the choir. It was so much fun, and the talks were amazing! It was a lot about family and the temple. President and Hermana Flake were there too, so I got the chance to chat with them and send the message from Sister Beck. They were so excited!
I can´t wait for this upcoming general conference!! It´s going to be amazing! It´s looking like we´re going to be watching this one in Spanish. So it´s going to be a real test of my comprehension! Also, can you believe I hit 9 months this last week! I can´t hardly believe it. The time has been passing by so fast. I´m half way done with my mission! It´s so crazy! I tried imagining what it would be like to go back to normal life, and I can hardly even remember what it was I used to do. It´s a strange feeling.
These past few weeks we´ve been working a lot with Sergio. He´s trying to stop smoking still, but is struggling due to the recent death of his mother. IT´s been hard for him, but last we heard he had gone 3 days without smoking, and he put a goal for himself to be baptized in this next month. He just has so much excitement about the gospel! I´m hoping that he will be able to drop his vices and take this next step.
We´re also teaching someone named Sariah, who is just great! She is fairly new as an investigator, but she says that she is making a lot of changes in her life, which makes now the perfect time for her to accept the gospel. She´s been reading and praying to know the truth, and she´s told us that she would love to one day be a missionary like us! haha. We have a lot of hope for her though. She seems to have a real curiosity to learn more.
Training has been going really well! Hermana Given really seems to understand the majority of what people say, and is able to speak fairly well. Just like all people in the beginning though, she get´s a little afraid to speak. So we´ve been working little by little with that. We actually have another investigator from South Africa that we´re teaching in English, so doing that has helped us practice teaching skills and methods in a way that is a little more comfortable. We get a lot really well though. She´s a crack up! And has a lot of hope for all the people we teach, which is always refreshing. It really has been helping me to be a better missionary, and to practice again the things that I need to be doing. I´m glad that I´ve had the opportunity to learn the basics again.
Transfers are coming up soon, but the odds of us getting transferred are pretty slim considering we´re in the training program. But I guess you never know! We have a full week ahead of us, and Hermana Given is going to experience her first intercambio on Friday! So that should be a lot of fun. Intercambios are always really interesting, I like them a lot.
I loved the chance to chat with all of you guys last week! It´s looks like you all had a lot of fun. Thank you so much for the pictures! I love you guys bunches, and I love hearing from you. I hope you all had a great week, and that you stay safe in all of that snow (HA!). Love you bunches!
Hermana Cox
March 17th, 2014
March 10th, 2014
Hola!
So....this week has been a week of cooking experiments. As a house, we've decided that we're going to start a cooking show called "Cooking in Desperation". It's going to be a hit Youtube channel. The point, is to teach people how to take the random things from your fridge and cupboard and turn them into a gourmet meal. Some of the dishes include no-bake cornflake cookies, red pepper spinach club cracker pasta, and and 3 can taco chili. And, all things considered they've all pretty much turned out a success. The only reject so far is some kind of pineapple marmelade that I attempted....it was pretty much just sugar water with pineapple chucks. So that get rejected pretty fast.
Most of the recipe compilations consisted of thought processes such as: Crap, this spaghetti sauce from tomato paste is WAY too runny....what do I have that could fix this... CRACKERS! Brilliant. And.....cream cheese. Yeah. Gold.
Or: I want to make no bake cookies but we're out of chocolate powder and oats....well....chocolate frosting and cornflakes are about the same right? Right....
I'll be sure to write some of the recipes down so that you all can enjoy them when I return. Needless to say, living off of a college student budget will never ever be a challenge for me! I am being very well prepared for that!
Other than that, the work is continuing onward as usual. This area really does have it's challenges. They told us in district meeting that a poll was taken, and San Pedro is the most religious city in the country. Which is saying a lot, because pretty much everyone in this country believes is God. Which they told us means that this is one of the hardest areas that they have in the mission. It's been a little bit of a struggle for sure. But we've found some really good investigators for which we have a lot of hope.
The initial move from the capital to here was a pretty big change. But although this area is more difficult, I really am grateful for it, because it's pushing me to be a better missionary. Along with training, I really am forced to go back through and analyze and reapply principles of teaching that I've gotten lazy in. And having fewer lessons really does motivate you to make the lessons you have the very best that you can. Using everything you've learned from Preach My Gospel and training meetings. It for sure is a struggle, but that is when there is the most growth! Hermana Given has been really sweet and patient, because I've explained to her that this really is a learning process for the both of us. I really do love this area and I want it to progress so much!
Thank you for all of your prayers and help. I love you guys so much! I really so appreciate all that you do!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
So....this week has been a week of cooking experiments. As a house, we've decided that we're going to start a cooking show called "Cooking in Desperation". It's going to be a hit Youtube channel. The point, is to teach people how to take the random things from your fridge and cupboard and turn them into a gourmet meal. Some of the dishes include no-bake cornflake cookies, red pepper spinach club cracker pasta, and and 3 can taco chili. And, all things considered they've all pretty much turned out a success. The only reject so far is some kind of pineapple marmelade that I attempted....it was pretty much just sugar water with pineapple chucks. So that get rejected pretty fast.
Most of the recipe compilations consisted of thought processes such as: Crap, this spaghetti sauce from tomato paste is WAY too runny....what do I have that could fix this... CRACKERS! Brilliant. And.....cream cheese. Yeah. Gold.
Or: I want to make no bake cookies but we're out of chocolate powder and oats....well....chocolate frosting and cornflakes are about the same right? Right....
I'll be sure to write some of the recipes down so that you all can enjoy them when I return. Needless to say, living off of a college student budget will never ever be a challenge for me! I am being very well prepared for that!
Other than that, the work is continuing onward as usual. This area really does have it's challenges. They told us in district meeting that a poll was taken, and San Pedro is the most religious city in the country. Which is saying a lot, because pretty much everyone in this country believes is God. Which they told us means that this is one of the hardest areas that they have in the mission. It's been a little bit of a struggle for sure. But we've found some really good investigators for which we have a lot of hope.
The initial move from the capital to here was a pretty big change. But although this area is more difficult, I really am grateful for it, because it's pushing me to be a better missionary. Along with training, I really am forced to go back through and analyze and reapply principles of teaching that I've gotten lazy in. And having fewer lessons really does motivate you to make the lessons you have the very best that you can. Using everything you've learned from Preach My Gospel and training meetings. It for sure is a struggle, but that is when there is the most growth! Hermana Given has been really sweet and patient, because I've explained to her that this really is a learning process for the both of us. I really do love this area and I want it to progress so much!
Thank you for all of your prayers and help. I love you guys so much! I really so appreciate all that you do!
Love
Hermana Cox
March 3rd, 2014
Hola!
So here is the down low about my new trainee! Her name is Hermana Given, and she was the only American in her group. I was so convinced that I was going to train a Latina because everyone had said that it was only Latinas coming in!! But she is a sweetheart. She is from Colorado, and studied for a year before at BYU I. She sings like and angel, and loves all things pink and sparkly. Also, the poor girl caught some kind of amoeba or parasite on the third day into the field....so we haven´t had the chance to go out much because she´s so sick to her stomach. I have no idea how it happened! But we took the test in today and we´re hoping to figure out what it is that is going on.
Training has been a lot of fun though. It´s difficult doing everything and making all of the decisions yourself, but she´s a really good sport about everything and really wants to get involved in the lessons and the planning. Which has made it so much easier! We´re hoping to see a lot of progress here!
One struggle recently had been that two of our investigators recently had their mothers pass away. So we went and sang at a funeral, and have been doing our best to pass by and give them the comfort they need. It´s been pretty rough just trying our best to help them through the grieving process. But it really does give meaning to the Plan of Salvation. With the understanding that we are able to share that families can be together forever, I´m hope that they will be able to feel some comfort through that.
Other than that, it has been a fairly slow paced week, what with staying inside and resting up. We have two new zone leaders and a new district leader. And for some reason they have just been talking up us Hermanas!! In almost every meeting they mention how blessed we should all feel that there are Hermanas here. Or that there are Heramans in San Perdro, or in the ward, or in general! All this praise is starting to make me feel a little uncomfortable! haha! But all in all it is a sweet thought. I guess over excitement is better than under excitement!
I so excited to hear that you guys will have the chance to get together! That will be so fun! Eliza´s hair is almost as long as mine! Gah! I´ve got to get a move on that! What are the plans? Just to hang out and play it cool? Take a ton of pictures!
It sounds like work on the house is coming along really well too. Are you guys planning on finishing the basement? I bet it will look so good!
But, I love you guys tons! And I can´t wait to hear from you all soon. We´re going to the temple next week and I can hardly wait! The new video is in!!!! Why is it that they came out with another new video? Is there a big difference? But, hope you all have a great week, and enjoy the little bit of winter for me! The cold isn´t leaving there, and the hot isn´t leaving here....so we can call it even. haha! Love you guys tons! I´m glad to hear that all is well. Stay safe and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
So here is the down low about my new trainee! Her name is Hermana Given, and she was the only American in her group. I was so convinced that I was going to train a Latina because everyone had said that it was only Latinas coming in!! But she is a sweetheart. She is from Colorado, and studied for a year before at BYU I. She sings like and angel, and loves all things pink and sparkly. Also, the poor girl caught some kind of amoeba or parasite on the third day into the field....so we haven´t had the chance to go out much because she´s so sick to her stomach. I have no idea how it happened! But we took the test in today and we´re hoping to figure out what it is that is going on.
Training has been a lot of fun though. It´s difficult doing everything and making all of the decisions yourself, but she´s a really good sport about everything and really wants to get involved in the lessons and the planning. Which has made it so much easier! We´re hoping to see a lot of progress here!
One struggle recently had been that two of our investigators recently had their mothers pass away. So we went and sang at a funeral, and have been doing our best to pass by and give them the comfort they need. It´s been pretty rough just trying our best to help them through the grieving process. But it really does give meaning to the Plan of Salvation. With the understanding that we are able to share that families can be together forever, I´m hope that they will be able to feel some comfort through that.
Other than that, it has been a fairly slow paced week, what with staying inside and resting up. We have two new zone leaders and a new district leader. And for some reason they have just been talking up us Hermanas!! In almost every meeting they mention how blessed we should all feel that there are Hermanas here. Or that there are Heramans in San Perdro, or in the ward, or in general! All this praise is starting to make me feel a little uncomfortable! haha! But all in all it is a sweet thought. I guess over excitement is better than under excitement!
I so excited to hear that you guys will have the chance to get together! That will be so fun! Eliza´s hair is almost as long as mine! Gah! I´ve got to get a move on that! What are the plans? Just to hang out and play it cool? Take a ton of pictures!
It sounds like work on the house is coming along really well too. Are you guys planning on finishing the basement? I bet it will look so good!
But, I love you guys tons! And I can´t wait to hear from you all soon. We´re going to the temple next week and I can hardly wait! The new video is in!!!! Why is it that they came out with another new video? Is there a big difference? But, hope you all have a great week, and enjoy the little bit of winter for me! The cold isn´t leaving there, and the hot isn´t leaving here....so we can call it even. haha! Love you guys tons! I´m glad to hear that all is well. Stay safe and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
February 24th, 2014
Hola!
So I come bearing tidings from transfers.....and....I'm, TRAINING!! GAH! Can you believe that they're trusting with me a young and impressionable soul? I sure can't! haha, Just kidding. I'm actually really excited. The only kind of nerve wracking thing is that from the sounds of it, it is only Latinas coming in. So my trainee will probably know more Spanish than me! But it will be super awesome that way too. I will learn SO MUCH Spanish!! And all of the Latina sisters are amazing. They're always so nice. You don't figure out who you're training till they announce it in the meeting, so I'll let you guys know how that goes next week!
In other news, I have been shocked and appaled to learn that the OIympics are going on, and you all haven't said a word! Are you all waitching? I love the Olympics! I'm just happy that I will be back to watch the Summer Olympics in Brazil! But what is the word with that?
We had a really fun p day today. Hermana Walker had a few things on her mission bucket list that she has wanted to do, and so we went out today to complete with a few of those. One of which includes buying a coconut from a street vender, hacking it open, and drinking the coconut juice through a straw. Now, usually when you buy a coconut from the streets, the men will open it up for you with their machete.....but all things considered we decided that that machete was proabaly full of ameobas. So we thought it would be a simple matter of just bringing it home and cracking it open.
.....turns out it's not so easy. We hacked at those things for about an hour with out big kitchen knife! It was such a work out! And such a mess! But we finally got through! And coconut juice is not at all like what I though it would be. It tastes just a little bit like it's carbonated or something. But we had our fill, scooped out the coconut mass to save and make smoothies. It was quite the adventure. The guys on the street really make it look like it's a lot easier. I don't know how they do it!!
Also, I heard the most amazing news from my last area!! So, as you guys know, in my last area we always taught an english class. And in the adult class there were always 4 young men who came to learn. They were a ton of fun, but when we tried to offer to come and share with them about religion, they all informed us that they were quite set in their own churches and not too interested. So, we let it go and continued teaching our english class with them like normal.
Then, as Hermana Sanchez and I were nearing the end of out last transfer there we informed them all that there was a good chance that we might get transferred out of the area just so that they were aware. They were all a little confused, and one of them especially didn't seemed to understand. It lead him to ask questions like - So what is it that you guys really do? Why are you guys here? Why do you guys have to leave?
There wasn't a lot of time to exlpain, so I left him with the reference to look up mormon.org and learn a little bit more about the church and the missionaries.
Well, I just received news last night that he took up on that offer. He went the church facebook, began to search mormon.org, and in time began to skype with missionaries. He was baptized just this last week.
Little did we know that his home and family life was really struggling, and he truly was in need of the hope and joy of the gospel in his life. He just showed up at the church building one Sunday, and the hermanas now in our area were able to help him take those final step and recieve the ordinance of baptism.
It was just the most amazing thing to hear! I wanted to cry. It just goes to show that you never really know who is ready and in need of the gospel. And how even through the smallest and simplest things, great things can come to pass. I am so happy that he is now able to experience the joy of the gospel in his life. I never even thought twice about telling him to search the website. To be honest, at the time I doubted he would even do it! But there are those out there searching, who really just need a little push. I'm so greatful that the church has the resources available to help people find the truth. They really are amazing resorces!! I invite you all this week to share the church website with someone. All this just goes to show, that you never really know what can come out of it!
I hope that you all have a great week! I love hearing from you. Stay safe, and keep being awesome!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
So I come bearing tidings from transfers.....and....I'm, TRAINING!! GAH! Can you believe that they're trusting with me a young and impressionable soul? I sure can't! haha, Just kidding. I'm actually really excited. The only kind of nerve wracking thing is that from the sounds of it, it is only Latinas coming in. So my trainee will probably know more Spanish than me! But it will be super awesome that way too. I will learn SO MUCH Spanish!! And all of the Latina sisters are amazing. They're always so nice. You don't figure out who you're training till they announce it in the meeting, so I'll let you guys know how that goes next week!
In other news, I have been shocked and appaled to learn that the OIympics are going on, and you all haven't said a word! Are you all waitching? I love the Olympics! I'm just happy that I will be back to watch the Summer Olympics in Brazil! But what is the word with that?
We had a really fun p day today. Hermana Walker had a few things on her mission bucket list that she has wanted to do, and so we went out today to complete with a few of those. One of which includes buying a coconut from a street vender, hacking it open, and drinking the coconut juice through a straw. Now, usually when you buy a coconut from the streets, the men will open it up for you with their machete.....but all things considered we decided that that machete was proabaly full of ameobas. So we thought it would be a simple matter of just bringing it home and cracking it open.
.....turns out it's not so easy. We hacked at those things for about an hour with out big kitchen knife! It was such a work out! And such a mess! But we finally got through! And coconut juice is not at all like what I though it would be. It tastes just a little bit like it's carbonated or something. But we had our fill, scooped out the coconut mass to save and make smoothies. It was quite the adventure. The guys on the street really make it look like it's a lot easier. I don't know how they do it!!
Also, I heard the most amazing news from my last area!! So, as you guys know, in my last area we always taught an english class. And in the adult class there were always 4 young men who came to learn. They were a ton of fun, but when we tried to offer to come and share with them about religion, they all informed us that they were quite set in their own churches and not too interested. So, we let it go and continued teaching our english class with them like normal.
Then, as Hermana Sanchez and I were nearing the end of out last transfer there we informed them all that there was a good chance that we might get transferred out of the area just so that they were aware. They were all a little confused, and one of them especially didn't seemed to understand. It lead him to ask questions like - So what is it that you guys really do? Why are you guys here? Why do you guys have to leave?
There wasn't a lot of time to exlpain, so I left him with the reference to look up mormon.org and learn a little bit more about the church and the missionaries.
Well, I just received news last night that he took up on that offer. He went the church facebook, began to search mormon.org, and in time began to skype with missionaries. He was baptized just this last week.
Little did we know that his home and family life was really struggling, and he truly was in need of the hope and joy of the gospel in his life. He just showed up at the church building one Sunday, and the hermanas now in our area were able to help him take those final step and recieve the ordinance of baptism.
It was just the most amazing thing to hear! I wanted to cry. It just goes to show that you never really know who is ready and in need of the gospel. And how even through the smallest and simplest things, great things can come to pass. I am so happy that he is now able to experience the joy of the gospel in his life. I never even thought twice about telling him to search the website. To be honest, at the time I doubted he would even do it! But there are those out there searching, who really just need a little push. I'm so greatful that the church has the resources available to help people find the truth. They really are amazing resorces!! I invite you all this week to share the church website with someone. All this just goes to show, that you never really know what can come out of it!
I hope that you all have a great week! I love hearing from you. Stay safe, and keep being awesome!
Love
Hermana Cox
February 17th, 2014
Hola!
Happy late Valentines Day! I hope you guys all had fun and enjoyed the holiday. This Valentines day was actually one of the most fun Valentines Day's I can remember. Which sounds so strange, but it was! All the missionaries in my branch (there are 6 of us, 4 sisters and 2 Elders) decided that for our hour dinner break we would go out to a restraunt to eat. It was just a cheap little place, but it was good. And then to top it off for the night, I made a 3 leches cake. And if I may say so myself, it turned out pretty darn good! The Elders seemed a little suspicious, and were eyeballing it with a little bit of fear. One of them even went to the point of smelling it....but in the end they all admitted that it had turned out a success! I took pictures with it to show my pride :). I can't wait to make it for you all! It's so good! Hermana Walker and I have been working on brushing up our Dominican cooking, and I think that we have it pretty well down now. I an slowing turning into a Domincan at heart!
I can hardly believe that transfers are coming up, and that my half way mark is on the horizon! The time just keeps passing faster and faster. I doubt that I'm going to have another transfer with Hermana Walker. This will be her 4th transfer here, and people rarely stay much longer than that in an area in our mission. So we're thinking that she's going to get moved and I'm going to stay here. I'm excited about that though. I really enjoy my area and ward, and am excited to keep working here. We also have caught word that there is a chance that they are going to put 8 missionaries in my branch here! The asisstants called recently and asked if we thought we could fit 2 more sisters in the house, making a total of 6 in the house. We told them we could make it work. So it looks like they are really packing them in here! The goal is to turn San Pedro from a Branch to a Ward, and President seems to be doing all he can to make that happen! I'm excited to see the work progress here!
We sadly haven't had the chance to see Sergio much this week. His mom got sick, and is currently in the hospital. But we've been trying to call and give him support and help during this time, and remain free from smoking even with the added stress. All seems to be going well, and we're looking forward to meeting with him again soon. We found another investigator this week too, for whom I have a lot of excitment! His name is Carlos, and he is very receptive. He has already accepted the challenge to be baptized, and we just have to put a date with him now. He grew up in the states, so we have actually been teaching him in English and Spanish! Which has been a strange experince, but I actually like it a lot! It's fun to be able to communicate in both of them, and see what it would be like to teach in my native language! But Carlos has a lot of exitement to learn about the Restoration, and really felt the importance of the priestood. He is already talking about his desire to recieve that kind of authority!
Interviews were a lot of fun. I can't beleive that President is leaving soon! It will be our last interviews with him! Gah! Things are changing! But it will be fun to see the new changes with the new president. Other than that things have been going on like normal.
I love hearing from you guys! Let me know if you have any questions about the DR that you want answered! I'm starting to forget what is considered unusal here, but I'll try to keep you guys up to date with the weird Dominican moments of the week. I haven't injured anyone lately, so that is a blessing. Apparently I need a little more time to make a mark on San Pedro :).
Love you guys a ton! Make good Choices and remember who you are!!!
Love you
Hermana Cox
PS. I killed my first pair of shoes here today! The heel has ripped open. I tried stapling them back together to no avail. One down, four to go! haha :) I'll send pictures soon. The computers here for some reason are just being a little difficult. Sorry!
Hola!
Happy late Valentines Day! I hope you guys all had fun and enjoyed the holiday. This Valentines day was actually one of the most fun Valentines Day's I can remember. Which sounds so strange, but it was! All the missionaries in my branch (there are 6 of us, 4 sisters and 2 Elders) decided that for our hour dinner break we would go out to a restraunt to eat. It was just a cheap little place, but it was good. And then to top it off for the night, I made a 3 leches cake. And if I may say so myself, it turned out pretty darn good! The Elders seemed a little suspicious, and were eyeballing it with a little bit of fear. One of them even went to the point of smelling it....but in the end they all admitted that it had turned out a success! I took pictures with it to show my pride :). I can't wait to make it for you all! It's so good! Hermana Walker and I have been working on brushing up our Dominican cooking, and I think that we have it pretty well down now. I an slowing turning into a Domincan at heart!
I can hardly believe that transfers are coming up, and that my half way mark is on the horizon! The time just keeps passing faster and faster. I doubt that I'm going to have another transfer with Hermana Walker. This will be her 4th transfer here, and people rarely stay much longer than that in an area in our mission. So we're thinking that she's going to get moved and I'm going to stay here. I'm excited about that though. I really enjoy my area and ward, and am excited to keep working here. We also have caught word that there is a chance that they are going to put 8 missionaries in my branch here! The asisstants called recently and asked if we thought we could fit 2 more sisters in the house, making a total of 6 in the house. We told them we could make it work. So it looks like they are really packing them in here! The goal is to turn San Pedro from a Branch to a Ward, and President seems to be doing all he can to make that happen! I'm excited to see the work progress here!
We sadly haven't had the chance to see Sergio much this week. His mom got sick, and is currently in the hospital. But we've been trying to call and give him support and help during this time, and remain free from smoking even with the added stress. All seems to be going well, and we're looking forward to meeting with him again soon. We found another investigator this week too, for whom I have a lot of excitment! His name is Carlos, and he is very receptive. He has already accepted the challenge to be baptized, and we just have to put a date with him now. He grew up in the states, so we have actually been teaching him in English and Spanish! Which has been a strange experince, but I actually like it a lot! It's fun to be able to communicate in both of them, and see what it would be like to teach in my native language! But Carlos has a lot of exitement to learn about the Restoration, and really felt the importance of the priestood. He is already talking about his desire to recieve that kind of authority!
Interviews were a lot of fun. I can't beleive that President is leaving soon! It will be our last interviews with him! Gah! Things are changing! But it will be fun to see the new changes with the new president. Other than that things have been going on like normal.
I love hearing from you guys! Let me know if you have any questions about the DR that you want answered! I'm starting to forget what is considered unusal here, but I'll try to keep you guys up to date with the weird Dominican moments of the week. I haven't injured anyone lately, so that is a blessing. Apparently I need a little more time to make a mark on San Pedro :).
Love you guys a ton! Make good Choices and remember who you are!!!
Love you
Hermana Cox
PS. I killed my first pair of shoes here today! The heel has ripped open. I tried stapling them back together to no avail. One down, four to go! haha :) I'll send pictures soon. The computers here for some reason are just being a little difficult. Sorry!
February 10th, 2014
Hola!
I'm glad to hear that everyting is back well at home! This week has been a little less crazy than last week. Though I do like the input ideas about a new name. Machete Mattie has a really nice ring to it. Maybe we should change the name of my blog....haha! jk. I don't want to strike fear into the general pubilc. I am happy though that no one was injured. I have no idea how clean those machetes are, but my best guess is not very.
We had the best experince with one of our investigators this week! His name is Sergio, and we've taught him only 2 or 3 times. But within such a short period of time, he has changed so much! He has a little bit of a rough past, and has told us how he know that now is the time in which he need to give his life to God. We gave him all of the pamphlets about the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he has read and pretty much taught himself all of them! Without us asking, he started reading The Book of Mormon every day, and because he heard about it in church he has stopped drinking coffee and has dropped from smoking 2 packages of cigars a day to only 4. This week he said he was going to try to go without smoking at all! He told us straight out that he wants to be baptized, so we're working with him to drop his addictions and be fully ready and prepared for his baptism. He has to go 10 days without smoking, so we're hoping and praying that he will be smoke free this week. He says that every time he feels like smoking he first prays and reads The Book of Mormon, and with such great habits and perspective know he can do it!
He's going to have to get an interview with President, so we're hoping that all will go well with that.
Other than that we're on the hunt for more investigators, and have found some really promising people. Contacting can get pretty exahusting sometimes though, so in order to shake it up I decided to contact a house to the song of the local ice cream trucks. 'AAAAYYY! SOMOS MISSIONERAS!!' (HEEEYYY, WE'RE MISSIONARIES!) Sadly no one was home. Maybe next time.
It has also been 'Give the missionaries weird fruit' week. It has been interesting to say the least...I do like starfruit! But we figured out that starfruit smoothies are not that good. I tried something called a Nispero. That one I didn't like too much....and you guys all know how I'll eat just about anything! It was mushy and had a weird spicey flavor. And there was another called Manzana de oro. Or in other words apples of gold. They were a little odd, but I have eaten worse! And then someone else gave us some banana and another person some eggplant. Woot! It's been the funniest thing. We'll just be chatting and then next thing you know the person has shoved a bag of fruit in our hands. Members, contacts, people we've never talked to before! It's been such a strange but fun experince. Maybe it's harvest season or something. Who knows!
Other than that life is going well here. We have interview with President this week looking forward to the upcoming temple trip. I can't wait!! And the first time I get to see the new movie, it will be in Spanish. How cool is that!? The relief society here is great, and has taken up calling and visiting Dulce and her mom. They are so awesome! It looks like we have a pretty good week ahead of us.
I love you guys a ton! I love hearing from you. Stay safe, and make good choices! And don't forget to give the missionaries in your area weird fruit this week!
Love you!
Hermana Cox
February 3rd, 2014
Hola!
This week was a blur!! We just got back from cutting sugar cane in one of the sugar fields. Can you imagine me with a machete, chopping things down? Well, if you can't, I have sent a picture or two to help you imagine. It was so fun! All be it I was a little nervous holding a huge knife in my hands. But they're just so normal for everyone here! I had my first experience eating raw sugar cane. It was alright....but I think that will be the first and maybe last time I do it. Everyone here loves it. But you have to bit off a chunk, chew it, suck out the sugar, and then spit the cane out. So needless to say, I did not look much like a lady today. I had sugar and spit and cane all over my face by the end of it. It was not a very pretty sight!! haha.
Other than that, we were stuck inside for a good portion of this week too. Hermana Walkers foot thank goodness healed, but she ended up getting a pretty bad case of gripe (which is what they call literally any disease when they don´t know what it is). She was running a pretty constant low fever and was pretty bedridden for a few days. Poor girl is just having a hard time of it! Bu thank goodness it seems to have cleared up and we were able to go out yesterday and today. We hope this week will be a little more tranquilo in the way of diseases!
We ended up changing the schedule of our area this week, and we are now leaving earlier and coming in earlier. From 2 to 7-8 depending as opposed to 3-9. I feel a lot better about the new schedule, and we're hoping that all will go well with it. It's just a little more secure so we're not out walking so late in the dark.
As for our investigators, we have a woman named Dulce who we've been teaching. Dulce in spanish means sweet, and she really is the sweetest woman ever! The sisters had been teaching her before, and she already has a testimony that our message is true. The difficulty is that at the moment she is incapable of visiting the church. Her mother is in the final stages of cancer, and is hardly functioning right now. So Dulce has been watching and caring for her for the past few weeks. It's just been so hard to see poor Dulce so tired and emotionally stressed. The doctors told her that her mother could pass away any time within the next few weeks, so she hasn't really been sleeping so that she can keep and eye on her.
The mother used to always sit in on the lessons of the other lessons, and loves the hymns. So we passed by one time to teach Dulce, and we ended up just going in and singing hymns to the mother in bed for about and hour and a half. The poor woman is just struggling. Just being in there was one of the most clarifying experiences ever. I really recieved a very clear picture about our purpose and mission in the Earth as women, and daughters of God. I kept thinking of the hymn As sister in Zion, where is says "The errand of angels is given to women." I truly felt at that moment that I was on the errand of angels. We have the ability give comfort and help to so many of God's children, a lot of which comes from our divine nature. I know that that is what the Lord wants for us as sisters in His church. I'm so glad that I had that opportunity to serve, and to see a little more clearly just what we are capable of if we take the time to do it. I know the Lord sent us here with this in mind, and that we can change the world just through completing this mission that we have a sisters on the earth. There is so much good we can do through serving those in need!
We also happened to have the Hermana meeting this week. It's the second in the history of the mission. It's where all of the sisters from the East mission have the opportunity to meet up and have a little devotional, and talk, and get to know one another a little better. (Can you imagine them doing that for just the Elders?! They are so good to us!) We are definitely spoiled. But it was fun. I got to see Hermana Sanchez again, which was very exciting. I love that girl! She told me that she is now teaching one of her dad's old investigators from when her dad was serving in New Jersey! Can you believe it! What are the odds. God has His ways!
Other that, all has been well. I had a little bit of a miscommunication in a cita that was hilarious though! We were sharing with a family about how we can show more love for Christ, and a little boy shouted "Alabarlo!" which means to Praise Him. But I totally heard "Lavarlo!", which means Wash it. I was so confused! So I just started talking about how he can show gratitude for washing and cleaning up around the house helping his mother. They were all so confused!! I didn't realize the problem until after when my companion told me....whoops!! It was so funny.
The weeks just keep in flying by! I can't believe that we're already into February! Next thing we know we'll be on and skyping for mothers day, general conference will be here, and time will just speed up even more. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe, and take care. I love hearing from you all. Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
This week was a blur!! We just got back from cutting sugar cane in one of the sugar fields. Can you imagine me with a machete, chopping things down? Well, if you can't, I have sent a picture or two to help you imagine. It was so fun! All be it I was a little nervous holding a huge knife in my hands. But they're just so normal for everyone here! I had my first experience eating raw sugar cane. It was alright....but I think that will be the first and maybe last time I do it. Everyone here loves it. But you have to bit off a chunk, chew it, suck out the sugar, and then spit the cane out. So needless to say, I did not look much like a lady today. I had sugar and spit and cane all over my face by the end of it. It was not a very pretty sight!! haha.
Other than that, we were stuck inside for a good portion of this week too. Hermana Walkers foot thank goodness healed, but she ended up getting a pretty bad case of gripe (which is what they call literally any disease when they don´t know what it is). She was running a pretty constant low fever and was pretty bedridden for a few days. Poor girl is just having a hard time of it! Bu thank goodness it seems to have cleared up and we were able to go out yesterday and today. We hope this week will be a little more tranquilo in the way of diseases!
We ended up changing the schedule of our area this week, and we are now leaving earlier and coming in earlier. From 2 to 7-8 depending as opposed to 3-9. I feel a lot better about the new schedule, and we're hoping that all will go well with it. It's just a little more secure so we're not out walking so late in the dark.
As for our investigators, we have a woman named Dulce who we've been teaching. Dulce in spanish means sweet, and she really is the sweetest woman ever! The sisters had been teaching her before, and she already has a testimony that our message is true. The difficulty is that at the moment she is incapable of visiting the church. Her mother is in the final stages of cancer, and is hardly functioning right now. So Dulce has been watching and caring for her for the past few weeks. It's just been so hard to see poor Dulce so tired and emotionally stressed. The doctors told her that her mother could pass away any time within the next few weeks, so she hasn't really been sleeping so that she can keep and eye on her.
The mother used to always sit in on the lessons of the other lessons, and loves the hymns. So we passed by one time to teach Dulce, and we ended up just going in and singing hymns to the mother in bed for about and hour and a half. The poor woman is just struggling. Just being in there was one of the most clarifying experiences ever. I really recieved a very clear picture about our purpose and mission in the Earth as women, and daughters of God. I kept thinking of the hymn As sister in Zion, where is says "The errand of angels is given to women." I truly felt at that moment that I was on the errand of angels. We have the ability give comfort and help to so many of God's children, a lot of which comes from our divine nature. I know that that is what the Lord wants for us as sisters in His church. I'm so glad that I had that opportunity to serve, and to see a little more clearly just what we are capable of if we take the time to do it. I know the Lord sent us here with this in mind, and that we can change the world just through completing this mission that we have a sisters on the earth. There is so much good we can do through serving those in need!
We also happened to have the Hermana meeting this week. It's the second in the history of the mission. It's where all of the sisters from the East mission have the opportunity to meet up and have a little devotional, and talk, and get to know one another a little better. (Can you imagine them doing that for just the Elders?! They are so good to us!) We are definitely spoiled. But it was fun. I got to see Hermana Sanchez again, which was very exciting. I love that girl! She told me that she is now teaching one of her dad's old investigators from when her dad was serving in New Jersey! Can you believe it! What are the odds. God has His ways!
Other that, all has been well. I had a little bit of a miscommunication in a cita that was hilarious though! We were sharing with a family about how we can show more love for Christ, and a little boy shouted "Alabarlo!" which means to Praise Him. But I totally heard "Lavarlo!", which means Wash it. I was so confused! So I just started talking about how he can show gratitude for washing and cleaning up around the house helping his mother. They were all so confused!! I didn't realize the problem until after when my companion told me....whoops!! It was so funny.
The weeks just keep in flying by! I can't believe that we're already into February! Next thing we know we'll be on and skyping for mothers day, general conference will be here, and time will just speed up even more. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe, and take care. I love hearing from you all. Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
January 27th, 2014
Hi!!
It was a fairly eventful yet at the same time uneventful week this week. I believe that I have a curse placed upon me, in which all of my companions are to suffer. Poor Hermana Walker's foot swelled up this week. She tore a ligament in her foot unknowingly, and so we've been kept inside for the past few day so she can rest it. Poor Hermana Walker can't walk (there is some irony in this....) haha. But we're hoping to see it good and healed up soon. During the waiting process, I've grown to understand why mom can never sit down on her days off. It's so hard! haha! I think I've swept a million times! Who's got cabin fever? It's going to our heads! haha. Can anyone name that movie? I sure hope so.
Other than that, we spent a little bit of time walking around the area and getting to know some of the ward members. We actually happened to take part in a ward chior this sunday. Where we not only sang in the choir, but also did a special musical number. Who would have thought that a mission would take so much musical talent! haha.
We have 6 missionaries in the branch, with 4 sisters and 2 Elders. The Elders are actually our zone leaders as well, and they're a lot of fun.
As for the funny story of the week, we happened to recieve a reference this week!! Woot! But the problem was, was that she owns a salon. She's always working. But, that was not to stop the sister missionaries! Hermana walker decided that this week was the week to get her hair done! So, in the noble pursiut of saving souls, Hermana Walker sacraficed her hair to the Dominican Salon so we could put a date for when we could return and teach. And it worked! And if that doesn't sound like a sacrifice to you...you'll have to look up Dominican Salons. They literally washed her hair three times like thy were scrubbing clothes. And then would pick up her head with her hair. They soaked her shirt, and then fried her hair with the blow dryer. But, Reference Contacted!! Woot! And my conviction to never cut my hair here has grown exponentially. But needless to say, it was fearless sacrifice for the greater good.
I'm sorry the letter this week was so short! I promise I'll write more next week. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and feel better!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hi!!
It was a fairly eventful yet at the same time uneventful week this week. I believe that I have a curse placed upon me, in which all of my companions are to suffer. Poor Hermana Walker's foot swelled up this week. She tore a ligament in her foot unknowingly, and so we've been kept inside for the past few day so she can rest it. Poor Hermana Walker can't walk (there is some irony in this....) haha. But we're hoping to see it good and healed up soon. During the waiting process, I've grown to understand why mom can never sit down on her days off. It's so hard! haha! I think I've swept a million times! Who's got cabin fever? It's going to our heads! haha. Can anyone name that movie? I sure hope so.
Other than that, we spent a little bit of time walking around the area and getting to know some of the ward members. We actually happened to take part in a ward chior this sunday. Where we not only sang in the choir, but also did a special musical number. Who would have thought that a mission would take so much musical talent! haha.
We have 6 missionaries in the branch, with 4 sisters and 2 Elders. The Elders are actually our zone leaders as well, and they're a lot of fun.
As for the funny story of the week, we happened to recieve a reference this week!! Woot! But the problem was, was that she owns a salon. She's always working. But, that was not to stop the sister missionaries! Hermana walker decided that this week was the week to get her hair done! So, in the noble pursiut of saving souls, Hermana Walker sacraficed her hair to the Dominican Salon so we could put a date for when we could return and teach. And it worked! And if that doesn't sound like a sacrifice to you...you'll have to look up Dominican Salons. They literally washed her hair three times like thy were scrubbing clothes. And then would pick up her head with her hair. They soaked her shirt, and then fried her hair with the blow dryer. But, Reference Contacted!! Woot! And my conviction to never cut my hair here has grown exponentially. But needless to say, it was fearless sacrifice for the greater good.
I'm sorry the letter this week was so short! I promise I'll write more next week. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and feel better!
Love
Hermana Cox
January 20th, 2014
Hola!
I LOVE my new area! I never realized how much I really don't care for the city until they sent me back out into the country. It's great here!! We had to load all of my luggage and supplies onto a public bus, which took us on a 2 hour drive to San Pedro. Where a member then came and picked us up and drove us to our house. It was quite the adventure! Good thing I'm a good packer, so we didn't have too many bags to take along. We're not able to see the ocean from our area, so that's a bit of a bummer, but somehow I think I'll live.
Because it's out in the country, there really aren't many cars. Almost everyone buzzes around on motos (motorcycles), and I actually saw my first moto crash today. I don't know how they do it, but they almost never crash despite there being slim to no rules on the road. They go wherever they want within the lanes! It's crazy! They're a little better here than in La Isableita, but still. Crazy driving.
It's starting to get pretty hot out here again. Looks like the cool season has ended...bummer. Will you please tell Hermana Parks thanks for that fan? Let her know that it's going to go to good use!
It's just a little branch out here that we're working with. But they all are just so excited to work. They told us to just call anyone, and they will all leave with us. Not to mention that they go and visit our investigators within the week, and the President of the branch personally has a meeting with each investigator when they visit church and helps us to know more about their needs. We had one sister this week who stayed out with us from 3 pm until 9 pm. All of our citas dropped and we were walking just all over the city. But she was completely willing and excited to keep going with us. It was just amazing! She's actually going to be leaving for a mission to Mexico soon, so we'll be sad to see her go.
This week I've just been blessed to see they Lord working in my life. Not just helping me here, but for the future as well. I came to the conclusion here that I am going to study medicine. I believe it's something I need to do, and am planning on that when I get home. But the Lord decided to help me even more than just that. When I arrived here in San Pedro, the Sisters here were participating in a service project. There was a medical school in New York that was providing a free medical clinic, but needed translators. So they worked out a deal with President Hernandez, and us English speaking missionaries would come and help translate for them and the patients. It was a great experience! I loved it so much, and it gave me the opportunity to learn a fair amount of useful medical terms in Spanish. Not only that, but the director of the program made sure to obtain each of our emails, so he could send us a letter of recommendation as a thank you since they couldn't pay us. It really was amazing, and I am so grateful for the help that the Lord is giving me in preparing me for my future.
Not only that, but I realized that my Christmas wish was answered. The one thing that I asked for over skype was for a hot shower. And I just realized today that I got it! Soon after Christmas we moved into our new house and I got a hot shower just like I wanted! And now in this one we have hot water as well. It's just exciting to see how the Lord really does take care of us. Even if they are just little things.
I love you guys a ton! Thank you for all your prayers and support. I read a scripture recently that made me think of you all. It was about one of the best missionaries in the Book of Mormon- Ammon. And how while he was amongst the Lamanites, he received protection due to the prayers and faith of his father (and mother, and sisters, and family and friends in general I'm sure!). But I just wanted to say thank you for all of that. I really have seen the protection I have received, and I know a lot of it is due to blessings and the faith and prayers of you all. I love you! Stay safe and healthy and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I LOVE my new area! I never realized how much I really don't care for the city until they sent me back out into the country. It's great here!! We had to load all of my luggage and supplies onto a public bus, which took us on a 2 hour drive to San Pedro. Where a member then came and picked us up and drove us to our house. It was quite the adventure! Good thing I'm a good packer, so we didn't have too many bags to take along. We're not able to see the ocean from our area, so that's a bit of a bummer, but somehow I think I'll live.
Because it's out in the country, there really aren't many cars. Almost everyone buzzes around on motos (motorcycles), and I actually saw my first moto crash today. I don't know how they do it, but they almost never crash despite there being slim to no rules on the road. They go wherever they want within the lanes! It's crazy! They're a little better here than in La Isableita, but still. Crazy driving.
It's starting to get pretty hot out here again. Looks like the cool season has ended...bummer. Will you please tell Hermana Parks thanks for that fan? Let her know that it's going to go to good use!
It's just a little branch out here that we're working with. But they all are just so excited to work. They told us to just call anyone, and they will all leave with us. Not to mention that they go and visit our investigators within the week, and the President of the branch personally has a meeting with each investigator when they visit church and helps us to know more about their needs. We had one sister this week who stayed out with us from 3 pm until 9 pm. All of our citas dropped and we were walking just all over the city. But she was completely willing and excited to keep going with us. It was just amazing! She's actually going to be leaving for a mission to Mexico soon, so we'll be sad to see her go.
This week I've just been blessed to see they Lord working in my life. Not just helping me here, but for the future as well. I came to the conclusion here that I am going to study medicine. I believe it's something I need to do, and am planning on that when I get home. But the Lord decided to help me even more than just that. When I arrived here in San Pedro, the Sisters here were participating in a service project. There was a medical school in New York that was providing a free medical clinic, but needed translators. So they worked out a deal with President Hernandez, and us English speaking missionaries would come and help translate for them and the patients. It was a great experience! I loved it so much, and it gave me the opportunity to learn a fair amount of useful medical terms in Spanish. Not only that, but the director of the program made sure to obtain each of our emails, so he could send us a letter of recommendation as a thank you since they couldn't pay us. It really was amazing, and I am so grateful for the help that the Lord is giving me in preparing me for my future.
Not only that, but I realized that my Christmas wish was answered. The one thing that I asked for over skype was for a hot shower. And I just realized today that I got it! Soon after Christmas we moved into our new house and I got a hot shower just like I wanted! And now in this one we have hot water as well. It's just exciting to see how the Lord really does take care of us. Even if they are just little things.
I love you guys a ton! Thank you for all your prayers and support. I read a scripture recently that made me think of you all. It was about one of the best missionaries in the Book of Mormon- Ammon. And how while he was amongst the Lamanites, he received protection due to the prayers and faith of his father (and mother, and sisters, and family and friends in general I'm sure!). But I just wanted to say thank you for all of that. I really have seen the protection I have received, and I know a lot of it is due to blessings and the faith and prayers of you all. I love you! Stay safe and healthy and happy!
Love
Hermana Cox
January 13th, 2014
Hola!
So the news from transfers are in......and.....I'm getting transferred! I'm moving to an area called San Pedro with an Hermana Walker. I'm so excited! It just got opened just one or two transfers ago, so I really haven't heard much about it. I do know that it is pretty far away though. They don't send many girls out much farther, so it should be a lot of fun. On the downside...I don't know how reliable our mail system is going to be out there. But oh well, there are worse things! I've heard really great things about Hermana Walker, so I'm really excited as to what all this next transfer is going to bring.
This last week has been really interesting....I figured out this week that I accidentally bribed people to connect our light....so I'm pretty much a horrible person!! Haha! So the story is, is that when we moved into out new house we didn't have light or water going. So we talked to the managers to get our water up and going, but it was looking like it would be a while before light would come. The Assistants had called the light company, but they are really unreliable here, so they still hadn't come. So as we were working around everything, we saw a company truck passing by, and we flagged it down to talk with them about the problem to see if they knew anything about it. The guy came in and said that he would be able to connect it for us if we paid a flat rate of 1000 pesos. So we called the people in charge of housing and they gave us the go. So we hooked it all up and have been doing great! But then the Assistants called us trying to figured out the return recite that I had turned in, when they came to the conclusion that we had been stealing light, and all I did was give a bribe....needless to say I'm a sinner. Gah! haha! So we're not sure what is going to go on with that....
In some ways it's going to be bittersweet leaving La Isabelita. I know so many people here, and have made so many friends, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to see Hermano Bonilla or Hermana Daysi again. But on the other end I feel so ready to leave. I feel like I've given my best to this area, and I really don't know what else I could do for this area and ward. So I'm looking forward to a fresh start with a new area and a new companion. Hermana Sanchez is going on with a new full Hispanic companion in one of the hottest areas of the mission that I've heard of, where they only send Hispanic people. I'm really excited for her, and I know she's going to do great things. They need a loving person like her in an area such as that.
The nerves are beginning about the new president, and from the sounds of it he is an impressive man! I'm excited to see all of the changes that come with this. It will be really excited. Thanks for sending more information about him! I feel so in the loop!
My study topic for the week has been the Word of Wisdom, and I've just been following it through the scriptures from Adam and Eve, to Daniel, to Abraham, to Noah, to Joseph Smith, and through all of that. I've learned so much about just how important and amazing our bodies are, and how we have the responsibility to care for and protect them. Some of the strongest commandments that we have are in relation to our bodies, such as Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. So I've decided to take the challenge planed by one of the Apostles this last conference, that - Every time you look in the mirror, to see your body and a temple. And I've put a goal to improve how I treat my body, through regular exercise and eating healthier with more vegetables and less meat. So those are some of my goal for this upcoming year. What are some of y'alls?
I can't wait to write you all next week and show you my new area and companion. I love you guys so much! And I love hearing from you! I wish I could have more time to talk to each of you personally, sorry I don't. But I love you guys a ton! Keep being awesome! Love you!
Hermana Cox
Hola!
So the news from transfers are in......and.....I'm getting transferred! I'm moving to an area called San Pedro with an Hermana Walker. I'm so excited! It just got opened just one or two transfers ago, so I really haven't heard much about it. I do know that it is pretty far away though. They don't send many girls out much farther, so it should be a lot of fun. On the downside...I don't know how reliable our mail system is going to be out there. But oh well, there are worse things! I've heard really great things about Hermana Walker, so I'm really excited as to what all this next transfer is going to bring.
This last week has been really interesting....I figured out this week that I accidentally bribed people to connect our light....so I'm pretty much a horrible person!! Haha! So the story is, is that when we moved into out new house we didn't have light or water going. So we talked to the managers to get our water up and going, but it was looking like it would be a while before light would come. The Assistants had called the light company, but they are really unreliable here, so they still hadn't come. So as we were working around everything, we saw a company truck passing by, and we flagged it down to talk with them about the problem to see if they knew anything about it. The guy came in and said that he would be able to connect it for us if we paid a flat rate of 1000 pesos. So we called the people in charge of housing and they gave us the go. So we hooked it all up and have been doing great! But then the Assistants called us trying to figured out the return recite that I had turned in, when they came to the conclusion that we had been stealing light, and all I did was give a bribe....needless to say I'm a sinner. Gah! haha! So we're not sure what is going to go on with that....
In some ways it's going to be bittersweet leaving La Isabelita. I know so many people here, and have made so many friends, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to see Hermano Bonilla or Hermana Daysi again. But on the other end I feel so ready to leave. I feel like I've given my best to this area, and I really don't know what else I could do for this area and ward. So I'm looking forward to a fresh start with a new area and a new companion. Hermana Sanchez is going on with a new full Hispanic companion in one of the hottest areas of the mission that I've heard of, where they only send Hispanic people. I'm really excited for her, and I know she's going to do great things. They need a loving person like her in an area such as that.
The nerves are beginning about the new president, and from the sounds of it he is an impressive man! I'm excited to see all of the changes that come with this. It will be really excited. Thanks for sending more information about him! I feel so in the loop!
My study topic for the week has been the Word of Wisdom, and I've just been following it through the scriptures from Adam and Eve, to Daniel, to Abraham, to Noah, to Joseph Smith, and through all of that. I've learned so much about just how important and amazing our bodies are, and how we have the responsibility to care for and protect them. Some of the strongest commandments that we have are in relation to our bodies, such as Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. So I've decided to take the challenge planed by one of the Apostles this last conference, that - Every time you look in the mirror, to see your body and a temple. And I've put a goal to improve how I treat my body, through regular exercise and eating healthier with more vegetables and less meat. So those are some of my goal for this upcoming year. What are some of y'alls?
I can't wait to write you all next week and show you my new area and companion. I love you guys so much! And I love hearing from you! I wish I could have more time to talk to each of you personally, sorry I don't. But I love you guys a ton! Keep being awesome! Love you!
Hermana Cox
January 6th, 2014
Hola!
Happy New Years!! Can you believe that we're all in 2014?! It's crazy! Im going to be home this year. Gah! We passed it along pretty uneventful this year. We came in early and had to stay in for most of the next day of course. Things get pretty crazy! But we were all kept safe from harm and all was well. And, on the brightside, with people open to make new years resolutions it's a great time to be a missionary!! It feels good to get out and get working like normal again, after having so many meetings and getting locked inside for so long.
One thing that was super annoying, was that we had a neighbor who decided the best way to celebrate was to bang a cowbell over and over and over repeatedly for long periods of time. For once, we did NOT need mroe cowbell.
One funny tradition that they have here, is that instead of carroling, there will be a group of people that will get whatever they have that can make noise and create a parade out in the streets. Whoever hears it can come out and join them, and they get money and things like that. They all say it's really fun, but the first time that it passed by our house in the middle of the night the other sisters said they were convinced it was some kind of voodoo! It was quite the oddity. And they just go along like that all night long! This country just cracks me up! I love Dominicans!
This week was pretty eventful. I forgot to bring my camera, so I won't be able to send you all pictures until next week. But we MOVED!!! Finally!! It's a miracle. And I had my first warm shower in over half a year. It was heavenly. The new apartment is beautiful! It's so nice. I feel like a civilized being again. We were scrubbing down everything to make sure we didn't bring in the roaches and rats and mosquitoes that we had into this house, and we were disgusted to find that just about everything was covered in roach egg sacks and rat poop. EW! No wonder we were all getting sick!
But it looks like everything is all cleaned up, and things are looking up! It's a huge apartment building. The building is 5 stories tall, and we're allowed to go out on the roof, which has a beautiful view of the ocean! The first time that Hermana Morales and I went up we saw a WHALE! Not the whole thing, just the tail, and we're just assuming that is what it was.....but still! It was so cool! So our exercise this morning was going up all of those stairs, and then we watched the sunrise. It's just been such a blessing!
Other than that, it's been work as usual. We're teaching the cutest little boy named Carlos. He came to church again this Sunday, and has already read most of the pamphlets and such things. He is just adorable! I'll get a picture soon for him as well. Daisy has been out visiting family for the holidays, and she won't be back home until after transfers. So we're a little sad that if someone leaves we will not be able to say goodbye! But that's okay, we have her email so it's not goodbye forever. Bonilla and Daisy's records have finally made their way to the island, so we are finally going to be able to take them to the temple! I'm hoping to go this Saturday with Bonilla, but we'll have to see. I'm not sure if they new temple president allows us to go with them anymore, or if a member will have to take him.
Transfers are coming up this week. By next Monday we'll know if I'm going to spend 8 months here in La Isabelita. I have no idea what is going to happen this transfer! We've been together and in the area for so long, so it will be weird to split. And if I do stay, I will have close to half my mission in a single area! Woo! I'm so excited to see what this new transfer will bring. We both are thinking that Hermana Sanchez is probably going to go, and I'll be sad. She's been a great companion. She's such a sweetheart! But her next companion I'm sure is very lucky, and needs her selfless charity. So all is well!
I'm glad to hear that things are going so well back home! I love hearing from you all. Good luck with everything, and have a great beginning of the year! It's going to go by so fast. I just know it. Love you all!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Happy New Years!! Can you believe that we're all in 2014?! It's crazy! Im going to be home this year. Gah! We passed it along pretty uneventful this year. We came in early and had to stay in for most of the next day of course. Things get pretty crazy! But we were all kept safe from harm and all was well. And, on the brightside, with people open to make new years resolutions it's a great time to be a missionary!! It feels good to get out and get working like normal again, after having so many meetings and getting locked inside for so long.
One thing that was super annoying, was that we had a neighbor who decided the best way to celebrate was to bang a cowbell over and over and over repeatedly for long periods of time. For once, we did NOT need mroe cowbell.
One funny tradition that they have here, is that instead of carroling, there will be a group of people that will get whatever they have that can make noise and create a parade out in the streets. Whoever hears it can come out and join them, and they get money and things like that. They all say it's really fun, but the first time that it passed by our house in the middle of the night the other sisters said they were convinced it was some kind of voodoo! It was quite the oddity. And they just go along like that all night long! This country just cracks me up! I love Dominicans!
This week was pretty eventful. I forgot to bring my camera, so I won't be able to send you all pictures until next week. But we MOVED!!! Finally!! It's a miracle. And I had my first warm shower in over half a year. It was heavenly. The new apartment is beautiful! It's so nice. I feel like a civilized being again. We were scrubbing down everything to make sure we didn't bring in the roaches and rats and mosquitoes that we had into this house, and we were disgusted to find that just about everything was covered in roach egg sacks and rat poop. EW! No wonder we were all getting sick!
But it looks like everything is all cleaned up, and things are looking up! It's a huge apartment building. The building is 5 stories tall, and we're allowed to go out on the roof, which has a beautiful view of the ocean! The first time that Hermana Morales and I went up we saw a WHALE! Not the whole thing, just the tail, and we're just assuming that is what it was.....but still! It was so cool! So our exercise this morning was going up all of those stairs, and then we watched the sunrise. It's just been such a blessing!
Other than that, it's been work as usual. We're teaching the cutest little boy named Carlos. He came to church again this Sunday, and has already read most of the pamphlets and such things. He is just adorable! I'll get a picture soon for him as well. Daisy has been out visiting family for the holidays, and she won't be back home until after transfers. So we're a little sad that if someone leaves we will not be able to say goodbye! But that's okay, we have her email so it's not goodbye forever. Bonilla and Daisy's records have finally made their way to the island, so we are finally going to be able to take them to the temple! I'm hoping to go this Saturday with Bonilla, but we'll have to see. I'm not sure if they new temple president allows us to go with them anymore, or if a member will have to take him.
Transfers are coming up this week. By next Monday we'll know if I'm going to spend 8 months here in La Isabelita. I have no idea what is going to happen this transfer! We've been together and in the area for so long, so it will be weird to split. And if I do stay, I will have close to half my mission in a single area! Woo! I'm so excited to see what this new transfer will bring. We both are thinking that Hermana Sanchez is probably going to go, and I'll be sad. She's been a great companion. She's such a sweetheart! But her next companion I'm sure is very lucky, and needs her selfless charity. So all is well!
I'm glad to hear that things are going so well back home! I love hearing from you all. Good luck with everything, and have a great beginning of the year! It's going to go by so fast. I just know it. Love you all!
Love
Hermana Cox
December 30th, 2013
Hola!
It was so awesome to see all of you guys this last week! You all are so sweet. It was so much fun. Hermana Sanchez was just laughing about how all of you guys looked just like what you look like in the photos. It was for sure the highlight of the week. And on the bright side, the next Skype is only 5 months away! So it all spaced out just perfectly.
The work was a little harder than usual this week, what with all the parties going on and everyone taking vacations to the country. But, on the brigthside that meant that we were able to find a bunch news! So we´re hoping to see some progress from all of that. Having Christmas together really was a bunch of fun, and the ward members are all just so sweet. They all wanted to hear about you all, and in turn we got to hear about their missionaries that are out. There are about 5 our from the ward right now with 2 more working on their papers.
One of the news that we found this week is the cutest, chubby little boy. His name is Carlos. And we helped him carry his buckets of water to his house. After which we shared and message with his grandmother as he went back for more. When he got back we asked if he wanted to come to church, and he agreed. We were a little nervous because one of the kids at church almost got in a fight with him, but just as boys are they made up and are friends now. I don´t really undestand that.....but oh well! He said he wanted to come back so that what really matters most!
It really is amazing how the church is the same no matter where you go. There are always some differences, but all and all everything is ver similar. I just remember my first week out in the field, I was just dying!! It was so hot, I was so sweaty and tierd, and I didn´t understand anything. But everything felt better when we went to church that Sunday. I couldn´t understand a word that they all were saying, but the Spirit was there so it felt like home. That´s something that I´ve really come to love and appreciate.
We have actually recieved some exciting news for the mission this week! By 2015, this mission is going to work only through references. There will be no more contacting!!! Woot! So we now have the responsibility to prepare the member, leaders, and new missionaries to work in this new way. It really will change the work a lot. Even though I will leave right before I have to chance to see it completed, I´m really excited to help prepare the mission for this kind of change. Not to mention a new President coming in in July!! It was just so interesting to hear them talk about why they decided to make the changes they have. It has apparently been shown that convert baptisms are just not as strong as those by references, and I really can see that in action here. Reference baptisms already have the support and fellowship that they need, which gives them a better foundation.
It´s just been interesting to think about the responsibilty that this holds not only in the mission, but after. If all missions are going in this direction, that means that we as members have to change the way that we work as well. If we want the work to progress, we have to change how we interact with others just as much as the missionaries do. With misisons recieving greater resources and better methods, we need to improve our methods of sharing the gospel as well so we can keep up with the progression that has been occuring. I really am in awe about how much responsility and trust the Lord is puttin in our hands. I´m just so excited to see all of the progression and change this new way of work has to bring. And the blessings it has in store not only for the investigators, but for the missionaries and the members as well. As we now all have the opportunity to be more creative and immersed in the work of the Lord. It´s a wonderful thing! And I don´t doubt at all the wonderful blessings, and miracles are going to occur through it! It is time to raise our vision! The Lord has given us so much power to complete so many things, and now He is giving us the chance to use it. I just love it so much! I really do love being a missionary right now. It has been such a blessing to see the hand of the Lord so clearly. It´s somthing I will never forget.
I just can´t believe that I´m a third of the way through! Time is just flying by, and I hope it feels the same for you all. I´m excited to hear about all of the changes going on in your lives. I´m so excited to see all of the progress you all make in this year to come. Happy New Year! Have fun, and stay safe. I love you all so much! Thank you so much for helping me get to this point. I really can now say that I know the church is true. I know with all my heart that God loves us, and the Christ atoned for our sins. And that we are now preparing the world and ourselves to recieve Him once again. And for that I have all the joy in the world! I can´t wait for that day, and I am so grateful to share this news with other. God really does love His children. We all have so much to learn! haha!
I love you all so much! Stay safe!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It was so awesome to see all of you guys this last week! You all are so sweet. It was so much fun. Hermana Sanchez was just laughing about how all of you guys looked just like what you look like in the photos. It was for sure the highlight of the week. And on the bright side, the next Skype is only 5 months away! So it all spaced out just perfectly.
The work was a little harder than usual this week, what with all the parties going on and everyone taking vacations to the country. But, on the brigthside that meant that we were able to find a bunch news! So we´re hoping to see some progress from all of that. Having Christmas together really was a bunch of fun, and the ward members are all just so sweet. They all wanted to hear about you all, and in turn we got to hear about their missionaries that are out. There are about 5 our from the ward right now with 2 more working on their papers.
One of the news that we found this week is the cutest, chubby little boy. His name is Carlos. And we helped him carry his buckets of water to his house. After which we shared and message with his grandmother as he went back for more. When he got back we asked if he wanted to come to church, and he agreed. We were a little nervous because one of the kids at church almost got in a fight with him, but just as boys are they made up and are friends now. I don´t really undestand that.....but oh well! He said he wanted to come back so that what really matters most!
It really is amazing how the church is the same no matter where you go. There are always some differences, but all and all everything is ver similar. I just remember my first week out in the field, I was just dying!! It was so hot, I was so sweaty and tierd, and I didn´t understand anything. But everything felt better when we went to church that Sunday. I couldn´t understand a word that they all were saying, but the Spirit was there so it felt like home. That´s something that I´ve really come to love and appreciate.
We have actually recieved some exciting news for the mission this week! By 2015, this mission is going to work only through references. There will be no more contacting!!! Woot! So we now have the responsibility to prepare the member, leaders, and new missionaries to work in this new way. It really will change the work a lot. Even though I will leave right before I have to chance to see it completed, I´m really excited to help prepare the mission for this kind of change. Not to mention a new President coming in in July!! It was just so interesting to hear them talk about why they decided to make the changes they have. It has apparently been shown that convert baptisms are just not as strong as those by references, and I really can see that in action here. Reference baptisms already have the support and fellowship that they need, which gives them a better foundation.
It´s just been interesting to think about the responsibilty that this holds not only in the mission, but after. If all missions are going in this direction, that means that we as members have to change the way that we work as well. If we want the work to progress, we have to change how we interact with others just as much as the missionaries do. With misisons recieving greater resources and better methods, we need to improve our methods of sharing the gospel as well so we can keep up with the progression that has been occuring. I really am in awe about how much responsility and trust the Lord is puttin in our hands. I´m just so excited to see all of the progression and change this new way of work has to bring. And the blessings it has in store not only for the investigators, but for the missionaries and the members as well. As we now all have the opportunity to be more creative and immersed in the work of the Lord. It´s a wonderful thing! And I don´t doubt at all the wonderful blessings, and miracles are going to occur through it! It is time to raise our vision! The Lord has given us so much power to complete so many things, and now He is giving us the chance to use it. I just love it so much! I really do love being a missionary right now. It has been such a blessing to see the hand of the Lord so clearly. It´s somthing I will never forget.
I just can´t believe that I´m a third of the way through! Time is just flying by, and I hope it feels the same for you all. I´m excited to hear about all of the changes going on in your lives. I´m so excited to see all of the progress you all make in this year to come. Happy New Year! Have fun, and stay safe. I love you all so much! Thank you so much for helping me get to this point. I really can now say that I know the church is true. I know with all my heart that God loves us, and the Christ atoned for our sins. And that we are now preparing the world and ourselves to recieve Him once again. And for that I have all the joy in the world! I can´t wait for that day, and I am so grateful to share this news with other. God really does love His children. We all have so much to learn! haha!
I love you all so much! Stay safe!
Love
Hermana Cox
December 23rd, 2013
Hola!
I'm so excited to do Skype this week! It's going to be so awesome! I can't believe that I will be able to talk to all of you guys! All the missionaries here are just dying. We're all so excited to see our families. Wednesday at 3.30 Dominican time. We're going to skype from the church so that we don't have to pay or anything like that. So you'll get to see our bishops office. (Not to mention the fact that there is AC in there.... :))
This week was a lot of fun. We had the ward Christmas party, and it was a blast. As usual, it started about an hour late, so we didn't get to stay for very long. But we were given permission to eat there, so I get to eat my very first full Dominican meal. It was awesome! We were also given permission to eat at members houses on the 24th and 25th, so we're going to go and eat for real! I'm so excited! You know how much I love my food.
We also had a member teach us how to make tres leches cake. So I'll have to be sure to make that for ya'll when I get back. It's SO good!! Speaking of sweets though...the fudge was GREATLY appreciated! You all know how much I love my fudge. We're planning on getting it all make and ready tomorrow night when we're stuck inside. I'm so excited! Thank you so much.
This week was pretty mild, and full of meetings. We had our Zone activity today, and on tuesday was the mission Christmas activity. Both were a lot of fun, and we even did a secret Santa. I got my district leader, and with the help of a bunch of Hatian men I decided on a tie. I´m not sure if they´re the best council to depend upon...but he seemed to like it so I´ll just hope for the best.
Hermana Sanchez is feeling better, and her teeth are on the mend. We have to go back in January to seal the deal, but other than that we should be dentist free. And this episode definitely gave me more motivation to floss more regularly!
I know that I didn´t write that much this week, but I´m going to be talking to you all soon...so We can share more on Wednesday. I love you! And talk to you soon!!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I'm so excited to do Skype this week! It's going to be so awesome! I can't believe that I will be able to talk to all of you guys! All the missionaries here are just dying. We're all so excited to see our families. Wednesday at 3.30 Dominican time. We're going to skype from the church so that we don't have to pay or anything like that. So you'll get to see our bishops office. (Not to mention the fact that there is AC in there.... :))
This week was a lot of fun. We had the ward Christmas party, and it was a blast. As usual, it started about an hour late, so we didn't get to stay for very long. But we were given permission to eat there, so I get to eat my very first full Dominican meal. It was awesome! We were also given permission to eat at members houses on the 24th and 25th, so we're going to go and eat for real! I'm so excited! You know how much I love my food.
We also had a member teach us how to make tres leches cake. So I'll have to be sure to make that for ya'll when I get back. It's SO good!! Speaking of sweets though...the fudge was GREATLY appreciated! You all know how much I love my fudge. We're planning on getting it all make and ready tomorrow night when we're stuck inside. I'm so excited! Thank you so much.
This week was pretty mild, and full of meetings. We had our Zone activity today, and on tuesday was the mission Christmas activity. Both were a lot of fun, and we even did a secret Santa. I got my district leader, and with the help of a bunch of Hatian men I decided on a tie. I´m not sure if they´re the best council to depend upon...but he seemed to like it so I´ll just hope for the best.
Hermana Sanchez is feeling better, and her teeth are on the mend. We have to go back in January to seal the deal, but other than that we should be dentist free. And this episode definitely gave me more motivation to floss more regularly!
I know that I didn´t write that much this week, but I´m going to be talking to you all soon...so We can share more on Wednesday. I love you! And talk to you soon!!
Love
Hermana Cox
December 16th, 2013
Hola!
Poor Hermana Sanchez suffered this week! We took our trip to the dentist, and they told us that the tooth that had been hurting had a cavity that would have to be filled. But as they started working on it, she was in a lot of pain. So they did an X-ray, and figured out that she was going to need a root canal....We managed to get an appointment the same day, and poor Hermana Sanchez had her first root canal here in a third world country.
Then, as they were doing the follow up X-ray, they found out that her tooth next to it was in need of a root canal as well. So the very next day we were in the office, and Hermana Sanchez received her second root canal in 24 hours. Then to top things off, as they were trying to seal it her gums were bleeding because of all of the work and stress that they had been under. So they had to leave it unsealed for the past few days and we need to go back as some point this week to get it all wrapped up. Needless to say it was quite the fiasco! But all should be sealed and finished this week, and I hope for her sake that´s the end of it!
Other than that, in the news of the week, guess who is playing Mary in our zone production on The Nativity....that´s right! Hermana Cox is. And as you can imagine, with our limited resources, bad acting, and no touching rules it´s coming off almost sacrilegiously comical. haha. I was actually at the dentist with Hermana Sanchez when I got the call that one of the other Hermana´s in the house nominated me for the role because she didn´t want to do it....hha.
In order to fake being pregnant, I strap a backpack to my front and I have to waddle around the stage with Joseph as we look for an inn. Sometimes I like to rub my backpack belly and look sad just to add some drama to it. Then I move off stage, take off my backpack baby and make my way back on just in time for all of the angels, shepherds, and wise men to gather around me and sing. So I just sit there and rock my backpack baby while they all finish up singing Joy to the World. (to make things even more comical, the other two sisters in the house are the sheep....they do a horrible job. They mostly just wander around the stage with their arms up like bunnies making sheep noises....haha! It´s so hard to keep a straight face!) It such a production! I´m trying my best to keep it reverent, but you can only imagine the challenge it is.
It´s fun though. And we´re doing a secret Santa, and a Christmas party for the zone tomorrow in the office. I ended up getting my district leader, so I got him a tie and some pens. So hopefully that will be a sufficiently satisfying for a Christmas present.
The Christmas concert by the church was AWESOME! It was in a park near the offices, in the really nice part of the city, and literally everything was covered in lights. It was so beautiful! And they took clips from the new Bible videos, and had special choirs. It was just such a great experience. It finally felt like Christmas! We took Daysi and her daughter with us, and they had such a great time. We weren't able to bring them to the temple this last week, but we´re trying again for this week.
Bonilla is being a little missionary, he brought a friend to church with him this week. And Daysi keeps talking about how she wants to come out to teach with us. They are just such good examples to me. Daysi was talking about how for a good portion of her life she was looking for what God wanted from her, but she could never find it. So she made a promise with God that if He would show her the way she would do all in her power to remain faithful and help others along the way as well. And then she found the church, and I can truly say that I think she´s kept up with all of those promises. I just love them so much! It´s been such a joy to see them grow.
I´m so glad to hear that all is well there in the States, and I look forward to hearing about how everyone's holidays go! I love you all! Stay safe, and Merry Christmas!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Poor Hermana Sanchez suffered this week! We took our trip to the dentist, and they told us that the tooth that had been hurting had a cavity that would have to be filled. But as they started working on it, she was in a lot of pain. So they did an X-ray, and figured out that she was going to need a root canal....We managed to get an appointment the same day, and poor Hermana Sanchez had her first root canal here in a third world country.
Then, as they were doing the follow up X-ray, they found out that her tooth next to it was in need of a root canal as well. So the very next day we were in the office, and Hermana Sanchez received her second root canal in 24 hours. Then to top things off, as they were trying to seal it her gums were bleeding because of all of the work and stress that they had been under. So they had to leave it unsealed for the past few days and we need to go back as some point this week to get it all wrapped up. Needless to say it was quite the fiasco! But all should be sealed and finished this week, and I hope for her sake that´s the end of it!
Other than that, in the news of the week, guess who is playing Mary in our zone production on The Nativity....that´s right! Hermana Cox is. And as you can imagine, with our limited resources, bad acting, and no touching rules it´s coming off almost sacrilegiously comical. haha. I was actually at the dentist with Hermana Sanchez when I got the call that one of the other Hermana´s in the house nominated me for the role because she didn´t want to do it....hha.
In order to fake being pregnant, I strap a backpack to my front and I have to waddle around the stage with Joseph as we look for an inn. Sometimes I like to rub my backpack belly and look sad just to add some drama to it. Then I move off stage, take off my backpack baby and make my way back on just in time for all of the angels, shepherds, and wise men to gather around me and sing. So I just sit there and rock my backpack baby while they all finish up singing Joy to the World. (to make things even more comical, the other two sisters in the house are the sheep....they do a horrible job. They mostly just wander around the stage with their arms up like bunnies making sheep noises....haha! It´s so hard to keep a straight face!) It such a production! I´m trying my best to keep it reverent, but you can only imagine the challenge it is.
It´s fun though. And we´re doing a secret Santa, and a Christmas party for the zone tomorrow in the office. I ended up getting my district leader, so I got him a tie and some pens. So hopefully that will be a sufficiently satisfying for a Christmas present.
The Christmas concert by the church was AWESOME! It was in a park near the offices, in the really nice part of the city, and literally everything was covered in lights. It was so beautiful! And they took clips from the new Bible videos, and had special choirs. It was just such a great experience. It finally felt like Christmas! We took Daysi and her daughter with us, and they had such a great time. We weren't able to bring them to the temple this last week, but we´re trying again for this week.
Bonilla is being a little missionary, he brought a friend to church with him this week. And Daysi keeps talking about how she wants to come out to teach with us. They are just such good examples to me. Daysi was talking about how for a good portion of her life she was looking for what God wanted from her, but she could never find it. So she made a promise with God that if He would show her the way she would do all in her power to remain faithful and help others along the way as well. And then she found the church, and I can truly say that I think she´s kept up with all of those promises. I just love them so much! It´s been such a joy to see them grow.
I´m so glad to hear that all is well there in the States, and I look forward to hearing about how everyone's holidays go! I love you all! Stay safe, and Merry Christmas!
Love
Hermana Cox
December 9th, 2013
Hola! I´m so happy that everything is going well for you all in the States! It´s been so fun being able to see pictures of you guys these past few weeks! Megs, congratulations on your new house! I´m so excited for you guys! I bet it´s awesome! And Allyson, I am SO happy for you! You really do have a gift with kids, and I´m glad to hear that they all recognized it. Keep up the great work, I know that the Lord is watching over you. I´m glad to hear that the advent calendar got to mom and dad fine. It sounds like it turn out really cute. The advent calendar here is super adorable! It´s so fun to be able to see the pictures from everyone in our family! And the cards and candy are much appreciated. It´s so good to hear from all of you. Mom, I´m sorry that you have to get a tooth taken out! Don´t worry, it really isn't that bad. It just feels a little funny for a while. Hermana Sanchez is actually going to the Dentist this week....she has a tooth ache really bad, and has been popping Tylenol so that she isn't in too much pain. It´s tomorrow in the morning...so we´ll see how that goes. The dentist here is notorious for removing teeth for little to no reason. So she might end up coming back without a molar....yikes!
Other than that this week was fairly less hectic, what with the baptisms and transfers being over. Me and Hermana Sanchez are on the hunt for some new investigators, so we´re having a lot of fun with that. Christmas is moving into full swing here, and our leaders have already told us that we´re going to have to stay inside for a little bit as it gets closer to Christmas. People love to party here! And especially in our area. But everyone is really festive, and we get to go carol at an old folks home. So I¨m really excited about that! The Christmas package came in, and it´s wonderful! Thank you so much! The sheet music is awesome! I think we might end up doing a special musical number for the ward or something with it. And the food and candy is always appreciated! I wanted to go fly my kite today, but it started to rain...so looks like I´ll have to wait just a little bit longer.
As for working out skype, or leaders still haven´t told us what days and times we can skype...so I´ll have to let you know next p'day. Talk about last minute! There is an hour limit though. And it will most likely have to be in the afternoon or morning so that we´re not out a night. I´ll try to get more information to you next time. And I think that you guys are going to have to call me, because we only have a certain amount of minutes each week that we can use. So we really can´t spend them on anything else.
This week we´re looking forward to taking Bonilla and Daysi to the temple. We´re not sure what day quite yet, but we hope that we´ll be able to work out a time soon! Both of them are really excited to go. There is also a Christmas concert going on on temple grounds that we´re allowed to go to, so I´m SUPER excited for that! I´ll let you all know how it goes. I can hardly believe that I´m about to be a third of the way through my mission!! It´s going so fast! I remember being home and just telling myself that once I get to six months the time is going to fly. But I feel like it already has! So I don´t know what that will mean for the rest of the time I have here. Also, you guys should be able to say a quick hello to Hermana Sanchez on Christmas! Woot! We had an exciting cita this week too. We have an investigator that we´re teaching that has been investigating the church for around 10 years now. And last Monday we finally got him to admit that he believes The Book of Mormon is true!! He still has a lot of doubts, and hasn't agreed to baptism, but we´re still really excited to see his progress. Every time we come, he´s read what we´re left him and has noted his thoughts, feelings, and questions. They´re always awesome citas, the Spirit is always so strong! So we have a lot of hope that maybe now he´s ready to accept the gospel. His name is Diego, and his daughter is a strong member of our ward who is about to get married in the temple this upcoming month. So maybe! We´re working really hard with him. Other than that things have been really normal here. Or at least as normal as it can be here. It´s actually a little chilly! And there isn't day lights savings here....which is weird to get used to. But other than that things are moving forward as usual. But I love you all so much! Thank you for writing! I love hearing what is going on back home. Stay safe! I love you all, and drink a cup of hot chocolate for me!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola! I´m so happy that everything is going well for you all in the States! It´s been so fun being able to see pictures of you guys these past few weeks! Megs, congratulations on your new house! I´m so excited for you guys! I bet it´s awesome! And Allyson, I am SO happy for you! You really do have a gift with kids, and I´m glad to hear that they all recognized it. Keep up the great work, I know that the Lord is watching over you. I´m glad to hear that the advent calendar got to mom and dad fine. It sounds like it turn out really cute. The advent calendar here is super adorable! It´s so fun to be able to see the pictures from everyone in our family! And the cards and candy are much appreciated. It´s so good to hear from all of you. Mom, I´m sorry that you have to get a tooth taken out! Don´t worry, it really isn't that bad. It just feels a little funny for a while. Hermana Sanchez is actually going to the Dentist this week....she has a tooth ache really bad, and has been popping Tylenol so that she isn't in too much pain. It´s tomorrow in the morning...so we´ll see how that goes. The dentist here is notorious for removing teeth for little to no reason. So she might end up coming back without a molar....yikes!
Other than that this week was fairly less hectic, what with the baptisms and transfers being over. Me and Hermana Sanchez are on the hunt for some new investigators, so we´re having a lot of fun with that. Christmas is moving into full swing here, and our leaders have already told us that we´re going to have to stay inside for a little bit as it gets closer to Christmas. People love to party here! And especially in our area. But everyone is really festive, and we get to go carol at an old folks home. So I¨m really excited about that! The Christmas package came in, and it´s wonderful! Thank you so much! The sheet music is awesome! I think we might end up doing a special musical number for the ward or something with it. And the food and candy is always appreciated! I wanted to go fly my kite today, but it started to rain...so looks like I´ll have to wait just a little bit longer.
As for working out skype, or leaders still haven´t told us what days and times we can skype...so I´ll have to let you know next p'day. Talk about last minute! There is an hour limit though. And it will most likely have to be in the afternoon or morning so that we´re not out a night. I´ll try to get more information to you next time. And I think that you guys are going to have to call me, because we only have a certain amount of minutes each week that we can use. So we really can´t spend them on anything else.
This week we´re looking forward to taking Bonilla and Daysi to the temple. We´re not sure what day quite yet, but we hope that we´ll be able to work out a time soon! Both of them are really excited to go. There is also a Christmas concert going on on temple grounds that we´re allowed to go to, so I´m SUPER excited for that! I´ll let you all know how it goes. I can hardly believe that I´m about to be a third of the way through my mission!! It´s going so fast! I remember being home and just telling myself that once I get to six months the time is going to fly. But I feel like it already has! So I don´t know what that will mean for the rest of the time I have here. Also, you guys should be able to say a quick hello to Hermana Sanchez on Christmas! Woot! We had an exciting cita this week too. We have an investigator that we´re teaching that has been investigating the church for around 10 years now. And last Monday we finally got him to admit that he believes The Book of Mormon is true!! He still has a lot of doubts, and hasn't agreed to baptism, but we´re still really excited to see his progress. Every time we come, he´s read what we´re left him and has noted his thoughts, feelings, and questions. They´re always awesome citas, the Spirit is always so strong! So we have a lot of hope that maybe now he´s ready to accept the gospel. His name is Diego, and his daughter is a strong member of our ward who is about to get married in the temple this upcoming month. So maybe! We´re working really hard with him. Other than that things have been really normal here. Or at least as normal as it can be here. It´s actually a little chilly! And there isn't day lights savings here....which is weird to get used to. But other than that things are moving forward as usual. But I love you all so much! Thank you for writing! I love hearing what is going on back home. Stay safe! I love you all, and drink a cup of hot chocolate for me!
Love,
Hermana Cox
December 2nd, 2013
Hola! This was another exciting week!! Bonilla is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! Woot! That old man is just my favorite. He was so happy! I'm baptized!! I´m baptized!!¨ He and a little boy from the Hermanas shared a baptismal date, and they were both just so darn cute. Cutest thing in the world. It was pretty stressful in the beginning though, because there wasn't any power, so the font wasn´t filling. We almost had to fill it by carry a bucket across the lawn from the well and fill it one bucket at a time! But luckily one of the members was really smart and was able to get the inverter working again.Halleluiah! I know how to work and all....but that wouldn't have been a lot of fun. Thank goodness for power and a miracle from God!
They always say here that everything goes wrong the week of a baptism. But pretty much what I'm learning is that I'm still just as awkward as before. Now it´s just in a foreign country.... So this week I had a rubber ball fall from a 3 story roof and hit me in the face. And as I was walking I managed to knock over a man´s motorcycle....Thankfully all was well! No injuries was had to the bike, and my face only hurt for a few days. Sadly though, both of the incidents occurred while we were out with members going to citas. I can only imagine the reputation I am gaining....haha. But now the world knows that it is never safe from my awkward influence. No matter where I may go.
Also, the news from transfers is in! It´s looking like I will be staying in La Isabelita with Hermana Sanchez for one transfer more! I´m really excited! It means that we will get to spend Christmas together!! The other two girls in the house have stayed the same as well.So it will be a fun transfer. We all thought that there would be a change,so we took a ton of pictures this Sunday....oh well! haha You can tell Sister Huss that we´re about in the same boat! I´ll hit 7 here by the end of this transfer I believe.
We really didn't do much to celebrate Thanksgiving. I bought myself a Thanksgiving carrot cake if that counts.... I enjoyed it nevertheless. Christmas is in full swing here,which means the parties are getting started! I can only imagine how crazy New Years and Christmas Day will be! It will be an adventure to say the least. I´m glad that you think I look tan! I've got some crazy tan lines on my feet and from my watch. I'm going to look super rad by the time I´m back home. It´s just so hard to feel tan here when everyone is black...it´s hard to see the progress....hah!
Hermana Sanchez has her voice back, thank goodness. And the amoebas are officially gone. On the downside....the parasites are back. Woot! I don´t know what I´m going to do when I finally get rid of all of my little friends! It´s just going to be so lonely living in a body all by myself. How depressing. haha! No worries though, I took a pill and am just waiting for my friends to evacuate. In time I hope.
I´m happy to hear that grandpa is feeling better! I bet grandma is so happy! Also, the advent calendar has begun!! Needless to say my housemates love you guys. We open it every morning. Eliza is so cute! And it was so fun to see grandma and grandpa! You guys were really working on this for a long time! I love it. It seems like many of the sisters have never really had the opportunity to appreciate Calvin and Hobbes too! I make them read it every morning now. I glad the Christmas present got there. I can´t wait to hear all about it. It was fun to participate, even from afar. Wish Blake luck for me! That´s awesome that he´s going to finish. Let him know it will help him a lot on his mission.
Allyson, you´ll do great! Don´t worry. And all of the food sounds SO good! I knew you could do it! And mom´s sweet potatoes are the only way to go. Good job on converting them. Keep it up! Spread the good word, and soon the whole world will know!
Meg, I hope all went´well moving! And mom, I would love to see the gingerbread! And could I get that recipe for Aunt May´s Gespacho? I was thinking about how great, cheap, and easy that would be here! Thanks! Mango season is over so I now need to get more creative about what I´m going to eat....haha!
I love you guys! It was awesome to hear from you! I love hearing about all of the progress you´re making, and I can´t wait till Christmas! Stay safe! Love you!
Love from the DR!
Hermana Cox
Hola! This was another exciting week!! Bonilla is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints! Woot! That old man is just my favorite. He was so happy! I'm baptized!! I´m baptized!!¨ He and a little boy from the Hermanas shared a baptismal date, and they were both just so darn cute. Cutest thing in the world. It was pretty stressful in the beginning though, because there wasn't any power, so the font wasn´t filling. We almost had to fill it by carry a bucket across the lawn from the well and fill it one bucket at a time! But luckily one of the members was really smart and was able to get the inverter working again.Halleluiah! I know how to work and all....but that wouldn't have been a lot of fun. Thank goodness for power and a miracle from God!
They always say here that everything goes wrong the week of a baptism. But pretty much what I'm learning is that I'm still just as awkward as before. Now it´s just in a foreign country.... So this week I had a rubber ball fall from a 3 story roof and hit me in the face. And as I was walking I managed to knock over a man´s motorcycle....Thankfully all was well! No injuries was had to the bike, and my face only hurt for a few days. Sadly though, both of the incidents occurred while we were out with members going to citas. I can only imagine the reputation I am gaining....haha. But now the world knows that it is never safe from my awkward influence. No matter where I may go.
Also, the news from transfers is in! It´s looking like I will be staying in La Isabelita with Hermana Sanchez for one transfer more! I´m really excited! It means that we will get to spend Christmas together!! The other two girls in the house have stayed the same as well.So it will be a fun transfer. We all thought that there would be a change,so we took a ton of pictures this Sunday....oh well! haha You can tell Sister Huss that we´re about in the same boat! I´ll hit 7 here by the end of this transfer I believe.
We really didn't do much to celebrate Thanksgiving. I bought myself a Thanksgiving carrot cake if that counts.... I enjoyed it nevertheless. Christmas is in full swing here,which means the parties are getting started! I can only imagine how crazy New Years and Christmas Day will be! It will be an adventure to say the least. I´m glad that you think I look tan! I've got some crazy tan lines on my feet and from my watch. I'm going to look super rad by the time I´m back home. It´s just so hard to feel tan here when everyone is black...it´s hard to see the progress....hah!
Hermana Sanchez has her voice back, thank goodness. And the amoebas are officially gone. On the downside....the parasites are back. Woot! I don´t know what I´m going to do when I finally get rid of all of my little friends! It´s just going to be so lonely living in a body all by myself. How depressing. haha! No worries though, I took a pill and am just waiting for my friends to evacuate. In time I hope.
I´m happy to hear that grandpa is feeling better! I bet grandma is so happy! Also, the advent calendar has begun!! Needless to say my housemates love you guys. We open it every morning. Eliza is so cute! And it was so fun to see grandma and grandpa! You guys were really working on this for a long time! I love it. It seems like many of the sisters have never really had the opportunity to appreciate Calvin and Hobbes too! I make them read it every morning now. I glad the Christmas present got there. I can´t wait to hear all about it. It was fun to participate, even from afar. Wish Blake luck for me! That´s awesome that he´s going to finish. Let him know it will help him a lot on his mission.
Allyson, you´ll do great! Don´t worry. And all of the food sounds SO good! I knew you could do it! And mom´s sweet potatoes are the only way to go. Good job on converting them. Keep it up! Spread the good word, and soon the whole world will know!
Meg, I hope all went´well moving! And mom, I would love to see the gingerbread! And could I get that recipe for Aunt May´s Gespacho? I was thinking about how great, cheap, and easy that would be here! Thanks! Mango season is over so I now need to get more creative about what I´m going to eat....haha!
I love you guys! It was awesome to hear from you! I love hearing about all of the progress you´re making, and I can´t wait till Christmas! Stay safe! Love you!
Love from the DR!
Hermana Cox
November 25th, 2013
Hola!
This week was a good one! Daysi is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Woot! It was such happy occasion. I won´t lie though, I was so nervous. Daysi and Versey, who was going to baptize her, were 30 mins late. They were supposed to show up an hour early so we could take pictures, show her how it's done, and give her some time to change and then sit and hear the prelude. But they were both so late, and I was just freaking out! haha! I kept trying to call but she wasn't picking up her phone! But as always, everything went well, and there was enough time for everything to get done. Some of the Elders from our District even came to support us. It was just amazing.
Bonilla passed his interview, and all is prepped and ready for his baptism this Saturday as well. Our ward mission leader is doing the honors. I´m so excited for his baptism! He´s just the cutest old man in the world! Hermana Sanchez managed to snap a photo of him for you guys while I was busy playing prelude. She´s such a good companion!
The poor girl was sick this week, and while she was able to go out and work, she really didn't have much of a voice. So it´s been a little crazy! I was either just teaching the lesson, and she would testify at the end, or she would whisper things that I would have to translate, or she would just try to shout so they could all hear her...haha! It was an adventure to say the least.
Transfers are this week, and I think the odds of my staying with Hermana Sanchez are really slim, which is a little sad. She´s a great companion! We'll know by the next p-day for sure! Wish me luck! but all in all whatever happened is through the direction of God, so I ´m not too nervous. Just impatient to know! You know how I get....haha.
It's so fun to hear about all of the preparations for Christmas back home! Everyone here has their Christmas lights up. Some have Christmas cacti, and some just string them up wherever they can. It´s amazing how creative some people can get! Christmas here starts in October too, so it´s just been building and building as people are prepping for the big day.
We had interviews with president this week! They´re so good to us. Hermana Hernandez made us all homemade pumpkin pie! It was so good! I just about died!
Funny story of the week. We went to teach Bonilla this week, and I realized the the poor man had forgotten to put on pants that morning....haha! Either that or he was just hot and decided he was old and didn't care...the jury is still out on that one. Hermana Sanchez didn't even notice until I told her after! haha! I was hilarious!
Cute story of the week. We were sharing with Bonilla a scripture that spoke about hope. To get him involved in the discussion, I asked him what hope meant to him. His response was probably the cutest thing I've heard so far. "Trusting that you two will bring me a large print Book of Mormon so I can read. That´s hope for me." My heart just melted. Needless to say, we got him one!
I´ll let you know how the baptism next week goes. Thank you guy so much for everything! Megs, your package came through. Thank you so much for everything! It was exactly what I needed! And good luck moving this week, I´m so happy for you guys. The house looks beautiful, and absolutely perfect. We´re still waiting to move, so wish us luck! Maybe this week, we´ll see.
Al, good luck with the chitlins. Keep breathing! Soon you´ll just look back and laugh! I have to do that sometimes here too.
Good luck with everything! Thank you guys so much for everything. I love you! Keep it cool, make good choices, and all of that good stuff. Oh! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
This week was a good one! Daysi is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Woot! It was such happy occasion. I won´t lie though, I was so nervous. Daysi and Versey, who was going to baptize her, were 30 mins late. They were supposed to show up an hour early so we could take pictures, show her how it's done, and give her some time to change and then sit and hear the prelude. But they were both so late, and I was just freaking out! haha! I kept trying to call but she wasn't picking up her phone! But as always, everything went well, and there was enough time for everything to get done. Some of the Elders from our District even came to support us. It was just amazing.
Bonilla passed his interview, and all is prepped and ready for his baptism this Saturday as well. Our ward mission leader is doing the honors. I´m so excited for his baptism! He´s just the cutest old man in the world! Hermana Sanchez managed to snap a photo of him for you guys while I was busy playing prelude. She´s such a good companion!
The poor girl was sick this week, and while she was able to go out and work, she really didn't have much of a voice. So it´s been a little crazy! I was either just teaching the lesson, and she would testify at the end, or she would whisper things that I would have to translate, or she would just try to shout so they could all hear her...haha! It was an adventure to say the least.
Transfers are this week, and I think the odds of my staying with Hermana Sanchez are really slim, which is a little sad. She´s a great companion! We'll know by the next p-day for sure! Wish me luck! but all in all whatever happened is through the direction of God, so I ´m not too nervous. Just impatient to know! You know how I get....haha.
It's so fun to hear about all of the preparations for Christmas back home! Everyone here has their Christmas lights up. Some have Christmas cacti, and some just string them up wherever they can. It´s amazing how creative some people can get! Christmas here starts in October too, so it´s just been building and building as people are prepping for the big day.
We had interviews with president this week! They´re so good to us. Hermana Hernandez made us all homemade pumpkin pie! It was so good! I just about died!
Funny story of the week. We went to teach Bonilla this week, and I realized the the poor man had forgotten to put on pants that morning....haha! Either that or he was just hot and decided he was old and didn't care...the jury is still out on that one. Hermana Sanchez didn't even notice until I told her after! haha! I was hilarious!
Cute story of the week. We were sharing with Bonilla a scripture that spoke about hope. To get him involved in the discussion, I asked him what hope meant to him. His response was probably the cutest thing I've heard so far. "Trusting that you two will bring me a large print Book of Mormon so I can read. That´s hope for me." My heart just melted. Needless to say, we got him one!
I´ll let you know how the baptism next week goes. Thank you guy so much for everything! Megs, your package came through. Thank you so much for everything! It was exactly what I needed! And good luck moving this week, I´m so happy for you guys. The house looks beautiful, and absolutely perfect. We´re still waiting to move, so wish us luck! Maybe this week, we´ll see.
Al, good luck with the chitlins. Keep breathing! Soon you´ll just look back and laugh! I have to do that sometimes here too.
Good luck with everything! Thank you guys so much for everything. I love you! Keep it cool, make good choices, and all of that good stuff. Oh! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Love
Hermana Cox
November 18th, 2013
Hola!
I come bearing good news! This weeks was a really productive one, and I´m happy to announce that Hermana Daysi passed her interview and all is on track for her baptism this Saturday! I´m so excited. She was just so ready for the gospel. I´m excited to see all of the progress that she will continue to make. Pantaleon is moving forward as always. Whenever we introduce him to people at church, he always says hello, and then kindly informs them that he´s going to be baptized on the 30th. He is just so excited! haha. He already is planning out the clothes he should wear and how he's going to get there. I just feel really blessed to have the opportunity to teach these people, and help them discover the truth. I feel really blessed for this opportunity.
Also, as for pantaleon meaning pants...that is not in fact true. Pants is pantelones, so ridiculously close. I actually accidentally called him that once during district meeting as we were going over our investigators....I laughed to hard! hah. How humiliating...hah.
Also, I got the package! Woot! It got here in great shape. Don´t worry, I only peaked a little! hah. I was SO happy about the Ensign! I still don´t have them here so I´ll be the envy of the whole zone! It was cruel to make me wait for 2 weeks to open everything, but luckily I´m working on the Christlike attribute of patience. So this should be some good practice. We´ll see how long I last....
We've found a super nice new apartment, but it has yet to get approved by the office. We´re all crossing our fingers and hoping to get the call that we´re moving sometime this week if all goes well. I´m doing yoga and my legs hurt. Yoga is hard. And last but not least, I am officially parasite free!! woot!
The one downside, is that I have now also caught amoebas. So I'm back on the pills trying to get that under control. But all things considered things could be worse. It´s amazing seeing so many miracles here. With some of the things that we've had here, you're generally stuck in the house sick. But we haven´t had to stay in for a single day. We really have been blessed with health, even when all of the odds are against us. It´s something that I truly am grateful for.
We´re finding so many people who have been looking for the truth as well. Some of them seem to have recently lost family, so I¨m so excited to share the Plan of Salvation with them. In the first cita(appointment) with one of the investigators that we´re now meeting with, for a while he seemed really disinterested. But after a little bit, he asked us a question as to where we go after we die, and why we suffer so much in this life. He´s from Haiti, and so I¨m sure he´s seen some really hard things. So we gave him the Plan of Salvation, and invited him to learn more with us. In the closing prayer, he thanked God for The Plan of Salvation and for Joseph Smith for restoring this information to us. It was such a heart warming thing to witness. His sister is investigating as well, so we´re hoping that they will be able to support and help each other. The only difficult thing is that they don´t speak a lot of Spanish. So we always have to bring a member who can translate and help us with that. But I´m hoping to learn little by little. At least sufficient to teach. But I guess I should probably focus on learning Spanish first.
I've finally started to dream in Spanish! I was so excited when I woke up one morning and realized that! It´s not all the time, but it´s still an exciting step. I just hope that I´ll be able to continue to progress. I really have hopes to be completely fluent by the time I finish my mission. I know I won´t be perfect in it, but I want to use this time to learn as much as I possibly can.
We had a friend with us in the house this morning. So far we've had Daisy and Jerry the rats, and now we have a new addition named Stacy the Tarantula. But needless to say that was a fun experience. Hermana Laughlin was going to the bathroom this morning when she saw something fall from the ceiling. She looked up, and there sat Stacy, right above the door. We were outside cleaning up some garbage that the cats had gotten into, when she comes out shouting that there´s a massive spider in the bathroom. When we finally saw it we were stuck on how exactly to kill it! So we grabbed the broom, and my brave companion took a shot at it....and it didn't die!!! It scuttled it´s way out of the bathroom and was trying to search for refuge in the kitchen. I was out waiting in the hallway this entire time, and needless to say that as soon as i saw that monster heading my way I ran like the spineless ninny I am. I haven´t screamed that loud in such a long time! I was out the door with Hermana Morales before the anyone could even blink.
As it was crouch in the corner of our kitchen with a leg missing and angry, we were all freaking out and trying to decide what to do. Needless to say, we said a prayer. Through which we came up with a brilliant plan to stick one of the sticky pads that we have for rats on the end of the broom and catch the monster that way. Hermana Sanchez, brave soul that she is, took another shot at it and, hallelujah, the reign of the tarantula was at an end. We caught the sucker! I took pictures just so you guys could enjoy the fun too! I´ll send them next Monday with the rest of the pictures. The computer won´t let me right now.
Needless to say, my companion is fierce. I´m so lucky to have her. She kills all the big roaches and spiders for us. God really blessed me with her. Otherwise I would just die....haha. One day maybe I´ll get the courage to kill those things, but if so it´s probably going to be near the end of my mission. After I´m a battle hardened veteran with roaches and spiders. We´ll see....haha.
All in all, it was an exciting and eventful week. It was so great to hear from all of you guys. I´m glad to hear that all is well. I know that God is taking care of you all. Thanks for all of the news and support. More pictures are on their way next week, and I´ll let you all know about Daysi´s baptism and Pantaleon´s baptismal interview. Woot! Animo, animo! I love you guys! Take care and keep me updated with all the good news from you guys and the world. Love you!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I come bearing good news! This weeks was a really productive one, and I´m happy to announce that Hermana Daysi passed her interview and all is on track for her baptism this Saturday! I´m so excited. She was just so ready for the gospel. I´m excited to see all of the progress that she will continue to make. Pantaleon is moving forward as always. Whenever we introduce him to people at church, he always says hello, and then kindly informs them that he´s going to be baptized on the 30th. He is just so excited! haha. He already is planning out the clothes he should wear and how he's going to get there. I just feel really blessed to have the opportunity to teach these people, and help them discover the truth. I feel really blessed for this opportunity.
Also, as for pantaleon meaning pants...that is not in fact true. Pants is pantelones, so ridiculously close. I actually accidentally called him that once during district meeting as we were going over our investigators....I laughed to hard! hah. How humiliating...hah.
Also, I got the package! Woot! It got here in great shape. Don´t worry, I only peaked a little! hah. I was SO happy about the Ensign! I still don´t have them here so I´ll be the envy of the whole zone! It was cruel to make me wait for 2 weeks to open everything, but luckily I´m working on the Christlike attribute of patience. So this should be some good practice. We´ll see how long I last....
We've found a super nice new apartment, but it has yet to get approved by the office. We´re all crossing our fingers and hoping to get the call that we´re moving sometime this week if all goes well. I´m doing yoga and my legs hurt. Yoga is hard. And last but not least, I am officially parasite free!! woot!
The one downside, is that I have now also caught amoebas. So I'm back on the pills trying to get that under control. But all things considered things could be worse. It´s amazing seeing so many miracles here. With some of the things that we've had here, you're generally stuck in the house sick. But we haven´t had to stay in for a single day. We really have been blessed with health, even when all of the odds are against us. It´s something that I truly am grateful for.
We´re finding so many people who have been looking for the truth as well. Some of them seem to have recently lost family, so I¨m so excited to share the Plan of Salvation with them. In the first cita(appointment) with one of the investigators that we´re now meeting with, for a while he seemed really disinterested. But after a little bit, he asked us a question as to where we go after we die, and why we suffer so much in this life. He´s from Haiti, and so I¨m sure he´s seen some really hard things. So we gave him the Plan of Salvation, and invited him to learn more with us. In the closing prayer, he thanked God for The Plan of Salvation and for Joseph Smith for restoring this information to us. It was such a heart warming thing to witness. His sister is investigating as well, so we´re hoping that they will be able to support and help each other. The only difficult thing is that they don´t speak a lot of Spanish. So we always have to bring a member who can translate and help us with that. But I´m hoping to learn little by little. At least sufficient to teach. But I guess I should probably focus on learning Spanish first.
I've finally started to dream in Spanish! I was so excited when I woke up one morning and realized that! It´s not all the time, but it´s still an exciting step. I just hope that I´ll be able to continue to progress. I really have hopes to be completely fluent by the time I finish my mission. I know I won´t be perfect in it, but I want to use this time to learn as much as I possibly can.
We had a friend with us in the house this morning. So far we've had Daisy and Jerry the rats, and now we have a new addition named Stacy the Tarantula. But needless to say that was a fun experience. Hermana Laughlin was going to the bathroom this morning when she saw something fall from the ceiling. She looked up, and there sat Stacy, right above the door. We were outside cleaning up some garbage that the cats had gotten into, when she comes out shouting that there´s a massive spider in the bathroom. When we finally saw it we were stuck on how exactly to kill it! So we grabbed the broom, and my brave companion took a shot at it....and it didn't die!!! It scuttled it´s way out of the bathroom and was trying to search for refuge in the kitchen. I was out waiting in the hallway this entire time, and needless to say that as soon as i saw that monster heading my way I ran like the spineless ninny I am. I haven´t screamed that loud in such a long time! I was out the door with Hermana Morales before the anyone could even blink.
As it was crouch in the corner of our kitchen with a leg missing and angry, we were all freaking out and trying to decide what to do. Needless to say, we said a prayer. Through which we came up with a brilliant plan to stick one of the sticky pads that we have for rats on the end of the broom and catch the monster that way. Hermana Sanchez, brave soul that she is, took another shot at it and, hallelujah, the reign of the tarantula was at an end. We caught the sucker! I took pictures just so you guys could enjoy the fun too! I´ll send them next Monday with the rest of the pictures. The computer won´t let me right now.
Needless to say, my companion is fierce. I´m so lucky to have her. She kills all the big roaches and spiders for us. God really blessed me with her. Otherwise I would just die....haha. One day maybe I´ll get the courage to kill those things, but if so it´s probably going to be near the end of my mission. After I´m a battle hardened veteran with roaches and spiders. We´ll see....haha.
All in all, it was an exciting and eventful week. It was so great to hear from all of you guys. I´m glad to hear that all is well. I know that God is taking care of you all. Thanks for all of the news and support. More pictures are on their way next week, and I´ll let you all know about Daysi´s baptism and Pantaleon´s baptismal interview. Woot! Animo, animo! I love you guys! Take care and keep me updated with all the good news from you guys and the world. Love you!
Love,
Hermana Cox
November 11th, 2013
Hola!
I hadnt heard anything about the typhoon. We honestly hear nothing about the world in general. That´s awful. We´ll be sure to add them to our prayers as well. I´m sorry to hear about Grandpa Adair. That just sounds so painful! I´ll be sure to keep him in my thoughts and prayers as well.
This week was a good one. We put our new fecha with Hermana Daisy, for the 23rd. I´m so excited! She still really wants to get batptized. So we´re working hard and have a lot of hope that all should be well. Other than that, the work is continuing to move forward. Boniya is awesome as usual. Turns out his real name is Pantaleon. What a name! haha! I love them both so much, and am so excited to keep working along with them. I can´t wait to see their progress. It´s such a blessing to have that opportunity.
We´re getting excited to welcome in a new year here, and also for the upcoming thanksgiving. Is there anyway that I could get some cheap easy recipes sent my way? And one for cranberry sauce! We´re planning on throwing a small thanksgiving for all of us and I want that to be my contribution. There are carts all over here that are just full of fresh cranberries.
It looks like the gingerbread is coming along! I´m excited to see the finished project!
End of transfers are coming up soon. We´re in week 4, and soon enough we´ll know our fates! I get the feeling that I might not stay in this time. But you never know! I know that whatever happens will be for the best.
We figured out that the apartment that we found is a no go. The owners had been hiding a leak in the wall that was flooding the apartment. So we´re back on the hunt for a new place. I´m just thankful that we discovered that before the papers were signed and finished!
One thing that I've decided, is that being a missionary here is kind of like how I imagine being a celebrity is like. There are strange men yelling out that they want to marry you, or that they´re in love with you. Everyone wants to wave at you, or asks if you remember them, children run to you in the streets, and you spend a lot of time writing your name on all of the pamphlets and Books of Mormon.
The kids here are my favorite. There is one street where there are these two little girls who yell at us every time we pass by. Which is multiple times a day. They´re probably only 3 or 4, but they scream ADIOS! at the top of their little lungs every time and wave at us. On another street there is a group of kids who like to do races with me. Whenever we go down that road they get a race, and they learned all of our names within just a few weeks. They always give us high fives, and give us hugs. It´s one thing that I´m going to miss a lot about this area. Maybe one day all of these kids will grow up and have that chance to hear the missionaries and be baptized. I have hope! I just love them all so much. I get to teach the kids English class every Saturday, and they are all just so enthusiastic! (and maybe just a little naughty....but what can ya do.) They all come and give me hugs, and love all the English songs that we teach them. It´s just been so fun being their teacher! I´ll be sure to get a picture with all of them before I leave!
Also, here are some pictures of my small birthday party! It was so great to hear from all of you guys! We had shortened time writing today, so I´m sorry I couldn't write you guys more. I love you all, and thank you for everything! All is well here in the tropics! Stay safe and healthy! Thank you for the prayers, and I´ll keep praying for you all as always. Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I hadnt heard anything about the typhoon. We honestly hear nothing about the world in general. That´s awful. We´ll be sure to add them to our prayers as well. I´m sorry to hear about Grandpa Adair. That just sounds so painful! I´ll be sure to keep him in my thoughts and prayers as well.
This week was a good one. We put our new fecha with Hermana Daisy, for the 23rd. I´m so excited! She still really wants to get batptized. So we´re working hard and have a lot of hope that all should be well. Other than that, the work is continuing to move forward. Boniya is awesome as usual. Turns out his real name is Pantaleon. What a name! haha! I love them both so much, and am so excited to keep working along with them. I can´t wait to see their progress. It´s such a blessing to have that opportunity.
We´re getting excited to welcome in a new year here, and also for the upcoming thanksgiving. Is there anyway that I could get some cheap easy recipes sent my way? And one for cranberry sauce! We´re planning on throwing a small thanksgiving for all of us and I want that to be my contribution. There are carts all over here that are just full of fresh cranberries.
It looks like the gingerbread is coming along! I´m excited to see the finished project!
End of transfers are coming up soon. We´re in week 4, and soon enough we´ll know our fates! I get the feeling that I might not stay in this time. But you never know! I know that whatever happens will be for the best.
We figured out that the apartment that we found is a no go. The owners had been hiding a leak in the wall that was flooding the apartment. So we´re back on the hunt for a new place. I´m just thankful that we discovered that before the papers were signed and finished!
One thing that I've decided, is that being a missionary here is kind of like how I imagine being a celebrity is like. There are strange men yelling out that they want to marry you, or that they´re in love with you. Everyone wants to wave at you, or asks if you remember them, children run to you in the streets, and you spend a lot of time writing your name on all of the pamphlets and Books of Mormon.
The kids here are my favorite. There is one street where there are these two little girls who yell at us every time we pass by. Which is multiple times a day. They´re probably only 3 or 4, but they scream ADIOS! at the top of their little lungs every time and wave at us. On another street there is a group of kids who like to do races with me. Whenever we go down that road they get a race, and they learned all of our names within just a few weeks. They always give us high fives, and give us hugs. It´s one thing that I´m going to miss a lot about this area. Maybe one day all of these kids will grow up and have that chance to hear the missionaries and be baptized. I have hope! I just love them all so much. I get to teach the kids English class every Saturday, and they are all just so enthusiastic! (and maybe just a little naughty....but what can ya do.) They all come and give me hugs, and love all the English songs that we teach them. It´s just been so fun being their teacher! I´ll be sure to get a picture with all of them before I leave!
Also, here are some pictures of my small birthday party! It was so great to hear from all of you guys! We had shortened time writing today, so I´m sorry I couldn't write you guys more. I love you all, and thank you for everything! All is well here in the tropics! Stay safe and healthy! Thank you for the prayers, and I´ll keep praying for you all as always. Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
November 4th, 2013
Hola!
Things are going great here in the DR! I can´t believe that I¨m going to be hitting the big 20! Needless to say that I never imagined that I would be spending my birthday this way, but I´m so glad that I can. I made a banana mango smoothie with fried platanos to celebrate. Things have been cooling down here, which has been such a blessing. It feel so weird to not be covered in sweat now though! hahah. It´s taking some adjusting to. I´m ashamed to admit that I even get cold in the mornings....I´m probably going to die when I come home next December.
This week has been a pretty eventful one as well. Bonive has accepted a fecha!! We´re so excited, because the first time we asked him he flat out said no, but slowly as he´s been reading the Book of the Mormon and talking with us his heart has been softened. He actually ASKED us, how he could be baptized as Jesus Christ was and become a member of the church. We just about died!! His fecha is the 30th of November, and we've been meeting with him each day to be sure that we can get through everything in a way that he can remember it. It was the cutest thing ever though. When he finally accepted the fecha, he prayed at the end of the cita that the 30th would come quickly so he could be baptized. I just love him so much. Meeting with him just always brightens my day.
On a bit of a less happy note, we had to push back Daisy´s fecha. She´s been receiving a lot of outside pressure from her family and neighbors about the church, and has taken a few steps back. So we´re going to keep teaching her, but we´re going to need to wait a little bit longer till we feel like she´s ready. But the road to being baptized is always a hard one, and I would way rather push things back than baptize someone who isn't ready. She still seems to really like everything about the church, she just needs some support and some time to clear her doubts.
We had another rat in the house this week! It was just chilling in the other sisters bathroom. Poor Hermana Morales, who only has a few weeks here, got u`p the shower and had that nasty surprise waiting there for her! Luckily this one was caught with much less fanfare an chaos. We have experience now! We are hardened warriors!! haha! But needless to say we can´t wait till the day that we move to our new apartment. We´ve finally found one and it is SO nice! And on the 2nd floor, would should solve a lot of our problems. Now we just need to get it approved from the office, and we´re working on that. So hopefully we´ll have a new house before the end of the transfer.
It´s looking like we might have something nearing 24 hour light here, which I am so excited about! It will make grocery shopping so much easier! I just hope it holds that way. This week we also had a service project in the stake that we took part in. It was a free medical clinic, where people could come and get a check up for free, along with free medicine. It was so wonderful to take part in that. There were a lot of people in need. Needless to say though, it got a little crazy! There were doctors taking out teeth, x rays, the whole shabang! Apparently it´s a yearly thing. Hermana Sanchez and I were in charge of helping with the general check ups, and making sure that everyone waited in order and received care. In some ways I felt like I was working in fast food again! I've never been yelled at by so many people in Spanish in my life! haha! It was a little stressful, but rally rewarding. There were a lot of people who were extremely grateful for the extra care and help.
Overall it was a busy, but amazing week! I love La Isabelita. I´ll be sad when I have to leave it here. Winter in the DR is SO much better than the summer, and we have some awesome investigators. I´m glad to hear that all is going well at home. I love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Things are going great here in the DR! I can´t believe that I¨m going to be hitting the big 20! Needless to say that I never imagined that I would be spending my birthday this way, but I´m so glad that I can. I made a banana mango smoothie with fried platanos to celebrate. Things have been cooling down here, which has been such a blessing. It feel so weird to not be covered in sweat now though! hahah. It´s taking some adjusting to. I´m ashamed to admit that I even get cold in the mornings....I´m probably going to die when I come home next December.
This week has been a pretty eventful one as well. Bonive has accepted a fecha!! We´re so excited, because the first time we asked him he flat out said no, but slowly as he´s been reading the Book of the Mormon and talking with us his heart has been softened. He actually ASKED us, how he could be baptized as Jesus Christ was and become a member of the church. We just about died!! His fecha is the 30th of November, and we've been meeting with him each day to be sure that we can get through everything in a way that he can remember it. It was the cutest thing ever though. When he finally accepted the fecha, he prayed at the end of the cita that the 30th would come quickly so he could be baptized. I just love him so much. Meeting with him just always brightens my day.
On a bit of a less happy note, we had to push back Daisy´s fecha. She´s been receiving a lot of outside pressure from her family and neighbors about the church, and has taken a few steps back. So we´re going to keep teaching her, but we´re going to need to wait a little bit longer till we feel like she´s ready. But the road to being baptized is always a hard one, and I would way rather push things back than baptize someone who isn't ready. She still seems to really like everything about the church, she just needs some support and some time to clear her doubts.
We had another rat in the house this week! It was just chilling in the other sisters bathroom. Poor Hermana Morales, who only has a few weeks here, got u`p the shower and had that nasty surprise waiting there for her! Luckily this one was caught with much less fanfare an chaos. We have experience now! We are hardened warriors!! haha! But needless to say we can´t wait till the day that we move to our new apartment. We´ve finally found one and it is SO nice! And on the 2nd floor, would should solve a lot of our problems. Now we just need to get it approved from the office, and we´re working on that. So hopefully we´ll have a new house before the end of the transfer.
It´s looking like we might have something nearing 24 hour light here, which I am so excited about! It will make grocery shopping so much easier! I just hope it holds that way. This week we also had a service project in the stake that we took part in. It was a free medical clinic, where people could come and get a check up for free, along with free medicine. It was so wonderful to take part in that. There were a lot of people in need. Needless to say though, it got a little crazy! There were doctors taking out teeth, x rays, the whole shabang! Apparently it´s a yearly thing. Hermana Sanchez and I were in charge of helping with the general check ups, and making sure that everyone waited in order and received care. In some ways I felt like I was working in fast food again! I've never been yelled at by so many people in Spanish in my life! haha! It was a little stressful, but rally rewarding. There were a lot of people who were extremely grateful for the extra care and help.
Overall it was a busy, but amazing week! I love La Isabelita. I´ll be sad when I have to leave it here. Winter in the DR is SO much better than the summer, and we have some awesome investigators. I´m glad to hear that all is going well at home. I love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
October 28th, 2013
Hola!
Como esta ustedes? Todo esta bein aqui en la Republica Domicana! It was a great week this week! I'm having so much fun staying with Hermana Sanchez! We have recently been finding a lot of old investigators that the elders had been teaching almost 2 years ago! So it's always interesting to hear about how it's someones second chance to hear the gospel. But we have a lot of hope that maybe it's their time to accept the gospel now. If not, at least we will have played our part in helping them to accept it one day in the future.
The old man that I told you about last week has been one of the investigators that I've had the most fun teaching this week. His name is Bonive, and he is just hilarious! He's such a sweet old man, and he's finally accepted the invitation for baptism!!! We haven't put a fecha yet, but we had a lot of hope for him. He has so many questions, and is praying and searching the scriptures for his answer that this is the true church. But since he can't really read all too well we're trying to arrange something with the Elder Quorum so that at least one to two days every week a member will stop by and read the Book of Mormon to him. I just love teaching him so much! I love old people! haha!
One new idea that we're trying or talking about implementing in our ward is really interesting, and I thought I would share it with you guys too. They were saying in this last conference that members needed to know the names of the people the the missionaries are teaching. One new idea that the new sister had coming in had was to have families in the ward assigned an investigator. And every night they pray for them by name, and visit with that investigator one time in the week. Kind of like visiting teaching, but for investigators. That way they have a friend set in the ward, and feel known and loved by the members. I think it's a great idea, so I thought it would be fun for you guys to hear and mull over as well to see if it's something that you think might benefit your wards as well.
Exciting news of the Weeek!!!! WE'RE MOVING HOUSES!
We're moving! I'm so happy! I like our house and all, but for various reasons they're deciding to move us. The only difficult part is that we have to look for ourselves...which is proving harder than I though. But I'll let you guys know when we get the new set up. It's going to be so fun!
I'm glad to hear that the Trunk or Treats all around went well. Meg and Chris, you guys look so cute! Or I guess manly for Chris...I can't imagine him finding cute a compliment...haha. It's sounds like work is coming along in the house. I guess that chain saw is coming to use at least. Maybe you can use that scythe too to cut up the branches! haha! We're still working on the Primary Program here. We're having our last practice this Saturday...it will be interesting to say the least!
Other than that it's been work as usual. I'm glad to hear all is well. All is well here, and it's even getting a little cool! I hope you know that almost all of the candy from the package is gone already, with exception of the Nutella (thanks dad!) and the Twizzlers. It was just so good! Thank you for everything! I love you guys a ton, and I hope you all have a great week! I can't believe that I'll be turning 20 soon! It's so weird....I'm getting old! Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Como esta ustedes? Todo esta bein aqui en la Republica Domicana! It was a great week this week! I'm having so much fun staying with Hermana Sanchez! We have recently been finding a lot of old investigators that the elders had been teaching almost 2 years ago! So it's always interesting to hear about how it's someones second chance to hear the gospel. But we have a lot of hope that maybe it's their time to accept the gospel now. If not, at least we will have played our part in helping them to accept it one day in the future.
The old man that I told you about last week has been one of the investigators that I've had the most fun teaching this week. His name is Bonive, and he is just hilarious! He's such a sweet old man, and he's finally accepted the invitation for baptism!!! We haven't put a fecha yet, but we had a lot of hope for him. He has so many questions, and is praying and searching the scriptures for his answer that this is the true church. But since he can't really read all too well we're trying to arrange something with the Elder Quorum so that at least one to two days every week a member will stop by and read the Book of Mormon to him. I just love teaching him so much! I love old people! haha!
One new idea that we're trying or talking about implementing in our ward is really interesting, and I thought I would share it with you guys too. They were saying in this last conference that members needed to know the names of the people the the missionaries are teaching. One new idea that the new sister had coming in had was to have families in the ward assigned an investigator. And every night they pray for them by name, and visit with that investigator one time in the week. Kind of like visiting teaching, but for investigators. That way they have a friend set in the ward, and feel known and loved by the members. I think it's a great idea, so I thought it would be fun for you guys to hear and mull over as well to see if it's something that you think might benefit your wards as well.
Exciting news of the Weeek!!!! WE'RE MOVING HOUSES!
We're moving! I'm so happy! I like our house and all, but for various reasons they're deciding to move us. The only difficult part is that we have to look for ourselves...which is proving harder than I though. But I'll let you guys know when we get the new set up. It's going to be so fun!
I'm glad to hear that the Trunk or Treats all around went well. Meg and Chris, you guys look so cute! Or I guess manly for Chris...I can't imagine him finding cute a compliment...haha. It's sounds like work is coming along in the house. I guess that chain saw is coming to use at least. Maybe you can use that scythe too to cut up the branches! haha! We're still working on the Primary Program here. We're having our last practice this Saturday...it will be interesting to say the least!
Other than that it's been work as usual. I'm glad to hear all is well. All is well here, and it's even getting a little cool! I hope you know that almost all of the candy from the package is gone already, with exception of the Nutella (thanks dad!) and the Twizzlers. It was just so good! Thank you for everything! I love you guys a ton, and I hope you all have a great week! I can't believe that I'll be turning 20 soon! It's so weird....I'm getting old! Love you!
Love
Hermana Cox
October 21st, 2013
Hola!
Transfers are over and the news is in! Are you guys ready?! ......I'm staying in La Isabelita! Woot! And me and Hermana Sanchez are staying together here. I'm actually really excited. Me and her get along really well, and if all goes as planned this means that we will both get to see Hermana Daizy's baptism! I'm so happy! Only one of the Hermanas in our house is changing. It should be a really good transfer though.
This week was really great. We are continuing to work with Hermana Daizy, and had the chance to see the Joseph Smith movie with her. She seemed to like it a lot, but the most exciting thing is that she is shooting her way through the book of Mormon! When we visited her at the beginning of the week, she had just finished chapter 1 of 1st Nephi. We had our next visit and were chatting about where she was in the Book of Mormon, she informed us that she had read all the way to chapter 11! Of course we were thrilled, and I decided to share a scripture that I love that is in 1 Nephi 10 with her. When I told her the reference she looked really confused, and then said "Oh! No, I'm actually in 2 Nephi chapter 11." We just about died! She read all of that in just a few days. She truly is feasting on the words of Christ. She was just so touched by the story of Lehi, and how he left all to follow the word of the Lord. It's just so exciting seeing her progress. She recognizes the spirit now, and can apply it in her life. She told us in one of our citas that she had been thinking about going out, when she got a feeling that she should stay in and read the Book of Mormon. Next thing she knows, a couple of minutes later we stopped by unexpectedly! As I was describing the spirit, she looked at me and asked me if that was what that was. I just about died! I wanted to scream YES!!! But I didn't want to scare her....haha! Things are going really well with Daizy.
We also found another investigator who is just a little up there in years. He is super sweet though. We just have to make sure that we repeat everything a couple times for him! He can't read too well, so we've starting making citas to stop by and read the Book of Mormon to him and bishop has been giving him rides to church because he can't really walk. He has a lot of questions, and seems to be really interested in the manner of baptism. He hasn't quite accepted it yet, but I'm hoping that in time he will make his way there.
I also learned a lot about selfless service this week. One of the sisters in the house caught Dengue, and the other had a fever this week. We figured out late Saturday night, and were stressing out because we didn't have the pills that they needed to take to drop the fever and help them heal. So we called a member in the ward to see if he knew any pharmacies that were open 24-7. Instead, he came to our house and then went out to look himself so we could stay and take care of the sisters. He was gone for a really long time, and then we get a call all of the sudden letting us know that he and the bishop were a couple cities away and had finally found a pharmacy that was open and sold the pills. It was such a blessing to have them there! I was extremely grateful. The sisters are getting much better though, no need to worry!
I got my birthday package today too! Woot! Thank you so much! The clothes in there are SO cute! I love them so much! The shoes are perfect, and the m and m's and sour patch were life sends! Love the ring, and the pills were such a blessing! I was just about out, so it came just in time. I hope you didn't expect me to wait to open it until my birthday....you know me! I just can't do that! haha. Also, my card got here safe and sound. And I chopped up my old card into little bitty pieces. The only downside though, is that it looks like some of the package checkers enjoyed my m and m's as much and I do....haha! Ah well, at least they didn't steal anything, or eat ALL of them! Look on the bright side!
Funny story of the day! Some man tried to pick pocket me on the bus today. Something seemed up, but I wasn't quite sure until some other lady caught him later trying to get into her bag. Needless to say he got kicked off. Mostly I just find it funny, because all he would have gotten in a pamphlet explaining about the first vision! Also, I invited him to church! haha! Who knows, if he did nab a pamphlet, maybe he'll read it and get baptized. Weirder things have happened!
So that's the news of the week! Thank you so much for everything! For the package, and the birthday wishes, and all of your support and prayers. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and take care. I'm glad to hear that everything is going so well, and that the Lord is taking care of you all so well. Next thing you know it will be Christmas, and I'll be a third of the way through. The time really is flying! I love you, and make good choices! haha.
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Transfers are over and the news is in! Are you guys ready?! ......I'm staying in La Isabelita! Woot! And me and Hermana Sanchez are staying together here. I'm actually really excited. Me and her get along really well, and if all goes as planned this means that we will both get to see Hermana Daizy's baptism! I'm so happy! Only one of the Hermanas in our house is changing. It should be a really good transfer though.
This week was really great. We are continuing to work with Hermana Daizy, and had the chance to see the Joseph Smith movie with her. She seemed to like it a lot, but the most exciting thing is that she is shooting her way through the book of Mormon! When we visited her at the beginning of the week, she had just finished chapter 1 of 1st Nephi. We had our next visit and were chatting about where she was in the Book of Mormon, she informed us that she had read all the way to chapter 11! Of course we were thrilled, and I decided to share a scripture that I love that is in 1 Nephi 10 with her. When I told her the reference she looked really confused, and then said "Oh! No, I'm actually in 2 Nephi chapter 11." We just about died! She read all of that in just a few days. She truly is feasting on the words of Christ. She was just so touched by the story of Lehi, and how he left all to follow the word of the Lord. It's just so exciting seeing her progress. She recognizes the spirit now, and can apply it in her life. She told us in one of our citas that she had been thinking about going out, when she got a feeling that she should stay in and read the Book of Mormon. Next thing she knows, a couple of minutes later we stopped by unexpectedly! As I was describing the spirit, she looked at me and asked me if that was what that was. I just about died! I wanted to scream YES!!! But I didn't want to scare her....haha! Things are going really well with Daizy.
We also found another investigator who is just a little up there in years. He is super sweet though. We just have to make sure that we repeat everything a couple times for him! He can't read too well, so we've starting making citas to stop by and read the Book of Mormon to him and bishop has been giving him rides to church because he can't really walk. He has a lot of questions, and seems to be really interested in the manner of baptism. He hasn't quite accepted it yet, but I'm hoping that in time he will make his way there.
I also learned a lot about selfless service this week. One of the sisters in the house caught Dengue, and the other had a fever this week. We figured out late Saturday night, and were stressing out because we didn't have the pills that they needed to take to drop the fever and help them heal. So we called a member in the ward to see if he knew any pharmacies that were open 24-7. Instead, he came to our house and then went out to look himself so we could stay and take care of the sisters. He was gone for a really long time, and then we get a call all of the sudden letting us know that he and the bishop were a couple cities away and had finally found a pharmacy that was open and sold the pills. It was such a blessing to have them there! I was extremely grateful. The sisters are getting much better though, no need to worry!
I got my birthday package today too! Woot! Thank you so much! The clothes in there are SO cute! I love them so much! The shoes are perfect, and the m and m's and sour patch were life sends! Love the ring, and the pills were such a blessing! I was just about out, so it came just in time. I hope you didn't expect me to wait to open it until my birthday....you know me! I just can't do that! haha. Also, my card got here safe and sound. And I chopped up my old card into little bitty pieces. The only downside though, is that it looks like some of the package checkers enjoyed my m and m's as much and I do....haha! Ah well, at least they didn't steal anything, or eat ALL of them! Look on the bright side!
Funny story of the day! Some man tried to pick pocket me on the bus today. Something seemed up, but I wasn't quite sure until some other lady caught him later trying to get into her bag. Needless to say he got kicked off. Mostly I just find it funny, because all he would have gotten in a pamphlet explaining about the first vision! Also, I invited him to church! haha! Who knows, if he did nab a pamphlet, maybe he'll read it and get baptized. Weirder things have happened!
So that's the news of the week! Thank you so much for everything! For the package, and the birthday wishes, and all of your support and prayers. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and take care. I'm glad to hear that everything is going so well, and that the Lord is taking care of you all so well. Next thing you know it will be Christmas, and I'll be a third of the way through. The time really is flying! I love you, and make good choices! haha.
Love
Hermana Cox
October 14th, 2013
Hooolllaa!
How is everyone doing? It's been a really good week this week! I can't believe that we already have transfers this week! We'll find out this Sunday and so I'll be able to let you guys know if I'm moving next Monday. I also will hit 4 months this week. It's crazy how time fly's. We took a trip to the CCM today for p day, and I ate fast food for the first time in ages! It was a beautiful thing.We went to Wendy's, I don't think a frosty will taste that good ever again in my life. Everyone was in suits and nice clothes. We felt really gross to say the least....haha! I never really realize if I smell bad until we go to the CCM. But no worries, I promise I'm keeping up good hygiene.
But the exciting news of the week is that Daisy accepted a date for baptism! Woot! It's for the 9th of November, and we're really excited for her. She's just such a sweet heart. But it's amazing how fast Lucifer starts working with us as soon as we take a step in the right direction. The day after she accepted a date for baptism we stopped by and she said that someone was telling her not to get baptized in the church, because we don't believe in God and Jesus Christ. To her eternal credit, Daisy's response was, "Yes we do believe in Jesus Christ and God! We start our prayers saying dear Heavenly Father and we end them in the name of Jesus Christ!" Needless to say we were thrilled. She's already counting herself as a member, because she says we not them when she talks about members of the church! We're continuing to work hard with her to say the least.
On another note, mom, I thought you would be happy to hear that the plan of salvation puzzle came into use in helping to teach Daisy the plan of salvation. She loved it! It became a bit of a game for her to put it together in the right way. And it helped to explain it more clearly. So thank you so much! It has been put to good use!
On another happy note, Marshie got up and bore her testimony this fast and testimony meeting! It was so great to hear about the reestablishment of her faith. I'm just so happy to be a part of that. She's just the coolest person ever.
The other sisters in our house had another baptism this week, so it was great to bring Daisy along so she could see it. She was really curious, but seemed really excited about it.
Other than that it's just been work as usual. I will finish the training program this week, which means that I will be a regular missionary now. Or technically I could be a trainer...but I don't know if I'm quite ready for that yet. But God really is the only one who knows, so we'll see. But to finish the training I'm completely in charge this week. I have to start every single contacting situation and lesson. I have the phone, and everything else. So we'll see how that goes! It shouldn't be too bad, but it will definitely be a lot of responsibility.
The primary program in practice here too, and I'm going to be playing the piano for it. So needless to say my calling for the primary before helped me out a lot to be ready for this. There is only around 7 kids that were in practice, but it's chugging it's way along. They're even singing that "If the Savoir walked beside me"song that you guys like so much. But all in all the work in coming along, and good things are happening every day. We have an investigator who doesn't really speak Spanish. But it's completely true that the Spirit speaks all languages. It really is remarkable the work and the miracles that he is able to do.
I love you all, and am so glad to hear that everything is going well at home! Stay safe and sound. I'm praying for you guys daily, and I hope that you´re continuing in your conversion the gospel.
Love
Hermana Cox
Hooolllaa!
How is everyone doing? It's been a really good week this week! I can't believe that we already have transfers this week! We'll find out this Sunday and so I'll be able to let you guys know if I'm moving next Monday. I also will hit 4 months this week. It's crazy how time fly's. We took a trip to the CCM today for p day, and I ate fast food for the first time in ages! It was a beautiful thing.We went to Wendy's, I don't think a frosty will taste that good ever again in my life. Everyone was in suits and nice clothes. We felt really gross to say the least....haha! I never really realize if I smell bad until we go to the CCM. But no worries, I promise I'm keeping up good hygiene.
But the exciting news of the week is that Daisy accepted a date for baptism! Woot! It's for the 9th of November, and we're really excited for her. She's just such a sweet heart. But it's amazing how fast Lucifer starts working with us as soon as we take a step in the right direction. The day after she accepted a date for baptism we stopped by and she said that someone was telling her not to get baptized in the church, because we don't believe in God and Jesus Christ. To her eternal credit, Daisy's response was, "Yes we do believe in Jesus Christ and God! We start our prayers saying dear Heavenly Father and we end them in the name of Jesus Christ!" Needless to say we were thrilled. She's already counting herself as a member, because she says we not them when she talks about members of the church! We're continuing to work hard with her to say the least.
On another note, mom, I thought you would be happy to hear that the plan of salvation puzzle came into use in helping to teach Daisy the plan of salvation. She loved it! It became a bit of a game for her to put it together in the right way. And it helped to explain it more clearly. So thank you so much! It has been put to good use!
On another happy note, Marshie got up and bore her testimony this fast and testimony meeting! It was so great to hear about the reestablishment of her faith. I'm just so happy to be a part of that. She's just the coolest person ever.
The other sisters in our house had another baptism this week, so it was great to bring Daisy along so she could see it. She was really curious, but seemed really excited about it.
Other than that it's just been work as usual. I will finish the training program this week, which means that I will be a regular missionary now. Or technically I could be a trainer...but I don't know if I'm quite ready for that yet. But God really is the only one who knows, so we'll see. But to finish the training I'm completely in charge this week. I have to start every single contacting situation and lesson. I have the phone, and everything else. So we'll see how that goes! It shouldn't be too bad, but it will definitely be a lot of responsibility.
The primary program in practice here too, and I'm going to be playing the piano for it. So needless to say my calling for the primary before helped me out a lot to be ready for this. There is only around 7 kids that were in practice, but it's chugging it's way along. They're even singing that "If the Savoir walked beside me"song that you guys like so much. But all in all the work in coming along, and good things are happening every day. We have an investigator who doesn't really speak Spanish. But it's completely true that the Spirit speaks all languages. It really is remarkable the work and the miracles that he is able to do.
I love you all, and am so glad to hear that everything is going well at home! Stay safe and sound. I'm praying for you guys daily, and I hope that you´re continuing in your conversion the gospel.
Love
Hermana Cox
October 7th, 2013
Hola!
This are going great here in the tropics! Conference was probably the best thing ever. I don't know how I survived not taking notes in conference before! We were really blessed from the Lord, and were able to see all of the sessions of conference. Because we're only allowed to go to the Saturday sessions of conference if we have investigators there. And with the help of God we were able to find someone to go every session. Not only that, but the bishop hooked up his computer so that we could watch it in English in his air conditioned office. The sad thing is, is that I've started to reach the point where I need to wear a sweater when I'm in air conditioning. I've started to get acclimated to the tropics! I'm going to die come next December! I really loved Elder Dube's and Elder Richard G Scott's talks. I just love conference so much! I'm happy that I get to see three while I'm out.
Other than that things are chugging along as usual. One thing that we've learned this week is that the Lord works in mysterious ways. One of the investigators that we've been working with seems to have stopped progressing a little bit. But while we were talking with her, and considering in our minds whether or not we should return, she dropped just in passing that her daughter has been reading The Book of Mormon that we left with her. We've really only talked with her daughter a few times, but it was exciting to see that sometime our teaching effects people that we don't even know, in ways that we don't always see. It's comforting to know that while every effort to share the gospel might not always work out the way that we think it will, if we are following the Spirit the Lord always has a purpose intended for it.
We're continuing to work with an investigator named Daizy, who has been working on reading and praying about The Book of Mormon. She's a really sweet soul.
In other good news, Marshie the Menos Acvito that has returned to church is getting married in December! Woot! I'm so excited for her. We're stopping by tomorrow to help her get some things ready for it (good thing Meg and Al's weddings gave me some good practice!). I love her so much.
Life here is good. The time is passing so fast I can hardly believe it! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be here. The President Hernandez always says that we're not on our mission for our investigators. We're here because the Lord needs to teach us. I'm really feeling that a lot this transfer. I'm so grateful for the chance to grow that this has been even in just this short amount of time. I'm finally starting to understand a little bit the phrase "being anxiously engaged in a good cause." Time is such a gift! I"m learning to Look up, and that God speaks. I know that He really does.
On a less serious note, our neighbor is apparently a singer. And he put up a poster close to our house called "The Power of the Cornrows!" Needless to say we're extremely sad that we're going to have to miss that concert. The other two sisters tried to take the poster for remembrance, but sadly it's stuck pretty well to the wall. What a shame. Ah well, one of those trials to endure. Maybe if we're lucky we'll be able to find him online when we go home. haha!
I love you all! I'm glad to hear that you all had such a great week. Keep up the good work in all that you do! Love you!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
This are going great here in the tropics! Conference was probably the best thing ever. I don't know how I survived not taking notes in conference before! We were really blessed from the Lord, and were able to see all of the sessions of conference. Because we're only allowed to go to the Saturday sessions of conference if we have investigators there. And with the help of God we were able to find someone to go every session. Not only that, but the bishop hooked up his computer so that we could watch it in English in his air conditioned office. The sad thing is, is that I've started to reach the point where I need to wear a sweater when I'm in air conditioning. I've started to get acclimated to the tropics! I'm going to die come next December! I really loved Elder Dube's and Elder Richard G Scott's talks. I just love conference so much! I'm happy that I get to see three while I'm out.
Other than that things are chugging along as usual. One thing that we've learned this week is that the Lord works in mysterious ways. One of the investigators that we've been working with seems to have stopped progressing a little bit. But while we were talking with her, and considering in our minds whether or not we should return, she dropped just in passing that her daughter has been reading The Book of Mormon that we left with her. We've really only talked with her daughter a few times, but it was exciting to see that sometime our teaching effects people that we don't even know, in ways that we don't always see. It's comforting to know that while every effort to share the gospel might not always work out the way that we think it will, if we are following the Spirit the Lord always has a purpose intended for it.
We're continuing to work with an investigator named Daizy, who has been working on reading and praying about The Book of Mormon. She's a really sweet soul.
In other good news, Marshie the Menos Acvito that has returned to church is getting married in December! Woot! I'm so excited for her. We're stopping by tomorrow to help her get some things ready for it (good thing Meg and Al's weddings gave me some good practice!). I love her so much.
Life here is good. The time is passing so fast I can hardly believe it! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be here. The President Hernandez always says that we're not on our mission for our investigators. We're here because the Lord needs to teach us. I'm really feeling that a lot this transfer. I'm so grateful for the chance to grow that this has been even in just this short amount of time. I'm finally starting to understand a little bit the phrase "being anxiously engaged in a good cause." Time is such a gift! I"m learning to Look up, and that God speaks. I know that He really does.
On a less serious note, our neighbor is apparently a singer. And he put up a poster close to our house called "The Power of the Cornrows!" Needless to say we're extremely sad that we're going to have to miss that concert. The other two sisters tried to take the poster for remembrance, but sadly it's stuck pretty well to the wall. What a shame. Ah well, one of those trials to endure. Maybe if we're lucky we'll be able to find him online when we go home. haha!
I love you all! I'm glad to hear that you all had such a great week. Keep up the good work in all that you do! Love you!
Love,
Hermana Cox
September 30th, 2013
Hola!!
Happy p day to all! I'm glad to hear that everything is going well back home. It sounds like I won't even recognize the house when I get back, Allyson will be a full on teacher, and Megan will have a Masters degree! Woot! I hope you know I was totally bragging about how smart my sisters are. You guys are awesome.
I can't wait to see all of the pictures from gingerbread this year. And I won't have to miss it next! Isn't that so weird to think about? I can't believe that we're already in October! And since I won't be able to write on your birthday.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! You're the best mom ever. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
This week was pretty uneventful as well. We had a few investigators who were able to come to the Relief Society session of conference, so we were able to go to that. It was awesome. I really didn't understand everything because it was in Spanish...but it sounded like it was a lot about covenants. With all of the youth starting to make covenants so young it understandable that they're really pushing that. I am excited though that there is a good chance that our bishop will put the Sunday conference in a separate room in English for us. Maybe when I'm farther along I'll be able to watch it in Spanish, but as for now...I have some work to do still.
Talking about covenants, we were able to go the temple this week!! It was so wonderful. I love the temple so much. The new video wasn't here, but that's okay. Now I've had the chance to experience the old movie in both English and Spanish. I actually really liked the session in Spanish. Lucifer sounds so much more angry and scary!
.Other than that it's just been work as usual. We're still out on the hunt for new investigators, and it's finally starting to cool off just a little. It's such a welcome relief! Now I don't sweat my face off, I just sweat. haha! We've named the dog that lives on the side of our house Rufus, and I took a test today to see if the parasites and E coli are gone. We´ll get the results back later today.We have an investigator named Daisy that we've been working with lately. She's really sweet, and seems to really like both church and the Book of Mormon. (of course! who can't?) We also received a reference from the church from someone who requested missionaries, so we'll see how that goes! My companion said that she's never had that before. I'm excited to meet them.
One thing that I have been learning time and time again here, is how much the Lord has to teach us. Even though I've just barely started the mission, I can already see the changes that He's trying to make in me and in the people around me. Both missionaries and investigators. The power to change is such a gift, and I'm becoming more and more grateful for that opportunity He gives us. I'm so excited to see the end results that He has in mind for each and every one of us. More and more I'm learning that to be a disciple of Christ isn't easy, but that there is so much joy and progress, learning and blessings that come through it. I'm so excited for the opportunity to be here serving a mission. I feel like it's already starting to fly by! I love you guys a ton! I'm glad to hear that all is going well. I am slightly jealous of the juice...but considering I get fresh mango juice I know I can't complain too much. I love you all! Thank you for all of your prayers and support, and know that I'm praying for you guys as well. Mom, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Party hard for me, and eat some really good cake. Ally, good luck with the new teacher....I hope she isn't too scary! I bet you'll do great. Kids love you. Meg, good luck on the thesis! Let me know when you're defending for sure and I'll pray really REALLY hard for you! And Eliza is probably the cutest little girl ever. Dad, keep it up and work. All the girls in the house think you're really funny 8). (that´s supposed to be a smiley. I don't know how to do them on these weird keyboards!)
Love you all!
Hermana Cox
Hola!!
Happy p day to all! I'm glad to hear that everything is going well back home. It sounds like I won't even recognize the house when I get back, Allyson will be a full on teacher, and Megan will have a Masters degree! Woot! I hope you know I was totally bragging about how smart my sisters are. You guys are awesome.
I can't wait to see all of the pictures from gingerbread this year. And I won't have to miss it next! Isn't that so weird to think about? I can't believe that we're already in October! And since I won't be able to write on your birthday.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! You're the best mom ever. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.
This week was pretty uneventful as well. We had a few investigators who were able to come to the Relief Society session of conference, so we were able to go to that. It was awesome. I really didn't understand everything because it was in Spanish...but it sounded like it was a lot about covenants. With all of the youth starting to make covenants so young it understandable that they're really pushing that. I am excited though that there is a good chance that our bishop will put the Sunday conference in a separate room in English for us. Maybe when I'm farther along I'll be able to watch it in Spanish, but as for now...I have some work to do still.
Talking about covenants, we were able to go the temple this week!! It was so wonderful. I love the temple so much. The new video wasn't here, but that's okay. Now I've had the chance to experience the old movie in both English and Spanish. I actually really liked the session in Spanish. Lucifer sounds so much more angry and scary!
.Other than that it's just been work as usual. We're still out on the hunt for new investigators, and it's finally starting to cool off just a little. It's such a welcome relief! Now I don't sweat my face off, I just sweat. haha! We've named the dog that lives on the side of our house Rufus, and I took a test today to see if the parasites and E coli are gone. We´ll get the results back later today.We have an investigator named Daisy that we've been working with lately. She's really sweet, and seems to really like both church and the Book of Mormon. (of course! who can't?) We also received a reference from the church from someone who requested missionaries, so we'll see how that goes! My companion said that she's never had that before. I'm excited to meet them.
One thing that I have been learning time and time again here, is how much the Lord has to teach us. Even though I've just barely started the mission, I can already see the changes that He's trying to make in me and in the people around me. Both missionaries and investigators. The power to change is such a gift, and I'm becoming more and more grateful for that opportunity He gives us. I'm so excited to see the end results that He has in mind for each and every one of us. More and more I'm learning that to be a disciple of Christ isn't easy, but that there is so much joy and progress, learning and blessings that come through it. I'm so excited for the opportunity to be here serving a mission. I feel like it's already starting to fly by! I love you guys a ton! I'm glad to hear that all is going well. I am slightly jealous of the juice...but considering I get fresh mango juice I know I can't complain too much. I love you all! Thank you for all of your prayers and support, and know that I'm praying for you guys as well. Mom, I hope you have a wonderful birthday! Party hard for me, and eat some really good cake. Ally, good luck with the new teacher....I hope she isn't too scary! I bet you'll do great. Kids love you. Meg, good luck on the thesis! Let me know when you're defending for sure and I'll pray really REALLY hard for you! And Eliza is probably the cutest little girl ever. Dad, keep it up and work. All the girls in the house think you're really funny 8). (that´s supposed to be a smiley. I don't know how to do them on these weird keyboards!)
Love you all!
Hermana Cox
September 23rd, 2013
Hola!
It has been quite the eventful week! So many stories to tell. First off, I got my package!!! Woo! Thank you so much. It was amazing. The music was a gift to the whole house, and all of the girls wanted me to tell you thank you. We were getting so sick of the same CD every day. They are especially a fan of the Pride and Prejudice music. I can't tell you how happy I was to open it up and see all of that. I just wanted to cry! The sanatizer was brilliant. I'm glad that all of the sanitizer for my project is finally getting put to good use. I've already polished off the M and M's and I'm pacing myself with the rest so I'll always have a little something to look forward to. I love the bobby pins too. My hair is getting so long! You wouldn't even believe it. All in all, thank you SO much! It was such a great surprise.
On the downside....it's been a bit of a crazy week. Mail hadn't come in forever, so I wasn't planning on getting my package for a while. But, one of the girls in the house was vomiting and had to get taken to the hospital. On their way back they stopped and picked up our mail for us. So it was like Christmas when I woke up and found it sitting on the table!
We figured out though that we have parasites and E. coli, which has been really taking it out of us this week. We can't figure out what it was that we ate, or if it's from the house but needless to say we're being really careful and cleaning everything really really well. It's really not as bad as I thought it would be though. I've felt much worse with just strep! So we're taking some pills and getting the little buggers killed. No need for alarm. But talk about an exciting surprise for my 3 month mark! What a gift! haha.
On a funnier note, we had the funniest freco this week! Frecos are the men that hit on us in the streets or in citas and such. I was just dying the entire time! As we were walking along and as we passed him, he said ¨hola Hermanas!¨ Generally only member call us Hermanas, so obviously we were a little curious. We didn't recognize him, so we stopped to ask him if he had talked with the missionaries before. Everything was going pretty normal, until we invited him to church....then it all went down hill. He looks over, and asks ¨does your church believe in reincarnation?¨ We told him no, after which he informed us that it was very possible. He had seen me from a distance and just had to talk to me. He knew my face, and according to him it was because ¨I may have been his queen in a past life.¨ I honestly was trying so hard not to laugh, but was failing miserably. He was trying every pick up line in the book! Needless to say we booked it out of there. I was laughing so hard I almost couldn't breathe!
We did have another really cool experience though. We had just left an appointment, and were walking down the street when all of the sudden I felt like we needed to turn back and see if there was a house. We had just been passing locked up apartment buildings, and we hadn't seen a house, so I found it a really strange though so I kept going. Then I felt the same impression again, so I stopped and asked my companion really confused if she saw a house back there. She wasn't sure, so I started marching back the way we came. Hermana Sanchez says that she was just so confused about what I was doing, but just followed to see what was going on. Sure enough, there was a house we had passed by without seeing. I yelled in, and out walks an old lady who greeted us as Hermanas and allowed us in. As we were sitting in her house I saw a Jesus the Christ and a couple other church books laying around. Surprise, surprise turns out we had found a menos activo! She´s endowed too! So we started talking to her, and she apparently wants so start coming back to church. It really was a miracle though. We left the appointment and we were both just in shock. Hermana said that she had been hearing Psst! but had assumed it was just a freco. It was just such a miracle. It´s amazing how much the Lord helps to guide us in His work.
Other than that, all is well. We're still working with a lot of MA's, and Marshie is coming to church and making friends! It's so exciting to see. Her and her BF have a wedding date, and a date to get sealed in which I should still be in the mission. So I have hopes of being able to go. The temple is this Thursday, and despite the odds I'm still hoping it's the new movie there! I want to see it so bad! It was a really great week though. The Lord has been so merciful to us, and has always given us the strength to go on and continue the work. It's amazing how many miracles there are every day. I hope that you guys are seeing them too, I know that there are miracles that are being worked over there as well. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and keep and eye out for those miracles. Thank you for everything!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It has been quite the eventful week! So many stories to tell. First off, I got my package!!! Woo! Thank you so much. It was amazing. The music was a gift to the whole house, and all of the girls wanted me to tell you thank you. We were getting so sick of the same CD every day. They are especially a fan of the Pride and Prejudice music. I can't tell you how happy I was to open it up and see all of that. I just wanted to cry! The sanatizer was brilliant. I'm glad that all of the sanitizer for my project is finally getting put to good use. I've already polished off the M and M's and I'm pacing myself with the rest so I'll always have a little something to look forward to. I love the bobby pins too. My hair is getting so long! You wouldn't even believe it. All in all, thank you SO much! It was such a great surprise.
On the downside....it's been a bit of a crazy week. Mail hadn't come in forever, so I wasn't planning on getting my package for a while. But, one of the girls in the house was vomiting and had to get taken to the hospital. On their way back they stopped and picked up our mail for us. So it was like Christmas when I woke up and found it sitting on the table!
We figured out though that we have parasites and E. coli, which has been really taking it out of us this week. We can't figure out what it was that we ate, or if it's from the house but needless to say we're being really careful and cleaning everything really really well. It's really not as bad as I thought it would be though. I've felt much worse with just strep! So we're taking some pills and getting the little buggers killed. No need for alarm. But talk about an exciting surprise for my 3 month mark! What a gift! haha.
On a funnier note, we had the funniest freco this week! Frecos are the men that hit on us in the streets or in citas and such. I was just dying the entire time! As we were walking along and as we passed him, he said ¨hola Hermanas!¨ Generally only member call us Hermanas, so obviously we were a little curious. We didn't recognize him, so we stopped to ask him if he had talked with the missionaries before. Everything was going pretty normal, until we invited him to church....then it all went down hill. He looks over, and asks ¨does your church believe in reincarnation?¨ We told him no, after which he informed us that it was very possible. He had seen me from a distance and just had to talk to me. He knew my face, and according to him it was because ¨I may have been his queen in a past life.¨ I honestly was trying so hard not to laugh, but was failing miserably. He was trying every pick up line in the book! Needless to say we booked it out of there. I was laughing so hard I almost couldn't breathe!
We did have another really cool experience though. We had just left an appointment, and were walking down the street when all of the sudden I felt like we needed to turn back and see if there was a house. We had just been passing locked up apartment buildings, and we hadn't seen a house, so I found it a really strange though so I kept going. Then I felt the same impression again, so I stopped and asked my companion really confused if she saw a house back there. She wasn't sure, so I started marching back the way we came. Hermana Sanchez says that she was just so confused about what I was doing, but just followed to see what was going on. Sure enough, there was a house we had passed by without seeing. I yelled in, and out walks an old lady who greeted us as Hermanas and allowed us in. As we were sitting in her house I saw a Jesus the Christ and a couple other church books laying around. Surprise, surprise turns out we had found a menos activo! She´s endowed too! So we started talking to her, and she apparently wants so start coming back to church. It really was a miracle though. We left the appointment and we were both just in shock. Hermana said that she had been hearing Psst! but had assumed it was just a freco. It was just such a miracle. It´s amazing how much the Lord helps to guide us in His work.
Other than that, all is well. We're still working with a lot of MA's, and Marshie is coming to church and making friends! It's so exciting to see. Her and her BF have a wedding date, and a date to get sealed in which I should still be in the mission. So I have hopes of being able to go. The temple is this Thursday, and despite the odds I'm still hoping it's the new movie there! I want to see it so bad! It was a really great week though. The Lord has been so merciful to us, and has always given us the strength to go on and continue the work. It's amazing how many miracles there are every day. I hope that you guys are seeing them too, I know that there are miracles that are being worked over there as well. I love you guys a ton! Stay safe and keep and eye out for those miracles. Thank you for everything!
Love,
Hermana Cox
September 15th, 2013
Hola!!
Part 2 of the saga
So....We got our rat!! woot! We ended up getting it the very same day, which was a relief. We had just gotten home from a busy evening out contacting, and we and my companion were grabbing some water when my companion felt something on her foot. She looks over and sees Daisy! Poor Hermana Sanchez has the worst of luck with things like this... but we grabbed our weapons of war and got to work. We had bought some sticky pads earier that morning and had placed them around the house in hopes of catching the little bugger. We caught him in a corner and it looked like the battle was going to be won, when all of the sudden the little guy makes a break for it! I´m not sure how, but somehow she managed to squeeze her way under the door and into our room. As you could guess I was less than pleased. I am NOT sleeping with a rat in my room. So me and my companion got to work. We gathered a few of the pads from around the house, closed the door to our room and placed them over the crack. Them with brooms and a flashlight in hand we got to work looking under the beds, on the hunt. We kept trying to get her but she just kept moving from under one bed to another! So we decided that the only solution would be to put on bed on top of the other. So we literally flipped over the beds, when to our dismay we discoved that she could climb walls! So as I was batting at it, trying to herd it towards the door Hermana Sanchez was waiting to stick it to a pad. I finally got a good swat, and it was a success! Hermana got it stuck to the pad, and that was the end of it. The house was in chaos, and we were sweating and tired from screaming, but we finally caught her. The problem was...none of us knew how to kill it....so the obvious solution was to go out into the streets asking ramdom strangers to take our rat and kill it....haha! Surprisingly a few nice boys took it, and we're still unsure to what end it came. But somehow I´m okay with that....haha! It was an adventure to say the least. Hopefully the last I'll ever have of that sort!
Other than that life has been pretty much the same. We had stake conference this week, and it was extremely successful! We had 2 investigators and a menos activo come! And one of our other menos activo has been coming back too. It's just so great to see the progress that they're making. We're hoping to put some baptismal dates this week, so we're excited to see how that goes. There is one menos activo that I'm just so thrilled about though. Her name in Marshie, and when we went last to visit her she admitted that she wanted to be endowed really bad, and be sealed to her children in the temple. So we're working with her to help her to be worthy to attend the temple. I'm just so thrilled to see her coming back to church. It's amazing to see how the Lord prepares us to serve certain people. She was so unreceptive when we first came, but she has really opened up to us. It's just been a joy to work with her. So many difficult experiences in my life have helped me relate to her and understand how she is feeling. I just love her so much and it's been a privileged helping her find her way back to God.
Other than that the work is coming about. We're still working on finding new investigators, but I know they'll come. And a lot of times it's possible that all we're supposed to do at this time is prepare people to listen to missionaries later on. Getting them curious and helping them to know just a little bit more about the church. Something that has just continued to amaze me here is the Holy Ghost. It's amazing the guidance that we're able to get through it. In order to be more sensitive to the Spirit, the mission is doing an experiment. It's called Sanctify yourself. You make a list of all of the habits that you have that are drawing you away from God, and for 40 days you don't do a single one of them. We're going to be starting soon, and I'm a little nervous. But I know it will be life changing, and that through this we'll be able to better serve our investigators. I still haven't decided what I'm going to be working on yet, so we'll see! I love you all so much, and am grateful for all of your prayers. Time is flying, and I'm trying so hard to use the time that I've been given. I can hardly believe that by the end of this transfer I'll have 4 months here! Gah! Take care, stay safe, and make good choices!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!!
Part 2 of the saga
So....We got our rat!! woot! We ended up getting it the very same day, which was a relief. We had just gotten home from a busy evening out contacting, and we and my companion were grabbing some water when my companion felt something on her foot. She looks over and sees Daisy! Poor Hermana Sanchez has the worst of luck with things like this... but we grabbed our weapons of war and got to work. We had bought some sticky pads earier that morning and had placed them around the house in hopes of catching the little bugger. We caught him in a corner and it looked like the battle was going to be won, when all of the sudden the little guy makes a break for it! I´m not sure how, but somehow she managed to squeeze her way under the door and into our room. As you could guess I was less than pleased. I am NOT sleeping with a rat in my room. So me and my companion got to work. We gathered a few of the pads from around the house, closed the door to our room and placed them over the crack. Them with brooms and a flashlight in hand we got to work looking under the beds, on the hunt. We kept trying to get her but she just kept moving from under one bed to another! So we decided that the only solution would be to put on bed on top of the other. So we literally flipped over the beds, when to our dismay we discoved that she could climb walls! So as I was batting at it, trying to herd it towards the door Hermana Sanchez was waiting to stick it to a pad. I finally got a good swat, and it was a success! Hermana got it stuck to the pad, and that was the end of it. The house was in chaos, and we were sweating and tired from screaming, but we finally caught her. The problem was...none of us knew how to kill it....so the obvious solution was to go out into the streets asking ramdom strangers to take our rat and kill it....haha! Surprisingly a few nice boys took it, and we're still unsure to what end it came. But somehow I´m okay with that....haha! It was an adventure to say the least. Hopefully the last I'll ever have of that sort!
Other than that life has been pretty much the same. We had stake conference this week, and it was extremely successful! We had 2 investigators and a menos activo come! And one of our other menos activo has been coming back too. It's just so great to see the progress that they're making. We're hoping to put some baptismal dates this week, so we're excited to see how that goes. There is one menos activo that I'm just so thrilled about though. Her name in Marshie, and when we went last to visit her she admitted that she wanted to be endowed really bad, and be sealed to her children in the temple. So we're working with her to help her to be worthy to attend the temple. I'm just so thrilled to see her coming back to church. It's amazing to see how the Lord prepares us to serve certain people. She was so unreceptive when we first came, but she has really opened up to us. It's just been a joy to work with her. So many difficult experiences in my life have helped me relate to her and understand how she is feeling. I just love her so much and it's been a privileged helping her find her way back to God.
Other than that the work is coming about. We're still working on finding new investigators, but I know they'll come. And a lot of times it's possible that all we're supposed to do at this time is prepare people to listen to missionaries later on. Getting them curious and helping them to know just a little bit more about the church. Something that has just continued to amaze me here is the Holy Ghost. It's amazing the guidance that we're able to get through it. In order to be more sensitive to the Spirit, the mission is doing an experiment. It's called Sanctify yourself. You make a list of all of the habits that you have that are drawing you away from God, and for 40 days you don't do a single one of them. We're going to be starting soon, and I'm a little nervous. But I know it will be life changing, and that through this we'll be able to better serve our investigators. I still haven't decided what I'm going to be working on yet, so we'll see! I love you all so much, and am grateful for all of your prayers. Time is flying, and I'm trying so hard to use the time that I've been given. I can hardly believe that by the end of this transfer I'll have 4 months here! Gah! Take care, stay safe, and make good choices!
Love
Hermana Cox
September 9th, 2013
Hola!
I'm glad to hear that all is well back home in the States. We had the funniest experience this morning! We were just finishing up with our personal study this morning when all the sudden I hear my companion shout. When I finally catch on to what she is saying, she tells me that she saw a rat in the house! So we gather the other sisters to start the hunt, with brooms in hand and begin looking in the corner in which my companion saw it go. As we are moving things around we see a blur of fur speed out from behind our water jugs, and all we could do was scream. One of the other sisters grabs her broom and bats at the rat with it, pushing it towards the back door, but the other Hermana thought we were pushing it towards the front door. So for 2 minutes we were all just screaming as they were pushing the rat back and forth in between the two brooms. Eventually one of them missed the rat, and it ran into our kitchen and we haven't seen it since. It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. One of the workers at a local Colmado (kinda like corner markets) passed by and asked if we were playing hockey, because I guess when you see 4 American girls all holding brooms and screaming that's the logical conclusion....haha! We're still on the hunt though. One of the other sisters has named her Daisy, and we've bought traps. So I'll keep you updated as the saga continues. But other than that and the occasional roach we're pretty vermin free.
As for transfers, none of us in the house moved. Which everyone is saying is unusual. Four houses of sisters stayed the same, and we're thinking it's because next transfer they're starting to send sisters to the islands. I don't think I'll end up going there any time soon, but it's a possibility later in my mission. I can hardly believe that I'll be completing three months next week! It's the weirdest feeling ever. I feel like I just got here, and yet at the same time I feel like I've lived here my entire life. Nothing seems strange here anymore. It's like I've grown up my entire life playing rat hockey, hearing Bachata, and sleeping in a mosquito net. That net was a miracle idea by the way. It's probably the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you so much mom and dad!
Mom,you'll never guess what song I heard here this past Sunday. I was minding my own business during planning, and all the sudden I hear the faint whisper of "Helllooo, is it me you're looking for?" I just about died and decided that I had to tell you. It was in Spanish though! And I find it a lot less offensive in Spanish for some reason. Probably because I don't really understand what it's saying. Understanding music is still really hard for me. Speaking of music, I'm so excited for my package and my CD! I haven't gotten it yet, because they only bring our mail to our district meetings on Thursdays. So I should get it this thursday. Woot! I'm so excited! We have a little CD-DVD player that we're given to watch the District on as missionaries for the training, and so that's how everyone plays their CD's. I honestly can't wait to get it!
It might have gotten in last Thursday, but I'm not sure because we got locked inside because of the Tormenta. I won't lie, it was awesome. It really didn't rain much at all in our part, and so we just made a cake, napped, and read scriptures all day. I loved it! I had been needing a nap so bad. I some how caught some kind of sinus infection, so I've been working for the past few weeks to get rid of that.
We get to go to the temple this month too, which is another to look forward to. Allyson, I'm so glad student teaching is going so well! You've always been great with kids though so I expected as much. And what is Jacks new job exactly? Why is he so dirty and tired? Tell him I can relate! haha. Megs, that's awesome about the Haitian in your ward! They're awesome, and I'm glad you guys got a date night. We will have to go back for a date at the cougareat when I get back.That was always so much fun! I love you all so much, I always love hearing what you're all up to. Stay safe, and take care. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging words. I won't lie, the mission is probably the most insanely difficult thing I have done, but I love it so much and I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. And as I'm obedient I know the Lord will bless you all as well. Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I'm glad to hear that all is well back home in the States. We had the funniest experience this morning! We were just finishing up with our personal study this morning when all the sudden I hear my companion shout. When I finally catch on to what she is saying, she tells me that she saw a rat in the house! So we gather the other sisters to start the hunt, with brooms in hand and begin looking in the corner in which my companion saw it go. As we are moving things around we see a blur of fur speed out from behind our water jugs, and all we could do was scream. One of the other sisters grabs her broom and bats at the rat with it, pushing it towards the back door, but the other Hermana thought we were pushing it towards the front door. So for 2 minutes we were all just screaming as they were pushing the rat back and forth in between the two brooms. Eventually one of them missed the rat, and it ran into our kitchen and we haven't seen it since. It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. One of the workers at a local Colmado (kinda like corner markets) passed by and asked if we were playing hockey, because I guess when you see 4 American girls all holding brooms and screaming that's the logical conclusion....haha! We're still on the hunt though. One of the other sisters has named her Daisy, and we've bought traps. So I'll keep you updated as the saga continues. But other than that and the occasional roach we're pretty vermin free.
As for transfers, none of us in the house moved. Which everyone is saying is unusual. Four houses of sisters stayed the same, and we're thinking it's because next transfer they're starting to send sisters to the islands. I don't think I'll end up going there any time soon, but it's a possibility later in my mission. I can hardly believe that I'll be completing three months next week! It's the weirdest feeling ever. I feel like I just got here, and yet at the same time I feel like I've lived here my entire life. Nothing seems strange here anymore. It's like I've grown up my entire life playing rat hockey, hearing Bachata, and sleeping in a mosquito net. That net was a miracle idea by the way. It's probably the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you so much mom and dad!
Mom,you'll never guess what song I heard here this past Sunday. I was minding my own business during planning, and all the sudden I hear the faint whisper of "Helllooo, is it me you're looking for?" I just about died and decided that I had to tell you. It was in Spanish though! And I find it a lot less offensive in Spanish for some reason. Probably because I don't really understand what it's saying. Understanding music is still really hard for me. Speaking of music, I'm so excited for my package and my CD! I haven't gotten it yet, because they only bring our mail to our district meetings on Thursdays. So I should get it this thursday. Woot! I'm so excited! We have a little CD-DVD player that we're given to watch the District on as missionaries for the training, and so that's how everyone plays their CD's. I honestly can't wait to get it!
It might have gotten in last Thursday, but I'm not sure because we got locked inside because of the Tormenta. I won't lie, it was awesome. It really didn't rain much at all in our part, and so we just made a cake, napped, and read scriptures all day. I loved it! I had been needing a nap so bad. I some how caught some kind of sinus infection, so I've been working for the past few weeks to get rid of that.
We get to go to the temple this month too, which is another to look forward to. Allyson, I'm so glad student teaching is going so well! You've always been great with kids though so I expected as much. And what is Jacks new job exactly? Why is he so dirty and tired? Tell him I can relate! haha. Megs, that's awesome about the Haitian in your ward! They're awesome, and I'm glad you guys got a date night. We will have to go back for a date at the cougareat when I get back.That was always so much fun! I love you all so much, I always love hearing what you're all up to. Stay safe, and take care. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouraging words. I won't lie, the mission is probably the most insanely difficult thing I have done, but I love it so much and I know this is where the Lord wants me to be. And as I'm obedient I know the Lord will bless you all as well. Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Hermana Cox
September 2nd, 2013
Hola!
Everything is going really great here. We were all shocked when we heard about the missionary who was killed, but I hadn't heard that he was from the DR. All of us had no idea until fast and testimony meeting when someone got up and bore their testimony about how missionary work is an act of love, and a total and complete sacrifice. It's extremely difficult to hear about this loss, so many people in our ward were crying. None of them are related, but the wonderful thing about the DR is that everyone acts like a big family. Everyone is so loving, and openhearted that I'm sure it felt like they lost a member of the family. As much as it pains me to hear of this loss, I know that this only means that there is one more missionary on the other side of the veil continuing with us in the work of rescuing souls. And if any work was worth giving your life, it's this one. If I happen to get placed in the ward of this family, I'll be sure to let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.
This week in general was fairly challenging, but contained a few really bright moments that made it totally worth it.
Translottos are coming up soon, and I´ll figure out this Sunday whether or not I get to stay with my companion and the other sisters in the house. We know that one of us will be moving, and it makes me sad to see them go. I've learned so much from each and every one of them. I've learned so much about obedience, the Spirit, and humility while I've been with them, and it's only my first transfer!
We also had a bit of a hard time with our citas (appointments) this week. It seems like everything is dropping, so we've been working hard and contacting like crazy. We have a new ward missionary though! He's about 47 years old and is hilarious, so we're looking forward to working with him.
One of the amazingly bright things this week was a success with one of our investigators, Nobia. I think that I've already written about her to you all, but there has been so much progress! I love her so much. She's really been reading the Book of Mormon, and is already past 1 Nephi! She's lived a hard life, and lost her family really young. As soon as she started reading the Book of Mormon things obviously got harder for her. It breaks my heart to see them struggling with food, and other necessities. Her boyfriend of 3 years (no one gets married here, so it's pretty good that they've been together 3 years!) he has started refusing to support her, and fights with her all the time. But despite all of these difficulties, whenever we ask how she is, she always says to pray. But that she know that she must be doing something good, because Satan has never worked this hard against her before. I can't tell you how happy I was that she recognized exactly what was happening! She came to the baptism that the other sisters held, and has been talking about her desire to change, so we're going to try to set a date with her this week. I'm so excited about her progress. Her sister keeps fighting with her not to meet with us, and to not read the Book of Mormon, but she just tells her sister that she's free to find her own salvation! I love her so much, and her desire to change and dedication to what is right really is an example. She really is rough around the edges, but we've already seen so much growth and I'm excited to see more. Another group of people here that I have never ceased to be amazed with is the Haitians that are in our ward here.
We have 7 Haitians in our ward here, and they are some of the most hard working people I've ever met. One of them, Jaquis, is 23 years old and has only been a member for around 6 months. But he is already counting down the time, and working on preparing for a mission. He shares the gospel with everyone, and is working to learn English so he will be more capable is his mission and in life. On top of help us teach Haitians who don't speak Spanish, he works two jobs so he can start saving up money.
The next is Versey. He's in his 30s, and received the gospel too late to serve a mission. He's only been a member for a little more time than Jaquis, but he already has received the priesthood, and works with us as another ward missionary. He works a lot too, so in order to fulfill his calling he will work by day and go and preach the gospel by night. It's amazing to see the acts of faith from these brand new members. They're still supposed to be getting the lessons and instead they're teaching them! You can just see in their eyes and in their actions that they have been fully converted to this gospel, and just can't keep it to themselves. Being here and seeing all of the sacrifices that these good people make to speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ really has given me a new definition to being "fully converted".
Pdays have been a blur, and we haven't had a chance to go see a lot of sites quite yet but I'll send you pictures as soon as I do! We went to Parque de Este, which I will probably take you guys to when you come to pick me up. It's huge and has about a million things to do. I have yet to eat anything too weird. We can't eat at the members houses, so the most Dominican thing that I've had is mango, and beans and rice. Which from the sounds of it is mostly what they all eat every day. I'm finally moving past my hatred of beans and rice! We went without light from a few days this week, so I figured out how to live by romantic candle light. It was quite the adventure. This country really is one of a kind! There's a mixture of really nice modern cars, and horse drawn carriages. There are dogs literally EVERYWHERE! And none of them really like missionaries too much... What dog does? People just like to sit out in the street in chairs and chat with the people who walk by, whether they know them or not. And everyone dances and blasts music constantly! Add into the background people walking around with avocado or mango in a basket on their heads and yelling that it's only 10 pesos! It's quite an experience, and I'm loving every second of it. I'm glad things are going well with the basement, what you've found just cracks me up! Allyson, I'm sure is finding out quite the opposite, and I still really wish for that! Meg, your pictures are adorable! Eliza is getting so big!! I can't even believe it. She'll be my size by the time I get back. And Al, your job sounds hilarious. And it really did just ruin my trust in all elementary school teachers....oh dear. Let me know how those zucchini pickles are....they sounds.....interesting...haha! I love you all, and pray for you every day. I'm glad to hear that all is well. I'm finally sending pictures too! Sorry it took me so long. The mango is from one of our investigators. And the other is from us all walking home in the rain. It rains all the time here. And the other is all of us in our nighties. Turns out I´m not the only one! haha. We were really happy...haha! I love you all a ton! Stay safe and keep me updated!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
Everything is going really great here. We were all shocked when we heard about the missionary who was killed, but I hadn't heard that he was from the DR. All of us had no idea until fast and testimony meeting when someone got up and bore their testimony about how missionary work is an act of love, and a total and complete sacrifice. It's extremely difficult to hear about this loss, so many people in our ward were crying. None of them are related, but the wonderful thing about the DR is that everyone acts like a big family. Everyone is so loving, and openhearted that I'm sure it felt like they lost a member of the family. As much as it pains me to hear of this loss, I know that this only means that there is one more missionary on the other side of the veil continuing with us in the work of rescuing souls. And if any work was worth giving your life, it's this one. If I happen to get placed in the ward of this family, I'll be sure to let them know that our thoughts and prayers are with them.
This week in general was fairly challenging, but contained a few really bright moments that made it totally worth it.
Translottos are coming up soon, and I´ll figure out this Sunday whether or not I get to stay with my companion and the other sisters in the house. We know that one of us will be moving, and it makes me sad to see them go. I've learned so much from each and every one of them. I've learned so much about obedience, the Spirit, and humility while I've been with them, and it's only my first transfer!
We also had a bit of a hard time with our citas (appointments) this week. It seems like everything is dropping, so we've been working hard and contacting like crazy. We have a new ward missionary though! He's about 47 years old and is hilarious, so we're looking forward to working with him.
One of the amazingly bright things this week was a success with one of our investigators, Nobia. I think that I've already written about her to you all, but there has been so much progress! I love her so much. She's really been reading the Book of Mormon, and is already past 1 Nephi! She's lived a hard life, and lost her family really young. As soon as she started reading the Book of Mormon things obviously got harder for her. It breaks my heart to see them struggling with food, and other necessities. Her boyfriend of 3 years (no one gets married here, so it's pretty good that they've been together 3 years!) he has started refusing to support her, and fights with her all the time. But despite all of these difficulties, whenever we ask how she is, she always says to pray. But that she know that she must be doing something good, because Satan has never worked this hard against her before. I can't tell you how happy I was that she recognized exactly what was happening! She came to the baptism that the other sisters held, and has been talking about her desire to change, so we're going to try to set a date with her this week. I'm so excited about her progress. Her sister keeps fighting with her not to meet with us, and to not read the Book of Mormon, but she just tells her sister that she's free to find her own salvation! I love her so much, and her desire to change and dedication to what is right really is an example. She really is rough around the edges, but we've already seen so much growth and I'm excited to see more. Another group of people here that I have never ceased to be amazed with is the Haitians that are in our ward here.
We have 7 Haitians in our ward here, and they are some of the most hard working people I've ever met. One of them, Jaquis, is 23 years old and has only been a member for around 6 months. But he is already counting down the time, and working on preparing for a mission. He shares the gospel with everyone, and is working to learn English so he will be more capable is his mission and in life. On top of help us teach Haitians who don't speak Spanish, he works two jobs so he can start saving up money.
The next is Versey. He's in his 30s, and received the gospel too late to serve a mission. He's only been a member for a little more time than Jaquis, but he already has received the priesthood, and works with us as another ward missionary. He works a lot too, so in order to fulfill his calling he will work by day and go and preach the gospel by night. It's amazing to see the acts of faith from these brand new members. They're still supposed to be getting the lessons and instead they're teaching them! You can just see in their eyes and in their actions that they have been fully converted to this gospel, and just can't keep it to themselves. Being here and seeing all of the sacrifices that these good people make to speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ really has given me a new definition to being "fully converted".
Pdays have been a blur, and we haven't had a chance to go see a lot of sites quite yet but I'll send you pictures as soon as I do! We went to Parque de Este, which I will probably take you guys to when you come to pick me up. It's huge and has about a million things to do. I have yet to eat anything too weird. We can't eat at the members houses, so the most Dominican thing that I've had is mango, and beans and rice. Which from the sounds of it is mostly what they all eat every day. I'm finally moving past my hatred of beans and rice! We went without light from a few days this week, so I figured out how to live by romantic candle light. It was quite the adventure. This country really is one of a kind! There's a mixture of really nice modern cars, and horse drawn carriages. There are dogs literally EVERYWHERE! And none of them really like missionaries too much... What dog does? People just like to sit out in the street in chairs and chat with the people who walk by, whether they know them or not. And everyone dances and blasts music constantly! Add into the background people walking around with avocado or mango in a basket on their heads and yelling that it's only 10 pesos! It's quite an experience, and I'm loving every second of it. I'm glad things are going well with the basement, what you've found just cracks me up! Allyson, I'm sure is finding out quite the opposite, and I still really wish for that! Meg, your pictures are adorable! Eliza is getting so big!! I can't even believe it. She'll be my size by the time I get back. And Al, your job sounds hilarious. And it really did just ruin my trust in all elementary school teachers....oh dear. Let me know how those zucchini pickles are....they sounds.....interesting...haha! I love you all, and pray for you every day. I'm glad to hear that all is well. I'm finally sending pictures too! Sorry it took me so long. The mango is from one of our investigators. And the other is from us all walking home in the rain. It rains all the time here. And the other is all of us in our nighties. Turns out I´m not the only one! haha. We were really happy...haha! I love you all a ton! Stay safe and keep me updated!
Love,
Hermana Cox
August 25th, 2013
Hola!
I'm glad to hear that everything is going well down there! It sounds like things are finally getting back to normal after the reunion and all of the fiasco with the flooding and the start of school for Al. Things have been going really well down here too. I'm almost finished with my first transfer! Gah! I already feel like I've been out for years. This week was a pretty mellow week. We had a BBQ for p day today with our zone, and it I can´t tell you how good it was to eat some meat! All of the meat here is pretty much contaminated, so unless it's canned we never eat meat. It was like manna from heaven! It's been raining like crazy this week, which is actually good because it makes it a bit cooler here. Plus, the hottest part of the year is over so it's only down from here! I can't wait!
We also had a baptism in our ward!! Woot woot! Not from us, but from the other Sisters in the other side of our area. It was an old lady named Maria, and she is a sweetie. As they say, everything goes wrong before a baptism so of course the church flooded the morning before. We still have no idea why or how, but that had to get all cleaned up before the font could get filled. After cleaning up the all of the flooded water they went and got Maria to try on her baptismal suit. As they're going to help her try it on (she was only in a a moo moo) they find out in a rather unfortunate way that Maria happens to not be wearing underwear.....haha! It sounded like it was quite a shock. But they informed her that she needed it for the baptism, and all went well after that. Plus, we had two of our investigators at the baptism! It was so great! The hardest part is getting people to come to church, so I have a lot of hope for them.
We also brought an investigator to church with us this Sunday, and it seemed like she like it....so we'll see! The baptism was beautiful though, and everything went as planned.
We also had a visiting member of the 70 this week, who is in the presidency for this area. Elder Zivic and his wife. They actually had spoken to us in the CCM, and I was surprised to find that they remembered me!! I'm officially know by a quorum of the 70 member and his wife! We learned a lot from him though. It's always refreshing to take a moment away from the craziness of the days and to learn more about how to better accomplish this work. They're really pushing the menos activos here. We honestly have about 400 menos activos in our area....so I can only imagine what it´s like for the rest of the mission. There's just so much work to do!! We've been working on that though, and I'm excited to see all of the success that we're going to have.
Other than that it's just the work as usual. Trasfers are coming soon, but I feel like I'm probably not going anywhere. I think I'm going to end up finishing my training here with Hermana Sanchez before I get moved. But we'll see! We have one more p day before we'll know. It's amazing how the Lord puts you with the people that He knows you need. Hna Sanchez is SO different from me. She dresses her dog, and is super cutsie. But I love her so much, and I'm looking forward to (most likely) another transfer with her. I love you all! Thank you for all of your support!!
I just thought that I would share a talk with you guys that I loved from the last conference. I've been going through these talks during my person study, and I can across one from the priesthood session that I fell in love with. It's called "Come all ye sons of God" by President Monson. I highly recommend reading, I feel like it has something in it for everyone. One quote that I especially want to share with you all is this, speaking of the relations between a family and a missionary. "Their labors will sustain you, their faith will encourage you, their prayers with uphold you. A mission is a family affair. Though the expanse of continents or oceans may separate, hearts are as one."
Thank you for all of your support. I feel it every day. I love you all! Stay safe and make good choices!
Love
Hermana Cox
Hola!
I'm glad to hear that everything is going well down there! It sounds like things are finally getting back to normal after the reunion and all of the fiasco with the flooding and the start of school for Al. Things have been going really well down here too. I'm almost finished with my first transfer! Gah! I already feel like I've been out for years. This week was a pretty mellow week. We had a BBQ for p day today with our zone, and it I can´t tell you how good it was to eat some meat! All of the meat here is pretty much contaminated, so unless it's canned we never eat meat. It was like manna from heaven! It's been raining like crazy this week, which is actually good because it makes it a bit cooler here. Plus, the hottest part of the year is over so it's only down from here! I can't wait!
We also had a baptism in our ward!! Woot woot! Not from us, but from the other Sisters in the other side of our area. It was an old lady named Maria, and she is a sweetie. As they say, everything goes wrong before a baptism so of course the church flooded the morning before. We still have no idea why or how, but that had to get all cleaned up before the font could get filled. After cleaning up the all of the flooded water they went and got Maria to try on her baptismal suit. As they're going to help her try it on (she was only in a a moo moo) they find out in a rather unfortunate way that Maria happens to not be wearing underwear.....haha! It sounded like it was quite a shock. But they informed her that she needed it for the baptism, and all went well after that. Plus, we had two of our investigators at the baptism! It was so great! The hardest part is getting people to come to church, so I have a lot of hope for them.
We also brought an investigator to church with us this Sunday, and it seemed like she like it....so we'll see! The baptism was beautiful though, and everything went as planned.
We also had a visiting member of the 70 this week, who is in the presidency for this area. Elder Zivic and his wife. They actually had spoken to us in the CCM, and I was surprised to find that they remembered me!! I'm officially know by a quorum of the 70 member and his wife! We learned a lot from him though. It's always refreshing to take a moment away from the craziness of the days and to learn more about how to better accomplish this work. They're really pushing the menos activos here. We honestly have about 400 menos activos in our area....so I can only imagine what it´s like for the rest of the mission. There's just so much work to do!! We've been working on that though, and I'm excited to see all of the success that we're going to have.
Other than that it's just the work as usual. Trasfers are coming soon, but I feel like I'm probably not going anywhere. I think I'm going to end up finishing my training here with Hermana Sanchez before I get moved. But we'll see! We have one more p day before we'll know. It's amazing how the Lord puts you with the people that He knows you need. Hna Sanchez is SO different from me. She dresses her dog, and is super cutsie. But I love her so much, and I'm looking forward to (most likely) another transfer with her. I love you all! Thank you for all of your support!!
I just thought that I would share a talk with you guys that I loved from the last conference. I've been going through these talks during my person study, and I can across one from the priesthood session that I fell in love with. It's called "Come all ye sons of God" by President Monson. I highly recommend reading, I feel like it has something in it for everyone. One quote that I especially want to share with you all is this, speaking of the relations between a family and a missionary. "Their labors will sustain you, their faith will encourage you, their prayers with uphold you. A mission is a family affair. Though the expanse of continents or oceans may separate, hearts are as one."
Thank you for all of your support. I feel it every day. I love you all! Stay safe and make good choices!
Love
Hermana Cox
August 19th, 2013
Hola familia!
I'm glad to hear that everything went well with the family reunion! I hope you guys made me a shirt! But I am really sad to hear about the basement. I'm sorry that had to happen, it really was the perfect storm. Hopefully nothing too important was damaged, that was a ton of water! Keep me posted and I'll be sure to keep you guys in my prayers. It must have just been a week of floods for the Cox family, because our house flooded too. I don't know what God is preparing us for, but apparently it involves water....
With ours here it was from a really bad rain storm. Everyone here just throws their trash into the streets. Almost no one uses a trash can, so generally right before a really bad rainstorm all of the people clean up the trash so it doesn't clog the gutters. But this time the rain was a surprise.... So all of the trash get stuck in the gutters as the floods of water were coming down the streets. And without the drains the water started raising extremely fast. It finally got to the point that if the drains didn't get cleared out our house would be in trouble. So all of us girls in the house had to tromp out into the rain, knee deep in water with trash bags in hand, and fish all of the garbage out of the storm drains with out hands.
It was probably one of the grosses things I've ever done, but for some reason I just found it hilarious! Dominicans would pass by and just tell us to be careful, but not offer to help pick up their trash! It was just such an unusual situation! But eventually some other people came to help, and opened the sewers so more water could drain. Eventually it all went down and our flood was relatively small. But we missed almost all of out citas cleaning up and taking care of all of this. It was quite the experience to say the least!
It was a very successful week this week! Me and my companion found 23 new investigators! We're still working to see who all is going to progress, and some have already been dropped, but we had such success this week! There is one girl who I think might end up getting baptized. Her name is Bri, and we found her in our English class. After class ended, she came up and asked if we were missionaries. After which she asked if she could have a Book of Mormon! We went to her house a couple days later for our first appointment with her, and asked her why she wanted it and why she wanted to talk to us. Her reply was "I just have always wanted to know more about Jesus Christ." It was so exciting! And by the second visit she had surpassed her reading assignment in the Book of Mormon. So we all have hope that she will eventually know the truth and be baptized.
We have another woman, who is Haitian. It's the same family with the pee bucket and my companion. Well...the woman had her baby, but there were some complications and can't really do much around the house. So me and my companion have spent a fair amount of time over their doing her cooking and laundry. I can now officially say that I know how to wash clothes by hand! She's a sweetheart though, and she is so grateful. She asked us one day if we wanted to be Godparents (to which we replied no of course) but it was sweet. I just kept thinking about how all of the things I've been doing here I would have found so gross, or difficult, or other things when I was home. But it's such a joy to do it! I'm finally starting to understand the phrase "When you're in the service of your fellow man you are only in the service of your God."
We also had a very interesting experience this week with one of our other progressing investigators. The woman was a reference from one of the members, and our first few appointments with her went really well. She prayed with her children together, and seemed really excited about our appointments. But when the time came for our next visit with her on Saturday, for some reason both me and my companion were feeling nervous about out. When we got to the house, I called into the house (because people don´t have doorbells, you just yell into their house.) and me and my companion just got the sickest feeling in our stomachs. I only remember a few times where the Spirit has told me to run for it as strongly as it did then. Me and my companion just looked at each other and we both just knew. So we booked it out of there! It was quite the experience!
I promise I'm not telling you guys this to make you nervous. To me this was a reassurance that the Lord is watching over us with great care, and will protect us from harm. While it was scary at the time, it's been slightly reassuring to look back on. My faith has really grown as I've felt and seen the direction of God's hand in the lives of the people here and in my life.
Another thing that has been beaten into my head through out my time here is making goals, and plans on how to accomplish them. I've never done this in my life, but I know it's something that I need to do not only here but for the rest of my life. It really makes you look at what you find most important, and whether or not you're willing to sacrifice for it. So that's what I've been working on.
In closing, I read a quote today about how as missionary works hard the Lord will look over and bless their family. So I'll be sure to work especially hard this week, because it sounds like you guys are having a rough go of it at the moment and need a little support from heaven. I pray for you all in almost every prayer, and I love you all so much. Keep your hopes high, blessings from heaven are heading your way! I love you all!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola familia!
I'm glad to hear that everything went well with the family reunion! I hope you guys made me a shirt! But I am really sad to hear about the basement. I'm sorry that had to happen, it really was the perfect storm. Hopefully nothing too important was damaged, that was a ton of water! Keep me posted and I'll be sure to keep you guys in my prayers. It must have just been a week of floods for the Cox family, because our house flooded too. I don't know what God is preparing us for, but apparently it involves water....
With ours here it was from a really bad rain storm. Everyone here just throws their trash into the streets. Almost no one uses a trash can, so generally right before a really bad rainstorm all of the people clean up the trash so it doesn't clog the gutters. But this time the rain was a surprise.... So all of the trash get stuck in the gutters as the floods of water were coming down the streets. And without the drains the water started raising extremely fast. It finally got to the point that if the drains didn't get cleared out our house would be in trouble. So all of us girls in the house had to tromp out into the rain, knee deep in water with trash bags in hand, and fish all of the garbage out of the storm drains with out hands.
It was probably one of the grosses things I've ever done, but for some reason I just found it hilarious! Dominicans would pass by and just tell us to be careful, but not offer to help pick up their trash! It was just such an unusual situation! But eventually some other people came to help, and opened the sewers so more water could drain. Eventually it all went down and our flood was relatively small. But we missed almost all of out citas cleaning up and taking care of all of this. It was quite the experience to say the least!
It was a very successful week this week! Me and my companion found 23 new investigators! We're still working to see who all is going to progress, and some have already been dropped, but we had such success this week! There is one girl who I think might end up getting baptized. Her name is Bri, and we found her in our English class. After class ended, she came up and asked if we were missionaries. After which she asked if she could have a Book of Mormon! We went to her house a couple days later for our first appointment with her, and asked her why she wanted it and why she wanted to talk to us. Her reply was "I just have always wanted to know more about Jesus Christ." It was so exciting! And by the second visit she had surpassed her reading assignment in the Book of Mormon. So we all have hope that she will eventually know the truth and be baptized.
We have another woman, who is Haitian. It's the same family with the pee bucket and my companion. Well...the woman had her baby, but there were some complications and can't really do much around the house. So me and my companion have spent a fair amount of time over their doing her cooking and laundry. I can now officially say that I know how to wash clothes by hand! She's a sweetheart though, and she is so grateful. She asked us one day if we wanted to be Godparents (to which we replied no of course) but it was sweet. I just kept thinking about how all of the things I've been doing here I would have found so gross, or difficult, or other things when I was home. But it's such a joy to do it! I'm finally starting to understand the phrase "When you're in the service of your fellow man you are only in the service of your God."
We also had a very interesting experience this week with one of our other progressing investigators. The woman was a reference from one of the members, and our first few appointments with her went really well. She prayed with her children together, and seemed really excited about our appointments. But when the time came for our next visit with her on Saturday, for some reason both me and my companion were feeling nervous about out. When we got to the house, I called into the house (because people don´t have doorbells, you just yell into their house.) and me and my companion just got the sickest feeling in our stomachs. I only remember a few times where the Spirit has told me to run for it as strongly as it did then. Me and my companion just looked at each other and we both just knew. So we booked it out of there! It was quite the experience!
I promise I'm not telling you guys this to make you nervous. To me this was a reassurance that the Lord is watching over us with great care, and will protect us from harm. While it was scary at the time, it's been slightly reassuring to look back on. My faith has really grown as I've felt and seen the direction of God's hand in the lives of the people here and in my life.
Another thing that has been beaten into my head through out my time here is making goals, and plans on how to accomplish them. I've never done this in my life, but I know it's something that I need to do not only here but for the rest of my life. It really makes you look at what you find most important, and whether or not you're willing to sacrifice for it. So that's what I've been working on.
In closing, I read a quote today about how as missionary works hard the Lord will look over and bless their family. So I'll be sure to work especially hard this week, because it sounds like you guys are having a rough go of it at the moment and need a little support from heaven. I pray for you all in almost every prayer, and I love you all so much. Keep your hopes high, blessings from heaven are heading your way! I love you all!
Love,
Hermana Cox
August 11th, 2013
Hola!!
There has been so much going on here! Mom was asking a little about the living conditions, so I thought I would start of a little with that first. We live in a little house with two other sisters, who are both awesome. We do have light, but it's not reliable. It usually is on when we get home and night, and we've been lucky to have it for a while in the mornings recently. But for the most part I do all of my showers, study, and other such things by either sunlight or candle light. The water is pretty reliable though. There are a few times in which it has run out, but we haven't had a problem like that yet. And with the light there have only been a few times in which we needed someone to walk us home. Overall the living conditions have been pretty good. A lot of it depends on your level of cleanliness.
There are almost always ants everywhere, but they're small and don't give us much trouble. I did find a millipede once though, and I was so disgusted. You would be so proud dad, I'm dealing with the bugs here!
We did have a rather traumatizing experience here a couple of nights ago though... You know how I said that the roaches fly here? Well....a couple of nights ago me and Hermana Sanchez were getting ready for bed and chatting. To window was open, because for most of our windows there is just bars on them and no form of glass, and in flies a gigantic roach! And guess where it flew into....my companions mouth. The poor girl just about died! It was so nasty! We smashed it, and she made sure she washed her mouth REALLY well that night. The living conditions really are pretty clean though. We wash out clothes and hang them on a line, and generally just try to wash whenever there is power.
We really are pretty lucky though. We are in a pretty poor section, there are a lot of Haitians here so I've started to carry pamphlets in both Spanish and french for the Haitians. We had one meeting with a family in an extremely humble conditions. They couple is Haitian, and the wife is extremely pregnant. They didn't have enough chairs, so the pregnant mother was just sitting on the edge of the bucket. Of course me and my companion offered out chairs, so she took my companions and my companion took the bucket. We figured out after that it was actually their bathroom bucket...So overall we have a lot to be grateful for.
It's been extremely rainy this week, so my crocs are coming in handy. We just hike through the rain, and all of the streets become a river. It´s crazy! But lucky that means that people feel had and let us in!
Also, exciting news, I'm finally adapting!! I was actually cold one night here....I can hardly believe it.The rash is gone and I don't really burn anymore. Plus, the skeeters for the most part leave me be. It looks like all of your prayers are coming in handy!
We actually have had some really great experiences with contacting recently. My companion is actually really new as well, she only has months in the mission to my two. She just finished the infield training, so we're still both learning. But she's really great! But we recently had out first splits with another pair of missionaries, and we learned that we had been doing contacting wrong. Once we fixed out mistake, we've been seeing miracles. We've been finding so many new investigators! No baptisms yet...but we're working on it! The Lord is also really helping us with the Menos Activos too. We've had so many times in which we'll just run into them while we're out! And a few have already started to come back to church. We had one lesson with a reference recently where her BF was visiting. Turns out her BF is a less active member. And he even taught our investigator how to pray and testified that he knows the church is true. It was amazing! We´re finally past the hard part of white washing, and we finally are full of appointments. It's been so great!
I also felt a titch like a one woman show this Sunday at church. I played the piano for the sacrament, sang a song with the young women for the intermediate hymn that I had helped teach them, and then gave my first talk in Spanish. Week two and they already had me speak! It went well though, I think... I'm at least hoping that everyone could understand me!
Things are great though. The Lord is blessing us in our work here. It's hard. But it's hard in a good way. Much love to all those home! I hope the family reunion is going great! take a lot of pictures and make me a shirt! I want to hear all about it. Be sure to tell everyone that I love them and hope all is well.
Much love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!!
There has been so much going on here! Mom was asking a little about the living conditions, so I thought I would start of a little with that first. We live in a little house with two other sisters, who are both awesome. We do have light, but it's not reliable. It usually is on when we get home and night, and we've been lucky to have it for a while in the mornings recently. But for the most part I do all of my showers, study, and other such things by either sunlight or candle light. The water is pretty reliable though. There are a few times in which it has run out, but we haven't had a problem like that yet. And with the light there have only been a few times in which we needed someone to walk us home. Overall the living conditions have been pretty good. A lot of it depends on your level of cleanliness.
There are almost always ants everywhere, but they're small and don't give us much trouble. I did find a millipede once though, and I was so disgusted. You would be so proud dad, I'm dealing with the bugs here!
We did have a rather traumatizing experience here a couple of nights ago though... You know how I said that the roaches fly here? Well....a couple of nights ago me and Hermana Sanchez were getting ready for bed and chatting. To window was open, because for most of our windows there is just bars on them and no form of glass, and in flies a gigantic roach! And guess where it flew into....my companions mouth. The poor girl just about died! It was so nasty! We smashed it, and she made sure she washed her mouth REALLY well that night. The living conditions really are pretty clean though. We wash out clothes and hang them on a line, and generally just try to wash whenever there is power.
We really are pretty lucky though. We are in a pretty poor section, there are a lot of Haitians here so I've started to carry pamphlets in both Spanish and french for the Haitians. We had one meeting with a family in an extremely humble conditions. They couple is Haitian, and the wife is extremely pregnant. They didn't have enough chairs, so the pregnant mother was just sitting on the edge of the bucket. Of course me and my companion offered out chairs, so she took my companions and my companion took the bucket. We figured out after that it was actually their bathroom bucket...So overall we have a lot to be grateful for.
It's been extremely rainy this week, so my crocs are coming in handy. We just hike through the rain, and all of the streets become a river. It´s crazy! But lucky that means that people feel had and let us in!
Also, exciting news, I'm finally adapting!! I was actually cold one night here....I can hardly believe it.The rash is gone and I don't really burn anymore. Plus, the skeeters for the most part leave me be. It looks like all of your prayers are coming in handy!
We actually have had some really great experiences with contacting recently. My companion is actually really new as well, she only has months in the mission to my two. She just finished the infield training, so we're still both learning. But she's really great! But we recently had out first splits with another pair of missionaries, and we learned that we had been doing contacting wrong. Once we fixed out mistake, we've been seeing miracles. We've been finding so many new investigators! No baptisms yet...but we're working on it! The Lord is also really helping us with the Menos Activos too. We've had so many times in which we'll just run into them while we're out! And a few have already started to come back to church. We had one lesson with a reference recently where her BF was visiting. Turns out her BF is a less active member. And he even taught our investigator how to pray and testified that he knows the church is true. It was amazing! We´re finally past the hard part of white washing, and we finally are full of appointments. It's been so great!
I also felt a titch like a one woman show this Sunday at church. I played the piano for the sacrament, sang a song with the young women for the intermediate hymn that I had helped teach them, and then gave my first talk in Spanish. Week two and they already had me speak! It went well though, I think... I'm at least hoping that everyone could understand me!
Things are great though. The Lord is blessing us in our work here. It's hard. But it's hard in a good way. Much love to all those home! I hope the family reunion is going great! take a lot of pictures and make me a shirt! I want to hear all about it. Be sure to tell everyone that I love them and hope all is well.
Much love,
Hermana Cox
August 5th, 2013
Hola familia!
Everything is going great! I'm in la Isebalita, which is one of the sketchier sections of the DR... Which has been interesting to say the least! My companions name is Hermana Shanchez, and I'll be sure to send pictures soon. She's really sweet. She's from Utah, but her mother is from here and her father is from Columbia so she's fairly fluent is Spanish.
Everything has been such a blur. I've learned that missionary work is 70% walking, 20% getting stood up, 10% in meetings, and 100% sweating... Me and my companion are white washing an area, which is always super rough. If the term is new, it means that we came in with no investigators in place and almost nothing established in the area. We've been spending most of our time contacting, and trying to know our area, which is HUGE! And extremely difficult because not all of the streets are on the map, and people name their own streets. So we never really know where we are. (so it's not just my lack of direction!) I do try to use my compass on my sanitizer though. So that was a good buy!
But it's been great though, and the ward is really supportive and nice. We have a Haitian ward member who was baptized in May, and is already preparing so he can put in his mission papers in November. He's trying to set up special classes so we can help him prepare for his mission. The faith of the people here is just amazing! As of now we are teaching two English classes, and I'm starting a class teaching piano every Sunday. You were right mom, I'm glad I practiced before I left. I am now officially the ward piano player!
We only have power every once and a while, and I've already given up on doing my hair and makeup. You won't even recognize me after this next year and a half. I just decided that it would be easier to just let my hair grow than to try to find someone who knows how to cut it! So I'm going to have long blond hair! I already have a killer watch tan line coming in too.
It's ridiculously hot here, and I've figured out that I was let out in the hottest time of the year. So I guess if I can survive this, I can survive anything! I'm so glad that I brought my fan from Spain though! That this saves my life daily. One of the little girls in the ward is in love with it. She tells me that it's like a princess. But I am literally sweating constantly. It's crazy. Getting those nighties was the best idea ever! My body is definitely adapting though. I got my first rash here, which will be the first of many from the sounds of it. And the mosquitoes are getting to know me, but the bites have started to calm down now that the first week is over.
For the most part I understand what everyone is saying, it's responding that is more of a struggle. But I know that the Lord has truly blessed all of us missionaries. Before I left, one of the older couples in the CCM told me that we shouldn't worry because we have less time in training. It only means that the Lord has put a lot of faith in us, and He will help us all the more. And I've totally seen that while I've been here. It's a miracle how well the language is coming. Of course, I'm always anxious to learn more....but I've truly been blessed. My companion keeps telling my that she has never seen someone straight from the CCM with so much Spanish, and I had others tell me the same. So I do my best not to get frustrated with the language, because I know the Lord has already helped me so much.
One thing that has taken a lot of getting used to is all of the cat calling. It gets really frustrating sometimes when so many of the men are being fresh just because I´m white. But that is only a minor struggle in the midst of many blessings. I've been able to stay pretty healthy so far. My house is known for parasites and amoebas...so we've all been being really careful.
Reading though this email totally makes it sound like things are really rough, but I promise that all is well! The Lord has be blessing our efforts, and for the most part everyone is really loving because they know that we are missionaries. As we're walking it's not uncommon for someone to yell God bless you! My area has a lot of Haitians, and there are a lot of humble circumstances, which means that a lot of people are prepared to hear the gospel. So we're working hard! We've been spending a lot of time with the menos activos. I swear that if they all came to church we would have a stake here! So that has been our main focus. My mosquito net is my best friend. I'm so glad that I have it! Thank you so much!
I also recently heard that the islands, which used to only be open for Elders, is now open for sisters. So who knows! After this program I might be learning Papiomento! I've heard that they´re rough though....so we'll see. It will be some special sisters that get sent there initially, that's for sure.
Thank you guys for all of your support and love! I love hearing from you guys! I hope all is going well with preparing for the family reunion. Don't forget to write me while you're there! P days are on Monday now, so you can expect that from now on.
As a note, if you guys are ever wanting to send a package here are some tips that I've heard. Gift wrap each item in the box, they'll be less likely to steal it. Put pictures of Christ on the outside. And it's 90 pesos per lb of the package that comes out of my missionary fun for food and water, so it's better to do many light ones every once and a while then a few big ones. This is just for future reference, I'm not trying to suggest that I'm expecting one! haha.
Much love,
Hermana Cox
Hola familia!
Everything is going great! I'm in la Isebalita, which is one of the sketchier sections of the DR... Which has been interesting to say the least! My companions name is Hermana Shanchez, and I'll be sure to send pictures soon. She's really sweet. She's from Utah, but her mother is from here and her father is from Columbia so she's fairly fluent is Spanish.
Everything has been such a blur. I've learned that missionary work is 70% walking, 20% getting stood up, 10% in meetings, and 100% sweating... Me and my companion are white washing an area, which is always super rough. If the term is new, it means that we came in with no investigators in place and almost nothing established in the area. We've been spending most of our time contacting, and trying to know our area, which is HUGE! And extremely difficult because not all of the streets are on the map, and people name their own streets. So we never really know where we are. (so it's not just my lack of direction!) I do try to use my compass on my sanitizer though. So that was a good buy!
But it's been great though, and the ward is really supportive and nice. We have a Haitian ward member who was baptized in May, and is already preparing so he can put in his mission papers in November. He's trying to set up special classes so we can help him prepare for his mission. The faith of the people here is just amazing! As of now we are teaching two English classes, and I'm starting a class teaching piano every Sunday. You were right mom, I'm glad I practiced before I left. I am now officially the ward piano player!
We only have power every once and a while, and I've already given up on doing my hair and makeup. You won't even recognize me after this next year and a half. I just decided that it would be easier to just let my hair grow than to try to find someone who knows how to cut it! So I'm going to have long blond hair! I already have a killer watch tan line coming in too.
It's ridiculously hot here, and I've figured out that I was let out in the hottest time of the year. So I guess if I can survive this, I can survive anything! I'm so glad that I brought my fan from Spain though! That this saves my life daily. One of the little girls in the ward is in love with it. She tells me that it's like a princess. But I am literally sweating constantly. It's crazy. Getting those nighties was the best idea ever! My body is definitely adapting though. I got my first rash here, which will be the first of many from the sounds of it. And the mosquitoes are getting to know me, but the bites have started to calm down now that the first week is over.
For the most part I understand what everyone is saying, it's responding that is more of a struggle. But I know that the Lord has truly blessed all of us missionaries. Before I left, one of the older couples in the CCM told me that we shouldn't worry because we have less time in training. It only means that the Lord has put a lot of faith in us, and He will help us all the more. And I've totally seen that while I've been here. It's a miracle how well the language is coming. Of course, I'm always anxious to learn more....but I've truly been blessed. My companion keeps telling my that she has never seen someone straight from the CCM with so much Spanish, and I had others tell me the same. So I do my best not to get frustrated with the language, because I know the Lord has already helped me so much.
One thing that has taken a lot of getting used to is all of the cat calling. It gets really frustrating sometimes when so many of the men are being fresh just because I´m white. But that is only a minor struggle in the midst of many blessings. I've been able to stay pretty healthy so far. My house is known for parasites and amoebas...so we've all been being really careful.
Reading though this email totally makes it sound like things are really rough, but I promise that all is well! The Lord has be blessing our efforts, and for the most part everyone is really loving because they know that we are missionaries. As we're walking it's not uncommon for someone to yell God bless you! My area has a lot of Haitians, and there are a lot of humble circumstances, which means that a lot of people are prepared to hear the gospel. So we're working hard! We've been spending a lot of time with the menos activos. I swear that if they all came to church we would have a stake here! So that has been our main focus. My mosquito net is my best friend. I'm so glad that I have it! Thank you so much!
I also recently heard that the islands, which used to only be open for Elders, is now open for sisters. So who knows! After this program I might be learning Papiomento! I've heard that they´re rough though....so we'll see. It will be some special sisters that get sent there initially, that's for sure.
Thank you guys for all of your support and love! I love hearing from you guys! I hope all is going well with preparing for the family reunion. Don't forget to write me while you're there! P days are on Monday now, so you can expect that from now on.
As a note, if you guys are ever wanting to send a package here are some tips that I've heard. Gift wrap each item in the box, they'll be less likely to steal it. Put pictures of Christ on the outside. And it's 90 pesos per lb of the package that comes out of my missionary fun for food and water, so it's better to do many light ones every once and a while then a few big ones. This is just for future reference, I'm not trying to suggest that I'm expecting one! haha.
Much love,
Hermana Cox
July 25th, 2013
Hola!
It was so great to hear from everyone! Shout out to Al, for graduating! I've been bragging you up out here, so I'm glad you actually survived until graduation.
This week was lots of fun! On Thursday we got to go out on splits, and I ended up being companions with our cousin Emily's best friend! It was a ton of fun. The second I walked into the mission home I was tackled in a hug by her. She said she had been waiting for me to come for forever! So it was fun to have some one who knew family. We took a few videos that she said she was going to send to Emily, so you'll have to ask grandma and grandpa about getting those later.
We ended up getting assigned to the touristy area of the DR. We had a couple of appointments, but none of the roads have street names so for a good while we wandered around trying to figure out where we were. Some nice people gave us a hand though, so we eventually found our first appointment. The first was an old lady who had a baptism date. She was really cute, and I had no idea what she was saying most of the time. But I shared a little bit about faith, prayed, and bore my testimony. Which is a start! Next we visited an old couple, where the wife was 95 and the husband was around the same age. It was one of our first meetings with them, so we were going over the restoration and the 1st vision. My companion did the first half, and then let me share James 1:5 and recite the first vision. It was amazing! Sadly....when we asked if they would pray to know if the message was true...the man flat out said no. But oh well! You can't win them all!
We then did some contacting, and we had another appointment where I got to share and talk about one of my favorite scriptures. Over all it was a great experience. It's HOT, and I sweated a ton, but everyone is so nice.
Some of the other missionaries had some more difficult experiences though...my companion saw a robbery and a fight between two people involving a machete and a motor bike. And one of the Elders in my district was in the capatillo (like the favellas of Brazil) and was offered weed and saw a house burn down....but everyone was safe and all was well! We go out again tomorrow, and I'm really excited! My next letter will be extremely long. I can't believe that I leave the CCM on Tuesday! I feel like I just got here! But I know I've learned a lot. It will be good to get started and have an area. Pray that I'll get a great trainer! Though I know the Lord is in control, and will give me exactly the type of person that will help me the most.
Other than that, this week has been pretty laid back. We study all day, and practice teaching on the Latinos a lot. This group of Latinos with us is SO fun and extremely nice. And some of them know both english and spanish, so they've helped us a lot. I love them all so much. I'm going to be so sad to say goodbye!
I'm so grateful for all of your prayers and support. I'm not exaggerating at all when I say that I can feel that extra help that they give me. Miracles truly are being worked in the CCM, and I know that I wouldn't have any of the progress with the language and with teaching if it hadn't been for all of your support. I pray for you guys daily, and I'm glad to hear that everything in going well. I love you guys so much!
Love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
It was so great to hear from everyone! Shout out to Al, for graduating! I've been bragging you up out here, so I'm glad you actually survived until graduation.
This week was lots of fun! On Thursday we got to go out on splits, and I ended up being companions with our cousin Emily's best friend! It was a ton of fun. The second I walked into the mission home I was tackled in a hug by her. She said she had been waiting for me to come for forever! So it was fun to have some one who knew family. We took a few videos that she said she was going to send to Emily, so you'll have to ask grandma and grandpa about getting those later.
We ended up getting assigned to the touristy area of the DR. We had a couple of appointments, but none of the roads have street names so for a good while we wandered around trying to figure out where we were. Some nice people gave us a hand though, so we eventually found our first appointment. The first was an old lady who had a baptism date. She was really cute, and I had no idea what she was saying most of the time. But I shared a little bit about faith, prayed, and bore my testimony. Which is a start! Next we visited an old couple, where the wife was 95 and the husband was around the same age. It was one of our first meetings with them, so we were going over the restoration and the 1st vision. My companion did the first half, and then let me share James 1:5 and recite the first vision. It was amazing! Sadly....when we asked if they would pray to know if the message was true...the man flat out said no. But oh well! You can't win them all!
We then did some contacting, and we had another appointment where I got to share and talk about one of my favorite scriptures. Over all it was a great experience. It's HOT, and I sweated a ton, but everyone is so nice.
Some of the other missionaries had some more difficult experiences though...my companion saw a robbery and a fight between two people involving a machete and a motor bike. And one of the Elders in my district was in the capatillo (like the favellas of Brazil) and was offered weed and saw a house burn down....but everyone was safe and all was well! We go out again tomorrow, and I'm really excited! My next letter will be extremely long. I can't believe that I leave the CCM on Tuesday! I feel like I just got here! But I know I've learned a lot. It will be good to get started and have an area. Pray that I'll get a great trainer! Though I know the Lord is in control, and will give me exactly the type of person that will help me the most.
Other than that, this week has been pretty laid back. We study all day, and practice teaching on the Latinos a lot. This group of Latinos with us is SO fun and extremely nice. And some of them know both english and spanish, so they've helped us a lot. I love them all so much. I'm going to be so sad to say goodbye!
I'm so grateful for all of your prayers and support. I'm not exaggerating at all when I say that I can feel that extra help that they give me. Miracles truly are being worked in the CCM, and I know that I wouldn't have any of the progress with the language and with teaching if it hadn't been for all of your support. I pray for you guys daily, and I'm glad to hear that everything in going well. I love you guys so much!
Love,
Hermana Cox
July 18th, 2013
It has been a crazy week! So sorry, this letter will probably be really jumbled. The majority of the missionaries in the CCM with us left this week, so for a while there were only 17 of us here. It was crazy, and really quiet for quite a few days. But we just got another big group in, and my companion and I were just called as the leaders of the hermanas in the CCM. So we had a lot of work to do in preparing for the new incoming missionaries. The new group from the states isn't as big as it was supposed to be, since a lot of the missionaries didn't get their visas. So there are only 2 girls from the states and the rest are Latinos. So its been really good practice for my Spanish!
The latinos in the group that just left were so nice, and a couple nights before they left they threw a huge fiesta in their room with food that they had picked up from la tienda. It was so much fun! They also did a little musical number in sacrament meeting where they were singing I am a Child of God. And they put in all of the work to learn the last verse in english for us. It was the cutest thing ever. They were really off tune, and belting it out.
I also have officially survived not only a hurricane here, but an earthquake. For a while I had no idea what was going on, but we figured it out after a little bit. Apparently around 20 other countries felt it as well, so I have no idea where the epicenter would be.
We also went to the university for the second time, and this time it was more difficult than usual. I'm not sure why, but something just seemed off, and we weren't the only companionship to feel that way. We managed to give out around 9 or 10 pamphlets, but no one really seemed interested. But I guess that is kinda the life of a missionary sometimes. Ah well, those days happen. Tomorrow we all get to go on splits for the first time, and I'm so excited! I'll finally get to see what it's really like out in the DR! Also, I'll finally figure out where my language is, and what I need to work on. I can hardly believe that I've been here a month! Time is speeding by!
Funny story of the week: One of our Elders was trying to explain to a Catholic that Joseph Smith was not a pope, and ended up saying that Joseph Smith wasn't a potato... It's a valid point I guess...haha :).
Other than that, not much else has happened. I love you guys so much! Sorry this letter is shorter than the others! I'll write more next week!
Love,
Hermana Cox
It has been a crazy week! So sorry, this letter will probably be really jumbled. The majority of the missionaries in the CCM with us left this week, so for a while there were only 17 of us here. It was crazy, and really quiet for quite a few days. But we just got another big group in, and my companion and I were just called as the leaders of the hermanas in the CCM. So we had a lot of work to do in preparing for the new incoming missionaries. The new group from the states isn't as big as it was supposed to be, since a lot of the missionaries didn't get their visas. So there are only 2 girls from the states and the rest are Latinos. So its been really good practice for my Spanish!
The latinos in the group that just left were so nice, and a couple nights before they left they threw a huge fiesta in their room with food that they had picked up from la tienda. It was so much fun! They also did a little musical number in sacrament meeting where they were singing I am a Child of God. And they put in all of the work to learn the last verse in english for us. It was the cutest thing ever. They were really off tune, and belting it out.
I also have officially survived not only a hurricane here, but an earthquake. For a while I had no idea what was going on, but we figured it out after a little bit. Apparently around 20 other countries felt it as well, so I have no idea where the epicenter would be.
We also went to the university for the second time, and this time it was more difficult than usual. I'm not sure why, but something just seemed off, and we weren't the only companionship to feel that way. We managed to give out around 9 or 10 pamphlets, but no one really seemed interested. But I guess that is kinda the life of a missionary sometimes. Ah well, those days happen. Tomorrow we all get to go on splits for the first time, and I'm so excited! I'll finally get to see what it's really like out in the DR! Also, I'll finally figure out where my language is, and what I need to work on. I can hardly believe that I've been here a month! Time is speeding by!
Funny story of the week: One of our Elders was trying to explain to a Catholic that Joseph Smith was not a pope, and ended up saying that Joseph Smith wasn't a potato... It's a valid point I guess...haha :).
Other than that, not much else has happened. I love you guys so much! Sorry this letter is shorter than the others! I'll write more next week!
Love,
Hermana Cox
July 11th, 2013
It wasn't too bad at all, just a bunch of rain here. A lot of people were nervous about it though, especially our teachers. We were all told to pray that it would pass us by, and it looks like our prayers were answered! It's been fun trying to explain the storms back home though. Everyone seems to think that I'm exaggerating! haha. We actually had a ton of fun with it the day before it got nasty. It rains almost constantly here. So when we went outside for gym time, we raced leaves down the streams of water in parking lot outside of the CCM and used one of the larger streams as a slip and slide. It was so much fun! My clothes still haven't dried out and it's been 2 days!
The university went SO well! It was one of the best experiences ever. This week has been a week of miracles. My and H.Jacobs made a goal before we left for the university that we would give out 5 pamphlet or a Book of Mormon. (looking back now....that was an extremely low goal.) When we got the university, we were walking down the street and a young man was walking in the other way. He smiled at us so I steeled my courage an approached him. We said hello, and it turned out that he spoke English! So we introduced ourselves and we all talked for a good 15 minutes about what he's studying, and where he's from, and how we like the DR. He used a lot of English so he could practice and I used a lot of Spanish so I could practice. The real miracle was when we introduced the Book of Mormon. People here are so excited about Jesus Christ! It's wonderful! When we spoke about how God loves all people, he just nodded and was like 'oh, I know that!" And went off about how he had been praying this morning for help in classes and other things in his life and then he ran into us.
But when we introduced the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ, and as a record of the words of Jesus Christ to the people in the Americas, he became so excited! "I never knew! That's awesome!" So we gave him the number for the missionaries and a Book of Mormon and he just seemed so thrilled. He kept telling us to let the other missionaries know that he can speak English and that they can call him Alli. So I think that he really will call them! The Spirit was just there so strongly. We were then able to give out the 5 pamphlets that we had agreed upon. Which was nothing compared to some of the other groups who gave out as many as 12! The people here are So ready to hear the gospel. It's amazing to be a part of it.
There were quite a few times when I couldn't figure out that some people were trying to say to me, but most of the time they would be really understanding and either simplify their language or try to act it out. And so many people couldn't believe that we had only been here learning Spanish for 2 weeks! The Lord really does give the gift of tongues. There is no way that I could learn as fast as I have without it. Most of the Latinos here tell me that I don't even have an accent! One of the most difficult things to deal with is the Dominicans accent. I can understand and talk with Latinos just fine! But Dominicans cut off half of their words....so I usually have no idea what they're trying to say to me! haha. Oh well, in time I'll figure it out. It helps that they gesture a lot.
Another amazing thing happened this week. Even though it was with out teacher 'investigators' it was still really exciting. One of the agreed to start moving towards baptism! And the other we just had an initial meeting with because she didn't live in our area. But in that initial meeting we had such a great lesson! It ended with both me and the 'investigator' crying! It made me so excited for the field. We have the university again this week and I'm so excited for it!
I also had the opportunity to teach a district meeting with my companion. We taught about virtue, and during it I learned what it meant to be a mouthpiece of the Lord. So many things I said in that meeting were things I had not planned, or even thought about. There were times where I wan't positive where I was going with a thought, but something always came it. It was the best lesson I've ever had a chance to participate in. My companion cried, and some of the Elders cried. It was such a spiritual experience! I've just been making people cry right and left this week! haha. But it's been great.
Along with all of the good lessons though...we did have one complete bomb! haha. It came with another one of our more difficult 'investigators'. We were trying to learn more about him so we could assess his needs, and poor H.Jacobs was trying to get a thought out- but accidentally ended up saying that if his girlfriend slept there with him he would have more time for the missionaries....not only that, but when we were teaching about baptism she got flustered and said that while his baptism is good, ours is better! Hhaha! I just about died! The poor girl was so humiliated though. And I didn't really help it. I didn't understand what was going on so I was just saying "Si!". Overall it was a total tank. But oh well! it could be worse i guess....
The cooks also put on quite the 4th of July party for us! I attached a picture for you guys. There was even a cake with an American flag on it! It was so sweet of them.
Other than that, the weeks are starting to run together. They keep us busy so I feel like I've been here for only a few days and for an eternity at the same time. Thank you guys so much for all of your support and love! I pray for you guys all of the time as well.
I love you!
Hermana Cox
It wasn't too bad at all, just a bunch of rain here. A lot of people were nervous about it though, especially our teachers. We were all told to pray that it would pass us by, and it looks like our prayers were answered! It's been fun trying to explain the storms back home though. Everyone seems to think that I'm exaggerating! haha. We actually had a ton of fun with it the day before it got nasty. It rains almost constantly here. So when we went outside for gym time, we raced leaves down the streams of water in parking lot outside of the CCM and used one of the larger streams as a slip and slide. It was so much fun! My clothes still haven't dried out and it's been 2 days!
The university went SO well! It was one of the best experiences ever. This week has been a week of miracles. My and H.Jacobs made a goal before we left for the university that we would give out 5 pamphlet or a Book of Mormon. (looking back now....that was an extremely low goal.) When we got the university, we were walking down the street and a young man was walking in the other way. He smiled at us so I steeled my courage an approached him. We said hello, and it turned out that he spoke English! So we introduced ourselves and we all talked for a good 15 minutes about what he's studying, and where he's from, and how we like the DR. He used a lot of English so he could practice and I used a lot of Spanish so I could practice. The real miracle was when we introduced the Book of Mormon. People here are so excited about Jesus Christ! It's wonderful! When we spoke about how God loves all people, he just nodded and was like 'oh, I know that!" And went off about how he had been praying this morning for help in classes and other things in his life and then he ran into us.
But when we introduced the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ, and as a record of the words of Jesus Christ to the people in the Americas, he became so excited! "I never knew! That's awesome!" So we gave him the number for the missionaries and a Book of Mormon and he just seemed so thrilled. He kept telling us to let the other missionaries know that he can speak English and that they can call him Alli. So I think that he really will call them! The Spirit was just there so strongly. We were then able to give out the 5 pamphlets that we had agreed upon. Which was nothing compared to some of the other groups who gave out as many as 12! The people here are So ready to hear the gospel. It's amazing to be a part of it.
There were quite a few times when I couldn't figure out that some people were trying to say to me, but most of the time they would be really understanding and either simplify their language or try to act it out. And so many people couldn't believe that we had only been here learning Spanish for 2 weeks! The Lord really does give the gift of tongues. There is no way that I could learn as fast as I have without it. Most of the Latinos here tell me that I don't even have an accent! One of the most difficult things to deal with is the Dominicans accent. I can understand and talk with Latinos just fine! But Dominicans cut off half of their words....so I usually have no idea what they're trying to say to me! haha. Oh well, in time I'll figure it out. It helps that they gesture a lot.
Another amazing thing happened this week. Even though it was with out teacher 'investigators' it was still really exciting. One of the agreed to start moving towards baptism! And the other we just had an initial meeting with because she didn't live in our area. But in that initial meeting we had such a great lesson! It ended with both me and the 'investigator' crying! It made me so excited for the field. We have the university again this week and I'm so excited for it!
I also had the opportunity to teach a district meeting with my companion. We taught about virtue, and during it I learned what it meant to be a mouthpiece of the Lord. So many things I said in that meeting were things I had not planned, or even thought about. There were times where I wan't positive where I was going with a thought, but something always came it. It was the best lesson I've ever had a chance to participate in. My companion cried, and some of the Elders cried. It was such a spiritual experience! I've just been making people cry right and left this week! haha. But it's been great.
Along with all of the good lessons though...we did have one complete bomb! haha. It came with another one of our more difficult 'investigators'. We were trying to learn more about him so we could assess his needs, and poor H.Jacobs was trying to get a thought out- but accidentally ended up saying that if his girlfriend slept there with him he would have more time for the missionaries....not only that, but when we were teaching about baptism she got flustered and said that while his baptism is good, ours is better! Hhaha! I just about died! The poor girl was so humiliated though. And I didn't really help it. I didn't understand what was going on so I was just saying "Si!". Overall it was a total tank. But oh well! it could be worse i guess....
The cooks also put on quite the 4th of July party for us! I attached a picture for you guys. There was even a cake with an American flag on it! It was so sweet of them.
Other than that, the weeks are starting to run together. They keep us busy so I feel like I've been here for only a few days and for an eternity at the same time. Thank you guys so much for all of your support and love! I pray for you guys all of the time as well.
I love you!
Hermana Cox
July 4th, 2013
I cannot tell you how happy your e-mail made me! And not just because of the picture of Benedict Cumberbatch...although that was pretty great. It was just what I needed! I've spent the past few days being more sick than I can remember. It was miserable! But things are looking up, and the end is in sight. Not to get all weepy and sappy and all of that, but I thought I would let you know that whenever I was feeling really overwhelmed and tired and gross, I would imagine that I was holding hands with you- like what you used to do way back when. It was really helpful actually! So thank you! :). (Mattie and Allyson often held hands during sacrament, not because she wanted to, but because Allyson forced her too... looks like persistence pays off!)
We only get an hour to e-mail here, it's crazy! So if me e-mails are ever pretty short I apologize. I would actually really love it if you started doing dear elder. Especially since I've heard that out in the field the chance to e-mail is pretty rare, and we only get an hour here. It's crazy!
We ran into the financial manager of my mission here at the CCM (which I still haven't figured out what exactly that stands for...) and he was just having a ball laughing at us. Apparently there will be times where there won't be water or electricity for a good 2 or 3 weeks. So pretty much I'm going to smell all the time! It's okay, the past week weeks at home were good practice for that ;).
I also have one favor to ask. They tell us that we need to take calcium pills while we're here since most of the milk is pretty sketchy...but they don't have any at the store. If there is any way that you could send some soon that would be awesome! (I wouldn't complain about a brick of chocolate either...) Other than that things are going really well.
We finally got a chance to go to the store so I was able to grab some Oreo's to satisfy my chocolate craving. Thank goodness! It was starting to get dangerous!
The Haitians that were here with us shipped out this week, and I teared up a little bit. They we're so much fun! But we just got a new group of Latin Elders and Hermanas, so I've been getting in some good practice while trying to show them around.
I'm so sad that I'm missing the 4th of July!! The cooks here are really nice though, and they decided that they would try to make some American food for us. Which ended up being burgers for lunch and turkey for dinner....I think they thought turkey goes with every American holiday, but oh well! It's that thought that counts :).
Things are still going really well with my companion and I. I've started reading Jesus The Christ on p-days and Sundays as you suggested and I'm loving it! It's slow going, but I'm learning a lot. Hermana Jacobs has started reading it too, so we talk about it. We've also starting reading True to the Faith together every night. I've just been learning so much. It's amazing how strong the Spirit can be. Especially when planning for our 'investigators', despite the fact that they're really just out teachers.
I haven't had the chance to use my mosquito net yet, we're kept pretty safe here in the CCM, but it sounds like it's pretty rugged out in the field so it will come into good use! There are roaches that crawl out of the sewers here, and they're pretty nasty. They fly! There are also lizards everywhere! I haven't had the chance to see any rats yet, and what a blessing that it... blech!
We've been teaching an "investigator" while here here. Who really is just our teacher....but it's going well! He came to church with us hypothetically, and he believes that the Book of Mormon is true. So it's just one more step to baptism! Thank you so much for your scriptures! Those really helped me!
We get to go to the temple once a week. Which is so gorgeous by the way!! I wish you guys could come and see it. But I'll send you pictures in another e-mail that I'm forwarding.
I love you guys, and thank you so much for your prayers. I know that they've been helping me so much. It's been amazing how strong the Spirit can be when you're a missionary! Two weeks in and it's already been a humbling experience.
.
I love you guys so much!
Hermana Cox
I cannot tell you how happy your e-mail made me! And not just because of the picture of Benedict Cumberbatch...although that was pretty great. It was just what I needed! I've spent the past few days being more sick than I can remember. It was miserable! But things are looking up, and the end is in sight. Not to get all weepy and sappy and all of that, but I thought I would let you know that whenever I was feeling really overwhelmed and tired and gross, I would imagine that I was holding hands with you- like what you used to do way back when. It was really helpful actually! So thank you! :). (Mattie and Allyson often held hands during sacrament, not because she wanted to, but because Allyson forced her too... looks like persistence pays off!)
We only get an hour to e-mail here, it's crazy! So if me e-mails are ever pretty short I apologize. I would actually really love it if you started doing dear elder. Especially since I've heard that out in the field the chance to e-mail is pretty rare, and we only get an hour here. It's crazy!
We ran into the financial manager of my mission here at the CCM (which I still haven't figured out what exactly that stands for...) and he was just having a ball laughing at us. Apparently there will be times where there won't be water or electricity for a good 2 or 3 weeks. So pretty much I'm going to smell all the time! It's okay, the past week weeks at home were good practice for that ;).
I also have one favor to ask. They tell us that we need to take calcium pills while we're here since most of the milk is pretty sketchy...but they don't have any at the store. If there is any way that you could send some soon that would be awesome! (I wouldn't complain about a brick of chocolate either...) Other than that things are going really well.
We finally got a chance to go to the store so I was able to grab some Oreo's to satisfy my chocolate craving. Thank goodness! It was starting to get dangerous!
The Haitians that were here with us shipped out this week, and I teared up a little bit. They we're so much fun! But we just got a new group of Latin Elders and Hermanas, so I've been getting in some good practice while trying to show them around.
I'm so sad that I'm missing the 4th of July!! The cooks here are really nice though, and they decided that they would try to make some American food for us. Which ended up being burgers for lunch and turkey for dinner....I think they thought turkey goes with every American holiday, but oh well! It's that thought that counts :).
Things are still going really well with my companion and I. I've started reading Jesus The Christ on p-days and Sundays as you suggested and I'm loving it! It's slow going, but I'm learning a lot. Hermana Jacobs has started reading it too, so we talk about it. We've also starting reading True to the Faith together every night. I've just been learning so much. It's amazing how strong the Spirit can be. Especially when planning for our 'investigators', despite the fact that they're really just out teachers.
I haven't had the chance to use my mosquito net yet, we're kept pretty safe here in the CCM, but it sounds like it's pretty rugged out in the field so it will come into good use! There are roaches that crawl out of the sewers here, and they're pretty nasty. They fly! There are also lizards everywhere! I haven't had the chance to see any rats yet, and what a blessing that it... blech!
We've been teaching an "investigator" while here here. Who really is just our teacher....but it's going well! He came to church with us hypothetically, and he believes that the Book of Mormon is true. So it's just one more step to baptism! Thank you so much for your scriptures! Those really helped me!
We get to go to the temple once a week. Which is so gorgeous by the way!! I wish you guys could come and see it. But I'll send you pictures in another e-mail that I'm forwarding.
I love you guys, and thank you so much for your prayers. I know that they've been helping me so much. It's been amazing how strong the Spirit can be when you're a missionary! Two weeks in and it's already been a humbling experience.
.
I love you guys so much!
Hermana Cox
June 27th, 2013
That would probably be the cruelest thing you would have ever done, and I probably would never come home if you did that. I'm on a Caribbean island! I'll survive here! Haha. He got the shot record, so I only have to get one later on. I'm actually kinda hoping they forget about it....haha. The poor Haitians that are here with us haven't had any so they had to get all of theirs here in one dose. (She forgot to bring her shot records, and our Dad was thinking about emailing the Elder in charge and telling him that they didn't have any shot records. If you didn't know Mattie is the WORST shot taker EVER!!)
The DR is beautiful! I can see the ocean from my room, and we've had so many tropical rainstorms. I haven't had to use my fortress quite yet, but it sounds like my area is pretty questionable. So I bet it will come into good use!
Spanish is coming. The learning curve is steep since Spanish is the only allowed language in the CCM. If you try to speak anything else you get in trouble! So I've been sounding like a cave woman this past week. They've already had us learn to bare our testimonies, pray, and introduce ourselves and our families. We've already taught our first 'investigator" in Spanish! That was a fun experience. It's been interesting to say the least. I had no idea how spoiled Provo MTC missionaries were until I came here! Surprisingly enough what is killing me the most is that there is absolutely zero dessert here! We get ice cream Sunday nights, but that is just not enough for me....so hopefully I adapt to that soon because I'm going through withdrawals!
My companion is really nice. Her name is Hermana Jacobs, and she's from Rexburg, ID where her family owns a potato farm. She is the complete stereotype of Idaho! haha. But she's really easy going, and is just as dedicated to the rules as me so things have been going well. We share a room with 6 other girls, who all really nice. There is one other companionship in my district, and it's a trio of Elders. They're all lots of fun but they get really impatient like you to learn that language.
Since today is p-day we get to go to the temple after this. We get to go to the temple every p-day in the CCM! Which is exciting. One things that had been an adjustment as well is how rare white people are. When we're out and about for gym there are people who unashamedly take pictures of us. We're weirdos here! Haha!
There is a total of about 56 missionaries in the CCM here, and apparently that is biggest number they've had here! We eat a combination of mystery meat, rice, and beans for almost every meal; but I've been told to eat up because it will be looking really nice when I'm out in the field! We had the chance to talk with the financial leader for my mission and her said that it's not uncommon for water and electricity to go out for a few weeks at a time. So looks like I'm getting paid back for making fun of Morgan's bucket showers...
The roaches fly here. And there are a bunch of kids that like to come play with us during gym. I'm still at the point that I can only understand their ages and how many brothers and sisters they have. One even rolled his eyes at me when I said I didn't understand! But I gave him a banana so all seemed forgiven after that.
Teaching the first 'investigator' was interesting, and pretty tragic. While me and my companions lesson didn't go to well, ours didn't go nearly as bad as a elders! They didn't knock at all! they just walked right in the door, closed it, and locked it behind them. One of the Elders is a native speaker, so the other Elders would just tell him things in English to tell to the 'investigator'! It was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen! It was amazing to experience though, no matter how bad out lesson was, how when we started talking about the first vision the Spirit was so strong in the room. I could just feel it witnessing that what we were talking about was true. It was truly miraculous.
We had a member of the 1 Quorum of the 70 come and speak with us this week, which was wonderful; and I can see the ocean from my room. Most of us are going to the east mission, and there are a lot of Haitians in the CCM with us. They're really funny, and they've been trying to teach me french. I'm really bad though so most of the time they give up.
I love you guys!
Hermana Cox
That would probably be the cruelest thing you would have ever done, and I probably would never come home if you did that. I'm on a Caribbean island! I'll survive here! Haha. He got the shot record, so I only have to get one later on. I'm actually kinda hoping they forget about it....haha. The poor Haitians that are here with us haven't had any so they had to get all of theirs here in one dose. (She forgot to bring her shot records, and our Dad was thinking about emailing the Elder in charge and telling him that they didn't have any shot records. If you didn't know Mattie is the WORST shot taker EVER!!)
The DR is beautiful! I can see the ocean from my room, and we've had so many tropical rainstorms. I haven't had to use my fortress quite yet, but it sounds like my area is pretty questionable. So I bet it will come into good use!
Spanish is coming. The learning curve is steep since Spanish is the only allowed language in the CCM. If you try to speak anything else you get in trouble! So I've been sounding like a cave woman this past week. They've already had us learn to bare our testimonies, pray, and introduce ourselves and our families. We've already taught our first 'investigator" in Spanish! That was a fun experience. It's been interesting to say the least. I had no idea how spoiled Provo MTC missionaries were until I came here! Surprisingly enough what is killing me the most is that there is absolutely zero dessert here! We get ice cream Sunday nights, but that is just not enough for me....so hopefully I adapt to that soon because I'm going through withdrawals!
My companion is really nice. Her name is Hermana Jacobs, and she's from Rexburg, ID where her family owns a potato farm. She is the complete stereotype of Idaho! haha. But she's really easy going, and is just as dedicated to the rules as me so things have been going well. We share a room with 6 other girls, who all really nice. There is one other companionship in my district, and it's a trio of Elders. They're all lots of fun but they get really impatient like you to learn that language.
Since today is p-day we get to go to the temple after this. We get to go to the temple every p-day in the CCM! Which is exciting. One things that had been an adjustment as well is how rare white people are. When we're out and about for gym there are people who unashamedly take pictures of us. We're weirdos here! Haha!
There is a total of about 56 missionaries in the CCM here, and apparently that is biggest number they've had here! We eat a combination of mystery meat, rice, and beans for almost every meal; but I've been told to eat up because it will be looking really nice when I'm out in the field! We had the chance to talk with the financial leader for my mission and her said that it's not uncommon for water and electricity to go out for a few weeks at a time. So looks like I'm getting paid back for making fun of Morgan's bucket showers...
The roaches fly here. And there are a bunch of kids that like to come play with us during gym. I'm still at the point that I can only understand their ages and how many brothers and sisters they have. One even rolled his eyes at me when I said I didn't understand! But I gave him a banana so all seemed forgiven after that.
Teaching the first 'investigator' was interesting, and pretty tragic. While me and my companions lesson didn't go to well, ours didn't go nearly as bad as a elders! They didn't knock at all! they just walked right in the door, closed it, and locked it behind them. One of the Elders is a native speaker, so the other Elders would just tell him things in English to tell to the 'investigator'! It was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen! It was amazing to experience though, no matter how bad out lesson was, how when we started talking about the first vision the Spirit was so strong in the room. I could just feel it witnessing that what we were talking about was true. It was truly miraculous.
We had a member of the 1 Quorum of the 70 come and speak with us this week, which was wonderful; and I can see the ocean from my room. Most of us are going to the east mission, and there are a lot of Haitians in the CCM with us. They're really funny, and they've been trying to teach me french. I'm really bad though so most of the time they give up.
I love you guys!
Hermana Cox
June 20th, 2013
Hola!
We're just allowed to write a quick note to let you guys know that I've arrive safely. The flights were long, but I love the CCM and my first companion. I've taught my first lesson, and am allowed to only speak in Spanish for the majority of the time. My p-days are actually on Thursdays here, so you'll hear more from me then. I love it here! We already got to practice teaching a lesson! I love you guys!
Much love,
Hermana Cox
Hola!
We're just allowed to write a quick note to let you guys know that I've arrive safely. The flights were long, but I love the CCM and my first companion. I've taught my first lesson, and am allowed to only speak in Spanish for the majority of the time. My p-days are actually on Thursdays here, so you'll hear more from me then. I love it here! We already got to practice teaching a lesson! I love you guys!
Much love,
Hermana Cox