The Best Two Years

Well, this is the last weekly! It's crazy to think how the time has just flown out here. There's a lot of mixed feelings going on right now, but I'm thankful to look back on my service to the Lord this past week or so. I have had so much fun learning from the Lord in so many different ways. It's been such a great two years to be here in this special part of the Lord's vineyard serving in 6 different areas with 15 companions that mean so much. Serving a mission has been the best decision I have ever made in my life that I will always be thankful to my Father in Heaven for. The people I have met have changed my life and I know the friendships I've made will last for a lifetime. I have really come to see my testimony strengthened through experiences that I will keep for the rest of my life. There is no doubt in my mind Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Book of Mormon is a witness of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm thankful to know who my Savior is and how much He loves me. He's helped me really see who I am and how I've become a better person by losing myself in this great work. I'm excited to see how my mission will play a role in all the different parts of my life. Thank you everyone for all the support you gave. It has been such a blessing to hear how all of you have been doing and to know that you all had my back back home and out here in the field. 

If there is anything you can remember from my emails it is that I am sure God lives and loves us always. He sent the Savior to help us become something more, I know we will return to God if we will follow the Savior and rely on Him. It's my hope we will all find happiness that comes from living the Gospel.

Love,

Elder Leopoldo Cortes

Doylestown, PA

Final Fourth Means Going Out With A BANG

Happy Fourth of July!

It's starting to get pretty real over here in the PPM. It's the last week of the transfer with a lot of stuff going on. But I'll get to that later in the weekly. We've had a lot of special experiences from this past week. 

Wednesday was jam packed with the Restoration Site up in Susquehanna. It was a three hour drive one way, but it was so worth it. They took two different groups up to the site so we had 8 missionaries in the van which was so much fun to talk about our missions and plans for life back home. Being at the site was pretty special since I hadn't been in 20 months, but every time you go, there's always a special Spirit there. It was neat because we had a specialized farewell tour of the site where they connected Joseph Smith's work, to the work we have done on our missions. It really strengthened my testimony just those few hours in the Prophet of the Restoration. I'm so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel and that anyone can receive the blessings that have come simply because Joseph decided to ask in faith. 

After that, we have been finding people just left and right. Just one that sticks out to me is a man named George. He's 86 and had been married to his wife, who has passed, for 60 years. He's such a great guy and it was a great experience to testify of the Plan of Salvation. I don't know if I'll teach George again, but I'm thankful Heavenly Father continues to bless us with finding people who are ready to here the fullness of the Gospel. Even through time is winding down for me, I'm still seeing those blessings that come from being a missionary, which I am so grateful for. 

Sunday was also pretty great. I gave my last testimony as a missionary which was a pretty great experience for me to stand before such a great ward who is so caring toward the missionaries. Without a doubt, Doylestown Ward has a special place in my heart. The Galloways were also going out of town for a little over a week, so I said my goodbyes to them as well as Skylar. I feel so blessed to have been able to work with her and to see everyone's life change as she worked towards being baptized. Monday was also the last District Meeting which was kind of weird to think. Just a lot of lasts that have been coming up, but I'm always so thankful for these special times to really soak it all in. 

I'm very thankful that I'm able to spend one more Fourth out here on the mission. It's been great to really reflect how we are free both temportally and spiritually. You see it over and over the Book of Mormon prophesied this land as choice above all other lands. I'm grateful we get to celebrate the nation's independence and that the Lord has provided a place where the Gospel may grow and expand to the world.

Well, I'm in the home stretch. This week is going to go by like it's nothing. I have my exit interview with President Randall Thursday, departing temple trip Friday, P-day Monday, seeing the city Tuesday, touching down Wednesday. So I have plenty to keep me busy. I'll send out one final email Monday, so till next week.

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

One Last Trip to PennyPACK

Hey everyone! 

It's been a pretty good week for us here in D-Town like it is every week! How can you not have a good week in the Lord's service? But really, it was a blast.

It all started when I went on my last exchange of my mission with my Zone Leader Elder Jolley. Now, Elder Jolley has a soft spot in my heart since we go way back. Not only was he my District Leader in Kutztown, but he's also from Mesa. He actually went to Mountain View for two years which was pretty neat. We caught up on people back home we both knew and talked about the end of the mission. Elder Jolley goes home with me on the same flight, so it was really cool to get another Elder's perspective on coming home. But it was so much fun, we went to Pennypack one last time and it was a blast to see some of the less actives and recent converts I had visited before when I came before. By the end of it, I felt pretty satisfied with how the exchange went and was determined to move forward in the week.

We also found this great lady named Ellie Parker. Any Ellie I find on my mission I always figure is pretty promising. But it was cool to get to know her, she's 85 and had a lot of questions about being forgiven and living with God again. We both got pretty excited to answer her questions. It was very great for me personally because I felt as though we were sent to be an answer to her prayers so that she may find personal peace in her life. 

We also got back in touch with my good friend Aaron Melchor. We had lost contact/ cancelled appointments with Aaron the past two weeks. So being able to meet with him was such a miracle. We taught him the Plan of Salvation through the Book of Mormon which he really enjoyed. He got so much out of our discussion. We invited him to baptism and he told us he would think about it. You could tell the Spirit was really working on him. I feel it's only a matter of time for Aaron to accept, now it's just a matter of helping him come to church.

But it's been such a blessed week. More stuff about home is getting sent from the office and I'm just really thinking how can I use these last two weeks to help me prepare for home. It was great because I had a few minutes with our Stake President, President Ross. And I asked him for advice about being home and he was just so insightful and kind. It really made me thankful my whole mission I have worked with such exemplary leaders in the church. 

I'm so thankful for the opportunities I have to keep learning on the mission. I might be on the tail end of things, but my ability to learn by the Spirit has no expiration date. That is a blessing I will always be thankful for. 

The next P-day is the Fourth so I'll write then. Can't wait to bring you up to speed with the next scoop in the PPM. We're going to the Restoration Site Wednesday and I am so pumped! Talk to you all later!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

Time Stops for No Elder

Hey everyone!

I was looking at the date today and all I can say is that time flies when you're having fun. It feels like it was yesterday when the transfer started and her we are heading into week #4! We had a lot of blessings come our way as we tried to be diligent as we could be. Our Mission President set a mission goal for each companionship to talk to 20 people a day. It was great when we heard this goal because we have been striving to find as many people as we can to teach. We were both committed in striving to reach this goal. 

It was such a good experience for both of us. We talked to all sorts of people, people who were very adamant about them not being interested, to people who seemed very interested. It was great to see both ends of the spectrum and really see the phrase "finding the elect" come to life for us. We didn't find anyone new to reach until we met with a man named Dennis. We talked to Dennis two weeks ago and set up an appointment for last Saturday at the church. It was pretty neat because we gave him a tour of the building and taught him the Restoration. He really appreciate the time we had together and wanted to meet again, in the middle of next month. It was really special for me because I saw firsthand the Lord blessing us, not on our time or the exact way we wanted him to, but his blessings are there. It would have been great to meet with him one more time before I left, but I certainly understand the Lord has a plan for Dennis and it's all on the Lord's time how it will work out.

We also had the privilege of meeting with Elder Kopeschke of the Seventy. It was 7 hours of training and learning by the Spirit and by the great leaders I have been blessed to work with on my mission. I also saw many old friends, Elder Harris (the first Elder I trained), Elder Maynard, and so many more. It was kinda weird because at the end of the meeting I said goodbye to a few Elders I will never see again in the mission. I'm not sure I'll see all of them later in life, but it really made me reflect and appreciate the missionaries I have the privilege to work with and learn from as I head on back to the desert in a few weeks. I can't even tell you how many lessons were learned just by being with other missionaries, but it means so much to me.

The last thing I want to touch on is just to express my love and gratitude to my Dad. Without a doubt, my Dad has to be one of the best people I have ever come to know and love. There was a brief moment in Sacrament Meeting where I just missed him and wish I could talk to him. He's really shown me the kind of person I want to be in my life. It can be from using clean language all the time, to really trying to understand others and not to make harsh judgements. I will always be grateful for my Dad, his example and love really gives me an idea on how Heavenly Father views me and loves me as His child.

Even though time won't stop, I'm putting my foot on the gas pedal and won't let up until I'm back in Arizona. I'm really looking forward to these next three weeks!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

It's Starting to Feel Like AZ

Hey everybody!

It's been a pretty good week for us here in Doylestown. Elder West has been really learning how to do missionary work and really get into the swing of things. I'm thankful Heavenly Father has blessed me with such a good Elder to really help push me and be my absolute best. 

It's been a tad slow working with our investigators. Either they've been sick or had stuff going on which is a bummer. But it's not a problem! We keep working to find Ghost who are prepared while we try to keep in touch with the people we teach. 

One thing that was a bit strange was that I had my final regular interview with President Randall. So now the next time we will talk one on one will be my exit interview. This has probably been the fastest transfer of my life. But I'm definitely enjoying the days as they roll on. We have Zone Conference Wednesday with Elder Kopeshke of the Seventy! No better way to end my mission than with another general authority visit. I'm excited what revelation I will receive when we go and meet him. 

The mission has been fantastic. I'm really learning who I want to be continually when I get back because I'm working hard now. It's definitely a blessing as I have been as diligent as I could be. I'll keep you all posted how the mission goes for me! Thanks for all the love and support.

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

The Golden Fire in Doylestown

Hey everybody!

It's been such a blast this week. So much has gone on and it's been great here to start off the transfer. 

It all started with transfers, I said goodbye to Elder Morton and I picked up Elder Smith (another trainer) and we went to work in Doylestown for a few days. They put us together because we didn't pick up the Goldens until Thursday, but it was so much fun. Elder Smith actually served in Doylestown for a while and is currently serving in Exeter, one of my past areas. We had plenty to talk about between our areas and actually worked pretty well together. We taught our investigator Aaron how to personally apply the Book of Mormon which was fantastic! The highlight of the exchange, however, was that I was able to talk to Melissa Maldanado, a Recent Convert I worked with. It was so great to catch up for 5 minutes or so talking about her and her family and said how much they all missed me. It was a special blessing of the Lord to be on that two day exchange.

But then the big day came on Thursday. We went to the Golden Meeting and they announced the companionships one by one and I met my Golden Elder West! He's such a great Elder. He's from West Jordan, Utah and is the oldest of 4. He actually came out at 19 so he's a bit more mature which is very great. All he wants to do is work hard and learn as much as he can as a missionary. Every trainer prays and hopes for such a strong missionary like Elder West. I'm so thankful he's my final companion that will be sending me home. I know we will have such an amazing transfer.

Speaking of that, we already started on the right foot! We found some incredible people this week. We actually met a man named Matthew on Saturday who ordered a Bible. He lives 3 minutes away walking distance from the church, so we had our lesson with him inside and it went so well. Elder West invited him to baptism! In just 3 days, Elder West is pretty much a natural at missionary work. Matthew said he would think about it, so we will keep working towards that goal with him. But it's been a blessing, we have been starting to find more people to work with which is so exciting. The Lord is blessing us so abundantly here in Doylestown. I'm so thankful for all the tender mercies He has given me. I have been able to see it so clearly this past week. From picking up Elder West, to teaching Matthew. There's always a way to see the Lord's hand in your life. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this week!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

One Last Adventure in Doylestown

Hey everybody!

There isn't a lot to update on since Friday but I do have exciting news regarding my last transfer. We found out Saturday night Elder Morton will be leaving for Maryland and I will be finishing my mission in Doylestown. What's even more exciting is that I received a call from President Randall last night and he extended the invitation to train for my last transfer!

I am so excited to finish my mission with this opportunity to be with another brand new missionary. I feel so humbled with how much trust the Lord has in me to start this new missionary on the right foot for his mission. 

I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me these next 6 weeks!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA