Hola! (Just kidding, I didn't go on he Spanish exchange, I'll explain
later in the email)
Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month on the mission. It's
weird, I can remember being dropped off at the mtc so clearly. But I
can just say I am so grateful for all the fun, the laughs, and the
spiritual experiences I have had so far. I'm also so thankful for this
P-day because it's my little sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Annie!
Elder Hendricks went to the D.C. temple on Tuesday since he's going
home on Sept. 1st. All the missionaries going home have the
opportunity to go to the temple before the leave the mission. He said
it was a special experience and I was so glad for him because he's
served so faithfully the past two years. I am so privileged to be
trained by a successful, spiritual missionary like him. Definitely
cherishing he last 3 weeks with him.
Tuesday was just a very spiritual day, for the most part we did
finding. It happened because a few appointments fell through so we
just went around the area contacting referrals and contacting old
investigators. For the most part, we didn't have any success in our
finding but it was special, I felt like the Savior was walking right
behind Elder Froc and I. Anytime it was just difficult, I wanted to
keep going. I wanted to keep trying to share the gospel. I just felt
so happy to be out as a missionary.
But let me just say, it did not get easier the next day. Every single
appointment fell through except for one and when we went finding we
weren't exactly treated with....the kindest words. But what I
recognized, was the peace and the feeling of Christ being with me
didn't leave me. It was just like someone was telling me in my head
it'll be alright. I said there was one appointment that held, it was
at the end of the night with a less active member named Sister
Punchello. She had all these concerns about being a member of the
church and just being afraid of people knowing she was LDS. It was
just so great to talk and to bear our testimonies on being a light to
other people who may need it. By the end of the lesson, she just felt
so calm and you could tell the spirit touched her heart. That one
lesson, made the whole day worth it. It didn't matter how difficult
the day was, because all I can remember is that lesson. I was just so
glad Heavenly Father blessed us for our efforts of just trying and not
giving up. He blessed us and it was just proved to me having faith in
God and Christ is not in vain. The Lord will bless us as we are
faithful to Him.
Thursday, I didn't go on the exchange because the Zone Leaders caught
some nasty stomach bug. Let's just say they spent a lot of time in
their apartment. They only had enough energy to conduct Zone
Conference. So the Spanish exchange will be in 2 weeks. Zone
conference! Such a great meeting. Pretty much it's 15 missionaries
just having a meeting on how to improve. They talked about a lot of
ways to be better missionaries, but what really stuck out was how we
talk. It was interesting because they mentioned we pray to God and
speak in church very sincerely. In those times, people can feel the
spirit in what we say. But it can also work on the flip side. If we
joke around or are very sarcastic, it's possible someone could take it
the wrong way. The same voice we use to worship God and support others
can be used to bring down or hurt someone. It's my hope that all of us
are mindful in what we say, because it can either help or hurt someone
we know. But the spirit was just so strong, it just felt so natural
being in a meeting with everyone just have the same purpose, in
serving our Heavenly Father. The elders and sisters in the zone are
just awesome. They all really do have a testimony and have a desire to
do the work.
Friday and Saturday we met with Sara and Amanda, two investigators
that are getting baptized! Amanda is being baptized this Sunday and
Sara will be baptized the following week. It's just such a blessing to
see how these best friends have a strong desire to follow the Lord and
be baptized. Just seeing the spirit they have and to hear what they
have felt is just so cool. I'm glad Heavenly Father is blessing me, in
my first area, to see two investigators take that big step. We are
also teaching an investigator named Kevin who is just so smart and a
very caring guy. He's married to a less active member and they have a
two month old girl named Aubrey. We invited him and his family to
church and they came! I'm really hoping I can help him get to that
road to baptism. Because he's such a great man who loves his family. I
know the gospel can bless him and his family.
But really, there's never a dull moment in the mission. This week it
just felt so natural to be in New Jersey. I'm just so glad to be here
sharing what I believe and giving people that opportunity to hear. The
Lord has been helping me, whenever there's a struggle I pray to God
for aid through Christ's atonement. And every time the load seems
lighter, I feel there's someone right behind my shoulder. And I know
there is. Elder Holland said hold on to the faith you have, in any
situation, hold on. I bear my witness God hears every single prayer we
say, and He will bless us if we continue to have that faith. It might
not always be the way we want it, but He gives us aid. Even if it's
peace of mind after a prayer. I promise He loves us individually. We
are His children, never lose that faith. Thank you for the prayers and
love. I know it's there back home. I pray for everyone at home as
well, that you are all well. Don't worry about me, I'm just working!
And I wouldn't want it any other way.
Elder Cortes
No comments:
Post a Comment