Almost the End of September

Wow, it's almost the end of September??? Let me tell you all, that

when everyone says a mission flies by, it is so true. I guess I get so

ingrained in the work, I really don't pay attention to time.

But I'm so glad I get this time to write to you guys! Because you're

all important to me and I really do care how you all are and it's the

same Sent from my iPad

It was a little tough this week, we heard some rough news from a few

of our investigators. Just different things with serious sickness,

death in the family, different things that really do break your heart.

That's what is really tough on me, is that these are people I care

about, not just an investigator. One thing I never really imagined was

the true fellowship I have with the people, the ward and those I

taught. It is such a blessing for me to have so much love for so many

different people, it really does make you think how Christ loves all

of us. Thankfully, they're all doing better and we have been able to

help out. With Norma, she told us how grateful she was we stopped by

twice to see her, even though she was struggling. She told us how she

felt stronger spiritually when we were around, it was just so special

to hear that. It just makes you want to work even more, even though

it's 95 degrees outside, and the sun is in your face. Those things

just go away, the work just seems easier.

One of the things that have really stuck out to me is teaching Carmen.

Angela and Emmanuel moved to North Philadelphia, so it's Rodrigo and

Carmen now. Carmen has told us how much she wants to quit smoking and

how she wants to change for her kids. It's just been great to talk

about the atonement and how she really can change through it. We're

teaching her the Word of Wisdom this week so I'm pretty excited for

that!

We also had an exchange with the Zone Leaders on Wednesday. I stayed

in Moorestown and Elder Riley came from Cherry Hill. I was a little

anxious because this was the first exchange where it was just me

taking over the area (in the trio, two Elders stayed in the area). But

everything worked out perfectly, we taught all three lessons we

planned on and they all went so well, Elder Riley was so great to work

with too. I learned so much from him in one day, it was such a great

experience.

Thursday, we went into Sewell and another part of Cherry Hill to do

some work for the Sisters since we don't do exchanges with them. It

was a long day all around, but it was so great. We were able to give a

sister a blessing after district meeting and I was just so happy to

give that service for her, to use that special Priesthood Power I have

been given.

Saturday, let me tell you, it was pretty busy. We started the day off

by doing a couple hours of yard work for Brother Madueke trimming his

bushes, avoiding bees, just a lot work. Then, we went to Bob and

Joanna's wedding reception (they we're sealed in the Salt Lake Temple

3 weeks ago) and it's so special for me to be received by the ward. I

mean, I'm not afraid to call the Moorestown Ward a second home ward.

I've been here a little over two months and they treat me here like

I've lived here my whole life.

Sunday though,was probably the icing on the cake for me. We started

teaching a less active named David Garduno on Sunday night. David has

lost part of his foot and is extremely diabetic. He asked us last week

if we could bring him the sacrament and we got permission to. Last

night was the first week of us giving him the sacrament, and let me

just say, blessing the sacrament is probably one of my favorite things

to ever do. Everyone in the 18th Ward knows that. But it's been about

3 months since I have blessed it and it was just a comforting feeling.

This might be a little....out of the ordinary. But it felt like there

was a hand on my shoulder. I just felt so much peace and joy in my

heart. Even though I was in a little care center room, it felt as

though I was inside a chapel. It was completely silent, it was

peaceful. It goes to show, anywhere you are, you can feel the Spirit

of the Lord. Just keep your ears and your heart open for it. I promise

it is there, you can receive it if you are willing to let the Lord in.

Hope you all have a great week!

Elder Cortes