Labor Day!

Hey everybody!

First of all, happy Labor Day. First holiday in the mission, and I

know a lot of you are getting a break from school. So I'm glad for

you! This week I started my second transfer, Elder Hendricks went home

and we got a new companion. Needless to say, there hasn't been a dull

moment.

So for the rest of Monday and all of Tuesday, it was just Elder Froc

and I. It just felt so different being in a duo, which is the normal

way to do missionary work. But being in a trio just felt so natural,

which is funny because when I started in a trio, I just thought it

would be weird.

It's alright though because we drove to Philly on Wednesday to find

our new companion! And we got Elder Foster (if anyone talks to Foster

Burton, let him know. He will get a kick out of this). Elder Foster is

so great, he is from Eastern Washington state (apparently it's a

desert) and has been out for a year. What was hilarious was we were

talking outside the bathroom before transfers and we got along pretty

well! I'm just so grateful for him and that we just click so well.

On Thursday we had district meeting with a new district. Along with

the transfer, our districts in the zone changed. Before, our

companionship was with two sets of Elders. Now, we are with ten

sisters and the zone leaders. I will admit, it was different that's

for sure. I also was asked to give the grinder (5 minute talk) so that

made it even more different. But everyone is very nice so it was easy

to adjust.

Friday, we met Brother Cotton, a less active in the ward. It's tough

to see because he's really old but he's still looking for a job. Both

times we are about to go, he just tells us thanks for taking time out

to stop by. That's what I really love, is as long as we can make

someone's day, just by stopping by, I feel the day was a success, and

that day all our appointments fell through.

Saturday we saw Bob Jameson, the guy who has been taught by

missionaries for ten years. We see him every Saturday and we really

saw something we haven't seen before. He went to a returned

missionary's wedding and saw so many people that had that special

light. He said he'll get there, but it will take time. I was just so

glad he's willing to try, Bob is so funny and caring. He feeds us

every Saturday. I really do hope he accepts the gospel in the near

future.

Sunday, it was insane because 30 new members moved in the war in two

weeks. The downside was that most of them called me Elder Cortz. It

was kinda funny actually, just because no one has ever said my name

like that. But I guess that's Jersey for ya!

It was hard this week I'm not going to lie. So many people were out of

town so it was difficult to really set up appointments. But we just

keep going, just keep trying. I know the Lord will provide as we

continue to work. I hope all is well back home! I'll keep praying for

you all back in Az!

Elder Cortes