No Snow Yet, But it Still Pours

Hey everybody!

I hope you all have been doing well, getting ready for the holiday

season! We definitely have been.

Throughout the week, we have been sharing the video "A Savior is Born"

to people on the street and have given the pass along cards that go

along with it. It's been an effective way to talk to people on the

street. But it also helps us understand more and more what the true

meaning of Christmas is all about and what it means to have a Savior.

Wednesday I went up to Cherry Hill with Elder Bowman, my zone leader,

for an exchange. It was really good! Elder Bowman is.....not afraid to

be himself. But he is a spiritual giant. It was great to work with him

because you know how much he cares about his great work. Although it

was pouring, we still got a lot done in his area. We met with his

woman who has a son who is pretty much restricted to his bed and can't

talk. But it's so great to see her faith even through all her

hardships, she still presses on and shares the gospel in every way she

can.

Thursday, we had Zone Training! It was great to hear all the trainings

from the Zone Leaders and the Sister Training Leaders. We also gave a

training ourselves, which was a lot of fun and very spiritual! Later

that day we had an appointment with this woman whose name is Amy. Amy

is the only member in her family, but her husband and son were

interested in hearing about the Restoration. It was so great, her son,

Nick, told us how everything we were teaching sounded so true. I was

so glad being able to see this young man (he's 14), be open and say

what we were teaching is true. We're hoping we can set him with a date

in January, so I might not be here when he gets baptized, if I get

transferred, but it'd still be great to see Nick, and his dad, Chris

accept the gospel.

Sunday, we had stake conference, which was very spiritual. It was

great to hear from the Stake Presidency, members of the D.C. temple

presidency, and special testimonies given by two returned sister

missionaries. One of the missionaries came home after three weeks in

the mtc because she had cancer. Her address was very emotional. You

knew how badly she wanted to stay out in the mission field. It really

made me ponder how this time is so important for me,mot be out here on

a mission. I really just want to look back at my service and say I did

all the Lord asked me to do, because not everyone gets this chance

like I do, and I have to do my absolute best. Like it says in Alma

34:32, this time is to prepare to meet God. It is my hope and prayer

all of us are doing what we can to prepare to meet our Father in

Heaven at the last day. I'm grateful to be out here, especially during

the Holidays. I hope all of you have a great week! I know finals are

either here or coming up, but after that, you can just take a step

back and remember the Savior even more. I know I have as I have been

in His service everyday.

Elder Cortes