It's been such a great week! I have had a lot of fun with my new
companion working here in Kutztown. We have definitely seen many
miracles and are planning to see many more!
Tuesday, I got my new companion. His name is Elder Thielen. He is such
a great Elder. He is from Carson City, Nevada and has been out 11
months, so he is experienced. He has such a positive attitude and
really knows the gospel. Right after we picked him up in Allentown, we
came back to Kutztown to work in a packed day of appointments. We met
with Noel and he is such a stud. He has been reading the Book of
Mormon and really understands what we are teaching him. He is planning
on coming to church this coming Sunday. We are so excited for him! We
are also seeing him tomorrow, he's a real stud. I really am hoping and
praying he is baptized in March! Right now, his date is set on the
20th so we will see. We also saw Sarah, who is planning to go to the
temple in less than two weeks! We are so excited for her to go. It's
just getting closer and closer, which is so exciting to see for her.
Although it was raining, we met a good number of people and are hoping
to get a few new investigators this coming week. The miracles truly
are happening! It's small things like setting appointments that really
make the day. You just hope and pray you can share the gospel with
these people, because it will bless their lives.
On Wednesday, we met with Sister Donio, who is doing so great to go to
the temple. We are so excited for her and it's really great because
every time we visit, she learns something new. That's the best part
about strengthening members, when you feel the Holy Ghost is helping
them grow and strengthen their testimonies, you just feel like you are
doing the right thing. I just k ew when I was there, that was where I
needed to be. Of course I know being on my mission is where I need to
be, but I get those strong convictions from the Lord in lessons that
what I'm doing is the right thing. At the end of the night, we got an
unexpected call from the Zone Leaders to do exchanges the next day,
which was really exciting to hear because I love exchanges. So we got
ready for exchanges and District Meeting.
The next day, we traveled to Reading and had a great District Meeting.
Our District Leader's name is Elder Jones. He's been out about 4
months, but is a really humble Elder. We had a great meeting and did
our exchange with the Zone Leaders. Elder Thielen went to Reading and
Elder Jewkes came with me to Kutztown. Elder Jewkes is a fun Elder. We
started by contacting a referral in Kutztown. We knocked on the door
and this man answers. His name is Davey, and told us he would get in
touch with us when he was ready to talk. But Elder Jewkes wanted to
read him Moroni 10:4 in the Book of Mormon. By the end of it, he was
crying and told us he would get in touch with us when he was ready. Is
was such an experience. I was shocked for the rest of the day because
the Spirit was so strong with him. It was another testimony to me,
that scriptures truly do have power to them. Later, we had homemade
sushi and had a great lesson with the Skidmores (Tony and Laura). Now,
we were teaching about missionary work, and Tony felt like he needed
to know more before he could do missionary work because he felt like
he wouldn't know what to say every time. It was perfect because I
shared with him DC 84:85 which talks about not worry about what you
say but to search the scriptures and the Lord will help you in knowing
what to say at the right time. It was a little funny because when Tony
was reading the scripture, Laura was snickering a bit just because it
answered his concern perfectly. Elder Jewkes was even smiling a bit
because he knew that scripture well. Overall, it was such a fun day. I
really learned a lot from the exchange.
Friday we met back up and had lunch together. Later we saw Sister
Sherman and her daughter, Katie. We had such a great visit reading
scriptures and talking about the Plan of Salvation. They were also
talking about how excited they were with coming to church. They missed
the past week, but were determined to come this Sunday.
On Saturday, we did service for a man in Kutztown, who lives in
Reading. His name is Daniel. Pretty much what we did was unload stuff
from a storage unit to a basement. It was great because we got to talk
to him about the gospel. He told us he was baptist, but as we talked
about the Book of Mormon, the Spirit really was working on him. He was
getting a little uncomfortable talking, but in a good way. But hey, it
happens when you ask for missionaries help.
Sunday was great! Sister Sherman and Katie came to church and came to
gospel principles. It was the first time they stayed after sacrament
which was great! We also taught an unexpected friend of a member at a
dinner appointment. It was such a blessing to teach at dinner.
Overall, I'm excited for this transfer. It's 7 weeks so we can do a
lot of work together. We are planning on it. I hope all of you have a
great week! I'm so grateful to be a missionary and serve the Lord.
Learning and reading the scriptures and teaching the Gospel is
something I would never trade. I'm thankful to God and my Savior Jesus
Christ for this opportunity, I pray and hope all of you have a great
week!
Elder Cortes
Kutztown, PA
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