It's been a very busy week for us over here in the great land of South
Jersey, but it's also been a lot of fun. We've seen the Lord's hand
over and over, it's ridiculous. But I'm so thankful I can be out here
to serve to see it. I know this great work were are in is divine. All
you have to do is just look at the small things.
I started the week actually in Smyrna, Delaware. Elder Yeates was
picking up a departing missionary in Delaware, so I stayed with
another Elder with the Zone Leaders of the Dover Zone. At the end of
P-Day, we went out on splits and I was with Elder Pule. Now, Elder
Pule is from New Zealand and English is his second language. But he is
such a great Elder. He's been out 18 months and has a heart of gold.
He was being transferred the next day, so we went and visited members
and investigators they were working with. We also did a lot of street
contact in a suburb area because a good number of people were out. We
even helped out this one lady who met with missionaries years before
cleaning her yard full of branches. We were able to get 3 people's
contact information and a return appointment. It was so much fun. I
was actually a little sad the day had to end, but I had such a blast.
Tuesday was transfer day! So we drove two hours up to Broomall to meet
my new companion and get back to New Jersey. I was able to see
President Anderson for the last time in person in the field. He goes
home today, so this whole last week has just been absolutely crazy
getting all their stuff home and having a lot of final meetings. But
it was so good to see his smiling face one last time before he went
back to Utah. I also met my new companion named Elder Brewer! Elder
Brewer and I actually have a few of similarities we never really would
imagine. The most obvious is that he is a red head, but we also came
out together and he is from Arizona as well, but Show Low. He's also
only a week older than me. So it's been great to get to know him this
past week. We did a good amount of finding and also had a great
meeting with our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Vann. It's been going so
well getting to work with the ward. It's amazing how supportive and
helpful everyone is to the work.
Wednesday we were out finding in Woodstown and talked to this couple
named Carmen and William. They are both from Puerto Rico and they have
looked into many religions but are not a part of any belief right now.
They asked a good amount of questions about us and our missions and
why we came out. You could really tell they felt the Holy Ghost as we
told them sincerely why we came out and we love being missionaries. We
also met with Deborah who is doing so well. She's so receptive to
everything we teach her, except now all she has to do is quit smoking
and she will be ready to be baptized at the end of the month.
Thursday we had District Meeting here in Woodstown. It was my first
one I've conducted in 7 months, so I was a little nervous. But it was
so great! I have such an amazing District. It was pretty much a group
discussion rather than me getting up and preaching to everyone what we
need to do to be better. We also had a few lessons later in the
evening Brother Vann took us out to which was a lot of fun.
Friday we met with one of our investigators with a date, Elizabeth
Divacarro. It's been tough to match up our schedules the past few
weeks, but we were able to finally meet with her. She's practically
there. Her date is set in September, but we can push her date up when
she quits smoking. That's the part we are working on with her, is
quitting her smoking. That's pretty much all she needs to do, but of
course, addictions are a struggle to quit. So we will be working with
precision and care as we help her quit. We also found out some
unexpected news that Jeremy and Stacey were getting married the next
day! I can't even tell you how excited I was for that
I was so happy to hear they decided to get married right then and
there. It was a miracle from the Lord without question.
So the next day we had a very emotional morning. Every week we have a
conference call for the whole mission. It's usually on Wednesday, but
the new missionaries came in so they moved it to Saturday. Honestly,
it was such a powerful experience for me. President and Sister
Anderson bore their testimonies with such conviction and power. They
also gave us long lasting instruction. I can still President
Anderson's final words of the call: "We will always love you, and we
will never forget you". It just made so thankful for such great
leaders in my life. The Lord truly has brought people to me that help
me change for the better. After that call, we did some service tearing
down wallpaper and helping members move, then we went to the wedding!
It was so much fun and it was the best wedding I've been to on my
mission. There was probably 20 people there and a small reception
right after. After the wedding, Bishop showed Jeremy and Stacey the
baptismal font where Stacey would be baptized. I couldn't believe all
the progress they've made together. Everything is going so well with
them. We also saw a less active, Brother Morgan. He was in a lot of
pain with his back because he works long hours in construction, but he
asked us to give him a blessing and we did and it was as if the pain
in his back was gone. It was amazing! I love priesthood blessings,
they truly show God's power to help and aid others.
Sunday we closed it out by visiting a few people and the Whitfields.
We read 6 chapters of the Book of Mormon with Deborah which she really
enjoyed. She's been reading everyday and is planning on continuing to
do it. It's such a great miracle to be a part of this work. I love the
Lord and the blessings he has bestowed upon us. I love being a
missionary, we were talking to people on the street and it hit me that
I only have about a year left to do this, to proclaim the Gospel. I'm
definitely not going to waste any time that's for sure! I hope all of
you are well and safe. May the Lord bless you beyond your dreams, I
know He will, for all things are possible unto them that believe. I
love each and every one of you. Thank you for all the letters, emails,
prayers, and support. I truly do feel it everyday, and I'm so thankful
for it. I'm also thankful that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He truly
sustains me everyday. Although I make mistakes everyday, He's there to
lift me. I hope all of you feel that same lift through the power of
the Atonement.
Elder Cortes
Woodstown, NJ
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