Philly Bound!...Kinda

Hey everyone!

It's been a crazy week with transfers coming up tomorrow because I'm getting transferred (I'll get to that in a sec). But it's been such a great week of the Lord providing many miracles for us. The biggest miracle we saw this week was that the Lord has provided people for us to work with in Exeter for Elder Baker and his new companion. At the beginning of the week the majority of the people we were working with were dropping us left and right. Even though it was tough to see a good number of people we have been working with decide not to keep meeting with us, we had full confidence the Lord would provide more people for us to teach. As we prayed on knowing exactly what we should do, we had the idea to just make calls to people who we hadn't had contact in a while. After a few days we had a good number of people who were interested in us coming back this week and even yesterday. It was pretty amazing to meet with a man named Gilbert, who we talked to around Christmas time but he didn't get back to us have until we called him. Well, we met with him yesterday and it was a pretty powerful Restoration lesson we had with him. He had such a sincere desire to know what is truth and to find more answers from God. He was happy to accept a Book of Mormon and is excited to read. I have confidence he will be baptized in the near future, he's an incredible man of faith.

I also found out I will be leaving Reading which is pretty crazy. I'm the only one in the Reading Zone that is leaving so it makes travel plans a lot simpler. I will be heading to the Philadelphia Stake over to the Doylestown area! Doylestown is on the outskirts of Philadelphia and is pretty suburban. We have a car, so no riding the Septa for us. But I'm pretty excited, I'm going to be a District Leader again and will be finishing an Elders training, Elder Morton. I know it's going to be a blast coming up these next few transfers! The Lord is preparing people here in the PPM to receive the Gospel. I'm thankful everyday I have the responsibility and privilege to help bring these precious people the Gospel which I know changes lives for the better. I can't wait! Another chapter in the mission coming up! I'll definitely keep you posted how it starts!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

New Year, New Opportunities, Same Great Work

Hey everyone! 

Happy New Year!

It was a great week here in the mission field as we continued to work with old and new investigators and really seeing some of our converts progress in huge ways towards the temple. There were a few great experiences as well that I saw that really solidified my testimony in what President Hinckley calls it "a marvelous work and wonder". 

One experience was on an exchange where I went into one of the Reading Spanish areas. Now, why this was such an experience for me was because I was with Elder Warnick, who has barely been out for 3 months. So for anyone that can guess, Spanish Goldens don't exactly have Spanish down 100%. It was decided I'd be with him because I knew more Spanish than Elder Baker... So with our limited Spanish, but faith that we'd have a great day, we went to do the Lord's work. It went so well, even though we didn't know exactly how to say certain words, or understood everything investigators were saying, the Spirit was so strong by the end of every lesson. It really showed me in a big way how the Lord is willing to help out all the time, although we have weaknesses, it won't hinder from the Spirit if we are humble enough to receive it.

Mariline (the Haitian Woman who we teach) went to the hospital and we gave her a blessing of healing with the sickness she had. We visited her on New Year's Eve and we had a powerful lesson on hope and how Christ can take away our pain and sicknesses as we have continual faith  and patience with that faith. She was so concerned she wasn't going to be able to spend New Years with her 4 kids who have been gone to New York for over a week. But later that day she called us to let us know she got released from the hospital which was great! It's really cool to see Priesthood blessings come to pass that's for sure. 

Also, to start the New Year strong, we had Miguel at church again! He really enjoyed it and wants to keep coming back which is so exciting. We are excited for him to be baptized later this month. I'm so thankful for this past year in 2016, there were so many experiences that really have made me a better me. So many companions, areas, and leaders that really have changed my life. I'm really excited for this next year. It's my goal, no matter what I do or where I am, the Lord will always be involved in what I do. I hope all of you have a great start to this great year!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

Christmas Gifts that will Forever be Cherished

Hey guys! 

Merry Day after Christmas! I had to say, this had to have been one of the most memorable Christmas I have ever had. Especially some of the events that led up to it was incredible. The Lord truly is good to us and his hand of mercy is extended to each one of us. My testimony in that principle was strengthened when we met a man who has changed our lives, Miguel Gomez. Miguel was a Bible Referral and when we first taught him, we got to know him and he told us he was trying to find truth and he's tried so many different times to be involved in church but he's never had the necessary fellowship to help him get to church or understand his relationship with God. As we testified of the Restoration, his eyes just lit up with so much interest and life in his eyes, as if he knew instantly that this is what was going to help him. The next day we taught him the Plan of Salvation and we invited him to baptism and he accepted right away. He told us we changed his life coming to teach and it was such a tender moment in my mission. I'm thankful the Lord blessed me to me a man as incredible as Miguel.

We also met with the Pierre Louis family (the Haitian Family) a few times this week and we found out Mariline (the Mom) was spending Christmas by herself while all the kids were going to New York to go visit their Dad. So we hopped on the opportunity to invite her to church and throughout the whole week she was on the fence about going. But finally, Saturday night, she said she wanted to come. So we figured out the ride situation right away and we got all set for Christmas by singing carols on Christmas Eve and the day before that. It was so fun to sing with 8 other Elders in the streets of Reading and to members of the Spanish ward. It was such a blessing to hear people tell us we were doing the Lord's work and light just came from our caroling. It was a ton of fun to provide such a memorable act of service..

Then Christmas Day came! We first went to church and saw Miguel and Mariline both at church. I sat with Mariline while Elder Baker sat with Miguel. By the end of the service, I asked Mariline if she felt the Spirit and she smiled and nodded. It was incredible because Mariline has had a hard time while we have been with her recognizing the Spirit testify what was true. And for us, we thought it was a huge breakthrough for her. Miguel also enjoyed it so much, it was a miracle for them to feel the Christmas Spirit. Later that day, I had the blessing of talking to my family. It was so great being able to just spend time with them. Every time I talk to them, it's such a special hour to just be with them. It makes me want to work even harder after talking with them. We also had great dinners at our Bishop's house and the Maldanado house too to close the night. I just have to say,  I'm so thankful for every blessing I received this Christmas season out here. These gifts are what will last me a lifetime. I'm thankful to my Heavenly Father for changing my life and continues to through His Son Jesus Christ, who is the greatest gift of all. It's my hope and prayer we may receive our King on a daily basis and let Him make something more than we could ever do to ourselves. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father, I love this Gospel, and it's such a privilege to be part of this great work. Have a great week looking toward an even brighter future in 2017!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

The Crane Flew West for the Winter

Hey everybody!

A lot has been going on this past week from transfer plans to tearful goodbyes to great experiences in the promised land of Reading. All in all, it's been a blessing to be in the Lord's service.

A pretty neat experience that we had was at our Christmas party this past Saturday because the Pierre-Louis family came and they all really enjoyed the Spirit they felt with the music, the decorations, and the solid fellowship from the ward.

We also found out this weekend that Elder Baker and I will be staying together for another transfer. So he will only be my third companion I have had that I will have been with for two transfers. It's going to be a blast being able to celebrate Christmas here in Reading. We have a young Zone coming into this next transfer but I know the Lord is going to bless and sustain all of us as we are obedient and as we rely on the Lord to guide each one of us. That's what's pretty neat about the Gospel, no matter the circumstances or the time in our lives, the solution is always the same.

Which brings me now to today. It's been a roller coaster of a morning. It kind of hit me last night that two great missionaries, two men that have taught me so much, are heading home tomorrow. As we said our goodbyes, I really thought about how much their mission meant to them, and how much my mission has meant to me. Now, Elder Crane is my fourth missionary I have sent home, but it's been more of an emotional time this round. Probably because I understand it more than I ever have what it means to be on a mission. I probably won't really fully know what it means until I'm in their shoes, but I'm so thankful in my heart for my mission. It makes me so thankful for everyone I have met in these past 17 months. 

It can be a scary thought to really realize how much time you really do have as a missionary. But I know that the Lord will bless and sustain me these next 7 months as he has these past 17 months. I'm thankful for Elder Crane and his example he has shown me these past three months. It was such an unexpected blessing to have him be my companion for three weeks, but we needed it so much. He is one of the most Christlike people I have ever met in my life. His charity and love for others can't even be described. His testimony and determination to serve to the end was just so influential. Besides my trainer, I'm thankful for how determined he was to serve to the very last day of his mission with everything he had. I'm also thankful for Elder Holden and the great leader and friend he has been to me this past year. It's a crazy coincidence (but we all know coincidences don't happen) that when we served in the same zone, it was always in the Reading Zone. He is a true disciple of Christ who knows how to minister with love at any given moment. I'm thankful for all of our examples in our lives, because when we look up to them, we look up to Christ. 

It'll be a great next transfer here in the Reading Zone! I hope all of you are doing well and are having a great time prepping for Christmas!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

Living the Trio Life... Part 3!

Hey everyone! 

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving and a great weekend as well. Although it has been 3 days, much has happened. First and foremost, I got my new companion Elder Crane! He is from Bear Lake, Idaho and goes home in two weeks. So this will be the fourth companion I will be sending home so far on my mission! He's a great Elder, full of charity and love for others. We picked him up from the mission office on Friday morning and have been running around between our area in Reading and his area in Pottstown. We only teach one person in Pottstown because it wouldn't work trying to go back and forth between the two areas, but we are excited for Pottstown because the one investigator, Jasmine, is getting baptized December 10th which is pretty exciting! Along with that we also go to church in Pottstown as well, so that's a total of 6 hours of church on Sunday which is unheard of in the mission unless you cover a YSA. But it's definitely a blessing being with the Pottstown members as well as the members in our area. Definitely unexpected blessings from this brand new trio.

Something else is that I was a part of the Spanish Elders baptism in Reading this past Saturday. 

So, it was for a 9 year old kid named Miguel (he speaks English). I interviewed him earlier in the week and it was pretty funny because while we were there and about to leave, they asked Miguel who wanted to give the talks and he pointed at me to give the talk about baptism. So that's exactly what happened! I gave a talk about baptism that I think only 4 people could understand what I was talking about. But it was a really neat experience being able to see Miguel be baptized and to be fellowshipped by the entire family (and this family was huge!). I was also so happy for one of the Spanish Elders since that was his first baptism on his mission and it really meant a lot to him after really searching and praying for someone he could baptize and bring into the fold.

But other than that, everything else has been going very well! Our investigators Tiyanna and Yanna (age 13 and 14) came to church this past week and are planning to be baptized on December 10th. The Lord is just providing so many blessings this holiday season. It's crazy to think there's only 2 weeks left in the transfer, but I'm excited to finish strong with these two great Elders! May the Lord continue to bless us all as we head into the Christmas season, probably one of the most special times anyone can feel for the Savior's love. Continue to keep the faith!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

"Live in Thanksgiving Daily" (Alma 34:38)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It's been such a fun day for us over here in Reading! It's been dinner appointments and a fun Turkey Bowl with the Reading Zone. Without a doubt, this is a Thanksgiving I will not forget I had on the mission.

A few other things have happened and are happing, it's never a dull moment in the fantastic land of Reading. Probably the biggest thing that happened was that we had three baptisms this past weekend. Anthony, Dakota, and Chanel. It was a special baptism because we had so many special appearances from the Assistants, (we had an exchange the day before) and Elder Martinez. It was so great being able to see all three of them get baptized and then all three of them be confirmed the next day. To have the privilege to baptize Anthony was so great. The Spirit was just so strong being able to see all three baptisms happen. 

Elder Baker and I have just been having a blast here in the late fall. The winter is coming quick with 40 degree weather with wind chill that makes it feel like 20 degrees. We have just been having great laughs about it and finding great joy in the work. Another thing that is happening is we will be getting a third companion tomorrow who is Elder Crane. His companion is going home and he will be going home in two weeks so this will be the 4th missionary I have sent home which is kind of crazy but fun at the same time. 

To close this entry of the mission, I just want to say how grateful I am for so much that has been given to me by my Heavenly Father. I'm thankful for my family first and foremost. My parents are incredible and my siblings mean the world to me. It brings so much peace that I will spend all time and eternity with them. I'm thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that I know to be true which brings me a lot of happiness. I'm thankful for prophets and apostles (both ancient and modern) who have priesthood authority to guide the people of Zion to the strait and narrow path and to help us stay on it.

There are two unique things I have learned and have appreciated more since I have been on my mission. I'm thankful for my mission as a whole. I'm thankful for the people I have met, especially all my companions. Learning from all 12 of them has meant the world to me and to keep learning is such a blessing. I'm thankful for the good times and the bad on the mission. It isn't always easy to be out here on a mission. But the hard times that have made me uncomfortable, I know are making me grow. I'm thankful I have two years to represent the Lord Jesus Christ as an authorized representative to preach His Gospel. I have teared up one time or another to really think this will all be over. But I'm grateful for the time the Lord has and is giving me now. I have been blessed so much with my mission. I love my mission with all my heart, no matter what. 

The second thing I am eternally thankful for is my Savior Jesus Christ. I have always known His sacrifice and that He is the Messiah. But I just grow my personal relationship with Him more and more as I continue on in my mission. I love the Lord, probably the biggest blessing is seeing my relationship with Him grow while I am out here. I become more committed, dedicated, bold, and consecrated in doing His will. 

I'm thankful for all of you who read these weeklys. You all mean a ton to me and I hope all of us may continually remember what we are thankful for everyday, not just Thanksgiving. As we do, all our doubts will flying and we will be singing as the day goes by. 

Have a great Turkey Day!

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA

Reading Round 2

Hey everybody!

I hope you all have been doing great in this first week of Fall. It's been a week full of changes, work, and of course, miracles.

I started the week by sending off Elder Martinez to Philadelphia and picked up my new companion Elder Baker! Elder Baker is from Eagle Rock, Utah. He's half Hawaiian and half Native American and has been out for a year. It's actually pretty neat because we were both companions with Elder Thielen and Elder Harris so we've been able to connect with that. But he's a great missionary who just wants to work which is such a blessing.

We started the transfer strong by finding three new investigators this past week through bible referrals and just being led by the Spirit to stop by a less active home. The less active wasnt home but a 19 year old named Devon let us in and we had such a powerful lesson on the Restoration. It was such a blessing from the Lord to find these new investigators. It took a lot of time walking through the streets of Reading, but the Lord provided for us which was incredible.

We also have been continuing to teach the Maldanado family. Anthony, the dad, and Chenell and Dakota, the daughters, are getting baptized in two weeks which we are very excited for. They just continue to keep commitments and keep talking about their baptism. They have brought up being sealed as a family already! We are just so excited in two weeks for this special day. It all started when Elder Martinez talked to Melissa, the mom, in May. Now here we are, what a blessing it's been to be working with this family.

Well, we are having an exciting week coming up. Elder Cordon of the Seventy is coming to our mission and we have Zone Training tomorrow. I'm so grateful being able to learn how to be a better teacher and a better person on my mission. It is without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I'm grateful for how hard it is. May we all recognize what a blessing it is as we learn and grow from the callings which the Lord has given us. What a great blessing it is to be pushed to become something more through our callings. Well, continue in the faith! May the Lord bless us in all that we do.

Elder Cortes

Reading, PA