Christmas: The Best Time to be a Missionary!

Hey everyone! 

It's been a pretty great week here in the PPM where the Christmas season is in full swing in Reading. We had a couple incredible miracles happen this first week of the transfer that just really renewed my testimony that God never ceases to provide miracles to those who diligently seek after them.

We did a good amount of finding this week even though the average outside was 30 in the past week (one day it was 15 degrees)! But we had faith we would find the elect and the Lord provided. We found this guy named Julio who just came out of his door to smoke a cigarette. We had a great conversation which led him to invite us in and we met his wife, Wanda, as well. It was so neat because they said they were looking for a church together to go to and missionaries talked to them before. They just didn't understand clearly what the Restoration was. So we retaught it to them and it all just clicked for them. They were excited to read the Book of Mormon and to go to church too! We also found a single mom named Iris who has been going through a lot of trials right now. But when we showed the Christmas video and testified of the Atonement of Christ, she really felt uplifted and wanted us to come back! 

It was so great to just see how we were answers to others' prayers during this Christmas season, whether it's members or investigators, it really is a humbling experience to just represent the Lord and teach to their needs.  It's also inspiring to see this happen with other missionaries in the Zone. On Friday, I went up to Pottsville and we taught one of their investigators, who comes to church every week and reads everyday from the Book of Mormon, but didn't want to quit smoking until Easter, but after we taught her, she felt so inspired to decide to quit smoking on the 6th of January and has a baptismal date for January 14th! It was a miracle she just changed it just like that. The Lord is just blessing all of the diligent Elders here in the Reading Zone as well as the PPM. It is just incredible. 

Doing this service for the Lord really reminds me daily of the true meaning of Christmas. I'm grateful for the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm thankful we have this time to celebrate his birth and that His light that is extended to each one of us and we are able to receive Him at all times. I'm thankful for you all and the examples you are to me. The true meaning of Christmas is to come unto Christ, and we all have the opportunity to help each other achieve this worthy goal. May the Lord bless you all this Christmas season to give and to receive the most important gift of all. Thank you for everything you do, you all #LightmyWorld (Too much? Probably, but it's okay, it gets the word out).

Merry Christmas with Love,

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

Turning 20 in the Mission!

Hey everybody!

It's been a great week being trained and taught by the Lord and His servants here in the blessed city of Reading as well as in Philadelphia!

It all started on Tuesday which was a really great birthday. The morning started with my two amazing companions making me a special Hawaiian meal of spam, eggs, and rice. Later, I went to my good friend, Elder Jensen's district meeting which was really insightful about how we need to communicate as companions in all different phases of the work. Then for the rest of the day, I went on an exchange with one of the sets of Spanish Elders in Reading. So I went with the seasoned Elder Wasden (he goes home in 4 weeks) in his area. It was pretty fun being able to share the new Christmas video the church put out and to really feel the Spirit enter into people's home. I couldn't have really asked for a better birthday present than sharing the Gospel through the Christmas season. Probably the funniest part of the Exchange was a member told me I look 16 instead of 20. So rather than looking on the downside of it, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how young I look when I'm in my 50's or so.

Thursday was a blast being able to work back and forth between Pottstown and Reading and then later we had interviews with President Randall. Interviews with President has to be one of my favorite parts of my mission. We both had a great time to learn about the Savior and His Atonement. It was so amazing! 

The next day, we had MLC at the Vine Chapel across the Temple which was an incredible meeting. We had the Temple President of the Philadelphia Temple expounding on principles of the Pre-earth life and how the temple connects. Elder Crane also gave his last MLC testimony which really touched me and how I can never take my time in the MLC, or my time as a missionary, for granted. He is such a solid and consecrated Elder. I'm definitely going to miss him when he goes home next week. That's another hard realization is that Elder Crane will be headed home to Idaho. But we are definitely going to make the most of the time we have together with him. That is without question!

Sunday, we had an amazing miracle happen. We fasted and prayed for the Pierre-Louis family to come to church. They are a Haitian family we have been working with for two months, and they came to church for the first time. They all enjoyed it so much and it was such a blessing being able to sit with them and sing Christmas songs together in sacrament. 

The Lord has blessed us abundantly here in Reading. I have such a firm testimony in Fasting and Prayer, the Lord does hear our pleadings. If there is anything we are concerned with, we can always turn to the Almighty for strength and guidance. It's the last week of the transfer, so we will see what happens if I stay another here in Reading or if I'm heading off to a new area to harvest. A lot of Zone Leaders are planning on being called to train this upcoming transfer so anything can happen. I know whatever happens, the Lord will be with me always! I hope all of you have a great start to this Christmas season!

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

A Weekend with a General Authority

Hey everyone!

I hope all of you have been doing great so far in the wonderful month of November. The mission has been fantastic! We have had a lot of laughs and instruction by the Lord. It has been a great week here in the mission field. 

It all started on Tuesday when we had Zone Training. So usually, we have Zone Training at the Stake Center, but we found out the entire building was rented out for voting for the election... so we had to improvise and do Zone Training at the Centro Hispano at 5th and Washington. It was a lot of running around, but it was so great! The Spirit was so strong in really guiding the discussion on our Trainings. It had to be the best Zone Training I conducted! I had so much fun with it, and we have one more this transfer in December which we are very excited for. 

Later in the week, we had Elder Cordon of the Seventy train us Thursday and Friday. Thursday as an Mission, then Friday for the MLC. It was incredible to just see his training and his personally really connect with the missionaries. The biggest impression I took out of that whole training was that you can live your mission as a son of man or a son of God. As we find out who we really are, we find power in our identity. It was such a blast. Then, if we weren't blessed enough, we had stake Conference this weekend and the guest speakers were President and Sister Randall, and of course, Elder Cordon! So Saturday night and Sunday morning we were instructed even more. What was also neat was that I saw so many members from Kutztown! It was great seeing the bussiere family and the O's. What was hilarious was I just happened to sit right behind the O's Sunday, and they had no idea and then brother O looked back and I winked at him. Then he whispered to Sister O, then she turned around eyes all wide and just so excited to see me. She told me she just pulled out the vase Elder Thielen and I gave her for Mother's Day. I just felt the Spirit so strong seeing them again, it truly is a blessing to have all these friends on the mission, it's so great.

This Saturday is so exciting, we have 3 baptisms coming up and Elder Martinez is come back up to see it. The Lord blesses us everyday out here. What a blessing it is to be a part of this great work. 

I hope all goes well for you all this week! Remember that you are a child of God, although we are children of men, our divine heritage cannot be denied. 

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