It Doesn't Matter How Cold It Gets, the Love of My Redeemer Warms My Heart

Hey everyone!

It's been a pretty adventurous week full of improvised planning throughout the week as well blessings from being in the service of the Lord. All I can really say is that you won't get any special experience like this anywhere else. 

Well, to start, we were snowed in all day Tuesday. It was tough because we couldn't go shovel until later because it was snowing pretty heavily until Tuesday night. So because of that, meetings had to get moved around left and right. For District Meeting, it was my call to determine if I wanted to do District Meeting over Skype or move it to a later time. Well, I thought it would be cool to think outside the box and have District Meeting in the evening. District Meeting usually is at 10:30 in the morning, but we had it at 6:30 that night. Turns out, I was the only District Leader who had their District Meeting later that evening. It was pretty cool, just because it was so different. It was such a great District Meeting, this transfer is turning out to be a pretty great one with such amazing missionaries all around. We have people from Nevada, to Nepal, to Ethiopia. Probably the best part for me this time around being a District Leader is to see how everyone works different, but how it all goes back to their purpose as missionaries to bring others closer to the Savior. 

I also went on exchanges with my Zone Leader Elder Huber! It was such a blast to catch up from the Reading days. For a good amount of the day, we stopped by a few less actives from a list the bishop gave us. One of the people was a less active lady who was living with her active dad, brother Huber. Turns out, they're related, so we had a good conversation about that. Something Elder Huber is so good at is the ability to just relate to people and just be himself and tie it to the Gospel somehow. Whether it was knocking a few doors, or talking the people on the street, Elder Huber just went with it and played it very naturally. The Lord definitely blessed me to work with Elder Huber again, I have so much to learn from him!

It's been a bit slow trying to find this past week with the fact the streets were all covered in snow and everyone was staying inside and not even willing to open the door. But we did have a miracle happen in the weekend when we stopped by this older couple who the missionaries gave service to a few months ago and they were interested in having us back. It's pretty cool how the Lord always works by faith. Blessings never run out, they keep coming if we believe and expect something to happen eventually. Of course, tough times come to all of us, and it can be disappointing, but we can never let it lead to discouragement. Faith and doubt cannot coexist in the same person, at all times, we just have to fan the flame of faith. On Sunday, our investigator Eugene asked us if we could help shovel two of his neighbors out, one was sick and the other was older. Now, Eugene is a little bit old and has had back surgeries in the past, but he knows how to pack snow away like nobody's business. Not bad for being from California. But it was pretty neat to answer his questions about the church and the Gospel. It is one of the best feelings when you give service while teaching at the same time. You just know in your heart you are doing exactly what the Lord would want you to do. Well, later that day, he called us for like 2 minutes. This is how it went.

Eugene:"So hypothetically, if I got baptized in your church, would I have to wear a tie after I'm baptized ?"

Us: "No, you can dress however you want at church"

Eugene: "Okay, that's all I wanted to know. I'm not saying I'm getting baptized! I'm just saying if I did"

Us: "Okay Eugene, we gotcha"

The Lord is so good. I'm so thankful for all the people I have the privilege to work with. Really it seems I'm teaching investigators, but they also teach me. Just knowing the people I have helped work towards baptism or to the temple, whether they get there while I'm there or not, makes me want to be the best I can be. The Lord works through people all the time to help us along the path, I'm thankful for every single person that's done that for me. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know they love each one of us. No matter where we are at in the path of discipleship, the arm of mercy is extended to us at all times as it says in 3 Nephi 9:14. It really is true for me when I hear the phrase "Oh the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives". I will never let go of my relationship with Jesus Christ, it is my hope that none of us do, even when life is hard. He will pull us through sin and adversity and carry us home back to our Father in Heaven.

 Marching onward here in D-Town!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

So They're Calling for a Foot of Snow This Week....

Hey everyone! 

I'm glad I'm able to write you this week with a lot that happened to start the transfer off. 

Well, from the subject line, it's been pretty crazy with snow coming and the fact it has been unpredictable to figure out when it comes definitely makes life interesting. For example, on Friday we got about 6 inches of snow which was not in the forecast at all, but it was a pretty special experience for use. We didn't get a call that we needed to stay inside but we didn't think it would be the smartest idea to go use the car. So we decided to do a bit of tracting in the snow and it was actually pretty fun. Probably one of the biggest lessons I have learned on my mission is that you make the most of any situation you are put in. I was just excited to share the Gospel in a pretty unique set of circumstances and it was pretty cool to see people asking what in the world were two young guys going door to door while it was snowing pretty hard. It was definitely one of the best experiences I have had with the snow on my mission for sure. Unfortunately, they're calling for a bigger storm so we might unfortunately be having to stay inside a bit, but hey, this is probably the last experience I'll have with snow on my mission so I better make the most of it!

We also had a really great experience finding a new investigator named Tim through knocking doors, early last week. It was pretty special because we didn't find Tim until we had been finding for a few hours. We were on our last set of apartments right before we went to our dinner appointment and Tim let us right in to let us teach him the message of the Restoration. It really just makes me think of the sons of Mosiah, who didn't have immediate success in their personal ministries. Some of them were imprisoned, beaten, or cast out. But in the end, they were the instruments of bringing thousands of souls unto repentance. It just goes to show, the Lord will always fulfill His promises. It may not be on our timetable, or even the way we want it answered, but it will happen. 

 

The new transfer has been good so far. Although Elder Morton and I stayed together, we did have some pretty neat changes to the Zone. The biggest one I'm excited for is that Elder Huber, who was a District Leader in the Reading Zone, is my new Zone Leader. So it'll be pretty great to catch up and have a great time with him. The work is well, Skylar and Eugene are progressing slowly, but it's definitely getting there. I'm thankful for my mission, and for the Gospel. Serving a mission is the best decision I've ever made in my life and I will always look back and be grateful that I accepted the call to serve. Heavenly Father has blessed me more than I could have ever asked for while being out here. I'm excited to see what He is going to teach me these next four months. The work is good, the Gospel is true, and Jesus is the Christ. Everything else will fall into place. 

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Hey everybody!

It's been a pretty good rest of the week here in Doylestown. I know I talked a good amount from this past week but there were still miracles that occurred for sure. 

It was actually pretty interesting, we had a few dinners with part member couples that usually don't feed the missionaries. But it was pretty cool to talk to them and get to know their stories. Missionaries have worked with these couples for years to get the less actives back to church or the nonmember spouse to take the discussions, so it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out really 

We also had a new investigator at church yesterday. Elder Drake and Elder Morton found him on exchanges which was pretty neat. He actually lived a lot of his life in California working as a professional roller derby skater person. He's an older gentleman so he isn't afraid to tell a story or two. But he was interested to see what the church is like so we pulled some strings and was able to make it. He really enjoyed it, especially since it was fast Sunday with testimony meeting. So we're excited to keep working with him!

Transfer calls came in and we are both staying here in Doylestown. It's interesting, a good amount of the mission moved around but not much for our Zone. But that's no problem! It's definitely a blessing to not see a lot of change with the missionaries you work with. I'm excited for what is ahead! The Lord has great things in store for us this transfer!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

Determined in Doylestown

Hey everyone! 

It's been such a great week and a half since I last wrote. So much so, that I can't write all that happened (like it says over and over in the Book of Mormon). But I will cover a few highlights that really strengthened my testimony. 

We went on one last exchange with the Zone Leaders for this transfer and I went back to Pennypack to be with my other Zone Leader, Elder Haws. Elder Haws has such a cool story, he's from Ethiopia and immigrated to Idaho 5 years ago. He used to be Muslim but had such a powerful experience with The book of Mormon and knew as he read, that Christ is the Son of God. It was really inspiring for me because it just showed me how much a person can change from the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I mean, I got to be with such a close friend for a day because of it. But our day in Pennypack was so amazing, we prayed consistently that we would find new people to talk to and it was so cool to talk to so many different people with different cultures. We talked to a woman who was Russian and a woman from Ghana, and people from Brooklyn throughout the day. It really was a lot of fun.

We also saw Skyler later in the week and we felt prompted to ask her how she has felt with the discussions so far and it's made such a huge difference for her. She said since we met, she starts to see how the Gospel can apply to her personally. It been such a great transfer to see her conversion process, she is gaining her testimony slowly but surely, it's so amazing.

A testimony builder for me this week was that the Souderton Sisters had a baptism this past week. Now the reason why I bring up their baptism is because both Sisters have been out less than 6 months and they are working so hard in relying on the Lord. It has been so cool to see the fruits of their labors, the baptism being the highlight for them this transfer. It just showed me that this is the Lord's work because there is no way we would be able to see the success we see in the mission unless He was involved. 

As for the work, it has been coming along so well. We have had a few people drop for one reason or another, which is always heartbreaking of course, but we never give up or complain with what happens. We're just thankful for every blessing we have and continue to ask the Lord for more people to teach and it happens. We just find people out of the blue, it's so incredible to see the Lord answer prayers. He really has been with us in Doylestown, as with the rest of my mission. I'm thankful for His love and His willingness to be with us at our side in the work. I couldn't ask for anything better.

We also had the special opportunity to go to the temple just now. It was such a blessing to not only go, but seeing so many members from past areas like Kutztown and Woodstown. It was a sweet reminder for me I am in the right place because my friends are with me. I have learned so much in my time receiving revelation from the Lord in His Holy House. It is such a blessing to be able to have a temple in our mission. Temples truly are a beacon to the world, I know because of the simple fact that I turn to the Lord every time I go. Well, it's the last week of the transfer! We find out what happens with transfers this Saturday, I'm probably staying since I just got to Doylestown but the Lord has proven me otherwise!

 Keep the Faith,

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

There's Sunshine in my Soul Today with 65 degrees!

It's been such a great week everybody!

After the snowstorm it's been nothing but sunshine and warm weather. It's getting pretty close for sweater weather to being over. But along with the nice weather, the work has been going well here in Doylestown.

The Lord keeps finding us people in complexes, it always just seems to be the last building or the last door. But it's really cool to just see when you are determined, the Lord blesses you for your commitment. We met a woman named Julie and she was interested in knowing what our message was about. After it we explained it all, she asked "why does it matter if it's true or not", it was such a powerful time to bear testimony of the truthfulness and the necessity of the Restoration. She was interested in learning more about the Book of Mormon which was pretty exciting. 

I also went on exchange with my Zone Leader Elder Drake, who has pretty much become one of my best friends. We stayed here in Doylestown and we taught a part member family, Paul and Sister Bowes. Sister Bowes has been baptized for 4 years and her fiance is Paul who wants nothing but her and Paul to be sealed. He's met with he missionaries a couple times, but he's open to meeting with us again! It's been good with the work here in Doylestown. 

We also had Zone Conference and it was so great being able to see old friends like Elder Neilson and Elder DeLand. It's such blessing to be in the service of the Lord with your friends. Just a note, P-day will be next Wednesday because we are going to the temple next week. The mission is the best!

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

Valentines Day? My Only Valentine This Year is Missionary Work

Hey everybody! 

It's been a pretty good week here in Doylestown. We definitely saw the Lord's hand in our lives as we went out to go proclaim the Gospel. 

It was pretty neat to start the week off with Zone Training. It was a little weird at first just because I was pretty used to setting up and conducting Zone Training, but it was pretty nice to observe and learn from the Spirit from the majority of the trainings. Our Zone Leaders were able to have our new Stake President give a training on working with members which is pretty cool. Throughout the Zone Training, it really made me thankful for leaders that can help teach me how to be a better missionary always.

We also got hit with a pretty heavy snow storm in the middle of the week. We got about 8 inches of snow overnight which was pretty unexpected. It was in the 60's at the beginning of the week, then the storm, then it went back up to the 60's. It was so warm so quick, a good amount of the snow melted that same day. It was pretty funny just because we were all set ready to go Shovel people out but there was nothing to shovel. I gotta say, East Coast weather can never make up its mind. It definitely is not the dry heat all the time in Arizona. 

The biggest miracle we saw happen to us was that we went tracting for a good amount of time and we met this man named Chuck who let us right in to teach him the Restoration! Now, I haven't tracted in the past 7 months or so. Not that I didn't like tracting, but because there were so many other ways to find, like street contact. But I was just so thankful the Lord let us in one house, if you go knock on doors for a few hours and one person lets you in, that makes it all worth it. Even if you don't get in a door, it's still a pretty good feeling you're doing everything you can to bring others the special message of the Gospel. We also met this Irish guy named Lee, he had the accent and everything. He never talked to missionaries before and he was visiting Doylestown from New York. After talking with him for a good couple minutes, he wanted to hear what missionaries had to teach him in New York so that was pretty cool. But the best part about that experience is that he told us it was commendable to go out and talk to strangers about something you believe deep down in your heart. It's people like that, who recognize who we are and what we do, that really makes you think Heavenly Father is always looking out for you. 

I'm so thankful for the time I have to be on my mission. I came to grips a while back I have a little bit of time left on my mission. But I'm so thankful everyday to be a missionary for the Lord. My mission has really changed me for the better and it continues to change me now. It is such special, tender time. I'm thankful I get to know my Savior Jesus Christ more and more. He's my Brother and I'll always keep representing Him in this great work.

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA

Priceless Pennypack!

Hey everyone! 

It's been a phenomenal week full of miracles as I'm getting used to the great area of Doylestown. It all started off with District Meeting on Tuesday. It was a pretty powerful discussion on prayer and we also had the Stake President's wife observing what a District Meeting was like since her and her husband are going on a mission in Houston which is pretty neat. But after, we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders who I have an incredible amount of love for. Elder Drake and Elder Haws have to be some of my favorite Zone Leaders. I went with Elder Drake to his area called Pennypack, which is borderline to Philadelphia. There were a good amount of ghetto parts so that really brought some good memories of Reading back. Elder Drake is such a great missionary! He came out one transfer before I did and we had such great talks about old companions we both had and really getting to know one another. The best part of the exchange was that we had an appointment fall through with an investigator St an apartment complex so while we headed back to the car we talked to this guy who was about to head into his apartment building. He wasn't interested at all, in fact, he was high as a kite unfortunately. But he told us we could knock on doors in his building and we decided to give it a shot. The first door we knocked one was a young couple with an infant son who let us right in. It was amazing to see how the Restoration just clicked for Khallel and Stephenie, Elder Drake is such a great teacher too. We just kept bouncing back and forth with each other which was so nice. When you can teach with clarity and unity at the same time, the Spirit is in abundance. It was pretty fun to go to Pennypack and do some work in that area. We only do 2-3 exchanges here since there's only sisters in the District but exchanges are so powerful without a doubt.

The next day we taught our investigator Skylar and she brought up a good amount of concerns regarding her testimony. So we started off with the basics of God and Jesus Christ and she knew about them, but she was searching for a personal connection. Well, Elder Morton was impressed to show an old holiday video of the Savior and by the end of it, everyone was in tears. The Spirit was beyond strong in that room, probably one of the strongest lessons I have been apart of on my mission. She knew from that point God was there, and He did hear her prayers. It was so great!

Something pretty neat that happened also was that we had an appointment with a less active named Brother Bachin. He's been less active for a couple years so he feeds the missionaries and is willing to have a lesson with the Elders after. So the interesting part of it all was he is uncomfortable sharing a message with us around his wife, so we went in a small RV in his garage to read the Book of Mormon with him. It was actually pretty neat, I've never had a lesson in an RV so it was an experience for sure!

We also had stake conference and it was a pretty big deal this weekend. There was a new Stake Presidency called and we were able to hear some pretty great testimonies from the old and new Presidencies. We also got to hear two Seventies speak which were pretty impressive and powerful messages as well as President Randall, who is one of the best speakers I know without question. Overall, it was a pretty good week! We don't have anyone on date yet for baptism, but we are going to go above and beyond to find those who are ready! I know the Lord can do the impossible. As we exercise faith in Him, believing we will get an answer, it will come to pass. I hope we can all remember that our Lord is waiting to bless us, we just need to ask in faith, believing we shall receive.

Elder Cortes

Doylestown, PA