Tuesday, May 29, 2012
CockRoaches!!! 5-29-12
Hello! Sorry I couldn't write yesterday, Happy Memorial Day though! Hope everyone had a good time... remembering everyone :) This week has been really busy. Last p-day we woke up at like 4 am and went and hiked a mountain nbd. We had Claudia's baptism on Saturday! It was soooooo good! She went out and bought a cute MODEST skirt and was all ready to go. I will send pictures. I sent a program home too. Elder Samuels and I sang and Sister Fors spoke. Apparently Elder Samuels and I are singing at the next spanish fireside too! Lots of singing in public lately. Anyway, it turned out really well. She had to be dunked twice and we forgot to tell her to bring a towel, but all the big things were perfect :) We took pictures of everyone and while she was getting dressed we passed out cute paper and had everyone write her a note and we made a little album for her of everyone that came so she can always remember. We are hoping to baptize Nadia and Osvaldo (the dad) soon.
Well transfers are this week and guess what? I'm still with Sister Fors. We were both completely surprised. This will be her 4th transfer here. Secretly we were both disappointed, not because we don't like each other, but because we wanted a change. I wanted to see missionary work from a new perspective. Either there is something we still need to learn from each other or I just need to be trained for another transfer. We woke up after we heard the news and one word kept popping up in my head "albedria" (agency in spanish) We totally choose our circumstances and our happiness. So what did I do? Right after Sister Fors got out of the shower I scarred the crap out of her... I think she appreciated that. I told her we are going to make this the best transfer yet. We did move houses though. Same area... smaller space. We moved into "the Pratts" so far they seem really nice. It's a bit of an adjustment though. There's not really any privacy. The next door down from us is a 96 year old Argentinian lady. She's hilarious. She's straight out of a sitcom I swear. She'll be the character of the transfer I'm sure. It should be good though I want her to help me with my spanish. She use to work at the mtc. WHAT.. a blessing.
We are back in the VC this transfer! I'm so happy to be back. I missed it.
The cockroaches are starting to come out. I'm gonna die. We were having a prayer at a new investigators house last night (on our knees) having this spiritual moment here and one crawled up my skirt!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't freak out though. It was more important that the spirit was there. I'm becoming tough... kinda.
For memorial day, Hermano Laguna had us, our investigators, and the ward over for a cook out. That was fun! hermano Laguna is getting released from our ward mission leader (which we are devastated about) so he wanted to go out with a bang.
I have high hopes for this transfer. I expect to learn a lot and laugh a lot.
This week the chapter is Mosiah 5- think about what it means to be "willing."
Anyway, I'm sure there is more, but i forgot to bring my journal. But It was a good week. PS- thank you Mom and Jonna for the packages!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I smiled all week! I will write you next week. You guys are the best :)
SFTE
Sister Cottrell
Well transfers are this week and guess what? I'm still with Sister Fors. We were both completely surprised. This will be her 4th transfer here. Secretly we were both disappointed, not because we don't like each other, but because we wanted a change. I wanted to see missionary work from a new perspective. Either there is something we still need to learn from each other or I just need to be trained for another transfer. We woke up after we heard the news and one word kept popping up in my head "albedria" (agency in spanish) We totally choose our circumstances and our happiness. So what did I do? Right after Sister Fors got out of the shower I scarred the crap out of her... I think she appreciated that. I told her we are going to make this the best transfer yet. We did move houses though. Same area... smaller space. We moved into "the Pratts" so far they seem really nice. It's a bit of an adjustment though. There's not really any privacy. The next door down from us is a 96 year old Argentinian lady. She's hilarious. She's straight out of a sitcom I swear. She'll be the character of the transfer I'm sure. It should be good though I want her to help me with my spanish. She use to work at the mtc. WHAT.. a blessing.
We are back in the VC this transfer! I'm so happy to be back. I missed it.
The cockroaches are starting to come out. I'm gonna die. We were having a prayer at a new investigators house last night (on our knees) having this spiritual moment here and one crawled up my skirt!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't freak out though. It was more important that the spirit was there. I'm becoming tough... kinda.
For memorial day, Hermano Laguna had us, our investigators, and the ward over for a cook out. That was fun! hermano Laguna is getting released from our ward mission leader (which we are devastated about) so he wanted to go out with a bang.
I have high hopes for this transfer. I expect to learn a lot and laugh a lot.
This week the chapter is Mosiah 5- think about what it means to be "willing."
Anyway, I'm sure there is more, but i forgot to bring my journal. But It was a good week. PS- thank you Mom and Jonna for the packages!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I smiled all week! I will write you next week. You guys are the best :)
SFTE
Sister Cottrell
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Hola May 21, 2012
Hola Familia!
This week was Sister For's birthday... no pressure! I printed out HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER FORS! with each letter on one piece of paper and hung it on the door with streamers and balloons. She had a package from her sister and so I got the mail that we don't use, like the adds and stuff and wrapped it along with the present I got her so she had something to "open." I made her pancakes while she was in the shower and I told the little old lady next door while we were running that it was her birthday so she brought her some cookies. Later at district meeting we got a really ugly pinata and pizza and decorated the gym for her and had everyone sing to her. I took pictures- i'll have to send some. On Sunday I passed the word to the members that were feeding us and told them her favorite food. Not only did they fix her favorite food, but the got a cake too! That was good :) Their little girl sang to her (in spanish) a birthday primary song which was really cute and the best part of the day was when we went over to Dora and Salvadors trailer and after I told Salvador that it was her birthday he got mixed up and started singing "merry christmas to you!" in the happy birthday tune, (we're working on his english). Anyway, she seemed to have a good day, so I was happy for her.
We had a really good week of finding this week. We found 9 new investigators. Ivette didn't end up getting baptized last week though, she said she was starting to feel "pressure." Pretty frustrating. We did have a really good lesson with Claudia though. We did a chapel tour and had her pray out loud in the chapel to know if baptism was the right thing for her to do. She couldn't stop saying, "I just feel something different... like... really peaceful" I asked her if she thought that was her answer and she said yes! So she's supposed to be baptized this Saturday. Also, another miracle. We found a family on the street and they said we could give a blessing in their house. Apparently they had had missionaries before and came really close to baptism but eventually decided against it. As we were talking with them they said that they were "content" with their own religion. I had sensed that that was what they were saying, but their spanish was pretty hard to understand and I was trying to keep their little girl under control but the spirit kept telling me to just ask them to be baptized. Yikes.. they had just pretty much told us that they weren't interested. Well, after the prayer my heart was beating and I knew I had to ask anyway. I asked and they all said yes! Awesome. Crazy how it all works out.
Anyway, it's been a pretty good week. It's getting suuuuuuuuper hot, but I'm hangin in there. Transfers are next week- I swear we just had transfers. But it should be interesting to see what happens. We have 3 sisters leaving in the VC and we have no new sisters coming but President wants as many sisters out in the field to meet our goal of doubling our baptisms in July. We shall see.
I got a note in my VC cubby saying that a darling girl came in looking for me and apparently Sammers baptized her mom in California! Her name is Brenda Rodriguez. Cool huh?? Good job stink. Apparently she has a lot of family and friends here that aren't LDS. I'll work on it :) Brenda said she was going to come back to see me when I am in the VC again.
The chapter this week is Jacob 5. I've received sooooo much insight this week about this. It teaches... well everything! It's crazy to think about how I am one "His servants" that are "few" that is called to try and help save the vineyard ONE LAST TIME before the Savior comes. He has "spared the world a little longer" but read the end of the chapter and think about today's times. It makes sense, but I guess I never put it together that sending out missionaries is a sign of His coming. Don't procrastinate the day of His coming! As a missionary it is sooo clear that the time is near. It's like Elder Holland said, "it's getting late." Doesn't that just give you chills? Be good!!!
Love you all!
SFTE
Sister Cottrell
This week was Sister For's birthday... no pressure! I printed out HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER FORS! with each letter on one piece of paper and hung it on the door with streamers and balloons. She had a package from her sister and so I got the mail that we don't use, like the adds and stuff and wrapped it along with the present I got her so she had something to "open." I made her pancakes while she was in the shower and I told the little old lady next door while we were running that it was her birthday so she brought her some cookies. Later at district meeting we got a really ugly pinata and pizza and decorated the gym for her and had everyone sing to her. I took pictures- i'll have to send some. On Sunday I passed the word to the members that were feeding us and told them her favorite food. Not only did they fix her favorite food, but the got a cake too! That was good :) Their little girl sang to her (in spanish) a birthday primary song which was really cute and the best part of the day was when we went over to Dora and Salvadors trailer and after I told Salvador that it was her birthday he got mixed up and started singing "merry christmas to you!" in the happy birthday tune, (we're working on his english). Anyway, she seemed to have a good day, so I was happy for her.
We had a really good week of finding this week. We found 9 new investigators. Ivette didn't end up getting baptized last week though, she said she was starting to feel "pressure." Pretty frustrating. We did have a really good lesson with Claudia though. We did a chapel tour and had her pray out loud in the chapel to know if baptism was the right thing for her to do. She couldn't stop saying, "I just feel something different... like... really peaceful" I asked her if she thought that was her answer and she said yes! So she's supposed to be baptized this Saturday. Also, another miracle. We found a family on the street and they said we could give a blessing in their house. Apparently they had had missionaries before and came really close to baptism but eventually decided against it. As we were talking with them they said that they were "content" with their own religion. I had sensed that that was what they were saying, but their spanish was pretty hard to understand and I was trying to keep their little girl under control but the spirit kept telling me to just ask them to be baptized. Yikes.. they had just pretty much told us that they weren't interested. Well, after the prayer my heart was beating and I knew I had to ask anyway. I asked and they all said yes! Awesome. Crazy how it all works out.
Anyway, it's been a pretty good week. It's getting suuuuuuuuper hot, but I'm hangin in there. Transfers are next week- I swear we just had transfers. But it should be interesting to see what happens. We have 3 sisters leaving in the VC and we have no new sisters coming but President wants as many sisters out in the field to meet our goal of doubling our baptisms in July. We shall see.
I got a note in my VC cubby saying that a darling girl came in looking for me and apparently Sammers baptized her mom in California! Her name is Brenda Rodriguez. Cool huh?? Good job stink. Apparently she has a lot of family and friends here that aren't LDS. I'll work on it :) Brenda said she was going to come back to see me when I am in the VC again.
The chapter this week is Jacob 5. I've received sooooo much insight this week about this. It teaches... well everything! It's crazy to think about how I am one "His servants" that are "few" that is called to try and help save the vineyard ONE LAST TIME before the Savior comes. He has "spared the world a little longer" but read the end of the chapter and think about today's times. It makes sense, but I guess I never put it together that sending out missionaries is a sign of His coming. Don't procrastinate the day of His coming! As a missionary it is sooo clear that the time is near. It's like Elder Holland said, "it's getting late." Doesn't that just give you chills? Be good!!!
Love you all!
SFTE
Sister Cottrell
Monday, May 14, 2012
Happy Mother's Day Everyone!
Long time no see!! It was so good talking to everyone yesterday! I was sad that it took so long to get it going where I could see everyone, but it was still fun :) I'm so glad everyone is doing well! I'm glad mom had a good mothers day too. Everyone looks good and healthy! :)
I had my first zone conference last week. It was really energizing. I learned a lot! It was all about working with an urgency!
I went to the doctor for my ankle finally. I didn't want to, but it kept swelling up everyday. I have to wear a brace everyday (even though i'm not very good at doing so) But the doctor said it could take up to 6 months to stop swelling even though it's not broken. It was fun going to the other side of town to the doctor though. I haven't even seen Arizona except my area so it was good to mix it up.
We had a mothers day party on friday for the ward (the one we made the fancy invitations for) It was really fun. It about killed me though because they had a dance and I couldn't dance! They were playing all my favorite salsa songs and everything! Man...it was fun anyway.
I met a lady at the VC that has been taking care of us lately. She said that I have done so much for her and she is so willing to do anything for me. She is actually an answer to MY prayers though. We had an AMERICAN meal last night for mothers day, she found a place where we could skype AND she's my new personal trainer. We meet her at the park at 6 and she brings her weights and stuff and kicks our butt.. it's awesome! She even wants to make meal plans for us and everything. So funny slash awesome. It's good for her because she's divorced (twice) and is really lonely a lot of the time and can't see her kids a lot... so we help each other out.
We sang a hymn for the Flores Family. Sister Fors and I practiced for it and I was singing harmony but we invited a member to join us and he miss understood and wanted to sing along. Kinda awkward, it was funny though and they seemed to like it.
Our goal is to find find find! Our mission president wants us to find men and families so that's what we are praying for :) In the Joseph Smith movie at the very end, Lucy says something like, "you can take my words or leave it but I know this church is true and I will stand by that forever" I love that! I know the formula for happiness is obedience, sacrifice and love. The chapter this week is Alma 30- think about what a privilege it is to serve God while reading it :) Love you all and I pray for you.
Love,
Sister Cottrell
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Hola -Happy Mother's Day!
Hola Familia!
So I forgot to mention that my p-day will be every Monday now that I am full field. I probably should have mentioned that a little sooner.
This week has been good. Really hot. It's usually over 100 degrees everyday now. I am excited to skype next week on Mothers Day! I need to know what time. I could either do it in the morning or at night. Sister Fors wants to skype at 6pm so that her family can all be there.. but I know it'll be late in Georgia for the kids if you were planning on doing a conference call with everyone. I will call at around 10:15ish on Sunday morning to see what is best I guess. I don't really know what to do and what everyone's schedules are. I hope it works out.
I have some good news! Alex- the kid I met like the first or second day at the visitors center with his gf that I committed to baptism.. He's getting baptized on Saturday! I am so excited. I am kinda bummed though because he lives out of the mission so there's no way I could get permission to go. But I will have to tell him to come back to the VC so I can get a picture with him or something. I am proud of him. Him and his gf broke up, which was sad but it's kinda good though because now we for sure know he is doing it for himself. I called him the other day and he said "ever since I came into the VC and talked to you and started this whole thing, everything is going sooooooo well"
This week we went on splits with another sister. Sister Falcon. She could easily be my companion next transfer but we will see. She is a native spanish speaker so I was a little nervous but it actually went really well. At the end of the day when she was giving me feedback she said that I don't sound like a greeny when I talk and that my Spanish is really good. I needed to hear that. She also started to cry and said that she needed to come with us because she learned more from us than we did from her! She is a sweetheart.
We have an activity coming up in our ward this friday "Dia de las Madres" (mothers day) we are having a dinner and dance. We were in charge of the invitations and they were kind of a pain. They took way longer than they should have... but.. they are really cute. We attached the Proclamation to the World to the back of it- (with a bow of course) It's a really good missionary tool. We're inviting everyone and their dog (chiuahua) I think it will be a success.
I hope you kept that sister missionary in her prayers that lost her sister last week. That kinda shook us all up. I wonder if dad knew anything about it she is from Utah. It was the Shurtz family and it was a disabled 26 year old named Lacey and her dad was feeding her breakfast and she chocked. Horrible. I have been doing everything I can for Sister Shurtz. I felt so sick for her. I don't know how she has been coping with it all but we have all been praying for her. She has been my really good friend out here and she is so awesome. She has been hanging in there though and has kept going. She's definitely one of my heros.
We are hoping to have two baptisms this Saturday. Our goal is three this month but our problem is getting them to come to church! It's the most annoying thing in the world to call, text, and remind people to come to church everyday and have no one show up! Agency is frustrating. I swear Satan has the keys to all of our investigators houses.
We don't know if Rosie's baptism is going to happen anymore. Her dad wants her to be baptized Catholic... he doesn't even go to church or practice what he believes. He believes in watching TV. Not a joke. Ivette will be baptized for sure this month though. She is so awesome. She's 12 and understands the Book of Mormon so well. Her mom was baptized in the church in Mexico but doesn't go anymore and when we asked her if she would like to come back to church with her daughter she said "oh i'm just not ready to come back, I know it's true but I'm not ready" Weird. Ivette is a rock though.
I sang in the VC choir at a fireside last night. It was good everyone liked it. I have been seeing lots of people I know at the VC and I don't even work there right now! I saw Mike Larson and his fiance, Clayton Merrills best friend on his mission that just got back, one of Aumberly's old companions AND a friend from Provo that served here in mesa 2 and a half years ago. It was crazy because we figured out that one of the people he baptized was a lady that went out on splits with Sister Fors and I like 2 days before. Crazy.
The chapter this week is Alma 32. How can you strengthen not just your faith, but others around you. As we strengthen others faith, we are strengthening ours. Faith is a verb. "Faith is the commitment and confidence is we keep the commandments, God will bless us" -PMG Also I really like these couple quotes "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest servant of the Lord on his knees" "The only thing we can give God that He doesn't already have is our will" "if we have the spirit, you will have peace in your heart no matter the circumstances.(paraphrased by George Q. Cannon.)
Love you all! Hope to talk to you on Sunday. Happy Mothers Day marrrm :) Love you! Thankk you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Love,
Sister Cottrell
SFTE
So I forgot to mention that my p-day will be every Monday now that I am full field. I probably should have mentioned that a little sooner.
This week has been good. Really hot. It's usually over 100 degrees everyday now. I am excited to skype next week on Mothers Day! I need to know what time. I could either do it in the morning or at night. Sister Fors wants to skype at 6pm so that her family can all be there.. but I know it'll be late in Georgia for the kids if you were planning on doing a conference call with everyone. I will call at around 10:15ish on Sunday morning to see what is best I guess. I don't really know what to do and what everyone's schedules are. I hope it works out.
I have some good news! Alex- the kid I met like the first or second day at the visitors center with his gf that I committed to baptism.. He's getting baptized on Saturday! I am so excited. I am kinda bummed though because he lives out of the mission so there's no way I could get permission to go. But I will have to tell him to come back to the VC so I can get a picture with him or something. I am proud of him. Him and his gf broke up, which was sad but it's kinda good though because now we for sure know he is doing it for himself. I called him the other day and he said "ever since I came into the VC and talked to you and started this whole thing, everything is going sooooooo well"
This week we went on splits with another sister. Sister Falcon. She could easily be my companion next transfer but we will see. She is a native spanish speaker so I was a little nervous but it actually went really well. At the end of the day when she was giving me feedback she said that I don't sound like a greeny when I talk and that my Spanish is really good. I needed to hear that. She also started to cry and said that she needed to come with us because she learned more from us than we did from her! She is a sweetheart.
We have an activity coming up in our ward this friday "Dia de las Madres" (mothers day) we are having a dinner and dance. We were in charge of the invitations and they were kind of a pain. They took way longer than they should have... but.. they are really cute. We attached the Proclamation to the World to the back of it- (with a bow of course) It's a really good missionary tool. We're inviting everyone and their dog (chiuahua) I think it will be a success.
I hope you kept that sister missionary in her prayers that lost her sister last week. That kinda shook us all up. I wonder if dad knew anything about it she is from Utah. It was the Shurtz family and it was a disabled 26 year old named Lacey and her dad was feeding her breakfast and she chocked. Horrible. I have been doing everything I can for Sister Shurtz. I felt so sick for her. I don't know how she has been coping with it all but we have all been praying for her. She has been my really good friend out here and she is so awesome. She has been hanging in there though and has kept going. She's definitely one of my heros.
We are hoping to have two baptisms this Saturday. Our goal is three this month but our problem is getting them to come to church! It's the most annoying thing in the world to call, text, and remind people to come to church everyday and have no one show up! Agency is frustrating. I swear Satan has the keys to all of our investigators houses.
We don't know if Rosie's baptism is going to happen anymore. Her dad wants her to be baptized Catholic... he doesn't even go to church or practice what he believes. He believes in watching TV. Not a joke. Ivette will be baptized for sure this month though. She is so awesome. She's 12 and understands the Book of Mormon so well. Her mom was baptized in the church in Mexico but doesn't go anymore and when we asked her if she would like to come back to church with her daughter she said "oh i'm just not ready to come back, I know it's true but I'm not ready" Weird. Ivette is a rock though.
I sang in the VC choir at a fireside last night. It was good everyone liked it. I have been seeing lots of people I know at the VC and I don't even work there right now! I saw Mike Larson and his fiance, Clayton Merrills best friend on his mission that just got back, one of Aumberly's old companions AND a friend from Provo that served here in mesa 2 and a half years ago. It was crazy because we figured out that one of the people he baptized was a lady that went out on splits with Sister Fors and I like 2 days before. Crazy.
The chapter this week is Alma 32. How can you strengthen not just your faith, but others around you. As we strengthen others faith, we are strengthening ours. Faith is a verb. "Faith is the commitment and confidence is we keep the commandments, God will bless us" -PMG Also I really like these couple quotes "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest servant of the Lord on his knees" "The only thing we can give God that He doesn't already have is our will" "if we have the spirit, you will have peace in your heart no matter the circumstances.(paraphrased by George Q. Cannon.)
Love you all! Hope to talk to you on Sunday. Happy Mothers Day marrrm :) Love you! Thankk you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Love,
Sister Cottrell
SFTE
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