Monday, October 26, 2015

Wow, I can´t believe another week has flown by. Not to mention that tomorrow I will officially be at the halfway mark of my mission. I don´t know where the time has gone but it´s been fun to reflect and see how much I’ve grown and changed in this time. I can´t imagine what else the Lord has in store for these next 9! 

This week we were able to really see the fruits of many of our labors over the past month or two. We are finding new investigators that are really prepared to hear the gospel and also seeing progress in the investigators that we have been teaching already. We were walking one day after a lesson fell through and we passed by the house of an old investigator. We decided to stop by to see how they were doing and ended up having a great lesson with her where she asked us directly about baptism and what she needed to do to prepare herself. Then in the next lesson we were talking more about baptism and she shared with us that she had received an answer that the church was true, even though she had never been interested in joining a specific religion before. We are super excited to see her progress in these next weeks as we help her to increase her faith in the savior and his restored gospel. 

Yesterday we had an area-wide stake conference where we were able to listen to Elder Andersen, Elder Soares, Elder Nash, Elder Uceda, and Sister Esplin speak to us (all in Spanish except Sis. Esplin) by transmission. It was so neat and I learned so much. It was for Peru and Bolivia and was very direct in the things that we need to do here in this area. :) 

We´ve also been trying to look for more opportunities to serve during the day to gain the trust of the people and help then recognize us as servants of Christ. Well, the Lord answered our prayers! We were teaching an inactive woman and she was telling us about how awful her neighbors are and that they are always putting things through the sewer that clogs it and it overflows in front of her house and she has to clean it out every day. As she was telling us this we began to see water rising from the sewer in front of her house and start filling her front porch. She just looked at us with an exhausted face and said "See, what I’m talking about?" So...we told her not to worry and that we were going to help her clean it up. We popped off the top of the sewer, she handed me a bucket, and I started scooping out all the water as Hermana Chavez followed with a broom to sweep all the water off her porch and down the street. The people in the streets just walked by and stared at 2 young girls in skirts playing in the sewer water as Hermana Gladis tried to find what was blocking the hole. It was probably the strangest service project I’ve done in my mission so far, but we did feel good after and the Hermana was so grateful. She told us she would never forget us and that she was going to start coming to church and our English classes to thank us. Haha, it was a fun little experience. :) 

Hermana Chavez and I are working hard and trying our best to follow the spirit as he guides us to know who is ready to receive the gospel and how we can help those here. The ward is another one of our big concerns and we are trying our best to gain the confidence of the leaders and work with them to strengthen the members. So many needs and lots of problems but we have faith that little by little the Lord will help us make a difference.  I am learning a lot about patience, love, and humility as well as the importance of seeking the help of the Lord in all we do. Too often I try to rely on my own talents and abilities when really it´s the Lord that does the work in the hearts of the people. 

So exciting news...J... is getting baptized this week!!!!! Please pray for him and his mom M...! He has grown so much in the few months I’ve been here and it has really strengthened my testimony in how much the gospel really can change people. J... is 12 and the son of a less active member. His father is not a member and so he really doesn´t have a lot of support but he is strengthening his testimony every day and I know he´ll grow to be a faithful, dedicated member if he keeps putting in his effort. Please pray for him, he´s a little nervous. He´ll be baptized on Friday and confirmed on Sunday. :) Also please pray for D... and her family that they can come to church and act on the things we are teaching them, B... that she can recognize that the church is true and overcome her fears, M... that she can come to church and that her mom´s heart can be softened towards her participating in the church, B... that he can keep progressing and gain a testimony as well as M... and V... as they read the BOM and learn more. So many amazing people here, I love getting to know their stories and see their faith. 

Love you all so much. I know this church is true and that Christ lives and loves us all. He truly is our Savior and leads his church through his chosen leaders. Keep doing the little things like reading your scriptures every day and having family and personal prayer. So important. Love this work. :) 

Hermana Cox

This is a common peruvian dish here...french fries with hot dog on top and smothered in mayo and ketchup....super healthy, I know. :) No wonder I´m gaining weight! I feel like it´s something Logan, Kylee, and Braden would enjoy though. :)

Some view from the rooftop!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Hola!!!! 

Ok I have noooo time! We went to the temple today for pday and then got back super late because we live far away so we only had a tiny bit of time to write. But this week went by quickly and was great! We had a fun adventure to the Peruvian doctor! No worries, nothing serious. I´d been having ear pain for about 2 weeks so we set up an appointment to check it out and he told me I have allergies to the dirt here...not sure how reliable that is but he gave me some allergy pills to take and I’ve been feeling a lot better so I guess it´s working. Random :) 

With I... we were able to talk to the bishop and find out more about the situation. She can now take the sacrament and today at the temple we were able to buy her garments so she can start wearing them. :) Hopefully she can get her recommend soon and we´ll take her back to the temple.

Speaking of the temple we got to go today and it was the best. I love that sacred place with all my heart and there is a peace there that is indescribable. I´m so blessed to be in a mission with a temple and also one back home that is so close. I´ll send some pics of that. 

But all in all we are doing really well here. Had a new investigator come to church with her 3 kids this week which was super exciting because no one wants to come to church with us here. :) Her name is B..., please pray for her. Also for I... still and S... and her familiy. J... is planning on getting baptized next week so please pray for him and his mom M... who is less active that she can be a support for him. 

No more time but I love you all so much! I know my Savior lives and I love him with all my heart. Learn of Him and rely on His love. 

Love you all!

Hermana Cox

Hermana Samuel´s sister got married this weekend so we bought cake and celebrated so she wouldn´t feel so bad. I´m glad I´m the oldest and don´t have to worry  about that happening to me!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!

Wow, another transfer has begun...time is flying! This transfer I will be staying in my area in Chosica but have a new companion! Her name is Hermana Chavez from Guayaquil Ecuador (yeah definitely spelled that wrong). She’s the best and I already love her so much. She is afraid of dogs...and here in Chosica there are 5 dogs on every corner so please pray for her in this aspect. She is a hard worker and we have so many plans for this transfer! She has such a strong desire to serve and help the people and knows what her purpose is. I can already tell we are going to have a transfer of miracles!!!! I´m so excited. 

Last pday of last transfer! The Hermanas of Chosica

The new Hermanas of Chosica this transfer...recognize the tall one? Hermana Samuels, my companion from the CCM! I´m so excited she´s here!

My new companion, Hermana Chavez! She is from Ecuador and is the best!

So something fun from this week before I start into the serious missionary business. :) Here in Peru we eat a lot of rice, potatoes, and chicken. Pretty much that every day. So our pension decided to try and give us a little break and mix things up...let´s just say it´s been a rough week for my stomach. :) This week I have eaten oyster, crab, fish, clam, squid, and octopus. Not lying. Never in my life did I think I would ever ever ever eat those things. My family knows I do NOT do seafood at all. But I can now testify of the missionary superpower of being able to eat everything served to you on your plate. Wow, I feel sick thinking about it...but also just a little bit proud of myself. Ok SUPER proud of myself. Dad, I hope you are too. I was thinking of you the whole time and all the times I told you never in my life would I eat things like that. :) Ok back to the missionary-life stuff....

One pic of the "seafood surprise" we ate the other day...all the other little pieces of things in the rice are octopus and squid. :)

There is so much that needs to be done here in this area. After this week ended, Hermana Chavez and I just sat down together and cried a little talking about everything we´d seen throughout the week. There are so many needs here and so much work to be done. I honestly feel like Alma when he saw the wickedness and apostasy in the land and left his judgement seat to go out and teach and bring the people back. Chosica is the edge of our mission and less developed and organized. The wards are functioning and there are a lot of great members, but also a lot of apostasy and confusion about doctrine and order. But we were able to turn to the Lord and receive revelation about what we need to focus on first and how we can start working one step at a time to help this ward and all the people in our area. 

Yesterday we ate lunch with a member of the ward named I.... Her family doesn´t have much because she is a single working mom with 2 kids and her aged mother, but she still gave so willingly to us. After we sat down to share a message and I felt impressed to share the scripture about Jesus Christ coming to the Americas in the Book of Mormon and instituting the sacrament. As we talked about the importance of the sacrament and the blessing it is for us, she confided in us and told us that she has not been taking the sacrament for 8 years. She told us that when she married her husband (who was not a member and not the best person) her bishop told her that she could no longer take the sacrament and also withdrew her rights to hold a calling or anything in the church. She didn´t understand why because she has never committed a big sin, yet accepted it and kept attending with faith that someday she could participate again. Her husband was awful to her and finally a year ago she separated from him. She also told us that she is endowed but during this time felt that she was in some way unworthy and so she removed her garment and hasn´t had her temple recommend during this whole time as well. She said that after she separated from her husband she finally went and talked to the bishop now and he told her that she could buy her garments and that they would talk about if she could now take the sacrament but nothing has really been done about it and after so many years she still feels this guilt inside her that she´s not worthy. Yet she has stayed true to the church and kept going and participating even though she has been missing out on all of these blessings for so long. As Hermana Chavez and I sat and listened to her we both just cried and tried to express to her the Lord´s love for her and what a faithful member she is to have stayed strong even through everything that has happened. We have plans to talk with the bishop this week to make sure that everything is ok for her to once again begin taking the sacrament and receive her recommend to enter the temple again. We promised her that we will be here with her every step of the way to help her be able to enter the temple once again and renew her covenants. She shared with us her testimony of the gospel and that she knows that the leaders of the church and members aren´t perfect and that they make mistakes.  But she doesn´t feel angry, just grateful for her testimony of the truthfulness and perfectness of the gospel that has helped her through. She is just one example, Please pray for her. 

This week we also were shown over and over again that there are many members who really don´t have a testimony, in fact, many who don´t know what a testimony is. So we are going to be working really hard this transfer with increasing the testimonies of the members and less-actives in our area. Please pray for M... and her son J..., M..., S..., X..., and the Familia C.... All less-actives who we are focusing on now. 

But we are also seeing many miracles and I really feel that this next transfer we are going to be able to do so much good. I feel so excited and motivated to help these people and a great love for them. 

There are so many faithful members here but also so much work to be done. But we have been praying, fasting, studying, and doing all we can to search for the help of the Lord to really do the work he needs done here in El sol. Here comes a cambio of miracles. 

After all that we´ve seen this week, my testimony of the importance of the little things has really increased. Going to church, having family home evening every week, doing our visiting and home teaching, reading the scriptures every day, and praying sincerely personally and as a family. SO IMPORTANT!!! 

I know that Our Heavenly Father really is our loving father in Heaven. Jesus Christ is his son and performed the atonement for us. Joseph Smith restored the church through revelation in this dispensation and President Monson is the living prophet of God on the earth today. The church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints truly is the Lord´s true church on the earth today. I know it. And I feel so grateful for the chance to share that knowledge every day. 

Love you all! Please keep the prayers coming this way! 

Hermana Cox

Here is a pic of the other sisters in the ward with some members

Monday, October 5, 2015

Hola Familia y amigos!!!

Wow, another transfer come and gone!!! I can´t believe how fast time is flying. But I’ve learned so much these past 6 weeks and many life lessons that I know the Lord needed me to learn to prepare me better for life and to be an instrument in his hands later on. 

Wow, CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!!! We have been waiting anxiously all week to hear what our beloved leaders had to say to us and wow did I learn so much. I woke up Saturday morning and had the biggest smile and seriously felt like it was Christmas! We got to watch all 4 sessions and I felt the spirit and received revelation in every one. I learned a lot about the spirit and the importance of seeking his guidance and following the revelation we receive. From Elder Uchtdorf the importance of living the gospel purely and simply. The gospel really is simple and sometimes we get lost in complicating things and forget the pure simplicity and beauty. I want to simplify and focus on what is really important, which is being 100% devoted and dedicated to the Lord and developing my love for Jesus Christ so that I am willing to follow all he has asked us to do. So many testimonies and powerful talks about the reality of prophets and apostles in our day and that we can really receive revelation from them for our needs in these times. We are so blessed to have the church and the restored gospel on the earth. Also a lot about the Sabbath day. We have been receiving a ton of training and focus on this commandment in these past few weeks here in Peru and I’m sure it´s the same all over the world. This commandment is so important and is being broken so easily and readily. It´s so important and I am really going to try and do better with watching my attitude on Sundays and that it´s showing the Lord how much he means to me. Also preparing seriously for the sacrament and remembering Christ and renewing my covenants with him. That way I can receive the important promise to have his spirit with me always. So much more I want to share but no time!

My conference meal :) When they say chicken, they mean the whole chicken. :) Also the other one is the Elder next to me.

Our sunday lunch in between conference. Mangos and peruvian style spaghetti. They make everything with chicken. :)

It´s transfers tomorrow so we will see what happens! I wouldn´t be surprised if Hermana, Saracho and I stay here together but I guess we´ll see! I´ve learned a lot from her and we have grown together. :)

I love you all so much! Sorry for the shortness this week! I´ll try and write more about investigators and the work next week. But please pray for Medalyt, Monica and Jeremy Aycho, Milagros Aycho oand her family, Yudith, Jovanah, The Capcha family, and just that people can start keeping their commitments, progress, and COME TO CHURCH! Thanks so much!

I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth and I am so grateful to not only be a part of it, but to be able to share this knowledge with everyone here in Peru. I love the Lord so much and I know he lives and loves us. We have a divine purpose and plan for our lives, and with the help of the Lord and his spirit, we will be led to be instruments in his hands. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Cox

Monday, September 28, 2015

Hola familia y amigos!!!

So much to tell and not much time. But it´s been a good week, full of lots of learning experiences. Yesterday I completed 8 months in the mission...what?! Time is flying!!! I still feel new here, but am loving all that I am learning. I loved getting to watch the women´s conference on Saturday and loved the theme of our potential and divine duties as women. Pres. Uchtdorf´s talk was an answer to my prayers on how to really live a happy life, even if we are surrounded by difficulties or things don´t go as planned. Sometimes we think we have to be sad and depressed when things don´t work out or plans and goals fall through.

 It´s natural to be disappointed, but it does no good to dwell and sit in one spot. The Lord will help us find joy in every footstep as we get up, brush ourselves off, and keep moving forward. I am SO excited for conference this weekend to hear what else our prophet and apostles have to tell us. I´ve got a big list of questions and answers I need and know that if I do my part this week to prepare myself spiritually it will be a feast of revelation. :) I invite you all to do the same! 

We have been trying to get everyone excited for the conference, members and non-members alike. I love seeing the reaction of our investigators when we tell them that we have a prophet today who really receives revelation from God for us and that we have the chance to listen to him this weekend! One of our investigators named M... was super excited to learn this truth. We told her we had a prophet and she said, "Wait, seriously? Who?!" We showed her a picture of the first presidency and the 12 and she got so excited and is super excited to come to the conference this weekend. We were also teaching L... who is a non-member but her husband is an inactive member. We taught her this truth as well and showed her the picture and she asked us how she could really know if he was a prophet. We invited her to pray and come to conference to hear him speak and then pay attention to how she feels and let the spirit confirm to her that he is. She then asked us, "Do you two know he´s a prophet, for sure?" It was such a neat experience to bear my testimony to her that I too know that Pres. Monson is a prophet and that he receives revelation from God. And that I received that confirmation from the spirit and not from anyone else. But what was even cooler was then hearing her husband pipe in and talk about how he too knows that we can receive answers through the spirit because he has felt it in his life and remembers that feeling from when he was an active member. SO neat and I’m super excited for everyone to come and listen to our beloved prophet this weekend. And 3 new apostles, wow! It´s going to be a spiritual feast! I´ll be watching it live with you since we are only an hour difference :) 

I don’t have time for much else but I love you all! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Invite someone to conference and prepare yourselves to receive revelation. 

Love you all!

Hermana Cox

 Ok my camera is finally working so here come all the pics I promised! My comp and I, the area, and the temple trip :)

Special lunch for Hna. Martinez´s birthday and our dinner the other night. 

 My new area :)