Week #24 (November 23, 2015)

Quotes of the week:
1) Tony, relatively toothless investigator we found this week,
speaking on the topic of his lizard:
"Yah sometimes he dudn't move fer 2 or three days and I think he's DEAD!"
*hysterical toothless laugh*

2) Tony, now speaking on the topic of a guy he rents a room in his
apartment to:
"Yeh he's got a pretty big scar on his face, someone tried to cut him
in half with a machete."

Scene of the week:
Freezing night (below 40 deg), we tap on a door, walk away, and 5
minutes later when we pass back by, the man we had met there the other
day- named Calendario ("Calendar" in Spanish)- is outside shirtless
smoking a cigarette. Dude, seriously?

This week is absolutely a tragedy- I'm getting transferred out of G6 Spanish.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are all gonna be spent
somewhere else now. Where? And with whom? That will all be found out in
transfer meeting tomorrow.

Spiritual thought:
I've had multiple lessons, contacts, and discussions this week
centered around the same idea->

The difference between an evidential and a spiritual witness.

Whether it was someone who asked to see the Gold Plates, someone
curious about locations of Book of Mormon battles, or just someone who
plainly challenged my belief that JosephSmith was a prophet - many
instances this week lead me to the same truth.

A witness of spiritual truths (i.e. Truths that are intertwined with
God and religion) will be a spiritual witness, not a physical or
evidential one.

Of course I find comfort and happiness knowing that the evidence of
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon's truthfulness is plentiful and
convincing, but I don't rely on that.

If an Apostle went apostate today and started his own church, if my
mission president fell away, or even if some "new evidence" emerges,
my spiritual witness of the truth of this gospel and church remains
untouched.

Have a great week!
-Elder Cox

Week #23 (November 16, 2015)

First of all-Happy B-day to Kaylee Cox and Maddy Hawkes!!!!

Quotes of the week:

Exchange with little lady cutting our hair in the little tiny Vietnamese shop:
My companion: "Am I gonna go bald?"
Little lady: "Nope.... Not unless you MESS UP YA LIFE!"
(She also gave us some tasty sweet Vietnamese fruits.)

The most common exchange in Spanish (happens about 20x a day):
(10 minute conversation about how many churches there are, how you can
know which one is right, and why it's important to look)
Us: "And so, would you like to hear our message, about our church, and
see if it's the right one?"
Everyone: (super intense 10 seconds of thinking, uncomfortable shrug,
heavy sigh, then super quickly and while walking away) "I mean I'm a
good person and that's the point of religion right?"

Last but not least, Hermana Lopez, a super intense Hondureña en the ward:
Elder Riggs: "Your wifi isn't working to send the pictures."
Hermana Lopez, frazzledly: "YOU ARE THE ONE NOT WORKING!"

Those pictures that elder Riggs was trying to send to the mission nurse were of my finger. It's actually a pretty good story:

I emerge from eating dinner at the Lopez house (riding my bike), and
start riding down the street.  A tiny dog emerges and starts chasing me, I turn on the bike and give
it a sweet kick to the face, just as it comes to bite my ankle, but
right as I turn away from my sweet kick, boom-slam into a parked car like an idiot.
My hand went right through the tail light and got pretty sliced up.
6 stitches later, and my middle finger looks just as beautiful as
ever.  The Lopezes are amazing and got us from the hospital late that
night.

Spiritual thought:

Don't let the little dogs in life pull your attention away from my
important stuff.  Mosiah 3:19 talks to us about "yielding to the enticings of the Holy
Spirit."  Those are subtle; if your attention is elsewhere you aren't
gonna catch 'em.

Just last night, I am walking through an apartment complex when I feel
the subtle enticing of the Holy Spirit to knock this random door. It's
a contact we made weeks ago. She asks why we didn't come to her lesson
scheduled days earlier, and we reset the lesson time for later this
week.

haircut 

bike accident 

6 stitches 

Week #22 (November 9, 2015)

Garland is amazing right now, we've recently found some amazing
families. And it's cold.

Quotes/scenes of the week:
#1) Riding down the sidewalk, Elder Riggs behind me (on an exchange), I hear:
"RSHHHCUHSCRUSH," turn around, Elder Riggs is on his back.  He was zoned out
and hit a cable, and just cracking up with his bike on top of him....
He went to the hospital that night.


#2) Street contact:
Us: We share about how God has provided his gospel so we can improve
to become more like Him. Would you like to hear about it?
Him: "I think that's sacrilegious because you're saying you're
becoming like God."
Us: Remember when God said 'Be ye perfect even as I or your Father who
art in Heaven is perfect?
Him: "I just think God wants us to be individuals."


#3) African Street contact,
"I grew up in a Muslim family, but I just believe in 'One Love'. It's
like where everybody really is just worshiping one God. Because you
see if I focus on just one religion, that would require me to say that
some other people are wrong."


Quite the week. Nothing overly notable, just found a lot of amazing
people, so here's a spiritual thought:

Quote #2 who just sounds ridiculous and #3 who says "...that would
require me to say that some other people are wrong..." may sound like
a breed who we rarely encounter. He's actually more common than any of
us want to think.

If I'm being honest, every Spanish contact or lesson begins with:
"You know we're ________, but basically are all worshipping the same
exact a God, so religion isn't even real is it? There is actually just
one religion, worshipping God!"

While they don't mention "One Love", it's the same idea. The idea that
we don't have to draw definitive lines in the sand. The idea that an
offensive truth is unworthy of acceptance.

Let's all step up, out on big kid pants, and think a little more than that.
Start by answering the 4 primary questions we learned I the area
conference Sunday:

1) Is there a God? Is He my Father?
2) Is Jesus Christ His son?
3) Was Joseph Smith a prophet of God?
4) Is the Church God's kingdom on Earth?

The answers to those questions are definitive, but they are definitely
not popular.

I know that God is our Father. His Son Jesus Christ lives and I know
Him. Joseph Smith was Their prophet who guided the Restoration of
Their kingdom to the Earth.

And with those answers, it appears we must get to work.

Love ya all, keep it up!

-Elder Cox

Eating at Branch President's House (his young daughters featured here, as well as Elder Richins - Elder Riggs' new companion from Idaho)

Got the Coat!

Week #21 (November 2, 2015)

Quotes of the week:
#1) Elder Nash (hilarious elder I went on a split with this week), the
night before Halloween:
Investigador: "Why don't you all work on Halloween?"
Elder Nash (being serious): "Because some people think: 'Halloween,
great night to kill some missionaries.'"

#2) Random street contact
Me: "Hey would you mind if we left ya a card from our church?"
Him: "Sure, if you don't mind some Marijuana smoke!"

#3) La Estrella (tiny El Salvadoreña who I call "The Star")
(on the phone at 12:37 am before church)
Me: "Hey! Will we be seeing you at church today?!"
La Estrella: "The thing is, my kids are sleeping right now, and their
uncle has to take them to school tomorrow. Sorry, can't make it."

This week was lots of fun.  Halloween night, we did an ultimate frisbee
tourney in the church with the whole zone (because we can't be
outside), and my branch won the tourney!

One of our newer investigators -Ana- came to church this Sunday for
fast and testimony meeting -- she is awesome as well. Looking forward to
her progression in the gospel.

Special shout outs to Auntie Jill for another thoughtful letter and
Grandma Karen for a couple of SWEET jackets and some really sweet
letters -- y'all are the best.

Keep in mind this week President Bednar's advice that "You cannot live
on borrowed light."  A personal testimony of our Savior is really what
makes life on your own meaningful. Don't leave your house when you're
18 without your own testimony. So many people tell us about religious
parents and the great opportunities they had to follow God, and yet
feel empty inside.

My own testimony has become my most prized possession here away from
the ones I love. It ties me to my Heavenly Family and keeps my
perspective on something far greater than myself.

I know that Jesus Christ lives, I know that the Book of Mormon is
true.  If you aren't sure of these things, I hope you all can arrive
there soon, or hold onto those testimonies you've received.

Much love,
Elder Cox

My 3rd Companion, Elder Brimhall

Mom and Dad's Halloween package

Week #20 (October 26, 2015)

Quote of the week:

Random electrician mowing his lawn: "I personally find the King James
Version to be a good translation of the bible." (Apparently an expert
in Hebrew as well) and later, "I could be an English professor, but I
prefer to work with my hands."

Random guy (who happens to be African American):
"I debate my equals, everyone else?-I teach...Get out your pen and
take a few notes on some historical facts."
"God is black... According to Egyptian Scrolls...Gay Europeans changed
the Bible."
"Did you know whites people are outnumbered 15:1 on this planet?!"
"The idea that I would be found getting taught by a couple WHITE BOYS
on the street!..."

 Pretty ho hum week.... Except for the fact that it was the week
before my mother's birthday! Everyone better get that lady a birthday
wish ASAP, it's not everyday you turn 27.

We got a couple investigators to church this week, and one I see huge
potential in.

My new trainee Elder Brimhall is a beast and spoke this Sunday. Also
we got soaked this week in some serious rainstorms - that was a blast.

Got some amazing packages from Grandma Karen and my mama, magical to
say the least.

Spiritual thought of the week:

The Savior actually lives. Just spend a few minutes thinking about Him
today or tonight. The more I think of Him, the better my days go.
I know that He lives, He has carried my burdens during my really short
time as a missionary.

Love you all,
Elder Cox

Week #19 (October 19, 2015)

Quotes of the week:

#1) Atheist (like 45 year-old white guy) pulls of the street and just
starts cussing us out like crazy in this parking lot through his
large white van-window. The homeless people we had said hello to
proceeded to defend us by cussing him out back (and threatening
physical violence), and once he leaves, the craziest homeless dude
says "Don't even worry about that guy man - he's just jealous that you guys
can have 2 wives."

#2) Chinese lady walking into a Chinese store:
Me: "Hi how's it going, do you speak any English?" (Reasonable
question in Garland, trust me)
Her: "I BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE BEFORE YOU WAH BORN! Citizen
since 1979 BABY!!"

Exciting week, in another electric transfer meeting I found out that I
am training again!  My trainee Elder Brimhall is a stud from Snowflake, AZ and he already
has pretty solid Spanish, he practically be training me this transfer.

My new zone is awesome as well. We have an Elder Ahmed from Syria. He
is amazing, has stories of getting stopped at checkpoints with church
materials, escaping, terrible war all around, but coolest of all....
His 10 member group that meets in a tiny room for sacrament.

The investigator pool we have is huge, but in all honesty not too
amazing - only a few are truly progressing towards ordinances. We really
have a hard time helping people come to church and read.  Just
commitment in general is a big challenge.

We do have some really exciting investigators though. Can I tell a cool story?

One investigator, named Armando, accepted the Plan of Salvation lesson
really well. In our return appointment I started asking him questions
like, "So what do you think our church has to do with this?" "What do
you think is the relationship between our church and the 'Gospel of
Jesus Christ' and baptism?" "What do prophets have to do with these
things?" I was just seeing what his interest level/understanding was
like...

He responded that he really didn't know, that was what intrigued him.
We left a Restoration pamphlet and just the thought that we need
prophets to administer the gospel with the Priesthood. And before he
even looked into the Pamphlet and read about Joseph Smith, he
commented, "I've definitely thought before that we need one of those
men like Abraham or Moses in our day."

God definitely prepares the minds and hearts of people to hear this message.

Be good this week! Read and pray everyday.

-Elder Cox

PS: Major congrats to Sœur Jackson who will be killin it in the Paris,
France mission!!

Hermano Lopez- awesome ward member!

Ward Mission Leader Oscar Garcia 

my new companion, Elder Brimhall

Transfer Meeting

Elder Huber (one of my very first zone leaders)

Week #18 (October 12, 2015)

Quotes of the week:

#1) Crazy homeless man who has verbally assaulted us more than once,
meets us again (this time outside of the African Market), while we are
trying to help this poor lady with her car. Being that we already go
way back with this guy, he starts introducing himself to the lady, in
his very dramatic introduction he says:
"The name is CJ, my real name is Jack, but I don't like it when people
call me JC.... And I'm BACK! With the SCARS TO PROVE IT!!" (opens his
arms to present himself, huge 8 toothed psycho grin, huge psycho
eyes).

#2) Quote from a convo on a guy's porch as he tells his life-story:
Guy: "Yah, but then I got kicked out cuz I was slangin'."
Elder Baldwin from East Salt Lake, in the whitest way imaginable:
"Like using slang language?"
Guy: "Nah, like I sold drugs."

This week has been so amazing, ERIKA MADE IT TO CHURCH!! I can't tell
you how many prayers and fasts she had fulfilled when she arrived.
Sadly, she will be transitioned to the English Elders to be taught the
rest of the way to her baptism, but I'm just so glad she is
progressing!!

Now for the spiritual thought/rant:

We will share an entire lesson, just about 100% LDS doctrine, and
people will just nod and say (in Spanish or English) "Oh yah I already
believed all that, we believe that in our church," and as ridiculous
as that sounds, it's heart-breakingly true.

I actually spend more time trying to help people understand that the
Catholic Church doesn't believe in the Plan of Salvation or The Book
of Mormon than convincing them in the first place.

Far from being a bash on the Catholic Church or any other sect, I
share my observations with the the hope that you realize what they
imply about our doctrines (in the LDS Church).

These comments from believers in other religions shed light on the
fact that our unique doctrine makes sense to any Christian on a
fundamental level.

Now for the rant: Even when people realize that these truths are
uniquely ours, they are not willingly to leave family traditions to
pursue them. How stinking depressing is that?


I know that the doctrines restored through Joseph Smith are true. I
don't believe in them just because they make total sense to believe in
(as proved by people in the street everyday), but also because I've
put this gospel to the test and done "an experiment upon [the] words"
(Alma 32:27).


-Elder Cox-

Week #17 (October 5, 2015)

Quote of the week:

Our land lady talking to us while we stand outside the office using
wifi for our iPads:
"Can you guys come in, it's just that we've gotten like 13 calls
saying there are detectives outside the office investigating..."

I don't know what you all would like in these emails -- feel free to tell
me what they lack anytime. I really appreciate what you all have sent
me back over these few weeks -- random updates and hellos are always
welcome!

Uncle Bryan, those letters from your family meant so much this week, I
really appreciated that. Anytime Spanish gets tough I just think of
learning Chinese and chuckle to myself.  Know you will always have set
the standard of awesomeness with mission languages there.

Time is so fast and yet so slow on the mission. Time behind me feels
like it wasn't 4 seconds and I don't feel like I've done hardly
anything.  There is so much work the Lord needs done!

Now for the spiritual thought:

In Nephi 2:27 (in the Book of Mormon) we have a great scripture:
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are
given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose
liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to
choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of
the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto
himself."

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is really the key to meaning
and freedom in this life. Freedom from the bondage that is sin. I see
people everyday who are really just locked up by what they do all the
time, they can't just do what they want, because they aren't doing
what God wants.

Be good this week!
-Elder Cox

Elders Baldwin, Riggs, and I pushing a broke down truck

Week #16 (September 28, 2015)

Amigos, las citas de la semana:
#1) 18 year old investigator, struggles to answer a simple question
from my companion:
Investigator: "Sorry man my brain is a little burnt out right now."
My comp: "Why what's up?"
Investigator: "Just a lot of dope I guess."

#2) Same investigator in the most random part of the conversation,
after a 9 second pause:
"Do you wanna go fishing on Sunday?!?!"

These nutty quotes make me want to give you a really insightful quote
from a wise man I know named Michael Cox: "Don't do drugs kids." For
real, or you'll end up like the whacked out investigator who itches his
head crazily and blankly stares at your forehead when you talk.

No big news this week for you all, missionary life is tons of fun. I
love just talking to Hispanics all the day -- they are so much cooler to
us than white people and have so much faith just built into their
culture, I love them. And Spanish is the most fun language ever.

But aside from who we teach or the language we are using, the real
stuff that matters is what we are saying to those people in that
language. And teaching them the gospel is the most magical thing ever.

Regardless of how goofy or strange Mormons may look to people, or
rumors, anyone who lets us in is quite ready to tell us that our
message makes perfect sense to them. The Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith,
and the Word of Wisdom are far from strange if you look at them.

I know that what I share with people is true. I've watched the Book of
Mormon and our message as a whole change perspectives and draw people
closer to Christ. I hope you all read in the Book of Mormon today,
that book will bring peace in hard times and bring you closer to your
Savior Jesus Christ than anyone else.

Love you all!

-Elder Cox

(Elder Stowe went home this week and I didn't want freak everyone out by telling them, that is why it is only Elders Baldwin and Riggs and I with Hermano Morales in this picture - my favorite member from Guatemala who told me I was his son and that he would do anything for me.) 

Week #15 (September 21, 2015)

Quotes of the week:
#1) Elder Malpartida, my district leader from Peru, during a split in my area:
Me: "Elder Malpartida, do you want to marry a girl from America or Peru?"
Elder Malpartida (in awesome accent): "I don't know man, the Latinas
just have so much PASSION! I love it!!"

#2) Vladmir, homeless Czechoslavakian man, outside of African market:
"You guys look good, like FBI."

#3) White man, outside of Golden Chick (the white man chicken place):
"I'm not interested in you and your HERESY!"

#4) Very obese white woman, in the Colonial apartments (rough area)
Talking to her 4 year old about an incident with his teacher (heavy
Texas accent):
"Well did you tell her he touched you? Did you..? Well I'll you what
I'm gonna do, I'M GONNA TOUCH THAT TEACHER!"

#5) Ridiculously drunk man in a garage:
"Glory to God!!" - followed up with the most drunken salute in history

This week was fruitful with the quotes, plenty of crazies in Garland.

On the other hand, so many people are ready to hear the gospel here.
Me and my companion are teaching up a storm. The challenge is getting
people to church. Nobody will just dig in and take an hour out of
their week to do that.

I could update you all on every other need of my investigators, which
is what occupies your mind all the time as a missionary, but it won't
have any real meaning to you all. So I'll share an experience to give
you all a good thought for the week:

We contacted a lady from the Bronx who speaks Cuban Spanish and New
York English (both fluently). She began describing the 3 miracles she
had seen in her life (not uncommon, most people want to prove their
spirituality/or discuss it with us -- something really cool). The 3
experiences were very powerful.

We talked to her about her relationship with God. She essentially said
she knows her drinking and smoking have really pushed her away from
Him, and she needs to change those things. As we began to teach a bit
about the gospel of Jesus Christ and change, she stopped us. Took the
pamphlet and told us what day to come back.

She said that she really doesn't like talking about Christ while she's
drinking, but wants the message when she isn't.

My challenge to you all is not to bring up the Savior in every
conversation, but ask yourself, could I feel comfortable talking about
Him in the situations I'm in this week? If you feel a little iffy
about some of those places you hang, or with some of the things you do,
rethink them. Feeling honorable in His presence is the goal.

-Elder Cox

District pictures: 

Week #14 (September 14, 2015)

Quotes of the week:
Man from Laos who is a self-proclaimed gym rat:
Stares at my companions forearms:  "He is pretty strong, he is pretty cut."
Turns to me:  "You have potential."

Random black salesman who sells headphones on the train, (apparently a
whopping business in Garland):  "It's all about how you use your energy, and I'm just really good at
using mine."
"I'm a very intelligent man, that's just the gift God gave me."
"It's not the beer talking, I'm TELLING YOU." x 3
"I AM NOT AN ALCOHOLIC."

Homeless man who literally lives in the woods by the sewage drainage river:
Me: "So why couldn't you come to church?"
Him: "I was busy."
Me: "Doing what?"
Him: "Living life."

Tough week. Investigators just will not come to church. They talk to
us and say they believe us and love the Book of Mormon, but they are
still scared of taking steps to enter the gospel fully. If they would
just come to church they would be fine and their fears would go away.  Downer.

My companion is a stellar guy, we are doing serious work, can't wait
to see some fruits.

Spiritual thought of the week:
Nothing deep this week, just my testimony.
I know that God lives and loves us, that He answers our prayers.
He has answered many of mine out here in Texas. Pray this week!

Much love,
Elder Cox

"Noche hispana" with the all the missionaries in Garland 6th (Elders Riggs, Stowe, Cox, Baldwin, and Hermanas Brantley & Walton)

Week #13 (September 7, 2015)

Amigos
Those of you, friends and family, sending me hard mail are the best
ever, that stuff is just the coolest.

Quotes of the week:

From 2 or 3 contacts in a row one day:
"The 70's were just so much better, I miss the 70's."

Amateur fighter walking home from Walmart tells life story, highlights:
"I fought on ESPN...USA network..."
"...when I got home they took me to the club, next thing you know, the
DEA is there!!"
"...I mean, I have been through 3 marriages... All to "dancers"....
Can you BELIEVE THAT?!"

Another "amateur fighter", middle aged white dude:
Fighter: "I actually am a Buddhist, so no thanks."
Me: "Oh wow you're a Buddhist? That's crazy, so you don't eat pork or anything?"
Fighter: "Hey man, that's like the Zen Buddhists, I'm more of a Laoist
Buddhist. But I do believe my body is a temple. I try to eat vegan
like all the time, but I love bacon."

Staggering dedication there from the Laoist Buddhist.

People crack me up.

Know this though, I hear more inspiring, faith promoting things every
day than idiotic side comments. Like the man with muscular dystrophy
we met on the sidewalk who says:

"Yah I just thought I'd leave my wife in the house for a while to
rest, she's got cancer and my wheelchair wakes her up sometimes when
I'm moving around the house."

It's really amazing how often you get a touching moment like that. But
I don't think I oughta just fling those around.

The big news is that I'm training. Looks like poor Elder Stowe (my
trainee) will be backup training me. I honestly feel entirely
inadequate to do this. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I
have spent more time on my knees this week than the last 3 months
before my mission, lots of prayers.

All I'll tell you guys is that God really does hear and answer us. He
knows you personally, He knows your trials and challenges, and gives
us those to humble us and teach us lessons we will need.

I've only realized recently just how proud of a person I was before my
mission. I'm truly sorry to all those whom I'm sure I rubbed wrong.
It's taken me a few months on a bike looking like a weirdo, trying to
speak a different language, and now attempting to teach a new
missionary the same, to finally realize just how small and inadequate
I am.

The most peaceful moment this week was when I stepped into the church
this Sunday. Nothing feels better. I hope you all had the same
opportunity; nothing replaces being physically in the church and
taking the sacrament.

Don't wait til you have a really huge weight to bring things to God in
prayer. Strengthen your relationship with Him this week through
prayer, and go to church at the end.

-mucho amor-

-Elder Cox

our apartment building

Elder Stowe, my second companion