Week #67 (September 19, 2016)

Quotes/scenes of the week

1) We just had one totally crazy contact this week - a random white
guy whose door we knocked. Here are a few of the lines during the
conversation:

*Initial meeting* "I am a zen buddhist." *points to mini buddha statue
in the corner of his apartment*

"Would you like water?"

*Giving us the water does 40 monk bows*

"I left Cuba when I was 3.... While passing through the Bermuda
triangle I was abducted by aliens, then I became a human being."

"I believe all religions are true, and none of them, at the same time.
And if you don't understand that, well....*trails off and changes the
subject*"

"Y'all want some of this Chicken soup I made? I am just worried I put
a little too much banana..."

It was like walking into the twilight zone. But I only decided to
leave after he officially rejected the chance to hear the gospel.

Big congrats to my man Trevor Cox for being the homecoming king!
Someone give him a hug for me!

This week was another storm of miracles. Can't even start to tell em all.

Currently waiting for transfer calls, everything is still totally up
in the air, so we are just nervously waiting.

The Church is still as true as ever. I am so excited to bring the heat
this next transfer, whether the Lord leaves me here on takes me
somewhere new, I am just excited to serve.

I love the Lord and I know He loves us, too!

-Elder Cox

new companion Elder Bailey

Week #66 (September 12, 2016)

Quotes/Scenes of the week:
1)  Just met a ton of Seventh day Adventists this week, not that
hilarious, but definitely pertinent after meeting the man who called
us sun-worshippers last week.

It was an exciting week - car was in the body shop, so we were on foot
almost all week.

We had a couple investigators who we needed to see about 10 miles away
in a different city. So we set out walking, but we only got about .5
miles before a member just dropped out of the sky from some random
ward way south of us and said, "Hey yall need a ride?"

That was just the start. Despite not having the car, we had huge
success, I can't even explain it.

Our members continue to be incredible, can't say enough about this branch.

I just feel so blessed here in my mission.  It's too much to express in
words. The Savior has given me so much, He is so patient with me. I
feel like I could use another 2 years in the mission just to learn - I
am way behind.

I don't know what else to add to this email; life is great.

I know that Joseph was a prophet, Christ lives, and this is His
church! If you don't believe me - explain the Book of Mormon.

Sincerely,
Elder Cox

District meeting, Exchanges in Henderson TX, senior couple (The Wilson's)

Week #65 (September 5, 2016)

Quotes and scenes of the week:

1) *9-yr old and I conversating*
Me: "What's your name bud?"
Kid: "I am not telling you!"
His grandpa from far away: "Keagan! Put that down!"
Kid: "My name is not Keagan! It's SHARK BOY!"

2) *Contacting outside the Longview public library*
Man in dirty pajamas and tevas: "I have come to flush your doctrine
out of this area!"
"What day do you worship?!"
Me: "Sundays"
Pajama man: "HA! I knew it.... SUN WORSHIPPER!!!!"

This week was so full of miracles I don't know where to start.

Here's one: Elder's quorum president and relief society president
(married) brought 4 investigators to church and casually introduced us
to them saying: "I brought you some customers." I melted.

Our members have started to catch fire and invite their friends and
family to listen; it's a dream.

I pray I don't get transferred out of this branch this coming transfer
cycle. The members and the area are just too awesome. One family, Los
Cadenas, is just like my own family. I dream of being half as
converted as them one day (baptized 8 yrs ago). I am just so blessed
to be here, I love my mission so much.

My companion is great, too. He's a really patient guy (a necessity to be
selected as my companion). He is helping me sing more in tune, a labor
of love.

Pictures are with different members (Los Rubio and Los Cadenas, and
Ramón who got us groceries) and then that's my companion selfie-ing
and me making tortillas.

The gospel is true. Let's give the Savior everything He deserves this week!

Love,
Elder Cox

The faithful, good-cookin' Familia Cadenas from Longview 4th branch

Ramon Alba brought us some groceries, great member

Makin tortillas at the Cadena's home

Fun district meeting game with Elder Cole and Sister Cowper

Recent Convert lessons with Maribel Cejas (sitting directly to my right in the photo) and this faithful family (whose names I can't remember)