Week #77 (November 28, 2016)

Quotes/Scenes of the week: 

We had a lot of really mean contacts this week, which although it might not sound all too funny, is always kind of kick. You just laugh at such dramatic responses to such simple invitations --

'Can we get you a card?' 

"NO!! a#@%^%&^!!" 

'Ok.'

I feel so blessed this week coming out of Thanksgiving --this is the most wonderful time of the year!!

My mission has been flying by way too fast of late. In a couple days I will only have 6 months left until I am supposed to be released. Can you believe that? I sure can't. 

Just trying to make the most of the little time I have and leave behind no regrets. It's tough, there are definitely a couple things I regret from my mission, but I suppose that it's darn near impossible to go through any aspect of life perfectly, only He did that. 

I will give my testimony that He is there to help us. If you feel like you fall down a lot or you wish you could "just change," I know that He is actually there, physically in some cases, and spiritually to give us courage and drive to fight on. 

"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you," He says. 

I promise you, as a representative of Christ, that for however much you strive to get closer to Him this week, He will get closer to you as well! 

Love, 

Elder Cox  

Half-shined shoes

The following pics were sent to me by

 Sam's Companion's Aunt - she lives in their city

 and got special permission to feed them on Thanksgiving.

Sam:  "most awkward spiritual though ever

 since we knew our parents would probably see it."

sent from a member - "They're helping us set up for the Nativity."

Week #76 (November 21, 2016)

Quotes/scenes of the week:

In ward council they were talking about some Disaster Relief Committee
Meeting, and they were arguing about when it will be held, to which I
said (under my breath): "Just as long as it is done BEFORE Trump gets
in...."

I thought it was hilarious, but nobody else heard it except the
Bishop, so it was just a 2 man joke.

(P.s. I have no super strong feelings about the election, it was JUST a joke.)

Our area is on supah hot fayuh these days. My companion is the best
ever, no worries with him. Exchanges went well this week, it is hard
to see Elders who don't have much vision in their mission, but I love
being able to help em' out - it is a good refresher for me on my own
motivations and my own vision.

As usual, I miss the fam, but I trust that the Lord will watch out for
them. He has taken such good care of me on my mission, so I trust that
He will take care of everyone else I love too.

- Love Elder Cox

Elder Allen and I (my special assignment companion in the Carrollton/Plano Zone) doing exchanges with struggling missionaries 

My hard core protein meal (I was really trying to bulk up at this time)

Week #75 (November 14, 2016)

Quote of the week:

"You guys need to go look at the Bible."
-  Some old lady who slammed the door on us

I am sorry for the hopelessly low amount of info I gave about my
transfer last week.

I am now with Elder Chase Martin from Provo, UT. He has been out over
20 months and is just about the most golden guy ever. Not trunky in
the least, still works super hard and is super obedient, I'm blessed.

We cover the North area of the Carrollton 3rd Spanish Ward on bikes.
Elder Martin is one of our zone leaders and I am on "special
assignment" from President, so basically, we spend <50% of the week in
our area. We are constantly exchanging with different companionships
to try to lift them and their areas to new heights.

Colton! Congrats on the mission call my cuz - don't tell anyone I told
you, but stateside missions are the best of all worlds, you will be so
happy.

Mom, that package was just 100% awesome, thank you so much. And Owen
and Will and Abs and Dad, I appreciated the notes inside.

This gospel is incredible, I feel so priviledged to be serving the
Lord. It is so nice to have my priorities so outlined and simple in
front of me, I was saddened this week as I realized that someday I
will have responsibilities outside of the church IN ADDITION to my
church responsibilities.

Going to work everyday will never feel as cool as leaving the
apartment to go share the gospel all day.  Sorry.

Think about Abinadi's words and ask yourself where you "spend your
strength" this week -- don't be wasting it!

Love,

Elder Cox

My favorite members in Carrollton 3 - La Familia Perdomo

Random construction worker who is taking the lessons in Utah and going back in a couple weeks

Week #74 (November 7, 2016)

Another incredible week in the books.

Last night, around 8:15 (a.k.a. "Miracle hour") we are riding our
bikes (oh yah, got transferred to the Carrolton 3rd Ward btw -
Spanish) when a man walks out of his 3rd floor apartment and yells
down to us: "Did yall feel that tremor on your bikes?"

No, we hadn't. But whatever earthquake Seth felt which prompted him to
come out and talk to us, ultimately lead to him receiving a baptismal
date in one of the most sincere lessons I've had since my MTC role
plays.

The Lord hasn't ceased His work or His miracles - I am a witness to
that. Jesus Christ lives.

The next morning, leaving the apartment gym we had a little bit of a
different experience:

"Do you want a card?"

"No, I think your church is a heresy."

It's funny experiencing such a dramatic range of things out here in
the mission field all the time. I am slowing learning to be grateful
through it all, regardless of what happens or doesn't, which
appointments cancel or don't, and whether miracles are taking place or
we are being called a heresy. Not everyone lets you in and gives
you water and listens to you. 

I testify that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. If that phrase
scares you a little, well, I would ask Him (God) if that is true in
humble prayer and He will not lead you astray, He loves you too much
to lie to you.

With any questions check out mormon.org or just ask a mormon friend.

Love,

Elder Cox

Week #73 (October 31, 2016)

Sunday morning, running late for church, I see a man getting into his car across the street from us. 

Despite all the excuses I had run through my mind about why NOT to talk to him (primarily that we would be late for church), we went and talked with him. 

Turns out he is a less-active member - how bout that? 

Though not interested in coming to church, he gave us a ride and we made it on time! 

This got us to church (an English ward) and BOTH of the English speakers we are passing off were THERE! 

The Lord truly provides a way.

Now for the funny:  the Less-Active who gave us a ride is now part of the "worship-team" (aka band) at a local non-denominational church, and first thing he does when we get in the car is throw on his Christian-freestyle-raps. 

After we listen to this pretty intense, Christian rap (which I just couldn't bring myself to tell him to turn off) - he says:

"Oh yah baby! I been puttin' in WORK for the KINGDOM!"

Then he kinda started anti-ing us, the highlight of which was when he said:

"Your spirit isn't in your cockpit (pointing to his own head) looking through your windshield (pointing to his eyes), IT'S IN YOUR LOINS!! (pointing to his loins)."

I think he was trying to tell us that we had been brain-washed and our spirit doesn't want to be Mormon, but that may be a misinterpretation, I'm not quite sure. 

He was a life-saver and I felt for the guy.  He is trying his best and he'll be blessed for that. The Lord blesses me for mine (which I am sure looks about as funny as a freestyle rap to Him). 

I know that the Lord lives. I am relying on Him daily. I wish everyone could come and experience what the mission is like, especially under President and Sister Taylor's leadership. It's a dream. 

Read, pray, and obey this week, and He won't let you down!!

Elder Cox 

Week #72 (October 24, 2016)

Quotes of the week:

Anti-mormon in the park: "There is no other book than the Bible"

Me: "Well, what lead you to believe the Bible is scripture in the first place?"

Anti-mormon: "Uhhh..... It's THE BIBLE!"

*aka the depth of this conversation could be measured in nanometers from this point on, unworthy of typing time*

       I mentioned the "investigator-rollercoaster" my companionship was riding last week, well, we hopped off.

This last Thursday we went through and just "dropped" all of our formerly "top" investigators to start from scratch, a pretty worrisome move, but we felt like it was time.

      So, Thursday afternoon (after finishing this apocalyptic planning session), we head out to basically just look for new people, what happens?  The 1st street contact says: "My sister is a member in Arlington, she told me she was sending you guys.  I have been waiting for you!"  So yah. After we picked our jaws up off the pavement we managed to teach a lesson and set a baptismal date with Rosa, probably the most prepared person I have ever met.

      The Savior truly lives. I depend on Him daily and He never fails me. Please come to Him and find rest from your burdens, He doesn't need to see you carry them any longer. 

       Read Mosiah 3 this week when you find a minute, it opened my mind this morning like never before. I love that book.

Love,

Elder Cox

P.s. You'll probably see some photos appear a little later in your inbox as I currently do  not have my iPad with me. Oh yah, stop growin Owen.