Week #85 (January 23, 2017)

Quotes/scenes of the week:

1) Car wreck last Monday definitely takes the #1 spot today, that was exciting.

2) My brain is not remembering anything.  We'll blame it on the
concussion from last Monday.

Can't tell you all just how blessed I have been feeling all week to
have survived that accident and with practically no injuries to show
for it too -- the Lord watched over me.

Transfer calls still haven't come out today, but according to an email
last night I am leaving Carrollton and Elder Hafen. Sad to leave and
excited to see what the future holds. I can't even fathom the thought
that my next area could very well be my "last area" in the mission,
ugh.

Of course, it's right when I felt like things were coming together in
this area and I was getting in the swing of things that this happens,
but in the words of Arnold Shwarzeneger: "If it burns, it GROWS!"
Change needs to hurt a bit I suppose.

The Church is true, Jesus lives, how grateful I am to (still) be in
His service!

-Elder Cox

Zone Conference trip to the temple

Elder Hafen and I at the temple    (left) and Elder Frausto (my new   trainee who I was doubled into Shady Grove with) on the right 

Week #84 (January 16, 2017)

(A series of updates throughout the day)

9:47 PST  - What's up mom! This is Sam, just letting you know, Elder Hafen and I
got in a pretty bad car wreck. My shoulder is pretty hurt, but I am
okay. No worries you will be getting more updates momentarily. I love
you!

Puked right after this picture, rough

They said nothing is broken. Yes my iPad is toast. Here is a pic of
the other side.

6:38 PST  Hey ma and pa, pretty wiped out right now.

Super sore from the car wreck, it was pretty serious, but I am just
overwhelmed by gratitude for the fact that it was not worse in any way
- the Lord has blessed me.

Mom and Dad - your emails this week were so good, I will respond next
week more in depth.

For now, just know how much I love you and miss you all, you are the
best family I could ever ask for and this whole event has only made me
feel more grateful.

Love you to Kolob and Back!

-Elder Cox

Week #83 (January 9, 2017)

Quotes/scenes of the week:

#1) What appeared to be a pretty solid contact went WAY south when the
lady said: "God is a woman, and she is on the earth today, in South
Korea. My church talked with her on the phone on New Years."

#2) Talking to a lady in Great Clips today I just got straight bashed
for 15 min straight during Elder Hafen's haircut because she was
convinced the Book of Mormon was evil.

It's contacts like that when I ask myself: What kind of impression do
people get from MY contacts?

This has been a humbling week. The closer I get to the Lord, the more
imperfect I feel. What I thought would be an increasing level of
perfection in my missionary work towards the end of my mission is
really going to be an increasing awareness of my imperfections.

How grateful I am for the Atonement working in my own life during this
sacred time.

Excitement: ALL FOUR JÓVENES came to church AGAIN! I am so excited for
these guys. Who could have ever guessed that four 14 year olds would
be at church getting ready to be baptized after a street contact?
That's a miracle.

Here's a picture of our Plan of Salvation lesson, I am next to Manix
(a.k.a. Joseph Smith the 3rd), he is the most humble, solid
investigator I have taught in about 5 months.

Jesus lives, this Church is His!

-Elder Cox

Left to right: E. Hafen, Friend 1, Friend 2, Manix Cano (who was later baptized), and myself

End of the night, church pants came off, cold gear stayed on

A little snow

A truck with a picture of itself painted on the back

Elder Lu from Taiwan while I was on exchanges in the Chinese Group

Christmas presents

Elder Peterson and I

Week #82 (January 2, 2017)

Quotes of the week:

#1) Some Cristiano tried to convince us for like 20 minutes that only
jews need to be baptized, but he gave us a couple ribs so it was
alright.

It has been a fantastic week - just wish it didn't have to end. The
mission is going by wayyyy too fast. It's like I'm running up on the up
escalator and it feels like things are moving faster than they should.

Our investigators are doing ok these days. The couple people who we
are working with seem pretty interested. We got a group of like 4
young men to church Sunday, and they are coming to mutual tuesday. How
bout that?!

Elder Hafen is a great companion - his strengths are all my weaknesses.
I am learning so much.

I hope you all keep reading the Book of Mormon, I love that Book.

These words from Ether touched me this week:
"27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I
give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is
sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they
humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make
weak things become strong unto them."

This is so true. He really will help us, He lives!

-Elder Cox

Elders Hafen and Cox, the Las Vegas Companions

Week #81 (December 26, 2016)

Quote of the week: "Ohhhh Sin City!"

-  What everyone we meet says when we tell them we're both from Vegas.

It was a great Christmas week. I cannot say enough thanks for the
Christmas packages from all the family -  soo awesome.

Talking to the family was, as always (meaning the last 2 times
collectively), the greatest. It doesn't matter how long you are out,
you miss those people, at least I do. But heck, even my friends miss
Jennie Cox.

I wanna be a missionary forever, the Church is true, the Book of
Mormon has changed my life, and can't wait for this week!

Love you all,

Elder Cox

Action shot taken by Elder Hafen

The Perdomo Family - look at the gifts they got me!