week 5

Hola ya'll!

Week 4 has come and gone! or is it counted as week 5? I get mixed up. anyway, i've been her 4 weeks and 5 days.

So I got to sit on the stand at the fireside last night. My companion and another elder in my district gave the prayers, so their companions had to stay with them :). It was an awesome sight to get to look out on all the missionaries.

The message of the fireside was wonderful as well. Sister and President Wilkins spoke to us. He's on of the district presidents. Sister Wilkins had an umbrella. She encouraged us to open our umbrella when it rains, or utilize the atonement, because it won't do much good at our sides. Pres. Wilkins spoke on a few things, but my favorite was that problems are really opportunities. Opportunities to serve, to work with others, etc. I love it because my mind is starting to take it to heart. I like being that optomistic!

I'm starting to get the grove of my calling as coordinating sister. I've held my first meeting with my zone and went to several meetings. This week I get to help the zone leaders train our incoming elders and....so exciting, 4 new sisters! The 4 that were in our zone left today for the field and we didn't expect to get new ones right away! It will be great. Now we are the experienced hermanas who will help them get adjusted to the MTC. I can't wait to meet them.

I love seeing people I know here. There are several from my freshman ward at BYU, a few from Blackfoot (Michon Christensen, Jacob Wheelright, etc.) and a couple other friends from school. Forest Howell, my friend and accompanist arrived on Wednesday. We might put a musical number together for one of the firesides/devotionals. It would be great fun to make music with him again. Last night I saw my Mission Prep teacher from BYU. I was happy to get the chance to tell him where I am headed. I also see Sister Cottam a lot at meals and the large meetings. We finally sat together during choir yesterday, which was a blast. We are singing "Consider the Lilies". I love it!

Saturday I got my first taste of a drunk/hungover investigator. That was fun. We tried to teach a little then just ended because he obviously wasn't in it. (he's our teacher) He talked to us after and helped us understand better how to deal with that situation--you gotta shame him. Just ask that they don't be drunk or high for your lessons or you won't teach them that time. It's a waste of time if you try to. You know, sometimes we all need a call to repentance, a wake up call.

I love the Book of Mormon. I wish I had more time to read it(in both languages :) because there's so much good stuff. Yesterday I was reading in Mosiah 26 when Alma asks the Lord about the people who are rejecting the church. The Lord tells him first that those who are a part of the church are blessed then teaches him that all who will hear His voice will be blessed. Any who repent and come unto Him are a part of His church, but if they do not, they are not a part of His church. But He also says, that "as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me." He is so merciful to His children, to us. The purpose of missionaries is to invite others to partake of His mercy and love and to come unto Him.

I love this work. Have a great week ya'll.

Sincerely,

Hna. Cottam