bringing in the new year! (from January 2, 2013)

Dear Family,
Happy New Year!!!
It was amazing Getting to read and finish the book of mormon this holiday season. We had to read like crazy the last 2 chapters to finish it on time (and with a little adjustment of the clock ;) haha :D) My favorite part was the last prayer, though. There was a powerful, sweet spirit as we put Moroni's promise into action. Oh, it was beautiful. And as we asked Fernando about it after, he said that he felt a little more complete, having finished it.
It was a beautiful way to finish out the old and bring in the new year.
Roberto continues to progress. We met with him last night at a member's house. He is loving what he is learning and has started to feel the lessening of stress (the peace) that the message brings to our lives. One of his resolutions for the new year is to keep the word of wisdom :) It is wonderful to work with him. He is a testimony that you never know who is ready and that we should talk to everyone, no matter if it's in the grocery store or on the bus.
We had a former investigator come back this last week. Juanita injured her shoulder so she hasn't been working much the last few days and looked up Sister Cote, one of the members we brought to a lesson. Sis. Cote has been wonderful in fellowshipping her this week and helping her get to church (for the first time!!!) and understand better the restoration. Juanita received a blessing from the elders for her shoulder and wants to read more of the book of mormon and start coming to church. We haven't been able to set another appointment with her, but we hope to very soon!
Something Hna Varley and I studied this morning ties in really well with the new year. It's from a talk about the fourth missionary, written by a mission president some years ago. He tasks in the beginning of it whether we really think about who we want to become. There are two ways to become something--to let it come accidentally or to plan it. If we let it happen accidentally, we will never reach our potential. We must think about who we want to be, when stripped of everything else--car, house, family, career. Who are we? How do people feel when they are around us? Are we becoming more like Christ? That's what we have to plan for. We make goals and plans so that we can become the best we can.
May we all work to that goal!
Love,
Hna. Cottam
Pics: The zone right after finishing the book of mormon read-a-thon! The Toronto Stake Center where we read during the new year. Us and fernando and a random Korean elder--Book of Mormon!!!