!Hola!

Hola ya'll!

It's my first p-day! it's a nice break from the rigors of the week, even if it is still pretty busy. My companion Hermana Scott is awesome. She's from Denver, CO. We are getting along well and learning together how to become missionaries. She knows more Spanish than me at this point so I ask her how to say things a lot. Today I bought some note cards on a ring that I can use to practice vocab. I'm excited to use them. They've added a computer program to our language study. It reminds me a little of Rosetta Stone. It helps me learn vocab because it uses many activities so you see the words over and over.

BTW Thanks Jesse and Julie for your letters. They made my day!

And if anyone wants to write a letter that will get to me the same or next day, try dearelder.com 'cause I have found out how wonderful letters are! I feel kinda bad now that I didn't write to my brothers more often while you all were out. Sorry guys.

Anyway, life as a missionary is BUSY! When we use our time like we're supposed to, there's hardly a minute to spare and I'm always exhausted by the end of the day. Then we get up and do it again! My district is already teaching an investigator in Spanish. Each companionship is teaching him seperately. We've taught two lessons and tomorrow is the third. It's been a great teacher on how to use the spirit, because we have to depend on it so much since we have little skill in Spanish...and even if we did have the language down, the spirit is uber important! Though the days are long and hard I am learning so much! So far in Spanish we have learned how to introduce ourselves, how to pray, and how to testify and then add the stuff we learn so we can muddle through a lesson (with lots of sharades and body language :).  

So my favorite parts of the week so far were the temple this morning and choir yesterday. Rachel you'll love him! He's such a great conductor/teacher. My most favorite part was that before relief society, they broadcasted MUSIC AND THE SPOKEN WORD!!! Can you tell I was excited? We haven't been allowed to listen to any of our own music while here so getting to listen to Motab was oh, so heavenly. :) :) I love music!

The fireside last night was awesome. Brother Allen from the Missionary Dept. was our speaker. The first half of his talk he spoke about obedience, giving us several stories of stupid missionaries and the high price they paid for not following mission guidelines. So...follow the rules! if a rule seems stupid, it's a reflection of your own wisdom, not the rule. The last part of his talk he spoke on the Holy Ghost. It was a great message to help us realize how important exact obedience is and how the spirit can help us, because the spirit converts, we only invite.

My time is about up. If you all find the time I would love some e-mails/letters!

I love you all so much!

Sincerely,

Hermana Cottam

First Letter from Hermana Cottam!

Here is the first written letter from Hermana Cottam!!!

Hola Familia!

       ?Como estas?

We have started speaking in Spanish - what we know anyway.

My companion is Hermana Scott. We and the two other hermanas in my district share a room. All three of them are headed to Fresno, CA. We also have four elders in my district. One of them is also going to Toronto. He's from Alberta, Canada I think. Hermana Scott is from Denver. So far we have gotten along pretty well.

I have been less nervous than I thought I would be. Seriously as soon as I hit the curb and left with the elders my nervousness became excitement and peace. It was a very long first day, though. A lot of new things, class, and meetings.

Last night they had about half of us in a large meeting where we met 3 investigators, and the majority of the time, we the audience were the teachers. I think it was a great intro to teaching and getting to know new investigators, trying to answer their questions. Our teacher, Hermano Hardcastle, said we'll start teaching in espanol.

So there are backpacks in the bookstore, but only one kind and it looks kinda flimsy - like it wouldn't last for the whole mission. So I was wondering if ya'll would send me a backpack or send me one of my other bags to carry stuff in until I get to Canada. If you get a backpack, just make sure it's got a decent-sized water bottle slot. Luke said the Dakine brand is pretty hearty.

Anyway, I hope you all are doing well. Oh, and my P-days are on Mondays. :)

Love ya'll lots!

<3 Hermana Cottam

P.S. Mom, Hermana Scott has been studying Arabic and Hebrew at BYU! Cool, huh?

<3

P.P.S. I'm excited to get to know my district. And everyone's so helpful. Rachel - don't worry. The MTC is a happy place. Don't stress :) . Love you, sis.

P.P.S.  I've seen several people I know. Elder Jordan Christensen, Ariel from my freshman ward and two music majors :)

MTC address

Here's my MTC address. It is for letters and packages!

Sister Rebekah Ruth Cottam
MTC Mailbox # 252
CAN-TORW 1018
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

it's okay, subconscious

My subconscious doesn't want to admit that I will be leaving home and family for a year and a half. It's different than anything I've done before (except maybe leaving for college--it's kinda like that). I'm scared because I'm not sure how well I'll get a hang of the language, having never spoken one before except for the few phrases I learned in German in high school. But I'm also excited to get out into the field, to see Toronto and meet all sorts of people. I can't wait to meet my mission president. I talked to him this last week on the phone and he seems amazing. I know he and his wife are waiting excitedly for me to come with open arms.

About my subconscious--I found today that my mind is trying really hard to not think about my leaving, about the people I'll miss and the things and events I'll miss. I find myself not wanting anyone to cry because they will miss me. I just want to move forward and get started and not have to say goodbye. I even had a hard time listening to the musical number in sacrament meeting today because I didn't want anyone to focus on the fact that I am leaving. I kept thinking, this meeting isn't for me! I don't want it to be about me and my leaving!

But now I realize that I need to humble myself a little. That number and the little luncheon was more for other people than for me. It's a chance to get a little closure for that year and a half. (man, I feel like I'm talking about death! ha) I realize that when I send others off, I like to have that chance to say bye one last time, to see them one last time before they leave. Because who knows when the next time you see them will come around. That's how all my friends and family feel to a degree. So I should be grateful for their support and that they will miss me at all and strive to make them proud.

It's okay, subconscious. I am leaving and I will miss my family and friends. It's okay to cry, to feel a little homesick. Just don't forget why you're going out there. Don't forget that you need to be out there and that God wants you there. Go. Have a wonderful time! Meet new people. Make new friends. Experience new places and cultures and ideas and language. It's okay if you're not perfect. Just be yourself. :)

mission addresses

If you wish to write to me here are my addresses:

MTC (Aug 17th to mid-Oct.)

Sister Rebekah Ruth Cottam
Canada Toronto Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604
United States

Mission Home (mid-Oct. to Feb or Mar of 2013)

Sister Rebekah Ruth Cottam
Canada Toronto Mission
197 County Court Blvd Ste 203
Brampton, ON L6W 4P6
Canada

Am I Committed?

I think I have a commitment issue, and I think it ties in with procrastination. Too often I set a goal and then do it when I feel like it or just for a few days until I fizzle out.

One example is exercising. Too often I just don't do it. I don't get up in time or I say I'm tired or just find other things to do. I do the same thing with just going to bed and getting up by a specific time. I get distracted at night then realize the time. Then in the morning I have a hard time getting up, seeing as I have no where to go right away and it feels good to just sleep.

All too often this is a pattern in my life. I start reading a book and say I'll finish it by this time but only read it every so often. I think to myself, the dishes need doing, then go do something else that is much less productive. But this pattern must end.

Pres. Uchtdorf said in this month's Ensign, "Those who are only sort of committed may expect to only sort of receive the blessings of testimony, joy, and peace. The windows of heaven might only be sort of open to them. Wouldn’t it be foolish to think, 'I’ll commit myself 50 percent now, but when Christ appears at the Second Coming, I’ll commit myself 100 percent'?"

I can't get by on good intentions. I must leap off the cliff rather than stand at the edge. I need to stop retreating into a shell of apathy and comfort.

"So wake up and do something more than dream of your mansion above; doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure..."

As Pres. Uchtdorf declares, action is the key. I have a mission to prepare for and after that, a career. So I need to stop debating over whether to do those little things that lead to the great and just do it.

"In some way, each of us stands at a decision point overlooking the water. It is my prayer that we will have faith, move forward, face our fears and doubts with courage, and say to ourselves, 'I’m committed!'"

I don't want to get to the judgement bar with a pocket full of good intentions. I'd much rather get there with a bucket full of climbed hills and mountains.

After all, "if you pile up enough tomorrows, all you get is a bunch of empty yesterdays."

Called to Serve

I have been called to serve in the Canada Toronto Mission and I will be speaking Spanish. I'm excited and scared. It's a big step into a new world where all I do every day is think about, read about, study about, and teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I look forward to the growth I know I will experience, but I hope I'm up to the challenge. I have to remember, however, that with God, all things are possible and another scripture gives me comfort: D&C 84:88-89

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hears, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

"Whoso receiveth you receiveth me...."

I know that this call comes from the Lord and I am humbled that He sees so much potential in me. I pray that I can live up to that potential, and I am determined to do so.