Nov. 20, 2017

This week was pretty good, we have seen just so many miracles this week! So, we were teaching this family a month or so ago, and they started coming to church after a decade or so of not being attending. We started teaching their daughter the discussions, since she just turned 8 and the stake baptisms are coming up. While we started teaching them, the grandmother started joining in, and she's not a member. After the second discussion she agreed to meet with just us to answer some questions she had, and it was just amazing! She's from California and was raised Catholic, but hasn't really been actively going or agrees with exactly everything. Her daughter converted when she met her husband. She told us that as she were teaching, she has been feeling something and she wants to learn more with an open mind and heart. She had amazing questions, and the Spirit was so strong as we talked to her, and really we were able to give her answers that I know that we couldn't come up with on our own! She started reading the Book of Mormon, and wants to meet with us almost every day this coming week, it's just been amazing! Another miracle this week actually was that I was very sick Thursday, and the whole day was just a blur, but after a priesthood blessing and lots of prayers on my part, I was able to work the very next day! That was a tender mercy for me, and although I still don't feel the best, it's been wonderful that I was able to receive the strength I needed to not slow down the work!  We also had quite a few things happen that led us to find a few more people who really are open to hearing more about the restored gospel, so we're really excited for that! One things that I've learned while serving in Idaho, is that because a lot of people are pretty familiar with the church, they often have a lot of tough concerns with either church history, the Book of Mormon, and things like that. It's been fun for me to be able to study and answer these concerns, and we can but, really in the end they need to exercise their faith enough to read and to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Everything falls into place when they do that, and it's been amazing to see so many hearts being changed from doing those basic things.

Friday at the Mission Office was a devotional for all of the Sisters in our mission, and it was just so awesome to be able to see everyone and to feel so united as sisters in our mission! Sister Nelson gave those who memorized The Living Christ during the temple open house a necklace of a pine cone, and also to remind us to continue developing our faith in our Savior, and the pine cones I guess remind of us seeds of faith. :) During the meeting, we had an inspirational speaker talk to us about how perspective is truth. So often, when we view something or someone (being ourselves or others), it can influence a lot. When we choose to see ourselves one way for example, we often become that. I think I'm slowly learning what my dear mother has been trying to teach me for so many years! 

Also! On the 24th (the day after Thanksgiving), the new #LightTheWorld video comes out, and it's so inspiring and is a wonderful way to go into this Christmas season! I hope everyone watches it when it comes out, and participates in the 25 day count down to Christmas!

Okay, one more thing- there's a new Mormon message called "The Good Samaritan," and it seriously really got to me! I just think that it's so easy to justify things, but when we really look outward and focus on other's needs, than changes occur! Here's the link, or you can just search it on lds.org

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-009-a-good-samaritan?lang=eng&_r=1&cid=HP_FR_17-11-2017_dPFD_fMLIB_xLIDyL2-4_

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

11/14/17

Hello! So we changed our Preparation Day to Tuesday, in order to go to the temple this morning! It was my first time going through the Idaho Falls Temple since it's been dedicated, and it brought back some amazing memories of being able to serve at the temple open house back in the Spring! 

Okay, so I think my testimony just doubled in the fact that Heavenly Father truly puts you exactly where you need to be, in the exact moment! We had a couple of these experiences, one of which occurred when this elderly gentleman was trying to put their garbage bins back, and was attempting to do it while on a 4 wheeler. We were able to help because he wasn't have much success, and we were able to meet his wife while helping. She let us in and gave us some apple sauce, then we were able to talk  and she got emotional because of some things going on her in life. We also were able to talk about how they've investigated the church before, and her own religious experiences. She just loves the Mormon church and said that she would join if she didn't believe that no one needs to be baptized. We discussed this, left her a pamphlet, and she wants us to be her special guests at a festival thing coming up (we had to explain that we couldn't exactly go, because we were missionaries :) ). We're not sure if she's fully ready to investigate the church again, but you never know what seeds are being planted! We also felt like we needed to stop by this couple from Georgia, and my last companion and I had taught her the Restoration, and she said that she'd read the Book of Mormon. We were able to set up another appointment, but it never worked out and the times we tried stopping by it wasn't a good time. So we figured that that was just her way of telling us she wasn't interested, but as we stopped by she just lite up and said that it had been awhile, and she was asking around to see how to get a hold of us. So we were able to start teaching her, and her husband joined in, but we're not exactly sure how interested he is, yet, that is. :) We also found a few more who want to learn more, and we started teaching some new families as well! That's been really amazing for me to see. We also had our zone conference, which was so powerful and spiritual, as always :) One thing that I just loved was when our mission President, Pres. Nelson, was talking about the Atonement and missionary work, using a talk from Elder Holland titled "teaching the Atonement." During which, Elder Holland spoke about what Christ went through in His mortal ministry, and the challenges that He faced. It talked about the worth of a soul, and everything that the Savior did for each and everyone of us.  It's amazing to think about just how much value one single soul has! Elder Holland than further explained that because each individual is so valuable, that's partly why missionary work isn't easy, and if it wasn't easy for Jesus Christ, the greatest missionary to walk the earth, than it won't be easy for us, either (not that we would ever go through anything that He did!). I also learned this week just how important it is to share with conviction your testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith, and how there are prophets today. I know that Heavenly Father truly does guide this church! I love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ so much, and I know that it's all true :) 

With love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Sorry! I'm going to make it a goal to be better at taking pictures! I have one though- this is like the main road in our area! They had a bit of a traffic jam 

11/6/17 Happy Halloween!

Alright, so one of my goals is to be better at sending out an e-mail with more of the miracles and the events that happen each and everyday! So here it goes :)

On Monday, I would have to say that one of the miracles was that with this family we are teaching, the mom for the first time said that prayer! She actually volunteered and asked to say it as soon as we mentioned that we would like to have a prayer, and it was so wonderful. One of the things I love is being able to see how the change in others, which occurs when your faith in Jesus Christ expands and grows! One other neat thing that happened was actually while we were shopping during our preparation day, we ended up talking to this lady, and we found out that she  used to meet with missionaries, but hadn't in awhile and we happened to know the missionaries in her area and encouraged her to reach out to them. She felt that it wasn't a coincidence that we ran into her, so she said that she would :) 

Tuesday I felt like we did hardly anything, because I had a mission council meeting and so Sister Ekenstam was on an exchange in another Sister's area, and then we worked all the rest of the afternoon, but we had to be at a church building as a zone by 6pm, and we couldn't leave until 9pm, so we were kind of in a "lock down" ;)

The next day we had our first District meeting as a new district, which was really good! We discussed the power of using the scriptures to become better teachers, and I can honestly say that there have been so many experiences when the things that I studied that very day, we end up using to help answer someone's concern or question! We also had a powerful few discussions, one of which one of our investigators told us that they do believe the Joseph Smith was a prophet, and I know that that testimony really came through their personal study of the Book of Mormon! Someone also was really excited to learn about how there is a pre-existence, and I just thought about all of the different times that we have taught the plan of Salvation, and how so often many people don't realize that they lived with Heavenly Father before they were on the earth, as Spirits. I know that I've taken this knowledge for granted.

We were able to contact/teach a variety of people I felt like on Thursday! One lady in particular was from South Africa, one (a young family) just moved from North Virginia, and she let us in after we were able to teach her the first discussion she agreed to learn more, and she set up a time for her husband learn as well, so that was a miracle right there :) We also met with this really nice lady who gave us water, because she used to be a Jehovah's witness and understands what it's like to go proselyting. Those were just a few of the things I remember!

So, Friday marked my 15th month mark, and I'm just can't believe how fast time goes by, I was talking with another Sister who actually goes home the same time that I do, and we discussed just some good memories and what we've been doing to make sure that we continue to just stay as focused as we can! This day was really, really good and we were able to make some really great contacts. I can honestly say that Idaho has some of the nicest people I've ever met, and people here will seriously just let you right in, it's amazing. Sister Ekenstam was having a hard time, but I know that it's all an adjustment, and she had such a neat experience and an answer to her prayer, that built her testimony just yesterday, it was great! We've been having a lot of fun working hard together :) 

Saturday, it snowed and was bitter cold, but you just have to love Idaho :) We've been finding a lot more people, and lately because we've been working closer with the members, it's been great to me to see ways that we can strengthen them as well, and they just love to do missionary work as well!

Okay, a few really amazing things happened Sunday, one of which was that we found a new investigator, a young mother who actually also just loved the plan of Salvation, and just mentioned how the three kingdoms of glory actually made a lot of sense to her. We also shared a message about missionary work to a member family, and what blew me away was that they actually had a family that is newer to the area, who live nearby, and they feel that they might accept the invitation to learn more and are planning to invite them to meet with us! It really is such a powerful thing when members and missionaries truly work together like that. We also ran into several others who we know have been prepared by Heavenly Father's hand! 

I know that miracles occur each and everyday! Sister Ekenstam and I are for sure witnesses of that. I know that Heavenly Father is looking after us all, and that He not only has a merciful plan for all of us, but that he also is very much a part of our personable lives. 

With love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: I totally spaced taking many pictures this week, so the first one is just us in the family history center in our stake building. The next was taken Halloween night!

Oct. 30th, 2017!

Happy Halloween! 

First off, I just have to say that I'm so thankful to be able to serve The Lord by being on a mission! I'm serious when I say that miracles occur all of the time! Just the other day, we had to arrange our plans due to some things canceling, and so we ended up deciding to do our plans for latter that day, and because of that we were able to meet quite a few people while walking, who may be interested. One thing too that happened, was that this guy who recently moved from the East Coast was driving around, looking for their lost dog, and we said that we would keep our eye open. Well, it just so happened that we did find the lost pet, and we cover a big area and so it was really neat to me that Heavenly Father has a hand in everything! We also had some good discussions this week, and I honestly can say that some of my fondest moments on my mission would have to be during actual discussions, when the Spirit is so strong and you can really just focus on the people you're with, and their needs! 

Also, as some of you already know, our area was split last week! Elders now cover half of our Stake, and we cover the rest! It's amazing how we're able to just focus our efforts on a few of our wards, and the whole stake is getting more and more excited for missionary work! We're finding a ton more people and working more closely with members than ever before, and it's been great to work with the 4 wards that we now cover! It's very different from covering 45 wards and a branch, I'll tell you that. 

I was just studying some Christ-like attributes and I just feel like I had a complete change of heart while reading this passage in 1 John chapter 3! 

16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

This scripture really reminded me about the passage in 1 Cor. 13, how it talks about how even if you have the faith to move mountains, if you don't have charity you are nothing. I realized that we could be nice, kind, serve others, etc. But if we really don't have that Christ like love in our hearts, and truly desire the welfare for others, than we really are just loving "in word." That is one of His commandments, with the powerful blessing behind it that if we truly have that change of heart, we can have full confidence before God :) 

Love,

-Sister Cottrell

P.S. Sorry today is short! I'll write more next week :)

Pictures: We went to a cave in Firth with our zone! Also, a picture of me and Sister Ganbold :) 

10/9/17

I feel like this week we taught the Plan of Salvation a lot, and while thinking of this plan, I'm just so amazed at how loving and merciful God truly is! We contacted this one sweet lady this week, who actually got slightly emotional because in just a few days it would be the time of year that her father passed away. We were able to teach a bit about the plan and I'm just so grateful for the knowledge of why we are here, where we are going, and where we came from! She accepted a Book of Mormon as well as an invitation to learn more. It's been amazing to me how much my heart has grown and how even if we have a lot of rejections, maybe I'm learning the importance of even just one soul coming closer to our Savior! 

Other highlights... So we've been receiving a lot of referrals lately! Most haven't been interested, but we did meet a lot of people of different faiths! There was this one guy who's actually a Jehovah's Witness, he was sweet and said that if we ever needed anything to stop by. He even told us that if we needed to use the restroom, he'd even step out of the house so we could obey our rules haha! One thing that I have learned lately is that there really shouldn't be any amount of rejection that keeps you from moving forward with faith, hope, and trust! Another highlight was probably the church tour that had with a family we're teaching :) Also, a one thing that really made our day was that we went to contact this one family, and they just starting laughing and invited us in. They explained that literally a minute ago they were talking about how it had been a really long time since missionaries had stopped by, and then we knocked! 

So, in the statement about the Las Vegas shooting the Church did, I love the last sentence: "May God bless them with the peace and comfort only He can provide in such tragic and heartbreaking moments." I really think that if we look back at a point of hardship, we can see that we did receive help and comfort from others, but that there's a special kind of strength that only our Heavenly Father can give us!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: We went to the Museum of Idaho as a Zone! Also, exchanges with Sister Reyes from TX!  

Pictures

Pictures!!!

So we went to the Idaho Museum as a zone! Pretty fun stuff! They had a space theme haha :)

9/25/17

So sorry I didn't get to an e-mail last week! I'll try my best to give the updates for the past little bit :)

So my new companion, Sister Ekenstam, is from Logandale, Nevada! It's just an hour north of Las Vegas, and so it doesn't get cold really where she's from! Also, it's pretty funny because she keeps commenting on how green it is here, and so her green land is my desert, haha! She's really great, she loves to read and write, and we get along really well. The adjustment to missionary life is always hard, but she's doing wonderful! Sister Ekenstam said that she had a classroom in one of the new MTC buildings, which just opened! I felt bad, because her first week in Idaho has been incredibly rainy, but it also has been pretty fun for us to be able to work hard, sunshine or rain!!

We started teaching a few more families! It really helped increase my testimony that the Lord really is in charge of this work, and so we felt so blessed to be able to find a few more investigators this past week. Another highlight happened Sunday evening, we were walking in one of the neighborhoods and we felt like we needed to see this one couple- the wife is a member who hasn't been to church is a long time, and the husband isn't a member at all. The wife happened not to be home, so the husband answered and I met him once before- briefly. He actually just was in a really bad car accident just last week, and he told us the story and even shared that he feels that he's still alive because there's more out there, but he hasn't found out what that is yet. We started talking about God and we promised him that there truly is a reason why he's still here. We then were able to introduce the Book of Mormon to him, and he genuinely accepted to read it! When we asked him if he would, he said that normally he would try to hand something like this back, but he actually would read the Book of Mormon, and he even thanked us and said yes to us coming back! We found a couple of people who we've been able to find and there's so much potential! 

Sister Ekenstam and I have been learning a lot about spiritual promptings together this week! I think that's life long journey, and I've probably have mentioned before. One thing that I have found is that meetings are just another way to receive  revelation, which can lead us to act on the promptings that we do receive. I just want to invite everyone to watch this short video called "find answers to your questions" on LDS.org, and just really ponder and think of a few questions that involve how you can help be an answer to someone else's prayer. Then see who stands out to you, or maybe you'll have an idea of something you can do during General Conference. I know that as you do so, you'll just be amazing at how you're able to build the kingdom of God by "small and simple" ways!  I love how in 3 Nephi 14:9-11, it talks about the good gifts Heavenly Father gives to His children. I know that if you ask Heavenly Father what you could do to help and uplift one of his precious children, He's not going to with hold helping you know who that is! It's kind of like when you ask your mom what chore you could do for her ;)

 https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-03-001-find-answers-to-your-questions?lang=eng

Love you all! I know that the Savior is so very real, and I hope that we can all feel closer to Him and have our testimonies feel reconfirmed as we hear General Authorities add their special witness of Him!

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: My new companion, Sister Ekenstam! Also, I never would have guessed that I would drive a pick-up truck on my mission! 

9/11/17 Transfers!

Transfers are this week, and I'm actually staying in Ammon Foothills, and Sister Thompson is being transferred to Rexburg! We've had so many good times together, and it will be sad to say goodbye. I'll find out who my new companion will be on Wednesday, after she comes up from the MTC!  

This week, it was a pleasure to have Elder M. Russel Ballard, and apostle of the Lord, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, and Elder Sexton of the seventy visit our mission! It was really amazing Saturday to gather as a whole mission, which has never happened before. A few of the questions that Elder Ballard asked us, that really sunk deep with me! 

-"How precious is one soul?" "Have you come to know the Lord better?" "What is the Lord learning about you?"

One thing that he mentioned is that The Lord is learning to trust you, so be consistent. Elder Ballard also just emphasized the importance of studying and knowing chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel, and how if you truly know the doctrine and can say things in your own words, with the Spirit you will never need to question what you need to say. It was actually an answer to some questions I've been having lately, and just about everything that was said was an answer to a prayer of mine in one way or another. It was so amazing to me to be able to see an apostle, and as soon as Elder Ballard walked in and we all stood up, I could just feel the Spirit testify to my heart that he really is a special witness of Jesus Christ! 

Elder Clayton said something that really was so amazing to me, he said "the best member missionary work you ever do will be how good you are as a missionary" and what he meant by that is that members have a desire to do missionary work, but when they see hard working, obedient missionaries serving in their wards, they'll be more willing to work with you. Elder Clayton also talked about how powerful the Book of Mormon truly is, and how if someone doesn't believe that they're receiving their answer, he counseled us to ask inspired questions, see how they're studying, if they're praying with real intent, and then to promise them that they will receive a witness of the Book of Mormon if they are keeping true to their part.

I loved how Elder Sexton talked about the importance of living the gospel in order to have the Spirit with us, and he also talked about the apostle Paul, and all that he had to go through during his mission. I will always remember when Elder Sexton said "just think about looking out the window come winter here in Idaho, and seeing the piles of snow of the ground and just cheerfully saying to your companion "oh look! We get to be like the apostle Paul today!" :) 

Things just continue to go forward in the Ammon Foothills Stake! We've been meeting with more and more people, and I just see little miracles each day! I was thinking a lot this week about my missionary purpose, and I just want you each to know that serving a mission is literally the best decision I ever made in my life. I truly do just want to help others come unto Christ, by helping them receive the gospel! Faith, repentance, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end- it's so vital in all of our lives. I know Heavenly Father is real :) 

With love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Sorry, only one picture today! Me and Sister Thompson! 

9/4/17

We've had a few miracles this week!  The first was with this small family, the parents and their unbaptized 12-year-old daughter, and the daughter wants to learn more and is interested in being baptized. The parents decided that they want to take the discussions with her, and so we are just so thrilled to be able to teach this sweet family! Also, the other night Sister Thompson woke up randomly in the night and just said a prayer out loud without even thinking, and the next morning we felt that it wasn't out of coincidence. We felt like it was this one guy in our area in particular, who's not a member and who we've only been able to catch home once and briefly meet him . It just so happened that we had a team teacher want to go out with us, and so it worked out perfectly and we were able to share a message with him as well. It just is amazing to me that things just truly work out perfectly the way that they need to. Also, we're starting to get more busy, and I know that more miracles are on the way!

Our Mission President invited us to read 2 Nephi 2:25 under the footnote for the word "joy", and to really ponder what that meant to us. I decided to do it, and it took me to look up Moses 5:10...

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God."

 I love that Adam says that he has joy because his eyes are opened, and so in this life he can experience joy. I know that because we have the knowledge of good and evil and the knowledge of the great plan of Salvation, we too can feel such great joy, despite hardships and trials. It makes me think of Nephi's perspective of their journey in the wilderness, which focuses on the blessings and the strength that they Lord provided, compared to Laman and Lemuel's perspective, which is just full of trials and misery.

So, Sister Thompson and I experienced our first earthquake! We were in the middle of dinner Saturday evening, when all of the sudden everything just started to shake, and Sister Thompson and I looked at each other, and sure enough the members we were having dinner with confirmed out thoughts. We had a mild/mini earthquake in the Ammon Foothills!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a wonderful week :) Keep praying to our Father in Heaven, He's there watching over us all!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell

Pictures: Just a few of our beautiful area!

8/22/17 Solar Eclipse!

So many miracles happened this week! I'll get to them, but I wanted to first talk about our Zone Conference last week!

Last week, Tuesday, we had Elders Snow and Taylor of the seventy visit our mission! It was really just one of the most spiritual zone conferences I've had on my mission so far, and each one always seems to blow me away, so that's saying something. :)  Elder Snow focused a lot about improving our teaching skills, and the stepping stones an investigator has to take before they are converted. He helped us see how to involve the members, and how to further focus on efforts on finding people to teach, because the work can't really start until we do find other who are being prepared by the Lord's hand!

Since our mission decided to switch out Preparation day to today, so that we could proselyte yesterday, we had the unique opportunity to street contact in Idaho Falls, in the Greenbelt! I absolutely loved every second of it, even when we were rejected! We talked with this one family from Arizona, and they wanted to learn more so we were able to send their information to the missionaries there, and we also did the same thing with this guy from Italy, who was just one his way to Yellowstone and decided to stop in Idaho Falls for the eclipse! Then, while we were walking we felt impressed to talk to this one young adult in the park, who had a 2 month old baby. She said she was from Salt Lake City, and we had a great conversation with her. As we shared the gospel, she told us that although she wasn't a member, she went to church a few times in the past with some friend, and that literally just two days ago she and her fiancee were talking about maybe learning more about the church. It was a tender moment as she mentioned how they had just had that conversation, and how she didn't feel like it was a coincidence that we stopped to talk to her out of all the people there. She agreed to meet with missionaries in Utah, and we were able to send her information to them, and she accepted a Book of Mormon. I felt my faith just increase a ton from that day of street contacting! We had gospel conversations with many people in that short time frame. 

One of our investigators shared a wonderful experience with us Sunday, during a lesson! He said that he actually was struggling a bit financially, and it was something that was on his mind a ton, since he was trying to sell one of his houses in California. He decided to donate a large sum to the church, and as he did so within the week everything worked out, and it was just one of those things that I know was because he had faith that things would work out! 

Also, I just feel so honored to have been able to teach Paige and Thessaly, and see them be baptized and follow the example of our Savior! It was truly an amazing experience and I love them both so much! I just want to bare my testimony that I know that Heavenly Father is truly mindful of each and everyone of us! I seriously love this gospel, and I know that if we only reach out and do our part in learning and growing, we can be able to be truly converted. 

Just some quotes I found this week during studies :) 

"To testify is to know and to declare. To be converted requires us to do and to become." -Elder Oaks 

"Strong faith in the Savior is submissively accepting of His will and timing in our lives- even if the outcome is not what we hoped for or wanted." 

-Elder Bendar "Accepting The Lord's Will and Timing"

...and some more quotes, this time from Zone Conference :)

"Sometimes you just have to bow your head, say a prayer, and weather the storm."

"There is no conversation, no spiritual experience, unless the Spirit of the Lord is involved."

With love,

-Sister Cottrell

Pictures: Zone Conference! Sister Settle (From Georgia)  on the left and Sister Ganbold (from Mongolia) on the right- two of my very dear friends! Sister Settle finished her mission last week!

Pagie (with her husband) and Thessaly's baptism, and then the total solar eclipse! 

8/14/17 Second Week in Ammon Foothills!

Tomorrow is our Zone Conference, and we have Elder Snow and Elder Taylor visiting us! We are all very excited to be able to have them here for our mission tour! 

This week, I'm been striving to pay more and more attention to the promptings of the Spirit, and I realized that really without the guidance of the Holy Ghost, this work would be impossible. Yesterday, both my companion and I felt that we needed to try to see this one home, who we've never have before been able to catch home, and sure enough they were and they let us right in! We also had an amazing lesson with Darren, in which he's been reading the Book of Mormon a ton and has accepted a date to prepare to be baptized! He's great, he's from CA and is super fun! When we asked what brought him to Idaho, he said "I-15". He said that he literally was just driving, and it got dark by the time they were in Idaho Falls, and so they decided to stay here, haha! It's so beautiful and it's a really nice area. We also have been able to catch people home that we never have before, and so that's been a wonderful miracle lately! 

Since I've been out a year, I've really been focusing on what I can do to make sure that I truly become who the Lord wants me to be, and while looking back at the past year, I just can't believe all that I have been able to see while serving a mission. I just feel like my heart has grown so much, and I know that I feel for sure confident that the Lord truly does know each of us, and that the Spirit is the true teacher. 

I also have been learning a lot about faith this week, and just how important it is to have not only faith and hope, but faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ! I love how in Hebrews 11 (Ether 12 is wonderful and about faith as well!) verse 8-9, it talks about how by faith Abraham traveled to go to the place of his inheritance, a promised land. Just how Lehi had to have the faith that when the Lord asked them to leave their home to journey into the wilderness for many years. Nephi too was guided, as he states he was "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." That's just like how it is with each of us, missionaries or not, we are constantly seeking direction and promptings, and are trying to be engaged in doing good on our own as well. I love in Heb. 11:13, which says that "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off.." Even if things in this life seem unfair, I know that things will work out in the end, and that all of the promises are available in the life to come. :) 

Just some quotes that I like :)

"Understanding the Savior’s freely given atoning love can free us from self-imposed, incorrect, and unrealistic expectations of what perfection is. Such understanding allows us to let go of fears that we are imperfect—fears that we make mistakes, fears that we are not good enough, fears that we are a failure compared to others, fears that we are not doing enough to merit His love."

—Gerrit W. Gong, "Becoming Perfect in Christ", Ensign, July 2014

"Said the Lord in a dark and troubled hour to those he loved, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). May the Lord bless you, each of you, with faith, with affection, with hope, with charity"

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Just a few pictures of our area :)

08/07/2017

I feel like this week went by so fast, but and the same time it felt very long as well! First off, I love Ammon Foothills so much. The people are just wonderful (an Idaho thing!) and it truly is the most beautiful place on earth! It was so hard saying bye to everyone in Rexburg! But I already feel just such peace and joy, and I know that's how it goes whenever any of us go on any life journey. 

Monday night, we had this amazing lesson with Kent and his son and daughter in law who are both returned missionaries. We finished teaching the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ, about faith, repentance, baptism, and enduing to the end. We then ended with inviting him to be baptized again, and I had one of the most touching experiences on my mission so far. After the invitation, Kent was quiet for a bit and then mentioned how he'd been thinking about this recently, (the first time, he say he would be baptized only if he knows this is true) and he's been reading the Book of Mormon and going to church, and he said in our last appointment "I would like someone who I know is worthy to hold the priesthood to baptize me, I would like my son to do it." It was a very tender and emotional moment for us all, especially for Kent and his son. I will just always remember that night! Kent was so sweet, and always bought us pizza that night, and asked if I could still come to his baptism in the second week of September. We had some amazing and very touching lessons before I left Rexburg! One investigator told us about how during her baptismal interview, she was asked to share her testimony and she said just was surprised that as she started to, so many emotions just came to her, especially as she testified of Christ and the plan of salvation. 

My new companion is Sister Thompson, from Dallas, Texas (yes, she has great state pride!)! She's been great, and actually knows more than she thinks she knows about the area! She's been out on her mission for almost 6 weeks now, and it's been great getting to know her! She was born and raised in the church, but both of her parents are converts. Both of us want to be the best companionship that we can be, so I'm excited! They have a few investigators here, one of which is this guy names Darren, who has a sweet 12 year-old daughter who was recently baptized. A few weeks ago, she shocked them in asking how long it could take for him to be baptized, so they responded and didn't hear back from him for a few weeks, and they worried because they weren't able to have another appointment and didn't see him at church. But he was there this week, and right away asked if we could have an appointment that day. He's just so awesome, and it was a great discussion with him and his fellow-shippers, and he said that he'd pray about baptism. Apparently he used to be very anti, but I know that Heavenly Father really does just prepares the hearts of His children. One miracle that occurred, was that we went to one ward for sacrament meeting, and this young single mother was there who wasn't a member, and just moved there! The Ward Mission Leader was out of town, so we jumped at the opportunity to teach gospel principles, and she went to it! We taught the first discussion with about eight or so others in the class, and she had wonderful questions and everything was new to her. She right away set another appointment with us to learn more, and even asked if she could keep the Book of Mormon we gave to her. It was just a further testimony to me of miracles. 

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3–5.)

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah. -Introduction to the Book of Mormon

One thing that we get to do a lot as missionaries is to read the Introduction of the Book of Mormon to investigators, and I just love the promise in here! I know that as we read the Book of Mormon, we'll be able to feel the power of the Holy Ghost work within us, and that we'll be able to have that witness if we pray and have real intent. :)

Love,

-Sister Cottrell

3135 S Chartwell Gdn
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83406

Pictures: Mary, one of our investigators who committed to church this week! Me and Thessaly, who's getting baptized next week! A few from Ammon Foothills and me and Sister Thompson!

07/31/17 Transfers!

So, first off I'm so incredibly sad to leave Rexburg, but I know that just like how it was hard for me to leave Sugar City, I grew to love everyone in BYU-I 2 so much! I'm leaving to Ammon Foothills, and was called as a trainer to finish training a new missionary, and I honestly can say that I've been saying a lot of prayers for strength to be able to help this area and my new companion! I feel that I have seen so many miracles in serving here! This week alone, we have been blown away as we have been teaching Thessaly, who's so dedicated and strong and is just an example to her family, and we've had some powerful lessons with Kent this week too, and he knows full heartily that the Plan of Salvation is true. As I look back on the last 6 months of serving here, I just can say that I have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father is guiding all of His children, and is deeply aware of all of their needs. This week will be my year mark, and I'm just so just blown away at all I have learned! I feel like I have changed so much, and I know that I'll just continue to learn. 

Moroni 8:16 "...Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

17 And I am filled with charity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and partakers of salvation."

I know that there can always be fear in the unknown and in the future, but as we look to Heavenly Father and trust in His plan, things will work out for our good! I love this Scripture, and how despite any fears we might have in regards to others, being filled with love/charity can help us cast out all fear! Know that whatever is going on in your lives, just to quote President Uchtdorf from this last general conference, "don't give up"! Sorry for the short e-mail this week!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell

7.24.17

I feel that each week of being on a mission, I just have more and more opportunities to not only see Heavenly Father's hand in other's lives, but also I'm able to be more humbled in the fact that we are truly just "instruments in His hands" :) 

Daniel was able to make his first covenant with the Lord, and was baptized this week and yesterday was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost! Daniel also had the opportunity to bear his testimony during the baptismal services, and one thing he mentioned was that he never guessed that he would be there today 5 years ago, or even a few months ago. He knows that the Church has been restored, and he gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon after not being to stop thinking about the book, and started reading it through the night. Sister Deuel was also able to come to the baptism, since she was the one who started teaching him with me :) One amazing moment to me was when after the baptism, when we went to congratulate Daniel, was when we thanked me for not giving up on him, and how that even when he would hide when we went to teach his wife, he could feel the Spirit when we would come.  

We also started teaching this girl named Thessaly, who's just so sweet and a super bright 10 year-old, who's parents moved here recently but aren't sure the process of having her baptized. The mom wants to come back, and so it's been really just amazing being able to start teaching the family!  Thessaly loves to read, and not only read the chapter we gave her to read for when we would come back to her next appointment, but also read a bunch more of the Book of Mormon, and just is totally embracing the gospel. It really helps me to see that children are just so receptive to the spirit! We typically go to church with our investigators, and one neat thing was that when Kent went to the family ward for the first time yesterday, our Bishop was so excited to be able to meet him, that he quickly made it to introduce himself! The Stake presidency also happened to be in the ward that day, and so he got to meet a lot of different people! 

"The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith" 

Helaman 3:35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. 

This scripture sort of just became one of my favorites over the past week, and I just know that part of our progression in this life involves us yielding our hearts to Heavenly Father! Our life may not be in any way what we imagined it to be, but I know that when we turn our will over to God, things work out! 

With love,

-Sister Cottrell