5/19/17

The temple is just such an incredible opportunity! It is so neat to be able to see just the impact it has on all who end up going through to see it. 

Friday, Sister Deuel, Sister Ganbold, Sister Taperseria and I went to Booth at BYU-I with President Nelson, Sister Nelson, and President/Sister Vickery! The reason why they went was because two brotheren from the Mission Department in Salt Lake were sent by assignment, from the Mission Department Council (the one with President Oaks as the head of the council) to see what we do at booth, and if it's something that they would like to start at BYU Provo and Hawaii. Sister Ganbold and I even spend some time fixing up the flyers we pass out and added some new things. They were both super nice, and asked us a ton of questions! They first just asked if we felt that it was time effective, and if we were okay just teaching the first few discussions and then passing the investigators on to other missionaries. The questions the brothers from the mission department asked really made me think. One thing that they asked was how we got to the point where we were okay that we didn't get any "numbers" ourselves from the lessons we teach over skype. They said that some missionaries would see what we're doing as "poaching" or that they wouldn't want to teach someone that's not in their area. I think for me that when I first came out, I was hoping to be able to have "fruits" from my labors and have baptisms. Even though I have had some, I've learned more and more that I can't be prideful in anyway. This is about others, not ourselves, and now I'm just thrilled someone wants to be baptized, even if I'm not "their missionary." If my role is to plant seeds, that's still making a difference. I think that's one thing that I've had to learn and am still learning to do- to put my pride on the sacrifice altar and to be more consecrated. 

Also, we were in a trio this week with Sister Brinkerhoff, because her companion just finished her mission! Transfers are not until tomorrow, so we got an awesome week with the perfectly wonderful and sweet Sister Brinkerhoff! Oh! Transfers- nothing has changed, but after the temple open house President Nelson told us that there will be a "mini transfer," so I'm safe for just a bit longer!

Just know that things are going good! I'll update on our investigators next week!!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: e-mailing at a FHC in a church building, because the normal FHC by the library is not open this early!

-So I forgot to mention that Seirra was baptized a few weeks ago in CA! We got to teach her three times, up to her having the desire to take upon her the covenant of baptism. She changed so much in just such a short amount of time! The sisters who we passed Seirra over to sent us her baptism picture :)

-We moved our beds into the living room so we could fit all three beds together!