6.27.17

We actually switched our preparation day to go to the temple this morning, which really want just want I needed! Okay, so I just want to say that I really seriously love serving in Rexburg/BYU-I, and I'm just so thankful to be able to spend another transfer here! So, Sister Barber is from Queen Creek Arizona, she's been out for about 5 months, and she would have to be the sweetest sister missionary ever. I'm loving being her companion, and I feel like I'm learning so much! She went to culinary school before coming here, she's the middle child of three kids, and she has a deep love for the Sugar City Stake, which was both of our first areas. Sister Barber already holds great love for the people we are teaching, and it as been great!

One of the Skype lessons that we taught this week was with this guy from Germany in his mid-twenties, and it went really well. He explained to us that several years back, some missionaries were passing out copies of the Book of Mormon on the street, and he took one, but even said that he wasn't ready at the time. Recently he started to read it, and he's already in Alma. It was then that he reached out to one of his friends who he knew was LDS, and asked to learn more. It's amazing how personally Heavenly Father is of each one of us, and how He guides us to make changes in our lives. It One message that the High Councilor over missionary work shared with us in one of our meetings was Moses 1:39 "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." and Enos 1:4-5  "And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens... And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." He then talked about how amazing it is that Heavenly Father's work is about all mankind, yet He can reach out personally to the individual. I know that that's true, and I have seen it so many different times on my mission. 

Also, since Sister Barber just came from Sugar City, it's been amazing hearing about the progress of so many of the people there that I have grown and loved. It's been really great introducing her to our investigators and others who we teach, and really just getting her acquainted with the area.  One thing that happened this week, was that this Sister in one of our family wards told us about a friend, who isn't a member, who also lives in our area wants to learn more about the church, and told us that if we call, she would set the appointment with us. She was so sweet, and it really just added to my testimony that there's always someone being prepared by Heavenly Father's hand.

One thing that I've been learning more and more is just how important it is to respond to promptings of the Spirit, and also how I receive revelation for myself. I know too that we each can experience our own personal revelation and the answers we receive may not be what we expect them to be, but I do know that God does hear and answer our prayers. :) 

With love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures!

1. All of my planners in the field so far- the last one on the right is for this transfer! Time really needs to slow down- I never want to leave! 

 

2. My wonderful parents actually sent me cupcakes, and in the background is a cake that Sister Ganbold (my favorite Mongolian Sister Missionary/best friend here!) made for me!

3. Sister Barber and I at the Rexburg Temple :)

4. My wonderful companion! Everyone has been telling us that it has been so hot in AZ right now, that literally the lids on the dumpsters are melting!