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!
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