5/16/17

So, I know I promised to write more this week, but this is the last week of the Idaho Temple Open House, and then we'll be back to our normal schedule! We are more busy than ever, which is great, but hard after awhile! 

Sorry, I totally ran out of time today. One update is that Paige is getting baptized next week! It's been just simply amazing seeing her grow in recognizing the Spirit and gaining a testimony of her own.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day! So, really quick, this line in Alma 56:47 really stood out to me, "yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." I just had a great time being able to Skype my family Sunday, and I'm just so thankful for my dear Mother. Her example of serving a mission really influenced my desire to serve one as well. She helped me form the habit of daily scripture study from a very young age, and because of that I was able to exercise my faith and gain my own testimony of the Book of Mormon and the rest of the holy scriptures. I know that Christ is our Redeemer, and I'm so thankful for that knowledge! 

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

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! 

5/2/17

So many blessings come from working at the temple, it's been wonderful! I love it when we are stationed at the Visitors' Center, and when people have the opportunity to ask us questions. I've been asked everything from Angel Moroni, if church leaders are paid, to just asking about temples in general. There are a lot more non-members in Idaho Falls, that's for sure!

We don't get as many self referrals from the temple open house as we anticipated, (they have comment cards that people can choose to fill out, and part of it is the option to learn more and have missionaries visit. We probably receive on average 5 or 6 each day, one of them just the other day even had someone saying that they have made the decision to be baptized! We found another investigator this week, and we have been so busy that we lately have literally been running from appointment to appointment, and have been keeping lessons really short in order to see everyone we need to. We also have received a few referrals ourselves this week, and that's been a blessing in itself! We also have a new investigator this week, who's actually the husband of one of our recent converts! He shocked us by coming to one of the new member lessons, and told us that the church has just been on his mind a lot, and that at night when he can't sleep, the Book of Mormon just keeps coming to mind, so he's been reading it. He told us that he just can't stop thinking about it, and feels good. So he's ready to meet with us, and just wants to go at a slow pace. But we are really excited for him! :)

In the war chapters in Alma, I've noticed a lot more recently just how many trials they all have, and yet, despite the death and afflictions, a lot of the people were faithful and true. 

Alma 49:30  "Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people."

Despite all of the service Helaman, Shiblon, Corianton, and especially Ammon have given, they still went about declaring the gospel. I just know that all of us, no matter what trials we are facing, will find peace and happiness and we service others and forget ourselves. I know that this church is true! I love you all, and know that we each have a role to play here on earth, even when we feel that we are overwhelmed with whatever we're facing.

-Sister Cottrell

Pictures: Sorry, some of them aren't really very professional! 

04.25.17

Sister Cottrell has a new address! They were moved from their old apartment after discovering black mold.

Sister Hayleigh Cottrell

936 Anne St, Apt 3

Rexburg, Idaho 83440

===========================

Sorry this is going to be super brief! 

So, the VIP week was amazing! We got to meet President Hinckley's family, and there was a lot of ministers from other faiths who went through as well. The first day of the open house for the public was Saturday, and it was so busy! We also got to through and give the tour to a few of our investigators, and it was great! One of the stations that we work at is in the reception area, where we can answer questions. I seriously love it, especially when those who aren't members ask all of these different things, and you can just tell that they felt something while going through. :)

This past week, we found this amazing new investigator, Page, in one of our married student wards, and it's so interesting because she took the discussions once before, and nothing ever came from it. But when we happened to knock on her door just last Tuesday, her husband even felt strongly that maybe she's ready. Last night when we had a lesson, we first talked a lot about the meaning of "real intent" and Page admitted that she still struggles with prayer, and how a good few years back when she was meeting with the missionaries, she didn't really want to know for herself. The spirit was super strong, and she said that she really feels ready this time! They mentioned how just in church, an area seventy chose to attend their ward, and said that he felt impressed that his message was just for one person. He then talked about covenants (baptism included) to a ward for mostly all endowed members, and how that just took place right when we showed up! I just have such a strong testimony that Heavenly Father looks after each one of us!

So much has happened and yet I don't have anytime! Just know that things are looking up with some of our investigators, and quiet a few less-actives that we just recently started teaching are coming back! 

I love you all, and know that I have a testimony of our Savior, of Joseph Smith, and the restored Church. I got to memorize The Living Christ a few days ago, and it's so incredibly powerful! 

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: Last week for our last p-day, we cleaned the huge van with Sisters Reupena and Settle! Super fun!

Sorry, there are more pictures on some of the other sisters' cameras, but they will send them to me next week! Haha Sister Deuel is so awesome!! Also, my awesome STL companion Sister Settle, at the temple open house!

04.17.17 The Idaho Falls Temple!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! 

Really quick, this is our last "P-Day" for about 5 or so weeks, but we will have a little bit of time on Tuesday to e-mail, or at least we will try! 

Friday was the "dry run" for the Idaho Falls Temple Open House! We helped out in a few different video rooms, and the day before we were able to learn how to use all of the equipment. Last night, all of the Sister missionaries had a special training from Elder Larry Y. Wilson, Executive Director of the Temple Department! He also gave us a special tour of the Idaho Falls Temple, which was the first time for most of us to ever go inside. It was absolutely gorgeous! One thing in particular that Elder Wilson spoke about, was the purpose of temples in general. I would encourage everyone to read D&C 138:47-54! We have so many amazing blessings available to us through the temple, and I know that we can not only experience peace and comfort in the House of the Lord, but we are able receive so many blessings for our own family, and for others :) 

This week, we were just walking from a home and this car pulled over in front of us- it was this young couple who asked us which building/what ward they were in. They lived just down the way, so we were able to direct them and exchange numbers. Well, they told us that they hadn't been active for over a year and a half, and that their inactive sister was living with them, so they asked if we could be their missionaries, and work through things will them. They are seriously so sweet, and it was just one of those things that just happened! They saw us just walking, and decided to make that choice of talking to us. We were able to teach them, and they attended church with us yesterday! They even said that they felt like everything seemed to be keeping them from going. The ward didn't even know about them, and they were all just so welcoming!  

We also had our Zone Conference this week, which is always just so refreshing! President Nelson focused a lot on what it means to be a "consecrated missionary" and how we each need to place everything on the altar of Sacrifice. I've been really thinking about that lately, and how we need to just trust our all to Heavenly Father, no matter what trials come our way. It made me think about Alma the Younger, when talking to his Son in the Book of Mormon: 

"And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." (Alma 36:27)

Just reading through Alma's afflictions, he's been through a lot! Yet, he trusted Heavenly Father and was faithful, and was truly an instrument! He says in verse 24-

"Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." 

So, I've had to think a lot about what my purpose is, and how I can be better at being consecrated! I know that as we all strive to find out what we can do to give back to Him, it is then that we will experience joy! No matter how hard things get, it's amazing the joy you can still feel when you serve others, and are living the gospel!

I just know that Jesus is our Christ, our Savior, and our Redeemer. He lives!! 

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

We are going to be spending a lot of time in the car! 

The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple was the first temple built in Idaho and is located on the picturesque banks of the Snake River on 1000 Memorial Drive. President George Albert Smith announced plans to build the temple on March 3, 1937, and it was dedicated on September 23, 1945.

04.10.17

This week! So, all of the Sisters in the mission had a special meeting at the Mission Office Friday! We got a ton of information about the Temple Open House, and I'm just so thrilled! The only thing about it is that each day (expect for Sundays) we will work 8 hour shifts there, so we will only have a handful of hours each day to work in our areas. All of us sisters are a bit nervous about how little time we actually get to be working in our own areas, but we know that Heavenly Father will bless us for our efforts, and will prepare the people here in this area! Also, just a heads up, we also work Mondays, so next week will be our last Preparation Day for awhile. So if you don't hear from me forever, that's why! :)

Our Mission President is giving us special permission to shop and do laundry other than during the hours of our Preparation Day, so that will be good! I'm not sure on the exact rules with e-mailing yet though, but hopefully I'll have more information next week!

Saturday, we also had the privilege to see Brylee, the 8-year-old daughter of the less-active family we met when we first came into the area, be baptized! The whole family has been attending church regularly, and we just love them tons! Brylee was just so thrilled, and we had lunch with them after the baptismal service. This week, we were also able to find two more investigators! 

So, I just thought that I would share this quote by Elder Paul K. Sybrowsky!

"Gaining a testimony is like what the Nephites went through when the Savior came to visit them. At first they did not understand God’s voice because they were hearing with their ears only. But when they opened their hearts, then they understood His voice.

“And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.

“And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard” (3 Nephi 11:5–6).

Opening your heart to the inspiration of our Father in Heaven is a crucial element in life. You will need His inspiration.

You face some unique challenges, and the way to overcome these challenges is to allow the Holy Ghost to distill upon you. Let Him guide you. Strength from our Heavenly Father comes to us spirit to spirit and heart to heart. And it is in the strength of the Lord that we can move forward. The Lord will provide that strength in our individual testimonies."

My personal testimony in no way came over night, and I still am striving to grow it each day. I do know though, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God, and I know that with all of my heart! I've just felt and seen too many things for it not to be true, and I know that it really is just those little things that have built my testimony- prayer, and reading the Book of Mormon each and every day. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I've seen so many miracles on my mission, that it's almost not funny anymore! So, no matter what trials any of you are facing, hold strong to what you do know is true!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

All of us sisters in our mini van!!!

Also, the guy taking the picture of us and Brylee accidentally took a video, so I'll just send it for fun :)

04.03.17 8 Months!!

Hello, all!

So, this week! We actually were given a mini van, so that we can drive all of the sisters in our Zone to Idaho Falls, when we go to work at the temple open house! We are all super excited, and this week we will have some more training in preparation for that. :)

This week, one of the highlights was meeting Sierra, a young woman who's visiting a friend for a few weeks who lives in one of the married student wards. Sierra is just this incredible person! She already has a testimony of Christ, and just while being here she started to pray again, which is really where it started. She even watched General Conference, and Elder Costa's talk really spoke to her, and she has decided to be baptized! It is so amazing to be able to teach someone who has been able to change so much in just such a short amount of time. I know it's because Heavenly Father seriously does prepare people, and He prepares members to reach out, and share the gospel with their friends! Seirra at first didn't want anything to do with the church, but this is just a testimony to me that Heavenly Father truly is aware of each of His children's needs. So, the work has been going forth! 

In Luke 9:23, which reads "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." The taking up your cross "daily" meant a lot to me, and in General Conference, in Elder S. Mark Palmer's talk in the Sunday afternoon session, he talked about the rich young man, who Christ councils to take up his cross, and sell all that he posses. So often in my studies, "crosses" have stood out to me (I've mentioned it before in past e-mails!), and I feel that I just need to serve will all of my might, no matter what challenges come up (in the work, overcoming discouragement, and health wise). That was one of my favorite talks, as well as Elder Grows about knowing your identity as a child of God. It also was comforting, knowing that Heavenly Father is there will help us work hard, no matter what appointments fall through, or what health set backs we have. 

Sorry for the short e-mail today! I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I'll leave that as my excuse!

Love,

-Sister Cottrell 

Pictures: My good old watch gave up on me, and broke in multiple ways! It's been really strange not having it anymore! Also, we said goodbye to our old car! We don't have a good picture of the van, but we will get one for next week! :)