Happy Easter!

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed your Easter Sunday. I know I did. I had the opportunity to read about the Resurrection in Jesus the Christ before church and it hit me so powerfully just how perfect his sacrifice was for us. There is a talk that I have been sharing a lot with others this week and its Elder Hollands April Conference Address "None were with Him." I found it so profound how Elder Holland literally addresses the talk so that it feels as if its for you. He explains so simply that we are not alone as Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane. We are blessed with family, teachers, friends, scriptures, temples etc. We are surrounded with things to remind us that we are NOT alone. I love this talk and would suggest to everyone!!!!!

Transfers came and went. It was fun to sing Called to Serve while the 24 new missionaries filed in. We had 12 sisters who are 19 years old come into our mission and 3 turned 19 either the day before they entered the MTC or while they were in the MTC. I got goosebumps when I heard that!!!!! Another Elder also informed us that the MTC is expecting 7000 missionaries this summer. Since the campus can only house approx. 3000, the Elders coming in will be sleeping in tents across the street on the field. Also all English speaking State side missionaries will be in the MTC for 5 days. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to see all the work and changes being made so that the Lords work can hasten on.

My new companion is Sister Dyreng. She is fun and kind of crazy. When I heard who my companion was it caused me to sit and reflect over last weekend. I was so nervous about transfers I wouldn't let myself ponder on it. However the one time I did think about it and who could possibly be my companion I received and answer in disguise. The first person that popped into my head was Sister Dyreng and I remember thinking "Oh no." And the only reason why I say that is because she is exactly opposite of me. Tall, skinny, fashionable, loud, everyone knows her, and beautiful. I feel like a pumpkin next to her. ;D But she is amazing. Its no wonder she is who she is. She is helping me learn even more just by observance. I simply am learning to love her more each day and we have fun together.

We are making some major changes in the work we do in Chatsworth. Its going to be a week filled with a lot of hard work and concentration.

I love you all very much and hope to hear how you are all doing. We can take sufficent time each Monday to email friends and family. So if you get a moment I would love to hear from you all and see how you are doing! Remember you are not alone!!!!

Hoorah for Israel!!!

Love,

Sister Cottrell

Training Has Ended- YIKES!

Well by the subject line my training has ended and I am now realizing the full impact of that fact. Transfer calls were issued Saturday night and training calls can come anytime on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. I was a true hot mess when transfer calls came. Sister Haws is getting transferred out and I am staying in Chatsworth. I am really going to miss Sister Haws, she truly became like a sister to me and I love her very much. I have been extremely worried about some things that only I will be aware of this coming transfer that I get to relay to my new companion. I am worried about teaching a few people because I dont feel like I communicate well with them and if I have to drive then I have to know the area (which I think I do but it will be different behind the wheel, right?) They really are just simple little things but they are taking their toll on me and I have felt very overwhelmed. In sacrament meeting I pulled out my scriptures seeking comfort and found out that my reading lead me right into Ether. Of course verse 27 popped out at me and I started crying. Enough where I actually walked out and went in search of some tissues. The part of verse 27 which stood out at me was about being humble. Sister Haws told me a saying the other day which is stuck in my head, "Inadequacy is saying, I cant to do this. Humility is saying, I cant do this without the Lord." I feel like I got the message LOUD AND CLEAR. So I am now faced with dealing with change but Im not facing it alone. I have the Lord on my side and he will guide me with his Spirit. I know I can do this and that its time the training wheels come off. Oh, I dont think I am training since I haven't gotten a call yet. Which is totally fine by me. I would love to wait another transfer so I can get my feet under me just a little bit better. 

Sister Haws and I have had an interesting experience this week. We became a trio on Wednesday night! Our mission receives Temple Square Sisters in every now and then so, Sister Ince came and joined us. She is from Canada and is a firecracker. In fact she reminds me of Rocio in a way. I love her already and will miss her but look forward to seeing how she does proselyting. She knows a lot and is very bold in her teaching. Yesterday she and I went on splits and we got 2 doors in a row of Bible Bashers. It was very trying but we both handled the situations well and were able to help each other through the experience. Our current room looks extremely familiar. The lay out goes something like this: wall, bed, bed, bed, wall.....I think the Lord knew that I needed some experiences before I came out on my mission.... ;D

There is a lot of work going on in Chatsworth and there is so much potential! I am excited I get to stay and see what happens in the next 6 weeks. I am hoping that I will get to see at least 3 of our investigators be baptized. They are so close!!!!! Anyway this week has been good and there have been alot of new experiences packed into it. Probably my favorite was trying a new food....magots. I hope to never try them again ha ha ha. We aren't really sure where they came from. We think they came from some old lemons someone gave us. We jumped right into getting all the food thrown away in our cupboards and calling our medical advisor. We have been super grossed out!!!!! Sister Haws and I are wondering if our friends have been contributing to stomach aches. However we are on the mend and we hope we killed our friends with handy dandy Raid. I think we are getting our apartment sprayed just in case.
Well if that didn't gross you out I don't know what would. I think that raps up Chatsworth this week! Tell Irina congrats for me and give her a big hug!!!!!! Love you all!
Hoorah for Israel!!!!
Love,
Sister Cottrell

Hello everyone!

It has definitely been a week. Some days were slower than others but it was all good. We met a guy whose father referred him to the missionaries last week. We went back this week to try him again since he stopped answering his phone. We found him outside the apartment and talked to him and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon. We testified of the healing power of the book and told him that when he was struggling with urges to pick up bad habits to read and to pray. He came to church and I about cried when I saw him!!! He is amazing and is ready for the gospel to be a part of his life.
We met another man who knows a lot about the scriptures (ALL of them). We were also told that he had received revelation and visions of celestial beings. We were informed of their characteristics: they walk through walls, drive living space crafts, can walk on ceilings, they are childlike but intelligent etc. It was a very interesting conversation, however we have made it a point of avoiding his side of the street at all costs. Nice man, just a strange conversation.
We had another experience of finding. We went to a referrals home to check in with them. After our contact I felt we still really needed to be in the area. As I was getting into the car I saw some ladies walking their dogs and thought I should go talk to them. By the time I grabbed my bag and got out of the car they were really far away. So I looked at the houses around us and decided to knock on one. They didn't answer so I looked around again and saw another lady walking her dog. We talked to her but she wasn't interested. Just then I saw a couple walking our way with their arms very full of empty water bottles in bags. We stopped them and talked. They didn't speak very much English but told us to follow them to their home where the owner speaks very good English. So we followed them and met the owner. She is a very sweet older lady. She is Jewish and cannot get around very easy. She first assumed we were Jehovah's Witnesses but we quickly corrected her. Come to find out she knows a lot about The Mormons. We asked her if she has read the Book of Mormon. She hasn't, so we asked her if she would like to. She told us she is just too stressed out with things to do and doesn't have time. We offered to come and help her with some things and she saw and told us she felt we were sincere and honest in our offer. Because of that she said that if we helped her with some paper work she would read some the Book of Mormon. So tomorrow we are going to help her. She is a marvelous woman and super funny. I am excited to go back and visit with her. Its amazing to me just how quickly people turn us down without giving us 30 seconds. But this Lady was willing to listen and willing to be kind. Which is great for us! If people would just be more kind to others everyone's lives would be happier.
This week I have discovered something about missions and I hope I can relay it without losing anyone. On a mission we see success, but the more success we see the more we see the need to improve, and sometimes the worse we feel about ourselves knowing we can be better. Thus a vicious cycle of always trying to improve and become better happens. ITS GREAT!!!
Well that's it for this week. I love you all and hope you are finding ways to help the missionaries in your areas!
HOORAH FOR ISRAEL!
Love,
Sister Cottrell

Hello Everyone!!!

I hope that March is finding everyone healthier and happier! This week has been a week of miracles once again. We are finding a lot of people (not necessarily for our area) and receiving a lot of referrals. Sister Haws and I have been working hard and find that by pushing forward we help drag each other along when are ready to fall down due to exhaustion. It was so good to have Daylight Savings this weekend. We now have so much extra time to find people! And we don't have to be afraid or tense about walking in a neighborhood when its pitch black outside. This week there were no Horse stories....sorry. I know you wanted a good story. We taught a Latino couple earlier this week. They are so prepared for the gospel its a little ridiculous. Unfortunately their home is not in our area but we have the wonderful opportunity of finishing the first lesson with them. We are team teaching with the Elders who will take over. I am excited because we don't get to see the Elders teach very often and they are so much more skilled in some areas. It will be nice to observe for a little while. There is a Brother in our Ward that has completely blown me out of the water with his knowledge of the Gospel. He is a convert and has an amazing story. His knowledge of the scriptures is so deep and connected that it is hard to have a conversation with him without having some gospel principle tied into it. ITS GREAT!!!!!

I love Chatsworth and the idea of leaving it is sad to me. Transfers are on the 26th of this month which is only a couple weeks away. Its kind of crazy to think that I have been out here for 10 weeks and 13 weeks from entering the MTC! I am learning so much about the scriptures and all the doctrine which is in them. I find myself sinking deeper into the scriptures and thinking more deeply on how they apply to me and my investigators. Well I think that is it for this week. Its been a great positive week and I hope its been that way for you.

Love you all!

Hoorah for Israel!!!!

Love,

Sister Cottrell

Changes,Changes, Changes

I have some news to share about the Lord's work and the hastening of it:

Today President Hall sent out a startling email to all the missionaries in the San Fernando Mission. In it was news that the Lord is Hastening His work and evidence of this will be in the division of our mission. 4 of the 58 new missions will be created here in California. One of those missions is the Bakersfield California Mission. From our Mission and the Ventura Mission 7 stakes will be combining to create this new mission. Which takes out all of our desert areas and winter mountain ranges. This new mission opens July 1, 2013. This is great news!!!!! However our mission will be extremely small. We will only cover the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys (the size is only 20 by 60 miles.) We get to keep the limit of 250 missionaries in our mission even though we are decreasing in size. The bitter sweet part of this whole deal is that whoever is assigned to the northern areas will be leaving our mission and joining the Bakersfield mission. President Hall has reminded us that the Lord has specifically called some of us out here so we could serve in both missions. It is a little scary knowing there is a very real possibility knowing it could be you getting transferred to the new mission especially since we do not have very many Sisters in our mission right now who aren't visa waiters.... So that is the news!!!! I will keep you up to date to let you know of the other changes that are happening in regards to the mission.

**To see a map go to click here. Randall's  mission really is going to be small!
http://md11.quartz.synacor.com/service/home/~/California%20Bakersfield%20Map%20Official.pdf?auth=co&loc=en_US&id=49143&part=2

This week was good for Sister Haws and I. We set a firm baptismal date with our investigator for April 6th, 2013!!!! The date might change just because we didn't realize that it is the Preisthood session of conference haha. We also taught another investigator the 1st lesson and had a lot of good contacts with many other people. We are keeping our fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers for a few in particular. There was a day we decided to pray over our ward list and both of us discovered we had the same two names on the same street. So we went and knocked on their doors. We knew we were there for a reason and knew it wasn't for those 2 names because they didn't answer. A little down the road we met a guy about 23 years old. He is orthodox Christian from Armenia. He had so many good questions and had a very strong curiosity about the Book of Mormon. It was a really cool miracle that day and it definitely lifted our spirits up.

Yesterday I had an experience I never want to have again. Im still shaking from it!!! We went on splits with a couple sisters from our ward. My assigned area was in an old area of Chatsworth where there are a lot of horse stables and chorales. We weren't having any luck and decided to go back to the car. As we were walking to the car a heard a horse whinny in the distance. Since I hear them all the time I didn't think much of it. Then as I crossed the street I looked up and saw this horse running full speed ahead probably about 250-300 feet away. We ran across the street to get out of the way. I had the distinct impression to turn around. As I turned as saw the horse I thought, "It's going to change direction and come this way." And it did. This Sister I was with wasn't paying attention because she was looking for her keys. She was still walking to the car and in the direct path of the horse. She was still close enough that I was able to grab her shoulders and whip her around behind me. The horse barely made it past us and into the street again. Cars were slamming on brakes and trying to avoid the "wild" horse. Even though we were safe and it was a close call we were shaking... I don't know where the rider/owner was because the horse was all saddled up. It probably got spooked and took off. I am convinced it was the spirit which caused the Horse to change direction. There was no way it was going to otherwise. So there is my first crazy mission experience. ;D I am safe and I am being cautious and I trust the Lord will take care of me.

I am so grateful to be here at this time and to witness first hand the miracles taking place in our mission and in the Kingdom of God. With the reduction of our mission we will have an even better capacity to meet our goal of 1000 baptisms this year. We will all be closer and working more strongly together. I am excited for this change and a little nervous of the unknown but it is the Lords work and he will place us where we need to be right when we need to be there. I love you all and appreciate all your prayers and support!!!

HOORAH FOR ISRAEL!!!!

Hello All!

 

This week has been an interesting week to say the least. It seems that every door we have knocked on has been bad. Not that they are slamming doors or being mean all the time. Its been a little disheartening to say the least. Friday we had an amazing day though. Our Zone Leaders joined us in our companion study. During this time we practiced how to extend a baptismal commitment. It was nerve racking but the spirit was so strong. Sister Haws and I have never extended a baptismal commitment so it was good practice. They also passed on a message from President Hall. We were informed that if we haven't met our goals for new investigators by Friday Morning we are to drop all our appointments that dont include someone investigating the church, so we can go find those individuals. Immediately I could feel a shift in Sister Haws emotions. Needless to say that she really struggled with this information. The reason being is we do a TON of reactivation work and our appointments were with those members. We did cancel the appointments and in return for following President Halls "commandment" we found 7 potential investigators. One of those was a family who has 4 girls that all play soccer. There soccer days are Saturday through Thursday. When we went to talk to the mom who was outside I got the distinct impression I needed to bring up FHE. I thought no way, I can't do that. But it hit me again and I wasn't about to fight it. That is when we found out they had one down day a week. It was perfect and the Mom was super excited about it. I think she is tired. Tired of running her kids around and being a literal soccer mom. Later that day we met with our investigator and we extended a soft commitment to baptism!!! It was good. We didn't feel right to set a day quite yet but we are working on it. She also came to Sacrament meeting and Gospel Principles. I swear everything that was said was for her. It was so cool.

Yesterday we went on splits and I came back so discouraged and disappointed in myself. I cant figure out what happened. No matter how hard I tried at the doors I just couldn't talk. We might not have been in the right area and I tried to re-evaluate through the spirit but I just couldn't feel or think clearly. I felt truly inadequate and just close to tears. The sweet girl I was with shared some advice that really helped. She told me to not feel inadequate because I was doing just fine. (she is a returned missionary) She also suggested I work on the Christlike Attributes more fully. She said that working on those helps overcome those feelings and helps you focus more on the Savior. I have been really thinking on the advice and decided she is right. So I started this morning. I am going to work on Humility. Of course its like when you pray for patience you are taught to have patience... so I am sure this week I will get a large dose of humility. I am actually looking forward to it.

Well the work is moving forward! We got 29 new missionaries this last week, 13 are visa waiters to Peru, Mexico and Brazil. It is quite exciting. President Hall also informed us we are maxed out on how missionaries we can currently house without opening new apartments, and we had to buy 15 new beds. So we are at a total of 205 missionaries in our mission and on our way to 250!!!! I love being a missionary and to have the opportunity to serve the Lord at this particular time. I love you all and hope all is going well!

Hoorah for Israel!

Love,

Sister Cottrell

So Many Miracles!

Thank you for all the Valentine Notes! It was a sweet surprise to find them in the box and to get in the mail and it made my day!

It seems that the Lord is blessing our family with so many little miracles. To Stacey and Deanne: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so excited for you both. I cried when I read of your happy news to be expecting little ones. I am just sad I wont meet them till they are older...Oh well! Keep me posted of your progress! To Stephanie and Jeff: I love you both and pray that things will continue to improve and that recovery comes quickly and easily. The Lord has been providing for you and will continue to provide. Between an amazing Doctor and the Lord Jeff couldn't be in better hands.

This week has felt busy yet our numbers reflected very slow work and progress. I think our miracle investigator took a step back this week. She saw a verse in Moroni 8 about it being an abomination to baptize little children. She just happens to be Catholic and didn't ask questions. However we did take her to a baptism with her Less active friend. They seemed to enjoy it.

On Wednesday President Hall and his wife did a specialized training for Sisters. It just happened to be Valentines Day and the subject was on Charity- the pure love of Christ. It was so cool! We focused on Moroni 7:45 for six hours! Basically we took the verse broke it down into English words (ex. suffereth long=patient) and then talked about them. We watched countless clips of President Uchtdorf and just really enjoyed the day. Luckily we listened well because we were able to pull a lot out for the District Training Sister Haws and I gave on Friday. We talked on serving the Lord with all of your Heart. It went well and we all walked away with a sense of urgency to place our hearts more fully in the Lords hands.

We found out that this transfer (Tuesday) we are opening 14 new areas and are receiving up to 9 new Sisters! It is so exciting. We are just buzzing with the changes. Also we found out that currently there are 31 sisters in the Mission and by the end of the year we will have 90! Which means that every single one of us will/should be training sometime this coming year. We were informed that some missions have Sisters training 2 new girls at a time! Its so crazy to see the Lords army expanding so quickly!!!!!!

I went on a 24 hour exchange on Tuesday. Honestly is was relieving to be with someone else. Not that I needed to get away from Sister Haws but that I realized something really important once I left her. I realized that I can do this! It felt so good to be away and feeling like someone was hovering over me walking around with bumper pads. I felt like I could breathe. It was so nice to just work and do what I know how to do. Don't get me wrong, I love working with Sister Haws and she is a great trainer but to have a little freedom to make the calls and realize I know enough was exhilarating. It was a good 24 hours.

Things are well here in Chatsworth and the weather has been good to us. I am even beginning to get a foot tan ha ha ...sorry to those in the snow and cold ;D I love you all and pray the Lord will continue to bless you and your families.

Hoorah for Israel!

Love,

Sister Cottrell