Week 91 in LA--New Digs

Zach called again this week. He sounds fantastic!! He said that his companion is nice and they get along really well. He said that his apartment is really nice and the best part is they have a washer and dryer so no more paying to do laundry!! He said that the ward is small and has quite a few Hispanic and Polynesian people in it. He said that there is a Spanish branch in their building but most of the people choose to go to the ward he is serving in. He said that everyone is really nice and he is excited to get to work. He said that there are a lot of inactive people in the ward so they have a lot of work to do.

He is a district leader again. He is over himself, his companion, Elder Laybourn, another Elder companionship and a sister companionship. He is the only one from Utah and he only knew 2 of them before hand, but he said they are all great and he really likes each one of them (pictures and names to follow).

We talked about college and work things. He wants to get a job pretty fast after he gets home so he can start saving money. He has decided, after much prayer and thinking, that he is going to do the Pathways program through BYU-I for a year to finish his associates degree (he already has 10 credits towards it from High School) and then transfer to whatever school he decides is best for him and his degree (which he is still trying to decide about). We told him that we support whatever he decides to do and will help him with things no matter what his choice. 

It's very interesting talking to Zach now. He has matured and grown so much over this past 2 years and I really like the man he is becoming. He has a good head on his shoulders, he has already set standards for himself for when he gets home. He's got a plan and it sounds like a dang good one so I am excited for this next chapter in his life.

We were able to merge my parents in on the call so that Zach could wish my dad a happy birthday. It was great listening to him talk to my parents and tell them that he loves them. Zach says that a lot now (I love you) and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

We received an email from President and Sister Haynie telling us that Zach was again called to be a District Leader. This is the letter:

Dear Brother and Sister Cox,

Elder Zachary Matthew Cox has once again been appointed as a District Leader in the California Los Angeles Mission. This assignment comes to him again because he continues to exhibit high qualities of leadership, to demonstrate his excellent teaching skills, and earns and retains the trust of his fellow missionaries.

Sister Haynie joins me in once again extending to you our sincere appreciation for your fine son. We realize that your example, training, and love have contributed greatly to his success as a missionary. Thank you for your continued support and for sustaining him through his earlier leadership role.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Haynie

President

California Los Angeles Mission

As a district they went to Universal Studios on Monday, but not in the park. They went to the part that is like Downtown Disney, which I think he said is called Studio Walk. He said that they had a good time and it was a first for a lot of them (not Zach). 


Pictures
1-3 Zach and his District 
(left to right)
Companion--Elder Laybourn from Idaho
Elder Russell from Maryland
Elder Sands from Florida
Zach
Sister Shay from Canada
Sister Vera from Brazil