Week 8 in LA--First Green Fall

It's fall time here in California but it's still Green! This last week was so hot now it's like in the 60s and I'm a little chilly, anyway it was a good week. We had the ward Trunk or Treat event on Saturday. We got a couple of great referrals from that event. This email will be shorter because I have to go take the mission drivers test. So we are also working a lot with Members and part member Families and they are awesome! So many great things come out of working with them. Nothing too fun happened this week, we just went hard in the paint and had a ton of lessons. I did get to eat swordfish this week and I also ate a $10 loaf of bread we got for free. That was cool. Tomorrow I have to be in by 6 pm because it gets crazy out here. I'm excited for a new week and can't wait to see more blessings!  

**Side note--Zach went to take the mission driver's test and they found that they had lost his driving record that we sent to the misson home before he even left. Zach was emailing me to get a new one but when I got on the site to do it, I had to have his driver's license number and issue date, ss number, debit card info and email. I also had to check boxes that I was in fact him and wasn't being fraudulent. Well, we didn't know all of that info so Matt (who happened to work a day shift today) called the mission home. Zach was standing right there and was about to get on the phone but Matt didn't want to break the rules (so he says), but he was able to hear his voice (I'm sad I didn't but I'm happy for him). Crazy mess up and it took his whole P-Day--which I feel so bad about but it's all taken care of now.**

PICTURES 

Me! 

A tiki head we saw at a members house 

Week 7 in LA--New Companion, Same Area

I have a new companion! His name is Elder Styer, he is from Kentucky. I also am in the same area of Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Hermosa Beach. The Tri-beach cities. I'm excited to work with these members for another 6 weeks! The Halloween decorations in my area are pretty cool I have a pictures of one that we liked. This week is going to be in the 90's, so all of you back home, try not to be too jellious. Hahaha, but it has been a great week. We have been working supper hard in our area to introduce my new companion to get referrals. Our investigator I asked to be baptized came to church yesterday! I was getting so nervous, she came in right before the sacrament happened and my heart almost broke because she didn't come, but she did and it was awesome. The members welcomed her so well! This week we are going to try and be the best missionaries we can. Today we are going to the Korean Bell in a park so that will be fun. 

Spiritual thought for you.

My thought is found in Luke chapter 10. "25 ¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

We all need to be like the Good Samaritan, if there is someone in need, help them. If you find a hurting soul or child of God. Don't walk by! Be like the Good Samaritan and help that soul until they are healed.  I can promise you with all of my heart that as you do so, you will be blessed for being one of the Lord's true Sheppard. I love this work that I can my injured brothers and sisters to be healed and come back unto Christ. 

With Love, 

Elder Cox 

**Side note--he sent a seperate email with what he said were pictures, but there were none. I asked him and he said they weren't sending for some reason. I found his companions mom on the California Los Angeles Facebook Page and I sent her a message. I asked about pictures and she said she got none of them but would email her son and ask for some. He emailed her 2 pictures of them together. My son is a bum! 

Pictures:

Zach and Elder Styer

Halloween Decorations that they liked

Sign of Redondo Beach

Sign of Manhatten Beach

I have no clue

Week 6 in LA--First Transfer--Amazing Week

Hey Everybody! This week was absolutely amazing, I got to go on exchanges with Elders Walker, Vola and Jones. While Elder Rawlings was up doing departing temple and interviews. That was super fun. We helped a investigator move in to the ward this week, that was a lot of heavy lifting. They had so much furniture. Yesterday we taught two lessons after church, one was with a progressing investigator, she is awesome. We talked about how baptism is important and it matters about the authority. The other was with another progressing investigator, while in the lesson I felt prompted to look at my calender, I saw the date November 19th and I knew what the Lord wanted me to do. I looked at her in the eyes and asked her if she would be baptized on November 19th and she said YES!!! I was so excited I was smiling from ear to ear. As soon as she left the church building Elder Rawlings and I celebrated a bit and hugged. The even more awesome part was that we took out a newly ordained priest with us, and that was his first missionary experience! He was so surprised that I asked her. I'm not getting transferred out of the area so I'll be able to see her all the way to baptism. This work is so awesome. I love this gospel so much, I grow and learn each and everyday. Today I said goodbye to Elder Rawlings, so I get to hangout with my Zone Leader Elder Taylor and his companion Elder Williams, the other zone leader went home today as well. I'm grateful for all of the lessons I have learned from Elder Rawlings. I get my new companion tomorrow. I've heard great things about him and I'm excited to meet him. Thank you for the support and love. 

Love 

Elder Cox 

Week 5 in LA--Last Week of his First Transfer

This week has been such a great week! This week Elder Arnold of the seventy came to our mission. He taught us so much stuff. I learned how to serve the community better and I learned how to work through members. All of the investigators I have are awesome. One said that the Book of Mormon get more and more true each day she reads it. One said that she would be baptized if she found the truth in our religion. We also have been teaching our recent converts to the church. I'm going back to President Galoraths home tonight to teach a new member lesson to one of our recent converts. He is a rock star, and we are also teaching his wife. They want to be sealed in the temple and it's awesome to work with them. This week we decided to call people that were on our part member family lists, we called over 50 people! This is Elder Rawlings Last week in LA he leaves next Tuesday. I have been blessed to have such an amazing companion with such great knowledge of the scriptures. I've learned so much from him and I'm excited to apply that to my mission as well. 

Last night we had a super spiritual lesson with one of our investigators, we taught her about the Book of Mormon. We took turns bearing our testimonies, when I talked about the Book of Mormon, the spirit hit me so strong and I knew from that moment that it was the word of God. I can say without a doubt in my mind that the Book of Mormon is True. There is power in that book. 

Today for P Day we are bowling and we are at a Korean BBQ place in Gardena. It was super good. I love being a missionary and I love living here in California. Thank you for the love and support and prayers. 

Elder Cox 

Pictures:

P-Day fun

Randy's Donuts

Elder Rawlings and I before a Skype lesson

Week 4 in LA

This week has been great! We got 2 new investigators this last week and I'm supper excited. Yesterday after conference we went to President Galoraths home. He is one of the councilors in the Mission Presidentcy. His house is right on the ocean and it has a beautiful view. (See the pictures.) Conference was amazing, I learned so much stuff that can help me with missionary work. 

Friday was out last district meeting this transfer, because we have zone conference. Elder Rawlings goes home in 2 weeks, which is sad. But in still ready for what is coming. Today's email is short due to time sorry. 

Love 

Elder Cox 

PICTURES

1. President Galoraths house 

The rest is of my district