Coming to you live from San Diego, California, one Elder's experience preaching the word of God. Much wow. (I'll beat you next week, Brian)
Happy Easter to y'all, hope you had an amazing week. I'm here to share some experiences that happened over the week, and maybe brighten your day. Hope you enjoy.
On Wednesday we had the opportunity to eat lunch with my comp's family. We went to a local burrito place, which seem to be the hip thing here in San Diego. They're pretty good here, especially the 'Cali' burritos. They have French fries, carne asada and guac in them (with assorted other burrito ingredients). It was interesting talking with a Utah family, and my comp was happy to see a family member again.
One neat thing about being in San Diego is that when the Padres hit a home run, Jack in the Box does a deal where you buy a drink and they give you a burger. For missionaries on a budget (or anyone I guess), it's amazing. I personally really enjoy Jack in the Box, so I always ask the people we knock what the Padres score is and if anyone has hit a home run. It's a good talking point to bring up the gospel, but more importantly I get info about free food. Don't even worry Mom, I've lost weight since coming out. I promise I eat healthy for other meals.
My comp is pretty good at the cello, so he was invited to play at the Mormon Battalion. It's about a 15 minute drive from our apartment, so we were able to budget a few miles to drive out there. On Thursday we did a practice where he played the cello and the MoBat sisters sang a few songs. Then on Good Friday we performed them for an audience of people we tricked into going. I'm not cool enough to play an instrument that's appropriate for church, so Elder B and I walked the streets during the rehearsal and warm-up and talked people to go and see it. It was super cool to see how God places specific people at times and places, because we found people that really needed the message that the music gave.
On Saturday one of our friends got baptized! There's always an amazing spirit when somebody chooses to follow God and change their lives for the better. She's such an amazing person and her family is being blessed by her decision to covenant with God. It's amazing to see what something like a baptism can do for the family. They are brighter and more united in something that they love, God truly ordains families.
Later that day we popped in on a member we hadn't met yet, and they basically told us that we came at just the right time. They were getting behind on Easter preparations and asked if we could walk their dog for them. I told them not only yes, but that I would love to. It reminds me of my dogs, Holly and Callie back at home. We walked around and talked to people using our new fluffy companion as conversation bait, doing service for a ward member at the same time. A pretty good afternoon, we taught them a good lesson and they opened up to some of the stuff that's been going on in their lives. Why do people trust us missionaries?
A question that we get asked a lot is what we did for Easter... All the missionaries reading this breathed out a sigh. The answer is not much different from other days. We got to video call our family for a few minutes, but other than that it was just a normal day. Still a TON better than what missionaries had before and I guess I'm being greedy, but still a bit weird to think that there's nothing different about a holiday to a missionary. Knocked more doors, taught lessons, kicked Satan out of lives. Just the usual.
This morning was absolutely wonderful. This email is coming at you guys later than usual, but for a good reason. My district decided to go to the temple and take one name all the way from baptism through to sealings. This was an absolutely amazing experience, and I truly felt the gratitude of Isaac Spikes. It was a good reminder of the covenants that I've made and the ones that are waiting for me in the future, and really gave me some added perspective doing them back to back like this.
There's one thing that I thought about while sitting in the sealing session, and it might shock you. We as missionaries do not care about people joining the Church. The Church is great, but we do not care. What we do want, though, is for people to covenenant with God and receive the ordinances required to be exalted after this life.
Everything that we as missionaries do should point towards the temple alter at the top floor, where happy people will receive the new and everlasting covenant, and the power and joy that comes with it. The joy that I felt from Isaac being sealed to his family and receiving the promised blessings was tremendous, and gives a new perspective about how I should treat lessons and interactions with people.
God loves all of his children, individually and personally. He knows the things we struggles with and the pain we go through. He also has a plan for each one of us to covenant with him at the temple and receive all that the father has. I leave this testimony with you that God is waiting to bless you. He loves you, no unless's, no buts, no coconuts.
Have literally the best week ever, can't wait to hear from y'all. You guys are literally the best, God loves you and your Savior lives. The tomb is empty, the price has been payed. Love y'all.
-- Elder Coxson
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