July 28,2010

Heyyyyyy,

Sorry I'm emailing on wednesday, we had our temple p-day today so we just worked on monday. We have one of those every 2 transfers so hold your horses if I don't mail right away in the future. I got your package, thank you verrrrry much for the giftcard, brace, popcorn, NUTTER BUTTERS (way suprised you remember that I love those), etc. That was a pretty awesome thing to get. Elder Garrett knows Elder Astin that you saw in St. G. He was pretty excited to hear that but I get Elder Astin is already home so you must have seen him just before he left. Boston sounds way fun, i'd love to go there someday. Dad did you hold any leadership positions on your mission? I don't think you've ever told me. Well regardless if you did or not, you were a leader for sure with the calling of an Elder.

Alllllllright so we'll go with last Tuesday...

I found out that Elder Mitillo would be getting transfered to Hunnington Park/Watts to be a district leader again over there and that I would receive a new companion that had been the district leader in Westchester. So Elder Mitillo and I made some rounds to some of our favorite families and investigators to say goodbye, they all had lots of stuff to give to us - the samoans and other people out here are so polite and would do anything for the missionaries. We ate with the Zone Leaders a last time and got Elder Mitillo packed up.

Wednesday Elder Mitillo left and Elder Sung came. He is Korean but is from Australia and has lived there for his whole life. How odd is that? I did NOT expect to hear that kind of accent come out of his mouth when he spoke to me. Anyway we bought him some food and then started walking. We walked from 1:00 to about 6:00. We got to know each other better and were able to visit alot of people. We eventually had to get the car because some of the other Elders in the district locked their keys in their car so we had the priveledge of driving to the mission home to get the spare key. Being the district leaders companion comes with alot of the same responsibilites that he has I suppose.

Thursday- we planned for next week for about 3 hours, our dinner fell through so I cooked myself some grits and eggs, we walked to where the Ifopo's live and finished the lessons. They're such a great family. They're having a ton of family come out for their baptism on August 8th. I'm really excited for that - it'll be a great chance to teach to those that aren't members as well as those that are.

Friday - We had a district meeting and met everyone that is new in the zone. One of the sisters that was in my mtc district (sister clark) is now in my district out here - so that's pretty cool I guess. We received our new zone goal - having 2 member present lessons, 2 baptismal dates and 2 progressing investigators throughout the entire transfer. So far, we're in the lead as a companionship. We visited a filipino man that we tracted into the day before and taught him about the Restoration. He had met with the missionaries a long time ago and believes everything about the church, just doesn't feel he should get baptized yet. BUT he also told us that from the moment he saw us walking up to him on the sidewalk, he knew we were sent from God and that he should stop smoking and drinking. So he hadn't done either since the time we met him and he isn't planning on doing it again. That was pretty neat to hear. We visited Franco again and he gave me a card to send to you - hope you got it. I made it pretty funny I think.

Saturday- We had no miles left on our car, so we walked. Elder Sung's bike was still in his old area and was waiting for it to get to him soooo we couldn't bike. I still ride my cruiser around - i'll try to save it for you. Can you believe i've been out over 5 months? I can't. Anyway we had lunch with some investigators - lisa and her brother Joseph. They took us to the Carson Buffett - it was a really good chance to get to know them better and just talk to them. Joseph actually served a mission but is considered 'less-active' now and Lisa is sort of investigating the Church. After that we went to the Crestridge building in Palos Verdes to help with the stake pioneer day activity. I was in charge of basketball and keeping track of the score in the different competitions. We were there for a good 5 hours. It was a good time for sure. President Baker asked our whole zone to go help out with it incase non-members were present. President Baker and I think alot alike. He's made a big emphasis on doing service and getting close with the members to receive referrals. He knows that we must gain their trust before they give us much information about their close friends or family who aren't members. Non of the missionaries (excluding the A.P.'s) see the president much. That's how it was with President Blackburn as well. We live at the bottom of the mission and never really have time to just go visit him or anything like that - you've asked alot of questions about him... but really, I don't know much about him. He's a busy man! As well as myself! So i'm sorry for that bit...We went to see Theo afterwards. He was in the garage, smoking, still wet from a shower. One good thing - he took a shower. He said that he needed to take one saturday so that he'd go to church sunday (something he's been telling us forever) One bad thing- he was smoking. I told him to put it out while we were there and he did. We talked to him for a good while and got him to pray. Only the second time he agreed to do it since i've been here. He cried at the start of his prayer and put his arms around me and said " I can't do this, I can't", I grabbed his face and looked him in the eye and said "yes, you can" he began again with tears and I really felt the spirit strong. He has a great heart but is just too influenced too much by his bad friends. Other missionaries and the family that lives in the house have called him "Elder Cottrell's project". Meaning basically "good luck" because no other missionary or member has ever been able to get him to change. I'll be honest, I was and still am determined to help him change his life around. I told him that I would be looking forward to seeing him at church the next day. He always says 'maybe... maybe' - this time I told him "there is no maybe Theo, tomorrows the day. I really don't want to leave church just to walk to your house and get you out of bed. You're out of excuses. I love you man but you have got to come tomorrow". He looked at me for a while, right in the eye and said "you know what? you're a pushy little bugger. But you know me and know that I need that push, I love you man" .

Sunday - Sewed button on Theos pants - $5

Gave him a tie and 2 shirts- $60

Gave him a pack of black socks- $15

Gave him water, sunflower seeds, and other food- $10

Getting him to come to church for the first time in 30 years? Priiiiiiceless

I can't even express how happy I was when I saw theo ride up to the church building as we greeted people before sacrament. He was on his best scwhinn bike, had his hair combed, wearing the pants I sewed and the shirt I gave him. He locked up his bike and walked inside. I yelled to him "Theo!", he turned around with a grin a waved and walked to the back bench inside the chapel. I sat right next to him and was sure to share my hymn book and scriptures with him. He had alcohol on his breath with way too much aftershave on but regardless - he was at church. Ironic enough, his brother and sister-in-law were speaking in sacrament. That was so good for him to hear their testimonies - I think it meant alot to him. I just prayed the entire meeting that he would feel the spirit and have the desire to become better. He only stayed for sacrament but I could have cried for how happy I was that he came. We're getting the job done with the Lord, slowly but surely He is changing his heart. Later that night we were riding home from an apointment that fell through when a man came running out of a bar to the sidewalk saying "Elders! Elders!", we pulled over to find out that his truck was broken and was getting towed. He was a member of the church but hasn't been in a really really long time. He was with some friends outside of the bar - as we walked up to them he said to them "I'm not ashamed of these men, they preach the truth. I am going to pray with them that the repair for my truck won't be too costly. You may bow your heads if you want, but don't judge us". Elder Sung and I were shocked to say the least. We've never really participated in blessing an... object. He prayed, we told him to get to church and told him what he's missing out on. He admitted to a heavy drinking problem but wants to come back. We've got another person to teach!

Monday- We biked. The whole day. It was smokin hot outside. I'm looking more and more like the people I teach (sunnnnny). We taught a homeless man in the park that made it all the way out here from New York. He had alot to tell us. We actually first met him on Sunday where he wandered into the church building. He went to two sacrament meetings and was really interested. We met him in the park and taught him about the Restoration and had him pray right then and there for an answer. I gave him a pare of some sweat pants that I dont use and a thing of crackers. He sleeps by the railroad tracks and doesn't know anyone. It breaks my heart to see people like this. I just want to help them. I've soon found out that the best thing I can really do for them right now is pray and tell them about the Gospel.

Tuesday- I'm out of time on the computer so i'll make it quick - we helped a family move that is headed to hawaii - one of my favorites - the moeai's- i sent a picture of them. I'll miss them for sure. We taught the Ifopo's again and had them ask us any questions or concerns they had before they get baptized. They're so great at following up on any commitments and talking about how they've progressed since we' taught them last. I'm so excited for their baptism.

Thank you again for all you are doing. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for all you do for me. You're great examples to me and i'm so grateful to be your grandson.