Tuesday 3-29-11
Walking day today. Weather was perfect - we cooked hamburgers for our recent converts Jose and Jennifer. They seemed to like them but I think they'll stay with the Salvadoranean food. We waited for transfer calls - they call us at 9 30 to tell us if we're leaving the very next day... kind of a pain having to pack up and find a ride if you get called somewhere else. I'm staying with Elder Watkins for my 4th transfer here. This will be the first time i've had a companion for longer than 2 transfers - hopefully we'll be adjusted to each other and be able to baptize this city. Latino's receive revelation in dreams - all of them. An earthquake is coming to L.A. - next month. Get ready.
3-30-11
Woke up with a migraine and feeling not-so-great. Decided work would be the best therapy. We drank Jones Soda from a new investigator labeled "dirt, sweat, and sport cream" gross. I gave them to the Galea's who don't speak english. This new guy - leo - is very 'open', meaning he's read way too much literature and just believes what he wants from each book. He's a tough one to teach. (almost outta time and need to shorten every day - sorry.)
3-31-11
One time I was describing the Holy Ghost descending as a dove in spanish - I said 'pluma' - pen. the correct word is "paloma"-dove. They thought that was pretty funny. The Holy Ghost descended in the form of a pen. We talked to Esther today - she's doing great. She's read, gave a BOM to her mom and her brother - they're headed to the visitors center this sunday. Awesome! I'm super glad we went back to see her. We planned for a few hours - it was stinkin hot today. We really need a fan for our apartment. We watched the Restoration dvd with Rafaela and her daughter Alicia. They had alot of questions but Rafaela is going to get baptized! Alicia's daughter wants to as well - she's 13.
4-1-11
Elder Watkins and I have been talking about earthquakes alot lately. I decided that since I only have 1 april fools day on my mission, I better make the most of it. I was excercising in the room, he was in the living room doing the same. At 7 a.m. I slammed open the door and screamed his name - frantic. I told him the Pres. had just sent out a message telling everyone to get out of their apartments asap because 'the big one was coming' ( i was screaming all of this) - I told him we had to leave NOW. I ran back into the room and put on a shirt, he was trying to change but I just left - running. He threw down his stuff and ran with me. We ran out of the apartment, down the stairs and to the street - barefoot. I stood there, breathing hard - he was paniced and looking at me as to say "what do we do next?" when I smiled and said "APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!" he was soooo mad hahaha. Then when he was in the shower I sent a message to the ZONE - 25 missionaries - and told them the story so that when we saw them at the district meeting they'd be able to ask him about it. I couldn't stop laughing the whole day. I almost pee'd my pants. He was a good sport about it. Well the rest of the day we visited referrals and talked to Leo again. Really good weather today - we were able to do some fishing and get some return appointments.
4-2-11
Today we went to conference - wow. I've never looked forward to conference so much. All week long we shared a message with everyone about prophets and how amazing it is that we have many. It made me so excited to have the opportunity to hear their words. We watched the 3 sessions in the Huntington Park building and stayed all day. I got alot of good notes and inspiration/revelation. I think i'm starting to understand why dad always said "I look forward to General Conference more and more each time" - it's truly a blessing to be able to listen to these great men and women.
4-3-11
We woke up and went to watch conference once more. Again, so amazing. We watched the first session on a little t.v. in english and then in the Chapel in spanish because Alicia and her two daughters came. I'm sure it was kind of weird for them - it being their first time at church, watching a screen and hearing translated talks. The first talk they walked in on was about tithing - i'm sure they'll have some great questions for us. I gave Ruby, alicia's daughter - a BOM with mom's testimony in the front of it. I told her it was very special to me for 2 reasons - it had moms testimony in it and it is all compeletely true. She's very interested - probably the most out of all of them. I'm excited to see them all be baptized soon.
Well the work is really taking off - we've had many many baptisms in the ward lately and many baptismal dates set up. We have 3 with a date right now and many will be committed this coming week. We are back up to the highest baptizing zone in the mission. The weather is perfect and i'm happy. Thank you for your prayers, love, support and mail.
This marks the end of my second journal - time to start a new one.
I love you all, have a great week
Elder Cottrell
Me, Lalo & Edgar Lalo Guerrero & E. Watkins
Norma, Jose' & I before interviews
