Pictures 60-69

On the roof in Korea Town

LA

Korea Town

My homemade salsa

Freaking hot

Singing for the old folks on a rainy day

They were so happy to see us

Splits w/ E. Payne

Aloysa wong on her mini mission- I baptized her family a year ago

She's the one standing closest to me

Pictures 70-80

E. Maddox & I after the temple session

Marina Zone!

Elders Simmons, Maddox and me

It was like 105 degrees this day

Hollywood in my hands

Arkansa...stinks

He jumped... He caught him... gay...

Korean BBQ w/ E. son & E. Koo

E. Son's last week in LA

Ma Dang SAE

More Zone Photos

Sam's Zone before he left for LA- 2010- Hermana Dakay is in cream shirt (from Philippines)

Hola Familia

Tuesday 11--8-11

Last night we picked up an elder from the Ogden, UT mission - he is from spain but had to fly here to renew his visa. He spent the night with us - Elder Tuesta - he's serving in Hyrum. It was cool to talk to him and see how his mission is compared to ours. I'm gonna take him to lunch when I get home. We taught Mariana - she was on the Mexico version of American Idol - 'La Academia'. She's super super nice and wants to learn more about the church. We ate with the Guarnero's and convinced Cynthia to come to church in a couple weeks - she even signed a paper saying that she'll come. We taught Hua about fasting and the importance of Christ's ressurection - he's really moving along - he's even going to feed us on Monday. He's basically a member.

11-9-11

Service day - I pushed around a lady in her wheelchair that doesn't speak english - it was a quiet walk. She was super nice though. We had a lesson with Aphrodite - she committed to be baptized on Dec. 4th. I'm way excited for her. Plus it'll be our first 'black-tism'... we aren’t racist, we've just wanted to baptize a black person. Blessing: given.

11-10-11

We had zone conference today - we trained 3 zones on having an effective nightly planning session - one at a time. It went pretty well I think - President seemed impressed and we got alot of compliments from other missionaries - I got a cupcake from sister baker for my birthday next month - boss. We taught Israel afterwards - the missionaries that baptized him did not go in depth on the word of wisdom... so he's struggling. He is so solid - he just needs to tune it up a bit.

11-11-11

11 11 11... didn't even make a wish today. Bummer. We interview the district leaders and found out about the zone goal and how it's moving along. Everything else fell through today - I went on exchanges with my buddy elder Simmons - he's going home dec. 7th - we had a good time.

11-12-11

We saw the christmas lights being put up today - it was pretty exciting (at the temple) - as a reward to some sisters for winning 'torchin tommy' last week, we called them out of their apartment and gave them something real nice. I played the guitar and sang a chorus that went something like 'put it in the oven and then turn it on, just for a couple hours though don't leave it too long. Now go and tell your brother, go and tell your sister, go and tell your mommy that you torched tommy'... and then the DL's rapped. It was awesome and the sisters loved it. We taught Hua about tithing - he really understands everything we teach so well and commits to live it if there is any chance it will help him get his answer.

11-13-11

Happy birthday dad!

Hector and his son Brian came to church - bonus! We had to go wake them up though - do what it takes. After church at the singles ward we taught Noke - a less active member that's way cool. We are just going over all of the missionary lessons with him. We ran to dinner with bro. martinez and then drove down to the santa monica building on the beach to watch Hua perform in the stake recital - he is so amazing at the piano - asian... go figure. He's awesome. WE won the zone goal this week - torched our tommy 380 degrees... we gave the companionship that came in second place pancakes.. made with sprite. I'm sure they loved that.

That was the week - stay warm I love you all

Keep reading, keep praying, keep the faith!

Love, Elder Cottrell

Zone Leader conference November 2011

We are working hard!

Hey everyone, it was a pretty good week - hopefully you have all seen the pictures I sent last week -

11-1-11 tuesday

One year ago today, I chased a rooster around Wilmington for a couple hours. I miss that. We had zone leader council today - with the 2 new zones, there are 18 zone leaders in the meeting now - geez. It's pretty big. We learned alot about some things we'll be training on in zone conference in the next couple of weeks. We put together some things for our zone goal. It's called "Torchin Tommy" - we are cooking turkeys... by heating our ovens.. by doing missionary work haha it's hard to explain, but it's really funny and we hope it gets the zone motivated to baptize. We had a great lesson with William tonight at a members' house - he is SO close to receiving an answer.. I wish he'd just get it already. He'd be an awesome member - he WILL be an awesome member.

11-2-11

Happy aniversary Cami and Erik. I bet it was sick. Anyway, we did our service today with the old folks - awesome as usual. I took around Maria - she's from Egypt and super rich. She gave me money right off the bat so that I could buy something for myself. Bonus. She bought a ton of stuff. We finalized the zone goal and then ate with the Guarnero's - they are such good people. Really humble and always willing to help us out in any way possible. It's people like them that make this work that much more motivating to give it my best. We had an awesome lesson with a new investigator and her grandaughter near our apartment. She accepted to be baptized - we didn't set a date with her, but she said that she will. We went to "Milky's" frozen yogurt on the way home and some members hooked us up. I love eating for free.

11-3-11

Today was really stressful. President wanted to do team-up's with us so we had to make sure our plans were going to follow through. We were super late for our 6 o'clock appointment - the traffic was ridiculous. President, cristen and the investigator were all waiting for us till 6:30. It was a first lesson - we taught the restoration - it was very bouncy and rushed. I didn't feel comfortable at all. My comp threw out the baptism invitation and got shut down hard. Bummer. We had an appointment with Sam - a member that was baptized in NY because of Mitt Romney - we were supposed to meet with him at 7, and william at 8 - both at the church. We showed up at 7:40 with president... Sam pulled up and so did William. We decided to just have a group lesson - 2 members showed up to help out. There was like 8 of us. It turned out to be more like a class. We are to call william 'hua' from now on. (the way grandpa john says 'what'... without the T... aint got no T..) That lesson went alright - President complimented us alot on our teaching - I was still really stressed though. I always seem to be more stressed AFTER the fact.. that's how it always was if I was performing with my band, in a musical or for an audition - It's the same way with teaching the gospel. I always am more nervous and stressed afterwards for some reason. Although I was stressed, I still felt the spirit so strong in that last lesson with Hua. He is such a great guy.. he needs to be baptized so bad.

11-4-11

District meeting day - it rained - I loved it. We presented the zone goal - everyone seemed to like it! We really hope it goes well. I went on exchanges with elder Langi afterwards. He's from Tonga and has been out for about 6 months. He's serving in Malibu but I took him to my area today. He doesn't speak spanish so I did all of the teaching - but he did carry the spirit with him for sure. It was great - we taught Maria - she just wanted to bash when we showed up - but we talked for a while and she said she would come to church, read and pray this week. Awesome. We contacted a referral and then I treated him to some fancy McDonalds - only the best for the Lords' servants.

11-5-11

Highlights of the day - Hua came to the visitors center and we had a great lesson - one of the sister missionaries really hit home with him. We walked around the temple grounds with him afterwards and just tried to help him recognize any answer he might be getting from God. He now believes in God - awesome! That's such a huge step. I'm so grateful to have a temple and especially the visitors center so close - it really makes such a big difference for investigators. Then we ate at an all-you-can-eat brazillian pizza place for the rest of the night with some members - tomorrow is fast sunday - gotta load up.

11-6-11

Awesome day today - we had 3 investigators at church and 2 of them were brand new - they just came with friends. The singles ward here is amazing at fellowshipping and spreading the word. Seriously - they are so organized and focused on missionary work. They make this work so much easier. Hua came as well - I'm praying for that guy more than i've ever prayed for an investigator before - he has GOT TO GET AN ANSWER.

That was the week - Elder Matheson is a cool Elder - we are working hard. Have a good week! Happy birthday dad

Love, Elder Cottrell

Zone Leader conference

Happy Halloween-10-31-11

Tuesday 10-25-11

Today we had a meeting at the V.C. to break the big news to the zone. We told them about the boundary changes, the new zones and the new companionships. Their reaction wasnt as dramatic as I originally anticipated. Oh well. We ate dinner with the Guarneros' and had elder maddox tell them goodbye - we taught Hector and set up a time to meet him at the visitors center this friday - that'll be great for him. He really needs to feel the spirit more. His house is nuts. We spent a good part of the night packing - Elder Maddox is gone. R.I.P.

10-26-11

I got my new companion today. Elder Matheson - from Lindon, UT. He's a really good guy. He's been out for a year - in the ghetto. It should be a fun time and I know we will get a ton of work done. We went to his zone leader training and then went to the hospital in beverly hills to give a blessing. The man that needed the blessing was driving his truck through L.A. and started to feel chest pains. He went to the hospital and checked himself in, then had a heart attack. It's a miracle he's alive. He and his wife are from arizona. It was a real spiritual experience helping them out today - they will remain in my prayers.

10-27-11

I called a Zone Leadership Meeting today with the district leaders. We started to plan the zone goal for november - we are starting from scratch as last months wasn't as successful as we would have liked. We went to Malibu afterwards and had a weekly planning session in the mountains - it was so nice. We went to pepperdine afterwards to visit our friends there. We ate dinner with the Barahona's and then called it a day. I feel like i've just been driving for the past 2 days..

10-28-11

The district meetings went well today. We are starting to plan everything for zone conference in a couple weeks so we are putting together some musical numbers... since we have 1000 sisters in our zone... why not? They'll do great. I realized that I have to speak in the spanish wards sacrament meeting this sunday... and I don't speak spanish or have time to write a talk. Some of the sisters helped me to get it written. We were waiting at the V.C. for Hector to come.. and guess who showed up? David Archulletta walked in the door while we were just standing there. I guess he goes there sometimes to use the bathroom and change before he goes into the temple. He's really short. He said hello and walked out.. I guess the sisters see him quite a bit. Anyway, Hector loved the V.C. and said he wants to take his family there. The sister that helped us with the tour did such an amazing job - I just kept thinking of sara the whole time - she'll be amazing. We had a lesson with William afterwards - he's getting so close...

10-29-11

We had another zone leadership meeting to finalize plans for the zone goal. To honor thanksgiving we are calling the goal 'Torchin' Tommy'... it's all about using the numbers you get everyday to 'cook your turkey'.. we have a picture of a turkey and a thermometer for every companionship. As they fulfil their daily goals, they will receive points... which will heat up the turkey and raise the thermometer.. anyway, should be good. We met Israel and taught him the word of wisdom.. he's been baptized for about 3 months but apparently wasn't taught very clearly.. he's struggling with some things. We met with William again and taught him the 10 commandments - he loved it. He really is doing everything he can to get an answer.. we just have to be patient I guess.

10-30-11

Well I gave my talk in sacrament.. in spanish.. it was pretty ok I guess. I wasn't too nervous - the sisters did most of the work when they wrote it ha. We all sang too - so that was good. We went over to the singles ward - they informed me that today is 'our meeting with the baptists'.... 3 or 4 times a year the singles ward and a baptist church in L.A., go to one anothers' meetings. They help eachother in the community alot .. I guess it's called 'a partnership'.. ? New to me. Anyway, we had sacrament with a family ward, sunday school by ourselves and then a special meeting with the baptists. Their choir sang a few songs.. it was nuts. Mom and grandma would have loved it. They were dancing and clapping... the 'amen's' .. the whole nine yards. Our stake president spoke on revelation afterwards.. and I don't want to be rude, but it was super boring. Then their pastor 'pastor nicholas' got up to speak on the same thing.. Let's just say it was interactive. They had a question and answer session after he spoke. Did you know baptists believe we are already saved? I think I knew that.. but just never really thought about it. They have a sweet choir and are already saved.. sign me up.

That was the week (william came to church yesterday and did NOT like what the baptist pastor had to say... bonus.). I love you all and keep you in my prayers!

Love, Elder Cottrell

New Changes in the mission! 10-24-11

Mama and everyone,

We have alot of new changes in the mission - it's been a good and busy week - look for pictures soon.

10-18-11 tuesday

Today we drove to venice beach to visit a memeber - he stood us up. We looked at the beach a little anyway. We had 3 appointments fall through after that. We did some fishing and found an awesome family that let us inside. It's a younger couple with 3 kids under the age of 8. We taught about the Book of Mormon - they loved it. They asked if we were anything like J.W.'s - we said not really... they said good because they never let those guys inside ha. We tried visiting a family in beverly hills that weren't home - we had dinner with a member and then called it a night. Levi goes home tomorrow- holy smokes.

10-19-11

We went to the old folks home again today - it was awesome as usual. I took Gene around the market - she really really wanted to buy some grapes - we found her some. She wanted to try some guacamole on a chip from one of the sellers - she sucked the guacamole off the chip and then gave it back to the lady on the other side of the counter- I guess she can't chew.. It was super funny. We spent some time planning next months zone goal - I think we're going to focus on ChristLike attributes.. Our numbers are down as a zone - but the missionaries are doing great - we NEED to find more people to teach. We're doing our best. Levi is home - HOLY SMOKES.

10-20-11

Today we had our weekly planning session - we drove into the MOUNTAINS in malibu to get it done. We walked up a little trail and found a picnic table - it was so so nice. We couldn't hear any cars - only the stream and the breeze - it was just like Utah. We got alot done too! After that we went to Pepperdine - a.k.a Hogwarts... seriously. It's a HUGE campus on the mountain side in Malibu - i'm sure you've all heard of it - it was way way nice. We ate dinner with a member there - he has 3 roommates - one from china, one from the middle east and one from wisconsin - we gave them all a BOM in their own language and had a lesson on it - they loved it and said they would all come to church this sunday. It will be awesome to take the chinese elders up there - they need to build up their chinese teaching pool. We took PCH home - there was a ton of traffic - we rolled down the windows, turned off the music and just drove to the sound of the waves.. it was so nice. We had a lesson  at the VC afterwards with a member in the singles ward - it went awesome - good day.

10-21-11

We went to three district meetings today - the A.P.'s went to one of them - it went really bad. We were sort of embarrased for the District Leader.. We got a phone call later tonight telling us how bad it was. Neat. We are going to the district leaders' companionship study tomorrow morning. We should have a pretty good talk... We had a lesson with Andres - he is such a stud. He's only 15, the only active member of his family, and doing everything he can to help others. He needs to be 16 so he can drive himself to church! haha there aren't a ton of available members in his ward to take him - we're working on that.

10-22-11

Today we went to the companionship study of that district leader and had a good talk.. he just wasn't prepared yesterday. At all. That wont happen again. We did some service for a sister in another ward - we helped move some things from a storage unit to another one. It was pretty fun. Then we had lunch with a guy in the singles ward - he was super nice. We had BBQ - I haven't had that in a while - I think it's pretty close to my favorite type of food. This week is 'bring your friend to church' day in the singles ward so we have been challenging all of the singles to find someone to bring, and then let us teach them! We did some more planning this evening for the zone goal.

10-23-11

This morning we had our monthly stake-meeting. We met with Pres. Keeler of the santa monica stake, pres. vansweden and pres baker. Nerve-racking. We gave a 10 minute report on how the stake missionary work is going - it went really well. Our mission president called afterwards and thanked us for how prepared we were. He said it couldn't have been better and it was 'exactly' how the meeting should have been. Bonus. We went to church at La Cienega - it was the primary program - soooo fun. We had pizza afterwards with all of the kids. We went to the singles ward - a lot of people brought friends! it was a good turn-out. We had to leave early to go to Torrance for an emergency zone leader meeting - we found out that they are making 2 new zones in our mission because of the amount of missionaries we currently have. Elder Maddox, my comp, will be helping to open one of those new zones - he is going to be a trainer of 2 new missionaries. I will train a new zone leader here in Marina zone and be with him until I go home i'm sure. We received alot of new information! We had an awesome dinner/lesson with a less active family. We focused on prayer and how key it is that we do it every chance we get. We talked about how keeping a prayer in your heart and mind are vital to staying away from temptation. I've really learned this lesson in my mission - I feel so close to our Heavenly Father. I know that He knows this life is hard. The commandments He has given us are not 'rules' - but a way to receive blessings. He's promised us that as we pray continuosly and keep His commandments, that we will be blessed. We talked to a new member about tithing and the amazing blessings that come with that sacrifice. It was great to think back on my life and the blessings that I personally have received by making this small sacrifice.

I love you all and will talk to you soon!

Love, Elder Cottrell

Reading D & C and gratitude

Thursday 10-13-11

If I start today, I can read one section of D&C everyday and be done by the time I go home - to the day actually. I'm doing it. We trained another zone for 1 1/2 hours today - that was fun. It went pretty well! We trained on The Holy Ghost in Conversion - I really learned alot. We ate some korean bbq in korea town - that was good. I did a baptismal interview for Arturo tonight - it was the first one i've done in spanish - it was hard! He is ready though and will be baptized this sunday. I'm really excited for him.

10-14-11

We trained our zone and another one today for 3 hours - it went well. We are going over the Fundamentals again - the mission needs a refresher course I guess. We didn't have any plans tonight and didn't know what to do - our set appointment fell through. So we sat in the car and prayed to know what we should do. I had a feeling to turn on the cd player. We have been listening to general conference - it was Pres. Monson speaking. We just listened for about 30 seconds - he talked about giving thanks to everyone around us for the great things that they do. I turned it off - we looked at each other and decided to make a list of everyone that has helped us since we've been together - in any way - and write thank - you notes to them. It was an awesome experience. I really am so so grateful for all of the things the missionaries and ward members and leaders do for us each day to make this work that much easier.

10-15-11

We had an awesome lesson with Hector - he is really aching for a change in his life. We are doing our best to help him make that change. He always welcomes us in with a smile - that's so nice to have when so many people just shut the door on us. He will get baptized. I know it. We printed off some pictures to put with our thank- you's.

10-16-11

Long day of church! We had an area 70 come to our ward council meetings - they were great! We went to 2 baptisms - I sang at one of them. I really felt the spirit... I dunno what it is about the spanish wards and baptisms, but they are just... great. We were telling a member family the other day more about the BOM - we explained to them 'this is written by YOUR ancestors! Yours!' their eyes lit up - they loved to hear that - they came to church yesterday. The Book of Mormon is amazing... I wish I had better words for it, but it has truly changed my life. I know the words in there are true - I know it.

I love you all!

Elder Cottrell

Zone Leader Council Oct.2011

Elders Jahng, Conlin, Molinaro, Hall, Stenquist, Gilbert, Jones, Haslem, Wilson, Judd, Bennett, Jacobberger, Carter, Hill, Cottrell, Maddox

We had an amazing day.10-12-11

Wow time really is flying - I can't believe Levi goes home next week - help him to adjust by taking him to a movie his first day home ;)

I've got 10 minutes - i'll summarize the week.

10-4-11 tuesday

We had zone leader council and learned some awesome things about the atonement from P. Baker. We committed Bro. Guarnero's to be baptized - he rejected - so I guess we really just invited - he didnt commit. BUT he is REALLY thinking and praying about it. William talked about conference - he loved it! He took a bunch of notes - but he's stuck on some really deep questions that I don't believe he will get an answer anytime in this life. We're praying for him.

10-5-11

It rained today pretty hard - we went to do our service and instead of walking to the farmers market, we sang hymns for them. They ... kind of liked it? They didn't clap or anything - I don't know if it's cause they physically couldn't, or we just weren't good. I played and sang some songs for them on the guitar. We planned for a while and made a salsa - it was way hot. But way good.

10-6-11

I went on splits with elder payne - a korean elder. It was great! It was kind of a long day because all of our appointments fell through except for william - but that lesson was great! He's progressing and really giving it his all to find out if this it true.

10-7-11

District meeting day - they all went great. None of the districts met their weekly goals so I didnt' have to give them a prize - I was bummed though. Stake conference tomorrow. Nice.

10-8-11

We had an amazing day. We found 3 people ready to be taught - it was great. We also gave a blessing to a child of a former investigator - the family loved it and wants us to come back.

10-9-11

Highlights of the day - william came to stake conference, I met Bishop (now president Vansweden - know's erik and cami). AND Aloysa Wong - one of the people I baptized in my first area, was on her mini-mission in my stake! She has been a member for a year - her mom is a YW advisor - that really made my day. We taught a former - she just wanted to bash - and THEN she learned about the BOM. She's super interested - it was such a 'turn-around' lesson. I'm really excited for her.

10-10-11

Slow day today - went on splits and just counseled an elder. I really am praying for him hard... They are having some tough times. Situations like those  - where I am called on to counsel- have been such a blessing and learning expierience for me.

10-11-11

We contacted an investigator and taught her the restoration. She committed to be baptized on the 30th of this month! I couldn't believe it. I wish I could tell you more about it!

I love you all and pray for you daily!

Love, Elder Sam Cottrell

Great conference and super crazy week!

Heyyyyyyyy mama, I love you! Thank you for the letters.  It's been a super crazy week. I'll try to get my pictures for both transfers mailed out to you in the next couple of weeks. Congratulations on all of your success with your book! Are you going to send me one? Man, that's really awesome. My companion's name is elder maddox - he's from lewiston ut.. grew up on a dairy farm. WE are the ZL's.. every zone leader is companions with another one. I live in South Robertson. Do you and dad read the emails I send to you both? You should - I put the info in both. Sara will be such an amazing missionary - i'm really excited for her. Anyway - conference was amazing. It's almost better than christmas - the only thing thats missing is the phone call home to you all haha. I really liked all of the talks on missionary work - there were a bunch of them! This last week I had the opportunity to go on splits in Korea Town with the korean elders. It was really cool! I had NO idea what they were saying or what I ate, but it was a super super cool experience. We are having such a great time teaching William - he's really progressing fast. We have a member in the ward that served in China a few years back - they have really connected. He has gone from saying that he would never pray to a God that he doesn't know is real, to praying at the end of every lesson without us even asking. It's so great. He loooooved conference - he said 'it was beautiful'. It's been amazing to see his progression over the past few weeks. He's a genius. We presented the new zone goal this last week - I came up with this one. It's called 'extreme makeover: marina zone edition' (e. maddox came up with the name) - we are choosing 1 thing, along with setting baptismal dates, in every district - setting a goal to BREAK for the week and then going at it. I let them throw a dart at a special board that I made - it's got different prizes on it. SO, they aren't only working for baptisms and blessings, but also for whatever they hit on the board.. (pizza, picnic, cookies, zone leaders singing... things like that) It should be good! everyone seemed excited about it - we're hoping that it will help motivate the missionaries in this 'rich and diverse' part of the city. Well I love you all and am so glad that you enjoyed conference. Thank you for your prayers - I feel them everyday.

Keep reading, keep praying, keep the faith!

Love, Elder Cottrell

p.s. you're welcome to send more treats if you'd like!

I have no time... Sept 26, 2011

 Highlights:

I kicked it at chelsea hightower's house and got her to commit to bring friends to church,

 i taught Tris Imboden in Malibu (the drummer for Chicago) - he signed a picture for me... super super nice guy.

 He referred to Alice Cooper as 'Al'... he showed us Bob Dylans fridge that he brought over the other week.. and tommy lee jones' doors..

 And walked past Will Smith's and Pamela Anderson's houses.. 

AND we baptized Trey on Saturday.

 it was such a rad week.

 I donated my plants to the Ramos couple - they were taking over my desk. 

We found a really solid new investigator - john. 

William came to church again and even prayed!

 i got sick on sunday and got a blessing from our ward mission leader - then felt better and confirmed trey in sacrament meeting. 

I ate dinner with Hal Posner - the old CFO of Capitol Records (he turned down the Beetles twice before signing with them).

 It was a good week. Wish I had more time to write! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Cottrell

Busy week 9-19-11

9-13-11 Tuesday

Last day of the transfer - I will be starting transfer 13 or 16 tomorrow. Crazy. We had a lesson with a girl from Roy, UT at the visitors center. She's pretty much athiest and just wanted to give us a sales pitch for a pyramid-scheme job to do after our missions because she heard we were going home soon. Bummer. Some peoples children... We said goodbye to all of the missionaries leaving tomorrow - that didn't make me home-sick.. uh.. yeah it did. Oh well, they put in their time - I still gotta do mine - with a happy heart. I can do that. We had an FHE with a less active family and taught them about faith. It was awesome. We called out the transfers to the zone - not a lot of changes this time around.

9-14-11

Old folks home service today - highlight of my week. The lady I took around the farmers market was named Lorraine. She is Jewish and has about 6 teeth - she just turned 93 on monday. Bless her heart. Her grandson is a model for american apparel and told me about it the entire time - it was pretty interesting. She even bought me a strudel and called me handsome. Sugar mama. We ate lunch with a great member family and had a good lesson on prayer. It's time to build our teaching pool.

9-15-11

We didnt leave the apartment today till 4:15 due to weekly planning - that was tough. But we gotta do it. We helped bro. ramos and his wife move a couple of things - they really are the happiest couple I have ever seen in my life. She is pregnant and due in Jan. - they are so excited 'they could bust'. ha, get it? We ate with a member in the singles ward - he's about 30, an ingineer and loaded up to his eyeballs in money. BUT he's single. He sort of reminds me of Erik. He's a really cool guy - just got back from a surfing trip in Beliz. Anyway, he's one of the best members in the ward. We committed him to find someone for us to teach by general conference and he accepted - no questions asked. He's a solid guy.

9-16-11

District meeting day. Everything went well - I trained one of the districts on using the pamphlets affectively in lessons. We found out that one of the sisters in the zone had a sister pass away. She is in a part of her mission that is extended - she would have gone home last transfer - so she decided to go home for the funeral. Really really sad.. Sister Parra - pray for her. We had a lesson with Awah - he went to church last sunday - they talked about Kolob.. that was fun to explain. We had a baptismal interview tonight at the V.C. for a brother the sisters are teaching in the spanish ward - he passed and will be baptized sunday.

9-17-11

We had a mission leadership training today at the office that went super well - i'm becoming immune to long meetings and actually learning things from them. Neat huh? We had an FHE in the spanish ward. Ourselves, the ward mission leader, a recent convert and his mother are the only ones that showed up haha it was embarrassing. We still had the lesson though - we taught on the holy ghost and played a game with them. Funny.

9-18-11

Possibly the craziest sunday of my mission.. We had our 7:30 meeting - some of the sisters didnt show up. I tried to contact them but they wouldnt pick up - they just said that they werent coming. A member came into the room and said that he saw their car on the way over - they got in a wreck. President Baker called us and asked us to help him give a blessing to one of the sisters that was in the crash. We went to the emergency room and did it. She didnt break anything but is badly bruised. Right when we got back to church, before we sat down, a lady asked us for a blessing. She was complaining of chest pain and soreness in her left arm.. I told her to chew an advil and go to the Dr. right then... we gave her a blessing first though. We went to the singles ward and had another guy come ask us for a blessing - just a random guy in another ward. He was having alot of internal problems as well as work problems. We were more than happy to help. Church went great - awah and william both came! Bonus. We went to the baptism later and that was the week!

I love you all and hope you have a great week  - keep reading, keep praying, keep the faith.

Love, Elder Cottrell

Bird Lady songs 9-12-11

Tuesday 9-6-11

Today we had a zone leader council from 9 30 till 1 at the mission home. It was a pretty good meeting - President spoke on the atonement and becoming Gods... it was pretty deep but really cool. We ate with a guy in the singles ward and then had a long lesson at the bishops office with Kyle - emily's fiance. It went pretty well - he's really excited about elders quorum and committed to come check it out this sunday. The weather was way hot today.

Wednesday

The other day we were in a lesson with Awah - elder maddox had a zit or something on his head and was scratching it ... or something... i guess... during the lesson. Anyway, he somehow pulled out a huge chunk of his hair and now has a bald spot the size of a nickel. I don't imagine i'll ever stop laughing at that one. He also broke his watch the other day in a lesson when a fly wouldn't leave him alone - I felt real bad but couldn't stop laughing at that either. Poor kid. He's a really funny guy - purposely and non-purposefully. We did our weekly service at the old folks home - it was awesome. The lady I took was named Erna and acted like a bird the entire time. She kept yelling as I pushed her wheelchair through the market "IIIIIIIIII wanna go HOOOOOOOOMMMMMEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I just smiled as everyone looked at me like 'creep'. I found out that if I sang to her while we walked, she wouldn't yell. So I sang different songs as we walked and she'd comment and say things like 'very good' or 'and another?' it was pretty funny. When we pulled up to the convelescent home I said 'there, youre home now' and she said "oh freak, I hate this place" Oh well, I tried. It was way hot again today - we worked hard to find someone to baptize. I gave out a ton of cards and a couple book of mormon's. We had two dinners tonight - there is a girl going to BYU-I from here that asked if she could come over to the house for thanksgiving since she can't come back to Cali... sooo... I don't know if she'll actually come. Hope you don't mind! Even though I wont be there!

Thursday

Today we had a lesson with Trey at the V.C. - we watched a video and talked about the plan of salvation - he's pretty ready to be baptized on the 24th - it'll be great. As I was leaving, a girl kept waving at me - it was Leah Lunt from highschool haha crazy huh? She is working at disneyland and just so happened to visit the temple while I was there. She took a picture and said she would put it on FB so watch for it. She told me everyone at home is married or pregnat and married... gross. Anyway, She said I didnt look any different than before I left - that's good I guess? We took Leavin - a member- on splits with us for a bit and then had dinner with the Ramos' - they're a young couple, dont have much, and the happiest people ever. I hope my marriage can be as happy as theirs.

Friday

We had our district meetings - i gave everyone a cup, some dirt and a seed to plant inside. We wrote on the cups the name of our zone goal "faith, it's what you do" - they will grow their seed and find out what it turns into and the fruit that it brings forth - (alma 32) i was pretty excited about it ha. Friday's are busy... good... but busy. We had a good lesson with a couple of families - we had dinner at venice beach with some members and then had a lesson with Linda and Miguel - an awesome new family that promised to read and pray this week.

Saturday

We did a ton of fishing today. A guy let us into his apartment - we taught him for about an hour - just about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. His wife came home as we were leaving. At first she seemed kind of upset that we were there but then once she knew we were talking about God she asked us to come back. It was great! We taught anna and miguel - they're an awesome family as well. Miguel is struggling with some doubts but we are confident he'll get through them. Today in my personal study I spent some time writing down 30 goals I want to accomplish in the next 5 years... I have some work to do.

Sunday

Church was awesome - long but great. Allison - who was confirmed last week - got a calling today. She's a new ward missionary haha I can't believe it. She will be awesome! She made us some japanese food for dinner - it was a good day.

That's the week. I love you all and hope you're reading, praying and keeping the faith.

Elder Cottrell

Zone Leader Council Sept 2011

9-4-11 Keep reading, keep praying, keep the faith!

8-30-11 tuesday

Today we woke up and drove to the artesia building for the fundamentals. Elder Maddox and I trained on how to help investigators get to church... for 3 hours... to a grip of new missionaries. It was sort of intimidating and we didnt have alot of time to prepare but the Lord helped us out for sure. It went pretty well. I went on splits with Elder Hsieh (she-ya) - he's one of the missionaries in the chinese program that just started. He came here from Taiwan - he doesnt know much english but he's a really great guy and trying to learn the language as hard as he can. It's been great to go on splits with these missionaries this transfer - I always work my hardest. Thats really the point of exchanges - to show the other missionaries how the work SHOULD be in their area's and to give them support and encouragement in the work. We had a good lesson with Kyle - a fiance of a girl in the singles ward. He's not interested in the church at all but is learning for his girlfriend... it was pretty simple. We pray that he felt the spirit. We talked to alot of people on the street today. - A guy even showed us some pictures he took of aliens. Nice. August 30th... this will always be a memorable day.

8-31-11

Elder Hsieh and I had our interview and discussed things he can work on to improve his area and bring more souls unto Christ - he's doing great. We went to 'Fireside' - the old folks home - to do our weekly service. It's probably my favorite hour of the week. We get to help these great people in a great way. We walked down to the farmers market on 3rd street - right by the beach - and let them buy whatever they'd like. It's great to get to know some of them. Elder Maddox and I sort of planned a zone goal for Sept. - we have to present it to president next tuesday so we gotta get it ready. We have so so much to do in the next few days... companionship interviews, stake reports, mileage allotments, zone goal, exchange reports, get allison confirmed, ... i'm going crazy.

9-1-11

We had a meeting with the 'head sisters' today in the VC to discuss how we can have better communication and accountability with the sisters in our zone - that was fun. They're really great ladies. We planned some more and then picked up reports from the DL's, had dinner with the barahonas and organized our stack of papers.. busy day.

9-2-11

District meeting day - we trained in one of the districts on finding with faith - that went really well I think. It's so so important to talk with everyone regardless of their outward appearance. We had an interview with Elder Riska - a DL, and then went to the next district meeting - Elder Son - the DL was real late so I conducted the meeting and helped it along - he was stuck in traffic in Malibu. The Elders and Sisters in our zone are so great and so on top of things - they're all really great examples to me. We took some time to fill out stake reports and get everything ready for that big meeting.

9-3-11

We had a meeting with all of our district leaders today about the upcoming zone goal. We are working on having faith in the standards of excellence that have been given to us and every companionship baptizing monthly. We feel like it's a stretch, but we know that we can do it. The DL's gave us some positive feedback - so we went to the apartment to finish planning it. It's called "Faith-- It's what you do" Clever huh? I keep having these nightmares where a little girl is hunting me down. I think it's the stress catching up to me.

9-4-11

Church day. Allison got confirmed - awesome! we had a great meeting with SM3 as well as La Cienega. William - the chinese guy that knows NOTHING about God, came to church again today and stayed the whole time. It's SO tough teaching someone that doesnt have a christian background. I can't imagine how tough it is to work where jonson is at. He's doing great though - he said he didn't like sacrament meeting but that he'll be back again next week. Bonus!. I didn't feel very good today - I tried to fast but it made me kind of sick - hopefully I can get over that.

That was it! I love you all! Keep reading, keep praying, keep the faith!

Love, Elder Cottrell

8-29-11 AUGUST IS OVER!

I can't believe august is about over.. time is really flying.

8-23-11 Tuesday

Today we had fundamental trainings for all of the new missionaries for most of the day - it went really well - we are doing those trainings next week so that should be fun. We'll train from 9 - 12. I better know my stuff right? I went on exchanges with Elder Koo - he's in the Korean program. It's his 2nd transfer - he came to the USA straight from Korea. He's such a good guy. We walked the streets for a couple of hours and talked to people - then had dinner with some members in the singles ward. We had a lesson with another family and committed them to invite a friend over next week for a FHE. Sweet! We were a half hour late to our last appointment but showed up to the apartment at the same time as the family. It was perfect! We had a really good lesson with them about the restoration - i've got high hopes for them.

8-24-11

This morning we had our "P.P.I" before splitting back with our companions - we had a training for all of the mission leadership from 10 till 2 at the mission home. We learned how to work with our ward mission leaders more effectively. We had our last lesson with Allison and then she had her baptismal interview - she passed and will be baptized on Sunday!

8-25-11

This morning we did some service for Yvonne - her house has flea's. Lots of them. That was fun. We met Trey at the visitors center and watched the restoration movie - he is getting baptized on the 24th of september. We did some planning and then went to dinner - we set up another FHE for next week with some non members. We had a great lesson with some former investigators... and then they dropped us. Bummer.

8-26-11

We had our district meetings today - they went great - we didnt have to train - bonus. I went on splits with Elder Moli - he's from Tonga and played rugby on their national team. He's a tank. He's really probably the most humble missionary i've ever met though - he's a great guy. We had dinner with a great family and felt the spirit so strong - the father is looking for a job and we talked about that for most of the hour - we are praying hard for him. We drove an hour and a half on the super-busy 405 freeway to the mountains of malibu to meet an investigator.. we got up there - beautiful.. then called the bishop only to find that we were looking at an old ward list and he didnt live anywhere near there. Bummer. SO we walked the streets of south robertson for an hour and talked to everyone we saw - it was awesome!

8-27-11

 This morning Elder Moli bought us some Tamale's from a lady that sells them every saturday morning outside our apartment - they were a great breakfast. We had our "P.P.I" and then met back up with our companions. Elder Maddox and I used some time to plan the up coming training and zone goal for september - busy busy. We helped out at a wedding reception and then talked to everyone in our neighborhood for about an hour. We have so much to do..

8-28-11

Today we went to church ( we go to the La Cienega ward from 7 am till 1, then santa monica 3rd from 1 30 to 5 15) - we had a few meetings - I went to SM3 meetings with Mike Pace while E. Maddox stayed for the classes at La Cienega. We cut out early at SM3 for a baptism in Huntington Park and then headed back to the stake center for Allison's baptism. It went so well. She will be such a solid member of the church!

Love you all,

Elder Cottrell

8-22-11 The Lord was walking me through it!

Well this week was pretty great - I want to share one experience I had because I don't have much time.

On Wednesday I was able to interview a man that was prepared to be baptized - this was his final interview before the dunk. Anyway, he's awesome. We sat down and the first thing he said was "i've really been struggling with my faith this last week and i'm just not sure i'm ready to be baptized" I asked if we could start with a prayer. I said it... as I said it, all of these things started to flow into my mind of what I must say in order to help him. As soon as I was done praying I opened up the scriptures to Alma 32 and read verses 28, 29 and 30. I talked about not having to have a perfect knowledge to know that you should be baptized. I don't even remember all that I said throughout the interview. It seemed like a half hour when in reality it lasted an hour and a half.. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life. I was able to address his concerns just exactly how he needed to hear it.. I knew it wasn't me that was talking - i'm not even close to that smart. The Lord worked through me that day.. He guided me and gave me the words to say. Colin was baptized on Sunday and I was able to attend the end of it. He bore his testimony and thanked me for the counsel I gave him... I told him that it was not me.. but the Lord. He is awesome and so excited to start his new life as a member of the church. I wish I could express more fully the amazing experience that I had.. But just trust me when I say that I KNOW the Lord was walking me through that interview..

I love you all and hope you have a great week! Love,

Elder Cottrell

Elder Kevin R Duncan of the Seventy visits the mission

  SAM IS ON THE FAR LEFT, 2ND ROW

Sam's first Zone Leadership conference 8-2011

Busy Week! 8-16-2011

Tuesday 8-9-11

(yesterday on p-day we went to Bertha's BBQ in Inglewood with some members in Malibu - they own Elvis's Roll's Royce... We didn't ride in it.. but it was still awesome.)

Today we went to the mission home for the zone leader council. We gave a training on working with the ward mission leader in our coordination meetings - I think it went pretty well. We ate lunch and had more trainings for a couple of hours. It was a good meeting. People here are very forward with us - while going to an appointment in an apartment complex, a man came up behind us and said "hey, would you mind skipping my door please? I don't want to talk to you. Thanks" - gentleman.

8-10-11

At 9:30 today a lady came to clean our carpet - we left and did some interviews with the district leaders - just to see how the zone is doing. We went to the promenade - in front of the Santa Monica Pier - every wednesday we have the opportunity to push people around in their wheelchairs along the big farmers market there for an hour or so. It was an awesome experience - alot of random people thanked us for helping out. They were filming something there as well .. for 'celebrity vs. chef' or something like that - that was cool. We organized a whole bunch of stuff afterwards - handing out mileage allotments for the month and telling missionaries that they owe the mission money (traffic tickets, etc.) That was fun. We had a good lesson with Mary and Awah - it went well. Awah is really excited about the church... and knows that if he wants to mary Mary, then he's going to have to be baptized.

8-11-11

We had more interviews with the rest of the District Leaders today at the visitors center. We met with the korean program and the chinese program - it was really cool. They're all top-notch guys. We were going to do weekly planning but got a call to give a blessing at Cedars Sinai - the big fancy jewish hospital in Beverly Hills. We went in and found the room of the guy requesting the blessing. He was about 27 and was involved in a motorcycle accident - he works out here but his parents live in Sandy, UT. They had flown out and given us the call. He was in critical care.. I wont go into detail but he needed alot of work done. His dad talked to us for a while and then we gave the blessing. Cody - the guy in the accident - wasn't really conscious, but he moved his hand to let us know he was there. It was really hard - I can't imagine how the parents were feeling.. It was a great experience however and I felt the spirit really strong.

8-12-11

Today was the district meetings - we did our training on working with the ward mission leader in all 3 of the meetings. The zone seemed to like it for the most part - we are really focusing on bringing the ward/members into this work. We ate lunch and distributed mail afterwards. We helped Mary move down the street - we carried her couches to her new place. We had a good lesson on the plan of salvation with the Calderon family - 4 little kids under the age of 8. That was really fun. The family is really looking for help - and i'm pretty sure they just found it.

8-13-11

We talked to Andres about being confirmed this sunday - he's really excited and already planning on doing baptisms for the dead next month. He will be an awesome member. While we were planning for tomorrow I had a pair of scissors in my hand - I was acting like I was going to cut off the little 'nub' on my right ear.. I accidentally cut it. I didn't cut it off but I left myself a good mark - it was pretty funny other than blood being everywhere. I should have just cut it all the way off.

8-14-11

Church day. Church went awesome and Andres got confirmed - we had a lesson with Alison right after the singles ward meeting. She told us right after we prayed that after we had met last week she was sort of upset. She felt pressured when we asked her to be baptized on the 28th. She spent a long time praying and asking God what to do. She wasn't going to meet with us anymore. She had a talk with her mom about what she's learned in the church (her mom is chinese and doesn't know about the church) - later that night her mom emailed her and said 'i've never seen you light up and be so excited about anything. I will support you in whatever you choose to do with this church.' She told us that she knew satan was trying to get her to stop meeting with us - and so to counter-act that, she is going to be baptized on the 28th! it was so awesome to hear that story.. the spirit was so strong.

8-15-11

Today we had our zone conference with Elder Duncan of the 70. It went really well. He met with all of the leadership before the meeting and gave us some ideas for boosting the confidence of the missionaries and helping them fulfil their purpose with excitment. We found 2 families later on! It was a great day.

I"m out of time and have to go, but I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Cottrell

-It's been a good week everyone - thank you for your prayers!

8-2-11 Tuesday

Elder ferrin and I drove elder cornelio and elder cruz to the mission home and dropped them off - they go home tomorrow. We visited some members in his area, said goodbye to some in my area and finished packing. At dinner I was petting a pretty big dog.. right when I left I patted it on it's head.. for some reason it freaked out and clamped down on my middle finger. It was weird and didnt feel great. Anyway, it was a busy day trying to get everything done for the move tomorrow.

8-3-11

Woke up today pretty overwhelmed with what was about to happen. Brother Muller picked me up and we took the hour drive to my new apartment in South Robertson. It's one of the more 'ghetto' area's in the zone - but it's still nice. My companion is Elder Maddox - we came out together - he's from Lewiston UT and worked with cows his whole life. He's a funny guy. We had a couple of lessons that went really well - (I have 0 time to write this email so i'm going to summarize everything)

8-4-11

Today we had a meeting with all of the new zone leaders, the A.P.'s and president. It was pretty good - learned some of my duties and what I need to do during this next... however long i'm a zone leader. We had a meeting with our district leaders and talked about a zone goal. The rest of the day we planned a zone goal. It's called 'if you believe you can achieve'... catchy right? It's all about using these 'standards of excellence' and getting a baptism for the month of august - every companionship. We gave a blessing to a girl in a jewish hospital in century city... or beverly hills.. i dont remember. It was an awesome experience. I wish I had time to share it.. She's from arizona and was reffered by a friend that saw that she was sick on FaceBook. She's really interested now and said that we helped to change her life.

8-5-11

Finishe the zone goal and went to Staples to print some things off for the zone members. We had the district meetings - in the 3 districts we have, we spent a half hour in each, presenting the zone goal. Our zone is multi-cultural. We have the korean program, english, spanish and the BRAND NEW - FIRST TRANSFER EVER - chinese program - it's pretty awesome. Like I said before, most of the members in the zone are sister missionaries because we have the Visitors Center. They've been great - they really just do whatever you tell them, don't whine or complain, etc. We took out 2 service missionaries with us after that to see some people. The lessons were great. We had ANOTHER district meeting (the shifts in the V.C. are different so every friday one of the districts cant have their meeting until 3) The zone loves the goal and we are way excited about it.

8-6-11

Long story short - went to beverly hills, everything fell through, got asked to do a training next tuesday at the Zone Leader Conference so we spent some time planning that. Had a meeting with the La Cienega (spanish ward) bishop. Things have been great with Elder Maddox so far - he seems to manage everything pretty well.

8-7-11

Church day - we went to La Cienega from 10 to 1 . It was their ward conference and went pretty well - nothing too strange happened. It seemed like a pretty normal ward. Then we headed over to the Sawtell building for the Santa Monica 3rd Singles Ward. - basically college all over again. There are some really big people in that ward - Kevin Prince - the quarterback for UCLA is in it as well as Chelsea Hightower from Dancing with the stars. Everyone in there is either doing some fancy-pants residency to be a dentist or doctor - or they work in the film business. It's sweet. Everyone wants to be in this ward... so I feel pretty priveleged to do so. We had a lesson with Allison after church - an investigator - she wants to be baptized. Awesome. We ate dinner with some college students and then met with the elders quorum president. It went great. We went to the apartment and collected all of the numbers for the zone and sent them in - it was busy but went cool.

That was the week - thank you again for everything - everyone. I love you! Keep praying for me and i'll do the same for you

Love,

Elder Cottrell

Hey mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

How's it goin? Thanks for the letter, it was great to hear from you. That's awesome you're in SF right now, what did laci do for her b-day?? i need to get something sent off to her, i've been so busy. The bet you have with Scott Lali is funny - i'm really excited to hear about college football - it's crazy to think that i'll be home right after college football ends - and it's starting up in just a few weeks. Tell grandpa cottrell that he is right, you almost ALWAYS have to be a district leader before being a zone leader, but not in this case - I promise I was never anything more than a senior companion haha. It's been the busiest week of my mission - hands down. But it's awesome. I hate to say it, but you get so much more respect in this position... from everyone. It feels good - but I will not let it get to my head. I know that i'm just like every other missionary in the world - this isn't even a 'calling', its an 'assignment'.. So I know i'm no better than anyone else, just have more responsibility. Hey what have you heard about the Book of Mormon musical? EVERYONE asks us about it.. you should listen to the soundtrack and see if it'd be appropriate to send me - i've heard it's pretty good. Share this part of the email with everyone will ya? - The zone I am over is the richest in the mission - we have Beverly Hills, Malibu, Venice, Brentwood, Beverlywood, Santa Monica, Bel Air, Marina Del Rey and West HollyWood - I drive down "ave of the stars" every day. It's really nice. Almost the entire zone is sister missionaries because of all of the ones that work in the Visitors Center - also they only put sisters in the really nice area's for some reason. It's been awesome - but like I said, super busy. We cover a spanish family ward AND a young single adult ward that's english in Santa Monica - i'll talk about that more later. I don't have much time so I better write the big email. I love you!

Elder Cottrell