Straight Sluggin'

Today during breakfast, a slimy little friend felt like making my morning a little interesting. Our district went a little earlier to the cafeteria than usual because we were planning on going to the temple together afterward (we did and it was lovely). Because we went earlier there were not the usual 50 different food selections, so I decided on some simple granola and raspberries. (Seriously though, we are so lucky to have so much food at our fingertips, it's hard to think about how much goes to waste everyday.) Anyway, as I was about to spoon another mouthful of granola and berry into my mouth, I came upon a little dark slimy thing. My stomach just about dropped out of my body as I realized it was moving. I tried to calmly pour the thing off of my spoon and set it on the napkin. At first I thought it was some kind of worm but as it moved more the milk slid off of it and we were able to identify it as a slug. To say the least, we all lost our appetites after that and couldn't eat anymore. We suspect it came from the raspberries. And you all thought the orange juice here was bad. HA. The end.

On a more positive note, last Wednesday we got to welcome new missionaries to the MTC, help them around and get them situated. I helped four girls and they are all from such cool places and also going to such cool places. Thailand going to Austrailia (she had such a hard time saying it haha it was so cute). London to Belgium. Washington to Madagascar. And....Canada to Canada...hahhaha.

I just want to share how neat it is to be a missionary. When I read the scriptures, or read through quotes or listen to talks, it's like I am reading and hearing everything for the first time. It all has so much more meaning to me and I know that what I'm learning here has such an important purpose. Heavenly Father is preparing me to speak words that will help bring people closer to Him. Praying that I will be able to remember everything I have learned here so far. 

I remembered BYU started school this week and I have to admit, I'm not sad at all that I'm not starting classes again this year. I am a little bummed about the Football games though. Keep me updated on our season BYU friends.

To everyone else starting school as well in other places (NDSU, UND, UVU etc.), work hard, make goals, be yourself, have fun, and be safe! 

And I'm sorry I totally forgot to give my MTC address the week I got here but it's:

2005 N 900 E unit 98

Provo, UT 84602

ALSO IMPORTANT NOTE: my preparation day has switched to Friday as we being visitor center training this week. So I will be able to write and read emails on Friday, but not next Tuesday. I'll continue to keep you updated.

TE AMO, xoxo

Sister Cox

Handshakes and Milkshakes

The cafeteria here at the MTC has ice cream once in a while, so sometimes I mix in milk and make a pretty bomb milkshake. Also, I've never given so many handshakes in my life. The germs are spreading quickly, but thankfully I've been able to avoid sickness. 

District and me being awkward trying not to touch Elder Kafusi

The sisters and I in my district thought of things for every day of the week to look forward to because we are super cool and awesome team girl squad girls. 

Monday: Sing 'Manic Monday' all day because Mondays are just Mondays.

Tuesday: PDAY (TEMPLE, EMAILS, TIME TO NAP)

Wednesday: We wear pink. *Mean Girls reference*

Thursday: Play volleyball or basketball with the Elders in our district. Sisters rule, Elders drool. (But seriously the Elders are all much young, very baby.) 

Friday: Aloha Friday, we say aloha to everyone because Hawaiian companion. 

Saturday: Just realized we don't do anything on Saturday.

Sunday: Devotional in the evening and a film afterwards. And it's Sunday, best day of the week.

Cuz we're girls

On Sunday the Nashville Tribute Band came and I got to be part of the choir and sing with them and 1,703 others here at the MTC. Haha. It was pretty powerful. They aye a pretty chill group of talented man voices and they share their love of God with music so well. Look em up folks and listen.

Our weekly Sunday temple trips are so lovely.

I could say that every day has been daisies and thunderstorms but that would just be unrealistic. There have been times when I have felt really inadequate or when I have gotten sick of my companion talking about shopping everyday or feeling like I could be doing so much more to be better. But then I remember my family, Jesus Christ and how lucky I am to share with so many people how much I love them and how much there is to gain from completely welcoming the Savior into our lives. That's when things just get a whole lot more sweeto mosquito. It's amazing how my attitude changes when I'm thinking about what I've got instead of what I do not. I can't wait to get to Temple Square.

Forced affection given to Sis Williams. She said, "I feel like I'm in the womb again." yeah I seem to have that affect on people.

Heavenly Father loves us so much. I can feel it every day as I try to fit into these shoes that are much too big for me. As missionaries we have such an incredible honor and responsibility to share that love from Heavenly Father with others, because we are the only ones who can do it this way. Hopefully as I learn and experience more my feet will grow and somehow these shoes given to me will mold to my feet. Sorry if that analogy doesn't make sense I just thought of it on the fly and don't have much time to figure out if it's lame or not. Haha

Pointing to our missions on the map. Haha 30 min away and San Diego. 

Thanks for emails and letters through Dear Elder, they really help to keep a pup's head up.

LOVE xoxo,

Sister Cox

Scripture I loved this week: Hebrews 12:2

Empty Sea

Sister Suzanne Cox

Hello my dear friends and family!

Before I left, my nephews called the MTC (Missionary Training Center) the empty sea and I haven't stopped calling it that since. Ironically though, the MTC is far from empty. I think there are about 2,900 of us here right now. So happy to be part of this work. So many cool human beings here with so many cool stories and so much love for Heavenly Father.

This week has been CRAY-z. The first day was honestly just a blur and the days have been filled with so many ups and downs. It's so easy for me to loose track of the week. But my GORGEOUS companion is there to remind me all the time what day it is. (We literally have to  to be by each other's side 24/7) Bless her beautiful soul. Her name is Sister Fuimaono and she is from Oahu, Hawaii and she was recently Miss Tonga (kind of like Miss America but for Polynesia). She gave up her crown to come serve a mission and she will be with me on Temple Square. So yeah, my first companion is a beauty queen. How cool is that? We are so different but our brains connect so well sometimes. It's incredible. The spirit of God is a real thing my friends.

Sister Fuimaono and I in front of "Holiness to the Lord"

The other sisters in our room are serving in San Diego at the Mormon Battalion Visitor's center. So funny because I went there this summer, and I can totally see them there. I already love them. My district is superb and I learn so much from them every day.

The picture of the four of us: Sister Fuimaono, me, Sister Monson (not related to the prophet) and Sister Williams.

For those of you reading my emails or blog posts who are not LDS or Mormon, I'm sorry for all of the confusing lingo. Feel free to email me and ask if you're curious about anything and TO TELL ME HOW YOUR LIVES ARE GOING. 

My P-day (Preparation day, the day I am able to email you all) is going to be on Tuesday for the rest of my time at the MTC. I will be here for 3 more weeks, and a total of 4 weeks. (Sisters going to Visitor Centers have an extra week of training.)

If you would prefer to send me mail online you can also go through dearelder.com and I will recieve your letter in the mail any day of the week. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. I will talk to you next week. 

xoxo, Sister Cox 

She's there! Suzie goes to the MTC

Suzie entered the missionary training center today. She is officially a missionary!