Friday, October 28, 2016

Half Dressed, Completely Blessed

I just want to begin this week by saying thank you to everyone who wished me happy birthday. I felt so loved this week. I wish I could give you all a Karla Cox hug. If you see her maybe you can ask her for one from me. I'm sure she would have no objections. ;)
The morning of my birthday my wonderful zone decided to surprise me with cupcakes and balloons and wonderful things (crepes made by Frenchie, even makeup from Milan, Italy #blessed). The knee slapper about this story is that they entered my room to surprise me and sing after I had just gotten out of the shower and I started to change. Lucky enough, I still had my Velcro towel on. We laughed for days and they all received wet hugs from me in return. I really have such a great zone. And friends in my life. And family. Because I have been given much I too must give right? Hope to do my best in that endeavor the rest of this week and the rest of this mission and the rest of my life.
One more pic from my district that we took in the family history center library.
This Thursday morning during Relief Society, President announced to us that on Halloween, the square will be closing at 5 and we will have a mission dinner catered by Olive Garden, which will be followed by Narnia,The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Might've been the loudest cheer I've witnessed from the Sisters on Temple Square so far. It's hilarious what great pleasures we find in small simple things that we never used to appreciate, like movie nights and popcorn (A VERY rare occasion on the mission). President just laughed at us all and said humbly (the usual) "wow my popularity points just increased by a lot." Yes, President by a lot. (even though he was already super popular)
Love that man so much already. He reminds me of my own Dad in a lot of ways, and he has really helped me understand the importance of my calling and that I'm supposed to be here on Temple Square.

The other night I was talking with a convert and he gave an analogy of this mission. This mission in Salt Lake City is where the Saints moved and established Zion, it is where Church Headquarters is, where the Prophet and Apostles live, and where the largest temple in the world is. "...in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; AND ALL NATIONS SHALL FLOW UNTO IT."(Isaiah 2:2) So many nations visit Temple Square and hear the gospel here, and in turn we are able to share and spread the gospel online and outward. The man said, "Temple Square is the heart of the church in location and functionality. It is continuously pumping. The blood and oxygen that flow--the teachings of Jesus Christ--pump both to and from this heart, keeping everything alive and strong." Wow. Such a good analogy for me to hear to remind me of the beauty of this mission. People who come here are constantly helping to build my testimony of the importance and value of this mission. 

I am continuously gaining a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon. I never want to spend another day of my life not reading the words from this book. It is love sent in the form of words and it is such a powerful tool of conversion here on the mission. Friends and family, I am doing my best to preach what I practice and practice what I preach. READ THIS BOOK and you will never have the desire to leave the Lord's side. Reading everyday is really not so much to ask, knowing that He never leaves our side. 


Love, from the ends of my fluffy hair to the ends of my disfigured toes, 
xoxo Sister Cox

Last Pday we went to the corn maze. Here are some pics to display:
I still like to do handstands surprise, But hey doesn't it look like flames are shooting from my feet and I'm flying like a superhero? Lawlz
Love this pic because it combines two of my favourite places. ND and UT.
Sister Cochain didn't getting the jumping in the corn maze memo. It's easy to interpret a lot of different thoughts fgrom that facial expression hahaha

Friday, October 21, 2016

TRANSFERmation

Here at temple square transfers happen every six weeks. We get a new companion, a new assignment, and often move from one apartment complex and/or room to another. But because I am being trained, I will stay with my companion Sister Gomes another 6 weeks. We are in the same zone, with the same zone leaders, the same apartment room/building,
with the same roommate and we will still be in Guest Services. If you are calling temple square to book a tour or ask questions I might be there to answer your questions;) It's really relaxing and is a good change of pace from the rest of the day. Other assignments on Temple Square are at the Beehive House, Welfare Square, West Gate Desk, and Humanitarian Center. So fun so fun.


This is where we get to have sacrament meeting every Sunday morning at 7:30. We only have one hour of church on Sunday morning and then we are out on the square teaching about Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His church the rest of the day. Love love it.

A quote I really liked from conference: “… Kindness is the power that God has given us to unlock hard hearts and subdue stubborn souls.” (The Righteous Judge)
I have seen that so much here. People gravitate to kindness. It helps them to feel important and loved and as we share the teachings of Jesus Christ with kindness, people slowly open their hearts to us when they normally never would. It's an incredible and special experience.


The ensign cover for October General Conference features some of the cutest, sweetest, and funniest sisters on Temple Square. I almost feel famous for knowing them.   Sister Tageshike from Japan, Sister Sookhoo from Canada, Sister Carrasco from Peru, and Sister Davis from Idaho. The cover is in the Gospel Library but I don't think the new Ensign has been sent out yet.


The weather continues to be as beautiful as the sisters here on Temple Square. A fresh batch of babies from the MTC came this week as well as a bunch of sisters from their outbound missions. Outbound is when we go somewhere in the US for a normal proselyting mission for 2 transfers or about 3 months, and then we come back to Temple Square. I still have a long way to go before I get to that point. Hope all is well for you all my people.


Sayonara,  
Sister Cox

Friday, October 14, 2016

Friday Fotos




Foto 1, This is my favourite Norwegian, Sister Steffensen. She was in a band before coming to Temple Square and she loves Sufjan Stevens and Beirut as much as I do. She gave me Norwegian chocolate and ultimately that's really why I like her so much. :)

Foto 2, This is Cleiton. We found Cleiton through a member that came to Temple Square and he is living here in Salt Lake so we have been teaching him through the phone and he has come to temple square to learn. It's cool because we have so many resources here to teach him. He has also been meeting with the local missionaries in the ward close to him so he's been moving at a really fast rate. Cleiton is going to be baptized tomorrow. He is so incredible and we are so proud of him. He is the most sincere and Christlike human and his willingness and desire to do what is right is incredible. It makes me so excited for all of the people we will continue to meet and share the message of this TRUE AND WONDERFUL GOSPEL!

Foto 3, we took this picture this morning because we realized we hadn't really taken any pictures this week. Thanks wind for making an appearance with hair.



Au revoir, arrivederci until next week, I'll try to give more details in my email then. 

Friday, October 7, 2016

La Vie En Rose


One of the highlights of the weekend, I got to see my best frand!


We show different sections of Meet the Mormons at the legacy theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial building and today there was a huge family that was there because a family member was getting married in the temple later in the afternoon. They were all gussied up and the dudes had roses on their lapels. One of them (he was like 13 probably) was talking to us afterward and he gave me his rose and basically made my day. Such a sweetie. I'm amazed by the kindness that is just all over on temple square all the time. I thought seeing people getting married and families all the time would make me trunky--a phrase we use on temple square to describe a feeling of wanting to go home. (quite similar to FOMO) But actually, seeing people in love and glowy and babies just makes me really happy that I get to serve a mission where I am reminded everyday of the blessings we are able to have because of the temple. Heavenly Father has allowed us to be with the people we care about most in this world not just until death but FOREVER. Looking for living evidence and proof of God's love? There's some.
and this Ben brother of mine!
General conference this past weekend was so fun and so exhausting talking to people 18 hours of the day. I think my body just barely recovered a few minutes ago:) I loved it. I love people. Human beings are so cool. You're all so cool. 

Have a good week. Te Amo


Sister Cox