Things Are going much better....finally!

We picked up 5 new investigators this week, Black people with face tattoos, Janet and Estavon. We taught them really quick and asked them if they wanted to come to church on Sunday and they said, "Yeah. sure. If we have time." We weren't expecting them to come and then they showed up. It was pretty cool. They're from LA and looking to start cleans. Serena might get baptized this Sunday, which would be really cool, since we have been working on this one for awhile.

We don't know a lot about Estavon and Janet and their family. I don't even know if they're married. Hopefully they are, otherwise we have to get them married before they can be baptized.

Spiritual thought for the week: The word Gethsemane translates from Aramic to "oil press". Gethsemane was an olive garden. When you are getting oil from olives, there are two ways: one way is to put the olives into basin or rut and then use a round stone to go in circles smashing the olives until you get all the oil out. Another way is for the olives to be placed on a stone slab, then another stone is placed on top of the olives and they are smashed. Both ways involve immense pressure to derive the oil out. The Garden of Gethsemane is where the Saviour went when he took upon himself the pain, afflictions, and infirmities of the world (Alma 7:11-13). When he did that, the weight of the sins and pains of the worlds put on pressure, and more pressure, and more pressure until he finally bled from every pore (Mosiah 3:7) and the "oil" was derived. We call this event the Atonement. Through the blood of Christ we can be made better and whole. When we are sent to this Earth, we are going through our own little Gethsemane's. Pressure is added pushing out the worst parts of us and sanctifying us. But unlike Christ, we don't have to do it alone. We have Him and is His Atonement to guide us. .

Love to All,

Cody

As you can see, he is finally starting to come around. He has about 14 months to go and just emailing him, I can tell he is starting to get outside of his head and coming back around. He is enjoying his new companion and hopefully he will be able to get a few of the investigators to commit. If not, He will at least plant a seed for another missionary to finish up the work. Thank you all for your prayers for him.. keep them coming.

Merry Christmas!

Long Time, no Blog

It's been a few since I have blogged for Cody.  He is struggling, but we are hoping that he will get better and won't have to come home...again, but If he does, it is what it is and I am so grateful for his service, as is the Lord. 

He wasn't transferred but he did receive a new companion, Not sure of his name, I will hunt it down and share that with you.  He is a 300 lb 6'5 Black dude! He is too big to ride a bike, so they get to roll around in a 2014 Toyota Corolla (be jealous).

I will post more when I find out more.  Remember that Jesus was the first gift of Christmas and to
#Sharethegift.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Prayers for Cody

I'm not going to post his letters for the last couple of weeks, they haven't been very positive.  However, I do want to ask that you pray for him at this time.  He has been doing really well until lately.  He has some companions that really aren't following the rules,(Cody himself isn't totally obedient, it's pretty easy to follow a crowd) and we all know when that happens, the spirit has a harder time being there.  So, I ask that you all pray for him and his companions.

I know that they are all there to learn and grow, and Cody still has a lot of growing to do, however, he is struggling with depression again. Our Family is going to have a special fast for him on Sunday if you would all like to join with us that would be great!  We Love Cody and want what is best for him.  So please keep him and his companions in your prayers.  I will post pictures later.

Also, all Christmas packages must reach the Mission home in California on or before Dec. 11th.

Thanks for all of your love and Support.

DelMarie