The Best 2 years - February 12, 2017

I am overflowing with gratitude and my heart feels like it is swelling out of my chest. Words can't describe my emotions as I come to the close of the most incredible 2 years of my life as a full-time missionary for Jesus Christ, so I'm not going to try, but I'm going to steal the words of some of my fellow brethren:

2 Timothy 4:6-7

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

2 John 1:12

Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

I love this work, I love this place, I love these people, I love our Savior.

See you all Friday.

For the final time, 

Love Elder Cox

Love for the last time, ELDER Cox - February 12, 2017

Mom. Wow. Never did I think a computer screen would bring as much spirit and emotion as it has today. As I've been reading your and dad's emails and others and going through MyPlan has caused me a lot of reflection. And I am just overflowing with gratitude as I reflect on these amazing, spirit-filled past 2 years. I'll never forget them or the impact they have had and will have on me for the rest of my life. I'm excited, and even though I am pretty undecided about much of the future and don't know what it holds, I am excited for the transition and to see what Heavenly Father has in store for me. It's interesting that both you and dad both mentioned being in the moment. For our departing interviews president asks the departing missionaries to answer 2 questions: 1. Something we've learned that will help us the rest of our lives. 2. Something we learned from one or more of our companions. Being around President Badger for a while I've gotten to hear many of the common answers to #1: How to love people, study habits, personal prayer/relationship with Heavenly Father, how to be personable. And those are definitely all at the top of my list as well. But as I sat down last week in studies and made my list of things I have learned, 1 stuck out that I moved up in the list and that I decided to share with President Badger that surprised me: How to live in the moment, and still plan for the future. 

I realized in reflection that at the beginning of my mission, when I was being trained and experiencing the usual homesickness, that much of my homesickness was from the "disconnected" feeling. I feel like in today's world we always have so many text/snapchat/facebook conversations and other things going on that it keeps our minds from being fully invested in the task at hand. Of course as a missionary you get out of that mindset technology wise. But it teaches a very important skill of being able to be fully invested and being able to fully enjoy whatever it is that is happening. I feel like that has helped me so much these past few weeks be able to enjoy the end of my mission to the fullest because I haven't been longing for the day that I go home to come, like I have unfortunately seen some missionaries do so it was a blessing to know not to focus on that. I think President and Sister Badger think I'm in denial that I'm going home because I never talk about it but that's ok :) I love it here, I have loved every day the past 24 months and 1 day, I am going to love the next 5 days, and I'm going to love getting home and getting off that airplane on Friday. When the time comes. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

"Come what may and love it"

Love you mom,

Love, for the last time, ELDER Cox

February 5, 2017 - A Marvelous Work

I'm just in awe again this week at how great missionary work is. We have a song called "A Marvelous Work" that we sing here in the IDMM at every zone conference and transfers and it's just running through my head. This week was zone conference week and so we were out on the road a lot and around lots of missionaries which is the best! It's humbling to be around so many called, set apart servants of the Lord. The Spirit is always just so strong as soon as you walk in the room. Our training that we gave was on sanctification and being clean and worthy vessels. As we have studied for this training the past few weeks I've been amazed at the blessings that are promised will come into our lives if we just strive to live worthily and obedient to the commandments.

This week we taught Joseph again and once again were humbled by his spirit and desire to follow Christ. In his prayer I counted 4 times when he asked Heavenly Father to align his (Joseph's) will with God's. He said, as he held the Book of Mormon, "If this Book is true Father, help me to know. And if it is give me the strength to keep meeting with these brothers. I pray and give you my will and my heart. Teach me truth." Wow. I will never cease to be amazed at the humility of Liberian people.

We also taught Jeremiah, a member's boyfriend, with brother Collinwood, a stud med student. Had a bomb BoM lesson and his 3 year old son was flying around everywhere in his batman costume but it was a great lesson. Jeremiah has come to church 3 times already and is noticing the difference and peace that's come into their home since they started reading the Book of Mormon together. Just gotta help them get married so he can get baptized!

We also found out this week who my replacement will be. My favorite, formerly Spanish speaking, Elder Orgill! He's a stud I'm super excited. We'll pick him up on Tuesday at the departing temple trip then he'll be in a trio with us until next week then him and Elder Jakubczak will take over.

Well got lots of pictures from this week and last week so get ready to get blown up!

Love you all hope you're all having a great time watching the Super Bowl! Go Broncos!

Love Elder Cox

After serving in Des Moines for 15 months I finally went to sculpture park