Week 41

Hey Everyone :D

I feel abit like Dad; where has the week gone. 

I bought 2 pair of shoes (2 pairs of the same make of shoe), it wasn't really planned either it was oh, they have a sale and I'll need some new shoes soon (my old ones already have some holes in the bottom) so I thought while my area was in the city I should get some... yes... they're slip on (shoelaces are annoying to tie/untie esp when its wet) and I figured that crystal sole would be good so they don't wear out bc I remembered Dad looking at a pair like that before I left. 

That cyclone didn't even get us.. I think Hamilton is too far inland for anything, it's not even that windy. Yes I got that photo with Elder Pinono (my legs look really long and my body short for some reason....) Yeah, the weeks been fast we didn't get to teach Z and N this week either they were good to go for our appt but then they had a house inspection (inspections can be whenever) so we'll try again this week. We've had some interesting people this week; 

Billy Bob, yes that's his name, doesn't want to ask God if what we're teaching him is true; he wants to ask his Pastor..... Well he wouldn't tell you that what we're sharing is true would he now!! hahaha

Colin, we invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. so we follow up and he says he read "most of it" but he wants to talk about the "research" he did on the Book of Mormon. I coluld tell he didn't read or pray about it. I was almost going to be cheeky and ask something like "oh so you read the bit with Ammon slaying the elephant?" (or something else that never happened hahaha) bc he'd probably say "yeah yeah i read that bit" but i didn't....

A good exp this week; A a LA we went to visit her, She has 2 kids. Anyway, after talking she says "are you going to share a message" so I shared the first scripture that came into my mind; Alma 37:36-37 and afterwards she said "yknow, that's exactly what I needed to hear right now" and I knew it wasn't me thinking that but the spirit telling me to share that scripture with her

I shared with the kids from the park, (last week) about how Jesus was telling the Pharisees they would watch for signs of the weather and be able to tell what tmrw was going to be like but He had performed all the great miracles and healings and yet they still disbelieved that He was the Son of God even though they had seen these signs. (that's just what I had opened to...)

Well if i have to vote, they'll let me know. (Terri here - He has to vote. There is a new thing called iVote, so even if you are overseas they make you vote now)

Zone conference was good. Sister Nielsen (and Sis Rudd... it was more a discussion setting again) talked about having our "wheels" in balance and each of the 5 spokes; physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual; need to be ok as well so staying healthy and that sorta thing. Elder Nielsen taught us about why we're here (as in on our missions and in this specific mission) how we are called to a place by a prophet, seer and revelator and how that process works. 
He talked about how perfect Days are when we follow and are taught by the Spirit D&C 50:24. Here.
2 Nephi 31:20,Here.  hope is a light 'perfect brightness of hope' 
Ether 12:4. Here. having hope -  
How miracles are wrought by our faith and their faith 2 Nephi 27:23 Here.12:12 

and a whole bunch of other stuff which I could go on about but I don't have the time to type it all out.
Words of Mormon 1:5 Here. :P

Haven't been site seeing on P-day's just mucking around in the park.

Love you 

Elder Cox

Elder Pinono (from our ward here) 

serving in NZ Auckland Mission, and Reilly. 

They were excited to be able to see each other.

The snazzy new shoes!

Fire - dancers practicing in the park near where he lives.

And some more.

Nice clouds.

Week 40

HEY EVERYONE!

This week was alright, yeah... as good as an apostle visit, that's hard to match.
Elder Pinono is doing good, I'll ask again for the photo. It was only a quick Hi, what's happening / how's things photo ok see yah! bc yeah, we sat on different sides of the chapel and we were kinda meant to hurry once we were out of the chapel so quick catch-up in the carpark. 

So we had a Zone service this week on Saturday; Children's Day Carnival, we helped out setting up and running some things, I was at a Crossfit station Elder Gish, we did a yoke walk (like 4 steps of it) with the 250kg one, suffice it to say I couldn't even lift that haha. there was heaps of stuff. and guess who I bumped into while we were there. Carl and Meredith! AGAIN! And guess what Taylor! there were STORMTROOPERS there!! I have to get the photo off Elder Smith's camera. 

Elder Smith is also a gamer and a huge Zelda fan too so could you send some of the photos of me as Link to show him please

Monday was the strangest exp. I got my scriptures out to show a YSA a something at the park and like 5 kids surround me and ask "what's that" so I tell them they are scriptures and so they tell me to share something from them so I did hahaha it reminded me of the picture where the Saviour is surrounded by the children.

Z and N couldn't make it this week so no piano lessons. We found some new people this week from tracting, L said she would read the Book of Mormon when she wakes up in the night (which is apparently lots) and we're going to followup this week. There was another guy too, a little strange, believes we come from  aliens or something not too sure about his own beliefs himself I think. 

I'll see if I can get a shovel and dirt otherwise I'll keep doing parkour with the ZL at the park in the morning, I've learnt a 'vault' and a 'kong' (just jumping over tables) 

I don't remember if I told you but I got the FSY letters, I even got one form someone who doesn't know me they just saw my name on the board "You're probably wondering who I am" and yes Taylor we love real mail I think there was 4 letters and all the other missionaries at zone meeting were like "WHAT!?!?! why have you got so much mail?? that's not fair I wish I could get some mail"

I could reply to Siale if these emails weren't so long :P so I'll reply to him and then to this one, sorry if your one gets cut short.

Elder Bednar was the best part of last week, Elder Pinono was just a bonus hahaha and the cherry ripe mudcake was pretty close to the one at home, not as much ganache tho. you would've had one for my birthday, but I'm not there so I guess you missed out :P

Zone Conference tmrw with Elder Nielsen should be good too, but not quite an apostle :P

Love you all 

Elder Cox

At the Children's day Carnival where they helped out.

Week 39

Hey Everyone :D

It's been a good week ELDER BEDNAR IS AWESOME. I never would've thought we would laugh so much with an apostle. HE IS SO FUNNY!!!! XD we didn't get to shake hands, he came a little late and had a mission presidents seminar straight after so he had to leave. He didn't do a talk tho, it was a discussion with 500 missionaries (Hamilton + Auckland missions). OH YEAH!!! GUESS WHO I SAW! ELDER PINONO!!!!!! :D he took a photo, I didn't have my camera so I'll get him to send it to me and then I'll send it to you guys :). (Elder Pinono is actually from our ward at home here, and we've known this family over 20 years. Great family! Elder Pinono was hoping Reilly would get Auckland Mission, but he didn't...close though! So they would have been really happy to see each other!) Elder Bednar was really good. He was saying how we are agents not objects ie 'to act not to be acted upon' so he said with this kind of format where he doesn't have to give a talk/lecture (like General conference or a sacrament meeting) we can be active learners in a discussion and learn form each other and the spirit (D&C 88:122 Here.) He even asked what we wanted to do (emphasising his point I guess) [not exact quote] "So we can do this 2 ways, we can have an open discussion and I can ask questions and volunteers will answer or I could give you a lecture for 2 hrs. All in favour of a discussion *raise hands* anybody want a lecture? (I think someone raised their hand) Overruled." You could feel his spirit as he walked in. It was such an amazing experience we were all so just buzzy afterwards.

(Talking about the Chinese family they are teaching in this paragraph) Yes they are doing good, Taylor I need some help.... they said they wanted to learn piano so I said I play, I could try teach you.... but I have no idea how to teach piano.... I just started with teaching them how to read the treble clef, yknow, FACE and Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit. and any tips teaching kids, their daughter is 6. so we read a bit of the Book of Mormon first and then I teach them some piano. and yes they are expecting a baby in June.

We didn't get to see N and A this week, but N seems to be a little idk shy, not wanting to change kinda feel. we'll see how they are this week.

Service this week!! We helped that Sis again, Sister H and we had Helping Hands (sorry no photos... left my camera at the flat) and it was pretty well like that Youth Service we did, remember Dad? So I was shovelling the mulch into the wheelbarrows, good core workout that, I think I should just get a shovel and a pile of dirt and do that for morning exercise :P S is moving :/ but Ni said she'll pass his records onto the ward where he is moving to so those missionaries can take care of him.

I had an Exchange this week with our DL Elder Gish, he said 'If you need anything just call me'. He also really really liked those Sipah straws haha he had like 4 of them .

Elder Taylor is ZL somewhere yes, don't ask me where tho bc I have no idea.

Never heard of that guy.I'm sure I'll meet him, and there's tonnes of Aussies already here.

That's right. so at mission conference with Elder Bednar when we got back to the cars they had slips of paper on them with the needed repairs and estimated costs and NZ Area office Fleet guy and all I could think about was you, Dad doing that with the missionaries cars over there hahaha lucky I don't have a car hey :P

Photos;

We had dinner with the K's and they made Cherry ripe mudcake and gave us some of the leftovers mmmmm. hahaha

A view from a door we knocked... I thought it was nice

Elder Gish and a sipah straw

LOVE YOU

Elder Cox

Some leftover Cherry Ripe Mudcake from Members.

A nice view

Elder Gish with Sippah straw.

"Long as name for a road".

Elder Semu wishing he could take it for a ride!

Week 38

Hello Everyone

I don't have very much time this week because we had to do a bunch of surveys so that took up most of the time (I've got about 30 mins left and usually your email takes 50......) so it'll probably be a short one this week

 

Pops came out and tracted this week, we tried to find some new investigators but only found potentials. it's been hard to get around too bc Elder Semu's Bike is broken so we're going to try fix that. Dry cleaning is a rip off here - $27.50 for 1 suit with 1 pants. Funny thing this week we 'tracted out' a member who moved in, they're active. Bro + Sis M we found them on Fri and they found out we didn't have a dinner on Sunday so typical Tongan they fed us on Sunday. :D

The photos -  you just jump and hope it takes the photo at the right time :)

I will enjoy the conference :)

Maybe some of those 15 minute meals or 30 minutes meals from Jamie Oliver. it would probably be good to send it in paper because printing is confusing at these internet shops.

some photos of the fog...

Scriptures

Moroni 9:25 Here.

Moroni 10:25 Here.

LOVE YOU ALL :D

Elder Cox

Fog.

More fog.

Fog clearing.

Week 37

Hello Everyone :D

Yeah... everyone said happy birthday and I knew it was you who put it on fb because how else would everyone know had dinner at the WML's (brother S). oh yeah Sis Rudd HAHA she called on sunday "I can't believe I forgot to call you on your Birthday!!" 

Yes.... Elder Morley got transferred sadly .... and I got Elder Komi Semu from Samoa. Elder Phillips is gone and now we have Elder Gish he seems pretty cool. and Sis Tilley is training so haven't met her comp yet we will at Zone meeting. Elder Gummow moved as well and we have Elder Griffin who served with Elder Joseph after me. Also new Zone Leader Elder Smith, Elder Romney went to Taranaki to be Zone leader there. The other District, Elder Wangsgard shifted in and is with Elder Selma (both from Manurewa zone) it's like they just keep putting the same people in the same zones. I think Elder Prasad is still in the zone other than that don't know about the other district.

No ward activity on Saturday it was late afternoon (prevening hahah :P) when we were at bishops. before we went to dinner at the S's 

Yes Elder Fili will never trust me again with lollies HAHA. The cupcakes we very sweet if Dad tried to eat them he wouldn't of even eaten his half as he does. 

Well this week was kinda, Elder Morley "Bye members" then Elder Semu "Hi members" but we did teach (finally) the chinese family with the Sister who can speak mando and then we went the next day to do some service for them (see photos) Neru seems to like being able to talk to Elder Semu in Samoan.

And yes, It is Elder Bednar who is coming to the mission... our mission conference is on the 24th!!!!!! 

One of the members said a Sister Smith will be going to Syd north mission march/april so I figure you'll be feeding her if you see her, it was the K's who said they know her.

Here are some photos of me and Elder Morley having a little fun before he got transferred and a cool cloud thing I thought (one of them was on his camera so that's why it looks weird bc I took a photo of it on his camera)

Love you all

Elder Cox

Nice clouds

Reilly and Elder Morley playing around!

And again!

A photo of a photo on Elder Morley's camera.

(Don't know how they pose like that!!)

Reilly and Elder Semu.

Elder Semu and their investigator.

Week 36

Hi EVERYONE :D

Yep I got my box......I GOT A BOOMERANG!  Got some funny pics about the box too haha 

No news with transfers.... we never hear till Tuesday night or even wednesday 

but new rules; district meetings are weeks 2-5 and week 1 is a zone meeting and week 6 is transfers so if you are getting transfered no meeting for you that week so we took our district photo this week

Bit of a slower week ( I was going to write slow but no week seems to be slow haha), I think everyone has gone back to work and school bc it's been alot harder to catch them. M haven't heard from despite texting her. The chinese family were at an ultrasound on Tuesday and they just said to see if the car is there, that means they're there but that doesn't really help us seeing we don't speak mando but we keep trying, we actually tried to teach them the restoration in english but we lost them at prophets... so we just going to try and catch them while we have the member with us. We had dinner at the V's last night but it was only Ni and J and his 1yo boy S haha S (big S) just stayed in his room. J says your name is familiar Dad he worked for the church while he was in PNG and when I said you work at church offices he said that might be why, so let me know if you know him.

We've been doing this thing called 'scripture of the day' / 'pass it on' so we pick a scripture for the day and we go share it with members/LA and tell them to go share it with another member and then either a non-member or LA member and tell the person they share it with to do the same. so hopefully we'll get a chain going but we'll see how it's gone this week.

Monday evening guess what we saw; forget a double rainbow, it was a QUAD RAINBOW!!!!!!! but I don't have a pic, I didn't catch it in time wasn't there for long :/ 

So we went on trade offs this week and our DL has a car so we went to the country part of our area to see if anyone was interested, we managed to give someone a Book of Mormon and not too many others were interested but we had never been out that way before so we thought we would give it a shot. (some photos of that)

So Elder Fili (a Tongan) decided he wanted to try some of the Aussie lollies you sent HAHAHAHA lets just say he doesn't like ginger or musk and I don't think he'll want to try anything else you send me hahahaha (Terri here: I think this is just a ploy, so no one will eat his "good stuff", like his pineapple M&M's. hahahaha)

I got the family history I'll copy it out. (Thanks, Poppy.)

Yes... I do need something.... could you send those recipes.... I've only got pancakes and tuna mornay 

Love you  :D

Elder Cox

I GOT A BOOMERANG!!!!!!!!

(I think he's excited much!!)

Elder Fili trying Ginger bears.

Elder Fili's face after trying Ginger bears!!

Where they went in the country!

And another!

Sunset.

A photo of the missionaries in his district.

Week 35

Hello Everyone

Week was good. I should probably say great! :) we caught up with the Chinese family; the husband was home with the kids (not sure if the wife was home or just asleep) and so he came out and got me to talk on the phone to his insurance or repair place not sure which I think it was the repair shop about his windscreen it had a chip, and he didn't know what to call it in english so after talking to company about the windscreen and setting up a time for him to go in and get it fixed hahaha he invited us inside and we chatted a little bit (his english is a bit better than his wife) and set up a time to go see them on tuesday. The ward's doing well we're trying to catch S (Sis V's bro) he's been very busy with work. 

We met M this week she seems quite interested. Funny how we found her I think it was no coincidence (pls it never is a coincidence really) so we took Logan , one of the YSA's, with us to an appt but our wasn't home so we knocked on the house across the st and met her and she invited us in, and so if we didn't have Logan we wouldn't have been able to go inside (bc of the missionary rules) and she said after we had taught her the restoration "I was wondering how to know which church was you know... true" I don't think its just per chance that that's usually what we teach first.

Interviews was good, the training was on the Book of Mormon and how we can better use it in our teaching and the importance of our investigators gaining a testimony of it. We also talked more about the Standards of Excellence but really just focusing on the Book of Mormon. 

Yes February already. not sure that I want to be 19 tho :P hahaha

No we aren't near Hobbiton I think that's in Rotorua Zone

We are seeing N and A tmrw night Wednesday they were taking their girls to the park so we only said hello. 

Ask Neil Cummings about Moses Lasalosi; he served in the same mission so he might remember him we talked with him in the park Moses isn't in our ward but he's looking to move into it. 

More spies hey :P...... they just keep on enlisting.... yep South Auckland seems to be the 'training ground' most of the newbies end up there to start. I'm sure I'll meet her at some point....  (Someone has moved into our ward and their daughter is in Hamilton Mission!!)

Pops.... Pops (bro C) is our assistant WML, he practically lives at the temple :P hahaha and so one morning on the way to the temple he knocked on our door to tell us about our dinner appts for the week..... only thing was it was 4.30 in the morning..... yes I still answered the door and we had been at the temple lights the night before so I was really tired that Tuesday hahaha but he's good. Always has a story to tell as well. oh yeah the salad tasted fine haha

Very cool experience from Bond sounds like he was ready (Alma13:24)

oh yeah we found this house with steps to the wall.... no door hahaha so we took a pic (that's Logan)

Photos of me cooking.

Scriptures this week:

Alma 29:9 Here.

Alma 33:14, 22-23 Here.

Alma 36:3 Here.

Hope you guys have a good week :D

Love You 

Elder Cox

Where's the door?

Cooking pancakes!

Oop! Forgot to oil the pan!!

That's better! YUM!