Week 5 Purple Gatorade..."I Am a Real Missionary"

September 10, 2018

Darwin is hot and humid, and somehow everybody continues to tell me that it is just the end of dry season. It is the beginning of what is called "build up" meaning it is getting hotter and more humid but no rain for another 2-3 months. It is beautiful finding weather, and then it'll basically rain for 5 months straight. I may or may not be here for that. The Gunn area (my area) covers the suburbs of Gunn, Bakewell, Ferrar, and Gray. I would say that 90 percent of the houses in Gunn and Gray have fenced yards and at least one big dog. It makes knocking kinda hard but I love it.

On Monday we had a purple Gatorade thrown at us from a car as they drove by and it made me happy, because now I know that I am a real missionary! I picked up the Gatorade and stuck it in my bike as a reminder. It makes me smile every time I look at it. People can think that they can stand against the truth, but in reality, I am as Moses of old and there is nothing that I can't do, because Jesus Christ is my rock and foundation. 

There are heaps (heaps is one of those Aussie words that just means a lot) of birds here that are beautiful and there are tons of variety. Grandma Jolley would have loved all of the birds, and all of the different colors and sounds they make.

There are these sweet Toyota trucks here called the Toyota Hilux, it is basically a diesel Tundra, it is too bad they don't sell them in the states. Also there are heaps of roundabouts here. They are so convenient and the States needs to invest more money into roundabouts and learn how to actually use them. Something I have noticed is that in Adelaide, it was hard to get hot water, and here you can't get cold water to drink.

The people here vary loads: Some won't even open the door when they see that it is us; some open the door and tell us to go away; and others will talk to us for 10 minutes and then say that they aren't interested. The work is hard here, but I know that it is when I am doing my best and still not seeing success, that God is testing my faith and dedication. I know that as I continue to push through the rough patches that God will bless me with success and fruits of my labors, even if it is not the blessings or fruit that I may have had in mind. 

Another thing that I realized this week is that you can simply go though the motions and be a missionary in deed, similar to somebody who just sings. Or you can work with your body and spirit and put your whole soul into it. Similar to when you might be singing a hymn and pouring your soul into it and truly feeling the Spirit. I don't know if that made any sense. It did to me.

I have also realized that the more dedicated and focused I am now, the more I will enjoy the moment, and the more that I will be able to reflect back on my mission and enjoy it for the rest of my life. This could be applied in every day life as well. When you feel like doing nothing, and you decide to do something anyway and strive to be productive, you will be able to look back on that and feel good about yourself. That is why one of the most repeated words in the Book of Mormon is "remember."

Life is meant to be lived one step at a time, but you need to have your focus on eternity and strive to always have a perspective that is growing. God truly does work in mysterious ways, and we can only see a small part of His workings. As we show our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, He will be able to trust us a little bit more, and give us a little bit more perspective of how He brings to pass His works. This week has truly manifested that to me. I still see such a small part, but I am starting to see just a little more. I know that as I live my life one step at a time, and just live my mission one door knock at a time, or one objective at a time, I will be able to have a more pure perspective of God's love for me, as well as all others who I come into contact with. God can only work miracles in your life if you give your life to Him and let Him shape it the way that will be most beneficial to you, and to Him. 

God is the master planner. My time here in Australia is limited. He will not waste my time, or His, therefore, He is not going to put me somewhere where I am not going to grow. This is exactly where I need to be, at the time that I need to be here, because this is where I have the most potential to grow, and where I have the most potential to help His Children grow. The same applies to all of you. God will not waste your time. He has a reason for where you are, when you are there, and what He has you doing, so please...do not waste God's time. 

Heavenly Father has given me these two years in order to help Him grow His kingdom. He truly doesn't need me or any of the other missionaries. He could easily do it Himself. Yet He loves me, and trusts me and wants me to be a part of it. I am not going to take that for granted. God gave His Son so that I could come home and live with Him. Jesus Christ died so that all have the opportunity to come unto Him and be saved through obedience to His commandments. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that as you read it, it will fill your life with insights that God needs you to see and utilize in your life in order to progress. Repentance is real and brings peace and happiness. Just as I am in the mission field and giving God my all, we all should be willing to give God everything, and He will give it back to us and give us much more than we ever could imagine. When you are on the Lord's errand, you WILL face trials, hardships, fatigue, opposition, disappointments, and multitudes of other hard things. But you CANNOT go wrong. Because when you are doing His will, He is guiding you, and all of those hard things will teach you to be diligent, patient, understanding, humble and ultimately teach you to become like Heavenly Father. 

Firm in the Faith

     -Elder Cozzens