Week 8 The Savior's Way...The Savior is THE Way

September 30, 2018

Events of this week

    On Monday we had another lesson with Michael, as well as on Sunday morning. He is still keen to learn, and we love him so much. He is the Gunn area miracle this transfer so far. Honestly I don't know what more to say about him other than he is so accepting of everything and willing to listen. 

    Tuesday we did service for Leslie, and it turns out that she had a conversation with a man who had researched all of the religions, and from his research, he had concluded that "Mormonism" was the best one, and that is what he would join if he were to join a religion. I thinkl that ignited a little spark in her, and she is more willing to talk while we serve her. 

     Wednesday was a good one. I woke up not feeling much motivation, but then I said a quick prayer as we were walking out of our flat to go running, and Heavenly Father gave me the desire to be motivated, and I ran faster than my companion that day! All throughout the day, I had to keep reminding myself to stay motivated and keep going, and it turned out to be another wonderful day in the Gunn area. 

     Thursday was the day that I prayed to have experiences that would build my patience and lemme tell ya...be careful what you pray for. The work took the longest, and we had almost nobody answer the door, and only found one person who might be willing to listen and when we came back from door knocking at 5pm...our bike tires had been deflated, and we learned the next day that they had actually been popped. We had another companionship pick us up and bring us to our flat and then that day just somehow kept going on and on and on. But through it all, I kept the perspective that it would help me grow and learn. And I truly did. 

     Friday we got different replacement bikes, and went to go finding, pulled up our bikes to a pole, just as an Aussie came out of his house and said "I have a nice grinder upstairs that could do with a couple of pushbikes...might wanna park somewhere else." He then jumped in his truck and drove away. Keeping in mind the events of the previous day, we parked elsewhere, and our new bikes were just fine. We also had interviews with President Marquis that night as zone conference was going to be on Saturday. President Marquis truly is chosen to be the president of this mission at this time, and is inspired in all that he does.

Saturday was zone conference, and the topic was teaching in the Saviors way, 

The Savior's way...He is THE way

    Heavenly Father has a work for all of us, and we may, or may not know what it is. I had a strong impression this week that God has a job for me that I need to be ready to do later on in my life, and my time in the mission is geared specifically toward that. Just as the MTC was training for the field, the mission field is my training for my life. The only way that I will truly be able to accomplish whatever God may have in mind for me, is through the Savior. If I were to do this work, or any work on my own, I would utterly fail. The same is true for all of us. The only way to accomplish the goal that our Heavenly Father has for all of us (Eternal Life, Moses 1:39) is through Jesus Christ. It is the ONLY way. Nephi is a perfect example of always relying on the Lord, and how he was able to accomplish all of the tasks laying before him. (2 Nephi 4) I want to be able to say the same thing when I return from my mission. I can do nothing, become nothing, accomplish anything as a missionary, save it is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Being humble allows God to work on us and shape us to the best we can be.

      By striving to become as the Savior is, we will truly be filled with a desire to serve others, as serving others, is only serving God. (Mosiah 2:17) If ye love me, feed my sheep. (John 21) And finally, put the Lord first, and all other righteous desires will be given unto you. (3 Nephi 13:33) As we strive to become as the Savior is, and follow in His footsteps, we will become His hands, and be more capable in all things. The key to becoming the best father, husband, wife, mother, friend, son, daughter, brother, sister, teacher, employee, employer, student, servant, or missionary, is to follow the WAY that God has given us. Jesus Christ. I know these things are true as I have experienced it throughout my life, and more vividly here as a representative of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My words are His words. My deeds are His deeds. My promises are His promises, and I truly know that I am fulfilling the potential that He needs me to have to be ready for my future. Are you ready for your future? How can you be more prepared for when Heavenly Father calls you to do something for Him, that nobody else can do...but you. The answer is Christ, and the answer always will be Christ. 

    I can promise each of you individually that your Heavenly Father is real. He loves you. He deeply wants a relationship with YOU. He wants a firm relationship with you, and if you only look to Him, He will bless you and help you see the perspective that you need to have to continue growing and fighting through the darkness of the world today. The Savior truly is the Light of the World. Come unto Him, and find that light. 

Firm in the Faith,

     -Elder Cozzens

PS -the typhoons are called cyclones here, and the most likely time they will come is in December I think. They had a little one called Marcus about 7-8 months ago. I hope I am in Darwin for wet season.

     -I thank Heavenly Father ALL THE TIME because the mission is so beautiful and I wouldn't have it without Him