Letter #86 (27th March, 2013)

Hey all,

This week has been great in really being able to start to focus in the San Nicholas area and getting to know the area and work with the members. They are very excited to have missionaries. We have seen a great attitude towards the work and our work has greatly increased. Our lessons went up to 30 this last week, and I can confidently say it was because of the assistance of the members. I really see now the inspiration President Schmutz had to move us from Labangon to San Nicholas. We had an interesting day on Sunday working with both wards, and officially announcing to the leaders in ward council that we had been pulled out.
San Nicholas is progressing well... we have a work schedule with the ward missionaries and other members and are even getting fed sometimes too (yay!). The only problem that we have found is that our apartment is relatively far from our area and it makes it hard for us to work in the evening because we have to finish work earlier so we can get back to the apartment on time. We are going to talk with Elder E about the possibility of getting an apartment closer to our area... maybe, we'll see. But both Elder R and I are excited for the work in San Nicholas.

I have had a really good week this week, apart form being really tired at then end of each day, it has been great. I have started to exercise more in the mornings, trying to exercise every day. It has been good and it helps me in the mornings I find. There have been some mornings recently that nave been a struggle to get up, but I try to push myself out of bed and get downstairs so I will start to wake up. 

We have had real success in the work with the members as we continue to focus on reading the scriptures each day. We have members thanking us all the time for reminding them of the things they need to be doing... sometimes that's all the members need, just a simple reminder of scripture study.

I have had a really good week this week, apart form being really tired at then end of each day, it has been great. I have started to exercise more in the mornings, trying to exercise every day. It has been good and it helps me in the mornings I find. There have been some mornings recently that nave been a struggle to get up, but I try to push myself out of bed and get downstairs so I will start to wake up. 

We have had real success in the work with the members as we continue to focus on reading the scriptures each day. We have members thanking us all the time for reminding them of the things they need to be doing... sometimes that's all the members need, just a simple reminder of scripture study.

Some elders in the zone were talking to me on Monday after district meeting about their ward and they said that it feels like they are forcing the members to fulfill their responsibilities and meetings. So I told them that they are there to remind, invite exhort, encourage and warn, but they should not force the members to have their meetings or do their callings. They said they will try this week and see how things turn out. All the missionaries are doing great despite the struggles and challenges here in the central zone... just this past week our average lessons per companionship per week got up to 28. I was so happy and proud of the progress we have made, and am positive we will continue to improve.

I'm loving the work right now. so much progress and it is just great to see people happy from them following the simple gospel principles of prayer, scripture study and church attendance.

Miss you gamay, (jujuju)

Love you tons

Elder Taylor Addison Cox