The work of Salvation never ends.

Well,

It has been an emotional roller coaster this week. I'm so sad to be finishing my mission, yet I also look forward the future.

We have seen miracles this week. We had two less active families and one less active sister come to church this Sunday. It was a sight to behold, to see the joy of the gospel begin to light in their lives once more, to see them decide to move forward and repent. Sister Rogers came to the fireside Thursday night and was touched deeply by the Spirit there. There were many things said (including Hope's second testimony!) that she needed to hear to strengthen her testimony and rekindle her love for the gospel she found only a few years ago. As we have worked with several less active families I have been able to recognize how these members do have testimonies, they recognize the spirit, and when they're humble, they are taught and directed into action.

We've begun doing more contacting around the members and others that we visit. Because of this, we found an amazing sister who is close to the Spirit. We had contacted her mom the day before and had come for our scheduled appointment. Her 30 yr old daughter Tasha answered and said it was a bad time, she was cleaning for inspections. We offered to help, but she declined. So, we scheduled for another day, wished her well until then, and began walking to another lead in the area. About 20 seconds after Tasha closed the door, she reopened it and told us to come on in and "missionary to her". She told us something told her to go ahead and let us in. She hadn't made it to church that day and maybe that was God's way of bringing it to her. It was amazing to see a woman act on simple faith and follow the promptings of the Spirit. We had a brief lesson that was filled with a sweet spirit as we discussed her desire for her daughter to have what she hadn't had. I know the Lord has a special plan for this sister and her baby daughter (that was born premature), and I'm excited to teach her once more before I go.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission. It was 18 months of shaping and molding and miracles. I know I wasn't a perfect missionary and that I'm still not a perfect person, but I know the Lord has shaped me in my weaknesses. I am so humbled by the experiences I've had. There is nothing like it in all the world. The people I've met, the things I've seen, the things I've felt, they have been woven deeply into my soul. I know the experiences I've had and the things I've learned will effect not only my life, but the lives of everyone I will come in contact with for the rest of eternity. Perspective. Humility. Faith. Charity. Testimony. That's just a litttle what I've gained. And it still passes all my understanding that the Lord has given me this opportunity. I'm going to miss it so much. I love being a missionary.

I love you all. I know this gospel it true. I know that God lives, that His son Jesus Christ made eternal life possible, and that this is their Church. I know families can be together forever and that eternity is going to be amazing. I guess Thursday begins the rest of my life (oh my goodness! what!? breathe...it's okay...it'll be alright). Time has gone by way too fast... There's nothing like serving a mission.

See y'all soon.

Love,

Sister Rachel Cottam, missionary

I'm a finisher!

Hey all y'all!

In our mission, we have quotes that we say everyday as we begin each companionship study: Our Purpose, The Standard of Truth, The First Vision, D&C 4, and Pres. Holmerisms. The statements that we say from Pres. Holm have been my theme this week: "I love tough things. I am first to do tough things. I do tough things first. I'm a finisher. I love being a missionary."  This week especially, the reality of how short my time really is has struck hard, but I love tough things. I'm a finisher. and I dearly love being a missionary. As I've pondered the last 18 months, my heart fills with eternal gratitude for this sacred opportunity to serve God's children fultime, to have a "divine tutorial" for the rest of my life, and to gain priceless experiences. I feel, as I'm sure many missionaries do, a deep saddness for the end, and yet, anticipated excitement for the future. Good thing this work is eternal :) .

We expanded our borders this week as we drove out to Gibson, Warrenton, and Lincolnton...a lot of driving ;). We had an amazing experience with a member in Gibson, the Kents. Bro. Kent hasn't been to church since his teen years. He has struggled with his strict upbringing and has a hard time believing that God could be loving. He'll never be anything other than Mormon, but he doesn't feel worthy to come back. Sister Kent is baptist, but very open and sweet. Her teenage daughter is full of faith and light. Bro. Kent was late getting home from work for the appointment, so we were able to first answer several questions the Sister Kents had. I loved sharing my understanding of simple and important gospel truths (and I'm grateful for my mission that has taught me how to explain them clearly). We Bro. Kent arrived, he was warm and welcoming, and as we began to talk to him, there was a sweet spirit. We spent a good while discussing his concerns (mostly us asking inspired questions and him answering). We talked a lot about the Atonement. During the visit, especially near the end, we felt the love of Christ so powerfully and tangibly, that he could have been sitting there with us. I know Bro. Kent felt it (even if on a smaller scale). I realized from that experience how this work isn't just about baptizing or bringing people back to church; it is about bringing souls unto Christ, about helping others mend and/or build their relationships with their Heavenly Father. There are many times that I wish I could do more for the people I meet, somehow ingrain in their hearts the things I know and love so that they'll love it too, but then I'm reminded over and over, that this is not MY work; this is God's work. After all I can do, I have to put it in God's hands, to simple plead for the welfare of those I'm teaching, and trust Him.

That's a good life long lesson to remember.

We found a couple of new investigators this week: Wanda and Kristen. We were looking for a less active sister, but she moved, so we knocked on the neighboring doors to see if they knew anything. Wanda was the first door we knocked. She didn't know much, but she asked if we could do some "bible studies" with her. We were happy to set up an appointment. When we came, she had a friend with her, Kristen. We talked about their testimonies and about baptism and they're excited to learn more. I feel that the Lord placed them in our hands. We've been concentrating a lot on the less actives (because there are so many in our area!) and the Lord is helping us find others along the way who are looking for more. "There are people all around you...they are searching for purpose...they are concerned for their families...they need to feel secure in a world that is always changing...The gospel of Jesus Christ as restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith" can help them! (PMG pg 1-2)

I love being a missionary.

Bless someone's life this week!

Love,

Sister Cottam

moved...time too short

Hey y'all,

This week we've seen miracles, had some trials, and were very excited to move to Thomson.

The grandma of the Thomas family who we've been teaching had heart surgery this week. We invited her to receive a priesthood blessing. She accepted and on Monday, the night before the surgery, we went over with our bishop and another brother from the ward. It was a wonderful lesson. We followed up with the Book of Mormon and then taught about the priesthood. The testimonies of the two brothers were wonderful and brought a special spirit to the visit. The blessing was simple and sweet and she was very grateful. Her surgery went fine and she's recovering. I gained a deep appreciation for the priesthood and how truly blessed I've been my whole life to have it always near.

We've worked a lot with the less active members here and have invited members to visit with us. We had a wonderful lesson with a less active young woman, Tytiana, and the young women's president, Sister Tindall. It was just as good for the YW president as it was for Tytiana, and Sister Tindall asked to come out with us again. With Sister Gardner I am learning how essential it is to gain the members trust by being a good missionary. As they hear our testimonies, feel our spirit, and see our efforts, they gain the desire to be a part of it. They feel that same missionary spirit and do more good. I've learned we're not here to only baptize non-members but also to lift and strengthen the members already here. I love it.

It was a busy weekend as we moved and cleaned the new apartment in Thomson. We feel so at peace there and feel it is where God really wants us. I love being so much closer to the people we are serving and how that will help us reach out to the areas rarely visited by missionaries. There is so much to do and so little time in which to do it.

This transfer has been a tutorial for me in humility and charity. I know the things I'm learning in these short weeks will change my life and I'm so grateful...even though the trials God gives me have been hard. I know the Atonement is real, not just in the lives of others, but in our lives too. And I am so grateful that it is! I love this work. I'm going to miss it so much. I have grown to more deeply love being a missionary this week than ever before! Good thing this work is eternal.

Til next week!

Love,
Sister Cottam

P.S. the picture is our moving crew: Me, Sister Gardner, Elder and Sister Gowans (serve at Fort Gordon nearby), and Elder and Sister France (missionaries in charge of housing)