MISSION!!!

1 week 3 days…and counting!

It coming so close I can almost breath down it’s neck! I am super stoked about my mission. I was really scared when we took Rebekah to the MTC. I think I felt as scared as she did. But as we drove onto the MTC campus and I looked around at all the gung-ho, excited, and energetic missionaries there, the Spirit drove away my fear. Now I can’t wait to get there so I can prepare to serve the Lord myself. I’m still a little scared of the unknown (and it doesn’t help that everyone keeps telling me it’s going to be really hard!), but I know I am on the Lord’s errand and as long as I have firm faith in my Savior, I will never have to fear, for I will never be alone. I love my God, and I love this gospel!!!

My mission president, Pres. Holm, sent me a cool little fact sheet on the history of the church in South Carolina, and I thought I’d copy it down for all y’ all’s enjoyment:

       Caralana as this area was originally called is a derivative of the Latin word for Charles—referring to Charles I, King of England who granted the land to Sir Robert Heath in 1629. The spelling was later change by King Charles’ son, Charles II in 1663 to Carolina. Over ensuing years (17th century) the area to the South slowly became designated as South Carolina and the area to the North as North Carolina. In 1729 the English officially divided the North from the South and the two became separate colonies. On May 23, 1788 South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

      Originally South Carolina (also known as the Palmetto State because of the Palmetto trees which grow abundantly in coastal areas) was an agricultural state but has evolved now to be a manufacturing state—particularly of textiles. Today it is home of more than four million people.

      In D&C 87 the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith a revelation in which he was told the time was coming that “war will be poured out upon all nations…beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina.” And so it was almost thirty years later with the election of Abraham Lincoln (who ran on an anti-slavery platform) that the Civil War commenced with an attack on For Sumter in South Carolina by confederate forces. For some, a feeling about the war and “Northern aggression” continues to run strong and deep and is generally not a topic of missionary conversation…

       Missionary work began in South Carolina in 1839 with the arrival of Elder Lysander M. Davis, who labored under difficult circumstances to establish the Church and build the kingdom of God. On at least one occasion he was arrested and confined in jail and yet would later write of his experience in a letter dated March of 1840, “The cause of truth is yet spreading in South Carolina, I have baptized three since I last wrote, and trust that the good seed is sown in the hearts of many other honest persons. If you have any elder to spare, who will be faithful as to enable them to preach by the spirit of God, send them here, for they may be very useful in this part of the Lord’s vineyard.” And so with that same spirit and attitude, we continue to labor in building the kingdom and bask in the honor of serving in this part of His vineyard.

      Though comparatively small in comparison to the total population of the state, the Church has continued to grow over the years and South Carolina now supports six stakes comprised of forty-seven units, as well as a temple located in the capital city of Columbia.

      The people of South Carolina maintain a rich legacy of pride in the way of southern hospitality and are a courteous and friendly folk. You will find them welcoming and warm.

 

So now you know about as much about South Carolina as I do—other than it gets really hot there. I can’t wait to serve the Lord!

(Speaking of “all y’ all”, my old singles branch president told me on the day we gave our farewells that he bet me an ice cream that I would say all y’all at least once during my return talk….I’m going to keep him to that bet.   )

Purpose of Life

This video is from Mormon Messages. 

To me, the purpose of life is to gain a body, learn and grow, and prove to ourselves and God that we love Him and want to return to Him. It is a time of probation where we learn through our experiences how to be like God. If we didn't have trials and hardships, we would never grow stronger and learn how to rise to the challenges before us. Life takes a lot of effort and energy, but it is so worth it.

Fun facts about the South Carolina Columbia Mission

Bordering states: North Carolina to the north, Georgia to the south

Capital (and largest city): Columbia

Area: 32,020 sq mi—200 mi wide and 260 mi long—6% water—ranked 40th in US

Population: 4,625,384—153.90 per sq mi—ranked 24th in US

Highest Point: 3,560 ft

Statehood: May 23, 1788 (8th state)

State bird: Carolina wren
State animal: White-tailed deer
State flower: South Carolina yellow jessamine
State fruit: Peach
State Gemstone: Amethyst
State Mottos: “Dum spiro spero” (While I breathe, I hope); “Animis opibusque parati” (Prepared in mind and resources)
State Quarter:

Alaska season

Well it’s been almost a week since I got back from Alaska. The season was weird. We had a lot of fish for several days and then had almost nothing. I heard from my cousin who is still up there that more fish have come, so that’s good news for those still working, especially my cousin who needs money for college. I ended up coming home with less to 2 grand. That’s a lot lower than previous years, but at least I don’t absolutely need money for my mission. I have wonderful parents and grandparents ready to pay. I and my sister made deals with our parents that we’ll buy all the clothes and they’ll cover everything else.
About a week and a half into the season we got to see bears!
 
My camera doesn’t have a great zoom, but you can tell there’s a mom and a cub. The mom was looking for salmon on the river at low tide. I loved getting to watch the cub run and play.

It was often cloudy this summer so I only got to see one gorgeous sunset, but it was amazing enough. the clouds there are beautiful because the air is so clean. On our first Sunday there we had the morning off. The river was so smooth. The picture on the bottom left is my sister’s work. It says “gloves”. Part of our job is to clean the floors in the break room. In order to get all the dirt up we had to scrub it with water and a stiff bristle broom and then mop it up.
Overall my experience in Alaska was good, though I wish I could have stayed longer. It’s been a blessing to be back this early though. We got to go see the final Harry Potter movie at midnight! Such an amazing movie! We watched the 5th, 6th, and 7th pt.1 with friends before going to the showing. It was a great experience. I also got to see some extended family who passed through town and begin preparing for my mission.

“You are assigned to labor in…”

I found out where I will spend 18 months of my life…
We called at the beginning of our dinner hour because back in Idaho, Dad would be home. We dialed all the calling card stuff and then our home phone number. My sister was on the phone. My mom answered and said we had to hurry because Dad had a church meeting soon. Mom then read the first few sentences of my sister’s call…Canada Toronto Mission, Spanish speaking. Her face was all aglow and she was jumping where she sat. She handed the phone to me. Mom spouted out the place, and I forced her to read the actual call:

Dear Sister Cottam:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the South Carolina Columbia Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language…

Tears streamed down my face as she read. At first I was disappointed to hear that it was in the states, but my heart filled with the Spirit of confirmation that this is God’s will for me. My heart was full with the gratitude that I was actually called to go on a mission, that I wasn’t denied.
Though many oo at my sister’s call and merely nod and smile at mine, I still know that I would not have been called there if I was not meant to go there. I am needed in South Carolina, God made that perfectly clear to me from the beginning with that very strong, very clear prompting almost two months ago urging me to serve a mission. We are called to where we are needed. I will not ignore a calling from my God. I know that He knows what I need, who I can help, and where my path will lead. I trust His will with all my heart. I am so grateful for the things He has placed in my way to get me to this point, and I am grateful for the opportunity I now have to give 100% of my time to Him for 18 months.
One of the great perks of my mission though, is that one of my best friends leaves on the 27th of July to go to that very same mission. How crazy is that! She and I will most likely get to be companions sometime during our 18 months. I am excited to serve with her.
Now I have two months to prepare. I know Satan will be hard on me and it will take a lot of effort to stay close to my Lord during this time, but I will strive to fill it with good things and do all the daily things that will help keep the Spirit close to my heart. I refuse to get side tracked now.

Alaska Week 1

Last Monday began a 4 to 6 week adventure one of the least populated states of the US: Alaska. I am currently stationed at a fish processing facility just outside of a tiny town called Naknek which is along the Naknek River a couple miles inland from the Bristol Bay( or in other words, on the south western coast of Alaska just north of the large peninsula and long chain of islands).
Monday was quite the adventure all in itself. That day alone, I was traveling or waiting to travel for almost 24 hours. At 1 AM we left home and drove to the Boise airport. At 7:00AM I boarded the first of three planes and flew for 1 hour and 20 minutes(most of which I slept), crossing the first of two times zones to arrive in Seattle 20 minutes after takeoff…talk about screwing with my internal clock. My sister and I then stored our luggage at the airport and took the Light Rail to downtown Seattle (30 minute ride) where we spent several hours at the Aquarium and walked through Pike Place Market. I’d have to say that my first time on public transportation was a good one…except that it was a little tricky to find the entrance to get back to the rail. We saw the Space Needle only from a distance from the Light Rail, but we did see it.
We met up with my cousin back in the airport at 2pm, checked in, and waited for our next flight. At 6:30p our second plane took off and we flew for 3 more hours to Anchorage, AK. When we arrived we heard our names among others being called for boarding our next plane and ran to our small gate on the lower level. There we had the fastest layover in my history with that airport. We were there for a total of 30 minutes before taking off in a small 30 passenger plane for King Salmon. It was 10:30pm, rainy, and still light outside when we arrived…typical Alaska. We got on a yellow bus and rode to the facility where we were given room in the simple bunkhouses and settled in. I finally got to sleep around 12:30 am after filling out my paperwork…which back home would be 2:30 am. I only got to sleep for 5 hours before I had to be up again, but that next night I got to go to bed supper early and got a full 10 hours in…it was heavenly.
Though my job up here is not glamorous, I do enjoy the simple wild beauty of the scenery around us. We don’t have any tall mountains in the area, but the tundra is deep green with vegetation, the river ebbs and flows with the tide, if up late enough (about 11pm) you can catch a glimpse of a gorgeous sunset, the air is so clear that the clouds have extra detail you will find few places, and every once in a while you can feel the warmth of the sun warming up the cool earth. Bald eagles and seagulls hang out in the river at low tide, bears wander through the area (no, I haven’t seen one yet), and mosquitos abound when it warms up a little. Alaska is a land all of it’s own, and I enjoy the time I spend here.

Waiting…

Right now I am waiting. In 30 minutes I will find out where the Lord has called me to serve. My sister who is also going on a mission is a lot more excited than I am. I think it’s because she has been anticipating this day for a long while whereas I decided to go less then two months ago. My feelings, though strong, are of a different sort. I feel great anticipation, nervousness, and a little bit of fear. I am a little afraid that the call will say I’m not meant to serve a mission and then I’ll have to change my plans all over again.
Plans aren’t the only reason why I would be sad not to go, because I received a very strong answer from God, one I was not expecting, telling me to serve a mission and if I can’t go, I will feel like I’m letting Him down. So, no matter where I am called to serve, I just want to follow the path God is laying before me. I want to do my best to learn everything I can and help everyone I need to help while in this life, so I can return home faithfully and tell my God that I have done as He asked, so that He may smile down at me and say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I want to keep my second estate so that when I leave it, I will be eligible to receive the cleansing power of the Atonement and enter my Father’s Kingdom sealed to an eternal family and capable of continual progression.
In my patriarchal blessing the Lord told me that He needs my help to bring to pass His work and glory: the immortality and eternal life of man. Though imperfect as I am, I wish to fulfill this request in every way possible.
Lord, let me serve you. I’m ready and waiting to serve your children. I’ll go where you want me to go.