Your Sacred Grove

As I walked into the woods by the side of the road with 17 other missionaries I was unaware of what was going on. We had wandered along the back roads of Columbia, SC, for a good minute and were baffled as to why all the hoax. Our mission president walked us into the foliage several yards until the road was no longer in sight, then he stopped and explained himself. We sang a verse or two of the hymn "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and President shared his testimony of those sacred events. He invited us, as we were about to begin our full time service to the Lord, to take a few minutes and have our own "sacred grove" experience, to gain a sure knowledge for ourselves that the gospel we were going to share was true. Then he left along a line of simple bright tags among the brush.

As the other new missionaries sought proper spots, I found a flat rock and sat upon it, facing away from most of the others. My mind wandered back to the day only weeks previous when early one morning I had left the campsite where my parents and I were staying and took a walk along a small trail weaving between the trees by the lakeside. I remembered the pure beauty I witnessed and the closeness I felt to my God as I took in His creations. As I walked, I felt the desire to pray and in a secluded spot on the trial by the shore I knelt down to offer up my soul, in preparation of the mission I would soon begin. My heart was full of joy and love as I expressed my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the gospel, for this earth and my life there. I remember the desire I had to please him, to fulfill His purposes for me and sought a final witness before I left that the gospel was true and what I was doing was right. My heart filled with the sweet light of the Holy Ghost and with love and joy. I promised God I would serve faithfully.

Now as I was again seeking a witness the shadows of that day, of the feelings I had felt, came to my heart. As I prayed, rather than beg for another witness, all I could think to do was tell my Heavenly Father that I knew it was true and that as I embarked on my mission I needed His help. I saw no pillar of light. No voice whispered in my ear. Yet I still remember it so clearly. It was a sacred time spent with my God. After about 10 minutes, I got up and followed others along the line of tags. I had no idea where we were, so when the gold trumpet shined through the tops of the trees my heart stopped. I realized where we were, at the Columbia temple. As I continued walking the image to that humble and magnificent house of God opened to my view and tears began brimming in my eyes, my spirit overcome. Why, I'm still not sure, but it did. At the tree line stood my mission president. I was full out crying as I shook his hand and looked at his warm, loving face. He smiled and welcomed me to the temple. As I continued walked to join the other missionaries that had arrived and to admire that sacred edifice, I couldn't stop thinking of how perfect it had all been planned out.

Inside the waiting room of the temple, President Holm shared his testimony again of the power of this work and how the temple and the celestial kingdom is our goal for those we are here to teach, not just the waters of baptism. The role of the temple and its ordinances in the gospel became much more meaningful to me that day. 18 months later, we returned again to that temple. This time, my service was ending rather than beginning. I was grateful to be there with my mission "parents" as we participated in the ordinances of the dead. At the end of the session when I entered that Celestial room, I was the first of the missionaries there. President and Sister Holm stood as I entered and we bright smiling faces invited me forward. I came to them and felt as if it were a shadow of future events, when at the end of my earthly mission I will greet my Heavenly parents, and they too will say, "You did it." and "Well done." as they embrace me in their arms.

Sacred experiences. A small trail. A sacred grove. A house of God. A witness that God lives and that He loves me. Elder Jensen shared a CES devotional in May 2012 in which he urged each of us to always stand in the sacred grove (virtually, not physically) and whenever we are experiencing life's challenges, to remember that place and the lessons learned there. These were my sacred groves. In a few weeks I will have the opportunity to enter the same woods where Joseph saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I am excited and grateful for the opportunity I will have to worship there, to thank my Heavenly Father for the amazing gift of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and feel of the sacred Spirit that remains among those trees.   

Different roads

" 'Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.' – Thomas S. Monson

"True ‪#‎miracles‬ come from ‪#‎God‬. Asking for His help with your life's trials and obstacles will open a way for you to overcome them. Life's journey may take you down a different road than what you had originally intended, but God will always be there for you.

"How have you felt God's power in your life?" (https://www.facebook.com/Mormon , posted July 16, 2013)


Different roads. I've seen that in my life very clearly. Going on a mission was not in my plans. Being 22 (almost 23) and single was not in my plans. Having the experiences I've had was not in my plans. Since I was a teenager, I felt like I would be one of those girls who got married young, would have to wait until I was older to go on a mission, and life would be picture perfect as a homemaker teaching oboe privately from my home. Well, it hasn't happened yet (though I still have plenty of time for all that to happen). So far I've traveled a very different road: the Lord sent me on a mission. I remember questioning Him so much when I received that revelation, but He was firm. So, not knowing what the future would be, I went. After the most intense growing experience of my life, I'm back. It'll be 4 months come Sunday since I stepped onto that plane, with my stomach in my throat and tears in my eyes. I didn't want to come home. I had no idea what roads I would take in the next few months and years, paths that would shape the rest of my life. I was scared, but I stepped off that plane, walked through the airport, and stepped through the door into the rest of my life.

Though my mission was probably the hardest time of my life, these past 4 months haven't been easy either. I had to overcome a broken heart from leaving my mission, and from which I'm still recovering. I'm trying to piece my life together, figure out what I'm supposed to be doing, what roads will make me the happiest. I've had wonderful times with family and friends and the ups and downs of romance, but now I need to figure out what I really want to be. I have just been going through the motions of life, trying to move forward, but I know I haven't been fully a part of it with my heart. This time right now in my life is the crux where I'm going to define who I will be for the rest of eternity...

How do I find out who I will be? Revelation. But even that only gives very small glimpses, crumbs of hope, yet I know the Lord will give me enough to guide me, little by little. In this last April General Conference, Pres. Monson said: "A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God." That is my recipe, my treasure map, my coordinates: obedience. The Spirit will be my step by step GPS guide.

Patience. It will come. After seeing the great blessings my Lord gave me by turning me onto the road of a mission, which I wasn't intending to travel at this time in my life, I can look forward knowing He'll do it again. No, so far things haven't turned out as I was thinking they would, but I know that the road my Heavenly Father is putting me on will be much better than the one I had chosen for myself. The blessings will be greater than I had previously anticipated. I just have to be patient and travel the roads as they come. I know my Heavenly Father will lead me down the best paths to eternal life and eternal joy. I trust Him. I know His way will be so much more rewarding and wonderful than I can imagine, even though the way may get hard.

I'm so grateful I chose God's road two years ago, and I pray that as He continues to guide me I will have the courage to follow His paths. One day I will find the right guy to spend eternity with. Day by day I will learn the lessons that will shape me into someone more like Him.  The Lord has and will continue to give me the tools to aid me in my journey to become Christlike as I'm obedient. Though right now I wish they would pass quickly, I can see myself in my old age looking back on these years and being grateful for the experiences I had in the timing they came.

priority...prayer...joy...His plan.

Life has moved forward at a very fast pace since I returned home! After one month at home, I was whisked off to school and have been neck deep in work (early morning custodial) and classes ever since. But, I am so grateful for the lessons in discipline and diligence that I've learned these past weeks, especially about the importance of setting aside time--no matter how busy and exhausted I may be--for the gospel. If I set God as a main priority, life has more meaning, the Spirit is with me more to bring peace, and I have more joy!

For my English Literature class this term, we've been learning about many wonderful works of literature. I had the opportunity for an assignment to imitate one of the pieces/genres we've read. I chose a Shakespearean Sonnet. I want to share it:

While other maidens long may swoon and sway

At sight of knights with shining armor strong.

I find no charm in men on steeds whose way

Will lead him far from home and me too long.

Though dryads, nymphs, do fall for woos of love

When dukes quite fair or simple shepherds sing.

Their fine words weaved in verse ‘bout May’s lace gloves

Allure me not; I know their hearts doth swing.

So princes flaunt your crowned heads no more

No treasures adorn my neck or face or cheek.

Of these such means so vain I will ignore;

For heart that’s pure, among the throng I seek.

            Yet joy fill my soul and in dreams ascend;

            I'll find pure heart to love: a dearest friend.

This poem is inspired by some of my past and recent experiences. :) There are things much deeper than the surface that are of far greater value. Fondness and swooning are nice, but when it is simple and sincere, it is so much richer and so much more wonderful and amazing.

One of the main things I have learned deeply these past few weeks is that God does answer prayers. He has heard the yearnings of my heart and has guided me and blessed me far more than I feel I deserve. Often, it has passed all my understanding that the events of this past month have laid out the way they have, and then my heart fills with pure joy and gratitude because of it. God has a plan for each and everyone one of us. If we'll just heed His guidance, the journey, though hard at times, will be amazing!

"Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:27)

We are infinitely blessed when we do it according to "His will. His way" (Pres. Holm).

Family: Eternal

It's amazing how the love for family, even extended family, grows with time. I got to see some of my extended family today after over 3 years, and it was a breath of fresh air. Upon seeing them, my heart just filled with deep love and excitement, and I couldn't keep myself from hugging every one of them (after I got over the shock of the two who are now 1 or more feet taller than last I saw them!).

It was a small taste of when I was riding down that escalator in the Idaho Falls airport, coming home from South Carolina. The only things that brought me home were my future and my family. I remember being sooo nervous walking off that small airplane, picking up my carry on bag, and then walking up that airway, walking through the small airport, and stepping onto that escalator. Fear filled my heart because I knew I was different now (a good different) and I was afraid of the changes in my family while I was gone. How would I fit in? Life was about to begin. Could I handle it? Oh no, life was beginning!!!! I saw my brothers and then the rest of my family through the security glass doors begin standing up as they saw me coming down. They just stood there, with smiles on their faces and pure joy in seeing me again, after so long, so many experiences, so much change. There they were, the people on this earth who I loved more than anyone else, because they had stood by me for so long, because they had a huge part in making me who I am, because I am sealed to them forever. I didn't know if I should cry or laugh or run or stop or...my feet moved, my head held high, my eyes tearing, and my heart breaking. I knew if I came home to them, it was all over, but I was so happy to be with them. I knew it had to happen. Life had to go on, because there were so many amazing things waiting in the future.

My mom was first. We embraced for a long moment, crying, whispering our love and gratitude, hugging more tightly. My dad was next. My heart filled with gratitude as I hugged him that I was blessed with a father such as him, a worthy Priesthood holder, protector, care-giver, and presider. I never realized how blessed I was. My sister, my dear twin sister was next. We had been through so much together! I whispered in her ear during our tight embrace, "I made it to the top," and, "Thank you for serving faithfully!" After 19 months apart, serving together in the work of the Lord, we were together again, having both finished with honor. What joy filled my soul! Then came my three brothers and their wives, little Jared, the new addition, and then mom again, and my sister again...I didn't want to stop hugging them or touching them. They were there, really there. I was with them again, and I loved them sooo much.

I refused to let my oldest brother roll my carry on, but undaunted, my brother's three were first at the baggage claim to grab my other two suitcases. How I love them dearly. I have such amazing examples of amazing brothers (now amazing husbands and fathers/fathers to be), and I am so grateful. I pulled my coat out of my carry on, and we walked out into the cold Idaho Spring wind. Snow on the ground, family all around. I was home. I was home. I was with them. We drove to Blackfoot. I was released from my missionary service (that was so hard to hear), and we went to a nice restaurant to eat. I basked in their presence. I absorbed their words. I took in every moment, still feeling as if I were in a dream. Yet, sitting there, with them, I knew my life was moving forward. I was leaping into the next step on my journey. I didn't want to let go of all I had been a part of for 18 months of my life, but life was going on whether I went with it or not.

I want to live it with all my heart.

Heaven would not be heaven if I could not have my family there with me. The power to seal our families together for all time and eternity has been brought back to the earth. It is available in Christ's true church. To me, there is little that can compare with the amazing power of the family, to support, guide, lift, strengthen, bless, teach, and love. They effect your entire personality and your very existence! It is a model of our heavenly home. It is divine and precious. No wonder Satan, Lucifer, is using all his tools of destruction, pain, anger, malice, pride, immorality, pornography, substance abuse, apathy, and indifference to tear it a part! If he can destroy the family unit by forcing in anger, infidelity, false reality, and even trying to change the very definition of what a family is, he will seriously cripple society as a whole and the very progression of our eternal souls.

Whether you have an amazing family, or only dream of one, I can testify that they do and can exist. I am part of one. It's not perfect. We're all still learning, but it is strong. Families like that are exactly what God wants us to have. And I am so glad to know those sacred relationships can and do last beyond the grave!

Oh, how I love my family.

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)