Bolivia week dos

Week two is down.

We still had a lot of teaching, but because we were more settled in, it wasn't as taxing...no, actually, I was still exhausted. I found myself often, right before beginning lessons for the day, wishing I could just take the afternoon off, but once I get in the lesson, I'm so grateful I'm there, getting to help these musicians improve in their chosen craft. On Thursday and Friday, we got to spend a lot of time with the wind orchestra from the village Vinto (like an outer suburb of Cochabamba) to help them finish preparing for their concert on Thursday. We spent 3 hours in a rehearsal with them Thursday morning at the foundation, and then a preconcert rehearsal at a small, beautiful church building in the Vinto village on Friday afternoon. The concert was fun--not because the music was amazing, but because it was enjoyable watching the young kids playing their string instruments and then working with our wind group. The audience was mostly relatives, taking pictures whenever their child was performing.

On Thursday we had our first of two concerts with the foundation's top orchestra. It has been quite the challenge to learn the music well enough to get by, and I was praying quite a bit during the concert that I would be able to play well enough to be a support to the group. On one of our pieces, Bacchanelle, there is a beautiful oboe solo at the very beginning (just oboe, no orchestra...) In rehearsal on Wednesday, my octave decided to have water in it as I tried to played the solo. I was worried that would happen again and took precautions: swabbing often, etc. The piece before was a Rossini overture which put me in my upper octave with that key for about half the piece. Near the end of the overture, my intuition was yelling at me warning me that that was probably the cause of the watery trap, but I didn't take the extra precaution to give the key the good blow out, due to worry about having time to do so (next time I'm going to tell Giovanni that I need a minute to clean it out before playing the solo...). As I began the solo, the water threatened, but didn't gargle until about the third high note. By then it was too late to stop and I just played through the solo to the end (thankfully there were only one or two more high notes after that point). Immediately afterwards I broke out the swab and paper to clear out the key, missing about 20 measures of tutti, but I didn't care (because I hadn't practiced that part well enough anyway). I received several compliments after the concert and my classmates told me I played through it really well (which I do agree with). I'm grateful the concert was a success, and that we were able to contribute. We have another one on the 21st. Maybe I'll get a little more time to practice before then (*fingers crossed*).

On Saturday we had the opportunity to join the young single adults from the ward we are attending for a service activity. We went to an assisted living home and gave them a good time. My flutist classmate and I played a duet as part of the talent show. They had drink and cookies for refreshments (I only got a drink because they gave the treats to the residents before taking any for ourselves and there was none left). And then they played some tunes and we invited residents to dance or visited with them (or other YSA). I got to dance with a cute short lady who seemed more indigenous. She had a broad, broken smile and loved the chance to move her feet and arms. We only did one dance move (shuffling the feet and moving our arms back and forth), but that was all she needed. They played Latin music, some more traditional Bolivian music, and even some 1950's US swing music (I pulled Nadine up to teach her the couple of swing moves I could remember)! We had a wonderful time. One of the nuns caring for the residents thanked us with a full heart for giving some of our time to the residents (then she gave us the score of the world cup game, hahaha!).

I found myself walking away from that so grateful that the Church encourages those types of activities. The reason why I have had many service opportunities in my life is because of my membership in the Church, and it has been a huge blessing in my life. This whole trip is basically a service opportunity, seeing as how we paid a lot of our own way to get here and are not getting paid to teach. Getting to know the people here and experiencing pieces of the culture have been life-changing experiences. I am loving it so much (even with the occasional upset stomach from the food) and thank my Heavenly Father everyday that I get to be here. While I will be happy to be home again next month, I'm am truly going to miss this place and the people here.

Bolivia week Uno

One week down, three to go (plus one in Peru but that one is just for fun).

We arrived in Cochabamba last Saturday afternoon after spending the morning in the Law Paz airport. Our flight overnight from Miami to La Paz was my first overnight flight. After being on and off planes all day, it was very hard to get comfortable enough on that flight to sleep very soundly. We were all very grateful when we walked off the plane in Cochabamba, knowing we wouldn't have to get on another one for a month! In the Law Paz airport the culture shock already began hitting. Everything was in Spanish, there were a lot of locals around, the altitude was really high, and even Subway didn't taste like Subway. It was interesting observing the culture there though. Being World Cup time, it was interesting to see how dedicated people in South America are to it. Even the security PMs were standing where they could see the game instead of doing their rounds with their sticks hanging on their belts (I didn't know if I felt safer or more vulnerable with them around... and security guards are everywhere in Bolivia: banks, grocery stores, malls and even one in a white shirt and tie at the temple gate-but him I like). We also saw two wedding groups walk through the airport. The brides had white dresses and white flakes of something on top of their heads. The grooms were in clean white or tan local clothes. I bought a cool stitched wallet there :).

Silvia, the director of the foundation where we are teaching, met us at the airport. We packed everything into her ranger type car and packed in with 4 in back and me in front with a car seat on my lap. The traffic moves so differently here. Silvia explained that going with the flow of traffic often trumps the rules. I sometimes feel like it's survival of the fittest. We take taxis everywhere we go, packing all five of us (2 in front, 3 in back) in.

The first weekend was slow. We mostly got our bearings, got food, went to church with Nadine(the only member at the foundation) and watched the world cup. Come Monday afternoon though, we were thrown into the frying pan, ready or not. That's when it really hit me that I know no Spanish whatsoever. I was actually really grateful my brass class couldn't make it that day, because I was already so overwhelmed without having to remember how to play brass instruments.

I have been assigned several different groups because they don't have any oboe players at the foundation. I have a mixed brass group (a couple trumpets, a trombone, and a younger kid playing something they call a fliscorno but actually looks like a small marching baritone in E flat), a clarinet and sax group, helping some with the small beginning wind orchestra, helping run woodwind sectionals for the top orchestra, and helping teach a wind ensemble Silvia pulled together especially for us (it's like a skeleton of a band pulled from the top orchestra, but we are loving it!). This means I'm teaching for a couple or more hours everyday, which means making lesson plans, writing reflections, trying to learn some key Spanish words, and this week, pulling together music that will work (I've done my fair share of transposing this week!)

By Wednesday I had gained enough important words in Spanish to get by, like lento, rapidio, mas, frase, baquilla, bemol, sustanito, their names for certain note lengths, numbers, fixed Do notation, aqui, mejor, bueno, etc. They understand most of the itallian music terms, which is wonderful, and then for anything else I see if they know the word or look it up in my pocket dictionary. I also sing a lot in the effort to show them what I mean. There are many times that I feel my two private oboe teachers and my band professors comming out in my teaching, so thank you for preparing me!

The food is cheap and delicious here (especially the Empanadas con Queso!), the smells and sights of the city are unique and so varied. There is a crazy mix of indigenous and modern here. Even the streets in our nicer northern section of the city are checkered with nice businesses/homes and shacks (the side walks are so varied that I don't know what to make of them sometimes). They still have some protests here, the public trasnportation blockades being the most common (we had one Thursday, which meant a lot of students couldn't make it to school-so we had more homework time-due to lines of public busses parked all along important streets in and around the city.). It's definitely different.

I realized yesterday that this city and the students are beginning to grow on me. While I know it will be a long hard month, I also know it will be worth it to see the students progress. I'm going to miss it when we leave.

P.S. I love the fact that the LDS Church is true no matter where in the world you are. While I may not understand everything being said, the Spirit is still present at church, the priesthood and authority is still the same, and the feelings at the temple here are just as pure and wonderful as anywhere else (we did baptisms for the dead yesterday and hope to get back to do more in a couple weeks).

Well, Buenas noches ya'll! Tomorrow starts week two!

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