tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20234436355917401392024-03-13T14:24:05.623-07:00Alexis and Elena's Mission AdventuresCottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-53828286757270390312012-11-20T23:40:00.000-07:002012-11-23T00:18:57.220-07:00The little Dominican, Elena, is home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Elena arrived at Sky Harbor Airport right on time! She left the Dominican Republic at 8 a.m. and flew home through Miami and Dallas. Several other missionaries left on earlier flights but Elena traveled alone. We were so happy to see her as she got to where we were waiting. What a great start to a wonderful Thanksgiving. We couldn't be more thankful! We now look forward to hearing both Elena and Alexis speak this Sunday, November 25. What a wonderful time this has been for our family!</span><br />
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-27972011498938452312012-11-12T16:24:00.000-07:002012-11-12T16:25:09.231-07:00...the last word from the DR!<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So we are just getting on at 5p.m. so we are
cutting it close today, but it was a fun p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to the office and then to the new Agora Mall in the west mission
right by Ikea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bought lunch at the
food court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a delicious bacon
western cheeseburger from Carl’s Jr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mmmmmmmmmmmm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we wandered
around the mall and bought Krispy Kreme doughnuts for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So craziness that this is my last email from
the DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am super excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait to see you all and party it
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard about Obama winning on Wednesday
morning when the other hermanas came home from their run in the morning and
said they heard on the radio, “Obama ganó” and then honestly, I kind of forgot
about it. I was wishing I had been able to watch the election returns but then
I got over it. Too bad for Romney but I will enjoy the next election with no
incumbent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much of this week has been
with dengue Domgaard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been doing
exchanges with her and her companion to keep their area going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One afternoon I went out but most of the
other time I stayed in with her since we just get along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have enjoyed the time we´ve had
together and now we are buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It´s been
good for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It´s just too bad it
involved dengue but the dengue girl is doing much better and pretty much back
to normal. We both are still dealing with some stomach stuff which Hermana Hernandez
said could still be effects from the dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had to say goodbye to Hermana Ball today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was kinda sad but I will see her when
she gets home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and Hermana Domgaard
will get home in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
excited for Thanksgiving and I can´t wait for that airport reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad Hermana Loftus got a hold of you and
that will be fun to see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
zone conference this week which should be good and then the office on
Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A guy that Hermana Louis and I
taught twice is going to get baptized on Saturday, which is cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other hermanas are excited and I am too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Friday we had a meeting about going back
to the real world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talked about
interview skills and how to use what we´ve learned on the mission in the job
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good but was a long
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are about 10 of us going home
but I am flying by myself which actually I think make things less stressful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Eickbush said today that it was good to
see the twinkle back in my eye since he saw me when I had dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Eickbush said she always thinks of me
when she sees strawberries since I taught her how to say it in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don´t remember that but it´s funny what
people remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t believe that
this is really all going to be over in a week and that soon I will be taking off
the tag and back to Elena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sooo
grateful for these experiences and the friends I have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I started packing last night and am trying to figure
out about my suitcases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My big duffel is
starting to rip in one spot so I think I am going to try and check my big red
bag and my brown carry on and just carry on a backpack, but we will see if I
can fit my stuff in those. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it
will, based on my beginnings of packing yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am leaving a ton of stuff behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is going to be sad saying good bye to
Hermana Domgaard on Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lexxy can
you look into options for making t-shirts that say, “I survived dengue in the
DR and on the back, dengue Domgaard, and cama Cottam?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to order them when I get home.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hermana Domgaard
and I are dengue buddies for life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Herma</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">na Mcentire is good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a 7a.m. flight to Miami and I have an
8a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is flying with the elders from
Utah through LA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a letter from
the hermana in Santiago and she also is flying through LA, so I will have to
meet up with her at Costa Vida or ASU sometime. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> can´t believe the next
communication we have will be in person ...good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 1 more semana and next Monday I will be
chilling at the office with the Eickbushes and have my exit interview and
dinner with the president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will stay
at the CCM and then head out real early Tuesday morning I imagine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am planning on working on my talk on the
flight since I imagine I will be pretty booked the rest of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t believe it´s been 20 months since I
saw Lexxy and over 17 since I saw mis padres. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell peeps, my time is about up,
but it´s been a pleasure emailing you for the last year and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon I will just see your faces and hug and
kiss you and laugh and talk and party. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have lots of mailing to keep up with, with my hermana friends here, and I can´t
wait for them to meet you sometime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
sure love you and am so glad I did this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn´t have done it without all of your support and love and mail
and encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my forever
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you in 8 days and let the
party begin.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I love you guys sooooooooooooooooooo
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, ejc<o:p></o:p></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-35516702587213862452012-11-05T23:29:00.003-07:002012-11-05T23:29:46.368-07:00Greetings...two weeks and counting!
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greetings peeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have had a good p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went
to the conde to buy souveniers and such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We ate at Pizza Hut and got frozen yogurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically it was a repeat of last week but
minus the not feeling good cuz of the dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I have pretty much made a full recovery from the dengue, but we have
another case of dengue in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been taking care of “dengue Domgaard” the last couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is eating and doesn’t have the high fever
but needs to do some more blood work to verify the dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went out with us for a little while
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywho, life is good here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he hermana from Fiji wants some info on BYUH so if you can look
into deadlines and application requirements and different programs for her Lexxy
and send that in a separate email next week that would be grand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her my sister isn’t doing anything so she
can look that up for you. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, my
“West Wing” companion, Hermana Loftus is going to be in Phoenix over
Thanksgiving so I am going to give her our home phone number to call and
arrange for a time to get together. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I emailed and told her to call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She met Chelsea in
Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is coming to visit her
boyfriend’s family in Phoenix </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">so if
Cambrai Loftus calls you’ll know why. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s crazy that I will be on my way home
in 2 weeks and 1 day ...craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
wait to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the temple
on Tuesday and it was grand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also ate
at McDonalds and I had a Big Mac ...mmmm. Good thing I got my appetite back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a stop at the doctor's at the CCM
since Hermana Mcentire’s back flared up at the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t go out on Tuesday since I was still
recuperating and her back was bothering her but on Wednesday we went out for
most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did take a little
nap in the afternoon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday we had
our district zone meeting and I got some lovely mail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try and write some letters this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday we worked like normal. I had a
splitting headache on Friday night but whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday night, Hermana Domgaard had a lot
of body pain and has had some stomach pain for a couple of weeks, so on Saturday
morning we went to our favorite lab across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome ...she wanted all four of us to go
for moral support so we could hold her hand and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty funny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least it was the good lady that drew the
blood since people have a hard time seeing her veins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, they had a baptismal interview and
some appointments in the morning and I still had a headache, so I stayed with “dengue
Domgaard”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out she has
parasites and dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what I call
a double whammy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up staying with
her Saturday and Sunday in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
is a stubborn one and insisted on going to church and going out today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talked to Hermana Hernandez in the mission
office yesterday and she said it was good that she had a nurse that knows what
to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure I am going to go
out with Hermana Mcentire today, but our area is not going so well since we
didn’t work in it for like 2 weeks and we want to keep the other area of the
hermanas going while she has dengue. So Hermana Mcentire has been going out
with the hermana from Fiji and I have been cuidando (taking care of) the dengue
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually we have a real good time
together so it’s been fun and I get to give her some pay back for all the times
she told me to drink things and stuff when I was sick. She likes that I understand
her sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other hermanas
said we were crazy and I said we are crazier when we’re together. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s kind of like Dad and Uncle Howard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made some real funny videos of dengue Domgaard
and her dengue diaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will show you
some when I get home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have renamed
the house, la casa de enfermedad (the house of sickness) and the house of
dengue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would have been a lot more
convenient if we had had dengue at the same time. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to make t-shirts when
I get home and send one to her that says “I survived dengue in the DR” ...funny.
Anywho, life is good here in the DR. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell peeps, my time is up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to hear about the elections this
week and I am so excited for that airport reunion in two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you guys sooooooooooooo much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell Lexxy I liked the pictures she
sent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a great week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am off to check up on dengue Domgaard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-8891064319739035832012-10-29T13:53:00.003-07:002012-10-29T15:53:53.169-07:00...more from the dengue girl<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi peeps,</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am
happy to report that I am doing much better with the dengue. I basically was in
bed for the entire week except to email you last week and go to the lab a
couple of times. I did make it to Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Today I went to
the office to pick up my mail and we ate Pizza Hut and got frozen yogurt with
Hermana Ball and her companion. I am still regaining my strength back and after
email I am going to read my mail and take a nap. People have been calling and
checking in on me all week. I have been in my jammies all week too. We are
going to the temple tomorrow which will be nice. Dengue stinks and it was
probably the worst week of my entire life being sick. (When I say, the worst
week of my life, it wasn´t that bad, but I can´t think of a time of when I was
as sick. I remember having the flu for a week in 9th grade and that´s the
closest I could come up with. But I wish I would have had my marshmallow bed.)
I didn´t eat for basically a week and just tried to stay hydrated. I threw up
once. Everyone says I look real skinny. I weighed myself at the office and I am
down some more. I told Hermana Hernandez and Hermana Eickbush it´s called the
dengue diet. It was good seeing them at the office. They were glad to see I was
still alive. President said, “resucitó” or like I had been resurrected
...funny! Anyways, I have stayed in contact with the doctor who his really nice
and he said I don´t need any more lab work and by the end of the week I should
be pretty normal but that sometimes it can take that long to get your strength
back. Thanks for the prayers and stuff. When I didn´t want to eat anything I
kept reminding myself of the food I will be enjoying after I get home. But I
am doing much better and up and about. It´s been kind of a weird transfer with
the illnesses and all. It is hard to feel like getting into much of a routine
when I haven´t been doing normal missionary stuff for a while. Crazy. I am
ready to be rid of this dengue nonsense and I should be fully recuperated for
the trip home. I still need to buy some souvenirs next p-day, then we are
having an hermana activity our last real p-day, and then I´ll be in the office.
Sweet! So I wasn´t feeling up to a conference the mission had on Saturday with
Elder Zwick of the seventy, so the other hermanas had to give us a report. He
did talk about the numbers since the new missionary ages were announced.
Apparently 11,000 papers have been received in these 3 weeks or so and normal
is 500 or 600 every week. 2000 were from sisters just in Utah and 1500
international sisters. Our mission, which I think has 160-ish missionaries,
will be increasing soon to 250. He said that one day he will speak with a group
of missionaries and half will be hermanas ...pretty sweet! So I guess there are
going to be a lot more sister missionaries which is good since our mission
numbers for sisters are dwindling. It will be interesting to see what happens
and what new missions they will create. The other hermanas were real excited
with his talk. The hermanas stayed in a little with the storm. It´s nice having
the other hermanas around while I’m stuck in the house. We had lots of thunder
and lightning but nothing too bad. The power did get knocked out that affected
our water one morning but they got that fixed up. I haven´t been doing
anything, not even dominoes or writing letters. My letter writing is getting
real lame. I could barely get up and go to the bathroom. Yesterday, I took a
shower to get ready for church and that about did me in. I had to take a little
nap afterwards before going to Sacrament Meeting. But today I´ve done good
walking around and stuff. Elder Shaver, the doctor, said that it can take up to
a week to get back to normal strength. I can´t believe it is November next week
and it´s almost election time. I finally got my ballot today but it won´t go
out until Friday. I will send it even though it´s probably not going to make
it. Did the Giants win the World Series? I was watching ESPN a little at Pizza
Hut but I couldn´t tell if they won or made it to the World Series. Good luck
with the clarinet gig, Alexis. I knew that ASU education school was Lexxy´s
next life plan. I guess this week we do need to try and find some of our
investigators. I sure love you peeps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><br />Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-52605583430157035112012-10-22T20:07:00.000-07:002012-10-29T13:58:07.936-07:00...greetings from the dengue girl<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well,
well, well, I hope you are all doing well. Things are pretty good here in the
DR except that I came down with a "little case of dengue fever" on
Friday. I have basically been in bed since Friday afternoon and the other
hermanas have been taking real good care of me. We´ve been in contact with the
doctor and Hermana Hernandez and I am just drinking lots of liquids and taking
lots of Tylenol. I am feeling better today and working on getting my appetite
back. Hermana Ball and her companion came over today and hung out with me and
Hermana Domgaard. Our other roommates had to go to the doctor since Hermana
Mcentire woke up with her bad back. They went to get some x-rays and stuff but
I had a fun time with the other hermanas at the house. I thought about not
telling you but decided you might be upset if I didn´t, but I don´t want you to
worry. On Friday morning when we were studying I got a really bad headache and
took some Tylenol. We worked in the morning and I ate lunch and then laid down.
Then I was running a good little fever so we stayed in. My eyes were hurting
which is another symptom of dengue and body aches, so by Friday night we were
pretty sure that was what I had. On Saturday morning I went to the convenient
lab across the street to get some blood work done. The lady didn´t see a good
vein but she managed in the first attempt. I had to get the same test today
again and the lady there today was not as successful. She was not very careful
to look for a vein and just went for it in my arm. I didn´t think it was going
well so I looked and Hermana Domgaard started saying, “Don´t look, don´t look.”
Anyways, she ended up having to do it in my hand. I did get a cool Disney
sticker so that made it fun. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I think
Hermana Domgaard could have done just as well with the needle and was a little
freaked by the needle lady today. I have had some nausea too with the dengue
but I am starting to eat a little so that´s good. I have been drinking lots of
Gatorade and water and luckily I haven´t had diarrhea or been throwing up since
that´s when you need an IV to keep hydrated. The other hermanas always keep
telling me to drink lots. The other hermanas have been babying me real good.
Hermana Mcentire has been asking me every five seconds if I need anything.
She´s been calling Hermana Hernandez and the doctor although today I decided I
wanted to talk to him since I am improving. I am really glad Hermana Domgaard
is here to lighten the mood. One morning she brought me a cold rag and felt my
head and said, “I just have to take care of my baby.” She´s a funny girl. She
made my bed too this morning. I did get a blessing on Saturday from the
district leader since they were in our area to do a baptismal interview for the
other hermanas, so that was good. I had Hermana Domgaard print my emails this
morning and she said she saw something on the page about being healthy and
thought that was ironic. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The good news about the dengue is that I will
probably reach my weight loss goals before I come home. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I can´t wait to weigh myself sometime soon. President called to check
up on me today too which was nice. I am on the mend and should be back to
normal in a couple of days... just another story to tell about the mission. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I don´t have much to tell you since I have just been bored in the
house. It´s boring not to have a TV or anything but life goes on and I’m going
to be totally fine, so no worries. Other than the dengue, the lady got baptized
on Saturday which was cool but I didn´t get to go. I will have to get the
pictures from the other hermanas. Our convert from a couple of weeks ago got
put in the young men´s presidency this week which will be good for him.
Fortunately the temple trip got cancelled this week so we will go in a couple
of weeks or something. That worked out nicely so I don´t have to exert myself
too much to go to the temple this week. I will work on not getting other
diseases. Some people in the area wanted to come visit me but that isn´t
allowed in missionary apartments, but the thought was nice. Well peeps, my time
is up. I hope Mom is on the mend and that you have a great birthday this week.
I sent a card that I hope gets there in time. I can´t wait to see you all in 4
weeks. Hopefully next week, I won´t have any reports of illnesses or anything. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Love you guys sooooooooooo much my forever family. Love, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-89204177935581326112012-10-15T14:47:00.000-07:002012-10-15T14:47:06.355-07:005 weeks and counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I am on the computer now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We´ve had a good p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the park as usual on the first p-day
after transfers. Then we went to the mall and I enjoyed some Taco Bell and
frozen yogurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are back in the
area using internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My desire to write real
letters is decreasing but I will try and send some and a letter for Mom´s
b-day that hopefully will get there in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am glad to hear Mom´s surgery went well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lexxy, not cool that you wore my favorite
shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope your feet have shrunk
since I do not want them stretched out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I plan to wear them when I get home. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When will I get to register for classes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">o this week has been a good
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changes in the house have been
nice with our new roommates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really
have found that I enjoy my companions a lot more when we are not companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Domgaard and I enjoy each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She´s funny and she likes it since I always
laugh at her jokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She´s been teaching
me how to play dominoes and all the Dominican rules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be buying some dominoes before I come
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have also played Phase 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It´s amazing what some fresh people can bring
to the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the hermanas moved in
on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cleaned up the house and
then went out in the afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Wednesday morning I took them around to show them where a bunch of the investigators
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a sore throat that morning
but no fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we had lunch and I
took my temperature again and it was 102.7 or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told them and they all said, go to
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really didn´t feel that bad so I
was surprised to have such a high fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyways, we stayed in the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided not to go to the zone and district
meeting on Thursday and Hermana Hernandez called to see if I wanted to go to
the doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ears and throat were
weird so we decided to go to the doctor at the CCM to make sure I didn´t have
an ear infection or strep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My fever had
gone down by that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished our
weekly planning session after the doctor´s visit and he said to take it easy
the rest of the day and that it was just a virus que anda...have Lexxy say that
in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It´s funnier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Domgaard kept saying that. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Anyways, on Friday and Saturday we
worked like normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing fine now,
just some congestion in the ears and nose and stuff, but nothing to worry
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagined Dad singing “Fever”
since I had a fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was funny. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are supposed to go to the temple next week
which will be nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we still get
our normal p-day but just in case, ya ustedes saben (you already know).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, we had a few investigators at church
and it has been interesting being shown around the area and getting to know the
investigators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One lady I was teaching
is getting baptized on Saturday, so it will be fun to be here for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of my investigators have adjusted to the
new hermanas so all is well here. 5 weeks peeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love you guys sooooooooooooo much. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I just have a few minutes left,
but all is well here in the DR ...only 4 more emails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Here´s some pictures of Hermana Ball and me at
the park today.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I hope you have a grand week and recover well Mom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can´t wait for email times next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>L</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ove you peeps,
ejc</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span id="goog_1422821231"></span><span id="goog_1422821232"></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-3958954375878382842012-10-08T21:53:00.000-07:002012-10-09T19:59:33.104-07:00More from the DR<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, I am on the computer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Good to hear from you three!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> loved the
photos of the crazy Nica´s homecoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can´t
wait for mine in 6 weeks! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So transfer
news............... I am moving from Las Americas 2a to Las Americas 2b
(which means I am moving rooms in our house to be companions with Hermana Mcentire)
...sweet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were super excited when we
found out last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion is
going to where Hermana Mcentire started and her companion is going to my
querida (dear) Mendoza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Domgaard
and Hermana Madden from Fiji are going to be taking over my side of the
ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all excited to live
together and at least the few investigators I am attached to I will still see
at church and their baptisms. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hermana Mcentire and I had a lovely time going to watch conference in English
for all of the sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
concerned about having investigators but then the leaders called on Saturday
morning and said it was fine to go with or without investigators since they
have their agency too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was nice and
made things less stressful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
crazy with the age changes for missionaries and I imagine a lot more girls will
go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw the press conference in
between the sessions on Saturday and it was cool that pretty much only the
First Presidency and The Twelve knew about the change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed watching the World Report and even
seeing a glimpse of what they showed of the campaign and convention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conference was awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Oaks’ talk was great and I didn´t know
he used to be the Dean of the University of Chicago Law School ...cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Burton´s talk was good too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking about how much I miss Julie B.
Beck, but the new Relief Society president pulled through for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my favorite talk was Elder Holland,
especially when he talked to return missionaries and that we can never go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had read through some MTC notes this week
and he had said something similar then too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is so true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can never go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipleship was definitely a theme at
Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of the Laytons a
lot, too. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday afternoon, we went to a cosecha in
another ward to look for menos activos and an elder from Nicaragua and another
from Honduras were teaching me Central American slang. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked me up a Fanta that
night and thought lots about you peeps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
visited a guy that night and taught the restoration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Louis asked him to be baptized at the
end of the month and he said yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
came to Conference too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that is
cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite food for the last week
or so has been plantains with fried eggs and onions...mmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have come to really enjoy onions during the
mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a package from Chessy this
week ...cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the letters in it
was written in May. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy Chessy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
about t</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">he girl at Costa Vida that has a sister in the DR Santiago Mission ...well
her sister is one of the other sisters I lived with at the CCM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping to fly home with her, but we
shall see. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> really say things all the time and then say to
Hermana Mcentire, “My Dad would say that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Funny ...sometimes just laughing
is what keeps you going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, I just
didn´t say as much to her in the MTC as I do now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">he elder from Nica said something about gallo
pinto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also said Alexis will speak
better Spanish than me but then the other elder said I speak good Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone else said this week that I don´t
speak typical Dominican since I don´t embrace some of the slang and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of the grammar perfection I like
in English and Spanish, although I am not perfect todavia (still) en Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> can just
imagine you guys at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">t is so grand
seeing you three together</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell, I am out of time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until next week my favorite peeps. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking forward to more letters and
emails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you guys a million
bazillion times 46.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you, ejc</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here´s some photos... some of my new planner,
me eating a twin banana,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thursday
night,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and one of last week with Hermana
Vera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She´s going home tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!</span></div>
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<br />Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-89149158972253626912012-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:002012-10-15T17:08:24.188-07:00The Nica is home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alexis spent Wednesday in Managua before leaving very early Thursday morning for the airport. Here are pictures of her last day in the Nicaragua Managua South Mission - with the Mission President & his family and the 20 missionaries who were also going home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Alexis flew through Atlanta and arrived safely home on October 4th at 6:10 p.m. with a big smile on her face. Happy times! We are so thrilled to have her home and look forward to the return of the other Hermana Cottam in just six more weeks.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may have heard of Flat Stanley!<br />
Well, this is Mom & Dad with "Flat Elena" to welcome home Alexis.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-19869322944723480912012-10-01T22:53:00.000-07:002012-10-02T13:18:25.121-07:00Last email from the Nica!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, we just got back to Diriomo
from Managua and my final interview. It went well. President was very
complimentary and said he was sad to see me go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my mission president and know he is the
one I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had had the thought a
few weeks back to ask him for a blessing in my interview so I decided to ask
him for one as I leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that
my Dad had given me one before I left and that I would like one before I go
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice blessing and just
made me feel closer to my mission president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>President thanked me for always having a good attitude and being a good
influence on others and good to my companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really can’t believe it is over and that I will actually see you on
Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President asked if I was
excited to see my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said yes but
that I will have to wait another 7 weeks ...he thought we left together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But anyway, we finished off the change with
another baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We baptized the man who
read the Book of Mormon in 10 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is excited and even had to go out to the farm he bought, since he was living
with the in-laws and they didn’t want anyone not of their religion living
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel bad having 2 people get
kicked out of their houses but they are doing great and moving forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed the Relief Society broadcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went with some investigators of the elders
and it was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the same
sisterhood I feel at home and had tears in my eyes as I thought about leaving
my Nica sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I saw the young
single adults singing I thought that in a week I will be one of them and not
Hermana Cottam. I feel so many emotions
right now but I am thrilled to see you soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we head to Managua again on Wednesday and then stay at a hotel that
night and we are off bright and early on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this is where I needed to serve my
mission and that the Lord knows me and where I am. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this is His work and that this is His
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see you and tell you all
about it non-stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for all the
support you give us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the best
family ever and can’t wait for the party this week and then again when we are
complete again in November. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Funny stories from the week...
this crazy man on the street called my companion Princess Diana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was talking to my companion about The West
Wing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figure that I could watch the
entire seven seasons in about 4 days without sleeping ...maybe that would be
fun ...just kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get mail
this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I will get the last
letters before I leave. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited for
food at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday was not one of my
favorites as far as food goes - soup for lunch, and chicken innards for
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled a little, downing
the dinner, since I had asked before-hand what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I can’t wait to see you ...try not to make a big scene at the airport
people ...you know me and my not liking to call attention to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am super pumped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been cleaning out and getting stuff
ready to go but I will probably start packing more tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really can’t believe it is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I am in a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just can’t be possible that my mission is
over and that it has been 18 months since I have seen you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you soooooooo much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you on Thursday. I will have such a big
smile on my face ...can’t wait. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> love you
tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a happy girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Love, your Nica hija, alc</span></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-40849278774388691892012-10-01T22:44:00.000-07:002012-10-02T12:52:31.808-07:00Hello from the DR
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So peeps, the hermana activity
got cancelled since some other zones were having a BBQ in Gazcue today and some
of the hermanas wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways,
we got invited to the BBQ, too, so it was another good day with the Eickbushes
and hamburgers and hot dogs and Klondike bars...mmmmmmmm. I can´t believe little
Lexxy is going to be home on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
will be so weird hearing from her next Monday from AZ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want all of the details and pictures and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the lovely package with goodies in it
this week. You are the best and Hermana Mcentire loves you too. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loved that you wrote, “Oreos for you and
Hermana Mcentire”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things are
good here in the DR ...not much news to report but it’s been a good week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were in the taxi coming home after the
BBQ today Hermana Mcentire was talking to the driver and told him we were going
home en el mes que viene (aka, next month).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sweet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is awesome isn´t
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I said goodbye to Hermana
Vera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we will be in the holiday season
when I get home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am soooooo excited
but sometimes I do think about how this time is slipping away and I won´t be
Hermana Cottam for very much longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am ready to come home and start school and stuff but it will be a little
bittersweet that this chapter of my life will be over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There´s not very many people who get to do
what we do day after day after day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
excited to hear about transfers next Sunday and will let you know what happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a baptism scheduled for the 20th of October
and the lady is really excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also
has several friends who are members and she keeps saying that I am going home
so soon in November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don´t want
to have to tell her I am leaving next week, if that is the case with
transfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She calls me coTAM ...co like
in co-pay and tam like in tambourine, but the accent on the tam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny, no one else says my name like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Mcentire and I went to
church by ourselves yesterday since her companion was sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided one from each companionship should
go to greet the investigators and my companion decided to stay with the sick
companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion and I watched
the last half of the Relief Society broadcast last night with the ward since
that was when they were watching it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was in Spanish so not quite the same as in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark your calendar next year Mom, since Lexxy
and I will be coming with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
super excited about General Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to go to the office on Friday to pick up more pills for my
companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a lovely chat with the
Eickbushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I finished decorating
my last planner and it says, hold on a little longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back has the picture you recently sent of
Chessy and us at lunch after graduation with the scripture Alma 17:13. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don´t have
a ton of time left but I just wanted to tell you all again how much I love
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy yourselves on Thursday and as
you can imagine I will be thinking of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Safe travels Nica ...three fourths of the Cottam clan will be back
together esperando la otra (waiting for the other). </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Try not to cause too much of a disturbance in
the airport. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so
excited for you all!</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">an´t wait to see you in seven little weeks ...love
you guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Party it up real good for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you tons, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-43045059513062977592012-09-24T20:53:00.001-07:002012-09-24T20:54:50.952-07:0010 days people! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ell, it has been a good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great baptism on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy is great and really going to help the
branch here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was funny - he didn’t
want us to invite tons of people but as we contacted on Friday night we would
ask the people if they knew him and then invite them to the baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone knows everyone in these little towns
...funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a very strong guy and
wasn’t going to let anything stop him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
parents told him he had to get out of the house because they saw him come out
of the church but it was so rewarding to see him get baptized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We missionaries sang, ´I Like to Look for
Rainbows´ in Spanish, which was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Sunday it was awesome to see him in his white shirt and tie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even got asked to give a testimony in the
meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These moments make it all worth
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another man come to church for
the second time this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is from
the east coast and English is his native tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave him a Book of Mormon last Sunday and
by Tuesday he had already read over a hundred pages ...way cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day this week we taught him in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes to lots of the church activities and
seems really interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just needs
an answer to know that Joseph Smith was a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says he knows the Book of Mormon is
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the Joseph Smith movie
last night and there were a couple of lines I especially liked - as we build
the Lord’s temple, He builds us, and that the Lord wants us to be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Seriously, it was so hard to teach the man in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try to talk in English but I know I
will slip some Spanish words in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talk
almost all the time to my companion in English but I still have words I say in
Spanish. I’m definitely looking forward to a Spanglish fest with Lenny in 8
weeks ...so cool! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday, we were talking about plays and I
mentioned ‘Wicked’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion started
singing ‘Defying Gravity’ and I was trying to remember the other one that we
listened to before we saw the play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t remember it though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as I
was cleaning out this morning and going through my CDs, I took a closer look at
a sampler you sent and that song is on there – it’s called ´For Good´.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words are so great and I can think of
people on my mission that I feel that way about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been blessed to enjoy my latest
companions a lot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we had a decent p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hasn’t been my companion’s favorite day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got her hair cut and says it is too
short. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is fine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for mail this week, I got your package ...good
job with the owl stickers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion
loves owls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got your DearElders so
that was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent a package of
letters home today and a bunch of postcards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to Granada today and I got my hammock and some other small
items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope we get to go to Masaya
next week with everyone who is leaving but who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not I have my basic stuff I wanted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sooooooooo excited. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for all the support these last 18
months and my entire life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so weird
that I will be back in the real world so soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe I will see you next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t feel real yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have loved my time here in Nicaragua and as
a missionary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my family more than
ever and can’t wait to tell you all about my mission, nonstop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the gospel is true and that knowing
that, there is nothing else that matters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Next week I have my interview with president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assume it will be in the morning and I will
email as usual ...so weird it will be my last email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s good that Lenny will email on Tuesday
so she can read my last email from Nicaragua before I get home and send her one
from Arizona ...way cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I am
just about out of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for where I
want to eat when I get home- I was thinking Tia Rosa’s since it is close and
easy and I love beans and rice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
getting more and more anxious as we get closer but it’s a good anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the bestest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a great week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until next week - when I will see you in 3
days ...so crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love the Nica, alc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">P.S. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>...can’t wait to write my senior missionary
parents when they go on a mission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-51087937741311101202012-09-24T20:36:00.002-07:002012-09-24T20:46:02.520-07:00Writings from the Dominican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yb3f32hRz4Nef9FQrVxfhAjRAQcLE1n_hb8CVj37f-soKyadzKnaMHKm7niosm1s0voz3nAWHkc503a0KSXccJ03adzK84Uj9IMdkIaXj2fzcYzyRDl-fi5TYYIKqpZmnt2fZoBxnEk/s1600/IMAG0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yb3f32hRz4Nef9FQrVxfhAjRAQcLE1n_hb8CVj37f-soKyadzKnaMHKm7niosm1s0voz3nAWHkc503a0KSXccJ03adzK84Uj9IMdkIaXj2fzcYzyRDl-fi5TYYIKqpZmnt2fZoBxnEk/s320/IMAG0084.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am on the computer now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just got back to our area from the BBQ in
Gazcue at the office...good times.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission
office is part of the chapel in Gazcue since there really isn´t a mission home
in this mission.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things are good here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a
boatload of mail this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lilly wrote
me and said her mom passed away a couple of months ago ...sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is finishing her mission in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So next week I will be emailing on
Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means today is the last
emailing from the DR to Nicaragua ...crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sounds so good to say, “My sister will be home next week.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this week has been good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the baptism on Saturday, not without a
few stressful moments but it went well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had visited the guy on Thursday and on Friday we stopped by to remind
him what time and everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were
talking, he stopped and said that he didn´t want to get baptized the next
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we talked to him and asked a lot
of questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we finally got to the
bottom of it, it appears he was a little concerned about paying tithing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reassured him the blessings would
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried not to make him feel
pressured about going through with the baptism and left him to pray and think
about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then that night we stopped by
and he said he decided to go through with the baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday afternoon we stopped by again and
he was all set and he said he would be at the church at 6:30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the assistants called to tell us that they
and the president and his wife would be coming to the baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice having them there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 6:45 he showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got changed and it all turned out
fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I taught a mini lesson on the
restoration while they were changing and president gave a brief testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ward mission leader is very organized
which is great. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday he was
confirmed and last night we stopped by and talked about the priesthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said while they had their hands on his
head he felt the presence of the Lord ...which was cool. Yesterday we had a
good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were late getting to church
as we were waiting for some investigators. It was the Primary Program and it was cool to
see our little Haitian girl read a scripture in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, “Buenos dias”, really loud in the
microphone which was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then that
afternoon a lady in the street called us over and said are you Mormons and we
said yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out this lady had
moved to our area a year ago and never found the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a blessing that we were led to
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it when I feel like the Lord
is using us to find his children that need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had interviews this week with president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good and I felt a lot more relaxed
than I have in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lady gave a
presentation about family history work and I am excited to do that when I get
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Hernandez gave a little
cooking class which was fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a lovely
stack of mail and I saw my dear Eickbushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got to help with a service project on Saturday morning with the
Mormon helping hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped clean
the trash by the River Ozama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
disgusting but I had gloves and it was fun hanging out with some of the other
missionaries and members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to wear
a sweet yellow Mormon helping hands vest. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> We also
went to a going away party for a member who is leaving this week for his
mission in Mexico. The four of us sang, “I´ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Louis sang one verse in French.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we sang in English and then in
Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lady we are teaching is doing really
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came to church yesterday for
the 2nd time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had taught her the word
of wisdom last week and this week she said her family was drinking and normally
she would drink a little but had no desire to drink and was embarrassed to have
the bottles in her house ...gotta love it when you can see the Spirit working
through these people. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I got a new Liahona at the office today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the October one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the mission getting a new Liahona is so
exciting ...who knew?! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked the
September one with all of the senior missionary stuff too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished decorating my last planner.
Awesomeness ...8 weeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really
excited to get back to school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well
peeps, I am out of time, but it has been a fantabulous email session with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I sure love
you peeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the best and I can´t
believe little Lexxy will be in your arms next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I hope you have a grand week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love sooooooooooooooooooo much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You only have one more week without the Nica.
</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I love you. -Ejc</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lexxy when are you going to send photos?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still don´t know what your companion looks
like and you are practically home. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I will try and send a few photos</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
aren´t the greatest pictures but you get the idea. Hermana Eickbush is the
best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she hopes to meet you
someday, too. She´s like my Sonja here in the DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my senior missionaries!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try and send more photos next Tuesday
after the hermana activity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-91220371114395729182012-09-17T22:13:00.001-07:002012-09-17T22:13:56.815-07:002 weeks...crazy!
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, I can’t believe I hit 18
months yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it feels
like an eternity since I have seen you and then in other ways it seems like
yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure we have all changed
some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see your faces in
2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only have one real p-day left
since the last one we have to go to Managua for my exit interview...crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we are super excited for our baptism on
Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a great man who will
definitely be a leader in the church here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today we went with the elders and youth and played basketball and soccer
with him. He is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday we found him with the elders in
the street and invited him to come to a visit with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did and then joined us for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sent a text later to us that said he had
never eaten so little at dinner but felt so full afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has come to church 3 weeks in a row and is
getting baptized on the date we set with him a few weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is rare that people actually get baptized
on the first date we set with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
man has changed tons and is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
I had to give a talk yesterday in church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It went well, and one member complimented me on my Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Branch President spoke too and one thing
he said that I really liked is that true friends are people who make you better
or be better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the truth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for being my bestest buddies and
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also thought of Hermana Rivera - maybe that’s
why we were so close, because by watching her I wanted to be better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t tell me what to do but watching
her I learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> am always smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be so weird leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am ready but it will be weird leaving my
Nica life and coming home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know my
tastes have changed in the fact that I will eat just about
anything...definitely not a picky eater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the people ask if I like something I just tell them I eat what they
give me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously there are things I
like better than others but now I eat coconut ice cream and like it and
pineapple fresco (or punch) and lots of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You would be proud of your Nica. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am so
excited to see you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe my
mission is almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you sooooooooo
much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the gospel is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so happy being a missionary but I will
be so happy to see you and tell you all my crazy stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for being the best and always
supporting me. I don’t know what I would do without you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I better get going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are off to get some groceries and then to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for everything. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will love
you forever and ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, your Nica
hija, alc<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">P.S. Dad, we
can see the Monbacho Volcano from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were in Granada today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Elena, I was
wondering what you did after you dumped me off 18 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try not to keep the gas on all night
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily we don’t have it in the houses
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we don’t cook anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the mom is an angel, dad is a
saint...super funny... but it’s true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love the way you write Lenny!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mom, I will
cook you some gallo pinto...mmmmmm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
rice and beans, that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cook the
beans and the rice and then mix them together... mmmmmm...not too hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found these cookie things this week that I
might bring home for Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
regular butter cookie with marshmallows on top covered in coconut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds like a Nicaraguan snowball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could look up some Nica recipes like gallo
pinto, indio viejo, or the drink </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">arroz con piña</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">- which is a pineapple
and rice drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drink oatmeal and
barley too...gotta love it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually
the barley drink is my fave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
barley with cinnamon... really tasty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
feels so surreal to think I will be home with you so soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-68721704426479970492012-09-17T22:09:00.000-07:002012-09-17T22:15:59.204-07:00Greetings peeps!<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I am on the computer now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There´s isn´t power right now in the area so
hopefully the place we are at has enough generator power to let us internet for
an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, I will have to look for
another place or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywho,
we´ve had a good p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started out
great by printing your emails and getting my flight plans. Yay!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesomeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we went to the mall and met up with Hermana Ball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate lunch at Taco Bell and we had frozen
yogurt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so good seeing Hermana
Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a good time. Things are
good here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This transfer is halfway
over. Then only one left. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Mom, I got
your package and so did Hermana Louis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
needed some chap stick and asked, “How did you know?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “My Mom has a gift for knowing things
like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love my awesome
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the jerky. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we had Stake Conference
yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good seeing President
and Hermana Hernandez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a couple
of investigators there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One guy will be
getting baptized on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had his
interview last Saturday and we are getting ready for that this Saturday which
is exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have some other people
that hopefully will have some baptisms in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were thinking about possible baptism dates
and I got excited planning things like for the middle of October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny thing now that school has started here...
there is a school by our house and at 8 a.m. they always play their national
anthem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good reminder that it’s
time to study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone was watching the
movie, “Enchanted”, dubbed in Spanish and I got a kick out of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went with the same funny hermana last week
to visit a few investigators, although none of them were home. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she is so funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She´s the one that carried me over the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her I wanted you to meet
her and she said you´ll have to come here or she´ll have to come visit us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She takes care of us like her own kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last week’s </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">pills were just 2 pills all at once to knock it out
and I am fine. Hermana Mcentire is good
too, so no worries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have water and
all is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Louis seems fine
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they will retest if we don´t
feel good but I think I am fine and I will get another dosage of the pills in 9
weeks. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So anyways...another story from the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just going to wait and tell
you this story when I got home but I thought you would like to know that the Lord
protects His missionaries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, one
morning this week, I walked into the kitchen and it smelled like gas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at the stove and saw that one of the
burners was turned on and had been leaking all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the windows were closed in the house
and I am not sure how much gas was in the house but I was thinking about how
all of the prayers for me probably kept me safe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened was that our housemates
obviously weren´t thinking very clearly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion used the stove at lunch and
didn´t turn off the burner just the valve of the gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Hermana Mcentire´s companion used
another burner that night and turned the gas back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she was done she turned off the burner
she was using but not the valve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it
was a combination of the two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways,
Hermana Mcentire and I will be checking the gas every night now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is always some ventilation in the house
but I still feel like the Lord blessed us and kept us safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion lit a couple of candles in the
morning too before we realized all of this. Good times in the mission. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, we are all safe and it
will not be happening again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So crazy I
hit 15 months on Saturday and Lexxy had her last month mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking yesterday about how it had
been 18 months since we dumped her off at the airport and then Mom and I came back
home and went back to bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember laying
in my bunk bed thinking about how she was gone for 18 months and now that time
is over...craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove by Mendoza
today and I was thinking about the time I spent there and all that I
learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really does have a special
place in my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Also, I am
excited, next p-day is a BBQ in Gazcue with the Eickbushes and the next p-day we
are switching to Tuesday for an hermana activity like we did before
to go to some museums or something...so I will email on Tuesday.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The hermanas are planning an activity since Hermana Vera is going home this transfer. </span>T</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">he Eickbushes are from Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be here ‘til March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard that they both were married before
and their spouses died and then they married each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the best and I can´t wait to see
them this week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the Ensign about
senior couples this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the
Liahona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my last interview with
president (except for the exit interview) this Thursday and then we will be at the
office again on Monday.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> am so excited
that Lexxy will be home in 2 weeks...only 2 more Sundays without that little
girl in Arizona...crazy...and then the craziest and awesomest Thanksgiving
ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lot to be grateful for
but I think the thing I have become more grateful for during the mission is my
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother is an angel, my
father is a saint, and my sister, well, she´s just the best sidekick a girl
could ask for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love you my
forever family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we will all look
a little older and it will be the best reunion Sky Harbor Airport has ever had.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait
to see you guys and see all that has changed and all that has stayed the
same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Herma</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">na Mcentire
said it is going to be weird when she meets Alexis since it will be like
another me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be awesome for you
to meet my peeps here.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell, I am off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am glad the internet worked good today. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">...until next week my forever
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Love you, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-338743014655416042012-09-10T19:33:00.001-07:002012-09-10T19:45:22.199-07:003 more weeks...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow, every time I think about it
and see the time ticking away I feel so weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is crazy to think it is almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, as for funny stuff - one day it was raining and I had my raincoat
just over my backpack and my companion called me hunchback... super funny and
we had a good time talking about Disneyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(She went in March with her family.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one member we work with lots has told several people that my companion
is Miss Utah and this week he told them she was first runner up in Miss USA...funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told the mom of the lady where my companion
almost passed out that she passed out because she couldn’t bear to see her all
beat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This member speaks English and
was reading the conference Liahona in English and he sounded exactly like Pres.
Uchtdorf and looks like him too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
member loves Miss Universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know
it will be in the DR in December? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I
think it was on Wednesday that we felt a nice little earthquake for about 40
seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess there was one in Costa
Rica and we felt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Saturday we
heard there are some issues with some volcanoes up north but the president sent
his normal email and told us there have been no problems in the mission. Tomorrow
at our regular zone conference they are going to go over the mission emergency
plan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week president came to our
zone to go over a new pilot program we are going to do in the mission and we
are the pilot zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is working more
on converting and retaining (true growth) not just baptizing. We are supposed to
do FHEs with members in their houses but have investigator families there and
do 10minute quick lessons with members every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can present the teaching record with the
investigators and have them see their progress and put their own goal for
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to make sure people are
really prepared for baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway it
should be good and work well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
really happy with one investigator we are working with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is really making lots of changes in his
life and is quitting smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told us
on Saturday that he had a meeting to go to on Sunday so he wouldn’t be able to
go to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a bummer and when
we woke up on Sunday morning it was raining... not cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we left and got to work going to find
people and then we got a message from the man and he said he would see us at
9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meeting he had, got cancelled for
the rain so that was a big blessing in disguise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So he came and enjoyed it and hopefully he
will get baptized on the 22nd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a
cool meeting with the converts and investigators Sunday afternoon and it was
really great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved hearing people’s
experiences and testimonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even
had this investigator get up and tell his experience. He called us angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, he is going to be a great leader
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The branch here is small but
growing strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really we are finding
the future leaders of the branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
just called a convert of about 4 months who received the Melchizedek priesthood
a couple weeks ago to be the first counselor in the branch presidency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church is young here but that makes it
exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy being a missionary and it will be
so different not being Hermana Cottam anymore... 3 more weeks with my name
tag... 3 more Sundays in Nicaragua... 3 more emails home... but an infinite
number of memories to live for eternity... wouldn’t change it for the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it and can’t wait to tell
you everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel is true and
what makes people happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you
tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a happy week! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Elena</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, I hope you are ok... gotta love living with bugs
inside and out.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you soooooooooooo
soon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love, alc
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my shoes will make it 3 more weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week I super glued the brown ones
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am definitely bringing my
shoes home as a memory. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-37650299335538062642012-09-10T18:56:00.000-07:002012-09-10T18:56:33.147-07:00The week in review!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greetings from a slow computer but I am
finally on now, typing away. I hope you are all doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a couple of hours this morning doing
my companion’s hair at a member’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we went and ate and did a little grocery shopping and now
internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad Mom had a safe trip
and Dad stayed out of trouble. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s crazy
Lexxy will be home in 3 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wowzers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I get so
excited that I forget that I am not going home in 3 weeks. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week has been
interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So anywho, let me start back from when I finished emailing
you last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got back to the house
around 5pm with a little time before we normally go out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have mentioned before we have had
trouble with the water at the house and we were out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor said last week that we should wash
things in the house to get rid of the parasite my companion has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We called the elder over housing but he
didn´t answer so we decided to call Hermana Hernandez, the president's wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she was going to send the assistants
over to pick us up and wash our clothes over at her house. So we had a super p-day over there washing our
clothes and stuff. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up taking
some to wash at the CCM to get it done faster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually Hermana Hernandez pretty much did my
laundry for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a hot shower and put my PJs on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was seriously the best shower of my entire
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt so clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made some pizza and we relaxed over at
the president´s house for the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyways, Hermana Mcentire had had been sick for a couple of days and
they told us if she didn´t feel better on Tuesday to go take a test. My stomach
had felt a little funky but I wasn´t sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So on Tuesday morning, we both decided to go to the lab across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wouldn´t want to take a stool test
anyway? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J </span></span></span>We got the results a couple
of hours later before we were going out to work in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both have parasites...awesome... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Hernandez told us to do an exchange
and we both went to the office to pick up the pills to take. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to talk more about the water situation
with the office and they gave us money to buy more water and Hermana Hernandez
called the landlord to get his word that it would be fixed on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, we took the pills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on Saturday, they worked all day and now
we have water all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like
Christmas morning and it appears that we will always have water now.
Awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Mcentire and I both feel better. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn´t really sick but my stomach didn´t
feel normal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it´s just another story to tell about the
mission. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>T</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">he house is clean now and now we can keep it
cleaner having water all of the time, so we should be good to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I still feel weird in a week, I will take
another test and we are going to the office next Monday for a b-b-q with the
Eickbushes so I can pick up more pills, if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am feeling fine and we have been working as
normal.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So the power just went out and I lost some of what I was writing but I
saw our Governor Jan Brewer this week on the TV here...good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have Stake Conference this week and then
hopefully a baptism on the 22nd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways,
it’s been kind of a crazy week with the water and all, but all is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new ward mission leader is great and we
have a cool investigator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out
this woman is a lawyer and I really like her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said she got an answer that the church is true so that is cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just need to get her working towards
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I love you guys
sooooooooooooooo much.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you
sis...see you in 10 weeks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hope you all have a great week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here´s some pics from the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see I am fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I wasn´t
really sick, so no worries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Mcentire
and I keep each other sane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Life is good in the DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is super hot with no rain this week... as
Chessy would say, it is wicked hot!</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love your
DR daughter, ejc </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-77550810573761806312012-09-03T19:56:00.002-07:002012-09-03T19:56:37.506-07:004 more weeks!<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am here in Granada right now
and then we are headed home and off to Family Home Evening. We had a non-eventful
p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate here at Telepizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very touristy here and very European I
would say, but it is fun. We could stay a night or two in Granada when we come
back for a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It takes us
about 40 minutes to get here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town I
am in is super cute and small, kind of like Saltburn.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we
had a good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday we had a
family at church who can now get baptized and married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know them that well but I am sure we
can do it this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had a man
at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a baptism date for the
22nd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sisters found him a few weeks
ago but could never find him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were on
the corner one night standing there deciding what to do when he just walked
past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The member we were with invited
him to church and we made an appointment for the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he couldn’t sleep that night and was
left wondering about the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
taught a little of the plan of salvation and I mentioned that we needed to do
certain things in this life like baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said he has never been baptized but knows he should but he never has
had the desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we set the date with
him and he came to church yesterday and seemed to like it, which is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A weird thing that happened this week was
that on Tuesday night we were with the same member and an appointment had
fallen through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took us to a house of
a sick lady we had contacted with him and the elders last Saturday but when we
got to the corner of the street they were setting up chairs and stuff outside
for the vela (or viewing) because someone had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had made the appointment with her for Wednesday
and that was when her funeral was going to be...crazy. We talked a minute to the
family and I saw the lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had died
that day and we were sort of shocked that she had died. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The member suggested that we go to the funeral
at the Catholic church as a nice gesture for the family and so the people could
see that we respect other churches and people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we went on Wednesday with the member and branch president.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was interesting and an experience to
remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on Saturday, this same
member saw the husband of a family we had taught once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wife was in a moto taxi in the morning
and crashed with a bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t know
how she was but the member said we would stop by to check up on them later
since we already had an appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was all bruised and cut
up and had broken her pelvis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
sitting on the bed across the room with a couple of people and there wasn’t
enough space for my companion so she stood for the 10 minutes we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said the prayer to leave and afterwards
totally just threw herself on to the bed in the little space there was between
me and the member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking why
are you sitting down? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she was going to pass
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just did my normal laughing reaction
and was like ok what am I going to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
asked for a piece of candy and drank a little of the water I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally got out and told the member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got a chair for her and then went to get a
taxi to take us home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said she
couldn’t see anyone as she shook their hands on the way out and her eyes were
real big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we went home and she
ate some crackers and was weak and we ended up just staying in that night and
the elders took care of the appointments we had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was kind of funny and we ended up just
chatting the time away. Anyway, we are having a good time and seeing some good
results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing great and hoping to
see some baptisms before I leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
we can do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so glad I decided to
come on a mission ...best decision ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t believe it’s going to be over in just four short weeks. I know
the gospel is true and I am a happy girl sharing it with everyone. I love you
sooooooo much ...can’t wait to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">got mail- DearElders from the week of the 12th - you, Lou, Amy,
Brittany, Joyce, and Ms. O’Neil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
letters from Mom and Lenny too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent
my letters from last week on Friday when we came to Granada and I sent more
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing real good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the next time you go to the airport
may be to pick me up...sooooo close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t wait...4 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be so fun.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well got to go... have a happy week and
good trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elena, congrats on the baptism. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Love
your Nica, alc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-20608109222611986412012-09-03T19:56:00.001-07:002012-09-03T20:47:09.081-07:00Week 55 in the mission field!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So peeps, it´s been a good
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what I saw as we were
looking for an internet place with power....a guy with a Waffle House shirt...
funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywho, life is good here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the doctor again this morning and
then the park and then the mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
Taco Bell and frozen yogurt... mmmmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President
called Hermana Mcentire last night about when she is going home, so she´s
decided to go with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she and I and at least one of the other
two sisters are going home in November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That´s cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our baptism
on Saturday and I will try and send pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am happy to hear that Alexis finally got an American companion so she
can know what it´s like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a map of
Central America in the doctor´s office at the CCM and saw Rivas and Granada so
at least I kind of know where she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy...4
more weeks for her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it’s 55
done...11 more to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, the
highlight of the week was the baptism of the Haitian girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out well and we have a new ward mission
leader who is good too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the
primary came and the primary president spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing was the power went out twice, once just as she had
entered the water and they were about to baptize her... great moment for it to
go pitch black but then it came back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also went out when I was leading the music while they were
changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I got a boatload of mail this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks pranks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a good letter from Lou Gehring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when are Grandpa & Grandma Harvey coming
to visit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The triplets´ birthday is in September
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 2 more Fast Sundays, 1 more
transfer call, and 10 more emails until I see your faces...sooooooooooo
excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 3 investigators at church... one who is going to be baptized on the 22nd
and another lady we are hoping to get baptized at the end of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nice when we get to see a little of the
fruits of our labors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is a 24 year old guy who I could
see serving a mission in a year and the other is a lady who lives close to
another sister in the ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, the
work is progressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the movie,
Touch of the Master, yesterday in Sunday School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all need to be the Lord´s hands and reach
out to those people who are undervalued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You never know who is ready for the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be a lost Egyptian man in the DR. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Hermana Domgaard said Kamal was at stake conference yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love that Egyptian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyways, it has been fun having Hermana
Mcentire at the house and I sure loved seeing my Hermana Ball today at the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor´s wife that we saw today gave us a
hug when we first saw her and then as we were leaving she said here´s one from
your mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love senior
missionaries ...and real hugs will be coming soon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>...funny that Annika wanted to get out of
school to pick us up too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Happy Labor
Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next major holiday besides
Halloween is Thanksgiving and I´ll be home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yippee skippee! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I
did finally get my letters sent out this week so you should be getting some
from me soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent my last one to Nicaragua
so that is super cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait to
see you and am happy now that I can countdown with Hermana Mcentire since
before I didn´t want to say too much since she wasn´t going home with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love you peeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, signing off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Love
you a million bazillion. Ejc</span></span></span></span><br />
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Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-28917629884062951782012-08-27T22:21:00.000-07:002012-08-27T22:32:32.725-07:00Greetings from...<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So people... I am here in Diriá
(sounds like Didia) with the Hermana Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is from Hurricane, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
that is a big change for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very
different being with a North American but we have a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reminds me of Amy Allen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is her third change so I am feeling
pretty responsible for everything and in the Spanish department, but she does
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did have pretty good guesses for
the changes and what all happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
Diriá is a really tiny town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
branch with Diriomo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in Diriomo
and walk about 15 minutes to the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
aren’t many members in our area but it is good. It’s really cute and there is a
family from Utah who has a house here but they aren’t here right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really small town - no bank or post office
but we have all that in Granada which is about 30 minutes by bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to Granada on Friday for a zone
meeting so we will mail letters and go to the bank there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a grocery store so that’s good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I really am having fun and we are
working good together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seems happy
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do miss my Hermana
Rivera but life moves on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never
felt that way about a companion before but I do feel so close to her and want
to see her again but who knows if I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is fun to experience having a North American companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will at least have someone to see at
mission reunions and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a
year behind me and wants me to take pictures at Disneyland and email them to
her. Thanks for sending the family photo to Hermana Monestel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFIIwKS7YGMLpyUVg2YY_Fwio2udwZuF-evSHjFhYOEUaqXfLacG8wMqJz6oj6EX02EIHfUOTyu0IIGDm8Ou88H3xd2itlVSAXb9LZtAI7oa1d1HZ2PS6Mwt_c7PN938sj9icbz9EqIs/s1600/Cottam+family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFIIwKS7YGMLpyUVg2YY_Fwio2udwZuF-evSHjFhYOEUaqXfLacG8wMqJz6oj6EX02EIHfUOTyu0IIGDm8Ou88H3xd2itlVSAXb9LZtAI7oa1d1HZ2PS6Mwt_c7PN938sj9icbz9EqIs/s400/Cottam+family.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottam family at BYU-H graduation celebration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She showed a bunch during her talk at change
meeting and I was happy to see mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
asked which one was me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the
photo I have on my agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she said
she asked for photos I knew I could count on you and that you would send
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks pranks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been raining at night but nothing too
bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe it is almost
over...5 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it here and I
love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what I would
have done if I hadn’t come on the mission...best decision!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel is true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday an elder was at our dinner
appointment with his parents visiting who were picking him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started talking to them in English and
that was fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their other son had gone
to the DR in Lenny’s mission and they had picked him up too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
can wait to bring you back and meet all my people, see my Nicaragua, smell it,
breathe it, live it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t imagine
leaving it but it will be happening in a short 5 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crazy... it seems too unreal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are hoping to baptize a bunch here this
last change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area hasn’t been too
successful lately but we are going to change that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a member, actually a couple of
people, that are really excited and helpful and we have some good vision for
the area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just a funny story...when
I was going through some stuff before I left Managua, I had an extra toothbrush
and jokingly told Hermana Rivera that I would leave it for her for her
inheritance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought she had forgotten
about it but I hadn’t and I wrote a little note and left it under her sheet
before I left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, at the change
meeting as I told her good bye she said ´you didn’t even leave me the
toothbrush´.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said yes I did and that
it was on her bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is super
funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a good time together and
even with the newbies that we were with on Monday and Tuesday nights at our
house we managed to have a good time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really wasn’t happy leaving but now I have realized that this was what I
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just too comfortable there
with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy listening to her
teach and sit back and listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I really
have to take charge and speak and I am responsible for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little stressed the first couple of
days not knowing anything, but now I have a good sense of the area and won’t
get lost (except I won’t have to show anyone else the area since I will only be
here 6 weeks).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am just excited to
get to work and baptize some people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to work at speaking Spanish with my companion but it’s all good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy and doing well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe it’s almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what it will be like getting
back to real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we are
finding new people and hoping they can progress and get baptized this
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I am doing good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminds me a lot of my first area
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gotten a few bug bites but
that is Nica life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love being a missionary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you have a great week...5 more
emails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think for the last one I will
send you my list of things I need at home to feel like I am in Nicaragua. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will try to send pictures next week. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, the gospel is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love your nica, alc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-17169613026747260162012-08-27T21:38:00.000-07:002012-08-27T21:47:10.430-07:00Greetings from the DR...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi peeps!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it´s been a wet weekend here in the
DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in the house all day
Saturday and the afternoon on Friday, but nothing besides lots of wind and rain
to report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun finally came out
today and I decided I like living in a sunny place because after not seeing the
sun for a couple of days it seemed kind of depressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Louis and I are staying together for
a third transfer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the longest I´ve
been with the same companion but we have baptisms planned for September so at
least we´ll get to see some of the fruits of our labor. A bright side is that
Hermana Mcentire is coming to replace one of the Dominicans in our house so we
get to work in the same ward and live together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also means we hopefully will get to watch general conference together
in English at the end of the transfer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only
10 more emails since my last Monday I don´t think I´ll be writing, since I´ll
see you the next day. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>That sure sounds good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We´ve had an interesting week with the rain and such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The district leader called early in the week
to tell us to buy food and medicine, etc. then on Thursday we didn´t have our
weekly zone meeting but used the time to make sure we had everything we
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we didn´t have the meeting
we didn’t get mail or send out mail so I should have a good stack on Thursday
and some to get out to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going
to write my last letter to Nicaragua today. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>We worked on Friday morning and then at lunch time the leaders told us
we could go out depending on how the wind and rain was in our area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn´t seem too bad so we went out. By the
time we got to the first appointment it had started raining pretty good and the
wind had picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person wasn´t
home so we were going to drop off a Book of Mormon at someone´s house and then
head in, but then it got real stormy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
stopped to put our scriptures in plastic bags and then went back to the house
soaked as could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave up with the
umbrellas since they were going to break and with the wind it didn´t matter if
you had an umbrella. The leaders called to tell us to head in too when we were
deciding to start back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got
to the house the other hermanas were there, and said, pobrecitas, since we were
so wet, but it was an experience for the record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we were trapped in the house until Sunday
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fixed one of the soups mom
sent, took a lot of naps, and watched, “On the Lord’s Errand”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday morning I tried to get more info
about the storm but my source was a little 6 or 7 year old girl and I was
thinking how desperate I had become. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured you guys had about 100 times more
info than us but the leaders kept us updated on whether we could leave and
stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It got boring in the house but I
did think it was a good rest for the last 12 weeks of the mission. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I taught the other hermanas the cup game we
always played at girls camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywho, it
was an experience but all is well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
companion woke me up at about 6:15 one morning by saying, hermana!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a black thing on the wall by the
window but I couldn´t see exactly what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought maybe it was a bat but when I put my flashlight on it, it was
just a big moth or butterfly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, it
wasn´t going to do anything, and then I tried to enjoy my last few minutes of
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night I killed a big
cockroach...cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we have a baptism planned
for this Saturday for a 10 year old Haitian girl and we should have another
later on in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be cool
to have a couple of baptisms hopefully this month and we need to find some new
peeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave a Book of Mormon to the
7th day Adventist lady last week and we´ll go back and see what she
thinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to find the truth
is to read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was reading the talk by
Elder Callister about the Book of Mormon this morning and also by Pres. Eyring
from last October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pres Eyring talked
about how the Book or Mormon helps us to learn to have charity, be witnesses of
God, and endure to the end. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
thinking that I need to remember that these last 12 weeks of the mission and
make the most of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, Elder Eickbush
called me this week with 2 questions, if Pres. Toone is still my stake
president and if I wanted to fly into Phoenix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if he was making the
plans and he said Salt Lake was starting on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did confirm it was Nov. 20th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am so excited to see you and can´t believe it is September next week
and that Alexis will be home before this transfer is over. Crazy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sure love you peeps and congrats on the
baptism Lexxy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to hear what
happened this week for her transfer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">looks
like Dad is learning some Spanish. :) ...sabe mucho. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait for a Spanish fest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking how weird it is that when
Alexis and I see each other again we will be able to talk to each other in another
language and you guys too. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My planner for this transfer has a family
photo and a picture of the Laie temple. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad Lexxy decorated hers.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Y</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ep, I gotta
make these last 12 weeks count and focus on the people we are teaching. I sure
love you my forever family! </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell, I am signing off for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you sooooooooooooooooo much!!!!! ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-45696509220829433692012-08-20T20:05:00.002-07:002012-08-20T20:30:48.289-07:006 weeks people!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEDA5WzzxFE4nhZDJ-T5o3BBJ4tpdOwdz7uuQcVjSPYJmIhR9D6lQ-IWp1jIiEo4Omi57gvTAOe2uzmqxOwZLjCyG8nwJanOiaOeWKQxfYC0_Pe8eel57cc5csg9P5s1oJcIZ9zlx6J4/s1600/IMAG0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEDA5WzzxFE4nhZDJ-T5o3BBJ4tpdOwdz7uuQcVjSPYJmIhR9D6lQ-IWp1jIiEo4Omi57gvTAOe2uzmqxOwZLjCyG8nwJanOiaOeWKQxfYC0_Pe8eel57cc5csg9P5s1oJcIZ9zlx6J4/s320/IMAG0226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, it was a good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a baptism on Saturday, but the man
didn’t show on Sunday to get confirmed ...not cool, but it will happen this
week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I won’t be here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really love the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so cool and it took 3 months from the
day we contacted him to his baptism but it was well worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday we went to visit him and he said,
´aprendí algo de usted´ (I learned something from you).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked what did you learn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, ´que no todos son malos´ (I think
he was saying that not all white folks are bad).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that’s not the only thing he learned
but really I thought nothing would top the baptism of Ericka in June, but I
would say this one did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a changed
man and he even bore his testimony at the end of the baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the same feeling of joy and satisfaction
watching him that I did with Ericka and I thought that it was worth 18 months
just for that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is super funny
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we passed by on Saturday
before the baptism he was calling for help from the back room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was trying on the jumpsuit for the baptism
but it was too small and he couldn’t get it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luckily the mission leader showed up real quick because we couldn’t help
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just dying laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I can’t wait for you to meet him
someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeDusxXhHwyzVKla4oi6gm_joZkLceur3sTuDGavn0Ja2kX9yGHHAJJCJBRfCe7cdNek7exWlF-pXkktXqe_CLgyQKEhgmUDEdZb0LBTmO0ptVCgbCSDnbjdiOdnxk-wZrYjV0LycgdI/s1600/IMAG0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeDusxXhHwyzVKla4oi6gm_joZkLceur3sTuDGavn0Ja2kX9yGHHAJJCJBRfCe7cdNek7exWlF-pXkktXqe_CLgyQKEhgmUDEdZb0LBTmO0ptVCgbCSDnbjdiOdnxk-wZrYjV0LycgdI/s320/IMAG0247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">W</span>e had interviews this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good, real short but good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President was very complimentary so I was
happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sometimes wonder what he thinks
but he made me feel good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been
enjoying my last week with Hermana Rivera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I won’t know until Wednesday where I will be headed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I am not too stressed since my attitude is that I
can deal with just about anything for 6 weeks. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love being a missionary. I can’t believe it will be over so soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These last 6 weeks will fly by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Flores (the one I trained here) is
going to train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that’s exciting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I got mail this week...the ward
newsletter, my ballot, and letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
for the ballot, I filled it out and will mail it to you tomorrow so you can
take it to the polls if it gets there in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I doubt it will, but whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
companion got the package you sent and was a happy camper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said it was the second package that she
has ever gotten on the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
lacey socks are her style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a cool
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that she is kind of my Latina
Chessy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how we got into
our groove but we just have a blast together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love this girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She needs to
come to Az.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She says she wants/wanted to
be a flight attendant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so close
to her and I don’t know why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday
when we finished the agenda for the change she said that that was the end of
the ´cambio mas divertido´, most fun change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I definitely agree and I did decorate my last agenda with a Nica flag
and a family photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday at church
I was so happy to see a family we found this week, walk in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t have anyone there and I just didn’t
want the change to end that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
was thrilled when the couple came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really,
what Elena said is true...maybe the people don’t accept the message or do what
we want them to, but I hope they remember that the American girl came and they
felt the spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow, someday,
they´ll accept it and find the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know I couldn’t live without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
testifying of the family and how even though we aren’t perfect and have difficulties
we are happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a happy girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the gospel is true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ell, I just have a couple of minutes left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a good p-day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to a Mexican restaurant that was good,
like a restaurant at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight we
are going to eat bean soup at Ericka’s house and have Family Home Evening close
by with other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be good
but I have a feeling we will be eating all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love it here and am sad to leave but 6
weeks people ...that seems so crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
give my best to the Laytons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a
shock I am sure, but at least we have the comfort of the gospel and plan of
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I know I will be going where
the Lord needs me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you soooo much!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a great week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for being the bestest people on Earth.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, alc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-32486887139686991622012-08-20T19:24:00.002-07:002012-08-20T20:16:21.016-07:00More from the DR...<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So I am on the
computer now a little later than I had planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went to my companion’s doctor’s appointment this morning and then we
went to a place to look for shoes for my companion and had lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally they told us to go to the doctor´s
office at the CCM and then we took a taxi back to our area and are emailing
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get to see one of my favorite
Mendoza members at the CCM, which was nice except we didn´t get to talk much
just gave each other a big hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
told me they would give me the same meds they gave my companion when I go home,
like all of the missionaries to kill any possible thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, that is so sad about the
Laytons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them know I am thinking of
them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, too bad that Lexxy doesn´t get to stay
with Hermana Rivera but maybe you´ll have another cool companion to finish and
if not, it´s only 6 weeks. :) and 13 for me ...soooooooooooooooo excited. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">o we have
had some ups and downs this week but we are on the uphill now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a hold of our investigator and she
said, don´t come by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that was kind of
sad since I know she knew what she was doing was right and rejected it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But maybe there will be another time for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are still getting the Haitian
girl ready for baptism the first of September and we have another guy we put a
baptism date yesterday for the 15th of September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is reading and really receptive and comes
to church on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope maybe he
can get on a mission before he´s too old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I often picture the people dressed in white or as a missionary or in the
temple and sometimes I wonder how I can see them in that state but then they
turn away or it doesn´t turn out just like I planned with the happily ever
after but that´s life as a missionary...ups and downs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we keep going. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">nyway, I
got a boatload of DearElders and letters this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will try and get some letters out this week
but we´ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only one more week of
this transfer and then we´ll see what happens and if we stay together or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t mind a change but I wouldn´t mind
seeing these baptisms so we´ll see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have decided when I get home that I want to read Pres. Monson´s biography and
the book you mentioned about Emma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
sent in my ballot last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of
politics, we have a new president here...not a mission president, but the
president of the DR.</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday
there were lots of airplanes and helicopters flying around and stuff. It was
cool. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was wishing I had been in Gazcue
by the palace to see all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
district leaders told us we would be having inspections this last week by president
but he never showed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don´t know if
he´ll come tomorrow or if it was some sort of scare tactic for people to clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night we contacted this girl and her
grandma and invited them to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we were leaving the girl started speaking in English and she is on vacation
here from Massachusetts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, good
night, to me which was weird to hear someone say that in English. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My companion sometimes does, but it was weird
in the street. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As I meet people I can´t imagine
a life not knowing that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me more than I can
understand and knows exactly what I need and how to help me... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not to mention an earthly family that will be
together forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think my favorite
part as a missionary is trying to help people feel the love God has for them
through me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if they don´t recognize
it at the moment or accept the message, I want them to remember the American
girl who brought them a smile and cared about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It´s weird sometimes the love you feel for
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well peeps my time is just about
up, but Lexxy, live it up these last 6 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next week I will have news about transfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait to see you but until then life
goes on as Hermana Cottam for 13 more weeklets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love
you peeeeeeeeeeps so much</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-78683095641224058122012-08-13T23:11:00.000-07:002012-08-13T23:12:46.919-07:007 weeks more in my land of Nicaragua<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, I am here now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been relaxing today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote letters and will finish them
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get mail last week and a
package with socks in it...not Socks the cat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But anyway,
we both are a little sad since the zone leaders called at lunch and my companion
is going to be a trainer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really
hoped to be together until I finished but that’s the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s okay... logically I will be headed to
a new area for my last six weeks but I won’t know that for another week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
least I have time to prepare myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had a good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But highlight of the
week - our hermano got confirmed and we should have a baptism on Saturday so
that is good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so thrilled and filled with joy as we
walked in to church and he had a white shirt and tie on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait for him to get the priesthood
and progress in the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an
experience (and have had this thought before) realizing why certain scriptures
are scripture mastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we learned
them in seminary I didn’t really understand how some of them were important for
me but really they all have something to do with the missionary lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in a lesson and someone was asking
about if someone could really see God and my companion said something about Moses
seeing God face to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t
remember the reference but my good little number tricks and the spirit helped
me remember that it is Exodus 33:11 - face to face 33, 11 (don’t know if you
understand that but whatever, I do in my little mind).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have realized on the mission the significance
of the scripture masteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also as we
were in a lesson my companion was talking about the priesthood to a member man
and how he needs to use it and bless his family with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dad is a member but she said she doesn’t have
a memory of her dad using the priesthood or giving her a blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is one of the things I have come to be more grateful for on the mission - a
family sealed in the temple and a father who worthily holds the
priesthood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that if I was home right now, this
week Dad would have given me a blessing to start school - great tradition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for investigators this week, we just had
the man in church who should be getting baptized on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen him from the beginning and what a
change he has had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had him pick out
the hymns for the baptism and gave him the clothes so he feels more
excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I imagine him blessing the
sacrament or in the temple and it makes me so happy. So hopefully I can finish
my last week here in Linda Vista with a baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Hermana Rivera will be a lifelong
friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really feel like she is my
sister and we just have a good time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least I have this week to prepare myself to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will see what happens for my last 6 weeks
but it will be an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the 10th
they were celebrating Santo Domingo here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was for a Catholic saint but I thought of
Lenny in her Santo Domingo land ...17months on the 16th and 14 for Lenny. Tomorrow
we have interviews with president ...last one before my exit interview.
Crazy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hermana Rivera says thanks for
sending a package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That will be good for
her to get even though I won’t be with her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe how fast the time is winding
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel a sense of urgency thinking
about it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read my call letter today
and was reliving the memory of opening my letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t know what I was thinking or
what you all were thinking ...but who knew 18 months later ...and Nicaragua is
my new home and will be a part of me forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission is great. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel
is true, so what else matters?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really
feel like I am living the best transfer of my mission and don’t want it to be
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 weeks ago I was afraid to be her
companion ...funny how first impressions are deceiving, but she is the
best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy for her to train again.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the Lord has other things in
store for us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just didn’t want it to
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But life rolls on. C</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">razy that it has been a year since I got to my
beloved Rivas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time is passing so
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t wait to see you in
7 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Hopefully the newbie who comes
here plays the piano because everyone in the ward says they don’t want me to
leave since there isn’t anyone here to play the piano ...but they´ll be fine.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you tons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Las familias son
eternas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, your Nica daughter, alc <o:p></o:p></span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-37083173726851385262012-08-13T22:21:00.003-07:002012-08-13T22:30:55.506-07:0014 weeks until liftoff!<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just getting on the computer now after another
quiet p-day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My comp doesn´t really like
to leave the area on p-day and would rather sleep as she is still trying to get
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the store and I bought
a new umbrella and a souvenir towel of the DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We got a few groceries and stuff and then went back to the house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ate lunch and organized my desk a little bit
and my letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I was just
listening to some music while writing letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least the garbage truck came by today since we had missed it for a
couple of weeks and the trash was piling up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good times waiting for the trash truck. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for the emails and dearelders and
letters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got my ballot too this week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also that´s cool that the US finished with 46
gold medals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, my dearest family I
just love you soooooooo much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things are
good in the DR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a few people at
church yesterday but the lady and son we were hoping to baptize soon didn´t
show. We had a great zone conference with Elder Anderson of the seventy who is the
new president of the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He´s from
Mesa and lives close to Westwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and
his wife were very nice and I spoke with them briefly at the table at lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked who my stake president was and I
said, Pres. Toone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remembered later about Pres. Toone going to
Westwood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pres. Anderson told us that we
received our callings long before we got the envelope in the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also talked about the importance of
learning the language of the spirit and how it is just as important as learning
the mission language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sister Anderson
gave me a hug as they left and said, be the best you can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also a plus about the conference was getting
to go to the office to see my favorite Eickbushes and getting my mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the Eickbushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were gone a few weeks ago, back in the
states for a funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I saw Hermana
Eickbush on Friday she gave me a big hug and then told me while they were in
the states she bought the last black skirt they had at the same store where Mom
bought my new black skirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was grand
seeing her and she gave me my last planner too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only one more to decorate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hermana Mcentire was there too and she said thanks for the birthday
package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved the mail I got and Lexxy
wrote good long letters too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also one of
the office elders said he might be in Arizona in November when I get home, visiting
another elder that lives in Gilbert. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday
it rained pretty hard but we waited it out at a member´s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another member with us who is
hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the rained stopped we
left but the streets were kind of flooded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I told her my shoes were fine to get wet and that they had been wet many
times before but she was trying to help me keep dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She ended up giving me a piggy back ride to
cross some ankle deep water. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ...funny
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is really nice and super
funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was kind of glad not to walk in
the water since it was pretty dirty. Anyway, that was a funny story of the
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lexxy mentioned in her letter that
she feels she has gained skills in stress management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was also thinking this week how I feel comfortable fielding questions
from investigators and I think that will also be a good skill to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyways, life is pretty good here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven´t had the missionary success I have been hoping
for but life goes on and I just try and remind myself how I felt when I was
teaching Kamal. I would just like to have some more of those moments ...but they´ll
come. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you all are doing well. I
am so glad Alexis is living it up with Hermana Rivera. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I</span> enjoyed the note I got from Hermana Rivera. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy and healthy ... just
trying to “missionary it up” for 3 more months. Crazy it has been a year this
week since I left the MTC. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I sure love
you peeps and look forward to your letters and emails. Email is seriously the
fastest hour of the week and the best! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can´t wait to see you, my forever family,
in 14 weeks from tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love your DR
daughter, ejc</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Cottam Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15749303935706018783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023443635591740139.post-37584000076344401152012-08-06T21:08:00.002-07:002012-08-06T21:08:42.146-07:00More from the nica...8 more weeks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6eQmEnRP-QRiriRlCFKL5MdflcC4uWkswnp0HELIfAefGTxAtpYVFTt95G5xVpJGJExdYOrYoA3osLHeyXTZcO_0QBF3EnnhXPxTkJcrk_W0ooLhsChj4SRL-ZzdCMTwjS2_ldTtpNI/s1600/IMAG0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6eQmEnRP-QRiriRlCFKL5MdflcC4uWkswnp0HELIfAefGTxAtpYVFTt95G5xVpJGJExdYOrYoA3osLHeyXTZcO_0QBF3EnnhXPxTkJcrk_W0ooLhsChj4SRL-ZzdCMTwjS2_ldTtpNI/s400/IMAG0197.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hola!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it has been a decent week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really boggles my mind when I think that I
only have 8 more weeks. 8 more emails. 8 more Domingos at church here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe it. I sort of feel anxious
thinking about it... not anxious in a bad way, but just a sort of sad and happy
feeling, bittersweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am sooooo
excited to see you and talk nonstop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
did have a hermano come to church yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He may get baptized this week. Anyway,
we did have a couple cool experiences this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were out contacting and this one lady let
us in and told us she had been visiting the church in another area but had
stopped. We taught her and she accepted a baptismal date in this first
visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told us she had prayed a few
days before for direction in her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love being the answer to someone’s prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She couldn’t keep the appointment on Saturday but we will see her this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday we were a little bummed
with not lots of people at church and we were fasting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But during Relief Society someone from the Bishopric
came and got us to come meet a family that had showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>President had told everyone to include in
their fast the blessing of baptizing a family this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This family is moving to our area next week
and said they will come next Sunday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards
my comp said there is the answer to our fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So that was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel is
so true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we had a good p-day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to go to immigration to renew my ID
card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good since we are here in Managua
so that makes it easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went
shopping and dropped off the groceries and went to lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to the nice restaurant that we went
to about 4 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a bacon cheeseburger
and a banana split.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is quite
expensive for here but about 9 dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My companion isn’t used to spending that much (well now neither am I)
but it was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me if it was
normal for me to go to this type of place at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One part is super ritzy with the tablecloths,
etc. but we were in the part more like Outback or Red Robin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said it was good and we were with the
other hermanas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to see some
of the Olympics on the TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the DR
runner win the 400m hurdles, so that was cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Congrats on the DR Olympic gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What happened to the Nica boxer who was in the semi-finals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we are emailing and then I will try to
get some letters written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got mail and
the little package from you this week and a letter from Grandma Olive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gracias. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway,
I am a happy missionary and I love it here. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to finish here with my Hermana Rivera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told her that I feel like I can be myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Saturday she was tired and had a headache and said she wanted to go
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked which of the two - here or
in El Salvador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joke about going on the buses that go from
Mexico to Panama. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I really am so blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have realized that more on the
mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a great family, great
parents who don’t fight, and we are sealed together forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At home that’s more common but here it’s not.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I love you tons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the bestest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you soon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a great week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, alc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">P.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are more photos from our tennis
adventure last week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAYBx3LCBg3tKrBaVwzb9zIHZiNrMJKSgpDIGwv4Wf6kXAREFzCqqhnc_-oectkl2_G6yol5KOnyPNQh01jT7w-ONgHS9iw5tV9avTjNpzwUO-GA0WX3wLxnY949yMt4T3moIWkxJAzc/s1600/IMAG0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAYBx3LCBg3tKrBaVwzb9zIHZiNrMJKSgpDIGwv4Wf6kXAREFzCqqhnc_-oectkl2_G6yol5KOnyPNQh01jT7w-ONgHS9iw5tV9avTjNpzwUO-GA0WX3wLxnY949yMt4T3moIWkxJAzc/s400/IMAG0179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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