New Week

Hey y'all!

New week! We picked up another investigator (his name is Mike too). He is a former investigator but we are excited to teach him! Mike and Mike both came to church yesterday!

You'll be proud that I like asparagus... as long as it has seasoning on it! But it is pretty good! I also ate some salmon... And it was good too! I have to eat what they feed me, but there was no gagging at all. Be proud family!

A video came out on Friday! #BecauseHeLives. Go check it out! helives.mormon.org or youtube.com or Facebook! It is an amazing video! It is specifically for Easter, but the message is wonderful. It is 2 minutes and 27 seconds long. I feel the Spirit every time that I watch it! So watch it right now! Also! Think of someone (or multiple someones) to share it with. Then ask them if they would be interested in meeting with missionaries to watch a few other missionaries! This is the latter-days! The gathering of Israel is at hand, and we need to spread the word to as many as we can! Helaman 10:4 ---> don't be afraid!

In Relief Society on Sunday, some of the ladies are going to Salt Lake to watch General Conference. They are so excited, and they were talking about how amazing it is to be surrounded by so many Mormons. I thought... wow... It's normal to be around so many. They brought up how amazing it is to be around so many, because we all share a testimony that Christ's gospel has been restored through a living prophet. And isn't that amazing?? There are so many people who do know about the restoration and who do live the teachings of the gospel, and they are around you every day! It was an eye opener.

I know that Christ died for us, and I also know that He was resurrected. He overcame both physical and spiritual death for all of us. I love Him. Just like the video says: "Find Him." Through prayer, scripture study, and attending church! (and keeping the commandments) You'll find that by doing all of these things, you are free. Don't get trapped in Satan's grasp, and if you are, get out of there! Stay on the path and hold strong to the rod!

Don't forget to share that video with someone!

-Sister Cozzens

Mike with Sisters Olsen and Cozzens

Redland Temple

Learning how to repair a bike tire

Sisters from the Jurupa Stake with President 

and Sister Jergensen 

Testifying at Volume!

Hey there!

You'll be happy to know (especially Carson) that I played soccer for 3 hours this morning. We played with another zone, there were 30 of us. We separated into 3 teams and switched every time someone scored a goal. It was so much fun, and I played defense! DEFENSE!!! I actually participated. Soccer is more fun than basketball (sorry dad). I will most likely be sunburned and sore tomorrow. It is okay though, it was soooo much fun.

Mike (the Catholic) came to church again!! He has finished 3 Nephi in less than two weeks.... The Book of Mormon converts people! I know that if he continues to read, he will gain a testimony! And if the Book of Mormon is true, then Christ's gospel has been restored, and it is the only true church on the earth! Sorry, that is bold, but I'm not going to lie! :) He is the only one that has come to church, but that is okay! He is so cool!

We met a family last week, and their daughters, Aubrey and Emma, really wanted to come to church and get baptized. Their mother is very hesitant, and I think that that is why they didn't come to church. She had a bad experience as she grew up with church. Their dad, however, wants his daughters to be happy. He says that "it is their choice." And that is awesome! Church is true!

We ran into an Egyptian family this Saturday, and they are Christian Orthodox?? I can't remember, something orthodox. But he asked how Christ's church has been restored, and so I told him about Joseph Smith and recited (and testified) the first vision. They live right next to a really busy street, and so I was half yelling. The first vision says: "I saw a pillar of light, exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--- 'This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!'"

Just imagine, if you would for a second, how powerful those few sentences are. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. They live. When I told them this, I could just feel the Holy Ghost come over me. I started to cry (my first time) but I kept talking. The church is true, and God wants all of his children to come to the knowledge of this. The gospel means so much to me in my life, and I am grateful to be on this earth to learn and grow. I am especially grateful to be a missionary and to testify to people about it. Though those people didn't accept the message, it is okay for now. All I can do is testify and plant seeds. One day they will hear and listen to the messages of the gospel. Have a good week and don't forget how important it is to stay close to Christ.

-Sister Cozzens

Sister Roberts

Service project! Missionaries do a lot of service...

One Month Down

March 2, 2015

Hi!

I promise I am not counting down in a bad mood! I can't believe that I've already been out here for a month! It flew by, and my birthday is in 17 days! It has been cold here... like 55-60 degrees. It's been raining, and I just want to wear pants. And I'm sick with something! I don't know what it is, but my voice sounds like a boy going through puberty. Don't worry though!

I have come to love studying everyday. There is so much to learn from the resources given to us. I want to finish the Book of Mormon! Our president gave us the task to read from Acts-Revelations in the New Testament, and I am taking that challenge! I've never read the Bible, and I need to! The Bible is also the word of God. It is important too. We just focus on the BOM, because it is proof that Joseph Smith restored Christ's gospel.

My bishop is 35, and the counselors are 33 and 34 I think... but holy cow. The stake president is 34... We just have youngsters in charge down here! The bishop's wife just had her 7th child too. AND at home. I don't know what she was thinking... But good for her, I guess! Her kids are literally like little army guys. They are all under the age of 12. They sit in church, don't color or eat or talk. They sit there quietly... Maybe I'll have her write me a list of things to do to train my kids later in life.

Sacrament meeting this week was awesome. A member's son (who is 11) just started crying when he started talking about how grateful he was for his mom. It invited the Spirit into the whole chapel. I started crying even!

Our investigators don't have a desire to attend church. We literally do all that we can to get them there. And they won't stop their addictions, but I know that missionary work is also planting seeds. Alma 32:28. Go look it up!

I was having an off day this week (I think it is because I've been sick), and we went and knocked on an investigator's door and the husband answered it. He is a minister for a Christian church. He invited us in (he actually was a former investigator but wasn't keeping his commitments) and we just had a discussion about the Bible and how important it is to be following Jesus Christ. He was really cool. I felt the Spirit, as he was bearing his testimony, and it made me realize that other religions have bits and pieces of truth (just not the fullness, aka the priesthood authority), but still truth within them. It was really cool, and we are meeting again with his family tomorrow! I'm excited!

This week in DDM (district something meeting), my district leader told us (since he leaves next week) to not have any regrets at the end of our mission. The way to do that is exact obedience. This is the only time in my life, where I am set apart as a (single) missionary, and where I have been given the authority to teach people about the gospel. I need to take advantage of that while I am here.

I know that this gospel is true! I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and to have been raised in the church. My parents are such great examples of keeping the commandments, especially reading and praying daily! It keeps the spirit in your life! 3 Ne 18:12----> "my rock" or Christ's rock = His gospel. Make the gospel your foundation in your life and you will not fall.

Sorry this email is longer!! Have a great day! Always look at the positive and pray at the end of the day (and at the beginning)! And read every day!

-Sister Cozzens

Jurupa Zone at the Stake Chinese New Year

At the Mission Office for a training meeting

Sister Cozzens' District

Finding, Teaching, Committing...it is a challenge!

March 9, 2015

Hey guys,

It has officially been 6 weeks, and now it is transfer time. But since I am training, Sister Olsen and I have another 6 weeks together! I am not complaining though! She is great!

It was a tough week... Most of our appointments cancelled on us, but we did our best to keep busy! We had one man come to church! His name is Mike and he is a really funny guy. He says "I've been Catholic all of my life so don't get your hopes up and think I'm going to switch." We'll see what happens... :) He has served a mission in Europe, and he has read so many bibles. I would say most of them, but that would be hard (there are a lot). He loves reading things. He told us that he has been reading from the Book of Mormon!!! It is so exciting!! He said that "the Book of Mormon is answering questions I didn't know that I had." The Holy Ghost does that to you! The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it will change your life!

There was a talk given by Elder Holland about missions, and he said that if you convert yourself that is important too. If all you do in convert yourself on your mission, then great! And I know that I am converting myself! My goal is to convert as many as I can (according to God's will) but I am so happy that I am learning so much about the gospel and how important it is to have in your life! 

D&C 50:40-46

I love you all tons!!!!!!!! I miss you too! I won't be gone for that long! But I need to take this time and give it to the Lord. I am taking part in gathering Israel. These are the last days and people need to be brought to the knowledge that Christ's gospel has been restored to it's fullness. The church is true!!!!!

-Sister Cozzens

Eastvale

February 21, 2015

Sorry I missed last week! It has been a great week! We taught a few people about the word of wisdom (keep your body healthy-don't put anything harmful inside of it) and one of our investigators doesn't have the desire to quit smoking weed.... But he is still really interested in the gospel. Our faith should be greater than our wants and desires. It is frustrating that he won't quit. But we are still going to teach him!

Shout out to my sister for getting married on Saturday! I love you! 2-21-15, save the date!

Mosiah 4:11-12. Great scriptures. They relate to investigators, but also to ALL God's children. Once we have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, we should always retain in remembrance the greatness of God and for all that He has given us and done for us. He sent his son to die for us and atone for our sins, so that at the last day, we can be spotless before him and receive eternal life! Why wouldn't you want that?? There is a promise in those scriptures "calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come"..... <---- verse 11. ----> verse 12 "if you do this ye shall ALWAYS rejoice, and be filled with a love of God, and ALWAYS retain a remission of your sins, and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you...." Wouldn't you want more knowledge about God and Jesus Christ?? And be filled with the love of God?? I sure do.

I am grateful for the gospel and the role it plays in my life. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the gospel that Christ set up over 2000 years ago, and it has been restored to its fullness. It is the true church, and I love it so much. We are here on this earth to prepare to meet God. I am so excited for that day. If Christ came tomorrow, would you be ready?

-Sister Cozzens

Valentines Day treats