Sister Katelyn Cozzens Mission Blog: Happy Dia de los Muertos!!!

November 2, 2015

And Happy Halloween!

In the California Riverside Mission, we can't go trick or treating. We do, however, go to the Stake Center, carve pumpkins, bring the comfy couches and chairs into the gym, and watch The Best Two Years! It was tons of fun! Kind of weird watching a movie, but it was approved!

Sister Turner went as Snow White and Sister

Cozzens went as Ana from Frozen

Sisters Turner, Cozzens, Ogden, and Roberts

Sister Missionaries with Brother and Sister

Jones (Ward Mission Leader)

#CRM-California Riverside Mission

I got back on the bike life on Wednesday! I went on exchanges with a missionary who started her training. Her name is Sister Pielstick and she is an amazing missionary. She bikes fast. I'm just going to leave it at that, ha ha. It was hard. But she is so hard working, and it was fun to get to know her!

Sarah (our recent convert) bore her testimony in Relief Society yesterday. She was talking about how important the Gospel is in her life, and how she needed this in her life. We were able to take part in her conversion. We found her, because the Spirit guided us. We followed that prompting, and she can now take part in the blessings of the Gospel and receive eternal life as she continues to endure. I am so grateful that I am on my mission. How important it is to take part in a marvelous work.

A lesson that we had with a member this week, was so cool. It was so simple, but definitely guided by the Spirit. We had planned on reviewing the restoration with her, but when we got in there, I just knew that she needed to hear something else. She's struggling with her job and having enough money to pay her bills. A thought crossed my mind to pull a tithing pamphlet from my bag. On the first page of the pamphlet the scripture Malachi 3:10 is quoted. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,... and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." After she had read this scripture she said "I need to pay my tithing." What an enormous act of faith.

As I have been on my mission for a while now (it feels like it but then it also doesn't), I've recognized the blessings and skills that I have picked up and acquired. The biggest thing would be, seeing the importance of the Gospel. The Gospel and Christ are so important to our salvation here on earth. They are the most important things on the earth! Because as we live the gospel and repent and strive to be like Christ, we will make it back to live with our Father in Heaven. I needed to serve a mission to see that.

Even on missions, the natural man, challenges, trials, and Satan still get in the way. It can be very hard to push through it and be patient. There are times when I really want this to be easy (even this life, too). But when challenges are thrown my way, I really have to take a step back and think about what I am doing and how I can overcome this. I, even being set apart as a representative of Jesus Christ, need to continually remember my purpose here on earth. Remember what our Savior did for us so that we can make it back to Heavenly Father, IF we endure to the end.

Matthew 6:31-33. (I added sleep to those verses :)) "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." If we put the will of the Father first, the things we need (not necessarily want) will be added unto us. But putting the Lord first can be so hard!! The natural man is just annoying! BUT, it is a huge act of faith on our part, showing our Heavenly Father that we love Him, and need Him, to help us accomplish the tasks of life.

Set aside time to read your scriptures and do it. Prayer should be the first thing that comes to our minds whenever we have a need or a struggle. Attending church will supply us with energy and strength for the rest of the week and not only that, our covenants will also be renewed! :) Keeping the commandments (paying tithing, keeping the Law of Chastity, keeping ourselves surrounded by Christ-approved things)is also very important. Abraham 3:25.

I invite you to seek the Kingdom of God first, before everything else. I will accept my own invitation and TRY MY HARDEST AND DARNDEST to follow the will of the Father. I promise you that you will receive the things that you stand in need of and you will be at peace. :)

-Sister Cozzens