A SIMPLE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST: May 7, 2012

Dear Family,

I like Tahiti. I love my mission. Sadly, the baptisms we had fixed for before I left were pushed back. So, unless there is a miracle, which is very possible, I don't think there will be any more baptisms on my mission. We are teaching a guy whose business is selling drugs.  When we first started teaching him,  he didn't seem interested at all. He likes to talk.  When we go we usually listen to him talk for 2 hours and talk ourselves for only a few minutes, but it is interesting to see that at times (rarely) in the lessons,  a simple testimony of Jesus Christ and his gospel will touch him, quiet him, and cause him to reflect.  He starts to ask about how he can change and follow Jesus Christ until he gets tempted, I guess, and changes the subject and chases the Spirit away again by talking about less important things. The Spirit bears witness of the truth of all things to all people regardless of their background or life experiences. That is what I learned this week
Love Y'all
Love, Elder Cosby

GOD REALLY DOES LOVE US AND KNOW US: May 1, 2012

Dear Family,

Elder Zwick of the 70 came and talked with us today which was an amazing experience. He came at a good time for me because this week was really hard. It poured constantly.  70% of our lessons were cancelled,  and basically all that started to wear on me. I was praying for something to help me finish strong. It was a great spiritual boost that will carry me to the last second of my mission serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and streangth. We were asked by Elder Zwick to ask ourselves "What am I willing to change to better share the gospel of Jesus Christ?" We were taught that if we are willing to change, the Spirit will be there to show us "all things that we must do." and inversely that if we are not willing to change, he will not be able to help us. The meeting was clearly driven by the Spirit. It was life changing. I could and probably will talk about it in 45 emails but I don't feel that is necessary. In the middle of the meeting Sister Zwick was given a time and said that she would take a little time to quiz us about Preach My Gospel. She then took out what she called "motivators," being skittles, starburst, and ...reeses.

 

I havent had reeses in 2 years

 

They dont sell reeses here

 

It's my favorite candy

 

I was determined to get me one of those. The game was that she would ask a question and we had to find the response in "Preach my Gospel and stand up as soon as we found it. The first question was about  the weekly planning session and I was the first to pop up with my heart beating fast and full of excitement.  I announced the page. Due to the fact that the section continued on to the next page and the response was in fact on the next page, I was deemed unworthy of the reeses.  I was devastated, and embarrassed, but undeterred.  I was determined to eat my reeses. The next few questions were increasingly difficult and I watched with fear as the candies slowly started to disappear.  Finally only two candies remained.   My heart was beating fast when she started the question, but I stood before she finished her sentence with a fist pump of triumph.  It was correct and she threw me my reeses.  I sat down, out of breath, and patiently waited till the end of our meeting to eat my reeses. It was good.

 

I like my mission. Right at the moment where I thought, "It's too hard," I was sent a spiritual boost and even my favorite treat. God really does love us and know us, even down to our favorite candy.

Love Y'all

Love, Elder Cosby

TRAVEL ITINERARY: THIS IS THE LAST MONTH

Subject:  FINAL Travel Itinerary For COSBY/SETH LORENZO - 29May - 5472X5
To: Tahiti Papeete Mission 

Electronic ticket(s) have been issued and are ready for travel. See ETKT information below.

 

The following is a revised itinerary. Please take note of changes to flight numbers, times, and/or transfer cities.

  

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT                          DATE 16APRIL12

50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST                    AGENT JJ/KT BOOKING REF 5472X5

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111                    COSBY/SETH LORENZO  191435-R

FAX      : 801-240-5115

 

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL

  TAHITI PAPEETE MISSION

 

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE

_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______

AIR TAHITI NUI        29MAY PAPEETE        LOS ANGELES CA 1159P   1110A

TN 8                TUESDAY FAAA           LOS ANGELES IN         30MAY

L ECONOMY                   TERMINAL INTL  TERMINAL B

                            SNACK/BREAKFAST               NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         8:11 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-300

                            SEAT 35A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

 

AMERICAN AIRLINES     30MAY LOS ANGELES CA DALLAS TX      135P    635P

AA 2448           WEDNESDAY LOS ANGELES IN DALLAS FT WORT    

Q ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 4

           NON SMOKING      FOOD AND BEVERAGES FOR PURCHA NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         3:00 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800

                            SEAT 23B NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

 

RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  AA/PTUEGD  TN/DFLBQB

 

COSBY/SETH LORENZO  191435-R

     ETKT:TN/244 7037194274

 

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE

OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE

CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537)

.

CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7

.

KATY TALBOT - EXT 25153

 

MISSION PRESIDENT BENJAMIN TAURAA SINJOUX

PH 011-689-50-5521 OFFICE 011-689-42-4332 HOME

      * NOTICE * STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED AT AIRPORT.

        BECAUSE CHECK-IN TIMES AROUND THE WORLD MAY VARY BASED    

       ON THE INDIVIDUAL AIRPORT AND DAY-TO-DAY SECURITY ISSUES

                 PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY FOR YOUR FLIGHTS.

      IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AIRPORT SECURITY,

                 PLEASE CONTACT THE AIRPORT DIRECTLY.

          MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800) 537-3537 OR (801) 240-5111

 

BAGGAGE POLICY - FOR TRAVEL TO/FROM, WITHIN THE US, PLEASE VISIT:

HTTPS://BAGS.AMADEUS.COM?R=5472X5&N=COSBY  

 

Use CheckMyTrip to view your itinerary and flight changes at any time:

Go to CheckMyTrip now: http://WWW.CHECKMYTRIP.COM/CMTSERVLET?R=5472X5&L=US&N=COSBY

 

MISSIONARY DOG DAYS: April 26, 2012

Dear Family, 

Here's something that happened to us recently.  I've been busy and can't remember if I've written this to you already.   Two missionaries on bikes.  There are no street lights in most of the valley of Tuauru. As we were riding,  I heard a few barks in the distance but they were closing in fast. In all of the valley there is one black dog that likes to chase us.  It was him. I was behind Elder Ezekiela. I quickly put my gears as high as they could go.   As I passed Ezekiela I yelled, "HURRY,"  but black dog had already made it to the road.  We passed him so quickly that it scared him and prevented him from eating us and the excellent Lasagna that we were given to take home as leftovers.  We had to slow down because it was completely dark  (no street lights in the valley of Tuauru) and we were scared we were gonna die.  But then we saw hope... lights from a car.  I gave my companion a military hand signal to dodge right and I would dodge left.   I didn't get to see the driver of the car but hopefully he wasn't old because he might have had a heart attack.  He would have seen two young men in white shirts and ties and helmets narrowly dodge his car on both sides and right behind the most evil bloodthirsty black-as-night dog he had ever seen in his life hit it.   Right after passing the car I looked back to verify that the car was a heaven sent missile to destroy our possessed pursuer.  It was.  Stop reading if you like  dogs.  Speeding car met speeding dog like a Tongan lineman blindsiding an unsuspecting punter.  The last thing I saw before turning the corner was a black dog in the air, whose yelps were drowned out by me and my companion's laughs of fear and surprise.

Love y'all,

Love Elder Cosby

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS: April 16, 2012

Dear Family,
Saturday we had the baptism of Tehina.   It was great.  We thought it wouldn't happen because her family got in a fight with one of our ward members, but we all put our prayers and defeated the enemy.  I am thankful for my companion, he really helps me out.   Every day with my last companion I prayed to have a companion that would help me to become better and finish strong before I go home. I'm happy.  God answers prayers.   Missionaries need the members help.  We can't do it by ourselves.  Everyone go be an investigator's friend this week.  Love y'all 
Love, Elder Cosby

CONFERENCE and EASTER: April 2 and April 9, 2012

Dear Family (April 2),

Conference was great. Me and my companion woke up at 4:30 yesterday and Saturday so we could get there in time.   Here it starts at 6:00 a.m.  Each time I watch it I pay more attention.  I didn't sleep through any of the talks. 

This week was really difficult.  We had more than half of our lessons where our investigators just weren't there when we got there, and we had our baptism for next week get her entire family in a fight with our members.   So it was nice to have conference at the end of all that.   I don't know what else to say about this week without being depressing, but I'm glad that I have "a mountain to climb" like President Eyring said. I love my mission even though this week was just downright terrible.   I am still happy for some reason and me and my companion are still going for our goals to baptize a lot of people. He is a good guy.  I like him.

Love Y'al,

Love Elder Cosby

(April 9) It's Easter! Everything closes in 5 minutes. Love y'all


Love, Elder Cosby 

COOL EXPERIENCES: March 26, 2012

Dear Family,

This week my companion was really sick. It started at a family's house where we were eating and in the middle he got up and threw up. There was a non member there who was the boyfriend of the daughter and he made my companion medicine out of plants (it worked) for three days.  We engaged him to take the lessons and told him to come to church so he cut his long hair and came to church.   Other than that we stayed a lot at the house to rest.  I read a lot of scriptures and Liahonas.  

Saturday we had the baptism of Tehotu   It was great.  He is a great guy.  He told us that he was going to go on a mission.  He is 16.   We also started the lessons with a guy named Doodi who told us he planned on being baptized and serving a mission after and had already planned most of his baptismal program.  Cool experiences.  I like my mission. I like being busy doing important stuff.   Love y'all

Love, Elder Cosby