Elder Cox's Twelfth Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends,

So I changed my pday to today if you didn't notice. Hehe.  We decided to go to the temple so therefore we had to change our pday.  It was a good experience.  I sure love going. 

Last Saturday we baptized a guy named Victor.  He is a great guy.  He is going to make a difference in the branch.  His father came to the baptism and left very impressed.  He felt the Spirit very strongly and asked what the feeling was.  It was a great experience to see the Spirit in action.  I'm sure the missionaries that are in his area will be happy because he seemed very excited to learn more.

Yesterday we had a training for the trainers and trainees.  I was talking to my president and he said that it was very probable that I would be leaving the area.  I don't think he wants me to end there.  But I would really have like to finish my mission here.  I have come to love the people.  Even if sometimes they say No, we don't want anything to do with your religion but if you're hungry come on in.  Haha.  Needless to say, I don't weigh the same as I did when I first started the mission. haha.  I recently grabbed a scale to find out exactly how much weight I really gained.  I was shocked.  I'm sure President will send me to a place way far away that will make me have a diet.  And then all will be well. 

Well the weather seems to be changing.  They say that it might rain this weekend.  Let's hope.  I think it was Friday and Saturday that I was in love.  The weather was super nice golfing weather.  I mean the only thing that was missing in the picture was my clubs.  (Editor's note: I think we have a trunky elder here) haha.  We were outside the whole day working hard.  Taking advantage of the nice weather. 

I was just thinking back to before the mission and even the beginning. Who I was and what has changed.  I think one part that I enjoy  that has changed is my scripture study.  It really has taken on a whole new meaning for me.  But most of all my understanding and love for the Savior has grown.  I know now that He died for me and now lives for me.  I've come to realize just a little bit more of the importance of His role in the Plan of Salvation.  And by Him and thru Him all things are possible. 

I love you all.  Thank you for all your prayers.  And you are always in mine. 

Love,

Elder James Cox

Elder Cox's Eleventh Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends,

How're things going?  We had a great day.  We decided to take a tour of part of Tampico. It wasn't anything special, except the crocodilles. There is a lagoon that's in the middle of Tampico.  And it's full of crocodilles.  Well, sometimes they get brave or curious and start to head into someone's house or whatever.  And the firemen here really have nothing to do, so they get calls that there is an alligator in my front yard or something like that and they get to go pick it up and throw it back into the lagoon. And while we were over there it just happened that the firemen had one wrapped up.  And they let us hold it.  It was a small one.  I'll send you the pics.  It's cool. 

But other than that, the spiritual part of the week went really well.  We will be having a baptism this week.  Excellent guy.  And my comp gave an excellent talk yesterday.  Mine was bad.  Sometimes they are good and sometimes they just suck (Editor's note: Who else thinks that is inappropriate language for a missionary?:)  Well sadly mine wasn't that great, but my comp's was super.  He really brought down the hammer on all the members, but with so much love that they didn't even feel it. They all felt like they needed to do better, but it was done in such a classic way.  I was surprised.  Because of that, just after that we received a referral from a member saying that she wanted to invite her neighbor over to listen to the mssionaries.  She has never heard them before.  I was happy that my comp was able to hit home with the members. 

The weather is great.  It's cloudy and a little cool.  I'm hoping for a miracle and that it stays cool until April.  Just hold out a few months until I get home.  Haha. 

Oh, funny story.  So, there is a sister here that is serving with her husband as missionaries at the temple.  He is an American.  She is a Mexican.  She told us to stop by yesterday for some tamales.  They were sweet tamales.  They put some sugar in them.  They usually only make them this time of the year.  They're good.  And then she sent us on our way with red vines, almond joys, and snickers.  All from the States.  OOO!  It was good.  Haha.  Nice treat.  But really I got to kick the sweets and soda.  It's killing me.  I'm almost ready to just give up because the members love giving us food.  I've come to the conclusion that whatever, I'm coming home fat.  Back at the house I will be able to lose it.  Because it's impossible here.  Haha. 

I love you all.  Have an excellent week.

Elder Cox

Elder Cox's Tenth Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends,

Happy New Year!! 

I hope all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. 

This week we will be having a baptism for a guy named Victor.  Great guy.  We are all excited for him. 

My companion and I are having a great time.  We are finding some success and know that all will turn out well.

Sadly, yesterday the food made me sick and I made friends with the toilet last light.  Between the music next door and the sickness I didn't sleep at all.  This letter will be short becuase I just wanted you all to know I am doing well.  I probably will be feeling better tomorrow. 

Love you all and wish you all my best wishes,

Elder James Cox

Elder Cox's Ninth Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends,

Christmas is just around the corner.  So, Merry Christmas!  Wow, isnt it amazing that this year flew by?  Well it did for me. And now this Friday is the end of the world.  Life was surely short for me.  Too bad I didn't get to enjoy it a little more.  Hehe. Actually we are having a ward activity that night, so iI'l be partying for the last day of the world.  Hehe.  Well not partying like that.

It sure is nice to have the confidence that God is in control.  He speaks to his prophets and we need not to waiver nor fear when men cry out, the world is near.  The gospel is true.  And what joy it brings to us that we know that families can be together forever. Sadly to say, I don't think the end is near.  We ain't there yet. But gettin' close.  Hehe. 

So this was a great transfer.  About 5 weeks ago President Jordan told me that I would be training this coming transfer.  I was excited to hear that.  But a little sad because that meant I would probably be leaving and having to white wash an area for Christmas with a kid.  A new missionary.  But last week President asked me in an interview if I wanted to stay.  I said,  I get to choose?  Well I would like to stay.  I love the area and really don't want to be in another area for Christmas.  Well he answered my plea and told me that I'm staying and will be receiving my kid.  But the downside is I'm still in 2 very large areas. Double the work.  Oh boy.  Haha. 

So Monday I dropped off my old comp, Elder Barrientos and later went over to the mission home to go pick up the new missionary. That is where I received Elder Quiñones from Durango, Durango. We had a long day of training and then finally got home late.  It's going to be a great change.  I'm excited to have another kid for Christmas.  Hehe. 

Family, you will be able to talk to him on Christmas.  He's learning English.  So we will see how it goes.  Hehe. 

I love you all. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder James Cox

Elder Cox's Eighth Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends,

This week went pretty well.  I had been planning an activity for about 6 weeks now.  And last Saturday we finally had it.  A lot of stress and planning, And in the end all paid off. 

We started off in the Sacrament room (Editor's note: I think he means the chapel) and watched a movie: Joy to the world. We had the Sacrament Room almost packed. Then we had all those that were visiting us that were not members of our faith with their friend that invited them to divide into groups.  We then had an open house in the chapel.  Had a few rooms that were shown and then we went outside for the show. 

We had a few of the auxiliary groups perform with the theme of Christmas.  It turned out really well.  Later we ate and were uplifted by a live band.  Haha.  The branch president threw together a band and played a few songs.  In the end we had about 200 to 250 people show up.  And about 50 to 60 that were not members.  It was a success like I have never seen before. A normal turn out is 30 members or so for a missionary activity.  It was fun to see how the members got together and invited friends.  We are hoping to see fruits from the activity.

All is well here.  I have a week left and then it might be my turn to change.  Who knows.  I would like to be here for Christmas, but who knows. I'll let you know next week where I am.  And then I will let you know when I will be able to have my call home. 

I love you all.  Thank you for all your prayers and kind words.

May God Bless you.

Elder James Cox

Elder Cox's Seventh Letter From the University Branch Area

Hey family and friends, 

Did you miss me this last Monday?  I'm sure that you didn't.  Haha.  So what happened was on Saturday we were told we were going to have a special training meeting on Monday and that our pday would be postponed until Wednesday.  So that is why I am writing today instead of Monday.

This week was pretty good.  I enjoyed it.  We had an excellent baptism on Saturday.  Carlos was baptized by his brother in law.  It was a special experience.  His parents came into town.  They live about 4 hours away.  It was nice of them to come.  Later after the baptism they invited us over to eat.  They were going to have their baptism/birthday party dinner for him.  Carlos was baptized on his birthday.  A very special day for him. 

This week we also had a fun adventure.  I'll have to start from the beginning so that you understand.  So about about 4 weeks ago I was told that I was going to be covering 2 wards.  And that the other house that the missionaries were in was going to be vacant.  So I asked if we could move over into that house.  It was a better house all around.  We received permission and moved everything into the other house.  All was going well when President gave me a call and asked if i could move back into the old house that I was in.  Oh, just shoot me now, I thought.  We had closed the contract on the last house and had everything in one house.  It was going to be a mess, I thought.  Then he told me that it was only going to be 2 weeks and we would move back.  Oh no, I thought.  What a mess! Well whatever the President says.  

What was going on was he was puting sister missionaries in the house that we were living in for 2 weeks.  So the first problem I had was to find a house to move into.  Luckily I remembered that a sister about a week ago had told me she was thinking about renting an apartment and if the missionaries would like to rent it.  I cordially told her thank you, but we had a house.  So now I quickly looked for her number and asked her about the apartment.  She said that it wasn't ready,  They wanted to paint it and fix a few things.  And asked when we were planning on moving in.  I told her in 1 or 2 days.  She was like wow! umm let me check with my husband.  So they said they would but they wanted to paint the apartment first.  So I grabbed some missionaries and my comp and we went over friday and scraped and painted almost all day.  Did the finishing touch ups Saturday and moved everything we were going to need for 2 weeks.  

We looked at the time and it was time to fill the baptismal font.  We ran over to the church and started to clean and fill it up.  Then it was time to eat, ran over to the lunch, then quickly over to our house to shower and change.  Then back to the church to finish filling up the font.  Ok so we had 30 minutes to fill up the rest of the font and print off the program before the baptism was to start.  We ran over to the little coffee shop where they have public computers.  It was closed.  Oh no, we don't know of any other places close by... luckily we saw that a bishop was at the church building and so we asked to use the secretary´s computer.  He was kind enough to let us print it off quickly and we were saved. 

After that the baptism went very smooth.  And all went well.  We had several investigators come and they all enjoyed it.  Sadly I don't have pictures.  My camera didn't have a battery and so my comp has the pics.  Later I will pass them so that you can see. (Editor's note:  Don't you just love the syntax?:)

Well that was my week.  Nothing else new with me.  All is going well.  I really am enjoying my wards here.  I have a feeling that I will be leaving in a week and a half.  Just before Christmas.  I hope not, but who knows.  We have some great things planned for Christmas.  This will be a great Christmas, but I will sure miss you guys.

Love ya all.

Elder James Cox

Elder Cox's Sixth Letter From the University Area

Hey Family and friends. 

How're things going?  How was Thanksgiving?  Mine was pretty good. Hehe.  But I didn't eat turkey. :(  We went over to a sister's house and she showed me how to make encacahuatadas (Editor's note: tortillas rolled with chicken in a chili peanut sauce. sounds yummy!) They are pretty good.  I'm trying to have the sisters teach me the recipes so that when I get home I can cook some real Mexican food.  I can make home made tortillas. wheat and corn. yum.  And I'm learning some really good salsa recipes.  How to make them from here.  I bought the volcanic rock and everything.  It's called a molcajete (Editor's note: Authentic Mexican mortar and pestle).  Makes good salsa.  But I'm warning you, I'm not sure if you are going to like my salsa.  I love habanero salsa.  It's soo good.  it's so funny how now I have to eat everything with salsa.  If it isn't spicy it doesn't taste the same.  Haha.  I tried that Pace salsa that I used to love and it didn't taste good at all.  Haha.  I was like this isn't salsa.  It was funny.  I was like where is my chile de pequin (Editor's note: the tiny, very, very hot chilies. Yikes!)  It's almost like candy to me.  I love it when they are in vinegar with carrots.  I finally found a purpose for vinegar.  I really don't like anything that is in vinegar, but with chile it's soo good.  Gotta try it. 

It was pretty funny the other day I was doing divisions with some other missionaries.  The companion for the day is from Ecuador.  And they don't eat anything spicy.  So he is having a very hard time adjusting to the food here.  So the sister made some really good hamburgers, and of course I had to put my jalapeños on it.  It is not spicy to me at all, its more the flavor.  And so I finished two huge hamburgers, they were so good. (Editor's note:  I think the reason Elder Cox has not sent pics home for awhile is because he has gotten fat on all this Mexican food :) I had to have 2 and there was a little part of a jalapeño left on my plate.  And I was about to eat it, but my companion asked me if it was spicy.  In my opinion it wasn't, so I said no.  So he worked up his courage and tried the tiniest little bit.  And you should have seen his face.  He starts screaming and drinking his drink and then grabs mine and then some fries. He gets a little upset and says what do you mean its not spicy, its really hot!.  And I'm just laughing my head off.  And imagining that's probably how I was when I first got here.  Well not that bad, but I'm sure the chiles were spicy.  I kind of felt bad for the guy, but it sure made my day to see his face. 

This Sunday in church was excellent.  The first ward we went to sadly no investigators came, but we had 2 inactive families that came after years of not coming.  It was nice to see that.  The second ward, i.e the other 3 hours of church we had 4 investigators and 2 families that are less active that came.  Four is great!  Seeing that when I began serving here there was nothing.  Haha.  Little by little we are seeing some miracles in that ward.  But I'll only be there for 3 weeks more.  President told me that he will be assigning 2 missionaries there and i"ll probably have the other ward.  The first ward is called Jardín.  It's a great ward.  Just gonna need some help a little.  It's got all the potential to be great, just needs to find a little energy and some enthusiasm.  We have some great hopes for both wards. 

We are going to be having a baptism this Saturday, Carlos.  He will be turning 19 this Saturday and having his baptism also.  His family will be coming in from out of town and I hope it will all turn out great for him.  His brother in law will be baptizing him.  Carlos is working on saving up and freeing up time from college to be able to go on a mission in 1 year.  I bumped into another one of my converts that will be sending in his papers this week to go on a mission.  It's exciting to see them go. I have hopes that 2 others will go on missions also. 

Someone asked me if I have Walmart and other American stores in my area.  The answer is yes, but I don't go to them.  I usually just buy at a little store all the things I need because it's close by. 

About my areas, they are really big in distance because there are very few members.  Most of the parts are very nice areas.  But I have come to love the members there.  Every area I love and have come to love the areas.  Each area is different but has a special place in my heart. 

My companion.  I can't remember if I told you his name, his name is Elder Barrientos.  He is great. We get along well.  Work hard.  He has 3 years as a member.  His sister and mother are members.  Father and other siblings are not.  His sister has decided to serve a mission also. 

Concerning my health.  I'm doing well.  My comp and I are healthy.  A little sore, but doing well. Sore because we were given permission to play some sports with the members Saturday.  And we haven't done anything really physical in a very long time.  I'm feeling pretty sore like an old man. This is not good.  And I'm getting fat.  You are not going to be able to recognize me.  I'm coming back brown, short and fat with a thick accent.  Hehe.  Well maybe just the fat part.  Hehe. 

Well all is well here.  We are working hard and are happy.  Looking forward to Christmas.  It's just around the corner.  I would love to be spending it with you guys this year, but 'till the next one.  I do have the only Starbucks in Tampico in my area.  We stopped by because a missionary gave me a Starbucks card a while back.  We stopped by my companion and I and had a frappuccino. Strawberry is my favorite.  Don't worry it doesn't have coffee.  But the point is, it's all Christmasy there.  It made me think of home.  Here there are very few that put up lights.  I'm sure more in my area than others just because of the type of people.  I'm hoping I will be spending Christmas here where I'm at right now. But we will see.  Changes are on the 18 of Dec. just before Christmas....

That's about it with me.  I hope I answered your questions.  If you have any more just let me know. 

Love,

Elder Cox