Dear Family,
This week has been so crazy, but so incredible at the same time! We really did so many amazing things and got so much work done! I was definitely feeling the joy as we worked hard to help our investigators progress and help them get closer to baptism. There was so much that happened this week, it really is just incredible we got it all done! But way cool.
So the first big thing we did through out the week was harvested rice! We got to help out Brother T_____with the rice a few times and it was so much fun to help him! One of the times after helping him we were able to go visit a little Japanese preschool and it was so much fun! We just stopped in and asked if we could say hello, and they ended up making like a full on assembly for us! It was crazy but so cool! All of the little Japanese kids were so cute I loved it. They said that we can come by anytime and they would be happy to have us.
The weekend was where it got wild though. So, while on exchanges, Elder Hall met these 2 way sick kids who play soccer. G____is 20 I think, and just way cool. C_____is the other, and he is 16 but really mature and just hangs out with all these 20 year olds. His dad lives in London so he has perfect English as well as perfect Japanese. But when he speaks english it is in a little english accent! It is so legit. So on Saturday, we got to hop on a train in the morning and go play soccer with them with all their friends at this field. It was amazing. We got to talk to the kids while we played and ended up getting G_____to come next week to come play music and stuff with us! I guess he is really good at the violin mom, so i will have to let you know how he is! So that is going to be sweet!
Then after playing, we went back home to Sanjo to go meet with some people and teach! We were able to get two lessons which was way awesome, and then we went back to Niigata to go to the game! C____got us free tickets, so we were able to go with all of his friends! It was such an amazing opportunity to go! I feel like I have had the best first transfer anyone could have..seriously amazing. I have gotten to do it all! The game was so fun and here in Japan they take it so seriously so it is awesome! The stadium was huge, as you can hopefully see in the pictures, and it was just so fun to have that chance to go! I really am so blessed.
So after the game, we had a chance to do a Skype lesson with Sister M_____ our investigator who is really close to baptism, and we did a three way with one of Elder Hall's recent converts Brother S______ He had a really hard time getting baptized because a lot of people didn't want him to, but once he did he realized the blessings and it really changed his life. Sister M_____ is the same way. She has some friends and family that don't want her to get baptized and she is worried that if she does they won't be the same to her anymore. S_____ was able to tell her his experience and really testify that things will work out for the better as she gets baptized. The lesson went amazing! The next day (Sunday) she had her baptismal interview and passed easily! She did amazing and she is ready I think! She is planning on being baptized this Wednesday! The best part is, she wants to get baptized in the ocean, so we are going to do an ocean baptism! Sooo sick! Seriously so amazing. Please pray for her that she will have comfort and confidence these next couple of days to go through with the baptism.
The last big thing for this week was transfers..kind of hard! I am losing my companions, and Elder Sellers is going to Sado, and Elder Hall is going to Niigata to be zone leader! I really can't believe that they are leaving! It is kind of sad..this is my first transfer and it isn't very fun! Haha I loved these two Elders they are seriously amazing..but I guess it was for a reason! So I will be the Sempai companion here, which just means I am the one who has to know where everything is because my new companion hasn't been here yet. Pretty intense. I want to set really high expectations for him as he comes here. I know that I am the rookie, and don't know everything yet, but I want to make sure that he is ready to just see miracles here. We need that high expectation!
So blessed to be serving a mission right now. I am turning a new page, and its a little weird but I am so excited! I know that I am going to learn so much and that this is such an amazing opportunity to do amazing things! I know this church is true and I know that Jesus Christ is the savior and redeemer of the world. I have felt him strengthen me as I strive to do this work the best I can. Thank you all for being such a good support and just know how much I love you! I pray for you every day.
Talk soon!
Love,
Elder Cottle
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