Week 28!!!!

Here is part of a couple little emails he sent Jeff and I. I don't know why he hasn't sent a big email for two weeks but I'll be letting him know we need them next week when we talk at Christmas time!

I love 2 Nephi as well.  It really does, "throw down" in Tokyo Missionary terms haha.  I love the doctorine of Christ found in 31.  I love how the Lord invites us to follow him and how it is kind of the underlying message of the chapter.  The main message is obviously baptism, but if you study that chapter closely, you will notice that the Lord is asking us to follow him, and that the only way to do that is of course baptism, and then keeping his commandments at all times.  I really have realized that in my life I really am the most happy when I am being EXACTLY obedient.  I wish I would have wised up sooner;)  But I am grateful that I am seeing it now.  God really does bless us with that happiness when we show our love for him and follow his commandments.

I know that this church is true.  It is amazing to me how much my testimony has grown while I have been here, and how I can already see how my life has changed.  Before my mission, I always thought that I didn't want to come home different, and that I wanted to be normal Logan when I got home.  Now I see that I want to be different.  I want to be a changed person, someone who has really given themself to the Lord to be molded and turned into his perfect disciple.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to be here.  I love this work and I am so glad that I still have a year and a half to do it.  Thank you for always believing in me.  I love you so much and I can't wait to talk to you next week!

All my love,

Elder Cottle 

Here are some answers to some questions I asked. 

1.  I did not get transferred..however there were some pretty big changes here in Mito.  We got another new companion named Elder A.  He is a transfer 3, and I knew him from Niigata!  Elder M  left to another area.  So it is me, Elder A and Elder N.  I am training Elder N, and I was made a District Leader.  I am very humbled by this opportunity I have to serve the people in my district!  I really think that I will be able to grow a lot, and I am just so excited for the opportunity!  Was not expecting that though..transfer 4 district leaders are a little mezarashi...(rare) but I know I was called for a reason and that the Lord knows I can do it!

2.  Yes we are supposedly doing video I believe..I think that you can probably call us..I will figure out all the details by next week I promise. 

3.  Yes we will figure out details and if the connection is bad we can hop on the phone no problem

4.  The 12 Days of Christmas are incredible!  Thank you so much they have seriously made me so happy!  There really is nothing better than a note from someone you love with their testimony in it..THANK YOU!  You are amazing.

5.  I knew Elder H would be Assistant!  He is an incredible missionary and someone very close to my heart!  I got to see him at a trainers training down in Tokyo this last week and it was so good to see him!  I know he is going to do amazing, and I am just so grateful that I was able to have him as my trainer.  What a blessing!  He really has helped me become the missionary I am today.  He is going to be an amazing lifelong friend!

6.  I am not currently singing in a choir..we don't have one but I think we are singing something for our ward christmas party..we will see how that goes!