Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

Happy Birthday USA!

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Dear Family & Friends,

Well it was another great week. HOT HOT HOT I don’t believe it has been under 105 during the day all week.

But that has been great encouragement to get into peoples homes and teach them about the gospel. It brings to my mind what Jesus taught that those who drink of him shall never thirst. So I have been trying to keep my mind focused on Him and the reason why I am out here to begin with. Jesus Christ is the reason! I love the Gospel and want to share it with everyone that I can. So when I keep that focus the heat doesn’t seem to bother, it is when I have lost that focused that it does. SO when the heat comes it is a nice reminder that I am in need of a change of my state of mind.

I am grateful this week for the Book of Mormon again.

I thought last week about what I had wrote about and it help us have several great lessons with the Book of Mormon. The investigator had a question in there mind and said a prayer to be guided to the answer and the just opened the book and started to read, AND NO SURPRISE AT ALL, they found their answer. THE GREATEST PART was that it didn’t always come by what was written on the page, sometimes it came by just they feeling they got or by what they “thought” it meant. That is why the scriptures are so powerful, and you can read and reread them over and over; it all about where you are at in your life at the time you read it.

So the 4th of July is over and done with I am now at the point in the mission that everything is now my last. WHICH IS SO WEIRD. It is so crazy that the time is just flying by, it really makes me think a lot about how I am going to use the time that I have because clearly I don’t have as much time as I thought I did, I never expected that the time would fly by as it has. It helps put it all in perspective.

Thank you all for everything that you do. LOVE YOU ALL.

ElDeR S CoRoDoN

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The Converting Power of the Scriptures

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Dear Family and Friends,

What a wonderful week we had! I know I say that all the time but , it’s true! How can it not be we are working in the Lords vineyard to bring souls unto him! The world is a crazy place with lots of negativity, loneliness, anger, pride, and suffering; its also a place that we can find peace, joy, happiness, love, comfort, and support. God is there to help us find the things that makes us happy. So as I get to watch people come and find Christ and find the happiness in all the darkness and chaos, it brings such a joy to my life. So ya I know that I say “what a wonderful week” all the time but that is because it is true!

This week did end a little different then last. Last week we had a lot of people at church and it fired us up to have it happen again. Sadly it didn’t, BUT…. We did have Jennifer accept a date to be baptized we will be helping her prepare to be baptized on July 18th. She is excited to come to know the truth that is here and she felt the spirit during that church tour.
I am gaining more and more a testimony of the strength and power that comes when we use the church buildings. These building that are everywhere have been built and dedicated to the Lord for his purposes and they carry a powerful spirit with them. Every time that we have a lesson in them and I fell of the spirit that is present it brings a peace to my heart that this is his work. We are using the church for tours with as many as will accept and we are using it for lessons, separate from a church tour, on occasion as well.

We have been working forward with an eye of faith know that as we desire to teach the Lord will help us find. We are focusing our efforts on helping those that we teach gain a witness of the Book of Mormon. We had investigators that weren’t daily reading, they have a very difficult time reading, and we have also noticed that it is hard for them to but themselves into the stories of the Book. So we have been reading it with them one chapter at a time, we have been picking the chapters that talking about the principles that we have been guided to for them, and helping them put themselves into the scriptures.

I love the scriptures and the power that comes into my life because of them, and the testimony that I get to gain by seeing that same strength come into other peoples lives as they start to study and learn from the scriptures, are the small things that I get to have every day that strengthen my testimony and conversion to the gospel.

I am so grateful that I am able to come out on my mission and not only help others find their faith and hope, but help find my own as well. I am so grateful to all of you for the things that you have helped me with in my life and for the examples that you have been for me to look to.

Love you all so very much!!

Elder S Cordon

Staying Busy

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Dear Family and Friends,

Well its been a powerful week. We were quite busy and did not have any time to really get out and its weird I thought we worked hard but it seemed weird by the end of the week. But as we look back over our week, we saw we did a lot of teaching and still had opportunities to find people. Looking into July I am a little nervous as far as achieving our future goals there is only 4 solid dates in the zone leading into July and 3 of them are from us. I feel like what helped our dates become solid is putting a quicker date and adding urgency I feel like there is a few investigators in the zone that could be ready for July if we add some urgency.

The 3 people that we have for July are Sister Wong and her Daughter Lindy, they are really great and they have really answered the call to prepare themselves for baptism. Both are doing really good about reading, in fact Sister Wong has been doing some really cool studies after each of our lessons. She uses the pamphlets and does a deeper study on the lessons using the questions in the back. The other date is Ho Siu Ming also a great guy who is willing to keep going, he wants his family to have the gospel and with all three of these people they will be planning on us introducing them to their families here soon.

We have some other Baptismal dates and a handful of other investigators that could all be starting to really progress here shortly. The Lord is really blessing us. We go out the door everyday expecting Miracles and everday they keep happening. We are constantly finding those opportunities arise that requires to be brave and open our mouths. One for instance Elder Dale really impressed me as he contacted this man sitting next to us on a bus, luckily it was a long one out to the Village of Mui Wo. I had seen the guy and shy away but he just moved over a seat and said “do you mind if I practice my Chinese”. Well the man was happy to accept then Elder Dale practiced all of his first lesson vocab while he was at it. We ended up getting off the bus at the same stop, taught him prayer and rescheduled him and his girlfriend for next week. I guess there used to be a branch out here in Mui Wo. We would love to bring it back! We are also working with a less active out there as well and found that there is two full families that are less active that live out there.

Things really are going so well. Elder Dale and I have very similar mindsets which has made having unity come really easy! We also are both just really excited about the work and have a real good vision for this area.

Love You all!

Elder Jared Cordon

Life is about the CHALLENGE

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Dear Family and Friends,

Well What A WONDERFUL WEEK!!

We are seeing miracles all the time here, it is crazy to see the work flying so fast. Now where there is so much good Satan is there to try and stop it. He will through whatever he has at it. We have so many people that are being taught and coming to know Jesus Christ and Satan keeps trying to throw them off the path. So to combat this problem we are striving to meet with our investigators as often as they will let us. We have some that we are able to see everyday, and then Satan tries even harder on them because we are trying harder. They are reading the Book of Mormon and praying and doing the things they need to in order to help combat when we are not around.

I am gaining a great testimony of reading and praying and the power that it gives to our lives when done every day. I know that will be what gives me the strength and knowledge to endure to the end, and to always live the Doctrine of Christ. We had 10 people that came to church this last week. They were able to feel of the spirit and for two of those people it was their first time coming. One was Erica she was one of our new investigators last week, she came to the first hour and then left to see her dad for fathers day. The other is …. John, who is Damien’s friend, Damien showed him the ropes and was a great friend the whole time.

The work is moving forward and we are just trying to make sure that we are keeping up at the pace that Heavenly Father would have us. We are praying, planning, and teaching with faith so that we can be the servants that He needs. I am grateful to be here serving in this area with Elder Harmon, I am learning and growing so much everyday come with a new set of challenges to help grow me as a missionary I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Growing is a part of this life and God is going to make the most out of our lives if we let him.

Love YOU
Elder S Cordon

Lead Thou Me On; Reflections On Returning Home

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Dear Family and Friends,

So reality can hit you pretty hard when you get home, setting aside the fact that you have to adjust to a whole new culture and way of living, there is the pressures of finding a job, going to school, and getting married, all of which are grand feats in and of themselves. Coming home has been the greatest adventure of my life so far. In just a few short weeks (which have felt like a few short months) I have made great friends, tried new things, shared the gospel, made tons of money, traversed hundreds of miles, and so much more. Truly I believe more than ever before that God never intended for the mission to be the climax of my life, seeing has how the fullness of joy has only continued to grow since then. However; I tend to worry, my biggest worry has been whether or not I am doing what the Lord wants me to do. With so many big choices immediately placed before me, I have found it to be very difficult to feel completely confident in my decisions. Little did I know that I was about to get a bigger lesson on faith and trust in God than I ever had. Not even a day after I got home, opportunities fell into my lap, and doors started opening for me which I didn’t even know were there. These were grand testaments to me that God really does provide; nevertheless, I still found myself worrying that perhaps I wouldn’t know what to do, that I wouldn’t have enough money for school, and that I hadn’t picked the right major. Clearly, all of these feelings and thoughts are not examples of exercising faith. I definitely wanted more faith, but just wasn’t sure how to get it. Constantly the spirit and loved ones around me have encouraged me that everything would work out for the best, but I couldn’t bring myself to embrace the idea. I have definitely had my moments of great faith since I have been back and I honestly did and do believe that God will provide for me, but I have had my moments of doubt and anxiety. Suddenly, I got spiritual reinforcement. It came the way that I have told people it would come to them for almost two years, it came in a simple thought and feeling; I got my revelation by listening to a hymn during Sacrament Meeting this last Sunday. Hymns have such a powerful way of reaching the heart in a way that words cannot. It seems to heighten your spiritual sensitivity allowing the holy ghost to converse with you more clearly and specifically. In a way that it has never done before Hymn #97, Lead Thou Me On, struck my heart and filled me with a supernal sense of hope. I stared at the words as I read them, almost incapable of speaking as I realized the words sung in that song were directly meant for me at that moment. While the whole song was powerful these parts struck me the most. “Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene–one step enough for me. I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that thou shouldst lead me on. I love to choose and see my path; but now, lead thou me on!… So long thy pow’r hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone.” As those words resonated within me I was overcome with emotion. Almost to the point of tears I thanked God for the blessing of his spirit and especially His Son, Jesus Christ. God had provided all things necessary for me to be happy and to succeed and he would continue to do so. As I listened to this song it’s message was written on “the fleshy tables of my heart”, and that truthfulness of its message was confirmed by the power of The Holy Ghost, sealing that testimony forever in my soul. Since that powerful moment, what I learned has only been confirmed as I have seen the hand of God working wonders in my life. I am still far from perfect and I still have much more to learn about faith, but I know for me, the newly returned missionary, daily relying on the spirit will, out of necessity, continue to be apart of my life. Coming home hasn’t been the easiest thing I have ever done, but I have enjoyed it and it has made me a better person; even better than who I was a little more than three weeks ago when I was still a missionary in Florida. I am know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that because of Jesus Christ, if I remain faithful, all things will work out for my gain and I will gain all that the father has in store for me. Until that time, “I do not ask to see the distant scene–one step [is] enough for me.”

I love y’all so very much!

Brother Joshua Cordon

WKM!!

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Dear Family and Friends,

The work is moving crazy fast here in Hermiston. We had another baptism this weekend. Kathy was baptized. What a wonderful day that was to see her so happy for making the decision to come and follow Jesus Christ.
We are watching every day as the people that we are teaching are making the steps needed to gain the conversion to the truth of this message. I have seen an increase in the faith of our investigators since the fast that we had for them. It is great to see them all be willing to make the steps that they need to make to gain the knowledge from god that this is true. Faith is such an amazing power that cant be put into words, but I know it works. God is there and wants us to believe in Him so that he can use that power of faith to bless our lives, so when others are doing that and experiencing the truth of it all IT IS A MIRACLE.
We have so much that is going well, we are teaching everyone as often as they will let us. Abel and Kristina are letting us meet with them EVERYDAY. They came to church and brought all the kids. What a wonderful family! We are excited for their baptisms in July, they are praying and working towards that date.

So Transfers have come and gone. I am staying here and so is my comp. Which means that we are staying in the Kennewick Washington Mission.
And This will be at least 4 1/2 months in Hermiston I love the people that are here and everyone that I am around. I am very excited for the next 6 Weeks!!

Love you all so much.

Elder Cordon

Miracles Abound!

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Dear Family and Friends,

A miracle that happened on Sunday was that a man we had met at the bus stop the previous Sunday whom we invited to church ended up showing up. I was in the foyer waiting for our investigator when he came walking up to the door. He clearly was there for the first time from the uncertain look on his face and he had in his hand a crumpled pass along card with the church address on it. He really enjoyed himself, and the best part was that the sisters investigator who came for the first time was his cousin. So they sat together in Sunday school and really enjoyed themselves. We still don’t have any contact information for him, but when he said that he would come back, I really do believe him this time.

Another Miracle we had was that Wittney, a wonderful young man from Haiti, has accepted the invitation to be baptized on May 23rd. He has been very active for the last month and he is more than ready for this step. I am happy to see how this will bless his life. Hopefully we can find him a bicycle so he can bike with his friend Trevor to church and back. That would be a real cherry on top.

All in all thanks for all the love and support!

Love y’all!
Elder Joshua Cordon

Week Full of Miracles!

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WE HAD 6 INVESTIGATORS AT CHURCH!!!

It was such a good day to have them all at church. We had such an amazing miracle happen. Arnoldo a little 10 year old told us that he wanted to be mormon and asked if his grandparents needed to sign him up. We told him that we would need to talk to them and so he took us right over to his house. They told him that if he wanted to it would be his responsibility and so we asked if he could come to church the next day. He said yes and so we got him a ride and he loved every minute of it. He asked if he could come back every Sunday, and the blackhurst family said they could pick him up every week. So at the end of the night Sunday we stopped by the house and to our greatest delight he was blasting the primary song CD that was given to him through his house. He said that he is going to try and learn all the songs this week. WHAT!!! He also went and talked to his 11 year old brother and told him all about how awesome it was and so Alex is going to learn and come to church next week as well. SO crazy !! Life is great, God is good. This is the best work ever!!

We also had Donna and her grandson Damion at church.

If you have not seen Joseph Smith the Prophet Of the Restoration Film WATCH IT!
It is such a wonderful film, and tells the story in such wonderful simplicity. The technology that is available for us to use to learn and to share.

Love,

Elder Steven Cordon

The BIGGEST DOG EVER!!

The BIGGEST DOG EVER!!

So let me explain the pictures. We stay in a Duplex and so we have do a play on words and took the quote "This is the Place" by Brigham Young And Changed it to "This is the Plex" So every transfer we take Plex Pics And using Play on words to come up with all the Pics. So this transfer we did this one!!

So let me explain the pictures. We stay in a Duplex and so we have do a play on words and took the quote “This is the Place” by Brigham Young And Changed it to “This is the Plex” So every transfer we take Plex Pics And using Play on words to come up with all the Pics. So this transfer we did this one!!

Good Week with Elder Williams

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Dear Family & Friends,

We had a good week this last week! I really do feel like the law of compensation is alive in our area. We did not have as much finding time as we would like but it seemed like the success came more from the time that we didn’t have to find. We found our new investigator A-Ming when we were walking back to the church after grabbing some food. We really are good about always talking to people when we can. Mainly its Elder Williams, he does it so easlily that I just cant help but join in.

It was busy having to prepare for zone training and MLC and it was hard trying to get zone training prepared in a way that it could be spiritually uplifting. But I think in the end we did well and we were able to give a training we felt was by the spirit. because we had sat down to plan and neither of us could get any revelation on how we should do our training, but we had a thought to head out and find and that was the right thing to do because after heading out we were able to get some good revelation on what we should train on and it seemed very clear to us. We decided to make it focused on true teaching and comitment inviting. We initially were going to train on effective ways to get referrals but it eventually came to us that there is really only one way to do it and its by the spiriy. So our training was teaching true doctrine, testifying, and inviting while the spirit is high will yield results in seeking for referrals. After Zone training we were not sure if our training was good or not but, once we did numbers it sounds like it worked for a few of the companionships.

The work is moving along great in the ward we have two pretty solid investigators one Mr. Mak with a date for 6/7 and then Frankie who should have a date this next week are both doing great and the ward is doing a fantastic job at fellowshipping them. I think a big help is that they are the same ages as a lot of the brothers in the ward. Our recent convert Ray is struggling a little with faith, which we are trying to help its just hard because there is not much support from the ward because no one there is his age. But we were able to help him and will keep seeing him reguaraly.

We have a good pool of other potentials and investigators that we hope to be drawing from and moving them to the progressing list. There also is two people that have been coming to church both brought by the members. One is a problem because she lives in Kowloon City ward and so does the Member who brings her to church. It would be awesome if they both moved over together because then she could go to the right ward be her fellowshipper and give her friend a chance to be baptized. The other lady who has been being brought to church is very nice and wants to learn more but for some reason the member who brought her is acting wierd about having us teach her. So we will work the member to figure out more of the situtation and see if we can help her friend start investigating.

But altogether we are getting along great and have great unity as far our purpuse goes just one thing we are working on will come from helping our teaching flow so we can keep improving which will come from good comp studies for sure.

Love you all

Cheers Elder Jared Cordon

TST!!!

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Dear Family & Friends,

It has been a wonderful Start to the next chapter of the mission story. It was amazing to have the opportunity to serve in Macau! Also now for the opportunity to serve in TST(which is the ward my trainee is from and my good man Elder Townsend served). It seems like God always sends me to the areas that I really want to go to! Although I did not necessary want to be Zone leader its here and I will do my best to be a leader and an example to the Zone. I know the best way to lead is by my actions.

My companion is one of the best if not the best the mission has! His name is Elder Williams and we started in the MTC living together so its a blessing to be with him now!

Macau had a great finish for the week we were able to meet up with a part member family and that was really cool they will be coming back to church and we were able to get the wife to agree to start meeting with the missionaries, we were also able to see Carson that new investigator again and be able to help a struggling Recent convert. A Wang one of the RCs has been struggling as we came to find out when we sat down with him. He was having some faith issues and it was awesome that he was willing to open up to us and the most important thing we got from him was that he want to improve his faith! So then we were able to help and gave his some assignments. His faith was struggling because he stopped reading praying and coming to church. The best part is we were able to help him just as the problem got started. So then Elder Chu can keep working with him. We were very busy with the finish and I was able to completely finish all the record books as well.

Now TST we had a ward BBQ is was a great chance to get to know the members right from the start and to meet a few a referrals from members so that was really cool! I really like the ward and the members and am glad I have already had the opportunity to get to know them I feel like I have been here for quite some time now, in a good way. Since Elder Williams and Elder Martinez met with all their investigators right before I got here we didn’t have any for the weekend but we had some chance to prep some stuff for MLC and get a lot of finding in. Elder Williams is an excellent finder and truly has embodied what Elder Ballard invited us to do. He talks to everyone and its just contagious so I have started to as well. I did before but, not like now. We have had a lot of really cool contacts and take advantage of every finding opportunity. Its interesting because its the culture here and as I moved in because thats just the way it is here thats what I natural started doing. I feel like if Elder Williams was with a new missionary he couldn’t help but just becoming like him as I just experienced.

One thing that we are working on is really getting up to speed as fast as possible with our teaching unity. Time is precious and we don’t want to waste any minute of it!

The zone is awesome and from it looks is every month they are getting better and better and we are going to do what we can to reach out the one and lift those who might be struggling we feel the zone will be the strongest once everyone can really start seeing the miracles!

Love,
Elder Jared Cordon

Here is some pictures for you all since I have been lacking. Don’t judge me cause i look bad, missionaries for some reason always look less attractive then when they get home I promise.

ps the whole squatting thing is a chinese thing

Here is a shot of me taking out the great and spacious grand lisboa with my cannon

Here is a shot of me taking out the great and spacious grand lisboa with my cannon

Now I am in a roman coliseum

Now I am in a roman coliseum

Also here is a car at the grand prix museum

Also here is a car at the grand prix museum

Y(>_<) PEACE!