My Farewell to Guatemala (I am really going to miss the people and Guatemala) - February 25, 2013

Time to say goodbye! But guess what Mama I'm coming home! Your Sundays will be very different from now on. What are you going to do with your extra time now Sundays? I will definitely miss your emails and your dearelders, but I will really enjoy being able to talk with you in person. That is sad that Grandpa's brother passed away. That would be very difficult to go from 15 brothers and sisters to now only 3. I hope he is doing well. I hope your cold goes away. I am just about over my cough and runny nose. I have been able to sleep at night without coughing all night. That is cool that the missionaries passed by. I think it would be very crazy to never have seen snow and then go to Utah and see a lot. It would be a very different change. 58 new missions, Wow! That is a lot. The church is really growing. Especially in Guatemala. They will now have 6 missions here. Saturday was a good two year mark, I enjoyed it. Crazy to thing that two years have gone by already. Wow, a lot really has happened in 2 years. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next two years. I know a lot will happen in my life in the next 2 years. I’m so excited to see everyone when I get home. I know a lot of friends and people at the hospital are excited to see me. It will be so awesome. Of course when I am about to come home it snows again and gets cold hahaha. I’m glad that Scott really loves his snow blower but I’m not sure how I feel about having lots of snowfall because of it. I was fine this last week until yesterday. It was a strange and hard Sunday. It hit me that that was my last Sunday in Rio Blanco. I was asked to speak for my farewell talk. I spoke of the Atonement and how it has changed my life and I have seen it change the lives of people here. I spoke of a talk by Elder Holland that says missionary work is not easy because salvation is not easy. How the atonement can help in missionary work. It was a really good talk I gave. Afterwards during the last hymn I got a little emotional (I’m not going to say if I cried or not but it was hard) thinking of all the wonderful people here and how much I love them. President Nelton spoke about me at the end of the meeting. He said how I am a great person and a great missionary and they will miss me and wish me the best of luck. Then in the gospel principles class my recent convert started to cry and said how much I have helped him and how much he will miss me. That was so hard. I want to know how our phone plan is with international calls. I would like to call him at least once a month to motivate him and see how he is doing, I will pay extra to do it. In priesthood class the President talked about me too. He said wonderful things and made me feel so loved and amazing. We ate lunch with a member that we are teaching her husband. He came to church again yesterday mainly to hear me speak. He is progressing and reading so much of the Book of Mormon. During lunch we were talking about how much her husband has changed and talking about my time here. She started to cry also and said that to her I’m like one of her sons. The members are very sad to see me go. Many have cried and I think many more will tomorrow. I really made a difference here. I love them with all my heart and want to maintain contact with them forever and come and visit this year. They all speak so kind of me and think I have a wonderful mom and family. President Maravilla said the district President here spoke highly of me and President agreed. I feel good. Tomorrow will be a very hard day for me. Saying goodbye to so many wonderful friends. It will be very strange not seeing them every week. Well Mom the time has come to say goodbye to our last email. I have more to tell you but it will be better in person. I love you and am very very excited to see you in 3 days. I love you so much. Be safe, be healthy, be happy, and be prepared to receive a big hug and kiss when I get there. With all the love of my heart, your baby boy, Elder Jensen Cox

Converts are Amazing - February 18, 2013

Cause I’m leavin on a jet plane! Happy Valentine’s Day Mom, I love you! March 17 is a great day to talk. That will be exciting. I’m excited to see people from my ward. They are amazing. On March 3 there is a fireside by Elder Bednar that I want to listen to. That will be wonderful to see all the family and friends and have them over to the house. I imagine it is strange sending the last dear elder. I think it will be very strange sending the last email next week. I do not look forward to looking for a car again but I hope I find a good deal. No news on the package but President knows and his wife is looking into it. Hope they find something before I go. I would like to go Saturday and visit the family in Provo. I have some special things for them. Joey is struggling but I think he is doing better. I keep writing him and I know he will do amazing there. I can’t imagine learning the language. It is very different. I am lucky because Spanish has things similar to English so it is not too hard. I really can’t believe that I only have this week and a couple days left, crazy! It feels weird. I have learned so much in my mission. One of the things that is the biggest for me is the value of family. I have been blessed with a loving family and I have so much more love and appreciation for them. We will spend more time together. I love you Mom! Last Sunday my convert received the Aaronic priesthood. We went to visit him this last week and I asked if he has any questions. He asked where are the prayers for the Sacrament. I showed him Moroni and he read it and said he was asked to bless the bread on Sunday. He started memorizing the prayer. I was so proud of him for his dedication. Sunday he blessed the bread and I was so proud and happy for him. He is a great guy. Now I pray that his wife will receive the gospel. I love that family and want to come visit them this year since I’m not studying. I have met some very special people here and I plan on maintaining lifelong friendships with them. It has been a little harder lately working with my new comp. We don’t fight but I need a little more motivation from him, I need his help. I talked with President in interviews that it is a bit tough and President said keep trying. He told me I have character. He knows how to really make me feel good about myself. So this week I’m going to try all I can to motivate him and work hard. I think the plane flights are going to be the longest hours of my life. When I get off that plane I’m going to give you such a big hug. It will be an incredible day. Thank you for all you have done for me these last two years. You are the best mom ever and I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you. Until the last email next week stay happy, be healthy, and know I love you so much.

Love J

Our Bus Was Hit by a Car - February 11, 2013

Oh Mom I absolutely love your letter. This week was not too bad. We had a meeting in Reu. So I think I told you that the day I go home only one missionary is coming to the mission so there is no change meeting this day. Well President got a message that we will be getting 9 missionaries that have visa problems this next week. So there are unexpected change meeting next week. Crazy how plans change. Next month the mission will get more than 60 missionaries. That will be super crazy. When we came back from Reu it was such a long day of travel. In the bus when we were almost home the bus that we all rented was hit by a car. It wasn't super bad and I’m perfectly fine but another Elder hit his head and cut his eyebrow. We went with him to the hospital to get stitches. Because we went there we missed the last bus to Rio Blanco at 7:30pm. We stayed in San Marcos and left the next day. I was so glad to finally be back home and in my own bed, especially after a long day of travel. It made me think of the 28th. It is going to be such a long day of travel but I will be glad to be back home and finally sleep in my own bed. I still have my own bed, right? hahah. The week was not too bad. We walked again to Chorjale and I was so tired. I have heard lots of comments recently from members that I have been one of the best missionaries in Rio Blanco and a wonderful person. I feel so special. That is my desire that I make a difference here and that they don’t forget me. I think I’m helping many people in Rio Blanco. That would be cool if you wrote Mason's brother. I think he would love that. Also you should tell Mason's mom to join Missionary Moms if she has not. Thanks for the meds. I will tell her that she can take that and it will not affect her baby. I’m glad Lois loved the card and that is so sweet she cried. I would absolutely love to go to the temple with Lois. We could make it a monthly thing or if she can more times a month. That is good that Grandma Davis got her card. I also sent a letter today to Grandmas friend that works with her so hope that gets there quickly. Maybe Grandma was not confused but maybe that was revelation that you and Scott will be going on a mission soon, hahahah. I love your story about the missionaries at Subway. That is so kind of you to buy them lunch. Very incredible too that the guy only charged $4. I love when people are nice to the Elders and do something nice. I’m so grateful for all the food and all the wonderful things people do for the missionaries. I pray and know they will be blessed for that. I want Jentry at my homecoming and if she is available I think it would be way cool to see here when I get home. We will have to plan things. I would love to see Jennifer there too. We have lots of catching up to do. I am so excited to see all my friends and family. I have showed Corinne’s Christmas card of the family and it is so incredible. I show it to everybody and the kids are so cute and big. I call them "mis angelitos" which is kinda funny because here angelito is what they call marshmallows. That would be super incredible to see Galen. I am going to plan some trips to BYU to see him and Escobedo and a couple others. I hope that Bishop gets back to you soon about release info. That is so cool that people from Mountain View remembered me. I try to leave good impressions wherever I go. Your new job is a huge blessing and you had to be there with the things passing in your life. I have received many blessings. More than anything I am so blessed with my incredible family. I love them and will spend so much time with them. You are the best Mom. I am trying to work to the end but I will say the 28^th is going to be one of the best days of my life because I will be with my family again and give them a huge hug. Love you Mom and can’t wait to talk to you soon. AHHH, only two weeks! NOT trunky hahaha.

Love Son

 

Travel Plans - Home in 24 Days! - February 4, 2013

MMMMOOOOMMMM! I opened my email today and saw the travel plans. I’m so excited! The only bad thing is that we are going to be in Reu on the 27th doing very little and then I have a 3:30 hr layover in LA. That is going to be some of the longest hours I think. Elder Fernandez is from Peru. He has 21 months and will probably end in Rio Blanco. We are adjusting to each other. I sent President an email about the package but I think tomorrow when we go to Reu for a meeting I’m going to talk to him in person. Especially now that I saw all the amazing stuff from you and David. I am super sad to not get all that amazing food and more sad for the oil container, SUPERMAN Lego, and tie. :( I wanted to send a video of the shortcut but it is too big for email. You will have to see it. Baby Jensen is very cute and his little sister too. I will try to put them in my suitcase hehehe. I really want to come visit and see him as he grows. I would love to see Nana and Grandpa and any other family that wants to be there when I get home. I want my bro David to be there too.  I don’t know how that works with the Stake President, but tell them and see if I can get released that night. I can’t think of which foods. Anything you cook or prepare will be incredible. I’m excited to spend the day with you March 1. An Xbox party with Tyson sounds so amazing I have been ready for 2 years hahah. I like the comment about hiking, very glad I’m not hiking to UT yikes. I am not super excited about the snow. Nor thinking about finding a job and walking to work in the snow. You had some long days starting at 4:30. Tell Jenner I think he could set that up for me hahah, that would be pretty fun and I would enjoy that. He is doing DJ work, that sounds interesting. I’m glad Corinne’s family got their card. Did Great Grandma get hers? I got a card from Corinne and her family. I love their letters. My little angels are getting so big. I can’t believe how big my Kembree and Ivie are. They all look so cute. I can’t wait to see them and hug them. I’m super excited to see my new cousins too. I have heard incredible things about them. I got an email from Mason. He said his brother is on a mission. Guess where he went? The Philippines! He said it is really hard because it is very hot, there is no running water, and lots of bugs. I imagine the missionary life there is different from your tourist visits. But that is so cool. Mason is living in SLC and is excited to see me again. I was reading the Old Testament this week and I am now in Psalms 106. I know I can finish before I finish my mission. Yesterday I shared my last testimony in Fast Sunday here. I heard some amazing testimonies. After we went to visit a member that had surgery and could not come. We went to give him the sacrament but someone else gave it to him. I also had the thought of visiting the wife of our branch president. She is pregnant and sick and can’t leave the house. I thought about it but did not go until later in the afternoon. We had a good talk and she asked about the sacrament. She said she prayed in the morning that she could receive it. I got that impression for a reason. It is incredible how we can be blessings to others. I do feel bad though that it was later and we did not go as soon as I thought about it when we left the church. It helped me know that I need to follow all impressions the first time that I receive them so I will not miss opportunities to be a blessing to someone else. His wife has a question for you or for Aunt Connie. She is having an irritation and her whole body itches. She wants to know what she can take to stop the itching and something that will be ok taking pregnant that won’t hurt the baby. Will you ask Connie what she can take and let me know? Thanks Mom. I’m so excited to see you and the family. I love you Mom so much and am so blessed to have you as family. Take care, be healthy, be safe, be happy. I am excited for your email next week. Con todo mi cariño,

Tu hijo

 I almost fell off this bridge

 Baby Jensen Mateo Lopez

 River fun

 Ahhh refreshing melted snowman

The baptism of Romulo

 A sweet beenie I was using

 Sunday sunset

 Another river

 Romulo's amazing family

The Shortcut

Hiking down the nice easy part of the shortcut

 We survived and made it to the river

 The trees in the background are where we came down

Change of Companions - January 28, 2013

Hola mi amorosa Madre! Wow sounds like lots of crazy news back home. I feel bad for Dave. His grandmother and then his grandfather. I send him all my love and support. The firing range sounds very fun and I would love to do that. I heard about the ice rain. That sounds absolutely crazy. I cannot believe the weather that Utah is having. Ice everywhere and lots of snow. It sounds like it all came a bit late and is going to stick around for a while. I can’t believe what the pioneers did either. Truly amazing people. Nana and Grandpa are also amazing with all their service and love. So here a lot has happened. Changes were last week and we were happy there was none here, that Elder Guerra would be my last comp. We get along really well and have fun. Well Tuesday the office called and said Elder Guerra has emergency changes. It was super sad and he cried at lunch when I told him. He really didn´t want to leave here and didn’t want to have a different comp. They sent him to the heat of Tikisate. I got a new comp Elder Fernandez. We had these changes because Elder Fernandez and I are going to organize Rio Blanco and another area called Serchil into a zone and we need to determine where they will put more missionaries and where we will have our meetings. It will be lots of work to get everything ready for March when we are a zone and have 12 missionaries. So I called the post office about my packages. The package that Nana sent in June was signed for by the office in July and your package was signed for in November. So the packages that I thought the post office had somewhere are in the office. But there is bad news that made me very upset. I called the office and no one can find them. They told me they looked but found nothing and they are sorry. That is not a good answer to me. They were responsible and lost it and that is money and things from my family. I’m going to write President about it today. Who knows what will happen. What did you send in the package? This week we went to Chorjale in our area and heard there is a shortcut. We decided to try it for the first time. Turns out the short cut is go down a very steep mountain side that has no trail and is pretty much sliding and falling down the mountain. I got super dirty and don’t know how we made it down. Next it’s cross a river and go up another mountain that is steep and crazy. As I was going down the mountain I felt like Bear Grylls from the discovery channel, but in a shirt and tie. Then when we reached the top it was a long walk. I don’t think we will us that path again. We did have a baptism Saturday. I was so happy to see the change in him. I know his daughters are so much happier than I am. His wife is not a member and when we talked she said she couldn’t go but the day of the baptism she came. I was filled with so much joy. The water was ice cold. After I was talking with Romulo and he said the water was freezing but after he came out of the water he felt a heat in his body. He shared a great testimony saying how grateful he is for Elder Guerra and myself. Sunday he also shared a great testimony. I now want to teach his wife and other son that is not a member. After the baptism we had our Book of Mormon activity. Many members came. We did a word search I made and the members really loved it, it was challenging. Then we did two teams that answered trivia questions of the Book of Mormon. Then I gave the certificates that I made for reading the book in 3 months. 12 people finished reading and get ready for this, one is not a member. We need to teach her for sure. The last game was balloons filled with parts of a scripture. Each team searched for their color and when they popped the balloons without using their nails they assembled the scripture and said where is the reference. Our team won. Each person that finished the Book of Mormon gets a scripture case with their name and a pic on it. It should be really good. I’m very happy. Yesterday the office called me for something else. Only one missionary is coming in Feb so there is no change meeting. That will be very different for me. They gave me the option to stay 3 weeks more for the next change meeting but I said no thanks my mom would kill me hahaha. No I’m ready for Feb. Can’t believe how fast it is going. I get travel plans this week so I will let you know as soon as I know. Love you Mom so much and I’m getting extremely excited to see you in 5 weeks. Stay safe and happy. Tell all the family I love them.

Love your baby boy

 

A Baby is Named Jensen - January 21, 2013

Hola Mom! So exciting news. There were no changes for us in Rio Blanco, that means I get to end here YEAH! It will be so good but really sad when I say goodbye to my friends. No news about the package. I have bad luck that everytime we go by the post office it is closed. But I’ll keep trying. I want to ask where the packages arrive here and then call and ask where mine went. No travel news yet. I hope it comes soon. I’m excited for the new pair of shoes. They will be wonderful. David's grandma passed away, that is sad. I send my love to his family. His grandma was really nice and I am glad I got to know her. I am still kinda sick too. This runny nose never goes away. I will have to check out this Downton Abbey show. Sounds very interesting. I don’t really look forward to the cold there in Utah but I think Rio Blanco is preparing me because this last week has been incredibly cold here. It is hard getting out of the warm bed at 6:30 because our house is so cold in the mornings. Today is not as cold but wow it’s been cold.  January has gone by so fast and I can’t believe it is almost February. I will be done before we know it. Heather is growing up so quickly it is crazy to think about. This week we met with Romulo. He really wants to change and be baptized. He has problems with drinking but is doing better. We challenged him to be baptized this coming Saturday and he said yes. I really hope that he can do it. It would be so amazing for him and his family. He has 2 return missionaries, 1 in the mission, and 1 preparing to go, but he and the mom are not members. He is wonderful and I really love the family. This Saturday we also have our Book of Mormon activity. 7 members have finished reading the book in 3 months. I’m happy that they are completing with my activity. We are going to make certificates and give a nice prize of scripture cover for the Book of Mormon. In the activity we have families we have asked to do a skit of some different scriptures. I have also made a word search and we have trivia questions. I hope it goes really well. I have been reading the Old Testament and have a goal to read it all before I go. I started January  1 and yesterday I got to Judges. Not too bad I think I can do it. As I was reading in Dueteronomy I thought about some interesting things. In Chap 4:34-35 talks about the miracles that Moses did in Egypt. Thinking about these scriptures I think the miracles were not really for the Pharaoh but more for the children of Israel. That they would believe in God and know he has power to do anything. Another is in Chap 8:2, here it says that the time they wandered in the wilderness was to try them, see what is in their heart, and if they will live the commandments. There is a video about Zion’s camp. These are similar. In Zion’s camp they never went to war (just like generations of Israel never entered the promised land), the journey was to try them and see what is in their heart, to see if they are faithful and will be the chosen people. That was a cool connection and I also connected it with the hard times in my mission. It is to try me and see what is in my heart. Pretty neat. I’m liking the Old Testament a lot. I have one more cool story. Last month a member had a baby. She was thinking of names and asked her family what my name is. Well I got to meet baby Jensen Mateo Lopez. That's right they named him after me. I feel very special and honored and happy. I think i made a good impression, that and no other person here has the name of Jensen so the kid will be unique. That was special. I want to visit here again in the future and see how Jensen is. This is the same family that the little girl calls us tio elder (uncle elder). Has any of the family got my letters I sent? Love you Mom and hope you have an incredible week and are healthy and happy. Until next week, I can’t wait. 

Reading the Old Testament - January 14, 2013

I could not pass by the post office again to ask about the package. My comp got his. It was a package with letters and pics from his girlfriend.  No travel info yet but I hope it comes soon. Wow it really was a major storm. When was the last time it stormed like that? I’m glad I was not there that would be terrible to drive in. I’m glad Scott is happy though for more opportunities to use his snow blower. I’m curious to hear what he named it. Maybe it was his fault that all the snow came hahaha. How come Grandpa does not have a snow blower? He should have one. I think he would like one a lot. I’m glad Grandma Davis is doing better. I have a card for her but the post office is not open when I go by there. I will try today. Wow Jess and Jaime are getting weapon permits, that is crazy. I would love to go shooting again when I get home. I liked when we went. Free ladies day is way cool. There are 5 missionaries leaving this week and 27 coming. That is a lot. I really hope I stay in Rio Blanco and end here. I still remember the airport, it was lovely haha. Can’t believe only 6 weeks left. That is so fast. This year I made the goal to read the Old Testament because I have never read all of it. I have a goal I would like to do before I go and that is I’m trying to read the Old Testament before I go. Not sure if I will do it because it is really big but right now I’m in Leviticus 15. So it is possible. I was reading in Leviticus and it talks all about the tabernacle that Moses had in the desert. I was trying to learn new things from all that it talks about the furniture and everything. I found some cool stuff. After sacrificing an animal they would put some of the blood on the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. But why? Well it is to symbolize that they will hear the word of God, do and walk according to their commandments. Next I was wondering about the horns that are on the alter. They put blood on the horns. But why horns? Listen to this. The horns symbolize power because most animals with horns are very strong. In Luke 1:69 it says that Christ is the horn of salvation. The blood in the sacrifices symbolizes the atoning blood of Christ, and the horn symbolizes Christ and his power to redeem and save. How cool was my personal study of the Old Testament. I love the scriptures. I love the gospel and I really love my Savior Jesus Christ. I still have a lot to learn and improve but I’m trying and growing a lot. I love you Mom and I’m preparing a giant hug for when I see you. I pray that you are safe, happy, and healthy. Continue to read the Book of Mormon. It is a great book and helps with everything. Well Mom I can’t wait to talk to you next week. Take care and know that I love you.

7 Weeks Left - January 7, 2013

Still no package. I talked with the post office this last week to track where it is. I think tomorrow I will be able to hear where it is at. No package for my comp yet either. I did however get a package of letters. I loved them so much. Sister's letter was so cute. I miss my sister and I’m very excited to hang out with her when I get home. I love all the letters from the family, thank you so much. I did get another letter from dad. He said he is sad that I’m finishing my mission because there will be no more blog and he will not know what is going on in my life. Last Monday I got a form to fill out for my return trip. I gave it to the office this last week so I think I will get travel information next week but I’m not really sure. I know it will be very soon. It has been colder here too. I can’t believe that there is no new snow there but it is freezing cold. Crazy Utah weather. The dinner sounds so good. I can’t wait to eat stuffed mushrooms and clam chowder and many other soups. I’m excited to play games with everyone. So fun. That is so amazing for Connie and Mike. I’m very happy for them. I would love to be there for the sealing, it would be very special to me. Great Grandma was in the hospital? I did not know that. I hope she is doing better. I sent her a letter last week. Hope that helps bring some happiness. I will keep her in my prayers. I love Great Grandma. I was helping our district President yesterday and saw an email about a devotional the first Sunday in March. It will be by Elder Bednar. I thought yay! I will be home for that my first Sunday home. Can’t believe how fast that is coming. This week was good. For New Year’s Eve we went to a member’s house and had a good family home evening then ate and did fireworks it was fun. This week also had some sadness. The Grandma of our branch president passed away. We went to do service and help. So many people came to support the family. It was hard. I gave a talk about life and death. It was good I thought. I talked about how Christ can help us in these hard times because of his atonement. He knows how we feel and how to help us. Death is necessary and a part of life. We feel sorrow because we feel so much love for the person. They are in paradise and we will have a great reunion together one day. The family was crying and as I watched them outside the room of the casket I thought about the tomb of Jesus Christ and how the women came crying to see him, but an angel said he is not here he is resurrected like he said. It was really sad. I gave a big hug to our President and I got emotional during the hug, I feel for the family. We helped carry the casket a long way to the cemetery and up a hill. It was so heavy. Another thought came to my mind. It was the words take up thy cross and follow me. That was a cross that was heavy to bear but there is hope and help from Christ. I am so grateful for my family. I love them so much. They are a big part of my life. I am also so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. That knowledge helps when we lose someone close to us. I love my Savior and all he did for me. The mission has taught me so much. Thank you again for all the emails, the dearelders, and the letters in the package these are all treasures for me. I have learned a lot and know I have much more to learn. I anxiously look forward to our reunion in 7 weeks, wow 7 weeks! Love you with all my heart Mom. You’re the best. Stay healthy and happy.

Love your baby boy