Roller Coaster

MOM

Well this week was really a roller coaster ride. It's crazy how the mission can be like that. One day your on top of the world the next you are in the very low. So here's the story... Wednesday night we had this awesome lesson, probably one of the very best I have ever had on my mission. We have been teaching a less active named Jose. He was baptized when he was 8 and hasn't come back to church since. We basically have been teaching him trying to remind him who he is and what he is a part of. He has been pretty accepting of everything we have taught, but he still hadn't had a testimony. So we taught him who he is and what he can become. The spirit filled the room and then we testified of the Book of Mormon and that is the way how we get closer to God so we can become like him. Next thing we did was ask him right there to pray if the book was true. He did and then we sat there and waited for his answer. The room filled with a spirit that I have only felt in the temple. He Got his answer and now he has no doubts about the Book of Mormon. The very next day we walked up to Huitaca to teach Frandu (that's like an 30-45min walk up hill) we get there and he's not there so we wait for 5 mins and gets there. We try to teach and he's not even paying attention and then basically he said he didn't want to take the lessons anymore. Sad and disappointed we walked the long way down trying to get happy when a dog just comes and bites me in the butt with no warning or nothing. I storm off in an angry fury and then in sadness I plop on the side of the dirt road and start to cry (lots of littler things had happened that day too). Meanwhile Elder Woolner is trying to throw rocks at the dog and tells the kids that their dog is bad. They end up telling him that their dog isn't bad that he's the bad one. One little girl said why are you even here? "Go home"(she had like 12-15years) basically one of the lowest points of the mission we just ended up crying and then laughing and after a short break we went back to working. All I've gotta say is if this wasn't the true church nothing else would of gotten us moving again. That's why the atonement of Jesus Christ is so awesome. The very fact that we could even endure that is because of Him. The price we have to pay to know our Savior is sometimes expensive but every penny is worth it. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for those two days in a row. I got to feel the love of God in both its forms. Who doesn't want to feel that. It was all thanks to the mission and my savior Jesus Christ.

I love you so much,

Elder Kotter

ps here are a few old photos our pention had of me and elder Gomez.


In these pictures you will see Cuy (Guinea Pig). He ate it!!!

Look what I got today!!!

A kind soul traveling through Peru sent this to me today, it was just what I needed! Today is a great day to be a missionary mom!!!


"As I was traveling through Peru Yesterday I had the great fortune to run across your wonderful sons serving missions here. I want you to know that though our encounter was somewhat brief, they are healthy, happy and carry a great spirit with them. You should be proud to know you have raised such fine son's that are representing our Lord with dignity and enthusiasm."


Thanks
John Renouard

John@WHOlives.org

Easter

MOM

Hey how's it going? Sorry to hear about your cold weather. Luckily it got good for Easter. I love the pictures of Easter. I'm glad I'm still part of the family even if it is just a photo.

I'm doing really good right now. Things are just going as they should be. Easter here is kinda different. They celebrate Semana Santa which starts basically Thursday. A lot of people here climb a big mountain where there are 3 crosses to receive a remission of their sins. That's what they do Thursday night. Then after that they just eat food and things like that. It's not as strongly celebrated as it is in the states. For example back home everything at church is about Easter. Here nothing really was but I still had an awesome experience taking the sacrament knowing it was Easter Sunday. I really love the sacrament.

Well this week went ok. It's still the same old same old not a whole lot of outward success but more inward. Slowly I'm becoming more and more the person God wants me to be.

That's soooooo awesome that Zach got his mission call. Way to go Salt Lake City,South.

Way to go mom with all those cup cakes!!!!!!!!!!!! It's way better than I could have done, Thanks for all y'alls support. Keep being awesome and know that I love y'all soooo much. Also remember that we are nothing with out our older brother Jesu Cristo. I love y'all

Elder Kotter

Another week!!

MOM

Hey whats going on? It sounds like y'all are having a great time at home and play. That's crazy that school is almost out because that means my year mark is coming up. Has it already been that long? I cant believe it. That's soo awesome that y'all got to go to the open house of the Ft. Lauderdale temple. I hope y'all enjoyed every minute of it. This week was just the same old same old working in the Lord's vineyard trying to bring souls unto Christ. I finally came to the conclusion that missions are probably the best thing for us young men. Just as I've been working with people who really are as mature as I was when I was in high school (even though they are my senior by like 10 years) I realized y'all must of had a lot of patience with me because my patience is tested everyday it seems like. But I wouldn't want it any other way. I love being here and helping people realize their potential and seeing that potential even when they can't see it themselves. This week we had an activity where Elder Woolner and I got to teach about the Book of Mormon. I just want y'all to know how much I love that book and how much it really has changed my life. Now I get to testify everyday that it is the word of God and it is the best. Really that is what keeps me going. It has so much strength it is almost magical. I love y'all so much keep working hard and keep being awesome!

Elder Kotter

PS I love the pictures