NEW ADDRESS FOR THE NEXT 6 weeks

New Address:

5141 Truemper Way #6

Fort Wayne, IN
46835

Goodbye Ohio, Hello Indiana

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

Wow! What a new adventurous week. I have been called to serve in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area with the Sister Training Leaders, Sister Bealer and Sister Mickelsen! These two are so great! It has only been a week and I am in LOVE with Fort Wayne.

Something that has been so neat to reflect on is how things come over time. Let me tell you all, for the past couple years I have had a burning desire to learn Spanish. So little bit by little bit I have been learning some words (My vocabulary  is very small). Before the mission I tried to learn and out on the mission God put some great people in my life to help me (Gracias! To those that helped me). I know you all are wondering why am I talking about Spanish when I am serving in my native language. The BEST thing has happened! I came to Fort Wayne this week and found out we are teaching a woman that speaks Spanish! Of course we have translators there with us during the lesson, but I now get to try out my Spanish! I am so grateful to God. My process in learning has been slow as molasses but I wouldn't be able to do it any other way. I am taking these small baby steps.

I was thinking about how this relates to all of us learning  the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes through time. It takes a desire to learn, studies, and then practice by living it!

I really enjoyed the Women's Conference on Saturday night. The message that really stuck out to me the whole time was not to judge others but to serve others. It was such a great reminder of how we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ. Here is the link if anyone missed out!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cid=HP14GC&lang=eng

I love you all so much!

Sister Cook

Picture: Meet my TWO new companions! (Left: Sister Bealer Right: Sister Mickelsen)

Bitter Sweet

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

Well I just got the call. I am getting transferred. I am sadly leaving Greenville. I truly love this place! This small town has widen my eyes to a whole new world. I have learned so much from these people. I love them dearly! 

What a wonderful, last week of the transfer. So many miracles! AH, such a beautiful week! Talking to people about Jesus Christ and their favorite stories of him. People are changing their lives for the better, because of God! I LOVE IT! I am just acting as an instrument in Gods hands, but He is working with them as they continue to soften their hearts and listen to His word.  Of course there is always going to be persecution and negative comments, but this week I can't help but SMILE!

On Saturday, we had the great honor to hear from the apostle Elder Neil L. Anderson and other leaders of the church. I wish I could restate all that was said in our meeting with them, but my words are short and not eloquent to give it any justice. I can not deny the Spirit as it testified to me that these leaders are called by God. The Spirit was so sweet in that meeting house as we heard their testimonies of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all so much! Stay tuned for next week to find out where I will be serving! 

 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Cook

Pic 1: My zone waiting outside the Church house to hear from our great leaders.

Pic 2: Our cute little church building! 

Pic 3: Sister Witherspoon! It was good to see my trainer again!

Oh, Maple syrup

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

It has been awhile since you have heard from me! All is well in Greenville. My companion is feeling well. We are out and about serving, experiencing miracles, and sharing the greatest news of the restored gospel! 

The other day we were out teaching at a home of a family that lives way off the road in the thicket of trees. They are the greatest and so sweet. They wanted to show us how they made maple syrup. We trucked through the mud 'til we came to a shack. Inside, was a large metal vat boiling the sap which turned into maple syrup.  This family works really hard to keep their product going. I was so impressed with how much they have to do. After all their hard work their product is sweet, delicious, and REAL. YUM. Well, I got too excited over the whole thing and stood too close to the big metal bin that was boiling the sap. Even with the mother warning me to not stand close, I must have thought my distance was sufficient enough from the boiler. Seconds later the mother screamed as she saw my coat burn. I looked down and started to laugh. The kids started to laugh. I didn't know what else to do because this sweet, sweet lady was  feeling so bad. Thankfully it was just my coat that got the damage from the heat. My body was safe. After all the shock and the laughter I have since then been able to reflect on the experience. 

I first was reflecting on how we are given commandments to keep us safe. They are not given to restrict us or to keep us from having fun. Even if we don't understand a commandment(s) right now the consequence will follow no matter what, good or bad. John 14:15,21.The sweet mother warned me and yet I still stood to close! Don't try to justify a commandment. Live it to your best ability!

My second thought was on faith. James 2:17-18. Faith without works is dead. We show our faith by the works that we do. This family works all day for their scrumptious maple syrup. They don't just leave it unattended and hope that it will become something sweet and YUMMY! They have to go out and spend time with it all day. From this I have reflected on my faith. Am I working all day on ways to increase my faith in  Jesus Christ? Do I constantly have a prayer in my heart? Am I repenting daily? Do I live my baptismal covenants? So many thoughts roll through my head.

It was a great day to experience a great life lesson. 

I love you all so much! 

BE SAFE!

Sister Cook

Cats, rats, and all of that.

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

Have you ever seen a rat chase a cat? It is a real thing. A family that we are teaching has two pet rats and they just got a cat. During our lesson the cat dashed into the room with the rat right on its heels. It was so funny! We couldn't stop laughing. 

This week I realized how important it is to stick to our faith. It is important to exercise our faith in God everyday and to NOT GIVE UP! PERSEVERE! Right when it comes to the breaking point is when God delivers us from what ever we are experiencing. This week has been wonderful! 

Great things are happening here in Greenville!

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!

Love, 

Sister Cook

Picture:

We were doing exchanges with the wonderful Sister Training Leaders. They are so great!